Happy 237th Marine Corps!

Our first ball together '07

November 10th is the birthday of the Marine Corps.  Every year to celebrate, each unit has a Marine Corps Ball where the Marines wear their dress blues (my favorite uniform!) and their dates get to wear fancy ball gowns or tuxes.  I love this event because I am a sucker for a man in uniform, particularly my handsome Marine!  I never really thought I would have an excuse to get dressed up in a gown after senior prom but I have now been to six balls and it is something I look forward to every fall. 

TBS ball in '08

Back in 2007 J was enlisted in a reserve unit in Arizona. When we had been dating for about six months, he invited me to my first ball but as a guy he couldn't really give me any details about what to wear.  I asked if I was supposed to wear a gown or a cocktail dress and he looked at me like I was crazy and said "Just wear something that you look good in."  Not very helpful to a woman!  I ended up calling a friend whose then boyfriend now husband was also in the same reserve unit and she told me I definitely wanted a gown since dress blues are equivalent to a tuxedo.  We ended up having a great time and I was introduced to a lot of Marine Corps traditions.

2010

Every ball has a ceremony which includes a ceremonial birthday cake of which the first piece is given to the oldest Marine present who then hands it to the youngest Marine present to symbolize the passing of knowledge from experienced Marines to the new generation.  The ceremony also includes a video message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps and a guest speaker.  There is always a table set for one that nobody sits at that is in honor of those who have paid the ultimate price.  It is humbling and interesting every year.

2011

This year was the Marine Corps 237th birthday.  We got very lucky and had a great group of fun people sitting at our table.  J was in the ceremony so he had to wear his sword and call cadence.  We had a great time and I can't wait to go to our next one!

2012

Happy 237th Marines!

Starting a Blog!

So I have decided to start a blog because I want to document everything that is going on in our lives.  J and I live in sunny Southern California near Camp Pendleton where he is stationed.  J is a Captain in the Marine Corps and I am a licensed vocational nurse.  I have an awesome job working with children with disabilities in schools and the home care setting.  Currently I work with a sweet little guy with cerebral palsy who is a joy in my life.  We just moved from a condo to a house and I am loving every minute in the new place!  It has been amazing not to be attached to any of our neighbors and to have extra space. J is from Arizona and I am from Wyoming so our families are a little far away.  We miss our families but love every visit that we get with them.  We met in college at Arizona State University and got married shortly after graduation.  We have been married for a little over 4 years now.  I like to decorate, cook, read, and with the help of Pinterest, get crafty.  We lead a very blessed life! I look forward to using this blog to keep track of the things that we do on our journey through life :)