2011

It is amazing how many life altering experiences one can have in 12 months time. As for us, 2011 was the most eventful year thus far.
In February, Nathan left for basic training in Great Lakes, IL. We exchanged as many letters as our hands could write and anxiously waited to be reunited in 8 agonizing weeks.
March came and went (very slowly) and on April 9, Nathan graduated from basic training and headed out to Pensicola, FL for A-school.
On May 18th, we headed to Virginia Beach, VA and arrived at our 'new home' on the 21st after four very long days in the car. We only had 3 short days together and had to say goodbye once again as Nathan boarded a plain headed for Bahrain. The dogs and I stayed with relatives until we found a place to call home.
On June 11, I was shocked to find out that we were expecting our first child. I had never experienced such joy in my life. I just could not wait to be a mommy. I hadn't heard from Nathan for a few days, and my secret was killing me! He finally called on June 18th to wish me a happy birthday (the day before Father's Day) and I wished him his very first Happy Father's Day. He was beyond ecstatic. Tears were shed and we began the journey to parenthood.
July 15th, I drove out to watch The USS Enterprise return to Virginia. I had never been to a ship homecoming before and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. After baking in the sun for 4 hours, I finally ran into the arms of my husband. He always looks so handsome dressed up in his uniform.
The months went by (they seem to go much faster when he is home), I had begun a new job and our lives seemed to become "normal" again.
On September 21st, we found out that our new addition was going to be a boy! We couldn't have been more excited. That night, we went and purchased his very first oufit. He was already loved and wanted SO much. He grew and grew and at one point, I believed my stomach would pop if someone touched it. I loved being pregnant and feeling my sweet baby kicking me. He made me so happy.
On October 31st, we found out that our little angel had passed away and on November 1 at 5:24 AM, he was born. He was so handsome and is missed immensely.
Here we are, three months later, gearing up for our first long deployment. He leaves in March and will return in October. I'm gonna need a whole lot of prayers to get through this...

He's BAAAACKK!

So there's a few things to be updated on that happened in the past month-ish.

First of all: WE'RE HAVING A BABY!

this particular picture is from my last appointment, i was a little over 8 weeks. i have another appointment on Thursday as i'm nearing the end of my 11th week! so hopefully everything is running smoothly :)

Nathan arrived back home in Virginia on July 15. Having never been to a ship homecoming before, i wasn't sure what to expect but it was something i'm glad to say i was a part of. All together, it was about a 5 hour ordeal from the time i arrived to the time we left the parking lot but it was definitely worth it!

I absolutely LOVE having him home, and so do the dogs :) he's helped me out so much around the house and has taken such good care of me when i experience the 'not so exciting' events of pregnancy.

It's also a plus that he's been on critter control and saved me from terrifying encounters with these little creatures that we keep finding in the back yard and on the porch.

And luckily, he'll be home for the rest of this year :) i couldn't be happier.

We are so excited to be starting a family together. Although it was unexpected, we're welcoming it with so much joy and excitement. This child is going to be loved very much :)

Our Story

Well a lot to fill people in on! So i'll start from the beginning:
We met on August 29, 2005 in Mr. Neuman's math class at Centennial High School. For me, it was love at first sight when i saw this shy, freckle-faced boy with dimples that were to die for. I gave him my e-mail address so that we could IM each other :) and after i chased him for a while, he finally decided to give me a shot. We dated off and on for the next 4 years of high school and shortly afterwards, on November 26, 2009 we got engaged! It was the happiest moment of my life and i had only dreamed of being with someone so perfect, but never thought that dream would become my reality.

We were married on August 7, 2010 in Boise, ID. It was everything i imagined it to be. He makes the most wonderful husband and i couldn't ask for anything better <3

We rented a little house in East Boise and added 2 baby pups to our family: Kona & Maleko. At 6 weeks old, it was difficult raising them & dealing with potty training, puppy whining, etc, but we managed to make it :)

On February 9, 2011, Nathan left for boot camp for the Navy. It was 58 long days before i could see his face again and on April 9, 2011 I went with his parents to watch him graduate. It was one of the happiest moments of my life and also the most difficult.

He left again for A-School which was in Pensicola, FL and was gone until May 11, 2011. He came home and was able to spend time with family and friends until the 18th when we packed up the dogs and our bags and headed East to our new home in Virginia Beach, VA. It was a 42 hour drive but of course Nathan made it incredibly enjoyable. :) We arrived in Virginia Beach on the 21st and on the 24th, i had to say goodbye once again as Nathan boarded an airplane headed to Bahrain. It has been a difficult journey, but well worth it when i get to see his face again. He is supposed to come back home in the middle of July and i'm hoping it will be for longer than i'm anticipating.