Day 109: 'Ello Ducky!

These little duckies were walking around the lawn at work today. The female duck seemed to be slightly injured and her faithful drake (male duck) stayed by her side and seemed very worried about her.

Day 108: Moving Right Along

The last few weeks have been so crazy busy! I feel like we have been going 100mph, but it is a really exciting time and we are just trying to embrace every moment! We don't have the apartment just yet, but we do have a garage on property and are starting to move as much stuff into it possible, any chance we get. Going, doing, going, doing. It's been a whirlwind! :)

This is just the first load...lol.

Day 107: Out with the Old!

Since we are moving into the apartment, we have really been trying to get rid off the the unnecessary stuff that we have seemed to have accumulated over the years. One item is the 1980's  dirt bike that we have had for eons. Greg has never really ridden it and it has just sat in our garage. So, we put it on Craigslist and sold it that same day! Spring cleaning is officially in full swing!

DAY 106: Corner Apartment with a View!

We talked to our landlord and he said that he would re-rent our house and let us out of our lease. The Lord is so good! So, we called the leasing agent at the Marina Village Apartments and asked if she had any apartments opening up around May 1st. She said she did, so we went and signed the paperwork and put down a deposit. The apartment was still occupied, but she showed us which one from the outside. It was on the third floor like we wanted, and the most awesome feature was that it was on the corner...which means we don't have any side shared walls and we have an extra window in the bedroom! So grateful for how much the Lord is blessing us!

Days 101: Bittersweet Goodbye

We have officially paid off both our vehicles! YAHOO!!!! What an amazing feeling! The Eclipse has been out of commission for a while and we have vacillated on whether we should repair it or just sell it. We finally decided, especially with the events as of late, that it would just be best to try to sell it. The day we paid it off, I put it on Craigslist and within 30 minutes, we got numerous phone calls. One of the interested parties came by to look at it and decided he most definitely wanted it. He paid half up front and we got the other half the day we got the title and the day he hauled it off. It was a very bittersweet feeling, since we loved the Eclipse, but it was such a cleansing feeling to no longer have to deal with wondering if it would ever run again. So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye!

Day 100: Pizza Date with Some Lovely Ladies

I haven't had a chance to visit Amanda in a long time, so she and I made a date to meet for pizza and a visit. It was so very nice to spend some time just catching up, and of course to see how big her precious Annabelle is getting! Amanda was very supportive and encouraging of our decision to join the Army and really extended her love and friendship to us, and I can't tell you how much it means to know that our friends are behind us!

Day 99: Apartment Hunting & Family Visit

After things changed so drastically for us last month, I started doing some research a few weeks ago trying to find some local apartments that might be an option if we decided to move out of the house we are currently in. I wasn't able to find that many that were in the price range we wanted (paying less than we do now, enabling us to save $$$), that allowed German Shepherds and that weren't completely ghetto. Truth be told, I really only found three. One in North Reno was extremely run down, the other in South Reno was a bit out of our price range and the third by the Marina seemed ok. On our way back from MEPS, we started really talking about moving sooner rather than later. Our lease is technically up in December, and with him leaving in October, neither of us really liked the idea of me having to be in our big house all by ourselves. And then we thought about moving right before he ships out in October, but then that idea seemed a little sad, like I would be starting out in a new place, by myself and it might be a hard adjustment. So, we decided to try to research our options and if it was meant to be, the right doors would open up. We went down and looked at the complex by the Marina. We went to look and loved them! They allow German Shepherds, the complex is only 5 years old and is in excellent condition, it is gated and extremely safe, the apartments are spacious and have lots of nice features and natural light. The rent is within our price range and I swear the leasing agent is another angel put in our lives! She is a Christian, was completely sweet and was so helpful! She put us on the list and told us to keep in touch with the final date we wanted to move. Now all we have to do is talk to our landlord and see if he will let us out of our lease...Lord willing it will all work out! 


Greg's mom and dad came up to Reno to visit us and learn more about our decision to join the Army. They are very supportive and very proud. I know they are a little worried, scared and concerned, but they are behind us all the way and are extremely proud of Greg. We had a great time and so enjoy spending time with them!

He's my special guy!

Aw! They are so sweet!

Days 94-98: In the Army Now!

Today is a special day for Greg and I....Greg is joining the Army! This may seem somewhat sudden to everyone, but it has been something we have thought, discussed and prayed very hard about, and we feel that the Lord is leading us on this journey. We have placed all our faith and trust in Him and if it is His will for Greg to actually join, we know He will open the appropriate doors; and if Greg is not meant to join, those doors will close. We have asked that the Lord be there every step of the way, and that ultimately His Will be done in all this.


