Welcome to Washington

.... State that is. We learned very quickly that we must tell friends that we live in Washington State and not Washington DC. People hear Washington and automatically think D.C. We live in Puyallup (South Hill) , less than an hour south of Seattle and half an hour to the east of Tacoma. Our area is a new up and coming one (brand new Target just down the road!!! :-) ) and has about 1 coffee shop for every 5 people. The scenery is beautiful; Mount Rainier is visible from almost everywhere and is the most breathtaking thing I have ever seen (aside from my beautiful husband and child). The skies are jaw dropping as well as the hills. People must be crazy to think the weather here is as bad as they say.

Cody is back to work, which consists of him preparing for his deployment. His hours are simple and he is able to be home a lot. Today he brought home his deployment issue gear. It is amazing how much money they have invested into it. Although a lot of the things he has to do before leaving are mundane, the cultural classes he has to take seem cool. While we have paid a lot of money for me to learn about different cultures, Cody is paid to learn about cultures that he is actually going to be able to interact with. Very cool.

We sold Cody's truck before coming to Washington so Greyer and I are holding down the fort while Cody is working during the day. We will purchase a new vehicle when Cody gets back. Luckily Greyer and I both love our home. We live in a 3 br, 2.5 bath townhouse in a wonderful area. I feel very safe and comfortable here. Cody does have a decent commute every day but it is worth it. We have classy neighbors and a wonderful neighborhood. God has really blessed us and we are so thankful for everything we have.

Greyer is doing very well. although I am sure he changes daily, he seems like the same Greyer to us. Loves books, cars, running, bossing, and destroying. He is beautiful and precious and a wonderful little person. God has also blessed us greatly with him. He keeps me on my toes and sometimes makes me want to pull my hair out, but I know that is an indication of his mental and physical abilities. It is also an affirmation of our decision to have only one child. :-) Although it may seem as if military families are part of the quiver movement, I can confidently say that this military family's quiver is quite full.

I am currently searching for a job-- three years of being at home and I feel that it is time to transition. I am praying over that job that I know God has for me-- I am very excited an anxious. I am trying to be patient because I know that it needs to be in God's timing, so in the meantime I have, yet again, registered for another semester of courses. The military is footing the bill this time, so why not?! Again, God is good.

For anyone reading who is military or a military spouse, may this verse encourage and comfort you.

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ^{a]" style="line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]}

² I will say ^{b]" style="line-height: 0.5em; ">[b]} of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

³ Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

¹⁰ then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

¹³ You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Fall Festivities Begin! (hopefully :-))

Today is Thursday, October 15 and I am excited! We have TWO fall activities planned today :-) Both are contingent on the weather, which is predicted to rain all day :-( Our complex is having a big halloween hoo-ha with candy, giant inflatables, hayrides, and the like. Our playgroup is also having a 'Trunk or Treating' event. This is where everybody brings their cars, decorates the trunk, and passes out candy to the kids in the parking lot of a local church. We are then going inside to play in the church's VERY nice indoor playground. I am praying that at least one of them holds up for Greyer's sake. Greyer is being Super Why from PBS Kids. I am making his costume (the one they have available is really ugly and poorly made, like all the premade costumes are). I will post pictures once we complete the look. I already made the shirt and leggings (dyed girls leggings :-P ). We must make a mask, cape, and belt today!

Cody is still learning how to jump out of airplanes. He does 5 jumps next week and then graduates next Friday. After that we outprocess out of Benning and head to Ohio before going to Fort Lewis. Time is running out! We are very ready to move. Georgia has been good to us but we are ready for something new.

4 Day Weekend :-) Thanks, Columbus!

For all the inconveniences to our life caused by the army, the four day weekends definitely do a little mending to my opinion of the establishment. This week was the first of three weeks in airborne school for Cody. The school is on Fort Benning, so he just commutes to training daily. In the past year, four day weekends have not happened as scheduled because Cody has been training. They decided that it is not necessary to give four day weekends when in training. Bummer. Luckily Sergeant Airborne (all of them) must desire their four day weekends.

