Where our heart is. . .

After months of long awaited anticipation, our graduation trip has come and gone in the blink of an eye, which means the time with our soldier, went by quick with it. Once I received the packet from his command with all of his graduation information in it, it finally felt real. Like I was going to get my husband back. Our tickets and our hotels were booked and our rental car ready.

Our travels all began early in the morning on January 27, 2015. Let's be honest, traveling with a baby is sure to stress anyone out, now pair that with someone like me, and I was a ball of emotions and worried how sweet baby A was going to do. We got to the airport at about 4:30 a.m with a baby who decided she didn't want to sleep on the way up there, through check in, or through security. We boarded the flight at about 5:45 only to wait on board for our flight to leave at 6:15. Once the flight took off, I started to feel better, and Adysin was an angel. She didn't sleep much the way there, nor did she want to sleep at our 3 hour layover in Colorado, but she didn't fuss. We arrived in St. Louis at about 2:00 P.M and shuttled to get our rental car. Now, if you drive with Adysin the first 6 months she was born, you know she wasn't a fan of cars. It started to get better, but that didn't make me any less worried knowing we had a 2 and a half hour car ride ahead of us. Low and behold, she was perfect. She fussed a little, but who wouldn't with traveling that long and not sleeping.

That next morning, I have never woke up in a better mood. I knew that within the next few hours I got to see my soldier and finally spend time with him. For breakfast, before we found our way on base, we went to a waffle house, and let's be honest, if you have ever been to one, they have the best customer service and food that there could be for breakfast. WELL, not this one. I was so sad! The worst part is, I was bragging to my in-laws that the service was awesome, and it wasn't, and the food was less than great. Not just that, in Missouri, if a place seats less than 50 people, it is not considered a public place and you can smoke in them. Being born and raised in Utah and having a daughter, I didn't even realize it would be any different. So, we ate our food quick and made our way out of there.

We made our way onto base a half hour early to ensure we weren't late, but we had no idea where we were suppose to go. Rookie mistake. The flyer I had didn't say where to go and I just typed in the address that was on Facebook. So that whole half hour, we ended up driving from one end of the base to the other, and finally found an MP to ask who led us where we needed to be. We left early, but were still late. Luckily, Dylan's platoon was the last to go so we didn't miss them. After that, I finally got to hug my soldier and meet all of his battle buddies, who made his time there just a little easier on him. We spent the day on base, eating, bowling and just enjoying each others company with our daughter and his parents. Only to have to see  him go at 7:50 PM so they could go back and prepare for the next days events.

The next day, Thursday January 29, we got up early and we actually knew where we were going so we wouldn't be late. The ceremony was nothing short of amazing. Seeing all of this hard work and time away from each other finally pay off. To see how proud Dylan looked of himself and how everyone around him felt. You could just feed off of the energy going around the room that day. Since Dylan graduated, we got an off post pass, but, if you have ever been to this part of Missouri there really is nothing to do. We went off and got something to eat, but just ended up right back on base to check out a museum and go bowling once again. Honestly, I can't complain. I got to spend all day with the people who mean most to me. That night, unfortunately, we had to let him go again, same time, same place. But this time, it was full of too many emotions. I had to say goodbye to my soldier for a third time in less than 6 months, and sweet Adysin had to say goodbye to her Daddy. Not to mention, we missed our 1 year anniversary by a day. So that's a bummer. 

I just want to end this post by saying how grateful I am to have had this opportunity to go out and see Dylan and to meet all of these amazing people who are all fighting for the same cause, our freedom. I am so blessed to be married to such a strong willed person, who despite all of the challenges that come with joining and leaving our little family so early into our marriage and into our daughters life, wants to come out on top and support us as much as he can. This is just one of our many adventures that are to come, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes us.
My heart rests in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (for now)

Our story...

Chances are, if you are on this page, you know who we are, so why start with introductions? Especially when we can start with something a little more interesting like, how we got to where we are today. As people, as a couple and as a family. It all started back at Maple Mountain High School. I was a sophomore at 15 and Dylan was a senior at 18. We both have different stories on when we met. He says we met at a football game sophomore year, and I swear we met through a mutual friend. Will we ever know what came first? Probably not. I also can't forget to mention the huge crush I had on him when I was in 7th grade. But from that first meeting, things kind of hit off. When it came down to it, before we starting dating, we went through some interesting things together. Like how I practically had to force him to go to a dance with me (well that's embarrassing)

(The dance I forced him to go with me to)

I officially became his girlfriend on May 06, 2012 and from there, I had a feeling that things were going to work out and that one day he would be my husband and boy am I glad I was right. That year, Dylan graduated high school and we knew that would put a strain on our relationship, but we made it through it. I graduated the year later as a junior in hopes of being a pediatrician, but little did I know how that career path really didn't interest me.

That September we found out that we were going to be expecting a little baby. These life changing things jump up on you when you least expect them. What I didn't know at the time is that, aside from marrying Dylan, this was going to be the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me.
On November 9th 2013 Dylan took me out on a date to do some of our favorite things. We went to Color Me Mine and then we went up to Bridal Veil Falls. Little did I know that once we got to the falls Dylan was going to do one of the most amazing things that would ever happen to me. Facing the sunset, Dylan got down on one knee and proposed. Needless to say, I cried and forgot to say yes until he asked me.

On January 30, 2014 I married my best friend. We were surrounded by friends and family and I wouldn't change a single thing for the world. That weekend we spend in Sunny California at Disneyland. How fun is that for a pregnant woman? Surprisingly great. I got to go on all the rides I never cared for before.

Now lets fast forward a little bit...
May 9, 2014 I started having contractions. Early that morning, about 1 AM my water broke and at that point, I knew that I would soon hold my sweet baby in my arms. Maybe an hour later, I got my epidural. (Dylan almost passed out.) and tried to sleep, but everyone knows that's nearly impossible in the hospital. At 8:55 AM May 10th came the fun and two hours later, our beautiful Adysin was born. From that moment forward my life changed for the better. I woke up every day understanding what was really important in life. I may not have all the money in the world, but I have family. I have a husband to love and a baby to care for. We have all the support in the world and that's more than I could ever ask for.

Now to where we are today. Dylan has always thought about being in the service and a few months back, he decided that he wanted to try and pursue just that. We went and talked to an army recruiter to find out the ins and outs and what it takes to become Army Strong. I know they give you all the great things that the army could do for you and your family, but there were also a lot of details that we needed to discuss as adults. When it came down to it, I told Dylan, after weeks of praying, that I would support his decision because I know that he would never make a decision if he didn't think it would benefit our family in one form or another.
Once all the paperwork was filled out Dylan want up to MEPS or the Military Entrance Processing Station to take his tests and get his physicals done as well has choose his MOS or job. After he swore in, he let us know that it would only be a few weeks before he left to basic training. I'll save the details since I am sure half of you have already stopped reading at this points, but Dylan left October 27th for Missouri to build himself up from civilian to soldier. There were many heartbreaking letters, but he pulled through and is now a stronger person and I couldn't be more proud to be his wife. Dylan graduates soon and from there he has AIT which is his Advanced Individualized Training where he will learn more about his MOS. Once he graduates from there, we will be on our merry way to wherever the army sends us.
Which is where I get to the point of this whole blog. I want to keep in touch with everyone and let everyone know that we are doing okay, but sometimes that's not possible. With the craziness of life happening at all times I want everyone that wants to stay informed on how we are doing to be able to do so.

Much love,
The Greens