Memorial Day

Just wanted to share a few things from Memorial Day weekend before I forget!

On Sunday after church, a few families from church invited me to go boating with them by the river. One of the families has a private dock that is right across from Nicholas Sparks' house!

This is the back of his beautiful home 

It was a beautiful day out. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. Everyone had a lot of fun jet skiing, wake boarding, water skiing, laying out, and tubing! One of my AWANA kids took me out on his jet ski. There was a coast guard that was patrolling the river and while I was riding with him, he asked, "Ms. Nancy, are you 21 yet?" HA! I told him I love him for asking that.

I told Caleb that I would LOVE to someday buy a boat. =) Here I am in front of the Nicholas Sparks' home. 

I also wanted to share what Angel does when I get ready every morning. She sprawls out like this waiting for me while I'm in the bathroom doing my hair and make-up. She is such a sweetheart. 

This is after an intense work-out! She was so tired that she had to lay down to drink her water. 

I also wanted to share some pictures that Caleb emailed me. He took some pictures of what his room (called a can), looks like. He's really happy because he just recently got the room all to himself.  Here are the pictures he sent: 

I had a great Memorial Day weekend. Today, I went running with Angel in 85 degree weather and 73% humidity. It was wretched to say the least, but we got through it! When I got home, I was able to Skype with Caleb for a little bit before he had to head to bed. 

I am always so happy when we are able to talk =) 

Lastly, I made a video in tribute in honor of Memorial Day. Our church did a special Memorial Day service on Sunday and the worship team played some patriotic songs. I arranged a Ray Charles' inspired version of America the Beautiful. Here is the link to the video:  America the Beautiful by Nancy Gowan 

I just got back from a Women's Ministry meeting and I'm excited to be a part of the committee and  I'm looking forward to all the events that are coming up throughout the year! 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. 

Love you all,

Nancy

busy body

I can't believe how fast time flies...it's almost June! I'll be visiting my family in SD in just several more weeks! So excited =)

These past couple of weeks, I've been keeping busy by hanging out with friends, getting to know some new ones, church, Awana, Angel, exercising Angel, piano (I have 2 more potential students!), decorating the house, cleaning the house, reading, putting together care packages for Caleb, and working out! Feeling really blessed that God has been keeping me busy, yet allowing me time to rest and drawing me close to Him throughout the day, despite me being a busy body. Here's some pics of what my life consists of these past couple of weeks:

Before Caleb left, he bought Angel a teddy bear to keep her company...

She loves Teddy...

...so much that she ate Teddy's tail, leg, and broke his other leg. Teddy is now resting in peace far away from Angel. 

I've been reorganizing and de-cluttering my house and am very proud to present my new and improved bookshelf! 

One of my projects that I finally finished! It's a photo of me and Caleb during our first dance with the lyrics to our song written around it. I have it hung in my bedroom and it makes me smile every time I see it. 

This was an ALL DAY project! I finally got around to ordering some pictures to hang on our wall. Problem was trying to get the frames even and aligned correctly being a one-man team! I put tape across the wall and taped the cardboard from the frames to measure where each picture should go. 

Finished!!! I am quite the handy-man! =)

My lovely feet! Caleb said I should pamper myself =) My friend Jen moved to NC 2 months ago and we had an awesome girls' day this past Monday by getting a french pedicure, shopped around at the "mall", and enjoyed a nice lunch and catch up! 

Angel had a play date with one of my friends' dogs from small group. I went to her house to have lunch with her and her girls, while Angel enjoyed a nice hot day playing outside with Cali! 

Angel and Cali, trying to get inside the house since it was VERY hot that day! 

Miss Emily and Miss Natalie!!! Two very adorable little girls. 

Accidental Artist is a place downtown where you can paint your own pottery! I went with my friend and made Angel her own cookie jar!

I love the back of it! I can't wait to go back to paint some more...it's really a lot of fun =)

At the end of one of my workout sessions I've been doing at home. Thumbs up for a great month so far. I've had the opportunity to talk to Caleb almost every day and he's doing well. I'm so very proud of him, miss him with all my heart, and loving him through the distance. Yesterday marked his 3-year anniversary with the Marine Corps. Ooh-rah! 

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support, your love and caring thoughts. Hope you all enjoy your Memorial day weekend!

XOXO,

Nancy 

Heroes on the Home Front

President Obama has declared and made May 11th Military Spouse Appreciation Day! I feel special =)

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 11, 2012, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. I call upon the people of the United States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities."


The Family Readiness Officer at our unit posted some of the pictures she took the day of the deployment so I wanted to share the ones she sent me of my handsome husband.

In the hallway at the squadron. 

Me and Caleb with his boss, Troy. 