This past Tuesday Greyer went to the movies for the first time. I am not a movie person and have only been to the movies once in the 10 months we have lived here. It came as a suprise to me, arriving at the theater to see Toy Story in 3-D with my 2.5 year old, that there is a mini amusement park INSIDE the theater. Crazy. I also had to pay a $10 matinee ticket. seriously? A lot has changed since I last went to a matinee. Greyer was thrilled at the whole experience and behaved very well. There was only us and one other family at the 12:15 showing. Greyer did enjoy walking up and down our aisle pushing the arm rests up and down. :-) He's a boy; what do you expect?

Today we are planning on going to the pumpkin farm. Greyer loves fall things-- especially seeing the 'monsers' (monsters). Tomorrow we go to the Rock Ranch ( http://www.therockranch.com/index_2.htm ), owned by the founder of Chic Fil A. 88 and sunny is the forecast for today.

Have a wonderful weekend and Columbus Day, I know we will :-)

Airborne Start Day

Today Cody starts Airborne school! Somehow Cody got by all this time with no airborne school, but the time has finally come. For the next three weeks he will be learning how to jump out of airplanes. I think he is actually pretty well versed in the prep part... but they focus a lot on how to land... landing wrong can mean serious injury or even death. Obviously we aren't too worried about this with Cody. God is our protector :-)

Today I am making a final decision whether or not to stay in school. I am worn out from school and feel like I need a break-- I have no ability to concentrate and no motivation to learn right now. Maybe I should take a break for a semester or year and then move on. What do you think?

Greyer found his dragon costume from last year's trick or treating. He insisted to wear the jacket (designed for below freezing temps) and run around our complex.... by the time we got home last night he was so wet from sweat that I thought he would have passed out if he was out there any longer. Looks like we have officially entered the time of dress up and make believe (at least he is pretending to be dragons and animals... :-P ).

We are leaving Georgia in one month. We have decided to live on post at Fort Lewis and save ourselves the headache of looking for housing and the process associated. Pray they offer us fab housing :-)

Other than that not much else is new. The weather is finally starting to break (meaning hitting less than 85).

Life's little curveballs

Isn't it funny how when you think you've got everything planned and figured out, life throws you a curve ball? God is teaching me a huge lesson in adaptability still. Apparently I haven't mastered the skill.

On a different note, Katie Provencher and I (and Greyer) went to a Married into the Military Bible study group tonight. Our church started doing growth groups and this one is fantastic. It consists of married military couples. It is fantastic to be in fellowship with others who go through the same things. So encouraging to see others face similar obstacles and conquer, continue to love Jesus and their families. God is good and always provides what we need, when we need it.

Tomorrow we have a playgroup in the AM and then I have to get tax work done. I may end up seeing Cody this weekend. :-)

Ice Cream, Married into the Military, Taxation

Greyer and I have stayed busy this week :-) Yesterday we had a very fun time touring Bruster's, a very delicious ice cream place. It reminds me exactly of Handles in Ohio. Our playgroup met there and the owner of the 3 Columbus locations showed us how to make vanilla ice cream (they use real vanilla to flavor it!) and also let the kids peek into the 35 plus flavors that they keep on hand. All the boys took a liking to the Blue Ice in the bins, so he let them have a choice between that and vanilla cones. Greyer's teeth and mouth were astonishingly BLUE after he ate his cone. I ended up licking half of the cone... poor kid can't keep up with the warm weather. It was a lot of fun and a great way to spend a morning. It also reminded me of my first job as an ice cream girl at Ro's Custard in North Canton.

As I mentioned before, I am taking a tax class right now. Somehow they allowed me to graduate with the Forensic Accounting degree without have tax. I am interested in pursuing a job in tax in the spring (tax season) so it is necessary that I take the course. I am taking my time to learn everything and thoroughly be able to complete the necessary work so that I can confidently sit in an interview and get the job :-) I am praying over whatever job that God has set for me when the time comes. Greyer turns 3 in February, so he will be able to jump in school then (so long as he is potty trained! come on Greyer, my career is counting on it!!!!)

