God is good...

All the time.

As always, God provides. I am now gainfully employed at the very job which I mentioned applying for in my previous post. I've worked at Parker Montessori for two weeks now and I really like it there. Everyone that I work with is very nice and the kids are really cute. I have most of the ~85 children's names memorized, though some children take a little longer to recall because I only see them two days per week. The parents that I've met so far have been friendly, too. AND there's a Del Taco and a Chipotle within a block of my work. This could spell trouble for my bank account and waistline, but I've been good so far :) The drive to Parker isn't too bad (about 15 miles)-- I use the back up at Lincoln Ave. to check my email on my phone since I currently have to wait 3-4 cycles of the stoplight to turn due to construction-- and the area where the school is located is really nice. It is just outside of downtown Parker, which has cute older buildings, and there is a nice park right across the street. Here's the Google Earth image of the front of the school:



My desk looks out that window just to the left of the door. :) I have busy days, which is nice because they go by very quickly. There's always something to do and I do spend some time with the kids (Thursdays and Fridays I supervise the nap room for 30 minutes-- there are 4-5 kids) which is fun. I spent some time with the toddlers one morning (we had a teacher out and I filled in for 15-20 minutes to maintain proper ratio until I could be relieved) and they are just so cute.

At the risk of really grossing some people out, I have to mention how awesome marriage is. Being married to Stephen has been the most amazing experience of my life. It is so amazing because even though we've only been married for five months, I feel like we've been married forever-- like this is the way life was meant to be and we've finally reached the perfect state of things. Living with your best friend is so fun. We have a great time together, even if it's just sitting on the couch watching episodes of the West Wing. I like getting to do "wife things" for him, like cooking dinner and trying new recipes. Lately I have made jambalaya and salsa chicken, both for the first time, and we were able to talk about what we liked about each recipe and what we'd do differently for next time. We just bought a grill Friday night and we're both excited to use it. We had steaks the first night (thanks to Brandon helping us pick it out and teaching us how to cook them). I decorated our house for fall, which really I probably would have never cared to do before, because it's ours and I want it to look nice. We get to talk about the future and where we and our little family will be a few years from now. We talk about how awesome (and cute!) our future children will be. Being married just feels right. It feels like this is where I belong. If there's one thing that this move has proven, it's that my home is where Stephen is. I miss my family and friends and lifestyle in California (and yes, I get homesick for the people and places "back home" from time to time) but there is no way I would have been able to adjust this well to life in Colorado if it weren't for the comfort and security that having Stephen provides.

Again I'll say... God is good.

September Already

We've been living in Colorado just over a month now and we're pretty much settled in. We have somewhat of a routine (okay, so we have Young Guns softball every Tuesday night) and that helps. Things will really be much more "official" when I get a job. That unemployed boredom I mentioned last post as not having settled in yet? Yeah, it's definitely settled. And making me slightly crazy. Or killing brain cells. Or both. I've been watching America's Next Top Model marathons (which I love...but really...) and Say Yes to the Dress (which I also love). I have been reading a bit as well, so trying to get some brain cells back :) I've put out resumés to a variety of places, so hopefully I'll get a job soon. I just put in a resumé today for a job that I think I would be very well suited for and definitely have the experience to do well. I hope they think so too.

On Tuesday nights, Stephen plays softball with some of the guys that he also plays fantasy sports with. The Young Guns won their last game (the first winning game I've been to) and that was really great. The wives/girlfriends and I were going crazy! There have been 4 of us usually but we had 6 last game so we had a relatively large cheering section. I also joined a fantasy football league with them (we're the WonderWoman league to the guys' SuperMan league) and we had our draft on Wednesday. I had the number one draft pick, which kind of felt like winning the lottery. I have a really good team so I hope that my team will do really well my rookie season in the league.

Last weekend Stephen and the SuperMen went to Vegas and Sandi came to visit!! It was so exciting to have her here and have some normalcy from home. No offense to the really nice people I've met out here, but Sandi and I have been practically inseparable since we were 14/15. You can't beat a decade of friendship and all that we've been through together: high school, college, marriage, and my little buddy Jackson. We stayed up until 3:15am the night she got here talking about anything and everything in the world.

We went exploring on Saturday and ended up at Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, Cave of the Winds and Chez Cirque Dueling Piano Bar.






