Sunday, March 25, 2012
The word we have been dreading...Deployment
Well the day has arrived for this Army couple, Jared is being deployed. He was transferred between units from Mesa, AZ to Sacramento, CA. His deployment orders are for 400 days, although our fingers are crossed it is shorter. We were able to spend about two weeks together before he left and we sure did cherish our time together!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Picture Update
Hello! As usual, we go months without updating! When there is nothing new or noteworthy, it makes it kind of tough to come up with ideas to blog about!
In June, Jared was promoted to 1st Lieutenant!
In July, we completed a 2800 mile road trip to visit Jared's parents and sister.
We took the dogs with us!
Max and Roxie eating in the bed of the truck, which worked out perfect because it was an easy clean up and kept them off the ground at the gas stations!
Max and Roxie got to meet another Hrabak westie, Missy! Jared's parents have a westie too which helped influence our choice of breed. (Left to right: Missy, Max, Roxie).
The whole Hrabak clan! This picture is from the evening we went to the Melting Pot to celebrate birthday's, promotions, good grades and enjoy family time! (Left to right: Jared, Kayla, Renee, Michelle and Ron).
For Kayla's birthday, we spent the day going to wineries! Who knew there were wineries in southern Arizona?! We had a great time, but failed to get a picture of us wine tasting!
For Jared's birthday, we went to the Blink 182 concert in Phoenix. This was one of Jared's favorite bands when he was in high school. We had to see them when they came to town because not only was the band on his bucket list, but they played on his birthday!
Kayla's family at the breast cancer walk in Phoenix. Kayla's mom is a survivor of breast cancer, so we walk in celebration of her every year. (Left to right: Jared, Kayla, Debbie, Rick and Kaylee).
Roxie and Max hanging out by our carved pumpkin.
We just recently went on a hike at Carr Canyon, here in Sierra Vista. We are sure enjoying the fall weather and trying to make the most of it!
The dogs exhausted after our hike!
Love,
J and K
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Updates
Hello! Well every few months is the typical update for us! Mainly because there is just not too much going on.
Jared has been enjoying his job as a Proxy Administrator at General Dynamics and is constantly learning new material. He just recently passed his Blue Coat Technical Certification, which certifies him to have the technical skills to deploy, configure, and manage the day to day security operations.
Kayla is still working at Wells Fargo as a teller, but is currently looking for a new position to find something she enjoys more. But living in such a small town with limited opportunities has presented a challenge for her, but Sierra Vista isn't a permanent home, so she is keeping her head high that one day she will have a better job, hopefully using her degree!
Jared and Kayla plan on staying in Sierra Vista for about one more year, then hope to find jobs that will allow them to move back to Phoenix. Jared has about three more years with his Army Reserve unit there, so we plan to stay in Arizona for the duration of that time, then see where jobs may lead us outside of Phoenix. We would love to officially settle outside of Phoenix, and currently have interest in Colorado.
We just added a new addition to our family, a puppy! We got another westie, from the same breeder as we got Max. We named her Roxie and she has been adjusting very well to our family. We were worried that Max was going to be distant from her and become jealous, but he has loved having a full time playmate and is also very protective of her. We have been talking about getting another dog for a few months now, and when Kayla's baby fever reached a high temperature, Jared pushed for the idea of getting a puppy! Roxie has been a handful and potty training has been a slow process, but it is fun to now have two dogs!
For those who may be wondering when we are going to have human children, we are still planning on a waiting at least a couple more years. We would really like to both have strong jobs and have a house, opposed to our current apartment living situation. So for now, the four legged children will keep us busy! And it is that time in our lives where our friends are having children, so we will enjoy spending time with their children!
Our upcoming vacations this year include a road trip to Memphis to visit Jared's parents in July. With flights being so expensive, especially into a smaller airport like Memphis, we have chosen to drive. We both do well on long drives, so we are comfortable with another trip across the country. This time though we will have two dogs, so hopefully that doesn't add too much more adventure for us!
Other than that, we are just staying busy with work and the dogs! We have been exploring the hiking trails and the lake down here in Southern Arizona, taking advantage of the currently nice weather we have!
Jared and Kayla
Jared has been enjoying his job as a Proxy Administrator at General Dynamics and is constantly learning new material. He just recently passed his Blue Coat Technical Certification, which certifies him to have the technical skills to deploy, configure, and manage the day to day security operations.
Kayla is still working at Wells Fargo as a teller, but is currently looking for a new position to find something she enjoys more. But living in such a small town with limited opportunities has presented a challenge for her, but Sierra Vista isn't a permanent home, so she is keeping her head high that one day she will have a better job, hopefully using her degree!
