Lately

Our time in Virginia is slowly coming to an end and we're enjoying it thoroughly. I realize my posts don't have much meat to them lately, but sitting down to write is becoming harder and harder. There's so much going on, but I still don't want to forget it. Since we're going to hit the road right before Thanksgiving (no turkey and potatoes for us!), and wanted to spend more time with Kiley and Jared while we are able to, we had a "Thanksgiving Weekend" a week ago. 

We enjoyed a couple of walks in the slightly cooler, but still beautiful Virginia weather. We walked at Government Island (with our very impatient dog who stole the attention of nearly everyone we passed on the trail) and explored Stafford's Civil War Park.

We saw a bird. And ate a bird.

And, we sat down and enjoyed a delicious meal like a family would- complete with a fresh-baked apple pie from Kiley.

 It was a great weekend- we're very lucky to have been close to a friend and a family member, even after moving across the country. The next weekend was the birthday ball. Every November, the Marines celebrate the anniversary of their "birth." This year, we celebrated the 238th Birthday at a ball in Richmond. All TBS students and staff were there, from several companies. This meant a huge crowd- almost 3000 in attendance. 

It was the first ball for both of us and we truly had a great time. We enjoyed the traditional ceremonies, a meal, socializing, and "dancing." I think those of us associated with Delta Company were also enjoying a "last hurrah" and pre-celebration since we were so close to the end of the POI. Soon, we'll all be heading in different directions as our husbands complete training for their MOS.




























Two great weekends in a row...and now we're finishing up all of the details of our move. These six months have gone by so fast, but we're gearing up for Florida!

The Home of The Commandants

One of the bonuses of being married to a Marine who is going through TBS and stationed so close to D.C.? The Marine Corps decides you're worth something and invites you to tour the Home of the Commandants and meet the First Lady! A couple weeks back, the spouses of Charlie and Delta Companies got to hop on a bus and have a lovely day in D.C. As you will soon discover, I think this place is super awesome...it's almost an obsession...



 For those of you who are not affiliated with the Marine Corps, I hope to share a bit about this awesome landmark and piece of history in D.C. For those of you who are affiliated with the Marine Corps, learn about this place and the people who have lived there! It's fascinating. The Home of the Commandants is the oldest continuously occupied building in Washington, D.C. The site for the original barracks and the home was chosen by President Thomas Jefferson and the 2nd Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lieutenant Colonel William W. Burrows on March 31, 1801. The home itself, was built in 1806, by the Marines of course (the budget was so small that they were payed in liquor). Remember learning about the British raid in D.C.? Yep, in 1814 they burned the Capitol, the White House, and most of the public buildings. The Barracks and the Home of the Commandants were spared...and as the Marines like to believe, it was because the British thought they were stunningly awesome. ;)

This home has since housed every Commandant of the Marine Corps. Portraits of all of the previous Commandants (except for the 4th Commandant, who did something despicable...) hang throughout the house. What's really neat about the portraits, is that they are painted to show the change in uniform as well as to include a unique item or symbol that each Commandant chooses to be displayed in their portrait. For example, one Commandant chose a Bible and one chose a picture of him and his wife (after being told she couldn't pose with him). The current Commandant gets to decide where they want each portrait to hang, so if a former Commandant is unlucky, he might end up in the basement.

See that couch with it's back toward you? Yep, I sat on that as we were being introduced to the First Lady, only to be told that it is nicknamed "The Dead Couch." Brigadier General Archibald Henderson apparently took a little nap on the sofa in this room and passed away quietly in his sleep. Ever since, it is rumored that Henderson's ghost has occasionally caused mischief throughout the home. From causing odd noises until his portrait was moved to the 1st floor, to throwing his portrait to the floor at the mention of women serving in the Corps, to causing leaky faucets and visitors to faint, Henderson (who resided in the home for 39 years) still believes the home is his to do whatever he wants with.

 Throughout the home, many unique pieces of furniture and decorations catch the eye. There are so many stories in this home, as well as an incredible amount of history and character. In the photo below, the Music Room is shown. The room features a tribute to John Philip Sousa- former conductor of the Marine Band, in case you didn't know. One of the features is that lamp...which you should never go near, because it is worth $2.5 million dollars (or something like that). We also learned all about fireplace shields and how the phrase, "Mind your own beeswax!" came about. For real...look it up.

 The home was beyond beautiful. I loved how nearly every item had a story to tell.

