Happy Halloween from the Canning family!!!!!!
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 4:20 PM  |  comments: (1)

Thier heads are kinda cut off, but that is Steve and Kayleigh with Tristan's little friend Trevor. Under the watchful eye of Superman, the night was a success.
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 4:16 PM  |  comments: (0)

Trick or treating was great. It was just cool enough that Tristan wouldn't get hot in his outfit. I was a little disappointed in how many people really passed out candy. We went to Camp Foster to trick-or-treat because Kayleigh and I thought it wasn't quite right if we just went through all the floors of a tower. That, and you could see people who decorated thier lawn which was great.
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 4:05 PM  |  comments: (0)

I just wanted to recap my whole experience here on the island. I remember I was really nervous to come out here and wondering how it would be. I hear that the friendships you make with wives and such out here were supposed to be close knit since you are in a foriegn country and no family around. Then when your husbands deploy, that's all you got. Well, I learned that it's not always true. I spent my first year practically alone. I then made...well..I wouldn't really call them friends. But since I can't think of a better(or shorter) word for it, I'll call them that. We only hung out really while our husbands were deployed. Then once the boat ported, we didn't speak. They weren't my kind of people either. Then I learned where the real close knit was. It's in the guys. Wives are like temporary families for them. We let them sit inside a home with real food, kids, and a sense of back in America. Especially here. These guys went to combat together and I won't ever know the ful stories that they have that happend there. Back home in the States no one will really know what my husband and all his friends went through. I can say I made friends out here. We still speak when our husbands step off the boat, but it's honestly nothing that we will stay in touch with each other forever. My outlook on this place is just that. You have the close bond with your little family, the guys he works with, and the time you have here. I think that's one of the main things I'm going to miss from here. These guys take care of their own. Their squadron is their family here. The wives take care of more than just their husbands. We help in things that we can here while their gone, and give them a little piece of home until they can get back there. I ended up making a friend who was born and raised here on Okinawa. She taught me things about the Japanese that you won't read in a brochure. I think I showed her that not all military wives are snotty and uptight. I wil never forget the people I met here or the times I had. It was where my son was born, and where for the first time I hugged my husband goodbye and knew he was going to real combat.
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 12:01 AM  |  comments: (1)

We stopped on our way out of the PX yesteray to get a milkshake and decided to buy Tristan one of the little glas rootbeer mugs with a little shake in it too. Joe cut a straw down to his size and let him have it. It was the cutest thing ever to watch. He kept saying,"MmmMmmmm..." I think I'll let him drink out of it often...
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 9:32 PM  |  comments: (1)

Isn't he freakin cute with his little backpack on? I know I put all these pictures up....but I don't think anyone will complain.....
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 9:29 PM  |  comments: (2)

My two boys together after screaming and running around the house.....
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 9:24 PM  |  comments: (0)

Well, if everyone doesn't know already, Joe got his orders. We will be leaving the island this December and report to California in Jan. I am nervous. I've never been to Cali and had to do a "real" PCS and TMO. Moving building to building on island doesn't really come close. Coming over here I had to leave a power of attorney for the TMO and fly over alone. I know nothing about this new place, but do know one person who will be there. I'm kind of sad to leave here. I made a friend who is Japanese who is married to Joe's friend, and there's still places I want to go here. We are going to try to go to the Ocean Expo Park before we leave. It's kind of like Sea World I guess. I want to go to Shurji Castle too. I don't think we'll make it there though. (It's the castle of the Kingdom of the Ryukyu Islands. Which was what Okinawa was before the Japanese took it over and made it the Okinawa Prefecture. It was badly destroyed in the war and then restored in 1989...I belive it was that year...) Another reason why I'm sad to leave is this is where Joe and I had our first place together. This is where Tristan was born and grew to be the huge, older 20 month old he is now. I know I'll get over it soon, but I still think about it. I'm excited to move too though. Somewhere new. I have no dates or a real plan to tell anyone yet. We just found out yesterday. When I do hear more....I'll update.
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 10:22 PM  |  comments: (1)

