Catching Up!

I am back everyone!  My sincere regrets to taking a while off of posting.  Things were pretty hectic with the wedding, plane rides, and getting back into the normal routine at home. Now that I feel pretty settled in again, I will catch everyone up!

The wedding was PERFECT!  Not only that, it was exactly how I had always pictured it - down to the details!  The incredibly handsome groom, the teary-eyed first look, the dress, the hand-written vows, the daddy who didn't want to let go of his baby girl, the lights, the flowers, the colors, the people there, everything!! It was amazing!! (And I have to give credit to my mother and our "wedding planner" Alecia for making it all possible!) I have only a few pictures that have been given to me that I will post in a minute, but I will certainly add more once the photographer sends them to me!! May I add that this lady is anxiously waiting to see the rest!!! :-)

The big day - September 22nd - was filled with joy, happiness, laughter, and fun!  There is one part of the ceremony that I just can't help but laugh at over and over. So here it goes.  Since Nick & I wrote our own vows, we decided not to read them to each other until the actual ceremony! (which, just for the record, I knew ahead of time, that this bride wouldn't make it through listening to his nor reading mine without babbling like a baby!)  So once I walked down the stairs with my dad (shaking nonetheless), kissed him and he was seated, the pastor then went though all the scriptures and sayings he had prepared and then the moment. The vows. He asked Nick to read his first. So after my husband (of 6 months already) finished reading his incredible, emotion-filled vows to me...I tried to KISS him!!! Now, just out of instinct it seemed appropriate! I mean, we have been married 6 months already, living in Alaska, and when he read them to me I was just overwhelmed with love for him that the only thing left to do was kiss him! It wouldn't have been so bad, if "the kiss" wasn't til later in the ceremony!!  So the moment I realized that wasn't the time to kiss this amazing man of mine, I busted out in laughter and said "ooops, sorry!!"  I have to admit, my husband was very humerous at the time and gently leaned back away from me, who was trying to plant one on him, and whispered under his voice as he chuckled "feisty!"  Nick didn't think I heard what he had said until later I told him that it helped me relax and loosen up, so I could then make it through my vows to him next!! It was a great moment that had everyone chuckling and the room was filled with laughter! What a great thing to look back on years from now!!  What a perfect day!!

 

To give you a little bit more insight on our wedding weekend, Nick had planned our honeymoon without letting me know what it was.  Which, included a lot of trust on my part that he wouldn't take us skydiving, paragliding, or any other extreme activity that he would do!  Come to find out, he had one amazing plan!  We spent the first night in a local hotel in their honeymoon suite - due to the fact it was late at night after the wedding and we didn't want to be driving all night!! ;)  Then on Sunday we drove for 3 hours to Eureka Springs, AR and stayed in a VERY romantic Bed & Breakfast called Arsenic & Old Lace B&B!  The couple that owned it were tremendously sweet and the room was just gorgeous!  We spent our weekend downtown shopping, eating at unique restaurants, and dressing up for the "old time Victorian photo shoots!"  (don't fret - I will add those pictures too!)  It was the perfect place to relax, enjoy the outdoors and each other!  I sure felt like a princess! Can I brag just a minute and say that I have one AMAZING husband - so thanks sweetheart! :-)

It was pretty sad to leave all of our family and friends, but it was a great time well spent back in Arkansas even for the short time!!  To everyone who came to the wedding and was able to make the trip to see us, a big thank you all!! We really appericiate each one of you that was a part of our special day!  It meant so much to Nick & I both! 

Ok...I know, I know, I know - you want pictures!!! So here are several from the wedding and the weekend!! Thank you for taking time to read and get a little glimpse of what it was like for us on our special day and I hope you enjoy the pictures!  We love you all!

                                         

                            (L to R: Ty, Trent, & Trey)

 
                  (Stuart making his toast!)
                      
                       (My dad making his toast before father/daughter dance) 

                                          

                                                                                 (Our dance)

      

           
                                           (The bubbles!)

 

(Part of our beautiful room and the B&B!)

