100 Day Challenge - Day 70

Day 70 - A picture of someone you don't go a day without talking to.

 Love.

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programing...

for a special announcement.

I'm ENGAGED!!!

Finally, haha. After 12 years of knowing each other, 4 of those dating...Kenny popped the question on St. Patrick's Day.

We had been discussing marriage for about a year, and seriously discussing it for 6 months. I'm not going to lie, I pulled a "one of those girls" and pretty much gave him a deadline. He deploys in May, so I told him I wasn't waiting around through another deployment if I didn't have a ring on it. Good thing he likes me and wanted to lock it down anyways :)

Since it's March, and May is only 2 months away, he knew that I would be expecting it basically anytime I saw him. He knew that if he took me out to a nice dinner or did something romantical, I would catch on. So, his goal was to catch me off guard. And boy did he. After I picked him up from the airport, and we drove my drunk friend  home (long story, haha), we decided to go back to my townhouse for the night. As I was getting ready to open the door, he said my name really seriously. I honestly thought he was about to tell me something bad, like he had a life-threatening illness or something. Instead he said all the things a girl could ever want to hear along the lines of "I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you." After a moment of shock, I of course said yes!

Now begins the wedding planning. Which I have basically been doing all my life, haha. But no really, I had a spreadsheet already started.

I'll keep updates of what we start to plan as we do it.

My pretty ring!!

I made him take this picture with me, doesn't he look SO thrilled!

100 Day Challenge - Day 46

Day 46 - A picture that you edited.

That could be a lot of pictures...I like to paint myself in the best possible light. Or crop myself out all together.

Thankful Thursday: Happy Veteran's Day

I'm grateful for and proud of the two most important men in my life.

My Dad

My Boyfriend

Thanks to my Dad and Kenny, and all the other men and women who serve or served their country so bravely and selflessly.

Run, Forrest, Run

This weekend Kenny came up to run in the Marine Corps Marathon. He started training 15 weeks before the marathon, his longest run being 21 miles. 

He and his friend Rob came up on Thursday night. I picked them up from the airport and we went over to Burke because they were both staying @ the Prindle's. On Friday morning, the guys, Christy and I drove into DC to drive the route a little bit. Our intention was to drive the whole thing, but after it took 1.5 hours to drive 6 miles (for being a Navigator by profession, Kenny wasn't being a very helpful navigator), I threw in the towel. We drove to the Convention Center where they had to register, get their packets, shirts, etc. After that the next day and a half was spent relaxing.

Sunday morning, Rob and Kenny were down at the race by 6 am. Richie, Christy and I left Burke around 7:30 and drove to my townhouse in Arlington. Parked there, walked to the Ballston metro and took that to the Smithsonian metro stop. We walked from there to the Lincoln Memorial (it's farther than it appears) to see them @ mile 10. We each handed Kenny, Rob and their friend Tim an open banana and gatorade. We then walked the few feet to Mile 16, where we waited for awhile to see them again. We handed Kenny (the other 2 didn't see us) another banana and gatorade and then made the trek back to the Smithsonian station. 

We met up with Natalie (her cousin was also running), saw them @ Mile 19 and then hopped on the Metro to go to the finish line. We got off @ the Rosslyn station to see them, and because of the powers that be, weren't able to actually see them cross the finish line. We did make it down to the area where they were and were able to give them congratulatory hugs.

I didn't manage to get any pictures of him running since I was focusing on handing off the food and drink. But we did a photo-shoot after the race. 

The BFF's

Rob and Kenny

Kenny and his parents

Kenny with people from his squadron

I'm so proud of Kenny, accomplishing a marathon is no easy feat. He did however say that this was his first and his last...better him than me.

Happy Birthday!

And even though he doesn't read my blog, Happy Birthday Kenny! 

I love you more than I could ever express and I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished so far. I can't wait to see what the future holds. 

Thanks for being my love and my best friend.

