Update...

I figured photos would be the best way to play catch-up for the last 4 months in The Garden State.
The boys came to visit for Riley's birthday at the end of July. It was so fun to have them here! It was the perfect taste of home. We took them on the ferry to spend a day in New York, had a beach day, and went to Six Flags. The weather was perfect and it was awesome to be able to show them around our little beach town, and let them see Ri on the job.
Lately we have been trying to spend the days we have off exploring the state a little bit. We went to the Monmouth County Fair, spent a weekend at a "ski resort" about two hours away. Nothing like our Utah mountains, but it was nice to see a couple of pine trees! We made a little visit to the Manhattan temple and happened to run into someone riley had taught on his mission. We have gone on countless walks along the shore with Bronx, and had a little evacuation adventure with Hurricane Irene.
As far as an update on what we are currently doing, I am working in a salon full time. Its been fun to get into the "real world", but I still feel like I am learning so much and I'm loving it. Riley is loving his job, and I must say I'm happy with it too. I am so proud of what he is doing, and seeing how much he enjoys it is so great. He is also taking a class three nights a week to get his Firefighting 1 certification, and will be working with our local fire department (on his days off from the CG) starting early next year.
I have to say that I still feel so blessed to be where we are. I sometimes think back to where we were a year ago, or two years ago, and I'm in awe at how lucky we are.
Anyway, here come the photos. Enjoy!

Graduation, First Anniversary, and New Jersey!

It will be three weeks tomorrow that I have had my husband back, and I can't even begin to explain how good it's been. I got to go, with my fabulous mother-in-law to Cape May for his graduation, and it was by far one of the neatest things I have ever seen. I have never been so proud in my life. Watching Riley march in with his company, I couldn't help but get a bit emotional. Riley has accomplished something most people just dream of doing, and he did it well. After the ceremony, we walked around and he showed us a bit of the base, then introduced me to a few of his buddies. All these men had nothing but great things to say about my sweet husband (no surprise there) and I was, and still am, so proud to walk around and hold his hand and say he is mine!
The next day we flew home for three or four days to hang out with the fam before we packed up and headed east. It has been so fun! We live on want is called the Sandy Hook. It is a national park that has private beaches on both sides, and the Coast Guard Station is right at the very tip. Dreamy right? Needless to say I love this place. We live on the base in the cutest little light blue, two bedroom townhome... Plenty of room for visitors! Who's coming?? Everyone on base has been so helpful and our ward is awesome. I love waitin by my kitchen window to see Riley walkin home from work in his uniform to tell me about his latest adventure, or new toy he got to play with.
Last week we celebrated our first anniversary by taking the ferry over to New York City. We had dinner at the bottom of the Empire Stste Building and then walked over to Time Square to play sound for a couple of hours.
I can't believe it's been a year already! I have truly loved every second of it. To be honest, it feels like Riley and I have been "Riley and I" forever. It's almost like he has always been a piece of me and the minute we started dating it was like "Oh right! It's you! What took you so long?"
Anyway, I figured for one one year unwound just share five of my favorite things about this man of mine...
1. Riley is hands down the funniest person I have ever meg. He makes menlaugh every single day. I love that in almost every single on of our candid wedding photos I am cracking up. seriously. He really is that funny.
2. Riley is hard working. I tend to be one of those people that have really great ideas about what I want to do, but I sit back, cross my fingers, and hope it brooked. Not Riley. I remember when Riley first mentioned the Coast Guard. "I have been thinking about it, and I think it's the right thing to do." I rolled my eyes. "okay babe." I said. Ha! Look at us now. Riley works hard to reach his goals. And to help me reach mine. He worked three (count them, three) jobs so that I could finish school without the stress of having to work. I love that I will never have to worry about if my sweet husband will take care of me, and someday our family. What a stud!
3. Riley is a missionary wherever he is. I let people know I am a member of the church, and that I know it's true. But Riley is a true representative of the Savior. For example, at his graduation, one of his shipmates told me that Riley knelt down next to his rack every single night for prayer, and that this bunkmate started to kneel with him. Riley even said the company prayers regulary. How cool is that?
4. Riley knows me better than I know myself. He knows how to make me halt when I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. He knows to bring me a Diet Coke when work isn't going sonwell. he knows how I like my sandwiches. And the best part is he loves me so much that all these stupid little things matter to him!
5. Riley has a way of making everyone around him comfortable. He is a friend to everyone. He is the most non-judgmental, kind person I know, and he would to anything for anyone. I love that about him.
What a year it has been! Our life is about 100% different than we thought it would be a year ago, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm going to be completely honest...

