Wonderful Winter Snow

Jake and I have enjoyed spending time out in the snow on winter days.  Last year we played in the snow.  This year we just took pictures.  I have a feeling that next year we'll be watching it from inside our warm house.  The year after that, we'll be the people complaining about the snow to anyone who will listen...yuck!  I guess I'd better stop this process before it goes any further.  Next snow day (which will likely be next winter), we're going to have some fun outdoors!  Snowmen, snowball fights, and, after all the fun, snow cream!

Knoxville Trip

Jake and I have been to Knoxville, TN, several times on business for Jake's job.  Once, the business trip ended on a Friday, so we tacked on a personal trip to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg that weekend.  More recently, in December, we spent a week in Knoxville.  On that trip, we were able to sneak away for a drive to Gatlinburg, where we drove up into the mountains to enjoy the view.  Here are some pictures from that trip:

Cincinnati Trips

Jake and I travel to Cincinnati, OH, a few times a year on business for Jake's job.  Each time, we learn more about the city and enjoy new experiences.  (Jake went a time or two without me while he was a married bachelor, but now we always try to go together.) Our first visit to the city included a trip to Benihana (a Japanese restaurant mentioned on The Office), two visits to Rock Bottom Brewery (a yummy restaurant on Fountain Square), and countless trips to Graeter's for ice cream.  We enjoyed walking around downtown and visiting Jake's company's corporate offices. Below are some pictures we took during that visit.

Me in front of Tyler Davidson Fountain,
the centerpiece of Fountain Square.

Jake really likes this building.  I can't
even remember what's housed there,
but he loves it.

Jake in front of Graeter's, home of
the yummiest ice cream!

On our second trip to Cincinnati in December 2010, our friends Steve and Lindsey changed our lives forever by introducing us to IKEA.  Lindsey and I went to the store to browse while our husbands were doing work business.  We went back with them the next day.  Jake hates shopping, so he quickly lost energy and interest, but he was happy that I enjoyed myself so much.

If you have not been to IKEA, please drop whatever you're doing and begin planning a trip to the nearest location now.  This store is phenomenal!  I was enthralled with the low prices of most items.  There were also a number of sale items with super low prices.  Everything IKEA sells is pretty modern and simply designed, which tends to appeal to people in our age group (though Jake and I love sturdy old stuff, too).  We left with two desks (which I used to form an L-shaped workspace for Jake), a rolling desk chair, a coffee table, a large poster frame, a toiletry bag, cutting boards, tons of brackets for hanging shelves, a pillow (for Jake to use on the ride home), metal shelving (for Jake's lair) and a hanging shoe organizer, all for $147.  Before shopping, we grabbed lunch at IKEA's snack bar.  For just $4.00 (including tax!), we got 4 hot dogs, 2 bags of chips, and 2 fountain drinks (with refills!).  IKEA trips will be the highlight of all future visits to Cincinnati, I am sure.

During the December trip, we also visited Dave & Buster's for the first time and had tons of fun.  Basically, it's an upgraded version of Chuck E. Cheese.  Part of the building is a casual restaurant with lots of food options for adults and children alike.  The other part of the building is a huge arcade and fun center with games of all sorts.  All the people in our group raced each other in a multi-player racing game, then we split up to play other games.  I did tons of Skee-Ball.  Jake played a battleship-type game over and over.  We redeemed our tickets for two large cups and a blue monkey (stuffed, of course).

Another night, we went to a fancy restaurant, where we got to sample different kinds of tasty cheese.

The one activity we did not do was ice skating downtown.  I think everyone was just kind of tired from their training activities.  If Jake and I are in Cincinnati in the winter in the future, I think we'll try to squeeze in some ice skating.

Cincinnati trips are fun, and every time we go, we feel like we get to know the town just a bit better.

Belgium Adventures

I just thought I'd share a few of the beautiful pictures Jake captured on his trip to Belgium last year.  I cannot describe what you're seeing, and I doubt Jake remembers what some of the buildings are, either.  Still, I hope you enjoy the pictures!

