so so so thankful

Oh, this weekend! Where to even start? Mom, dad, Troy and Tori got in Wednesday around 2100 and that is not even when the fun started! John was off at 1200 (that is when the fun started) and we did lots of running around to prepare for their arrival ... ya know, last minute things like finding and buying a baster and placemats. Not a lot happened Wednesday once they arrived (other than the exchanging of plans, excitement and hugs). 


Thursday, wow. Let's first say, I thoroughly enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving and would gladly volunteer again. Sadly, I do not have photos of all of the side dishes. But I am good at lists. Our menu:  Creamy mashed potatoes (with one sweet potato for added sweetness), sweet potatoes with pecans and parmesan, green beans with bacon and mustard vinaigrette, whole wheat rolls, grandma Olga's mac-n-cheese with creamed corn, homemade cranberry sauce (John's doing, and soooo good), stuffing with jalapeno's and cheddar, and of course, the turkey. I only stuffed the turkey, John grilled it, and my dad carved it (along with John). Mom just helped on just about every side dish! 

Such a great lunch. And pies to follow. After the turkey wore off, we headed to the Marine Corps Museum. It sure is nice! We walked around for quite awhile, got lost several times, and learned a lot! 


The following day (or shall I say BLACK Friday!) was quite eventful. We stayed up and got to the mall right at midnight to be the first to grab all of the deals. We made out like bandits, after 4.5 HOURS in the mall!! It was by far thee most intense Black Friday I have ever experienced, and I have experienced one every year since I was 12. We shopped till we were literally dropping (as was everyone else at the mall, quite funny to walk around and see random groups of people sitting up against walls at 0330 half asleep IN THE MALL). Needless to say, we came home to great naps (or sleep?) after all of our deal findings. The rest of Friday was a blast. We again went out to shop (this time we left John and Troy sleeping, but Dad came!). Just did a quick one. Then the Husker game of course. Then for a third time, mom, Tori, and I went shopping. Most shopping ever in a single day, insane. We made three homemade pizza's that were delicious and played "Fish Bowl" and we all laughed till our stomachs hurt (mainly at John and Mom). Sadly, the boys took the win. [Tori has great video of the game on her Facebook page]

Saturday was tourism day. Arlington Cemetery, White House, Three of the Smithsonian Museums, Lincoln Monument, Washington Monument, Holocaust Museum, Ben's Chili Bowl (restaurant that was featured on TV and we now know why) and then the big DC mall. Quite the day, as Tori put it " 10 hours on my feet. ouch. but sooo much funnnn!" [she has great pictures on her facebook!]
Sad to see them leave Sunday after church, but good knowing John and I will be back in the midwest in three short weeks! My next post will probably be about all of the laundry I have to catch up on ... :) 

thankful.

My family is coming!!! (Well part of my family, miss you Tyler and Lia ... and Lynch's). Mom and Dad, and Troy and Tori will be here in EIGHT short hours. OMG. I cannot wait. I do feel entirely too young to be hosting Thanksgiving- considering I had no idea how to choose a "good" turkey.
BUT I have started my cooking ... mashed potatoes are in the fridge (thanks for the recipe, Car), just need some bake time tomorrow. Apple pie is cooling as we speak. And Pumpkin pie just came out of the oven (John made it, yes, he is home! Has been since noon today). And starting on the green beans! YUMMM.

I have never realized how much goes into Thanksgiving. It has always been my favorite holiday, so I am glad I am elbow deep in it this year.

More to come Monday.

realizing.

Washington, D.C. (and surrounding areas) has everything. We attempted to Christmas shop this evening (after having thee BEST lazy Saturday morning/afternoon) ... we only bought for one person thus far [you, Ash], but we started to discover just how much more this area has to offer (other than all of the outstanding history that we have only briefly touched). For instance, when you type in our zip code to the Crate&Barrel website, there are nine that are "close." INSANE. Two of which are outlets (none of which we have been inside of yet). We also experienced quite the sushi night (and boy we have missed sushi!). At one of the malls in McLean there is a sushi restaurant that has a conveyer belt with tons of different sushi and nigiri. You simply sit around the belt (bar like seating) and grab the plates of the sushi you want. Each plate is colored to represent a price ($5 being the most expensive), then when you are all finished they find your total price by adding your colored plates. It was something else! And sits right in the middle of the mall, between the escalators. Wish I had a camera with me. Otherwise things have been quiet around here. John was at the Rifle Range all week and did GREAT! He amazes me. I have just been working and doing homework. OH! And we bought plane tickets home for Christmas! We are missing ourselves some Vandament's and Lynch's time (and Backhouses and Varneys).

I have lots of homework before Thanksgiving and John has lots (well, two) of late nights before his time off ... which is quickly approaching and I am realizing I have not practiced many of the dishes I had wanted to. We have no set plans as of right now, other than to enjoy good food and each other. We shall see.

just a quick note ...

to say that, if you are going to take your 14-16 year old son to Starbucks, make it a legit date.

I am sitting in Starbucks working on homework (I have been here entirely too long) and in walks a Mother (I'd guess she is in her late forties) and her Son (or some teenage boy who looks like her). The Son has in earphones. They order fun drinks (or some drinks that look awfully fun compared to my herbal tea) and sit down. After sitting for roughly five minutes, with no words exchanged, the Mother gets on her cell phone. The Son sits across, still with his earphones in. They sit like this, across from each other with no real contact for over twenty minutes. It makes me sad. Mothers, take your Sons on meaningful dates, as if they were Brad Pitt and you are their biggest fan. I hope I have Sons. Either way, I have a Brad Pitt I am waiting to on to get home from the Rifle Range, and I really am his biggest fan.
[note: pray for John boy this week, he has his Rifle Qualifications, with rain in the forecast]

weekend, weekend, weekEND, WEEKEND!

