Thriller

I am in the peach cardigan behind the pole.

Cruising

For our 5 year Anniversary we sailed into the Western Caribbean on Carnival Conquest. It was the first for both of us and it was awesome.

We enjoyed yummy food all week long: lobster, shrimp, red snapper, steaks, lamb, salmon, mahi mahi, tilapia, es cargo, oysters, sushi, chocolate melting cake, bread pudding, and apple pie... just to name a few. Neither of us gained the ten pounds from cruising luckily (we did workout every morning).

We enjoyed beautiful views of Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel sunsets. The weather was a little chilly leaving Galveston, but each day got warmer and warmer. Mexico was the hottest.

We learned to dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller. We also attended salsa and country line dancing classes. We enjoyed the singing/dancing shows the cruise puts on, as well as the magic show. The comedy shows were mostly crude. Bryan videoed me dancing to thriller...I will post that one on a different blog:)

In Jamaica, we hiked the famous Dunn's River Falls...
went on the tranopy to Mystic Mountain,...

and free glided down the Jamaica bobsled.
Jamaica wasn't our favorite place. Very commercialized. Plus, everybody asked Bryan if he wanted some pipes or special "Bob Marley" smokes. It must of been because of his long hair.

In the Cayman Islands, we went scuba diving for the first time since we got out scuba certification in 2007. The water was a bit cold after an hour underwater. We saw lobster, a sea turtle, barracuda, rainbow fish (tons more, I just don't know their names). The Grand Caymans have awesome coral. We will definitely go back there again. Loved it!

Cozumel Mexico was warm. We went snorkeling on our own here without a tour. The reef was close to the port of call. The water was pretty warm as well. We saw sting ray and lots of fish. We also found some shells with hermit crabs inside that we brought back to clean (accidentally killed) and they stunk up our room. Does anyone know how to get a dead crab out of the shell without breaking it?

We had loads of fun. Lots of great pictures and lots of great memories. 7 days was definitely enough. We don't think we would ever do more than that. Happy Anniversary to us!

In one week

from today, Bryan and I will be celebrating our 5th anniversary on this.
Can't wait!

Faith

Bryan and I spoke in church today on faith from Elder Jeffrey R. Hollands talk "Because of Your Faith." Both of us told stories about Bryan's little sister Amy. I felt like posting my story, because it perfectly explains Amy.

"My sister-in-law Amy has incredible faith. She completely relies on the Savior Jesus Christ in all she does. Amy is a cheerful, bubbly person who never has anything mean to say towards anybody. Her biggest flaw, however, is her ability to lose everything. BYU's lost and found knows her by name. She typically loses her biochemistry books, cell phone, keys to her car/apartment, credit cards, wallet... basically all the important stuff. Somehow, her lost items end up back in her possession. Last summer 2009, the Ahlborn family took an adult vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a week and on the very first day, Amy left her running shoes in the taxi cab that drove us to our resort. Of course she didn't realize this until the next morning when we all decided to go out for a run. So Amy did all the things she knew she needed to do. She called the taxi company, alerted to resort, and then she prayed. The whole family knew she would never get those shoes back, but Amy kept praying. Secretly we wanted the shoes to be lost so she'd learn her lesson and become more responsible. However, she would say, "I know the shoes will find me, I just know it." Well, you bet she was right! One hour before we left the resort to return back home to the United States, the taxi company called Amy to let her know that our taxi driver from the beginning was out sick for the day and would not be able to deliver her shoes on time. Amy continued to believe that everything would turn out in the end. Miraculously, as we were putting our bags in the taxi cabs, some random taxi cab driver pulls up with Amy's running shoes. Amy looks to the Lord in every thought, and doubts not. She has incredible faith. "

Love you Amy!

Sailing

Bryan can be romantic with a little push. He surprised me with our first sailing trip on a pirate ship on the Galveston gulf. It was very exciting, especially when you discover the boat naturally tips to the side. Didn't know that. I still haven't figured out the how the boat doesn't tip all the way over though.

It was a pretty windy day. I am just glad I didn't get sea sick because it was pretty bumpy. I have a tendency to get motion sick when watching 3D movies, reading in the car, and riding helicopters.
We saw a bunch of dolphins, which was a great surprise, but were never able to capture a picture.

If your wondering, Bryan didn't sail the boat. We went with 2 other couples and had a Capt. Kidd on board. He told me not to worry about the sail boat tipping over unless I saw him putting on a life jacket. Very reassuring:)

Nice picture of Bryan while the sun is setting. He really enjoyed the trip. He especially enjoyed going down below to the cabin. Apparently it was much bumpier? I knew I'd lose my stomach if I went. 2 hours was plenty of time to relax and enjoy the Galveston Bay. Highly recommended if your visiting the Houston area.

Here is a classic picture of the pirate sail boat. Loved it!

Beautiful sunset.

Fabric Headboard

This is my first (that I can remember) Do-It-Yourself project. I've seen a bunch of great results from others' blogs and DIY websites and really wanted to do my very own home decorating project. The website I copied was herecomesgina.com

I had a hard time picking out a fabric I really wanted. I wanted something feminine, but not too feminine. Mostly floral. I also wanted something to match the comforter we already owned... it's some kind of purple. Then I wanted to incorporate some greens because I love greens. Well, I thought the fabric I bought had a olive green (it does look like it), but it is really tan. The fabric is beige with dark brown, tan, and some kind of fuchsia. Bryan wanted me to paint the headboard because we bought really cheap plywood and it definitely had the potential for slivers. Plus, it makes the back look a little less "home-made"?
This picture makes the headboard look extra big. I am not sure yet on the height I want. You can either secure it to the wall like a picture frame, make legs with 2x4's, or use 2x4's to screw into a bed frame.

Now all I need is to find fabric for pillows. My sister offered to help me with this project. I have left over fabric (1 yard) for some fun pillows or art on the wall, but not sure what to do style wise. I was thinking big fuchsia pillows with some olive greens or dark brown pillows with small accents from the headboard fabric? Somebody help me! Kim?

Fort Lewis

Long story short: I am going to be in Washington State from January 2011- April 2011 to get my nursing identifier for Intensive Care. I was actually suppose to be moving there for the remainder of my Army contract because they didn't realize Bryan was in Houston TX going to school. This happened because the Army doesn't recognize Bryan and I as dual military right now because he is in the reserves or school. Therefore, they were going to move me far, far away. I cried a lot when I first found out. I talked with a bunch of people about what to do. My family and I fasted and prayed a bunch. Things finally turned for the best. I am coming back to Fort Hood after the course. I have learned patience and trusting in the Lord through this trial. I just wonder what more the Lord has in store for me in Central Texas?