Dahlonega

I took James back to Dahlonega. Back to Mountain phase. It wasn't completely intentional. I actually thought about it long and hard before I booked the hotel- worried that he wouldn't want to go back to a place that had so many memories attached to it. But I did it anyway. He loves the mountains. And those are the closest to us, so it was just going to have to do. Plus, we stayed in the city of Dahlonega and his little army camp was a little ways away- so it's basically a totally different place.

We stayed at the Park Place Hotel. It was awesome! It had the feel of a bed and breakfast- all of the rooms were different and ours had this great little sitting area with a love seat! But it still had the amenities of a hotel- towels, sheets, shampoo, conditioner, and a TV. So we were set. It was the perfect little get away. James slept for a LONG time and I had Good Morning America and Regis adn Kelly to keep me company! But he seriously needed to sleep...so I was completely entertained. 

The town of Dahlonega is precious! Right around the corner from our hotel was the town square. Literally a square! And it had the coolest stores: Fudge Factory, a General Store, little trinket shops, a cafe, an Irish pub, and all these little restaurants. So we piddled around- shopped a little bit, ate ice cream, went to the pub and a pizzeria, and in general just had a blast. This was my favorite store:

Such a great color! We also went a winery...awesome! It is called Monteluce- one of my friends down here suggested it, and boy are we glad! We were literally the only ones there and this older man took us on a tour and explained to us how they make the wine and the whole process. We even met one of the wine makers! The other one lives in Italy- his name is Stephano! I'm going to find him. Personal goal. But their wine is phenomenal! Sadly, it is only sold in Georgia right now, but it's okay because we bought a bottle. We taste-tested about 6 different red wines...seriously ah-maazing. Then James drove us home:)

The vineyard is on about 16 acres, but there is a whole development surrounding it- well up and coming development. And all of the houses have this Tuscan style architecture- beautiful. They also do a lot of weddings- which I can see why... The inside of the winery full of dark woods with vibrant, rich colors and fabrics- very Italian.

James and I had an absolute blast. It was very relaxing and beautiful. I highly recommend going to Dahlonega, Monteluce, and The Park Place Hotel.

Ranger Graduation

This ceremony brings to end the Ranger phase. James has been preparing for this graduation since his freshman year of college, me, on the other hand, has really only thought about this since March. But when July 23rd came it took over both of our worlds. James lived and breathed Ranger school- clearly, and my world was just consumed with my husband being gone. Sometimes it was irritating, sometimes sad, and sometimes my life seemed pretty normal.

But the week leading up to graduation was incredible! James got a 5hour pass on Wednesday, then a 10hour pass on Thursday, and then he actually got to come home on Friday. Having him home during those passes was kind of weird. There is definitely an adjustment that occurs...but having him home was everything that I had imagined. His stuff was everywhere, but we easily fell into our usual routine- praying before dinner, eating together, watching a movie, and telling stories of Ranger school or my life during Ranger school.

What was even more fun was collaborating with my mom, and mother-in-law to plan a party for our new ranger. It was an even better party because Aunt Wendy, Elizabeth, BaaBee, DanDan, and John Burgess were able to join us! Having all of the family here this past weekend was the biggest blessing in the world. James and I felt so supportive and loved.

Here are the pictures of the best day ever:

All of the graduating boys. There were 109 of them, and about 50 of them were first time go's!!

All of the family here to support us

 Pinning on his  Ranger tab!!

James and his sweet sister, so glad she was able to even come!

Party time! Mom made the sign :)

Is this Real Life?

Yep. I fell off the wagon. I was doing so well with the blog!! And then I left for Charlotte for 2 weeks...whoops. And I can't even get the pictures from the past 2 weeks off mom's camera...even more of a bummer. The last 2 weeks were crazy busy- seriously, I had morning walks with people, lunch dates, coffee dates, dinner dates planned ALL THE TIME. It was exhausting. And I gained like 12 pounds. Whoops.

The best part of the 2 weeks in North Carolina was that I got to travel around and see a TON of people. I was in Winston-Salem for a night and got see both Granddad's and Neal and Kathy and then got to spend some time in Durham/Raleigh/Wilson seeing a whole slew of people. AND I got to go to Chapel Hill...dangerous. I miss that place so much. Just walking around made me want to chain myself to a tree (to then be let go for this day when I get to see James). My Chapel Hill visits were also wonderful because I got to see Harrison Barnes and Tyler Zeller- so TALL!

