Knows Just What To Say...

Mama:

   Our world is that of endless possibilities. New opportunities with each day, renewed hope with each passing moment. In this endless sea of exciting uncertainty it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the vastness of it all. To look out at wave top after option wave top can consume your perspective, dizzy the senses and isolate the mind. This is a scary place to exist...
   Until you feel your partner's hands on your waste as he wraps his comforting arms around you and presses his cheek to yours and you feel the power of his loving embrace. As he takes your hand and boards the ship with you, it’s realized that you are not alone and suddenly the journey isn't so frightening nor fraught with such peril as you once thought. You are not alone and the voyage now seems more of a thrilling escape from the drudgery of "normal" life.
   That's us! You are not alone in this. I love and support you, comfort and shield you. I lift you into the warm rays of the summer sun and provide a soft place for you to lay. Take comfort my love; I am your friend, your partner and your lover. Above all, I am with you.
-Papa

Posted By Krista,

SAFA

Taking a chance on "What If"

Story of the girl who prides herself on being "the one that got away"

and what happened when she met the boy who makes time stand

still and her heart want to stay.

Never did two souls so beaten and broken shy away from the fear of

love and loss of which is infant and unspoken. Breathing, beating,

jumping, falling, catching or crashing. Honesty in its rawest form.

Envy of innocence, envy of experience. Open eyes, open minds,

closed hearts? All these obstacles will make for a truly rough start.

Side by side, hand in hand all is new and alive, trusting in that feeling.

Waiting with caution, hoping for healing and wishing for meaning.

Taking a chance on what if.

  I came across this “poem” I wrote shortly after Ryan and I starting dating, reading it now takes me back to how scared I was to fall for him. We were both in places in life not ideal to start a new relationship and handle all of its trials. Now here we are stronger than ever, hand in hand looking forward to a year full of blissful change. Wherever life & the Corps may take us we are ready to take on anything and we are doing it together.

SAFA,

Krista

December Of Support

I give the 2/1 guys full credit for mine and Ryan’s introduction to one another back at TEN so many months ago. Thus, I have become very close to them and when they recently deployed to Afghanistan I felt like I had a duty to make sure they would be taken care of. (at least for a few weeks anyway)

At the end of November I set out to organize a care package drive for them, when I brought the idea to the CEO of my company, Cell Business Equipment, I expected to be shot down as I have only ever seen straight business out of my boss. Surprisingly though, he was all about it and gave me complete control of putting the drive together and running it, he even donated some supplies and paid for the shipping costs to send all the packages overseas. 

The entire month of December was dedicated to spreading the word about the drive and gathering supplies from co-workers as well as customers. Our IT department sent an email flier to every address in our data base, I folded and stuffed at least 3,000 mailers and I emailed all the employees here weekly with updates and pictures of the guys in Afghanistan. Towards the last week of the drive a rep. from Maxim Magazine came to my office looking for me, they heard about the drive from one of our customers and wanted to help so they brought a small pallet of the January issue with Katy Perry on the cover for me to send along with the care packages.

Boy! Was I surprised my efforts really paid off and I cannot wait for the guys to get this stuff. In the closing of the drive we sent out 250 lbs stuffed in 21 large flat rate boxes to 11 guys in 6 locations. Did ya get all that? :) here are some pics.

 Thank you to the guys of 2/1, your courage will not go un-recognized. I can’t wait for you to come back so we can return to the beach just in time for summer!!! Burgers & Beers For All!

SA&LC,

Krista

Posted by: Ryan Davis, c/o Krista Hoffmann

Blog Entry:  10 Jan 2011

The last few days have been a whirlwind of family time, work duties
and school preparation.  “School?” you ask, yes, ‘school’.  I am off
to a seven week military logistics school on the east coast and I am
realizing that this is the first, albeit not the last, time that I am
away from Krista and the pups due to training.  Krista has not the
experience of my absence due to my military duties and this trip is
poised to be a great learning experience.  We will stand the test and
find our strength in one another and in our faith.

I lay on the couch, a night or so past, with Krista napping next to me
and the puppies lounging on me.  The television was playing a movie in
the background and the lull of the conversations brought slumber with
each passing minute.  It was at this time that I felt safe and secure,
accepted and understood.  I smiled gently, closed my eyes and joined
the others in their rest.

