K, so no pictures. Bummer

Well, the reason we don't have pictures is pretty dumb: the movers packed the camera. After seeing the camera prices at Walmart and Target, I think I'm becoming slightly more resigned to Mitch's firm "NO" to my request for another, especially since we had to get a new laptop for me to be able to do my online lessons while we're here. That was unexpected.

Mitchell will be leaving for a 5-day excursion to the field in a few minutes. Derek is asleep in his pack N play and will probably be waking up soon and needing to be fed. I, however, have decided to update my blog. If I don't do it now, I'll fall out of the habit.

The trip from Utah to Alabama was pretty much uneventful except for a hotel reservation mixup. Mitchell booked one hotel room through a third-person booking party (here's where I went "uh-oh") and forgot to change the hotel on our driving instructions we were putting together. Luckily, we were only a mile or two from where our reservations were. Lots of rain during the trip from Wyoming to Lincoln. That was fun, though.

We stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Wade in Tennessee for a couple days. We were able to attend the Nashville, TN temple while we were there and kept Grandpa Wade up late watching movies with us a couple nights. We found that he shares a love for NCIS with us. :) They also introduced us to Australia with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman (great movie!) and Avatar with Sigourney Weaver (also great!). We moved into our tiny hotel room (with our own kitchenette and our own bathroom - no sharing with other couples, thank heaven) and it's been working really well for us.

I'm excited to see how I fare on my own without Mitch. I've already learned to change the bucket in the dehumidifier (came with the room, awesome!), which is really heavy when full. I've also learned my way around the base to the BX, commissary and the gas station. I've made some friends and have a spouses' meeting tomorrow evening to discuss the spouse program here for ASBC students' spouses.

Wanna know a secret? I am SO not motivated to finish my psychology classes. I'm getting distracted by all the other super shiny things I want to do. Like getting my dog training certification. This is a minor certification but it opens the door for me to be able to get a higher certification that will let me put letters after my name. Cool, huh? It will also let me be able to administer the "Good Citizen" test to dogs.

Why is that important? Well.... personally, I think it's totally stupid that the bases limit dog owners to certain breeds. Pitbulls, dobermans, and rottweilers are prohibited because of "breed aggression." K, for one, that's stupid. Just because a high percentage of these kinds of dogs are used for aggressive activities or purposes does not mean the entire breed is automatically aggressive. Other breeds can have aggressive individuals, too. Enter the Good Citizen test, sponsored by the AKC. Basically, it's a piece of paper that says your dog has manners (basic obedience and lack of aggression) that are good enough to pass a 10-part test that evaluates how well they interact with people and other dogs. I'm going to try to petition the Air Force to only approve dogs to live on base based on whether or not they have a Good Citizen certificate rather than on their breed. We'll see how it goes.

Before I start that certification, though, I have to finish my psych classes. I'm aiming for August, but we'll see if I make it. December is the absolute latest I can graduate, but I will not wait that long.

That said, I'd better go do a lesson or two.

Visit to Tennessee

We had so much fun on our trip to Tennessee! We saw the house that Mitchell grew up in, stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Wade and went to Dollywood! We also had a great time going to a magic show and The Comedy Barn (cameras weren't allowed). Check these out!

David and Grandma Wade's Maltese, Chrissy relaxing on the back porch

Grandpa and Grandma Wade took us on a boat ride down the river that runs through Nashville. It was so neat to see all the massive houses that lined the banks. Lots of celebrities' houses, too.

Grandpa and Grandma Wade

Uncle Jared entertained Derek for us. Thanks Jared!

What a lovely couple!

David and Lanae

I thought this was a beautiful boat

Let's go duck hunting in this hunting blind!

BANG!!! Got one!!

Reba McIntire's mansion/ranch/home

Crazy Colton

Jeff and Tammy took us to Dollywood - a theme park founded by Dolly Parton. There were roller coasters, a HUGE bald eagle enclosure (Dollywood rescues and rehabilitates bald eagles) with at least twenty birds, a recreation of Dolly Parton's tiny cabin where she grew up, and lots and lots of trees! I loved it! So much cooler than Six Flags. 

Derek and Isaac pretended to be little owlets in a nest

What handsome boys!

Derek says, "Say what?!"

I sure do love my little man!

Smiling and a little sleepy

Not sure where he picked this up but his fat little fingers look so cute in his mouth!

Apparently, someone decided to recreate the Parthenon and park it near Nashville. Lest you think this trip was all about fun, we actually got some cultural education... while having fun! The accurate replica of the statue of Athena was amazing in person. One of the original seven wonders of the world, I'd only read about this statue. To see it in real life was so cool!!

Grandma Wade and Tammy in front of Athena and Nike (winged figure in Athena's hand)

Replica from the front pediment of the original Parthenon

Who knew Jeff could photo bomb?! HAHA!!

I wish I could have two of these griffins guarding my front door. It would have to be a big front door...

Look!  A walking Greek statue! ;)

Close-up of the recreation of the pediment

We attended Mitchell's old ward while we were in Morristown. The Heaths caused quite a stir when we all walked into the chapel. I was afraid the bishop was going to stop opening exercises just so we could introduce all the spouses and kids. It was great to finally meet some of the facebook friends who added me just because I married Mitchell. The ward was very welcoming. :)

David, one of Mitchell's best friends growing up