Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! May the Lord provide ample blessings throughout this holiday season!

God Bless!

We bought a car!

 After about 6 months of purchasing and pondering which car to buy... I finally made a purchase yesterday. Cody and I had a little time to kill after dropping Elysia off at the airport so we decided to head to the Kia dealership. They actually had the model we wanted in a color we didn't oppose (black). Heeding my father's advice, I bargained them down to a number I was 'comfortable' with. I made Cody drive it off the lot and through Omaha. Here are some pictures: 

Signing away a LOT of money :S and our first big purchase aside from our wedding bands!

Old vs. New, just before driving away

Ready to drive away! (Cody was much less nervous than I was- later we discovered how to lower the driver's seat so his head wouldn't be so close to the roof... Much better, huh, Cody? :)

And parked back home- 2011 Kia Sportage with AWD

We also headed to Nebraska Furniture Mart there in Omaha to see if they had any living room sets we liked. We actually found one we both liked, so hopefully I'll be able to go pick the exact set out in January so the Air Force can move it up to Alaska for us. It was actually Cody's first time in NFM, and boy was he impressed. He said he would gladly go with Dad or Ethan at ANY time in the future... (they even have a Burger King! gasp!)

Commissioning

Friday afternoon brought the Det 465 commissioning ceremony. The event went quite well, no hitches or hiccups. So I am unofficially a second lieutenant in Air Force (I'll officially commission after passing boards). Here are a few pictures from the event and afterwards:

Maj (Ret) Ben Berck administering my oath

My pinners... further pictures show that Cody did in fact finished pinning my cover before anyone else was through... way to go Cody!

The only 'good' picture my lovely sisters and I could manage

After the tears had disappeared, hehe. Thanks for coming!

The three amigos... one of them is different than the other...

Thanks to everyone who played a role in my commissioning and time in ROTC (I wouldn't have even been here without my mother's influence). It has been quite a journey, from Lincoln, to South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas, Poland and France. It has been a great experience and I look forward to starting the next chapter of my Air Force life. So very glad Cody, my parents, sisters and future in-laws were able to make it. It meant a great deal to have my support system there! Thanks again!

UNMC Graduation

Cody and I after my UNMC graduation

Kayla, me, Cody, Darci & Tim after graduation

Steph, me & Liz-- we made it girls!

Whew! The past week has been quite a blur. I will give credit to God's handiwork here, as all plans went great  (with the exception of the flights into Omaha).

All my hard work throughout college paid off, as I graduated with highest distinction (the medal) and as a member of Sigma Theta Tau (the purple and white cords). The ceremony was short, as there were only about 40 of us, so it wasn't quite as painful as a large university graduation. I was very grateful that my sisters and the Long family was able to make the trek for the Friday ceremony. (Thank you all for taking off work for the day/weekend!).

We were able to enjoy a laid back luncheon of homemade soup and rolls before heading back to commisisoning. 

Interview Time

Cody received some exciting news this week: the golf operations manager from the Anchorage Golf Club requested an interview with Cody after he returns from his trip out here. We ask for your thoughts and a little prayer on Monday the 27th.

Weather reports show freezing drizzle in Omaha tomorrow night... more prayers for safe travel for both Elysia and Cody!

I'm Graduating!

For those attending or just want to know, here are some details about the next week or so:

Wednesday 12/15/10: Last class period, receive cap and gowns, etc. Cody and Elysia fly into Omaha, then we'll drive on to Wayne.

Thursday 12/16/10: Cody and I meet with Fr. Beran, then we'll mosey on down to Lincoln

Friday 12/17/10: 0630 Commissioning paperwork, Graduation at 0930 (Doors open at 845- at UNL's Union), Graduation soup lunch, back to the Union around 1500 for Commissioning at 1600, and  lastly, post-commissioning reception at Spaghetti Works, pinochle after that...? perhaps.

Saturday 12/18/10: Dress appt at 1000, Joint Commissioning Ceremony at 1300, then Cody and I take off for Okoboji, then Christmas with Grandma and Poppy

Sunday 12/19/10: Christmas with the Long side, the drive back to Wayne for a mini-Christmas while Elysia's here, more pinochle here too.

Monday 12/20/10: Most likely taking Elysia to the airport in the morning, then Cody and I hoped to get our wedding bands sized and engraved and shop for furniture before he flies out in the afternoon

Whew... probably forgot something in all that; and of course, everything weather depending (except graduation and commissioning)

Finished with College!

I've officially completed every assessment, research project and clinical obligation for my undergraduate degree! I finished my last night on the Labor & Delivery unit at St. E's this week. A special thanks to Nicki... you were great! I learned so much, I probably won't even realize everything until I get back to the clinical setting. Thanks again!

Julie & Julie (another UNMC student), me, and Nicki

Now, it's on to my last class session next week, picking up Cody and Elysia from the airport, graduation and commissioning... 'formal' announcement with details to come...

Cody's Rite of Entrance

Cody made his commitment to continue with his pre-Catholic learning this weekend. His ceremony was held yesterday during church (to Cody's surprise, he had to stand in front of the congregation and everything). It worked out better to go with a sponsor from that area, so they matched him up with an instructor from the classes. He'll continue to have classes every Tuesday evening until he'll (hopefully) join the church at the Easter vigil Mass. Congrats, Cody!

Please keep him and I in your prayers as he gets closer to joining the church and we continue our marriage prep!

Update from Florida

I finally have a computer! Well, I have actually had it for a couple of weeks now so hopefully I can keep everyone a little more up to date on how life in Florida is. It was not easy to find the computer at such a great price. Emlyn and I were running all over town, back and forth from store to store. She finally got lucky at best buy and snagged the last one (with everything already installed)!

Work is going well. I am finally starting to remember all the members names, all 100 of them that ever stop in the golf shop.  We have another big weekend these next couple of days. It's the annual Member/Non-Resident Member weekend, which means long hours at the course and not much time to talk to Emlyn since she will be working nights for the next six days. I wouldn't consider it work however, since we get to play golf and enjoy cocktails and dinner. The weather down here has been amazing, 80 and sunny for the past couple of weeks(a high of 62 today though with a low of 40). I do love it but I also miss the snow, who knows, maybe I will get to see some snow down here...

Emlyn and I have been talking about me coming up to Alaska this May instead of in September
 and it seems as if the prayers have been answered. To make a sort of long story short, JT met the golf operations manager, Jeri, at the Anchorage Golf Course http://www.anchoragegolfcourse.com/golf/proto/anchoragegolfcourse/ when he was down here visiting and put in the good word for me. The position sounds like it would be a great opportunity and for the most part seems as if the job is mine if I want it. I have been talking with Jeri via E-mail and she is talking with the GM and they are puting together a compensation package! I will be posting more often now that I have a computer so I will keep everyone posted on the job hunt. Also, I can't seem to upload any photos this time...

Congratualtion Ethan and Tracy! I cant wait to meet Rory! I hope everything is well back north!