365 Days.

...it's been 365 days since I went to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and stared at these doors for what felt like an eternity.

...it's been 365 days since I saw this good lookin fella (FINALLY) come through those doors. I saw him ... but he sure had a hard time finding me in the crowd!

...it had been just about 365 days since either of us had felt the need to smile this big.

...365 days later, we are finding plenty of opportunity for smiles that big. the days have had their share of challenges, but the difference is that they were (mostly) spent together.

Therein lies the difference.

Fun Run!

This past Sunday, Ruedi and I participated in an Executive 5-K Fun Run! We aren't entirely sure the background, just that he got an e-mail from his company gathering employees and their families to participate so they could win the 'cup' awarded to the company with the most involved.

When we signed up in August, we had anticipated that Ruedi would be adding some running into his routine, but his PT nixed that a few weeks back. His ankle just isn't strong enough yet. Soon! He walked and I 'ran'! It was a great first-5k for me. Not sure how I feel about the competition side of things (I HATE getting beat! Especially when I already know I am not real good! I'm my own worst competition!). We'll see about finding some other events as Ruedi is getting back into running. Luckily, the running community around these parts is VERY active and there seems to be races every weekend!

Imagine about 200 other folks sporting these lovely chartruese shirts ...

Fun-run indeed!

Where did the summer go?

Oops ... the summer is almost over! How did that happen? Perhaps our staying so busy made it fly by? That's what we'll go with.

What we've been up to:

Ruedi:

• Ruedi spent mid-May through the first week of August in Yuma Arizona finishing some training
• No broken bones this go round!
• Weekends were spent in San Diego with work friends (some of whom were from Australia!) - hiking, going to the beach, mountain biking, etc.
  

• He has continued with his physical therapy and was told by his Doctor that he is in the top 3-5% of recovering patients. Apparently, it is unusual for someone with his injury to be hiking and mountain biking so soon after surgery. The wife isn't surprised one bit!
• Now he is back in Baltimore and getting back into the groove of working an 8-5 office job. Apparently it is rather different than a 6AM - 4 PM job in the desert. Who knew!?!

Whitney:

• I have been keeping myself busy with working, running and bike riding. I have become quite the fan of bike riding this summer and have found quite a few trails to adventure - favorite being one down in Annapolis.

• I took a trip down to Texas in June to visit family and friends! It was good to be visit, but the heat killed me! Ruedi got to fly in from Arizona for one of the weekends and spend time with all of the family - it was a surprise and we executed it perfectly! We even got to meet our nephew Hank!

Now that we are back in the same state/town/apartment, Ruedi and I are working on figuring out how to do life together. It isn't without a mishap or two, but boy is it fun! We aren't sure how long Ruedi will be working in town, so we take advantage of every minute we get together!

We talk all the time about how much there is to do in our area and how easy it is to just go and do it. Load up and explore! We have been taking full advantage of all Maryland/Pennsylvania has to offer of late.

We went to a BBQ-Festival in Bel Aire where we tried some Briskett Nacho's ...

They were an odd concept, but wonderful! And beef. One of the only vendor's who was selling beef! What is this pork business? Seriously!

We went for a hike at Sweet Aire (part of the Gunpowder Falls state park) ...

We took our bikes to Gettysburg and rode through the battlefield.

And last, but not least!

Earthquake!

Hurricane Irene!

Much, many more adventures to come!

A little bit of Life.

It has been awhile. I know. Life happened, as usual.

The short of the long update:

• Ruedi went to Arizona in February for job training.
• Ruedi went rock climbing at the end of February and suffered an equipment failure, resulting in him breaking his ankle. He flew home a few days later for doctor's appointments, a surgery and the following 3 months of recovery. He has done PT and is now working his way out of wearing his boot constantly.
• I (Whitney) made a few new friends while Ruedi was away. One of them had a job opportunity come available! I now work at a Counseling office down the road as the 'Director of Operations and Client Relations.' It is part-time (30 hours) and exactly what was needed!
• Ruedi and I co-lead a small group from church through the book 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan. The 3 other couples in the group are also newly married and new to the area.
• Ruedi left in May to go back to Arizona to finish the training he had barely started.

I didn't realize the past few months could be summed up so succinctly! In all actuality, we are both glad Ruedi is healing, and healing well. I forgot to mention that he broke his right ankle and was 100% non-weight bearing. Life was a bit interesting 'round these parts!

I am thankful for the time Ruedi was home, as exhausting/frustrating/challenging as it was a times. We work real hard on appreciating the time when we are together and I think we came out on the positive this go round.

Bicycle! Bicycle! Bicycle! I want to ride my BICYCLE!

A few years ago, Ruedi got a mountain bike and got back into trail riding. In the last year, I had also taken an interest in bike riding - anticipating the day I would get a bike and we would be together to take rides. Fast forward to January 2011. Dream come true! I got a bike this last weekend and the world can't stop us now!

For our first adventure, we headed out to the NCR trail (look it up!). We didn't realize it would be snow packed, but that just adds to the fun! We got in 10 miles before the sun started to set - not bad for trip one! We're planning on working up to trekking to the PA state line (about 20 miles each way).

Enjoy our pictures!

I graciously let Ruedi do all the work. I was documenting the occasion!

There's the trail! We forgot about all the snow we had gotten - and forgot to consider that the trail hadn't melted! Luckily, some of the stretches had been packed down by a vehicle, which sure made for an easier ride.

Whitney and Bevo! Yes, I named my Black and Burnt Orange bike Bevo. I've got to stay true to my heritage! And I accessorized in the same colors!

Ruedi's bike and accessories are blue. So I named them Papa Smurf. He didn't get a say in the naming process ;)

Not only did we survive, we still like each other! Our bodies were a tad sore from riding on such awkward conditions, but Ruedi assures me the trail will be easier when the snow melts!

Adventuring together is one of our favorite things. We are SO thankful for the opportunities we have been given to do such. Let them continue!

(side note: Ravens colors are everywhere here. We saw an older male runner on the trail in bright purple tights. YES!)

A New Year!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

"They" are probably correct.

But this picture can be summed up in but one: Together.

Ruedi and I have talked at length about the last year. By some standards, it was a horrible year and we should not look back on it fondly. By our standards, and those we adhere to because God first loved us, we look on the last year with a thankfulness and appreciation that is clearly beyond ourselves. We had a good year. Go figure.

And it is now in recorded history that Ruedi and Whitney spent New Years 2010 together.

To God alone be the glory.

Merry Christmas!

White House Christmas Tree - 2010

Merry Christmas!!!!

Love,

Ruedi and Whitney