Mr. Husband, Sargeant, Sir!

This morning at 0700 my hubby officially became a Sargeant in the United States Army. Though he insisted it was no big deal, it was the first promotion ceremony I have been able to see- the others 0ccurred while he was in Iraq. To my amazement his superiors allowed him to delay his promotion a few days so that I would be able to pin him! (I arrived home from Denver late last night- well morning really. Home at 12:30 am, up and at the Armory at 7 am!) I was a little nervous where all the other promotions had taken place while I was away, and his entire unit would be staring at me- the lonely civilian in a room of soldiers. And much to my humiliation- I choked. I know what you are thinking- how hard is it to place a velcro patch on ACU's? Well its not, unless they hand you the rank upside down and you are too nervous to check before you pin him. Yup, I pinned his rank upside down- in front of his entire unit- his First Sargeant and Commander...great first impression of the newest army wife right? The horrible part is after he read his creed to the unit, they stripped it and re-pinned him. UGH. And I KNOW the ranks and what they look like, but I figured they would pass it to me the right way....wrong. Next time I just may watch from the side-lines... my poor husband. The guys gave him a hard time all morning, apparently I should be given a "handbook" to learn my ranks.... oh well. He was a sweetheart and told me stories about a Sargeant Major who pinned his on wrong and came to formation...but still- did it really have to go that way? Really? It didn't phase him though, he's informed me that I can now just call him Sargeant. So of course, I have teased him all day calling him my Mr. Husband, Sargeant, Sir! I guess I will just have to find a way to congratulate him that will make up for my blond moment... ; )

Fast Forward

There is so much to say, to explain and update from the last few months.... but there is no time today....

We finally moved into a wonderful apartment that I adore. No mold- PRAISE GOD.

Hubby left for WLC (Army NCO training) directly before Christmas and during my two weeks of intense finals... not happy with the Army about that. I survived and finished my 7th semester in prelaw, one left!

Our first Christmas was wonderful, not at all like I had planned (thanks to the military) but still every bit as wonderful. I am so glad he is home with me this year.

Most pressing on my heart is where I sit at this very moment...in the CICU room in Denver Children's Hospital with my best friend and their adorable little girl. There is not enough time to start at the beginning and fill you in.... Aliyah Marie was born a month early on November 12th and diagnosed with a severe heart condition. They are awaiting God's miracle of a transplant. He is so faithful. This angel is the most precious little girl. She has entirely captured our hearts. Her story can be found here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/aliyahpomelow
and here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=181984597074&ref=ts

My soldier is getting promoted to Sargent on Sunday, I finally get to see one and pin him!

...all I have time for now, I will try to be better about blogging...these past few months have been, well- eventful.

"Moving Woes and Moldy Leases"

Long story really really short...about 6 weeks ago, I started getting sick. Severe headaches, nausea, itchy eyes, sneezing...all the typical symptoms of allergies. So I went to the doctor, they prescribed an allergy medication and sent me on my way. My symptoms got increasingly worse and I was fatigued all the time, emotional and falling apart...so my mama started doing some research. Mold. Black mold to be exact. I matched every single little mark on the long list of symptoms and reactions. Sure enough, we discovered black mold in our apartment. Gross huh? After de-humidifiers, rug sprays, mold tests, calls to landlord and another trip back to the doctor, it was finally decided that I was toxicly allergic to black mold and had a sinus infection, ear infection and it was getting into my lungs. Soooo.... we called the landlord AGAIN, and gave him our notice to leave. Then came the drama of breaching our lease and the denial of our deposit. HA. Breaching a lease because I am dying of mold, requiring our deposit because he refused to do anything about the toxicity... crazy to ask for those things right? We found another place, passed the ten thousand reference lists and background checks and are moving in this weekend. For a month we have told our current landlord that we are leaving, I have doctor's notification of my severe allergy, mold tests to prove it exists in the apartment and a demand letter for our deposit. He said he would be over to see the proof and speak with us... that was two weeks ago. Today I come home and there is a letter on my door. A cleaning list and requirements of things I need to complete before I can leave. Things like clean and shampoo rugs, wash all windows inside and out, wash all floors and bathroom and kitchen appliances.... hmm.... wash the rug with mold in it.... while severely allergic to it.... or stand outside in October to wash the windows. (Which by the way are falling apart). I think NOT. I am a tidy person, things will be cleaned but thats ridiculous. Anyways, our apartment is covered in moving boxes, half packed and others in mid-process. We have saturday to move out AND move into the other apartment, all the while I am still sick and my husband is working. Ahhh, I just love renting....

