New California Family...

Wow it's been a long time.  I didn't even mean for it to be this long. It's been a pretty crazy two months that's for sure.

I'm sure I'll fill in little details as I get back into the habit of blogging but here's a summary:

Ross finally graduated Basic Training :)

I was able to go down to South Carolina for the graduation and to finally see my awesome husband!

I flew down on a Tuesday and was able to spend Wednesday with Ross for family day. He wasn't allowed to leave base but it was great being able to catch up with him and hear all about what he had been doing for 2 and a half months.

He had lost 40 pounds while he was there so it was so crazy seeing him. I felt like he was a totally different person.  He was so much more confident and handsome as always, I was in heaven. :)

And then he had his graduation day on Thursday. It was by far one of the proudest days of my life.  Ross was able to march in a different group and he received a coin from the general for being Soldier Leader of the Cycle for his company.  He did so amazing, and I was very happy to be there to witness this great event in his life.

Everything kinda went in fast forward after that. Ross left for California the next morning, that Friday. Then it was my turn to get everything set up for moving.  We ended up doing a DITY move. (Do IT yourself) So while Ross was in the land of fun and sun (not that he was able to enjoy it) I was packing up our whole apartment and going through tons of paperwork to get ready for our move.

Ross' Dad, Dave, was kind enough to drive out with me.  It was Dave, Medved and I in the front of a uhaul while we towed our Honda on the back.

It was quite the trip. We made it in 3 days, and the only reason we didn't make it in 2 was because the alternator went out in Wyoming so we had to stay a night while it was fixed.  It was fun, I drove through Nebraska and Nevada and was so happy to finally reach California.  It was more beautiful then I thought. So worth the long drive.

After a few set backs we finally made it into our house (townhouse actually) and have been getting settled since then :)

Our days now consist of driving Ross to school, very early in the morning (due to him not being able to drive yet) and then unpacking, getting settled, exploring the area and cleaning, then picking Ross up, making and eating dinner and then Ross doing homework and studying for hours before we finally go to bed. And then it starts all over again the next day.

It's stressful and it's only just begun but we're together and we're happy. :)

I've already been getting little things done with the house. So look forward to fun posts all about my little home projects and my Californian days. <3

There's been a lot of change in my life, and I'm loving all of it.


One big change:

Medved (for the time being) now looks like a greyhound.  I miss his long locks :( but it needed to be done. He's so high maintenance, I can't keep up with all the knots!

Til next time, 

Cathy

The Courageous Lion...

I got a few letters from Ross over the weekend, so I wanted to give everyone an update on how he's doing.

But first I wanted to share a few pictures of Medved. I should start with a background story though.

My best friend's name is Layla. I'm surprised I haven't talked about her more on here. Anyways we've been friends since 7th grade and best friends since 9th. So we're going on 10 years here. We, like most best friends, do things completely out of the blue together to make us laugh or to pass the time. This was one of those things.

Yes, we shaved him like a Lion.

The reason: I could not tell you. But we had so much fun doing it. :)


Okay back to Ross - a few fun facts from his last letter:

• He fought a guy in combatives that outweighed him by about 50 pounds, he said he had the dominate position for most of it but was choked out in the last few seconds. He now has bruises all over his body haha.
• He had another PT test the other day, he improved his amount of push ups and sit ups and he ran his two mile in 13:50. Which beat his goal of 14:20 :)
• He got fitted for his formal blues, that I love so much :)
• He's still PG (Platoon Guide or Leader) for the time being. He's the only one from the original four they chose that still has the position.  He says the other Drill Sergeants have him organize stuff for the other PG's because he's so good :)

I did an over kill with the smiley's but he's so great.

Lastly I wanted to share the last part of his letter, not to brag or show off how amazing my husband is (even though he is) but to share the beautiful testimony my husband has and how much he loves the gospel we believe in. Maybe it'll help someone out there. (1 out of my 10 readers could use a spiritual lift, I'm sure)

What he wrote:

Always remember our Heavenly Father is there for you and loves to hear from you just like your earthy family. He will NEVER give you more than you can handle. He will get you close but that's when you humble yourself and ask for a break. Let him know when you hit your limit. I do this all the time, not because I am weak but because I know my limits. Heavenly Father can fix all things through sincere prayer and faith. Faith is built upon, it doesn't come all at once. You work at it everyday, little by little for your entire life. Sometimes you lose faith but you get up and try again. Life is hard in different ways for all people. Some more than others. Those that keep getting up and trying again are the ones who succeed and are truly happy. 

 

I'm so thankful for his testimony. He's my rock when it comes to certain things.

So let's all get out there and be like Medved the courageous lion! Okay, that was lame but isn't he adorable?

