Christmas Time is Here

Civil Engineering LT's! Aaron think he looks pretty cool in that UW tie. ;)

My love and I at the party

Last night was Aaron's squadron Christmas party and we had a lot of fun! All the LT's did a skit that had everyone laughing. Of course...making fun of the Colonel and Major was involved....how could it not be?? And plenty of making fun of the "fire dogs." It was all in fun and everyone took it that way. I took a few pictures because I wanted to make sure I got a shot of John's sweet Christmas sweater. Their skit included a Christmas sweater fashion show, a poem and more (but I won't go into the details since you really had to be there to laugh!)

I sure love these guys. They're all like brothers to not only Aaron, but to me as well and they have been a huge blessing to us.

So Aaron and I only have about 10 more days until we're off to Washington for Christmas! I can't express how wonderful this will be! Cookies and gingerbread houses with the fam, hottubbing and wine parties with my girlfriends and much much more!

This year, we decided to purchase gifts for a family rather than for each other - Maybe we'll exchange a few small things, but nothing big. Aaron and I realized this year that Christmas gifts are a bit stressful. I think this is the first year I haven't cared much about them. I think it might be something like how a parent would be more excited about watching the joy on their 3 year old's face as they open presents - that sounds like more fun than opening any presents of my own! We're really excited about giving to this family. There are 3 kids and the youngest has cerebral paulsy. Their grandmother who helped care for them just passed away this year, so its been a rough year for the entire family. We picked out some really sweet shoes, a few sweatshirts, nintendo games, books and a remote control truck for the little guy. I had so much fun online shopping for them!! We decided that we would wrap the gifts and give them to the parents with blank gift cards on all of them. We want the parents to sign them so that the boys think the gifts came from them. ;) They never need to know the truth because it isn't important.

More than anything, I just want to enjoy time with my family (I am so excited to finally see my sister prego in person!!) I also just want to spend time focusing on what God might have for me to do for Him in the next few months.

I don't mean to sound like a debbie-downer, but life hasn't been the easiest the past few weeks. I know what i'm going through is nothing compared to some, but to not get too specific, i'm going through a painful trial right now that isn't easy. I am thankful for the love of Aaron and how God uses him to fill my life with joy, because i've really needed it! I am on a new life journey right now and i'm trusting God every step of the way even though I feel like i'm walking through a dark tunnel with a blindfold on....it's all pretty unclear and confusing. On the up-side, I am thankful that God uses these times in our life to reform and grow us. So I say, "God, mold me and make me into who you want me to be" because that's all I want! Nothing matters if i'm not doing what He has planned for me to do.

God is in the good and in the difficult times and probably most present in the difficult. And that's how I find a place of peace.

Merry Christmas!

First Snow!! And new pictures :)

This is Bobby, my uncle's dog. Don't you love that name?! Can you see his eyes?? He is so sweet.

My cousins putting on a show for us. D.A. likes to shake it.

I had to capture this epic moment. Aaron watching the final games of the regular college season in our basement. Boo hoo....By the way, that couch will finally be upstairs soon!!

Our santa. Dad and Mom Meredith sent this to us along with some other goodies for St. Nicholas Day!


Our living room from the loft. We LOVE our vaulted ceiling! I had to be careful not to get too close to the edge! Do you like my accent wall, Mel?? :)

I haven't posted in a while so I decided I better stop being a slacker. Some of you are really good at posting regularly! Unfortunately, I typically don't even have energy to make dinner when I get home from work - let alone blog.

Today we had our first real snow! It's freezing out here, but there's nothing better than snow on a Saturday. Unfortunately, we chose today as the day to replace the ugly brass door nob and hinges on our front door. So our house was exposed to the cold most of the day. Sadly, the weather made for dangerous roads and an elderly man slammed into a tree just down the street from us. I think he's ok, but it was quite the sight with fire trucks and ambulances everywhere. The poor man was laying on the side of the street in the cold snow. Every street in this area is busy because it feels like the entire United States lives in Alexandria, but the street just outside our neighborhood is especially busy. We have seen some very entertaining things since moving here. For instance, shortly after we returned from our honeymoon, we were sleeping in our loft while we were setting up our room with the new bedroom furniture and at about 2 a.m. I was woken from a dead sleep with what sounded like a semi-truck hitting our house. I jumped out of bed to find a man in a truck who had hit 4 parked cars along the street right outside our window! He was trying to drive away so I started yelling, "He's trying to get away, let's stop him! He's trying to get away!!" I grabbed my phone as Aaron was still in a daze and I called 911. Long story short, the guy was drunk. The best part was watching out our window as the police made him walk the line and saying, "Uno, dos, tres...." I couldn't help but laugh. Really, how do you hit FOUR cars before realizing you might want to use your brakes? And buddy, you should have hit cars outside someone elses house because I wasn't gonna let you get away!