Joe swearing in for his second contract. Capt. Vaughn is the officer who is doing the honor. We were in the ready room above the hangar it Joe's squadron. It was incredibly hot in there. Joe's CO and XO were there to watch. Along with his SSGT. from the JRC. It was great that he wanted me to be there.
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 10:17 PM  |  comments: (0)

So serious looking. It was very hot in the room when we did this. I think it's a good picture...
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 10:15 PM  |  comments: (1)

This is a horrible picture of me(I think). Joe's certificate of re-enlistment is on the right and my certificate on the left. This picture was taken inside the CO's office. Excuse the clothes I'm wearing, it was last minute.
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 10:06 PM  |  comments: (1)

Okay I think we are ready for the ball now. Joe had to buy a new jacket because his from our wedding didn't fit him anymore. We sent his medals in to be mounted which will cost about $25. He bought a jacket from a friend so it was only about $50. He had to buy new pants too which were about $30ish? The medals and ribbons were maybe $10. He still needs a new hat, but I don't know how much that will cost. So we are at $115 now. It is $30 a person to get in to the ball. I finally found a dress which cost 28,600 yen. (around $280....) after looking all afternoon. Of course I found it at the last place I look which was on my way home and the closest one to home. It's really pretty though. Then had to buy hot rollers for $20. I decided to use a pair of shoes I already have to save money. They've only been worn once anyway. So now we're up to $475. From what I've heard, we are staying for the food and ceremony and then going out afterwards. God only knows how much we will spend on that. Drinks cost 450 yen a piece and beer can be about 500 yen a piece. To help with the math the yen rate right now is 112 yen to the dollar. There is no coin beer night and such here. There's also a $5 cover charge to about every bar here. Then the cab ride home where you're looking at atleast 450 yen to just get in the car. It's going to cost a pretty penny, but I bet we have fun. I haven't had a reason to dress up in a long time. We have a babysitter until morning, which is also his little friends house. Kayleigh is going to watch him and I'm watching her son for when she goes to her husbands ball. 19 more days until our ball.....
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 5:27 PM  |  comments: (2)

I got a phone call from Joe at about 8:00 this morning. As things turned out...Joe was re-enlisting TODAY. Still in my pj's and drinking coffee I had to be ready in an hour. I called his mom to let her know and the phone rang again. He called to tell me that I was gatting some certificate as well. Joe was picking me up at nine. I ran frantically around the house because he said I needed to dress nice. The only nice things I have is formal gowns and club wear. I got a few pairs of jeans with no holes in them too. So I get the boy dressed and put on a nice pair of jeans and a nice black shirt. We go up to Joe's hangar to do the re-swearing in and stuff. I met his new CO and XO which was nice because they've been here for a few months now. Really nice guys. So Tristan and I watched Joe swear in again and recieve his certificate. Then they call me up. I recieved a certificate of appreciation. It says,"my name...Has earned grateful appreciation for her unselfish, faithful and devoted service during her husband's Marine Corps career. Your unfailing support and understanding helped to make possible your husband's lasting contribution to the nation." Pretty cool, huh? In the middle of all this, Tristan had put Joe's cover on and pointed at him and yelled, "Daddy!" I brought my camera, but the squadron's camera was dying. It was the same type as mine so I let them use the battery. If I didn't, well the squadron would have no pics. So they will e-mail Joe the pictures, and as soon as they do I will put them on here. I had to be in a few. Since, you know I was all spiffy and got a certificate too...
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 12:43 AM  |  comments: (2)

I have two words for you. Silent Drill. On the top right of the screen will say heritage and trditions...there's a row of squares underneath that one and pick silent drill to see a cool little clip of it. I tried to get a direct link to it..but hey this works too.
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 9:51 PM  |  comments: (0)

