ONE YEAR AGO!!!!!

One Year ago TODAY I wrote THIS POST Welcoming my Soldier home from his 2nd deployment to Iraq. I can't believe its been a year already boy does time fly. Some times it seems like its been longer than a year that he has been back and then other times it seems as if he just got home a few weeks ago. Either way I'm so blessed beyond belief that he is home and that we survived another long deployment coming out strong than when he left. I'm thankful that we get to spend today together, not just because he has the day OFF (Hallelujah) but to celebrate such a accomplishment. Deployments are NEVER easy and I don't wish it upon anyone, but they are what you make of them. 

Having My Love home with me safe in my arms is the best feeling in the world. At that very moment everyone & everything in the world disappered and I was in heaven. 

So much has change / happened in the last year,
*we toured the island doing everything possible we could before leaving
*went to our first Army Ball together
*said our see you laters to our first home, friends & our life we made in Hawaii

*went home to TX to visit my family & friends

*we PCSed to a new duty station in the South 

*celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary 

* I started a new job which I wasn't crazy about at the time & now I love it

*the hubbs went to & graduated Drill SGT school

*I was reunited with a few Hawaii friends more than once since being back on the mainland

*we've settled into our new home & are slowly growing to enjoy the area around us

*we've started our first full cycle on the trail & so far its going good. (6 weeks till graduation)

I know there are tons of other little things that have happen over the last year but these are just a few bigger things that stick out in my head right now. Beside a few field exersices & far to many CQ shifts pulled I have to say this is the first year since we have been married that he hasn't been away for school or trainings for a long period of time, which is really nice. 

I can't wait to see what this next year hold, I know new and exciting things are ahead of us and I'm glad we get to experience and enjoy life together. I wouldn't want to have it any other way. 

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF BEING HOME BABY!!!!!!

This is us today :) One Year later!!! 

Redeployment Ceremony

The last of the "deployment" has finally come & gone. Today was the Redeployment Ceremony for the soldiers of 2nd Brigade who just return from a year long deployment to Iraq. My spouse was so kind enough to attend with me as she has been there by my side for every other part of the deployment. With the sun beaming down on us as we sat patiently and waited, I could only imagine how hot the guys were on the field in their ACU's. Finally we could put this whole thing behind us and get block leave rolling along.



With the band playing in place, the soldiers marched forward & the colors were uncased. Speeches were spoken, the wounded & lost were recognized. Many wives who went above & beyond within the FRG were recognized on the field as well. (my mistress to be included)
I remember one year ago as I sat on this very field during the deployment ceremony thinking I cant believe we are really here again. Now I sit and Thank God that we are here were we are now......DONE. We have completed deployment # 2. I couldn't have done it alone that's for sure, we had a awesome support system which we are so grateful for. I am so happy knowing we wont be going through another deployment for at least the next two possible three years. Many changes come within the life of a army wife, some are good, some are bad, some are hard, some are sad, some are easy and even fun. The next year will be full of changes in my life, I'm looking forward to it but I know by no means will it be easy.


~Uncasing the Colors~

~1-27 Wolfhounds~

~2nd Brigade Soldiers~

~My Hero & I~

~The Linsky's & Gabriel's back together @ last~ just missing our Martin's.

~one for the BLOOPERS~

We were wearing matching sandles & didn't plan it either.

Welcome Home Ball

What better way to welcome our soldiers home and to honor the ones we have lost over the deployment than a Welcome Home Ball. After lots of planning, shopping and searching for that perfect dress we were finally ready for the evening. With my hair done and the hubbs Dress Blues steamed and pressed we were looking pretty fly. After lots of talking we opted not to stay downtown over night after the ball and I'm happy we decided not to. I mean after all we would only be in the room to sleep and then have to get up early to check out and come home so really it just made more sense to come home were we could sleep in and sleep in our own bed. Not to mention I couldn't bring myself to pay $200 or $300 for one night in a hotel when we could put that towards our block leave adventures.

The first few pictures are of us before we left the house to head downtown. We took this opportunity to get some good photos to send to family back home. Nothing brightens a grandparent or parents face more than a picture of their child lol. Thanks to my spouse Sarah for being there for us through this process & capturing those moments. I don't think everything would have came together like it did if it wasn't for her. (she was the one who picked the dress up and said "oh just try it on, it always looks different on vs. on the hanger") Let me tell you I'm so glad she pushed me to try it on also because I LOVED it to pieces.