Aaron and I have been super busy lately. My new job has me working some longer hours than when I worked at NAB. I'm still pretty happy with my decision to take on this new opportunity, but of course it too has its challenges.

I'm still adjusting to life as a wife (I mean that in a nice way!) Sometimes it's challenging, though! Before, I made all of my own decisions. Now I have another person to consider! I've also realized that I can't just come home and eat chocolate chips for dinner anymore (bummer!) because my handsome, strong husband would not survive on that diet. I suppose I shouldn't be able to either. Hmmmm......Anyway, I am learning new recipes but i've found that pasta is so easy! Haha. It's good that Aaron likes it. ;) If anyone would like to pass along some yummy and EASY recipes, I am gladly accepting suggestions! Hint, Hint.

Aaron has been working hard to install our new bamboo floor. It's a lot like hardwood but more durable and it looks really cool! We hear it's the hot new thing so hopefully someday when we sell our house, people will be knocking down our door trying to get to it first! We're about 90% finished. The final touches are to finish the floor and install new railings throughout the house. I'm ready for our loft to not look so dangerous anymore. It's a good thing we don't have little ones around our home just yet. Aside from those final things, there will only be a bit of touch-up painting and we also hope to install french doors in our basement. Right now the sliding door is just nasty and terrible and bugs keep getting in - Gross!!!! I make Aaron catch them. Most of the time we get these bugs that look like beetles/grasshoppers and they jump really fast. I know they probably don't sound that bad, but they make my skin crawl - I just hate them!

Other than working on the house, Aaron is wrapping up his final weekend of the regular college football season. He wants to cry - I'm a little more OK with this. Don't get me wrong, I actually enjoy watching football with Aaron and often times I cheer louder than he does. But, this has just about consumed every Saturday for the past few months. And just when I think it's only Saturday, I realize there's also football on Thursday's Sunday's and Monday's, too! Yaaaayyyyyy! No, i'm not being sarcastic. Who am I kidding?? Is football on every day of the week??

Taking a stroll...

Yep, down memory lane. I'm really missing my college days/friends and these pictures make me feel a whole lot better!

Classy moment with Jules

Cooking brings out the "weird" with Elise.

Lego Darth Vador!!

Melissa loves technology.

In honor of GW. We'll forever miss your enthusiasm each time we walked into the room!

The Land of the Free....

Because of the brave. You've heard it a lot. But oh how true it is. And we can rest assured in knowing that the God we love and serve has conquered the world and holds us in His hands.

...In the world, you are having tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.

John 16:33

Tuesday was a busy day for me. Our office was closed on Monday (bummer, since Aaron had the actual Veterans Day off) but we both observed the importance of the day in different ways. He hung with his Air Force buds and played some football. I always enjoy seeing those guys take a break because it seems like they work non-stop.

I stepped out of the office for a little over an hour on Veterans Day to attend the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. I hopped on the metro to get there and sat next to an older man with a hat that said "Navy" across the top. I thanked him for his service. He said, "Oh, it was a really long time ago." "That doesn't matter," I told him. "You served and for that i'm thankful."

I jumped off the metro and was in a hurry (I was running late) and met face to face with a young army soldier who was missing his leg. He was pushing his little boy in a stroller while he waved his American flag back and fourth. It was priceless. I began to sob as I reached for his arm to thank him. He was so gracious and humble. I was just overtaken with emotion for such sacrafice.
As a military wife, I immediately thought of his spouse. Thank the Lord, he made it home.