A recall of this past, wonderfully, long weekend. John was off at 1230 on Thursday for Veterans day. We went straight to Arlington with the Monroe family. And let me just say, there is no other place to be on Veterans day than Arlington cemetery. It was breathtaking. I have been to an American cemetery in North Africa and it blew my mind, but Arlington, oh my. We attended a ceremony to Honor and Remember those who have passed. John and I then went our own way and journeyed through this breathtaking cemetery that holds so many brave men and women that paid, and continue to pay, our freedom.

We have only touched the iceberg on history on this wonderful East coast, but we had a good start. Glad we still have so many months left here. So much to see and do. I think Virginia is going to be a favorite location to be stationed. We finished Thursday with a delicious dinner at Bonefish, again with the Monroe family.

Friday was everything a Friday should be. Sleeping in, big breakfast at home. Bumming around. A fantastic dinner at J. Brians. And J. Brians will be had by anyone who comes to visit us. It was the kind of restaurant where you don't talk to one another once the food comes--the only thing that comes out is "ohhhooohhh, mmm, yum, my my my, wow, oh." Repeat. And an occasional swapping of forks. Oh, I almost forgot one of the best parts of Friday ... for lunch we made Pigs in a Blanket, with pizza dough and turkey sausage links (John was craving them, I married the best man). 

Yesterday (Saturday) we took a motorcycle ride to Tyson's Corner. And the best description of Tyson's Corner is --- nyc in a three story mall. It has EV-ER-YTHING! We didn't shop much, just enjoyed the trip there and checked out what they have (they have a Banana Republic Petites STORE, and an Ann Taylor Petites... whole stores, people!). John introduced me to West Elm which is my new favorite store. We enjoyed West Elm, each others company, coffee from Starbucks, then took the ride home. 

And it did not stop at Saturday. Today we attended a church that we have enjoyed more than any other thus far. Made a quick trip to base for uniforms, haircut (John), and a few groceries. And grilled .. shh, don't tell ... fish and asparagus for lunch. YUM. And attended our Bible Study and enjoyed ourselves there as usual. And now we are here. On the couch typing on two computers, smooching every once in awhile.

Ball (and the 'do)

This weekend has been one of my favorite to spend with my hubs. It started off a little rough- Friday John had his first day out at the range. Had to be on base at 0430 and did not get home till 2030 (8:30pm, Brook). But once he did get home, he met me at a dinner event where a wonderful General gave his testimony and a word of wisdom to the younger christian Marines present. We slept in Saturday, then started getting ready for the Ball. John got a high and tight and I followed in his steps and got what my brother would call a "Halle Berry haircut." John loves it, and I think it is SO fun. We continued to Richmond, VA for the Ball.

In my own opinion, the Birthday Ball was just a little above par. In John's opinion it was "a great time of something." There was a birthday cake, but we did not get any. Due to the fact that we were the newbies, our tables were downstairs. As the actual event took place upstairs, we watched on two large screens that often just showed the logo of TBS. Now, don't read this wrong, it was not in anyway a bad experience. The speaker was engaging. Though I can't recall his name, he made me laugh and forget how hungry I was. The rituals that took place were evocative. The food was plentiful, and most was quite tasty. And the company was what made the night.

The rest of this week will include three working days for me, three 0430 mornings for John (and probably late nights). Squad leader for John (for the next three weeks-more to come). More shooting, which he seems excited about. Good news is he has a 96 this weekend (that is, he has 96 hours off ... four days). We are still debating what we will do- NYC, DC, Virginia Beach ... love the east coast.

much ado about the week

Isn't he handsome?

Where to start. Let's start with John because I am convinced his days are more exciting. It is only Wednesday and this week has already held so much for my Marine. He had inspections for his Blues. Had a three mile hump (that's a hike) with 70 lbs on his back. Was issued his riffle. Had his first BIG test (which he, of course, passed with flying colors after studying this past weekend). He had to retype his autobiography in a different format. Did the O Course back-to-back (O stands for obstacle). Started his days at 0530, 0600, and 0700. Not too horrible. And the latest he has been home this week is 2000 (knock on wood for tonight).

As for me, I have been to the dentist (2.5 hours spent at the dentist, they are thorough to say the least). Other than the dentist, I have started a job! That's right people, I am a working woman again. And let me tell you, I have been ruined, I like being a full time wife better. I am working at Aquia Christian (mentioned previously) as a "teacher" of the students who still wear diapers--infants. It has been interesting thus far. I start at 0700 and am off around 1600. Not too bad of a day, and surprisingly they have gone fast (they = two, I just started Tuesday). I walk to work, walk home for my hour lunch break, walk back to work, and walk home for the evening. So far so good. I am sure stories will come.

In other news: 

• We hosted a pizza party last Saturday night that had an amazing variety of tasty pizza's! It was quite fun and ought to become a regular occurrence.

• As a couple, we attended a wonderful Bible Study last Sunday evening. They even served us dinner! We broke bread (ate some yummy pulled pork and corn casserole) and studied Galatians with four other couples. Such great company and discussion. We plan to make this a weekly priority.

• John and I are now proud owners of a beautiful ................... cilantro plant! We will see how long the relationship lasts (with the new plant, that is).

• We made crab rangoon. [Special thanks goes out to my fellow Marine wife, Ashley for the recipe.] They were (and still are-we made enough for every meal this week... on accident) AH-ma-zing.

That should about catch us up (this has to be the last time I wait almost a week between posts).