Bangor, Maine

Here is a picture of Eric, and one of some of his Unit taken at the Bangor International Airport. There are so many troops that go through there, a group of people started a website to honor and recognize all the soldiers. Eric said it was the coolest airport he'd ever been to. They had wifi, and they were handing out cell phones. Then from this group, guys came around taking pictures to post on their website. Below is a quote from their website:

"Bangor is frequently the last American soil our troops set foot on before going over seas and the first American soil our troops set foot on when returning to the United States. MAINETROOPGREETERS.COM was established as a domestic non-profit to provide a humble thank you to our troops for their sacrifices and those of their families. To date almost 900,000 troops have passed through Bangor making Mainetroopgreeters.com and American Legion Post 200 efforts formidable."

Pretty cool.

Eric Leaving for Deployment

Today was the day I had been dreading for some time now. I don't know how these women do it for 3 to 4 times longer than I have too. It is the life of a military wife, and I guess you get used to it. We had to arrive at the airport by 5:00 a.m. The plane was leaving at 7:00 a.m.

They were able to get special permission for us to go straight through to the gate, so that was really nice. I was able to linger clear until take-off.

Here is Eric checking his monster of a bag. It was big and huge, and so HEAVY! It is truly a good thing that they waive overweight baggage fees for the military.

Everyone kind of standing around. Waiting until each one was checked in and ready.

We had one of the guys take our picture while we had the chance. While I liked the picture, I was smiling a little too much considering the circumstances. Someone was joking with Eric though so I started laughing, and I was caught with a big cheesy grin.

Here is the group of them. Several of them went on the deployment to the same place last time too (almost exactly 6 years ago), so things will be fairly the same.

Time to stand in line and board.

Here he goes.

Here is the plane they are flying on. It was a Boeing 737.

Backing out.

Heading down the runway to turn around.

Back again.

Off they go!!!

Sorry for the play by play. I was a little camera happy, and knew my kids would love to see every detail.

Good luck sweetie! We will all miss you!

He Passed!!!!

My hubbie passed his 5th and final test for rank advancement yesterday!! I am so happy & proud of him. Those are some pretty tough tests, and I don't know anyone who loves taking tests. He has to wait until his Senior retires (should be after the first of the year), and then he will replace her as SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT!!!!

If any of you know Air Force, it is not an easy task to obtain this. This should all happen this fall/winter in between deployments, but he is now next up for sure!!! When it happens I am sure they will have an official "ceremony" type event. When they do, you can bet I will post those pics for sure, but the hard part is over!!!!

Way to go honey!!!

Quick Update!

Sorry, everyone! I am so behind on my blogging, but just trying to keep up with life.

Here is a quick update, with hopefully detailed posts to follow with some things later.

My St. George booth was fun, and a lot of work! The attendance was down, so sales weren't over the top, but we did well, and I got a really excited recruit, so it was worth it. She is pumped to begin her new Usborne adventure! We also got invited to the Tuacahn Summer Market, so once I can figure that into my schedule we may look into that. :-)

And the biggest thing over taking me at the moment is moving! By this time next week we hope to be settled back in Pleasant Grove. It has been so much work, and is quite the process, so it will be nice to get settled.
A big bummer about that is though, it just brings us closer to Eric's leave date. I don't think it's quite hit me yet that he's leaving. I hope we all survive.

We planned on moving a load over Memorial Day weekend, but the truck we were borrowing fell through, so we had to postpone things. Our landlords are also finishing up some painting and new carpet in the rental home, so they weren't quite ready for us even in the garage, so it worked out for the best that we wait. We are just anxious!

Monday, May 25th was Cade's 2 yr. birthday as well. We just had a cake and ice cream, and let him open several gifts. He needed new clothes desperately, so that was the bulk of it, along with some summer sandals, and of course a couple really cute books.

Next week will be even more crazy, and I don't know if I will have internet through the whole process, so until I do, you may not hear from me. Maybe in a couple weeks I can get back to normal.
Next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I have another Usborne booth in Lindon though, so I doubt it!