I absolutely LOVED my hair!!! Thanks Rock Hair Roll

My Handsome Stud Muffin & I :) dressed & ready for the Ball.

I simply can't get enough of this man.

Besos for My Love

We arrived at the location were the ball was being held with plenty of time to enjoy the cocktail hour before we had to make our way to our seats. Visiting with friends, meeting some more of the guys that Gabe works with and of course hearing all the "remember when" stories. It's so neat to see how he is with his men and the way they talk about what a outstanding soldier he is and how they were so pleased to have worked with him during the deployment. I can't tell you how many times during the evening someone came up to me and told me what an amazing husbands I have. "Why thank you, I happen to agree with you"

And let me tell you it was not just guys that were under him but higher ranking men as well. It's awesome to be married to such a amazing person that puts so much into what he does and the people he works with. I'm blessed that he puts even more into our relationship as well.

During the ball speeches were given, toast were made to honor the present and past, memories were shared, stories were told and new beginning were started. It was a night full of love and laughter through out the entire room. I have to admit I was super nervous about going partly because it was our first ball together and I wasn't sure what to except & partly because I don't talk to many of the wives in our company. (long story short, they all kids & have their little mommy groups or they are the ones that try to wear their husbands rank along with them and well that's just not me)

The Toast's ~ drinking from the Grog.

Beautiful Katie & I~ Love this girl!!!

The evening ended up being better than expected and we completely enjoyed ourselves. I was the DD for the evening meaning the hubbs could live it up and have all the fun he wanted. Let me tell you the guys did just that. At one point I looked at Katie & said "I feel like I'm sitting at the little kid table." You know how kids get when they are in a candy store or they are on a sugar high, yea well that is just how most of the guys were that we were sitting with. It just wasn't sugar or candy they were "high" on it was alcohol of all different sorts. Nothing ever got out of hand, no one got into any fights and there was no blood. So all in all a good evening. It was a well deserved night for the guys to just let loose and have a good time.

Enjoying our First Ball together. (his 2nd)

"Roommates for a year long deployment" ~ this is what I heard all evening from Fin

I have to say one of the high lights of the night was once we walked down stairs and were talking about were we were going to go afterwards. Fin (pictured above w/ Gabe) was having himself a fabulous time; no date no one to go home to and just totally living it up if you know what I mean. Some how we all happen to turn our heads at the same time and well...........he ended up in the coy pond right near were we were standing. It was priceless to say the least, and gave everyone a good laugh. The guys so kindly helped him out and of course made fun of him in the process. Definitely a moment I'll always remember.

After the ball we, along with about 6-8 other people made our way down to a local bar to continue the evening of celebrating. Of course more drinks, loaded Oreo ice cream cake and french fries were spread about the table for everyone to share. Slowly but surly our 6-8 people grew to about 15-17 people. We kinda took over one half of the outside area, honestly I felt bad for the wait staff that got stuck with us. I'm sure waiting on a bunch of drunken soldiers was not on the top of their to do list for the evening.

Just shortly before midnight we decided to head out and make our way back to home. We had, had all the fun we could handle for one evening. I'm so glad that we were able to enjoy this night together, I couldn't think of anyone else I would have rather been with. Our first ball was a success if I do say so. I can only hope that the next one is able to top this one, that will be a hard one though, so we shall see.

WELCOME HOME TO ALL THE WOLFHOUNDS IN 1-27 JOB WELL DONE & WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE HERO'S THAT MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

Paradise liven :)

What better way to spend a Sunday when you live in Hawaii then at the beach. Its one of my all time favorite things to do :) This Sunday was no different, we had plans to meet up with N & her fam. North Shore bound it was, I spent alot of time through out the deployment down on the North Shore. It was my safe place in a way. My little spot to get away from the rest of the world just to soak up the sun.

I am absolutely loving getting to do all of these things with Gabe home now. Sure it was nice & enjoyable to a point by myself but it's simply amazing having him there with me.

