THe Last 8 years of Tanners LIfe.

The Start to a New Chapter.

8 Years ago My Handsome soldier 17 years of age, fearlessly joined United States Army Reserve. Many neighbors, friends, and family tried talking him out of it. Tanner Did not take their advice into account. He joined anyways. He graduated a year later and got taken to boot camp. Later which his family all joined him for his graduation.

This is where I came into play. Couple weeks after he arrived home we got set up on a date. Tanner liked me a lot. I of which did not realize. We dated on and off for 9 months. Went to california and FELL IN LOVE. That is the place I found out how much he liked me. He had not let me know this  the whole time; you may ask why???

2 weeks later He wrote me a love letter and was off to iraq. That is why.

He didn't want to make me feel pinned down to wait for 14 months for him so he left it all up to me. Well two weeks went by and I knew I was in LOVE. I hurried and wrote him a love letter back saying TANNER I WANT TO WAIT FOR YOU. 6 years later I can still remember him receiving that letter. I was at my room mates, friends homecoming get together and tanner called and was soooooo excited I would wait. Through that deployment tanner wrote many many letters postcards and sent packages and planned a surprise birthday homecoming for me. He is the most amazing Soldier I know. He worked soooo hard to show me his love through such a long year. He fulfilled his deployment duties to the fullest. He never backed out of any missions, or duties he was asked to do. Tanner got in many road side bomb accidents, and still never backed out on the next. I am the proudest wife. This deployment really tried my faith I relied on my families faith that he would come home to me. Tanner however knew that he would come home. He had so much faith. I was so in love with him. I couldn't wait to see him and have him come back.

14 months later he arrived to Utah. a soldier's homecoming is prob the most patriotic, amazing and emotional thing I could witness. Soldiers stepping off the airplane running to their wives, kids girlfriends and families. I just jumped into tanners arms with so much joy of him being home. The stress was pulled off all of our shoulders. Tanners mom and I became so close through this deployment. We started off not hardly knowing each other at all and to this day we are still so close. I am so lucky to have the in laws I have. The faith of my parents is huge. I could always rely on calling my mom to re assure me that tanner in fact would come home. I love you guys.

The following year in half was quite Difficult. We fought constantly breaking up and getting back together again. I loved tanner so much yet he was dealing with the stuff from iraq. Which was a lot. Finally a year in a half later HE asked me to be his wife. AHHH hurray at that point there was no shadow of a doubt that tanner was in love. And KNEW with all his heart that he was ready to marry me. He was a totally different man. I was soooooooo happy. We worked so hard to make it to the temple and that day was a day to remember. The smiles on my face and on his face can never be forgotten.

One year later he got orders to deploy to Afghanistan. Nooooo I was devastated. I was soooo afraid for him to leave me. All it took for me to break into tears was to picture him saying good bye at the terminal. Ahh still breaks my heart. For that first year we attended the temple once a month. I needed all the comfort and faith I could get. Tanner is the most courageous man I know. He kept strong and all though sad to leave he was def. My rock leading up to the day.

Afghanistan was prob the hardest of the two deployments. HE couldn't tell me anything due to the base he was on. He was a higher rank, there fore much more busy. I just waited for that phone call each day to hear all was ok. We had a horrific accident in march that tanner watched happen and was able to help his buddies and we had our first casualty happen to a close soldier. That day was devastating for our guys. How amazing are they. I felt very proud that I could attend the funeral and viewing in place of tanner. I love him sooooo much. I was able to record and get photos of the whole thing to make a film for tanners buddies. This deployment he was very strong and went through so much. I was very very afraid of tanner not coming home to me. My bishop challenged me to go to the temple weekly for the last few months. I am so happy to report that I did do that. I know that tanner and each guy was watched upon by the angels and each of our prayers answered. Even though it seemed like most times they weren't Anne's husband did say. “NO Keep those prayers coming, I see them being answered daily.” I just love anne and love tim. They both helped me get through this deployment as well.