Jared and Kayla plan on staying in Sierra Vista for about one more year, then hope to find jobs that will allow them to move back to Phoenix. Jared has about three more years with his Army Reserve unit there, so we plan to stay in Arizona for the duration of that time, then see where jobs may lead us outside of Phoenix. We would love to officially settle outside of Phoenix, and currently have interest in Colorado.
We just added a new addition to our family, a puppy! We got another westie, from the same breeder as we got Max. We named her Roxie and she has been adjusting very well to our family. We were worried that Max was going to be distant from her and become jealous, but he has loved having a full time playmate and is also very protective of her. We have been talking about getting another dog for a few months now, and when Kayla's baby fever reached a high temperature, Jared pushed for the idea of getting a puppy! Roxie has been a handful and potty training has been a slow process, but it is fun to now have two dogs!
Roxie
They always are playing tug of war!
Sleeping the same way, too cute
Working on walking together
For those who may be wondering when we are going to have human children, we are still planning on a waiting at least a couple more years. We would really like to both have strong jobs and have a house, opposed to our current apartment living situation. So for now, the four legged children will keep us busy! And it is that time in our lives where our friends are having children, so we will enjoy spending time with their children!
Our upcoming vacations this year include a road trip to Memphis to visit Jared's parents in July. With flights being so expensive, especially into a smaller airport like Memphis, we have chosen to drive. We both do well on long drives, so we are comfortable with another trip across the country. This time though we will have two dogs, so hopefully that doesn't add too much more adventure for us!
Other than that, we are just staying busy with work and the dogs! We have been exploring the hiking trails and the lake down here in Southern Arizona, taking advantage of the currently nice weather we have!
Jared and Kayla
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
New City, New Job, New Year
Well it has been awhile since we have posted, but that should not be a surprise since a couple of months between posts are common for us!
We have been very busy since the end of November with moving to a new city, starting new jobs and adjusting to a new life. We have slowly been settling into our apartment in Sierra Vista, but have found that we are over apartment life. We only signed a six month lease, so hope to find a more suitable fit for us over the next few months as we learn more about our new home. Sierra Vista has a very similar small town feel like Flagstaff, just tumble weeds instead of pine trees.
Shortly after we moved in and just two days after Christmas, we found out that Jared was going to be laid off at the end of January. His brand new position with General Dynamics as a Help Desk Technician was losing their contract through the Army, which meant the entire staff was going to be laid off in that department. This was a very heavy burden as we had just invested our time and money to relocate to Sierra Vista. Unfortunately, this also happened just days before our one year anniversary, so our big weekend plans were canceled as we needed to save every penny for what might come in the next six weeks. Jared instantly began working on his resume and networking within General Dynamics and through Army personnel. Within a week, Jared had an interview with another department of General Dynamics, also at Fort Huachuca, as a Proxy Administrator (whose contract is until the end of 2012) and he was offered the position! We were so relieved and thankful that he was able to find a new position not only so quickly, but in the same town!
Kayla was able to get a transfer to Wells Fargo and was able to continue working for the company she had just started with. She has been thinking about going back to school for awhile, but with finances and timing, the idea has been put on the back burner. After working at Kay Jewelers and now Wells Fargo, she is clear that a sales position is not for her. She has always had a love for the hospital environment, but her weak stomach doesn't allow a profession in the medical field. The summer before her senior year at NAU, she had a Public Relations internship that she loved at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. Unfortunately the current economy has eliminated a lot of PR related positions. She has now decided to go back to school to become a Child Life Specialist, to help children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events while in the hospital. She is going to begin by taking online classes, then hopefully find a nearby university to take the necessary in-person classes. The position requires a bachelor degree in Child Life, three certifications and 480 volunteer hours, so she has a long road ahead of her before she can apply, but she is very excited to begin the process! Kayla feels that being a Child Life Specialist would be a very rewarding and fulfilling job and would also tie in her PR degree as Child Life does a lot of event planning.
Well we celebrated our one year wedding anniversary and can't believe how quickly the past year went. Although our one year wasn't ideal because we were stressed with Jared's job and didn't do anything special as we were scared to touch our bank account not knowing the future. But we were thankful that we were together and living under the same roof again! We enjoyed all the anniversary cards, memories from the day, watching our engagement and wedding picture montage videos and looking through our wedding album. We did get an anniversary cake from the same bakery that made our wedding cake, which was delicious!
