Going to the Chapel indeed!! This is going to be a BIG year for the Savage & DuBois Clans with 2 weddings in the works!!!
What is extra special about these is that both my soon to be Brother-in-law and my brother just got home from active duty deployment and everyone is over joyed to have them home safe!! First up will be my beautiful Sister-in-Law Colby who will marry Michael in October! (And you all know that is my FAV month of the whole year) We all have known Michael for a while now and I/we all love him....I am so excited for their wedding!
Then as you all may remember my brother Curtis got home from his deployment on the Naval Carrier the US Makin Island last Thursday and that wasn't the only exciting thing that happened that day.......he proposed to his girlfriend Jordan! I am so glad my brother is so happy and I look forward to getting to know Jordan better. And a little birdy told me December wedding will be in the works! Busy Busy Busy!
So if anyone wants to contribute to Matt and I's "flying back to Oklahoma for Holiday and wedding Festivities" let me know.....we will need it!!!!
Congrats to both of these couples! Cheers! xoxoxo
Today is a HUGE day for my family.........Today my brother and his carrier the US Makin Island return from their deployment!!!!!! Now, my brother will still be stationed at Pendleton until October. He will then come home to Oklahoma but today is the end of his deployment and his homecoming!
My family is all in San Diego for his ceremony today and I am sad I am unable to be there but I am there in spirit! I talked to Curtis via email and he said it wasn't a big deal I couldn't make it and he would come visit me soon! He is happy for us and our move......he is very supportive. But, man things have changed since he was last home!
To read an article by the US Navy all about the Makin's deployment and how this is the maiden voyage for this brand new Hybrid carrier you can click HERE!
My family received a wonderful email this week from my brothers commander about his exemplary service while deployed and the awards he will soon be receiving. We all know how responsible and on top of things Curtis is but it is so wonderful to read that others recognize this in him as well. We are all so proud you Curtis and I couldn't love you more!
Hi Blogger World....today is a special Thankful Thursday......This morning I had the honor to help in welcoming home our Oklahoma 45th Infantry Brigade after a 13 month deployment in Afghanistan. The ceremony was held at the National Guard Hanger at our airport........
This was such a special and humbling ceremony to be a part of and we were quickly reminded of the price of Freedom as we honored the 14 Oklahomans who did not make it home today.
We had several short speakers as the anticipation grew while loved ones waited for the soldiers grand entrance! It was a really special atmosphere.....
This is right when they opened the hanger doors and 170 (not all the brigade) soldiers marched in to cheers, tears and a standing ovation.
Below are some of the very special Oklahoma soldiers who are near to everyone's heart.......and on the 5th row stood my "Brother-in-law-to-be" Michael. We are so very proud......and even prouder that he returned home with a Purple Heart.
Here is my stunning Sister-in-law Colby shortly after being reunited with her fiance Michael! We are all so excited to have him home and we look forward to their wedding this fall!
I am excited as I look forward to the day later this year that my brother will return from his deplyment. And as always....my thoughts and prayers are with all the military serving and their family.
Last night on Dancing With the Stars JR Martinez danced the Rumba and I had to find the video to share with all of you! JR tells his story about what happened in Iraq and dedicates his dance to all the soldiers who did not make it home with a touching Tim McGraw song. He seems like such a class act guy and you can tell that he means every word he said. I hope you enjoy this performance as much as I did and be prepared to be verklempt!
I can not accurately express into words the emotions that this picture evokes from me and I am not even going to try. If you would like to read the story behind this picture click HERE!
I know my kingdom awaits and they've forgiven my mistakes
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Tell the world I'm coming
I think the dance above choreographed by the amazing "NappyTabs" really struck a chord with many people across the US, myself included. Ironically this episode of So You Think You Can Dance came on right after our President announced troop withdrawal plans. I am not going to say much about this because I do not want ANY sort of debate but I am here to remind you all a few things.......... Most people have blinders on and only hear the good news/bad news (however you take it) of the troop withdrawal plan announced by our President...... BUT what you may not know is that does NOT mean deployments stop. My brother-in-law arrived in Afghanistan this past weekend and my brother Curtis is set to deploy in a few short months. So while some troops get to start coming home they are quickly being replaced my more troops.....it is not always what it seems. So my point is we all need to still have our military on our minds, thoughts and prayers. Because while our "wonderful" news stations will (I assume) only start to show wonderful videos of troops coming home/how wonderful things are after this "announcement".....they will soon forget to show the new phase of troops that are being sent over on their deployments. Just food for thought!
Hi Blogger Friends! Yesterday was a special day and today is Thankful Thursday!! I went to my "future brother-in-laws" deployment ceremony yesterday as him along with 3,200 Oklahomans will be deployed for the next year. As I was at this event my mom and I could not help but think about my brother Curtis who is set to deploy this fall..............
Here is Michael and my sis-in-law Colby, I can only imagine how hard this next year will be for the both of them!
I want to start by having you all watch this video they played at yesterdays ceremony this is called American Soldier by Toby Keith a fellow Oklahoman! And whether someone you know and love is Military you can not help but be emotional when watching this video. There was not dry eye in the house yesterday........
Yesterdays ceremony was to honor the 3,200 Oklahomans and their families.....there were so many people that we filled the Ford Center (our big arena) but also housed 2,000-3,000 more people in the arena across the street and had a live feed via projector. This was for the 45th Infantry Brigade....
It was amazing to see all the Soldiers sitting there, I can only imagine what these soldiers were feeling.
I hope that I will be able to fly out to Camp Pendleton when my brother has his ceremony this fall.
Our new Oklahoma governor was one of the speakers as this ceremony was broadcast live on all OK news stations.
To all Military I appreciate what you do and to Oklahoma military families I have volunteered with a wonderful Oklahoma Non-Profit called the Hugs Project....if you, a loved one or someone you know is or being deployed you can contact this organization and they will add your solider to the care package list!!! You visit their site by clicking HERE! Here are ways you can help via Hugs...
1. Volunteer to help put together Care packages
2. Donate items such as dark colored socks, toiletries, books, food
3. Donate money to help off set the $40,000 a year they spend on postage
