Memorial Day

Since the boys are still away... Nina, Amanda, and I celebrated Memorial Day with a backyard BBQ. Amanda brought her dog Dakota to play with Nina's dog Quinn. They had a fun time and so did we! Let us remember those men and women who have served this country today and everyday. :-)

Nina, Amanda and Me

Dakota and Quinn playing

Lieutenant JG Kirkpatrick

Congratulations LTJG Justin Kirkpatrick!! Today, Justin gets promoted from Ensign to Lieutenant, Junior Grade. I am so proud of him! Since the boys are currently in port at Port Canaveral in Florida, Justin's pinning "ceremony" is taking place this afternoon at their favorite beach bar, Coconuts on the Beach! Congratulations LTJG Kirkpatrick! I'm so proud of you!

Justin on the day he graduated from the US Naval Academy and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. (2006)

Sister Hazel

Nina and I went to Neptune Park at 31st Street tonight for the Sister Hazel concert. We had a wonderful time singing and dancing along to their music! :-) There were fireworks in the distance over the ocean and we all sang the "Star Spangled Banner" to remember those on Memorial Day... what a great evening!

Sister Hazel

Nina and me at the concert!

"All for You"

Bier Garden

This evening - Mollie, Will, Amanda, Heidi, Nina, and I met at the Bier Garden in Old Town Portsmouth. We had a lovely out door table in the garden and enjoyed German food, interesting beers, silly stories, and each other's company. What a great evening with great friends! :-)

Mollie (She wears her sunglasses at night :-) ), Will, Me, Heidi, Nina, and Amanda

The girls :-)

Our "spontaneous" picture

Pungo Strawberry Festival

Today - Nina, Amanda, and I went to the Pungo Strawberry Festival! We had such a fun time! We picked strawberries in the strawberry patch until our baskets were overflowing! One in the basket... two in our mouths... :-) I will never eat grocery store strawberries ever again! After our picking adventure, we strolled around the festival taking in the aromas of good food, listening to music, and looking at the interesting things that various vendors were selling.

Nina, Amanda and I at the patch!

Nina and me picking strawberries!

Amanda and me enjoying our afternoon at the strawberry patch!

First Lutheran Church

Today, Justin and I joined First Lutheran Church in Ghent. Justin is obviously still underway so my wonderful friends came to be with me as I was introduced as a new member of the church. Amanda, Anna, and Russell came to support me and we had a wonderful time worshiping together. Justin and I are blessed to have found such an amazing church and are happy to be their newest members!

Russell, Anna, Me, and Amanda after church :-)

Beach Music Weekend!

Amanda, me and Anna enjoying our dinner!

The concert ON the beach!

Anna and I invented our own dance... the flight attendant dance. We thought that we were way cool.

Amanda, me, and Anna at the concert!

What a fantastic spring evening! Anna and Amanda came over and acted as my guinea pigs for a new recipe that I was trying. I made garlic-lime shrimp with Spanish rice! It was delicious! We enjoyed fun tropic drinks, good food, strawberry shortcake for dessert and each other's company! We then headed down to the oceanfront to BEACH MUSIC WEEKEND! Chairmen of the Board played for 3 hours ON the beach! It was so much fun and we had a terrific time! :-)

Chairmen of the Board.... Give Me Just A Little More Time!

E-mails from Justin

Yay! I heard from Justin today! After checking my e-mail 194727518 times the past four days, I received two e-mails. Justin is doing well and is super busy. Who would have guessed that an e-mail would make me so happy! I've been on cloud 9 since receiving them!

Justin and me in April 2008 with a monument dedicated to 100 years of the submarine force. United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD

Hail and Farewell

This past Saturday, Justin and I attended Brian Gelb's Farewell. Brian has lived with Justin for the past six months. Justin and Brian are both officers on the boat (well, not Brian anymore!). Justin respects Brian as an incredibly knowledgable Naval Officer as well as a great friend. I always enjoy my chats with Brian and have throughly enjoyed forming a friendship with his beautiful fiance, Jacqueline. Brian is headed to Philadelphia in June and we will miss him dearly..

Jacqueline, Mollie, Amanda, Me, Justin, Paul, Kevin, and Brian at Gordon Birsch after the Farewell

Nina, Me, and Amanda

Jacqueline and Brian at the Farewell

Saying goodbye...

Yesterday morning, Justin and I said goodbye as he and the others on the SSN 750 - Newport News went underway. It was an emotional weekend and the first two days have been harder than I could have ever imagined. Thankfully, I have an amazing support system full of friends and family who help me through these most difficult times. Thank you all for your calls and e-mails! :-)