We have found a doggy day camp for our little guy Max and he just loves going! We normally take him twice a week which allows him some social time and good exercise! The place is called 'Going to Grandma's: A bed and biscuit kennel,' they give us a report card and pictures of Max playing about three times a month. The only bad thing about the place is that it's all dirt, so our white Max comes home orange! We bathe him so much more now but we know it is worth it. There is also a great dog park nearby, which allows us to take him to play ball and run around. We hope to get a backyard in the future and maybe a sister for Max, because he loves being outside and he loves being with other dogs. This is the first time Max has ever lived somewhere without a doggy door and he has done so well with letting us know when he needs out and has managed to hold it all day while we are at work.
We still have a lot of unpacked boxes and have yet to invite any family or friends down, as we are still trying to get settled and adjusted. We are enjoying the adventure of a new city where we only know each other, but we also know that Sierra Vista isn't somewhere we care to make permanent. For now, we are making the most of it and are looking forward to what this chapter in our life will bring us.
We will continue to keep you updated and maybe blog more often!
Jared and Kayla
We have been very busy since the end of November with moving to a new city, starting new jobs and adjusting to a new life. We have slowly been settling into our apartment in Sierra Vista, but have found that we are over apartment life. We only signed a six month lease, so hope to find a more suitable fit for us over the next few months as we learn more about our new home. Sierra Vista has a very similar small town feel like Flagstaff, just tumble weeds instead of pine trees.
Shortly after we moved in and just two days after Christmas, we found out that Jared was going to be laid off at the end of January. His brand new position with General Dynamics as a Help Desk Technician was losing their contract through the Army, which meant the entire staff was going to be laid off in that department. This was a very heavy burden as we had just invested our time and money to relocate to Sierra Vista. Unfortunately, this also happened just days before our one year anniversary, so our big weekend plans were canceled as we needed to save every penny for what might come in the next six weeks. Jared instantly began working on his resume and networking within General Dynamics and through Army personnel. Within a week, Jared had an interview with another department of General Dynamics, also at Fort Huachuca, as a Proxy Administrator (whose contract is until the end of 2012) and he was offered the position! We were so relieved and thankful that he was able to find a new position not only so quickly, but in the same town!
Kayla was able to get a transfer to Wells Fargo and was able to continue working for the company she had just started with. She has been thinking about going back to school for awhile, but with finances and timing, the idea has been put on the back burner. After working at Kay Jewelers and now Wells Fargo, she is clear that a sales position is not for her. She has always had a love for the hospital environment, but her weak stomach doesn't allow a profession in the medical field. The summer before her senior year at NAU, she had a Public Relations internship that she loved at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. Unfortunately the current economy has eliminated a lot of PR related positions. She has now decided to go back to school to become a Child Life Specialist, to help children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events while in the hospital. She is going to begin by taking online classes, then hopefully find a nearby university to take the necessary in-person classes. The position requires a bachelor degree in Child Life, three certifications and 480 volunteer hours, so she has a long road ahead of her before she can apply, but she is very excited to begin the process! Kayla feels that being a Child Life Specialist would be a very rewarding and fulfilling job and would also tie in her PR degree as Child Life does a lot of event planning.
Well we celebrated our one year wedding anniversary and can't believe how quickly the past year went. Although our one year wasn't ideal because we were stressed with Jared's job and didn't do anything special as we were scared to touch our bank account not knowing the future. But we were thankful that we were together and living under the same roof again! We enjoyed all the anniversary cards, memories from the day, watching our engagement and wedding picture montage videos and looking through our wedding album. We did get an anniversary cake from the same bakery that made our wedding cake, which was delicious!
Our one year anniversary cake from Barb's Bakery!
The pink champagne was so delicious!
We have found a doggy day camp for our little guy Max and he just loves going! We normally take him twice a week which allows him some social time and good exercise! The place is called 'Going to Grandma's: A bed and biscuit kennel,' they give us a report card and pictures of Max playing about three times a month. The only bad thing about the place is that it's all dirt, so our white Max comes home orange! We bathe him so much more now but we know it is worth it. There is also a great dog park nearby, which allows us to take him to play ball and run around. We hope to get a backyard in the future and maybe a sister for Max, because he loves being outside and he loves being with other dogs. This is the first time Max has ever lived somewhere without a doggy door and he has done so well with letting us know when he needs out and has managed to hold it all day while we are at work.
Max at doggy day camp
Max playing at the dog park. He was trying to be the next Sandlot dog
We still have a lot of unpacked boxes and have yet to invite any family or friends down, as we are still trying to get settled and adjusted. We are enjoying the adventure of a new city where we only know each other, but we also know that Sierra Vista isn't somewhere we care to make permanent. For now, we are making the most of it and are looking forward to what this chapter in our life will bring us.
