Cross Country Journey: Day 1 & Day 2

Clearly I haven't been doing a very good job at keeping up with blogging, but there literally has been NO time with as busy as we have been! I need to update on Christmas and Bradley's winging ceremony (!!!) but wanted to keep everyone up to date on our cross country move that we're doing right now!

Right before Bradley got his "Wings of Gold", we were told that we would be moving to Lemoore, CA. Our first choice was Oceana, VA since it was closest to home (South Carolina) and family. Since there weren't any available spots for Oceana, we were assigned to Lemoore. Bradley came home pretty bummed and the more he thought about it that night, the more he decided against California. Lemoore is pretty much a waste land. It's in the middle of the desert with very little 'life' to it. We're small town people so the idea of not having stuff doesn't bother us, but the crime rate is terrible there and you can't even drink the water! They were having a big Growler draft, so we prayed about it that night and really just felt led to request a change from Lemoore to Whidbey Island, WA. The plane that Bradley will fly in will be a little different, although it is still basically a tricked out F-18, and his mission will be different - but he is SO excited! We were really surprised at how accepting this change was since Bradley has only wanted to be in F-18's forever, but he keeps saying that he doesn't know why Growler's weren't always his #1 choice!

So then Bradley got those very treasured wings (a separate post coming soon!), and we began to prepare to move. When we moved from Annapolis, MD to Pensacola, we did a DITY move (do it yourself) and it was awesome! However, after living in FL for 1.5 years, stuff got accumulated. It's also hard to move yourself 3,000 miles and have to drive the U-Haul plus transport 2 vehicles. Plus, the Navy stopped reimbursing as much so it really isn't even worth the time anymore. So, we decided on a partial DITY. With a partial, the Navy hires packers to come and pack up everything you want them to. For us, this took an entire day for them to pack our home. Then, the loaders come (totally different people) to load the boxes and all furniture you have into an 18 wheeler. It definitely is a great service that the military offers but it is quite a hectic 2 days!

A problem that we ran into was that the Navy was REALLY slow in giving us our orders to Whidbey. Pretty usual with the military, but we didn't have much time to 'waste' because once Bradley decided to switch to Growlers, his winging got moved up a whole month and his report date got moved up. From the time we found out, we literally had 3 weeks to have family in town for his winging, pack up all our stuff and get on the road to have 1 week of that just in driving to WA. The Navy kept lagging on orders and we FINALLY got them this past Wednesday. The packers came on Thursday, the loaders came on Friday, got finished up around 3pm and we immediately hit the road! The ONLY hiccup that we had was that the day the loaders came, our neighbor backed into Bradley's truck. Some of ya'll know that we were rear-ended in his truck in November so it's definitely less stressful the second time around. Our neighbor felt horrible, but it was purely an accident. I felt so bad for him because he was really beating himself up about it but we just had to laugh it off. I guess we left with a bang. :-)There must be something up though because the people who rear-ended us in November's last name was Robertson and that is also the last name of our neighbor that hit us. Ha! I think we really must be on all Robertson's black lists or something! To say the least, we are EXHAUSTED!!!! We have exactly 6 days to drive cross country...and it will take all of those days. :-)

ANYWHO...

I want to update ya'll on our TRIP! Driving cross country has been awesome so far! I can't express enough how cool of an experience it is! PUT IT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST! For realz.

So far...

Day 1: Got a late start out of Pensacola due to the loaders. Left at 3pm and made it all the way to Southaven, MS (10 minutes south of Memphis, TN). We got there around 12:30 last night.

Day 2: Woke up and got out of the hotel around 10:30. We were a little slow moving due to getting in so late the night before. Drove until 2:30, stopped for lunch, got back on the road and drove to Wichita, KS where we currently are staying for the night!

WHEW!!

