Welcome To Virginia

After 4 long days of being in the car we finally made it to beautiful Virginia!! It was a fun drive and the kids did great. I was pretty sick the first 3 days but began to feel better the very last day of course. We rolled into Virginia only experience our first rain storm and a wonderful layer of fog!! So we didn't get to see too much as we drove in but the next morning we saw it all...the tall trees, the green grass, a few flowers blooming and beautiful lakes all over the place! It is breathtaking here. We absolutely love it!! Our house is great minus a few minor flaws behind our neighborhood but you've always got to take the good with the bad. Life is never as perfect as we'd like it to be!!

Since being here in Virginia we've stayed pretty busy. We found out our things would not be here the day we were told they'd be here so we had to go out and get quite a few things for the house. Eva, Jenny's mom, stopped by and brought us a yummy treat, a really pretty plant and a gift card for a restraunt. So thoughtful!! We had our first little get together with some friends. A few guys that Jay served with in Iraq from 2/7 have sinced moved out here to Virginia and one of them had a get together at his home. Jenny and Brian are out here visiting so we all headed over there to spend some time. I met some nice girls and even got to see Miss Nelly!! She lived in 29 as well and is such a joy to be around!!

Caiti, Mommy and Suzi sitting in the window at our new house!

Cindy and Jay in the new living room.

I guess she's searching for new doggie friends to play with...LOL!!

The night we arrived here it was raining pretty hard. Once we pulled into the driveway I ran the kids into the house and this caught my eye.... Yep, that's a mouse house!!! I kind of stood there for a minute thinking "there better not really be mice here and these people actually gave them a home!!" So I slowly knelt down and opened the door (ready to jump at any minute) only to see the baseboard behind the door!! LOL!! I laughed!! I think it's absolutely cute though and Caiti just loves it!!
So once our stuff arrives here and I stay up all night arranging everything I will post a blog showing our new place! I can't wait to get started on everything so it can start to feel like home in here.

Family of Friends

Just one week ago we said goodbye to our life in 29 Palms. Never a goodbye to those we have become so close with however. The Kuhs family was having their children's birthday parties the day before we left...so glad we were able to be there to be a part of that!! It was pretty obvious that all of us girls were trying to avoid the fact that at the end of the party we were going to have to say farewell or as Jordan would say..."peace and elephant grease" LOL!! We enjoyed the day celebrating Ashton's 5th birthday and Dakota's 2nd birthday. Once we realized the time had come for us to leave the tears started flowing. I have really only known Jordan, Jenn and Christy for a few months but in those few months we have all become very close, as have our children. Watching our children say goodbye or refuse to say goodbye made it that much harder. We all stood in the living room telling eachother how much we'd miss eachother and much we love eachother. Jay said a little piece on behalf of our family and then we parted ways. It was very difficult watching Jenn and Jordan do my Miss America wave as I drove off the street! It's how I always waved when I drove past their houses. The girls in Cali will always hold a special place in my heart and each of their husbands hold a special place in Jason's heart. We love all of you very much!!!

Christy, Jenn, Cindy, Jordan and Jenny

This picture right here is of Caiti and her Miss Christy. These two have a very strong bond. Caiti and Brooklyn (Christy's daughter) played all the time. They lived right across the street from us. Caiti was always asking for Miss Christy and loved spending time with her as much as Miss Christy would have her! She'd do anything and everything with Miss Christy...even fold laundry!! LOL!! It was so hard to watch these two say goodbye. Caiti refused to let go and even took off running to Christy's house. It literally broke my heart. Christy was so wonderful with Caiti which meant a lot to me and Jay.

Josh, Jason and Tyler (John and Brian are missing from this photo)
Caiti and Brooklyn

Gage and Cory

Briana and Caiti

Cory, Brittany and Matthew

It's such an honor being married to a man in the military and I know the pride my husband holds being a Marine. We love all aspects of the military except when it comes down to having to say goodbye to people who have become like family to you. When you are sent places far away from the family you've known all your life or friends you've grown up with and end up in a town where you don't know anybody it's rough. But then just when you think the Marine Corps stinks for sending you there you meet people who become family. People who you can laugh with and create some of the fondest memories with. You form a bond so quickly because in the military you never know when that person will have to leave. We were blessed to have been placed where we were because the people God brought into our lives are some of the most amazing friends anybody could ask for.

Johnsons, Rathbuns, Kuhs, Deerings and Schreyers....thank you all for being such wonderful friends and neighbors. You gave us a lot of good memories to keep with us wherever we go. The times we spent will never be forgotten. We love and miss all of you very much and hope one day the Marine Corps brings us back together again! God bless each of you!!

Just a quick update...

