Livin' it up in PA (or my BLOG with a mention of Chris)

Hello Blog people!

I am here in PA - FINALLY!  The road was long, but I am here and somewhat in a sound mind.  Things are hard but, things are right too.

The kids are great... same as I remember.... crazy as I remember.

The hotel I am staying in is CRAP - but - oh well.... right (keep telling me that).

The wedding plans are coming along nicely... and he still wants to marry me... even if I do cry to him a lot... he says that is in the "Good Husband Handbook".  I say good -- I've held in the tears for 25 years -- FINALLY someone I've roped into sticking around while I let my emotions actually show!!!

And lastly.... Chris (the aformentioned above - lest you get confused), my beloved (my mom will get that joke) is amazing... he's the one above who listens to me cry -- stop reading now if you dont want to puke from the sappiness of the next few sentances....

Chris is amazing.  He called me EVERY day while I was on the road (did I mention it was LONG -- how do people live in Nebraska????) most of the time he called 2 or 3 times to see that I was okay and to talk.  Sunday, when I took my mom and sister to the airport -- he called at the very minute I was going to pull off the road and call him.... and he said several time -- just cry jamie... you let it all out.  Which is something I am not used to hearing... but am growing to love.  I never imagined I could love someone the way I love him.... I am a lucky girl....

So there you go.... my life in a nutshell... all-be-it a sappy one ;)  Life is alright... I love my nanny family, I LOVE my amazing family back home -- who I miss more than I'd ever admit - and I love Chris (this blogs for you).

DUDE, ROAD TRIP!!!!

So I am sitting here at my parents house (I cant bring myself to call it home, which means I dont have one - I'm officially homeless!) waiting to leave on my LONG road trip to Pennsylvania, where, I will become a mother and wife (minus the sex stuff ) in mere days!  I moved out of my apartment on Saturday and have been sleeping here at my parents since Thursday.  After a tiring night of scrapbooking - 12:30 AM (thank you very much) - I must admit driving sounds lovely... but maybe that is because today we are only going to do 4 hours -- tomorrow starts the real journey of 9 hours a day - stopping every 3 to get out and make the feeling return to our numb butts and swollen legs... sounds like fun right?  Well at least I dont have THAT much to complain about -- Karissa is the one who has to sit in the back with a seat of room -- the rest is crammed full of stuff to take to PA.  You'd think I'd be sad to leave Utah -- and I am sad to leave my friends and amazing family - but I am excited -- this means I can start the count down to marriage and whole new life!  Now THAT is exciting.  I'll try to write as much as I can while I am gone.... if not I'll write you all when I get to PA!  Thank you to everyone who's helped me and made the effort to see me!  I'll miss you all!!!!! 

Dum Dum Dee Dum

Well I am back from England... It is good to see friends and family but I miss home (England) more than anyone thinks...

The date has been set - officially we are getting married May 6th!

After that we'll move to PA so I can finish my nanny contract and then it is off to Jolly Old England for a few years while Chris goes to school. 

I feel great about it.... I am excited for the wedding.... and even more excited to live in England.... and the most excited at the prospect of spending forever with Chris....

Photos - Snapshots - Pictures

The photo viewer on the side of my page isnt working... I dont know why....

I put some new photos on of England -- but, you need to access them through the top Photo tab...

Happy Viewing....

A Romantic Story in 3 Sentences....

We were overlooking the River Thames late Friday Night.

He got down on one knee and said, "Will You Marry Me?"

I said, "Yes, of course."

Extended....

Just FYI for all of those expecting me back on the 8th of January -- I'll now be home on the 15th of January instead.... what can I say - I just dont want to leave....

Still in England.... Still Alive....

First I am going to do the usual apologizing for not keeping up on my BLOG like I promised. 

SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY

If I had any idea how full my days would be when I left, I wouldnt have made such promises. 

So here is your update....

Things here in England are WONDERFUL.

We got back from Christmas and I had a day on my own (hence the TESCO story) and then Chris called in sick to work on Thursday and Friday - so we got out and did some sight-seeing and saw some movies etc.  It was great to have him here with me during the days! 

New Years Eve we went into Central London to see the firework show by the London Eye.  It was surreal when we got there.  Big Ben was behind me and in front of me was the River Thames and then across from that was The Eye.  The firework show was really really good and London was an ideal place to ring in the New Year - until we had to get back to the tube station, which was right around the corner, but took us about 1 1/2 hours to get there.  There was a huge crowd of thousands of people and everyone wanted to get in.  It was actually quite scary and although, the fireworks were great.... they werent worth risking my life to get back on the tube, and next year I'll just watch it on TV with Chris instead of going down there.

Sunday we went to  church and had to take 2 busses and walk.  We left at about 9:15 AM and didnt get to church until around 10:15.  This is not normal for this "Utah Mormon".  It was a good service, even if I did end up playing the piano - again.

Monday I finally FINALLY got to meet my good friend John.  John and I met about 6 years ago on the internet and have talked ever since.  He is the one who set me up with Chris.  Monday we hung out with him and his lovely wife and then went to London for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe - Chris and I paying as a thank you for introducing us. 

Tuesday I took a train to Doncaster to visit my good friends Michelle and Daniel and their baby Josh.  It was so good to see them again and spend some time with them.  They are a great family and amazing friends.   Time went by too fast when I was there.  Yesterday we went to the second hand market in the city centre.  I got a cute English teapot and then we went shopping in some stores and I got 3 pairs of shoes for only.........

£14.00.  I think its a bargain..... I even got a pair for £1.00.  I reluctantly said goodbye to Michelle and Daniel and came back home.  Home as in London. 

It is so good to be  back.  I missed Chris more than I thought I would - I mean after all I was only gone for a night. 

For those of you wondering.... things with Chris are good - very, very good. So good in fact that I am probably going to extend my ticket for another week.  When I left America if you would have asked me how things were going to turn out with Chris - this way was the one way I DID NOT expect.  It is a very happy surprise.

And almost as much as I love Chris, I love England.  I havent been homesick - AT ALL.  Do I miss my friends and family - of course!  But, I feel more at home here than I have anywhere else - ever.  And now, as Chris and I move forward with plans for our future - I realize that England is going to be a big part of it - and that makes me very happy.

P.S. If you want Chris' version of the week check out his blog.... the link is on my list of links...