Arlington Cemetery was probably the most beautiful i've ever seen it. The day was crisp, the sun shining and the sky was incredibly blue. I wish I had pictures, but I think this particular day is better ingrained in my mind because pictures couldn't have done it half the justice.

My hope is that we can all take time out - any day of the week, month or year - to thank those who defend our freedom.

Congrats, Marcus and Teniece!!

Exciting news! Marcus, another LT that works with Aaron, and his wife Teniece were due to have a baby in early December. The challenge was that Marcus was set to deploy in early November (I referenced this couple in a recent post).

Well, Marcus's little girl sure did want to see her daddy before he left to do his job in Iraq because she was born 5 weeks early, this past Saturday morning! Despite being early and very tiny (just 5 lbs.) there were no complications at all! Mom and baby are both healthy.

The amazing aspect of all of this is that little Sanai was born at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Marcus boarded his flight at 8 p.m. the same day bound for Iraq. What a miracle and a blessing! Marcus was able to hold his first baby in his arms just before taking off. Oh the joy! I just couldn't resist sharing this remarkable story!

Honor

I've spent the latter part of my work day researching Web sites and becoming familiar with all of the wonderful things military organizations are doing. Not just for Veterans and soldiers, but for their families - Wives, husbands, kids, communities....it's truly amazing.

I've also spend quite a bit of time watching tribute videos, reading articles and looking at pictures of fallen soldiers and their families. Not only do I care about those who have given their life for the freedoms of this country, but I have such a desire to care about each fallen man and woman individually. I feel a knot in my stomach every time I hear a report of a local fallen soldier. Mostly it's because it sounds something like this, "So and so has been KIA in Baghdad. He/she attended such and such high school and are from the town/city of _____. Now, back to you, so and so, for the sports report!" Thanks. We appreciate your compassion. I mean, I realize that a news station or newspaper can't possibly spend enough time talking about the precious life of a person...all the people they touched, why so many loved, respected and honored them. But, let's make no mistake that each life is important and valued. Each of those fallen men and women represents a legacy and a life filled with so much. I am honored that I can even attempt to scratch the surface into seeing just what their lives entailed.

I am blown away by so many of these Gold Star families (families who have lost loved ones to war). The ones i've had the pleasure of reading about. They are filled with so much passion and patriotism. I cannot image what it would feel like having a military medal and American flag placed in my hands at the funeral of my son, daughter, father, mother or spouse. And not only that, but to then move forward with so much strength.

I am also proud to see that despite their pain, these families can still stand and say, "We honor the mission. We honor the troops." Because guess what people?? The media gives you SO LITTLE COVERAGE. When will you see the truth?? These soldiers care about the people they are going over there to save. And they care about Americans. Set a President's agenda aside, these men and women believe in what they do each day, and they give their all.

Try to imagine what life would be like without our military? You can't. Because you'd be dead. You would have already died from saying the wrong thing, or reading the wrong book or wearing the wrong clothes, or talking to the wrong people. You name it. It wouldn't be your right anymore.

Don't you ask me, "Well, why are we just in Iraq? What about Africa and the other impoverished parts of this world?" I'll give you some advice: Read or watch the story of Black Hawk Down. Our military went into Somalia to save the people there from Terrorists just the same as Iraq. And the only reason why we ever left there is because Mr. Clinton got scared when some of our men and women were killed. Not only did he pull out, out of fear, and left Somalia and it's people in the same dangerous, oppressive state it was in before we got there, but he also set our military up for failure. The mission was there, but not completed the way it should have been. Also, ask me in 7 months to give you an update on a friend of my husband's who's deploying to Palau next week. His mission? Humanitarian work. There are many more examples like these.

I deeply regret that the war in Iraq has become so political to the point that we forget what our military has done over hundreds of years. I also deeply regret that it has brought the American people to a place of true disrespect for the sacrafices made.

May we all observe Veteran's Day on November 11, and thank even one person for their service. May God bless our troops who have and continue to fight and sacrafice for YOU.

Jenny's 6 Random Facts (do you think I could get Aaron to do this, too??)

Ok, Mari, since you proposed the idea....here it is!