 

 

           Here are the "Old Time Photos!" Sorry for the blurriness, I took these with my phone!

 

Much Love,

Nick & Allie

Bears and Breads to Moose and Muffins

Hello Everyone!

First off, I just wanted to say thank you for all the new visitors to my blog! 

If you have discovered this from the wedding website, I am extremely glad you came to check it out!

This is where I try to keep everyone across the globe that knows Nick and I updated on our life.  It is a very easy way to communicate the little joys in life, along with the major events life brings us in Alaska!  I encourage you to check in with us every once in a while, I try to update ever-so-often, but sometimes it just doesn't get done as quickly as I would like to!  I hope you enjoy and again, thank you for taking time out of your life to get a little glimpse into ours! 

  

Over the past few weeks, things have been fun, stressful, crazy, and busy! From planning the wedding and reception (which is a short 33 days away!!) to enjoying the opportunities we have here in Alaska!  Even through the chaos, things are coming along!  It was just the other day that Nick turned the car off in the garage, looked at me and said, "It finally feels like we are getting settled down now!"  I thought to myself, "this is so true!"  The first month was a bit rocky for both of us trying to get adjusted to our new life and our new house together as a couple.  Recently, we have became more in the swing of things, have somewhat of a routine down, and have been able to get out and do more things we enjoy instead of the unpacking phase.

I am VERY pleased to say that this is Nick's last week on his midnight shift!  It has been the biggest adjustment overall, for both of us I believe.  It's not only hard for your body to get used to, but also your mind!  Going from a regular sleep schedule, to being wide awake during our "day" at 2am, and having to sleep through our "night" at one in the afternoon, when it is broad daylight, has been quite difficult!  Needless to say, he will be back on his regular shift (3pm-11pm) next week!

Praise the Lord!

I'd like to fill you in on a hobby, I suppose you could call it, that I have taken up lately - baking!

I have come to really enjoy baking muffins and breads.  (not so much the brownies and cookies side of baking - mainly because neither Nick or I particularly like those!)  There is just something about using creativity, the measuring, the mixing, and seeing the flour on the counter that just makes ya feel good inside!  Not to mention the delicious smell that fills the whole house, and the taste testing of your products!  In the past weeks, I have inquired recipes from all over the Internet, cookbooks, and friends, along with tweaking them here and there for personalization!  I have had some "discoveries" and some flops, but for the most part - it has been a success! 

With my experimenting, I have managed to bake Cinnamon Crunch Muffins, Strawberry Granola Muffins, Blueberry Banana Crumble Bread, Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Spice Bread, Apple Cinnamon Muffins, Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread, Banana Nut Muffins, and even Whole-Wheat Apple Cinnamon Waffles with Brown Sugar-Cinnamon Sauce!

Since I was waking up before Nick most days, I would utilize that time, to bake and make breakfast, and sometimes serve it in bed.  There have been a few mornings he has mentioned something along the lines of "Oh! Muffins! Again?!"  I responded one morning with - "Do you not like my muffins?!"  Nick's simple reply - "Yes honey, I do! Just maybe not 7 days a week!"  It just makes me laugh and appreciate his willingness to try my concoctions!  And each time, it's a different flavor and different kind of muffin!  But I don't think he really minds too much since usually the whole pan is gone within a day or two! ;)

As you know, in Alaska, moose are a very popular mammal that tend to be seen a lot by people.  Encounters with them can be deadly.  It's not recommended to walk up to one, especially the females with their babies.  Ever since I have moved up here, the only moose I have seen in person was at the zoo.  Can you believe that?  Well, I was one determined woman to try and spot a moose off the road a distance, in a creek somewhere, or on a mountain side sometime soon.  What hadn't crossed my mind for a way to see one for the first time, was within arms reach on a walking path!!  There it was, 2 actually, male moose!  Nick and I stayed on the paved path while they munched on the grass and bushes right next to it.  One crossed the path to the other side, and then we turned around and headed back, as to not disturb him by going past.  Although, to my surprise, he didn't seem too bothered by our presence there - I suppose they get used to the joggers and people on that trail!

