see you soon

On Sunday, Nick and I made the dreaded trek to North Carolina to get him settled and checked into school. We left at 11am and checked into our hotel at 6pm. It's a 5 and a half hour drive..... If you do the math, yes we got lost. Twice.

It wasn't funny in the moment because we just wanted to get there, out of the car and off the road. But I do think it's funny that we are able to drive across the entire country without getting lost once, but when we drive south one state, we get lost twice. And it wasn't a "I'll make a quick uturn" kind of lost. It was a "I was pretty sure we were going the right way for 40 miles" kind of lost. But we made it, and Jacksonville isn't anything worth talking about. At least the part we saw.

Once we were settled, we went to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner. We had never been, and it didn't disappoint. We had the best BBQ food and a nice "last" night together for a while. 

Monday morning we got ready and moved nick's things into his room on base. He actually has a nicer room than I expected. Lots of space, a TV, and a shared kitchen with his neighbor. Nick checked into his school late morning and then we said our goodbyes. It was really hard for me to leave him in a new place. I felt guilty the entire way back to Virginia, but I know everything will be okay. Based on what we have been through and sacrificed already I know our relationship is already strong, but I know during these 3 months we will grow closer together as we work through new situations. 

And I am keeping busy this summer:

• I am babysitting part time for two wonderful Marine families
• I am taking classes online, and after 6 months I will be certified in wedding planning, wedding consulting, and event planning and design
• I am getting things ready for our move in September
• I am exercising, with all my free time
• And of course, I have Lucy. She keeps me busy everyday :)

In the week before NC

This past week was Nick's last week in Virginia before checking in Ground Supply school in North Carolina, so we made a couple trips into DC. Since we weren't with our Fathers on Father's day, we headed to DC in the afternoon. Justin showed us around the Eastern Market, which is basically a really big farmer's market/ flea market with local vendors, photographers, artists, and stands of locally grown fruit and vegetables (the samples were amazing!). We ate at a really yummy tavern, Tunnicliff's, and then walked to the Marine Barrack's on "8th and I" and the Commandant's House. If you are in the DC area, Eastern Market is definitely worth checking out and we were glad to see it before leaving the area.

These are old letters from a printing press

8th and I

Tuesday, Nick and I went to Arlington National Cemetery for the Marine's Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial. If you have ever seen the Marine commercials on TV, this is where they are filmed. Even though it was 90 degrees and SO humid, we enjoyed watching the "President's Own" band and the ceremony. It was something I have wanted to do since we moved here, and the Sunset Parade is only held from June-August on Tuesday nights, so it was perfect timing for us to go together.

beautiful view of DC

President's Own band

We are leaving THIS Sunday to drop off Nick in NC. Please keep Nick in your thoughts as he continues training and starts a new chapter in his career with the Marine Corps.

What's New...

Since graduation from TBS, Nick's schedule has calmed down a LOT. We have been enjoying spending so much time together lately. Over this last weekend, we spent Sunday in DC. We went to the Air and Space Museum, the Castle and walked through the Freer Art Gallery. We met up with Justin last minute and he showed us around Georgetown (thanks!) and took us to one of his favorite places for drinks and appetizers. Time is going by so fast, but I am loving every second I get with Nick before he leaves for North Carolina.

The Castle

We have been doing a lot together at home too. I have been cooking a lot, and Nick planned a fondue dinner for us last week. It was so yummy! We've had movie nights, game nights, spent time at parks with lucy, BBQed with friends, and just been enjoying each other's company.