My Husband, my soldier, my hero!

I just wanted to share our exciting news - Josh was promoted! On October 1st, Josh was promoted to Sergeant (again)! It has been a long time coming, but definitely worth the wait.

A few pictures from his promotion ceremony...

I really cannot express in words how incredibly proud I am of my Husband and the work he is doing in Afghanistan. In July, Josh was selected by his Sergeant-Major to accompany him to a new assignment located in Kabul. It was an honor to be selected and now Josh is part of the Combined Security Transition Command, which has the mission of training, equipping and mentoring the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Here is a link...just in case anyone is interested: http://www.cstc-a.com

I love you Josh!

~*My Fabulous Fourth*~

I do not know why this Fourth of July felt so different, but for some reason I found this holiday to be particularly special. It could be because this is the year I will finally become an American. But, I believe that with my Husband being deployed I truly understand the sacrifices people have made so that we may enjoy this day and everyday.

Early on July 3rd, I set out on my 1200 mile round trip to Saint Augustine, Florida. I was thankful that I was able to pick-up my wonderful Sister, Lindsay, in Savannah, so I had a little company on my 8 hour drive.

I spent July 4th on the beach with family and friends. My Aunt Eleanor was the most gracious host, but sometimes I think she is quickly nominated for these things due to the location of her house :)

On our way to the beach...

We spent many hours on the beach, but stayed in the water due to the extreme heat (it was 102 degrees and that does not add in the awful humidity).

I love St. Augustine and understand why my Husband wants to move there...

(Yes, that is me on the left - I actually swan in the sea!)

There was also plenty of yummy food to go along with all the beach fun, and it was all extremely healthy, of course...

Yummy! Red velvet cupcakes are so delicious and also patriotic when you add a flag:)



In the evening of July 4th, Mum, Dad, Lindsay and I headed to The Landing in Jacksonville for dinner and to watch the fireworks. I have such a great family and I cherish the time we can spend together...



(Lindsay got a little sun to say the least!)

It was so wonderful to spend time with my wonderful family in Saint Augustine. I miss them so much and wish they lived just a little closer (or maybe I wish that we lived closer to them)




(l-r: Ethan, Jonathan, Aaron, Raychl, Me, Mum, Lindsay)

After a wonderful family breakfast on the morning of July 5th, Lindsay and I headed back to Savannah for an evening of one-on-one sister fun. I told Lindsay that since I was in Savannah I wanted some good seafood...she certainly did not disappoint. I have never been to the Crab Shack on Tybee Island, but I can guarantee that I will be going back!

We had such a great night together - I am so lucky to have a sister that is also my best friend!

It was truly a FABULOUS FOURTH!

Back Deck Re-do...finally complete!

OK, so I know I have been slacking in my blogging responsibilities, but the weather has been so great and every free minute I have I am outside enjoying Summer. As promised, I am finally posting pictures of my deck re-do. Our back deck took such a beating during the Winter, so over the past month I have given is some much needed TLC.


BEFORE...




AFTER...

After pressuring-washing, staining, planting, sewing and general cleaning, here are the results...

Spring has truly sprung in NC

So, since Josh left for Afghanistan I have been looking for activities to distract me from his absence. I have been trying to develop hobbies that do not involve sitting in front of the TV. Recently, I have been spending a lot of time in the yard, for the weather is just too beautiful to sit inside. I have really started to enjoy gardening, and I am pleased to say that I think my notoriously brown thumb may actually have a slight tinge of green to it now. It is a lot of work to keep even my tiny yard looking good, but I have to say that I am really quite pleased with the results so far.

Jasmine

Pansies



Petunias

Day Lily

Our back deck is a working progress. The deck took a beating during the winter and I plan on power-washing, staining, etc., but I thought a few planters may help brighten the area up in the meantime.

My next endeavor was to begin a herb garden. I spend around $10 a week at the grocery store buying fresh herbs, so I am excited that I grow my own now(afterall, I am a tree-hugger at heart). I also had to use window planter, otherwise my doggies would use the herds as a salad buffet. I am quite pleased with the results so far. I found the plant stakes while wandering around the annual pottery festival in Sanford - I love them!

More picture to follow when I finally finish my deck makeover.

Glad I may have found a hobby that is also productive, and I am sure Josh will appreciate all the work when he finally gets to see it:)

The Sedberrys truly are the best berries!

Before I start, I want to introduce to you two of the most wonderful friends - Gabe and Krysann Sedberry.

Gabe and Josh were both deployed to Afghanistan in 2007. When they both returned from Afghanistan, Krysann and I finally met. Josh and I always had such a great time when hanging out with the Sedberrys, but unfortunately for us Krysann and Gabe moved back to California late last year. They are truly wonderful people and we miss their close friendship everyday.

Anyway, let's get to the point...

