Sky Diving!

Yes, this happened a WHILE ago (three weeks from yesterday, to be exact) but I've been a little busy...

It was fun. I was scared. When we arrived in Cushing, OK, it was a bright sunny day. It was a HOT, bright, sunny day.


(Inside the hangar)
The instructors were great, and it looked simple enough. We were completely attached to our "Fly Guy", so we are certainly not "going down" alone... And these guys typically jump 10-20 times a day, so REALLY, we're safe. We watched several people land... my biggest concern (aside from dying, of course) was spraining/twisiting/breaking a foot/ankle/leg... but after watching people land, I realized that that was something that was REALLY a false misconception... but am I the only one who has visions of people landing and having to somersault or roll to a stop?


Our plane...

So, the four of us got in the plane with the pilot. The flight up to 11,000 feet took about 20 minutes. That, I'm sure, is the scariest part? It's too loud to talk to anyone, so you're alone with your thoughts. Thoughts such as... "WHY are we doing this?" "SHOULD I have told my parents?" "WHY did I say yes when Cowboy told me he had signed us up?"...

Then two minutes before "Launch", the guy straps on behind you. My guy, Bobby, was SOOOO nice. He leaned over and said, "Are you nervous?" I said, "YES!!!!" He said, "REALLY?! You seem so calm and relaxed." I said, "Well, it's exciting, but the whole concept of actually LEAVING the plane on purpose..." and he said, "Well, that makes sense. Anyone who isn't nervous to leave a perfectly good plane may be the crazy one." And then Cowboy and his guy were out...

We inched our way up and put our right feet on this little platform outside the plane door and leaned right, leaned left and he pushed us out.

We free fell for about 17 seconds and then he pulled the cord. At which point he said, "I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is our parachute opened perfectly. (At which point I was frantically looking for Cowboy - heart RACING) The bad news is, your fiance's first parachute didn't open and they had to go to the Reserve. But it's open fine, so I guess it's all good news." ...

It was really pretty and fun and ended too soon. We didn't pay the $75 for a video, so the only pictures we have are "ground ones". But that was fine with me.

I loved it, but would only go again if we ended up rolling in money. Cowboy LOVED it, and I would love for him to be able to do it again, whenever he wants.


Cowboy all "suited up"


Me in my gear - why do I always make odd faces?

Ten Days

Are you kidding me?!?! Already??!

I am excited. Although, to be honest, also a little afraid. I know the whole adventure is God's plan - it's been amazing to walk through from beginning to where I am today. I marvel at His goodness and faithfulness and kindness and grace and compassion and love.

But, I would be an idiot if I didn't acknowledge my fear of all of the transitions. All at once.

So, starting this Friday the fun begins. And from that point on, I will never be alone again. I had roommates, of course, through college and beyond. However, the last 11 years I have lived alone. And, while it may be lonely at times, there is a certain peace in the solitude. Of course this does NOT mean that I don't want to marry Steve - not one bit. It's just going to be a rather large transition.

I'm selling my house and moving. I've thought about selling my house, off and on, over the past five years. First, because I wanted to be closer to my friend base - since they rarely come "All the way out to Broken Arrow" to visit and my church and my work are all 20-30 minutes away. But, I've grown increasingly fond of it over the years. So, to sell it, especially in this economy, is a bit sad for me. And I AM moving - but farther away from my friend base. And to a NEW job. Which is going to be good and more consistent, with the freedom to still do a few tours, and summers off, etc. But... it means we get back from our Honeymoon Sunday night, spend the night in Tulsa, drive to OKC Monday, and then on Wednesday, begin my new job. With people I don't know, in a school I don't know, and really, they won't know my story, so it's not like they will care to hear it... which is fin... just another transition.

And then there's the whole being a wife and a bonus-mom. (I hate the term step-mom, and I really am an awesome bonus for any kid, aren't I?!) What if I'm a terrible wife? What if I don't feel like cooking dinner every night? What if I just want to read some evenings? What if I don't feel like talking? Sigh....


And leaving my church family. Particularly my Sunday School family. They have been Romans 12:15 for me over the past five years - mourning and rejoicing. And now, as soon as the celebration is over, I'm gone. How will we find a church that we both love that we can serve and serves us?

Again... this is not a complaining/I'm afraid? I don't want to get married/poor me post. It's just a realistic look at all of the transitions looming...

But I can't WAIT to see Martha and my parents and Karen and Micheline (hopefully) and Corinne and Lydia and the Whites and my aunts and uncles and cousins and brother and nephews. It WILL be a grand fiesta!