God is good! I logged onto the bank this morning to find that the checking accound had taken a significant, and unexpected, leap. Then I noticed that the monthly Army paycheck had gone through but was for an oddly large sum. My immediate thought was that someone had messed up and put a zero where it didn't belong. So then I logged onto AKO to check the statements... no one made a miskate! **Background info: when you enlist in the Army you receive an elistment bonus that varies in size according to different factors. Once you finish basic training you receive a set amount and then anything over that amount you receive in yearly installments.** Well, this would have been the first year for an installment but Steven and I both had forgotten about the whole thing. So it surprised us today! I assume that we got the installment in October since he signed his contract in October. But it was a WONDERFUL surprise!! I called to tell him right away and he couldn't believe it. We'll have to have an emergency budget meeting tonight to decide how we want to divey it up b/c it DOUBLES our income for this month. It is truely amazing how when you're faithful, in even just a few things, God will reward you when you least expect it. We are so thankful for the unexpected bonus payout! God is amazing!

Sorry for the delay in updating! A LOT has happened so this may be a really long post!

Steven and I have been working on the finances and doing some math and decided a few weeks ago that not only were we in desperate need of a new computer but we could finally afford one! My laptop is awesome but it's been my main computer for four years now, running all the adobe programs and since ALL my design work has been produced on it it's just gotten really slow. Even despite my efforts to keep it clean, constantly dumping files onto an external hard drive and deleting them from the laptop. We're going to keep it and I'll use it whenever I need to take my work away from home, but I'm hoping that by buying a new "main" computer and doing a majority of my work on it that I might be able to extend the life of the laptop by a few years. And when it goes completely dead I'll probably get a new laptop, just perhaps a smaller one or something just for the purpose of taking work away from home when I need to. Anyway, I said all that to say that we finally found a few hours on Sunday to go to the Apple store!! We made our first major purchase in "cash" and it was so exciting (and a little nerve racking)! The Volker's are now the proud owner's of a 24 inch iMac!!! I've spent the past few evenings figuring out how to transfer files between the two computers (I actually figured it out all by myself, be proud!) Last night it took three hours to transfer all the music and about half the photos from my laptop to the desktop! Apparently I have more than I thought :) Now we're just trying to get a hold of the new CS4 programs, hopefully Kristin can get them for us for a little cheaper!

I did a little research yesterday pertaining to the cost of homes in and around the bases that we could be stationed at after Steven completes SF training. (in the US at least that means: Fort Bragg and surrounding areas, Fort Carson and Colorado Springs, Fort Campbell and surrounding areas in both KY and TN, and also Fort Lewis in Washington but I didn't do any research there b/c I'm seriously hoping we don't get stationed there!) We've been told that we get the "opportunity" to name where we want to be stationed, but we know that's kind of an empty promise. But if we get the opportunity then we should take it and make an educated decision. We just can't get attached to that decision, because ultimately they are going to send us wherever they deem necessary!

As of right now, my research has made Fort Campbell (which sits on the state line between Kentucky and Tennessee) look pretty good! The only town close by to Fort Carson in Colorado is Colorado Springs and the cost of homes there is just as expensive if not more than the cost of homes in Raleigh, which is A LOT. Which was a little bit of a bummer because I thought Colorado would be a really cool place to live for a while, but we may not be able to afford a house there. At least one that I would be willing to live in! If we get stationed at Bragg, I refuse to live in and around Fayetteville because I just don't feel safe there even in the daylight. And we can't afford to buy a house inside Raleigh which kinda causes a problem. I'm quite positive that we could find something but it would be really difficult and probably require one or both us to drive a ways to work everyday. But we'll do whatever have to do to find a place to live wherever we get stationed at!

But back to Fort Campbell. Clarksville, TN is like five minutes away and in the listings on just one website a found a TON of houses in what I'm estimating to be our price range. And I'm talking like three bedrooms or more, some with garages, and ALL of them sat on LAND! Only like one or two were all up in their neighbors business which I can't stand. A vast majority of the ones I saw actually had a yard worthy of playing ball in. I couldn't believe the prices! The same size houses in Raleigh or Colorado Springs even were listed for AT LEAST 20,000 if not 30 or 40,000 more! I was in shock, and so excited! I've never been there but you can tell a lot about a place by the way the houses look, in my opinion anyway. I have an aunt and uncle who live right outside Nashville which is only an hour or so away from Clarksville so I may have them investigate it for me! My uncle used to be in the Airforce, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind giving me their opinion on the town and the base.