It was a very intriguing experience to just stand in awe!  Up close and personal, at that!

Here is a picture we took! 

(and this is not zoomed in!)

Well, I believe that's all I have for now! 

Back to wedding planning and muffin making!

Stay tuned for more soon!

Much love,

Allie



Wedding...Set...Go!

As most of you know, Nick and I haven't had a wedding ceremony.  I have the dress - fitted and all.  He has his dress blues - fitted and ironed.  The invitations are waiting to be printed with a date, the decorations are waiting to be put up, almost everything is done, just not a date set!  We were just waiting on when he could get enough leave time to have us fly back to Arkansas, set up, and have a real wedding!  Well, he explained to his commander today the situation, and immediately he granted us leave time for a week!!

The wedding date is set!

September 22, 2012!

Now of course, it's going to be a bit difficult planning the rest of our wedding from Alaska, and working out the details over 4,000 miles away and over phone; but we will make it work!!  I am beyond ecstatic and can hardly wait!! We wanted the ceremony to be outdoors, so therefore, we didn't want to make it too late into the fall or winter and have to deal with the chilly weather.  So it is going to be perfect at the end of September!!

I have got lots of planning left to do, such as calling venues, pricing food, making hair appointments, writing out the invitation wording, the wedding cake (that we will sadly not be able to taste test from states away!), the photography, the wedding party outfits, and the most important...our wedding vows!  We thought since we got married on March 26, 2012 in a courthouse with their scripted vows, that with the real ceremony, we could make it a little bit more special and meaningful if we wrote our own vows!  Now the tricky part for me, is to write something that I will be able to read/say without loosing it, choking up, or just simply passing out!  It will take the help from the Good Lord (and waterproof mascara!) to make that happen!

Well the countdown begins...

75 more days!!

Prayers are much appreciated.

God Bless!

Welcome Home!

4:00AM.

June 30, 2012. 

On my way to the airport.

Emotions were high, for everyone!

My first flight was out of Memphis, TN at 10:00am. Once bags were checked and had spent time with my family while eating breakfast; it was then time to go through security and get to Nick!  As I got on the plane, time seemed to stand still! I was on the edge of my seat to get off that last plane in Alaska and run to my husband! But I had to wait, and be patient! After the flight from Memphis to Atlanta, I had a 5 hour layover there before I boarded for my next flight, Atlanta to Phoenix, AZ!

Since that flight wasn't on time like they planned, we were running late getting into Phoenix, so that left me with 15 mins to get off of plane, (not to mention all of the people who don't know how to take turns to get off the plane!), and look at the computer screen to find my gate for my last flight, and run to the gate and board! My adrenaline was sky high! I felt as if it was an out of body experience at some points! I was running with my bags and out of breath by the time I got to my gate! I told myself the whole way, "you ARE going to Alaska tonight!"  And sure enough, I made it on the plane from Phoenix to Anchorage and ready for the 6 hour flight to go by fast!

I ended up sleeping for about 3 hours on that flight, so when I arrived here in Alaska at 12:30am, which is technically 3:30am Arkansas time that I was used to! I honestly wasn't tired when I got off the plane! Not to mention I was still on my "emotional high" and ready to be with my husband! As soon as I stepped off that plane, I couldn't stop smiling! It seemed so unreal!

Me? Married to my best friend? Moving to Alaska? About to drive HOME??

I was overwhelmed with the joy and so grateful that God has blessed us with each other!!

By now, it is about 1:30am, we have picked up all of my bags at the baggage claim, and out to the car! Since we weren't really that ready to sleep yet, and it was light enough outside to still see, Nick drove us around the town a little and pointed out some places.  It was so beautiful, the snow covered mountains, the green grass, the cooler weather, just amazing! Then we drove on base, and he showed me his work, the grocery store, and then to our house! I couldn't contain my excitement to unpack and make it not a house, but our home!

