overdue.

Wow...has it seriously been 2 months since my last post?!? Should I introduce myself again? Well, we are here and settled in AK and this place is stunningly beautiful! We ended up finding a place to rent off post (thanks to the 6 month waiting list for on-post housing) and are slowly filling it to make it a home. Since this is Greg and I's first place together and we did a DITY move, we decided to leave behind all of our "bachelor" furniture and start out fresh with things that we can call "ours". I do love the way everything is coming together..and we have PLENTY of room for visitors! *hint, hint* One day soon I will do a tour of the house.

Here's me in front of our place.

The post we are at is quite nice...Greg is getting settled into his job and taking it one day at a time. We are stuck in a rather diffcult situation because we only brought one car up here and we live off-post. We left our other car back in NC to be able to have a car when I fly home during the deployment coming up in 2011. I would like to be able to be mobile when I go home for extended periods of time. Greg has yet to really "click" with any of the guys up here that are in his company, therefore, making it extra hard for us to make friends. With only one car, it is nearly impossible for me to get a job and meet new people so we are both in a little bit of a slump. We both are the type who are CONSTANTLY around our friends..and while our marriage is stronger than ever, we both have a huge void missing in our lives. I would KILL for a girls night! With all that said, we have made some friends with another couple who made the journey to AK with us on the ferry and they have been heaven-sent. She is a Capt. in the Army and her hubby is from FL.  We have been doing a lot of outdoor stuff with them and even attending the same church! There are a few other wives who I have met here and there, but they are all mostly established into a "group" of friends. For those of you who are Army Wives, what are ways you were able to make a group of girlfriends?!? Why can there not be a sorority or dance team I can join?!? I joke...but in seriousness, there are days where Greg and I have really good days..and others that are just not so pretty. But, I am a firm believer that God will provide, so I'm trusting that He will place the right friends in our path.

Enough emotional babble..I have GOT to remain positive. We have done some REALLY fun things here in AK and taking advantage of every moment! So far we have been snowboarding, cross-country skiing twice, snow-tubing, visited Chena Hot Springs, toured an Ice Museum, and went Ice Skating! It's amazing how many new things I am having the opportunity to try and it is soooo much FUN! We have attended Greg's Hail & Farewell, a MercyMe Concert at our church, and celebrated Valentine's Days at a chic Italian Restaurant in downtown.  Everyday I thank God for this season in my life..it is truly awesome to be given this, regardless of the pros and cons! Here are a few pics of our time spent outdoors:

eskimos?

Valentine's Day 2010

Chena Hot Springs

Who says you can't have it all?!?

Snowboarding at Birch Hill

Cross-County Skiing

Snow Tubing at Birch Hill

Attending Greg's Hail & Farewell. Getting ready for events such as this are ridiculous without girlfriends!!  Honestly, I was sending picture messages to my BFF's back home for their advice. Geezzzzz..

While the weather is warming up everywhere else in the country, we were at -20 this morning!  I've already started shopping for my Easter dress..and yes, it will have long sleeves and be worn with leggings and boots! :( I just cannot wait for those LONG summer days up here..and to be able to sit by the fire at 3am while feeling like it's noon!

Ok, I promise to be better at this. I have been an avid Facebooker since we've gotten here to keep in touch with my family and friends, but I will pick this back up to help document our time here! :)  Next up, I think going to do a little recap of our 2 week drive across the lower 48!  I have some of the most AMAZING pictures and we visited some of the greatest cities in America!

And oh yea, to my followers, thanks for sticking around duing my absense! And if you're new here..take some time to introduce yourself! :)  I'd love to meet you!

Ta-Ta!

movin' on up.

So the move is going great! I forgot to mention that we are DIY'ing it..so for all you fellow Army Wives out there, you know what I mean. We are on Day 4 of our trip and currently traveling through South Dakota.

Here's a couple of fun videos from our trip thus far-
Day 1:


Day 2: St. Louis


Day 3: Mall of America


I cannot wait to put all of these together when we finally get to Alaska & make a movie of our journey! Toodles! :)

new journey

"But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
-Ruth 1:16

When my papaw read this scripture at our wedding 5 months ago, we both had no idea how huge of an impact they would have on our lives.

moving to Alaska. today.

2 very IMPORTANT things.

1) Listen to every single lyric in this song.

God's timing is flawless..for I heard this tonight, one of the hardest days of my life.

I have been very absent lately..and for that, I will not apologize. To say I've been dealing with alot is an understatement..and 1/2 of the stuff I'm dealing with no one knows about. I know there are other military wives out there who have to be able to understand me on this: but do you ever feel as if you are always the support system and never have one yourself?!? I feel as if I try and try and try to build my husband up...Constantly giving him 1,000% of me so he can continue to do well in his training and such...and it leaves me feeling SO empty. He is amazing to me while he is away, please do not get me wrong, but I feel as if I have absolutely no one to lean on to build me back up, make me feel needed and appreciated...and to reinforce that I'm doing something right. And that's not even HALF of the emotions I'm feeling...

I know that God has the plans for our future...but getting through the hard times is never easy on anyone. Lately, has been one of those hard times. A very important time for both Greg, myself..and our future. And after today, I can honestly say that I am married to the man God created for me...because no matter how much pain my heart may feel, I would rather experience this pain than live without the love and friendship of my husband.

Sorry for the emotional babble..but I have GOT to get this off my chest.

