Happy Birthday James!!!

James will be celebrating his birthday (or getting yelled at and PTing) on October 23rd. It would be great if you could all send him birthday wishes, as I’m sure this will be his worst birthday ever. :-( But please don’t send anything except for cards and maybe a picture or two, or dusting things and lint rollers, because then he will get in trouble! Make him smile on his birthday…send him a card!! His address is as follows:

OC James Gouger
Officer Candidate School
Class 03-08
Officer Training Command Newport
291 Kollmeyer St.
Newport, RI
02841-1641

How is James?

He is doing really well! My mom had the chance to visit with him at church last Sunday, and she said that he was doing great. His spirits are high, and he isn’t that upset about being rolled back, but sees it merely as another opportunity to do well. My mom was able to meet some of his friends, and see David Walsh as well, and every one was super excited to meet her. They like being around real people! :-) He is going into his second third week, so he is spending all of his time getting ready for the next inspection. Let’s pray that he passes this time! :-) He had to do the mud pit the other day, and the DI made him blow bubbles in the mud. That is disgusting!! He said it is starting to get cold up there, and I’m sure the winter is going to be rough. There is a girl in his class from Virginia Tech, and someone sent her a garlic knot from Gumby’s (a local Blacksburg favorite). First of all, they aren’t allowed to get food, and secondly, that is gross. The DI made her eat the entire thing in front of him….GROSS! I’ll keep you updated!

neVer forgeT

Six months ago today, our world was changed. I know that many of you are tired of hearing about April 16th, but it is something that affects my life every day, and it is something that James and I will always bring up. Our lives will never be the same, and although each day is a little easier, each day is also a little harder. It’s been six months. It is so hard to believe that six months ago started like any other Monday. I got to work about 3 minutes late, heard about the first shootings, and immediately locked the door. Minutes later, we were in over our heads, and I have never been more scared in my life. Every time I hear a siren, everything comes back to me, and every time I call AJ’s name, I think of Stack. I guess it is something we will learn to live with, but it still seems so unbelievable. (Tonight's the night my world begins again...) To honor the victims, Virginia Tech has begun an initiative called VTEngage, where every person on campus, and friends and family members of Virginia Tech have been challenged to pledge 10 hours of community service. http://www.engage.vt.edu/ Check it out and pledge your 10 hours today! As part of my community service hours, I will be assistant teaching an ESL class through the YMCA. For those of you who do not know, I am currently working towards a Masters in Teaching English As A Second Language through Regent University. I love it so far, and it keeps me busy with James being away. I will also be traveling to New Orleans for the third time over thanksgiving break to honor the memory of Stack, whom James and I went to New Orleans with the first Thanksgiving after Katrina. It will be an emotionally difficult week, as the United Methodist Relief Center whom we work through will be dedicating a house to him, as well as Leslie. Unlike our other trips though, we will be rebuilding, with a focus on hope and the future, rather than tearing down and cleaning up. http://www.ymcasp.org.vt.edu/ASB/Fall%20Trips.htm I still can’t believe that it has been six months. We Remember….and We will Never Forget!

New Friends for AJ

No News is Good News

I haven't heard from James the last two days, so I am assuming he has classed up with 03-08. You can now write him at the following address:

OC James Gouger
Officer Candidate School
Class 03-08
Officer Training Command Newport
291 Kollmeyer St.
Newport, RI
02841-1641

Thanks!! He loves the mail!

Beautiful Fall

I absolutely love Blacksburg in the fall. The leaves are changing, making rolling hills of orange and maroon. After all, if God isn’t a Hokie, why do the leaves change orange and maroon in the fall? I just love it, and despite it not being a very good year for fall foliage, we are still getting some colors. The air is turning crisp, and you can feel the serenity of our quiet little mountain town. There is no place quite as special as Blacksburg.

Beware of the Poodle

AJ is adorable, but he can be a little much if you’ve never met him. I had to put a work order in, because our stove top stopped working. Well…apparently AJ was a little much for the maintenance guy, because I got a phone call at work from our apartment complex. The lady was like, “We’re going to have to set up an appointment, because your puppy made the maintenance guy nervous.” Awww….that’s so sad!! Eddie left me a note for when I got home from work saying he would come back whenever I set up an apt. Too funny!