Half an update...

So much has happened in the last 3 months since I last posted. Its amazing to me how fast time passes in one phase of life, yet remembering how it seemed to be at a stand-still during others. Well, an update....in a whirlwind....

~I GOT MARRIED! To the most amazing man I have ever known. On July 11, 2009 I slipped my hand into his and promised to hold it forever. Despite the stress and trauma (yes- TRAUMA) of planning our special day, everything went beautifully. Jesus blessed us by holding back the rain (the only day in July!) Our photographer was a sweetheart and the day was simply perfect. I must be honest- I was sick the whole day from allergies (lost my voice the night of rehearsal, ahh!), but it was still perfect! I could not have imagined it more stunning, it was exactly how I had hoped and dreamed and planned!

Mr & Mrs

I love him.

Soulmate until the end of time....

Just some of my favorites.... See our slideshow here, more pictures here and here! =)

~We honeymooned in Orlando and went to Sea World, Busch Gardens and Disney! (Pictures to come...)

~My best friend got married 5 weeks after me... and true to childhood dreams, we were both each other's maid of honor.

~I am FINALLY in my 4th year in the Paralegal Program...and I have senioritis BAD.

~My Hooah-buddy and other half came to visit, she brought her adorable 30 wk baby belly for me to kiss. =)

.... half an update. more to come. I promise to be better at blogging!

drama, drama, drama...

So here I am 33 days from my wedding and I am just finding out that my 5 groomsmen that turned into 4 is now again 5...
two of my bridesmaids dresses were ordered 6!!! sizes too big and they take 9 weeks to be delivered (I have 5)...
I am not tan...
I am still the same size...
I have not picked out and ordered my flowers yet...
we have just begun marital counseling...
I keep double booking appointments...
I now have a regular work hours and just when it was getting easier to schedule somehow added in tutoring to screw everything up...
I STILL have insomnia...
My immune system sucks and I seem to catch every germ that blows by...which I have now given to my fiancee and my family...
EVERYONE seems to have an opinion about MY wedding... [ok well not everyone... those who love me and are sane, you know who you are and this need not apply to you =) ]
I can't decide on a first dance song...
I seem to indulge in chocolate in times of stress. meaning all the time. bad for fitting into THE dress...
I barely know any details of my best friends wedding because she is getting married a month after me and I don't have time to help her right now...
Colorado is too far away and I miss and NEED my hooah buddy and other half...
I have 9 on-going lists of things to do and no motivation to do them...
Planning a wedding is not as fun as I had imagined....
Oh, and military men who think its funny to call a bride pretending to be someone stating that their fiancee left their phone in a stripclub and need to come get it, are NOT funny and should be publically scorned for their immaturity and lack of sensitivity to a lady.

BUT... God IS faithful. My fiancee is AMAZING and no matter the number of groomsmen, matching dressed bridesmaids, new family with drama, and tired days, he will be my HUSBAND in 33 days.

ahhh, HOOAH.

Wedding Planning...

Wedding Inspiration: RED, RED, RED!!

Bridal Bouquet: Romance...

..Deep reds and purples....

The Cake!!!!

Reception Details...

The Centerpieces!

The countdown continues..

So much has happened in the last two months...

I am officially finished with this semester of school, and despite my panic I actually managed to maintain my gpa. whew. My dad received his masters in criminal justice and marched at the graduation, I was so proud of him! Josh received a promotion and was hired for a permanent position at the flight facility as a blackhawk machanic. He moved into what will be our apartment...let's see, wedding plans are insanely crazy, there are so many details left! I had my first alterations last week, have appointments to finalize catering and the cake within the next few days, and am madly gathering addresses to send out invitations! There are so many things left to do, but I know that they will all be finished and it will all turn out beautifully. Though it has been busy and sometimes stressful, by the end of the day all I can think is that soon I will be a wife. Two months from today and I will be MRS.GRIFFIN!!