Marriage Retreat

Back when Nathan was in Iraq, the brigade came out with a flier about a marriage retreat. It sounded pretty interesting and so I told Nathan we should go. When Nathan got home he told the Chaplin that we wanted to go, so we got signed up for a three day retreat to San Antonio. They changed the date on us two or three times but finally on Wednesday we headed down to the San Antonio Riverwalk for the retreat. The army took care of everything while we were down there. Our hotel, parking, and all meals were paid for, the only thing we had to do was drive down there. The first day all we had to do was check in and go to dinner at 1800 then a meeting from 1900-2000. Nathan had to go to PT in the morning but didn't have to go to work the rest of the day. We really enjoyed hanging out all day and having a nice leisurely drive down to San Antonio. When we checked into our hotel we were given a book, a packet of info, and I was given a beautiful red rose. Our room was the best we have ever had on the Riverwalk. It was on the third floor looking out over the river and we had a nice little balcony. After dinner and the class Nathan and I went out and had dessert on the Riverwalk and just talked. On Thursday we had breakfast and then three classes back to back and then went strait to lunch. When we finished lunch we had free time to practice what we learned in the sessions. Nathan and I spent it just hanging out, we went for a walk along the Riverwalk and then went swimming in the hotel pool to cool off, then we went back to our room and just relaxed until 1800 and dinner. Dinner was really nice, the food wasn't anything special but they did have a harpist playing for us while we dined. After dinner we had one more class until 2000, and then Nathan and I went for a walk to get dessert. We stopped to watch this guy play the bagpipes. Nathan and I were really impressed by the guy, every time we go to the Riverwalk he is up there playing at night. We didn't know all the songs he was playing but we knew a few and he was really friendly. After we watched him play we got some sherbet for dessert and then went back to our room. Today we had breakfast and then a debrief and we were released to go home. Nathan and I headed out around 1000 we stopped in Driftwood, TX at the Salt Lick for some yummy BBQ lunch. We have really enjoyed just spending time together hanging out. Nathan has been so busy lately we don't get much time to hang out just talking and doing nothing. It will be hard for me to see Nathan go back to work on Tuesday after 6 days of having him all to myself.

Captain Kroger

After three years of service Nathan has been promoted to the rank of Captain. We were actually pleasantly surprised to find out that he was being promoted so soon. After the list of people to be promoted came out we figured Nathan wouldn't be promoted until July or maybe August. Then early last week Nathan was told at work that he would be promoted on Thursday, which was then moved up to Tuesday. So, at 1100 today there was a ceremony in front of the Battalion headquarters and Nathan along with 8 or 9 other 1LT's were promoted. Last time Nathan was promoted I got to rip off the old rank and then put the new rank on and punch him. This time the Battalion Commander, LTC Brown, had that honor and I stood behind Nathan and pinned the new rank on his Stetson and then gave him a kiss. After everyone was pinned on the Colonel had them recite the oath of office again and gave a little speech. It is still crazy to see Nathan walking around with the captain bars on his chest but I am sure it will wear off eventually. Even though it seems crazy that he is a captain already, I know he has earned the respect and responsibility that goes along with the rank. I am so very proud of Nathan and all that he has done.

Cystic Fibrosis Auction and Dinner

Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you know about an awesome event that is happening on May 14th. If you live in the Bellevue, Wa area or if you think you might want to make a trip and attend this awesome event. This auction and dinner is in honor of my good friend Jolene who passed away almost four years ago from he life long struggle with Cystic Fibrosis. Her sister and family friends are putting this awesome event on and all proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I am not sure but I think that you could probably still get the $20 ticket price.