tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28473440041366013892024-03-04T23:46:58.773-08:00All My Tomorrows...Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-41167735034658473522013-10-08T13:45:00.000-07:002013-10-08T13:45:47.316-07:00What would you grab from your house in an evacuation?<br />
<br />
All those silly "get you know you" questions may actually come in handy! You know the ones they ask in grade school. If you were on deserted island and could have five things, what would you bring? If you could only read one book for the rest of you life, what book would you pick?<br />
<br />
Living in southern California comes with wildfires and the occasional earthquake. But fires are most common where we live. We've had our share of fires in a nearby training area and are usually little cause for concern. The base fire department gets a lot of practice and usually handles the fires quickly. This weekend was the first fire that has actually affected us. It was a normal lazy Saturday morning. I was resting on the couch while my husband made peach cobbler in the kitchen. I kept hearing this muffled talking and couldn't figure out what it was. We have an emergency alert intercom system on base (which seems to be tested weekly) but it wasn't that. I finally opened our front door to be greeted with PMO on our street with bull horns and plume of smoke on the horizon!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWobq-PmvmeCK8JXlCtG2_Sy8iUOrhyphenhyphenXgGq1984Cl3IxJjap-2RA7hkhZohAIqWX3E4YqKsNrsYGi9nWFcAZIdoTzZuomW4JkWHtnfzvkSJTuWx0ImxWfPr_R6sfvu_TMZTW0QG3TN1Kpe/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWobq-PmvmeCK8JXlCtG2_Sy8iUOrhyphenhyphenXgGq1984Cl3IxJjap-2RA7hkhZohAIqWX3E4YqKsNrsYGi9nWFcAZIdoTzZuomW4JkWHtnfzvkSJTuWx0ImxWfPr_R6sfvu_TMZTW0QG3TN1Kpe/s320/DSC_0019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the garage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So what would you grab? I was amazed at how fast we moved! I threw on real clothes since I was in pajamas still. Of course my shirt got put on backwards... There will little communicated about what needed to be grabbed. Within a few minutes the Jeep was packed up and we ended up with:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Our dog</li>
<li>Our cat and his litter box</li>
<li>Wedding rings</li>
<li>File box with birth certificates and such</li>
<li>External hard drive that has all of our photos</li>
<li>My laptop</li>
<li>Camera</li>
<li>A toothbrush and toothpaste</li>
<li>Wallet and purse</li>
</ul>
<br />
Some of the stuff makes perfect sense, some doesn't. I mean I can always buy a new toothbrush! But overall it was smooth. Thankfully, our gracious friends hosted us and our wild animals for two days. Sunday night we were allowed back into the neighborhood and the only lasting effect was a lingering camp fire smell.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd81hhZ8qtzeYBQ93ZoQpn9u0ba8e4nZFMj5J0RpRkbpp3af_d0R4n0_WLXgkW06YhKdZymvimuJbUUvIG5Nx3SZdCUNjvl23WospVq_5d787l0GfiuwJ_xnZ__EMfphvXvOPTRVrwKie/s1600/DSC_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd81hhZ8qtzeYBQ93ZoQpn9u0ba8e4nZFMj5J0RpRkbpp3af_d0R4n0_WLXgkW06YhKdZymvimuJbUUvIG5Nx3SZdCUNjvl23WospVq_5d787l0GfiuwJ_xnZ__EMfphvXvOPTRVrwKie/s320/DSC_0028.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lGlTeyNR-bjfArhfgEV2LE5Gmu0FdOQyuap6c09dyjduI_yKMxZ84QChYlofgm9TouNd-rrBinLmRAhtwmDvhGpYKkb9fQg1_puS0y4Y6hNIEzmBda6oFC8Y1wXhveqklzTm2uK5o0hf/s1600/DSC_0070-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lGlTeyNR-bjfArhfgEV2LE5Gmu0FdOQyuap6c09dyjduI_yKMxZ84QChYlofgm9TouNd-rrBinLmRAhtwmDvhGpYKkb9fQg1_puS0y4Y6hNIEzmBda6oFC8Y1wXhveqklzTm2uK5o0hf/s320/DSC_0070-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The fire came all the way up to the neighborhood's fire breaks. Thankfully, no houses had any severe damage. Some flame retardant mess and some singed backyards were the worst of it. I know it could have been much worse without our amazing fire department and neighboring fire departments who came to help! The fire is almost completely contained and has burned roughly 2,236 acres.Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-84629317867427686462013-08-27T14:44:00.000-07:002013-08-27T14:44:31.884-07:00The Grand Canyon Trip... that never was.<br />
<br />
Life doesn't always go your way. No matter how well prepared your plans are, life will foil one or two along the road.<br />
These were the lessons <strike>re</strike>learned this past week. For weeks we planned our road trip to the Grand Canyon. Made lists, did research. We even did a dry run and camped at a local campsite since it was our dog's first camping trip. The day came. The car was packed up and ready to go.<br />
Then.. life. Disaster struck about a third of the way into the trip. Our poor Jeep was no match for the elevation gain and astounding heat. Between our home and the Grand Canyon lays a 6,900 feet elevation gain and the ominous Mojave Desert. Literally the hottest place in the United States. Surrounded by miles and miles of nothing. The Mojave Desert took victory over our trip (and apparently many others judging by the heavy littering of over heated cars on the highway). We accepted defeat and turned around towards home.<br />
As awful as the whole experience was.. we made it through together. If I were to be stranded in a desert furnace, at least it was with my husband.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP8alYEVKVtYF0IFPZHU1iZN58wlYdwPJ9v4RKF78gbTDYQ2DdSLnj2sarVrJ5xM5c5g7lhxR_inHUYKniiWScG8TohzsZe1f2mJFQ_BpNpTcO7mSR1w83JL_tEQ4SPLhF5kiBXxzPzab/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP8alYEVKVtYF0IFPZHU1iZN58wlYdwPJ9v4RKF78gbTDYQ2DdSLnj2sarVrJ5xM5c5g7lhxR_inHUYKniiWScG8TohzsZe1f2mJFQ_BpNpTcO7mSR1w83JL_tEQ4SPLhF5kiBXxzPzab/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And then there is Asher. The only one that I think had any fun that day :) He got to experience new smells. During an attempt to cool off at a pet store, he got spoiled with new toys. Though even Asher was cranky and exhausted by the time we got home.<br />
<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for Grand Canyon trip: Attempt Two!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-48440126590349538942013-07-23T16:05:00.000-07:002013-07-23T16:05:06.987-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7mu_aSCMMt3l3bxbC5DJtcCidzVCGlEK3uauIXBuMpLoxr74Z_EmY3Ua6cib5MnfsI37oWd3WkEoZU5iOl5miThw2DEpukgNyXI1L8oY1456AKEoC6b2j904d0DEvHGx2zfVCJg_aU9s/s1600/168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7mu_aSCMMt3l3bxbC5DJtcCidzVCGlEK3uauIXBuMpLoxr74Z_EmY3Ua6cib5MnfsI37oWd3WkEoZU5iOl5miThw2DEpukgNyXI1L8oY1456AKEoC6b2j904d0DEvHGx2zfVCJg_aU9s/s320/168.jpg" width="320" /></a>Ever since I ran the <a href="http://worldfamousmudrun.com/" target="_blank">Camp Pendleton Mud Run</a> I have been meaning to write up a post about our experience. There is a time and place for spontaneity.. but when I signed up for the 10k I did not have spontaneity in mind. Despite the mud run being over a decade old, there were little details past the basic event information. I like to be prepared. And to add to the uncertainty, the obstacles are tweaked yearly to keep runners guessing.<br />
