Day 39 of BMT!

Today is 39 days since Chet left for Basic Training! He only has 20 days left of BMT. I have to say the past 39 days have gone by quickly but I hope the next 20 days go by even faster. I want to see my husband so bad. Well, I got my 2nd phone call today from my wonderful husband. It was only 7 1/2 minutes long, but at least we were able to talk. It was so great just hearing his voice. This time I didn't cry, which is a step better! I was proud of myself because I was balling during the 1st phone call. He is doing well for all of those who are curious. He said he can see the light under the tunnel and can't wait to be done and home with me!!! He is still the element leader and has to watch over 12 other guys. If one of the 12 guys mess up or are not moving quickly enough then Chet has to do push-ups with them. He said that next Monday they leave to go camping in tents for five days. So that will be interesting to hear about. That's about it for now, but he did say that they got a new instructor this week so he might start getting phone calls once a week, which is what he is supposed to have in the first place.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers, especially my love because he has it far worse than I do. Pray that he has the courage and strength to get through each day. Thank you for your prayers. They are helping both of us tremendously. It is because of God, family, friends and your prayers that we are both getting through this hard time in our lives. I continue to remind myself that this is only one short chapter of the rest of our lives. It will be over before we know it.

How Do You Know You’re a Montana Girl?

Well you know you’re at least starting to be a Montana girl after taking a couple shooting classes and being able to explain different types of guns and which one you want for hiking and jogging and home protection. Mary, Grandma Jean and I took another shooting class on Monday, August 23rd. It was only the three of us so the instructors were able to spend more time with us. We shot several different types of revolvers, semi-automatics and shotguns. I am definitely getting more comfortable shooting a gun, which is a very good thing out here. When I go jogging by myself, which rarely happens, i take my phone and pepper spray. I know that is not the safest thing, but hopefully when Chet gets back we will get a 38 special revolver for self protection that i can put in a holster and where with me jogging. That will be the moment when I'm a true Montana girl. I will feel much safer and I know Chet will be at ease. Until then pepper spray and a big stick will have to keep the deers, bears and weirdos away.

Our B&B under Construction

Cabin Creek Bed and Breakfast is still under construction and will be for a few more months. We have a great set of workmen and they are at the B&B daily. Everyday there is so much work getting done. I sent Chet pictures of the B&B, but by the very next day it already looks different. The work being done looks marvelous and we can’t wait to see it finished. The roof is completely done, and all the decking is finished. The Todd’s are doing beautiful rockwork on both sides of the house and the chimney, and logs all throughout the outside and inside of the building. Currently, the workers are working on the plumbing, electrical, installing windows and doors, putting up the siding on the outside of the house and much more.

Inn keeping Gibson Mansion B&B

Mary and I ran the Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast, in Missoula, for five days. Tom and Nancie are the owners of Gibson Mansion and they have been innkeepers for 9 ½ years. Their B&B is absolutely gorgeous! They have up to ten weddings a year and their grounds are remarkable. Nancie and Tom do all their own gardening and it’s so pleasant to sit and enjoy their beautiful backyard. They were going to their daughters’ graduation in Oregon, and this was their first time handing their B&B over to inn sitters. Mary had stayed at the Gibson Mansion in the past, and Tom and Nancie knew we are building a bed and breakfast so she offered Mary and I to run their B&B for hands on training and experience. We accepted the offer, and Mary and I came two days early to do our training. We spent one 10-hour day of training with Tom and Nancie. It was one very long day, but at the same time it was very helpful and beneficial. They left the morning of the 12th and Mary and I were then on our own for the next five days.
Gibson Mansion offers a coffee and freshly baked scone tray sent to your room at the time you request, as well as a full breakfast in the dining room. Every morning we would wake up very early, prepare the homemade scones, set up the coffee and tea trays, and deliver the trays right before their room at the time they requested. Mary and I did try the scones and they were amazing! After the trays were done we would begin preparing breakfast. Throughout the days we made banana macadamia nut French toast, berries and cream French toast, Hawaiian style Belgian waffles and tomato asparagus crustless quiche. The breakfasts’ were made from scratch and they looked and smelled delicious. Several of the guests loved the presentation to the point that they wanted to take a picture before eating it or didn’t want to eat it at all because it looked so nice, which was very rewarding for Mary and I to hear because we knew we were doing our job well.
We had wonderful guests and enjoyed talking with all of them. After breakfast was finished we would start our daily routine of cleaning the kitchen, fixing up the house, watering all their gorgeous pots, and cleaning all the rooms. Almost everyday was a full house, so people were checking out and checking in daily. Therefore, Mary and I had to do a deep clean on the rooms that were checking out to prepare them for the people checking in that same day. We had a great routine going and we worked as a team. The first day we had to deep clean two rooms that had a horrible mucky and BO smell that literally brought Mary to tears because of the awful smell. Thankfully not every room was like that, which made it a hundred times better. In between cleaning rooms we were doing the laundry, and we would end up doing it until 8 or 9pm everyday. The last thing to do each day was checking people in and giving them a tour of the Mansion. I gave the tours and ended up enjoying it a lot. It was great experience and interaction with the guests. After we were finished with the daily checklist we finally had a break. Mary and I would take the dog on walks, go hiking, ride bikes, and enjoy the city and B&B. We went to great restaurants that were so delicious! And of course we enjoyed our happy hour in the garden.
Overall, running the Gibson Mansion B&B was excellent. It was a lot of hard work, but also fun. The experience was priceless and well worth it. It benefited Mary and I for our B&B, and we are now even more ready and equipped to run ours. Running a B&B is not rocket science but it is about figuring out what works best for us. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to running Cabin Creek Bed and Breakfast with my hubby. I know we will work great as a team and have tons of fun while doing it.

