I think he kinda likes me

   Funny story about this hubby of mine. While Garrick was gone for his training I got to see another side of him, a more protective side. One night when he was able to call me we were talking for a few minutes when the call dropped. Thinking he lost service I laid down to wait until he called back but once I hit the pillow I was asleep. I have a gift of falling asleep within minutes, seconds even! Well the next morning I woke up to 20 missed calls and 10 text messages! What the heck?!? I looked through the missed calls first and saw that the most recent 2 calls were from his friend Jesse. The other 18 had been from Garrick. Officially confused, I started reading through my messages. Apparently Garrick had gotten really worried about me since I wasn't picking up any of his phone calls. He was sure something had happened to me since we had JUST talked. So he called upon his best friend Jesse to drive to our apartment and check up on me (this was at 3am). Jesse then called me and texted me letting me know that he was outside the door checking up on me. And after seeing that the porch light,security light as Garrick likes to call it, was on Jesse called Garrick and let him know that all was well in the apartment. I then received another message from Garrick saying that he sent Jesse over since he was worried, but because the security light was on he knew I was okay, and he ended with saying that I'm never allowed to have my phone of silent again.

  What a guy right?! I thought this was the funniest and cutest thing, he was so worried! He called me that next night and told me how distraught he was that something had happened, he didn't sleep at all. Good to know that he's the protective type! Our daughters won't stand a chance with a daddy like that!

                                                              

Pioneer Day aka BYU holiday

Growing up in Iowa we acknowledged pioneer day but it was only celebrated maybe once or twice that I can remember in my childhood. So you can imagine my joy when I discovered that it is a real holiday here in Utah County, more so for BYU students who get to have the University shut down for a day! We started the morning by running in the first ever Temple to Temple 5k run. It was pretty cool to be a part of, we were among thousands of people who ran from the Provo temple to the new Provo Tabernacle temple. It was definitely a sight to see. During the run we were able to see lots of signs in the city saying what used to be there when the pioneers first settled, it was pretty neat. After successfully completing the run, we were hot and tired (I was ready for a nap) but unfortunately Garrick's work doesn't heed to this self proclaimed holiday and he had to go to work soon after the run. After work when I picked him up I was able to visit his work for the first time. Now all my curiosities in where he lives during the day have been answered. Once we left we went to his mom's house to celebrate the holiday with his family by eating yummy food and krispy kreme donuts (they have become my kryptonite). After stuffing our tummys we drove to the OWLs game where we sat in the grass, attempted to watch baseball (it was crowded and difficult to see), and finished the night with fireworks and Sonic shakes. I'd say it was a pretty successful holiday, I think I'll celebrate it again.

He's home!!!

My wonderful husband has returned and I couldn't be more happy! If there's one thing that I've learned from having him gone is that I am crazily in love with my hubby! Now I know that I can't live without him! Fingers crossed he never has to leave me for more than 2 weeks! So Friday they drove home from 29 Palms and they arrived on base early that evening; knowing that he was so close but so far killed me! I really wanted to go see him that night but he had told me beforehand Saturday would be the soonest I could. Then around 10pm Friday night he texted me saying to come by!! I was so incredibly excited, anxious, and even a little nervous (yes, he makes me nervous). I had to quickly make myself look good (obviously it has not been a priority the past two weeks) and then I booked it over to Camp Williams. I finally got there after way too much traffic for it being so late, I sat there in my car, impatiently for 20-30 min when he finally called me and told me where to meet him! I was surprised to see he was carrying all his gear with him, since he didn't get released until the next day. But he hugged me, kissed me, and told me to get in the car- he was coming home with me!! It all had to be done quickly and quietly because he wasn't exactly allowed to leave, but lucky for me I have a risk taking hubby! He had to be back at the base early the next day, the poor guy had to be back by 6am. Around 11:30 on Saturday he came back home to get me for the picnic which was for being held for all the families. So we ate yummy food catered by Goodrich BBQ (Garrick was more excited about that than I was), mingled with his buddies, and waited until 2 when he finally was released to go home! Now he's mine for the next 5 weeks until he has drill again...

This is Camp Williams (it's really an Army base but they claim a small corner of it)

This is Corporal Gaffney standing in front of his platoon. I'm so proud! Haha

So happy to be reunited! 

I made sure the house was clean and if my mother taught me anything it's to have a proper
welcome home sign! (we don't have tape-hence the chair holding it up)

                                                                  

Sister Bonding

One of the many incredible things about Garrick is that he serves in the Marine Corp Reserves. Throughout our courtship it never phased me, he'd leave for a day or two once a month which gave me time to spend with my roomies! But since being married it has been the hardest thing. Being newly weds, all we want to do is spend time with one another, needless to say I've become rather attached to my hubby. So it has been really hard for me to have him leave for days and weeks at a time. Luckily my sweet mother had the great idea of sending my little sister Kayla to keep me company while he's gone for two weeks.

Here's Garrick all ready to go. Those poor guys, they have been training in 120 degree weather!
I get dehydrated just thinking about it!

We were really excited to spend some much needed one on one time.  She was able to spend time on campus with Colby, Kelsi, and I. Basically we got her more stoked to come out here for school. We had a lot of fun watching The Office, making yummy food and going on girl dates. 

She was even here to spend Independence day with me! We started our day by attending the Grand Provo Parade (Provo goes all out for the 4th-who knew) People started camping out for their parade spot the day before! 

Please ignore our tired eyes, we didn't get much sleep all week. 

Here are some of our favorite numbers from the parade. Llamas? 

Everyone cheered for these guys!

I had to get UVU for Garrick, they were really well represented in the parade!

Then BYU of course, we were bummed we didn't see any tumbling or stunting.

Hot Air Balloons were another cool thing Provo does during the week of the 4th

We also had fun playing with Kasey and Emily at Uncle Kenneth's house. We really enjoyed  spending time with the family as well as each other. Overall, it was so much fun having her here. I'm so bummed to see her leave. Big thanks to Mom and Dad for sending her!