2)go HERE! If you have internet access you do not have an excuse to not do this...takes all of 2 seconds and the lives you will touch will be endless.

On the road again.

The car is packed..FULL. The temporary lodging is...EMPTY.
Thank HEAVENS!
Do not get me wrong, I have enjoyed our time in Virginia, however, I have not enjoyed living in a crap-hole. We returned home from our Honeymoon as Newlyweds and came straight to the Ramada in Petersburg, Virginia. Doesn't that just sound like the life?!? A LONG 15 days later we moved into our small little 2 room/galley bath/galley kitchen apartment.

Friday morning, Greg graduates from BOLC III and we're off to NC to celebrate Thanksgiving. Next stop for him will be Airborne School to jump out of Airplanes and I am going to stay in our hometown to get everything ready for our big move...which is A MONTH AWAY!!!

Since this blog is about documenting our lives together & our Army Adventures...here's a little recap of our time spent in Viginia:

-Moved into here on Aug. 15th after 2 dreadful weeks in the nastiest Ramada ever.


-Cooked A LOT to pass the time.


-Went to Busch Gardens, for free.



-Discovered Short Pump Towne Center in Richmond & shopped at my very 1st H&M...I'm a believer!

-Spent the day at Virginia Beach & got burnt like a lobster.



-Ate at the Cheesecake Factory for the very 1st time & now believe when I'm on my death-bed I will plead for a slice of Craig's Crazy Carrot Cheesecake.

-Went to Williamsburg and got zero pictures!

-Went home to welcome these guys into the world {which I cannot wait to get my hands on again}



-Had my parents up for a visit.

-Worked out like madness & threw my body for a loop...long, extensive story.


-Visited Washington DC for the weekend with the in-laws and walked my poor little feet off.


-Discoverd that being healthy & having a family with Greg is my #1 priority right now..even if I can't fit into my skinny jeans. He loves me. The end.

-Fell back in love with Monopoly...best.game.ever.of.all.time. You never get too old for it, trust me.

-Met some pretty great friends & had some hilarious moments. Thank you Zach & Scott. :) {see, you're famous now}

-Celebrated Greg's 28th Birthday.

-Lived together for the very 1st time...it has been interesting to say the least. ;)

-Attended the General's Reception & I got to purchase a new dress {well, 2 actually. Hey, a girl's gotta have options}


-Fell in love with each other more & more every.single.day. Greg, baby, I am SO proud of you. I hope you know that there is not a single day that I do not thank God for giving you to me.


See ya later Ft. Lee...we shall see you again in a few years for Captains Career Course, Lord-willing.

giddy girl!

So, I posted a while back about some wedding pic teasers that we got, but we JUST now got our wedding slideshow back and I could not be happier! Every little detail about our wedding was so PERFECT & a true reflection of our personalities!! Our photograher, Maggie Flynn of Blue Ridge Photography is amazing...see for yourself!

Click Here!

randomness.

Today will be random.

-I've been going through a "rough spell" lately. I'm not quite sure if it's the fact that I have been living in a different state for 4 months now & haven't had any visits from my lifelong friends or the fact that I'm moving to Alaska the week after Christmas. I'm not sure. The only people thus far who have came to visit are our parents (which was awesome) but really makes me question how strong my friendships really are. I have one friend who literally never calls, never texts, never anything. And if she does, it's to tell me something about her life. In the last 3 months, she has NEVER asked how Greg and I are doing. This disturbs me...a lot.

-We attended a General's Reception here at Ft. Lee this past Friday. Greg and I actually had A LOT of fun! We love meeting older people and hearing their stories in the military. And of course, they had fun with us because we have such an interesting move coming up! I'm living here in Virginia with only a suitcase full of things because the rest of our items are in storage. When Greg told me about the reception on MONDAY I immediately knew I had nothing worthy of wearing...so off shopping I went. I love the little dress I wore and it will be a great addition to my wardrobe.

My husband is handsome.


-I am extremely excited & a tad-bit nervous for my husband to attend Airborne Training in 2 weeks.

-Greg's parents came up & took us to DC for the weekend a while ago & I never posted about it. But here's a few pics...we had a GREAT time & saw so many sights! Needless to say, my little feet were HURTING by the time we got home!




-Completely opposite my first thought, but I'm ready to get to Alaska & get SETTLED IN! I'm ready to have a home, start Newlywed life, make NEW girlfriends, and get involved in a church. Army Temporary Lodging has for sure made it's mark on me. I'm OVER it. Peacing out of here in 8 days. Thank the good LORD!

-Greg and I are going through a moment together right now (to be left unspoken) that no doubt is drawing us closer to one another and Christ. We could use prayers as we seek His will for our lives.

-Hubby turned 28 at the end of September & we had a fabulous day celebrating together. Of course, he had to work, but I spent the entire day making him breakfast, lunch, & dinner..along with many surprises!



-It is POURING the rain here in Virginia and I feel like I might float away. Makes me seriously stay in my baggy sweatpants 24/7. My poor husband...

-WCU Homecoming was nothing short of a BLAST! I loved seeing all of my girlfriends and re-living our days together!




-I adore Christmas music on Pandora & Holiday drinks @ Starbucks.

-I need more warm clothes.

-I have a very special post coming up...in honor of Veteran's Day, but with a different spin on things.

-I wish my Mom would get appreciated more for all the things she does.