Adding to the mix

 I've started going to the indoor pool on post 3 times a week and swimming laps. I've never swam laps before this but let me tell you it sure has been a workout. I'm really enjoying it though and think I'll definitely keep it in my weekly workout routine. I've set a goal for myself over the next month, now here's to seeing if I'm able to stick with it. So far so good and its not weight loss either (although I have a personal weight loss goal I am trying to reach), stick around and find out. 

I've gone to the pool both in the mornings and the afternoons. I have to say I like going in the mornings better just because there aren't as many people. 

Does anyone have any tips they'd like to share with a new lap swimmer like myself?? 

~DAY 307~

Dear Combative's You Suck :(

I think I spoke to soon on the whole combatives deal. I woke up earlier in the night and noticed the hubbs wasn't there. I figured he was in the bathroom and fell back asleep. Later in the morning I woke up right about 3am to the hubby coming back to bed. Something seemed weird as he was dressed like he had been out of the house. I asked him were he had been and he replied with "the hospital." "What why, why didn't you wake me up."  He said "I knew you had to go back to work in the morning and I wanted you to be able to sleep". (I'd been off work for the past 5 days)  Well thanks hubbs but seriously next time its ok to wake me up. Last night he was complaining of his arm hurting him quite a bit and kept rubbing it through the evening. He said it was hurting him so bad that he couldn't sleep and though something was wrong with it so he went in. 

They took x-rays and drugged him up on some meds to help with the pain, wrapped his arm tightly so it couldn't be moved and sent him home. Gosh I'm glad they took all precautions to make sure nothing was broken before sending him home. They told him they would check out the x-rays when they came back from the lab and call him later in the day. Comforting I know right. He assured me that everything was going to be alright and there was nothing to worry about. Really I don't believe that "HELLO, apparently something is wrong if you went to the hospital." They told him there could be some tiny bones that may be broken or it could be just a bad sprain. We are hoping for a sprain of course. Starting day 3 today of 5 on combatives I would hate for him to have come this far and not be able to complete the course and he would simply be crushed. His plan is to go in and do what he can and make the most of it. I'm just hoping that its nothing serious and he can push through like the champ he is. But on the flip side of it, I don't want him to hurt himself any worse. 

UPDATE 1 - He went in to class and ended up taking the ace bandage off after talking with the instructor and continued training. I was glad, the pain must have subsided enough were he could fight.

UPDATE 2 - He completed the final fight on Wednesday, he is now Combatives Level 2 certified.  

UPDATE 3 - He had a follow up on Thursday with the doctor. At this point his arm wasn't hurtting at all. Nothing came back on the x-rays so we are left assuming it was just a bad sprain. Better than it could have been, but still doesn't set well with me that he is already itching to get level 3 certified.  

~DAY 298~

Combative's Level 2

Hubby is taking combative's level 2 this week (it started yesterday) and its really kicking his butt. He came home today and hasn't done much since. I had to wake him up to eat dinner and even then he was a bit out of it. He's not having to go in till 8am but the training is so intense. It gives him head aches and he wont take meds unless he just has to. I can't imagine how its going to be when he takes level 3 & I don't even want to think about level 4. There is only 6 of them taking the class & one of them had a rib broken yesterday and was taken to the emergency room. Today they found out that he is on profile for the next 10 weeks.
I baby sat last night for a family in my class, the dad is the chief radiologist at Moncrief Army Community Hospital here on post. I was talking to him about it and he said they see a lot of guys come in with broken knuckles, ribs, forearms and more. This didn't make me feel any better about it. We've just got to make it through the next 3 days and then we will be in the clear for now. I just can't imagine him getting badly hurt while taking a class that is required by the army.

Our 80lb lap dog, has to be the center of attention as always.

~DAY 297~

BCT Family Day

 Family Day for BCT August 2nd 2012 -Prior to the ceremony starting all of the family members and friends gather in the bleachers patiently waiting to be reunited with their loved one. The families gather at the Graduation field for a short ceremony and briefing on what the soldiers can and can't do during the day. After a few words from the Battalion Commander and him asking "DO YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR SOLDIER" twice, finally you see smoke coming from the wood line at the back of the field. From there you see hundreds of young men and women running towards the bleachers. The families were so excited they started screaming, yelling and stomping as loud as they could. It had been a long 10 weeks since they've seen their loved one. For many of them this was the first time they've ever left home for this long. (boy are they in for a lot, being a military family now) It was a awesome experience for sure and I'm glad I was able to be apart of it. 

