Josh's birthday!

We celebrated Josh's birthday last weekend! Since he had to go to Army Reserves Drill on his birthday, we decided to celebrate a little each night over 3 nights. Cyndie was in town and she helped me to decorate the apartment with banners and to make Josh a pumpkin pie. Josh requested Chinese food, which is his favorite. Hunter loves birthdays! He said, "Happy Birthday daddy!" so many times during this past week!

(Side note, we let Hunter have a small slice of pumpkin pie to celebrate daddy's birthday. He didn't finish it all so we put it in the fridge for him to have the next day. That next morning, Courtney was here helping me and she pulled Hunter's plate out of the fridge as she was looking for something else. From across the room, Hunter said, "Courtney that is my pumpkin pie. Do not eat it!")

We are thankful for you, Josh, and for all you do for our family. Happy, Happy Birthday!

Chaplain's Banquet

Josh completed 90 days of Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Training this summer at Fort Jackson. It was a long summer, but he did so great! I was honored to be able to attend the Chaplain's banquet with him during his last week of training. Josh was in his element! I had such a great time meeting his new friends, hearing about his summer training and seeing more military traditions. We had a wonderful meal with classmates and enjoyed skits preformed by each platoon. Josh obviously made a name for himself during his training. Everyone I met told me stories about how Josh "saved" the class multiple times by giving an answer to the teachers before the class would be punished for not doing the assignments. One of the other platoons included him in their jokes, saying Josh must have made up about 50 words in his speech to the Ethics professor. It is clear that Josh had the respect of his classmates as well as the leadership.

Words cannot describe how proud I was of him that night. Josh's dreams are coming true. He was so comfortable with the military customs and he looked so refined in his suit. I am so glad I was able to go with him!

Happy 3 years, Joshua!

This post is a little overdue... Josh & I celebrated 3 years of marriage last week! It was amazing: neither of us had to study, neither of us had to work, neither of us had any responsibilities at all that day! So we got up early and went to get coffee together. Then we took a long drive through the rolling hills of Missouri. We drove through the Missouri Weinstrasse, a 2 lane highway through the Missouri River Valley. We went to Augusta Winery, Mt. Pleasant Winery, and Montelle Winery.











At Montelle, we did the tasting and then bought lunch and sat on a huge deck overlooking a beautiful countryside. We enjoyed the view and good conversation and introduced Hunter to bar-b-que pizza.


Then we drove back toward home and stopped at Barnes & Noble. We bought Hunter the cutest little book about the alphabet. A friend introduced me to this author and he is my new favorite children's author.

After we got Hunter put to bed, a friend of ours came over and did his studying here so that we could go out for a nice evening alone. It was so nice of him. Josh & I went to the Chocolate Bar---AMAZING! We had planned on going to a movie but we got caught up in conversation and ended up talking until past 11. Since we both had to work the next morning, we decided to not go to the movies. But the night was perfect. It was so nice to relax and enjoy each other.

Dressed by Daddy

Yesterday I was so sick it was hard for me to stand up. I had a pounding headache and chills mixed with hot flashes. It was clear very early in the morning that I was not going to be able to watch Hunter and the little girl, Evie, I usually watch in the mornings. So Josh took off work and said he would take care of the babies.

I fell back asleep and when I woke up, this is what I found:

So cute huh? Leave it to a daddy to dress his son in his swim shirt (SPF 50) and sweat pants. Ha! When I asked Josh why he chose this outfit he said he thought the shirt looked soft and breathable and the pants looked comfortable. Cracks me up.

Here Josh was giving each of the babies kisses from the giraffe:
I am so thankful that Josh was able to help me. I was very blessed by my husband yesterday! And I am feeling better today. Not great, but better!

Date Night

Thanks to the generosity of our school & the thoughtfulness of new friends, Josh & I were able to go on a date tonight.

We left Hunter at the Log Cabin, as we have done before. This time he was screaming and did not like the fact we were leaving him with strangers. Poor little guy! But on we went...

