So it has officially been (just over) a year since I packed up all of my belongings, my sister, & my two cats into the car (and an unfortunately small U-Haul trailer) and made the 1,800 mile, three and a half day journey from Denver to Jacksonville, North Carolina. And oh myyy what a year it has been!
First of all, I've never lived more than an hour away from home (even with rush hour, downtown traffic) and since I graduated high school I was back and forth between the dorms, various apartments (three to be exact), and my parents house. So to say that this move was an adjustment is probably the understatement of the year. I had been to Jacksonville so many times to visit Mike so I thought I was prepared to live here. I knew how to get to the grocery store, Target, and the main gate to get on base. I knew there was only ONE Starbucks in town, that you can buy beer & wine at the grocery store but liquor only at the ABC or on base, and that there's no such thing as a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's unless you're willing to drive an hour both ways. I knew that it rained frequently, there were bugs everywhere, and that it got super humid. I was totally prepared right?
Wrong.
So, so, completely wrong.
Jacksonville and Highlands Ranch are literally like night and day, they couldn't be more opposite! Combine that with the separation from my family and oh, also the fact that I've never even lived with a boyfriend before, much less my brand new husband who spent six of the first seven months of our marriage in Afghanistan.
Completely uncharted territory here people!
That all being said, it is truly the best decision (besides marrying Mike) that I've ever made in my life! It's amazing how quickly you can adjust to Walmart vs. Super Target and a mug full of Keurig brewed coffee vs. a daily skinny vanilla latte out of a green straw. But the best part is that I get to make these changes all with my incredible and supportive husband right by my side :) Even though we've technically been married for over 18 months, in some ways it feels like we started at day one when he got off that bus. So in our first year of marriage (physically together, that is) we've done so much!
Our second, but definitely my favorite, homecoming.
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| I doubt that I will ever love another picture as much as this one :) |
Decorating our first home.
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| Ahh the "B" wall. It's grown so much since I first started! |
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| My first time decorating for fall! It was so cozy :) And then the under cabinet lighting burnt out... |
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| I need to do a before and after I think, it's all changed so much! |
Our first pumpkin patch.
Our first (well, technically second but that's a story for a different day) Halloween together.
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| Ninja turtle & Ultimate Supreme pageant champion ;) |
Our first concert together.
Our first time hosting Thanksgiving, and my first time cooking a turkey. Eek!
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| This pumpkin cheesecake was my pride and joy y'all. And it was pretty tasty too! |
Christmas tree shopping and decorating.
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| Our perfect little tree :) |
An early birthday dinner & mini celebration for Mike.
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| Stuffed chicken marsala? Don't mind if we do! |
An amazing Christmas cruise with my family.
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| Caribbean kisses in the rain! |
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| Three of my very favorite people :) |
Ringing in the new year with best friends, board games, and lots of snuggles :)
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| Wow, our old house had such great lighting... :/ |
Our low key, but perfect, Valentine's Day.
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| I'm SO clever ;) |
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| My favorite valentine :) |
My birthday!
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| Post about my birthday can be found HERE |
Sniper school round one.... Ugh.
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| I definitely get a kick out of snap chats like these! He's a stud ;) |
Our first Fourth of July & a party of course.
A promotion to Sgt.
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| Included in the second post listed under the picture of Lou :) |
A WEDDING! :)
Sniper school round two.
And now, a second move!
And now, a second move!
It's been quite the roller coaster so far, but definitely with more highs than lows. Marriage certainly isn't easy and they say the first year is the hardest. I won't disagree with that, but I will also say that it has been, by far, the best year of my entire life!
As usual, we have a lot on the horizon. On top of the move, Mike is still in sniper school through the end of November and the Marine Corps Birthday Ball falls in during that time which is always a blast! I'm getting excited to host Thanksgiving again this year especially since we've moved into our new (and much bigger) house! House tour coming soon ;)
Until then, I'll just keep working away at my fall bucket list! 2 soups down, so many more to go :)
And what would this post be without a Lou update? Our sweet boy is now 5 months old, weighs over 50 lbs, and is the most handsome pup I've ever seen!
As usual, we have a lot on the horizon. On top of the move, Mike is still in sniper school through the end of November and the Marine Corps Birthday Ball falls in during that time which is always a blast! I'm getting excited to host Thanksgiving again this year especially since we've moved into our new (and much bigger) house! House tour coming soon ;)
Until then, I'll just keep working away at my fall bucket list! 2 soups down, so many more to go :)
And what would this post be without a Lou update? Our sweet boy is now 5 months old, weighs over 50 lbs, and is the most handsome pup I've ever seen!
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| We love you more than anything Louie! |
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