Down That?

Today was Sunday as you all know...hopefully. It is a day Kyle and I catch up on homework and spend time together. Today we went on another adventure. Be proud, no injuries or embarrassing moments. Unusual I know. Kyle has wanted to go to Palouse falls for a while now. We woke up to snow, but the sky was almost clear blue. On our way out the door Kyle informed me that we would be hiking down to the bottom of the falls. I was not too stoked about this, and not sure it was exactly safe this time of year...or any time of year? We drove for two hours singing country through the country. Literally, middle of nowhere. Fields, old abandoned farms and houses, more fields. That was it...for two hours. We were surprised how many other people were at the park. It was sunny and beautiful! I was content to look at the falls from behind the fence...

 

See, beautiful from the fence. There was even a rainbow. Well, since this was another one of our adventures, obviously Kyle didn't let me stay on my side of the fence. We found a marmot, and hiked around and down to the railroad track. Across the tracks and over this teensy ledge path was an old abandoned cabin. In the ravine below was dumped cars from who knows when, and other random things. Barbed wire fences occur WAY too often in my life these days. 

of course we did

made it to the cabin alive!

After we checked out the cabin we headed back across the train tracks. Kyle- we headed back, but Taylor found a marmot and chased it down and into one of the flipped over old trucks. She dove into the window after it, and disappeared for a few minutes. We could just hear her clunking around. She was having a blast!

I was okay until Kyle headed down the rock field. To be completely honest I knew when I got in the car that morning that I would be hiking down even if I thought I might die. I knew I would follow Kyle down something completely stupid. I followed Kyle, the first few minutes telling him there was NO WAY I was going down that. He was crazy, and he would be sorry when he had to explain how he made me die to my family. Ya Ya Ya I'm still alive. 

an old wooden train

  

just reminding you of the fence. Oh ya, see that cliff? We went to the bottom 

We got to the bottom safely. Then Kyle told me we were going all the way to the bottom of the water fall. Being someone with common sense I just said okay...(if you really think so NOT). We went through mud, more rusty things, and thorny bushes. Kyle whipped me with a stick on accident. He said he didn't grab it as he walked past it, but i distinctly remember his left hand pulling it forward so he could pass. Flash backs to childhood and my brothers thinking this was hysterical. Luckily Kyle didn't mean too, and it didn't hurt that bad. We came to a dead end. Kyle tried to assure me that we could just walk along the rocks/cliff bottom and cling to it until we came to land again. No thank you darlin'. He started going across and I just shook my head. Kyle made it about half way. Taylor followed him, because she has to go everywhere he goes. She fell in. This was really funny to me until she ran back and shook off right next to me. Kyle also came back. He did not fall in. I know what your thinking, he should have. It really would have made it a classic "Kyle and Lisa Adventure"...

looks perfectly safe right?

We made it back up to the top safely and dry. Glad we both wore deodorant. Not gonna lie. Here is the view from the top.

We hiked ALL the way to the water

Alive!!! 

So this was our Sunday. Last week flew by for us, so it was fun to get away for the day. Pullman has been snowy and cold. Work was slow for me, and school was slow for Kyle, which was nice to get that breather. I am working on an application for a position as a victim's advocate, and a few others for an amazing non-profit (the positions are paid though). Kyle's interview with the DNR went really well, and we find out in about three weeks if he got the internship for this summer. My Dad's doctor is finally getting him started on radiation, and more and more I am just realizing how thankful I am for the people I love, and the life I am given every day. Kyle and I are truly, truly blessed. 

