It is hard to believe we have been here at Fort Rucker for almost one year! This time last year my head was spinning...my house was being torn apart...all my pictures were off the walls, clothes were being packed.....everything was slowly being boxed up. I was hoarding everything we could possibly stuff into two vehicles in my back room so the movers would not touch it when they arrived to pack up and load the rest into a truck to be driven off into the deep south. Our family had a great party for us filled with so much love from our family and friends...... and then, a few days later, we hooked up Ryan's car to the back of our Expedition in the frigid -5* temps and awful, awful wind up on the hill at his parents house.....and we were off! Arriving at our new (temporary) home here in Alabama on January 27th.

This year has been Amazing. Of course my husband would have different words for some of it ;) with some pretty heavy study loads going on through out different parts of his courses. He is here to learn how to fly a black hawk after all! However, through it all, we have had some great, Great family time. We have seen him more this past year than we have in quite some time with his busy schedule back in NH. 

He continues to both amaze and impress me, setting aside times for studying and knowing his limits....Doing so great in all of his classes and yet still having time for making some great memories with his family here. For me, this has been one of the Best things we have done..ever! Both for his career and for our family! I am so thankful for this opportunity and so blessed to have a husband who is so dedicated to making everything as great as he can for his family! 

You learn so many things when you decide to make such a huge, life changing decision. You learn, you really are ok with living so far from home....adventures are fun and exciting. You get to see and do things you never would other wise. Your children become friends with people from all over, and even though it's hard to say goodbye to them when the time comes, they are still keeping in touch with the ones they spent so much time with here. That puts a smile on my face, they will always have these memories and now have these friends for life....as will I ;) All because we, as a family, took a leap of faith! 

You find out who your friends are....when you move so far away that you can not actually See each other and get together, yet you watch your relationships grow even closer and stronger than ever. When friends reach out and take the time to write you a sweet message, be it 2 words or 20...they still thought of you and truly care...when they take the time to call you and catch up at least once a week. When no matter what, they have your back through it all.....no matter how far away you might be, they have nothing but sweet words to say about you and they really make you feel loved. You find out, those are the people who really matter, the ones who are Truly & Honestly your friends. 

You discover just how strong of relationship you have with your spouse. We are blessed to have always had such a great, loving, strong bond.... but when you are so far away and you really only have each other....you realize you will NEVER break. When you have each other, faith and love, your relationship truly shines! Thanks Ryan <3 together....we ROCK! 

So there it is... my new years post. 2013 has been an eye opening, life changing, amazingly fun, exciting year! 2014 will be just as great, with a flight school graduation on the horizon and a great reunion with the ones we love, and who love us! Bring it on 2014!