Considering this will be our last summer living aboard Camp Pendleton, it was now or never. I signed myself and my husband up for the 2013 Camp Pendleton Mud Run! Our first snag came pretty quickly. In keeping with Marine Corps tradition, my husband's unit decided to send them to 29 Palms for a month landing us an issue with our committed run date. The CP Mud Run is scheduled in June and runs through three weekends. Saturday and Sunday for the first two weekends and just Saturday the last weekend. I was able to go to their website and change our run date from a previous weekend to the last day of the run. Crisis averted and my husband would return from the desert just in time to run a 10k with me. Did I mention how much of a trooper he is? It was a pretty simple process and while there was a fee to change the dates, it was worth it.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC24Hz-8mAe4CKUbsXRev2EhQn7qlqf3XUfYA1BUtR2podgddwnkstO-8VDAvUticRVzY1cCZlgm3nxOJf1EDGHFXXn1fyuTbX_d3JSOQL0uk_v96Irg1Yjo0dkZT8MczOtDvuWCbBYCq6/s1600/157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC24Hz-8mAe4CKUbsXRev2EhQn7qlqf3XUfYA1BUtR2podgddwnkstO-8VDAvUticRVzY1cCZlgm3nxOJf1EDGHFXXn1fyuTbX_d3JSOQL0uk_v96Irg1Yjo0dkZT8MczOtDvuWCbBYCq6/s320/157.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - clean as a whistle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The day of the race we woke up at what seemed like the crack of dawn to head to Lake O'Neill. Luckily for us the lake is almost within sight of our house. I cannot speak to the parking situation because we avoided that all together and walked ourselves to the race. Walking to a 10k might sound crazy but it worked well for us. There was plenty of entertainment to rest before and after the run.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHW3XKNk8IVAjug_GFZ6R_tLFRY6ZnpSTEepFVVj7v2gjVUKBd93G2HE8JRDLBSG5_A3Je8QNYLMuyi9rqgFS83-zk1gbYBR0ylihYZ8sLn9dZ_B1epVemvUCw_bCvJlET5vfYSWNwNlw/s1600/170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHW3XKNk8IVAjug_GFZ6R_tLFRY6ZnpSTEepFVVj7v2gjVUKBd93G2HE8JRDLBSG5_A3Je8QNYLMuyi9rqgFS83-zk1gbYBR0ylihYZ8sLn9dZ_B1epVemvUCw_bCvJlET5vfYSWNwNlw/s1600/170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHW3XKNk8IVAjug_GFZ6R_tLFRY6ZnpSTEepFVVj7v2gjVUKBd93G2HE8JRDLBSG5_A3Je8QNYLMuyi9rqgFS83-zk1gbYBR0ylihYZ8sLn9dZ_B1epVemvUCw_bCvJlET5vfYSWNwNlw/s1600/170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>We arrived in plenty of time to check our bag, have last minute potty breaks and our wave was off! The first part of the run was relatively dry - besides being sprayed down by the fire hoses. The bulk of the obstacles were kept till the last three quarters of the run. There were no obstacles during the run that weren't doable. While there certainly are those who run this race for time and competition, there is a lot of focus on just having fun. It is a mud run!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDxe9OW2Q5V5Y65xo1ECforlWOXlO7yNIiEs1I-4dAt3ajf-MmKg_ZCw1OrUUgIojVHgvte2iVt3jXlDIje5_nGxxSXTBVgFKkJMDv6Mk16XcYfGLy8uJ8Tpm0zwSRkdDZRG63sda15Yb/s1600/170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDxe9OW2Q5V5Y65xo1ECforlWOXlO7yNIiEs1I-4dAt3ajf-MmKg_ZCw1OrUUgIojVHgvte2iVt3jXlDIje5_nGxxSXTBVgFKkJMDv6Mk16XcYfGLy8uJ8Tpm0zwSRkdDZRG63sda15Yb/s320/170.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
None of the obstacles were meant to be near impossible. There were runners from a wide range of ages, all shapes and sizes, all degrees of speed. So when met with the walls, you are also met by the Marine Corps' beloved corpsman. These guys spent countless hours kneeling in chest deep mud to give a boost to those needing help over the walls. It's safe to say that if you needed help over a wall, you got help. And I am thankful for it! I underestimated the weight of mud. Jumping to hoist yourself over a wall did not seem that unreasonable. Covered and wading through mud puddles (mud lakes!) made the jump much more difficult. A note to something I did read and witness - taping your shoes. It seemed like a common practice to tape your shoes to prevent them from coming off. To me it was totally a waste. Tape gets wet, it gets ripped off. I did have one of my shoes come off it a mud pit. Lift those feet in the mud! But it's unavoidable. You either tie your shoes normally and risk a shoe coming off. Or you tie your shoes on tighter and have painfully bound mud logged shoes to run in. No one is moving lightening speed through the mud. If your shoe pops off, move off to the sideline and stick it back on.<br />
Once at the finish line you are free to enjoy the party part of the mud run. There are showers in the "hog wash" area, complete with Marines encouraging people along. A nifty place to donate your muddy shoes. All donated shoes were washed and shipped overseas. Changing tents. Live music. Food. Drinks. Military vehicles to tour. Their bag check was not detailed on their website (other than a bag check did exist). So I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. We were able to bring a backpack that included towels, a change of clothes, and a blanket to spread out on the lawn. The number from your bib is attached to the bag so they can easily tell who's bag belongs to whom. After the race we rinsed off, changed in the tents, spread our blanket out in front of the show and enjoyed some much deserved food and margaritas!Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-37295313500778603722013-07-08T16:44:00.001-07:002013-07-08T16:44:44.141-07:00Oh you know... just a <i>nine month</i> break from the blogging world.<br />
Seems fitting my last post was on the newest member to our family, Asher. Then a small puppy. Unable to climb a single stair, puppy hiccups, little pink tummy and all.<br />
Now.. almost a year old!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL3dk9f-zWxOFACXtlMMjfF-450MGepiWBayaggjRL73BBvhI2iO0bw_ypyYepAIkwn6yv2Zv7_n54Ta2oKzc4ozhZ3aEPFZpfKIAruwRTNO1oVddDJOBXh7NfDZ48AGP8B22mltDUArw/s1600/uploadFromiPhone-2013-07-08+16.34.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL3dk9f-zWxOFACXtlMMjfF-450MGepiWBayaggjRL73BBvhI2iO0bw_ypyYepAIkwn6yv2Zv7_n54Ta2oKzc4ozhZ3aEPFZpfKIAruwRTNO1oVddDJOBXh7NfDZ48AGP8B22mltDUArw/s320/uploadFromiPhone-2013-07-08+16.34.42.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Such a big difference the past nine months have made! While we still have a puppy, a rather large puppy at that, he is on his way to full grown dog. Asher has provided a lot joy during 2013. We were also blessed enough to be able to visit Ga for Christmas, bring in the new years together, spend our four year anniversary together, run the Camp Pendleton Mud Run and so much more! 2013 will also be bringing us literally more than we know. In traditional Marine Corps fashion, we will be moving.. at some point in time.. to some place in the world. Where and when, unknown. On the recent horizon we have a road trip in the works, a re-enlistment, a summer of fun, and impending school semesters! More to come, in a period of time less than nine months :)Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-49007246510981926392012-09-26T10:43:00.001-07:002012-09-26T10:43:30.306-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome our new addition to the family, Asher!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGbZgdxK0MCeTbQechL_gAYuRsny9KwuDQyKyksp7OqzIModCUArmKjXBTA2boAjLgJUsS7pDWvaweKVzL8wNT_lL2hW2KaR80w9egckFCpY7EPyp0wunaCUUCVbppd2GEdvLWbot3_O-/s1600/085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGbZgdxK0MCeTbQechL_gAYuRsny9KwuDQyKyksp7OqzIModCUArmKjXBTA2boAjLgJUsS7pDWvaweKVzL8wNT_lL2hW2KaR80w9egckFCpY7EPyp0wunaCUUCVbppd2GEdvLWbot3_O-/s320/085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He is such a sweet addition. Asher, which means happy and blessed in Hebrew, joined our family this week from Coastal German Shepherd Rescue. He is about nine weeks old and ten pounds of pure cuteness! After years of wanting a German Shepherd, my husband is smitten with him. I wish I could say the same about our cat, Luke. They are slowly adjusting to each other. They get along most at nap time!