Bling Bling!

My Anniversary gift from Duane, a diamond wedding band. Thanks Honey, Happy Anniversary! I love you!

Vacation in Dubai!!!

Well, I am back from a 5 day vacation to Dubai to see Duane, I don't know where to start as it was the best trip I have ever made and we had alot of fun!!!! I travelled with a few of the other Wives to go see our Guys who went there for a port call. It truly was an adventure to go all the way across the world on a 15 hour flight but definently worth it!!!! I am still recovering from Jet-lag which should explain why I didn't post any photos or posts 2 days ago when I got home. Its been awhile since I have been overseas so its taking awhile to get re-adjusted to the time zone here...
So here is a brief summary of what we did in Dubai. Us wives flew there a day early so we could have a day to sleep and recover from a long flight before the Guys pulled into port, smart decision as we were WIPED OUT the first day there. We got in at nite ate dinner, showered and headed to bed, we all woke up bright and early at 5a.m. so we all went to the gym (Since we had been sitting for hours the day before on the plane) and then went to the Breakfast Buffet. The food at the hotel was similar to the food here except the Eggs were bright orange (Why I don't know) and they don't fully cook them there, they also had omeletes with Lentils inside which was a real shocker to me when I took my first bite. Other then that though the breakfast bar was your usual toast, Fruit, cereal, juice and so on..We then went and spent the day at the pool laying out and catching a few rays/tan, its VERY HOT there, by noon it was already too hot to lay on a chair we had to all submerge in the pool to stay cool...The Hotels are all right on the beach and the beach is the most gorgeous cleaniest beach I have ever seen, beats Hawaii which was a surprise to me. The sand is white and the ocean is clear and blue and the water is WARM, at least 90 degrees not too terribly refreshing but nice anyway!
The next day the guys came to pick us up, I can't tell you how good it was to see Duane, I ran up to him and gave him a hug and didn't want to let go..Afterwords we all went our ways to our different resorts...Duane and I stayed at the "One and Only Royal Mirage", its the best hotel and best service I have ever had at a resort. Its decor' was similar to the Movie "Aladdin" with the domes and swirly awnings which you will see in the photos. Its also right on the beach so we spent our days laying on the beach, swimming in the ocean and pool and just relaxing. My birthday was one of the days we were there and without mentioning anything to the Hotel about it, they had already sent us a cake to our Room saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY on it. That day we went to the "Wild Wadi" water park which is something I really wanted to do for my birthday. It was alot of fun, seems like the Whole ship had the same idea as we kept running into guys Duane works with. The rides were great, a bit confusing to figure out where they begin but once we did and made it thru the line it was great fun!!!! That nite Duane took me to dinner at The Hotel restaurant on the beach, it was breathtaking, we celebrated my birthday and our anniversary which is a few days later which we wouldn't be together for. We toasted with champagne and had a 3 course Meal, the service was wonderful and the food was delicious! We find out at the end of dinner when it was time to pay the bill that they took care of it, all they charged us for was for the champagne cause it was my birthday..We were very pleasantly surprised, they sure know how to celebrate birthdays!!! We then went to their Roof top Bar which overlooked the resort and the ocean and sat there sipping champagne..it was by far the best birthday I have had! Thanks Honey!!!! The whole trip was like a dream I couldn't believe I was with Duane and in Dubai!
On our last day there we went to the "Gold Souk" which is a Long row of shops downtown with Gold, every type, size, and color of gold jewelry and trinkets, very impressive and beautiful. They sell it there by the gram and its all real. They of course also have the guys that come up to you to ask if you want a Imitation Rolex to which we declined. We looked for a bit then went in to a store and Duane got me a Diamond Wedding band to go with my Wedding ring, its Stunning to say the least and I was very surprised, he got it as an anniversary gift. I included a photo of it, its GORGEOUS and was unexpected. Thank you Baby your the best I love you!!!!
That nite we said our Good byes at the airport which was bitter sweet, it was SOOO nice to see Duane after 41/2 months and I wanted him to get on the flight with me home, but at the same time we knew that it wouldn't be much longer till he comes home.
The flight back was long and eventful, I had a stopover in Gatwick London and on the desent we had a"Crash Landing"...For some reason of which I dont' know we landed with the Front Wheels of the Aircraft touching down first, I am not sure if the landing gear in the back didn't drop down or what but it was a perfectly clear sunny day, no reason for us to hit the ground front first and Hard everyone flung forward and you could hear the bags in the Compartments above shift and stuff break..The airplane then spun in circles a few times and I was scared, I never prayed so hard in my entire life for God to protect all of us and all the other passengers let out screams of "Bloddy S***" and other "Choice words",(3/4ths of the flight were British) I thot we were going to either spin onto the Grassy area of the runway or collide with another plane that was taxing or taking off or landing but by a miracle of God the Pilot got control of the plane and we taxied up to the gate...Everyone was in shock to say the least...and the Flight crew didn't mention why it happend, all they said on the Loud speaker was "We apologize for the abrupt crash landing, welcome to gatwick international airport, for those of you who live here Welcome home" and so on...I had a connecting flight to catch so I didn't have the time to ask what happend but I am sure others did as EVERYONE was talking about it as we were getting off the plane. Thanks to all those of you who prayed for my trip!!!
With the exception of the incident above the Trip was great and I want to Thank My Mom and Dad for Taking care of Trei so I could go see Duane, I do appreciate it! Thanks Duane for making my birthday and our Anniversary the best one ever. I love you and can't wait for you to come home!!!!Be safe Flying Honey!

