Visit to MD

This trip to Maryland involved a 5 year high school class reunion, a wedding, adventures with friends and time with my mom and brother. Jose was unable to come because he's busy with his annual training at work. I took the red-eye flight and arrived Saturday morning. My mom and I had a lovely morning and afternoon in Alexandria, VA. We enjoyed a farmer's market, a little boat ride and lunch at the Chart House.

Saturday evening I spent time with my high school classmates. I went to Covenant Life School and my graduating class only consisted of 14 people. So it wasn't too difficult for some of the girls to throw it together. The homeschoolers who took part time classes were also included. We went to Hard Times restaurant in Germantown. There was a pretty good turnout. More than half of our class is now married, Anna and her husband now have a baby (not able to come), and Meg and Jon are expecting. I wonder what will happen in another 5 years. As you can see most of my pictures are just of the girls.


Meg sure is a cute pregnant lady!
We ate dinner while catching up on each other's lives. Then some of us attempted to play pool (I have no skill in this area).


The girls in this photos include Rose Simpson, Sarah Megorden,Kristie Speelman, Caitlin Woodrow, me and Sarah Simmons.














Sunday, July 15th was a fun filled day. First of all that's my friend Rose's birthday :) I went out to eat breakfast with my bro and mom before church. After the service there was a going away party for the Loftness family, who will be going to serve at the Solid Rock church in College Park, MD. Covenant Life had a big picnic outside for everyone to enjoy. Then my mom and I went to get gifts for Alex & Ruth before their wedding. Alex and Ruth were in my singles care group before I got married. I really respect them for the way they honored their parents throughout their whole relationship. It was a great joy to witness their marriage and I can't wait for what God will do through them! The ceremony was at Covenant Life with a light reception afterwards. It was lovely, Alex wrote the piece of music Ruth walked down to. Ruth chose a gorgeous dress and she looked amazing! The dinner reception was at the Golden Bull. It was fun to cling the glasses and see Alex and Ruth passionately kiss - the moment they've waited for so long has come. Some other highlights include the toast Ruth's dad gave (hilarious, yet honoring), the dancing, and Ruth & Alex smashing the cake in each other's faces (it's fun). The pictures I took didn't turn out that well, but here's a few.

Jess and Mike Somerville both were in the wedding. They are expecting a baby in November!



Here comes the happy couple, Mr.and Mrs. Goodling!
Wedding cake smashing!



Alex & Ruth make a fast break through the bubbles to the limo awaiting. They are honeymooning in Jamaica!






Monday was spent with some of my closest friends, Rose, Sarah and Caitlin. We enjoyed a fun adventure of tubing in the Potomac River. Sarah made us all paranoid before going by telling us the details on an article she read about how dirty the Potomac River is. The bacteria count is high, so basically it's like swimming in feces. So Caitlin wrapped up some cuts with tape (which only soaked up the water), Rose had some band aids on (which quickly fell off) and well I risked it with my little cuts and Sarah was the control. We all made it back alive and uninfected (hopefully). We had gone tubing two years ago for Rose's bachelorette at the same place. After getting all clean, we headed to Annapolis for some good food. We ate at Pusser's located on the bay, which is where the girls took me last year for my bachelorette. We all ate the coconut shrimp, because it's so scrumptious.
Caitlin and I managed to fit some gelato in after dinner. I was blessed to spend quality time with my dear friends! Hopefully they will come to visit here within the next year.




On Tuesday my mom and I were together all day. We spent the afternoon swimming with our friends Maureen, Julie, Kristen and Michael Mstowski. I babysat the kids many times before I moved. They are like family and include us in their celebrations and make their home open to us.
My mom, brother and I spent the evening in DC. We ate dinner at Clyde's. I ate seafood everyday I was in MD (it's a good thing I love it).
We went to a National's baseball game at RFK stadium. They played the Astros and unfortunately lost. The Nationals had an exciting home run in the beginning.

You can keep my mom and brother in your prayers for God to provide jobs. I know the Lord has something better for both of them, and pray God would lead them to new jobs soon.
I love my mommy! Thanks mom for having me and making this time special. I hope it's not too long until we see each other again.
Wednesday my mom and I dropped by the Robb's to say hello. Rachel is in Europe with the MC Scholars, so I didn't get to see her. Then Mom and I had lunch together before she drove me to Dulles airport. Now I'm home just relaxing. I work tomorrow night and Jose is still gone training. Praise God for the fun times!