                                                   Love, Us 

Practice for Zombieland

   The days have been flying by for Kyle and I. This past week was full of school and work once again. Kyle found out he got one of the very few (4 or so) interviews for an internship on the coast this summer. He will be doing a phone interview this Wednesday, so wish him luck! He is also currently filling out loads of applications for internships. I am doing the barista thing still. This weekend I finally got more then one day off, so we spent it having fun together. Saturday I came home from work, and Kyle surprised me by taking me to see "Just Go With It." FUNNIEST movie we have seen in a while. We both laughed almost the whole movie. We were just having the most amazing day. I really can't describe that feeling. We were together, happy, finally had time to just be us and not worry about going to bed early, or not seeing each other much for another seven days. By the end of that day we spent time talking about how grateful we are for people that have been there for us. A pastor last week spoke about "spiritual parents", and how we can all use them, but not everyone has a mentor in their lives. Once again on Saturday Kyle and I were left so blown away by God and his love. He put the Longs in our lives. Ryan is someone Kyle looks up to so much, and Tammy is more then a mentor, she is a close friend. Realizing we had more time in the day, we were able to go to Wal-Mart and found curtains for $7 for our bedroom. They were on clearance after the clearance! They don't match that well, but it is better then the blanket we had tacked up. We stayed up late together, knowing we could wake up late together the next day. The most incredible thing that we take fore granted far too often.
     Today (Sunday) we woke up and I made breakfast, and we got ready to go out shooting. Kyle got a 30-6 for valentines day. We splurged this year, but it is because we have been able to save so much since Christmas. If you can't believe we've only eaten out twice since break, just ask my parents! We call them constantly to get recipes and ask cooking questions. Even Kyle is cooking! And he's made some really delicious meals. Listening to Kyle talk to my mom cracks me up "is this Lisa? You sound funny?" kyle-"yes." My gift for Valentines is a camera!! I'm really excited about this because I'm known for taking pictures of everything, and I've wanted an SLR for a long time. Kyle is the best.
      This afternoon I learned how to shoot Kyle's guns. Taryn and Steve, our neighbors, and Steven Watts also came with us. Taryn and I trekked across the meadow and jumped across creeks hoping the boys wouldn't notice we weren't shooting the guns. We got back and as soon as we did Steve was trying to get Taryn to shoot. "I'm good" only worked for so long. We shot the guns, and it was actually fun. Especially the smaller ones ha. Kyle got that little boy on Christmas smile after shooting his new gun. This was our day:

Kyle helping me

Taryn and I

The Target

   Shooting was a lot more fun then I thought it would be, but Kyle, I'm still not shooting anyone...even if they are breaking into our house!

all work and NO play

For those of you who we haven't had a chance to catch up with, here is what we are up to in P-town.
     I took the manager spot at the espresso stand, but told them it was temporary. I worked fifteen days straight and started school...rough start! Currently I am training a new manager and two new girls. I have been able to stay on top of homework, but Kyle and I haven't seen much of each other. That would be why the Sunday adventure we posted took place! I have one more week of ridiculous hours then I get a week with only twenty-five hours so I can have my life back a little.
     Kyle has already been consumed with school. It's not even midterms yet. When I am home, he is usually at school, or at the kitchen table with papers everywhere and his nose in a book. He has been great about cooking (which he calls, or makes me call, my mom or dad at least once a week with questions), and cleaning. He made my dad's chili and it tasted almost exactly the same!
    Taylor...well, i think she loves how busy we have been. If I have time i put things all across the couches so she won't lay on them, but since I don't she has that guilty look and panic on her face every time I walk in the door. At least someone in our house gets to be lazy.
    Working nonstop at the espresso stand has done one amazing thing in our lives here in Pullman though. Some of you know, and most of you don't, because nothing is set in stone as of now. In two weeks Kyle is meeting some big whigs from Bechtel. This is one of the largest engineering/construction companies in the world. There is a rather large engineering firm here in Pullman, and every morning like clockwork the engineers come in to get their coffee and chat about cosmo, facebook, grandkids, Mexico...you name it. I love them, and apparently I have won them over in a big way. Several of them only come in when i'm working, they all tip (and wink). The amazing thing this has done is given Kyle an in into the engineering world here at WSU. They all have asked me to write his name down for them, and one of them is meeting with Bechtel and is head of external relations. In a short version, his job is to tell companies who to hire, and who to take on as interns. Today he gave me an invite to pass on to Kyle for a meeting with this company on February 7th, before the career fair. This is a HUGE opportunity. I have since been told their first choice for interns all come from WSU, because four of their top people are alumni. Also that he may be sent to any number of locations around the world. The largest number being sent to London. Kyle also applied for an internship in Forks, WA. If all goes well, this summer we could be on the west coast, the east coast, or a foreign country. We are ecstatic and looking forward to whatever happens. Please keep Kyle in your thoughts and prayers as he goes for this! Be proud. He's getting the hang of this grown up thing. I swear. Well, this is our life right now. It's busy and crazy, but somehow we are making it work. In the middle of it all we are still just blessed to be together on this crazy adventure that is life.

                                Love, us

Little Mud on the Tires?

Today I woke up at five a.m., went to work, checked out a new church, sat at home. Normally when we both have time to spend with each other it is spent doing homework or watching something on hulu. I would be lying if I said Kyle and I were in great moods this afternoon. So, I talked him into going with me to Palouse Treasures. This is a two storied trove of other peoples unwanted things...that for .49cents of course I NEED. Kyles finds: Soccer ball for taylor- .49, and binoculars-10$(What?! They are practically brand new). Lisa's finds: two books-.89. After our adventure in the thrift store which consisted of looking at old records and picking out new chew toys for taylor, we headed home. In the two minutes it takes to get home, I begged Kyle to go to daily grind and play board games with me, or a park, or even Rite Aid. Worked like a charm. Kind of...this is what we did...

this is pullman right now. rainy.

