Newest Recruit!

Well everyone, if you haven't heard....My husband joined the army!  Last Thursday June 12th, Ethan was sworn in as Private First Class (PFC) Janson. He is now in the National Guard with an MOS is in Military Intelligence.  He is currently apart of the 141st St.George unit. To be honest, I was super nervous and almost even against it at first. After some careful consideration, lot's of praying, and a few temple trips we decided it was right for us. 

Now for those who are wondering, here is what he plans on doing...although keep in mind that this is the military and what you plan for doesn't always happen. However, this is what we're shooting for. He will be enrolling in the ROTC through Dixie State this fall. The ROTC includes a weekly work out schedule and a few classes each semester. Because of his ROTC courses over the next few years and a few random trainings over the next couple of summers, he will earn his basic training credit without actually having to go to basic. Being enlisted in the National Guard means he will be required to attend a training one weekend a month and one week long training a year. Not too bad, right?! 

Now I'm sure you're all wondering about that scary D word...deployment. Believe me, it's my biggest concern. As far as when or for how long or will he at all?? No one can say, it will just be up to how so many different factors. While he is enrolled in the ROTC program and going to school it is very unlikely (not saying it won't happen) because that is part of his training. Our plan is just to take it one day at a time and not worry/stress until we have reason to. That last part is mostly for me. I tend to over think things and stress before things actually happen, so this will be a good way for me to work on that.

 Aside from being nervous about the whole thing I am actually very excited and proud of Ethan. This will be such an exciting and learning experience for him. He is actually not the first to serve in his family. Both his grandpa and dad have served and it's always been something Ethan has thought about doing to honor them in a way...along with many other reasons. He has really given this a lot of consideration before joining and no he didn't feel like he "had" to for his family, or for the money. Those are just some perks to joining. I believe he joined for the right reasons. I am so grateful to have such loving, supportive, families. That's actually one of the big factors of us joining. We know joining the Military isn't going to be easy but no matter what happens we will always have such an amazing support group behind us! Anyways,who know where the next 8 years will take us, but we're sure it is  likely be some of the most stressful, difficult, exciting and most rewarding years of our life together!!

I sure do love my man in uniform!

 

Ethan's Friend Braden and his wife Amber texted me to see if they could help decorate Eth's car before he came back from enlisting. We've got some great friends!

Yes, those are little toy army men taped all over his car. haha

 

Friday night I had some our friends come over for cake and ice cream to celebrate. Ethan was so surprised!! I know he and I both appreciate all our awesome supportive friends!

Weekend in New harmony!

Ethan's grandparents live up in beautiful New Harmony so we decided to go visit them last Saturday! New Harmony is seriously a beautiful little town. We had such a great time visit with them. Grandma had us pick lot's of cherries to take home, she played the piano for us, we watched soccer with grandpa, and then played a few rounds of cards. We had such an enjoyable time with them. They are still the cutest grandparents and I'm so glad I am getting time to spend with them and become closer. I hope mine and Ethan's relationship can be as strong and loving as theirs has, after so many years. What a wonderful example of a loving lasting marriage!