Joining the service is always something Greg has had a desire to do and for as long as we have been together, it is something we as a couple have considered. Things have happened of late that have made us start considering this as an option...so we went and talked to a recruiter and have been pursuing this path.


Greg went down yesterday morning to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Command) in Sacramento. He had to go with a group from his recruiter station, as they are responsible for ensuring everyone is accounted for. I took the day off from work today to drive down and be there for this special day. I am not the type of wife that has no interest in being part of the important things that transpire in her husband's life...nor is Greg the type of husband to want that.


We knew I would need to head down early, so I could at least be there for his swearing in. He texted me at 4am and said I might want to leave even earlier, as there were only 20 or so people that were being processed that day. I will be honest...I freaked out a little as I was so worried I was not going to make it in time! I got up, got ready and headed out; it was still dark outside and I was extremely tired, but I was running on nerves and adrenaline and could have cared less at that point.

Starting my trip so very early!

A must for my early morning adventure! 

(Don't worry, I didn't drink both...I gave one to my brother! :)

Silver and Catherine were such a blessing and let me borrow their Honda Accord...driving my beast down there would have been such an expensive venture. I made it down there by 9am and then commenced the infamous "hurry up and wait" game, which I had fully expected; ultimately I was just glad that I had made it in time. I spent the next hour or so Facebooking, texting, reading and taking photos in the lobby. 

Nothing quite like the Red, White and Blue.

MEPS Reception Area

Around 10am, I heard a quiet "hey"...I looked up and saw my man walking down the hall towards me. We both had huge smiles on our faces and I could tell he was very pleased. We hugged and I asked him how he did...he said he passed everything. We were both super excited and so very thankful for the Lord's blessings so far! He got a 70 on his ASVAB (which is scored on a percentile scale and means he scored better than 70% of others who have taken it...which is a very good score!). The physical profile has 5 different aspects that the recruits are tested and rated on; the aspects are called PULHES...they stand for Physical capacity/stamina, Upper extremities, Lower extremities, Hearing, Eyes and Psychiatric. There are different tests they conduct to ensure that each recruit can perform to the standards that are required of them in general and in their specific job. The results for each factor are rated on a scale of 1 to 4; with 1 being the best score and 4 being the worst. Greg was extremely worried about failing all or some of the aspects, but I knew he would do great. He told me that he scored 1's straight across the board-which is an exceptional!! 


When he went to talk to his guidance counselor about his MOS (Military Occupation Specialities/job), contract, ship dates, etc. I was allowed to go as well and be there for that step of the process. The guidance counselor was amazing...I think he was an angel, because he was so dedicated and so invested in us and really helped us to get the outcome that was going to be the best fit for us. I am sure that is just his job, but he really made us feel like we weren't just another number, but that he really cared about us and our future.
When Greg talked to the recruiter before going down to MEPS, he told Greg that he would need to choose a MOS from the available listings to insure he got a contractual agreement with a specific job listed, rather than just being thrown into whatever job was available. When the recruiter pulled the available jobs, there wasn't much available...infantry, tank refueler, cook, and a couple others...nothing that Greg really wanted to commit to for his whole contract. He chose infantry, as it was the closet to being "hands on", which is something that is a must for Greg. We were both a bit worried, as it wasn't really what he would want to do for a career, but we were also confidant that if he was to start this journey, that the Lord would open the doors and that he would get a good MOS. However, when we started talking to the guidance counselor, he looked at us and said to Greg "You scored this well on your ASVAB and physical and you want to go for infantry?" Greg told him "Well, no, but it was the only available job that sounded decent at the time I had to chose." The counselor went on to say that he was going to help Greg "get a real job." He pulled up the available list for Greg's ASVAB score and let us look at it. I was very impressed with the jobs that he qualified for: Special Forces, Interpreter, Engineer, Driver...but at the bottom of the list was the most important...an open position for 31B, Military Police. Greg asked the counselor "31B? Seriously? It's available? I qualified for it? I want it. I want 31B." The counselor said ok, and reserved it for him, but warned us we would have to go through some extra paperwork to get the secret security clearance. I was just laughing and smiling the whole time and the counselor was like "what is so funny?" I told him that I am not surprised at all that it is available and that we had prayed for the right doors to open if they were supposed to. The background and investigation for his secret security clearance went great and it was granted almost immediately! 

After we were done with the guidance counselor we waited for a bit for Greg to sign his final contract and to officially swear-in. The swear-in was a really touching moment to witness...the commanding officer that preformed the swear-in had a really good little speech...saying things about how the decision that recruits have made to join the military and become soldiers is an admirable one...he said that they are joining at a time of conflict and not of peace, and that less than 2% of Americans actually serve in the military. He commended them on their decision and thanked them for their willing service. 

