Day 23: Slushy Snow

We got a little more snow last night. Only an inch or two in the valley, but a lot more up on the mountains. By time I was headed into work it was just slush. Which is a good thing...I hate driving when it is icy! Then throughout the day it rained/snowed/slushed quite a bit. It was really refreshing and just what we needed since we haven't had much winter precipitation at all.

Day 22: Sunday Again!! :)

I am sure you can predict what this post is about...yup, that's right...Greg's Sunday pass! Today he only had 3.5 hours, but we were just happy to have anytime at all since they have been very busy and the DS's were saying they might not get pass. But they did!! And that is all that matters! :) We spent the whole time just talking, laughing and loving being able to hang out. It is odd how technology has come such a long way...we are thousands of miles apart and yet, with phones, computers, internet and cameras, we are able to see each other and really feel like we are just down the street from each other! Sunday's are definitely a good day and I felt so very blessed to be able to spend so much time with my love!

His smile melts my heart!

Day 21: Puppy Tuna

Something outside caught Ranger's attention today...he was so funny as he just sat by the door and stared out at it...he is so observant and such a good boy...I feel very loved and very safe having him around!
Relaxed most the day at home and then went to church this evening...it was good! I really love being able to spend time with other believers, worship the Lord and hear His word. It was a good day!

Day 20: Pizza Parlor Arcade

Went to pizza with my mom, brother and nieces tonight. The girls are so cute and had so much fun devouring their pizza and special treat of soda! Then they were off to the arcade to try their hands at anything and everything! They are too wonderful for words sometimes! Both of them are so mature and are such sweethearts...and of course they are a lot of fun too! :)

It's as big as she is!

Smile!

Picked up a passenger.

Traded places!

Day 19: Stunning Sunrise

My coworker texted me and told me there was the most amazing sunrise this morning...I quickly grabbed my my little Canon (the big one's battery was dead...bad Gabey!) and ran out on the balcony to try to catch it. It was unusually warm outside and with the rain that had fallen last night, it reminded me of being in Hawaii in the early morning hours while the fog is still lingering and the air is damp and cool and warm all at the same time. It was so quiet and serene and with the snow capped mountains in the distance, it was a perfectly stunning sunrise.

Sun on the mountains makes it look as if it is on fire.

Day 18: Weather Update

(I forgot to post about this!) We finally got snow on Sunday night/Monday morning! It hasn't really snowed here at all, which is so odd for this time of year! Not that I am complaining...I'm not a huge fan of cold, crappy weather! And even though this snowfall was quiet and beautiful, I was very glad I was warm and cozy in my house. Brrrrr!

Day 17: Bubbly Water

It is official...I am addicted to sparkling water. Any brand, any flavor...as long as it is bubbly, I will drink it! I love water, but sometimes just want a soda or something a with a bit more flavor, so instead of drinking something as unhealthy as a soda, I drink my bubbly water!

Day 16: Holiday Pass!!

Since today was a Federal holiday, Greg got another pass!!! And it was a 5 hour pass today! I feel so spoiled to be able to talk to my husband for 9 hours in two days! Holidays rule! LOL. Again, we had a wonderful time "hanging out" via phone, text and Skype. I have to say, being able to see his eyes and face and smile and to hear his laugh...it is truly wonderful. Skype is the best invention ever! :) I am so madly in love with my husband, you have no idea!!

Missed these faces! :)

Love his smile!

Oh dear me! lol

Love when he looks at me this way!

It's as big as his head!! :)

They ordered three of these monstrous things! lol

Bahaha! This is his sexy pose...?

He texted this to me right before he turned in his phone. Caption read: "Always with me."

Day 15: Sunday Pass!

Greg got a 4 hour pass today! It was so wonderful to be able to talk to him and text and Skype for hours on end! It was wonderful to actually be able to just talk and laugh and share our lives with each other! I feel so blessed to have such an amazing husband! I am so glad that they get passes now! He said it is really nice to just be able to be away for a little bit...helps them feel like there is some normalcy in their lives! Love my husband so very much and am so proud of him and all he is accomplishing! (obviously I did not take these photos, but these are ones he sent me and I loved them and had to use them!)

He's so handsome! 

Ito and Greg...battle buddies!

Greg's caption: Little things in life! Make a day just that much better!

Day 14: Heaven in My Mailbox

I got 3 letters from Greg today! Finally! He told me on our last call that he had sent me a bunch of letters, but I hadn't received any until now...the mail service seems to be awfully slow these days, but when I open my mailbox and there are finally letters there waiting for me, I am the happiest girl in the world.

I also got my hair done today...Trish put in lots of blonde and red...she did a fabulous job, as usual!

