Life is Good.

Nearly 9 months after coming back from Iraq, I have finally finished cleaning and organizing a garage. The garage is certainly a small step for humanity, and probably a small step for most people. But, for whatever reason, having a clean and organized garage (except for Shayna's Pilates machine which I promise will get moved!) is a great indicator that we've finally settled into a place. Of course, it's also a great indicator that I've ran out of excuses for not unpacking. For the first time since 1999, I have finally completely unpacked from the military.

I have roughly a week left on the military payroll until I'm completely out of the military. For the past 70 plus days, I've been working for LAM Research while on leave. LAM Research is a semiconductor equipment company that produces machines, for a lack of a better term, that are integral to the production of computer chips. The machines that LAM makes, and exports, etch and clean the silicon wafers at fabrication plants worldwide for other companies that buy our products. This is obviously not what my West Point Physics instructors would've predicted my post-Army career would involve - but I'm having a great time here. The technology, pace, and the quality of people who work with me at LAM are all exactly what I wanted to do outside of the military. As an extra sweetener, my work is roughly a 5-8 minute drive from our home.

Unfortunately, I'm loathe to really describe what I do at LAM yet as I'm still figuring it out! But, basically, I work in an organization called Business Operations that acts as both a planner, manager, and sort of a traffic cop if you will for manufacturing and other business processes within LAM. There are a number of analogies that I've heard that describe what Business Operations does at LAM. But, I'll leave that for another blog post - by then I hope I can articulate them more succinctly.

Recently Shayna and I have been exploring California on the weekends. We went down to San Louis Obispo and met some absolutely amazing people there. I hope we get to go down there again in June actually. This time though, I won't try to take Highway 1 on the way back because the drive is a bit too slow for a Sunday evening (i.e. narrow, curvy, and touristy).

Oh, and finally, it is the thrill of a lifetime to feel your baby kick through her mom's stomach. Lily is either going to be a soccer player or a volleyball player, that's for sure given her love of kicking (fist pump?!) inside of Shayna! Regardless of volleyball, soccer, or anything else she wants to do - she's going to have a Dad who loves her.

O.k., well, it's time to get to bed. I wake up at 4:30am Monday through Friday so I can get to the gym and then get to work by 7:15am. It's a good routine, and not too brutal because I work so close to home. The working close to home has also allowed me to go home for lunch and see Shayna.

Life is good.

Settled in CA....just in time to head back up to WA!

I thought it was about time for an update!! Things are going well in CA...Justin is getting settled into the civilian world and his job in Business Operations for Lam Research. It was a bit of an adjustment at first: he was showing up to work so early (late by Army standards) that no one else was even in the office yet...or getting used to being able to wear jeans to work on a Friday. However, he's working hard and doing just an amazing job. I'm so proud of him and how much he's learning, and I'm happy that he's happy.

I'm still working from home and loving it. I really surprised myself initially with how well I'm able to focus and get through a work day at home feeling incredibly productive. I was back to WA for work last month, and I head back up next Tuesday for another 5 days. I miss Justin a ton while I'm gone, but it's really nice to get home and see my family, friends, and coworkers. I really miss going into the clinic every day, and living 10 minutes away from my mom.

We are finally all moved in and settled into our rental home. It's in South Fremont, in a circa 70s area called Warm Springs. We really lucked out on a great home...3 bedrooms (so room for guests!), a fantastic yard (see our new garden below), and a membership to the housing community's pool right next door. I have yet to decide if I'll be willing to put on a swimsuit while pregnant, but at least I have the option.

It's a work-in-progress, but we are both pretty proud!

We've been having a great time on weekends. A couple weekends ago my good friend Brittany was in town. Justin and I jetted down to Monterey on my birthday to meet up with her family and explore the Aquarium--we all had a great time. It was amazing seeing her baby girl too--she's getting such a personality! Later that day Justin and I made our way up to SF and hung out at Fisherman's Wharf and had dinner at a great restaurant with his high school friend Khai.

Cha-Cha even got some sight seeing in!

Justin just relaxing. :)

Last weekend my friend Natalie was in town, so we made it out to Sam's Chowder House in Half-Moon Bay, and even up to SF for an evening. I have to say, I love living in a place where the sun is always shining and we have some amazing options for the weekends.

We're also getting ready for our little girl to arrive this August. Lily Sydelle Raphael (named after both our grandmas) should be here in mid-August, and we're starting to get so excited about all the planning and preparation. I *think* I've settled on colors for the nursery after desperately wanting to avoid it looking like something threw up pink all over the place, we start pre-childbirth classes in June, and I have been having more than a great time finding adorable baby clothes!

All in all things in CA are going well. It's been an adjustment, and while I really miss WA, it's exciting building a new life with my husband down here....with a flight under two hours back home. 

We miss you all, and hope to see you soon. If anyone wants to take a trip to the Bay Area...you have a place to stay!