Duane and I at the restaurant we ate at on my Birthday, it was right on the beach as you can see with the sun setting, very romantic and nice. We celebrated our anniversary the same nite as its a few days later and we wouldn't be together! 

Duane in his nice Suit. 

Duane and I on my Birthday. 

Me on my Birthday waiting at the restaurant! 

Duane and I. 

Duane and I in front of the Hotel... 

Duane and I in front of the Hotel Lobby! 

Duane saying Whats up??? 

Duane and I at the Change of command Dinner in Dubai. As you can see it was at a mexican Restaurant! 

Me, Rachel and Jen, the wives and Girlfriend of the guys. We all travelled together to meet up with them... 

Photo during the day, check out how clean and white the sand is and how clear the beach is. The water was about 90 degrees. 

Look how close the Beach is to the hotel. 

Scenic photo at the hotel. 

Hotel Lobby at the "One and Only Royal Mirage resort" where we stayed, sooo gorgeous! 

Chess Corner at the hotel, I mainly took this photo for my Brother Mike, I know he loves playing chess and these were life size pieces people were playing the game with them, pretty cool! 

Eating and smoking area...I can't remember what they are called but in the back you can see their Smoke Pipe Thingies. 

Pool Time!

Splashing and having soooo much fun!!!!

Cooling off on a hot Day! 

Trei and his Cousin Emmer playing in the pool. 

Passport Adventures

Last week I opened up my passport to find that it was Still in My Maiden name and I of course booked my Airline ticket to go see Duane in my Married name..I am an idiot I know, Well actually I changed all my other Id's to my married name but forgot my passport as I never use it anymore..all that to say I Freaked out when I saw that it was still in my Maiden name as it was less then 2 weeks till I leave and couldn't leave the country without it ammended...the closest Passport agency is in Houston so I decided my only chance at getting it in time is to drive there and get it done and just pray its done in time...so Yesterday Morning I got up at 3:30a.m. and made the 41/2 hour drive to Houston, I have never done that Dallas-Houston Drive so I was a bit Nervous about getting there in time, thankfully I made it 1/2 hour early for my appt and the agent behind the counter was very understanding and had it ready in 2 hours. I was very relieved...while I was waiting for it I started talking to this guy who was waiting for his passport to be renewed, he told me he had a flight to catch to Madrid at 1p.m. (It was 10a.m. when he said this) and he realized the nite before that his Passport was expired so he got up and went to the Passport agency and begged to get in without an appt...guess someone felt his pain and let him in...And amazingly enough he got his passport in time to go catch his flight...NOW THAT IS CUTTING IT CLOSE..
Anyway on drive back to Dallas about 20 miles from our house I got pulled over by a cop, the last thing I needed yesterday, anyway he came up and said in a strong Texan accent "Ya'all know you were speeding?" I said "um not really" he said "Yea you were going 2 miles over the speed limit", I looked at him and as Tired as I was I thot for sure he must have said 20 miles over not 2 so I said "20 Miles???" I wasn't going 80 he said "No the speed limit is 60 you were going 62 " as he showed me his Speed Gun tracker..I said "are you serious, are you gonna give me a warning?" he said "No, maybe in California they don't give you a ticket for 2 miles over, but here in Texas we have a No Tolerance for speeding law". I of course was shocked and said okay, and apologized and then started laughing a bit as I was sooo tired and thot to myself "what luck I have getting pulled over for "Speeding 2 miles over the speed limit", of course everyone else was going 5-10 miles over the limit thats the way everyone drives...but I guess if they want to they will pull you over even for 2 miles over the speed limit, at least in Texas so all that to say, watch out here in the Lonestar state if you are driving, they ain't kidding when they say "Don't mess with Texas!!!"...so that was the end to my looooonnnng day!!!!