Yesterday, I finally finally had a meltdown. Josh left Saturday night and I have managed to stay strong and hold my emotions in check, but yesterday I finally lost it. On my drive home from work yesterday, I let it all go and cried my eyes out. As I pulled into my driveway I saw a that a package had been delivered while I was at work. As soon as I picked it up I knew it was from the Sedberrys (they are the only people we know in California) and it immediately brightened my day.

When I opened the package I found the most thoughtful gift - inside was "Kirsty's Deployment Survival Kit"

This is the letter that accompanied my basket...

In case you cannot read the letter - here it is...

Envelopes and Paper - because there is never enough time on the phone to talk about everything.

Photo Album - to put your favorite pictures of Josh in so you can carry him with you wherever you go.

Journal - because sometime you just need to vent.

1 Corinthians 12:9 - to remind yourself where to turn when things get tough.

Tissues - because it is alright to cry when you need to.

Calendar - to count down the days until he's home.

Bracelet - to remind you to have a good, hard laugh.

Candy - no explanation necessary.

It really was such a thoughtful gift...

I am so blessed to have such great friends who support me through the tough times!

Weekend at St. Simon's Island

The weekend of March 20th, Josh and I headed for St. Simon's Island in the hopes of having a relaxing and romantic weekend. We were given a free weekend at the King and Prince beach resort and we were just excited to get away just the two of us. Our hopes of a romantic weekend were quickly dashed! When word got out that we were in the area our romantic weekend quickly turned into a family weekend. I really can't complain - we really do have a such a loving and supportive family. I just wanted to share some pictures of our family...

(l-r: me, Joshua, Aunt Joanne, Kansas, Josh, Caleb, and Uncle Phil)

These wonderful people redefine the meaning of family! We are not technically related, but they are more "family" to us than some of our blood relatives. WE LOVE YOU GUYS!

On Saturday March 21st, Josh and I headed to Saint Augustine, FL to spend time with Josh's sister and her family. We had such a wonderful time!
(l-r: Me, Ethan, Josh, Jonny, Jonathan, Raychl, Mom-Nancy)
We are truly blessed with such a wonderful family.

Barcelona!

OK, so I have been slacking lately on keeping up with my blog, but life just seems to get increasingly more crazy each day. I thought after my trip to Barcelona things would slow down a little - boy, was I wrong!!

A few weeks ago, I spent a very long and busy week in Barcelona, Spain. I was asked to accompany my project manager to a kick-off meeting at our client's office that is conveniently located in the beautiful and historic city of Barcelona. I recently began working on a new COPD study and the sponsor's are located in New Jersey and Barcelona. For weeks weeks the sponsors were trying to decide if the meeting would be held in New Jersey or Barcelona - I was ecstatic to find out that I would be going to Barcelona!

On March 9th, 2009, I left for Barcelona. I do not have a fear of flying, but being 6' tall I do have a fear of being cramped for 10 hours! I was very excited to find out that it is company policy for employees to fly business class if the flight exceeds 8 hours. I just have to share with you my new found favorite way to travel...

...I have told my Husband that I will never fly coach again...:)

I arrived in Barcelona the morning of March 10th after a very long night and very little sleep. If you know me even a little you will now my obsession with cleaning. When traveling I always dread opening the hotel room door, for you never quite know what you are going to find. I was very happy to find this...



After a nap and a hot shower, we headed out as a team to downtown Barcelona. We ate at Cafe Mussol.

I was quite pleased with my daring choices during my first meal in Spain. We started with tapas and I am very proud to say that I tried everything at least once! As they say - when in Rome (or in this case, Barcelona)! I even tried this weird potato-chip concoction that was topped with olive oil, hot sauce and sardine-like fish.

After dinner we went for a short stroll around the city. I was very pleased that I got to see at least one Gaudi building during my brief trip!



This is the point at which the fun stopped and the work began. For the next three days we were in all-day meetings. I spent all day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in offices listening to people talk :(

On Thursday night we went out to dinner with our client. The client organized the dinner and we went to the most beautiful restaurant (if I could do it all over again, this is where I would have my wedding). We went to a restaurant set into the side of Montjuic. The restaurant had the most amazing panoramic views of Barcelona. The food was wonderful and the wine was just fantastic! I had such a wonderful time! All week I had been looking forward to Friday night, for it was my one night free from work. Also, I was especially looking forward to Friday night because I was finally going to have time to get together with family that I had not seen in almost 10 years! My Uncle, his wife and my cousin moved to Spain from Scotland almost 6 years ago, but I had not seen them since I left Scotland in 1999. On Friday evening, my family and I went to downtown Barcelona and wandered down La Rambla. La Rambla is the main shopping street in Barcelona. The street is lined with stalls and street performers.




Our walk down La Rambla was simply breathtaking! I also wanted to share with you some of the beautiful architecture and the amazing stalls that lined La Rambla...










Last, but not least...(l-r) Auntie Susan, Me, Cousin Jennifer, Uncle Richard.



It is almost impossible to describe how beautiful Barcelona is! Of course, Barcelona has the typical urban drawbacks. The city is incredibly busy and noisy, but I am already planning another trip. Anyone want to go?