so its been a while...

So its been a while since my last post. Its been sort of crazy around here, especially with my new job...we are doing well, Shane is getting ready to leave for a month of training...I keep teasing him when he comes home he'll have a ton of snow to shovel! well gonna be off now, sorry so short...just wanted to let everyone know we are still here!

End of April

Well, as of tomorrow, we have been in our new apartment for a month. Man does time fly. It has been an interesting month. We have learned about eachother and have come to depend on each other more and more. I think this is very good for us as the challenges we face ahead are large and building this relationship now, will help us later. So things that have happened in April
April 3-4- We celebrated our first Easter as a married couple, did not exchange baskets or anything like that but enjoyed a nice meal together
10-11- Not much really happened this weekend, just took it easy and relaxed a little. It was nice to just be together and enjoy our time.
17-18- My birthday weekend and also our 6 month anniversery weekend. We had a good time together, went down to Syracuse to go to the mall and had fun walking around the mall and exploring the Emerson Art Museum there.
23-24 We went to Camp Long Point for their young adult retreat. It was nice to meet some young adults in the division and also those who are not to far from us...at least not far in terms of living in upstate NY. Yes, most visits will require a journey of over the river and through the woods but it was nice to meet some people our age and start building relationships. We are looking forward to the future and building them even more.
The past week, Shane spent in the field. They went out to the range and practiced and Shane did really well, he shot at an expert level...which in my opinion is pretty good considering he is still rather new to shooting. Basic training was the first time he had ever shot a gun in his life.
All in all we are adjusting well and getting aquainted and settled in. We are excited for what our future holds. Please continue to pray for us as we move on in this new season of our lives.
Oh yeah, I am in the process of hopefully becoming certified to have child care in my home. I am very excited about this as it will give me something to do and it will be nice to have the certification.

Finally Settling in

Well, we have been in our new apartment for about a week now. I just signed the paperwork for the delivery of our own washer and dryer...I'm excited...pathetic I know, but I am.
It has been a beauitful last couple of days, last week we where able to go exploring and spend the day together driving up the coast of Lake Ontario and St. Lawrance river. It was beautiful, we can not wait however for summer to arrive and for things to open up...not much else has been going on! Hope all is well for everyone else!

Fitting in

So today is day two of  "in processing". Yesterday, I left Shane to finish off around noon and I went to explore the town and the rest of the base. I went to the church (The Salvation Army, the officer is very hospitiable and kind and is allowing us to stay with her until our housing on base is ready...which right now looks to be about the 1st of April) then I went back to base and went to explore the commissary and PX. I don't know, but I get a strange feeling about these people, maybe it was just because I was smiling at anyone I ran into at the PX/commissary but everyone just looked at me and turned the other way...:( I hope people are more friendly in a different environment. I never thought I would hear myself say this but, grocery shopping was kind of calming for me as it gave me a sense of "home". I have been struggling the last couple of days to "keep it together" as  I am really missing everyone back home since I don't really know anyone here...
Today we are finishing in processing and have a few briefings to go to, it will be nice to meet other "newbies". I think we are going to go to movie night on base tonight and possibly go to the indoor pool. I want to go and see what sort of fitness classes the gym here offers...
Well, I'm off for now, Shane will be back from morning PT soon and I need to get ready to go to base for briefing.
Talk to everyone later...
love and hugs
Heather

Packing up and moving

Good afternoon, hope everyone is doing well. Its been a few days since I have written or posted but it has been a busy crazy few days. Last week, my mom and I flew to Atlanta for Shane's graduation. On Thursday, we attended the "Turning Blue" ceremony, where I was able to "pin" Shane's blue infantry cords on his uniform. It was such a great experience. After the ceremony we where allowed to have family day and we where able to spend time together. It was nice to see him and spend time with him after three long months. On Friday, was Shane's graduation. It was so amazing to see so many young men ready to serve our country.
After graduation, Shane was released on leave and flew home with us. Now we have been busy arranging moving and other specifics. They come on the 15th to pack and move our belongings and then we leave for New York. We are both excited and nervous....we will try to keep you updated as much as possible.