1) When I was a kid, I loved horses. Ok, I still do. But as a kid, it was somewhat of an obsession. For Christmas one year, I begged my parents to get me a horse as a gift. I had this great idea that i'd put him in our backyard with the apple trees. I honestly thought FOR SURE that my parents would get him for me, so on Christmas day, I opened presents and then ran outside to the backyard. Somehow in my childish mind, I thought that a gate, barn and horse would appear even though they weren't there the day before (kids don't seem to get the process of time...but maybe this is a good thing!). I even put on the whole "Home Alone" act, if you know what i'm talking about. Running into the living room, hoping to see his parents - I was running outside hoping to see a horse knawing on apples. Well, it didn't happen. I cried. Isn't this lame?! My poor parents.....

2) In all honesty, I'm just a big dork! Let me tell you why. I got asked out for my first date as a freshman. He was a Junior. I felt pretty special! (Sure.) Anyway, he didn't have a car - He was cool - so my mom took me to go pick him up. Our date was the high school basketball game. AWESOME. I swore I remembered which house was his because I had played with his younger sister in elementary school as a kid. But, apparently I had completely forgotten. Also, this was back in the days of horses and buggies when kids didn't actually have cell phones in the 2nd grade, let alone the 9th grade. Fortunately, I knew for sure what street he lived on, I just couldn't nail down the house. My mom was furious. It was pouring down rain. Can you see where this is going?? Ok, so my mom, ever so friendly-like, told me to get out of the car and start knocking. Off I went, running through puddles and dodging what seemed like golf-sized rain drops and knocked on my first door. A woman answered....in her bath robe. Ugh. Definitely not him. Second door, a woman answered with her screaming kids in the background. I heard a quick, "Cameron WHO?? I can't hear you, sorry." SLAM - door shuts. Third door, a older, much friendlier woman answered the door. I asked if she knew where Cameron lived and she said, "Well, I always see a really handsome, strong young man washing his red truck out in front of that house (for the record, the truck was his dad's.) It was just a bit creepy coming from a really old woman, but hey, the older women get, the cuter those younger ones become....JUST KIDDING, HONEY!!! Ok, so I walk over to the house she pointed at and there I was, soaked, make-up running down my face, hair a mess, MY MOM SITTING IN HER CAR and I see Cameron in the window. He opens the door and says, "Are you lost??" What a jerk - He was watching me the entire time. We never dated again. No, i'm not bitter anymore.

3) I have a very keen sense of smell. And really, I mean ODDLY keen. I can smell things that no other normal person could. It gets so bad that I usually become nauseous very easily. I can smell chemicals in furniture, my husband's farts 10 minutes later (I debated saying that), and it gets so bad that my nose will burn if something with the slightest, strangest smell is around long enough. It's actually quite annoying. As far as my husband's farts go, that comment will totally gross out single people. If you're married, and a woman, you know EXACTLY what i'm talking about.

when I was a kid, we had a Ford Taurus wagon. You know, the one with the backseat that was backwards?? Oh yeah, we were cool. Well, almost every time we drove somewhere in that car, I would get car sick. Even after 15, 20 minutes sometimes. I used to say to my mom, "Mom, it smells funny in here!" After we got rid of that car, I stopped barfing on short AND long trips. Maybe it was because I wasn't riding backwards anymore???

4) I'm the queen of drinking half a beer...OR half a glass of wine (isn't wine already only a half glass??) But yes, it's true. And it drives Aaron batty. But, for his sake, that usually means he gets 2 and a half beers instead of 2. Aren't I thoughtful?? No, just a light-weight.

5) I'm a clean freak. So clean to the point that this is probably the number one thing Aaron and I fight about. And though he could be better about cleaning up after himself, the problem is mostly with me. I get so tired of clutter, i'll just throw things away without even bothering to look at what it actually is. I just know i'll feel better when the room is tighty and clean. Wow, can I ever grow out of this?? I'm only 24, sure I can...RIGHT?!?