The main reason I haven't updated this here blog, is simply because I haven't quite figured out how. I am in no way techno-savvy, so here's hoping this works!
Riley has been gone for almost four weeks, and while it has been by far the hardest four weeks of my life, I have to admit that it has gone fairly fast.
I got my first bit of mail in the form of a post card. It pretty much said "I made it safe, and I'm having fun. Remember, no packages allowed. I'll write soon." A whopping five lines, and it was an absolute Godsend! Then, last week I got my first letter! I can't even tell you how exciting that was. I saw his handwriting, and could perfectly hear his voice in my head while reading what he had written. And of course, in true Riley form, he knew exactly what I would be needing to hear at the moment his letter arrived. I was a weeping mess, but my sweet husband is okay, he is brave, he is determined, and he is almost home! 28 more days folks!
Now, I figured to make this post worth reading I had to include a little story:
I pride myself in being a fairly strong person, and I think my family would agree that through all of this, I have kept my chin up for the most part. I know that Riley is doing just what he wants to be doing, and I have never been more thankful that he served a mission. Riley knows what its like to be away from home, and to rely solely on letters and our Heavenly Father.
However... I am not ashamed to admit that I did have my little "meltdown". You see, I now live in Bountiful with my wonderful parents who were kind enough to take me in and keep me company for these two months, along with my six siblings. Here in Bountiful, a spring snow storm consists of a solid two to three feet of snow.
Now on this given morning, my dad and brother had both already left for work and school, and my little Mazda Protege sat in the driveway (the very very steep driveway), covered in no less than two feet of snow. Being the determined person I am (and figuring that as a new Military Wife), I was certain I could be independent and get out of this little pickle on my own.
It started out wonderfully! I put the car in reverse and proceeded to execute a very controlled slide all the way down the driveway. Now, this is where my little story goes a bit sour. When I get to the bottom of the driveway, the car stops. I push my foot down on the gas a bit. Nothing. Spinning wheels. And nothing. Next, I decide that surely my car will go forward if not backward! Wrongo! More spinning wheels. I then think to myself "I know! I will push my own car out!" Genius. I open my door, plant my boot firmly (up to my knee) in snow, and begin to channel my inner Fred Flinstone, by pushing with my foot. Nothing. Shocker.
At this point, a bit of panic has set in, but the frustration is PLENTY of fuel to get me out of there! I remember that my Dad has a huge bag or some sort of foreign material in the garage. This bag is labeled "Ice Melt". Hmmmm. Don't mind if I do!
I throw the car into park, and hike back up the driveway for a shovel (seemed like it would come in handy) and the massive bag of Ice Melt. I then throw large handfuls of said material under the four (very very bald) tires and wait. Surely this crap will melt the ice in the next few minutes... nope.
At this point it is FREEZING, I am wet, and tired, and frustrated. So in my final act of desperation, I grab the shovel and go to work. The snow is really not going anywhere except on me, or where is was before. I am slipping everywhere, trying to keep my frost bitten hands (okay, not really, but they sure felt frost bitten) mobile.
The realization begins to sink in that no matter what I do, the car isn't going to move. So I slam the car door, walk back up the driveway, and into my mom's room, where I lost it. I just cried. I cried because my car way stuck. I cried because no matter what I did, I couldn't get it out. I cried because my husband was gone. And even if he wasn't, the car would still be stuck I'm certain, but atleast he would be here to make me feel better.
Thank heavens for my amazing mother, who was quick to lay me down, hand me a frosty beverage, and not tell me it was okay, but just tell me that it would be. She always knows just what to say.
Anyway, instead of making this my second, painfully long post, the story ends by my mom driving me to work red eyed and sniffling. And things have been much better since!
I appreciate all the prayers on mine and Riley's behalf. He is doing wonderfully, and I get to talk to him on the phone next week to get our orders! I can't wait.
But until then, here is an oldie but a goodie from the Honeymoon. Cheers to warm weather, and no more Ice Melt or shovels!
XOXO

I never thought I would be a blogger...