House hunting...

So I have about exhusted every website known to man that has to do with housing in or around the Ft. Drum/ Watertown area. What makes it more difficulat is the fact that I have two cats and I am not willing to leave both or either of them behind. It may sound stupid, but they are like children to us. They do not cause damage so I am not sure why people will not allow them or if they do allow them they want a non refundable deposit of outrageous amounts...I'm talking like $500.00! Its frustrating, I think that when we go up and house hunt, it will ease my mind a little...its just very frustrating...something I thought I maybe able to have a hold on and I don't. :(
Anyway, yesterday was a nice day...church in the morning, then lunch at home with a friend and an adventure to Mount Washington to do some photography, of course it was freezing so I didn't get really good photos...oh well...it will come...cabin fever is setting in and if it doesn't start to warm up soon I may go crazy.
Just a few more days and I am on a plane to go see Shane. I just want to see him, just to be with him. I can't wait. I am trying to keep myself busy, but even the simple task of washing the dishes or laundry seem unimportant in light of the fact that Shane will be graduating in just a matter of days.
Well..I'm guessing I should stop playing around and try to get somethings done around here..
Here is a picture from Mt. Washington...

Same snow different day...

Good day everyone, once again, we woke up to something specail...snow! Ok, so maybe I'm not really that excited about it but in 4 days, I won't have to see it for a few days! YAY!... Its only about 5 days until turning blue ceremony/ family day! I was able to chat with Shane on the phone this morning so it was nice. He is doing well but ready to be done and come home! I can't blame him...I sent him a picture of the snow, just to ensure he was ready....
Whats going on today?

• CASTING CROWNS concert! I can't wait. It should be a lot of fun, good friends, good music...good time!
• My noisy neighbors are moving out!!! I am sitting here watching them pack the truck as I type this...they still had to manage to annoy me one last time and come and take my shovel...I don't mind if you need to borrow something, but please ask! (grr)

Tomorrow is Youth Praise! I'm excited to see some friends I haven't seen in a while. Its been a long winter so far and seeing some old friends will be good.
Well, I'm off to finish getting ready for the concert, I have to go to the store...tried to make lunch only to find I don't have bread...
catch you all later

And for some warm and fuzzy feeling viewing pleasure...

Just a Quick Update

So, its just less then a week until I make the trip down to Atlanta, then to Columbus to see Shane graduate. I can not wait and am so proud of him. He has done something I know I would never be able to do...I am proud of all of our men and women who decide to make a dedication like this and stick through it, its not easy but they come out stronger and more proud at the end.
On another note..we are in the midst of yet ANOTHER snow storm, its actually snowing sideways, thats how hard the wind is blowing...makes me want to go outside...NOT...Atlanta can't come fast enough at this rate...

As for moving, we are still looking at places off base, please pray for us as we make this first transistion, not only is a move stressful but being far away and apart from each other makes it a little more difficult. I am currently looking at a place online that looks wonderful but because it is online, I am doubtful about how true everything is, maybe its just me being synical about how such a great place could come into our path right away...I just have to trust God and he will put the place he wants us when he wants us to be there.
Well, I'm off to fight the wind, snow and any other force that I may come across and go to work. I'll try to keep more updated, its just been a crazy sort of week.
God Bless
Heather

Better news

So upon returning from Chicago and having a wonderful time with some dear friends, I did not recieve any letters while I was gone :( I was a bit upset since there was so much going on...that changed on Monday...I recieved two letters...explaining what was going on...it made me feel a little bit better. I came home from work today and I got ANOTHER letter...three letters in two days! I was thrilled...beside that...I finally got my camera in...I just hope Shane hangs in there a few more weeks. He is almost done but the guys in his platoon are still refusing to work together. The other night they had to write a 500 word essay....how lame! Oh well...I guess they are really being drilled to the ground because some guys can not seem to keep up on the physical level...not to brag or anything, but Shane blows them out of the water ;)
I still have not gotten a phone call...its been 29 days and counting! Hey, tomorrow it will be equal days between him not having been able to call and how many days until I see him...Well, I'm off...on a good note...my noisy neighbor is being evicted...it should get better now!

