The Gym at TRACEN

Before moving out here I went to the gym(often with my mom!) about 4-5 times a week. I used to see everything from the highschool football players to the geriatrics lifting the 2lb dumbbells and I liked that. Now almost everyday I go work out(with Finback wives or Q) here at the gym on base:

Sometimes its empty like above but other times its packed with recruits getting their butts worked off, lifting, spinning, and theres also a whole lot of "who are we?"..."COAST GUAAAAAAAAAAAARD!!" being yelled and a few "Hoo-Rahs" thrown in too. Theres also active duty, retirees, company comanders, and of course us dependants working out too. Sometimes when we are there working out along side some of these people I stop and think: "I cant believe this is my life". I never thought this would be part of my daily routine but now that it is I LOVE it! Its an encouraging place to be and work out and no matter who you are you will push yourself just a little extra from being in that space. I had to laugh a little while I ran today because I knocked off 2 minutes from my usual 3 miles on the treadmill and realized it was probably running next to a company commander that did it! LOL! Just something about those Smokey Bears! ;)

In all seriousness though its also really lucky that we are here so Q can train for A-School. These facilities are amazing and I know its a blessing for him. Today he is swimming a timed 500 yard swim and learning some rescue techniques to become the official rescue swimmer on the Finback! I couldn't be more excited for him to have this opportunity!

Mini Finback Tour

Every week Quincy is responsible for standing duty over night and sometimes this falls on a day while they boat is in port. If this is the case I generally take his dinner out to the boat and visit for a while. So this last time I thought I would snap a few phone pics to give you a small glimpse into the Finback. This is the mess deck where they cook, eat, and watch tv:

Its not spacious by any means but I love that I am allowed to bring Q dinner here on nights when I would otherwise not see him. Plus it makes me thankful for my "normal" kitchen at home everytime I visit the boat ;)

Been in Philadelphia!

I know I have been completely MIA around here but I promise its for a

legit reason this time! ;) I have actually been completely consumed by picking and applying for art school! The two schools I have been really considering are both in Philadelphia which is only about an hour commute from our new home. The two Ive been deciding between are:

The Art Institute:

And The University of Arts:

Both are great schools and had a lot to offer students but the "feel" of each school was completely different from the other. Luckily Quincy was able to go with me on the tours which was helpful since its almost always what I want to talk about now ;) Ive started the application process and now I'm waiting with fingers crossed to hear back which will hopefully happen soon! Very soon!

Quincy's First Day at Work for the USCG

I love this man.

I love that my camera caught these even if it was 5 a.m. est and 2 a.m. pst!

I love the pride I feel when I see him in his uniform every morning.

I love that he is excited about his job EVERY single day.

I love the gratefulness that washed over me when he walked out the door that morning and started this new chapter.

I love that this adventure brought us to a new place.

I love that I found his graduation program that morning that included the USCG ethos and felt nostalgic about hearing his company say the following at graduation:

I am America’s Maritime Guardian.

I serve the citizens of the United States.

I will protect them.

I will defend them.

I will save them.

I am their Shield.

For them I am Semper Paratus.

I live the Coast Guard Core Values.

I am a Guardian.

We are the United States Coast Guard.

I just loved his first day.

Period.

Cheesesteaks.

Having lived in Penn Valley his whole life Quincy had never experienced a "real" Philly Cheesesteak. On the other hand, I had been to PA to visit my dad's family and still had a vivid memory of how good the cheesesteaks were so I was always talking them up. So now that we were finally in Philly together we decided no matter what time we left the airport we were going to find a place to get Quincy his first cheesesteak! We left the airport hotel first thing that morning, got a rental car, and headed downtown. We parked the car and just started walking aimlessly. We must have looked totally lost because at a corner a random man asked if he could help us find something! We told him we were on a hunt for a good cheesesteak and he recommended a few places but the Honey Restaurant was the closest so we headed over.

We got our steaks to go and headed back to the car for a picnic. As soon as Quincy opened his up his face looked like:

And I think he was hooked after that first bite. There is no going back to the wannabe sandwiches of the Northridge or the Steak Shop in the mall!

He decided every time we go to Philly we are going to try a new place so we can find the BEST one. Since that trip we have tried 3 other shops and its funny because the Honey Restaurant is still our favorite so far!

I think it was a successful foodie adventure and I cant think of a better way to start our new life!

Quincy's Graduation

December 17th 2010 Quincy graduates USCG basic training in Cape May, NJ. It was a long 8 weeks but it was so worth it when we walked into that gym and saw him standing tall in his uniform ready to graduate. It looked something like this:

{Quincy was part of the recruit drill team which performed a routine at the graduation}

{You can check out a similar drill here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1HM84AmXIs}

{The Chief from Quincy's cutter came and presented his graduation certificate which was a really awesome surprise and honor}

{Foxtrot 184}

{The first hug!!!! A big thank you to Quincy's brother Justin for taking pictures and getting this shot even though I ran off through the crowd to find Q!}

{There are not enough words to explain how proud and happy I was for Quincy at this moment}

{Quincy and a few of his Company Commanders}

{At the Congress Hall Hotel after graduation}

The graduation was amazing but getting my husband back was the BEST Christmas gift I've ever had. What perfect timing.

Check out more graduation pictures here.

Dear Molly,

While your uncle Quincy was gone at boot camp I had a wonderful time on our "girls night out".

I could never explain to you just how thankful I was to get dressed up that night, to have someone to go out to our favorite restaurant with, to have someone make me laugh like uncle Q could always do, and most of all to take my mind off the amount of time I had left as a "single" auntie.

Your imagination, humor, and joy was contagious as always. I will always look back giggle about your determination to eat that entire marinated salad even though it was as big as your entire torso! It was a great night and just what I needed. I wrote to uncle Quincy in boot camp and cried happy tears as I tried to explain just how happy and thankful I was to have you guys in my life while he was away. It was truly a blessing and a very sweet time in my life. I love you Molls!

~Auntie Kate