Dog Update 2:

So at todays vet appointment zip got his bandages changed out:

{we thought the tech's choice of decoration and color was pretty funny}

...and the vet examined his wounds and reported that they have already started to heal themselves. She also said there are still no signs of infection which is great. We were talking about the infection issue and both Q and I decided we are so thankful that we gave zip the chance and that he pulled through those first 24 hours without any infection even though the ER vet only gave him a 5% chance of living through it. The vet is still considering minor surgery and/or stitches and he will be going in Friday and staying for observation so the vet can make some final decisions. We'll post another update then. Thanks again for all your support♥

Dog Update:

For those of you that have been following our dog incident/story here is the update:

Today we took him to our local vet in Cape May. She checked for any signs of infection and he is in the clear for now which is great news because that was one of the biggest concerns for the first 24 hours and into the first week. We have also been monitoring his temp, gum color, and breathing at home as these are all signs of an infection.

Right now he has 2 puncture wounds that are open but dressed. The muscle between his ribs has been torn, he has a few broken ribs, and damage to one of his lungs. The x-rays cant show the extent of the damage in his lung so it could range from bruising to actual lacerations. At this point he is stable and we are keeping him pumped full of antibiotics and pain meds. The local vet doesn't want to do full on open chest surgery if its not absolutely necessary, instead, she would rather monitor him closely as is and do minimal surgery/stitching just to clean and close him up. She also informed us that the cost of surgery here is significantly less expensive than surgery at the emergency vet hospital. This was a really nice thing to hear and we are praying for a do-able and hopeful treatment and recovery plan at tomorrows appointment.

We are so incredibly thankful for all the support, well wishes, and prayers! I know he couldn't have made it this far with out them. We will be posting updates here on the blog as things progress. Again, thank you for all the amazing support!

Photo Catch-Up: Maui's

While Calv was here visiting we made our way out to Mauis Dog House in Wildwood for an awesome lunch. We found the place on Diners Drive-Ins & Dives and waited weeks for it to finally open for the season. We all loved the food and Q and I decided we will definitely be making more trips out to Mauis soon (and it really was a fun mini-adventure to take Calvin on!).

Photo Catch-Up: CM Zoo

Photo Catch-Up: Liberty Bell

{Calv & I at the Liberty Bell}

Photo Catch-Up: Independence Hall

{Calv & I at Independence Hall}

Calvin at Colors

After a Morale BBQ on base I got to take Calvin to watch Q do Colors on the boat at sunset. I think it was kinda special(for both of us) to share this part of Qs new CG routine with Calvin. Every time I watch it I feel a huge sense of pride and Im sure Calvin felt it too.

You know your husband loves you when...

...he trades in his dream vehicle for a Pruis(the least masculine car ever made) so you can commute to school and live out a dream♥

{Q saying goodbye to his dear Murano at the dealership}

Im feeling so thankful for the significant things in my life right now and an incredibly supportive and loving husband is at the top of the list.

Beach time.

Earlier this week we took Calvin to the beach by our house and for his first frozen custard at Ritas on the boardwalk:

I think its safe to say everyone had a really good time!

Calvins first stop

When Calvin and I arrived in Philadelphia earlier this week we both decided a stop for cheesesteaks before heading home was definitely in order. We decided to take Calvin into Pats which was featured on Food Wars.

The steaks were delicious as usual and we had fun watching Calvin start to absorb the idea that he was finally "a long way from home"(his words) as we drove around Philadelphia a bit. Pretty good way to kick off his adventure.

Trip to CA:

My 10 day trip to CA was busy, emotional, successful, and genuinely fun.

I got to camp and visit with lots of family:

I went to a Graduation:

Ate at some of my favorite CA spots:

Enjoyed a bit of reading and relaxing:

And helped pull off our 5th Annual Fishing Derby successfully.

It was bittersweet saying goodbye but I did get to bring my cousin back for a visit on the East Coast. It was nice making the trip with someone to keep me company and I know we will have a blast showing him around our new place. We'll be back in the next couple of days with some posts on Calvin's visit. Happy Sunday!

Finally! A place that reminds us of CA:

{The sign I almost missed!}

{Handwritten Menu}

{Tacos de Lengua & Al Pastor}

{Torta Cubana}

{Tamales de Pollo}

{Fanta and Coke in the glass bottles}

Theres also always a telenovela playing somewhere in the corner, a woman with the biggest smile behind the counter who speaks NO english, and an entire row or failed parking meters out front. I dont think I can explain the kind of happiness and comfort we get every time we visit this place and eat the delicious food. Its my favorite cg-housing-area discovery to date.

My First Louisiana Boil... in Jersey?

This weekend everyone from Quincy's cutter got together for a morale party and they made it a Crawfish Boil. I've never been to a boil or eaten crawfish this way but it was spicy and delicious!

If you have never been to a boil its just a party where they boil a HUGE pot of seafood. In our case the boil had crawfish, crab, shrimp, scallops, sausages, potatoes, and corn on the cob. Since everything is boiled together in the Cajun spice mix the spicy flavor really gets into every piece in the pot. Oh, and of course there was plenty of beer to accompany the boil! I know we love to catch crawfish on our annual trips to Little Grass Valley Reservoir so I think I will have to track down some of the special seasoning for our next batch.

Its funny all the mini cultures that you find within one CG base but since everyone here moves every two years its really a little melting pot of all the states and their specialties. A few of the guys on Quincy's boat spent time on cutters in Louisiana before being sent to the Finback so they were able to show us all the authentic way to pull off this boil. The whole thing kinda got me wondering what it is we will bring to the table(or base) from CA? So far I think its been the words recycling and organic! When we say these words people say:"Careful! Your California is showing!" :)

Meet our friends:

Since we have moved here we get asked almost every phone call: "Have you guys made friends there?" And yes, we have made friends. We have a handful of friends now and I thought I would introduce a few here on the blog. Meet the Browns:

This is TJ and Jackie Brown. They live here in the housing, they have a little dog, they don't have kids, they love playing cards(we are getting better at their games!) and he works on the Finback with Quincy. We hang out with them often and we are so happy to have them here!

Now meet the Brudzinskis:

This is Mike and Miranda Brudzinski. Quincy met them when he participated in the Project Fireside at Thanksgiving while in bootcamp. They also live in housing, have a little dog, are total foodies(YAY!), they are musical, and they are super adventurous. Miranda is the one in the CG and she works at the firehouse on base. We have SO MUCH in common with them its just crazy... but in a good way!

We are meeting more and more people every day and I'm constantly amazed at how quickly you become family when you're in this military bubble. I guess its because most of us are so far away from any family of our own so you just make a new circle of people to be your family away from home. Its really incredible.

The Eagle and Visitors.

Well we had our first visitors!!!! Quincy's parents Terry and Gail came out to the east coast a few weeks ago and we had a great time in both Philadelphia and Cape May. We met them in Philly first for dinner at Spasso(delish!) and it also happened to be perfect timing for a tour on the Eagle.The Eagle is an active Coast Guard cutter that allows tours while its in port and its so so so different from Quincy's cutter so we had a good time checking it out.

We also had a great time once we came home to Cape May and checked out lots of local sites too. We took them to see the sunken concrete ship, the lighthouse, the WWII bunker(thank you to miss Macey for the info!), an alpaca farm & yarn store, and a handful of tasty restaurants too. It was fun playing host in our new town and we really enjoyed our west-coast visitors.