Kyle & Haley

Updates galore!

kyleandhaley — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:35:02 +0000

Has it seriously been since Christmas since I have posted on this blog!?!

I guess after Kyle came home from Afghanistan we kind of became hermits for a while. And then we had some really exciting things happen that would’ve been ‘blog worthy’… but I guess I kind of forgot to post them here (we’re much better about Facebook). So here is what is new (and some that is kind of old) in our lives.

1.) Kyle is doing an aircraft transition and will no longer be flying the Chinook. He is currently taking a course to be able to fly the LUH (light utility helicopter) the newest of the Army’s choppers that will replace the Blackhawks at all training bases. He will be flying medivac, a job we both think fits him really well. This new job was something Kyle has wanted for a long time and we requested in January. It was a few weeks and lots of prayers before we got a “yes”! The secondary blessing to flying this new helicopter is that it is non-deployable, obviously a HUGE blessing for us both.

2.) We’re moving! Initially when Kyle got the LUH transition we were told we’d be stationed at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. We then learned that they also use LUHs at the Yakima Training Center in Yakima, WA, just 3 hours from Portland. Of course, we asked if that was a possibility and were immediately told “no”. But we were desperate and persistent, and while in Oregon for vacation in June we drove up to Yakima and met with the commander. Through a lot more prayers and several weeks of waiting, we were blessed again by a “yes”! We are moving to Yakima, WA!

3.) We sold our house in Savannah, another answer to prayer. We had to say goodbye to a lot of wonderful friends there, and will really miss our church and neighbors. However, we were happy to leave to South and are thrilled to be coming back to the Pacific NW.

4.) Currently, we are staying in a hotel in Harrisburg, PA while Kyle is completing his LUH course. I am also doing an online course towards my Master’s in Ed. From here, I (Haley) will drive to Oregon and Kyle will drive down to Ft. Rucker, AL to complete another course (Safety Officer). During our time apart I will be staying with family and making trips up to Yakima to look for a house. Kyle should be back in Oregon just in time for Thanksgiving.

That is a lot of life in a few short sentences, but the theme that we can clearly see is that God has greatly blessed us and has worked out the details in amazing ways. We also went on a cruise to Alaska with the Bassitt family to celebrate my Dad’s 60th birthday and my brother’s graduation from Oregon State. Since pictures are far more fun than texty blogs, I will get around to posting some soon (for you non-facebookers).

Christmas Newsletter 2010

kyleandhaley — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:32:16 +0000

Here is our newsletter! Once you click the link below, click on the little newsletter thumbnail on the next page. It may take a few moments to load.

Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas!

Love, K & H

Homecoming!

kyleandhaley — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:00:43 +0000

Praise the Lord! On Tuesday, Kyle came home from his year-long deployment to Afghanistan. Thank you so much to all of you who prayed for his safety and our marriage this year apart. We are savoring each moment back together and are so thankful to put this experience behind us. It is a very sweet reunion!!!

Our home is quite different than when Kyle left

A giant homemade butterscotch cookie, Kyle's favorite

Back in each others arms!

Happy Veterans Day!

Love,

The Johnsons

Happy Halloween!

kyleandhaley — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 00:11:38 +0000

Digital collage personalized with Smilebox

Family Room (aka Man Cave)

kyleandhaley — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:51:15 +0000

This project turned out better than I had even hoped! It took a lot of painting with a brush, getting into all the seams and doing trim, and I am so thankful my parents were here to help. It would’ve taken me a long time to do this room by myself. It was a toss up on whether or not to paint this wood paneled room, as we didn’t love the outdated look it had, but weren’t sure how it would look painted and didn’t want it to look cheap/worse. Because there wasn’t sheet-rock behind the panels, removing them and putting up sheet-rock would’ve been more effort and money than we were willing to invest. Overall, I think it turned out well, and I am happy we chose to paint it. It is so much cozier!

Before

After

Bassitt parents visit…

kyleandhaley — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:45:56 +0000

My parents came out to Savannah, for the second time this year/deployment, and graciously helped me with more home improvements. I can wholeheartedly say I would not have nearly as much done without their help. My dad helped me complete a few projects I just couldn’t have done by myself. His physical strength and expertise were essential to the completion of some overdue projects, namely the kickplate and trim of the guest bath vanity and the attic stairs moulding. We also did some finishing touches around the place, hanging closet doors, mirrors, pictures, and curtains. Although, the most notable project would have to be our family room. Pictures of that to come…

Of course, we didn’t just work… we also played a little. We drove down to Daytona Beach and spent a week at a nice resort my parents had rented. The trip highlight actually was the day we spent in St. Augustine on the way home. We really liked St. Augustine and wished we’d spent more time there. But we had a nice time relaxing in the sun.

I love you guys! Thanks so much for coming!!

Master Bedroom completed

kyleandhaley — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:36:13 +0000

I was gone quite a lot this summer, traveling back and forth to Oregon to see friends and family, so painting was temporarily on hold. However, a few weeks ago I did complete our bedroom. This was a work in progress, for which I don’t get all the credit. Kyle and I did some, and my parents helped too. Our room went through many changes between these two sets of photos, as we started without a bedroom set, and changed comforters a few times. Here is the finished room, after painting walls, ceiling and trim, replacing all electrical outlets and vents, replacing the ceiling fan, replacing closet doors, hanging curtain rods & curtains.

Before

After

Skippy insisted in modeling in all these photos

Great Friends

kyleandhaley — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:06:04 +0000

I got to see a few great friends while home in Oregon… Of course I didn’t always remember to take pictures, but I did get a few. I’m so thankful for these girls!

One of my besties, Brandy

Sweet friend Lisa was home from Tunisia at the same time... sooo good to see her!

Former teaching colleages Megan & Kari

College friend Jes

Carey at my cousin Nik's wedding

After posting these I realize I always stand on the right… odd…

Oregon Summer

kyleandhaley — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:52:39 +0000

Just returned home to Savannah from a wonderful trip to Oregon… my last this year. I’ve been spoiled to have been there so much this spring and summer. It was great seeing so many wonderful friends and getting lots of quality time with family. Here are some highlights….

Camping with the Johnson Clan

Celebrating Craig's birthday

Fishing Timothy Lake

View of Timothy Lake from our hike

Aunt Haley and Weston in the kayak

All four of our nieces and nephews

Noah took to camping like a pro

Then it was back to Gresham and time to see great friends… pictures of that to follow.

The last week, my folks and I headed to Central Oregon for my cousin Nik’s wedding. For some reason, that is when I stopped taking pictures. We also had a lot of fun hiking Smith Rock, floating down the Deschutes River, golfing, wine tasting, and enjoying being with my Mom’s side of the family.

And finally… nothing says “Oregon Summer” like this view from my old running route on Altman Road.

Mt. Hood

Happy Independence Day!

kyleandhaley — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 03:46:43 +0000

I’ve never been more thankful for the men who fought for our freedom, as I better understand the sacrifices their families made. I have also never been more proud of my husband, who doesn’t get the day off to celebrate. I am a very proud American patriot, who may not love all that happens on Capitol Hill or my perceived lack of leadership from our Commander in Chief, but I am thankful I have the freedom to say such things in a public forum, and that I can continue to speak and act conservatively and worship God publicly. I love this country, and am committed to her future, because of her glorious history, and in spite of her faults. I am honestly praying tonight… God, bless America.

Trish, Jocelyn and me at the Hunter Army Airfield 4th of July celebration