Back from vacation...back to reality

Our vacation was great. We had absolutely the most gorgeous weather during our trip to Seattle. We got the chance to go to Mt. Rainier on Thursday. Nothing more I can say but...breath-taking. Here is a beautiful picture of "my mountain"....

This was the first trip (We have been out to Seattle 5 times before this one.) that BJ was able to see the mountain so clearly and so up close. Our last trip out in February 2008, it made a brief appearance but it was a bit hazy. We got a picture of it from the top of the parking garage at Bellevue Square but this time was amazing.

We went with both my brothers and my mom and Margie. It was a fun road trip and we all had a great time. We got to play in the snow, see waterfalls and even a few birds. We capped off the day with a stop for dinner at Red Robin...mmmmm burgers!

The rest of trip was spent with family. We had my aunt's funeral on Friday, a baby shower for my sister-in-law on Saturday after that we went to my uncle's to have "Celebrate Liz Day" and then on Sunday we had a cookout at my grandparent's house. It was so awesome to see pretty much everyone in my family. Even my great-aunt came up from California as well as my other great-aunt and great-uncle.

The cap-off of the weekend was that my brother and his wife asked BJ and me to be god-parents for their first child, Olivia. She is due to born in mid-July and we were beyond thrilled for them to ask us. So now another trip to Seattle will be planned! A few pictures of right after they asked us...

BJ, James, Jessica, Susanne

Susanne and Jessica

Baby Olivia June

My sister-in-law is a beautiful mom-to-be! She really is all belly and other than the yucky morning sickness...she is doing great. Although she was not happy with me predicting that Olivia would be born on July 20...her due date is July 15! Hehehehe!

So after a long 12 1/2 hours traveling back home (yes that is correct!), we are back in the swing of normal life again. Work, play with the pups and kitties, and waiting to hear back from the Navy! We did find out that the next board review will be in 1-2 weeks. We had just missed the last one...of course.

Rollercoasters

I love rollercoasters. The anticipation as you climb the hill. The exhilaration as you travel down the other side. That feeling like your heart is going to burst out of chest as you hit all the curves. My stomach leaping with every crest. Just love them.

I do not, however, enjoy it when my life feels that way.

This has been an up and down week for us. It started out great...the countdown was on until we leave for Seattle. I had just bought a few new clothes to bring on our trip. Life was looking pretty good! Then I got "the phone call".

My aunt (who was like a second mom to me growing up) had been admitted to the hospital again. It did not seem so bad. She just needed an adjustment of her medications. She had been very sick for a few years, so this was not a huge surprise. But the next morning...my mom called me and BJ and told us that my aunt had passed away that morning. One week before we were supposed to leave for Seattle. One week before I was going to make a special trip to her home to go visit her...just in case she would not be able to make it to our family party later in our visit. She is gone and my world stopped for a moment. My heart breaks for my uncle and my cousins who are now left without a wife and mother. For her grandson who will never really know her like I did. When I needed her the most...she was there. She held my hand through the toughest times and for that I will be forever thankful. I love you Auntie Liz!

So then it was time to continue the ride.

We got word from BJ's recruiter that his application package is now at the selection committee. This is it! The board should meet sometime next week or the week after and hopefully we will know whether or not all this hard work has paid off. Will we get stationed in Washington state? Or somewhere new and different but equally exciting. I am beyond words excited for and proud of my husband. He has worked so hard to get to where he wants to be. I love you baby! So now we wait....

My vacation has started and I am so happy to not have to go to work until after Memorial Day. Hope everyone enjoys their holiday!

Last step

BJ got news that his application package is complete and is now being finalized for consideration before the board. We are still not sure when the May board dates are but are hopeful that we did not miss them. If we did then June it is! But this journey will coming to end (or a beginning!).

And to top it off...BJ got glowing reviews from both of his employers (current and the one previous one). He was worried that his previous one would be a jackass and either not send back the paper or write something completely untrue and malicious. We are so happy!

So that is it for now!

Good Odds

BJ found out from Lt. Bart (his recruiter for the Navy) that right now there are only 2 dentists listed on system. BJ and one other person! This list is Navy wide, so that is a great sign. He is listed as pending...which is basically that he is awaiting for the application to be approved to get sent to the board!

We went to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Saturday for the running of the derby. We met up with Katharyn and Neil and then placed our bets. We have no really betting stratergy...just pick them out of thin air! I picked #3 (Mr Hot Stuff) because I liked the name, #9 (Join In The Dance) again I liked the name, and #11 (Chocolate Candy) because I saw Seattle Slew mentioned with all his info and the reminded me of home. BJ picked #12 (General Quarters) because he saw a story about the owner/trainer and he thought the story of how he got to the derby was really cool. Alas none of our horses won! Although my #9 was leading for a bit. Now hindsight being 20/20, I may have picked #8 because of the jockey...I remember him winning before and he has a pretty cool background. But we made our bets really fast and did not really look at the betting sheet until it was too late. Katharyn and Neil, on the other hand, won! They bet #8 to win...lucky ducks!

I enjoyed a Mint Julep...not the greatest drink but hey it was the derby and isn't that what you are supposed to drink? We even had fun betting between the four of us on the last two harness races. We eached picked our horse and then whoever's horse won had to buy a round of drinks. BJ "lost" the first race and then Neil "lost" the second race...we were laughing so hard and cheering for our horses to not win! People around us probably thought we were nuts...oh well!