Idaho Vacation Part 1

I'm not sure if I've ever looked more forward to any other vacation then this past vacation of nine days to Idaho. For many different reasons this was a very exciting vacation; the boy's and John's family met for the first time, the boy's experienced the beautiful nature in Idaho, and it was our first family trip (unofficially). The pictures alone display the beauty and fun we had in Idaho. I know we'll always go back because we'll have family there, but I'm hoping to one day we go and end up calling it home. A girl can dream, a girl can pray and God can answer.

 

The boy's all hit it off very well. You would have never knew this was the first time they met their new cousin.

The rest tells its own story....



Mr. McGowan showing J how to cast a fishing pole for his first fishing trip.

Coeur d'Alene Lake

Back at McGowan Acres.....

This is John's favorite lake 'Round Lake'. It is now OUR favorite lake. The serenity and peace of this lake is indescribable.

The colors in these pictures are amazing!

One of my favorite pictures! My F-A-M-I-L-Y!

A hike around Round Lake. Two miles of beauty and no complaints from the boys.

This is one precious picture. I love seeing the boy's being boys. Fishing poles and tackle boxes headed to the river.

K's not too fond of the worms.

*Note the rod bending, he's got a fish!

 

And there it is! Look at K's face.

 The boys have never been fishing before, this was a whole new experience for them. John was so patient and so good with the boys, I seriously couldn't have asked for a better soon to be husband and father to my sons.

  J's face is priceless. A boy's first fish!

 

And then....he caught two more.

 J was very, very upset that John cut his fish and threw them back in the river. The last fish put him in tears and J sobbed and sobbed on John's lap till he threw up. And yes, John's smiling.

 

 Stay tuned for part II and III to come......

He asked, WE said yes.

Three years ago, I have a vivid memory of my mom reading me Deuteronomy 6 to me as a sat in a puddle of my own tears. But she didn't just read this verse, she proclaimed it with authority and asked me to claim it over my own life.

 

Deuteronomy 6 talks about obeying God's commandments. He talks about the blessings that comes with obedience and all that He has for us if we just do one thing, obey His commandments. From that day forward I referred to that verse many times.

 

Deuteronomy 6:11 was a verse John and I spoke about early on in our relationship. It says  "....houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, dug out wells that you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant.....".

 

On July 28, 2013 while visiting John's sister in Temecula, he invited me to go on a walk at sunset. I figured he wanted to get some air and clear his mind from the day's activities. We walked just a few hundred feet over to a beautiful vineyard with rolling green hills, it was beautiful. (There was even a paparazzi photographer catching every moment!) 

 

 

 

 

As you can tell, this is where he got on one knee and asked me to marry him.

And this last picture is my favorite picture of all.

I love the fact that John chose to propose here, it's just a simple reminder that God is faithful. He was so faithful! He did dig wells we didn't dig and He provided vineyards we did not plant and there is not better reminder of that than this beautiful vineyard

 

I say "WE" because this incredible man asked the boys before he got on one knee to ask me. Their answer was yes, of course, and he proceeded on to make exactly what Deuteronomy 6:11 had promised me.