October 31st

This Halloween Ray and I, for the first time did not trick-or-treat. Yes, you read it right. We didn't dress like fools and beg for candy. It was indeed a dark day in the history of the Mattingly and Wright family.

But do not fear, we did managed to dress up for the occasion. Ray was on duty for Halloween, so he was dressed as a sailor roving the pier protecting his sub from terrorist attacks. I stayed at home dressed as a black pregnant woman passing out candy to little kids.

I spent the day having a Harry Potter marathon and doing some scrapbooking. Around 5:30 pm the kids started arriving at the door and by 7:45 pm I was all out of candy.

Ray and I just love Halloween and as strong supporters of this wonderful holiday we firmly believe that the art of begging for candy must be taught early in life. So next year will be much different. Yes, we will be the parents that dresses our daughter in some overly cute costume that she will be embarrassed by years later. We will pack her into her stroller and beg for candy at every house until we are tired, regardless of the fact she already fell asleep three hours ago. The legacy of our family will live on in the mounds of Tootsie Rolls, Snickers and Nerds collected each year. For this is how family traditions are made and passed on!

Filling You In On Current Affairs

Okay, I know, it has been awhile since I last posted anything. I am sorry. October was a slow month for me. I got sick a couple of times and spent most of my free time resting in bed when I could. Don't worry, it was anything major, just enough to knock me off my feet for a few days.

Currently our little girl is very healthy and active. She is constantly moving and exploring my belly. The late morning and late evening seem to be her most active times so far. She loves it when Ray puts his hand on my belly. She always goes toward his hand and rest her body against his palm.

I have not experienced any Braxton Hicks contractions. Not that I'm looking forward to having one. Believe me it would be just fine if I didn't experience any contractions until the big day.

So now, one by one the wives and families of the USS Columbus are moving to Hawaii. This will make me one of the last remaining wives here is Washington come January. Yes, it will feel very lonely here, but I know I'll be able to manage.

The holidays are coming up and we have family coming to visit. This Thanksgiving we are opening our home to the single sailors of Columbus. Also, come December, I plan on taking advantage of all the holiday activities going on in Seattle this year.

The big question I've been asked is, "Will Ray be here for the birth of the baby?"

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for that question. I want him to be here and he really wants to be here too. But it is out of our hands. We have asked, begged and pleaded, but the decision is up to the command and right now it seems unlikely they will allow Ray to be at the birth.

So, yes, I'm scared. I am scared to not have Ray here for the birth of our first child. I'm scared that, being a high risk pregnancy, if something goes wrong I won't have Ray here for support.
But, we are strong in both our love and our faith. We know that some how God will see us through this.

I do apologize for this entry is not one of my usual funny entries. However, there is an upside to all of this. No matter what happens in the next three months, this child will be born and the Mattingly & Wright families will have yet another little member of the clan to spoil and love.

The Bell of the Ball

On October 21, 2006 the Navy celebrated its 231st birthday.

It was a party to remember!

We ate some good prime rib, had some drinks, (okay, to be correct, Ray had some drinks, I just sat there being jealous). We also shared some fun on the dance floor with our friends. Almost everyone there was on the dance floor shaking their groove thing. I, on the other hand just shook my belly. It was a great time shared by all!

As it got late into the evening we decided it was time for us to head home. Tomorrow was our wedding anniversary but Ray would have to stand duty. It was okay. I've grown use to these military disruptions. We would just celebrate our anniversay the day after.

Once we arrived home, Ray asked me to wait in the car for a moment. He rushed into the house and about a minute later came back to escort me inside.

What I saw next was absolutely beautiful!

Ray had turned our living room into our own private table for two. There was candles all around the room illuminating pictures of our wedding day. The coffee table was covered with a table cloth and rose petals. There on the table was a chilled bottle of sparkling apple cider, our toasting flutes, our cake serving set, and a cake that resembled the top tier of our wedding cake.

The lights were dimmed and soft music played in the background. Ray escorted me to the center of the room as our 'first song' started to play. I could not have asked for a better ending to an already wonderful evening.

Two hours before the stroke of midnight, we celebrated- if just a bit early- our one year wedding anniversary.