6) Aaron and I knew each other as kids. He was so cute. He always wore sweat pants...never jeans. I had a mullet. We were made for each other. When his family moved to Alaska around the time I was 10, my sister and I had a very memorable conversation. I said, "Maaannnn!!! Now Aaron Meredith can never be my boyfriend." Never say never, because now he's my HUSBAND!! And he's even cuter than he was back then. Sometimes we still say, "Wow, would you have ever thought??" "No", he'd say; and "Well, i'd hoped...but, no", i'd say. If you ask me, I think he always prayed before bed, "Lord, please let me marry that sexy mullet girl, Jenny Gordon. My life would be complete."

And hopefully someday we'll have mullet children wearing sweat pants. Or, maybe just children and not the mullets or sweat pants. I like that better :)

Now I tag Melissa and my sister, Beccy!

Pumpkins!!

I absolutely love fall and everything that goes along with it. The changing of the leaves - The tree in our backyard is a purple color...amazing! I love hot apple cider, apple pie (my specialty), cozy sweaters, scarves, rain boots, fun jackets and I just love, love, LOVE the crisp-ness in the air. We've had very warm, unseasonal weather up until yesterday. It dropped from 80 and humid to about 55-60 degrees overnight. I can't get enough of it yet!

Today we visited a farm in Maryland with some Air Force friends, Shawn and Angela. Aaron and Shawn deployed together in 2007 and have been great friends ever since. They just had their first baby in December 2007, Maddeline, and she's a doll! She loved climbing on the pumkins and we found one that was just her size. We really got into the whole experience. We took a hay ride out to pick our own pumpkins, drank hot cider, sampled the carmel-apple pie (with ice cream...it was a sin!) and we couldn't leave without purchasing their fresh apple butter, apples, peach jelly and apple cobbler mix. I just love local produce. You can't beat it!

Many thanks to Shawn , Angela and Maddie for a great kick-off to a fun-filled, enjoyable fall! You guys are awesome!

Frustrations and Mixed Emotions

The last few weeks have been, well, interesting to say the least. I've seen the doctor about 3 or 4 times now for a problem i've been having with my mouth. About a month and a half ago, I started getting what appeared to be just really chapped lips. It progressively worsened over the weeks. I tried curing it on my own and let me tell you, I tried EVERYTHING under the sun. One pharmacist told me it was a fungus (ahhh!! yuck!) so I tried putting a cream on it. Another told me it was a vitamin deficiency, so I loaded up on a multi and B vitamin. Now, i'm not trying to get all grose and disgusting on everyone here, but you have no idea how bad its been. I woke up one morning last week and Aaron and I thought I had a flesh eating disease. Can you believe that?!? So I rushed into the doctor (thank the Lord military medical facilities are open on Saturdays!!) and a doctor put me on some heavy steroids, pain killers, 8 pills of antibiotic a day and a cream for my lips. He said he thought I had come down with a bacterial infection. Ugh!

Yesterday I had a follow-up appointment and things looked good - It was my last day of steroids. But, this morning, it seems to be flairing up again. The doc did say yesterday that an allergy could have triggered it, and then a bacteria some how got to it too and made it worse.

So, the million dollar question of the day is, WHAT THE HECK DO YOU THINK I COULD BE ALLERGIC TO?!? I am desperate for ideas from ANYONE! I don't care if you're a stranger, a friend, a family member, Jack Bauer, Dwight Schrute - Gosh, someone help me!! I will try anything, really....

Now onto something else. I've been having so many mixed emotions lately about Aaron's deployment situation. We still haven't heard anything which doesn't surprise me. I know this sounds pessimistic, but I have a feeling that if he goes, we'll have about a week or two to prepare. That's just how the military works in these types of situations. I hope i'm not sounding bitter, though. I am so thankful that there's even a chance that Aaron won't go. And it isn't because we don't support the mission, I guess it's the selfish side of me that has been saying, "Wow, we just got married...we're in the middle of working on our house....this is such a bad time for him to leave me!" But guess what, when is it EVER a good time for ANYONE? One of the other officers stationed out here with us is leaving for Iraq in about 3 weeks. His wife is due to have a baby in December. I have lost sleep over this - Literally. I mean, why us and not them?? These are difficult questions to ask and I realize more and more everyday that I don't have answers. But, God does. I'm learning to let go. It's much easier to just leave it in the hands of the one who DOES know.