They quickly rushed up and stood information while the BC said a few words to them

 The entire battalion graduates tomorrow, all 6 companies which makes a total of about 1000 soldiers. Here is Delta Company (our company) right before & during changing from their PC to their Beret. This was something I didn't know they did during the ceremony. Although makes sense because you always see them walking around on post on Wednesday's with their Beret on.

It wasn't much longer that the families were crowded down around the field searching for their SIT. I was there with a fellow Army Spouse who was also a volunteer on the Delta fb page. We went down to say hello and meet some of the families we had been talking to on line for the past several weeks. It was neat to finally put a face to a name in person. 

Normally the Soldiers & their families have to stay on post for family day. They have the option to go to the PX, water-park, movie theater, restaurants, parks, lakes, mini-golf, there are several other activities and things to do on post but the Soldiers aren't allowed to leave post. They have to be back at their Bay by 9pm that evening as well & families aren't allowed to stay. Now back up to Yesterday about 5:45pm (Tuesday) the power on all of FT. Jackson went out and still was not restored in many areas till late Wednesday night. This being said the BC through a big surprise out there to everyone, even the Company Commanders & 1SGT's. He gave them a OFF POST PASS for the day. The crowd went WILD when he announced this, Sarah (the girl I was with) and I just looked at each other like are you kidding. There's a lot that goes in to the SIT having a off post pass and when the DS aren't prepared for it things could go bad. It made since though, I mean what the heck were they going to do for 11 hours when most everything on post was closed.

Down on the field we were talking to the CO asking him if they knew anything about it and he him self was in shock. The SIT were so excited, they found out as their families found them and told them. What a wonderful unexpected surprise. While talking to the CO I asked him were the hubbs was because I had still yet to see him during the ceremony. HE HAD NO CLUE, really you don't know were my husband is, isn't he one of your Drill SGT's ???? I called him to find out were he was and he was back at the wood line, he was one of the ones that through out the smoke. He didn't know that's what he was going to be doing till he got there and they pulled him for it. I told the CO, all at once it clicked, "oh right that's were he is. duh!!!!!"

I'm looking forward to graduation tomorrow, this is the end of our first cycle so this is all new to me. 

1 down and ruffly 9 to go till April 2014. 

~DAY 293~

Strolling along.....

.....down memory lane. I was recapping our 4th of July, 2012 and it got me think about how I spend the past 5, 4th of July's since the hubbs and I have been together. I've blogged about a few of them but some not. (I didn't start blogging till right after his first deployment)

July 4th 2007 we spend it together in Texas, it was the weekend he proposed (July 6th, more on that tomorrow). We spent the day at a fellow family / church friends home lounging around the pool. That evening the two of us drove up to our River house to hang out with my little brother and shoot off some fire works. The brother & I showed G around the area and took him to the boat dock. The water was so high at the time the ramps were completely under water so we were able to launch our boat. We had a great time though, thankfully the boys didn't burn down the house. 

Us 2007 on the back deck of our River House!! 

 July 4th, 2008 the hubby was deployed so I decided to take a trip to the valley aka AZ to visit the In~Loves and our good friends Pace & Nichole. It was a great trip but a hard one, this was my first time going back with out him. I absolutely LOVE his family but it was still so hard with out him there. Spending time with two of his Best Friends was by far one of the best parts about my trip. We went to a large open field, sat in the back of the truck and watch the fire works. I learned / heard many stories of the hubbs that night. We also celebrated Nichole's birthday that weekend, which included fun times by the pool, lots of shots and karaoke. 

First time seeing these two since our wedding!!!  

It was a long night!!!! 

Shots with the birthday girl. 

July 4th, 2009 hubby was home from deployment finally and we were BACK in the Valley for a little block leave. We celebrated the 4th with Pace & Nichole again as well as her birthday. This trip was a bit of a  SURPRISE (<--see video & read abt it here) for Nichole because she didn't know we were coming till we showed up in her backyard. One of the best days ever!!!! We always have so much fun with these two, hubbs would have no problem convincing me to move to AZ once he retired as long as is was in Mesa. 