     We drove to a park and walked along the flooding creek and played soccer with taylor until the .49 cent ball popped. 

hope no one was in there!!!

After this happened we got back in the jeep and drove around Pullman. Kyle decided this was a good time to use his new treasure... 

my creeper husband. 

Kyle watched people along the road with these bad boys. One man I'm pretty sure was not all there, but Kyle thought it was hilarious to drive back by him and stare some more. He looked like he had a "beautiful mind" if you get what i'm saying. On we drove until we came to THE trailerhood of Pullman. It was amazing. Three rows of amazing. 

this beauty is for sale. yessssss!

this is classy. so classy. 

As we were driving through we had a conversation that went a little like this: L-"hey kyle, do you smell that?" K-"what?" L-"i think our car is overheating?" K-"no?" L-"oh, must be what trailerhoods smell like." Then there was an awkward silence followed by laughter because I have no filter, and those are definitely people's homes. It really did smell like burnt i don't even know what. Kyle was about to pee his pants with joy when we came across a trailer for sell. It was only $10,000. It even had a hitch attached. Wonderful find. NOT. Further along we came across the classiest trailer in the trailerhood. It was bright yellow to match it's flame fence. I was a little jealous of whoever owned this stunning home. *for those of you who don't know me as well as you think you do. As I am typing I am laughing, because this whole day was ridiculous (but fun), and this is me being sarcastic. 

    Next we saw a sign for the animal shelter and I was so excited to go play with puppies and kittens. Kyle KEPT DRIVING STRAIGHT. "Hey, kyle. Ky thats it. Right there. Ope up that hill...other wayyyokay." We drove for a few minutes down old moscow highway. We came to a stop when I spotted this barn:

he has to take pictures of structures for a CE class 

There was more then one sign that said private property, and do not go beyond this point. We went beyond that point. First oops. Took the picture, stared at the creepy house with chester the molester vans out front. Wondered if they noticed us taking pictures of their weird barn. As Kyle was turning around in the drive way this is what came out of his mouth: "I better make sure i don't run over their winter grass." There were fields on both sides of us. Then he got really quiet. I realized we weren't moving anywhere but down. Cars should not go down, they should go forward. Quickly...out of private property before chester comes and takes us to his weird barn. More silence, then me: "KYLEEE!" Kyle: "oops?" me: "not oops!!! KYLE!" He tried to get us unstuck which only made it slightly worse. We called our neighbors, Steve and Taryn, and they came to pull us out. While we were waiting we snapped a couple photos for good measure. Then I fondly recalled when earlier in the day Kyle said I was a bad driver. 

mud up to my door. good. 

well shoot. 

We went driving looking for mud puddles to "clean" off the car once we were saved. This took us back to when we first liked each other. Between high school and track practice we would drive and find puddles, or go to the laurel feed store and play with the puppies. This was five or six years ago now. Time flies when you're on the best adventure ever. 

Fortune

During our last week on the west side, we went to lunch with my parents. I received a fortune that literally said this: "A short trip to the Northwest will bring you happiness in the near future." Fortune=fact.
Kyle and I spent the holidays back in Bellingham. We stayed at his parents house first. The first night I couldn't sleep because it felt so strange to be sleeping at their house. Our first Christmas eve was spent with the Ingram's. It has always been our tradition to get together Christmas eve and do presents and finger foods. It's my favorite family tradition because it holds so many memories. Christmas changes, and it is definitely not as exciting, but it becomes something better in my opinion. Now it is more about spending time with each other and laughing. Or in my brother's cases...giving mom a hard time. Christmas morning was Kyle's birthday! 22. He got the gun he had been begging for, and a breakfast made by Brenda. We spent time with his family that day down at aunt Karen and uncle Rob's. I love them. Just throwing that out there. I've never had an aunt, and all of my uncles are gone...Kyle has a lot of them. The following week our good friends Steven and Bridgette FINALLY got engaged. I think I was more excited then they were, but maybe because I know what is in their near (?) future. New years eve was spent at Glens. A local irish pub owned by a cute old man. We called to see if they had a cover and on the other end was the tiny oriental lady "whas a cova? we gawt fray foood an champagne?" There was taco truck. Kyle was in heaven. And I got a reenactment of our wedding kiss. Dipped at midnight. The next morning was officially 2011. This means POLAR BEAR SWIM. Alexa and Caleb Long talked kyle into doing it with them. Really i think it was me saying "you can't say no to those cute faces." He whined the entire time. Ryan ended up going in twice because Alexa worked up the courage to go after the initial plunge into the bay. Tammy and I just enjoyed laughing at them and watching.  We both really enjoyed time with family and friends, and were ready to have our own space again, but sad to go. 

christmas day at the Gadbois

my niece gracie loving the giant box.

my "niece" dixi lee. she got attached :)

christmas eve at the Ingram's

bridge!...never drinking that again

steven and the future Mrs...congrats!!!

happy new year. love, us.