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QEBRrYDvpnlMDVPyYPcqx8xmQQtFoBlCCFTAlKgU4diyYw2iFrIEy3oGnG-_k4IM_WGmAibpf8l74-II5Nq-j0qseAg8CNODP9wHR6q34CbGK2cfQ_UICa2gcQM1S5biohUO3TDrEfr-/s1600/083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QEBRrYDvpnlMDVPyYPcqx8xmQQtFoBlCCFTAlKgU4diyYw2iFrIEy3oGnG-_k4IM_WGmAibpf8l74-II5Nq-j0qseAg8CNODP9wHR6q34CbGK2cfQ_UICa2gcQM1S5biohUO3TDrEfr-/s320/083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-27901620810113364462012-09-13T14:33:00.002-07:002012-09-13T14:33:37.332-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20YjcuzfPLn5LoEzX82cjWivxDonSINbx484qzP-2rEaGTTp2Qiv3F3-UHRx6qwjHGnH4vQkbS-k17oxrx9Hk4bz0Dpu8fMhpdMc_TE9r6EnfD5nCzgWk0xeN-sGAg5s3bafC3T8GprfC/s1600/396+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mzmgodgpe8qkZaH136RHBQC1HGF7nMLrxnvy-fAYQcqblu7vi_1jRz0O92uPVKtXU8LXADQhRsYOMn328LYEp08aKdPGJW5V8tNYGi-Uq0H7HO9afe7YgrhJnf7ZS5Kj31lIx0yVQxYY/s1600/451+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mzmgodgpe8qkZaH136RHBQC1HGF7nMLrxnvy-fAYQcqblu7vi_1jRz0O92uPVKtXU8LXADQhRsYOMn328LYEp08aKdPGJW5V8tNYGi-Uq0H7HO9afe7YgrhJnf7ZS5Kj31lIx0yVQxYY/s400/451+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Sur Sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20YjcuzfPLn5LoEzX82cjWivxDonSINbx484qzP-2rEaGTTp2Qiv3F3-UHRx6qwjHGnH4vQkbS-k17oxrx9Hk4bz0Dpu8fMhpdMc_TE9r6EnfD5nCzgWk0xeN-sGAg5s3bafC3T8GprfC/s1600/396+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20YjcuzfPLn5LoEzX82cjWivxDonSINbx484qzP-2rEaGTTp2Qiv3F3-UHRx6qwjHGnH4vQkbS-k17oxrx9Hk4bz0Dpu8fMhpdMc_TE9r6EnfD5nCzgWk0xeN-sGAg5s3bafC3T8GprfC/s320/396+(2).JPG" width="212" /></a><br />
Back from vacation. I've been tirelessly looking through photos! We took so many! We just spent a wonderful week driving up the coast of California, through Big Sur, up to Montery, Gilroy, Pebble Beach, San Francisco, and Muir Woods. It was wonderful! A much needed vacation.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
The drive through Big Sur was breathtaking. The drive follows the 101 Pacific Coast Highway. Taking the extra time to stray from the heavily traveled Highway 5 is very much worth the added hours! The long two lane winding road along coastline of central California is amazing. The mountains come right up to the edge of the coast and plummet down to the ocean. At most points the clouds are below you and it makes you feel like you're in the sky. Everything feels so quiet.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlptXW1oGm5G5EZJ-YyfMiUKxwL1vTmBWU0dzB5udvtQOaBojcMaPU5LmjFNZVqxOaPHAKuaDA3oQD_K_skUvuXFbGgotiNck6WdIoyUaG0r74t9DppJywf_O9J0NfRbtd-ATBOG9hSvP7/s1600/481+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlptXW1oGm5G5EZJ-YyfMiUKxwL1vTmBWU0dzB5udvtQOaBojcMaPU5LmjFNZVqxOaPHAKuaDA3oQD_K_skUvuXFbGgotiNck6WdIoyUaG0r74t9DppJywf_O9J0NfRbtd-ATBOG9hSvP7/s320/481+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gilroy, Ca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: right;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="text-align: right;">We stayed in Gilroy, Ca for a few nights. It's the sweetest little town outside of Montery and the garlic capital of the world! We bought some delicious garlic infused olive oil and pesto. There was garlic as far as the eye could see. And the air did have a distinct garlic aroma.</span></div>
<span style="text-align: right;">
</span><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our next stop was the Laguna Seca Raceway for the Rolex Reunion Race. It's held at an equally beautiful location. It was a day filled with car watching and a very excited husband!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQu2nZaVsokByWYXEqODhv5H7NimLTSdq1VEbNMcj6ZwuYeOQSkwh_D1cW4lRhtxn4i0A_NhuOBuf9JS9ZIixpQMUVrFPZ3_09FehUCGNJousGz8sauPBF5tQky1c6t-fXdp5_D4MWFob/s1600/863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQu2nZaVsokByWYXEqODhv5H7NimLTSdq1VEbNMcj6ZwuYeOQSkwh_D1cW4lRhtxn4i0A_NhuOBuf9JS9ZIixpQMUVrFPZ3_09FehUCGNJousGz8sauPBF5tQky1c6t-fXdp5_D4MWFob/s320/863.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After the race and the Pebble Beach car show we made our way up to San Francisco to see the sites!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKiB-PkWI7SJYdwgJf48v2aewf6XiRO40ekYms83uQLsRCdwg7qRoRsl96MvURHMlldA90U6jLaN8lCtpeEnMn6sF-h2KA9wf22DUx9WcTziZNcq0gN3bUInDhRKqjQkoKjR3zbFO6mYJ/s1600/175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKiB-PkWI7SJYdwgJf48v2aewf6XiRO40ekYms83uQLsRCdwg7qRoRsl96MvURHMlldA90U6jLaN8lCtpeEnMn6sF-h2KA9wf22DUx9WcTziZNcq0gN3bUInDhRKqjQkoKjR3zbFO6mYJ/s320/175.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcatraz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQ2NLWh02qgIOr9YW8pkPAysbpi6Cj3YitwkRFtZ-CcVe7S02dyMkHYSt47IJjQt9TJIiIzbIshP3u8qadCJg-pyl8WVP6dAT_duY-vApMZ-UElPaK_6j5_gfN-M3eBEG-9fgGKlrjIIe/s1600/315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQ2NLWh02qgIOr9YW8pkPAysbpi6Cj3YitwkRFtZ-CcVe7S02dyMkHYSt47IJjQt9TJIiIzbIshP3u8qadCJg-pyl8WVP6dAT_duY-vApMZ-UElPaK_6j5_gfN-M3eBEG-9fgGKlrjIIe/s320/315.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coit Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkdfInbVEEGx6rulc6TD9qDmVJBNWMMjBxFexNqAE1cSJfZtilNbGWj_bWWROwY_OhutqHMBpRCSrPwNDsgJA-h_aPyfMTNLpozy_oU_EPPUzulPGKTgZB4hC3VwAomW382RMvBB16Cyo/s1600/335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkdfInbVEEGx6rulc6TD9qDmVJBNWMMjBxFexNqAE1cSJfZtilNbGWj_bWWROwY_OhutqHMBpRCSrPwNDsgJA-h_aPyfMTNLpozy_oU_EPPUzulPGKTgZB4hC3VwAomW382RMvBB16Cyo/s320/335.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Francisco view from the Coit Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Visiting Muir Woods was an amazing experience. The Redwoods were just extraordinary. It was so quiet and peaceful. So majestic. It felt like you were walking through a sanctuary of trees that was hundred and hundreds of years in the making. Muir Woods was hands down one of my favorite parts of the trip.<div>
<br /><div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6_Z2quru7IlX8ECm7MBxBuJBA54vF1npCUdQyE7LoLfryzHbq_ZjJ4uaqw8JBZeheSbveWwgNKZPTr92CBxn-59wblJ8W9AyZ1v-7oePIw1YMoHJKzHf8SPaY1_kagPAAO4i9jX9h3yB/s1600/389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6_Z2quru7IlX8ECm7MBxBuJBA54vF1npCUdQyE7LoLfryzHbq_ZjJ4uaqw8JBZeheSbveWwgNKZPTr92CBxn-59wblJ8W9AyZ1v-7oePIw1YMoHJKzHf8SPaY1_kagPAAO4i9jX9h3yB/s320/389.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with a Redwood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd68InMdjPPARWUofePOQI6XdpqgnPOywmn0N8-EFbjs3pmOX-rGxyfwIx7spspSoT_tc_ci2ixAUd7xq4LXxP1apTkpo3HdedkolxdJ-0Yi3qUBIbOE9rgm1WukrUKMWcWusN0qaAEjd/s1600/429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd68InMdjPPARWUofePOQI6XdpqgnPOywmn0N8-EFbjs3pmOX-rGxyfwIx7spspSoT_tc_ci2ixAUd7xq4LXxP1apTkpo3HdedkolxdJ-0Yi3qUBIbOE9rgm1WukrUKMWcWusN0qaAEjd/s320/429.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muir Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /><div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-56688645396702290952012-08-15T12:45:00.000-07:002012-08-15T12:46:15.037-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm9Qs1wA2Oq-wODMTcJVdXbbKMdDet8VDby3bDeHiYTM9bJ2tc-5nzFtFoaGN8D3ZgdGJef6otzcAcIYCgcu3lzWosIh2BFHJXHz_ZX54V77_hTgXkyZDknNjAgwwscagVkNO3HovCeNm/s1600/What+I'm+Loving+Wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm9Qs1wA2Oq-wODMTcJVdXbbKMdDet8VDby3bDeHiYTM9bJ2tc-5nzFtFoaGN8D3ZgdGJef6otzcAcIYCgcu3lzWosIh2BFHJXHz_ZX54V77_hTgXkyZDknNjAgwwscagVkNO3HovCeNm/s320/What+I'm+Loving+Wed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
What I'm loving this Wednesday....<br />
<br />
