Random

Yes, that was a really lame title post, but I wasn't sure what to say. This really is a rather random post. I was really excited about my latest package arrival. The LDS Distribution Center is an amazing place of language awesomness. $5 and an hour later, Joseph and I got about every thing we could ever want in both Arabic and Spanish (some are pictured below). A few Preach My Gospels, Articles of Faiths, the Living Christs, Sunday School Manuals, and Family Proclmations to the Worlds are now at our house in three languages :) It's been great practice for my Spanish, and when Joseph returns I hope it will be good for his Arabic.

Exciting!

Gettin' Crafty

So I have two sister-in-laws who are pregnant (I was going to say sisters because that's how I thinkg of them, but I figured I should clarify lest someone believe Savanna was with child), so I decided to a.) keep myself busy while Joseph was gone b.) learn how to use the sewing machine we recently acquired for our wedding c.) do something for my sisters, so I decided to try out some baby patterns!

First was a set of burp rags :) This was my first experiment with the designer stitches, so I had fun with the edges (I hope you can see that).

Next was a nursing cover. I thought it was perfect for nursing in public, plus it was cute!

These are wipe holders with a water-proof inside so they can carry around wipes in style!

...And last but not least these are wet bags to carry any dirty diapers, poopy messes, or baby-throw-up clothes. It should come in handy.

I hope they like them!

Joseph's First Letter Home

Dear Loved Ones (Melissa, Mom & Dad Neary, Mom & Dad Crandall, Siblings)

Wohoo!!! Howdy Y'all! HaHaHa, I feel great. Sunday service is wonderful. I loved taking the sacrament.

Melissa, I love you so much. You're my happy thought every night. When my head hits the pillows and all I hear is the echoes of our very grumpy Flight Commander & CTA's, it you image that drowns them out and calms my pounding heart. I miss you :).

Field training has been fun. Sure it's a lot of yelling, but there was lots of yelling on drill team. I'm so glad I did that. It has helped me out so much. I'm used to it. My first day here I almost started laughing. I thought, oh, just like drill team! I can do this! :) So mentally and emotionally I am doing very well. I'm happy. I'm keeping it cool.

My flight is awesome. We have some very competent cadets. I'm trying to think of some fun stories. None are coming to mind. I've done a lot of standing around with my eyes caged forward marching around...it's been good. Today we had the Leadership Reaction Course. It was a ton of fun. got to go all ape monkey, scrambling around all over the obstacles. It was great. I loved the physical aspect as well as the physical challenge. Interestingly enough, I was the only one in my group not put as the leader. In all the teams I participated in, I focused on helping the leader. He eyed me several times and...how to put this...gave some really positive vibes.

Well, I love you all. My time is up. Thank you all for your love & support. Our flight mail orderly hasn't gotten mail yet, but I'll talk to him so he can do so. God bless you all. :)

Why I love Joseph...

So I know I may get mocked as this post being too cheesy, but I really miss and love Joseph, so I've decided to dedicate an entire post to how amazing he is.

- He's just about the hottest man on the planet (I mean have you seen his muscles? He needs permits to carry those guns around school.)

- No one is better with chilren. Our kids will have the best father. He can play, rough around, and somehow has this gift that gets the kids to do whatever he wants without him having to get mad or tell them twice. I have lots to learn from him. Maybe it's just because Joseph is a little boy at heart (and I hope that never changes!)

- He's very good at sports: swimming, basketball, golf (well, mini-golf), ultimate frisbee, hiking (I count it as a sport), running, biking, just about anything.

- He loves music just as much as I do! I'm glad I found someone who will sit at the piano with me and sing at the top of our lungs no matter how silly or off-tune we are.

- His testimony constantly lifts my own. Joseph has a consistent communication with the Lord and is very close to the spirit. His contagious love for the gospel lifts me each day.

- He's clean. I know it may be silly, but I like a clean house. Joseph's clean. It all works out well.

- He pushes me to be my best. In the mornings when I don't want to get up and exercise or when I don't have the motivation to do things i really need to do, Joseph persuades and motivates me to do so.

- He speaks Arabic. How cool is that? I want to learn some day. He sounds so intelligent with his pghlemy words and vowel-less sounds.

- He is a very hard worker. Somehow he manages to put 48 hours worth of stuff in 24 days (though sometimes his sleep is sacrificed) He somehow seems to be able to do it all.

- He cares so much about family. He is willing to make any sacrifice or do anything for his family, Neary or Crandall.

- He has high standards. I love that Joseph has the same standards as me regarding movies, church, friends, raising children, everything. It just makes life so much easier.

- He isn't scared of anything. Whether is be a ninja assasin or stampeding elephant, he will face it head on.

- He is quite the gentleman. I haven't had to open my own door or pull out my chair in a while.

- He's cheesy, and I love it! I love all the "I love you's", the "You are the best thing that ever happened to me's", and the always wonderful "you are so hott's". The notes, facebook posts, texts, and super-cute phone messages never get old.

- He's logical. I've never been one to be emotional, but compared to Joseph, I'm pretty much a nut-case. If I ever get stressed, he shows me how to step back and look at the big picture. Problems don't seem to big after that.

- We have the same sense of humor: super-awesome puns, movie quoting, and obscure allusions are our thing. Awesome!

- Service is his thing. No friend, family member, or ward member can be in need without Joseph going to help them. He also serves me all the time. Random acts of service are his speciality (notes, cleaning, cookings, flowers, etc...) It makes life much easier and brighter.

Sorry this has turned in to a long post. I'll stop here (though I could go on longer, believe me). I love you honey and can't wait to see you in a month!

Why so serious?

Why so sad you ask? My wonderful husband is off to Field Training (to be an officer) for the Air Force the entire next month. As much as I admire what he is doing, it's still very hard to be away from him. He only can write once a week and has no contact through phone, internet, carrier pigeon, smoke signals, or anything else like unto them. I miss him!

If any of you wonderful people would like to write him words of encouragement until June 15th, we both would surely appreciate it.

Neary, Joseph B.
MAXWELL 1
501 Lemay Place N.
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112

Thank you in advance!

Apartmentito

We are officially in AZ! I have an internship in Phoenix at TGen (more on that to come) and Joseph is doing Air Force training, so we're in the sunny state for the summer! We live in a little apartmentito as I call it (spanglish anyone) in my parents' house. It's been great to be with the family and in the warmth (I surely miss that in Utah).


Our grand hallway entrance (closet to your right).


A rather comfortable bed, adorned with the beautiful quilt Grandma Webb made us for our wedding.


The TV dad said we just HAD to take (he wanted a new big one).


And a private bathroom (so we don't have to share with six kids, wahoo!)

So far it's been a wonderful summer!

Cute Camping Boys (opps, I mean Men)

Rhett absolutely adores Joseph, and the two of them went to fathers and sons together! It was full of all the great things I don't like: swimming with crawdads, catching rattle snakes, wading in freezing cold water, and sleeping outside when it's less than 80 outside. It let Joseph get some of his built up boy out.

There's a rattle snake in that buckets. Awweessoommee (heavy sarcasm, poisonous things freak me out).

Rhett was in heaven with his favorite brother and a potato cannon.

Rhett and Joseph after an apparently very cold night.

Thanks Joseph!