We ended up getting to bed around 3:30am, and I, being the over-the-top excited one, woke up wide awake at 5:30am. I tried and tried to fall back asleep, and there just wasn't any hope in succeeding in that! So I walked downstairs to the kitchen and unpacked everything, and when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING! It took me only 4 hours and the kitchen was completely done, unpacked, cleaned, dishes put away; I mean the whole thing!

Then it just went from there, the bathrooms, the living room, the bedrooms, dining room, and so forth! It was then on Monday, July 2nd, that we started hanging pictures up, and making it feel cozy like a real home! Along with that, we went grocery shopping, and I could finally make our first meal, in our first home, as newlyweds!

Now onto day 3, I have completely unpacked the rest of the house, minus the guest bedroom. It is being used at "storage" right now!  I feel as though our days are almost backwards; since Nick works 3pm-11pm, our time together is the mornings and some afternoon.  Which is kinda nice right now, since at night while he is at work, I don't have to run errands and I can clean, do laundry, organize, work out, cook dinner for when he comes home, and still get to bed at a decent time!

To say the least, I absolutely love being a wife to such an amazing husband, and having our own home!!

Since it has been a few days, and the house is pretty much done, I thought I'd share some photos! Of course there are still some minor details to be done still, but hope you enjoy a tour of "The Nobles Home!"

Front Door

Our Number

Coming into house from garage, half bath to the left, dining room up the stairs

The half bath

Standing at the top of the stairs in the dining room

Looking into kitchen - my favorite room!!

 

Looking into dining room from kitchen 

Again, the door on the left is a pantry, and the right door is down to the basement

Down the stairs to basement

 Basement

Back upstairs, looking from dining room into living room

 Looking from kitchen side to the living room

Standing behind the couch looking up the stairs to the top floor

 The master bathroom on the right hand side of hallway

Our bedroom on the left hand side of hallway

I was so excited that my wall decor fit perfectly in between our closets!!

The guest bedroom at the end of the hallway

Our backyard/deck

Back view

And there you have it, our new home! 

More updates to come soon!

God Bless!

   

Home Is Where The Heart Is

This past week I have been trying to gather everything I need together,

 so that I will be ready to jump on that plane in 3 weeks!

From purchasing great deals on eighty-eight cent Ziploc baggies and

estimating how much my suitcases will weigh, to researching what

hike we want to do first as a couple and writing down

favorite recipes to carry along into our family!

Since I have been going over recipes, I thought I would share

one of my mom and I's personal favorites!

Fat Free Cafe Frappe:

•  1 - 14 oz can Eagle Brand Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Skimmed Milk
• 4 cups ice cubes
• 2 tbls instant coffee
• 1 tbls vanilla
• 3/4 cup warm water
• In a small bowl, dissolve instant coffee in the warm water. In a blender, combine all ingredients except ice. Blend well, gradually add ice until smooth. Refrigerate leftovers. Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 280 calories and 0 grams of fat.

Now that, is a delicious afternoon treat!

 It's gotten harder, since the time has gotten closer to me leaving.

I have only 2 more Saturdays here at home, and I am full of mixed emotions!

Nick keeps reminding me to hurry up and get up there to be with him, and that gets me really excited and happy and full of joy. Then things are said, like today, that makes it hard, sad, and uneasy to move on and leave my family here!

One quote from my little brother Trent (6) that made my heart just melt.

I had came out of my room in the morning and told my mom, "Wow, in exactly 3 weeks I will be on a plane!!"  Trent heard the word 3, and asked what I was talking about. I told him, "Well, I have 3 weeks left here at home in Arkansas, then I get to go to my new home with Nick in Alaska." He thought about it for a minute then replied, "Then it will be two weeks, then one week, then zero weeks and you'll be gone?" I smiled and told him yes, he was correct. Then he said very softly, "Allie, and how many days are you gonna stay then come back home?"

Talk about melting this big sister's heart!

