*SIGH* so, some of you know i went down to virginia this weekend to see Marshall and his family. They have a time-share at a ski resort down there. All-in-all it was a good weekend and i was glad to see him and spend time with him. It felt like a really short visit to say the least and it was obvious both of us had a lot on our minds. These next three weeks (24 days to be exact) marshall is going to be going through his hardest challenge yet. it's especially hard because of the fact that he doesn't get to have any contact with friends, family and loved ones for the entire duration. not only is it a huge mental, and phsyically challenging thing, it will also be the biggest turning point for him in his military career right now. If he passes and gets selected, God willing, he will know where he is going to be stationed once he is done with his training in Fort Bragg (which will be based on what language he wants or has to learn). So, needless to say, he had a lot hanging over his head this weekend and it was hard taking a break and losing his train of thought to be with family inbetween his training. I know that sounds weird probably, and you're thinking-if he isn't going to see or talk to them wouldn't he want to see them one last time before he goes off on this three-week thing?- i understand completley how it must have felt for him, so hopefully once he gets through this, i'm not assuming all will be well, but hopefully a good bit of tension and pressure will be released.

Let me change moods here a little and share the exciting parts of the weekend-i got there friday night and we had dinner, played some cards, watched tv and watched the snow start to fall. As I neared the ski resort, I thought to myself, hmm...it's a ski resort, there could be snow...but to my amazement, there wasn't an inch of snow on the ground, so i had no trouble getting up and down the winding, twisting, steep-grade hills into the resort area. Then we woke up saturday morning to about 8 inches on the ground and it was still falling. They probably got a good foot or more, and yes, to some of you, that doesn't sound like a lot of snow...that's normal where one might live. But considering marshall and I both had to leave sunday, we were a little worried when the snow continued through most of saturday! His family brought his birthday presents along to celebrate it early since his real birthday is during the three weeks. His parents needed to get a few things and marshall wanted to look for a smaller tv+dvd player (than what his parents got him for his bday). That was another frustrating situation sadly, he picked out a nice small flat screen tv, and a $25 dvd player to hook up to it (all small things he can store easily). Well, long story short, we ended up trying three different screens and something was wrong with all of them...so he decided to not even try that brand anymore (polaroid, in case you were wondering). So, saturday night, with the snow still falling and the roads getting worse...we decided to try and go to the rec center and indoor pool place that was just down the road. We almost didn't make it, it was a close one, and we thought at one point, is it really worth it? But we got there safely (thank you God), swam in the pool, got in the outdoor hottub and enjoyed the beautiful snow falling down on us while we boiled away.
Then we came back and had some birthday cake (which was delicious). Then marshall and i stayed up as late as we could until we were both falling asleep, so we went to bed. The next morning was when the dark clouds began to gather (that's a metaphor in case anyone is wondering). It was just hard, i'll leave it at that.

We both left at the same time, and we both got back at the same time last night...i made pretty good time after i got through the freakin BLIZZARD on 76. haha, i told melissa after i got back that i was glad we could still be friends...she was like, still be friends? i said, yeah...cause i don't think i would have made it in anyone else's car...your 4-wheel drive saved my life! it was pretty much a white-out around summerset, going through the mountains...luckily the roads weren't too bad yet, but the snow was coming down heavy and fast and i could barely even see the traffic on the east-bound side. I stayed behind a land-rover most of the way...i had lots of little car buddies on my way there and back...i like to refer to them as my "bitches" cause they're willing to speed ahead and so i figure, they'll get pulled over first and i can get away...haha...i'm terrible...i didn't do it that much. and i wouldn't follow them if they went anymore than 10 over the speed limit. All in all, there was not a lot of traffic and there was no construction or back-ups so i made pretty good time and in a safe manner :)

I would like to end this journal entry with the lyrics to a very cheesy song...and as much as you could call me a sap and think it could be related to marshall and i...in some ways it is...BUT, my true love for this song came from last summer...one of my co-workers played it and it's an oldie..lemme tell ya. and then i heard it on the radio last night on my way back and i blasted it and sang along as much as i could remember :) so, i thought about cutting it short...but no, i'm putting all the lyrics in, even the repeated stuff...read it, it's good stuff

Looking in your eyes I see a paradise
This world that I found is too good to be true
Standing here beside you, want so much to give you
This love in my heart that I'm feeling for you

Let 'em say we're crazy, I don't care 'bout that
Put your hand in my hand baby, don't ever look back
Let the world around us just fall apart
Baby, we can make it if we're heart to heart

And we can build this dream together, standing strong forever
Nothing's gonna stop us now
And if this world runs out of lovers, we'll still have each other
Nothing's gonna stop us, nothing's gonna stop us now
Woh woh oh

I'm so glad I found you, I'm not gonna lose you
Whatever it takes, I will stay here with you
Take it to the good times, see it through the bad times
Whatever it takes is what I'm gonna do

Let 'em say we're crazy, what do they know
Put your arms around me baby, don't ever let go
Let the world around us just fall apart
Baby, we can make it if we're heart to heart

And we can build this dream together, standing strong forever
Nothing's gonna stop us now
And if this world runs out of lovers, we'll still have each other
Nothing's gonna stop us, nothing's gonna stop us

Ooh, all that I need is you, all that I ever need
And all that I want to do, is hold you forever, forever and ever
And we can build this dream together, standing strong forever
Nothing's gonna stop us now
And if this world runs out of lovers, we'll still have each other
Nothing's gonna stop us, nothing's gonna stop us
(And we can build this dream together, standing strong forever)
Woh oh oh-oh-oh (nothing's gonna stop us now)
Nothing's gonna stop us (world runs out of lovers)
Now (we'll still have each other)
(Nothing's gonna stop us) us now
(And we can build this dream together) hey baby
(Standing strong forever) I know
(Nothing's gonna stop us now)