This song, these words, I can't sing  or meditate on enough this week. So true, so good...

 Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me 

Morning by morning I wake up to find 
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine 
Season by season I watch Him, amazed 
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways 
All I have need of, His hand will provide 
He’s always been faithful to me. 

I can’t remember a trial or a pain 
He did not recycle to bring me gain 
I can’t remember one single regret 
In serving God only, and trusting His hand 
All I have need of, His hand will provide 
He’s always been faithful to me. 

This is my anthem, this is my song 
The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long 
God has been faithful, He will be again 
His loving compassion, it knows no end 
All I have need of, His hand will provide 
He’s always been faithful, He’s always been faithful 
He’s always been faithful to me.

-Sara Groves

Weekend trip

Back in February we took a spontaneous trip to Lancaster, PA. We were in need of some R&R and a little get away so on a Thursday night we booked a little B&B in Lancaster county.

On Saturday we headed to Pennsylvania and got to our cute B&B a little later than we wanted, right around dinner time. Little did we know, all of the authentic Amish farmer markets, stores and restaurants close fairly early on Saturday because the following day is their day off (and because they don't use electricity). We were kind of super bummed, no amish whoopee pies, shoofly pies, breads and cheese? We didn't really know what to do. We ended up at a local, non-amish "smorgasbord" for dinner which turned out to be like a Golden Corral, or a not so great buffet.  With hopes of finding some better spots on Sunday we went back to our cozy room and then enjoyed a tasty breakfast in the morning.

 ^searching for covered bridges^

^huge farms^

 I didn't get the best pictures but the covered bridges were beautiful.

we aren't very good at taking the extended arm shot of ourselves ;)

 Even though all the Amish places were closed... we did find a little dutch place that had some pretttty                                    good whoopee pies and even some fresh baked shoofly pie. 

^chocolate with peanut butter filling^

^pumpkin with cream cheese filling^

In the end we were grateful to see the beautiful sights and enjoy the whoopee pies... and when we go back one day we will be sure to go during the week! We certainly learned our lesson :)

Our last days in DC

Before leaving Quantico we needed to check off two final things on our DC bucket list:

#1 Attend an evening parade at Marine Barracks Washington D.C. also know as 8th & I because of it's location on the corners of 8th & I Streets.  As said here:

"Marine Barracks Washington supports both ceremonial and security missions in the nation's capital. The Barracks is home to many nationally recognized units, including the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Band, the official Marine Corps Color Guard, and the Marine Corps Body Bearers. It is also the site of the Home of the Commandants, which, along with the Barracks, is a registered national historic landmark."

"Oldest Post of the Corps"

The evening parade consists of a marine band concert, lots of precise drilling, a performance by the silent drill platoon (see video below) as well as an appearance by LCpl. Chesty XIII, the official mascot of Marine Barracks Washington :).  It was a moving experience seeing the discipline of those marines and their love for our country. And all of them in their dress blues... goodness, I can't believe I get to be married to one :)

Here is a short clip of the silent drill platoon. If you ever get the chance, you should go to see this in person.


#2 Try brunch at Foode (and order chicken and waffles for our first time)
Foode is a little place in historic downtown Fredericksburg self described as "Gourmet for the rest of us" They serve gourmet food sourced by local, fresh and organic ingredients. Amazing find, right?

                        ^Daniel's coffee float drink^                          ^my first mimosa!^ yummy!

                                 ^"The Big Nasty"^                         ^much anticipated chicken and waffles!^

We each split our entrees because we both wanted to try them! It was the best breakfast of my life, most certainly. If you are ever in the area, check out Foode!!!

Next post: The move!

Vacation and house hunting

Over the next few weeks Daniel took some leave and I finished my nannying job as the school year                                  came to an end. We were then able to travel and rest up together! 

 We went on lots of hikes! ^^Sky Meadows State Park, VA^^

 We visited Cattail twice! Once by ourselves and another time with Wes and Mary over 4th of July weekend. Getting to hang out with Daniel's brother, our sister-in-law and their soon to be here baby was so special and fun. We pretty much read, talked and ate delicious food the whole time. Perfect if you ask me :).

Daniel played a fair amount of golf after finding a $6 course 5 minutes from our apartment. I on the other hand happily walked the holes with him, because I can't even hit the ball off the tee, hah! 

After a full day of house hunting (yes it only took a day!), we fell in love with a beautiful house in a quaint seaside town a little ways off base. We couldn't feel more blessed to be homeowners and are loving every second of it. Daniel now has a garage/workshop and immediately starting working on building things for our home, but more posts on that and house pics later!

 

           ^first time seeing the house^               ^first morning in our home after closing^

 We were able to make it to Virginia Beach for a couple of days for the Crane family reunion. It was a sweet sweet time of catching up and spending time with family. The nephews are growing up so fast and becoming even more adorable. I wish I could see them all more.


Next post: our last days in DC!

TBS Graduation

On May 29th Daniel graduated from The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia! We were so blessed to have so much family come and celebrate with us. I am so proud of your diligence, impressed by your                                                 strength, and thankful for all your hard work baby!

 I made Daniel a special graduation cake using his mom's amazing chocolate chip pound cake recipe and cream cheese frosting. I found the 3D EGA (eagle globe and anchor) cake topper at this USMC party website. Cakes are so much fun!

Next post: Vacation & house hunting!

these last few months.

The next few posts I will be catching you up on the past 3 months.  It's hard to believe we're already half way through August (what?!) but it has been a full, fast, exciting and wonderful couple of months...

Catch up time!

On May 11th we celebrated our one year anniversary! What an amazing, adventurous and full year!  My love and admiration of you has only grown from that night we danced under the twinkling lights and stars. You've made me the luckiest girl and I am so thankful I get to share my life with you, DJA!



Next post: TBS Graduation!

A day in DC

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Last weekend we went to our first Nationals baseball game. Being our first professional baseball game, it was awesome! The crowd's team spirit was so strong and is was fun to join in the cheering. Afterwards we metroed to capital hill to see the cherry blossoms. We were a little late, as most of the trees had already bloomed, but we did find some gorgeous spots! We didn't realize the cherry blossom festival was going on that weekend and ended up amongst thousands of people covering the sidewalks and also trying to take pictures with the prettiest trees. Hah, we should've know better. Despite all of that it was still lovely & we got some good pictures :).

tulips in DC!

^^so. many. people^^

but I can see why...

and now you've probably had your cherry blossom fix,
 you're welcome ;)