From This Day Forward... (Our Wedding Story)

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Welcome to Marriage Monday, hosted by Chrysalis!
In honor of June, the theme this month is

"Our Wedding Day"...


When I think back to my wedding, and all the days leading up to it, it seems like a whirlwind of happiness, excitement, a few snags, a tiny bit of stress...and with just a little bit of loneliness thrown in.

Loneliness, you ask?
You see, my fiance', who had joined the Navy the previous summer, was half way across the country during most of this frantic and exciting time.
Therefore, I was left to make all the decisions (and to make them all on a tiny shoestring budget!)

With my minuscule savings, though, I somehow managed to pick out my dream dress...
I picked out our cake, the topper, the flowers, the photographer...and all the millions of other details that I'm sure my fiance' was just as glad to stay out of and leave all to me!

My mom did go with me for dress fittings, meetings with florists, ect. But mainly she was just there for moral support- the decisions were all up to me. Which was both good and bad.

And did I mention I had to do it all in four short months?

Actually, this wasn't as stressful as you might think.
Some couples differ or even argue over everything from invitations to fruit punch...
Not the case with us. I got to make all the choices.
His job was to fly in and show up on the appointed day with the ring and wearing his tux.
(OK, I exaggerate just a tad...)

But truth be told, there was a bit of an interesting challenge trying to find things for my wedding in time...at the right price...and that I actually liked.

Oh, there were a few times that I secretly wished we weren't counting the pennies.
For example, after the most important things to me were picked out, I was forced to cut corners...one of them being the decorating of the church. I could only afford real flowers for my bouquet and our wedding party...but the church had to be donned with artificial flowers. Deep inside, I was a little disappointed at the outcome...but I reminded myself that what happened on this day was more important than any superficial surroundings.

I had hired a photographer, but the camcorders were covered...we had both the best man's wife and one of his brothers each bringing one for our big event.
Or so I thought.

Finally, our day arrived.
Right before my two dear bridal attendants were about to make their entrance, we found out that both- both- of these camcorders were forgotten.
One of my attendants and dear friend that she is caught my falling expression before it hit the floor and quickly said anything and everything she could think of to not let it spoil the moment for me. (It worked, bless her heart!)

(Minutes before the ceremony...my quick thinking friend, D. is on the left as they practice "their walk".)

I should add that my husband-to-be and I saw one another only once during our engagement period due to the miles of distance between us.
So when my moment arrived, and I began my slow walk in my dreamed-of flowing gown, it was the first time he had seen me in an entire two months.

Now, some brides relish their walk, regally smiling at everyone as they slowly walk on their father's arm.
My mom had offered to walk me down the isle, but as much as I loved her, I was more of a traditionalist, so I was to go it alone. (Yes, Mom...if I had to do it over...)

As I walked those first couple steps all alone in my flowing white gown, I remember feeling more than a bit of stage fright...
I wasn't thinking of the flowers (or lack thereof) nor the fact that our ceremony wouldn't be captured on film. And I was especially not I jittery about marriage itself.

But nevertheless, my bouquet probably trembled as I walked in step to The Wedding March.
The blur of faces seemed to not even be smiling at me, but looking back I know it was more due to my nervousness that made it appear so.

But then I dared to look up into the face of my beloved, whom I hadn't seen in months and who I was now about to pledge my undying love.
When I saw him beaming down at me as he stood on the platform, I couldn't help but beam in return.
I knew I could make it the rest of the way if I kept my eyes on him and the way he was looking at me...
And as he stepped down to take my arm, the rest of the room faded completely from view...


I can't help now but think of the hidden meaning that took place in this ceremony. No wonder God designed marriage as a symbol of Christ and the Church!
If we just keep our eyes on Him in the midst of life's trials or fears- and even see a glimpse of the way He lovingly sees us- all us will begin to fade a bit from our view.


My earthly groom can still make my heart beat faster.
But unlike Christ, he is only human- complete with human failings. And so am I.
So it's a day-to-day process of accepting and forgiving...


And occasionally stepping away from the hectic pace of life and going back in time together...back to that incredible day when we looked into one another eyes after time and distance had kept us apart, and took our vows to always love, honor and cherish...

When all we could see was each other.

