My Next Chapter in Life

In a couple previous posts, I eluded to some changes coming for me and feel like now is the time to share.  I graduated from school almost 3 years ago and felt like I was pretty comfortable with my job.  I enjoy adventure and challenge and was feeling like there was something missing in my life.  I needed something more.  After much thought and prayer I am confident in my decision.

I joined the Army Reserves.

I started talking with a healthcare recruiter back in October and immediately started the paperwork needed so I could have my application ready to go before the annual board in November.  Then, in the beginning of December I found out I had been selected as a med/surg nurse.  I officially commissioned in February as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps.  This weekend will be my first battle assembly with my unit.

Joining the military has been something I thought about, just not seriously, for most of my life.  Two of my uncles served in the Marines for 20+ years.  In high school my thinking was more along the lines of I am going to college so I can't join the military.  Then after college, the first time, I was newly married.  Plus teaching wasn't something I could pursue if I wanted to go into active service.  Reserves wasn't something I had really considered until the last year or so.  The more I looked into it and considered it though, the more interested I became.  I felt like if I didn't thoroughly purse this opportunity I would regret it later on.

I am excited but nervous.  Do I really know what I am getting myself into?  Not completely.  But I am ready for something new in my life and looking forward to all the varied experiences I will receive.  It will be a lot of work and won't always be easy but it is something I feel called to do.

Most of my family and friends now know that I have joined the reserves.  Many think it sounds interesting.  A few think it is a bad decision.  Most would never imagine this as something I would do.  I am someone with varied interests; often different interests than typically seen.  I know this will be a good fit for me.  Over time this will just become a part of who I am.  

So, that is the next chapter in my life.  What are your thoughts or experiences regarding the Army Reserves?

10 Things About Me

 Katie over at Bower Power wrote a post introducing herself to her readers and invited others to join in.  I thought it sounded like a great idea since I am a newer blogger and many won't know much about me. So, here goes...

1. My husband Rob and I have been married for over 11 years.  We were introduced by my sister and brother-in-law.  He and I are opposites in many ways, but it seems to work out pretty good for us generally.  

Our wedding day December 20, 2003

2. I love the Lord with all my heart and seek His will daily!

3. My first real job (babysitting doesn't count) was as a lifeguard at my college's pool.  It was a pretty quiet pool.  I was often on duty when the swim team practiced so I got to do my homework since they didn't really need a lifeguard.  Plus, it was pretty decent money for a college job.    

4. Ever since I graduated from high school I have wanted to move out of Michigan.  I love warmer weather and think I am a southern girl at heart.  But, moving isn't going to happen so I am settling for traveling as much as possible.  

5. I drive a Ford F250 diesel crew cab truck and I love it!!  A truck had been my dream vehicle since high school.  I have driven my truck for almost 10 years and can't imagine not driving a truck for my main vehicle.  I also owned a Grand Prix for a few years that I drove back and forth to school and work because of the better fuel mileage but missed my truck when driving the car.

Me and my truck right after we got it.

6. Even though I'm in my 30's I still eat way too much candy.  Some of my favorites are Swedish Fish, Airhead Bites, Mini Chewy Sweetarts, Reese's Pieces, and licorice.  But in reality there isn't too much candy that I don't like.

In my fridge right now.

7. I love to read.  Quite often I'm drawn to romance novels but I also read my fair share of Christian fiction and nonfiction.  I've been reading a lot of military nonfiction lately.

Books I currently have checked out from the library.

8. Although not a real popular sport around here, I have been in love with the rodeo since high school.  I love going to rodeos when they have them close enough to me.  Unfortunately, that means I typically only see 1 or 2 a year.  I even dreamed of working for the PBR when I was in college and will still watch it whenever I can on TV.  Someday I am going to make it to Vegas to watch the PBR or NFR finals.  I would love to try barrel racing someday as well.

I made sure we could see the college nation finals rodeo the year went
went on vacation to Montana and Wyoming. 

I also made sure we stopped to see the Cody Nite Rodeo that same vacation.
Good thing Rob doesn't mind watching rodeos too much.

9. I am quiet and shy by nature and don't talk a lot when in newer surroundings.  But, if I know you well and am comfortable I talk quite a bit.  

10.  I really don't like talking on the phone.  I don't know why but it has never been something I enjoyed.  I much prefer to email, text, or talk in person.