At the end of each day, i'm so proud of Aaron. He is always ready for the call from his country. How many of us could say that we would willingly give up everything and put our lives on hold to serve this country and the people who live here?? I cannot express my respect for him and so many others.

Though we would love to not spend months apart, I can honestly say that we are ready. We are ready for either outcome and we TRUST that GOD will take care of little things like, how will I sleep at night? How could I possibly live alone for all those months? What would I do if something terrible happened with the house? I wouldn't have my handy-man anymore! :( What if the car broke down? What if I became really sick and didn't have anyone to help!? These are such awful questions, but I think pretty common ones for women who are preparing to send their soldier off.

Please do not pitty me. All I would ever ask for is prayer.....

So many updates!!

So as i've promised, pictures are finally here! Aaron and I have been working so hard on the house. We finally have a kitchen and if you ask me, that means things are really coming together! There's still a lot of touch-up yet to do, but we're getting there. I had to include a picture of my oh-so-amazing Kitchen Aid mixer (thanks to Gramma G!) because i'll be cooking some yummy cookies tonight for a party with friends tomorrow night. Our good Air Force buddy, Grant, has just been accepted to the FBI (yeah!!) so our "Secret Agent Man" is off to Quantico for 9 months of "hell" as we've heard.....but hey, if you ever meet this guy you'd think, "wow, i'd definitely want him spying on all the bad people!" He's so great.

I had to include a picture of our Honeymoon as well, which is way over due. We had such a wonderful time on the Washington Coast. It was so relaxing and just what we needed!

Also, the latest BIG news is that i've just accepted a new position at a non-profit here in DC called Military Families United. This organization was first started in 2005 by a woman named Merrilee who was the first mother to lose two of her sons in the Iraq war. I am so honored to be apart of her effort to not only reach out to Gold Star families (those who have lost loved ones since the war began), but to also reach out to Blue Star families (those who currently have a loved one serving.) It is also important for us to have a presence out here in DC with our government officials so that we can help educate people on why we need to support the troops to finish the mission we have in the Middle East.

The team of people who make up this incredible organization are amazing and they all have HUGE hearts for our beloved military personnel. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of families as well as doing some event planning, Web site work and writing their newsletter. I know i'll really get to put my skills and gifts to work!

Well, i'm off to a Dr. appointment (thrilling) so i'll have to write more later. I hope this update finds you all feeling blessed!

And the new kitchen paint color is.....(drum roll please).....

YELLOW!! Yay, hubby! And it was completely his idea. I was going for blue but decided it reminded me too much of a baby's nursery. Since we aren't ready for that just yet, the yellow idea scored with me! And thanks to Marilyn Olson, we have a beautiful sunflower water-color painting that she graciously made and gave to us as a wedding gift! She is so very talented! I can't wait to see how it looks next to our yellow paint (no, it isn't street light yellow or anything. It's just perfect.) We almost have all of our new cabinets installed and we're getting our granite installed next week! Woo hoo! Things are really pumping along.

Now, if only Aaron would cave on letting me paint a contrast wall in the living room.....hmmmmm......i'll keep everyone posted on that small battle ;)

Watch for pictures soon!

Is it Important??

I am at a crossroads in my job and have been struggling with the same thing over and over again. Which is more important?

A. To do my job correctly and uphold the integrity of my responsibilities?

Or

B. By doing so, run the risk of jeopardizing the "like-ability" (i hate the term, but will use it anyway) my co-workers have for me?

I have found that it is rather difficult to obtain both positives. Why? Because I have a job that requires people to make extra effort. Clearly, some people don't like to make extra effort!! Even if it's for the RIGHT REASONS! I mean, can't we all just play by the rules?? I get so tired of the D.C. politics - Not just in the sense of true politics, but work-place politics.

It is easy to be swayed, but I am remaining faithful to my position that I have an integrity and respect to maintain with the senior management whom I report directly to. I try so hard to not be swayed by the lack of appreciation or disrespect for what i'm asked (not to mention) paid to do. We have rules that require employees to follow certain procedures. Often times the "procedures" aren't fun. Which means, Jenny's job sometimes isn't very fun.

Life is just dang hard sometimes. Really. End of post.