On Sunday before she left we went to the Columbine Memorial. It's actually not very far from where I live at all so we stopped by. It was a beautiful area and the memorial was very moving. I was in tears practically the entire time. Going to a place like that reminds you both of how sad and dangerous the state of the world is but also how beautiful it is that there are people who are willing to put themselves in danger to help and protect people. To see how a community, a state, a nation can come together in times of tragedy to love and support each other. Tragedy really shows the worst in people but also showcases the best. It reminds me of a quote from a speech on the West Wing that I saw just last night (Stephen and I have been watching it and just finished season 3. I love it. I never thought I would since I'm not very political, but I do.) The context is included in the quote:

"More than any time in recent history, America's destiny is not of our own choosing. We did not seek nor did we provoke an assault on our freedom and our way of life. We did not expect nor did we invite a confrontation with evil. Yet the true measure of a people's strength is how they rise to master that moment when it does arrive. Forty-four people were killed a couple of hours ago at Kennison State University. Three swimmers from the men's team were killed and two others are in critical condition, when, after having heard the explosion from their practice facility, they ran into the fire to help get people out. Ran into the fire. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars. God bless their memory, God bless you and God bless the United States of America. Thank you."

(Yes, I cried. It's me. When don't I cry?)

Hopefully by the next time I update I'll be gainfully employed. I've been praying hard for it, so I have faith that the right job will come along and I'll get it. God has always provided before.

Colorado Livin'

Well, we've been in Colorado almost a week and have been very busy getting the house set up. We had my Mom, Dad and Holly here until Friday morning to help us move and they were a HUGE help! Photos of the house as it is now can be found here: Flickr Album: Colorado Home The house is big and beautiful, but very large when you're home alone. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but I am definitely happy when Stephen gets home from work! Matthew will be living here with us for another week or so and Dan has been in and out this weekend so that has been nice.

Stephen has started up playing softball with some of the guys already (he played his first game the day after we arrived in Colorado!) and will be starting up a fall league with them as well. Spending evenings on the softball fields will feel a lot like growing up on them watching Dad play.

We've had some great thunder and lightning storms since we've been here and I've enjoyed them. It's rained a bit, too, but it's nice to have it only in the evening/night and not too hard and not lasting for a week on end like back home. It's been sunny every day since we've been here and nice.

Stephen and I went for a nice walk on the trail behind the house last night. It'll end up being my running trail while it's still nice (once it snows I'll be putting on the winter weight, I'm sure!). We saw loads of grasshoppers and a couple bunnies (there was one in our backyard yesterday...it was so cute!) It's much more hilly than Alamo Creek Park so I'm sure it'll take me a while to get used to it (plus the heightened elevation) but it's nice and convenient. There was a sign that there are coyotes in the area, but it also said how to deal with them (don't run, don't turn your back, look as big as you can, back away slowly, and if all else fails and they attack, fight back). Let me just say I have no qualms with punching a coyote in the face. With my left hand... this rock on my ring finger could draw blood :)

Here are some photos of our walk:



I went on my first grocery store adventure on Friday to the King Soopers around the corner. It will take me a while to get used to the set up, but everyone who I've encountered working there has been super nice. I even made dinner the last two nights (the giant Stouffer's lasagna was on sale and it fed Stephen, Dan, Matthew and I with leftovers!) so I've been able to enjoy the ample counter space, island and pantry! It's a lot of fun having a real kitchen (as opposed to our little apartment kitchen). I'm getting so spoiled living in this house!

So far I know how to get to these very important places:
King Soopers, Safeway, Gas Stations, Starbucks (lots of them, actually, including Stephen's store), Del Taco, Chipotle, Buffalo Wild Wings, Free-Standing Chick-fil-a, Target, and two softball fields. I know more places, but I'm hitting the highlights.

I've been looking around online at job search sites and haven't found anything that I'm too excited about. Then again I'm not too excited about getting a job, so that might have something to do with it. I've been busy most of the days since my last day at VCS (packing, moving, unpacking) so the boredom of being unemployed hasn't quite settled in yet. I'm sure it will soon. Plus I don't really know what kind of job I want so that doesn't exactly help either. I would rather avoid retail (7 years of that was more than enough) but we'll see what's available. I'd love to get a work from home job (mainly cause the thought of ample snow and driving in it is a bit scary) but it's hard to find legit ones. Oh well... :)

Sandi is coming out to visit me while Stephen is in Vegas with the guys-- I can't wait!!!

