Homecoming and life after!

Last week, many of you could only imagine how excited I was that I would be reunited with Caleb. The night  before, I was jumping from wall to wall, trying my best to contain the excitement, but there was just no possible way to do that. I made pineapple cake, banana bread, and a pot roast that I prepared at 2:30am so that Caleb would have a spread of food waiting for him when he got home!

Here's a picture of the yummy pot roast that I cooked for the first time. Success! It needs to be cooked in the slow cooker for 10 hours, but it was very easy to make. Definitely will have to make it again! 

I was able to sleep for only an hour, but that didn't stop me from being wide awake for the homecoming! Many of you saw the pictures already on Facebook, but I'll post it here as well: 

My awesome friend and neighbor who went with me to the homecoming to take pictures. 

Since all our men grew mustaches in Afghanistan, we wanted to surprise them with ours! 

It was FREEZING cold that morning. The cold air was unbearable and I was not dressed for it! 

THEY. ARE. HOME.

I was one of the last girls to find my man. I was so anxious to find him! 

Found him.

Nothing sweeter than this. It was very good to be in his arms again.

the Gowans, reunited.

My other friend caught us in our first kiss! So lucky to have friends that captured this very special moment for both of us. 

Angel went CRAZY when she saw Caleb. I didn't even have to say anything. When I opened the door, she couldn't stop jumping and licking Caleb. It was such a sweet moment and I will post a video of it soon! Here are the pictures after their reunion =) 

Angel and Caleb. 

She was SO HAPPY!

Then she started acting like a baby and wouldn't get off his lap.

WELCOME HOME DAD! I"VE MISSED YOU!

That night, she stayed in this cradling position for over ONE HOUR. Spoiled, yes. She takes after her mama.

Last Saturday, we went on our first date to our favorite restaurant, Amos Mosquitos. I told the owner how excited I was that my husband just came back from deployment and he gave us a free appetizer to show his appreciation. This is one of our favorites...it's a lobster dip with french bread. It's AMAZING! 

So happy to be together again. 

Yesterday, we went to our small group and had a Thanksgiving party, and on Thursday, we'll be going to another church family's house for Thanksgiving. I'll be making a corn casserole and a green bean casserole, and maybe a pumpkin dip! =) 

Thank you all again for being there for me throughout this deployment. I will always be forever grateful for every message, every email, every thought, and every prayer that you sent my way. 

XOXO

PASSED!

My final score out of 110! =) =) =) I am one happy lady! 

Officially passed the course! This was by far, one of the hardest tests known to mankind. 

SO HAPPY!

First step, complete! I will send in my certificate along with my application to the NC Real Estate Commission, where they will review my submission. I'll make an appointment to take the final National and State exam once I get approved. 

Feels good to at least be done with the course! I am one happy camper! =

Thank you all for your prayers! 

XOXOXO

Safe haven

Hurricane Sandy, why did you have to come?!

This is my safe haven where I have been this weekend while I study. It's alongside my bedroom wall and I have been camped out here with Angel, my laptop, flashlights, my phone and charger, and all my real estate materials! The worst is hearing the howls of the wind, the branches that bang up against the window, and thinking that the trees are going to fall over and hit the house! It's funny that once I go outside of base, the storm doesn't seem too bad at all, but because our house is right by the river, the wind seems so much stronger here. The highest wind speed that has been recorded this weekend in Cherry Point was at almost 50 mph.

This is NOT a good weekend for Sandy to come. I'm so thankful that the electricity is still working so that I don't have to study in the dark though! I don't know what's worse: my stress over my final, or my stress over this hurricane! The news say that we will feel its effects til Wednesday. Thank you all so much for your calls and messages and prayers. Even though I am worried at times, I know that I am surrounded in prayer and that is truly a blessing.

Love you all!

berry cobbler

bible study was tonight and it was my turn to bring snacks. our small group takes great pride in 'snack time.' we love our discussion, but we sure do love our snacks as well! well, today was a day where i just didn't have that much time to cook up a hefty snack, so i did what any frantic person would do for a good recipe...i went to pinterest and found a super easy concoction that anybody can put together. and the best part, it's DELICIOUS! 

Berry Cobbler: 2 bags of mixed berries, 1 box of cake mix, 1 can of 7-Up

Spray a 9x13 pan with some Pam. Then, pour the frozen berries on top

Dump the cake mix on top...

Then, pour a can of 7-UP on top of the cake mix evenly. It will bubble up like this. Don't stir it! It makes a good crust! 

Bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees. And Voila! Serve with a scoop of ice cream. =)

It was a big hit at small group tonight and it took no time at all!  

Happy Monday! 

XOXOXO

Another week down

It's the weekend! FOUR more weeks to go and I sure hope it goes by fast! Got a haircut today and just came back from a friend's house who hosted a Pampered Chef party. One of my neighbors has come back from her vacation in KA, so it was good to see her. The whole neighborhood is filling up with old neighbors and new neighbors!

Angel has been doing SO well being in her kennel these last couple months. She hasn't chewed up her bed and has really been awesome....except tonight. When I got home, the bed was shredded in pieces with all the stuffing everywhere. =(  We've spent so much money already on buying her beds and she just keeps destroying them. I just have to put my foot down this time and not budge. She'll just have to endure the cold floor of her kennel when I leave.

On a good note, I'm glad it's the weekend. Having lunch downtown with a couple of the ladies from the unit tomorrow. I have one more week of class and then my final is next! Feeling the pressure!

Sending love and hugs to you all!

Have a great weekend! 

XOXO

a girl's best friend

We both enjoyed a long 75 minute walk today! The weather is cooling down and I'm finally not having to spray my whole body with bug spray. Gonna watch the debate tonight while I study. I have a new student and had my first lesson with him today. Thankful for all of God's blessings and thankful that I have such a sweet dog to keep me company while my other half is away. We are approaching the 4 week mark fairly soon! 

XOXO

Middle of October

I am so happy that it's already the middle of October!

Last night I invited a couple of my neighbors over for dinner. I made bruschetta, Caesar's salad, shrimp scampi pasta, and a key lime pie (the pie was store bought! I got it because it's one of Caleb's favorite). Everything was delicious. It felt really great to be back in the kitchen cooking a full meal again. Caleb, I can't wait for you to come back so I can cook for you!

I've been walking Angel with a new neighbor who just moved into the neighborhood. Her husband is gone for training til December and we've been getting along really well, walking our dogs together and hanging out more. Tonight, went out with the ladies from the unit for some Sushi! Hanging out with Angel now and about to head to bed soon! I have church and 2 baby showers tomorrow. A very full day, and I still have to squeeze in some study time. I haven't studied this whole weekend and the final is in 2 more weeks!

The dinner table last night! Good times, good food, good friends! 

Slaving hard in the kitchen! Thanks Sharon for the apron! 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. 

XOXO