The end

I can't believe it's finally here! It seems like yesterday I still had 16 weeks to go. Starting tomorrow, Mark and I make our trip to Michigan to finally begin our lives. This semester has definitely been a challenge for me. I learned so much about myself.
We look forward to what is ahead of us. Hopefully we hear back about the house soon, if we don't get it, we'll probably wait a few months before looking for another. I think we need to just focus on us for a while (after spending 4 months apart, who wouldn't?).
Let's see, in the 5.5 years I've lived here, I've had 1 job, 5 residences, 14 roommates, and about a million friends! I thought I'd be looking forward to this time, but I really am going to miss it here. I know for sure I'll be missing my favorite taco place, but I think more, I'll miss my friends that have made me feel like I have family close, even though they all live a lot further!
Thanks to all who have helped us out during the past 4 months, and me personally in the past 5. years!

Back in CA, sadly

Yes, it is true, I am back in California. It was hard for me to leave because this summer was the best summer ever. It was like we were newer newlyweds again! I didn't have to work, and on his days off, we'd go exploring and find new adventures and making new memories. During the 2 months we: Went to the Ohio zoo, went blue berry picking, went to the Detroit temple, went camping, went fishing, went swimming LOTS, went to new restaurants, I loved it all!
Luckily I get to go back home this weekend, I leave on Friday night, and come back Monday morning. This month here in California has just been crazy. As if being apart isn't hard enough, a whole lot of other stuff has come up. For a while there I didn't know where I'd be living, thankfully I've got some great friends here who have been willing to take me in. A special thanks to the Tanigawa Ohana. I loved staying with them for these past two weeks, and I will miss them when I move out tonight!
All is well for me. It was a little crazy there for a while, but thanks to all for all of your sweet prayers!
I get to see my husband in less than 2 days!

We're HERE!

Well, we're here, and we're loving it. We love exploring the area and looking at some cute neighborhoods we'd love to expand our family in!
Our ward is amazing. Since we're so close to the university, probably 80% of the ward members are going to school, which means young couples for us to play games with YAY! Elder Bednar's son is in our ward, his wife is pregnant and due in December, so we'll be meeting Elder Bednar and his wife when they come out for the baby blessing!
I leave in 2 and a half weeks to go back to Northridge, i'm not looking forward to it. It'll be really hard on us. People say it'll be worth it in the end... I sure hope they're right!
Our favorite thing here is the Library. It is 5 stories and the movie selection is awesome! We go once a week!

Our first visit

Our first visit to Ann Arbor was perfect! We were greeted at the airport with one of those guys with the name signs who drives the really nice car. My first time in a luxury car! Our first night we were driven around town by an employee of AV Fuel. We dined with her and two others at a really nice restaurant. When we got out it was pouring cats and dogs. We got back to our hotel fairly early and went straight to bed.

The next day we met a nice couple (both employed by AV Fuel) who spent the day with us showing us even more of Ann Arbor, took us to lunch at a place famous for Ann Arborians. Afterwards we went to AV Head quarters. The office is huge and is a HUGE upgrade for Mark. That afternoon we got a company car and looked at a few apartments to see where our new temporary home will be. We also drove to Lodi (like 5 miles away) where we found a few neighborhoods that we would love to have our family! That night we went out to dinner with the Vice President of AV Fuel and his wife. They also showed us some nice neighborhoods, including their own.

The most exciting part of the trip happened that night when we got back to the Hotel. Mark and Mary who have lived in earthquake country their whole lives were now experiencing a Tornado Warning! Silly us, heard the siren, and couldn't figure out what the sound was, we had our ears pressed against the windows until the we turned the TV on and learned what the sound was! We were up until 2 when the last storm finally passed.

The next morning was just as busy looking at some more apartments. Unfortunately our first pick had already rented out the unit we wanted the most. The next was a couple hundred dollars more. We decided to go with Signature Club which we had viewed the day before.

All in all it was a great trip! We have 2 more weeks to pack everything up before we say good-bye to our first home as a married couple.