Best friends, catching up after a long 8 months apart. 

 These 3 are so close, and have been through so much together. I'm forever grateful to have them apart of our life and to have been through for G through some really ruff moments before we met. The 4 of us have that type of friendship that no matter how long its been since we've seen each other, we pick up right were we left off!!!! 

 Goodbyes are never fun, but thankfully they aren't forever!!!! 

July 4th, 2010 was a bitter sweet day the hubbs left for his 2nd deployment just two days prior and my "wifey" aka Best Friend Crystal & her family were going to be leaving island in 6 short days. It was awful all the way around, but I made the best of it that I could. I missed his first call, talk about melt down central. 

Crystal, her fam and I had plans to attend the 4th of July Festivities (<--- read abt it here) on post at Sills field. We made matching shirts to wear in support of our hubbies, they turned out fabulous. We enjoyed listening to Smash Mouth in concert and the fire work show wasn't to bad at all. during the ceremony I sat in the VIP area with my girls Vic. & Becca with their two sweet girls. Over all I was glad that I spent the evening surrounded by some of the most important army wives in my life. 

Crystal & I sportin our shirts!!!! 

Sending some loven to the hubbs!!!

 These girls rock my world!!!!!! 

July 4th, 2011 our last 4th in Hawaii for now, NOT forever!!!! We started the day off hiking Aiea loop, talk about a MUDDY hike, not to mention we were rained on in the middle of it. Still fun and made for some great memories. That afternoon I made some yummy festive cupcakes and we headed over to Vics. house for a cookout and fire works on the beach. Joined by Tara & JD we sipped on wine out of Red Solo cups & played with sparklers as we enjoyed each others company while listening to the waves crash up against the beach. It was a simple yet PERFECT (<----read abt it here) evening that I never wanted to end. I know one day we will all be back together celebrating another Independence Day. 

Us and Gigi, such a sweet little one!!!!

Happy 4th of July from JD, Myself, Hubbs, Gigi, Vic, Andrew & Tara (she was taking the pic.)

shhhh, don't tell we had our own little fire work show on the beach.

I hope you enjoyed strolling down memory lane with me as much as I did. Stick around we have lots more to catch up on!!!!!

HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

After our Jane Wayne Day we had a Battalion Hail & Farewell we had to attend. I wasn't to please with having to go at first because this was my day and the last thing I wanted to do was spend it with a bunch of people I didn't know. There was no getting out of it though, so we sucked it up and I put on a happy face. The hubby was getting Hailed into the company so it was nice to be there for that. After all the H & F were done that BN CO said my name and asked that I come up to the front were he was. (we were at a park on post under a pavilion) I was shocked and kinda sunk down behind the hubbs as he pushed me up. That's when I saw Kaira & her hubbs standing there with the CO holding a cake. Are you kidding me, I'm sure my face turned bright red as everyone started singing happy birthday to me. It was so sweet of her to do that and I will always remember it and will most definitely be getting her back one day soon. It's not a birthday with out a cake right!!!! 

Later that night we met back up at K & C's place to head downtown for drinks. The celebrations were still underway. The original plan was we were all going to go out to dinner and then drinks after. However with the BBQ through in there, we decided to just eat there and go out later. It worked out perfect because we were able to go home and take our time on getting ready and then head out. 

Our first stop was at a bar called the Flying Saucer, it was a first for me but the hubbs had been there before. It was a really nice laid back place with a large out door patio are were we took up 3 large picnic tables. A few drinks here, two shots later and meeting people that were stationed in Hawaii the same time as us, that also knew people we did was kinda fun. 

I'm so glad that he is home this year to celebrate my big day. Having him here makes it that much more special and really just completes me. He's my world and no amount of money or gift could ever be better than being with him. 

