DATE DAY!!!

It's been a while since I've posted...my computer is old, and sometimes it won't let me use the "Blogger" website (or Fossil or look at Facebook pics, etc? Random!)  Anyway, without further ado - DATE DAY!

Robert and I have had a few dates since Maggie has been born, Sem Banquet and another dinner.  But, for his graduation gift I wanted to plan a super fun DAY for just the two of us.  So, the wonderful Amanda Taylor (and Emily for a little, too!) watched our sweet little one while the two of us celebrated together.  We seriously had the best time!!

Up first - MB2 Raceway!  MB2 is legit go-kart racing - so much fun and pretty intense.  You have to sign a waiver that basically says I won't sue if I die; but, on the up-side, you get to pick cool racer names.  Robert was Bobcat and I was Bobcat's Wife, haha.  I was pretty scared before we raced, and for good reason.  Basically, I almost killed someone, haha.  Two guys wrecked in front of me and I didn't have time to put my brakes on and I literally ramped up on top of this guy and his car!  It was terrifying!  The rest of the race I drove at a crawling pace, letting everyone lap me...it was a 14 lap race, and I completed 8 laps!  Robert came in 2nd place, though!  A highlight for sure, though, was that we saw Steve Carrel with his wife and family there, having a family birthday party! So, racing was a blast!

Next - We headed to the Americana in Glendale!  We walked around a little and then had an early dinner at the Cheesecake Factory!  YUM!! We had a gift-card, but decided to "share:" fried macaroni (appetizer), Miso salmon with mashed potatoes and sugar snap peas, and Adam's Peanut-butter Cup Fudge Ripple Cheesecake - um YES!  It was AMAZING.  I'm hungry now...I need a snack.

Then - I got Robert a gift-card for The Art of Shaving , so we stopped in there.  He got some gear? is that a proper term?  He got some stuff for shaving - very legit, gentlemanly, "luxurious" shaving, haha.  He was pretty excited; it was cute!  And, bonus, his face smells amazing these days :)

Last - We had some movie tickets from Costco and we went to go see Avengers in 3D!  It was our first time with 3D and it was pretty cool.  I probably prefer regular viewing, but it was definitely a fun one to see in 3D - tons of action!

We came home to our beautiful baby sleeping soundly!

Thank you, Lord, for an amazing husband to share this grace of life called marriage!  It truly is a gift from the Father, and I am so grateful for every second of it!  Next week we head to Kauai!!  We will celebrate our third anniversary and see all of my family - we are really looking forward to spending a lot more time together!!

February 27, #5!

Just a quick note before I head off to bed and snag a few hours of sleep... This is the fifth February 27th that I have spent in-love with Robert Charles Wauhop.  I guess the first February 27th was more of a nervous, hopeful "like," and the second was like a "well, this is the last February 27th I'll ever care about... (apart from the fact that it's my sister's birthday)"  But number 3, 4, and 5 - completely smitten!  Truly, truly, I have the world's best husband!  I cannot thank the Lord enough for the greatest earthly blessing which is marriage to this wonderful man and the life and family that we have together!  We are "fellow heir[s] of the grace of life," 1 Peter 3:7b and God is so good!  

Flashback...

to July 3, 2009. Young(er) Robert watches young(er) Ashley walk down the aisle; they say "I DO!" and then they kiss and so far they have lived happily ever after!!!

Flash forward two years (present time) and they are in cool San Francisco celebrating two years of fabulous love and a baby girl on the way! So, please enjoy a few pics from our trip - we did!!


THE PAINTED LADIES


CRAZY LOMBARD STREET


COOL STAIRS AT COIT TOWER


ALCATRAZ!


ROBERT IS LOVING THE PRISON!


(and obviously i'm looking super cute!)




AUDIO TOUR


(this totally crazy insane guy) in front of this YUMMY burrito place!


YAY for our good friends, the MILLERS :) (came to visit from Modesto)


GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE!!

OK. There are a million more pics, but uploading them is getting annoying, haha. So, for now, adios!! Can't wait for my man to get home...!