I am so glad I went down to be a part of us an important day in mine and Greg's life. It was really awesome how accepting and encouraging the military personnel were of me being there. They never shut me out, they were completely welcoming to me being there and they even said that it was obvious that Greg and I were best of friends and were in this together...they said they love when they see spouses being involved and supportive, as it just makes the whole process that much easier. I can't imagine being a spouse that doesn't care or want to be involved or there for such important things...and I am so glad that Greg wants me there as much as I want to be there.


After the swear-in, we got in the car and headed home...and started calling our family and friends and posting it to Facebook...sufficed to say, everyone was pretty surprised, but were very proud of Greg!


The has Lord guided every step of this process and has really blessed us with such amazing things on this new journey! He has opened so many doors and has given us the confidence to know that this journey is being blessed by Him and we are walking in His plan. We are so excited to see what is next! 


I am so very proud of Greg and his decision, and also his determination and drive to accomplish and pursue his goals and dreams. 


And so our journey as an Army family has begun...   :)

Days 92-93: Water Play

It has been pretty warm the last few days and Ranger loves to play in the water on warmer days! He thinks the hose is the most awesome toy ever invented! :)

Day 91: Picnic in the Park & Big Sis, Little Sis

During my lunch break, I met mom, Keira and Emmery at the park today to enjoy the warm weather and have a little picnic!

Later that night, I went to the girls' house and watched them while mom and dad went on a date. We had a great time and I love seeing how sweet the girls are with each other and how it is just a natural thing for them to share with one another and just be together!

Days 89-90: New Momma

After work today, I went to visit my friend, Amy. She and her husband Jon just had a baby girl, Lorelai and I have been dying to see them and meet their new addition! I had a great time visiting with Amy and hearing her awesome birth story (Jon was at work, so I wasn't able to see him). Little Lorelai is beautiful and healthy and is such a doll. I have know Amy since I was 12 and she was 9. It is a odd thing to see her with a baby, but I will be the first to tell you that she is a natural and loving momma who has been truly blessed with a bundle of joy. It is a beautiful thing to see! Congratulations Amy! I am so very proud of you and the amazing women, wife and mother you have become! XOXO

Days 81-88: Bright Blossoms

Spring is definitely trying to wake up and start her glorious dance. Over the last few days the snow and cold weather has subsided a bit and seems to be leading to slightly warmer days, which in turn are slowly enticing all the glorious buds to start to open and show their magnificent colors! Thank heaven for spectacular & bright spring time!

Editoral Note

If any of you were following my blog, you have noticed by now that I have been a bit behind on the blogging...some things have happened in Greg's and my life that have been a bit hard to deal with, and honestly, taking a photo a day has been the last thing on my mind. Right now all I can concentrate on is waking up everyday and pushing on, clinging to my husband, the Lord, our families and friends, and figuring out where the journey goes to from here. I haven't forgotten about my blog and photo taking, and felt very guilty at first to be so inadequately keeping up on it. Then I stopped myself and just decided that this is MY blog...I can do what works for me and if my very best is a picture a day or a picture a week or a picture a month, I need to do what I can, when I can and stop feeling guilty about it. So, that is what I am going to do. From this point on, when I feel inspired, when something happens or when I need to take a photo to find my sanity, I will post it and let it be a part of this journey and just let my blog be a blog...no pressure, no expectations that will drive me crazy trying to fulfill, while dealing with the hard time we are going through right now. Thanks for your loyalty and support and the love you show by following my blog...I certainly plan to keep posting, and I hope you plan to keep reading! XOXOXO

Day 80: Winter Moon

Saw this beautiful sight tonight...

Day 79: Lemon-y Freshness

Well, the party was a success and mom was thoroughly surprised. Now for the day after clean up process...lol. When we dumped all the lemons that were in the water jug into the sink they filled the house with the most amazing aroma...it smelled SO insanely delicious...something about the smell of fresh, potent, clean lemons equals absolute perfection!

Day 78: A 60th Surprise!

So, as I mentioned before, we threw my mom a birthday dinner to celebrate her 60th birthday. She knew that the family was getting together to have dinner and spend time together, but what she didn't know was that we invited all her friends for a surprise celebration for her! I am so grateful for my awesome husband and siblings who contributed so much and helped the whole thing come together. It was a great night and she was completely surprised! I am glad we were able to celebrate her and her special day!

 Middle layer of the cakes...fresh raspberries and fresh whipped cream.

The bottom cake.

 She had no idea!

Friends and family!

Mom and MoMo.

The finished product.

Make a wish! 

I think she ended up eating every raspberry off the cake!  

Miss Em + Raspberries=Happiness

Becky, Sky and Baby Awesome.