Holy moley.....I cannot believe its been over 6 months since I've blogged! Sorry to everyone who kept checking in. Lets just say it's been a whirlwind!
So to catch you up....
June 10th, 2011 Jake was hit in the face by shrapnel. LUCKILY it missed everything major...but a few inches to right and he wouldn't be alive today. Thank the Lord! He was promoted in Afghanistan on June 11th to Corporal! Long over due! His brother and Gunny surprised him at the FOB (forward operating base) to pin him. It was a special moment to be reunited with his brother after many months of separation.
You can see the wounds on his face...they ended up getting infected for a bit but are all healed now. The old ladies always try to wipe the "lipstick" off his face!
Then on July 18th we heard some bad news...Max stepped on a 25lbs IED. That's big. He had his right leg amputated through the knee. His left leg was in pieces but saved, barely, and causes him much pain. And his left hand was peppered by shrapnel, but was also saved and has gained most mobility back. He is now walking on a prosthetic, passed a driving test, goes on trips with the Wounded Warrior program, and is looking forward to many physical activities like skiing and biking.
The first day he walked again
We all saw him through the days in the hospital. His parents flew out and stayed for a few months. And we made the best of the situation. He moved into a house in San Diego and loves it!
Craziness came along with the second half of this year....but we made it through. It was tough in every way, stressful, but looking back we had some good times! We all thank God for the days we have together. Its been amazing experiencing the support from all of our friends, family, and even strangers throughout the past six months for both Max and Jake.
They are my HERO'S!
Both received many awards, including Purple Hearts.
Through it all you can see...they didn't loose their sense of humor!
Backing up a little bit...
Bad news hit a second time August....this deployment was tough on all of us...but not as tough as it was for Sgt. Robinson and Sgt. Gonzales' families. These two Marines were killed in action on August 7th, 2011. Both died fighting for our country, doing what they loved. Josh Robinson left behind a wife and two children, and a large AMAZING family. Adan Gonzales left behind a wife and three children, along with a huge AWESOME family. We had the pleasure of getting to know all these people in the following months....and we are so blessed to have them in our lives. We feel for them. The pain will live in all of us for the rest of our lives. All gave some...some gave all.
Some of the sniper platoon visiting the Gonzales'
And a picture with some of us with Josh Robinson's wife
You can see these two heroic men in this deployment video...along with the other 15 men who were killed from the 1st Batallion 5th Marines.
Shortly after the tragic news...on August 23rd I took a pregnancy test...and it came out POSITIVE! We had been trying for a long time...and finally our dreams and prayers came true!
This is from the day we found out....
I had gotten back to the weight I was when I got married: 125lbs! I worked hard along side my good friend Jenny while my husband was gone, to get back in shape for myself and for Jake!
Everyone jokes that we conceived the day he got back...but the doctor said it happened on August 7th...only God will know :) Our due date is May 2nd.
In October we celebrated the homecoming of the battalion and lots of our friends!
And my birthday came later in the month
November came upon us quickly. We spent lots of time with family, friends, and the dog. Within two weeks we went to Vegas for the 236th Marine Corps Ball
and to Phoenix for Thanksgiving! LOTS of my family live there and some were visiting from out of state as well. It was some of their first time meeting Jake! It only took 3 1/2 years! Haha
In December we were blessed with a trip to Florida to see all of Jake's family and mine.
Prior to our trip we attended a platoon party, which of course included guns (before the beer came out of course!)
The twins were greeted with the most INCREDIBLE homecoming I've ever seen! An out-pour of our local people came out to greet us at the airport! There was a 100+ motorcycle escort...fire trucks and police cars...big-wigs...and hundreds of strangers all came out to welcome the twins home. I could not be more blown away. It was a day that they deserved and will never forget!
We bounced around for two weeks trying to see everyone, do everything, and have fun. Most things were accomplished. It's hard to balance everything and not hurt feelings. Most couples know how this feels. But there were lots of good times and laughter celebrating Christmas and the New Year!
Christmas at Grandma Brennan's
Christmas at the Pechin's...looking at our new calendar that my mom makes for us every year!
This is Jake's famous "Underwear from Santa!" face
Christmas at the Gauthier's...their parents gave them new fishing poles!
We brought in the new year with some great friends and family! We played games...
We danced (of course!!!)....shot fire works...and toasted to the new year as the ball dropped!
We had a blast and are welcoming the new year in with much joy, prosperity, and happiness! We wish that for everyone around us as well! 2011 was a tough year. We were definitely ready to kiss it goodbye.
(Sorry for the not-so-many pictures of me...I tend to be the photographer most days.)
Oh...and did I mention the latest big news...??
Since the twins went back to California..I have stayed in FL. I'm working two jobs and enjoying being back in the same city as our families! Jake finished up his contract this month. He will be home (in FL) with me soon. Max is staying in California to continue therapy. And I am SOOOOO ready to have my husband back with me so we can start this new chapter of our lives!
California was a good chapter....even with the challenges, we made some good memories and grew stronger though our experiences. We learned how to survive a deployment, how to keep our real friends close, trust in faith and family to get us through to the next day, how to heal, and love each other more everyday. I think 2011 was a year of learning...lots of lessons learned...and we made it to the other side! We started 2012 year off right and we're looking forward to all that is to come!
Goodbye for now to lots of friends who have become extensions of our family...come visit us in Florida! You're all welcome here anytime. There are white beaches and pina coladas waiting for you!!
The Marine Corps was a great begining to our lives as a couple. We said in the begining, "If we make it through this, we can survive anything." And we were successful! The roller coaster of the Marines....I wouldnt wish it upon anyone...but it sure was good for us and I'm glad we did it! I love being married to a Marine! Goals were set and accomplished, love grew stronger and stronger, and life was flashed before our eyes many times. I am so thankful for everything, good and bad. I have watched my husband and myself grow up...(no offence to anyone) but I believe the military would make anyone grow up faster, that includes the spouse. To our SDP family and our SSP family....WE LOVE YOU!!
Thanks to everyone who stuck by us. We are forever grateful!!!!!!