Boarding the bus (Laura, Caleb's using your dad's bag he gave him at Christmas!) 

I went to the Air Show here on base and it was my first time seeing the night show. It was pretty cool seeing the fire bombs being dropped, but I sadly wasn't able to capture it. We skipped the crowds and massive traffic by watching the show across from where everyone was seated (we actually parked at Caleb's work building, VMU-2!), brought some lawn chairs, ordered pizza, and had front row seats! Woo hoo! Here are some pictures I took: 

Enjoyed the beautiful sunset just before the Airshow started. 

First plane

Love this shot!

They played taps for the Missing in Action during the launch as it represents the American flag.

I took a short video recording of the jets flying and you can watch it by going to the website and clicking play on the video. It's pretty cool, so I hope you do watch it! click HERE

I was able to Skype with Caleb last night for a little bit. He's doing well, getting a couple hours of exercise a day, eating healthy, and the most important thing he said was that his Marines are doing SO much better compared to last years deployment. I'm very proud of him and how he is leading them. 

I took a picture of our Skype session last night. Caleb, both of your girls love you very much and we're so happy every time we see you. 

Love you and have a great weekend everyone!

Camp Don Lee

Last Saturday, I went to Camp Don Lee with the AWANA Trekkies (middle schoolers) from our church. It was such a fun day, but I was extremely exhausted by the end of the night! We met at the church at 7:30am and returned around 10pm. My friend Lucy and her husband Robby were kind enough to watch Angel for the day and luckily, Angel behaved very well for them (I am one proud mama!). Here's a picture she sent me on her phone of her: 

 

Camp was a day spent canoeing, kayaking, swimming in a pond with turtles and minnows, jumping off the high dive, team challenge games, archery, sailing, lots of great food, a campfire with s'mores, worship led by the kids, and a great message by our co-lead Josh. Camp Don Lee was awesome, so I just want to share the awesomeness that took place that day with ya'll: 

On our way to Don Lee, bright and early! 

Two of the Trek leaders, Eric and Judd. 

Jen and me, setting  up the drinks and snack area.

I don't have any pictures of us canoeing, but here is a picture of the pond with the rope and high dive. I want to proudly say that I also jumped off the high dive! The kids really encouraged me to do it, so I faced my fears and took the plunge. (I don't have any pictures of my jump, but my friend Jen did take pictures on her camera, so I'll have to get it from her!)

Tori swinging off the rope! 

Holden and Luke practicing their Frisbee skills. 

Coming back from the swim in the pond, Josh and some of the kids.

The best time to eat is after a swim!  

Kelly and Helen, trying to find some shade in the 95 degree weather! 

Game time! 

During free time, I decided to try sailing! 

Quite relaxing. We even saw the Blue Angels flying overhead since the air show was that day as well. What a great afternoon, huh? 

Calling in all the swimmers left in the pond as we're about to head to dinner. 

Great couple. 

Me and Holden during dinner. 

Josh took my camera and started snapping pictures of everyone! Here's me, telling him NOT to take a picture of me. Didn't work! 

Nicole was another victim of his! 

I retaliated! 

Sweet Michala and me. 

Some of the girls. <3 

Team building challenge #3. We had to have everyone on the deck without letting any of the sides touch the ground. Communication and teamwork is the key to success! 

Archery was A LOT of fun!!! I never knew how hard it was to shoot a bow and arrow. The girls were ecstatic to try it out because of the Hunger Games and kept on telling each other to "bring out their inner Katniss!" haha! 

I have to say that God has been filling me up so much with peace, comfort, and happiness. It's amazing how much He can provide for my every need. Thank you all for your wonderful and thoughtful messages and prayers. It definitely means a lot to me to know that I have such wonderful friends and family who are supporting and praying for both Caleb and I throughout the deployment. 

Last Sunday was teacher appreciation night at AWANA. I was planning on not going since I was BEAT tired from the camping trip plus I had to play piano the next morning for church, but somehow, God really put it on my heart to go. Plus, they needed me to lead worship for AWANA that night as well as the worship leader wasn't able to make it. What a lovely night it turned out to be. The kids pitched in and bought a cake for all the teachers and I had lots of my kiddos give me the best presents I could ever ask for. 

I just want to end by sharing one of the letters I got from one of our kids. He wrote: 

"Dear Mrs. Nancy and Caleb,
Thanks for being my Trek leaders. I appreciate you so much. You've both helped me become a better Christian. I look forward to having you as Trek leaders again next year. I am praying for Caleb's safety in Afghanistan. Thanks again." 

Feeling so very blessed and happy that I have a God who loves me and shows His love to me in so many ways. 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far. I miss you all and love you!