We still have more to discuss, obviously, but we had a goal to be in a house by the time we were restationed so the cost of homes will play a major role. Fort Campbell would also be a good choice for us because it's only three hours away from Dalton, where my ENTIRE extended family lives so that that would be nice for us. And it's only nine hours away from Raleigh so we would be able to visit our parents and friends and vise versa, without having too much trouble. But like I said, these are just preliminary findings there's still more to talk about! But so far... I really like Kentucky/Tennessee! (At least as far as the US bases go)

WE WROTE OUR LAST CHECK FOR THE PIANO TODAY!!!!! Now we are just down to the Steven's credit card and after that we'll be DEBT FREE!! We are sooo excited!

I went to get my haircut last night. I had the stylist put in some short layers throughout the back and she took about two inches off my length. It feels so much healthier and lighter. I never realize how long my hair has gotten until I go to the salon and they cut off a few inches! I had to see a new girl (well new to me at least) last night because the girl I was going to apparently left. But I really liked her, she was nice and knew what she was doing so I'll probably go back to her again when the time comes.

Afterwards I went to Michael's to get my artwork because it was SUPPOSED to be done last night. They hadn't even done a thing to it yet! I was so not a happy camper. They asked me if I had gotten a phone call saying it was finished and I was like 1. I haven't been home yet today to see if anyone's called and 2. the date on my receipt when I dropped it off TWO WEEKS ago was today and 3. anytime I have brought things here to be framed I have NEVER received a phone call to say it was finished. The guy was like "well we have a large number of orders." I DON'T CARE! They've had it for two weeks and there is someone there from 10 in the morning till 9 at night seven days a week. There is NO reason why they couldn't get it done in a two week time period. None. Never mind that when I took it in I made certain that it would definitely be ready in time for me to get it to the fair this weekend, and they assured me it would be ready by last night. So then the guy was like "I probably can get it done tomorrow" and I said "well, I HAVE to HAVE to HAVE to have it by Friday and no later than Friday because it has to be at the fairgrounds for judging THIS weekend." So then he goes "I'm making a note to have it ready Thursday at the latest." And I'm thinking you better have it ready Thursday or I'm sending my husband in here to get my money back cause this is ridiculous. They're teetering on that line of a semi-satisfied customer and one that is NEVER going to have things framed there again. And I'll tell you what if they don't give it back to me in time for me to take it to the fairgrounds this weekend and therefor cost me my chance at getting into the art show... oh, I don't even have words.

Yesterday was my surprise outing for Steven. He has been so stressed out, tired, and working so hard lately that I decided to use a little of my hard earned money to take him to the Spa. So I called about a month ago to book an appointment and found out that this week all services were 25% off. Score! So I booked both of us a one hour Swedish massage but I didn't tell him anything about it. Last night I told him we had to go somewhere but that it was a surprise so I would drive. The Spa happens to be in the mall so there were a million reasons Steven could think of for us being at the mall. As we walked past the Spa I turned and reached out to grab the door but he kinda kept walking a little until he realized I had stopped. Then he goes "We're going to the Spa?!" That's when I told him I had booked us a massage and he then proceded to wear the surprised face. Steven can only pull off acting surprised if he's REALLY surprised, his eyes get all big like a kid on Christmas morning who has just seen presents spilling out into the living room and his jaw drops open and then his face freezes there for about a minute. It's quite hysterical actually!

We got all checked in and headed for the locker rooms to change. After that we went to sit in the "quiet room." That's when I gave Steven his instructions for the evening: "DO NOT TALK, just be quiet and relax." I think it's probably the most difficult thing he ever had to do, but he needed to do it!

Our massages were... AMAZING!! I decided that if I ever have money I will so go to the spa for a massage at least once a month! Steven got done a few minutes before me and so he went out to tip the girls (I had already paid beforehand) and apparently enjoyed it immensly because he gave them a wonderful tip. He told me later in the car that he was so relaxed afterwards that he couldn't even get off the table, haha. He said he felt sorry for the poor girl though because since he has so so so many muscles, especially upper body, and they were all so tense that she was having to work like twice as hard to get them to relax. He talked about his massage the ENTIRE way home! He even at one point announced that he wanted a "Spa fund" so that we could go more often, haha. I think my little surprise worked wonders! Hopefully he'll stay destressed for a little while!

