Our First Christmas

Doug and I just shared our very first Christmas together! This was the first Christmas we have ever been away from our families on the mainland. Although we missed our families very much, it truly felt like we were beginning our own family and our own holiday traditions. Doug & I couldn't wait until Christmas to open our gifts from each other! We opened them about 5 days before Christmas haha! But we really enjoyed celebrating early together. On Christmas day, we spent time with our friends in Hawaii. We had an awesome cookout on the beach. I made lots of appetizers & dessert for everybody & it was all eaten very quickly! I guess I'm getting better at this cooking thing haha! Now that the year is ending, I must say that I am beyond blessed! I am so happy to be here with my hubby!

We are TOGETHER!

I have been in Hawaii with my husband for 2 weeks now and I am beyond blessed to be here by his side. Even the boring things like grocery shopping are now fun =). I have a new appreciation for my husband... He has worked 15 days straight and by Friday... it will be 20 days without a single day off. He wakes up at approximately 4.30am every morning. I get up at about 5 or 5.30am to drop him off at base. I get to come home and go back to sleep for an hour or two while he's already working. He sometimes doesn't finish work until 10pm. Yet, he always has a smile on his face when I come to pick him up. There are days that they tell him he's about to be released, so I come to get him... and he has to work another 3 hours or more. This weekend he is in the field and it has been pouring rain almost constantly here. I'm ready for him to get home. I hate being in our home without him. Last night was the first night I had to be away from him since we've lived together. I stayed up most of the night... I couldn't sleep. I missed him more than I think I ever have... and that's a lot! Needless to say, we are more than ready for his leave that begins on Friday. The only pro to him being gone is that I've gotten most of my Christmas shopping done! I can't wait for Christmas morning to see his reaction! I love him so much. We've lived together two weeks, and I find myself learning new things about him. He is the most amazing man & I'm so very grateful for him.

As most of you know, our reception is cancelled. Not because we are having troubles... like some have asked lol! We are more than amazing! We would just like to wait for warmer weather so more of our friends and family can attend. So this means we will be spending the holidays in Hawaii. I'm very happy to be spending our very first Christmas here with just the two of us, although we will miss our families on the mainland very much!

I started my new job last week. I'm working part time on TumbleBus Hawaii. It's a mobile gym that travels to different pre-schools and daycares. It's so much fun and stress free! I'm hoping to get another part time job as a cheerleading coach soon. I'm just waiting to find a gym or school that will fit what I'm looking for. It only took me a week for me to realize that the first gym I got hired at wasn't for me at all. I'm glad that I left sooner than later!

Well, we hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas and a safe & happy New Year! May God bless you all this holiday season!

UPDATE!

As most of you know, Doug & I are newlyweds that have been living thousands of miles apart. Not fun at all! I will be moving to Hawaii to be with my husband THIS WEEK! This past month has been very stressful for both of us. Not only because we've been apart, but because all of the things we've had to take care of...

Getting our place in Hawaii was our first challenge. When the Marine Corps is paying for your housing, they must look over the agreement before they give you any allowance. Doug has taken care of all of that & we can move into our place now! It is a small place, perfect for the two of us. Our home is right behind a beautiful canal that leads right to Kailua beach! Our landlord has several kayaks that we can use to go down the canal... it's only a 15 minute trip to the beach. I can't wait to start picking out things for our place together. We've already been shopping for a couch, tables, dinnerware etc.

The most complicated part of this entire move has been getting my car shipped! We had to get his orders, letters of permission, and other documentation. We are still waiting on one more letter then I can take it to the Dallas shipping company. I'm praying that I can do this by Wednesday so I can be with my husband on Thanksgiving.

