Moving On Up | A Promotion

Monday was a cool day for our little military adventure. Parker got promoted to Lieutenant! Before I go any further, can we all take a second and agree that "Lieutenant" is a really hard word to spell? Great, thanks.

Moving on...

We knew the promotion was coming but found out just a couple of days prior that it would be on Monday. I quickly blocked out the hour at work, Parker dusted off the khakis, and we were promotion ready!

Some squadrons make a really big deal out of promotions while others keep it short and sweet. Parker's squadron does the latter, but it was still special to us and celebration-worthy. One of Parker's peers was also promoting, so they said the oath together in a repeat-after-me fashion with the Commanding Officer. 

Then, it was my turn to pin on the new ranks. I must say, those new Lieutenant bars look pretty snazzy! 

I love that I get to be included in ceremonies like these. Most squadrons are really good about including the wives, and this one has been no exception. From pinning  at the commissioning to wings to his first promotion to LTJG, I've gotten to do them all. We both agree military life is a team effort. He earned this promotion completely on his own, but support is so important for these guys. Their jobs are stressful, their hours are long, and I've learned that it's my job to keep life as easy as possible on the home front to accommodate. Teamwork makes the dream work.

I love this next picture, because we both just instinctively threw up the "gig 'em". Once an Aggie, always an Aggie. We don't really know how to pose for a picture in another way. Thank goodness for the always classic "gig 'em".  What does the rest of the world do with their hands?!

True to Parker and Chelsea form, we had to shake hands at the conclusion of the promotion. Here's the back story on this one: At Parker's commissioning ceremony 4 years ago, there were several of us on stage with him. His parents, me, and several officers leading the commissioning. It's an exciting yet nerve racking few minutes when it's your (Parker, in this case) turn to commission, because all eyes are on you, and this is your first rodeo. After we revealed his new ranks, he turned to shake a few hands and shook mine with them. I was his wife, and typically a hug is more the standard. There was so much going on, that he didn't pay attention and accidentally shook my hand. We've had a good laugh about this ever since! Every few weeks, one of us will go up to the other, extend a hand, and say "Congratulations on your commissioning". My husband will be so thrilled to read that I have included this little anecdote for the world to see. Just keeping it real, yall.

On a serious note, I could not be more proud of the man I am married to. It doesn't matter to me what rank he is, but it was neat to see this new rank pinned to symbolize 4 years of hard work on his end. I've never met someone more passionate about what they do or more optimistic about the every day than this guy. He chooses joy in everything he does and sees the positives in so many not-so-positive situations. These past 4 years of military life have been a wild adventure, and year 5 will be the biggest one to date, but we are loving every minute of it. So proud of the newly named LT Phelps!

On the last picture, see what I mean about the hands? Awkward dangling arms, party of 2. When in doubt, throw up the "gig 'em". It's just better. 

Life Lately

Life lately has been pretty sweet. Here's a look at what's been going on in our neck of the woods...

We rang in the new year by attending a family friend's wedding in Shreveport! Parker's entire immediate family was there, and it was a blast all ringing in the new year together! We danced to our heart's content and toasted champagne as the clock struck 12. There is something so fun about attending a wedding on NYE, and my man sure was looking sharp!

Waking up at 6 AM the next morning to catch our plane back to Virginia was not so fun, but thankfully I had a great travel buddy! I laughed when I looked over and saw him reading the safety brochure. I told him he is probably the only person on earth that actually reads those things. 

My reading material was much more entertaining, in my humble opinion. I finished Amy Poehler's Yes Please on the plane and absolutely loved it. She is such a hoot!

When we got home, one of the first things I saw was my countdown to Christmas sign. Parker left for Texas a few days after I did, and he decided to update the sign for us to see when we got home on January 1st. Made me laugh!

I also got home to a present Jenny's sister Darla had sent from across the country. We love Darla and her mama so much! 

We both had many things we wanted to do upon returning home, but number one on our list was to pick up the pup we missed so much while we were gone! I haven't wanted to leave her side since! She accompanied us to the barber and waited patiently while her dad got a haircut. We love his barber and the fact that he lets Jenny come in and watch. 

One of Parker's Christmas presents to me was a table for our stair landing that he promised to build. He finished it up this weekend, and I am so excited to have it in our home. As I snapped this picture of him putting on the final coat of paint, he looked over and said, "I hate painting". That's love, hubs. 

I looked in my grocery cart halfway through my weekly trip on January 3rd and realized I was such a new year's resolution cliche. Fruits and veggies for days, but we need to slow it down after all of that holiday eating!

Ah life, you've been good lately.