So far I can tell you that:

• Having the Navy move you is the greatest invention ever. I never could have packed my things as well as they did.
• Watch as least as possible while the packers pack your stuff. One guy literally sweated (literally DROPS) on everything he touched. The guy who packed the kitchen licked his fingers before he wrapped each dish. Everything will be bleached....twice...before it is used.
• It is very, very cold here. Maybe it's just because we got too used to Florida but it is freakin FREEZING outside!
• Kansas is very, very, very flat and straight. I seriously think you can just press the gas and not even turn the wheel for 50 miles. Also, do not get hungry or drive through Kansas at dinner time. You will starve. Hence why we didn't eat dinner until 9pm tonight. There isn't ANYTHING! No billboards, no lights along the interstate, nothing. Just miles and miles of being able to see miles and miles.
• Oklahoma has some of the prettiest sunsets I have seen in a while!
• It's cold. Oh wait, did I already say that?!
• It just doesn't get much better than driving cross country with your best friend and soul mate. 
• Having my dad come along to drive my car has been a BLESSING! An extra set of eyes has been awesome! It has also allowed me to spend my time in the car with Bradley! 
• Renting a small U-Haul trailer so you can take your washer and dryer with your is GREAT! I won't have to use a laundry mat when we get there AND it's weight!!! YAY!! :-)
• Driving cross country with your husband is the best thing in the world. Did I already say that, too?!

States we have been to:

1. Florida
2. Alabama
3. Mississippi
4. Tennessee
5. Arkansas
6. Oklahoma
7. Kansas

Can't wait to update tomorrow after day 3! We are hoping to make it to Denver, CO! 

Thanksgiving - Florida Style

This year, we celebrated Thanksgiving at home in Florida again. It's crazy how little time they give off for Thanksgiving! It just doesn't provide enough time to drive all the way home just for a meal to turn around and drive back. Last year, my parents, brother and sister-in-law made the drive down here to have Thanksgiving with us, but this year we decided to just keep it low key. Our neighbors did not go home either, so we decided to cut the work load in half and just do a big Thanksgiving meal together. I did miss my family, but it was easier on everyone by no one having to travel, etc. Sadly, I didn't really take a single picture that had anything to do with the actual meal...only Millie! Millie is our neighbors little girl who we are absolutely head-over-heels for. We've been here since the day she was born, so it's nice to be able to be some family to her that she wouldn't have since they are military as well and don't get the opportunity to see family that often. Ironically we are all from the same area in South Carolina so they have felt like family to us since the day we met them. They are just precious, and we are so blessed that we have gotten to become such good friends with them.

Frying out creole butter infused turkey...holy cow it was good!!

Mommy, Millie and baby #2

"Uncle" Bradley makes her laugh every.single.time

"Bra"...as she calls him ;-)

Little diva!

Just hanging out...learning the ins and outs!

I'm (obviously) just a little late but I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! B and I had SO much to be thankful for this past year!

NAS Pensacola Homecoming Air Show

Every year, NAS Pensacola gets the privileged of welcoming our Blues home and hosting the last air show of the year. The Blue Angels are based out of here, so it's a big deal (and a huge show!) when they finally come back 'home'! Plus, this year we celebrated 100 years of Naval Aviation!!! Go Navy! We have been lucky to experience this twice in our time here. Air shows give me chills head to toe.... every.single.time. Maybe it has something to do with being married to an aviator ;-) or maybe it's just that I love my country. I can't really describe how magical an air show is (as corny as that may sound). For some reason, every time I hear those F-18's fly over at about 630 knots (about 730 MPH) it makes me want to kick some terrorist booty! (Is that normal?! Haha!)

F-18F Super Hornet painted with the 100 years of Naval Aviation paint scheme

Blue Angel

P-51D Mustang - Bradley's all-time favorite plane (WWII plane)

A-10 Warthog

A-10 Warthog & P-51D Legacy flight

F-18, F-4U/a1 Corsair & Avenger Torpedo Bomber - Legacy flight

Curtis Pusher - Replica of first aircraft to ever take off of a US Navy ship

Faaaaaaaat Aaaaaaalbert!