You are peace

As I look back on 2010 all I can think is that it was bittersweet. The bitter: my grandpa passed away two weeks after our wedding. He was 91, but if you asked him he was 92. He is with the love of his life now, who he never forgot or quite moved on from. I guess even in this bitter there is sweet. My dad was diagnosed with cancer. Cancer was just a word until it was someone I loved. I honestly think people only understand it and feel for you if they have been affected by it. At least from my experience, those are the people that ask me how he is, how I am, and remember the important dates and pray. Thank you for that! 
The SWEET: Kyle and I had a beautiful wedding, and the most incredible two week honeymoon. My brother Kurt moved back to the west coast. Kyle got into the engineering program, and his grades are going up drastically. Baby Griff was born healthy and handsome. Steven G and Bridgette FINALLY got engaged, and lastly Kyle and I are slowly figuring out how to be married...which I know is a process that will last years and years. 


As I look forward to 2011 at first all I could think is that it terrifies me. My dad has started treatment and begins double radiation soon. I have no clue what this year holds for Kyle and I. In 2011 I am letting go. There are things that I have tried so hard to fix and understand in the past, and I can't fix them or understand them. I am giving it up to the only one that can. 
"You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting"
-Hillsong

Christmas Tree Adventure

Today we went on an adventure to find our first Christmas tree. We drove for almost an hour to a national park in Idaho to search for one. Five dollars beats ninety any day! It was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day...see for yourself...

the drive

Kyle and I became friends in high school. Our adventures together really started back when we were sixteen, but it is something we have always been good at. Over the years there has almost always been one commonality with our adventures. One of us does something. It might be painful, embarrassing, hysterical, stupid, or awkward. It is inevitable...and this adventure was no different. We drove up a logging road. A logging road that was covered in snow and ice, but HAD been plowed. Normally a plowed road is a good thing right? Not today! We drove passed a suburban in a ditch being pulled out. I told kyle "maybe you should stay away from the edge." What happens less then five minutes later? CAR GOES IN THE DITCH. This was more of a small cliff though. I was screaming (but trying not to laugh because all I could think was "I TOLD YOU SO") Kyle was terrified. We were sliding towards two trees. Down a ditch. The snow was collapsing under us. Not kidding. We literally came within maybe two feet of the trees, when the snow built up enough between the trees and our car to stop us. I climbed out of my door...and then kyle...and then taylor. Kyle was yelling, he maybe climbed back in hurriedly and spilt my coffee all over. Taylor was jumping around in the snow like a bunny, and I was standing shivering thinking "maybe now is not the best time to say "I told you so"?" Luckily two trucks came down the road within minutes of this happening. An older couple who had been picnicking in the snow (precious) had a winch and helped Kyle get the jeep out. They informed us that years ago, and it had to have been many years, when they were first married they came to this same spot to pick out their first tree. They came every year after that, and got stuck every year after that. Three years ago he made a wise decision and purchased his winch. Thanks Mr :)

behind us is our first tree

We made it safely to a spot we would be able to turn around and began the search. I'm assuming the barbed wire was up for a reason, but what's an adventure without climbing over, or in my case crawling under, barbed wire? Kyle sawed down our first tree complete with his suspenders, plaid shirt, and fur hat. What a heart throb he is baha. 

dragging our tree back to the car. I was pulling the sled and kyle thought it was hysterical to keep steering it into the ditch.

Kyle trimmed it down and TA-DA!

Taylor never cooperates in family photos

We came home, listened to Hanson Holidays (until Kyle realized what we were listening to), and decorated our tree. SPECIAL THANK YOU: my parents went out and bought us ornaments and some decorations because they remembered not having those things their first Christmas together. My dad, who is suppose to be recovering and taking it easy, went out and got us a Christmas tree stand our last night home over Thanksgiving break. He is the best Dad. My parents always amaze me with their love and generosity. We LOVE you two! 

First Christmas tree adventure was a success!