October came and the day I would see tanner finally arrived!! I woke up feeling like I would be getting married again!! I had butterflies in my stomach. I am A PROUD Wife. Tanner and I did it. 7 years in the military for me and 8 Years for him. What an accomplishment. We arrived at HILL AIR FORCE BASE and all sat in the hanger waiting and waiting. I thought for sure there would be a delay because that is how the army works. DELAYS!!!! Nope right on time. They opened those doors and out was the run way. I sat in tears watching that airplane circle around and land. What an emotional moment. Tanner was coming home to me. All but one of the guys would be coming home. My heart goes out to the Arruda family. And to all those soldiers who lost such an amazing man. I was so lucky to have jen film and anne olsen take pictures. They captured everything to the T. I jumped into tanners arms and just kissed and kissed him and couldn't stop smiling. I was happy to say that I did it. I was the girl that got to support this Courageous, handsome, Brave soldier.

ONE year later has past and it is time to say farewell. Those 8 years brought JOY, tears, excitement, learning, emotions, faith, prayers and so much more. Tanner is the most amazing soldier I know. He Fulfilled that contract to the most highest. He can get out with no regret. I love him so much. It will be a huge change for my handsome and prob be hard at times knowing he will never deploy again. But he will finish school and hopefully make it into the DEA. He is such a hard worker. Tanner is my best friend in the whole wide world. Even though we fought a lot. We also kissed a lot. He never gave up on me. He is the most forgiving guy I know.

Tanner thank you so much for your service. For having so much faith. Your guys will miss you so much. Thank you so much for asking me to be your wife. The 3^rd year is the charm. And here is to many many more. You did 8 amazing years in the army reserves.

Here are some photos of AFG and our reunion # Two

 Soldiers Prayer

 Tanners Sweet Ride

 The Cute monkey they bought for 7 hours. ISnt tanner HOT

 AWWW Best Moment in that YEar

 We are so in love

 So happy to be in these arms

Anne is the most amazing friend i know. She is an incredible mother of three girls who all missed their daddy and husband for 18 months. I couldnt have gone through this without her. I love you anne. WE DID IT!!!

 Today is the day.!!! these pictures that were taken will forever stay in my heart. my friend aubree did an amazing job. Tanner is my most favorite friend i have, he is mr fix and always there to help me. we fight yet we know how to communicate to work it out. i love him so much and i am so proud of the two of us for making it through these 8 years. Here is to our new chapter . I love you my tan man supa man

WE ARE ECSTATIC!!!!!!!!!

OUr amazing agent. GIna is amazing!!!!!
WE are officially homeowners yippee!!!!
Our cute little cottage. dont worry that bush will be removed in a few weeks. there is a window behind it.

Today is the day we closed on our house. YIPEE !!!!

July 14 2011 I drove past 4 houses, Tanner had picked them up via afghanistan internet and sent me to them. I hated all but 1. I ran home told my mom i just found my house. her and my dad jumped in the car to go check it out . Thats where our journey began. Husband deployed and wife found a house. UH OH. It has been an absolute roller coaster. I have learned patience, excitement, frustration, tears, fighting, praying constantly, and everything else possible. I could teach a class on buying a short sale. 3 words for you. DONT DO IT. I would never recommend buying a short sale ever again unless you are ok with a process like ours. every time we would turn around with happy news it was followed with bad news. every time without fail. all the way down to two days prior to closing. Me and tanner have learned alot through this process. I KNOW PRAYERS are answered. i prayed and prayed through this whole process. each time we would get bad news never fail it did come with a miracle. we are sooooooooo excited right now. i want to thank my parents hugely for supporting us and being so upbeat about our house. they would drive past it every sunday after church. i would like to thank tanners parents for all their support and help in the final stages. we just did our last walk through. dont you worry our puppy gunner pooped in the house and on the welcome mat outside the door. he is just as excited. we are so ecstatic to buy our first house and move in to it and call it home. it is my cottage i always wanted, just a newer version. i have it all decorated in my mind, cant wait to get it out of my mind and on the walls and floors. thanks to all my friends who supported me in the long 7 in half months. I am soooo greatful to tanner who even though had doubts along the way still supported me and comforted me through our fights and tears about it. i just new it was my home and i didnt want to walk away and let anybody else take it. we are in love.