I will totally sit out here every morning when Keagan is Commandant. ;)

 For you other military families out there who have heard endless horror stories about TMO...guess what? The Commandant's House has it's own story. A plate that is displayed in the dining room was apparently damaged by TMO and glued back together. Whether that was just a joke the docent threw out there, or actual truth, I don't know. (I can be gullible, sometimes).

 In case Keagan and I need some space someday when he's Commandant and I'm stressed out, we can just sit at opposite ends of this ridiculously long table. ;) Okay, I'll stop talking about Keagan being Commandant now and instead tell you something I found kind of funny. Apparently, four enlisted Marines are assigned to the home to cook for the Commandant and guests.

 Just look at this ridiculously gorgeous home...

 And Keagan's the Commandant's Study.

 We were even able to peek into the bedroom. It was roped off, because apparently in the past someone thought it'd be funny to climb up on the bed and take a picture. Not cool, dude. How weird would it be to have guests look into your bedroom like it was on display?

This sunroom? Perfect. And what's extra cool, is that the doors open up towards the parade deck of the barracks. So much history. So much ceremony.

 And Bonnie Amos? She was stunning. Really. What a charismatic, genuine, and humorous lady. She was so open and inviting, and definitely helped increase our pride in our role as supporter to our husbands, the Marines. I felt so spoiled and inspired. Bonnie encouraged us to "enjoy life, enjoy it!" She is a true example of what a wife should be- even in the midst of a crazy lifestyle.

As I'm sure you can tell, I really enjoyed this opportunity. (I may have gotten a little carried away on this post). But for real. It was so awesome. I love history and hearing stories that come alive, and this was a wonderful place to experience that. Thank you, to the Marine Corps, for having an interesting history, as well as traditions and pride that continue today.

Up Next

Image via Google Maps

We have known for awhile that we would be heading to Pensacola, FL after our time here in the Quantico/Stafford area, but we have a timeline now! We recently received news that Keagan is to report to Pensacola at the very end of November- only 3 days after his graduation from TBS. He will go through several phases of flight training at Naval bases in the area.

1. IFS (Naval Air Station- Pensacola)- This is a about a month long and we think he will be starting as soon as we move.

2. API (Naval Air Station- Pensacola)- After completing IFS, we're looking at a 4-6 week wait until Keagan can start the next phase of training. During the break, we hope to take leave and head home to the Midwest for awhile. API is approximately 6 weeks long.

3. Primary (most likely Whiting Field, Milton)- After an unknown wait period, Keagan will head over to Whiting Field for Primary. Whiting Field is close to an hour away from NASP, so as of now we are looking at temporary housing options near NASP, with a move to the Whiting Field area when the time comes. It is possible (but unlikely) that he may be sent to Corpus Christi for Primary. Primary is approximately 6 months long.

4. After Primary, Keagan will know what aircraft he is assigned and will complete flight training.

We're going to try our best to stay flexible, as we never know what could change and when. Tis the nature of the military. :)

Hi, guys.

Blogging. It's really hard to write sometimes- because, honestly, I just feel all over the place lately. It's hard to sit down and tell you something, when really, I'm just trying to figure out where I'm at myself. This last year has been such a whirlwind, and I feel like I'm trying to catch up with myself, in a way. There have been a lot of ups and downs and twists and turns. I may feel one way, one day, and completely different the next. As soon as I decide I have pinpointed something, my internal GPS recalculates itself. In the world of people who are focused, driven, and set on achieving specific goals, I feel like I drift from place to place, never fully settling.

But lets get past my little moment.

Let's talk about what everyone else is talking about...football season. Or wait, let's not, because honestly, it's just not my thing. It's fall though, and it's hard to ignore the day of football, when everyone else is so excited. I must admit, as much as I don't even pay the slightest attention to what is happening, the sound of
a football game on the TV does sound like fall. Yes, I'll sit and do my own thing, enjoying the smell of an Apple Cider candle and the taste of chocolate, while my husband proudly watches his 4-0 Chiefss

Babysitting- This "job" has been a blessing lately. I get to hang out with the coolest two-year-old and his wonderful mother a few times a week. Seeing life the way a two-year-old does helps lift my spirits.

