Where are "we" headed?

This summer brings lots of emotions ups and downs. Where are we headed as a couple was what I was asking myself? We had moved in together taken mulitiple vactions and had this small child who was making things more complicated. As the older woman I should be confident and sure of myself that things are going just fine at the right pace. It had only been a year and a half not a long time in the bigger picture but I wanted more. It wasn't a ring I wanted it was I love you. I was ready to hear it and all of my insecurities set in and I begin to sabbotage my relationship. I am really good at this. After a while Derek tires of my behavior we decide to part ways. I asked him to take his things but my reaction to all of this was not the typical me. Yes I was devastated but this feels like the right thing we needed some time to think about what we both really wanted out of this relationship. Wedding after wedding passes but an important one for Derek was happening and I will be attending. His best friend Brent is marrying Abbey and I am doing her hair and makeup. I rush back home to get ready on this super hot Saturday I must look good. We briefly talk throughout the night I sat at a distance wondering what he was thinking. Does he miss me? How does he think I look? Will he call me later? The party ended early so Derek had everyone head to the winebar for the "afterparty"!! I drove some friends there and I hung out and had a great time with everyone despite the circumstances. I am glad I did because after we closed the place down Ashley,Rian and Derek needed a place to crash for the night so my home is always open. The next day Derek and I had so much to talk about as only 8 days had passed it felt like an eternity. We decided being apart was not what we wanted, we loved each other. Yes you read it right he loves me back and I was on cloud nine and felt so great about a new begining.

Sand between my toes.....

It was time for another vacation so we chose Maui Hawaii! It was so fun! We have the luxary of staying at some of the nicest places because of Derek's job as a travel agent. The first place is a traditional type condo with a killer view. Second place was nice but we had a room with no view and no kitchen but we made the best of it!! The last place we stayed was AMAZING it was a two bedroom condo with a huge kitchen and lanai. A bunch of our friends happened to be in Maui at the same time so we spent an evening at a great steakhouse and another out dancing the night away in a local hotspot! A trip to remember! Now we never want to go anywhere else it seems. Upon our return the summer is to be filled with tons of weddings.......Love is in the air!

Harry Scary Larry Jerry

Halle changed the game for me. She bonded us. We now are spending countless hours with her and Rian and Ashley it was so fun! We looked forward to our evenings together as a fivesome! Being around them feels so natural so good so right. This just makes my head spin I have to be in this little girls life forever no matter what! I love her as my own as I always will and Derek knows how much I love her so my hope is that he is now starting to think of a future with me.

Why so serious??

It's been 6 months now and I am falling for this guy. We spend pretty much day and night together I hang with the boys all the time at their Bachelor pad and I move from Portland back to Gladstone at Derek's request. I am ready hear these teenie tiny little words that mean so much( I LOVE YOU). I am 28 at the time and Derek is 23. I am ready for the next level while Derek is just along for the ride and having fun! We spend lots of time with his family including his brother and now sister-inlaw who are expecting their first child(Halle). It draws me closer to him. I am the type of person who wants to be close to a family especially when I can see it being long term. We attend my friend Kiersten's wedding and the following day Rian and Ashley's wedding. I can't help but think of a future with Derek. Summer flies by we have a great time and soon there is talk of cohabitation??? Will it change things? I have some reservations but why pay two rents when we spend every day together. We spend our second Christmas and first anniversary in the apartment, decorate the tree and wear our silly Santa hats we love Christmas time. It was such a fun year we welcomed a new little person into our life who changed our relationship. Her name is Halle Grace and she is perfect she is the tie that binds us. We are a family. I am not only in love with Derek but now this sweet little baby girl....

Fresh and New

No better feeling than the feeling of a new relationship. Fresh, exciting, lustful the best. I begin this relationship not really knowing how romantic Derek was. He planned our first Valentines in Astoria at this cute Boutique Hotel (Hotel Elliot). We had so much fun. Yummy dinner snuggled up on the rooftop in front of a firepit and talked over a bottle of wine.

Our next trip was the annual "Ski trip" for Derek's birthday!! This time around we head to Sandpoint Idaho by minivan with Steve,Katy,Brent and Abbey. Never a dull moment on this trip. We dent the rental car before even getting on the road, Brent forgot all his clothes, Steve falls asleep at the wheel. Don't worry we didn't get in an accident THANK GOD!!!! We arrive at the Mountain resort and it was pretty quiet. Next morning I attempt to ski mind you I have not put my feet into ski boots in 11 years prior to that moment. We get on the lift quiet and peaceful we head to the top. I fall getting off the lift instant anxiety. We start to head down the mountain and I am scared,pissed, embarrased how am I going to get down I can't do this??? Steve is telling me "you can do it just put your hips into it your a dancer PIZZA PIZZA?!?!?" I learn at that moment Derek is patient and Steve takes off while we hang back and go at my super slow pace back down. I like him even more

Time to get on a plane together Mexico here we come. The two of us stayed at an all-inclusive resort/spa. We got the keys to our room and went and checked the place out!! After 3 days at the resort and a couples message we headed to the Akumal to some sweet little condos right on the beach! It was here where I knew I was falling in love with Derek. We walked on the beach,swung in hammocks, played cards on the deck it was so fun I didn't want it to end! A huge group came in a couple days later including Dereks parents. All I could think was that I could get used to this knowing that his family are big time travelers! We hiked the ruins and had beers and dinner at the coolest beach bar! I loved this place I am happy:) We fly home and the summer starts...............

Our Begining

For those who want to know our story here it goes! This is where it all began. I was asked by Steve(father-inlaw) if I wanted to pick up a few shifts at the winebar while they traveled to Italy for 2 weeks, without hesitation I accepted.
With a recent brokenheart my mind was not focused on a relationship but some innocent flirtation. I had always liked to talk to Derek he was sweet and kind of shy which was intriguing to me. I continued to work at the "wine bar" part-time while my feelings began to change from flirtation to more of interest. We spent many nights talking over wine about our lives as children,teens, and adults. Derek made it pretty clear he was NOT interested in a relationship but that did not stop me. So after a perfect Sunday together (December 16th 2007) we were official. My persistance paid off. That's when our Journey begins.........