Hildebrand happenings

Seeing as how it has been since October that I have updated, there is quite a bit to discuss!

We got married! November 20, 2010 was the most beautiful, hectic, wonderful, stressful, exciting, overwhelming, amazing day! I married the love of my life and became the happiest woman in the world. Everything went perfectly. I even held off crying until after the ceremony! After 5 years, one month, and 20 days of being together, we are finally man and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrand. You can see some of our wedding photos here. Keep checking back for more as the photographer adds them!

After the wedding, we spent a week in Aruba! This is exactly what everyone should do at some point in their lives. It is the most beautiful island and the most relaxing atmosphere. It was hard to come back to "real life". While we were there we went ocean kayaking, snorkeling, ate at some wonderful restaurants, and did some MAJOR relaxing! I have TONS of pictures posted on facebook.

Three weeks after getting married, Eric graduated from Auburn. He now holds his Bachelor's of Science in Electrical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude (Go ERIC!).

Finally, we are closing in on our move to Virginia! December 29th is the big move day. We have spent a few days in the area looking for a place to live. And did we find a place! This is our new, gorgeous, apartment! We have the entire upstairs of the building. Garage #2 is attached to our apartment.
I had been talking with the Emergency Room Director at a hospital in the area. She had called me and done a preliminary interview over the phone in November. While we were here I went in for an interview. After speaking with the ER director, she invited me back the next day to meet with the assistant director/nurse educator for the ER. Also, I would be interviewed by some of the nurses in the ER. All of these people were very nice and interesting to meet. I learned a lot about the department and what type of patients to expect. After the final interview with the nurses I was excused so they could discuss my fate as a nurse in their ER. It didn't take them long. Put best by the nurse educator: "They dig ya. Welcome to the department!" I HAVE A JOB!!!!

So in summary: we got married, we went to Aruba, Eric graduated, we have a place to live, I have a job! How's that for a whirlwind?

Fall happenings

Well, it has been quite a while since I have posted. Luckily, not much has happened. Here is a quick run-down.

The wedding is come together nicely. It's 20 days away!!!

As a soon-to-be family, we dressed up for halloween. Farmer Eric with his prized pumpkins, and ladybug.


The most exciting news is Eric's new job!!! He will be working as an electrical engineer for a company in Sterling, Virgina! So....we are MOVING! We are both excited/nervous/anxious/thankful. This is going to be such a great opportunity for us to grow together as newlyweds. Please keep us in your prayers as we make this journey.

Helloooooo adulthood!

Ringing in my ears are the endless voices saying "enjoy college, because pretty soon you will be out in the real world." Well, I kind of like the real world!

A lot has been going on recently. First off, I am working as an RN now! I got a job at a family practice office in Madison, and I LOVE IT! While I make a fraction of what an RN makes elsewhere, I am getting some great experience...from 8a-4p...with no weekends!

In our family, every first day constitutes a picture in the driveway. So, of course, Mom had me in the driveway early before work! She mumbled something about needing a picture of what all their money has gone to over the past 4 years. I knew she was proud :)


Another first in my adult life...I bought a new car! My little Grand AM was struggling along, and now that I am in a place I can afford something, I went for it! I was not planning on a new car, but my dad mentioned that the used car I was looking at cost about the same as a new car with a great warranty. Off to the Kia dealership we went. And that is where I found this!
My 2011 Kia Sorento! I drove it off the lot when it had 29 miles! I love it!!!! And if anyone is looking for a new car, this is a great one, and the man that sold it to me was wonderful!

And no conversation about adulthood could be complete without a WEDDING UPDATE! With 3 months left, there is still quite a bit to do. But, I picked up Eric's ring last week (after a lengthy battle with getting it the correct size, and finally convincing the jeweler that maybe the man that will wear it knows what size is most comfortable on his hand) and it is perfect! Now all that's left is to put it on his finger!

And that's adulthood in a nutshell.

I am a Promise

I came across this song today. It was written as a children's song, but I think it can apply to anyone. We all have those days when we feel like everyone is given up on us. I know I do. But know that there is so much potential in each of us, God just has to bring it out!

