Monte De Oro Winery

When Jesse and I were in Vegas a few years ago, we got suckered into a marketing ploy. All we had to do was commit a couple of hours to tour a time share condo, and in return we received a trip to the stratosphere, free dinner at a 'genuine' Las Vegas buffet (Griswold style), and $50 in gambling chips (which we ended up doubling).

I'm terrified and Jesse is missing a tooth. 

ANYWAY, we were at a San Diego Padre's game for my birthday last week, and we encountered a similar marketing ploy. Since we had absolutely nothing better to do, we decided to do it again. 

We spent a couple of hours at Welk resort (I actually felt guilty at times since the agents work for commission, and we had no intention of buying).  It was nice to get out of the house and explore a different part of San Diego, something we probably would not have otherwise done. 

In return, we received 4 Padres tickets, a 3 night trip to Las Vegas, and 2 winery taste testings.  We immediately left the resort and headed right for the vineyard. 

What a great day! We're so spoiled to live such an adventurous life, where we have the liberty of doing things so spur of the moment. I'm happy that we are taking advantage of this time off from work, to explore the area where we live. There are so many things that we should have done in VA, FL, and MS, that we just never got around to doing. California is getting off to a great start!

Home Sweet Home

After only one day of searching for a home, Jesse and I struck gold. With the help from a real estate agent, we were able to sign a lease on a great house in Santee, CA. For some reason, people seem to think Santee wasn't a great choice but we love it! We're 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, 15 minutes from the beach, and 15 minutes from base. Santee is a great town with tons of unique restaurants, shops, 3 parks (all dog friendly), lakes, major grocery stores, hiking trails within walking distance from our house, and we even have a trolley stop!

The new house is a work in progress. I'm struggling to finish unpacking, knowing that in 12 very short months, we'll be packing up again. I haven't hung any of the paintings or pictures, we no longer have curtains, and the guest room is still in shambles. Perhaps if we get visitors, I'll finish unpacking. It's interesting how with every move I care less and less about the safety of our belongings. I specifically remember during the first move how I carefully wrapped every last glass and created itemized labels for each box. Round 4 and our 'crap' was literally thrown into boxes that were taped shut as I was sitting on them. Ah well.

Santee Trolley 

Mission Trails Park (in our backyard!)

Derby's new favorite spot

Mission Trails Park

Mission Trails Park

Mission Trails Park

Mission Trails Park

Derby's new hangout

Heads Carolina, Tails California

California it is! Shortly after Jesse received his soft wings, he selected the F-18 Hornets platform. We will be spending the next year in sunny San Diego at MCAS Miramar, and then the next 3 years (yikes!) in JAPAN at MCAS Iwakuni.

Jesse and I prefer (yes we're crazy) to DITY move (Do IT Yourself). You get paid per pound, and the farther you have to travel, the more you get paid per pound. It turns out it was a great thing that we prefer to DITY, because the wait to have the military move us was 5 weeks, and we only had one week to get to California. It was a cool 1845 miles from Meridian, MS to San Diego, CA; a true testament to the strength of our relationship. ha.

My last day of work at Hope Village was on a Friday. With help from our friends, the Harrisons, we loaded up the largest moving truck Penske offers, cleaned the house, crashed for the night, and hit the road bright and early Saturday morning, July 7th 2012.

Thank you Travis and Meredith! 

Helping people pack up their house=true friendship

Derby made a fort in the backseat, complete with her blankies and favorite things. Go America!

On the road! Jesse was a champ driving this thing. He says he learned 'trucker code'. 

Derby is an excellent riding buddy. Weeee!!

If you have ever driven cross country, then you understand what an incredibly boring drive it can be at times. This is somewhere approximately in the middle of nowhere.

Somewhere else in the middle of nowhere.

So. Much. Sand. 

So close!

We eventually made it to California before dark, on Sunday evening, July 8th 2012.  Because we only had a week to get to California, we did not have a house lined up yet. Fortunately, Brett and Sarena were kind enough to let us crash with them for a few days while we secured a house. 

Jesse and Derby were right at home

Derby says she can get used to this. 

More to come from sunny San Diego!

We're Engaged!

EEEKKK!!
Who thought it might never happen?

Jesse could not have picked a more perfect day than July 4th to propose. I have to admit I was a little bummed when the winging celebration was over, our family was heading back north, and he still hadn't popped the question. I thought for sure it would happen with everyone in Mississippi, but now I'm glad it didn't. I'm happy that I got a proposal that really took me off guard; I was not expecting this.
We are moving to California tomorrow, so we spent all morning yesterday packing up the house. Moving does not bring out the best in me. Fortunately, I kept my attitude in check yesterday! After about three hours of packing, Jesse decided we should go run a few errands to get things for the holiday BBQ with friends. He was acting a little bit peculiar. First I saw a hat that I felt like I really needed to have, and he said "let's get it!", then I noticed that the store had my favorite beer, and he said "let's get it!". Sounds silly, I  know, but it was slightly out of character. We got home and I looked like an absolute disaster from all the packing. Jesse said he was going to take a shower before we left for the BBQ, then he yelled down the hall that he thought he left his wallet in the car, and could I go grab it for him. This particular occurrence happens all. the. time., so I didn't think anything about it. When I went out to the car, there was a ring box sitting on the front seat, but it was empty. I had no idea what was going on. It seems pretty obvious now but I was just so surprised! I went back inside, and when I walked through the door Jesse was on one knee with the ring in his hand. He said, "Anna, I love you, and.........will you marry me!?"

Soft Wings

June 21, 2012. I should have written about this day while it was fresh in my mind. At approximately 11:30 in the afternoon, Jesse completed his final flight in the T-45 training jet. Three long years of flight school came to an end as he touched down one last time. I can't really remember the last time I felt taht excited and overwhelmed all at once. His entire military career has been spent training to do something, and in a split second, it was all over. I had the privilege of being on the flight line as he landed, fire hose in hand, to spray him down in traditional fashion. IP Doc Phil handed me a fresh name patch complete with golden wings to slap onto Jesse's flight suit. To say I was proud seems like an understatement. So much hard work and dedication finally paid off. Next stop, official wings of gold!