I realized a couple days ago how "normal" this all feels- and normal in the best sense. I was talking on the phone to one of my best friends about things we can do when she comes to visit...and all of a sudden I realized/remembered I AM CURRENTLY LIVING IN VIRGINIA. Things have felt so normal and right that I forget I am living 1200 miles away from everything I know! Well, everything except for CJ that is...and he is why things feel so normal. Being married to him is right, normal, and the best thing to ever happen to me.
However, just because things FEEL normal...doesn't mean they ARE normal.
Here are a few highlights from the past two weeks that were not our typical normal, until now!
...having our own home together! More pictures coming soon- promise!
...being surrounded by beautiful scenery. It is gorgeous, but 30-foot tall trees always surrounding you makes it a little difficult to try to explore the area by just looking out the window!
...having historical Government Island right behind our apartment complex. Don't feel bad, I hadn't heard of it either. This bridge once lead to the sandstone used to construct The White House and Capitol Building! Now it takes us to an incredible natural park preserve.
...cooking 3 full meals a day! ...and learning how much food my Marine eats! I was given great advice to make full recipes, so the two of us can have leftovers. Yes, charming idea... It has been fun trying out different recipes, and CJ is very vocal about his appreciation which I LOVE!
...And working long, long, tiring days. This is CJ right after he tried to get up Saturday. He didn't last too long or make it out the door...
Here are a few other highlights that don't have a picture to go with them. Most are more exciting than the pics...but I felt pictures were needed to keep you all engaged!
- joined a church- Mt. Ararat Baptist Church: It has a lot of opportunities to get involved during the week (for me) and on Sundays (for us). AND the main pastors are all from Texas!
- made some Marine wife friends: We had a spouse orientation last week, and I was able to meet almost all of the other wives. There were about 40 total and there are 7 whose husbands are in the same platoon as CJ. He spends 90% of his time just with his platoon. Tomorrow "The Wives of 6th Platoon" are getting together!
- made some church friends: I tried out a Bible study on Tuesday and met a couple other sweet girls who were incredibly welcoming. We ended up hanging out for a few hours after the study, and they have invited me to a few upcoming things as well! Might as well have a social life if I don't have a work life right?
- searching for a job...that just need its own post...
- Saturday we had an impromptu date night! We went to downtown Fredericksburg which is very similar to downtown Bryan. We did some strolling and ate at a very yummy Italian restaurant. I wish we had a picture from our first married date.
Most of those updates were about me weren't they?? Sadly, our only face to face time is generally 4:20-5 AM, 9:30-10:30 PM, and weekends. Here is a TBS update.
TBS is living up to its reputation and then some. CJ was given a billet (leadership position) the first day of training and he has it for the first three weeks. For this billet, he is in charge of 13 Marines. I won't go into all the details (because I know I would butcher it), but it puts a lot of extra responsibilities on him. I am SO proud of him, and he is already doing a great job. I say that as his always supportive wife, but there are specific things he has already excelled at and been commended on! I know nobody is surprised at that. These first two weeks are a lot of paperwork/waiting on word/classrooms/waiting on word/assignments/general craziness/ and some more waiting on word. CJ and I memorized Philippians 4:4-8 right before training started. He picked the passage, and it has been more beneficial than either of us could have realized...
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
For the few people who have actually made it through the blog post...I'm impressed. Not having such lengthy posts would probably happen if I would update more frequently! Motivation..Oorah!
SemperFi {always faithful}
PLEASE do not stop posting I absolutely loved every minute of reading this. Someday you and CJ will love having a record of your first months together.
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