We started the night at P.F. Changs, Josh's favorite. Then we went to a little coffee shop across the street. The manager-on-duty happened to be one of Josh's friends from the Army Reserves. It was fun to meet him & he gave us a great discount! :)

Then we came back to campus to pick up Hunter and get him ready for bed. The workers said he did calm down, but showed his upset several times throughout the night. He so rarely is upset, I was surprised to hear this report. But they said he did eat his dinner & he did play a little. When I picked him up from the highchair, he grabbed my neck so tight and didn't let go for a long time... it was so sweet!

After we put him to bed, we took our monitor to our neighbors and friends Joe & Karen. They kindly offered to "monitor-sit" so we could go to the movies. Josh & I hadn't been to a movie since we moved here, and we LOVE going to the movies together, so we were soooooo excited for this treat! We saw Iron Man 2. It was fantastic!

This was a great way to burn off some school stress-- the past week has been crazy and we have one more crazy week to go. I have an 8 page paper and two finals left; Josh has TWO 8 page papers, one oral final, and two written finals left. And our goal is to have this all done by next Friday... yikes.

Cheers to date night & to the kindness of friends!

I love my Officer

Josh is an Officer now! The ceremony was short and simple, yet held a lot of meaning for all who were involved. Several of our friends attended and made the event extra special. A retired chaplain works on campus and he did the opening prayer. A fellow student who moved here at the same time as us just retired from the Air Force. He did Josh's commissioning. I am so proud of Josh!

What this means is now, while we are in seminary, Josh will shadow a Chaplain for the United States Army Reserves one weekend a month. He will also spend one summer, probably 2011, in training and Officer's School. Hopefully this will help Josh & I to know if becoming a Chaplain is right for him.

Goodbye Air Force and hello Army!

Josh with Randy Nelson & Jim Pakala

Josh's closing words (I wish I would have recorded them, he did so great!)

Charlie Gibson & Jeremy Ruckstetter: friends from Virginia!

Wimm & Josh

Josh's study buddy for Greek: Jameson



Here is a video of the prayer and the oath:

Vacation Officially Over

Today officially ends Josh's vacation. Not that he has really been on vacation in the past month. He has been very busy with classes, transition, and getting our household settled. But his sabbatical from the military is officially cut short.

Literally.

Here is the "I've been on vacation for the past 3 months look":


Here is step one: hair gone

Step two: beard gone


We have been joking and wondering all morning if people will recognize him today?

Josh is 30.

My husband just turned 30 this week. 30! I used to think that was so old!! But now I can see that we are just getting started.
In honor of his birthday, here are the top 30 things I love about Josh:

30. He loves Colorado as much as I do.
29. He looks great with facial hair.
28. He has a sensitive side—one that cries at movies and is moved by music.
27. He started a blog: http://theseminarianview.blogspot.com/ .
26. He likes to play board games with me. Our favorites are Settlers of Catan and Monopoly.
25. He is good with computers. He understands how to set them up and get them working!
24. He is a loyal friend.
23. He is creative. He is currently working on a novel with two of his best friends.
22. He is great with Hunter.
21. He knows how to drive a stick shift.
20. He is very manly and strong.
19. He gives really good back rubs. And foot rubs.
18. He is willing to help out around the house—even after a long day of work.
17. He loves the Lord and wants to reach the lost for Him.
16. He understands my need for girl time and will do whatever he can to make sure I have time for myself.
15. He is smart. Like really smart. If I have a question about pretty much anything he is like my walking google.
14. He can make Hunter laugh so easily. Hunter loves him so much!
13. He has a passion for Theology and Truth.
12. He is a hard worker. He was able to complete his Bachelor’s degree while working full-time and serving in his church.
11. He is willing to listen and work things through—an essential character trait in any marriage!
10. He cares about physical fitness and wants to stay healthy.
9. He will go shopping with me for hours if I want.
8. He loves Starbucks and will go with me anytime I want.
7. He can turn almost any moment into a celebration of some sort. (ex: let’s celebrate the fact that it is Tuesday and it is sunny.)
6. He is following his passion and calling and going back to school…even when it seems a little frightening.
5. He is adventurous. I know life will never be boring with him!
4. He always encourages me pursue my dreams, desires, wishes, and goals.
3. He is always willing to help people, whether it is a physical or emotional need, Josh will always be there.
2. He is a family man.
1. He is a man of God. I can trust him and his leadership for our family.

I love you, Josh! Happy 30! You are half way to 60 now!