but with our impending out-of-state move, I figured a blog was the perfect way to keep family and friends up to date on what we are doing.
Riley left this morning for Boot Camp! I still can't believe he is gone, but before I hung up the phone for our final phone conversation for at least six weeks, I promised him my first blog post would be about the chaos of last night.
Let me start from the beginning...
We went to see the Coast Guard recruiter last week who informed us that Riley would have to be at MEPs (I have no idea what those letters stand for, but I think its just the place where military people go to get processed and their physical exams) at 5:45 on Monday morning. After finishing his final paperwork and swearing in, he would be taken to the hotel where he would stay that night. I was able to go pick him up around three to hang out and say our last goodbyes before he had to be back at the hotel by his 8:00 curfew.
I did as was told and picked him up outside the Radisson hotel promptly at 3. We went back home and finished packing his bag, and said goodbye to our dear puppy Bronx. Then we went to meet the fam (both his, and mine) at the Olive Garden for what is now referred to as "The Last Supper".
We had barely gotten to our table when the manager came over to introduce our server, Pearson, and explain that it was his first night on the job.Poor kid. Our table of 13 people, 4 of which were kids. Worst table ever. Pearson took our drink orders and hurried back with a tray of 6 or 7 chilled beverages. Just as he was leaning over to serve my Diet Coke, the ENTIRE tray of drinks slipped off the tray and spilled down my back. Picture Niagra Falls folks. Riley was kind enough to shove two or three forest green, Olive Garden napkins down my back, assure Pearson that we were just fine, and we continued with our meal.
After a tearful goodbye to his family and mine, Riley and I got back into the car to head back to the hotel and say our own goodbye.
I won't lie. It took all my strength to keep the tears from hitting my cheeks. I tried so hard to be brave and supportive. We filled my car with gas (Riley knows I won't remember to do it on my own), returned a few VERY overdue Redboxes, and did everything we could possibly think of to put off goodbye just a few more minutes. Finally, we were out of time and found ourselves back at that stupid Radisson Hotel.
He gave me a few last minute things to remember (which bills are due when, how to get new tires on my car, ect.). Then hugged me, gave me a kiss, and off he went. I am still amazed at his strength, and his excitement for our new adventure gave me a little spark of excitement too. Really, how many people get to travel the country with their spouse for 4 years?! We really are so lucky.
I even held most of the tears in until I got into my car and started to drive away. The minute I knew he was inside, out they all came, all at once. I was a big, sobbing mess!
Now this is Riley's favorite part of the story... get ready for it folks.
Just as I am making the left hand turn past the hotel, I see flashing lights behind me. That's right. I am getting pulled over. And let me tell you... if the tears weren't freely flowing before... they were now! I sat in my car for a moment and thought to myself  "No way. There is no way the universe would do this to me right now."
I looked in my mirror to see this butch looking she-cop coming to my side of the car. "Oh good", I think to myself, "Its a girl. Surely she will understand that through my blurred vision and shaking hands I didn't make a complete and total stop at that stop sign." HA! Boy was I wrong. She came to my window and in a very stinky tone said "Miss, is there a reason you are already crying? I haven't even given you a ticket yet."
I went on the explain that I had just said goodbye to my husband as he is leaving for boot camp. She looks at me and says "Hmmm, okay well Ill be right back."
Now let me just run you through a few of the thoughts that came to mind as that evil woman was punching my information into the computer...
-"She won't ticket me. I'm not a criminal. Im wearing a freaking argyle sweater for heaven's sake! A soggy, Dr. Pepper covered, argyle sweater!"
-"I wonder what she would do if I just drove off? High speed chase?"... Ummm yes. Thats exactly what she would do. Idiot!
-"Can you go to jail for not having your insurance card?"
-" I'm fairly certain I would fail a sobriety test right about now..."
She-cop comes back to my window and says "Listen, I'm going to let you off easy. I gave you a citation (what the heck even is that?!) for your rolling stop. People get hit there all the time. (Really lady? Because I'm in the middle of no where. There is no one else here!) I did however give you a ticket for no proof of insurance. Just sign here. It just means you are recieving a ticket, not that you are pleading guilty"
At this point I am sobbing my eyes out at hearing "pleading guilty". I had flashes of seeing me before Judge Judy and being hauled off to jail in a really awful orange jumpsuit.
She finishes off this pleasant interaction with "Nice ring." and walks away. Let me tell you, I wanted nothing more to give her a solid sock in the teeth with said ring.
Wow.
Riley assured his sobbing and hysterical wife that at some point, this story would, in fact, be funny. Its starting to get kind of funny, and I'm sure by my next post I will think my first traffic ticket is as funny as my sweet husband does.
Ill post pictures soon!!
XOXO