Soaking up the sun, playing with the kiddos, watching the sea turtles, chatting away, sitting out in the ocean together........just like old times before he left. Making new memories to add to our story book I call LIFE.


Simple days like today are the moments that I long for the most. I can't imagine life with out Gabe at all, he is my whole world and so much more. I'm head over heels in love with him and falling more and more each passing day. :)

"Falling in love is a magical time... where the world seems even more beautiful, colours more vibrant, foods more delectable, sounds more enchanting and time less important."

Little pieces of Hawaii that I enjoy!!!!!!!!

BBQ Ewa Style

A evening out with some great friends is just what was on the itinerary for the evening. Our friends J & A were having a house warming party to show off their new crib in Ewa Beach. We headed out for some BBQ & drinks, a short hello and visit turned into a all night affair but it was a fabulous night. Catching up with a couple girlfriends & meeting some of the guys that the hubbs has spent the last year with was great. Hearing some of the stories from the deployment, and how they all bonded so well together was quite comical to say the least.
Gabe spend some of the evening playing with lil A, they had a blast together. Everyone kept commenting on how good he was with him and how they though he was ready to have a kid of his own. I couldn't help but sit back and watch, he is so good with kids and loves playing around with them. However we aren't there yet, there as in wanting kids of our own. Maybe one day maybe not, only time will tell.






Later that night we wrapped things up said our good byes and headed back to our own casa, in good ol' Wahiawa. It was a good night out, I've missed get togethers with my love. I think we might plan a dinner party here at the house soon, maybe over block leave. It's always a fabulous time when everyone is over, not to mention I love cooking & being a host.

just splendid

i have to take a minute to just brag a bit, yes i just said that. things couldn't be any better right now than they are. having my love home with me is just fabulous. we have really taken the last two & a half days to really enjoy ourselves & just relax together. no plans just taking each day as it comes. lots of lazy time at home w/ the pups, catching up with each other & just simply falling in love all over again.
the things we had said we were going to work on as a couple we are doing that & more. i'm so happy with the way things are going so far & truly believe it will only bring us closer & help us build a stronger relationship. we have re~broken the kitchen in quite well since he has been home, we both love cooking & doing it together is so much more enjoyable. yesterday gabe tried his hand at fresh homemade guacamole which turned out fantastic i must say. tonight he switch gears to homemade salsa umm umm good. we are using it as the enchilada sauce for the ground turkey enchiladas as well that we are making for dinner. I have missed cooking in the kitchen with him badly. its one of the many things we enjoyed doing together. trying new things is something that is always fun & exciting, its a out of the box kinda thing.....only nothing comes out of the box lol. for breakfast in the morning i have prepped a "do ahead breakfast", you make it the night before & it sits over night, in the morning you pop it in the oven.... its just that easy.
one thing i didn't miss during the deployment was the mounds and mounds of laundry. we have done 4 loads in the almost 3 days he has been home. of course now most of that was all of his uniforms, pt's & socks.....did I mention pt's. i don't think i have ever folded that many pt's at one time. but i don't mind it one bit if that means my love is home, i could just think of plenty other things i would rather be doing. lol.
this morning we both jumped back into our work out routines (well i did, he started yesterday), i went for my run while gabe worked it out at the gym. this afternoon we went to lunch at california pizza kitchen followed by some shopping at the sprint store were my love got a new phone. bed bath & beyond was a must stop as well to stock up on k~cups, a trip to target & the nex were we left both stores empty handed which is rare for us. well i take that back we did get treat ourselves to starbucks :) at target.
the pups are sure getting loads & loads of attention, they love it because gabe will let them lick him like crazy were i wont. ewh ewh ewh, no thank you. i love my puppies but not the slobbery wet tung to the face kisses. tomorrow we are planning on taking them to the dog beach to let them run around & play. i took them a few times through out the deployment but frankly bailey stresses me out when i take her by myself so i'm really looking forward to tomorrow.
beer me.........gabe does not drink alot at all, hardly ever to be exact but he sure is making up for missing out over the last year. i love it, i don't know why or how to explain it but i love him just being him.
just a sneak peek of life lately over the last 3 days here in the gabriel house hold, stay tuned for more to come. lots of exciting adventures, meals :) & fabulousity to come over the next year and even further after that.