Trips around Europe!!!

With Martijn's job I am able to go with him. It's fun to be able to send so much time with Martijn. But the really great part, we get to travel all over Holland, Belgium and sometimes France!!! So much fun living in Europe!!!

Hoek van Holland, we were cold.

I look so pale

We both wanted Doners, we found a cute place. The Doners were ok.

I love this man so much!!

Kinderdijk, so many windmills

A map of all the windmills

Date Night!!!!

Chocolate Foude, so yummy!!!

Our couch pulls out into a bed. So we bring out our bedding and watch a movie.

One morning I woke up to this in our bathroom.  After a rough night of missing my family and friends. Martijn felt he needed to let me know how much he loves me. 

France!!!!

So I had to go to the bathroom really bad. And this was the toliet that I found. Got to love the French.

The middle of the city.

The oprea house. I told Martijn we should go to an oprea. :)

This is a hotel. Only in Europe!!!

Valentine's Day. I talked Martijn into getting Hot chocolate.

We really love each other!!

We are so happy to be together. Martijn's mom told him that she has never seen him so happy. We both are really happy. Yeah I have my hard days but overall I am so happy. More than I have ever been. I love being so loved and a good feeling of I am in the right place. Martijn is my one true love.

Happy 1 Month!!!

So I think that is a little crazy to celebrate being married for one month but this is special for us. This is the longest we have been together in the same room. We have been married for a month. Marriage has been an exciting, thrilling, and life changing. It is something I could never imagine. So many quick changes I found it surprising how comfortable I am within the role of wife and living in a new country. I am so happy to be married to Martijn. When we were getting to know each other, I thought that I loved him. But within the month, my love as grown for him. He is the most amazing, sweet, loving, willing, serving husband. I know that many wivies say that about their husband. But it true for me, I would never had imagine that I could feel so love.
The month has brought its changes. I have been fighting homesickness. I really miss my family and friends. A couple of times I have cried, poor Martijn. I have been very blessed to have a loving husband, who holds me as I cry. Learning to balance is hard. Making sure that my husband is happy is something that I love to do. Nothing gives me more happiness than to have my husband come home to a clean house. But I am learning how I feel loved. It is sure different than with a mission companion. Martijn and I know each other very well and we are about to look at each other and know what is wrong. We work well together, balancing each other.
One of my favorite things to do is look at him. I see how handsome he is, how caring he is, everything that I love about him. I love him so much. Then he makes a silly face!!! That is my Martijn.
But to celebrate our anniversary, it was pretty simple. We started on Friday with Date Night. Martijn's sister Amy let us borrow Merlin. Which is quickly became a favorite of ours. We spend the next 24 hours in bed, enjoying watching Merlin, eating and sleeping.... ;) Easy weekend for us. Sunday was Mum and Dad Boom's 23 anniversary. We go over to their place every Sunday for dinner. Mum made an a wonderful fish dish. (I will have to get the recipe). It was an easy evening, just the family. Then home. Monday I went with Martijn to work, was able to help him. That was nice. The jobs ran later then plan but on our way home, we stop at Ikea (the largest and the international headquaters) and went to Delft. We weren't able to see much in Delft due to the fact that it was dark and cold. We want to come back when it is not as cold and dark. I am so lucky that Martijn and I both love History and culture. We enjoying seeing where people came from. I love the fact that we live in Europe. Great dream of mine coming true.  We are able to see so much in such a small area.
There are many anniversaries to come with a lot of crazy stories. But the one thing that I am looking forward to is the deep love that grows within me for the man in my arms. Happy 1 month anniversary!!!

Understanding The Netherlands vs Holland

So everyone is trying to understand where I am living. I am living in the Netherlands but sometimes is known as Holland. But Holland is like the States in the Netherlands. So we call the America the United States of America. And within America it is made up of 50 states. The Netherlands is the same they are made up of 12 "states". Martijn and I live in North Bradant. It is in the southern half of the Netherlands. I have a video and pictures of what I am trying to explain.

                                      

Hope that helps!!!

Our Wedding Day/ Breda reception

A girl dreams of her wedding day for years. Planning and cutting. Making sure that every detail is prefect. When push come to shove, I really didn't care about the details. All I wanted to do was be with Martijn. The night before I didn't sleep well, I woke up in the night. I was excited and nervous. I was getting married within a few hours. Really, me getting married??!! That seems so crazy. I went to the living room and wanted to watch cartoons. Maybe to feel like a kid again. Everything that I was comfortable with was changing. At 8 Ashley came to do my make-up. At 9 Melody came and did my hair. My dad called Joep and was like get me out of here. So much girl stuff hehe my poor dad. I was so excited and I felt so beautiful!!!! I was nervous and so ready to see Martijn. We loaded in the car headed to the temple. I was so happy and really couldn't wait. We got to the temple and he was already there waiting for me.

The reunion was sweet. He was so happy to see me. And the look on his face made me so grateful that I was marrying the most wonderful man ever!!! We had our meeting with a member of the temple presidency. We were excited that the temple was just ours. We had picked a time where the temple was normally closed. Made me feel special. After the meeting I went and put on my wedding dress. We went back and enjoyed the moment together before we would eternally became man and wife. The whole ceremeny wasn't long. My mom told me stories of it lasting for 30 mintues to an hour. I was nervous already. But the ceremeny wasn't that long maybe 20 mintues. But it was so beautiful. I couldn't help but smile. I was so happy to be marrying my best friend!!! Everyone was happy for us. At one time I looked at my Dad and saw him tearing up. His little bully was getting married. I felt all my loved ones around not only on this earth but those who had passed on. It was a very special moment for Martijn and I. One that we will never forget. As I am writing this I keep looking at Martijn. I am truly lucky and blessed to have him as my husband.