Update

He said no... But, we know that God is so good and He loves us! And we are so hopeful for our future home; both in this life and the one to come! Yes, I cried. But I am so blessed, and good news - the gospel is still true! So, today I am praying for a little extra grace, and rejoicing in the sovereignty of God.

Thank you for those of you who prayed with us!

Apt. #1

It's so appropriately named, because it truly is the best apartment in our complex! Apartment #1 has just become vacant in the building we manage. Currently we are in apt #9, which is a "cozy" one bedroom. Apt. #1 is a spacious 2 BEDROOM...with a REAL KITCHEN (it's like it's own separate room with more than 1 counter!!), and 2 storage spaces/closets!! Wow! Sounds to good to be true, haha!

But, I'm writing all of this to ask you (Kristen and Marie and whoever else might read this) to please pray with us, that the Lord, who is rich in mercy, would allow us to move in and manage from apt #1! It would be a HUGE blessing with the baby coming in November, and being something we can actually afford! Really, we couldn't imagine a more ideal situation. We've been waiting a little over a month to hear the ruling of the property bosses as to whether or not it's an option. It's been discouraging to say the least. But, also it's been awesome, because the Lord has exposed my faithlessness. O me of little faith. The Lord can so provide this for us, and totally glorify Himself in the process. Or, He can say no - and totally glorify Himself in that process! But while we wait, I'd love for you to pray as well; that way you can rejoice in the outcome as well, knowing that the Lord hears our prayers and He loves us!

Lastly, please read this if you've ever struggled with faithless prayers. It was SO convicting and encouraging! The Lord really used it to rejuvenate me!

And double last, my baby is the size of a lemon! Wow, huge!!

Having a Baby!!!

Yes, it is true, Robert and I are having a baby this November - and we literally could not be more excited! What a little miracle! It is so insane to know that a real little person is growing inside of me! God is so amazing! I get these e-mails every week that tell me what's going on in the womb each week, and it is unbelievable!

Right now I'm 8 weeks and a few days! Baby is around the size of a raspberry! And, he has a brain and his kidneys, and is growing webbed fingers and toes! His heartbeat is strong and I am just amazed at the whole process!


Is the pic TMI?

We won't know until late May or early June if it's a boy or a girl. We are hoping boy (because who doesn't want a big brother), but would be so excited for a girl, too! We have both names picked out!!

I don't want this post to be forever long, but, it's so crazy...Last summer I was throwing up a lot (gross, I know), and I never throw up. So, obviously, I thought I was pregnant; but I wasn't! Instead, it planted the baby bug in me! So, we decided to wait until this spring semester to start "trying!" So, March 4 I took a test early in the morning. Robert was at his Friday morning Bible study and Roxy was sleeping in the living room, haha! Don't worry, I told Robert first! Of course on the first test the second line was kind of faded, so I went out later to get a digital and double check!! I highly recommend the digital! It's so awesome reading the word, PREGNANT! Anyway...

Please pray for us and this little one! We are so excited and SO THANKFUL!

February 27

Weekend! Weekend!

This Sunday marks the 10th birthday of my little sister, Aubree! Please watch this VIDEO and get to know her - she is hilarious!

This Sunday is also the 4 year anniversary of Robert and I dating (for the first time). Four years ago Robert called me and asked if I wanted to go get dinner. I was sitting at my desk in my dorm room eating pretzels and pudding for dinner...So, I said yes, and we went to OSAKA's! (It's the greatest place to eat on earth!)

We get there, we order, we sit down and wait. I go to the bathroom (crucial detail, obviously) and when I come out, our food is waiting! So, I sit down, we pray, and I start eating - but Robert doesn't. He begins to give a speech, if you will, about how satisfied he is being single and what not...how he's not so much for the dating...and eventually, though, if he was going to date, that he'd be interested in dating me!

Well, after hearing points A, B, and C - actually a month or so prior - I was sold! And so started the love saga that is Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wauhop :)

Needless to say, February 27th is one of my favorite days ever!!

In LOVE

In case you don't know me...I am CRAZY about my husband! I mean, check him out!


He is so wonderful! And I couldn't be more thankful for him...actually I probably could (hence the reading of Choosing Gratitude)! But, I just really love my man!

