{One Year}

Hey look!
Today is August 17th!
Not a super big deal, but in the life of Rick and Caley it's pretty much a super awesome day...and as a matter of fact, it changed our lives forever! {Sounds so cliche...}
We got engaged a year ago today! Wahoo!
But seriously, thinking back one year, and seeing how far we've come, is such a happy thought.
Rick and I started the day out sort of odd to be honest.
Rick: "Hey babe, wanna meet up SUPER early, at like six, and take some sunrise pictures? And like, we could dress up and stuff?"
Caley: "Uhhh, {whattheheckishethinking?!} sure!
So, Rick and I met up {with coffee in hand} dressed in our matchy-matchy outfits, ready to hit the town. Bright and early. And me, totally not anticipating a proposal.



{These were some of the photos from that day.}

After a few hours of pictures and kisses and giggles and August dirt and sweat and uncurled hair and miles driven for THE perfect spot, Rick drops me off back at home. We had planned to go to the Northfork for the day with some friends, so I get ready for that while he heads home and gets ready as well. {Or so I thought.} A few hours later, he picks me up, as usual, and we head to the river! Singing, and eating swedish fish and whoppers, enjoying eachothers company, as usual.
Shortened version starts now:
Get to Northfork.
Freeze in the freezing water.
Try and get my head wet.
Fail.
Play.
Eat food.
Take a "float."
Chill.
Freeze.
Eat food.
Chill.
Blah blah blah.

Annnd, after like, oh, I don't know...2 hours or so, it's now probably like 3 in the afternoon and Rick is "toooooo tiirreeedd and waaannnts to goooo hooomeee..."
So we "head home." Heading home the opposite way. And as the little Caley that I am, I didn't realize at first that he had driven a hour in the wrong direction. Oh well.
After awhile I fall asleep. Then wake up and keep one eye open to see where we could possibly be going, because waaayy in the back of my mind thinks "Ohmygosh, what if Rick proposed today?" Then I fall asleep again.
Rick says a while later that we're lost.
I say...uh-oh, and then sleep. {I was a little bit tired I think.}
Rick drives some more, and after awhile we find ourselves overlookind Detroit lake, at sunset, on this old logging road, waaay in the middle of nowhere.
And, just as fate would have it, I have to, uhh, use the ladies room.
And, as we all know, that doesn't exist in the middle of nowhere.
Caley: "Rick, would you drive me back down the road a little bit behind that bend and drop me off? I kinda have to pee real bad..."
Rick: "Umm, no...can you just walk babe?"
Caley: "What?" You're not going to drive me?"
Rick: "Caley..."
Caley: "grumble, walk, grumble, run a little, grumble...and then pee."
Heading back up the van, I look up, and see Rick just standing there. Smiling this huge, cute, soooo wonderful-favorite grin. Taking pictures of me. Seriously Rick, I've been at a river all day. I feel kinda uggfest.

I walk up to Rick, and hear our song playing on the radio.
Rick: "Caley, wanna dance?"
Caley: {ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh} "Yes..."
We dance, and giggle, and I totally take in the moment because I KNEW it was happening. I knew it.
We dance around and make our way to behind the van, and this was set up there:

And the next few minutes were a blur. Rick hugged me so long and so tight, told me he loved me, {which happened to be the first time those words had ever come out of his mouth} told me he wanted to spend his life with me, kissed me, and ASKED ME TO BE HIS WIFE!
I totally said YES.
After the proposal, Rick and I went down to Detroit lake explored a secret waterfall, took more pictures, and called family and friends.

So, in the end, we were so stinkin' happy, engaged, in LOVE, and so excited to begin our lives TOGETHER!

And, after a year, I am more in love with this man than ever. I am incredible blessed, and absolutely thankful for such a wonderful husband! God is so good.

Love, Caley

Ten things.

Hello there! So, here I am, writing my first post of my first blog as the first girl in my family to be a married woman. Hey, I'm a wife! I like the sound of that. And I suppose this should be something mature that I should write about, since I am technically an adult and all grown up and stuff. Maybe some long and thoughtful post, but instead, I'm going to make it simple and fun.

Here are 10 things I love {from this past week} about being a married woman and a wifey:

{1.} On a small scale, I get to wake up next to my best friend every single morning. He is really cute. THAT is something I will love forever.

{2.} My husband is so sweet, and gentle, and understanding, and patient with his new wife who may or may not have ruined a few dinners, who screams at spiders, and who misses her sisters sometimes like crazy. Fear not, the best-husband-to-ever-exist is here!

{3.} Staying up until midnight, cuddling on the couch, eating popcorn, and cheering, crying, hugging, and screaming our heads off for Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin, and Gabby Douglas, and so many other amazing athletes. {Yay USA!} He knew coming into this marriage, that the Olympics are like my most favorite thing ever. So glad to have a man who agrees! Score for me.

{She's pretty much my favorite by the way.}

{4.) Fans. Huge, loud, air-blasting fans. Our house isn't the coolest place on earth, so fans are a must, and happen to be much appreciated.

{5.} Sisters and friends. I have to admit...having my sisters around every once in awhile, now that they aren't around all the time, is SUCH a blessing. They are my best friends! I love them to death. Of course, it's also nice to throw in other friends too. I think Rick and I are going to be preeety social. Not a problem here.

{Foods and man friend and sisters}

{6.} Memories. This week, Rick and I sat down and went through all of our unofficial wedding photos and videos, as well as pictures from our honeymoon in Maui. {Real photos to come from both events} And even though we only got married a month ago, it was such a sweet time! I loved every single minute of our day, and will love looking back on those photos for my entire life. Bring on the tissue.

{Our wedding day. Kari Renee Photography was incredible!}


{7.) A dishwasher. Clean sheets. A stove. An oven. A shower. A washer AND dryer. A couch. Yummy candles. Food. CLEAN water. AKA: We are blessed.

{8.} My job. I get to work 20 hours a week! Not a whole lot, but still, so thankful for a constant income, even if it is on the smaller side. And it's actually a blessing working part time...I get to spend time doing what I love! Making our house a home!

{9.} And of course, Ricks job. Currently, he is the Program Director at Canyonview Ministries in Silverton, Oregon. He spends most of his day intereacting with elementary students, mid high students, high schoolers, and even adults. HE IS INCREDIBLE. {Blogs are nice because I can brag on my hubs alllll I want!} He is so caring, so flexible, and has such a servants heart. I love seeing him pour our his heart, and I love to be involved in a ministry where I can actually serve alongside him!

{10.} Salem Heights. Our church is so wonderful! We are encouraged on a weekly basis, and absolutely love our church family. Throughout both of our lives, we have had the incredible opportunity of growing up in this church, seeing others follow and serve Christ, and being able to serve with eachother. We are so thankful for such sound teaching, and close friends and family.

So there we go! Eventful lives Rick and I both live, but we are oh so thankful to live them together. God is so good, and we are so grateful!

Love,  Caley