Throwback Thursday: James is OUT OF THE NAVY!

Six years have come and passed. From Chicago, IL to Charleston, SC to Norfolk, VA. 2 deployments on the Big E. My big brother is {unofficially} out of the Navy.   Graduating from Boot Camp in 2007 - Chicago, IL

James went to boot camp in 2007. He spent his 21st birthday in boot camp - parrrrrty! - and we drove up to Chicago for his graduation. This seems like soooo long ago! He has such a baby face.
Graduating from "Nuke School" in 2008 - Charleston, SC

James went to school in Charleston, SC, somewhere we had nooo problem visiting! I absolutely love the architecture, food and environment that Charleston has to offer!
First deployment in January 2011 - Norfolk, VA

Coming Home in July 2011 - Norfolk, VA

Coming home from second deployment in November 2012 - Norfolk, VA  Came home on his birthday!

Leaving Ghent in 2013 - Norfolk, Va...Austin bound!

 
We were so lucky to have James in Norfolk for the past couple of years. He could have been anywhere from Georgia to Hawaii. We were able to see him quite often and were able to make it to each deployment send off & return. These six years have seriously flown by!
He is currently on the road, probably somewhere in Tennessee, moving to Austin! So excited to visit in December!!

So thankful for my brother's service to our country and God Bless those who continue to serve!

Catching up -- James is HOME! Go Vote!

I am BACK! Last week was whirlwind of fun and craziness.

We left on Saturday for Norfolk and James came home on Sunday!

I had a perfect weekend and am super sad to be back to the real world!

Let's play catch up!

Steven's classes were cancelled for the whole week as a result of Hurricane Sandy, so he came back home!

We went out as a nerd & prep on Tuesday:

On Halloween night, it was Ballerina night with our homemade tutus!

Steven went with cowboy again since he didn't have another costume:

At Hokie House, our usual hangout!

On Thursday night we were back at Hokie House to catch the Hokie game!

The game was quite depressing, although I had so much fun with all of my friends AND my boyfriend!

I felt so lucky!

Teacher-y girls :)

*Now, we're in Norfolk! James' Welcome Home crew, minus 3!

The most precious sailor baby, with the band & Sesame Street characters:

The Enterprise is HOME!

Happy Birthday and Welcome Home!!!!

My family! Back together again!

  

James & his girlfriend - they started dating while he was out at sea:

HAPPY!

We went up on the flight deck:

Whew! I am so exhausted but so happy and blessed to have my brother home, safe and sound. Today I am thankful for all of the men and women in our military! God Bless them!
I hope everyone goes out to VOTE today! Please exercise your right to vote, no matter who you vote for, just go vote!!
I promise to be back to regular-ish blogging soon. My incentive is going to be blogging about things I'm thankful for as we prepare for Thanksgiving!
Happy Tuesday/Election Day!

Weekend Recap; Welcome, October!

I'm back from my trip to Pennsylvania! I had so much fun, as always.   I'll admit -- it isn't easy being 6 hours away from Steven all year, but it's worth it. Our LDR is something I've come to accept and live with. It isn't ideal but at least I always have something {trips to see him} to look forward to.
All day Saturday was spent here:

The baseball field. Surprised? Me neither. They had a triple header which was so painful, but at least we made it home for the second half of the VT game. SIGH -- don't get me started on that game.
We made sure to go to my favorite place for lunch on Sunday:

"The Shiny Place", as we call it, is our favorite diner. There are lots of diners up there, but this is our favorite. They have the best food & desserts! We got a slice of carrot cake but I was digging in to that SO fast I didn't even have time to get a picture...whoops!
We didn't do anything super special or out of the ordinary, but honestly, that is okay with me. I would rather order pizza & watch Puss in Boots {yes, that happened} than drive somewhere because being together is all I really care about.
Enough mushy relationship talk for now.
Now, it's time for OCTOBER!

I am so happy it's October - although I wish it hadn't started off with rain. I officially feel "fall-ish"...I'm going to go buy 3 Leaves candles for the apartment and go to the pumpkin patch this weekend!!
We only have one home football game this month. Kind of weird, but I'm okay with it since I have lots to get done!
It's also officially only 35 days until this ship comes home from her final deployment with my big brother on it... :) :) :)

EXCITEMENT!


Happy Monday!