Ta Dah!

Wood wanted a project and we both wanted a new bookshelf. He designed it and it comes complete with adjustable shelves. I think he did a great job. I didn't get a full shot of the finished product because of a mess at the bottom of the shelf - the "spare room" is a current work in progress, hopefully to become the baby's room/still sort of spare room in the next few weeks.

Fifty-two weeks and one day a Year Maketh

- except on leap years -
One year ago today, I was with my sweetheart about to be married for time and all eternity. It seems like it hasn't been a year, but I guess the calendar doesn't lie.

I remember people saying to us, "Something will go wrong on your wedding day, so don't get to caught up in any problems and enjoy your day together." Though there was some stressful moments setting up for the reception the day before (Sorry Frogalee, M, B and others), our wedding day was wonderful. I remember talking with Woodine as we were departing for our fabulous honeymoon and determining that there really wasn't anything that went wrong at all.

In the past year Woodine has been such a strength to me. Often she hasn't felt well due to morning sickness. And even more often she has had to deal with a husband that likes to tease and push buttons (J, you are not alone). More seriously, she has had to endure the roller coaster of being married to a man in the military. She has dealt with so much. Our lives have changed a lot in the last year. I had a hard time imagining Woodine and I as being a family before, but now it just feels right.

I thank a loving Father in Heaven for blessing me with a wonderful wife . . . and wonderful life.

Trail Run

Wood ran a 5K today (Saturday) in the Adirondacks and it was a good excuse to go somewhere to celebrate our anniversary.*

We went up Friday afternoon, took a hike and then ate some dinner in Lake Placid. We had one of those experiences you read about and think "that's cool, wouldn't it be fun if that happened to me?" We met a really nice couple going to the same restaurant for their anniversary. When we asked for our check after the dinner we were informed it had already been paid for - and even though they wished to remain anonymous the waiter spilled the beans and we were able to thank them. They smiled and suggested we could return the kindness to some other young couple in 30 years....I think we will.

Wood did a great job in the race. Here he is preparing to do his finishing quadruple axel (that's what it looks like to me) - or maybe just asking which way the course went. I was trying for a head-on action shot. Oh well.



Crossing the finish line.



He finished 2nd in his age group and since the guy who came in first also came in first overall, Wood won some snazy socks and a hat.

A navy friend and Wood's old roommate (Philip Trottingham**) had encouraged him to run in the first place along with a few other navy guys. 3 of them ran the 5K but Phil-T ran the 11.5 mi trail run - a rugged trail and did well. It was fun to cheer him on at the end. We stayed for some of the festivities and awards and headed home a little sunburned but happy.

*We were able to relax this weekend because we're not moving next week - we're moving in August...and it's in writing. :) Phew! Perhaps I should stop posting about where we're going when and just wait until we get there. Ie. Surprise....we're in Guam!

**Name has been changed. We have a Trottingham street near here and decided that if our first born was male - Philip Trottingham would be a great name. What was even better was the looks on our friend's faces when we told them that - polite disbelief. Unfortunately, I'm no good at keeping a straight face!

Instability

I think eating ice cream directly out of the box is cathartic. It's good in a bowl, but for those moments when I need to enhanced comfort - I prefer straight from the box. We ate ice cream out of a box last night.

After celebrating that we are moving in August we found out that, never mind, we are moving in June. Just under 3 weeks before I'm due. Yuck. Okay, Wood's moving and the Navy won't stop me from going with him, even though I don't "have to" and am technically no "supposed to". So no fun, but we can deal with it, right? Here's the problem. Those at the top of the chain of command insist all of his class leaves in June. However, his lieutenant who participates in scheduling isn't so sure they're going to be able to get them out in June. Which means we're supposed to make complete preparations as though we're leaving in June, and then they may change the orders 4 to 2 days before we're supposed to leave. I can move in June -it's the instability that caused an emotional melt down for me last night - hence the cathartic ice cream.

On a positive note, we're still going to Washington, same boat and all. Connecticut is only a 10 week stint, so we can do this. Washington is a much longer commitment so I'm grateful that's in place. I had a doctors appointment yesterday and the baby is very healthy, and she will come regardless of where we are living - though she has strict orders not to come on the road while we move - thankfully it's not a long drive! So, I know things will work out but I am curious (and a little anxious) as to just how they will. But they will. Que sera, sera...........

Orders

We have our orders, which is a huge relief! We will be leaving for Connecticut in August for a 10 week submarine school. Wood reports August 20th. The baby and I will probably join him a week after that. We just found out August. Our initial orders asked us to report in June, ~3 weeks before my due date. Wood's been working with people and they've just given the ok for August. We know moving with a 4-6 week old will not be easy either, but we are excited to have the baby here where we like the doctors and the hospital and where many supportive friends are close by.

After the 10 weeks in Groton, CT we are headed to the great Northwest!!! Yep, we are to be stationed for the next 2.5 to 3 years out of Bangor, WA. This is on the Kitsap peninsula just north of Bremerton. Wood will be on the Henry M. Jackson, an SSBN or ballistic missile sub.

This is what we've been hoping and praying for. This means his sea tours will be 2.5-3 months at a time instead of 6-8+ months at a time. And there are 2 crews on SSBNs, so he'll do a tour, come back, work on and sub maintenance that needs to be done, and then the next crew will go out for a few months and he will be around (as much as the Navy allows). We are so grateful. There have been ups and downs this last year and a lot of not knowing what is happening next. But I know Heavenly Father is guiding this process. That doesn't mean things will always be easy, but I feel these assignments are tender mercies. We are very grateful and very excited!