"My Convoy is the Best" --tvz

Those are Tyler's words describing his convoy (long string of vehicles moving to/from somewhere; otherwise known as a carpool) for these two weeks in the field. He has some massive vehicles (made by International, Pop Pop!) that are tan and uparmored, and he has the privilege of using this week on a live fire range. I say this because some days I step back and think, "What world do I live in?" I live in a world where my husband puts on a uniform, a rank and his boots each morning promptly after PT and his shower. I live in a world where my husband's response to a text message asking if I should wait for him was, "No. Still firing." Yes, firing refers to rifles and that is his job. I live in a world where families spend months apart at a time, where it matters when you miss a phone call because you can't call back. It matters that you can shoot a gun accurately time and time again, that you wear your rank and know your place.

I was terrified of this world that I know call "mine" before I entered, but now, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Although I sometimes wonder how I got here and why I'm here, I love that I know people from all over the world, that I get to celebrate other family's birthdays, graduations, talent show performances, first baseball games and lost teeth in a way that I would never understand if I lived in a random neighborhood, in a random city of the United States.

When asked what Tyler does at work, I cannot begin to imagine all of the things that are incorporated into his job, but I know he works hard, makes a difference to everyone he encounters and he loves what he does. I would love to understand every aspect, to take a ride in his uparmored Humvee, to see what their tent cities (I could have just made that up) look like in the field, but that is a part of him that I will never experience or fully understand. I'm unsure why I have written what I have tonight, but I hope that maybe it provides a bit of insight to those with questions or maybe a sigh of relief and "I know I can do this" for someone who feels the way I felt about being a part of this crazy world called ... US Army.

And just because I could ... here are some pictures form our world to yours ...

An MRAP ... some big vehicle used in the field and in his convoy.

All geared up .. he wears this stuff whenever he's in his humvee.

Dying to Dye Easter Eggs

I know this is quite late, but I couldn't wait to dye Easter Eggs and so we invited friends over to dye eggs with us. I hard boiled five dozen eggs on the Saturday night before Easter and then we had four families over the next day to have our first cook out of the season and dye Easter Eggs.

There were four children, but one is less than a year old, and the adults had so much fun dying eggs with them. Tyler and I loved having our house full of friends and children ... there were trains and cars everywhere and pitter-pattering feet ... too fun! Thank you families for sharing your children and friendship with us! Below are a few pictures from our very fun night!

Sweet friends .. Amanda Cook, Jackie, Heather and Amanda Fox.

Tobacco Season is Officially Here!

Although the greenhouse has been planted for roughly eight weeks, the season officially starts tomorrow because the plants are leaving the greenhouse and going into the fields! This year Daddy and Sam have 220 acres, which will keep them more than busy. I LOVE the farm, everything about it. Hopefully Mama will send pictures regularly so I can see the changes and growth this season. The first few pictures were taken while I was on Spring Break and the plants were only two weeks old. The final two pictures are from Mama ... they were taken on Saturday.

Cheers to you, Daddy and Sam, I'm praying for a heck of a season!

One half of the greenhouse; each half has three bays. You can see a bit of green peaking out!

My Daddy. In one of his favorite places. He is calculating several figures for us. There are six bays (see one above), and each bay contains 616 trays which equals 3,696 trays. One tray holds 288 plants ... that equals 1,064,448 plants which seems like a lot, but really that is only 177 acres if every plant comes up.

Two week old plants ... they look like tiny, unsymmetrical four leaf clovers.

Popping up.

Eight week old plants.

Closer up.

It's Snowing.

It is April 14, and it is snowing. Yesterday you could see my front yard, today you can't. My deck was completely cleared and now there are three inches of snow on top of my table out there, and it continues to come down. It is April 14th ... ugh.

More Spring Break

You saw that I spent two days in Winston-Salem with family and friends ... too fun ... but I spent the majority of my time at home in Oxford!! :) I had the most fun hanging out and just relaxing around my old stompin' ground. Fortunately, it was a bit warmer at home than it was in Alaska, and they had just started turning over the land at the farm so I got to smell spring, too. I know that "smelling" spring might sound silly to many of you, but take my word that the smell of fresh plowed dirt is absolutely wonderful; a sure sign of spring!