Venting Session

Good evening everyone...well I can't really say everyone, I doubt anyone reads this but it is a good place for me to put down my thoughts and just get them out.
So I've been in the Chicago and Green Bay area for the last couple of days enjoying time with some dear friends, it is so wonderful how God provides for us just what we need when we need it.
That being said, I have been having a really hard time with the end of this Basic Training. It has now been 25 days with no call from Shane, the only contact being the intermittent letters I have received. Today I was informed by a fellow Army wife who is with Shane, things are not going well for him, that he is not progressing as well as they would like him to. I find this hard to believe. The things she was saying where not characteristics of Shane at all, I know that but for some reason it has really been bothering me. I don't know what it is, but this time around, since his return after Christmas Exodus, I have been struggling even more with everything. I am finding I have less patience and just want to cry more. I have been feeling absolutely horrible...I feel bad because I feel like I bring everyone else down...I feel alone...I miss Shane more then the first time around .
Although I have been really enjoying myself with my friends, at the same time I feel absolutly horrible and want to do nothing...I want to go sit in a corner and cry...I just want to hear from Shane, just to hear his voice. I guess tomorrow could be a better chance of a phone call, I think that as long as I hear from him I would be doing better...I try not to listen to others, if its not coming directly from the source I know I can not take it for the truth...but I just worry.
I'm sorry for just rambling on like I am...I just need to get things off my chest.
Good night.

Awaiting reply

Well, I got a letter from Shane today, he is doing well...they have started markmanship within the last few weeks, he is enjoying, he said he missed the first day of training for it to receive some dental work but that he is learning quickly, he has never shot before so its a lot to learn! I don't doubt him though, he is a smart cookie! He said that training is moving quickly, it was nice to get a letter that was a little more upbeat!
Oh well, just wanted to let everyone know about his letter and update you. No news about a duty station yet...lets hope for one soon...he said in February, which is just over a week and a half away!
Have a good night!
Heather

Welcome

Hello, and welcome to our site. Shane and I would like to tell you how happy we are that you have decided to visit, hopefully this will make communication and relaying of information easier. There are many things to talk about that have happened over the past year (2009)...let me catch you up.

In April of 2009, Shane made an important life decision to join the United States Army active duty, this was a decision we had talked about on various occasions but never seriously until after he attended a job fair and had spoken with a recruiter about joining. After some research and long discussions, we decided that it seemed to be a good idea and could lead us on many adventures we may other wise not experience. It was both an easy and hard decision all in one, since we knew it would mean time apart from each other.

We spent the summer of 2009 enjoying each others company and having fun with activities that we both enjoy, swimming, hiking and the like. Shane was supposed to leave in August of 2009, but due to some paperwork mix-up he wasn't sent out to basic until October. This at first seemed to be such bad thing that his ship-off was delayed so much, but in the end it was a blessing in disguise. This is because in October, we decided that we would have a small ceremony so that the Military would recognize us as husband and wife and make moving and such somewhat easier.

After speaking with our Pastors, we decided to be married on October 17, 2009. It was just a quick small ceremony but it was nice. (In case you are wondering, we are planning on having a larger ceremony/reception for friends and family once everything is worked out with basic and our first duty station). Capts. Jan and Tim Dupurree performed our ceremony at Camp Allegheny, it was wonderful! We where even able to take a small trip after.

Ten days after our wedding, Shane left for basic training. It has been a roller coaster for the both of us, but it has been a wonderful learning experience, and has taught us many things about each other and our selves that we may have not discovered before this.

Luckily, Shane was able to come home for Christmas and we spent a wonderful first Christmas together. Unfortunately, he had to return to basic training on January 4th to finish his training. Shane will graduate basic training on March 5, 2010. After graduation, we should be moved to his new duty station, where he will work on base or receive more training.

Well, that is a summary of our year, I hope to keep this up-to-date so that you can have information on our moves and other life adventures that we will experience.

Have a wonderful day

God Bless!