Happy Birthday, Marines!

Today is the United States Marine Corps' 236th Birthday.

Here is a photo from this year's annual Marine Corps Ball.
We attended the 26th MEU's ball on the 5th of November.

Isn't Jared handsome?

Homemade Dirt

We had friends over for my first ever Easter dinner spread (I know, right?). We had the usual ham, mac n' cheese, mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, and a broccoli and cheese casserole.

The crowning act, however, was homemade dirt pudding for dessert. It was a big hit with the kiddoes! It was Jared's idea to use planter labels as nameplates. Isn't he so clever? He's a keeper...

Click HERE for the recipe I used--so good!

Buying a home...

Inspection is tomorrow. If all goes well, we are officially adults! Can't wait to settle in to North Carolina. We have loved Arizona, but are ready to live closer to family and friends.

Valentine's Day Bunco

Just showing off a prize I won at a recent church Girl's Night Out...super cute! My favorite part is the "Marital Bliss" Chocolate bar. Ain't that the truth? Now I need to show Jared how to actually USE it! :)

General Petraeus' Challenge Coin

Ever seen a 5-Star's challenge coin? Want to see THREE? That is how many times Jared was able to personally meet the General and

assist the General and his Communications Team.

Way to go Jared!

*top two and bottom left--the bottom right coin is from another unit*

Rest In Peace

Jared has had these USMC boots for 6 and a half years; they are his first pair.
A duty day never went by without Jared praising them for their comfort.

In an effort to delay the inevitable, he even had them cleaned up, re-soled and re-laced, two years ago, using THIS SERVICE. So, naturally, he was dreading this day...They finally kicked the can.

REST IN PEACE, FAITHFUL FRIENDS!

Pinnacle Peak

My Uncle Jon serves in the USAF and is here in Tucson for work for the next few weeks. He invited us to join him for dinner up in the "big city" and we stumbled across the Pinnacle Peak Saloon and Steak House. They have a clever little (*free) show that runs at 7 and 8 on weekend nights (action/comedy) and the food is delicious and inexpensive--watch out...they will cut your tie off if you have dressed up too purty!

As you can see from the below shots, we couldn't resist the photo ops.

Safe and Sound

Jared is home!

No good pictures...here is why:
The "departing" picture was taken with a camera that got stolen while Jared was in transit--only the second day of his trip. As a matter of fact, an entire bag of Jared's personal items were stolen at Kandahar Airport--thank you insurance. At any rate, he had not yet uploaded the single farewell picture on to his computer or emailed it to me. But oh, wait, that wouldn't have mattered, anyway, because his personal laptop was stolen, too! Grrr...at least it was password protected. Hopefully it made it hard to break in and use it right away!
The "homecoming" pictures (though there were many taken in the airport terminal) are all blurry! Immediate family members of returning service members are allowed to get an "escort" pass, and as long as they go through security, can greet their loved ones right at the gate. It was such a treat to be able to do that. Haha...I picked the wrong person to ask to take photos!
Pictures don't matter anyway; he is home safe and sound. Both Jared and I are very thankful for his safe return.

Mount Lemon Skiing

It was more like "slushing" because it hadn't snowed freshly in more than 3 weeks, and it got up to 65 degrees outside and the snow was melting, but it was fun nonetheless! The best part is that it was only a 2 hour drive from home, and it cost less than $50 to ski and rent skis due to a military discount. I am really glad my girlfriend Bunny asked me to go over the MLK weekend with her and her son. Both our husbands are deployed and the outing passed the time quickly--and every day means a day closer to Jared!

Bunny loaned me a sweet ski suit that was slightly dated (1970s maybe?) but sturdily made in Austria, so I am sure it was a gem in its day. Makes me look sorta curvy...hahaha.

After the ski trip, we joined her son and his two friends at Red Lobster for dinner in Tucson. Grilled scallops are so good! Sometimes I wish we lived a little closer to civilization and restaurants and the like, but I think that would lead to me spending more money and eating out too much...