Day 13: Not a Meat and Potatoes Kind of Girl

As much as I miss my husband and would give anything to just be able to be together again everyday and every night, I do enjoy being able to eat meals that would not necessarily be acceptable by Greg's typical man standards. LOL. Not that we didn't eat healthy before, but he definitely laughs at me sometimes for some of the things I like; and if I tried to present them as a legitimate dinner to him, he would probably laugh at me even more. :)
Lately my menu has included lots of veggies, lots of food combining, lots of low fat items and plenty of healthy snacks and food choices. I guess there are a few, small advantages to being a "single gal." But soon I will have the best of both worlds...my girlie meals and my hubby home with me. :)

Day 12: 'Ello Ducky!

My dearest friends Briana and I have this odd and wonderful thing that we do back and forth...we send each other video messages while speaking with British accents. It is quite hilarious and I can't even begin to tell you what fun we have while making them and watching them! We are two funny duckies! I am grateful for how she is always there for me and can make me laugh so hard I almost pee my pants. LOL. She is an amazing person and I feel blessed to know her!

Day 11: Working On My Fitness

Lately I have started working out on a regular basis. And no, it is not due to a New Years resolution. I just feel that I need to do some things for me that make me feel good and that I can be proud of. Losing some weight is one of them. I know I am not overly heavy by any means, but I am most certainly not in shape and have a few extra pounds that I need to be rid of. I am tired of being fluffy. Which has led me to the realization that if I want my body to change and I want to look different, then I am the only one that can make that happen. So, ever since the holidays have been over and Greg left, I started working out and eating really healthy. I can already tell a difference in how I feel and I can see a tiny difference in how I look as well. Hopefully it all pays off and some off my fluff goes away...only time will tell!!

Day 10: A Perfect Nevada Sky

This winter has been so unusual...we have had almost no rain or snow. The evenings and mornings are extremely cold, but the afternoons warm up anywhere from the 40's-60's! I love the warm weather, but know this is not good for our water supply for this summer. It is odd, but it seems like during the winter, I am more apt to notice how glorious and breathtaking the sunsets are. I am not sure why the summer sunsets don't catch my attention as much...I know they are just as gorgeous...maybe it is because it gets dark later in the summer and I just don't notice, maybe it is all the clouds in the winter or maybe I am just imaging there is a difference in the sunsets and seasons. All I know is the sunsets here take my breath away and make me want to stop and soak in every spectacular color until they have all faded to gray; and tonight was no exception. As I pulled onto our street, the magic happening over the Marina was stunning...I had to stop and see it unfold in front of me. I will miss these sunsets when we move. Sounds odd to miss something that happens all over the world every day, but I really do think that the sunsets we have here are their own kind of magnificent. Something about the clouds above the outline of the mountains, the bright and radiant colors stretching across the western sky, the city lights flickering in the distance...it feels warm, welcoming, familiar...it feels like home. 

Day 9: Accidents Happen

Well, as I was making dinner, I sliced the crap out of my thumb...then while working on stopping the gushing blood flow, I ended up overcooking my dinner. Thankfully, I have been able to laugh at it all and find it oddly humorous, rather than vexing. :) My thumb seriously hurts tho...