At some point some one decided it was time for us to get moving on to a new bar. Ok fine by me I'm just here to have a good time. So here we are headed to The Tin Roof which was just across the street, another first for me. The bar seen isn't really our thing, we don't go out a lot. This was actually a first for us since we've moved here to the South. (going out bar hoping together)

I love this picture of K & I, she made sure I had a fabulous night. The only thing that would have made it perfect would have been having my Spouse here with me. I hate going through these special events with out her, we did EVERYTHING together in HI and now its gone. On the plus side of things less that 35 days till I see her!!!! 

Drunkin pictures are always the best right!!!! Headed to Bar #3, 80's party here we come!!!!

One of the female soldiers in the unit was celebrating her birthday tonight, (her bday was the day before) she was having a 80's party. 

Doesn't he look super hot in his fabulous hat, or maybe not. Either way he's all mine and I'm totally fine with that.

I think it was safe to say that I was pretty done at this point. To many shots to count and endless amounts of drinks and I was done. I told the hubbs to cash out the tab and get his card back before we left. 

They make the cutest couple ever and totally fit perfect together. 

I'm so blessed to have finally made such a great friend here, really that the hubbs and I did. We get along so well and its so easy. No army wife / life drama just go with the flow. 

These were taken right before the hubbs and K walked 5 blocks in the pouring rain to get the cars. There was no way at all that C & I were going to walk back to the car, I felt so sick to my stomach. Thankfully we have two fabulous other halves that took care of us. I still don't get it, I think K had just as much to drink as I did and she was fine. (well to a point anyhow lol) She said the rain helped sober her up which could have very well worked. I had a great birthday it was definitely one for the books to remember thanks to these two lovely people in my life!!!! The hubbs was so sweet and took care of my sickly self throwing up and all and didn't complain one time. He really is my HERO!!!!!!!!!!! 

Here's to another year, I hope and pray that its as fabulous and fill with as much life as the last 26 years have been. I can't wait to see what is in store for me and my love together.

Life on the Trail

Well the hubbs has officially gone back to work, not just as a Infantry man either but as a Infantry Drill Sergeant. Yesterday was his quote on quote "first day on the job". He left bright and early only to return around 6am to inform me that he had some good and bad news. At this moment I was still half asleep in bed, but that quickly changes when those words were spoken. Let me tell you that's never something a Milispouse wants to here . The good news was that the company he was assigned to graduates next Thursday the 5th which is followed by a 6 week cycle break. Meaning no BCTS (basic training soldiers) for 6 weeks, normal work days, no weekends or CQ shifts and the best part is it does effect our two term here. The bad news was they were in the field for the whole week meaning be had to go as well and there would be a possibility that he would have to stay the night. I've told myself I'm going to try and make the most out of our time here. I have come to terms that its not going to be easy, the hubbs will be gone a lot, not home many weekends but that can't stop me from getting out and enjoying life in the south. Although I know I'd enjoy it a heck of a lot more if be was with me. I know its going to be hard, I won't lie to myself about that but truly I'm going to "try" not to be a negative Nancy about the situation / assignment we are in right now. After all when our time is up here I do want to be able to look back on the wonderful memories we made here. It may not be paradise but its got some charm and unlimited amounts of sweet tea so you really can't go wrong there. Back to last night, he ended up coming home around 8:30pm not to bad at all. Sadly I didn't cook dinner (not even for myself, I just had a slice of cake) so he had some left over cheese dip from a couple nights prior. Opps sorry love. I guess they ended up not needing him to stay out last night which I'm fine with. On the downside he's out there now and won't be home till late Friday night. It's only two night so really not a huge problem but I still miss him. Not to mention I was asked to babysit Friday night and then I leave first thing Saturday morning for vacay, (more on that to come) so we won't be able to spend much time together till after I get back, 7-8 days later. I know we can do this, we will get through it and come out stronger in the end. There's not a single challenge or road bump we've been faced with that we haven't over come. This is just one of many steps to help further his career in the army. This evening I was out walking the pups with a friend who is also on our unit when I got a lovely picture text from the hubbs. He was hard at work driving around in their staff duty truck.

I have no clue what he is doing let alone what in the world he was thinking but it totally made my night. He can be such a goof ball at times and so serious as well. I see he's ditched the campaign hat already. Oh the joys of life as a Drill Sergeants Wife, you know I wouldn't trade it for the world if that means being with him every day.

~DAY 167~