But now I am back home. Preparing for James' couple hour pass tonight!! Woohoo!! I honestly can't believe that it has been 60 days since James has been home. And by home, I mean truly home- not the 8 hour pass and the couple phone conversations. They were great little perks, but he will be home on Friday. Sleeping in the bed. Eating food that I make. Watching our TV. Driving the car (so glad I don't have to do that anymore). I am trying to mentally prepared for our grocery bill this month...James told me he wanted to spend a hour to an hour and a half at the grocery when he got back- Winn-Dixie, WATCH OUT.

I almost don't even believe that today is the day... I guess I'll just have to wait till I see him walk out of that gate!

What's goin' on sweet thing?

I got the phone call last night. I had been INSEPARABLE from my phone for the last 2 days, making things like playing/running around with some of my friends kids slightly difficult, but hey- it works out. But he finally called. Unknown displayed on my caller ID. So of course I answer by saying, James?? And the first words out of his mouth..."What's going on sweet thing?" Which of course translated to I passed, and I am happy. We spent the next 12 minutes in complete bliss- actually talking! I got to tell him about my day and how much I missed him- especially since the night before I had another nightmare. (He always wakes me up when I have them to make sure, I'm okay- apparently I haven't grown out of the nightmare phase...its annoying)

So he passed. Next we are moving on to the Florida phase. He said that the first couple of days would be focused around learning and then they would move into their field time. I did hear, via the Destin Newspaper, that the guys get a tutorial in snakes...makes me want to curl up and die...but I guess it is a good thing if they are in the swamps to know what snakes are poisonous or not. And this year apparently there will be a BOA CONSTRICTOR. sick. Guess rumors will be confirmed when he gets back.

The boys, that are airborne qualified, were suppose to fly down and then jump into Florida. Which of course is just another jump to add to their tally, but in reality it is another opportunity for injury. I guess since it is the holiday weekend no one wanted to fly them down and supervise the jump, so they canceled it! AWESOME news! One less thing to worry about- now I'm just worried about the snakes.

He also told me that he had just finished eating the care package I had sent- full of chips, homemade cookies, homemade muffins, Nerds, gummy bears, fruit roll ups, Reese pieces, and Swedish Fish. He said he shared too- which was good, but I left a note in the top of the box requesting that he at least at one of cookies and muffins...since they were homemade :)


I know this post is a little all over the place, but I wanted to share with you the conversation that we had...and it was all over the place.

We have been so blessed these past 6 weeks, and I'm praying hard that these next 3 will fly by.

Say Something Nice.

Thanks Maddie for showing this too me!!

Letters.

Who knew that letters could make my heart flutter so. I mean, I'll just throw it out there that James has ALWAYS been good with words- and his big blue eyes don't help. I write him a lot. Usually once day. I need that communication with him even though I don't get letters every day from him. I figure that if he reads my random, everyday occurrences it will at least be a moment that he isn't consumed by Ranger School and maybe that will be a good enough rest for his mind. At the beginning though, I didn't write anything negative-besides the fact that I missed him. I know not to write boys about problems back at home...such as the A/C that we need to get fixed. It usually just makes him worry and irritated that he can't fix it. But recently I had been contemplating whether or not to write to him about things I was worried about. Last week, specifically on Wednesday, I decided that I would. It had been and unusual week were it seemed like EVERYONE was asking me about Italy. And I was irritated. Everyone thinks this is going to be a 3 year vacation and they don't realize all of the details and logistics that are going to have to go into this move that I can't even do right now...because most of the Army people won't talk to me because I'm not the active duty guy...Puh-lease. So I started getting nervous and anxious about moving. Then I got a letter (that is how I remember that I was worried about this on Wednesday. I remember when I get letters). But I got a letter that said, "I hope you are excited about our next adventure, because I sure am Love." That is when I decided to tell that I was nervous about it. Don't get me wrong, it helped calm me when I new he was excited,  and calling me love makes me feel better no matter what.

So even better than him telling me how excited he was about Italy in his last letter, was him RESPONDING to me in this letter! So a)I know he is getting mail, unlike last phase, and b)he is reading it and not just putting it in his jacket pocket!! This weeks letter said this,

"Don't be nervous about Italy for a moment. We will figure out everything together just like everything else in our life. Don't stress at all, just look towards our reunion with joy and have faith that God's plan will be revealed to us through our prayers."

He wrote that sleep deprived. I have trouble writing complete sentences when I'm tired. Embarrassing Anna.

My Man said not to worry, so worry I will not. Italy will be a great adventure and we will get over there even though it seems like there are too many hurdles to jump through.

I live for letters and have worn out the letters that I have already received.