Leave!!!! I am thrilled that my husband is taking a week off work! Vacation is the best! We are taking a much needed break to have fun together.<br />
<br />
Our home. We've been working on our house for about a week straight. It's so much work getting our home organized and clean. Even after being married for a few years we were still lacking a lot of furniture. Without furniture to store things in our house was a mess! There is literally only one box left to be unpacked and I have a feeling most of it will go to Goodwill.<br />
<br />
Christmas! I know it's still summer but for us it seems like Christmas is right around the corner. I have already started a gift list and the MCX already has tree ornaments out! It will be the first time in two years that we will really get to celebrate Christmas.<br />
<br />
New glasses. My new glasses should be showing up in the mail today! Not only is it fun to get new glasses but I got a great deal on them so I can't wait to see what they look like.<br />
<br />
Our garden. Gardening in California is drastically different than on the east coast, but I think we are finally getting the hang of it. I swear the sun kills stuff here. Southern California is basically a desert that is watered tremendously! Plants tags that say "full sun" required are usually perfect in full sun on the east coast. Here nothing will grow in full sun! Everything needs lots of shade.<br />
<br />
Baby clothes! Soon I will have a new niece in the world! More than anything I wish I could be there to help welcome her but unfortunately that isn't an option. Right now I'm settling by buying the cutest baby clothes. As an aunt it's my job to spoil her :)Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-72473026316995769332012-07-31T00:25:00.000-07:002012-07-31T00:25:01.162-07:00What now?<br />
Oddly, it seems we've reach a point in our marriage where there is little preparation! That sounds odd but I will explain. When we first got married, we were a month out from moving to a different state. Then after moving was finished we prepared to move again in about seven months. Then six months after our second move we hit our first deployment. So on and so fourth in month increments. As a married couple, we have literally never spent more than 10 months in the same state as one another. Even way less of consecutive days together.<br />
Now we've hit a new stage. The stage of no deployments... and to be honest I don't think either of us know what to do! There are no big events upon the horizon weighing down on us. Nothing creeping up on us. No nagging thoughts of what needs to be done before this monumental deadline. What do you do in a stage of no preparation? We won't even hit the next step of preparation for another year. Which for me seems like a lifetime away.<br />
What is day to day life like without some big change looming? This is the exact answer I have been mulling over for the past couple of weeks. I'm still not sure of the answer. But I have some ideas.<br />
I have to imagine it's relaxing. I assume there will be more time for us to delve into things we enjoy. Obviously more time spent together. What I am sure of, is we are in for some learning!Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-5172239800452009902012-07-12T01:08:00.001-07:002012-07-12T01:09:01.844-07:00We are trying to slow down. Much easier said than done around here!!!<br />
Travis has been home for almost three weeks now and we have been happily and unbearably busy! We are like kids in a candy store trying to have all the fun we can have. Add a never ending To Do list of either stuff that was put off until after homecoming or stuff that recently popped up. I will say it is much easier to handle it all with someone in my corner, always there and willing to help out. I am so wonderfully overjoyed to have my husband home to be busy with... but we need to start slowing down!<br />
In the past three weeks we have...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLfnuluVUlpsfyZ5JFe03jyFvPKUMQGJlZmFZO_eoMC3f0vGmENBKAc_91kwlyctOEyuXFbyvVyKUM9mjD6n2iADxpg4qHG9mPbC7yoiENCFsMVE3QpO5KThTF8gNOdxamkYNOs9J9qp4/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLfnuluVUlpsfyZ5JFe03jyFvPKUMQGJlZmFZO_eoMC3f0vGmENBKAc_91kwlyctOEyuXFbyvVyKUM9mjD6n2iADxpg4qHG9mPbC7yoiENCFsMVE3QpO5KThTF8gNOdxamkYNOs9J9qp4/s200/photo+(6).JPG" width="147" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEQsrkPAyw5wpZprZ9Es4nyDL03_bHKZKEV9PLyjqBO9Hb0HjDvsxYrf7wknYDVWP2W345gY2PmE0pHNiRhOKVHYZQFYHl-ZAV7d8FWZi1ZvUCl3RfY9aSeCklDeBnAX_UxtgQHQu2pd5/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEQsrkPAyw5wpZprZ9Es4nyDL03_bHKZKEV9PLyjqBO9Hb0HjDvsxYrf7wknYDVWP2W345gY2PmE0pHNiRhOKVHYZQFYHl-ZAV7d8FWZi1ZvUCl3RfY9aSeCklDeBnAX_UxtgQHQu2pd5/s320/photo+(8).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Relaxed at the Pier</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjkxAgifWWbSwN0cjXyx9994nR7r_uc5GaGGRq-Sl_2GJ3hy3ewnelcqZK7C7EJOWg4p5HFcGLoqCtfKq6sJtuTg2tueXuWSLiEDAQDzX8QEJ7zbcBJ6oravqYhHy_EzmawaqxKCzYeka/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjkxAgifWWbSwN0cjXyx9994nR7r_uc5GaGGRq-Sl_2GJ3hy3ewnelcqZK7C7EJOWg4p5HFcGLoqCtfKq6sJtuTg2tueXuWSLiEDAQDzX8QEJ7zbcBJ6oravqYhHy_EzmawaqxKCzYeka/s200/015.JPG" width="142" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlZ-seVGfYCNDmENanb5C5QFCm8jYhKkDT1DIAwCCA159JkU7osQDluhl0aK8tTMBRV7FIzCUel1em0biXZq4HuDJmIB_Ax_euH2sEIziPQ1-bgKV7zi_nm7nEQEn4imtHqXZJ26Hre-p/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlZ-seVGfYCNDmENanb5C5QFCm8jYhKkDT1DIAwCCA159JkU7osQDluhl0aK8tTMBRV7FIzCUel1em0biXZq4HuDJmIB_Ax_euH2sEIziPQ1-bgKV7zi_nm7nEQEn4imtHqXZJ26Hre-p/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Celebrated three wonderful years of marriage</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Bu0zVd-O-sD4i8iL9llPBIyA3EvdlOldqWU9spFFnIXuBgs3qCvIW-7MkC6FB1BMXcrf1pWvVk-UIPwtZEGefRYtBCCxZBZCXrnPWt_puPx046BnPF5cWUq38aGXJcCyGED59ozUFhjA/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Bu0zVd-O-sD4i8iL9llPBIyA3EvdlOldqWU9spFFnIXuBgs3qCvIW-7MkC6FB1BMXcrf1pWvVk-UIPwtZEGefRYtBCCxZBZCXrnPWt_puPx046BnPF5cWUq38aGXJcCyGED59ozUFhjA/s200/045.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARArFWLoH_tueVLphav0DRrq8F25BaiTCB4UNrgJZKH_kzpLkdB5TSA-3GYG54c_Cq2syfZkdRcyu8lj7mKj4eU3sTZLF5w5xuRnc5mWZSAY0arWZUMTkemE6s4O6-EZ4xVItizb_O8UP/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARArFWLoH_tueVLphav0DRrq8F25BaiTCB4UNrgJZKH_kzpLkdB5TSA-3GYG54c_Cq2syfZkdRcyu8lj7mKj4eU3sTZLF5w5xuRnc5mWZSAY0arWZUMTkemE6s4O6-EZ4xVItizb_O8UP/s320/079.JPG" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzt2FUu-2w26byGFuLNvQFCz0uX8ZSdFuKNURdvnHBRfqUx4mJGBbZiThqLMwoOik6ONjkMZosDv0zNV09MKz8Av3eqRT_OjOz5hVUVrtiZGkAfOMKhc0_Gn8ZEB-J9btipqQTP94khJt/s1600/159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzt2FUu-2w26byGFuLNvQFCz0uX8ZSdFuKNURdvnHBRfqUx4mJGBbZiThqLMwoOik6ONjkMZosDv0zNV09MKz8Av3eqRT_OjOz5hVUVrtiZGkAfOMKhc0_Gn8ZEB-J9btipqQTP94khJt/s200/159.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Made a trip to the San Diego Fair </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmvl-WrzPbHgYJBKo3xSX2UyxMqanRUEuOvOFDNax81JFRb-o4DQF3RzdmVbAwxmKa7ImyPzTBmGStSNRs0NG0LcxmnfakYUN_fCQMiEql4JXih0Uk6LU3ks9fOXhUF00oXlAi4IoXLy8/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmvl-WrzPbHgYJBKo3xSX2UyxMqanRUEuOvOFDNax81JFRb-o4DQF3RzdmVbAwxmKa7ImyPzTBmGStSNRs0NG0LcxmnfakYUN_fCQMiEql4JXih0Uk6LU3ks9fOXhUF00oXlAi4IoXLy8/s200/052.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivML_DeLd8NAwjscQ2sAAQsvfJoyWzUGtvNYf2RwikQ3zvANVIWVTqlh08S4OZZg9ZLCOAa84f7Llxo3eX2EssSFTJvXplzjvNJKJk3e6HcOi6bW7_fLfxjtQYfJ6x5d5bGxBWUL4Ulbt7/s1600/103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivML_DeLd8NAwjscQ2sAAQsvfJoyWzUGtvNYf2RwikQ3zvANVIWVTqlh08S4OZZg9ZLCOAa84f7Llxo3eX2EssSFTJvXplzjvNJKJk3e6HcOi6bW7_fLfxjtQYfJ6x5d5bGxBWUL4Ulbt7/s320/103.