Merry Christmas

From our little family to your's.

Here is our little Christmas tree...sorry for the lack of ornaments. Our big tree and the rest of the ornaments are still in TN.

This was a gift from a dear friend...how nice!!

Can't forget the cats:

I'm still trying to get everything in order and all the wall decor hung. After that, pictures of the inside will be posted.

Love to all,

C.

Unpacking...

Another small update: Our furniture finally arrived today after what seemed like FOREVER! I was starting to go a little bit insane. Everything seems to be ok, except our poor kitchen table...they did a number on it. We got the kitchen completly unpacked and are slowly working on each room. The MasterBR is almost done as well. The movers arrived at 8am this morning and Pepper was NOT happy about it. See his hiding place: he started out in the bathtub.

Then after the movers left:

As you can see by his expression in the first picture, he is NOT happy and is letting us know about it. Below is a video of Pepper trying to get to high ground...lol. You can hear how upset he is.

And Maverick:

Back to unpacking. More updates to come...

C.

DC Traffic = Nightmare

So today we headed to DC....actually we were in search of Anacostia Naval Base...which just happens to be in the heart of DC, or so it felt like. After a few u-turns and I'm pretty sure some illegal u-turns...we finally found the base. Only to be told that there was no uniform shop on that partiular base. We were directed back over the river and into traffic to the "Naval Yard"...luckily they had a NEX and we found what we needed. I made Taylor buy his PT uniforms for all the trouble we had to go through. We really didn't stop and be tourists (there is plenty of time for that later) but I got to see the Pentagon and backside of Arlington, which was really cool. We also stopped by the HUGE Ikea store. I found a futon that I NEEEEED in my guest bedroom. Guess we will be making a trip back to Ikea. I had never seen a store so big it needed it's own parking garage. Oh well...
I wish I had been able to snap a few pictures to show, but I was to busy trying to navigate for Taylor. Maybe next time :)
We hope to be coming home next week, seeing if we get unpacked. Furniture comes tomorrow...yay!
More updates and pictures to come. G'nite all!

Arrival in Fredericksburg

We have now officially arrived in Fredericksburg, VA. It took us exactly 5 hours...most of that spent on I-95 with the crazy drivers. That is the one thing that will take a long time to adjust to, is the crazy Virginia drivers. (Sorry Virginians...hehe) When I say crazy, I mean, most of them go 95mph on I-95...haha. And everywhere else for that matter. But I think that is something I can get used to...just an excuse to drive fast ;) Sorry mom!

I really think I will love this place!! Between my exit and the Route 3 exit, we have everything we could ever need. Just to name a few places I'm excited about...
1. A & W - can't tell you how excited I was when I saw this!! 2. Lifeway Christian Bookstore 3. Krispey Kreme 4. Qudoba 5. Smokey Bones. And that is just 1 exit...can't wait to really start exploring. We are going to head to Quantico tomorrow, to mainly grocery shop at the commissary but also to explore the base.

So I know everyone would love to see our new apartment. I LOVE LOVE LOVE where we are living. It's a pretty big complex, very much to itself and quiet. We have a 3rd floor 2 bedroom/2 bath apt. We have so much more room and I love our 13ft ceilings. Pepper and Maverick are adjusting as well. Pepper better than Maverick, but he is coming around. Maverick is still and little bit jumpy and is kinda pitiful. Pepper is enjoying exploring and sniffing around. He especially loves the tops of our cabinets. He discovered those this morning and also figured our that Maverick cannot jump up there. He stayed up there and slept for about 3hrs this afternoon. On to the pictures...

Master BR

Master Bathroom w/ Taylor

Living Room w/ our balcony door

One set of track lighting in Kitchen (my favorite feature)

Taylor in our Kitchen

Entrance

Pepper's new favorite place

Relaxing

On a sad note...poor Jerry did not survive the trip. Actually he did survive the drive but when I returned him to his aquarium, he shortly thereafter died :( He was a trooper though.

So we now start our new adventure here in Fredericksburg/Quantico, VA. A few of our neighbors are in the Marine Corps or Navy...and we even met some neighbors from Tennessee :) Hopefully I can post more pictures soon of around our complex. Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts while we moved.

Let the adventure begin...

It's a cat's life

How nice it must be to be a cat...no worries and care free! Enjoy some recent pictures of Maverick and Pepper.

This one was taken last night...musta been a rough day.