Calendar Daze

Thank you for the comments on Part 7- San Francisco. I had to add that, unbeknownst (is that really a word?) to me at the time, the day I wrote that post was actually the anniversary of the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge! May 27th, 1937!




This is a post to say that I don't have a real post.

Like with so many of you, this next week or so proves to be busy with events of the ending school year. I was just gazing at the calendar in front of me...sigh.
Here's just a few of mine...

Saturday, my eight year old who began violin lessons in February, will take part in her very first recital.

She will play just half of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star- but with a special rhythm!

Next week, although we home school, my Kindergartener- my baby- will take part in a special Sunday School Kindergarten graduation.

I'll be taking my tissues along with my camera.

My eight year old will be taking her first big test required by homeschoolers in our state.

We will remain calm...we will remain calm...

On top of these, we also have several Missionette badge ceremonies...and an end of the year home school group picnic...

And somewhere in here, I'll be taking a day to help my mom pack things away before we put her house on the market...

But just when I think I can take it easy...

Swimming lessons begin!

Every single morning for two straight weeks...

I've been saying this every year for awhile, but this summer I really, honestly, hope to slow down just a bit...take a collective deep breath as a family...and just enjoy the simple little everyday pleasures of the season.

Hmmm...maybe starting in July...?

So what are you plans for the summer?



Also, be sure to join me for the next Marriage Monday! In between all the above busy-ness, I really hope to finally join in again this time!
You can also participate by sharing your own wedding story! Go visit Chrysalis for the details!

California Road Trip- Part 7

So you thought our California trip saga was all over, did you?
I know, it's been over a month now since we returned but I left out the very last leg of the trip...which I actually have to tell in two posts. So, don't think of this as Part 7 but Part 1 of the ending!

When I last left off, we were saying good-bye to my nephew and his wonderful family at the southern tip of the west.

Now we had to drive back up.

So, in order to see some special sights, we skirted off of I-5 and headed over to drive through San Francisco...
Now, I should say right here that my girls are still little enough that they get a kick out of their mommy singing old songs to them that they've never heard before.
But do I realize that this may not always be the case...;)

So I couldn't help trying to sing, "San Francisco, open you golden gate..."
You know the one- from the old movie with Clark Gable?


OK, maybe you don't. I know my family didn't.
But alas, I didn't know all the words, anyway.

So I then tried, "I left my heart....in San Francisco..."
Again, didn't quite remember all the lyrics, although I did get much further.
(At least I knew every single word of "California, Here I come" for on the way down...those "I love Lucy" reruns I watched where they go to Hollywood paid off after all!)

OK, enough of all that...

I had been over the Golden Gate bridge just once before, back when I took the trip with my parents and nephew. But my eight year old was especially excited to see it, having already seen it in pictures.
But I hadn't remembered much about the actual city...my husband and I were amazed just how very built up everything seemed. The hills we could see from the road were completely covered with houses- it looked like not even a twig could be stuck in-between! (I wasn't able to snap a picture in time...)

But as we made our way through some of the town, we were so impressed with some of the architecture! There was building after gilded building...


Until, at last we came to the famed Golden Gate Bridge itself...

The whole family was memorized.
I love how the shadow is seen on the water below...truly a majestic bridge.
We were blessed to arrive there when it was it such nice weather, so we lingered awhile, taking pictures and gazing at the magnificent view.

(By the way, I'm not as big as I look...it's just that sweatshirt with the Orca whale on it from Sea World...) ;)

Then we finally headed back on the road. We were on a quest to find...

The Big Trees!

We wouldn't make it before nightfall, however, so as darkness closed in on us, we ended up at a quaint little motel in the mountains.
I absolutely loved this little place...where the proprietor lives on the premises- and instead of the sounds of traffic and sirens, all you hear is a nearby owl and breezes blowing through the evergreens.

After all of commercial motel 8's, 6's and 14's (not to mention the nightmare sewage shower place!) finding this sweet little rustic place in the forest complete with mountain decor was like heaven. (Alas, we didn't get a photo of it.)

The next day would finally find us walking among the giant Sequoia trees...
and that will be my next and final chapter in this long, long road trip.

But before I leave we arrive there, let me leave you with these famous lyrics sung by Mr. Tony Bennett...