Our 1st official day running Gibson Mansion B&B

So I want to explain our first day at the Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Tom and Nancy are the innkeepers, and they are going to their daughters graduation so Mary and I are running their B&B for five days, but we came two days early to do our intense training. They are very nice, high-energy people. They do more in one day than anyone I know. They kick my butt! We are also taking care of their adorable black lab, Peyton. She is precious and she makes me want to take her home. I can't wait to get a dog with Chet.

After 7 hours of non-stop training Mary and I needed lunch and a break. Tom and Nancy took us to a delicious asian/thai place and right when we got back they wanted to go straight into more training, but Mary needed a nap and I wanted to work out. So after all that we did another two hours of training. Once we were done Mary and I picked up wine and dinner and brought it back to the B&B to have our happy hour and dinner, in the gazebo. It was so relaxing after 9 hours of training. After dinner we had to do prep for the following mornings breakfast. And finally at 12pm I was in bed and asleep. Phheewwww! Our first day was over with and we were both relieved. It ended up being 10 hours of training in just one day. We experienced the day in the life of an innkeeper.

Our 1st phone call

I was flying all day Monday, August 9th. It was 21 days exactly that I last saw and talked to Chet. By this time I was eager to hear from him. I mean the rules do say one phone call a week for fifteen minutes but we had just finished week three and still no phone call. Since I was flying, I was praying all day that if he did call me today it would not be while I was in the air. So, I made it to Spokane Washington and I was waiting for Laurie to pick me up from the airport. As I was sitting at baggage claim talking to my Aunt Janice I received an incoming call and I look at my phone and it says ‘my husband.’ I was completely shocked!! I instantly told my Aunt Janice I had to go and clicked over and heard my husband’s voice. Wow was it an amazing moment. I was so caught off guard. Hearing his voice and the first words he said to me made me cry. I was so extremely excited and shocked to get a call from him that I couldn’t hold in the tears. The past few weeks I kept saying in my head ‘when I get that first phone call do not cry Corynne. Be strong!’ But when you haven’t heard your husbands voice in 21 days it feels so amazing just to hear those words ‘I love you, I miss you.’ As I was talking to him I was literally pinching my skin so I would stop crying, but it wasn’t helping all that much. Throughout the conversation he would tell me how much he loved me, missed me and wanted to be with me. Even though I have heard those words before it meant so much more then. After hearing all those things there were moments of silence because I had to wait to say it back or else I would have plainly bursted into tears, and I mean it.
But besides me being very emotional my amazing husband is doing great. He is doing well and getting through boot camp like a champ. He was very positive by saying only one more week and I will be half way through, which means I’m closer to seeing you. Chet said it’s not harder or easier but it’s the yelling, 30-second showers, and making your bed perfectly in so little time. I did say 30-second showers, and if you know Chet he is infamous for his 30-minute shower not 30-second shower. Chet takes the longest showers and is known to fall asleep as well. So taking a 30-second shower must have been tough to get used to. He goes to bed at 10pm and has to wake up at 4:25 EVERY single morning. Now that is not fun, but he didn’t make it sound all that bad. But my Chetters was picked to be the element leader and I am very proud of him. The element leader is in charge of his group or areas per say. He has more responsibilities than the others and has to watch over the guys. I am very proud of my man! ☺
In conclusion, the phone conversation went great, and I can’t wait to get my 2nd phone call. My phone is attached to my hip at all times because I don’t want to miss his phone call.

