A Much Needed Update

Ok, so it's been forever since I've last updated and so much has happened so here it is:

In April, Nick and I were both offered job positions, mine at Garmin (in KC) and his at an Engineering Firm in Des Moines, IA. Unfortunately both of us couldn't accept these positions so with lots of prayer and careful consideration, we decided to move to Kansas City where I would accept the job at Garmin. That meant looking for a place to live and all that is involved with moving to an entirely different area. Needless to say, it wasn't easy but we are enjoying life in KC very much. Nick has found a temporary position with TetraTech doing environmental applications of GIS and is learning a lot and enjoying his work. We are hoping that it will lead to a permanent position when the economy improves.

On May 31st we celebrated our 2nd Anniversary and went camping at Smithville Lake and had lots of fun together.

On June 19th, my sister got married to Michael Mandrick and so we enjoyed sharing their day with them and visiting the 'Ville again.

Here are some pictures of our time so far this summer:

The happy couple cutting the cake.

Deanna and I at her wedding.

A picture of our living room in our new apartment.

Our camping trip for our anniversary.

Only ONE thing is certain

A little over a week ago, Nick lost his job. This of course opened up a lot of possibilities and of course uncertainty. We pray for continued guidance down the path that God has in store for us. From searching his word, we see that He loves and cares for us and will always take care of us. Sometimes we don't always understand why things happen but it's comforting to know that God has a plan for us and if we trust in Him, He will help us through this difficult time. God is the only thing that is certain in this changing world. God's word is so amazing and comforting; here are just a few of many favorites. Please pray for us as we travel down this path of new opportunity and beginnings!


"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."Proverbs 3:5-6

So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Isaiah 41:10

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.John 14:27

Reason for the Season

As Christmas time draws near it's hard not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, baking, wrapping gifts, and holiday parties that we sometimes forget to think about the true meaning of Christmas, the greatest gift of all was the gift of our Savior, Jesus. He was sent to live as one of us on this earth and be a perfect sacrifice for our sins in order for us to have salvation. Our prayer this year and every year is to remember this great sacrifice and let the joy overflow every day of our lives. May you have a very Merry Christmas and a joyful, prosperous New Year!

Pitt State vs. Northwest

My sister is a freshmen at Northwest and is playing in the marching band. She is having a blast and loving the band like I always did.

Here we are at the game, cheering the Bearcats on to victory!

The band performing at Pregame.

September....Birthdays, Football and much more!!

Nick celebrated his 30th birthday on Sept. 3rd and I surprised him with a party on Saturday, Sept. 5th with a few of our friends. I put all "30" candles on his cake and luckily the smoke alarm didn't go off!

Playing some Wii games with friends and my sister

Sunday night we decided to go camping at Indian Cave State Park as more fun for his birthday

since we didn't have to work Labor Day. It was a lot of fun and beautiful weather!

Here is Nick standing at the cave entrance.

Fishing Fun!

Deanna, Nick and I went fishing on the 4th of July and caught a couple huge bass.

Nick and I with the fish.

Deanna's fish was a little bigger. Hers was 21 inches long and weighed around 5 lbs and mine was 20 inches long and also around 5 lbs. We had a blast! Also notice the jewelry on Deanna's finger that she received on her birthday that everyone was excited about too!

2 years ago today, we got engaged!!

He proposed to me right before we went on a hot air balloon ride over Columbia. The couple that went with us took pictures of us. I was totally surprised!

It was amazing!!

Our 1st Anniversary!!

One year ago today, Nick and I became husband and wife! We thank God for blessing us in bringing us together, and we ask for his continued guidance and blessings in the years to come!

"But if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
1 John 4:12b

May Flowers and much more!

I planted a flower box this year to put on our deck to give it some color. Spring is one of the most beautiful times of year.

Spring also means track meets. This is my sister in the sectional track meet where she qualified for state in 3 of 4 events. Look at her form:)

.....and the landing......We are proud of her! Good luck at state!

Posing for the camera:)

With all the nice spring weather, we've been doing a lot of grilling too! I love kabobs!

Spring is finally here!