The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gay
The glory that was Rome is of another day
I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I'm going home to my city by the Bay...
I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care
My love waits there in San Francisco Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me.

Pioneer Days...

Does anyone else absolutely love history when it comes alive?

This week we got to step back in time about 150 years....
You see, it was my turn to organize a field trip for our home school group... so being the American history buff that I am, I picked a place that would show us how the pioneers lived her in Oregon.

OK, so last summer I also organized a field trip to the end of the Oregon Trail...(I think I'm getting a reputation here!) and this time, it was to to where one of the founders of the valley built his home- which is still standing- and where there is an original tiny school house and pioneer museum- all of which are surrounded by beautiful farmland and countryside.

I've been to this area countless times, it's one of my favorite places- but I had never participated in this particular field trip before.
(In fact, it was in this spot that I took the photo in the above blog header.)

We divided ourselves into two groups, and I was with my youngest girl...and my mom!
Yes, I still had my mom with me this week, so she was able to join us- and being the history buff that I am, she loved every moment!


Basically, the field trip was divided into several parts....

Making and playing with pioneer toys...



Exploring the real jailhouse...


Learning a real school yard game of the era, called "Run, lion, run"...

And one of our favorite parts...
Attending school in the one-room school house for a full 30 minutes!
This felt so much like truly stepping back into time...

The school marm did look just a little stern to me, and when she started explaining all the uses of that hickory stick in her hand, I was half afraid she might really demonstrate the worst one, if the class didn't tow the line!
But she kept letting a hint of a smile escape now and then, so we all breathed easier.

They really learned what school would have really been like, down to having to raise their hands, stand up, and then start speaking by first saying,
"Yes, maam." And they did it!
Hmmm...maybe I should try this at home...

They even had to work out some problems on their slates!
At one point, they were playing an adjective game (having to do with the word cat), something the younger kids couldn't quite understand fully yet. My girl asked if she could simply draw a cat on her slate. The teacher agreed, and afterward had her show it at the front of the class...


After all converging to eat lunch together, we then went through into original founding pioneer house, where we learned more about the history of the family and the area...and then were free to explore the home while a few children at a time made candles.
It was so fascinating to see all the many authentic artifacts throughout the home!
We weren't allowed to photograph in this house, but I forgot once, and took a picture of this hand-crafted feather wreath made by a pioneer in 1850...

(Click for slightly more detail)

From here, we all drove over to another area, called the Pioneer Mother's Museum.
Here, the children got to experience a variety of activities from kneading bread to making wool bracelets...

And all the moms' favorite part came next, when the children went outside to the porch and took turns washing clothes on a washboard! Then, they hung them up to dry...and if they weren't wrung out enough, the pioneer grandma asked them to do better!










And would you believe

that most of our little pioneer-ettes actually kept getting back into line over and over- voluntarily- to wash and hang more clothes?!

We parents were incredulous...
If only it was this easy to get out kids to do chores at home!

And if only our great-great grandmothers could see our modern washing machines! They'd beg to do the laundry over and over, too...forget those washboards!

All in all, I think most everyone has a wonderful day going back to the 1850's. I know I did!
But although it I love the idea of going"back to basics" and exploring the past, I have to admit that I would really miss my modern appliances if they were suddenly taken from me.

So, I'll just pretend to go back now and then via books, movies...
and these occasional, wonderful field trips.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

A Spring Musicale

I know I'm speaking as a proud mother here, but I just have to brag a tiny bit for a moment if you can bear with me...

For the past four months, my little eight year old has been hard at work, practicing with her children's choir for the grand stage performance ...finally held this past Sunday evening!
Those kids all worked so hard (especially this past week!) with all their extra rehearsals!

But it all paid off because they completely wowed their audience and received a standing ovation!

As I mentioned in a previous post, she didn't get any big solos or speaking parts since she has been petrified speaking into a microphone for the first time- in front of strangers- with no parents allowed for support during auditions...
Poor little girl...I have to say, knowing how I felt at that age standing in front of people, I probably would have ran out of there in terror.

Still, that didn't stop her from giving her all Sunday night as she sang with gusto, did her choir choreography, and generally was so animated that one would never guess she ever heard the words "stage fright".

Does it show that I'm feeling a little bit proud of my girl?