We will continue to keep you updated and maybe blog more often!
Jared and Kayla
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Graduation, Thanksgiving and 2500 Mile Road Trip
We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to enjoy some special time with family. We were very thankful this year because we were able to close the chapter of us being thousands of miles apart.
Jared's graduation went well, it was short and sweet, but exciting to see Jared finish Signal school knowing he had accomplished a lot and taken advantage of several resources. Jared's parents drove down from Memphis to help us celebrate too. We hardly get to see our Hrabak parents since they live in another state, so it was a lot of fun to spend a few days with them.
After the graduation, we packed up the cars and drove to Memphis to spend a few days with Dad and Mom Hrabak and celebrate Thanksgiving. Jared's sister Renee flew in too for the holiday from college, so the Hrabak family of five was complete. It was so special to spend time together and we were thankful for the opportunity to be together for Thanksgiving. We celebrated the holiday on Wednesday since we needed to begin our drive back to Phoenix.
We began our road trip back to Phoenix on Thanksgiving, which actually worked out well for us because we didn't have any traffic and cut off a couple of hours of the 23 hour drive. We work well together as a team when it comes to road trips, take turns driving and let each other know when we are getting tired and need to switch. We have become true believers that every couple needs to do a long road trip together because it truly tells you a lot about the other person! Clearly it went well for us, since we are still together!
We spent a couple of days in Phoenix, then both drove separately down to Sierra Vista to explore our new home and get Jared settled in. Kayla had to drive back the next day since she is still working in Phoenix. Jared started his new job last week in Sierra Vista and is really enjoying it. He is still going through training and adjusting, but he sees a lot of potential and is excited about the opportunities to come.
We originally were going to look for a home to rent, but decided to do an apartment for the first six months, while we adjust to the city and figure out the area a little better. We would hate to be locked into a 12 month lease and not like the neighborhood or surrounding area. We move into our apartment on December 21st, then will come back to Phoenix to spend Christmas with Kayla's family.
We are counting down the days until we live together again and have all of our belongings under one roof. Once we are all moved in and settled in our new home together, we will be sure to post pictures!
Until then, Merry Christmas from the Hrabak Three: Jared, Kayla and Max
Jared's graduation went well, it was short and sweet, but exciting to see Jared finish Signal school knowing he had accomplished a lot and taken advantage of several resources. Jared's parents drove down from Memphis to help us celebrate too. We hardly get to see our Hrabak parents since they live in another state, so it was a lot of fun to spend a few days with them.
After the graduation, we packed up the cars and drove to Memphis to spend a few days with Dad and Mom Hrabak and celebrate Thanksgiving. Jared's sister Renee flew in too for the holiday from college, so the Hrabak family of five was complete. It was so special to spend time together and we were thankful for the opportunity to be together for Thanksgiving. We celebrated the holiday on Wednesday since we needed to begin our drive back to Phoenix.
We began our road trip back to Phoenix on Thanksgiving, which actually worked out well for us because we didn't have any traffic and cut off a couple of hours of the 23 hour drive. We work well together as a team when it comes to road trips, take turns driving and let each other know when we are getting tired and need to switch. We have become true believers that every couple needs to do a long road trip together because it truly tells you a lot about the other person! Clearly it went well for us, since we are still together!
We spent a couple of days in Phoenix, then both drove separately down to Sierra Vista to explore our new home and get Jared settled in. Kayla had to drive back the next day since she is still working in Phoenix. Jared started his new job last week in Sierra Vista and is really enjoying it. He is still going through training and adjusting, but he sees a lot of potential and is excited about the opportunities to come.
We originally were going to look for a home to rent, but decided to do an apartment for the first six months, while we adjust to the city and figure out the area a little better. We would hate to be locked into a 12 month lease and not like the neighborhood or surrounding area. We move into our apartment on December 21st, then will come back to Phoenix to spend Christmas with Kayla's family.
We are counting down the days until we live together again and have all of our belongings under one roof. Once we are all moved in and settled in our new home together, we will be sure to post pictures!
Until then, Merry Christmas from the Hrabak Three: Jared, Kayla and Max
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Jared's New Job
After four months of job searching, us being 2500 miles apart and several unknown answers to where Jared will be working and where we will be living, we finally found a light at the end of the tunnel!
Jared was offered a position with General Dynamics in the IT department at Fort Huachuca, in Sierra Vista, AZ. This is definitely not on our bucket list of places to live, but we are so excited about this opportunity for Jared and the doors it will open for us in the future.
Jared and Kayla are going to look for a home during the month of December and hope to find one by the beginning of January. Jared will stay in a hotel until they can find a home and Kayla can put a transfer in at her job at Wells Fargo. We hope to be living in the same zip code by the time of our one year wedding anniversary.