Tonight we are joining a new group that formed at our church. Married into the Military is going to be a Bible study and fellowship (gosh that sounds like we are good ole Baptists, eh? i'm not... so don't judge!) for military couples. I'm excited to meet some new Christian men and women there. They have arranged childcare so Greyer will be able to go with me :-)

No news from Cody yet. No news is good news though! :-P No, I'd love to hear from him-- and especially hear that he has gotten a 'GO'!!!!

Thanks for all your prayers. Please also remember to pray for Cody's unit, the 5/2 stryker brigade. They are in an EXTREMELY dangerous part of Afghanistan and have seen many casualties since they arrived in July.

Third full day of Mountains

Cody left for northern Georgia on Saturday. He has officially been in mountain phase for 3 full days. I don't expect to hear from him for a while. For now I am praying for him... that he has supernatural strength, that God multiplies his sleep so that he wakes up feeling refreshed, that he feels satisfied although he eats small, that he stays healthy, is protected, and has favor with the Ranger Instructors (RIs). We need you to pray for these things as well. Mountains is a very challenging 3 weeks.

Greyer and I are doing well. God is good. :-)

Mountain Phase

A lot has happened since Wednesday. As I explained before, Cody came home on Friday for his 8 hour pass at the end of Darby phase. It is basically a short pass where the men can go wash their clothes and buy more supplies for the next phase, mountain phase.

I picked Cody and his 'buddy' (this is what they say in the Army instead of friend... 'my army buddies', etc) at 9 am on Friday morning at Camp Rogers. We spent the morning shopping for boots and other supplies that the guys had run out of. They ruin boots like it's their job. A $200 pair of boots will be down the drain by 3 weeks from now. They also come home with their ACUs and socks smelling like a basement that had been flooded and never aired out for one year. All of his clothes had to be washed twice.

Cody looked good. He only lost 5 lbs, all fat. For those of you who know Cody, this means that he is just a pile of bones and muscle. He'll gain any weight lost back within two weeks of leaving ranger school. These men sit and fantasize about food all the time. Think about it... they eat two times per day, totalling about 4,000 calories. Obviously this seems like a lot, but it isn't considering the fact that they are doing physical activity for 21-23 hours per day. Yes. I do not lie.

It was sad to say goodbye, but this time it was fairly easy. It's weird how you teach yourself to understand the temporary situation and learn to live a happy life without your best friend. It's something that military wives become very good at, as long as they make the decision to do so. Last year I learned how important this is.

Katie Provencher and I took Greyer to Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, Georgia. So fun. We saw a LOT of animals and hand fed giraffes and other cool types :-) Greyer had a BLAST. Such a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

Although I finished my degree, I am continuing to stay in school part time. I am taking an additional tax course and an accounting ethics course, both required for the CPA. It's been giving me something to do.

Gotta go play with greyer!

Mid-week joy

It is Wednesday and I am doing well. I say this with 100% thanks to God, who has provided me suddenly with the people and church that I have been needing for a long time. And why are these things all coming together just now? I wasn't going to Him with my needs. I didn't ask for help, even though I knew better. The minute I went to Him and asked, he surrounded me with opportunities and I took them. It is amazing how He so readily awaits for us to come to him so that he can supply our every need :-)

Last night my friend came over and we discussed God and our current situations over sushi :-) How wonderful it is to have the support of Christian women-- I am learning that this fellowship is an absolute necessity that I must seek wherever I go. He will not bring us places without providing the people, churches, etc that we need. :-) How awesome is this? A truth that I absolutely must never forget. It will save me a lot of backtracking and sorrowful days.

Cody comes home in two days. I am nervous to see him... I need to be strong and be that encouraging rock... That is the focus of my prayers for the next few days. My military friends surely understand why I say this. It is easy to see the men and fall apart, finally letting go after weeks and months of composing ourselves. I can't do this... not now. I look to Him for comfort and strength. He has given me his Holy Spirit to fulfill those needs that are not met while my husband is gone. Doing this, I know my husband can come home for that short time to a strong and encouraging wife. He will need that... this has been a very long process for us... longer than most others have had to do.