I'm not sure how easy it will be to be living over 4,000 miles away from my little pumpkins. God only knows how to help ease all of our nerves and deal with all of these emotions. One way my mother-in-law told me that could help, is for us to have weekly set times that we get online and Skype or phone calls! That way the boys and I (and parents) can look forward to it! As for now, I am off to copy more recipes and continue the countdown!

*21 days!*

The Waiting Game

“A waiting person is a patient person.

The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are

and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwn

This season of my life I would like to refer to as "The Waiting Game."

First off, I am a very impatient individual.  For those of you who know me quite well, waiting is not something I excel in; in fact, patience is a weakness of mine. 

With saying all of that, you can imagine waiting 32 more days to move to Alaska and be with my husband is a very large struggle.

God has been showing me some pretty valuable principles during this time.

It's not about the long, horrible, drawn out 32 days I have to countdown.  It's all about the precious, priceless moments and memories that can happen in these short 32 days left with my family and friends.  It's crazy how in today's society that we get all wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, that when we lay down at night, it all seems like a blur.  I don't want these last 32 days to go by like a "blur!"  It's time to stop and smell the roses and enjoy the time we have, with who we are around, in that moment!

Now yes, I am extremely looking forward to moving into our new house, and going grocery shopping, and exploring the base, and the seemingly foreign land up there!  Recently, Nick got to go with a group of people hiking on a mountain!  I tried to hold in my little bit of jealousy.  He kept mentioning how beautiful and crisp and clear the air felt, and how there was a foot of snow, yet swatting away mosquitoes.  I could only imagine!  I thought I would share a few pictures of his adventure!

AMAZING, right???

Well, while he enjoys his adventures up there, I will do the same here.

Instead of dreading the wait, it's time to slow down and focus on the time I have left here!  Because, once the wait is over, I can't get that time back.

So when God has you wait, and be patient for a while, don't see it with a negative outlook, thank Him for allowing you that little bit extra time with other special people, and those precious moments and encounters.

And the wait just might be a blessing in disguise! 

 

It's not goodbye, just see you soon!

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."





OUR WEEKEND:  A bit stressful, but good!  Friday morning around 9 am, the moving company came to the house to pick up all of our furniture and boxes and everything else we had.  They will ship it and store it until we have the house in Alaska ready for us!  We pretty much have our house set with the furniture, thanks to both of our parents giving us couches and love seats and foot stool!  Due to the cost of shipping our things on our own, I ended up boxing all of my clothes that I will not be wearing until I get there.  So I am down to sleeping on a blow up bed, living out of 2 suitcases, and about 20 outfits until I move! 

It's an adventure that's for sure! 

    



After the movers left, Nick and I headed out to Dallas, TX where his plane left on Saturday for Anchorage, AK!  It was such great quality time for the two of us to just relax and have some good needed conversations.  We got to the hotel later that night, and got him all packed up to leave the next day!  Saturday - my sweet husband took me to get some Starbucks in the morning while we killed time until his 2pm flight!  As the time got closer, reality kept hitting harder.  

This is how my thought process went:  

"I am about to drop the love of my life off at this airport where he will be flying to Alaska tonight. 

I will drive back home to Arkansas for the next 8 weeks until I fly up there with him. 

Lord, I am going to need Your help to make it through these next couple weeks. 

I've been spoiled to have him home for 2 weeks, and now he is leaving again." 

I always get this feeling, and if you have ever sent someone you love away for a while, you know this feeling I am referring to.  It's a combination of happy, anxious, sad, worried, and excited all in one!  The one thing, and the most important thing, that Nick told me as he left was this - "It's 8 weeks Allie, that's like Basic Training, for you!  I believe in you. You can do it!"  That is when I was at ease.  It's so true! 8 Weeks.  That's it!  As I drove off after our "goodbye hug and kiss," I felt God's hands wrap around this frantic, emotional woman driving in Dallas traffic, and He kept reminding me - it's not goodbye, it's see you soon! 

So here it is. 

The start of MY basic training! 

The verse at the top is one that I have found peace and comfort in. 

The Lord WILL strengthen not only me, but Nick too! 

The Lord WILL help us get through this!

Now let the countdown begin!