So much in my life has changed, evolved, over the past … nearly a
year.  I found my emotional breaking point and fought back from it,
rising above to be healthier and stronger than ever.  I learned how to
change my life for good, where my energies need to be and what to
focus on.  I learned how easily some people can quit, and what that
says about subconscious dedications.  I have grown and matured in many
ways.  I have invested myself into my community, I have found a solid
church home and I have surrounded myself with good people.  I have
reconnected with family and old friends.  I have made new friends and
new family.  I have realigned my goals and set out upon the path.  I
am optimistic, upbeat and happy.  These are good times.

I cannot thank God more for His introduction of Krista into my life.
I have few ‘great friends’, Krista is the best.  I have never been so
understood and supported by anyone.  Even when times are hard and I am
performing horribly as a person, she is there to encourage me through
it.  I return the favor and share her difficult times with her.  I
encourage her and love her.  We balance each other well and expect
nothing more from the other than a whole-hearted 100%.  We are
brutally honest with each other, but delivery our ‘reality’ in the
most loving of ways.  We receive one another gladly and hold no
defensive positions.  It is a wonderful friendship to share and a
nurturing relationship to be a part of.

I know that my absence hurts her heart, as it does mine, but I know
that this is particularly rough on her.  I know that she is supporting
me, but gritting her teeth as she smiles, working to remind herself of
all the good that can come from this endeavor.  I know that she is
AWESOME.  I could not be more blessed.

Always Faithful, Always Forward.

SA&LC,
~Ryan
*****

"Come On Down To - How Well Do You Know Your Partner!"

Q’s About Ryan

Does he have a favorite color? If so what is it?

Krista Said: No favorite color but he likes wearing black, brown and light blue... Or at least those are what he tends to wear most.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Yes. Blue.

When was the last time he ate a PB&J sandwich?

Krista Said: Hmm, It’s been awhile, I think it was back when I still lived in CM, but we have the stuff to make them!

Ryan’s Actual Answer: When Krista made me one, Costa Mesa I think.

What concert would your partner fork out big bucks to sit front row at?

Krista Said: Muse or Mumford & Sons.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Muse, Mumford & Sons

What radio station does he listen to most?

Krista Said: NPR…. That’s all he has programmed lol.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: NPR

What CD’s are in his car CD player right now?

Krista Said: Temptations, Muse, Mumford & Sons, Forest Gump soundtrack and….. Learn to Speak French CD’s.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Louie Armstrong

How would your other half dress 24/7 if they could?

Krista Said: In a towel… lol probably in beach bum ware like board shorts and flip flops.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Shorts and a short-sleeve button-down, or jeans and a sweatshirt, but always flip-flops.

What kind of burial preferences does he have?

Krista Said: Cremation, some ashes in a plot & some spread in Canada.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: It’s in my will. (Cremation, but still with a plot folks can visit)

Has your partner ever wanted to know how to speak another language? If so, which one?

Krista Said: YES! He is constantly asking me questions in French and who knows what will be next.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: French, Russian, Italian.

Name their two closest friends.

Krista Said: Besides me? Lol its Joe Dallacqua & Brandon Westerman. (if I’m wrong I’m really sorry to break the news to you guys)

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Joe, Brandon

What stressors are they facing right now?

Krista Said: Lejeune & my well-being while he is away.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: The same as everyone else: money; and my impending training.

What is their favorite way to spend an evening?

Krista Said: Blue Ray rental, dinner and a bottle of wine or champagne… Shhh don’t tell, I got me a big softy :D

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Either dressed up to the nines out on the town (rarely), or cuddling on the couch in ‘bedtime casual’ attire (usually).  A movie should be involved regardless.

What are their favorite desserts?

Krista Said: Tiramisu, Cheese Cake & B&J Phish Food. (not all at once, or at least we have never tried it)

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Ice Cream (Phish Food)

What is their favorite vacation spot?

Krista Said: Canada! July come faster!!!

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Canada & Hawaii.

What is their favorite sports team?

Krista Said: He doesn’t have one but I bet he’ll say Lakers to appease me… or Raiders so he doesn’t get ambushed by our families.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: I’ll cheer on whichever team causes the biggest argument!

What foods do they hate?

Krista Said: Mayo, artichokes… Hmmmm I can’t think of any others, he pretty much eats anything you put in front of him.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Some ‘soul foods’.

What were they wearing when you met?

Krista Said: Jeans, burgundy short sleeve with tan button down over and tan flip flops, remember it like it was yesterday!

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Jeans, maroon t-shirt, khaki button-down short sleeve and flip-flops.

Name the city your partner was born in?

Krista Said: I wanna say a big city in OH like Toledo or Columbus but I honestly don’t know :( but I bet he won’t know mine either.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Columbus, OH

Where was your first date?