Saying goodbye to California

Despite the fact that we've been talking about/ planning this move for months, it's finally public knowledge that we're planning to move to Colorado. August 1 is the day we start driving to our next big adventure as the Rabons :) My mom & dad are both helping us to move so I'll get to show them our new home and the area where we'll be living (plus use them for manual labor). Mom and I started to pack up the apartment tonight- just a few little boxes with DVDs and books and such. It feels like we just moved in and we're already heading out.

4th of July weekend I was lucky enough to be able to take a couple trips to say goodbye to some of the natural wonders we have here in California.





Friday, Stephen and I drove up to the Avenue of the Giants to see the Redwoods. We drove through the Chandelier Tree, drove the entire 32 mile Avenue and enjoyed exploring in the forest. We also had a lovely drive up and back talking and singing and sleeping (okay so maybe only I slept-- we didn't get home til almost midnight!). It was a lot of fun getting to spend the entire day together and going somewhere beautiful.





On Monday, Sandi and I took Jack to the beach for the first time. We went to Stinson Beach, which has been my favorite beach for years. I've been going there with friends and family for a few years now for fun, for healing, for reflection and for a gorgeous view. I've gone on the spur of the moment and just sat there taking it all in. The first time that Sandi and I went (by accident of course), we were both pretty close to tears at the beauty. We made it in time to see the sun setting... it was amazing. Add to that some "Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin and lets just say it was a once in a lifetime experience. When Sandi's Tio Mario died, I took her to Stinson Beach. It was windy and overcast but the waves have a way of soothing the soul. When Stephen moved to California, I took him and Brandon to Stinson and we ate hot dogs on the beach and those two crazy guys went in the freezing water while I watched from the warmth of the rocks. Stephen and I went there on a long, beautiful drive with his dad (and continued on to Pt. Reyes). And now to add to lots of wonderful memories, I can say I was there for Jack's first beach experience. :)

I'm not sure what other places I'll be able to make it to before we leave, but I am so happy to have been able to see those two before we go.

My last day at work will be July 28, Stephen's will be July 29, our lease ends July 31 and we're leaving town on August 1. It's going to be a busy rest of the month!

Family Milestones

Since we've been married, our family has had so many big things happen.

In May, both of Stephen's brothers celebrated huge accomplishments. Dan graduated from Colorado State University, Fort Collins with his bachelor's degree and a job all lined up with a company that he interned for last year. Matthew graduated from Rock Canyon High School and has been accepted to Vanderbilt University to start this fall. Stephen was able to fly home and spend some time with the whole family to celebrate both of these big events.

Last weekend, Mom and I were able to attend my baby cousin's graduation party in Victorville. Joey graduates this Friday from Victor Valley Christian School. Here are a few pictures from the trip (taken by my Aunt Susan- unfortunately Joey isn't in either)





Speaking of milestones... I can't believe that my little cousin Gary has a baby! (See above pictured adorable baby, also named Gary) Which also means that both Tori (pictured, blue dress) and I are aunts. How weird is that? It seems like just yesterday that all of us cousins would spend every summer in Nana and Papa's pool...convincing Papa that we needed to go Elking... living off samples at Costco...

More changes and milestones are coming soon but we're blessed to have been able to spend these precious visits with our families.

Special Moments

The CEO of the school that I work for writes a daily devotional that he sends out to the parents and staff. He always writes about things going on in the lives of his family and friends and relates them to a lesson or scripture. Here is what he wrote the day after our wedding and I wanted to include it here because it meant so much.
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Daily Devotion

Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her"

We went to a staff member's wedding today in Tahoe. It was glorious in so many ways. We realized on the way up that the boys had never been to a wedding! While they didn't know what to expect, we did hear Nicholas whisper to Connor, "I'm not sure exactly what happens, but I do know they have cake." They were in for so much more.

A setting like Tahoe, with snow in the mountains and a glorious lake as a backdrop, is hard to surpass. In this case, however, the ceremony and reception did top even the beauty of the surroundings. The marriage ceremony was subtle, moving and superbly spiritual. The bride and groom took their first communion together as husband and wife and they looked wonderfully in love at all times. As beautiful as it all was, when the parents of the bride and groom came up to form a prayer circle with them, I was in awe. The Holy Spirit was truly at work in every heart in attendance. When I spoke to the DJ, he told me that although he wasn't a practicing Christian, he was touched by the time of communion, the time of prayer, and the music chosen for the ceremony. He said that something had opened up inside of him. I said, "Welcome to the feeling of the Holy Spirit."