Greyer has been fantastic. He is healthy, God has surely protected him. Georgia has been hit strong by these new crazy flu strains. They will not enter my home or my family :=)

Okay, I need to finish eating lunch without typing...I am spilling soup all over my laptop! :-O

Darby- last week

This is the last week of Darby phase (1 of 3 total). I am so excited to be almost finished but that excitement is paired with anxiousness about the next 6 weeks. Do not be anxious about anything but through prayer and petition present your requests to Him. Thank God for that encouragement. I know that he is protecting Cody and blessing us by allowing Cody to remain in Ranger school through this time... each day here is a million times better than a day in Afghanistan. It still doesn't make it easy to be apart. I know that He is taking care of us and has everything worked out for our good, so I am so encouraged by that revelation. :-) Praise God :-)

My sister came for the long Labor Day weekend. I booked a room at the SheratonGateway in Atlanta on Friday night, where we slept after her flight came in at midnight. It was a very nice hotel-- I definitely recommend it if you are looking to stay in Atlanta. We spent the weekend drinking coffee, reading, and going to parks. It was so refreshing to have here here. I was sad when i thought that we would leave Georgia without her having seen our life here. It was also a lot of quality time that she got to spend with Greyer. Actually, he loves her so much and preferred her over me the whole time. I didn't complain ;-) I was sad to see her off last night.

We went to a new church on Sunday. I have been extremely disappointed with the options here... a whole lot of religion and stuffy suits ... but this church was very different. I felt peace in my heart while I was there-- a sure sign that God wants us there. He always provides, doesn't he? :-) I am so thankful.

I have made a good friend in the past month. She is a christian, professional, and very loving person. God has definitely put us together and for that I am thankful. I am learning how vital it is to take these special people that God gives us and cherish the relationships that we have. She is actually the one who brought us to this new church. From speaking with her I knew that the church was 'the' one. How awesome is his spirit that guides us and comforts us. :-)

I start a single 15 week course this week-- it is a course that I feel that I need ... so despite the fact that I have my degree I will continue to stay in school. This semester I will only take 6 hours, which will be a breeze compared to the past years.

Again, I must say that I will see my husband for eight hours on Friday-- a sliver of time in the 80 days we must be apart, but one that we will cherish and make the most of :-)

ranger recycle, day 1

today has been very hard. it is so difficult to spend a perfect weekend with my family after weeks of being apart; to wake up on monday with the real understanding that we will be apart for yet another two or more months. Washington is so real now, bringing me to face the fact that we will soon be many, many miles apart. I read a book last week-- the three main characters dealt with the loss of a husband, lover, and acquaintance. The emotions and reality of the death as well as the process of moving on, alone and full of life, pulled from within me every sadness I have supressed over the past year. It also reminded me of the things I feel right now, and will feel in the future. But he is not gone for real. This is not death that I have experienced, though it feels like a slow death of something inside.

It is amazing how the human soul can be trampled and brought back up, repaired. i am constantly asking myself what God is preparing me for. I believe in my heart that every day I am faced with making decisions. Each morning I wake up and decide whether I will walk away with a new tool, a better character, a stronger relationship with my God. Am I allowing myself to be shaped into the woman that He has set for me to be? I know that I should be. I also feel a constant sense of failure- that each day I make decisions that reflect that I am not yet that woman.

The classic 'why me'. Each man has his own 'why me' situation constantly facing him. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, beautiful child, comfortable lifestyle, good education, great family. These things are not my 'why me'. No, I have been handed a special one-- one only individuals in this industry face. I am not alone, but we are not the norm. And each one of us makes that daily decision-- to take what we have and use it to strengthen and create wonderful character or to let it destroy, spreading like a virus to everything around.

In my mind I choose the first, but my daily actions and decisions do not always support this decision. this time, my heart says differently. I used to think that if i held out-- if i pretended that this was not true-- at some point soon i could be saved. How ignorant that is. I step back and look and realize that this is all good. When I look each morning, though, it is not all good. I just want my husband back. The one who has given everything to me. That breaks my heart.

