family love

I just wanted to post some of our favorite pictures from our family photo shoot! I got the CD of the images last week, but just haven't had the time to post the pictures up, so here they are =)

XOXO,
Nancy

Family pics teasers

Hi fam!

The week before Caleb left, we decided to take some family pictures. We called a local photographer and here are some sneak peaks of what she shared with me!

News

Found an article on Caleb's unit in the papers today. I'm really proud of him and what he, and all of the Marines in the squadron, have contributed to the war effort. 

Here's the link to it: http://www.wcti12.com/news/30980270/detail.html

Drone Unit Deploys To Afghanistan For Last Time

By Mike Valerio | Reporter

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UPDATED: 6:49 pm EDT April 30, 2012

CRAVEN COUNTY -- More than 50 Cherry Point Marines left for Afghanistan Monday, deployed to fly surveillance drones over the country for the last time.
The VMU-2 Marines operate unmanned drones over the skies of Afghanistan, and were notified this will be their final deployment as the war winds down.
"Marines who go in and kick in doors, they've personally thanked me for saving their lives," Cpl. Joshua Garcia said. "It's a great feeling to be their eyes in the sky."
VMU-2 flies the RQ-7B Shadow drone, a plane that can spot targets from an altitude of 18,000 feet. The Cherry Point unit is now needed to fight a new spring offensive announced three weeks ago by the Taliban and the insurgent Haqqani network.
Flying the unarmed surveillance drones takes teamwork - at least one person to pilot, and at least one person to watch the streaming video feed.
"You have to look if they're carrying any objects, things that are really heavy," LCpl. David Chick said. "Two or three people carrying something wrapped up in a blanket or a tarp or anything."
After months of training to spot insurgents from above, LCpl. Chelsea Melber said the pressure is intense.
"If you make the wrong call, then you could just potentially ruin everything," LCpl. Melber said. "It comes down to the very last second before you can call anything."
Their deployment will last for seven months, on a mission to help a long war draw to a close.

deployment

Caleb is now off to his "paid vacation in the desert!"  I just got back home from dropping him off at his squadron, where they had a farewell party for all the Marines who are deploying. We really enjoyed our weekend and even though we had some teary nights, I'm so thankful that God has blessed us with so much time to spend with each other this month. One thing about being in the military, we never take anything for granted. Every kiss, every car ride, every movie-night on the sofa, or dinner night out, we really cherish each special moment because it just means so much to us. 

A family from church invited me to dinner at their house, so I'll be spending some time there tonight. Angel has been such a sweetheart and is the best company I could have ever hoped for in Caleb's absence. I'll be taking her out on a long walk this afternoon before I head out. Just wanted to share some pictures that we took over the weekend as a family: 

We went to the big dog park on base on Saturday. Angel just loves to fetch and we love seeing her run...she is so athletic! 

My handsome husband driving us home from the park. 

Angel in the backseat, tired out! 

We threw some more Frisbees out in our backyard...

I love watching her catch it! 

Just a funny one =) 

Last night, Caleb and I took some time to really pray for his upcoming deployment. Praying for each other, our marriage, and for the awesome and wonderful opportunity of growth that both of us want in our personal relationship with Christ. I had my first batch of tears during this time, which is why my eyes are glistening in this picture! 

Caleb, getting his bags, and about to head off to the squadron. 

Putting on his shoes...

Saying good-bye to his Angel for 7 months. 

A picture with his boss, Capt. Bataglia. 

My hero. 

I will try my best to keep everyone updated with how things are going for him. I have the address to the base in A-Stan if anyone is interested in sending him care-packages, so please email me so I can send it to you. 

Love you all and please continue to pray for him and his squadron as they are on their way to do their mission! 

best buds

It's so amazing how strong of a bond you can have with your pet. We have grown to love our Angel so much over these past 5 months. Caleb and her have such a special relationship. I think she sees him as her boyfriend because of how much she fancies him =) I also have noticed how sad she is when he goes to work nowadays, and I honestly think she somehow knows he is leaving. She mopes around the house and whines. She won't eat her food until he comes back home. And she lies down and gives me the saddest face that makes my heart break for her! 

This is how she looks like during the day =( 

Her eyes are so sad! 

I know she will miss going on a bike ride with him. I have tried biking with her and failed miserably (the result had me off the bike and on the street!), as well as running 5-6 miles with him too! She LOVES exercising with Caleb! Here are some pictures from yesterday that I took of them together and of her being absolutely exhausted after a fast bike ride! I'll post a video so hopefully you can see it. Just click here to see the video on the blog: http://www.calebandnancy.blogspot.com

Angel and Caleb about to go for a bike ride! 

She's happy now! She knows when he puts on his running shoes that she'll be going with him.

Here's a short clip of them together. 

This is Angel. EXHAUSTED after the bike ride. They usually bike 3-4 miles. 

She flopped right on the floor and drank SO much water! 

We finished packing all his gear last night (almost til 12:30am), and he is all packed and ready to go. He has to turn all his gear in tomorrow morning at 9am and hopefully he can come home soon afterward so we can enjoy the rest of afternoon together.  Here's a picture of a bit of gear that was in the garage!

Caleb and I had such a great time last night at dinner. We went to our favorite restaurant, Amos Mosquitos, where we both agreed is the best seafood restaurant we have ever been to.  Here are some pictures of our night out together: 

At the bar, waiting to be seated. 

We munched on the most incredible lobster dip while we waited. 

About to enjoy my meal. 

I had the local fresh catch of the day, a Wahoo fish topped with mushroom and bacon with a side of cheesy potatoes. YUM!

Caleb asked if I liked my dinner. This picture says it all! I loved it!

 

Caleb's dinner: the mixed seafood grill with scallops, shrimp and a hunk of seared tuna! 

Enjoying the last of his shrimp! 

I love him. What a great night! 

We love you and miss you all and hope everyone is also enjoying the week. 

XOXOXO

Mid-week

I am waiting for Caleb to come home so we can go on our date. Hurry home honey!

Yesterday I had a desire to bake, so I looked around at what I had at home and made some homemade traditional chocolate chip cookies!

They turned out great, but I think I should have taken them out a little sooner from the oven as they weren't as soft and chewy by the end of the night.

I just got done teaching piano and I'm so blessed to have the cutest and sweetest students! One of my students, Isaac, told me that his teacher at school is mean because she probably has hidden "horns" on her head. I asked him if I have horns on my head and he contemplated for a second and said, "No. Ms. Nancy, you have a halo." Aw, how he melts my heart!

The garage and the guest bedroom are now completely filled with Caleb's gear and clothes and equipment and sea bags. He has to turn everything in by Friday so we'll have to finish packing tomorrow night. I still can't believe that he's leaving so soon...doesn't really feel quite real...

and...I just wanted to post how sweet our dog is. She has so much personality and just wants to love and be loved by you. I usually open the front door in the late afternoon around the time Caleb comes back home from work, and she loves to sit right by the door and wait for him.

She is barely tall enough to peer through the window...

She can sit for such a long time waiting for him. It makes me sad thinking about how much she will miss him when he's deployed. 

Even though I know this deployment will be hard for the both of us, I feel so blessed that God has given me such a sweet and loving man who is my husband. He is so aware of my feelings and loves me for who I am and my heart has never felt more protected or more loved by any other.  

"Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the father of lights in whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."  James 1:17.