Considering our apartment is still out of sorts, you will have to wait for pics of that (stay tuned!). You may, however, see pictures of Diggy. Diggy is our baby Norwich Terrier and Yorkie mix. We just picked him up from the breeder yesterday! He is the sweetest little guy! Will and I are having so much fun training and playing with him. He is about 13 weeks old and is as cute as the dickens. So far, his favorite thing to do is be with Will and me. Man do we love him!

We are finally out of our apartment. After many long days and late nights, we have packed up every last item into both mine and Will's parent's garage.
It is still surreal to me that we are even moving. I continue to expect that we will eventually leave my parents, and head back to our little apartment. It was actually kind of sad as we walked out of our apartment for the last time. Having been the first place that Will and I moved into after getting married, our leave was bitter-sweet. So many memories. Oh, well. On to the next destination. The good? We are one home closer to finally, and hopefully (God willing), moving to North Carolina.

On another related note, our cats thoroughly enjoyed the moving process...that is until I packaged them up in their little carriers and put them into the car. That ride was filled with a chorus of meows...poor little duffers.

The life of Rizzo and Zipper:

Moving

Packing up our apartment has been a nightmare to say the least. If it weren't for my mom and Will's brother Jay, I'm not sure how Will and I would have gotten packed up! We will be moving in with my parents for a couple weeks so that we don't have to renew our lease here in VT. Our move to Maryland will take place on the 11th.

I only have two more days left with my little Noah (the little boy I have been nannying for). I'm going to miss that little guy so much!!!

Ashley and Steve's Wedding

On June 20Th, one of my best friends Ashley got married. She and Steve both went to Grove City College (where I met Ashley). Ashley was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and I was one in hers! So we have that fun memory of watching each other get married. I also sang "Love of My Life" by Michael W. Smith at their ceremony.

The weather held up for her wedding day only. It was a beautiful day-God is good! Their wedding and reception were both in York, Maine. She and Steve had a beach theme for their reception and it was both creative and beautiful! They honeymooned in Mexico at the same location that Will and I did (Excellence Playa Mujeres). It's hard to pass up such an awesome resort! Will and I wish them nothing but love and happiness!!

First Cremee of the season!

Whatever you like to call it-soft serve, cremee...either way, you must admit it's pretty darn good :-)

Family Reunion, Summer Fun

This weekend we went to NH for the Revilla family reunion at my Uncle's house. There was lots of eating, baby holding, and fun. So good to have the family together! :-)

Maryland

As most of you know, we are moving to Baltimore on July 11th (to be exact). Will's classes will start on August 4th at UMB.

We took my first (Will's second) trip to Maryland over Memorial Day weekend. To my surprise, I really liked it there! The transition from slow-paced, quiet Vermont, to busy, fast-paced Baltimore, should be easy enough for us to make. We look forward to living near the city and enjoying all the excitement that comes with it.

Throughout the duration of the trip we stayed in the Inner Harbor. Baltimore is in somewhat of a horseshoe, right on the water.

We looked at well over 20 apartments before stumbling on our final choice. It is in Baltimore, about ten minutes from Will's school. It is located right on the water in a cute neighborhood called Canton. It has a bit of a suburb feel, while still located right near the busy Inner Harbor. I noticed that a salon I have been interested in is located in the same building as our apartment!

The apartment has a washer and dryer...what else do you need to know? :-) Actually, it is almost double the size of our current apartment at about 1300 sq. ft. We are so excited to paint and decorate. It also has exposed brick, which we really love.

All in all, our trip felt like a vacation. We had lots of fun exploring Baltimore while shopping and eating out. We have yet to try their famous crabs, but I think we can fit that in over the next four years.

The locals told us that we will laugh at their winters. Apparently everything shuts down at even the prospect of snow...that should be interesting :-). I think I could live with that!

Stay tuned for our final apartment pics upon moving!


Inner Harbor

Cheesecake Factory

PA

The weekend of April 17th, I headed to the great Grove City, PA. After ten strenuous hours of driving, too much fast food, and a bit too much of my sister, Michelle (just kidding Michelle, you're a good driving buddy :), I finally got to GCC!

After almost a year of not seeing my Grove City College friends, my visit was long overdue!! It was so good to see my amazing friends, and to be reminded of why I love them so much to begin with!

Laura Powell, Laura Shipley, Caitlin Griffith, and Andie Corso let me stay in their apartment. They even let me sleep on their love sack! Thanks guys! :)

I was also able to make it for Ashley and Kelli's combined Bacheleorette party! It was so much fun to be able to make it, and especially great as I am one of Ashley's bridesmaids. They both looked so pretty in their wedding garb :).

Now, I know I love babies. No secret. They're cute, they're cuddly...they're God's greatest gift. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for my first encounter with Sydney. Imagine if you will, the sweetest scent on earth, coupled with utter beauty. This child is something to be seen. Chad and Rachel should be the proudest parents ever. She looks like one of those porcelain dolls for sale in the magazine ads. Not only is she perfectly formed, but she doesn't make a peep (unless of course her little hiney touches the cool air to be changed..and, who can blame her for that). I also have to say that I am SO impressed with how laid back Chad and Rachel are. If that little Sydney Lou Who were my own (props to Jason for coming up with her nick name), I would be guarding her with my whole being. "Eh, you hold her", is more their style :). Way to go, guys. I believe I will schedule a meeting with Will to reevaluate our current family timeline plans.....haha jk.....but seriously....

Dental School

God certainly is full of surprises! After being placed on the wait list for the University of Maryland (the ONLY school that could beat BU), we assumed all signs from God pointed to Boston. We were certainly mentally prepared for the move (so close to family!).

On March 30th, Will spoke to another pre-dental student on an online dental forum. He mentioned that he would be calling Maryland that day to turn down their offer for another offer to Harvard dental school, which would open up another spot at Maryland! Will received a call THAT day from the school saying a spot had opened. It all happened very quickly.

This news was of course bittersweet. Maryland will be much more affordable (think over $100,000 more affordable) and it is widely considered to be a better school than BU. But the obvious downside is that we will be far from family.

It is really comforting to me to know that God has His hand in this. We will be moving to a completely new location, not knowing anyone. Part of this scares me, but part of it really excites me. As a follower, I know I should be excited. He clearly has plans for me that I don't. My mom told me she and my dad had prayed the night BEFORE, asking that God would reveal to us sooner or later His plans concerning dental school.

I just think it's so cool that even when we make wrong plans, God gently pushes us in the right directions. This verse came to mind:
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” (Prov. 16:9)

I also just need to say that I am so proud of and thankful for my husband. After getting the acceptance into a school that he would be crazy not to go to, he only cared about how I felt. He knew he would be taking me farther from my family, and that was his only concern. That only makes me happier to go :)