So, with valentines day approaching I've been making him all these little cards and leaving them in his school books, lunches, pockets...one for every day. Some silly, some sexy, some short, and some long. It has been a lot of fun. We will be "celebrating" Valentines Day tomorrow! And then Monday night I'll just make him an extra special dinner. I love everything we do together, and so I'm really looking forward to a weekend full of Robert! I could say so much more about him...and I will later - so I know you'll be looking forward to that! But basically, to close, God is so kind!

SleepOver!

I want to stay here so badly - the Standard! Doesn't it look like so much fun! What a great Valentines Day treat? Or just a weekend rendezvous!! It's way more trendy than I am... and a little too expensive for us - but, I feel like it would be such a fun, dreamy treat!

I must admit that LA does have a lot to offer - especially variety. From food to attractions to entertainment to shops, literally everything is here. Since Robert only has 3ish semesters left in seminary I figured I should start living LA to the fullest (or at least start checking it out)! So, I'm adding to my amazing places to vacation/staycation in LA. The Figueroa Hotel looks like so much fun!


The atmosphere seems really chill and it's so beautiful! It's right by the Staples Center and LA Live, yet it seems so secluded and romantic! What a fun find!

FYI

It's FEBRUARY!!!!

So, I am LOVING Choosing Gratitude! Robert brought it home for me last night and I read the first thirty pages...I can already tell it's going to be amazing - and so convicting! I wrote out a few quotes on 3x5 cards to put up at my desk at work, but forgot them on my night stand. I'll share them when I bring them tomorrow, hopefully!

But, on another note - John MacArthur will be speaking at Liberty University next Friday, Feb. 11! I am shocked, so excited, and bummed I won't be there. But, for those of you still in that woderful Burg, DON'T MISS IT!

Secondly, I was thinking that as I was recommending these books, I'd also like to let everyone know that if you have a ".edu" email address you can sign up on Amazon and qualify for free 2-day shipping! That is such a good deal! I am way more inclined to on-line shop when free shipping is in the mix!! (Speaking of free shipping check out this fun website - ASOS. I think the jewelry and sale section is pretty bomb!)

Lastly, I'd like to recommend another book, When Sinners Say "I Do". When Sinners Say "I Do" is about the blessed gift of marriage between two sinners - which every marriage is. Now, I'm still newly married and pretty much think Robert is the bees knees! But this book was so helpful for me in seeing the sin in my life and how that affects my marriage. It has also been key in forming a godly perspective on forgiveness and "absorbing the cost" - you have to read the book to find out all about what that means! I went through this book with Mrs. Busenitz (a wonderfully godly woman, wife of Dr. Irv Busenitz and mother of Dr. Nate Busenitz from the Master's Seminary!) after I joined HS Staff and couldn't do SemWives anymore. Our time together, coupled with Dave Harvey's wise words really cemented the importance and impact of When Sinners Say "I Do"!

is late really better than never?

If so, then please enjoy these pictures :)




This summer, the wonderful Manfredi brothers took their awesome sister Erin on a cross-country trip before she went off to Hong Kong. Well, Erin is a professionaly, top-notch photographer. So anyway, when she was here, she took a few pics of us just hanging out at the beach. I thought I'd share a few :)

Isn't it a blessing to have talented friends!! And don't you love Robert's curly hair?!

Timing...

You know when you pray for the Lord's timing, His will...for His glory, but secretly you assume He will still graciously give you what you want when you want it. I did that/I've been doing that and have just been realizing it through the last few weeks. Isn't God so good to be so patient with us?

I just wanted to give that little update. I also hope to be posting some Christmas pictures soon...if I can get internet somewhere long enough. Ok. peace out :)

Truth Bomb

So, I've been awful at sticking to my previous post. But, I just wanted to send a quick shout-out to the blogging world...

Today I texted Robert - the most wonderful man alive - and said: "Honey, I am having a rough day! Can you just pray for me and my attitude? I love you."

He answers: "I will honey. If the love of God for you was written in ink on the sky it could not contain it. I love you and Jesus loves you infinitely more than I do or could..."

