A Blessing at Buster's Brew

We unexpectedly went out to dinner at a restaurant on post  called "Buster's Brew" this evening due to some time sensitive errands Dan needed to run for one of his uniforms.  This particular restaurant does not at all have the 'military feel' to it... once you're inside, you do not feel like you're on an army post.  Tonight they had a musician playing the piano and singing some classic 80s soft rock, the fireplaces were on and the fake candles were lit on each table... Daniella was in heaven :).  By the end of our meal, we let Daniella get up to dance to one song before we left.  A gentleman of an older couple seated next to us got down on his knees to join her -- it was so cute.  Afterwards as we were walking out, he stopped me and said he wanted to pay for our meal (which we had already paid for).  I thanked him but told him that wasn't necessary and we had already taken care of it.  Once we were loaded in our van outside, he walked out quickly after us asking us to come back in so that they could take the bill off Dan's card and put it on his!  Dan tried to get him to change his mind but he was determined. 

I've always heard of and admired folks who have gone out of their way to show their personal appreciation and support for our military, but this was my first 'up close and personal' experience.  Needless to say I was choked up about it during our drive out of the parking lot.  Thankful and in awe that people are aware of the service and sacrifice of soldiers and their families, while also feeling totally undeserving of tonight's little gift given how new we are to this whole Army way of life.  It was also the first time I truly felt like an Army wife... part of something rather than just Dan doing his thing and me watching. 

Thankful tonight for the sacrifice of soldiers and their families.  Even more thankful to my God for His lovingkindness towards my undeserving self and His calling of and provision for my family.

Home sweet (new) home!



At our first event with Dan's unit - Lake Ontario in the background!

Back in the promised land, flowing with Mets games and four seasons!  We're New Yorkers again, praise the Lord!  After a weekend of driving along the east coast, we arrived at our townhouse to be greeted by Dan's parents and brother who had adorned our new home with air mattresses and food while we awaited the arrival of all our belongings a few days later :).  Our first two weeks were filled with unpacking and settling in with much help from both our parents who made the 6 hour trip to visit us.  It's been wonderful to see so many familiar faces since coming back to NY, between both our parents and good friends from our former church in Fishkill.

Out to dinner, happy to sit with Daddy, after a long work week.

Dan has pretty much jumped right into his unit and is very busy meeting/counseling soldiers and families.  It's awesome and humbling to see the opportunity Dan has to speak truth into peoples' lives and hard situations.  PT (physical training) is still every weekday morning, but now he's up at 5:45am instead of 4:30am... what a wonderful difference that hour+ makes!  He uses that time to train with various groups of soldiers in order to be seen by and meet different soldiers in his unit.  As a family, we're plugging into a Saturday night on post contemporary chapel service called "The Crossing."  Dan will go on a preaching rotation with the lead chaplain there.  We're excited about what God has in store for this unique service and are also trying to figure out the later bedtime for Daniella on those nights.
 
Meanwhile, lil D and I are working out our own groove (and friends)!  Our week is basically filled with library storytime, an on post women's Bible study (PWOC - which is Daniella's only time away from me and in nursery... it's been hit or miss with her so far), playgroup and neighborhood walks.  We would have loved to live on post to be closer to Dan and the army community but housing is incredibly tight.  Our neighborhood is just over 10 minutes from post (closer to 25 min from Dan's actual office) and is also filled with army families.  

Thanks for checking in on us via our blog!  I'll try to update a bit more now that we're settled in.  We sincerely appreciate your interest and your prayers for our family as we all adjust to army life as well as for God's loving work to be done here!

Below is a silly little video of Daniella dancing around while I try to fold our laundry ;)...enjoy!