Kayla leaves this Saturday for Georgia to celebrate Jared's graduation on Monday, November 22nd from Officer Signal School. We will then spend a couple of days and Thanksgiving in Memphis with the Hrabak family; then we will make the drive back to Phoenix, then shortly after move Jared down to our new home.
This is such an exciting time for us and we are looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. We truly appreciate all the love, support and continued prayers.
Love,
Jared and Kayla
Jared was offered a position with General Dynamics in the IT department at Fort Huachuca, in Sierra Vista, AZ. This is definitely not on our bucket list of places to live, but we are so excited about this opportunity for Jared and the doors it will open for us in the future.
Jared and Kayla are going to look for a home during the month of December and hope to find one by the beginning of January. Jared will stay in a hotel until they can find a home and Kayla can put a transfer in at her job at Wells Fargo. We hope to be living in the same zip code by the time of our one year wedding anniversary.
Kayla leaves this Saturday for Georgia to celebrate Jared's graduation on Monday, November 22nd from Officer Signal School. We will then spend a couple of days and Thanksgiving in Memphis with the Hrabak family; then we will make the drive back to Phoenix, then shortly after move Jared down to our new home.
This is such an exciting time for us and we are looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. We truly appreciate all the love, support and continued prayers.
Love,
Jared and Kayla
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Much Needed Update
Well this whole blogging thing still has not made our priority list! Probably because nothing too exciting has been going on in our lives. We are in the final countdown of being 2500 miles apart; 18 days today until we are together again for longer than five days.
Jared has been doing really well in Georgia. He is at Fort Gordon in Augusta completing his Officer Signal Training. He has been there since the end of July and graduates on November 22nd. He has been getting extensive training on cryptology, network intrusion devices, implementing and maintaining secure networks and security policies and procedures Jared is very talented with operating systems, computers and networks, so this has been an amazing opportunity for him to gain professional training and to begin networking. Jared is currently in the Army Reserves but is working on civilian positions and also active duty positions. Please have positive thoughts and good wishes for both of us as Jared discusses his opportunities with a variety of companies to find the best position for his future career and for us as a family.
Kayla has just recently closed a much needed chapter in her life with a job she had for a little over a year. She was very unhappy and did not enjoy the line of work she was in. This past August, Kayla applied at Wells Fargo and after several interviews and an intensive background check, she finally started her new job yesterday! She is thrilled to start her new job and anxious to get through training to really get into the swing of things and begin her new work routine. Wells Fargo is a company that has many windows of opportunity to allow Kayla to grow, which she hopes to do. Kayla hopes to follow the path as several of the Public Relations and Marketing employees have of Wells Fargo, by starting as a teller and growing within the company. Kayla started the interview process allowing Wells Fargo to know that her husband was in the military so the possibility of moving was a definite possibility, but Wells Fargo was very supportive and open for helping Kayla secure a position within the company, helping her find a job in whatever city she may end up in.
Jared and Kayla have seen each other for the recent holidays that have allowed each of them to have longer weekends. Jared visited Phoenix during Labor Day weekend and Kayla has been to Augusta twice, once for Columbus Day weekend and for Halloween weekend, which was to attend Jared's Dining Out formal dinner.
Jared and Kayla were blessed by family friends to stay at a beach condo
in Myrtle Beach, SC for Columbus Day weekend. It was a much
needed vacation for us and we had a wonderful time together.
It was so nice to be by the ocean!
Jared and Kayla went on a jet ski dolphin tour in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was amazing!
This is seriously how close we were to the dolphins. It was so much fun
and an amazing opportunity.
Jared and Kayla went to the Officer Dining Out at Fort Gordon,
we had a really good time and enjoyed getting all dressed up.
Jared and Kayla supported the Cardinals in Georgia!
Just an updated picture of our handsome little westie.
We love our Max!
Kayla will make her one-way flight to Augusta on November 20th and attend Jared's graduation from Signal school. From there, we will drive to Memphis, Tennessee, where Jared's parents live. We will get to spend a couple of days with his parents and sister for Thanksgiving, before making the long drive back to Arizona. As of right now, we are still waiting to find out what Jared will be doing and where we will be living. Stay tuned, some very exciting and life changing decisions will be taking place for us very soon. We are very excited to find out what is ahead for us and where we will be going!
*We have also been married for 10 months today! This time last year Kayla was preparing for her Bridal Shower! Time has really flown by and we can't believe we will be celebrating our one year anniversary soon!*
Love,
Jared and Kayla
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