Thank God and Whoever Invented Skype

John and I have had our share of long distance throughout our relationship, but over 7,000 miles away is by far the furthest.  We have been able to Skype a few times, which lets us call over the computer and see each other while we talk.  The best part is...it's free!  I can't tell you how great it's been to see his smiling face and know he's okay.  I have been able to show him my growing belly so he doesn't miss a beat with Baby G.  

By the way, I felt the baby move for the first time on Thanksgiving Day.  It was the highlight of my day, and I've since felt him/her a couple of times.  My doctor at my last visit told me that the first time I feel the baby I won't feel alone because I will know he/she is always with me.  She didn't know that we're going through a deployment, and I almost broke down into tears.  

Hope you're all still thankful...and, no matter what you're going through, holding onto the joy of the season...that is Christ's birth!  Thank God for sending His Son!

Thanksgiving-a la Florida

I decided to do something different for Thanksgiving, so I flew to Florida to visit my wonderful grandparents.  My parents and great aunt also flew down from MI for a relaxing weekend in Ft. Myers.  The weather was chilly (relatively), but it didn't stop us from taking walks and/or bike rides every day, and we even went to the beach to walk and pick up a few shells.  We went to a restaurant called "The Mucky Duck" and they gave me a shirt to send to John.  I put it on and took a few pictures before I send it to him.  

Even though my best friend wasn't there, I do thank God for all the blessings he has given us this year...a new house & a new baby, for starters.  I hope you realize all the blessings in your life this holiday season.  Happy Thanksgiving.   

About to take a bike ride with Dad

Grandma put all her flags out in her yard the day John left

Baby G likes the beach

Me, Grandma, Dad, Mom, & Grandpa

Aren't my grandparents the cutest?!

17 weeks

I can't believe I'm almost 17 weeks pregnant!  I have been trying to take pictures weekly to keep a belly book, and to send to John while he's gone.  It's a little bit tricky, setting the timer & running to pose before the camera snaps.  Haha...Owell, it'll be nice to look back on.  As you can see I definitely have a baby bump.  I scheduled my 20 week ultrasound right before Christmas, which will a great Christmas present to see baby G again.  We had an ultrasound done at 9 weeks just to see how far along I was.  The 20 week ultrasound is usually when you find out if the baby has outdoor or indoor plumbing (boy or girl), but John and I have decided we're not going to find out with this baby.  We want it to be a SURPRISE!  We've decided to decorate our nursery in Classic Winnie the Pooh.  More of the nursery to come.  

John is doing well in Afghanistan, and I thank you on behalf of both of us for all the prayers and support we have felt from friends & family.  You have outpoured your love to both of us, and I cannot tell you the blessing that it has been.  He's been there almost a month and he's working a lot, lifting a lot of weights, and playing a lot of ping pong.  I think he'll come back and join the olympic team.  Can you say...Forrest Gump?!  

Love from NC & Afghanistan

One week in Afghanistan & a transformation at home

This Monday, John will have been gone for a week.  He made it safely to Afghanistan and now the countdown begins.  If you would like to receive e-mail updates on John, please private message me at kristin.germanceri@gmail.com with your e-mail address and I'd be happy to add you to John's support group.  

My parents came down to spend a week with me and to help me paint.  They really should be on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition because, although we didn't build it, they transformed my house into a home.  They helped me paint the kitchen and living room, and set up decorations.  My dad laid osb board in our attic upstairs so we could use it as storage, hung shelves, mirrors, pictures, etc., and even had time to put in a dimmer switch in our living room.  I am so blessed by them being my company this week, as well as for all the hard work they put in to make my house warm and cozy.  

I just know I'm a latin at heart, because all the colors I chose were retro avocado, red pepper, and spiced plum.  Here are a few pictures of the newly-painted rooms and decor.  Ole!  

Our Hero

John is off to Afghanistan today.  I will be doing a lot of my updates on his status over e-mail.  You can never be too careful with what is posted on the internet these days.  We are so proud of him and hope all of you will keep us in your prayers daily.  Thanks for supporting our troops! 

New House Part I

We're moved!!!  John and I are so excited/blessed to have our own place.  We will both be the first to say we won't miss the apartment gate or speed bumps, or living on the first floor with noisy neighbors all around us.  

We're unpacking a little each day.  I'm not in a big hurry, because if/when John is deployed, it will give me something to do on the weekends.  I'm thinking paint chips, organizers, and a new vacuum cleaner (ours bombed out on us last week).  

I can't believe I'm posting these pictures, but it gives me motivation to keep unpacking the boxes and take updated pictures so you can see it clean!  I forgot to take pics of the bonus room, so it will be in the updates.  We'll send out postcards soon with our new address!   

The previous owners did a nice job with the landscaping.  I'd like some rockers for the front porch. 

Screened in back porch with a doggy door.  Chula has been in and out all morning.  She lays in the grass and wags her tail, because she finally has some freedom!

We love our privacy fence, and yard!  Our neighbor peeked over yesterday while John was throwing Chula's ball in his boxers.  He asked what kind of dog Chula was, and all I wanted to say was "Hidey ho, neighbor!"  All you Tool Time fans remember that!?

Kitchen will be the first room clean-we'll keep Chula in here with a baby gate while we're at work. 

Living room 

This is really the formal dining room that we will use as an "office."

Master bed and bath (and walk in closet..yay!)

The soon-to-be nursery

Guest Room 

Guest Bath

Illinois Visits NC

John's parents and uncle and aunt came to visit us last week.  We were so glad they could come visit before John deploys.  We visited the Airborne Museum, showed them our favorite spots in Fayetteville, sang on American Idol with xbox 360 and relaxed watching some football.  We also carved pumpkins, which was so much fun.  It was Aunt Donna and Uncle Greg's first time carving, and they did a great job! *BTW, I was reading this month's edition of Everyday with Rachael Ray, and one of her tips was to bake pumpkin seeds in butter, cinnamon, & sugar (instead of salt) and they turned out delicioso!!*  Thanks for coming to spend some time with us.  It always means so much for people to make the trip...love you guys!