What a long weekend! Here's what went down:

Friday night was Senior Night for the Leesville Symphonic Band. So Steven and I went to the football game to see my brother get announced and my parents walk down the field with him, etc. *side note: Steven ALWAYS carries a knife with him, and usually always this one knife in particular that has a clip on it which he clips onto his pants pocket. So you can see that he's carrying a knife* As we were walking into the stadium the officer noticed this and asked him to go back to the car and put it away! So I went on in and Steven "went back to the car" which means he really just walked away, waited a few minutes, put the knife all the way down in his pocket and then walked back in. As he was walking back in the officer saw his dogtags and apologized to him, saying that had he noticed earlier that he was a soldier he wouldn't have made him put the knife away. Lovely. The game was a lot of fun though! Afterwards I took Steven home b/c he had to leave to go down to Bragg for drill weekend and then I met my family/the Goodwins/the Benfields at Char Grill for dinner.

Saturday was equally exciting. My day was pretty standard: piano student, errand running, etc. But Saturday night was Katherine's Bachelorette party/Lingerie Shower. So much fun! We met at her old roommate's apartment to open gifts and then from there we went to the Twisted Fork for dinner. I knew no one except for Katherine and her sister so I really had to step out of my box but I think I did so quite successfully! They went on to do other things after dinner but it was already late and I had to get up real early yesterday so I went on home.

Sunday morning I played the offertory (sp?) in church. I was nervous simply because it's been at least a year since I played in front of an audience. But I did well! I mangaed to cover up any mistakes so that no one (even the musicians in the crowd) would have noticed. I can't wait to play in church again! Afterwards I went to have lunch with my family and then cleaned the apartment, went the grocery store, and made dinner. Whew! After Steven got home last night he had several things to do for school and so I watched a movie I had taped earlier and did the laundry. It was really late before we got in the bed so we're both really tired this morning!

To top everything off I have repeatly tried to take off my left pointer finger this past weekend. Saturday a bra decided to attack it and the little closer prongs ripped off some of the skin, making it bleed. Then Sunday I was chopping onions for the casserole I was making and I had gotten down to that last little bit of onion. The skin was slicker than usual and caused the knife to slip and get my finger instead. Luckily I have good reflexes and got out of the way before it cut to deep or too long. Still though, it was bleeding and actually burned really bad. I've never cut myself with a knife before so it was an interesting experience. Then this morning I decided to shut that same finger in the bathroom door. Wonderful.

During drill the new Commander came by to talk to Steven's unit. He then had them write on little 3x5 cards who they thought was the best Soldier, the best NCO (non commissioned officer), and one other thing that I can't remember. Then on the other side they had to write who they thought was the worst Soldier, etc. Well afterwards, Steven said people kept coming up to him and saying things like "what's up best Soldier?" even people he didn't really know or interact with. He said that a majority of the unit put him down for best Soldier (and it was anonymous so people totally could have voted for themselves, but instead they voted for Steven). He was thrilled, and shocked (I'm not shocked at all). I think that really shows how hard Steven works to be not only a good Soldier but a good man, and the fact that people voted for him over themselves really a testament his character. The fact that people that don't even know him have taken notice to his character and his work ethic really speaks volumes and I'm quite proud! The cards really don't mean anything except now this new commander knows Steven's name and knows that he is the overwhelming favorite Soldier in the unit and works hard.

I'll update on tonight's exciting events tomorrow!

The AC is fixed!!

Today starts a CRAZY month for us. It's literally just one thing after another on our calender. I am excited about it but Steven always seems to get in a mood when we have a lot to do. Maybe he won't have such an attitude this time! This weekend is drill weekend for him and he has a PT (physical fitness) test which I know he is just going to blow away. I have a bachellorette party for my friend Katherine and I am looking forward to it!

Friday night is Senior Night for the Leesville Band. I just can not believe that my baby brother is a senior this year. I think what scares me most is that since he is getting older it means I am getting MUCH older! But that doesn't matter, I am very very proud of my brother and he is growing into a wonderful young man!

Still no word from my in-laws on Jimmy yet. Hopefully he is doing okay. Steven and I plan on sending him a card soon to let him know that we love him and are praying for him.

I woke up with a lovely migraine this morning so you can imagine how difficult my day has been thus far. Hopefully I'll make it through to the end of the day (sometimes I just can't). I really wish there was some kind of magic pill you could take and NEVER have them again! I have way way way too many and after 22 years it's kinda getting old.