I am a promise
I am a possibility
I am a promise, with a capital "P"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learning to hear God's voice
And I am trying to make the right choices
I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be!

Home Sweet Home!

Well, we are finally home! We actually got home around 9 PM on Wednesday. On the flight, Dad and I were not sitting together, so we had very different experiences. He slept most of the way, with his noise-reduction headphones and peaceful neighbors. I, however, sat in front of a pregnant lady with SEVERE morning sickness (more like all day sickness). Across the aisle was a screaming toddler. The flight was turbulent, and towards the end, the place took a few scary dives that made me want to be on the ground more than ever. And, to top it all off, french air traffic controllers were on strike, so we had to fly out of the way to avoid France. Making the flight over and hour longer, but hey, what's another hour when you have already been on a plane for 11! Stupid French! But we made it home, with our luggage. My body is still trying to get adjusted to being in a new time zone. I will get there.

Thanks for following my trip. I had such a great time!

Arivaderchi, Roma!

This is our final day in Rome! Tomorrow we will be flying home to the states. While this trip has been so cool and I have loved being in Europe, I am ready to go home. I can only eat so much delicious pasta and see only so many ancient churches.

Today we went to the Catacombs to Saint Callisto. This is the site where over half a million early Christians were buried. Under Pagan rule in Rome, these Christians were persecuted for their faith. This is the former burial place of quite a few popes, before they were moved to the Vatican for their final burial. The catacombs venture down 4 levels underground, because the land was free. Burials occurred between 150-450 AD. They would have to pay for any above ground land, and the early Christians were fairly poor. The Pagans respected the burial grounds, and the Christians took advantage of this. They would set up altars to worship in the catacombs. There are over 50 catacombs/churches in Rome. Eventually Rome was declared safe for Christians, and they could worship freely. It was amazing to see that so many people would risk their lives just to worship God!

One of the above-ground entrance to the Catacombs

To finish up this trip in Roman style, we had dinner by the Colosseum. I wonder how many others through the years have eaten outside this place, waiting to see a gladiator fight.

Of course, we finished the evening with a gelato! I can't get enough of this stuff! We have eaten gelato everyday, and everyday I have gotten a different flavor!


AND...we have eaten at an outdoor cafe for every meal, except breakfast, since arriving in Europe! Success!

My entire trip can be seen in these three albums!

Well, I guess I will be signing off from Europe. Next post will come from the good ol' US of A!!!

Pompeii-hey-hey-hey!

While Dad was working, I took a bus trip to Pompeii, with a few stops along the way. I went with a guide service here in Rome. My bus picked me up bright and early and we hit the road! It was an English/Spanish tour, and little did I know that only 8 of us going to Pompeii (out of about 35) spoke English...

Our first stop was Naples. From here a group would catch a boat to Capri, and the rest of us would continue to Pompeii. Naples has not been my favorite city, but it was interesting to go on a short tour.

Downtown Naples

Our local tour guide

After lunch, we proceeded to Pompeii. By now, those of us that spoke English had identified each other and formed our own little group. The guide would explain things in Spanish first. He would talk for 3-4 minutes, and the group would laugh and carry on. Then he would say a sentence in English and move on. I think we were a little cheated. Nevertheless, Pompeii was very cool. The city was frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. No lava reached Pompeii, but volcanic ash fell on the city and hardened into a concrete. This preserved the city. When it was finally found and excavated, frescoes, homes, and people were encapsulated and preserved. The bodies that were found had skeletons and bones intact. They are still intact today. One day, a volcano erupted and time stopped. Now, history is there for us to see. This was such a neat experience! It is beyond words to walk the streets, touch the houses, and see the people of 79 AD.

Inside a Greek-style home

A body found in the grocery store. Some of the bones are visible and preserved.

The Pompeii Forum, with Mount Vesuvius in the background

I got back to the hotel around 10:30, almost 4 hours after the brochure said we would return. Of course, Dad is pacing the lobby and bothering the concierge about when the tour will return. If you are ever in Rome, I highly recommend taking a tour to Pompeii!