So we've left Fort Campbell, and boy was that hard. Saying goodbye to all of the wonderful women that I had made friends with and packing everything up just to move to a place where I know nothing and no one.
However, there's so much excitement! Our house is pretty much unpacked, except for our clothes, which have made their temporary home our master bedroom floor. The house we're in now is about 400 square feet bigger than the one in TN so we've got loads of room. The backyard is MASSIVE and Zeke and Muffin have set out to memorize and terrorize every inch of it! It is a very cozy and lovely house though. I want to add that there is plenty of room for visitors, especially Melissa, Lisa, Lizzy, and Sara *wink*. We also have terrific neighbors and since we live on a cul de sac every one seems to be very close. The day we moved in, we immediately met the neighbors on either side of our house. They came out introducing themselves and offering help. It was a very warm welcome. Even our landlord is a nice guy! Joe's parents came to help us move in and I have to emphasize they were an asset to our sanity and an incredible help to us. We couldn't have done it without them there. So it seems that God has blessed our arrival in SC and we couldn't be more grateful for the way things have panned out.
I have a wonderful sponsor from the post named Shannon, and she's invited me to be on the softball team she's helping to coordinate. I'll start that when we get back from Florida, it'll be a nice way to meet people.
As for work, Joe starts the 20th and I have no idea when I start. I've transferred to the VS closest to us, and they seem very nice. However I'm thinking I might start looking for something that might be more cohesive to my spending/saving needs and also for my school schedule. Any ideas folks? Anyhow, we're both very anticipatory about starting at our new work places here in SC.
We've visited both Ohio and now Florida on leave now, and it's been a nice relaxing vacation. I have to say we got a little bit pink here in the Florida sun but it's been perfect weather to be out and about. We are busy though planning for our Vow Celebration this summer, and we've got most everything done! We've met with the florist and even have the picked the caterer and menu we want. On the 9th we went and took the engagement pictures we never got to have (lol). A wonderful photographer named Brandon Shope (www.brandonshope.com) did them for us. There is no amount of enthusiasm that I can express to say how awesome this guy is! He's photographing our wedding on a special deal he worked out with us based on Joe's service in the Army and probably just the kindness out of his own heart. His wife Sarah is fantastic, I totally recommend if you have an event, or just want pictures done, he's your guy. We'll be getting the pics back in about 2 weeks and I'll make sure I post a few.
We went to Gatorland on Saturday and had a blast with my family! Joe and my dad joking threatened my 11 year old sister that they were going to feed her to the alligators. Funny enough, about 5 minutes later she was dropping leaves and little berries to try and stir the gators and try to get them to move. My family razzed her for it, because it was just the same as if she was tapping on the glass of an aquarium (just annoying). Then we saw a sign that said "Those who throw objects at gators will be asked to retrieve them". Nikki was living in fear for the rest of the observation walk (it's like a nature walk on docks above the water). We also watched them feed the gators by hand in the Jumparoo show, and Joe was fortunate enough to get to hold a python about the size of texas in a show they had called "Up Close Encounters". I would also like to add that that was my least favorite attraction because I was a little too close to an Emperor Scorpion than I would like to be, thank you very much. My mom made us laugh by trying to make the Emu do tricks for the feeding corn she had. We dutifully explained to her that she could not make every animal as smart and obedient as Maisie (my family's Australian Shepherd who is also related to my little terror, Zeke). After a few hours in the swamp though, my Buckeye husband was ready to go home.... the gators were eyeing his Tennessee Vols hat with waaaaay too much enthusiasm I guess ;P
Today was Easter and we got up super early for church, and were seated in a pew by 8:45am sharp. Get ready for this one folks, it was my parents who were late! Yeah I still don't believe it. Anyways, as always, Dan Holland preached a brilliant and inspiring message to us all: to proclaim our faith daily, and not to encourage relativism. It's like that christian song, I don't recall who sings it, but he says "Live out LOUD". After meeting and greeting people I haven't seen in a blue moon, Joe and I headed back to Gama's to start cooking. Well I should say for me to start cooking. Joe did his part though, he went and bought extra eggs and the wine (lol). It truly was a feast though, we had ham, red mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, cornbread, gravy, macaroni and cheese, and all sorts of desserts. We were full and happy! It was a wonderful day to celebrate the resurraction of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I am so blessed to be surrounded by such loving and wonderful family.
Speaking of a celebration, I would like to end with how relieved and happy I am for Capt. Phillips who was rescued by Navy Seals today from the Somalian Pirates. After a long and grueling hostage negotiation my prayers are with Capt. Phillips and his family after this ordeal. God Bless the military men and women who worked so hard to get that man back alive, and God Bless Capt. Phillips and his family. The best thing that was said at the news conference we watched this afternoon was when Vice Admiral Gortney said something like "we don't negotiate with terrorists" when asked by a reporter if there was ever an option of just giving the pirates the 2 million they were asking for. I agree. It's time we stop acting so complacent, terrorism is a threat to every one and we're not the nation to be sitting by allowing it to happen. I hope that the pirate on the U.S.S. Boxer is brought back to America to be tried for attacking a FLAGGED American vessel. But anyways, thank God that Capt. Phillips is headed home to his wife and family.
I love you all! Good night!
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