Actually, she was in the limelight for a few minutes in the first scene as she and a few others were suppose to be waiting for the grand opening of the park.
She has a tennis racket and a ball...and she swung that racket around so casually it was almost as if she had actually at some point really played the game!
And while singing!



I was thrilled that my mom was able to be there, even though she lives an hour away.
This was because my aunt and her hubby just happened to be coming to town that night to fly out for a trip the next morning. So they picked up my mom on the way- and what a treat for all of them to be there!
(I could write a whole post about my aunt and uncle, who are around 80, yet travel more than they stay home and make me tired just hearing about how much energy they have.)
My daughter also was thrilled that two of her favorite uncles were also there, as well as one of their aunties- all there to support her and cheer her on.

(My little performer is front row, 2nd from right in yellow)

Well, the free ice cream sundaes provided for everyone afterwards didn't hurt, either!

Here's a few of the incredible reviews and comments I overheard about the show or my girl's performance...

"Wonderful...incredible...!"- stated her unbiased grandmother.

"That show was better than this ice cream sundae!" -exclaimed an enthusiastic Uncle C. between hot fudge bites.

"The way she swung that racket around....she was a natural!" -declared Uncle B. -aka "Horsey", who enjoys giving his nieces horsie rides on his back at family functions, followed by immediate chiropractic visits. (For Uncle B...not the kids.)

"Not since The Sound of Music has there ever been such a performance..."
(OK, that last one might have not been an exact quote. Maybe what my sister in law actually said was that she saw The Sound of Music at the theater once and it was great...but you can see how I might get that all a bit confused!)

Anyway, the point is that the kids did a wonderful job- they all worked some long hours and then gave it their all.
And add to that the message of the musical was all about how our Heavenly Father loves us...and that the moment we ask Jesus, His Son, into our hearts, we then have a true Father that we can always go to.

So, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go hang out some more with my mom. She's staying with us for a few days and is right now in the midst of some fierce competitions of Scrabble and "Dora Candy Land" in the living room and I want to see who's winning.

Blessings!

Photohunt: Candy

Our baby has always loved this carnival food over the years...

(and don't let those stone-face expressions fool you!)





Although we try to have my youngest avoid sugar (since she only has to look at it to get a cavity!) we have been known to let her indulge now and then!

It's especially hard to hold her back when she sees that swirling stickiness calling her name!

(For more sugary photos this weekend, check out PhotoHunt.)

New York...1997

Last week, for our home school book report group that I lead, my third grader chose a Christian fiction book about a little girl who goes on a trip to New York.
Interestingly, the story was written in the 90's, and the main character, among other things, goes up to the top of the World Trade Center.

All of this reminded me with such clarity of my one and only trip to New York City...

The year was 1997, and my husband was in the Navy. His ship was sailing up from Virginia to NYC for Fleet Week, and some of the spouses were getting together and flying up to meet them.


(How I wish I could find more photos to share, but they are currently hidden away somewhere. I can only find this one, single still-image from our time there...)

Now, my husband actually lived in N.Y for a couple years before I met him, but I was very excited to be apart of Fleet Week since this would be my first time ever visiting the Big Apple.
During our whirlwind four days, we did all the touristy things...

One of them being going to the top of the World Trade Center.

So with my daughter learning about New York lately, I thought it would be fun for our family to sit together and watch the home movie we had made during that trip. Especially since our children had never seen it!
So on Mother's Day evening- just two days ago- we all settled in to watch the old VHS tape of their mommy and daddy...back in the days before children!

I learned a few things while I sat with my family, viewing this part of our early marriage.
A few of them were a bit trivial, mind you, but worth mentioning...

1) First of all, we had only been married for two years and most of that time has been spent apart due to deployments. Hence, my adoring husband spent almost as much time with the camcorder in my face as he did filming the actual places we saw.
(Kind of sweet, I know...)



2) I also learned that- although I'm not exactly "waddling" around today...and I suppose I am holding up fairly well for my age...
I had honestly forgotten just how very young and skinny I looked eleven years ago.

(However, my six year old actually said I look just about the same?!!! What a great way for my little sweetie to score Mother's Day points!)

3) But I also learned that despite of the fact that it was 1997, I really seemed to have an 80's perm thing happenin'.
And I was really good at chewing gum back then and I seemed almost...could it be....cool!
(Well, at least for me, anyway...)