In a text! I cried (...and I was on the phone with someone at work when I looked at the text, so it was a little difficult to finish the call.) How humbling and awesome to consider that truth bomb at 8:30 on a Wednesday morning! That's what marriage is about. That's why marriage is the grace of life! That's why marriage is awesome. God is so good to allow us to glorify Him better together than we can apart! My God is so kind! What a great day!

Random Banter

So...we have no internet for the time being. I try not to be too disheartened, seeing that we were pilfering it from a neighbor. But, nonetheless, I haven't been able to write on my blog (I know all two [if that] of you are so upset!) or check my e-mail. All in all, though, it's been good. I have been getting a lot of reading done! That has been good...I think soon I'm going to start a mini book review blog series - so stay tuned for that gem! haha!

Also, it has given Robert and I an opportunity to get more creative with how we spend our free time. Like, last night, we got an ice cream at McDonalds and sat in the parking lot for an hour and watched this weeks LOST! (really great episode, by the way!) And, when I was sick, a neighbor let me borrow all the seasons of Friends, so we'll watch that now and again. We've also been reading a great book (a little preview of the book reviews :) 50 People Every Christian Should Know. It's fifty short biographies on strong Christians who are great examples in the faith. We recently read Katherine Von Bora (Martin Luther's wife). Wow! So good! And we talk a lot...and take the occasional nap. Mostly, we're just generally really busy...Bible study, Staff meeting, work, seminary, church, Bible study, cooking dinner, pretending like i'm going to work out... We just like any time we have together! So, no complaints on the marriage front.

My friend Ashley had her sweet baby girl, Reese Lanae Mehringer; I can't wait to meet her. And, I got to go to the park with my neighbor Marie and her son Jude the other day, too. That was fun. When I was kid parks were not this cool, which is why we played things like hot lava, instead of doing the actualy park activities! This park had a rock wall and this really neat spinny thing...I couldn't enjoy that for too long, because apparently I had/have verdigo?!

As far as those of you who thought we might be moving...we thought so too, and now we don't know. We're not too worried about it, though. It may or may not work out, but it will definitely be for our good - because God is for us (Rom. 8:31)! Tim and Joni will be here on the 8th of April! We're going to go to the melting pot! And, it's just good to see family, in general. So, all in all, life is just really great, because God is so good to us! And this is God's world (shout out to 180 staff)!

This was the LORD's doing; and it is marvelous in our sight. This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Ps. 118:23-24

Married at the Marriot

"And Adam said: 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh..."

AMEN!

This was our first married Valentines Day, and it was wonderful! Robert and I went to San Diego and stayed downtown at the beautiful Marriot Hotel and Marina. I loved the city (and the fact that it was clean). I loved seeing the lights, and being able to walk everywhere. I loved the whole mood of the town - the tall, sleek buildings, the weather. I loved not going to work. But most of all I loved being with my husband. Being married is pretty much the greatest thing on the earth. What a blessing from the Lord to get to share your life, every day, with the one you love! We could have stayed at the romantic Castaic Inn (which is this hilarious little motel with like an 8"x10" swimming pool, an advertised 27" in-room tv, and a blinking red sigh that says ROMANTIC as you pull into the truck stop that so happens to be our exit off of the 5. It's priceless. You have to see it for yourself.) and had the most amazing time. But, the Lord was so gracious to us in allowing us to stay in such a gorgeous location and enjoy each other to the fullest!

We walked to breakfast. We went shopping. We ate amazing food - a lot of food - too much food! We went to the beach, saw a touch of the olympics, and smiled at each other. I called my mom the day before and just told her how excited I was to get away and just be with the hubs. And she laughed, fully knowing that we really have nothing to "get away" from, but totally understanding how great these special times are!

So, home is certainly where the heart is. I do miss my family and my friends daily, and terribly. But goodness, I sure do love this boy that I married. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work, and so very thankful for all the grace that God has given us.

Lastly, I wanted to add that we have decided to hire Isabell to travel with us, because we are wretched picture takers :)

HELLO!

i started this for those of you in NOVA - because i love you!  so, soon i will update everyone on our adventure from Burke, VA to sunny CA!  i think we are moving in tomorrow, and i am SOOOO excited!  love you!