With spring finally here, that means it's turkey hunting time. Hunting was something I had never done before, but Nick got me involved in it and I'm hooked. So now it's something that we do together and now I've got my sister hooked as well. We had a blast on opening day even though we didn't have any luck.

Nick and I had our first turkeys mounted (the fan, beard, and spurs) that we shot together 2 years ago.

Spring also means garden work. We planted 5 rows of potatoes at Nick's mom's house last weekend before the rain.

Valentine's Surprise

The annual farm show at Kemper Arena was last weekend so we had to go check out the newest things since we both have farming in our blood. :) Then, Nick surprised me with a trip to Build-a-Bear as part of my Valentine's present since I've always wanted to go there. This is the bear that we made together. His name is Smokie. :)

These are the beautiful roses that Nick gave to me for Valentines Day. I have a wonderful husband! God has surely blessed us!

More Honeymoon Pictures

I never get tired of the great beauty that we were able to see in Hawaii. What a beautiful world that God has created. So many breathtaking views and beautiful natural landscapes. This picture above was taken at the Waimea Canyon in Kauii, Hawaii. It is often called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific".

This was taken along the north shore of Kauii. Very rugged and lots of volcanic rock!

This of course is the memorial at Pearl Harbor. What an amazing and emotional site thinking back on the horrible tragedy and moment in our nations history on December 7, 1941 where so many brave men lost their lives.

This is the northwest corner of Kauii where the valley opens up into the ocean. The Na Pali coast(west coast) is not accessible except by air. It is too rugged and mountainous for roads.

This is a beautiful lighthouse we saw in Kauii on one of our scenic drives.

The Greatest Gift of All! Happy New Year!!

Another Christmas has come and gone and we find ourselves preparing for the coming year. We have received lots of neat gifts to use in our home and when we travel ( a GPS), but the greatest gift of all was the gift of our Savior, Jesus. He was sent to live as one of us on this earth and be a perfect sacrifice for our sins in order for us to have salvation. My prayer this year and every year is to remember this great sacrifice and let the joy overflow every day of my life. May you have a truly Blessed New Year!

"For unto us this day is born in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord."

Getting Ready for Christmas

We went to pick out our Christmas tree with my family Thanksgiving weekend. My family has always gotten a tree from the same tree patch in Rulo, NE.

This is the lovely tree that we decorated.

Here we are by the tree.

Fun Fall Activities

Fishing on a nice fall afternoon at Nick's family's farm!

The annual pumpkin carving for Halloween!

Nick's is the scary witch and mine is the raccoon in the pumpkin! I love carving pumpkins!

Labor Day Bike Ride

Every year on Labor Day, our family rides bicycles on the Wabash Nature Trail. We have been doing this every Labor Day for the last 10 years. We get on the trail head at Shenendoah, IA and ride to Council Bluffs, IA through many small little towns on the way. The trail used to be the old Wabash Rail Line so at least the inclines are gradual. It's still pretty grueling but we always have a blast! The total trip is 45 miles. From left to right: Nick, Danelle, Deanna Biermann & Michael Mandrick (Deanna's boyfriend).

Here is Nick and Danelle with her dad Dean. We are acting silly because we haven't even started riding yet.

Being older than the rest of us, Dad took a quick snooze along the way. Deanna and I decided to pose for a picture next to him while he was sleeping.

Our Puppy

My parents got us a cockapoo puppy after we got married. Her name is "Squattles".

My parents kept her when we were on our honeymoon and we were trying to think of a cute name but my sister called her "Squattles" (we had been joking around about that name) and she got used to it. So the name just stuck.

The sad news is our new landlord would not let us keep her so my parents are taking care of her until we can get a house. We get to see her on the weekends. She is cute and a lot of fun!

Honeymoon in Hawaii

This is Nick sitting at one of the lookout spots for the Waimea Canyon of Mt. Waialeialei on the island of Kauii.

Our writing in the sand in Kauii.

This is a beautiful beach on the island of Oahu where some movies have been filmed.

Nick and I at a beach on our tour of Oahu.

Nick and I at a place overlooking a lighthouse on the island of Kauii.