I have to admit, even with all the craziness, I'm loving every minute of it!

YAY for Summer!

Help Me Earn An Awesome Trip!!!

My Dream Vacation

This year my company Usborne Books & More is giving us the opportunity to earn an amazing trip. They are offering a 7 day cruise around Hawaii next April.

I would really love to earn this trip, not only to say that I achieved something this awesome, but because I have always wanted to go on a cruise, and I absolutely LOVE Hawaii!!

I am hoping for anyone's support to help me achieve this goal! If you ever need a birthday, graduation, Christmas, Easter, shower or any other holiday gift please think of me. I have a huge selection of books at my house and you can just come shop or I will even bring them to you. Or you could always shop my website at http://www.seeinsideusborne.com/ and click on my eShow at the top right corner. Your books will be delivered in just about a week right to your door.

Add my website http://www.seeinsideusborne.com/ to your blog, and make a special post on your blog about my site to help me advertise, and I'll send you a free book! (Please post if you have done this, so I know to get you your book!!) THANK YOU!

Also, if you would like to host a show or even just a catalog show please contact me and I would love to come and do a party for you.

And, if you or anyone you know would love a part-time job, full-time job, a chance to get out of the house, or make some extra play money I can always use some recruits.

If now is not a good time, then please keep me in mind in the future. Thanks for all your support and I hope you're having a great summer! And don't forget to tell your friends!

Holy Cow!

This past week I have been crazy busy with Usborne stuff! I was lucky enough to be invited to join the Holy Cow boutique in Pleasant Grove. Sales were awesome! Much more than I expected, since it was the Mother's Day boutique and I knew most shopper's wouldn't be looking for children's books.

However, our books are fabulous, so it doesn't surprise me. I also got invited back for the September show!!!

This week will be just as busy! I have a district meeting in Provo on Thursday with 17 Literacy Coordinators, wish me luck!!! Once that is over, that evening I am leaving for St. George to do a booth at the "What Women Want" expo on Friday & Saturday.

Business is booming, and what can I say...I Love It!

**In the process, I booked 2 more big events for summer! WAHOO!

Eight is Great!

Last Saturday our little Jaida was baptized. It was her special day! A new dress, new shoes, new scriptures engraved with her own name instead of mom's old ones. :) A very cute scripture case from Grandma and Grandpa Robison, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. What more could a girl want? Being 8 really is great! She was so excited and happy, and couldn't quit smiling the whole day.

She was baptized by her dad, and confirmed by her Grandpa Robison.

It has been kind of ironic, when we moved into Moroni, we moved into an old friend of mine's ward. We were best friends growing up, and it has been weird to end up here close to her in Moroni of all places. Anyway, she also has a daughter who is a couple months older than Jaida. It just so happened that they were able to get baptized on the same day.

Here is just Courtney and Jaida together. They were in the same class last year, and have become friends. I think it was fun for them to be baptized on the same day too.

Congratulations Jaida! We sure love you!

*As a side note, I do have to say, that yesterday at church the bishopric member who was conducting called Jaida up to the podium to announce her baptism. We were sitting all the way at the back. She did not even hesitate to make the LONG walk up to the front.
It was kind of crazy too, because if the primary is singing, she WILL NOT go up there. Ever since we have moved she is too shy to do anything. Well, not yesterday. I was so proud of her!!!

Flashback Friday!

In March of 2007 Eric had a training that he had to attend in California. It was a military training, and it was just him that had to go. He got special permission for me to go with him, and we drove. It was about 9 hours, but so much fun!!

We stayed in miltary housing. This is the outside hall on our floor.

The beautiful California trees!

An old Air Force building.

A old plane that was displayed on the base.

Here is Eric and I in our hotel room. Grandma & Grandpa Robison kept the kids, and it was a nice getaway for us. Even though it doesn't look it in this photo, I was 7 months pregnant. I laid around all day watching t.v. while he was in class. I was never officially put on bed rest, but this trip was very good for me!

Fun times!