Krista Said: MJ’s hahaha no our real first date was Pizza Port in San-C.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: We met at a party at 10, but our first ‘date’ was to Javier’s (I think)

What is “your” song?

Krista Said: Tainted Love…. jk it’s Jason Mraz-Beautiful Mess.

Ryan’s Actual Answer: We don’t have one specific, but ‘Beautiful Mess’ by Jason Mraz has a special place.

What kind of house would he like to have in 10 years?

Krista Said: The one he designed and wants to build when he retires & his housing fund is nice and loaded :P

Ryan’s Actual Answer: Whichever I build.

Q’s About Krista

Does she have a favorite color? If so what is it?

Ryan Said: Yes. Pink.

Krista’s Actual Answer: PINK!

When was the last time she ate a PB&J sandwich?

Ryan Said: When she made sandwiches for the both of us in Costa Mesa.

Krista’s Actual Answer: I think it was the same time as Ry back at my old place in CM, so like 3ish months ago.

What concert would your partner fork out big bucks to sit front row at?

Ryan Said: Anything ‘Classic Rock’.

Krista’s Actual Answer: Beatles or Led Zeppelin… if they had a concert.

What radio station does she listen to most?

Ryan Said: 98.7 FM

Krista’s Actual Answer: Star 98.7 or NPR cause we ride in Ry’s car most of the time.

What CD is in her car's CD player right now?

Ryan Said: Gary Rae’s (2 of them)

Krista’s Actual Answer: Gary Rae Worship, Gratitude & Heaven, haha I have been holding them hostage from Ry.

How would your other half dress 24/7 if they could?

Ryan Said: Bedtime casual: Comfy PJ bottoms with a t-shirt and zip-up hoodie.

Krista’s Actual Answer: Comffies! A shirt of Ryan’s and boy shorts.

What kind of burial preferences does she have?

Ryan Said: In a box, in the ground.

Krista’s Actual Answer: Buried in the ground with a standing headstone.

Has your partner ever wanted to know how to speak another language? If so, which one?

Ryan Said: Yes.  Perhaps French?

Krista’s Actual Answer: Yes lots of them! Italian would be awesome!

Name their two closest friends.

Ryan Said: Sister & Susanna.

Krista’s Actual Answer: Sister & Ryan… ewwww how cliché.

What stressors are they facing right now?

Ryan Said: The same as everyone else: money; and my impending training.

Krista’s Actual Answer: Ry leaving for 2 months & me running the show while he is away.

What is their favorite way to spend an evening?

Ryan Said: Either dressed up to the nines out on the town (rarely), or cuddling on the couch in ‘bedtime casual’ attire (usually).

Krista’s Actual Answer: Getting all dolled up for dinner out and coming home to our couch and a bottle of champagne.

What are their favorite desserts?

Ryan Said: Red Velvet Cake.

Krista’s Actual Answer: Tiramisu and Red Velvet Cake

What is their favorite vacation spot?

Ryan Said: Hawaii, or any place I take her.

Krista’s Actual Answer: :( I haven’t really been on too many vacations, looking forward to Canada & Vegas is always fun.

Which is her favorite sports team?

Ryan Said: LA Lakers

Krista’s Actual Answer: Lakers!

What foods do they hate?

Ryan Said: Pineapple and shell-fish, and anything spicy.

Krista’s Actual Answer: LoL this is a LONG list I’m pretty picky. Tomatoes, mushrooms anything steamed (except rice) shell fish & pineapple and so on.

What were they wearing when you met?

Ryan Said: Blue jeans, white scoop-top shirt and a zip-up hoodie.

Krista’s Actual Answer: Skinny jeans, white scoop neck top and white/black polka dot heels.

Name the city your partner was born in?

Ryan Said: Costa Mesa (?), CA 

Krista’s Actual Answer: Fullerton, CA… Ghetto!

Where was your first date?

Ryan Said: We met at a party at 10, but our first ‘date’ was to Javier’s (I think)

Krista’s Actual Answer: Pizza Port! Nom Nom Nom

What is “your” song?

Ryan Said: We don’t have one specific, but ‘Beautiful Mess’ by Jason Mraz has a special place.

Krista’s Actual Answer: Beautiful Mess

What kind of house would she like to have in 10 years?

Ryan Said: Whichever I build.

Krista’s Actual Answer: A house in general would be awesome but I find that home is what you make of it so my only requirement would be Ryan…. LoL