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

Las Vegas

So this week I was able to go to Las Vegas and visit my Grandma Minnie. My Aunt Theresa called my Dad to let him know that my Minnie is going down. My poor Minnie has been going down since my Grandpa died 11 years ago. So I asked my dad if I could go with him. I flew into Vegas on Wednesday and drove back on Saturday. Not only was I able to see my Grandma but spent time with my Aunt and Dad. 

Bridal Shower and Jessica's Baptism

This week was interesting for me. It seems like every week we have something till the wedding. This last week I had my bridal shower and Alden's best friend. Martijn was busy hard at work for his dad. I really proud of how hard he is working to make sure I can be taken care of. In a lot of ways he is like my dad. Always willing to go the extra mile. By the end of the week, Martijn was really sick but he still was able to send me a note to tell me he love me....

He is so sweet...

But this week I had my bridal shower. Thank you to Tiffany Idiart. I have had two Young Women leaders who have changed my life. They are like my sisters, I love them so much!!! Tiffany was willing to host the shower. It turned out really cute. She did a International theme with black and white and red. She got pictures of Martijn and I together. Many gals showed up, women that I love and have known for years. I wish that I can say that I got kitchen presents and things for the house but since I am moving to the Netherlands it's a little harder for me to take things. But there something that is a little easier for me to take, beside cash. :) I did have some embrassing moments but it was fun.

                                                   Thanks Tiffany! For a great shower.

Next exciting thing that happened this week. Alden's best friend Jessica got baptized. When I was on my mission, Alden wrote me about this girl that ahe gave a Book of Mormon to and invited to Girls Camp. Alden was able to share her testimony. The progress continued thanks to the Holy Ghost. And she made the decision to be baptized. I was so proud of the girl.

A year ago

A year ago sometime this week, Elder Boom was released. He has been home a year. It has gone by fast for me at least. Martijn told me that it went slow because he was waiting for me. But we started writing pretty quickly after he got home. The story is pretty funny. It started about two weeks before the transfer end. I got a phone call from Elder Boom, asking me for pictures and recipes. It was really good for us to talk. I felt that I had a best friend. I was always felt that the empty space in me was filled when I was with him. I really wanted to see him at Bahnhof for transfers. And I was able to see him. I got there before him and was waiting for him. When I saw him walking up I was really excited and nervous, butterflies came into my stomach. I let him come to me and of course he did. We talked and Martijn asked a big question. At one point, Martijn pulled me aside and asked if he could write me for the rest of my mission. Martijn still teases me about the look on my face. I was shocked more or less. The thoughts were going everywhere through my head. But I said yes. And I am so grateful that I did. I was able to get to know Martijn better and see him grow. His year was pretty busy. Right when he got home he was called as the Young Men’s president, he was working two jobs and planning to go to school. I remember his letters asking me what he should do. He told me that he felt right about teaching. Martijn loves History and Geography and loves to teach. And he has a great talent for teaching. I remember his District meeting lessons they were amazing!!! I really felt that I was learning and I was having fun. Those kids would really enjoy his lessons. Plus as a history and geography teacher, we get to travel. :) I encouraged him to go for it because I felt good about it and I know that he has a talent. So he made the decision to go to school for History and Geography. His year was busy. I am so proud of all that he did. He saved money and prepared for the future. I had no idea that he was saving as much as he did. He is such a hard worker and so determined to make me happy. When I got home, we were shortly engaged and now we are planning a wedding. Now he is working for his Dad’s company and earning more money so that I can live with him in the Netherlands. This past year has been really a big year for him, from working a ton to getting engaged. A lot of changes but true happiness. He tells me that he is so happy, more then he could every dream of. He wouldn't have imagined his life would turn out this way.

Elder Christensen, Martijn and Elder Metcalf last day.

Martijn reunites with his Family

Weird to Think

Every girl dreams of getting married… For me I had my dream wedding all planned out for the dress, colors, season, all I needed what the groom. When Martijn and I were talking wedding plans we had two dates in mind May or Dec. I personally didn’t want a Dec wedding that is going to be a busy month for us. Martijn’s birthday, Sinterklass, Christmas, New Years plus it so cold. Winter was not my idea, spring wedding with purple and green. Purple was my great grandma’s favorite color and green goes so well with it.  But when Martijn and I talked about the date, we felt that December was the time. My parents wanted the wedding May for a lot of reasons but Martijn and I live so far away from each other it would be really hard for us. So we prayed and fasted and went to the temple. We both felt that December. So the plans began, we had to change the colors and I found a collage of colors that I truly love.

Where it all started. Love the colors

My mom took over with the wedding details and is doing amazing job. We found my dress, venue, Alden’s dress, flowers, cake and pretty much everything is done. Of course we have the little things to do.

As the plans are coming together, I am starting to realize that I am getting married. I really have dreamed of this moment since I was a little girl. But the thing that gets me the most is the wonderful guy that I am marrying. He is everything that I want and so much more. I realized that the plans really don’t matter but the thing that truly matters is the person that you are marrying. I am one who loves the bride/wedding show but I was able to see what truly mattered to them. Was it the wedding or the man who was more important them? The little details melt away when you have found the person of your dreams and whom you are suppose to be with. When the man is right the wedding is not the happily ever after but the next 50 to eternity is the Happily ever after. We are so blessed in the church of Jesus Christ to be able to marry our sweethearts for eternity. I am truly excited to be married. But of course it is so weird for me to think that I am getting married. But it seems so normal when it is the most amazing man ever!!!! 

Time apart

Long distance relationships are so hard. Factor in different time zones, weird work schedules and trying to find the time to talk. It really is hard for me and him to be away from each other we really miss each other. But we are keeping busy working and planning the wedding (on my end at least). Martijn is working for his dad repairing everything from leather to wood to metal. The job is going well but with any new job it takes time to get a good rhythm. But I am so proud of him. He really wants to do a good job and make things work. Me: I am working two jobs and trying to save money for our new life together. And so far I am able to save money and help my man!!! We are counting down the days, skype is our best friend but we are so tired. But here are some pictures from what we have been doing...

Old Friends reunited- Ashlee, Brittany and Me

Halloween Party with Tiffany

Spending the day with his Dad

The boy went to Germany!!!

  Martijn is counting down the days that was in September

I need to get more pictures of me. Martijn is really good at the pictures...