There were so many wonderful moments today, but one that certainly touched us was when the groom's brother, and best man, gave his toast. He is three years younger than his brother, just as Connor is to Nicholas. When he spoke, it was what we would certainly love to hear from Connor about Nicholas some day. He remarked that he had always followed his older brother's footsteps and had yet to find the path in error. He also told of how lucky he was that he was guided and cared for as he grew up and what a great man his brother had become. In so many ways we heard the relationship of our boys being defined.

Today was such a glorious day in so many ways, but it was also a reminder of how important it is to pray for our children. I have been to many weddings but never have I felt the presence of God like I did at this wedding. There was no doubt how much these two love each other and yet, as evident as that was, their love for God was even more obvious. This wasn't a day all about them like so many weddings... this was a day about their love for God and their gratitude to Him for bringing them together. After today, I am going to make it a real priority to pray for the future spouses of my children. I want for each of them the joy and love I witnessed today.

There is so much more that I could write about, but suffice it to say that we participated in a first for our boys, a wedding that will be indelibly etched into our minds. A wedding performed in his beautiful land and guided by the Holy Spirit...

Congratulations Amanda and Stephen, and thank you for including us in your blessed day!

Blessings....Paul & Krista

Married Life

Photo by Charlotte of Charlotte Geary Photography

According to my Facebook, we've been married now for 3 weeks, 3 days. And let me tell you, married life is awesome!! I know they say that this is the "honeymoon phase" and that we'll grow out of it, but I sure hope not! I just love being Stephen's wife. I love being able to call him my husband and take care of him and be with him every night. I love having things that we can call "ours."

Like our last name, for instance :) I went to Social Security today and my new SS card should arrive within ten days! I'm legally a Rabon now!! I still need to change it on my driver license, but the soonest appointment they had was May 25... that's quite some time from now. I might drop in after work one day and see if I can get in sooner. I even looked up Davis and Fairfield DMV, but it was just as long. They should give preference to newly married people since we're an excited bunch.

I was asked if I had come across any things about Stephen that surprised me since we've been married and now live together. I can honestly say that I have not been surprised. He doesn't leave the toilet seat up and neither of us like to make the bed. We both leave clothes around a bit. And none of those are problems. When I cook, he volunteers to do the dishes. I have cooked...yes, I can sense your shock. I truly fall in love with him more every day. Mushy, I know, but we can be sitting on the couch watching Bones and all I can think is how crazy about him I am and how much I love being with him. I get all aflutter.

I love our little apartment. Photos can be found here: My Flickr Page

Pictures from our honeymoon in Kauai can be found here:
Also Flickr

We had a wonderful time. The weather was great, the food was also good (I highly recommend the kalua pig burrito at Olympic Cafe in Kapa'a if you're ever there) and it was super relaxing. We spent a lot of time just enjoying the time together instead of going on excursions to kayak, zip line, movie tour, etc. It was just what we wanted. Stephen made me Dirty Shirleys throughout the week (a spiked Shirley Temple- we used Cherry Vodka) that were delicious and we watched a lot of ESPN. We also rented 3 movies (State of Play, Sherlock Holmes and Valkyrie) and sipped champagne on our balcony. It was lovely.



As I said in the previous post, the wedding went amazingly. The weekend was beautiful weather wise and also beautiful to be surrounded by family and friends on the biggest day of our lives. Every time I look at pictures I fall back in love with that day. And I can remember all of these incredible moments thanks to the photojournalistic style Charlotte and Mike used as well as lots of pictures from family and friends. I get giddy thinking about our wedding. It was just so perfect. I was so happy to see all of the hard work we put into it come to fruition, we couldn't have picked a better wedding party (this group is truly our closest friends and family and are amazing together) and we could feel God's hand on the day as well as the entire planning process.



Stephen and I are reading the New Testament in a year together to be sure to keep God/Jesus as an integral part of our marriage. It's something that we both look forward to every week night and we're looking forward to getting a weekly newlywed devotional book to supplement on weekends. Marcie (my mother-in-law, how fun is that to say!!) gave me a book called "Created to Be His Help Meet" to read. It's about the role God gave to women in marriage. I'm probably 2/3 of the way though and have been able to glean some useful knowledge from it. It will be helpful to make me a better servant and better wife for Stephen.

We are living a truly blessed life.