Another complication was getting my dog, P.nut, to Hawaii. Nutty would have to be quarantined for at least 5 days. If I didn't have every single medical document they needed or for some reason they couldn't scan his microchip, he would have to stay in a cage for 120 days! Nutty gets very depressed when he is alone, so I decided it was best to leave him on the mainland with my family. My mom & brother met me in Arkansas over the weekend to get him. Thank you guys so much! Although I knew it was the best thing for my dog, it was very sad & depressing. I finally smiled & told my mom that I was leaving my "small bald head to be with my big bald head" =). I kissed my Chihuahua's head and cried most of the way back to Texas. I'm embarrassed to say that it was a 7 hour drive! Anyone that has met P.Nut knows that we are very attached! I never go anywhere without him. But... it was something that had to be done to be with my husband.

Yesterday, I quit my job... I have been working there for over 2 years. It wasn't too difficult because I have wanted to get out of the oil & gas industry for awhile now. The pay was excellent... it helped me live on my own & pay for school... so I'm thankful for having that job, but I wasn't really happy sitting behind a desk every day. I'm simply not meant for a desk job! When I went to Hawaii for our wedding, I also had a job interview. I am now the gym manager, tumbling & cheerleading coach on base. I'm so excited to be doing what I love again! Doug is really happy about me coaching... I think mostly because he can play on the equipment LOL!

Before the wedding, I completed my massage therapy internship. But the hour requirements in Hawaii almost double the requirements in Texas. I may come back to the mainland at some point to get licensed and that will allow me to work on cruises. It's really not a priority right now... Doug & I just want to be together!

The day I married Doug, I realized that my entire life was about to change. Some things have to be put on hold or even left behind. Regardless of the changes and sacrifices, I'm so excited about this move! I can finally be a real wife! I will let you all know how the move goes & we will keep you updated after we are finally together as husband and wife!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Hall

Wedding Photos by Barry Maier

Happy Veterans Day!!!

They Did Their Share

On Veteran's Day we honor
Soldiers who protect our nation.
For their service as our warriors,
They deserve our admiration.

Some of them were drafted;
Some were volunteers;
For some it was just yesterday;
For some it's been many years;

In the jungle or the desert,
On land or on the sea,
They did whatever was assigned
To produce a victory.

Some came back; some didn't.
They defended us everywhere.
Some saw combat; some rode a desk;
All of them did their share.

No matter what the duty,
For low pay and little glory,
These soldiers gave up normal lives,
For duties mundane and gory.

Let every veteran be honored;
Don't let politics get in the way.
Without them, freedom would have died;
What they did, we can't repay.

We owe so much to them,
Who kept us safe from terror,
So when we see a uniform,
Let's say "thank you" to every wearer.

By Joanna Fuchs

I would like to thank my HUSBAND, GRANDFATHER, UNCLE, SISTER-IN-LAW, COUSINS & MANY FRIENDS that have served our country. I appreciate all that you have done & all that you continue to do to protect our country & loved ones... THANK YOU!!!

God bless you & enjoy your VETERANS DAY!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Hall

Marine Corps Ball 2008

The Marine Corps Ball was our very first event as husband & wife. It was an amazing evening. All of the Marine Corps spouses were asked to stand up at the ceremony... and I, for the first time, got to stand up as Doug's wife. It was a very special moment that I will never forget. We had our first dance as husband and wife & the song we danced to was "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton. After the ball, we walked around town... the tourist seemed so amazed by my husband in his dress blues. Of course, I was just as impressed. I am so proud of my husband and everything he does for our country & for our family. Here are some photos from the Marine Corps Ball 2008...