To me, a lot of these pictures look as though they were taken by a professional!  If I ever get around to placing an order, I think I'll get some of these printed to hang around the house.  Why pay money for reproductions of someone else's work when you can have a Jake Lunday original?  ; )

In the Navy

Jake worked for many years to be able to serve our country in the military.  He faced a number of struggles because of a rare vision problem and was unable to pursue many roles he desired as a result.  In spite of numerous rejections and a massive amount of paperwork, Jake continued to work toward his goal.

Although Jake's road was difficult, I think God had a plan for all of his struggles and a unique position in mind for him.

Jake is now an Engineering Duty Officer in the Navy Reserve, a role that allows him to utilize the knowledge and abilities he has developed through his personal interests and his formal education.  He will have a lot of really exciting opportunities to visit and work on submarines (referred to in the Navy as "boats") and ships.  In other words, he'll be doing technical work and having a blast!

I am proud of my husband for persevering and reaching his goal.

Below are a couple of photos from his commissioning ceremony (which lasted no more than one minute):

Our First Snow Day

When my home state gets snow, it's a miraculous occasion.  Our new state, however, has snow several times a year, as does Jake's home state.  Look below to see how Jake and I spent our first snow day as a married couple in early 2010.  We drove over to a college campus close to our apartment to take advantage of some of the pristine hills.

Note: This wasn't our our first snow day as a couple, though.  Our first snow day together occurred when we were in college.  I'll never forget it.  I called it the March Miracle.  In a state where snow is rare even in the middle of winter, that year the white stuff came fluttering down on the first day of March!

Jake posing with our fantastic "sled."

The view from my window when I woke up
that morning--what a great surprise!

The view from our balcony.

Jake with our original sleds.

Me sliding downhill.

Me with our snowman.

A close-up of my handsome husband.  : )

Jake with our snowman.

2010

This year, our first full year as a married couple, was wonderful (and just plain FULL)!  After this overview, I'll be adding a few additional posts (with pictures!) to highlight some of our activities over the past year.

We:

• Bought our first home, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house in the country with a couple of acres of land.  We've invested lots of time and energy in fixing up the house.  Our projects have included: changing out locks, sanding floors, adding laminate flooring, lots of painting and caulking, repairing a roof leak (the biggest challenge so far), conquering floors bowed with age, replacing bathroom counter tops and sinks, adding trim (including crown molding in every room), and more.
• Traveled together on several business trips for Jake's job, visiting places like Cincinnati, OH; Lima, OH; Knoxville, TN; and St. Louis, MO.
• Made friends with a couple our age (surprisingly, a huge achievement and a major answer to prayer)!  Steve began working with Jake over the summer.  We got to know him and Lindsey through lunch dates.  Now, we try to get together once a week.  After we meet our husbands for lunch, I go over to Lindsey's house, where we spend hours chatting and catching up on the latest episodes of crazy television shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians.  
• Searched for a church and finally found one that is right for us.  (We hope to join later this month.)
• Enjoyed several visits with Jake's parents, at their home and ours.

Jake:

• Was commissioned as an officer in the Navy Reserve.  He has been actively working towards this goal for many years (since high school).  While Jake accomplished a lot this year, this is probably the achievement that means the most to him.
• Made progress on a number of projects at work.  He never stops learning and doing!
• Traveled to Belgium on a week-long business trip.  (This was his first time overseas.)  He brought me back TONS of chocolate and some Coke Light (Belgium's version of Diet Coke).  He obviously knows the way to my heart!
• Got the ball rolling on prosthetics partnerships he hopes will be used to help further God's kingdom and aid people in need of quality, low-cost prosthetics.

Jennifer:

• Completed two education classes at a local college while working part-time as a library assistant.  
• Attended graduation ceremonies.
• Experienced a change of plans.  Originally, I had planned to start grad school in the fall.  After a series of talks and some major decision-making, Jake and I decided that it would be best for me to put grad school on hold for a bit.  
• Began working as a freelance writer and editor, resigning from my position at the library.
• Took delight in making our house a home by painting rooms and adding furniture, fabrics, paintings, candles, decorations, organizational tools, and more.
• Adjusted to a new climate, complete with occasional snow!