I hope everyone is doing awesome and that you have fun plans made for Memorial Day weekend :)

Cathy

Army - Week 4

So there was no pictures of Ross in the pictures last week.  I did just get a letter yesterday that said they did a lot of target training and qualifications last week though. It's been super hot and he says everyday at least 2 people faint from the heat.

He said when they phased up to White, they elected leadership and he's the Platoon Guide now :) I'm super proud of my man. He works really hard.  He says it's a ton more stressful now having to keep track of about 50 other soldiers though.

Before he left we got some pictures taken by a friend of ours. We just got them back and she did such a great job.  Here are a few:

I was so happy with the way they turned out!!! :)



So that's about it.

Also, Ross informed me that he's lost 15 lbs so far and after 10 years can finally see his abs again - so if you excuse me, I have to go for the longest run of my life and throw up my dinner.

Just kidding, but seriously.



Cathy

Army - Week 3

This was his last week of Red Phase. Only one picture this week. And it wasn't a good one but it's better than nothing.

They had a huge course they all had to go through, they called it Fit to Win.

In front on the left.

He looks tired.  I know he's getting mentally drained but he's still doing great.


Now it's White Phase also known as Gunfighter Phase.  He does all his weapon qualifications in the next few weeks.


He's been gone a month today. Feels like he just left, and like I haven't seen in forever at the same time.  It's weird.


I have to say that writing letters back and forth has been pretty romantic.


Hopefully more pictures next week.


Cathy

Army - Week 2

So I guess they're going to post pictures each week. Here are a few from week 2 (some are a little far fetched but I'm pretty sure they are him)


He did the Gas Chamber this past week, here he is coming out. (2nd one from the front)

Okay this one is weird how I know, but I can see his cheekbone, he holds his pencil like that, and just his stance looks like Ross. I'm pretty sure this was during their overnight that they did last week.

Okay this is ridiculous but I'm working with what I got, hopefully there are clearer ones next week.  I'm pretty sure the 2nd one in from the left is him walking away. I don't think any of the 18 year old guys have shoulders like that :)

He's still doing great. I've gotten a couple of letters so far.  I guess a few of the guys wanted to go to church with him - I'm sure it's because we have a 3 hour service and it's a nice break from everything but still missionary work none the less.


:)



Cathy

In the Army Now....

Has anyone ever seen that movie? Such a classic - wasn't able to watch it with Ross before he left.

Speaking of Ross, he left almost 3 weeks ago now. 1 week of in-processing (paperwork and such) and almost 2 weeks of basic.

At first the alone time was kinda nice, but I'm already getting sick of it.  I miss him very much.  I have to say that he did so much at home. Let me paint a picture for you.... I will go days without unloading and reloading the dishwasher and I have to do 4 loads of laundry tonight. FOUR. Not that he did everything but I just didn't have to do as much.  I miss being able to call him whenever I want to too.

But all in all it's been a great experience and operation Cathy will not be a chubby wife yada yada yada is going great. I've already lost 6 lbs since he's been gone.  It might be because I don't have to buy enough food for a baseball team now.

Update on how he's doing - I got a letter a few days ago and he's doing awesome! He was already told by a Drill Sergeant that he's one of their favorites (right before telling a bunch of other soldiers that they need to be more like him :) and he's carrying the flag while they march - which is supposed to be a really big deal. Like pretty sure picked out of 200 guys big deal. He's really busy and says he's sweating like crazy with his uniform on all the time, but other then missing Medved and I (not as much Medved :) he's having an okay time.

What's really cool is each company has a facebook page and they update it with pictures from time to time. (not the soldiers, obviously) Here's a few pictures that Ross was in from their first week there:


Here he is about to shimmer down a wall. I don't know the actual word for it. Yes, he has no hair and more importantly no side burns - weird.

I'm pretty sure the 2nd one in is him and if not, I apologize to who ever's boyfriend or husband this is because I've been starring at their butt all day.

And here he is in formation. The forth one from the back or the tallest one in the picture.

I'm so proud of him. :)


I should have some cool stuff to start blogging about soon. Specifically a recent trip I just made to the new HomeGoods we got in my town :)



How's everything where you are? Stare at some guy thinking he was your husband? (99% sure it's him though) Buy anything cool from HomeGoods? Tell me....



Cathy

I ♥ NY...

Hey! How's it going?

Thought I'd stop in again today to show off a new print I ordered. It just came in today :)

I get all the Groopdealz and VeryJane emails everyday (along with a few others) and I just so happened to see this cute "State of the Art" print one day.

I've been looking for something like it. Honestly, I don't have much room in my apartment now but I'm sure we'll have more room one day. It looks a little cramped but it was so cute I couldn't just put it away in a box and not hang it up somewhere.

These have gotten pretty popular. This one was featured on VeryJane from this Etsy seller.

I love me some yellow :)

Cathy