It was great watching it all...
our going into a retro-1940's style restaurant (I've always loved that era!)...
checking out the MET...walking through Chinatown and eating dinner in Little Italy....

And seeing my girls giggle as they watched me blow kisses at my hubby who (or the camcorder- not sure which).

Hearing my girls exclaim, "Daddy, look, your hair is SO black!" ;)

But besides the fun reliving that time in our lives, I also felt something else.
You see, I don't think I had seen this video in about seven or eight years...
Not since 9-11.

When it came to the part where we are filming our view from the very top of the World Trade Center, something inside my stomach tightened.

Besides this, there was also footage of us walking around the streets of New York, where my husband would pan in on the twin towers.

At one point a plane innocently went by the towers in view.

I don't have to explain to any of you how that sent shivers up my spine.

My now third grader was just two years old and oblivious of the crisis our nation was having when 9-11 took place. (I was also just 8 weeks along with my now six year old.)
My children thankfully didn't endure the fear of that time...and yet, my oldest is very fascinated with the fact that this attack actually happened in her lifetime... especially whenever she sees the huge magnitude of those buildings.
And she thinks her parents were lucky to actually have gotten a chance to experience being atop of them firsthand.

My husband and I agree.
But seeing the video of us touring the top of the twin towers...looking down on the incredible view from up in the clouds...standing on the very same floor where just four and a half years later, so many would lose their lives... made my heart go out afresh to all those that perished or lost loved ones in that devastating attack.

No matter how time may soften the intensity of that , we just can't ever forget...

So watching this home movie, I realized that it wasn't just a cute little piece of our family history we were viewing, this handsome sailor and his bride excitedly touring the sidewalks of New York...but it's also a piece of history in general.
Somehow intricately tied in together.

But in spite of the underlining national sadness I'll from now on remember whenever I view this video of New York...it's hard not to help but smile when I see myself look up into the camera while in the retro-restaurant and excitedly exclaim with all my youthful exuberance and recently permed hair,
"It's my 1940's salad!"

What about you...have you or someone you know ever had the chance to go up to the World Trade Center? Or, at least have had the chance to visit New York? Share your thoughts...

Blessed on both sides

As another Mother's Day arrives, I realize just how much I truly have to be thankful for.

Pictures seem to say it best for me right now...

My oldest was just two and a half when this was taken...and trying to feel the new yet-to-meet baby kick...


One of my favorite Mother's Days ever, two years ago...

We ate at a charming restaurant outside on the patio, then strolled the grounds and gardens, pausing to pose by this vintage pick-up.
The weather that Mother's Day was perfect...as was just about everything that day.


Not a day goes by when my two girls don't say "I love you, Mommy"...and my six year old will tell me this at least 30 times a day. Yes, I know how blessed I am.



Then I rewind back in time...
And think about the wonderful mom that I was blessed to have...

She was always there to love me unconditionally- and still is.

We were just there today, visiting with my 81 year old mom as my husband finished putting in her floors for her.
Outside of going out for mochas and hot chocolate, and bringing her cards and little gifts, we did nothing out of the ordinary for most of the day.
Yet, it was good to just see her on this Mother's Day weekend...


Oh, I can worry from time to time about the pressures of being in "the sandwich generation"...smack in between looking our for my elderly mother while parenting young children.

But really...for right now...it's nice to be snugly tucked in-between a loving mother who is still with me...and two wonderful little girls who shower me with affection daily.

There's not a cozier feeling on earth.

Happy Mother's Day!

California Road Trip Part 6- "What part of SOAK don't you understand?"

Happy May everyone! I'm so behind in blogging but hope to try and catch up reading all of your posts this week!

We delivered May Day baskets again this year to neighbors (see last year's post) ...and after weeks of rain and cold, enjoyed sunshine and warm temperatures in the 70's the last few days...with the scent of blossoms in the air!
It doesn't get much better than that...and for these winter-weary Oregonians, we just had to be outside!
Now, at last...on with the story...(and don't let the length scare you- I think it just might give you a little smile - at my expense!)

(Be sure to scroll back for the previous chapters...)




