Big Update

I'm trying to get this blog up and running seriously this time.
At the current moment in time, I am in Bay City while Ryan is in Fayetteville trying to finish up things with the Army. I have been waiting to try and get back there the cheap way (ride with his mom), but it looks like things aren't really working in our favor for that. So, I'm strongly debating getting a one way plane ticket back and waiting for his mom to come when its more convenient (and we know more with what's going on with the Army). I have lots to do with packing anyhow, and saying goodbye to my friends.
Things--to say the least--have been slightly stressful in the last few weeks. We have things set on our very first home, and have been working to make it "live-able". For the most part right now it looks wonderful and things are rolling. I have posted original pictures of the house on my Picasa page (linked) and will be posting more once we finish the fix-ups and move in!

I just "got the job" as a Substitute Teacher in the Bay Areanac ISD... super excited and nervous to start!

Also, my dad and I are doing a "Biggest Loser" type challenge with each other and are looking for people to join in! Let us know if you're interested.

Addition to Our Family

We have been debating for a long time about what kind of dog we want to get--all we knew is that we were going to get one. The discussion of whether we wanted a big or small dog didn't really come up until our apartment complex put a size limit on the dog. Since we had to have a small dog, we thought long and hard about what kind of small dog would be "worth it" as both of us really wanted a bigger dog. We agreed on a dachshund as they are known to have extreme personalities and are very loving and friendly. We scoured and scoured the area and finally came across the little guy. We picked him up at 7 weeks, 1 day old from his birthplace. He is a little spitfire and loves to play. He is always jumping around and playing with mommy or daddy at every chance. Here are a few pictures of the little man. Oh! Right, and because Ryan is oh so mature, his name is Peter. Initials being P.D.--so I call him Petey! :]

I'm Going "Home"

Ryan has come and gone back to Ft. Bragg again. He was here for my graduation, which was so nice. I figure with all he does making me proud, it was finally my turn to return the favor. It's nice to have something to show for all the hard work I've put in... and the distance we've spent apart. This weekend is the wedding shower, and I'm really excited. My mom and grandma have put a lot of time and work into it. It should be really fun and I'm looking forward to seeing all of my friends and family there.

After the shower, I plan on packing the car and moving my life down to NC to be with Ryan FINALLY! I can't explain my excitement. We have been waiting for this day for years, and it is finally upon us. I'm scared to leave my family, but SO excited to just be my own family with Ryan. We plan on getting a puppy this summer sometime, so it will make our family 3! Once I get there, I will start the search for a job... and also for a school who will let me do my student teaching with them. We shall see how everything works out, please keep me in your thoughts for those two things.

What's Going On?

It has been a really long time since I have updated with a post, but I figured I would give updates on what is going on with us. Ryan has been back to Michigan on leave already--and is back in North Carolina working for a few weeks until Jenae's graduation. He will be in Michigan for a few days and then we'll be moving down to NC together. [[FINALLY!]] As for right now, we're just in that transition phase, not knowing what is really next for us. We're looking forward to the wedding shower and can't wait to see all of our family and friends there. We really aren't looking forward to the unpacking and moving everything into the apartment, but we just simply cannot wait to be living together as a married couple officially. Next time we post, Jenae will be a college graduate and we will be living full time in NC.

Ryan is Home!

Well, after all of the ups and downs of this re-deployment... he is finally here. The date and time was supposed to be Sunday at 10:55am, but there was a huge layover in Germany that didn't put them in until Sunday night/Monday morning around 1am. All of the anxiousness and nerves were really getting to me by that time, as is probably easily guessed.
I asked Chris Petrini to come with us, and he brought his girlfriend. It was Jason, me, Chris and Alexis there for him when he got off the plane.

When he first got off the plane, they did formation [thankfully it was short], then we got 20 minutes with them before they had to turn in equipment. The 20 minutes were a lot more awkward than I had originally hoped, but everything went well for the most part.

We stayed up all night...made a huge purchase of a TV/TV stand. It was a rather expensive TV, but we got it for 30% off, and our total purchase was less than the TV itself was originally. Here are some pictures from the first night he was home... I will post updates of the apartment once we get a little bit more stuff in here!

FRG Meetings...

I guess this is something I need to learn to get used to since I’m going to be an Army Wife now for the next 4 years. We had our re-deployment meeting and most definitely it was probably one of the most pointless meetings I’ve been to in a really long time. I thought it was where we’re supposed to be getting dates, but clearly they aren’t equipped with that kind of information.

Here is a rundown of how the meeting went:
It started 20 minutes late, we listened to ACS [Army Career Services] give two presentations about reunions and how to deal with potential warning signs of difficulties that may arise because of deployments. From there, we listened to Chaplain Stevens give his schpeal about if we need anything once the guys are back, etc. He is a really nice guy. We did play one little game that will be incorporated with the guys. The Chaplain was flying to see our guys so he had us all write on big index cards, “Dear _______[insert a name that you call your SO], _______________[story of the first time you met], _____________[what you’re going to do when you come home], Love, _____[a name he calls you].

When he gets there, Chaplain Stevens will read these to the guys and they have to guess whose card belonged to who. This is super cute and I really hope it boosts the guys’ morale. I know this tail end of the deployment has been hard on all of us—particularly them.

I can’t wait for this to be overwith.

Time keeps ticking away

So, this is probably the best time of the deployment, even though it is moving pretty slowly still. Today I spent calling insurance companies and getting utilities turned on so that we had somewhere to live when he gets home. I had a big struggle with the apartment complex because they neglected to tell me about all of the things that needed to be done before move in. Well, welcome to the real world Jenaé!

I am going to post pictures of our apartment for you all to see. Once Ryan is home we will fill it with furniture and all sorts of home-y knick knacks that make it our own. [Trust me, neither of us can wait for this to get here].


Master bathroom, view from the toilet.
Master bedroom :]
I have a pantry!
Spare bathroom, no idea what we're going to do with this yet.
Our fantastic kitchen. I am in love.
Living room , don't mind my boxes. :]