The Blues

We had a great day!

A Christmas Quiz

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate… i've never had plain egg nog before but it sure does sound gross. Unless it tastes like the sugar cookie egg nog you can buy at the grocery store. That stuff is soooo good!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Ours were always sat under the tree.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? All about white.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? NO! And I'm so angry. I wanted some so bad but no one had it this year..fake or real! Oh well :-)

5. When do you put your decorations up? This year they were up the day after Thanksgiving. I would never put them up earlier than that...I like Thanksgiving too much!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Anything. If it's food, I like it!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Christmas Eve's at my grandparents house. It was so magical!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Pretty sure my best friend told me (don't remember the age) and then I asked my (older) brother and he just busted out laughing at me. Guess I got my answer! Ha! Although, my mom always said, "If you don't believe, you don't receive" so I've always still 'believed' :-)

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Family gifts only (from grandparents, etc.)

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? White Christmas lights and ornaments that Bradley and I have collected over the years. Since we met, we have bought each other an ornament every year but now our tree is full! So from here on out we're just going to decide on one new ornament a year together! We love ours for this year!

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? It's pretty but I hate cold weather. Thank you, Eczema.

12. Can you ice skate? I’ve been a couple times but I usually just stay on my hiney the whole time.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My Grandma bought me a really nice bible one year and had my name embossed on the front. I really love that Bible.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Jesus. Remembering the true meaning and not getting caught up in the STRESS.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? EVERYTHING.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Growing up it was Christmas Eve dinner.  Bradley and I haven't really made any 'traditions' yet, but I see Leroy our 'Elf of the Shelf' becoming pretty fun!

17. What tops your tree? A wicker star.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? Giving! I always get so excited about what I bought. Plus, I hate opening presents. It's just so awkward.

19. Candy canes: yuck or yummy? Yummy!

20. Favorite Christmas show? Not sure

21. Saddest Christmas song? “I'll Be Home for Christmas"...rips my heart our every time. Makes me think of how's it's going to be when B deploys.

22. What is your favorite Christmas song? "Noel"!

Right Now

right now i am…
watching:  the computer screen, duh! I wish I were laying on the couch wrapped in Bradley's arms watching tv, but... sigh....
eating:  nothing. But I did have a rather disgusting lean pocket for lunch!
drinking:  not enough water.  too much sweet tea.
wearing: black pants, pink sweater.
avoiding:  my to-do list of things to get done before we leave to head home..I don't even want to think about it.
feeling:  exhausted. 3:00am came waaaay too early this morning.
missing:  my husband. my family. sleep. 
thankful:  for such an amazing husband and our amazing life. Like someone said this morning, "we live near thousands but where millions want to be." Living at the beach is a dream come true!
weather:  70's.
praying:  for our loved ones, our uncertain future.
needing:  a break!!!
thinking: a lot about where the heck we're going next. Nervous and excited at the same time.
loving:  life!!

and you?  what are you up to?

Bradley's Future

Just a glimpse into what Bradley will be doing for the rest of his Naval career :-)

Enjoy!


http://vimeo.com/31978619

MIA

Oh, hello bloggy world. I'm Lauren, nice to meet you...again. Slacker doesn't even begin to describe my lack of posts. Ooops...I'll do better. K, promise!

The past few months have been crazy busy for us. Why? I don't really know. Just life, I guess! Bradley works long days and leaves before 6 most days and I've been a busy little bee everyday as well. By the time night comes around, we cook dinner and plop down on the couch then argue over who has to get up first to start the shower/bedtime routine. Ha! It really is so sad that we are so tired everyday - but that's life, right!?


