APULife Rewards

So, for Beca and I being in the APULife magazine in the Where Are They Now? section we got t-shirts. And since we are in the military, we got some really cheesy APU Veterans Affairs stuff. While we are thankful for the support, we are both surprised to discover APU even has a Veterans Affairs office. Mo was excited to play with the new t-shirt and really excited about the new bandanna.

Mission Springs

For those that know Mission Springs Camps and Conference Center know the joy of rolling down your window as you cross the bridge in the place we love. The place may have changed a little, but the redwood tree smell mixed with the smoke from the fireplaces remains one of my favorite smells. If anyone can figure out how to bottle that smell let me know.

Thursday was spent relearning Mission Springs. So much had changed since I was last there. Crazy winds, rain, bridges, new babies, growing up kids...let's just say things are a little different, but in a good way. (I ran down what used to be the dirt road from Frontier to Horse Ranch that is now paved, weird!)

Friday I woke up to my favorite smell. Ah, no where else can compare! The morning was spent hiking around the trails soaking up every moment of natural beauty that I could. Eagles landing is still a little new, but I will always love the view from Lookout Point. Lunch with Carol, hanging out with Jake in Santa Cruz, dinner from Mobo's with a little Marianne's ice cream with the Wright family. I could dream of a more perfect day.

And of course, you cannot forget my Mission Springs

travel companion Farley.

SoCal

A trip home would not be complete without a couple days in SoCal. I had a blast hanging out with friends and catching up on all the excitement that I have missed out on. Master's degrees, teaching, fashion shows, speaking at chapel, the list could go on and on. Patticake is doing well. She has missed seeing the KKYM girls but has met some new friends and is attending church quite regularly.

After a great chapel with Jamie Noling, Associate Campus Pastor at APU, the icing on the cake of the SoCal trip was getting to surprise Holly with lunch. There is no way I would have finished school if she had not been there to encourage me through it. She had no clue we were coming, so she was stunned when we turned the corner of the hallway at the School of Nursing office. Lunch was great and the stories were even better! After lunch we hungout a bit and chatted with some other Professors before parting ways and me heading back up to NorCal.

Easter Sunday

I got to go home t California for Easter weekend. It was a blast. On Saturday I attended an open house style wedding reception for a childhood friend in Berkeley. It was really nice to see him so happy but really weird to think that he is a husband.

Easter Sunday was spent attending the Hillside Covenant pancake breakfast before heading in for the service. I had a chance to see some very familiar faces that have watched me grow up. The afternoon was spent at Donnie and Lisa's house with my Dad's side of the family. I have been away for over a year and a half so there were many stories to share. Makayla was the life of the party as usual. After Easter "linner" (lunch+dinner) the "kids" went out front to play some duck, duck, goose. The running around the circle quickly turned into running around the yard listening to Makayla laugh.

On the way home from linner my family stopped by Novato where we used to live. I can remember the day when the playground was brand new. My brother and I spent a few minutes horsing around before getting back in the car to finish the drive home. Good old Pleasant Valley!

Arriving home to CA

When my plane landed in CA I was so excited! Oh to be home!!! My parents met me at the airport and then took me to dinner in Alameda. The restaurant was on the water so we got to watch the natural light fade away as the lights of the skyline flickered on. Good food, great company, and beautiful scenery!

Sister's New and Improved Blog Site

So, Jennifer's last blog address did not work so well.

She has a new one that you should check out!

http://andtheworldskeeponturning.blogspot.com/

Getting Promoted!

I am finally getting rid of the "butter bar" on my unifrom. The gold bar representing my rank of Second Lieutenant will very soon change to the black/silver bar of a First Lieutenant. Does my status change? Nope. I am still a Lieutenant, I just get a little pay raise and am looked to for a little more authority as it will show on my uniform that I am no longer a newbie!

I will put up pictures when I have the actual promotion ceremony so you can see my big smile (or my serious face as I will be standing at attention...)

When A Soldier Comes Home

I know you watch the Evening News and many read the local paper. Troops are constantly deployed to the Middle East. Remember that we do come home. And when we do, we are forever changed as we have been witness to things we would like to forget. Support us, as our ultimate goal is to support and protect you.

Take a glimpse of the YouTube video When A Soldier Comes Home