We didn't arrive at Sea World until early afternoon. (Which was fine, since it was a bit chilly on this particular day and every degree it could reach for the high made a difference!)
Our two families enjoyed looking at all the exhibits, but we were were all especially excited about the dolphin show...

So, we all headed over to the stadium at show time...but as we filed in, I noticed that my nephew, his wife and their five year old little girl weren't following us to our bench.

"We're going to sit way up there..." he stated, pointing to some location so far into the sky that I had to squint to see it.
"We've sat in the splash zone before," he went on to explain. "but you guys go ahead..."

His two boys, however- real men in the making that they were- wanted to sit with us.
Now what fun is it sitting at the top of the bleachers when you can get a nice little splash from a real dolphin, I wondered...but at least his boys weren't going to wimp out on us!
So hubby and I, our two girls and their two boys squeezed onto the bench about five rows up from the ground. I glanced around at the words on the seats which actually read,
"Soak Zone"
but dismissed them good-naturedly.

Soon, a singer with a guitar came out and proceeded to belt out a cute little ditty...something about "if you're sittin' in the soak zone, you're going to get soaked..."
I smiled, laughed and tapped my foot with the music.

Cute little song...

Finally, the show started!

Honestly, it was so exciting to see those dolphins up close and personal! They were amazing to watch with their grace and energy...


One of the dolphins did swim by and gave us a playful splash....too fun! I could handle this...

And look at it with it's trainer saying hello...aren't they cute!


But after a little while more into the show, another dolphin had orders to come by and "playfully" splash us.

However, this one seemed to have a vendetta.

After causing a huge tsunami to land blast us, this didn't seem to be good enough. This rogue dolphin continued to pummel us as we ducked for cover, frantically trying to protect cameras and keep from drowning at the same time.
As salt water burned my eyes, I noticed that my poor youngest was crying...
Uh-oh...would she now fear all sea creatures for the rest of her life?

My husband, who was on the end, began leading the way to higher ground...and we all followed numbly.
I felt as though we were some pathetic people from a disaster movie as we gasped and sputtered up the steps of the bleachers- before finding refuge about ten feet higher, nearly collapsing on the steps.

We calmed our littlest one down (who later forgave the crazy dolphin) and we proceeded to watch the rest of the show.
Others had escaped up there, too...and all of us huddled there, relieved to be out of blow-hole shot of Flipper's evil twin.


(Don't let that cute, innocent face above fool you!)

Afterwards, my husband went back to the car...far, far away into the mass of vehicles...to retrieve some dry shirts and things for us.
Good wife that I am, I waited patiently for him to return in my soggy and shivering state...
So you can imagine how I felt when he came back with dry clothes for the girls (thankfully!) but didn't see my sweatshirt.
I kept my temper- honestly...
But still, there was no way humanly possible that I could survive any more time out there wearing a soaked shirt in 59 degrees.

So there was only one thing to do.

Buy a Shamu sweatshirt.

And you can bet my normally very frugal husband didn't dare even to bat an eyelash at the $25 price...perhaps my lips were turning blue so he didn't have the heart.

And of course,
nothing says fashion and elegance like a big ole Orca whale in front of your tummy.

But the happy ending in this day is that all of us actually had a really great time.

(On the left, my husband and R.'s oldest before the show, blissfully unaware of the watery fate that awaited us all...)






And speaking of Shamu, his show was tremendous!



Isn't it nice that digital cameras have a zoom lens and you can sit... oh, say...really far away?

Anyway, in all seriousness...what I enjoyed probably more than anything on this weekend, was seeing my children and my nephew's children together. These cousins that rarely get to see each other, completely bonded during this visit.

I might add here that not only our my nephew and niece in law extremely hospitable, but their children also were so incredibly friendly and polite- as well as being fun-loving. It was truly a pleasure being around all of them!

Knowing that my nephew's family would soon be relocating across the country didn't exactly make parting that evening very easy for any of us.


After lots of hugs all around, we all felt a little misty...and so we said our final farewell with one, big group hug by our car within the vast parking lot, underneath the darkened sky.

In the morning, we'd be packing up and driving that long road home to Oregon.

But believe me, our trip wasn't over yet. We'd see a few amazing sights along the way...and I'll share them with you next time!

I know...no big cliff hangers this time. But the story's not completely over, trust me!