TGIF

Thank goodness it's friday.

I was thinking today, how much changes in a week.

Sunday of last week, our good friends who are a family of four

moved to Fort Bragg.

Tuesday of last week our friend Ashley, who was staying with us for almost 2 months,

finally got orders to join her husband in Germany.

Thursday she left for her home state.

Thursday we drive up to North Carolina to visit our friends.

Sunday we came home.

Tuesday, Ashley flew out to Germany, where she will be visiting with her husband until the big "D" comes.

Today, I'm grateful that I have these friends, I am also grateful that I've had some down time.

I wasn't supposed to have a ton of down time, I was supposed to do some FRG (Family Readiness Group, for the non-military readers)-realated training this week, but Stryker got sick again so I had to ditch those plans and take him into the doctor.  Again.

So today, Friday, I am thankful it's the weekend.

I am thankful I'm able to spend 2 whole days alone with my husband, it sure has been awhile!

I'm thankful that Stryker is feeling better,

and that Spuz is feeling normal (even though I just watched him cover his wet food with my sweatshirt...weirdo).

Today I have to take the dog out to play, go to the store, make some awesome looking amazing cupcakes (photo to follow)

attempt to go to the gym (preparation for awesome looking amazing cupcakes)

and make a class 6 stop (a convenience like store that sells liquor, wine, and beer...Again for the non-military readers).

All before we attend a BBQ with some friends of ours.

I'm not sure what the weekend will bring, but I'm looking forward to it.

I hope everyone has a fun-filled weekend.

If you're anywhere down south, you're probably having some beautiful weather...

We've been battling this 80 degree weather, it's been tough;)

Happy Friday!

♥

Happy New Years Eve!

Wow.  I can't believe I have been writing this blog for a year now!

I had to publish my last blog of the year, since I'm at the one year anniversary.  How crazy it is to think that a year ago Jesse and I had so much ahead of us...  Driving/Moving to Georgia, BOLC II, IBOLC, lots of friends, new place to live, new areas to explore, and lots of new adventures.

So much has happened to us, both good and bad, and a year ago I would have never thought that I was going to be on my own the following New Year's Eve.  I have to say though, every day of 2009 has been a great learning experience, I am grateful for every day of it.  I would not have thought a year ago I would be the person that I am now - all the knowledge I have along with the strength to carry on.  It's quite an amazing thing.

I hope you all have a safe and happy New Years celebration, and Happy New Years to my husband serving his country, where it is already New Years Day.  Here's to a great year to come!

Providence Canyon

Today Jesse and I both got off early from work. Jesse did some CLS (Combat Life Saver) stuff today, which he said was great because it actually was something they'd use in combat. He also did an exercise where they learn what to do (and how to get out) of a vehicle if it rolled. Good stuff.

Since the day was pretty uneventful, I wanted to show one of the things we did while visiting Georgia. We went to Providence Canyon, a canyon which was formed by "bad farming practices." I really don't know how that happens, but it was quite interesting to see. There is a long trail which goes down to the bottom of the canyon, and winds in different directions on the canyon floor. Pretty, but no Grand Canyon (even if they do call it "The Little Grand Canyon"). We went when my parents came down along with my aunt and uncle from Indiana. My uncle is one of those guys who loves the outdoors and hiking so it was perfect. Here is a view of the canyon from the top.

Stryker is Home!

Stryker is home! Yesterday I took him into the vet, and they did some bloodwork and turns out he's having some issues with his kidneys. They were going to keep him until Thursday but when I came in today to drop off his bed and some toys for him I found out he chewed through his IV they were giving him (to flush his system and normalize his kidneys). Not only did he do it once, but he did it twice. So I got to bring him home. They said he seemed to be doing better, and I have to feed keep him on a special kidney diet for a month. After that we have to bring him back in and they will do some more blood work on him, and we can go from there.

Other than that, that's what's new with us! Jesse's still in the field, and right now it's pouring down rain. So he's probably getting pretty wet! There are some tornado warnings in some of the southeastern counties of Alabama. Nothing to bad here though, just some heavier rain. He'll be home tomorrow evening though. Not only that but they're in barracks and they have hot showers. I actually think they have TV, possibly satellite. I haven't been able to talk to him long enough to find out.

Other than that, we're still going to Atlanta friday, getting back early afternoon to pick up Stryker from the boarding facility. I'll be posting pictures of Coca-Cola and of the Aquarium soon!

Our Ft. Benning Residence

To the left is a picture of the front of our Townhome. The door the furthest to the left is our front door. To the immediate right of the tree is another door of our house, which is through the kitchen and to the garbage can. All of these houses are officer housing, and they are that yellow color in our area. There is additional parking around the back of the house.

The second picture (to the right) is a picture of the back of our house. The door in the center is the back of the house. Most of the yard is dirt because we had a bush and a bunch of holes in the back yard which matienence had to come in a fix. The residents before us had a dog which dug holes and caused the basement walls to mold. They planted seeds, and the hay that you can see. You can probably tell the back of the house looks dirty, which is also from the previous owner's dog.

First Blog From Georgia

Hello! We hope everyone is doing well, Jesse and I are still getting settled in the new house. We are currently living in a townhouse on Ft. Benning. We have had a few hiccups, but other than that everything is good.

Jesse's been working quite often, mostly into the evening. I have been taking care of groceries, cleaning, and unpacking. Jesse does the best he can to hang pictures and put things away on weekends, but lately we've been getting extra shopping and stuff like that done since that's the only time we have to do those things together.

The animals have adjusted well, sometimes I believe that Spuz is doing better than Stryker. I have been noticing that Stryker seems more protective of the house than he ever had been. He likes to look out the windows and see the birds, the many squirrels, and any person that might pass by.

I will do the best I can to keep updates on this blog, giving updates as I can.

Marissa and Jesse