The end of the Pre-Adventure.

My travels with my parents came to an end yesterday. But let me recap the rest of our journey.
We had a lovely time in the countryside of the Netherlands and stumbled upon some perfectly Dutch windmills.

We discovered the most fantastic yarn bombing in Hoorn, which was wonderfully cheerful. Who doesn't like a good yarn bombing? My favorite was these little statues who were very kindly knitted sweaters.

We returned to Amsterdam that night; I kicked myself, again, for not going out with Mr. Dutch man, and then went to sleep so that we could depart very early in the morning for Belgium. In the morning, I mourned the fact that we were leaving Amsterdam because I love it so much and want to move there, and then we were off.

In Antwerp, Belgium, I took a grand total of one picture. #gome. But it was a beautiful city with the most delicious waffles. Belgian waffles are real and they are so good. That's all I have to say on the matter of Belgium. Wait. No, it's not. I also have to say that they are a very confused country. They speak 3 languages: German, French, and Dutch. I think we should maybe just split Belgium up between those three countries and call it good. Hopefully I'm not offending any Belgians by saying that... Anyway.

The last day, we headed to France via Luxembourg and Germany. It was lovely and Luxembourg is picturesque.

We stopped by Strasbourg, France to check out the Notre Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg and to see La Petite France. Both were beautiful.

And then... we drove to Paris. I said goodbye to my parents and joined my study abroad friends, and the adventure of my life began.

There are stories to come of our first night in Paris and our first day with our host family. And oh boy, our journey to our host family a story to share.

À bientôt!

Love always,
Ems

Thoughts.

I feel like time is a funny thing.
It goes fastest when you want to soak in every moment
yet, slows down whenever you're counting every minute.
It frustrates me, but it also teaches me patience
and shows me that life goes on, and will be oh so good.

In another train of thought,
my dad wrote me a poem last night.
It was one of the sweetest things I've ever read.
Definitely made me realize that my future husband must write poems.
It's not even a "should' it's a must. 
I have the greatest dad on Earth.
I'm so incredibly lucky to be his girl,
he'll always be the man who loved me first.

Also, I love my parents.
They're so cute together.
I was looking through my mom's old high school stuff and found the cutest things.
She saved my dad's campaign things from high school.
And back home, they both still have the letters they wrote each other while my dad served his mission.
How sweet is that?

They are the cutest.
I love them.
Life is good,
time will continue to pass,
and I will continue to be happy.

Love always,
Ems

Arizona Statehood Day.

In the wake of all this love, people are forgetting something very important.
It is the 100th birthday of the beautiful state of Arizona.
Who needs Valentine's Day when you have an amazing state?

But in all reality, that's not what I am posting on today.
Because it is Valentine's Day, and I have a very special post today.
It's about these two people....

My parents.
The other night, as I sat in my bed thinking about love,
I immediately thought about these two, and the immense love they have for each other.

Growing up, I always knew my parents were in love, it was never a question.
My dad would bring home flowers for my mom,
my mom would be cooking dinner for my dad, and welcome him home with a "Hallelujah" just because he liked it.
There were always notes left for each other around the house,
and there was always kissing and hugging and Caleb saying they needed to get a room.

The thing is, that is still how they are.
They are still so in love, and it is such an amazing thing to me.
They have the kind of love that I want to find- a love that is enduring and constant.

I'm not saying they're perfect, heaven knows our entire family is far from that,
but they are in love, and that is what is important,
because with that love in their hearts,
they can go out into the world and accomplish anything together.

And that is truly what love is really about so,
Happy Valentine's Day to all you lovers.
May your love always endure life's crazies.

Love always,
Ems