New pages in our book of life

I have been contemplating doing a blog for quite awhile now. Our lives are crazy-busy and there is always something going on. I figure that this way, everyone can stay 'in the loop' with our family. Speaking of 'in the loop' I should probably catch everyone up on what has been going on!

This past weekend we watched the 4th of July fireworks with some amazing new friends on base. The fireworks are not even close to what we see at Red, White and Boom; but they will suffice. It was still nice to see fireworks and be with my soldier. I was surrounded by my amazing and wonderful Army Family. There was a mix of people there; army wives with husbands and kids and even a pregnant wife with a deployed husband. It made me so thankful that God's plan for Ryan is to be here with me, at least for today.

I say 'today' because things in the Army change in a heartbeat. We have learned to live day by day and count our blessings along the way. It may be a rough life at times but we truly love it.

Update on my life: I am going to school full time to earn my second degree! I am going to have an Associates in Interpreting in American Sign Language as of January 2012. Now I know I am not the normal student, but I have loved the journey it has been. I finished my Bachelors in Communication at Ohio University in 3 1/2 years. I will be completing my Associates degree in a little less than 1 year. Ryan tells me I am on the fast track.  I have such a heart for Deaf people and can't wait to be an Interpreter.

Update on Ryan: Ryan works 12 hour days but still has not become a morning person like myself. I keep telling him the Army is going to make him one. Today he is playing with rockets. Yes, you read that right... and he is loving every minute of it too! He is doing great in the Army and our goal is that he will 'go airborne' before Christmas. For those of you that do not know military terms, bare with me... I forget how much we use these terms on a daily basis. Being 'airborne' would mean that he goes to school for 3 weeks in Georgia then come back to Fort Bragg and gets to jump out of planes. (That is the simplest explanation!) This has always been Ryan's dream, since he was little. Being airborne is a pretty sweet thing to be in the Army. It is very 'wanted' by all soldiers.

Update on Us: This week is 11 months that we have been married. HOLY COW!!! Neither of us can believe it has been that long. We made a trip to Gigi's Cupcakes in Raleigh to celebrate. Below is pictured 3 cupcakes we got. They are huge and so yummy!!!!! We enjoyed them and will be going back sometime.

I think that catches you up on The Brown Family... except for Sasha Bell of course. She is loving North Carolina but loves the air conditioning more. She does love her morning walks out before it gets super hot though. She turned 5 in May but we still consider her the best pup in the world! She will always be my "baby" no matter how old she gets! Dogs truly are man's (woman's) best friend!