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdMHjPwlpPrAOtl3OHdCDI2hinAMJ9lIrgUisEwDpFQM-DyUg0r2FWiTWfa36SvQq1sXWmC1bNNOd7sHfIQbtzNzxJ-39VGeZqC1IL0bLCAJFlgp9ZKYGN_1ejg2OD9oV7trbxS-rG9Wu/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdMHjPwlpPrAOtl3OHdCDI2hinAMJ9lIrgUisEwDpFQM-DyUg0r2FWiTWfa36SvQq1sXWmC1bNNOd7sHfIQbtzNzxJ-39VGeZqC1IL0bLCAJFlgp9ZKYGN_1ejg2OD9oV7trbxS-rG9Wu/s200/075.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Celebrated my birthday!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And much much more! We haven't fallen into any sort of schedule yet nor has work or life really resumed any form of normal. We are enjoying our homecoming cocoon, but all good things must come to an end! Soon work will start back and I registered for classes today which will begin late fall. The funny thing about being busy is it seems there will be no time for work and school! Ready or not though, it is coming and coming up quickly. It has been a wonderful start to our summer but I'm ready to have our "normal" life back. Those content days you just run through your schedule.</div>
I am so thankful for these past few weeks and very excited to see what the rest of 2012 holds. We have trips planned, school to accomplish, plans to be made, big decisions about our future to me made, holidays to be celebrated all over the country. It is going to be a busy second half of the year.Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-55580091043465362012012-06-26T23:00:00.000-07:002012-06-27T00:18:08.630-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu_bDomBpK6Up2sd11cgW4ufs_clvb_TFSC0HD6puMQargVDydwsR6bOfraKp6-8Vt5tYT7K3lMMmrOpmT_6w_W6ptBEcYdueGyD1PCyQ5AovMRdZiKVTFWKtmiiI8tsCNp-5yyrTqWvy/s1600/598501_386312298092702_810985712_n+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu_bDomBpK6Up2sd11cgW4ufs_clvb_TFSC0HD6puMQargVDydwsR6bOfraKp6-8Vt5tYT7K3lMMmrOpmT_6w_W6ptBEcYdueGyD1PCyQ5AovMRdZiKVTFWKtmiiI8tsCNp-5yyrTqWvy/s400/598501_386312298092702_810985712_n+(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Homecoming came and went and now my husband has been home for almost a week! Homecoming itself was a long day of waiting. The classic, "hurry up and wait" situation that the military often provides us. Travis woke me up bright and early with a nice conversation from him in transit across the world. I hurried up and got the house ready. Then stalled for a bit and forced myself to sit long enough to eat something. Then hurried up and took a shower. Then waited around because it wasn't quite time to get ready. Then hurried up and fixed my hair and got dressed. I got over to the battalion and waited around for the Marines to turn in their weapons and such. Finally after a long day and lots of waiting in the cold at almost midnight, they came marching out! Sharing that first hug and kiss after several long months was amazing!! It's like our first kiss all over again! I wish I could put into words what homecoming means to so many military families. It's something you can only experience if you've been there. So much good and bad anxiety is built up over deployments that homecoming just waiting for the other shoe to drop it seems. It's exciting, magical, relieving, like a big weight lifted off your shoulders, wonderful, and relaxing all at the same time.<br />
Our first week reunited has been wonderful. My cheeks literally hurt from all the smiling and I don't think I've laughed this much in a long time. It's wonderful to be able to see my husband laugh. I truly missed that.<br />
We are also in the midst of some serious nesting. Again like last deployment, I moved while he was deployed. So this is a new house for him and fairly new for myself too. We're having a great deal of fun making this house our home. We've done some decorating and gardening which has been exciting. Hopefully soon we will have fresh tomatoes and squash popping up in our back yard.<br />
As if this past week hasn't had enough excitement, tomorrow we celebrate our third wedding anniversary! I can't believe we've been married three years, yet at the same time it feel more like a decade!Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-30091494229173345182012-06-15T00:35:00.000-07:002012-06-15T00:35:35.177-07:00Things are coming together! I am really enjoying our house on base. I was a bit skeptical about it at first, but it has ended up being a great place. Over the years living here I have grown accustomed to the artillery noises and tremors. After a while it just becomes the low lulling booms in the background. It almost seems <i>too </i>quiet when there is no artillery. This house however is different. Now instead of artillery helicopters fly over constantly. Monday through Friday every ten to fifteen minutes a helicopter is flying over our backyard! There is still some artillery to be heard but it's even different. It's Naval artillery instead of the Marines playing. New house and new things to get used to.<br />
<br />Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-67564589238688109342012-06-06T10:17:00.001-07:002012-06-06T15:06:22.811-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://littledaisymay.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HJnvJUdJOJIaNuca6kgoJMznJCuY3DY-H3SzJbWf0b5uhqHZH1tt79Dme_RpuhCd7c1UPKS9hrp3liFuY7ELkTZeMnarrwiQd_4ze6_odoX00LcqVsiqroiLigMNuavUFzZht_XiFjMz/s320/What+I'm+Loving+Wed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a great Wednesday for a "What I'm Loving Wednesday!"</div>
<br />
I am loving our new place! I really like the layout, the location, the fact that everything is coming together. Boxes are slowly disappearing and it's starting to really look like we live here.<br />
<br />
I am loving my husband! We haven't been able to talk much recently, just little short conversations here and there. But they are wonderful conversations. I have absolutely loved hearing him laugh on the phone and I can't wait to hear it every single day again.<br />
<br />
I am loving that homecoming is getting closer and closer!! We are right around the corner and I am so close to seeing my husband for the first time in 2012! Woohoo!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OL3MZXKvQ8N6pNTEBBDPfFD7HxRFKcxxUmBRyBC5GpfeTUlt5NWGgS4wrLyltrnAJSS2QWUPllFq_LBMeB9cdys9Ek-nIZJxCgGTsVP0U1Jrb28kD_j_6SSMnXm1S4X7hH3b85lPD5Yx/s1600/photo+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OL3MZXKvQ8N6pNTEBBDPfFD7HxRFKcxxUmBRyBC5GpfeTUlt5NWGgS4wrLyltrnAJSS2QWUPllFq_LBMeB9cdys9Ek-nIZJxCgGTsVP0U1Jrb28kD_j_6SSMnXm1S4X7hH3b85lPD5Yx/s320/photo+(10).JPG" width="320" /></a>I am loving the view from our bedroom. It's beautiful! I have the bedroom layout done so when I am sitting in bed this is what I see..<br />
<br />
I am loving the California weather! It's kind of a weird state, but I'll admit I did miss the wonderful weather while I was gone.Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-69047492244497408402012-06-02T22:59:00.001-07:002012-06-02T22:59:01.699-07:00Well I have been missing for good reason.. I have finally made it back to Camp Pendleton! Home sweet home!!! I have the house, have groceries in the fridge, just got the internet all set up, the place is filled with boxes and stuff is everywhere! I am very happy to be back home.<div>
The only thing left is my wonderful husband.</div>
<div>