The first week of September we survived our first Tropical Storm! Luckily my parents were here so it was nice to have family here (plus, my mom was WITH me so she wasn't a ball of nerves back at home the whole time worrying that a tornado had sucked us up)! Oh, speaking of tornado's...one did touch down a few streets over from us one night. That was scary. It came out of nowhere so they didn't have time to warn before it hit. Sadly, several of those neighbors lost houses. We truly are blessed that we made it through 2 entire hurricane seasons and only experienced a tropical storm. Being right on the gulf coast is wonderful 9 months out of the year but the other 3 you're sitting on pins and needles the whole time!

Perdido Key Drive (aka ocean blvd) Completely washed over with sand.

 

Once again, sand completely covered the roads.

The beach access right near our house. The entire parking lot was several inches deep in pure sand.

In October, we went pumpkin picking! There is the coolest little farm in Milton, FL where you can actually go out into the fields and pick your own pumpkins! We had so much fun!

Can you guess who did which pumpkin?! :-)

The Navy sent Bradley to Las Vegas (darn, right?!) last week so my mom came and stayed with me for a girls weekend! We had SO much fun! I can't even begin to describe to you how MUCH I needed that weekend. We shopped way too much, spent a little more than budgeted but I got some great deals! Can you say $210 pure leather boots for $13.03!!! Oh yes, this girl loves a good coupon! I loved having my mom here but I missed by boo soooo much. That boy puts the thump in my heart and the sunshine in my days. We can't wait to kiss and hug on each other after we've been away all day. Yep, we're that couple and I couldn't be more proud! :-)

My birthday was also last week. I.hate.my.birthday. Despise it...I wish it just went from November 1 straight to November 3 and completely skipped the 2nd each year! Well, I guess I should clarify. It's not the getting older part, or the cake eating part (!!!) that I hate, it's the attention. There's something about singing happy birthday and having to open presents in front of people that just makes my skin crawl. I hate Christmas for the exact same reason. I guess I'm just weird, but I just hate the awkward "everyone look at me while I take 20 whole seconds to open this gift while everyone just stares and waits for my reaction".

Anywhoozle...

My hubby went above and beyond this year. I tell you, that man is just the BEST in whole wide world. I can't say enough good things about that boy. He is absolutely perfect for me. God really placed us together! We were just talking this morning while laying in bed about how perfectly our arms just wrap around each other. It's almost like we're two puzzle pieces and when we hug and hold each other, there is absolutely not one thing missing. Our arms are just perfectly proportioned to each others bodies. If that doesn't prove that God put us together, I don't know what does!

I came home on the 2nd and the hubs had dinner on the table! He grilled steaks, made baked potatoes and a salad! If you know Bradley, you know this is huge! He also had flowers on the table (he arranged them himself) and a cake! This all knocked my socks completely off. I wasn't even expecting this so I was in shock! Of course, the spectacular husband that he is, also visited a little store called Tiffany's while in Las Vegas!

lksdjflksdjf;sdjf;skdjfksdjfksjdfksjdfkjsdfjsdkfjsdjf (That is me freaking out!)

I almost hyperventilated!

My favorite colors!

Gorgeous!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please excuse my appearance in the next few pictures..It was obviously really late at night after a really long day :-)

I was starting to cry...

 

 A little background on the necklace:

Since the first time we said "I love you", we have always had a little competition between the two of us as to who loved each other more. We've always tried to beat each other at who could say "I love you more times infinity" first. When we got married, I ultimately won by having that engraved into his wedding band. Since he didn't have my band do that and I never take it off, he wasn't able to ever have mine engraved. Instead, he bought me this necklace with the infinity sign as his way of 'winning'. I must say, though...Tiffany's might does beat out what I did in his wedding band. I guess it's time for me to start planning something to beat this ;-)

That sweet boy of mine, with icing in his teeth!

My family truly made me feel extra special this year for my birthday! I can't even begin to describe the amount of love I felt from everyone. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

And I will leave with a few pictures of our 'niece'...the sweetest little girl on the planet! She sure has stole our hearts!

Millie

The sweetest strawberry in the patch!

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease,
Lauren