Mavi hiding out in the clothes. I really had started looking for him because he had been quite for too long. Maybe he was cold?

Pepper wants a North Face coat too!!

HM2 whatttt???

Watch out now, I'm posting twice in one day. But this post DESERVES it! I'm proudly announce that my husband is an HM2/E-5! This was the first time he tested for it, and ofcourse I never doubted him! I know most will not know how exciting this is or "get it"...but it's a big accomplishment in our little world. Congrats hun!

Snow?!?

In my 3 years in J-ville, I have yet to see snow. Well early afternoon yesterday (keep in mind it's 45 degrees outside) it starts snowing. Now yes I've seen more snow than this, but here in almost 50 degree weather, was a bit, well weird.

But it sure was pretty the 1 minute it lasted :)

Happy 23rd Birthday sweetie!!!

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday my sweet Taylor, happy birthday to you!"

Today (the 13th) is Taylor's 23rd birthday...

November...

So, I'm having a hard time believing it's November, not to mention it's November 12th!!! Tomorrow (the 13th) is Taylor's birthday, then Friday is mine!! We plan on celebrating at Olive Garden...lol...since there isn't anything but steakhouses in this town. I've already bought my gift (big shock there), but Taylor still doesn't know what his gift is.
Also, November has found my dad in the hospital after having emergency colon surgery. He is going on 4 days there. For those that have been praying, thank you. He is slowly gaining strength back. He still has a long way to go though. Because they now have him up moving around more throughout the day, when he isn't up he just sleeps. Today they will be trying out liquids, poor guy hasn't had a meal since Saturday. So please keep praying for a quick recovery!
I also have to tell you how excited I am that I found the Charlie Brown Holiday Movie pack, it's got the Halloween, Thanksgiving, and of course Christmas. I LOVE the Charlie Brown movies...
Anyways, off to start my Wed. Have a blessed week!

Small update.

Just a quick update on our move...

We found out that TMO will be coming to pack us up Dec. 3rd. We hope to be in our new apt. on Dec. 4th. Then after getting unpacked and moved in we will probably be home for a couple weeks over the holidays...yay!

Also here are a couple pictures of Taylor and I from recent:

Taylor and my Aunt "Major" Chibi

Oh how I do love my man in uniform!

Please excuse my fat face...

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Love,

C.

Thank you!

For everyone's thoughts and prayers this week. You will never know how thankful we are.
The funeral service was last night, and my father did an amazing job (even if I couldnt get through my song).
The military burial is today at 1pm. 21 gun salute and all. I know it will be emotional.
But my papaw is in Heaven rejoicing with his Lord...and I believe we can all find hope and joy in that.
Please continue to keep my mamaw and family in your prayers.
Love,
C.

Yay for Fall!

Fall is my favorite season of the year and I can't tell you how excited I am about fall weather. It really makes me miss the mountains of Tennessee though. It's finally starting to cool down here in North Carolina...not as humid. But soon Taylor and I will be headed for Northern Virginia. The first week of December to be exact. We finally found a place to live in Fredericksburg, VA. Taylor found the apartments online and I've been talking back and forth the past few days with them, and we secured a 3rd floor, 2bd/2ba apartment. Now I'm not exactly excited about moving to the 3rd floor, but that is what the military is for right? To move everything for us...lol. So I can't complain. If you want to check them out, go to http://www.manoratenglandrun.com/. The kitchen is what really sold us on the apartments.


My last day of work will be Nov. 26th, then we will be busy bee's, packing and moving. Taylor is still busy working on stuff/paperwork for this new job. We will also find out in December if he advanced, or "picked up" in military terms. That would be an answer to prayer if he did. I know his "fate" is already sealed, but if you think about it, say a quick prayer.


For those praying for my papaw, here is an update:


After my quick trip home to see my papaw, he was put in a nursing home. But because he is considered terminal, after about a week they sent him home. So now he is back at home w/ my mamaw with different people coming to check on him throughout the week. He is not eating, and hasn't been eating for over a month now. They are just trying to make him as comfortable as possible until his passing. Still keep my mamaw and the rest of my dad's family in your prayers.


Also, I forgot to post that last Friday(the 3rd) was my youngest brother, Alexander's 17th birthday. I can't believe he is 17! It makes me tear up everytime I think about him growing up. I can still remember those blonde curls and sweet smile...and blue eyes to die for. I always knew he would be a heartbreaker. I wish I had pictures to post of him when he was a toddler. But I will just post a picture of him from recent...