Mama and me.

Daddy and me before one of his meetings.
My Aunt Pat and me.
Katie, William and I on a Sunday afternoon.
My Mimi, Papa and me after a Sunday lunch at Mimi's ... it was fabulous!

A Daily Dose of the Last Month!

I am slightly overwhelmed with trying to tell you everything about the last month. I sincerely apologize that I have not been good at blogging lately, but we've been a bit busy. I spent 10 days in North Carolina, returned to Alaska and picked up my husband from the airport two days later (!!!) from his trip to the Philippines, I have finished three projects for my Masters, taught school daily, finished a little laundry, hung out with friends (lots!) and cooked very few meals. We have thoroughly enjoyed our last few weeks, but we are a bit tired and we both have colds or allergies that are kind of bogging us down.

Below are a few pictures from Spring Break. I will have more tomorrow followed by pictures from our Alaskan adventures. Thank you for your patience with me ... I sincerely appreciate it.

Leah, Peter and Sam. These are our sweet niece and nephews that I got to see while I was in North Carolina. They are Tyler's older sister's children. It was so fun to see them! All three remembered me and were so excited to see me. Honestly, I was a bit nervous about the children remembering us, particularly Sam remembering, but I can say now that I know they know who we are and love us as if we still live in NC.

Mimi and Pop Pop Van Zandt! Dede and I spent a morning with them catching up and telling stories about life as we all know it.

Libby, Joanna and me. I got to see the four girls I babysat for and spend time with their wonderful Mommies. I went to lunch with Shelley, Missy, Libby and Patterson and then got to visit each of their homes to spend time with them.

I got to spend lots of time with my dear friend Kate and her son, Cullen. Kate and Kevin, her husband, were our very first Army friends and we just love hanging out with them. We cannot wait to live closer to these sweet friends! I foresee many beach trips in our future!

Katie and I at Putters (have I ever mentioned that God has blessed me with many, many friends name Kate?!). We LOVE Putters and so it was fun to catch up there. I also got to go see her loft that was too cute!

Annie and Sophie before school ... I look rough, sorry! They have grown up and it was too fun to see them, too. Hannah .. we missed you!

Fur Rondy

The next two weeks in Alaska are a big deal as the Iditarod is getting closer and closer. This week, the week before the start of the Iditarod, is the week of Fur Rondy .. Rondy standing for Rendevous. There are activities all week celebrating Alaskan traditions and experiences before the start of the Iditarod. I describe it as a mix of a week-long State Fair and Mardi Gras. There are activities for all age group that began last Thursday and go until next Friday. On Saturday, March 6, the first Saturday in March, the ceremonial start of the Iditarod will take place in Anchorage. Sunday, the real start will happen in Wasilla, about 30 miles north of Anchorage.

Today I went downtown to see the Running of the Reindeer with 3 friends. This event is like the Running of the Bulls in Spain, except this time with reindeer. I have more pictures to share, but I thought these were really great. My friend Jessica took these pictures ... thank you for sharing! :) For more information go to the Fur Rondy web site.

Fur Rondy sign outside of the carnival. This is the 75th annual Fur Ronday week.

Running of the Reindeer ... isn't that hysterical. They literally booked it down a blocked off road; running with people and other reindeer. Quite funny.

He Loves Me...

Today I got a call from an unknown number and when I returned the call it was a local flower shop asking when I'd be home so they could deliver flowers. I was stoked, but I couldn't figure out who they were from because Tyler's internet is down and he'd have to have internet to send them. But, when I opened the card, guess who they're from?! ... TYLER! The flowers are beautiful, but the thought is priceless, T! They made my day. I'd rather have a random day flower delivery than a Valentine's delivery any day; thanks babe for making my day! :)

This is the "Spring Mix."

Up close. Babe, I'm using my new camera (duh!) without the flash ... I think the pictures look great. I even figured out how to turn up the ISP, too. Aren't you proud?!
The roses are tucked away and should fill out soon!
These pink flowers look like azaleas. I doubt they are, but they still make me think of springtime in NC!