A whirlwind two months in Virgina/DC....

Where to begin......
We left Fort Benning on April 15th...stopped and visited with our friends, The Troyer, for an overnight visit in North Caroline...or as Joe Black says, "North Cakalaka."  Having them back in the states and a short 5 hour drive is a nice treat.  We left them on the 16th and made our way up to Fort Belvoir, Virginia!  We hit the DC area traffic about 3pm...we were 10 miles from the Fort Belvoir housing office(per our GPS)...it took us an hour to get there HA!  An upfront, in your face introduction to life in the area...I was loving it....Joe Black...not so much...we all know how he hates to drive!

We made our way to the FB Housing office.  Won't even comment on that experience....except..WOW!

We are now living above the FB Spa in a townhouse!  I knew this before we left Fort Benning, but I don't think I fully understood what that entailed until seeing it upfront.  The pictures did  not show the place properly.  The townhomes are new and very spacious with the two car garage, BUT there was absolutely NO yard for the kiddos.  SO I looked at my husband, and wise beyond his years, he said, "Well at least we will have a story for the kids when they are older, and I am working at Dicks(SPORTING GOODS)."  Two days later, we had our household goods and cable and internet supplied by Verizon(totally felt like I was cheating on AT&T).

TWO weeks after moving in!  We celebrated Brooks' first birthday with the small group of friends we had here....I felt so blessed to have them in our new home and wishing my sweet, baby boy a happy birthday!  For those that know me well, YES all of the boxes were unpacked and pictures and art were hung on the walls.

Before Joey started school, we took the Metro into the city to take the kiddos to the Smithsonian National Zoo.  The kids did great on the ride over...I didn't get motion sickness either.  The zoo was beautiful and the weather was even better...we ate too much, and walked too far...but it was great!  Joey indulged Lucy with riding the carousel 3 times...because he never tells her no...On our way back home on the metro, the area was buzzing with people moving out about the city, ending their work day...or perhaps beginning it.  I have never seen so many different people, clothing, music, or language.  I LOVED IT!  The kiddos were exhausted and cranky.  I was sitting the opposite direction the train was moving, so I was a bit nauseous.  We got home just before 5pm.  Safe and sound from surviving our first outing on the metro...

Joey has started the Major's school, and I am finding my away around this area: Woodbridge(New and Old), Springfield, West Springfield, Alexandria(Kingstowne, Old Town, and everything in between).  I feel great knowing, I only need my GPS for new locations or traveling into DC.  I have made two new friends and reconnected with an old, young friend from Campbell.  The kids are signed up four Hourly Care(on post childcare) once or twice a week...giving me some sanity time.  Lucy enjoys it!  Having friends her age to play with is good for her.  She misses her friends, Reed, Mahlia, Maddie, Haley, and Kayla and her cousins Madelyn and Maddox. 

Memorial Day Weekend we went to Arlington National Cemetery.  I knew the experience would forever change me and make me appreciate my life so much more....but I wasn't prepared for the overwhelming sadness that I felt.  We visited two gravesites.  One was a buddy Joey was in 1-61 with back at Campbell and the other was his 3rd cousin(I think).  I will always appreciate that experience and be grateful for this amazing life I have.

I think that brings us to our current date, June 3rd.  The kiddos are off to HC, and I am off for a pedicure.  Life is good.  God is great.

God bless
C

This past month

So this past month with Joey at JRTC in Fort Polk, La has been tough. I have so many friends that have kids, and I use to wonder how they would do field training and deployments. Now I know! I am so exhausted and very ready for Joey to get home! I can't imagine what the next year is going to be like for Lucy and me. I am so thankful to my family and friends. Especially those here in Tn. I know we all have this process to go through together. This will be our third deployment. I find this so cliche, but it definitely does not get any easier. Our first, we were only married 5 months, our second I was 13weeks pregnant. This one for me seems like it will be harder, for Joey mostly. Saying goodbye to me I know is hard, but saying goodbye to Lucy will be a whole another hard. Lucy and I are so lucky to have such a wonderful guy.

A special thanks to the ladies in my playgroup and the CavCuties for helping this month go bye. Staying busy always helps! Knowing I have all of you, well help with the next year. I know this summer will fly by with block leave, Connie's wedding, and Lucy starting pre-school. WOW, our buggy is starting Pre-school.....if she is walking lol. I pray for fast work weeks, and slow weekends with my husband and Lucy.

The pictures are from the past Month while Joey has been gone. He won't believe how much Lucy has grown!

My first day as a blogger

Hi everybody! So today will be my first official day of blogging. My dear friend Paige C told me I should, because my life is oooooh so fascinating. Don't know about that ,but it is definitely busy, but blessed. What do people blog about? Why do people blog? Part of my thinks it is just a page to rant and rave about your life, but another part thinks it could be therapy....free therapy. Here goes...........

My day started like any other. I wake up to flashing red dots from the monitor. This means my angel is awake! The best part of my day is going in to get Lucy from her crib. She is so excited to see me. Nothing like having your baby girl smile and laugh at seeing you come into her nursery. She shows me everyday how truly awesome and blissful life is and can be!

Lucy and I are off today for lunch with our friend Rebekah R. I met her a few months ago. She is a Army Girlfriend. Let me tell you....this can be an even harder job than Army wife....in my opinion. She a good girl from Alabama...she is mostly good because she chants "War Damn Eagle" during football season. The other part is because she is a great listener!

After lunch I suppose we will go to Target and the Maxx...Tj maxx that is. LOL....

This isn't fascinating lol!

CBlack...out