Day 8: Amazing Opportunities, Mixed Emotions and Dear Briana

Talked to Greg today! They didn't get a base pass yet, but they will starting next Sunday. We talked for 30 minutes, which was good! He is doing really well and says that being in AIT is so much better than BCT. It is more relaxed and they have a lot more personal time! He actually has time to write letters and go to church and Bible study...and he asked me to send him a book, as they are allowed to read now during personal time (so I went to Barnes and Noble and found 3 books for him...and one is about Army MP's!! I was pretty proud of myself!). They are still really busy and have a tight schedule, but overall it is a lot different. These last few days they have had a lot of classroom time and are learning the UCMJ, which he said is soooo boring, but necessary! lol. Next week will be some training out in the field and it sounds like a lot more fun! It is so good to talk to him and hear his voice! I love our chats and look forward to the time to share our lives with one another, even if only for a little while.
While on the phone, he mentioned that he was recommended by his DS for dog handling school! It is a huge honor and a great career move! I am so happy for him and so proud of him for doing well and showing his dedication...it has paid off and they see his potential! If he gets accepted, the only draw back is he would almost immediately go from AIT to the dog handling school in Texas for 90 days. Definitely changes our plans and timeline a little, but it isn't anything we can't figure out and work with. Both of us are sad that it means more time apart, but we know it is a necessary evil. He needs to take every opportunity he can to further his training, education and career. It could definitely change things a little for me, since our moving timeline would be bumped from end of March to beginning of July, but at the same time it would enable us to save even more money since I would stay working while he was at the school, and that would be good for our futures and allow us to have a safety net once we move and need to buy another car and all those other expenses. Greg said selfishly he wants me to just move down there for the 90 days...he is tired of us living apart. I want that too. I hate being away from him. It is doing-able and I am capable and get along just fine, but I definitely love being with my husband and best friend. I am not trying to be a martyr or act like a baby, but it gets to be a lot being by myself and holding everything together-I definitely miss having my partner by my side to share in the little, mundane, everyday, little things. But at the same time, it is only temporary and it is something we will have to come even more accustomed to, as he will be gone a lot over the next few years with deployments and training and such. We will just wait and see where the Lord leads us and what doors He opens! I know that He will take care of both of us and give us the strength to do what needs to be done.
One really neat thing is that in 2013 the Army is adding a new MOS to the military police category...31K/MP Working Dog Handler and right now they are looking to get 60% of the needed force trained and ready to go. Since Greg has been recommended as one of the 8 for his company he would be considered for the school and then ultimately a job as one of the 60% that are trained. The Lord is definitely good to bless us with such amazing things! This is an incredible honor and opportunity! We will find out in the next few weeks if Greg is selected. Despite the fact that we might be apart longer and it will change the timeline, we can thankfully take comfort in the fact that the Lord has a plan and purpose and whatever His will is will be played out in our lives. He is good to bless us with so much and so many great opportunities! We will trust in Him in this and wait for His timing! It is comforting to know that we are in His hands.
Special shout out to Briana A. for being such a great friend and being there for me when I needed someone the most tonight! I didn't even have to say anything and yet you immediately knew something was up and were there to dry my tears, make me laugh and help me feel strong again! You are amazing, dear friend and I feel blessed to know you and have you in my life! XOXO

Ain't that the truth! (The car window sticker Greg got me)

Greg's first AIT Care Package!

Day 7: The 4 and 2 Year Old Sushi Champs!

Did chores around the house today and then met up with my brother, sister-in-law and nieces for some sushi! Yum! I love me some sushi! And the coolest thing...my little nieces love it too!! Seriously, how many other 4 and 2 year olds love sushi!? They are such awesome little girls! It was nice to spend time with them all!

They love sushi!! 

Who knew that chopsticks could be so fun! :)

Day 6: Rocking It True Army Wife Style!

After work today, I did a bunch of the laundry that had accumulated from when Greg was home on leave. While he was home, he taught me how they have to roll all their stuff, and I have to say that I am quite proud of my newly established laundry rolling abilities! Is it bad that I now roll clothes better than he does!? LOL. Mm-hmm, that's right, I am one totally kick-butt Army Wife! Hooah!

Day 5: Lots of Mail for My Soldier...

I was going through and organizing all the mail Greg brought home that he received while he was gone...and there was a ton of it! He got numerous cards and letters from his parents, his siblings, uncles, grandmas, aunts, etc. And of course his lovely wife...ME! I sent him a letter a day while he was gone, as well as a package a week (he is a spoiled brat!! lol). He said that getting mail was the highlight of their day or week! He loved hearing about home and what was going on and also getting all the encouragement and support! He told me that at every mail call he always had at least one (usually more) pieces of mail. His drill sergeants gave him so much crap for getting so many letters and packages, but it was all in good fun, because they know those letters and packages are what give the soldiers the strength they need to keep pushing on! And now that he is off and away at AIT, he is once again getting a letter a day and package a week! He is spoiled rotten, I tell you!! And loved so very much! :) 

Day 4: We Call Him Puppy Tuna

Ranger follows me everywhere. Even if it's just from the living room to the kitchen, he will be right there by my side. Then he will try to play ball with me and will finally lay down and wait for me. And while he waits, he constantly squeaks his ball...it's kinda like Chinese torture in a way. lol. But he is such a sweet and cute dog and just wants to be with his humans...and I love him to pieces---constant shadowing and ball-squeaking included. :)

Day 3: Packed & Ready To Go...Time To Say Good-Bye

I don't think saying goodbye will ever get any easier; but with each one, there is a calm familiarity in dealing with it, a renewed strength to cope with it and the joyous expectation of another sweet reunion...and so the journey continues!

Packed and ready to go...

On our way to the airport, we saw a bald eagle flying over us, and then the attendant at the desk gave me a security pass to go to the gate with Greg!! Yeah...love these little blessings! It was so nice to be there with my love until it was time for him to board.

My handsome soldier.

Best friends.

Footsie.

Cherishing these little moments.

Holding on a little bit longer.

Almost time to board...staying strong for the journey ahead!