Wednesday, February 9, I had a job interview for a parapro position (in a kindergarten class) at Marshpoint Elementary School in Savannah. The interview went well and last Monday, the principle called and offered me the job. I said yes and am so excited! She said I would start immediately, so with me being in Dalton, I hopped in the car and came back to Savannah....and played the waiting game. A whole week has passed and I still haven't started. Saturday morning, I had to go to Savannah Tech and take the GA Work Ready Exam. After 2.5 hrs of testing, I received the Gold Certificate. I am hoping to start sometime this week. I am anxious to start working, being around children, using my degree, making money, having something to do, meeting new people, and so on. And the best thing is, Dusty has NO idea....I know he'll be surprised and proud. He will be home either Friday or Saturday of this week...WOO HOO! I'm ready for him to be home and get back to being together. When I hear about the outcome of SFAS (where Dusty has been for the past 2.5 weeks), I will be sure to let everyone know. After all, it is the answer to our future, especially the next 2-5 yrs of our lives. We'll see what God has in store for us. Thanks to everyone for your love and support!

As of the New Year...

Dusty is on yet another adventure...SFAS (Special Forces Assessment and Selection). I just got back from dropping him off at the airport. He flies from Savannah to Charlotte, then on to Fayetteville, NC and Sunday will start the 3 weeks of training at Fort Bragg. He is trying out for Special Forces, so please everyone keep him in your thoughts and prayers. No care packages, letters, cards, or phone calls are needed for this one. I'll talk to him today and maybe tomorrow morning and that will be it until February 25 or 26.

Since Dusty has been back...we celebrated New Years Eve downtown Savannah at the Weston with several of our close friends, including Dusty's (and mine now) two best friends from West Point, James and Greg. We had a lot of fun! It was the first time since August 2007 that James, Greg, and Dusty all spent time together. James and Greg actually spent the weekend with us when Dusty got back from Iraq, so I guess this was technically the second time, ha!


Dusty had time off from work for Christmas through Jan 18. We had a nice long break of getting acclimated to living together again, grocery shopping, paying bills, and just hanging out. We took it easy, slept late, rented movies, and just spent time with one another.

Dusty, Greg, and I went to the Savannah Hockey Classic in Savannah on January 14. Georgia Ice Dawgs were playing the Florida Gators...and Georgia won, duh! Just kidding all you Florida fans. That was the first hockey game I had ever been to, and Dusty and Greg hadn't been to one since West Point. We had fun!

Saturday, January 22, Dusty and I went to Jacksonville and watched Wesley, Dusty's cousin, play soccer. We got there in time for lunch and then after lunch, we watched Wes play soccer for a couple hours. Then we went to dinner with Wes and Trish and their 3 friends, and after dinner we hit the road back to Savannah. Even though we were in Florida, it was pretty cold that day. We were all bundled up!

Dusty is now, or was, back in the swing of things with work. There for a while he was only working half days, but he is back in the groove of full days. I am currently job searching...we'll see how that goes! So far, no job, but I'll keep my fingers crossed! While Dusty is away for 3 weeks, I'll be spending my time between Savannah and Dalton visiting family. My cousin Corey is on her way down here now to spend a few days with me...I am so excited. Then we'll both be heading back to Dalton and I'll be there for the better part of two weeks. Then it will be time to come back home to Savannah to get Dusty! I'm excited to go home and see my family, especially my sweet nephew, Branton! He is 6 1/2 months old, I cannot believe it. My cousin, Leigh Anne is getting married March 11, and so we are having her Bachelorette party in downtown Atlanta in a couple weeks. Me, Kim and Rachel will all have a chance to hang out together with all the other girls. I have a lot to keep me busy and look forward to while Dusty is gone.

Dusty and I celebrated Valentine's Day last Sunday evening with dinner at a Japanese Steak house in Savannah and dessert at the Melting Pot. Everything was yummy!!! This is our 6th Valentine's Day together and we have yet to spend it on the actual day! Maybe the 7th will be our lucky year!

It was much easier leaving him today, only because he was not going to IRAQ. Yes, he'll be outside in the rain and mud and maybe even snow, not getting a lot of sleep, or food, and having to ruck with a lot of weight on his back for miles, BUT it still isn't Iraq, so I have a little better feeling in my stomach.

Dusty will be back at the end of February. As I said before, there is no contact whatsoever, through phone, letters, computer, packages, nothing. I will definitely let everyone know what the outcome is when I know. Thanks so much for your love and support.

One day I'll learn how to post pictures in order of events. Sorry!.

The Cutest Little Nephew Ever!!!

James "Branton" Bray- 7/16/10

We are family!

The Roy girls...even though 2 of us have different last names now...we'll always be the Roy girls!

The Egglestons: Dusty, Monica, Layla & Paisley

Dusty's Homeoming 12/10/10

Click here to view these pictures larger

Dusty's Home!!!

Dusty flew into Hunter Army Airfield Thursday night around 8:50 pm. He was surprised to be greeted by one of his best friends from West Point, Greg Holownia. Dusty was very surprised. On my way to pick him up at Ft. Stewart, Greg called my phone and I answered by asking if he saw Dusty. He said yes, and then said "babe, this is Dusty!" Such a great surprise getting to hear his voice and knowing he was on US land. His mom and dad, my mom and dad, myself, and Greg and Tim (Dusty's dad's friends from college) all greeted Dusty at Ft. Stewart around 11:30 pm. It was freezing out there! We were bundled up with a banner and American flags. It's hard to explain, but the guys got off the buses behind trees and marched through the trees to us, stood in formation, sang the 3rd ID song- The Dog Face Soldier song, and the Army song. Then it was time to go out in the crazy swarm of ACU's and find Dusty. I got so lost and turned around I stood there, and finally, my dad picked Dusty out of the crowd and led me to him. It was the best feeling seeing him and then hugging and stealing a quick kiss! After visiting for a few minutes, we walked over to where the buses were parked so Dusty could get his ruck sack and duffel bag, and it was on to the house. We met back up with everyone at....dum, dum, dum, dah....ChickfilA...Dusty's all-time most favorite place to eat! We hung out the rest of the day with family and then that night, my sisters, Kim and Rachel, Rachel's husband Beau, and their baby Branton. That night, we had dinner with the family and Greg and James (best friends from West Point) and James' girlfriend Anne. We had a really good time. Dusty, Greg, and James, aka the tripod, had not been together since August of 2007! We all had a really great time. Dusty is now back to work for reintegration for several days. The good thing is he does half days, 7:30-12, and we get to hang out for the rest of the afternoon and evening. It is so great to have him back home. Thank you to each and every one of you who have prayed, supported and loved Dusty and I. Also, thank you for the calls, care packages, and letters. He loved each and everything he received while in Iraq. I feel so blessed and thankful to have him back home safe!

Remember: No packages after October 22!!!!!! So exciting!!!!!!!