Well, today we had our final inspection for our house here on base and we passed with flying colors!!! It was a lot easier than Jay and I expected. Civilians sure are a lot more relaxed than the goverment, lol!! When we moved out of our house on Camp Pendelton we basically had a "white glove inspection" and here....nowhere near that!! The guy was so nice and very relaxed!! He said our house was in excellent condition and we wouldn't owe anything for cleaning! Praise God!!! So now we are finally all out of our home and everything is done! Now it's time to get ready for our trip cross-country and then we move into our new house!! Although right now things are looking a little rocky for our trip plans. The route we were scheduled to take is having a lot of snowfall. We may be affected by some last minute changes which makes me sad because I really hoped to see my family in Colorado. I just don't think it's very safe... We'll see how the next couple of days go with the weather. I will keep everyone updated! Our plan is to leave Monday so please keep us in your prayers!!

Today was also Cory's last day of school. This was the first grade school Cory ever attended. He's been with Condor for 3 straight years...Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. It will be very weird saying goodbye to our sons first school. He's learned so much there and has made many friends. He's been blessed with great teachers and I hope he transitions well to his new school in Virginia! Keep Cory in your prayers as well!

Until next time........

Hard Work Pays Off

Today Cory received an award at school. I was excited because Jay would actually be here for this one! The movers also came today so I thought it would just be Jay going to watch him receive this. Thankfully, the movers finished early and we both were able to go watch Cory get his award. We also got to see Matthew (Jenny & Brians son) receive his award. Him and Cory both received the Personal Success Award. Cory received this for Math. Cory has been struggling a little bit with Math but does not give up on trying his hardest. He always pushes forward and tries very hard to please Mom and Dad. It makes him very happy when he does good. It is such a pleasure being able to see your child get recognized for their hard work.

161 Boxes later...

Our moving day finally arrived. Monday and Tuesday the packers were in our house putting everything we owned into boxes as we sat there and watched. This time we had 3 ladies who did a great job packing and didn't sit around chatting all day!! haha! They finished everything in a day and a half. Today the moving truck came and started moving everything out of the house. We were told we had 161 boxes...wow! That does not include all the big furniture items! Hope we aren't over our weight limit!

Jason and Jenn hanging out while our stuff gets moved.

I absolutely LOVED this sticker!!

So about halfway thru them packing the truck up
they realized they needed to open the back of the truck
because our stuff was taking up more room than they thought.
The driver went to start the truck up so they could move it
up a little to make it easier to move things in. Well......
the truck wouldn't start!! Of course some on the street thought
it was funny because maybe we wouldn't be able to leave, haha!
The driver asked us for a jump!! A jump from my little 4.7 liter Jeep
to his huge big rig! Yeah right!!! We thought we'd at least attempt to help
him out though. It didnt work...they had to call in another big rig to
get a jump. It worked and soon they were off...

Once the house was all cleaned out I asked

Jenn to come and take a picture of me and Jay

in our empty house...

Game Over!

Last week Cory had his last basketball game. Again, the team played very well!! Cory made quite a few shots which made it really fun to watch!! This season seemed really long so it's nice that it's finally over although Cory is going to really miss playing!

Here is Cory and Cedric running the ball down the court.

Cory taking a few shots...

Cory and Gage

After the game their coach wanted everyone to head over to Dominos for pizza and to give the kids their trophies. Everyone headed over there and we all sat and talked about the season. The coach brought out pizza and drinks. There was an ice fight between the coach and the players! haha!!

Here is Cory getting his award.

Cory and his coach...I would have to say the by far this is Cory's best coach yet!

His way of teaching them was amazing and he was very good with the kids. Cory learned a lot from him and we appreciated all his hardwork!Gage, coach and the assistant coach

Cory and Gage with their trophies!!

Never Say Goodbye

Yesterday we had our going away BBQ. Jenny and Brian were kind enough to open up their home so we could have all our friends together for a BBQ one last time. We really enjoyed spending the day talking and laughing with those closest to us. It was very bittersweet. The pictures don't do any justice to the day we had! We love and will miss each and every one of these people you see below...

This is Krystle and Zach's little girl, Baylee!

I started off with this photo because it was

one of my favorites from the day. Baylee and I bonded

for a few short minutes. I will miss her cute smile and big dimples!

Here is Brian making one of the faces I'll miss!

Tim and Lacey
Jay, Christy and Jenny
Jay and Zach

Jay and Emmie

Ashton, Josh and Jordans little boy

Briana

Jay and Jordan

Brian, the Grill Sergeant
These are our travel goodies.

My elephants did this for us!

Jenn making a very yummy fruit salad!

The guys eating lunch

The ladies chatting and enjoying some sun!

I'll miss finding pictures like these on my camera!

Beauties, Jenn and Jordan!

Dakota and Briana eating ice

Krystle

Christy with Caiti and Brooklyn

Caiti and her blue tongue.

Jenny and Baby B

Little Miss Baylee and her cute little dimples!

Jay and Patrick...these two were PFC's together

in their first unit as marines!

Jay and all his boys!

Yes, this is how they always are!

Jay and Brian

Zach and Jay

Jay and Tyler

Aaron and Jay

Josh and Jay

Thank you all so much for coming out and spending this day with us! We love you all and are very thankful to have gotten to know all of you! Our lives won't be the same without you all. Thank you for the memories!! Hopefully the Marine Corps will bring us back together again one day...