The trip across country went very well. I was bit nervous about driving across country during Memorial Day weekend. I usually stick to driving during the week to avoid traffic and such. But it went off without a hitch. This is also the first time that I really took the time to stop and see some sights. Well worth it! It is amazing what you can find in some of these small towns across our wonderful country. This is just the tip of the iceberg!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzhkJWhADjpAe4UYDzRNSXo6RdsGugbFuRIf2v3qWfPgLN6JscVgklmBvoRE1Ix5DIdbRKZqks4bh6lXfp7WZBkfSxLoTxnswDpjTsO4q9t9zcxtCgQDYy0sqUrwnqncQRGylCPnwjgMJ/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzhkJWhADjpAe4UYDzRNSXo6RdsGugbFuRIf2v3qWfPgLN6JscVgklmBvoRE1Ix5DIdbRKZqks4bh6lXfp7WZBkfSxLoTxnswDpjTsO4q9t9zcxtCgQDYy0sqUrwnqncQRGylCPnwjgMJ/s200/photo+(8).JPG" width="148" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnKi-JXLkp91fpvodXqo3NbGIk8yZ7yvooQqK_263SdNzhMJuaVw6ZYCeQhaMLHAeTMOqDmVBfgBAelBHVRndaUcm3HxgJfRZlM9Yzu3HMSzF7Id2MqYA60g3yHXoNlC0ArhVBuGcHF8g/s1600/photo+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnKi-JXLkp91fpvodXqo3NbGIk8yZ7yvooQqK_263SdNzhMJuaVw6ZYCeQhaMLHAeTMOqDmVBfgBAelBHVRndaUcm3HxgJfRZlM9Yzu3HMSzF7Id2MqYA60g3yHXoNlC0ArhVBuGcHF8g/s200/photo+(9).JPG" width="148" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These trees were in the Deming Museum in Deming, Texas. The museum covered a wide array of history but this was my favorite part. The tags covering these trees were placed by visitors either commemorating a fallen veteran or celebrating a currently serving military member.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx93aDG2UNXmLTIpC_QWy2iM4X9GUnGGU5uVPbBtUKU1nn3W3dZO0NOPaA1Uy8QBHjGDqwguJ2xHnRtjTexA0TlMkoaqhz4BECSzw4NHEwfJj4ntMGvHv51oRxOScNtiMZbkxSEddyc9r/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx93aDG2UNXmLTIpC_QWy2iM4X9GUnGGU5uVPbBtUKU1nn3W3dZO0NOPaA1Uy8QBHjGDqwguJ2xHnRtjTexA0TlMkoaqhz4BECSzw4NHEwfJj4ntMGvHv51oRxOScNtiMZbkxSEddyc9r/s320/photo+(6).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A beautiful view of the Texas sunlight right after driving through my first dust storm.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmX8G2Bf-tMr8HEYHzMBb57m1ha9euS0bwI5NHNjSVShFBonOtCtA-AQcp1ECb6IkkKIpIs-ITTW1XLgC3J8BNzXuTpGiXlaFut2metMWPrKICDt1UnXli9AZTSxuozqxcPtCsHDBP7tX/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmX8G2Bf-tMr8HEYHzMBb57m1ha9euS0bwI5NHNjSVShFBonOtCtA-AQcp1ECb6IkkKIpIs-ITTW1XLgC3J8BNzXuTpGiXlaFut2metMWPrKICDt1UnXli9AZTSxuozqxcPtCsHDBP7tX/s200/photo+(5).JPG" width="148" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-z9UiuzsWXg1zhFkU-0nVlHCgqh6HqcxcCKn77gQ0L6ebaq7tU4d04XCBykdVOVAX0XLgffOvScGrwjTI-26O0R79XhxKD6jmN3sLb75oEd0bKxbamt2RakiC_46L4ayw4AT3sarCeXn/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-z9UiuzsWXg1zhFkU-0nVlHCgqh6HqcxcCKn77gQ0L6ebaq7tU4d04XCBykdVOVAX0XLgffOvScGrwjTI-26O0R79XhxKD6jmN3sLb75oEd0bKxbamt2RakiC_46L4ayw4AT3sarCeXn/s200/photo+(7).JPG" width="148" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have officially been to The Center of the World!! A very odd stop, but someone somewhere decided that Felicity, Ca is the center of the world. There are long granite walls etched full of world history. A very hot trip in the middle of the desert!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxbz5l4gdtU8YwjV0dCsnX0BDz7J6nBYzF3H5-xA1_n8ItZSK-NzFDMFiS78trXX0jkoFxgbLi2xJ4oCdqHGIJ6xd0cnTtJT_dwt1lI3qBg1wEC55KBmp7niAkyiu9RiFUXmpdkNZNOmN/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxbz5l4gdtU8YwjV0dCsnX0BDz7J6nBYzF3H5-xA1_n8ItZSK-NzFDMFiS78trXX0jkoFxgbLi2xJ4oCdqHGIJ6xd0cnTtJT_dwt1lI3qBg1wEC55KBmp7niAkyiu9RiFUXmpdkNZNOmN/s320/photo+(4).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A stop off at the Desert View Tower in California. Amazing to see the difference between the east and west coast. </div>
<br />
<div>
Now it's just a waiting game for the husband to arrive home. As deployments and homecoming always go, the end always seems never ending. The very long drawn out wait for that first hug make every day seem like an entire week. I can't wait to have our family whole again.</div>Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-7725820491639878852012-05-17T21:05:00.002-07:002012-05-17T21:06:18.431-07:00Wow, has it been a week!!! First off, I finished with the semester. I am very happy to have that weight lifted off my shoulders! I didn't do as well as I would have liked, but that's just life. I'm not going to dwell on those grades.<br />
Then, later in the week I received some wonderful news! Travis called and as a huge surprise to both of us... he is coming home early!!!! I am beyond thrilled and still very shocked. We don't get too many <i>good</i> surprises with the Marine Corps. So homecoming has changed considerably. Happily, I am running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I have accomplished so much in the past two days. I've planned my drive back to California, secured a place for us to live, gotten my mother in law's plane ticket back, planned to see my family before I leave, gotten some clothes packed up, and much more! And this is all happening the week before my brother in law gets married! Family started trickling in today for the wedding festivities and Saturday I will have a new sister in law! Post wedding it's more packing, a dentist visit, and then I am off to Camp Pendleton, California!<br />
I can't wait! I am so excited this deployment is coming to an end!! I absolutely can not wait to see my wonderful husband. We are both so ready to get back to our normal lives. So ready to spend some time together without a looming deployment. Since February of 2010 we have had a deployment looming over us or being surviving a deployment. We are both thrilled to just be together and to be able to actually focus on each other. Elated doesn't even scratch the surface!!Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-1970363375212481462012-05-04T23:56:00.000-07:002012-05-04T23:56:12.480-07:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5p0TECU9CclgabtEPzw9JiFDwfPJxpK-k6kS2lDEKTkGC9VuwmWOS_INEJSdBj6bcqrhQ2Ynf-jUKa2g2fWRH1r0eGTCqOa3HmDTxTah0eOcSo-slZ_fA_yrc7PBQ5IORdBkfaODdymk5/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5p0TECU9CclgabtEPzw9JiFDwfPJxpK-k6kS2lDEKTkGC9VuwmWOS_INEJSdBj6bcqrhQ2Ynf-jUKa2g2fWRH1r0eGTCqOa3HmDTxTah0eOcSo-slZ_fA_yrc7PBQ5IORdBkfaODdymk5/s320/009.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two peas in a pod</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This week has been a challenge.<br />
Sadly, my sweet Dixie cat left this world this week. It was a hard decision to make, but somewhere inside I know I made the right decision. It was very emotional. I've had Dixie for as long as I can remember. We have shared some wonderful memories these past 16 years. She's been the sweetest cat, a good friend, a comfort for when I'm sad, and if you knew us well you would agree we shared many of the same personality traits. It was very hard to let her go. This was the first time I really felt like I needed my husband during a deployment. Of course I want him home every single moment of every single day. A strong want. But I felt like I needed him. This has been a big fear of ours since the first deployment. It was a hard feeling. And I know he wishes he could have been here. But amazingly enough, I made it. Dixie has been my deployment companion! When my husband is away for field training for weeks at a time, she's there to cuddle on the couch with me to watch a tv show. She's there to share some dinner. She's there to lounge on the patio in the sun. Dixie has made it through five moves, four cross country drives, and lived in three states.<br />
