2011 In Pictures (and a few words)

It has been a truly incredible 2011 and filled with so many different emotions. Wanted to do a quick post of some of the highlights, and what I think about when I look back at the past year. Enjoy. :)

January 1, 2011 - The Fiesta Bowl w/ Kyle's brother and his wife to watch OU. Boomer!

February 7, 2011 - Super Bowl. Green Bay Packers are #1. Go Pack Go!

March 31, 2011 - Mini-Hanson concert/Radio promo in Palm Springs with Michelle and Kyle.

April 2011 - My husband (far left) and his Marines the day they deployed to Afghanistan. 

Spring 2011 - The husbands left and we started hiking to keep busy.

May 13-15, 2011 - Met some of the most amazing people in Tulsa, Oklahoma
for a members-only Hanson event.
Bonded by Hanson. Family for life.

June 2011 - Filmed a vlog with my best friend, Vincenzo, while eating German snacks.

July 3, 2011 - The 4th of July NOIZE Party

Glow sticks. Glitter. Girl Talk. Red Bull.

If you weren't there, you wouldn't believe the stories.

Summer 2011 - Skype dates with the husband were always treasured.
Even thousands of miles away he knew how to make me laugh.

July 10, 2011 - Ran my first half marathon, The Summerfest Rock n Sole in Milwaukee, WI.  Between the poor race planning and the weather, it was a horrible experience but I survived!

Late July 2011 - This sums up Stephanie and I's caffeine fueled road trip from Wisconsin to California.

August 5, 2011 - Celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary alone.
... the life of a military wife. 

August 2011 - Took my sister to DisneyLand for the first (and second and third) time.

August 21, 2011 - Ran my second half marathon (with a 30+ minute PR) with my little sister at the finish line.
This was my first race having family at the race to cheer me on. Felt incredible. 

October 2011 - HOMECOMING! After 7 months, he's home. 

November 21, 2011 - United Stated Marine Corps Birthday Ball

As the year draws to a close, I also want to reflect on the loss of five men from our Darkside 3/4 Marine Corps Family while on their most recent deployment to Afghanistan. May these men never be forgotten, and their ultimate service to our country always be remembered. 

Cpl Paul Zanowick

LCpl Jason Hill

Cpl Mark Goyet

Lcpl Christopher Camero

SSgt Leon Lucas

What will you remember most about 2011, and what do you look most forward to in 2012?

Why I've disappeared... again.

I know this is no excuse, and I don't exactly have the best track record for blogging regularly. Oops! Anyways, the reason excuses excuses I've disappeared the last few weeks is that I've been a crazy working as many hours as I can, organizing to the point of perfection, to cleaning all nooks and crannies fool. Why? Because this happened... finally.

So what if the first thing I noticed in this picture were my legs? 

Yep! My husband is finally home from Afghanistan, and has been back in the states for almost a week. We've been busy getting things ready for our cross-country road trip, and just trying to enjoy each-others company. It's crazy going from a single housewife for the last 7 months, only talking to my husband once every week or two, to having my husband by my side 24/7. So surreal at times. There are still moments when we're watching tv on the couch that I can't believe he's actually sitting next to me. I can't even explain the feeling. It's funny thinking back to early in the deployment and the conversations I would have with fellow wives, and the things we'd wish for. Thank goodness he has been easing me back into his obsession love of video games because I remember quite vividly there was a rough week, where I told my friend Jenna that I would give anything to see my husband sitting on the couch, ignoring me while playing Call Of Duty. It's weird getting used to the little things like cooking dinner for two again, sharing the remote or not being able to sprawl out across our queen sized bed. It's the little things I tend to take for granted when he is home, and it's the weirdest feeling getting back into the swing of things when he's home. Luckily he has been amazing helping get us back into the swing of life from 7 months ago. He's been back in his routine of putting gas in the cars, taking out trash and making breakfast in the mornings. Sometimes it's those little things that you miss the most.

Together again. <3

We Run For Those Who Can't

I always love reading the shirts of fellow runners, and seeing everything from various charities to "I run because (insert motivation here)". It's always amazing to see where runners have been, and what their motivation is to continue for one more mile. I've learned that runners tend to wear their heart on their sleeve, and my running group for the AFC Half Marathon in San Diego on Sunday was no exception. Who were we running for? Five incredible men who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and we pray will never be forgotten. You will recognize three of the men from my previous post from my first half marathon, but unfortunately two more names have been added to the list of fallen from our 3rd Battalion 4th Marines Family. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The Marine Corps is a family. The Marines themselves are brothers, and their wives/girlfriends/sisters/mothers are sisters to each other. 

We ran to honor these men. 

We ran to remember their sacrifice. 

We ran in hope that others would read their names and never forget. 

Cpl Paul Zanowick

LCpl Jason Hill

Cpl Mark Goyet

Lcpl Christopher Camero

SSgt Leon Lucas

Post race. Runners & Our Cheerleaders.

Also, a huge thank you to one of our Darkside Moms who had these shirts made to honor the men lost (whose names are listed on the back).

These Men Deserved A Post Of The Own.

On Sunday's Summerfest Rock n Sole Half Marathon I had three special men accompany me during my race. They were with me all 13 miles, and had my back even when I wanted to give up. These three men many have never heard of, though they should be household names. These men? Cpl Paul Zanowick, LCpl Jason Hill, and Cpl Mark Goyet. All three Marines were deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 4th Marines, where they made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Cpl Paul Zanowick

LCpl Jason Hill

Cpl Mark Goyet

I never knew these men personally, but in the Marine Corps everyone is like family. Scratch that. They are family. When you move away from home, especially at a young age, you are forced to make a new family and new connections based on common experiences. Everyone is there for each other through thick and thin. You laugh together. You cry together. You mourn together.

May these men will never be forgotten.