Hidden Treasures

Today I set up my hotmail account in a Windows live program that works like Outlook Express ( dont know if computers come with that program anymore). This program has helped me delete emails so much easier. Well I was working on emails most recent and decided to go and start from the beginning. To begin with I pretty much keep all emails, I dont know why I just dont delete them right away after I have read them. When I first got my hotmail account was right before we moved to Japan. The first 20 or so have been between Mark and I . I sit here reading them in amazement.

Here is some info to help understand. Mark and I have only been married a couple of months when we moved to Japan. We were in Jacksonville, and to say goodbye to everyone ( and to store Marks truck with his Grandparents) we decided to drive into LA , then have Marks Grandfather drive us into Houston ,TX to visit his sister. Well after we were all packed out Me , Mark and Gidget loaded into the truck to make our first stop to Pensacola, FL. Stationed in Pensacola at the time was Marks college roommate Auggie. I got to meet him along with his wife and handsome 5 month old baby boy Diego. What I remember from staying there was that Gidget tinkled on their couch because she got overexcited , and that sleeping on the floor wasnt as easy as it used to be. We also found out that Vanessa was expecting. I was so happy for them , and after seeing the baby wanted a baby of our own. Sitting there on their couch after they told us I turned to Mark and said "Baby, I want a baby." Marks reply " When God thinks were ready , then we'll have one."

( Mark and I goofing off as we are preparing for our roadtrip to Lafayette. Isnt that moustache ugly ?)

From there we went straight into Houma , Louisiana. We had planned only spend one night , but Paw Paw ( Marks Grandfather) had other plans.

( Aunt Nicole and Dave )

Ended up making a day trip to meet Marks rock star Aunt Nicole in Lafeyette, and I was able to meet her family. There were all so nice , and I remember thinking that Nicole was just way to cool of a person , like she could be in her late 20s. After spending the day there we made our way back into Houma. Before we got back though we stopped at one of the many casinos. Now Paw Paw makes this the thing to do and we had to stop. It was my first time in a casino.

( First time ever on a slot machine . Once we took the picture we were informed that it is illegal to take photos in the casino. I felt so sneaky.)

It was nice to have that experience but I dont think I would do it again. First I dont like losing money , second that place was FILLED with smoke! I seriously felt like I was going to die. Along with having an asthma attack , I wasnt feeling very good. Just before we left Jacksonville I felt as though I had the flu and could do nothing to feel better about it.

( I remember exactly how was feeling when Mark took this picture. BLOATED. I thought the Gumbo we had gotten from the casino had been bad. Turns out that I was just pregnant. Im wearing Marks shirt cause everything on mine seem so tight and I couldnt button my pants. I have no shame , lol)

Along with leaving Houma , we left Gidget behind with Marks Grandparents. Since Mark was filling in a hot fill billet we did not have the time to get all of her paperwork to have her shipped to Japan. She was left in amazing hands , and now still walks around the house like she is a little princess. Her attitude of being the only child is getting old.

Paw Paw drove us into Houston ,TX. We stayed with Marks sister and her Hubby Justin. They of course know how to have a good time.

We went out to eat , but also during the day .... well I dont remember. This is what I remember. I remember feeling like crap and realized that I was 8 days late... Mark had left me behind to go to the DMV to renew his license. I was bored and anxious so I took a run to a Walgreens I had seen down the street. I took 2 tests and yep I was pregnant. I cried and prayed , thanking God for such a blessing.

Then I told the Simon the cat. He was the only one there! Then Marks sister Ev called and I told her. Then I called my mom... Or did I wait till I told Mark ... I dont remember. Well I took a shower , while I was in the shower Mark came home, he came in and scared me and I pointed to the sink were the EPT were. He just stared at them , and I swear he was reading the directions to make sure he was understanding what he saw. " Great!" thats all he said , he was in a state of shock. He was very happy though.

We went straight to Barnes and Noble and bought a pregnancy book. Then had ourselves a mini celebration between the 2 of us at Cheesecake Factory. I got the first taste of my hate of food while pregnant while we were there. I remembered thinking that the Ceasar Salad was disgusting.

Then we fly out of Houston to Japan!

So you see all the excitment that happened just before we left?

Once we get to Tokyo we take the DOD bus into Yokosuka Naval Base. We stayed a night in a certain officers hotel , then got to check into the WONDERFUL NAVY LODGE ( it was terrible). First thing we found out about Japan is that it is just as hot and humid as Florida. Totally was not expecting that , then the A/C didnt work , and they were out of fans! We laid there , not even touching. So hot. Then the smell of Japan was making me so sick. Being pregnant ( at least in the first trimester) can do something else to your sense of smell. Then 3 days there , they fly Mark off to meet the ship. I dont see here for a month and a half.

I pulled through and was able to get us an apartment and a car. So back to the emails. They are full of all the emotions of both me being alone in Japan , to Marks emotions on being on a carrier. I find them funny now , but not so funny at the time they were sent. But also the love and support we expressed to each other, well it could make me cry.