This is hard!

Dear blog,
I forgot you. I'm sorry.

If anyone still reads this, I will do my absolute best to update you on the past few months (wow, it really has been multiple months!!!). Time started to fly by like everyone said it would. It became much less painful to live without Brian. I made new friends, found new hobbies, and immersed myself in work-related projects!

September 5: Anna Elizabeth Becknell was born!
I had the AMAZING privilege to help deliver miss Anna and it was something I will never forget. I was supposed to be the photographer but got roped into helping. It was totally awesome! Here are some pictures from that incredible event...

September 7: Labor Day Giveaway at Chick-fil-A
The store looked awesome! Just see for yourself. I have enjoyed our promotions over the past few months.






September 21-24: UMD Conference at Chick-fil-A Corporate
This was such a blast!!! It was hard being away from work for a week but I learned so much and came back with LOADS of ideas! I also got to meet Truett Cathy. Now I'm official!

My roomie, Lauren, and I at the Original Dwarf House

I fit right in!

We made it!

With Mr. Cathy himself!

Trying the new spicey chicken sandwich - it will be out next summer!

September 29: Raving Fans Appreciation Dinner
We hosted an Appreciation Dinner for our "regulars" at the store. We had an overwhelming response of over 65 people attending that night. Not to mention, it was a school Spirit Night so the store was PACKED. All my doing, haha. Everyone thought I was crazy! I challenged all of our regular customers to distribute as many coupons throughout the month of October as they could. Our coupon redemption doubled! The prize: 2 tickets to the Redskins v. Cowboys game in Washington on the 27th of December. People took it very seriously and a good friend, Mike, one of the coaches from Virginia Wesleyan won. Brian and I were hoping to join him at the game but it looks like Brian's schedule won't work out :-( Here's Mike with his prize!

October (all month): Another fun promo at Chick-fil-A.
Like my pumpkins? :-)


October 8-13: A Short Trip to Texas and the Rettes 50th Reunion
As excited as I was for an excuse to go home for a few days, I wish I had just done that: gone home for a few days! The Rette Reunion was disappointing. Only 1 of my classmates showed up :-( We made the best of it though and it was nice to catch up with some of the other girls I was on the team with. I also enjoyed being 'taken care of' a few days by family :-) Here are the few pics I took while I was there...




October (all month): Soccer season
Through our partnership with Chick-fil-A, I got to know all of the soccer coaches at Virginia Wesleyan pretty well. I got into soccer season and it's still going! Both teams made it to the NCAA tournament so I will try to keep you posted on their progress. Their friendship has come to mean a lot, especially when I got into a bind...

October 17: Gabe's b-day
Adam got home from deployment and we all celebrated at Gabe's 3rd b-day party!

Gabe and Panda are buddies!

October 19: I got a flat tire
Thanks to those wonderful friends at Virginia Wesleyan, they fixed me right up! :-)

October 22: Someone broke into my house
We don't really have anything cool so they didn't take anything. I found out via the FedEx lady who was dropping off those prize tickets. She basically told me that someone had been in my house the day prior around lunch. I didn't think that my door felt locked but suspicions weren't confirmed until I spoke with her. I stayed with Adam and Liz for a few days and had the locks re-keyed. It was scary.

October 24: SOSA Oktoberfest
Liz and I planned this whole ordeal and it was quite a bust. Those that attended had fun but we definitely put ourselves in the hole, darn!



October 30&31: I took the cow out for halloween :-)
I had a lot of fun playing with the kids

November 3-8: I had the flu
It knocked me on my butt! I was in bed for days! I don't really recommend it


Now Brian is in port for a few days and I can't believe how soon he comes home! I'm having a bit of a panic attack thinking about all that I have left to do before he gets here! I know it will be great to have him home and I can't wait to see him but please be in prayer for us as we transition back into being a 'couple'. I'm pretty independent ;-) We love you! Thanks for catching up!

Panda

Panda. Panda Bear. Sugar Bear. Sugar Booger Bear. Booger Bear. Sugar. Boog. Mess. Silly Girl. Mutt. Lazy Mutt. Crazy Dog. Goober Dog. Cutie Pie. Cutie Patootie. Silly Willy. Sweet Girl. My Girl. Fatty. Chunk. Baby Doll. Sweet Baby. Sweet Puppy. Sweet Puppy Dog. Kissy Missy.

It's a good thing she doesn't really speak English.

Short and... Sweet?

Have I told you that I miss my husband? Well, I do. Even though he is in port, (and he has posted pictures on the photobucket account) it's torture without him here. I cry every time we have to say goodbye. I just don't think it will ever get easier. Ok, enough wallowing, I actually do have a few things to report.

Brian and I celebrated our 4th anniversary on August 6. I can't believe it. In many ways, I feel like it happened yesterday. In other ways, I don't remember what life was like without him and it feels like we've spent a lifetime together in marriage. Either way, it's bliss and I'm blessed! My wonderful hubby sent me a beautiful bouquet of 2 dozen roses, see?


I had guests! Amy took a spontaneous trip up here to spend several days with me. It was quite an adventure! It was so much fun to spend time with her, Abi, and Wyatt. I can't believe how much they've grown up in the year since we've been gone! I was even more surprised when Melissa decided to come as well! I had a house-full and we managed well with 2 bedrooms with working A/C units, the living room, and one bathroom. I made me feel a lot more comfortable about the condition of our house. Speaking of, check out the photobucket account (e-mail me for the password) to see updated pictures of the house. Here are a few pictures from my week with visitors...

Wyatt loved Panda!

Wyatt had a dirty bottom...in more ways than one! :-)

She is a cookie monster!

Abi, Melissa, and Little Lou

My SC friends, Melissa and Amy

All of us on a beack bike!

Lastly, Gabby and Grace came over last night to help me create some baby shower treats. They turned out great! We are quite the cooks!


Deployment is hard for both of us and we are so thankful for you support and prayer throughout this time. Don't forget to send Brian e-mails and post pictures for him. He needs little reminders that he is greatly missed. We love you!