(Sorry for some grainy pictures.  I took pictures of pictures so the quality isn't great, but it works.)

So that is 10 things about me.  Now I want to learn more about you!  You can post and link up or just put them right in the comments.  

Farming Life

My husband took the week off to hopefully get all of his corn planted.  I thought I would ride with him a little bit this morning while he was discing one of the fields.  

Mornings like today make me enjoy living on a farm.  

Hope you're having a great Wednesday!!

Rural Rush

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!  I am excited to be done with work until next Wednesday!  Still trying to figure out what I am going to fill my week off with.  Any ideas?

This past Friday I ran the Rural Rush for a Cure 5k this past Friday.  It is a small 5k put on by my high school football team benefiting the American Cancer Society.  It started 15 years ago after a player lost his battle with cancer and has been an annual event ever since.  It takes place in farm country and is a mostly flat looped course.

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The weather was perfect, low 60's, sunny, and calm.  Plus I love evening races since I seem to feel most awake and energized at that time.  I started off strong and felt that I was doing good but I wasn't timing myself so I didn't know how fast I was running.  I had a great PR.  I finished in 26:09 and couldn't be happier.

I placed first in my age group again and even got a $10 gift card to a local running store.  These smaller races are great for boosting my confidence.  But, I am looking forward to a running in a couple larger events yet this summer.  Love how it feels to run with hundreds of other people also.  My goal of running a 5k in under 25 minutes is still a ways off but I'm determined to continue pushing myself to see what I can accomplish.  Any tips on running a faster 5k?

What fun things did you do this weekend?

Happy Memorial Day!

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day and enjoying the long weekend!  It's great to have time to celebrate and hopefully spend some time outside.  I am working today and also worked Saturday and Sunday but am looking forward to having the rest of the week off.  No matter what your plans are for today, make sure to stop and remember what we are really celebrating today.  Thank you to all who helped make America what it is today!

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I Did It

I just signed up and committed to my first ever half marathon!  Super excited but nervous at the same time.  

Duo at the Ledge is a small half marathon (just over 100 participants last year) that takes place on the 4th of July.  Seems like a great way to start the day, literally.  The race starts at 6:00 am but the excitement of the race should wake me enough since I am not usually a morning person.

Any training tips for running a half marathon?  I ran 10 miles yesterday so I know I can go the distance but I would love to finish and feel like I did well.  What's your favorite half marathon if you've ever run one?

May So Far

Wow. I can't believe it is already the 20th of May.  The month has flown by!  So what have I been up to the last couple weeks?  Let's see...

Two Saturday's ago I ran my first 10k ever.  The weather was in the low 60's but humid and misted on an off.  But overall I consider the race a great success.  I finished in just under 58 minutes and was able to place 3rd in the 30-39 year old female age group.  It was a rather hilly course but provided good scenery.  I forgot to take any pictures and don't want to pay for the official ones.  I have to get better at remembering the pictures.  Do you take pictures at races if you are by yourself?

Work has been keeping me busy.  That's nothing new though.  I am currently in a 4 day off stretch which I am really enjoying.  Resting up for this weekend.  I have to work Saturday, Sunday, and Monday so no exciting Memorial Day plans for me.  Oh well, they are predicting rain here anyways.

This past weekend Rob and I finally decided to stain our deck after talking about it for the 3 years we have lived here.  I now remember why I don't really like staining decks that much.  SPINDLES.  What a pain!  Still want to add a second coat to a couple parts but overall the transformation is awesome.  Such an improvement and well worth the many hours we spent pressure washing and staining.

Rob is getting ready to wash the deck.

Before pressure washing the deck off.

So much improvement after just the power washing.
Almost looks brand new or like it already has stain on it. 

Too shady but looks so much better.

I really like how the color turned out.

Now can we just get some consistently warm weather here so I can hang our hanging baskets to really make things look nice.  There was a freeze warning here last night and it was only in the 40's during the day.  But it could be worse, it could be snowing.

Currently I am watching my parents' dog Poppy while they are gone for a few days.  She's a pretty calm dog for the most part.  If only she liked my husband more.  She tends to bark at him whenever he comes or goes from the house.   Makes me miss having a dog, just not the dog hair.

Can you believe May is almost over?  Any exciting plans for this weekend or Memorial Day?