I will miss her a lot.Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-66529073345969229382012-04-24T21:22:00.003-07:002012-04-24T21:22:59.034-07:00Well, we hit a small hiccup. Unfortunately, this already unwelcome deployment was extended a little bit longer. We were very excited to finally hit what we thought was the half way mark. Then, in keeping with the Marine Corps theme, the deployment got extended. Now we are eagerly awaiting the half way mark to roll around again. I've unwillingly accepted the extension. I think my husband and his team are unwillingly accepting it will be just that much longer till they are back in the United States.<br />
School could be going better, but it could be going worse as well. I haven't done as well as I have in past semesters but honestly my mind is elsewhere. My motivation and drive with school is dwindling quickly. Only two more weeks of school and then I am free for the summer. I've gathered quite a few little craft projects for the summer. I'm very excited to get my mind off of stressful school work and preoccupy my time with something a little lighter. One project I've posted here before that has our wedding vows included. I would love to have our vows displayed somewhere in our home. Deployments make you acutely aware of each vow and how much you deeply cherish your marriage. Not to say that those who have never been through a long separation don't cherish each other. It just goes along with the saying, "you don't know what you have till it's gone."Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-55511534845623926172012-04-09T23:01:00.000-07:002012-04-09T23:01:52.349-07:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91PCXcWZ5C1VGm-ZWQeGIy6en3lAnSwF1h7BrNkMrqtYCzcD6IU04ZFxigsmr9LCIzSxRty5z00FOU6XqQQigPTmlMujrMZF1xE-0M2V_8YYWKcNu_uPqq6s_Dvw-Dz-KRs-P9kLdtSbZ/s1600/471752_3663581111140_1323117810_3431169_1040147075_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91PCXcWZ5C1VGm-ZWQeGIy6en3lAnSwF1h7BrNkMrqtYCzcD6IU04ZFxigsmr9LCIzSxRty5z00FOU6XqQQigPTmlMujrMZF1xE-0M2V_8YYWKcNu_uPqq6s_Dvw-Dz-KRs-P9kLdtSbZ/s320/471752_3663581111140_1323117810_3431169_1040147075_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little bass!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Easter weekend has come and gone. For the most part it was fun, filled with things to do but it still came with that tinge of another holiday missed with my husband. The weekend itself was nice though. My brother's birthday came, along with a wonderful visit with my precious niece! It was wonderful to see how much she's grown! I can't believe she'll be turning three this summer. I still remember going to the hospital to see her and loving her tiny little features. I went fishing with my father in law and got my nails done with my mother in law. Easter service with my mom. And a full Easter dinner cooked. I successfully made prime rib for the first time ever. And this week brings me up to midterms week! After this week I will be four weeks away from a much needed school break!Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-89980870837765437042012-04-02T22:43:00.000-07:002012-04-02T22:43:44.571-07:00I have been a terrible blogger lately. This term has proven to be more challenging that I originally thought it would be. Most of the challenge though is probably due to some lack in motivation. It feels like I've been going to school for an eternity! Also as homecoming draws closer and closer, the less and less I want to do any school work! I'm thrown off a bit about my classes. Before I started I prepared myself to have trouble in statistics and do well in microeconomics. So I'm a bit surprised it's quite the opposite. It seems I'm doing very well in my statistics class and should have no problem pulling out an A. Economics on the other hand is a different story. I am going to need to reread everything we've gone through. There is just so much to remember.<br />
We are finally into April! I'm so happy to see Spring weather finally making it's appearance in Georgia. I love the flowers blooming, the birds coming out, the trees starting to blossom. It just looks happy outside. I can't help but to feel a little bit better when there is so much going on outside. April also means deployment is nearing it's 100 days down mark soon. I torn between being happy and annoyed. I want to be so happy we are finally getting through this deployment. I can't help but been annoyed. It seems like it's been so much longer than just 100 days since I last saw my sweet husband. I miss him dearly. I try not to worry too much but sometimes it's hard to see so many people affected by deployments. Not everyone's husband comes home. There are so many widows younger than I am. So many wives that now have husbands that are unable to walk. Life isn't fair and danger doesn't care who it hits or misses. I feel like I already got lucky that he came home last deployment! I can't wait to have him home again. I will try to err on the side of happiness though! I am very happy we will soon be on the downhill side of things. The next month will be very busy with school, Easter, my brother in law's wedding, and many fun activities!Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-44851123143229736572012-03-20T08:46:00.000-07:002012-03-20T08:46:58.742-07:00Spring break went by so quickly! For the most part it was a good week. The only downside of spring break is the phone my husband has been calling with broke. It was slightly different circumstances, but this happened to us last deployment too. Most likely it wont be fixed. So that means the second half of this deployment is going to be quite different communication wise. The end of March is quickly approaching along with three months down!<br />
Spring break did come with a momentous goal accomplished! I ran my first ever 5k! I ran the Fallen Heroes of Georgia 5k. It was a wonderful experience.. besides the rain! I ran it quite slow but finishing it was a great accomplishment! It was very humbling to see so many people there remembering those killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan.Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-68493217979971024862012-03-13T22:03:00.000-07:002012-03-13T22:03:10.171-07:00Well, I came out with a "B" in both of my classes. I will be happy with that! I obviously would have preferred an "A" but I am still happy. Onto statistics and economics next week. Or this week if I am feeling extra productive (and get through my massive to do list!). As a reward for our hard studious work, my mother-in-law and I went to go get our nails done. It was amazing! Somehow I went two and a half years without getting my nails done. The last time was before my wedding! I don't know what took me so long because I love having my nails look beautiful. I also got my fingers done with gel nails. I am totally happy with the results! Regular polish lasts forever on my toes and hardly ever gets chipped. Different story with my finger nails. They get chipped on the second day. The gel nails have been wonderful. They cure the nails under a light for each coat. Not only do they harden but they are dry instantly afterward so there is no awkward paying or driving afterwards! Just beautiful nails! I will be doing gel nails again!<br />
We are fast approaching the half way mark! And it seems the weather has turned into summer. I can feel it getting hot and humid!Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-89401813830519485062012-03-07T13:13:00.000-08:002012-03-07T13:13:43.299-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://littledaisymay.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvssT0cvQe_DuaN6ClRoRht_P0epjBCce_DqWVRzBbeYbxWB5CtBk9r8ertx8vzFYZ3jb0LZlaQStqvECd1tiWKipMGF4SptdJjsrl9D-6P55ZjC2wovFnNV1utLvqsf-RuW9K9VaXel7/s320/What+I'm+Loving+Wed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am loving my husband! Even from thousands of miles away he is so amazing! He left the sweetest message in my calendar. When I flipped the page to this week it was a wonderful pick-me-up. </div><br />
