2010 done and over with.

For those of you who didn't get our Christmas letter here it is.

In January, James got to visit Michelle. While on that visit James and Michelle introduced each other to their families. James also proposed to Michelle on beach in California. Shortly after that James returned to Fort Rucker. Michelle stayed in Phoenix.
In February, James got promoted to the rank of Sergeant and because of this promotion was required to go to Warrior Leader Course or WLC at Fort Stewart, GA. He also reenlisted for six more years pushing his Estimated Time of Separation or ETS out to 2016. Michelle went on the Tapestry retreat to Prescott, AZ. Jill Rhodes was the speaker and Michelle was blessed by Jill speaking about God being our refuge.
In March, the lovely Mary Beth had her wedding to Ben. Michelle flew out to Fort Rucker just before the wedding. James and Michelle then drove up to Fort Belvoir, VA to attend it. James played for the entrance of the bride and the recessional. After returning from that, Michelle then made her way out to San Diego, CA and spent two weeks working Project Barnabas for Amor Ministries. One of the groups Michelle worked with was Yuba City which was the group James went with during high school.
In April and May, nothing exciting happened.
In June, Michelle flew out to Fort Rucker to visit James for his birthday and James got to show off his new Eclipse trumpet that he bought with part of his reenlistment bonus.
In July, Michelle, Kate, Kari, and Angela drove up to Marysville, while James flew into San Francisco. James and Michelle went to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Michelle got swim with dolphins and James wished he had swum with the dolphins. James and Michelle had their wedding. Then James, Michelle, Kate, Kari, and Angela returned to Phoenix where they had a reception at Royal Palms Baptist Church for Michelle’s friends and family who couldn’t make it to the wedding. Michelle and James then drove to Fort Rucker across the south…..in the summer……without air conditioning.
In August, Michelle’s things from Phoenix arrived and she spent several days unpacking and wondering where a box was when all the stuff was here already. James and Michelle found a church home at a small church in Daleville, Daleville Baptist Church.
In September, Michelle needed a minor outpatient surgery, and everything went well. One of the other band wives started to teach a fitness class at church in Enterprise and needed someone to do childcare. She asked Michelle and that started a job for Michelle. It has grown into a three day week for a couple of hours, and every now again it adds another day.
In October, James got word of getting orders for Alaska. Michelle looked into becoming certified in AK. She signed up to take the Praxis I all three reading, writing and math. However, she only passed the math. James and Michelle helped out at 5th quarter, which is a ministry of DBC. It gives the students of Daleville grades 7 thru 12 somewhere to go after the football games. This opened the door to them helping out with the youth group. So now Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings are spent in the Basement with the youth.
In November, Michelle tried the Praxis I reading again and was successful. Michelle also decided it time to do something about the pain in her hip and started physical therapy for it again. This time around seems to be a little more successful. James and Michelle spent Thanksgiving with 98th army band. Also we received orders for Alaska, however, still needed to receive the amendments to the orders because James got accepted into Advanced Leaders Course or ALC. We no longer share ownership of the Mazda with the bank.
The first two weeks of December were a very busy time of the year for James. Many concerts and parades were scheduled for the band. One concert in Ozark, one concert on post and one concert in Panama City, FL. The second half of December looks to be very relaxing with much time spent with each other. As the year winds down we both realize how blessed we both have been and sincerely hope that 2011 is half as wonderful as 2010 has been.
Just so you have an idea what next year has in store for us. James will spend a little less than 2 months in Virginia Beach at the US Army School of Music for ALC. Michelle will look for a job as teacher in Alaska for the 2011-2012 school year. We are hoping it is a rural school because the Alaskan government will then supply a house at no cost. We will be moving to Alaska in summer.