Sorry for the lack of updates, I seem to stay pretty busy w/ work and working out. That is my new hobby now.

Going home.

Today I'm leaving and headed for TN!! I'm so excited about coming home, but it's not really a "happy trip". My papaw (my dad's father) is in the hospital and is not doing too well. For those of you that did not know, he suffered a pretty severe heart attack a few weeks ago and has not been doing well since.
I'v decided to go home and see him since it's been so long since I've actually spent any time with him.
I'm excited about seeing my dad's family, even my aunt who is stationed in London will be in. I haven't seen them in so long.
So please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I travel today. And also for my papaw and family! Thank you!
Love to all!

3 years of bliss!!

Tomorrow (Wed the 17th) Taylor and I will celebrate our 3 year wedding anniversary. I look back over the last 3 years and often wonder where all that time went. Much of the past 3 years Taylor and I have spent apart...due to his 2 tours in Iraq and other such training.

To the love of my life:

I cannot imagine my life w/o you in it! I could've never imagined that married life could be so happy, stressful, lonely, exciting, and truly amazing all at the same time. I would not change one single minute of the last 3 years. Every experience we have had has made us stronger and better as a couple. I thank the Lord every chance I get to have your amazing love. Here's to the next 3, 10, 30, & 50 years!!! I love you Taylor!

Mini-Vacation

Taylor's parents are down here in NC for a few days. They arrived this past Friday and are leaving sometime this week. They are staying out on Topsail Island, which is about 25min. from us. .

Tropical Storm Hanna didn't really do much of anything, so being at the beach this past weekend was super nice.

Here are a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure! The first picture is outside our apartment, the rest are from Topsail.

Tropical Storm Hanna...

So, it looks like we might be getting hit by atleast Tropical Storm Hanna, possibly Ike and Josephine. We've been watching Hanna for the past couple of days. Hopefully it's nothing to extreme.

Jacksonville is prone to flooding though.

I guess we will see over the next few days how bad it could get.

Ahhh....hurricane season. Fun!

We got orders!!!!

I cannot tell you how excited I am about finally moving to our next duty station. While I love North Carolina (for the most part), I'm very excited about moving to Quantico, VA. Taylor finally received his orders there and we move the end of this year.

He will be going to HMX-1. I will let you google or Wikipedia it. Actually Wikipedia has a bit about HMx-1 and what happens there. To say the least, I'm very proud of what Taylor has accomplished so far in his Navy career. I'm trying to get him to blog, because I am not sure what all I can say about his new job.

So keep us in your prayers and hopefully we can see everyone really soon!

Well hello there!

So, this is all very new to me. But I've noticed alot of cool blogs and decided Taylor and I needed one ;)





Hopefully we can both keep the outside world updated on our busy lives...well maybe not busy...but always entertaining!





As many of you know, Taylor is in the United States Navy and I'm his Navy wife :) We are currently in the great state of North Carolina...Jacksonville to be exact. Life here isn't all bad, if you love traffic (rush hour is all day everyday!), Marines everywhere, really BAD drivers, aircraft flying over all day (sometimes so low, you feel as though the ground is literally shaking), etc... I'm not complaining at all...it just isn't East Tennessee. But at the same time, I have a sense of pride living here. The American flag is flying every corner you turn, and knowing that 90% of the population have volunteered to give of their life for people they will never meet...it truly is awesome!





I work as well, at Bluff Ridge Apts. I'm an assistant manager there and loving every minute. I've met some amazing military wives. I usually only see the wives, since most of the men are either deployed or working insane long hours. I can't describe everything that I do. Some days I feel as though I'm babysitting..."No, you cannot put your down comforter in the dryer, it has the washing/drying instructions right on the tag" or "I'm sorry you have developed a 'fly' problem, but maybe you should take out your 500 bags of trash" (you think I'm kidding???) But I truly love helping people find their perfect apartment, whether it's at Bluff Ridge or not. I think I've found my true calling. :)





Well, I will close with that. Hopefully we can continue blogging. I will try to get Taylor on here to update everyone on his new job in Quantico, VA. Soon it will be on to our next duty station!





Oh and here is a recent picture of Taylor and I, ya know incase you forgot what we look like :)





Night all!