2 Years!

2 years ago yesterday Jeremy and I were married on the beach in Hawaii.

So much has happened since then. We've been separated due to deployments and training, we've moved to the other side of the US, we've lived in 2 homes, and much more in these last 2 years! These last 2 years have been a whirlwind of excitement and I'm so glad I've gotten to spend it with Jeremy!

Happy Anniversary Babe! I love you!

The General's House

Warning this post has details for  my mom and those who are interested!

Last night I had the honor of attending a dinner at a 3 star General's House. They invited all the spouses from Jeremy's company over to welcome us to the Marine Corps, thank us, and teach us how to be Officer Wives. I wish I could have taken pictures! Some girls did take some before we left on their phones so here those are.

It was a fun night. We were sent the book Parade Rest to review before attending. It is a book of Marine Officer Customs and Protocol. We were also sent instructions on what to wear and bring. The dress code was casual, no jeans. We were to keep handbags to a minimum. We were to bring a hostess gift in a form of a donation to a charity. We met off site and were bused to the beautiful house on Quantico.

They started off with a "cocktail hour" on the deck. We mingled with the fellow wives, the new CO of TBS, the General and his wife, and other higher-up spouses. After this we enjoyed dinner on the deck prepared by the Enlisted Aides. There were 6 aides there to serve the meal. The General has an aide everyday from 7:30-3:00 to cook and clean the house. Jeremy said he also has aides that drive him around and other things.

The menu was:
Raspberry Spinach Salad
Caribbean Jerk Pork Tenderloin with Pinneapple Salsa
Saffron Rice
Vegetable Medley
Summer Garden Tortellini with Chicken
Key Lime Pie with Passion Fruit and Huckleberry Compote

They then went over the protocol. Most of the things we talked about were basic etiquette rules. The one thing I do not agree with is the "dress code". We are not supposed to wear certain clothes to the commissary (grocery store) on base. We can't wear flip flops, gym clothes, or short shorts. I always wear flip flops and will continue to do so...at least until I get kicked out. Gym clothes...really? It's a grocery store! What if I want to stop by the store on my way home from the gym or if I just want to be comfy. They said we need to be examples for the younger wives....wait I am a younger wife. Hawaii was much more laid back about the dress code. I wore my work out shorts and flip flops to the commissary every time and never had a second thought. 

Overall it was a nice evening and the food was delicious. And I enjoyed catching up with all the spouses!

Catch Up

Well it has been a long time since I last posted and so much has happened since then! I will try to start writing more consistently. I'll be working on the design, but for now, let me update you on our lives!

Jeremy went to Officer Candidate School to switch from the Enlisted side of the Marine Corps to the Officer side! He went to training in Quantico, VA from Oct-Dec and graduated on Dec. 11, 2009 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USMC! I'm so proud of him for doing well at this school! It was like boot camp so he knew what to do for the most part.

I missed Jeremy while he was gone, but I did get to go back to the mainland from Thanksgiving until his graduation to see everyone. 

After Jeremy graduated, we went back to Hawaii to spend a quiet Christmas together. The movers came to pack us up and we moved to Stafford, VA just about 30 miles south of DC! 

Jeremy is in The Basic School which all Marine Officers have to go through. He will (hopefully) graduate on July 1! After that he will go to communications school here at Quantico so we will be staying here for another 6 months or so! Here is Jeremy and some of his roommates in their dress blues!

We are enjoying living here so far. We've gotten to do a lot of sightseeing, but are looking forward to doing more! My parents came to visit last week and my cousin Laura and her husband were here the past few days! It's so fun to have visitors!

A lot of other stuff has happened as well. My best friend Katie got married! It was so great to stand next to her on her big day!

My nephew Jaxon was born! We got to see him Memorial Weekend which was wonderful.

Jeremy's mom got really sick and we went to visit her Memorial Weekend as well. She is now home and recovering. We hadn't seen Jeremy's family in a year and a half. Jeremy hadn't been to Texas in a year and a half! It was a long overdue visit and so good to see everyone! Here is Jeremy and his siblings.

I know I'm missing a lot of stuff! But this will have to do for now! We miss Hawaii and all our friends their, but we are enjoying our new adventure here in Virginia!

1 year!

Back on June 20th, Jeremy and I celebrated our one year anniversary. We spent the weekend in Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Here we are on our balcony about to go to dinner!



My hot hubby


Dinner at Ruth's Chris...YUM!


They had rose petals on the table when we got there, gave us free wine, and chocolate covered strawberries! We recommend going here on your anniversary to get spoiled!


View of the beach from our room.


View of the city from our room


Jeremy chilling in the pool!


Our wedding cake topper. Thanks mom for wrapping it up so carefully and bringing it to us!

Friends!

Our dear friends Mel and Matt came to visit us at the beginning of June. Mel was friends with my brothers in college and we became best friends. We both married military men. So they spent a week out here enjoying the ocean! Here's a few pictures from their time here.

Yummy breakfast!


What a lovely view!


the ocean!


Enjoying cold drinks at the beach!


Sushi dinner


Mel and I at the luau with our headbands we made


Before the luau

The rest of the visit

So to finish my parents visit...

During the week, mom and dad did some sightseeing.


We went to dinner in Honolulu and there was a beautiful sunset!




At dinner! Yum!




Hanauma Bay snorkeling!




That brings us to the end of the visit from my parents! Thanks for coming mom and dad!

Coming up next, Mel and Matt's visit!

A long time ago...MAUI!

Well I know it has been ages since I have updated my blog and I know my devoted readers are dying in anticipation! ha! It has been a whirlwind summer! I can't believe it is almost over and we will be moving soon! I will try to catch you all up to date so there will be several posts and pictures coming!

Starting where we left off...my parents came to visit back in May!

We had a wonderful time seeing my parents. I wish I would have had more time off to enjoy hanging out with them, but we had a good time. My mom cooked and cleaned and I feel like I hardly did a thing while they were here! Well I did cook once! It was nice.

Here's a picture of dad and I right after they got here! It is also a glimpse of our living room (which now has a huge photograph of the beach)

Right after they got here we went to Maui for a few days. Jeremy and I LOVED Maui. It was gorgeous and relaxing!

Mom and I at the airport


On the road to Hana


At the hotel before dinner


Parasailing was so fun!




Ziplining!




On top of the crater


Next post...the rest of my parents visit.