Newlyweds ♥

We are married!!! Our wedding day was amazing! Our ceremony was at Sandy Beach in Hawaii at sunrise. Before it all began, it was raining! Both of us were starting to worry that the rain would never end, but it finally calmed down. It was only sprinkling when we saw each other for the first time that morning. After the rain, a beautiful rainbow appeared! It was so amazing to have it in the background of our wedding pictures, along with the white sandy beach & the ocean. It was all worth the rain! My husband, Doug, looked so gorgeous! I was completely mesmerized. We both couldn't stop smiling! Our vows were so meaningful to the both of us & our minister couldn't have chosen better words for our ceremony. There were lots of smiles & tears of happiness from the both of us. Our photographer took pictures for almost 7 hours! He did a wonderful job capturing our special day. We are still waiting on our professional photos, but they are coming soon! I am currently back in Texas, missing Doug like crazy! He has been training in Hawaii since the day I left (Wednesday) & won't be back until Saturday. I haven't gotten to talk to him since we had to seperate at the airport. I would like to take this time to thank everyone for all of their kind prayers. We feel truly blessed to have such amazing family & friends. We don't have the easiest marriage due to distance, and we really appreciate all of your support! I would also like to thank my husband for putting so much time & effort into planning our wedding. I know it was difficult doing everything on his own. I must say that I am beyond blessed to have such an incredible man as my husband. I am so excited to share life & eternity with him. Our journey is just beginning, yet we already have so many wonderful memories together. I love Douglas Allen Hall with everything that I am. With all of that said, here are a few snapshots from the big day...

About Us

THE BEGINNING OF

Throughout Doug’s deployment in Iraq, he spent every free moment emailing or calling Spring. Spring spent her days & nights waiting for him to contact her. Their souls were connecting in a way neither of them had ever experienced before. At one point, almost three days went by with no word from Doug. Spring began to worry about him more than ever and soon realized that she was completely falling for him. Two weeks before Doug came back to the United States, he contacted Spring and asked her to wait for him in Hawaii. She couldn’t refuse meeting the man that was constantly in her dreams. Spring said, “Yes” without hesitation.

SPRING & DOUG’S

Life began for both Doug & Spring on August 28th 2008. Doug had to stop in Ireland and Alaska before he’d ever make it to Hawaii. When Doug reached Alaska, Spring was already in Hawaii. They were anxious, nervous and excited about their very first meeting. It was late at night in Hawaii and Spring was impatiently waiting in the hanger at MCBH. It seemed like it took forever, but finally… the plane had arrived! One by one, each marine stepped off of the plane and onto US ground. To Spring, it seemed like he was the last Marine off of the plane. They couldn’t see each other until Doug broke through the crowd and they were standing face to face. Spring stood there with tears swelling her eyes. At that moment they both knew that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

Only two days later, Doug and Spring ended up at a jewelry store. The jewelry store was extraordinary. Customers could pick out an oyster and customize a piece of jewelry with the pearl that was found inside. Doug decided to pick out an oyster for Spring. The oyster he chose contained a very rare pearl. Spring was amazed with the beauty of the pearl Doug had picked out. Pearls have a very special meaning to Spring. He then had the pearl put on a white gold band centering two diamonds. Doug wouldn’t let Spring have the ring immediately. Spring realized that this wasn’t just any ring… it was THE ring.

Very excited, Spring could hardly wait for him to pop the question. She knew that he was going to ask, but what she didn’t know was when he would ask. To her surprise, it happened way sooner than she ever expected. The next day, Spring was getting ready to go out with Doug and his friends. She was sitting down in a chair right in front of the mirror in the hotel room. Doug got down on one knee and Spring looked at him with loving eyes. He pulled out the box with the ring inside and said “Please say yes”. Spring was in complete shock despite the fact that she knew it was coming. She was speechless. Doug then said, “Or let me sweat it out”. With a small giggle, Spring finally replied, “Yes!!!” Spring and Doug both knew, without a doubt that their love was going to last forever.

Evening fell and the newly engaged couple went out to Waikiki. Spring was introduced as his fiancé for the very first time. They were both gleaming with happiness and everyone could see. After they told their family & friends the news, Spring & Doug decided that they would be married in the place that it all began… Oahu, Hawaii on November 1st 2008.

STORY♥

Spring Rachelle & Douglas Allen Wedding

One should believe in marriage as in the immortality of the soul.

Spring Rachelle

and

Douglas Allen

ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THEIR MARRIAGE

November 1, 2008

Oahu, Hawaii