Love you :)

Kenny's Promotion

Doing the Oath

Putting the boards on

Kenny got promoted to Lieutenant this weekend, which is a big promotion. We went down to the Navy Memorial in DC for the ceremony (which only took 5 minutes). Mr. Prindle (who is also in the Navy) gave a quick little speech, and then did the Oath with Kenny. After doing the Oath, Kenny's Mom and I put his new shoulder boards on for him.

Charlie, Heather, Mr. and Mrs. Prindle, Grandma, Kenny, Me, Brad and Jeff

Me and Kenny

The boys :)

We took a few minutes to do some pictures and then headed over the Penn Quarter Tavern for dinner. The place was a sports bar, so it had a good atmosphere. We got to sit outside and with the nice weather, it was a beautiful evening. We got to watch Jacksonville State beat Ole Miss and I got to eat the tater tots (which were SO good!). 

So yay for Kenny getting promoted, I'm so proud of him! :)

Thankful Thursday: Memorial Day Edition

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching. Not only is it the signal of the beginning of summer, it's a time to remember those who have served their country as well as those who have died for their country. I come from a military family, where I've seen first hand the sacrifice of those who protect us and our freedom. I just wanted to take some time to reflect and remember those who are braver than myself. Thanks to everyone who serves our country!!

A big thanks to my dad who was in the Navy for 26 years. He served in Desert Storm as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom. He spent 6 months out of the year for the first 8 years of my life on deployment. I know he's won lots of medals (I've seen them on his uniform), couldn't tell you what they're for...but big things I bet. Thanks daddy for taking the time away from your family and friends to make this world a better place! :)

Another big thanks to my boyfriend, Kenny. He's been in the Navy since summer 2006, if you include him being in OCS in the equation. He was just recently on deployment from May 2009 to December 2009. He's doing very well and I'm very proud of him.

The biggest thanks goes to my 2 favorite Navy men. Thanks for everything guys!

C-A-P-S, CAPS, CAPS, CAPS

I love hockey. It's fast moving, people get hit, people fight...it's just my kind of game.

My dad hadn't been to a Caps game in a long time, and my mom had never been to a professional hockey game...we decided to remedy this by taking her to a game.

My dad got the 3 of us (and my boyfriend) tickets that came with dinner. So we got to go into the restaurant and have all you can eat/drink (of course my amaretto sour wasn't included in that deal) before the game. Mom got to sit next to a NJ Devils fan who was quite boisterous, he did shut up once the Caps went up by 3.

Mom and I, before the game started.

Me and Kenny :)

Alex Ovechkin(he's a BAMF)

I think it was definitely a good first hockey experience for my mom, especially since the Caps won!

*SNOW*

Snow is kind of a big deal in Northern VA. People freak out when there's an inch on the ground, but this was the big one.

Jen and I were supposed to have our holiday party (of course) on the Saturday of the storm. We post-poned on Friday, just to be safe, and I'm glad we did. I think we ended up measuring 24 inches once everything was said and done. I couldn't believe the weatherman was actually right!

Walking down our street in Rosslyn. Good thing the Dominoes was open!

Waving to Jen, who was taking pictures from the balcony.

My roommate, Jen, who is 5'9" standing in the snow on our balcony.

The snow wasn't the good kind, you know, the snow-man making kind...sigh, maybe next year.

Kenny Comes Home!

My boyfriend, Kenny, deployed in May to Africa and then the middle east. He came home the first week in December (the dates slid back a little bit). I tried to protest the Navy about them sending him home to Portland, ME in December. The other option was Jacksonville, FL (where he's currently stationed). The Navy didn't really care what I thought so me, and his parents made our way up to Maine.

I think the worst part of everything was waiting. The plane pulled up as his parents and I were walking into the hanger. But then it took a good 30 minutes before they let everyone off the plane. The worst part of the 6 months was the 30 minutes of just looking at the plane I knew he was on. But it was a great reunion and we were all happy to see him.

I, unfortunately, suck and didn't take pictures...his Dad is my hero and did though, so at least we have documentation of the occasion.

We flew back into BWI and Kenny was surprised when his friends were lined up at the arrivals area with a huge sign...

It's so good to have him back in the US :)