I am loving that there are only a few days left in this term! At the end of this week I will officially be on spring break! I can't wait to have these classes behind me.<br />
<br />
I am loving my beautiful orchid that finally decided to bloom.<br />
<br />
Besides these things, this Wednesday I am reaching deep to find things to love. My patience with the military housing office is wearing very thin. Sometimes people just don't understand, if a piece of paper is in Afghanistan... that means you can't have it. It's not like I can call up my husband and have him fax it on over. He's in the middle of nowhere Afghanistan with nothing. I can assure you if they don't even have a toilet, they sure as heck don't have a fax machine. And I get to wait around my phone for him to call whenever he gets a break every few days. Calling him up with this issue is just not possible. Some people!Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-73999288908054268942012-02-29T13:23:00.000-08:002012-02-29T13:23:52.343-08:00Finally, two months completed of this deployment! Nine weeks down!<div>Another great thing, only two weeks left in my current classes! There are just a few more assignments to complete per class. I absolutely can not wait! Spring break is just around the corner along with March! It has crossed my mind more than a few times to take off the second half of this semester, but I will push through. I have been planning to take off a semester when my husband returns from his deployment and I don't want to take too much time off. No matter how mushy school makes my brain feel I'm going to get through this semester. Up next, economics and statistics! Oh so much fun!</div>Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-55226263194579670392012-02-22T18:13:00.001-08:002012-02-23T17:26:17.147-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://littledaisymay.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxopn9FAnWeqGxTF6371SNc7_slUhPr9zIdm-bbhlbVxZ4c09-1KNg_2-4PFV7Ghjd42omAroaHociW2tMkj-NYER2KK9CVjby2VWydpu31QNZuSb8YwYwOvMbjeKgekVg8HPiTs48aM/s320/WILW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I am loving the sunny nice weather we have had the past few days!<br />
<br />
I am LOVING that I am almost done with this term of classes! I am so happy I passed my midterms with very nice grades!<br />
<br />
I am loving that in a little less than a week we will be two months down on this deployment!<br />
<br />
I am loving my husband! He is just amazing. Even thousands of miles away I feel so happy, blessed, and grateful to be his wife.<br />
<br />
I am loving that I am a strong person. I don't tell myself that often enough! I know that it is something my husband appreciates about me, so I should give it some more credit.<br />
<br />
I am loving Pinterest! I'm so constantly torn. I actually enjoy moving around. But Pinterest makes me want to buy a house and make it our own so badly! I love all of this!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/81909286942289533_h81FpnvW_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/114490015496590658_K7YrBHg8_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/114490015496590658_K7YrBHg8_f.jpg" width="213" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/81909286942289533_h81FpnvW_c.jpg" width="212" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/114208540520057993_RbD88w6d_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/114490015496667108_FMN2cZR7_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/81909286942289533_h81FpnvW_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/81909286942289533_h81FpnvW_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/114490015496667108_FMN2cZR7_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/114490015496667108_FMN2cZR7_c.jpg" width="211" /></a> <a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/114490015496556366_Z7e4gD9y_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/114490015496556366_Z7e4gD9y_f.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-77666491967817887152012-02-21T21:04:00.006-08:002012-02-21T21:27:24.025-08:00I almost feel as though I am neglecting my poor blog, but honestly not much has happened lately. I think time moves in slow motion while my husband is away!<br />
<div>I am still trudging through school work. Made it through mid-terms quite successfully! Now I just have to finish out these two classes strong.. and start my next two classes till May. The running has not been going very well due to the weather. I am not terribly interested in running in the cold and rain. It seems to be warming up a bit but I'm not so sure it isn't just the tricky Georgia weather. I got my hair cut, which I am loving! I did treat myself to a bit of shopping this past weekend. It was a nice treat! I do miss shopping with my husband though. I think I may have an anomaly of a husband! He enjoys shopping with me so we always have a good time at the mall. He enjoys treating me and I of course enjoy him telling me I look beautiful! There are a lot of things that are just more fun with your husband and best friend.</div><div>Besides all of this, in one week from today we will have finished two months of this deployment! Two long months. I am trying to be patient. And in reality I am being incredibly patient. I think going through as much separation as we have due to training and deployments proves how amazingly patient I am. Sometimes I have to give myself more credit. It isn't easy. I don't believe everyone could handle it. We are kicking deployment butt!</div>Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847344004136601389.post-86026918355749187382012-02-10T13:31:00.000-08:002012-02-10T13:33:28.413-08:00<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404786_168625893240459_161638357272546_185434_1677556338_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404786_168625893240459_161638357272546_185434_1677556338_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>I'd just like to take a moment to pass on a great story. This Marine has challenge himself with 1 million push ups in one year. 1 Million Push Ups in 2012! He's raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization dedicating to serving and empowering our country's wounded veterans. Help him out and encourage his efforts! His current goal is $10,000 but I believe he could raise much more! It's a marvelous thing to give back to our veterans who have fought so hard and paid such a heavy price for our freedom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/378778_162651217171260_161638357272546_174553_1349046732_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/378778_162651217171260_161638357272546_174553_1349046732_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Link to the 1 Year, 1 Million Push ups <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/1-year-1-Million-Pushups-Wounded-Warrior-Fundraising/161638357272546">Facebook</a> page, where you can track his progress. And please visit <a href="https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/individual-fundraising/1year1millionpushup/">Wounded Warrior Project</a> where you can track his fund raising progress.Leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656281538750775988noreply@blogger.com0