Humbling

Please take the time to read this article. I need not say much - It really speaks for itself.

http://www.eielson.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123111092

May I add, I am so proud to be the wife of such an honorable man who serves his country so well!

Quick Update

Aaron and I should finally have high speed internet at home by tonight! With all the construction going on at home, Aaron hasn't wanted to pay for it. Can I say that I blame him?? But that means that i'll finally be able to post pictures and become much better at this whole world of blogging.

I can't wait to share pictures of the progress on our house. Aaron is such an amazing handy-man! Right now, there is dust EVERYWHERE since he's been dry-walling the kitchen. We hope to pick out a paint color tonight. I hope to convince Aaron to be a little more adventurous. I like colors, he likes whites.....bummer. I'm sure no matter what, it will help once we start decorating. I keep telling everyone, "you'll know when our kitchen is done when I start coming around with cookies!" I am excited to use my new Kitchen Aid mixer, courtesy of Gram and Grandpa Gordon!

Also, good news! Wedding pictures are up for viewing on our photographer's Web site! Scroll down to the bottom of my blog and you'll find the link. Aaronwatsonphoto.com. He and his team did such an incredible job. But, this is a fair warning. There are 1200 pictures! So plan to make a night of it! When you get to his site, select the "recent events" option. Scroll down to our album and the passcode is meregord, all lower case. Enjoy!

More updates to come! :)

Ugh...

I'm a little frustrated trying to set up this whole blogging Web site! It's so silly, but I look at others and they are so fun! I think I just need more time to play with all of the settings. Although, it reminds me a bit of the i-phones - Too complicated! Too many options! And speaking of the i-phone, if something comes with a 30 minute "how to" video, i'll pass, thanks. Am I the only one who feels this way??

The Big News

About two weeks ago, I had one of those breakdown moments that military wives who are preparing for their husband to deploy often experience. We were laying in bed about to fall asleep and out of nowhere I started sobbing uncontrolably. I waited for it to freak Aaron out, but he just held me as I explained to him that I couldn't deal with him leaving. I told him that I just felt so much pressure and that I didn't want to be without him for so long. Little did I know that something else, something more uncertain was crowding his mind as he consoled me.

For those of you who don't already know, Aaron and I found out a week from this past Friday that he is no longer deploying. We are calling it a miracle, some military officals are calling it a flaw in the computer system. When the Readiness Squadron (the people who help you prepare for deployments) went to follow up on his CST (combat survivial training) in September, just prior to his deployment, they were shocked and confused when another LT was listed in Aaron's place. They made a phone call to Texas and confirmed this finding. So, at the time I was losing control of my emotions, Aaron knew that he may not deploy. But, being the smart man that he is, he didn't tell me until the next day when it was confirmed. This is a HUGE answer to prayer. I have asked God the seemingly impossible : "Please, Lord. Please keep my husband home with me somehow." So, me of little faith, God is continuing to show me how big He is and that his plan rules out over any circumstance. Praise be to God alone. But of course, this isn't the end of the story. As the first lesson was to learn to pray EXPECTANTLY WITHOUT CEASING, the next lesson is to learn to walk by faith and not by sight. Aaron is still deployable until the end of November. This means that if a tasking comes down, he will be required to accept. Most likely, it will happen if someone overseas is injured or has a medical or family emergency and can't finish out their deployement - Aaron will take their place for the remainder. It is also possible that the Army could request him...but this situation is less likely.

Nonetheless, we are rejoicing that God is faithful and that he takes the time to answer our prayers. We are also hopeful that God will carry this plan to completion - Whatever his will may be. And we pray that Aaron will miraculously be home to spend our first Thanksgiving (as a married couple) and our very first Christmas together!

Please be in prayer for us. Please specifically pray for these things:
1. Pray for our troops - For safety and for their mental, emotional, physical and spritual well-being.
2. Pray for their families holding down the fort at home. It is the hardest job EVER!
3. Pray for Aaron's deployment situation and specifically that he will NOT be tasked!
4. Pray for our marriage that these confusing times and the stress that it brings will be held at bay from our relationship. Stress easily causes stupid arguments. We are working hard to avoid this!

Thanks for taking the time to share in our experiences. It means more than we could ever express.