It’s way too late at night after a long day of unpacking suitcases, cleaning rooms, realizing I don’t know how to start a lawnmower and deciding that since my baby is eight months old now it’s probably time to pull all the maternity clothes out of my closet.
(No, I have NOT been wearing them, people! I’m just the queen of procrastination. And I knew that once I started going through the clothes, I’d end up doing a major cleaning of the whole closet. And the dresser drawers. And the bathroom cupboards. Which is exactly what happened today.)
But. BUT.
I cannot let the day come to a close without making mention of something quite exciting in this Marine Corps household.
(Warning: Military-ese ahead. Proceed at your own risk.)
Yesterday my guy was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) over in Iraq. This is a pretty exciting promotion in the Marine Corps, and we’re more than a little proud of him. Okay, so we’re REALLY proud of him, but I’m seriously trying to tone it down here, hoping to keep from sounding too, TOO braggy. I doubt it’s working.
But it really is a nifty promotion.
Especially since he’s only been in for barely ten years and got pulled from the “below zone” for Gunny. But you didn’t hear that from me, okay?
Congrats, hero o’ mine! Thanks for being such a great Marine and serving the Lord and us with your life each day!
Although I’m still trying to get over the fact that I’m the 22 year old wife of a Gunny. Laugh with me, Marine wives. We just won’t advertise that fact around base, okay?
woooohoooo! congrats!!!!!!!! that is so, SO exciting! love you both tonz!
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*GRINNING* from ear to ear…Brian and I BOTH, we couldn’t be more thrilled for you!!!…
Oh yeah, and I’ll go ahead and just say THIS.IS.A.BIGGY people…being picked out of the BELOW ZONE (I believe the most jr?) to be promoted *over* those who were IN zone..yep, he’s got to be one pr.e.t.t.y special Marine…and that’s an understatement. CONGRATS!!!! and you will even get an *hoorah* outta me for that! ;)
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Congratulations! What a wonderful thing!
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WOO HOO! CONGRATULATIONS! WAY TO GO!!!
Geesh Ashleigh, your husband just made Gunnery Sgt. You could have bragged a little, you know.
;)
~Kristi
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That is such exciting news!! Your Mom actually shared the news with us when we saw her two weeks ago, both her and your Dad were so very excited and proud! Congrats John…and Ashleigh!
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I can laugh with you…. even though it doesn’t mean quite as much since I’m not as familiar with marine rankings or enlisted rankings, I still know in general what age-range each one should fall into… Hooray for your man, though, that’s quite an honor. He obviously works hard for God’s glory and to care for his family. Thanks for sharing!
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And Proud you should be little lady, it took me 16 years to make E-7 and never made E-8. Rank was harder then. Proud, you got that right, and I think a 22 year old should have a Gunny on a leash. I am very happy for you and I am sure he got it the old fashioned way, he earned it…….
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Yay!!! Congratulations!!!
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Congrats to John!!
We love that guy!!!!!
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You have total bragging rights here! !!!
Gunny is a big deal!
Congrats!!!!
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Very, very cool! Congrats to John, and the woman behind the man! ;-)
(I’m not exactly a military wife, but can I still laugh with you? ;-D)
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WOW, WOW, WOW I do know what a big deal that is because I live with a Marine and when I asked what that meant I got an hour and a half speech. Im so proud to have John in our family. What a great honor!! Im so proud of you too Ash, the Lord is blessing you and your family.
Love you lots!!!
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Quite the over achiever. What’s not to be proud of. There’s that saying “No brag, Just Fact.” It’s not bragging if its fact. We’re happy for you and just as proud.
Vickie
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What wonderful news!! Congrats to your husband!!
Ginger~
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Congratulations John!!!! After this comment its my goal to learn the ranks of the Marines so I can know exactly how special this is :) But I can tell for the most part by everyone else comments. Ash, brag about your husband all you want, he’s worth it. love ya guys
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Wow! How exciting … and wonderful! Congratulations! :)
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Well done to John and also to his loving wife! He couldn’t do it without you, you know! :) Hugs and prayers that you all will be together again very soon!
L
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OH HOW EXCITING!!!! We’re totally thrilled for you both!!
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Congratulations to John! You must be so proud of your man. :)
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Hehe, I think that definitely gives you bragging rights! I like your blog!
Blessings,
Carmen
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COGRATULATIONS!!!!! You most definately have bragging rights!!!! There’s no sin in THAT kind of pride!
Ooooooooooooooooo-raaaaaaaaaaah!
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Congrats John and Ash!!!
Ok, so I don’t know exactly what a Big Deal this is, but after reading everyone’s comments and talking to Jason about it, I have a little bit better understanding. That is so way cool! :)
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Woohoo!!!!! Go John!!! That’s my big brother :o)
Ash–you have all the bragging rights that you need–even the Army guys around here are impressed with that (and that’s saying ALOT!!!!)
Love you all!!
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Right after I read this post (last night) Brian got on (which is why I’m commenting now – he kinda got my attention). I told him about it and from both of us, Congrats John! That is quite an achievement, especially from the below zone. And it’s okay to be proud :-)
~Rebekah
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I have positively no idea what it means, but I’m still just as happy as I can be for you! ;)
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Well. I know EXACTLY what that means, and it’s awesome!! Congrats to John!! And I’m SOOOO laughing at the 22 yr old gunny’s wife!!! Well, I’m the 31 year old gunny’s wife!! I’m going to tell people that I know a 22 yr old gunny’s wife, those that it would apply to, and they will get a kick out of it!! You’re a great support to him, Ashleigh!! And most importantly, his biggest fan!! (My husband said to say, “(insert last name here)? call him a boot!!” But after that he said “wow, that’s sweet, way to go!!” If you could pass that on for me!!)
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Congratulations to you both! That’s fantastic!
Keeping you both in my prayers these last few weeks with John in Iraq. I hope they pass quickly!
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hUgE ConGRaTulATionS
to
your
hunny
gunny. :o)
Hugs,
Jane
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What a great testimony! Congratulations!!! And Sorry but Tiffany’s comment…hilarious!
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That is awesome! Congrats! :) You can brag all you want!! :)
Kate
Ps. I know exactly what you mean, I laugh when I think of the fact that I’m a 21 yr old wife of a Senior Commissioning Engineer, too funny!
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Congratulations! That’s wonderful :) I’m not as familiar with marine rank as I am Army rank, but I do know what an E-7 is :)
ps. I found your blog from Rocks in my dryer and was very touched about how you wrote about dealing with deployment.
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I found your blog from Rock in my Dryer too!
While my husband is not overseas right now he is gone for 8 months in school – so I can understand to some degree what you go through on a day to day basis.
And congrats on the promotion!! I know how big of a deal that is!!
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Congrats!!!! I also read your post at rocks in my dryer. It was beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us. We just survived our 1st 15 month deployment!
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Congratulations!! I know this is old news, but I just found your blog from Rocks In My Dryer. My hubbie is leaving next week for Iraq. He is in the ARMY Reserves and will be gone for a year or just a little under. I hope we’ll manage with as much grace as you seem to be! I’ll check in again for sure.
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