When we walked out of the temple all my family and friends were waiting for us. We were married for time and all eternity!!! The whole day went really fast for us. We took photos with Coral Lee Carlson who is one the best I have ever seen. My mom made sure that we had the money in the budget for her. I can't wait to see the photos. We had cold weather but snowy. Prefect for the theme of our wedding!!! We had a lot of fun. After photos we went home for food and a nap. Reception that night was the party of the year.

When my mom and I were talking about the reception and what we wanted. We both agreed that we wanted a dance party. We wanted people to come and have a fun time!!! So that is what we had a huge PARTY!!!!! We hired a DJ who was AMAZING!!! And we danced, danced and danced. The last ones to leave were Kari and Tiffany's family. (Kari and Tiffany are basically my big sisters and really helped me to become the person that I am today) We had a blast. The daddy/daughter dance was so sweet we both were crying. The mother/son dance was a special moment for Martijn and Kirsty. Overall it was everything that I had dreamed of and hoped for!!!!

Breda reception was prefect!!! My wonderful mother in law, aunts and her friends worked so hard to put it together. And it was different than the one in the states but I love it!! We had a family dinner which is a Dutch tradition. And I have to say I LOVE the Boom family. I already feel like I have known them for years and that I fit right in the family.  It was amazing to have a family dinner talking, laughing and joking. Then we had the open house. There were a lot people and I am still so jet lag. It was nice to see the people that Martijn grew up with. After being apart for so long and not really being on the same continent. So our dating was skype!! It was so nice to be able to see and do things with Martijn. There is a lot of love for Martijn. Overall the whole wedding experience was amazing everything that I have dreamed of and truly wanted. I married the love of my life, my best friend. I feel truly blessed and spoiled by the Lord.

I have found that when we do what the Lord asks of us, he blesses us for being willing to step out in the Dark and have faith in him. I would have never thought that my life would end up here. Married to a wonderful, loving Husband, living in the Netherlands and being eternally happy. The Lord wants us to be happy and not for a moment but for forever. And that is what I am.

So much to Update!!!!

December!!!! The last two weeks were so crazy. My man and his family flow from the Netherlands to Medford. Due to weather they were delayed in Washington DC for a couple hours but finally were able to made it to San Fran. They spent Saturday in San Fran seeing the sights. Martijn was a trooper but I could tell that he just wanted to be with me. Finally Sunday they came. I waited by the office window wanting to see him. The reunion was sweet and I was so grateful that he was there. And I finally got to meet my new in-laws. The events that accord next still blows my mind. My parents and his parents connected in a way that is unexplainable. Like they have been friends rather family for years. All week we tease my Dad and Joep that they had a Bromance going on. They hit it off so way. My mom and Kirsty were the same. It was amazing!!! They was a great peace in our home, that the union that was going to be formed was right and ordain of God. We enjoyed the week together. Christmas Day we went and saw Les Miserables. We liked it but Joep fell asleep. Yes, Martijn threw popcorn at him. :) We went to the coast the next day and Thursday we went stuff ready for the wedding. A lot of my family was able to come and celebrate this amazing together. The events of that week seem to be enjoyable. It was fun for me to see Martijn with my parents and fun to be with Martijn's parents.

Coming together

So we are coming down to the finals day till Martijn and I are together again. I am so excited to see him again. Long distance relationship are so hard. But I am a small part grateful for the distance, we are so physical with each other. Things seem to be coming together. Martijn moved into our apartment, I was able to give my notice at work. Things are coming together!!! I am so excited to be able to start my life with Martijn. We were talking this morning. He was laying in our new bed and I was so jealous. I want to be there. Its hard when you miss your best friend, the one that completes you. It is so close till we are together. 

Our new Bed

Martijn's empty room at his parents

Also this week, Martijn and his family celebrated Sinter Klaas. I'm still not sure what it is but I think I have to experience it first. Sinter Klaas is Santa Claus for us. He comes earlier in December with his little black helpers. Last year when I was on my mission. Martijn sent me a little treat, a chocolate letter "S" and a poem. I made the chocolate into hot chocolate for Sister Jamie Wilhelm and me. Martijn explained to me when they were kids. Sinter klaas would bring toys and Zwarte Piet (Black Peter) brings candy. As they get older, they find out the truth. They make their own gifts for each other. I am excited for this new tradition. I kind of think that Martijn is going to play Sinter Klaas and Zwarte Piet for me next year since it is my first. Which is fine by me. :) I could be totally wrong with my description. But hey its an American trying to explain a Dutch holiday. :)

Sinter Klaas with Zwarte Piet

My new sister in law Chelsea and her Beau.

Lucy with her Sinter Klaas gift

Martijn's gift for his Dad

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTIJN

So Today Dec 6, is Martijn's birthday!!!! He is 22. I know he's so young!!! But the funny thing is I feel like he is older than me. He is quiet mature for his age. But I am so grateful to his parents for raising such as amazing and wonderful man. And choosing not to kill im when he was drive them crazy!!!! Happy Birthday my wonderful, amazing man!!! And know I love you dearly and deeply.

My Sweet boy

My silly boy

My handsome Man