I still question why our perfection has to be belmished with this separation. Our perfect relationship-- the kisses and complete openness and love that exists in this household. With him gone it becomes hard to see. I feel it but cannot express it.

There is nothing that I can do except make every decision to become that woman. Sometimes I wonder if I get 'there' quickly, will this 'formation' period end quickly? No, we have dates. Gone through October, again around Christmas. I know this is all part of the plan but I have a hard time sitting and just waiting it through. I can't complain to the other wives-- they've been through this just the same, and even many more times. My heart breaks for them too.

Sorry blogspot-- I am transferring my thought processing entries here. Xanga is filled with emo and annorexic kids. It also makes me think too much about our beautiful beginnings.

A few pics

Greyer and his new best friend, Tyler. They look like they could be brothers and have a lot of fun playing together. Luckily his mom and I get along very, very well.


Greyer wanted so badly to go with Cody to work... he didn't realize that pants are a key element of the work uniform...

Greyer sits at the table eating fruit. This is a multiple-time-per-day ritual in our home.

Columbus feels like home

We have lived here for a month already?! Wow!

I cannot believe how quickly the weeks pass in our new lifestyle. Individual days may seem long but a week seems to go by in a day. Things are going very well for us down here in the deep south.
Cody is very busy with work. Right now they are focusing on their shooting and getting experience in being a leader in this new environment. The interesting about BOLC II (basic officer leadership course 2) is that officers produced from ROTC, military academy, and OCS all come together and learn to work with each other and are trained so that everyone is on the same page. Cody says that you can tell who is from where and feels like he had an advantage coming fresh out of OCS and basic. He works with people from all different branches as well. The exciting thing about BOLC II is that we should hear where our new permanent duty station will be by the end of the course. SHOULD is the key word there. I know Cody is anxious because he checks his email everyday for it. I am not that anxious because I am happy here in Georgia and don't want to deal with bad news... aka Alaska or New York. Have I mentioned that I hate the cold?

Cody got a truck this weekend. Out of the two of us, I don't know who is more excited. We sold the black car when Cody left for basic (it was a piece of junk at that point) so we have been making due with one car, which is terrible for me and Greyer. I am not much of a hang out around the house kind of person. I need to get out and meet people and do things. So yes, we found a truck and bought it and now we both have our own cars. I drive the fusion and he has his truck. Obviously the fusion is what we will drive on family outings, as trucks aren't really meant for toddlers ;-)

Another exciting thing is that I found a fantastic playgroup. It has over 250 moms in it! Wow! I know! haha. Of course many of them are not very active, but Greyer and I attend several events a week. We have met a wide variety of families and I have spotted some potential good friends. I am excited about this because North Canton didn't have anything similar. Plus, being that this is a big military town, there are many younger mothers, which is nice. Age isn't a big deal for me, but attitude is. Back in Ohio I felt like i was scoffed at because I am a younger mother. Here it is normal. And being an older mother is normal as well. Everyone here is very accepting. That is one thing that I see different in the military. No closed-mindedness, no judging (well, no probably isn't the best word, but less) and a willingness to make new friends.

Through this playgroup I met a woman who has an online business selling cloth diapers and various ec0-friendly baby products. I am meeting with her next week in order to discuss her bringing me on board for consulting and bookkeeping purposes. I am really excited and am praying that things work out. She also has a 2 year old and her husband is military.

Greyer is doing very well here. He loves his playroom (it is bright and sunny and perfect for him) and plays with his cars for hours on end. He still loves to read and is talking extremely well. The Disney/Pixar movie CARS is his OBSESSION right now. He asks to watch the movie ... well. He wants it on the TV all the time. TowMater (larry the cable guy) is his favorite character. We cannot find the die-cast replica of him ANYWHERE. I feel terrible!

I hope you continue to check up on our blog and stay in contact with us. We miss you all but are so happy to be here in Georgia :-)

Blogging for Greyer

We love you all!

~*Kristen and Cody and Greyer*~