A Challenging 21 Days

Where do I begin? So much has gone on the past 21 days…..
21 days ago I took Chet to the airport and we said our goodbyes for eight weeks. He is currently in boot camp in San Antonio, Texas. The following day I flew to California and my brother picked me up from the airport, and we headed to my dad’s house. I surprised my dad and em, and yes they were surprised! At first my dad was more confused than anything, but it was so good being with the family. I was able to spend a few days with the family before they left for Africa on a mission trip.
My mom, Ron and I were originally going to drive to Texas on Sunday July 25th, but of course closing escrow never goes as planned. The Lord had different plans for us. Since it was put on hold I got to spend an extra five days in California to hang out with friends and family, which was amazing!
On Friday, July 30th I received my first letter from Chet, and let me say it was amazing. He only had five minutes to write the letter so it was short but sweet. As I was reading the letter tears were falling down my eyes. It was the best love letter. It put a huge smile on my face and made my day!
The following day, July 31st, our journey began to Texas. Movers were done packing, house was clean, uhaul and explorer packed and we started the drive. We decided to drive all the way through because mom and Ron had to sign papers for their house, in Texas, on Monday. It took us 26 ½ long hours…….it was long, but not too bad, because mom and I watched four movies and I did a ton of knitting. Yes, I knit. People look at me strangely when they see such a young girl knitting but I find it relaxing and fun. I am knitting my first baby blanket for my dear cousin Shauna who will be expecting her first baby September 23rd. Anyways, we got to Texas safely and right when we got to the hotel we unpacked, took a shower and went to bed. A shower and real bed had never felt so good. The following day they were supposed to sign loan docs for their house but like I said before things never go as planned. Even though they guaranteed mom and Ron to sign papers Monday it didn’t happen. The company then guaranteed them that they would close Tuesday, but of course it didn’t happen. You see the pattern here…. But I believe God was teaching them patience. Finally the day had come. It was two weeks later than expected, but they closed their house on Wednesday, August 4th. They got the keys and we met the contractor at the house to finalize all the remodeling details. Later than night we celebrated my moms birthday with all of Ron's family.
I learned a few things in Texas. First, everything is bigger in Texas (even the bugs). Texas houses are gorgeous and BIG! The price you can get for a house in Texas compared to California is amazing!!!! Mom and Ron’s house is a beautiful customhouse located in a gated community. They are going to love it!
Unfortunately, I left the following day, Thursday, to fly back to California. It was my first time flying as Corynne Todd and seeing the print out of my ticket put a smile on my face. I love my new last name. Anyways, I spent the next three days at my sister and Nicks place. We had a great time hanging out, going to the fair, the beach, making dinner, going to get thai food and working out. I enjoyed staying with them so much.
Before I knew it it was Sunday, August 8th, which was Shauna’s baby showers! The first one was at a Tea House in Glendora and it was adorable. It was a great baby shower filled with friends and family. We enjoyed having tea, scones, sandwiches, dessert, games and of course tons of gifts. The second baby shower was a BBQ at Breanne’s, and it was a great turnout. Sadly, my mom couldn’t come to the baby shower. She had to cancel her flight to California to stay in Texas, because the movers were coming to unload everything.
And now I sit here in the airport anxious to get home to Montana. I have had a great 21 days, but now I want to be home. I miss my husband immensely and want to be with him so badly. I have not received a phone call yet, but I have hope it will be soon (hopefully not when I’m flying today). So far, I have only had one letter in the past 21 days, but my mother-in-law called me from Montana and said there are two letters awaiting me in Montana. I cannot wait to get home tonight and read my love letters. Only 38 days left until I can see the love of my life. Can’t wait!
Thank you family and friends for your support through this hard time. It is not easy being apart from your husband, especially when you have only been married for 2 ½ months. But your prayers and support help tremendously. Thank you! Thank you!