Cold weather- you know you've gotten used to Virginia when 75 degrees feels cold! We've been having temperatures in the 70's for awhile now. It's beautiful, but I find myself pulling out the jeans, long-sleeves, blankets, and tea much more than I would have back in Minnesota or Iowa. Miss Zulu and I have been enjoying longer, leisurely walks and can't wait until the leaves start to change color. We also can't wait to see D.C. in the fall!

Unpredictability- That's the name of the game in life, but I think it's absolutely expected in the Marine Corps. Although Keagan's schedule has been a little more manageable than earlier in the POI, I'm still finding myself preparing to jump in the car at any moment and bring Keagan supper, because he won't be able to come home. Forget making anything that doesn't reheat well, because there's no way that casserole is going to come out of the oven at the right time. I just realized how much this section is focusing on food, but I guess that's the name of the game in the life and Marine Corps too. So...

Food- After a couple of wildly scheduled weeks, I finally got a "normal" week of cooking supper in last week. Lately, I've realized how awesome food is. Not only is food essential (duh), but cooking has become a relaxing task for me and a creative outlet. I love looking for new, fun recipes to try. Time together with Keagan is limited, so sitting and enjoying a meal together is more enjoyable now than ever before. Nothing says "Good Saturday Night" like a plate of nachos piled high with all the fixin's.

Adventuring- Keagan, Zulu, and I enjoyed frisbee golf at John Lee Pratt Park in Fredericksburg a couple Sundays ago. I hope to go back, soon. It was very different from the courses back home. We climbed up and down steep hills, crossed over creeks, and got pretty muddy. It was a great afternoon to be outside, though. A group of other wives and I enjoyed a morning hiking at Prince William State Park. As I mentioned before, the weather has been incredible, and I very much enjoy Virginia's landscape and scenery. We went about 5 1/2 miles; it was so nice to get out and enjoy time with other wives outside. I did feel a little less heroic than the others though, because every single one of them had a baby strapped to them. Hopefully we'll be doing more of this soon! Then, my sister-in-law and I wandered Fredericksburg National Military Park. It wasn't the most exciting tour we've ever done, but was enjoyable nonetheless. We did a short walking tour, and then a driving tour, visiting landmarks of civil war battles that took place in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania.

Classes- I've started classes to get national certification as an Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeping Specialist. Although the material is very dry right now, I'm enjoying having something "real" to do and accomplish again. The classes are all self-paced, so I'm doing what I can to get as far as possible before our next move.

Speaking of our next move, we realized we're only about two months away. These past four months in Virginia have gone by so slow and so fast all at the same time. It was a little crazy realizing that now is the time to start researching housing and moving options. Pensacola is not far off!

Learning to be a military spouse- This is no easy task, and I don't think I'll ever accomplish it. The world of military "spouse-ness" is very deep and complex. I'm trying to walk the road with grace and and an open mind. It's easy to get bitter and frustrated sometimes, but every day we get a little stronger and learn a little more.

Oofta. This got a little longer than I expected. I guess when one decides not to write for awhile, they feel as if they must write a long, somewhat awkward update that seems a little too much like a Christmas letter in September.

Weekly

Oh dear, I am getting bad at this weekly updating thing. This week, though, I have a good excuse! I had my post all typed up and ready to go, and then wham. My laptop charger decided to short out, cause a giant spark, and scare me half to death. So, I've been waiting, laptop-less, to get my charger in the mail. Everything in that post now seems so outdated, and really, nothing out of the ordinary happened. I got sick of looking at the post, trying to decide how to spice things up, so I scratched it out and started over.

The last couple of weeks have been very, "normal"... at least in the TBS way. What once seemed unusual and hard to get used to, has now become the way of life. " The normal in our lives is, quite honestly, abnormality. Our life together is no longer the routine way that we used to live in Iowa- working during the day, supper together at 7:00, playing pool, watching The Office, going to bed, and doing whatever we pleased on the weekends. It's not Thursday suppers at Dave and Kay's with the whole family, or going to church at the same time every Sunday. Now, it's adjusting to the schedule of the Marines and making the most of every minute we get together. What does that look like? Well, in the past week (and a half, now), we have:

• Enjoyed 5 minutes together, in my car, in the parking lot on base, because Keagan's company got released late and he only had time for me to bring him supper and sleep in the barracks.
• Enjoyed a very quickly put together supper of brats, mac and cheese, and canned green beans, while watching Psych at 3 AM, because that's when Keagan got home, and he was hungry. 
• Enjoyed sitting next to each other all day on Sunday, even though Keagan was working on his orders for Field Exercises all day.
• Enjoyed meals that were made two days earlier, but due to unforeseen schedule changes, Keagan wasn't able to come home.
• Enjoyed a spontaneous hour or so walking around Fredericksburg on a Sunday.