A little party from this weekend. Up top is James, Kayleigh, and me. Down bottom is Jams ans Joe stuffing their faces. Joe didn't want his picture taken. Hence the face....he was complaining. Good times....Quite a few of the guys there that night are leaving by the end of this year. They are all close and since their leaving and Joe is going to a different MOS it means alot to got to hang out with these guys while we can.
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 4:19 PM  |  comments: (2)

posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 11:42 PM  |  comments: (2)

Now I know Kool-aid has talked about this before, but does the public world not know that whe you join the military that you swear that you will defend your country with your life? http://www.montney.com/marine/code.htm (doing that way becaue I don't remember how to re-name it...(nudge nudge..ehm..Margi? can you show me again?)
ARTICLE I
I am an American, fighting the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I AM PPREPARED TO GIVE MY LIFE IN THEIR DEFENSE.

I found a qoute you should read....
"The man who will go where his colors go without asking, who will fight a phantom foe in a jungle or a mountain range, and who will suffer and die: in the midst of incredible hardship, without complaint, is still what he has always been, from Imperial Rome to sceptered Britain to democratic America. He is the stuff of which legends are made. His pride in his colors and his regiment, his training hard and thorough and coldly realistic, to fit him for what he must face, and his obedience is to his orders. As a legionnaire, he held the gates of civilization for the classical world...today he is called United States Marine."
LTCOL FEHRENBACH, USA, in "This Kind of War."
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 9:09 PM  |  comments: (3)

I just had to share the wonderufl view I had this morning. I was still asleep in bed, thanks to Tristan for sleeping past 5:30. And a Marine in "charlie's" leans down to kiss me goodbye. Now, I don't want to brag, but he looks good in uniform. Since we've been married he's racked up some new "sparklies" on his uniform. I found out it will cost $80 to get his medals mounted on his dress blues. There's 5 of them and he's got 2 ribbons as well. Then he has the way cool looking combat air crew wings. Which they have quit giving out. He has 2 or 3 more pending too. A MUC and a PUC, and I believe an air combat action.....I think? Since he works for JRC(Joint Reception Center...which is where all the FNG's go through when they get here) they have to wear "charlie's" every Friday. Must sneak photos......I think it's so great too that he has all these awards. Especially the ones about flying. Since he won't be flying anymore after he re-enlists. I want to also share things from time to time until the Marine Corps Ball which makes me proud of my Marine and all the Marines past and present.
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 4:35 PM  |  comments: (3)

You Are A....Gothic Ballerina!
-dark

-beautiful

-kind


What's Your Halloween Costume? .:with pics:.
brought to you by Quizilla
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 11:32 PM  |  comments: (2)

I know I haven't updated in a while. It took some time to get back into the swing of things. The whole time change and on top of that, we don't have a car that runs right now. I'm glad to be back home. I can't wait to take Tristan out trick-or-treating. He's going to be a little frog. The Marine Corps Ball is coming up soon too. I still have no dress and Joe's blues or alphas don't fit him right. He says it's my fault because I cook for him. A friend of his I think is going to see if his blues jacket fits him and use that one. I think I'm going to drag Joe out to the stores here maybe this weekend or so to look for dresses. This year's ball is going to be a special one. This year it's the 230 anniversary of the Marine Corps. Instead of coins or stuff to give at the ball, I think they are making little statues of the flag raising at Iwo Jima. I can't wait to go. But I need a dress first. Nov. 7th is when they are having our ball. I think it sucks the way they set it up though. Since Joe has been sent to a different unit, he has to go to that unit's ball. I want to go to his squadron's ball. On top of that, the unit he's in right now separates them. Only Sgt.s and below at ours, the SNCO's get their own, then officer's. How crappy is that? The squadron will all be together. We can't go to both because it's $30 a person to get in at each ball. Anyway, I will take pictures before we leave to go. I won't miss out on a photo opportunity with Joe in his blue or alphas.......mmmmmmmm
posted by: Michelle  |  date & time: 4:10 PM  |  comments: (6)