'Tis the Season!

 Happy Holidays!!!!  With how busy I have gotten, now with two jobs and junior league commitments, I have not found the time to sit down and blog about Eric's newest adventures in the military.  In mid-November Connie, Johnny, and I went down for a day trip to visit Eric and watch his branching ceremony. For those who are not military savvy. Being branched is one of the biggest deals in your military career since it decides which career path you will take and ultimately your job within the Army! There are 16 branches in the Army and Eric was able to make a top three selection, with just hopes he may receive one of them.  To decide their branch many things went into the decision: acedmics, physical fitness, and leadership grades.  

Leading up to the big day we were all a bit nervous and all praying Eric received one of his top picks. Knowing Eric had been working his *cough* off.  When I asked Eric about the timeline and set-up for the ceremony, all I could think of was Sorority Bid Day at Alabama while he was describing it! So all day long I was singing "it's Bid Day, it's Bid Day, it's Army version of Bid Day!" ;) The families and friends were sitting in the auditorium on one side and one by one all 99 men and women came in, alphabetically holding an envelope with their name on it....inside their branch. Once everyone was inside and seated the company commander was giving the OCS class a nice speech about regardless of your branch you will graduate and be responsible for someone else, you are all doing this to serve your country...etc. etc. During his speech he gave the percentages of who received their first, second, or third picks, and a percentage of who got none of their top three picks; just making it more nerve racking.  He asked the cadre in charge who was ranked first in the class and by the reaction of the class no one knew. Then when "Candidate Norwood"  was said Eric had to hear it a couple of times before he actually stood and the Company Commander congratulated him.  The Company Commander went on about how he most likely got his first pick....Infantry...Infantry this and Infantry that.  Once he was finished with his speech everyone got to open their envelopes and Eric turned and said " I got my first pick!!!....Field Artillery!" Then one by one each OCS candidate went on stage and announced to the entire class their Branch while receiving their branch pin!

 

 While on stage the Battalion Commander Sergeant Major who was giving out the pins asked Eric "Are you sure this was your first pick?" Eric: "Yes, sir!"   The Sergeant Major being an Infantry man could only think everyone wants their first pick to be Infantry not their second pick like Eric. (haha Army humor) After everyone was finished they were asked to meet outside in groups based off their newly assigned branch.  The battalion commander called Eric over and congratulated him on a job well done and gave him an OCS coin for being top in his class!  All in all, it was a great day and we could not be prouder of him!! As Connie likes to say "he is the cutest and smartest soldier ever!" AND IT'S TRUE!

   While in Benning we also got to witness another smaller ceremony which was just offically changing from beginning phase to intermediate phase of OCS. Pretty much all they did were change their "dickes" from black to grey! haha... Okay, okay so they're really not called "dickes" like Cousin Eddie off Christmas Vacation but 'tis the season!!!

 

   Now that I've updated Eric's life it's time for my update!  In the last month lots has changed for me! Since I graduated college in 2011 I have worked at the Chamber of Commerce here in Hartselle.  First, it was just temporary until I found my career job in Interior Design, then with Eric's career change I quit looking for Interior Design and started to think of what I could do as a career while in military life.  Now, finally after a year I have decided on Pharmaceutical Sales!! While looking for a Pharm Sales job I discovered that I needed to pass a course in Pharmaceutical Sales first. So starting in January I will start working on that and for now I have got an awesome job as a Pharmacy Tech at a local Pharmacy!! And once Eric knows where we will be stationed after marriage, I'll start looking for a Pharm Sales job in that city.
This year I joined Junior League of Morgan County and currently we are working on a new project that will benefit the Carnegie Visual And Performing Arts Center. This year we have added a 5k and 1 Mile Run to the already fun and parade filled day of Mardi Gras in Decatur!! If you want any information on the entire Mardi Gras events. Don' t hesitate to contact me! We also help out with many other county wide events throughout the year volunteering our time and efforts to make all of them the best event yet!  

   Now onto the more important stuff--Wedding plans!!! With the wedding only being 5 1/2 months away lots has been happening lately! Save the Dates are ordered and almost ready to go out! If you do not receive one do not worry we are only sending them to 100 people of the 250 invited! Got to save money where we can! At Thanksgiving we planned our rehearsal dinner meal with Dana, cannot wait for the fried tomato bar!! Now all we need is a place to have the dinner! Any ideas send them to me or let Connie know! In January the bridesmaids are meeting in Decatur to order their Bridesmaid dresses!!!! The momma's will be going soon after the holidays to find their dresses!! My father has been put in charge of getting together the saber swords for the Saber Arch! The timeline schedule for the big day is beginning to be planned! My dress has arrived and I just need to be fitted and alterations made!! Time's flying by and I cannot wait for  the big day to get here!!

 This next year will be filled with new adventures for both Eric and myself inside and outside of our marriage and careers and I am super excited to find out what God has in store!