If you see a pattern, our time together often centers around food. :) Honestly, I'm starting to not mind this "schedule" of ours so much. At first, it was really frustrating for me, being a schedule-junkie. I didn't like not knowing if Keagan would be home at 6, 7, 8, 9, or the next night. I didn't like making meals because we heard the guys would be coming home early, and then putting them in the fridge to reheat later when Keagan finally got news he could head home. At first, everything was really frustrating. Now, it's just an "oh well." The schedule does get very tiring and I don't like seeing Keagan so tired all the time, but I do like how hard he works, with minimal complaining. My respect for him has flown through the roof the past couple of months. Yes, I think we're both ready for TBS to be over and to move on to the next phase of training- one that applies more towards what Keagan will actually be doing and will hopefully be more organized, but we're trying to enjoy this part while we're here.

For me, I'm starting to come to grips with the insecurities and emotions that come with being home alone so often, without a real job or even solid plans for what's next for me. I plan to write more on this later, but I've been enjoying the little things that each day in this season of life brings. I've been learning to enjoy the power of "choosing" what to accomplish (I've never had this in my life before, at least to the same extent). I've been working on letting go of the guilt that I feel when I shouldn't. New things are in the works for me, and new things have begun. I've been able to start baby-sitting for another military spouse fairly regularly, which has been a blessing. I'm just trying to focus on the here and now and the blessings it brings.

We're working on the flexibility, adaptability, and perseverance...characteristics that the Marines are obviously trying to instill in us through how TBS is run. Welcome to the Marine Corps- Semper Gumby.

P.S. I promise to put up a post with pictures...soon.

The News

So...after months and months of waiting, we have the news.

Quantico, VA, we're coming for you!

Ever since I first visited almost two years ago, I knew I wanted to go back someday.
Rewind back a year, and we thought we might be doing this in October...of 2012. But, plans change (or are never made) and you just have to do what you have to do.

I have loved the fact that we got to spend more time close to the family after getting married. I have gotten a chance to get to know Keagan's family a little better, and we got to visit with my friends and family in Minnesota a few times as well. Living in our rental home, out on an acreage, has been wonderful. I love the quiet, I love the view, and I love how close it is to town, yet still secluded. We both have been blessed to have good jobs in this waiting period. I have no complaints.

Except one.

We've been waiting so long that I've gotten so comfortable in our current life and now I'm a little nervous to get ready and go. I guess that's not much of a complaint, just a worry. And as I try to remind myself over and over, "Do not worry about tomorrow...Matthew 6:34."

Now, it's action time.

We're going to Omaha/Lincoln this weekend for Keagan to meet up with his office and hopefully get some last-minute details. Then, we're going to have fun and relax in the city for my birthday weekend. Then, we're going to apartment search like crazy. We've got a month to find out where we'll be living. Yikes. that makes me nervous a bit. After that, it's packing (thankfully we don't have a lot of extra items lying around), tying up loose ends, changing addresses, etc.

Goodbye, Iowa!

Despite my worries, and trying to let the "planner" in me relax, I really am excited. This is what we have been waiting for. This is our goal. This is our future. This is our adventure.

Sometimes I feel like I'm in over my head. There's so much I don't know. But I've come to peace with the fact that that's okay. We're gonna make mistakes or miss some information, but we're also going to learn from it. I've done my research, I have people who can help me out, and it's all going to be awesome. Seriously, I feel it.

These are the attitudes/mottos that I have pre-adopted (if that's a thing).
-Attitudes are not circumstantial.
-Things aren't always going to be easy, but you have the ability to figure it out.
-Find peace in the Lord first and foremost- not in accomplishments and comparisons.

PLEASE keep in contact with us. And if you want a little vacation...come visit D.C. We'll show you around! We'll be there about six months and then it's most likely on to Pensacola. So...come to Florida too. :)

We're excited.
-Hannah

virginia

someday i will see you.
sometimes it makes me nervous,
but sometimes i'm so ready for the adventure.

right now...i'm hoping you come soon.

Today

I dropped someone off at the airport today to fly out to Chicago. His papers said: Travel- Special Mission. This will most likely be the first of many similar journeys. I'm proud of him.