Our friend: Lt. David Wright II

1st Lt. David T. Wright II

I am so heartbroken to write this blog. Reamer and I have lost a very dear friend of ours. 1st Lt. David Wright has bravely given his life for his country. Here are some News reports from his hometown newspapers about him. news article 1 news article 2

David and Reamer met in basic training and went through most of their army training together. David was an exemplary soldier and an amazing friend. He was also an outstaning leader.

David lived next door to Reamer and I with his roomate Mark Hamilton(and Christine Hamilton). We were always doing something with them. Even if it was just hanging around watching television. If I couldn't find Reamer, I knew where to look. He was usually next door hanging out with David and Mark. David was such a fun guy to be around. Even though on the outside he had that tough army-man shell, deep down he was a big softie. I really enjoyed getting to know the true David and seeing his softer side. He was such a passionate person and it showed in everything he did. He was such a great friend to Reamer and I know that there will be a hole in Reamer's heart now that his friend is no longer with us. I know that I will never forget the times I had with David. He will always hold a very special place with both Reamer and myself.

I feel very blessed to have met such an amazing person. I only wish that I would have had more time with him. If you would like to leave your condolences for David's family or just thank them for raising such a wonderful son, please write your comments here.

Amazing

I went to the doctor again today for a regular prenatal visit. For the last few months, it has been amazing watching my little baby roll around in my tummy. I have been trying to figure out which way he is turned and what body parts I'm actually seeing. It's been fun playing "What's that body part". Today, my Doctor checked me and him out and told me how the baby is positioned. I have been thinking that I am seeing either his head or his butt poke up in different parts of my belly because it looks like a big round head-like shape. Today I found out that I am actually seeing his knees!!!! His head is down and his back is facing my back. He still has plenty of time to turn around, so it's nothing to worry about, but it definately explains all of the weird things that continually pop out of my belly!!!!

My Doctor got out the ultrasound machine and showed him to me again. It was so great to actually see him again. I saw his heartbeat and his little boy part!! So today I have been staring at my belly. Now that I know how he is positioned, watching his movement is so amazing!!!

Now I understand why I sometimes get a pain in my ribs! His little feet must be pushing up against me!! And I can tell when I feel little fingers tickling my lower belly.

I only have about 4 weeks left until my due date! I can't believe that in a month Reamer and I will have a son. It's so exciting! I can't wait to meet him. I already feel so much love for him I can't stand it!

When I think about how much God has blessed us, it is unbelievable. I feel so lucky and blessed right now.

Today's appointment was wonderful for me because I now am starting to feel like it is almost time to meet my son. It would have been much better if Reamer was there to experience it with me, but I will tell him all about it and show him what we are seeing once he gets home in a few days. I'm sure he will be happy to know what he is watching when we stare at my belly!!!

TOGA, TOGA, TOGA!!! Reamer's Baby Shower!

My amazing friends Tonya and Kristin threw me a TOGA themed baby shower! It was so much fun!!! Everyone came in TOGA's and we had a blast!! Everything was so amazing and Reamer and I really racked up on the gifts! I was so happy that most of my friends came and celebrated with me! It was such a great night! Thanks to everyone that helped with the shower and to everyone that came and brought fun gifts for baby Reamer and I!! You girls are awesome!!

Here are some pics below of all of us at the TOGA Shower!!

While the boys are away.......

.....the girls will play. When all of our husbands are gone, it is amazing how often all of the ladies get together. We are all going through the same things and can help eachother throught the lonely times. It has really helped me to have such wonderful ladies to make the time pass by quickly and to have some fun!!!!

For my birthday, I had 2 celebrations! On my actual birthday Janet (the birthday fairy) brought me flowers and chocolates! She even made me birthday cupcakes! Then Tonya, Kristin, Janet and I went to a concert ontop of Mt. Berico! It was so much fun! (it did rain for a little bit, but it only delayed the concert)

The next day we all went to an agriturismo to celebrate my birthday! An Agriturismo only serves food where 70% has been made on the property. It was so delicious! What an amazing experience! I had a great birthday thanks to such fun friends!!!

I have had a great time with the girls spending time on the beach, shopping, going to Ikea, eating at eachother's houses, BBQ's etc..... We even went to a medevil festival.

I am excited for Friday for my Baby Shower!!! I will post pics after the shower!!
But for now, here are some pics of my adventures with the ladies!

I can't wait until Reamer comes home though. I miss him so much! It won't be long now! After he gets home, only a few more weeks and we will have our son!!!!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 2 year Anniversary! I can't believe that we have been married for 2 years. When I think back on that day, I realize that it was the best day of my life! I'm so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man. Thanks to our family and friends, we had an amazing day! Here are some pics of all of us celebrating on our special day!!!

Ferragosto

In Italy during August, the entire country literally shuts down! No kidding! Well, maybe I'm exaggerating, but most places close down for the holidays. If you go to a major tourist city, things will stay open, but in most towns, Italians flee to the beach or the mountains for the month and take a vacation. On most businesses here in Vicenza there is a sign on the door that states they will be closed for the holiday. Most people want to get out of the summer heat and head to the beach for a month! (sounds like fun huh??)

The actual holiDAY is Aug. 15th, but lucky for them, they can celebrate for a month. The holiday itself celebrates The Virgin Mary's ascention into heaven. This is one of the most celebrated holiday's in Italy only next to Christmas and Easter.

Needless to say, the beaches are packed and the roads to the beaches are insane!!!!! Reamer had a 3 day weekend before he had to leave for his month long training, so we wanted to relax at the beach. We knew what we were getting into and decided it was worth the hassle to be able to relax at the beach for a few days!

We decided to go to a beach that is near Vicenza (Jesolo Beach) and usually would only take about 1 hour to get there. But because we picked the actual Holiday weekend, it took about 3 hours to get there. On the way to the beach, you must drive on a 2-lane road for about 25 kilometers. This normally wouldn't take long at all, but when there are tons of people trying to get to the beach, this becomes more difficult. Reamer and I couldn't believe how insane these people are when it comes to driving. Traffic would be stopped and people would try to pass oneanother with huge semitrucks speeding toward them on the other side of the road. They would literally come seconds from a head on collision just to move ahead one place in the traffic. And don't even get me started on the motorcycles/scooters!!! These people seriously have a death wish! We couldn't believe the crazy things that they would do just to be able to reach the beach a little bit sooner!

Anyways, we finally made it to the beach and happily found a nice little spot to enjoy the water and the sun. We walked around the beach town and had a great dinner. The town was in celebration mode with stages set up for performers, carnival rides, and everyone walking around and shopping etc. They even celebrated with fireworks! What a great day! We wanted to spend the night, but after calling tons of places during the day, we were unable to find a hotel on the beach. We decided to drive about 20 mins away and got a hotel there! We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard! It was so nice and just like an American Hotel! It was wonderful!

We went back to the beach and bought awesome rafts so that we could just lounge in the water for the day. We also rented beach chairs too! (a pregnant lady has to be comfy!) We seriously had a wonderful day. Neither of us wanted to leave!

I think that these Italians have the right idea. Why can't we take an entire month off of work just to relax! I really think that we need to adopt this tradition! We really wanted to tell the army that we were observing the Italian culture and Reamer would not be back until the end of the month! Unfortunately this wasn't possible, so he is gone for training in Germany until the end of September! Booo!! Sure do wish that we could have stayed at the beach instead!

(I will try to do a better job of updating this blog... Sorry I have been so slack about it!)