California!

Yesterday morning I woke up at 3:15 and started my journey to Ft Hunter Ligget, CA to assist my unit in their train up for the upcoming deployment.  It was a long day of travel, unloading conexes, storing weapons, signing for barracks, linen and MRE's and issuing the same to the soldiers.

Today was like the flipside of a coin.  We did PT early this morning as a group and then spent the day exploring the area.  The soldiers have already been doing missions for over a week, so it was good to give them some MWR time.

Here are some pictures from our adventures:

Bowl-a-rama!

This weekend was both relaxing and fun!  I was supposed to leave for California today to support my unit during their training rotation, but I was delayed due to some.. technical difficulties with the travel office.  Jeremiah and I made the most of the weekend though.  Friday night we went out to Red Lobster with the gang and then went out to Emerald Queen to play roulette.  We won a lot!  And then lost it all again lol.  It was fun getting to play though.

Saturday was spent sleeping in and relaxing around the house.  Got a lot of laundry done and caught up on some projects around the house too.

Today we went bowling on Ft Lewis.  It was fun getting out our bowling balls and shaking the rust out of our bowling skills.  We played four games, and Jeremiah won three of them.  It was close though.  I hope we get to join a league in the spring, but I think Jeremiah's training schedule will probably get in the way.

Defiance is Beautiful

Had a wonderful day exploring Tacoma today with Jeremiah and Dad.  We still woke up pretty early for a weekend and got the day started.  The first thing on the list was to explore Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.

We walked a total 2.91 miles around the park including along the beach and through the woods.  We even got to show Dad some of the jellyfish that inhabit the Puget Sound.  Jeremiah and Lucy even played fetch along the beach for a little while.

After our walk we headed out to lunch at Johnny's Dock right on the pier.  It was delish!  I definitely recommend it for anyone looking for fresh seafood with some great atmosphere.  Then we headed home for a little break.

The rest of the afternoon was spent at the Tacoma Sportsman Club showing Dad some of our weapons and getting some shooting time in.  Dad was a really great shot, and it was fun getting to be at the range for the afternoon.

A Little Touristy Fun

 Phew!  This has been a very long, but very good day.  Most weekends, I feel like we don't quite get enough out of each day that we have together.  But today was not one of those days!  We woke up early, went for a run together, made breakfast, watched some football.. all before noon!

Having my Dad visiting has been really great.  This afternoon we went to visit the Museum of Glass in downtown Tacoma.  Neither Jeremiah nor I had been there before, so it was good to see something nearby.  It was smaller than I expected, but there was a really cute gallery where the glass artists had made figurines and whatnot from the drawings of little kids.  We couldn't take our own pictures, but here is one from the website.

There was also a visiting artist from Finland making glass birds inside of the largest hot shop amphitheater in North America (like how I fit the blurb from the brochure in there? hehe).  It only took him a few minutes to make each one, and they sell them for hundreds of dollars in the gift shop.  

Then of course we had to take the geeky tourist pictures in front of the museum with the cone in the background.  Dad and Jeremiah even took one together :)

We even got to make dinner at home tonight together.  Some yummy kababs and danish squash from our own recipes.  Followed by a movie on the big comfy couch.  

Such a blessed day!

Sunday Runday!

There is something so invigorating about starting the day with a run.  Especially when you don't have to do it.  A lot of people might assume that since I am in the Army that I run all the time, but this is not the case.  I actually have said quite often that I hate running.  But running because you want to and running because the Army says so are two different types of running.

This morning, Jeremiah and I emerged from our house at 0615 and ran together for the first time.  I had forgotten how much I actually enjoy having someone to run with!  It makes me feel more motivated and keeps me going longer.  Granted, I am a slower pace runner than he is so his stride was compressed and that probably didn't feel to great, but he was a good sport about it.  Even with the rain, it felt good to be out there.

We also discovered when we got back to the house that the loop that we ran is exactly two miles, perfect for me to practice for the PT test.   We think we might even start going for a run together every Sunday.  Sounds like a great addition to our routine!

Mmm.. Chowdaaa

First day of Dad's visit flew by!  A classic steady rain welcomed him to Washington, the kind that is just hard enough to soak you but not hard enough to use an umbrella for.  It didn't even seem like they were meeting each other for the first time.  Dad and Jeremiah fell into conversation with each other as if they had known each other for years.

We went out to dinner on the recommendation of Jamie and Greg to Duke's Chowder House.  It is right on the edge of the sound in Tacoma, and the fog that was rolling over the water made it seem like a spooky locale.  The food was absolutely delicious, and the conversation kept a steady pace as we shared a healthy serving of local steamers and seafood.

Looking forward to the rest of the weekend together!

Papa is coming to town!

Only one more day until my dad is in town!  Today we have been a hive of activity getting the house ready and getting groceries.  I am so excited to get to see him, and this will be the first time that Jeremiah and my dad are meeting face to face. Such an exciting time!

Jeremiah made some delicious honey mustard chicken on the grill for dinner while I got a big salad together. I love getting to make dinner together and have some good R&R on the weekends!  So thank you Christopher Columbus for giving us a four day weekend :)

Oh, and the stamps that I ordered for the wedding invitations came in today!  I am super excited about getting to finish up the invites and send them out to everyone.  I am still trying to track down the last few addresses but hopefully my address book will be complete soon, because these have got to get out soon!

I'm a Commander now!

"Leadership in a democratic army means firmness, not harshness; understanding, not weakness; justice, not license; humaneness, not intolerance; generosity, not selfishness; pride, not egotism." - General of the Army Omar N. Bradley

housework rules!

Sick Day Staples...

I have been a prisoner in my house for the past two days... I hate being sick.  Especially when there is so much to do!  But thankfully there are some standard staples that get me through it...  First off, Ben & Jerry's ice cream.  Definitely not the healthiest choice when fighting off sickness, but oh so delicious!  Second, the Pebble and the Penguin.  Jeremiah and I watched this movie the night before he purposed to me last winter.  It is such a cute movie and it helps me feel like a little kid home from school.

What a Week!

Oh wow!  This week has been so long!  It has been mostly filled with work.  A lot of things that were up in the air at work have all been sorted out, so not me and my detachment commander can move forward with plans for our deploying crew.  There were plenty of staff meetings and conference calls too keep my work days filled up.

I love being able to come home to Jeremiah every night.  We have a relatively boring little life together, but that is what I love about it.  I know I can walk in the door, take off my boots, and relax with my one and only!  I actually did try some new recipes this week so I am branching out in the kitchen.  I made Spaghetti Squash for the first time and it was super yummy.  If you haven't made it before, then definitely try it because it is very easy to make and delicious!

On Thursday I went to a Change of Command ceremony for Jeremiah's Battalion.  It was totally bizarre to be there in uniform, but I was coming right from work and then going right back.  Some of the guys recognized me from the dining in last weekend and came up to talk before the ceremony started.  Jeremiah was already in formation, so I didn't get to see him right away.

After the ceremony Jeremiah and I got to go to lunch together, which never happens so I was excited!  We are hardly ever in uniform at the same time, so I had to make sure to get a picture :)  Jeremiah does have a goofy kind of smile on his face though hehe

I am supposed to work all weekend, but right now I am trapped at home sick.  I am hoping that it will pass soon enough and I can get back to taking care of business.