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day Mom, I love you and want to thank you for everything you have done for me over the years, being a Mother myself now I am realizing what a sacrifice and selfless act of love being a Mother really is! So here is to you Mom!!! I hope and pray that I am as good of a Mother as you are to me!

I had a real special Mothers Day this year, Duane called me from the Ship to wish me a Happy Mothers day and sent me a Spa Package Certificate to a spa nearby, something I have wanted to do for awhile now. I sure wasn't expecting it so when I received it I was definetly surprised and deeply touched!!! Thank you so much Honey for thinking of me!!! I Love and Miss you alot!!! You definetly made my day!!!

My Dad and Mom also got me a Balloon that said "Happy Mothers Day" and some Orchids, thansk Mom and Dad!!!

Wacky News

I always like to read the section in the News paper called "Wacky and bizarre news" here is one I thot was pretty funny I thot to share with you all...

"Did you know??? On April 7th, a 48 year old man drove to the department of Vehicles in Anchorage Alaska, Bumped into a wall of the building, backed up, parked, walked inside nonchalantly, and got his drivers license renewed?
Although workers in the accounting offices of the building were shaken up (One thot an earthquake had hit), no one inside knew exactly what had happend until police arrived. The driver failed a coordination test and was charged with a "DUI" based on a prescription medication he was taking".

....Only in Alaska I tell ya...

Lets Play Football!!!! 

I got it, what a catch! Daddy would be PROUD!!!! 

Recent Tragedy

First of all I want to express my condolences to the families and loved ones who lost their Daddies, Husbands and Sons aboard the 2 Marine F-18 Jets. My deepest prayers and concern go out to all of you during this tough time.

I am sure many of you heard of the recent tragedy that occured less then 36 hours ago--2 Marine F-18 Jets from the USS Carl Vinson had a Mid-air Collision of which neither of the two Pilots survived. Upon hearing the news myself thru a friend I thot perhaps Duane had been in one of the Jets that collided as the event had just happend and the "Media" had not reported what type of aircraft it was. I was at a loss for words, my stomach was in Knots and all I could do was cry and pray, not only for Duane but for all the Guys on the USS CARL VINSON...Its a feeling I can't describe when you are unsure if your loved one was among the tragedy. While I found out a few hours later that it wasn't Duane aboard the Jets, I was relieved to a certain extent, but still feel deep sorrow and pain for those who lost their loved ones...Its like losing a loved one myself. The military is a "Small World" its like family, we all know personally or know of those involved in the tragedy. Speaking from a "Military Wife's" Perspective when the Men are deployed us Women Stick together and go thru the Tough days together as well as share the joyous occasions too (Birthday Parties with our kids, Homecomings etc..) we are all friends and feel like one big family. This tragedy affected ALL OF US in some way or other and made me personally realize that life is short, and put life into perspective for me.
My thoughts, prayers, love and concern extend to all of our husbands and boyfriends and the entire USS Carl Vinson. I would like to ask that each of you say a prayer for the Families of those involved in this tragedy, and like to ask for your continued prayer for the safety and protection for all those that are still aboard the USS CARL VINSON during the rest of their deployment.

Update on Trei

Trei had said his first two words at 9 months "Mama" and "dada" and of course every babies favorite "babababababa" which is more of a sound then a word that can go on for hours and hours..Anyway now he is saying a few more that I thot to share with you for all those who are interested in Trei's Progress..ha ha!
His new words are "Daddy","Ball" "Up", "Bob" for Bob the Builder and I think "Juice" or something that sounds pretty close to it when he is asking for his sippy cup of Juice..He also understands ALOT of what I ask him to do which is real nice...he still LOVES reading books and his favorite is a book of his that has Bible Verses for Kids with Colorful drawings, he loves for me to read it to him and when I get tired he will keep flipping thru the pages. His favorite Kids Shows are "Bob the Builder", "Blues Clues", "The Wiggles" and he most recently started liking "Cherub Wings"...Other then that he is doing real well, his ear infections are Gone, and he is back to his normal Happy self.

Biker Boys...

Best Buds, Emmer and Trei.

I just love this photo I think its hillarious the different faces they are making.. 

Uncle Darren and the boys, Trei, Evan, and Emmer.