We had amazing landlords for 2 in half years. they were sooooo good to us through everything. i will miss them so much. they are the sweetest people i know. however i cant wait for my next journey in life. Our first 2 in half years was in a basement apt. with a deployment. our next journey will be a house with a new puppy and hopefully children when the time is right. 2012 will be a great year i believe. cant wait to buy cute rocking chairs for the outside and sip my lemonade on those hot summer nights. and have bbq's. CHEERS to one heck of a 7 months. OH HEY!!!!!!!!!!

Also my agent gina allen has been amazing to work with i just love her.!!!!

While tanner was still in afganistan. He told me he planned a Surprise birthday/anniversary since he missed those things. We successfully waited for the actual surprise. It was so fun and may i add he did a pretty good job planning. he scrapbooked the itinerary. (i love his creativity) the day we started we Went shopping at the outlets, Ate dinner at Red Banjo on mainstreet. (pizza and pasta) we ordered the silver king. then went to the rocky mountain chocolate factory for dessert. second day at breakfast at the romantic burger king. lol tanner ordered in room 1 hour massages. It was heaven. the girls did amazing job. it was my first massage and i love it. then we went back down mainstreet cause i love that place and i love the fall leaves down there. after we went to tj max for a bit more shopping. then got icecream and hot cocoa and 2 red box and went back to our hotel. I STAYED AWAKE FOR TWO FULL MOVIES. thats a big deal. lol and the next day ate breakfast at kneaders and went home. I loved my get away with him Tanner is doing awesome so far. its been a bit over two weeks and we are loving our time together. we have so much fun laughing, cuddling, hanging out, talking, and catching up on old times. I love him so much.

the sweet itinerary.
isnt this such a fun fence?

MY handsome
I love Tanner and I love fall leaves in P.C
some random vacant patio with coke stools, tables and umbrella's.
Wonderful getaway with the ONe WHom I LOvE

"OUR PLACE"

Tanner chuckin his rocks.

One friday we decided to take a walk. Now if you know me and tanner you know we love DAYBREAK. well we came around the bend and saw a million seaguls. The child in tanner just had to throw a rock at them. so He threw a small rock and sure enough all the seagulls arose all together and started flying around and squacking. well we didnt have the camera dang it. so we waited till sunday to come back. well we didnt see many birds in the first part of the lake so we kept on walking. and came to this part. well we threw many rocks and the birds must have been immune. cause they didnt do awhole lot. so i said lets just sit here for awhile im sure something will happen. a husband and wife decided to go canoeing and as soon as they threw their canoe in the water the birds all arose together and once again flew in circles. its so awesome!! I just love having tanner home with me. going back to daybreak on our weekly walks.

Ducks, seagulls, and geese chillen

Here they are right as the canoe landed in the water
Flying around in circles
Birds in Flight
AHHHH they are going to poop on me

Me just chillen in the nice fall weather with my husband.

I love you tanner

LAST GIRLS NIGHT

All of a sudden Anne and I realized OH MY the guys are coming home pretty soon we better do one last girls night. But we were both so busy and didnt have much time so we chose to have BREAKFAST FOR DINNER. it was fun and quick. Well I love these girls and the three lil ones did AMAZING during their daddies deployment. THey def had rough days but all in all i think they did great. So i decided to make them hot pink posters telling them how much i love them along with a bag of ring pops cause what little girl doesnt like those? we have had a blast during the 16 months our guys have been gone and we have had sad times and awnery times. We are BFF's
EMMA modeling fashionista
laura. and her treat was the push up sucker in the other photo and boy did she love it!
savannah she loves getting her picture taken i took about 5
Sweet emma
and Savannah also loves!!! to take photos
Cute laura
Savannah was so into her hot chocolate.

Thanks again girls for being my best friend through such a hard year. I wouldnt have gotten through it without you guys.

BEST DAY

I woke up october 15th. I felt the same exact way i did August 7th. Our wedding day. I could not have been more excited, relieved, more at peace, happy, and full of motivation than i did this morning. I sent tanner to his first training july 10th 2010, and said good bye 5 different times. It was prob the hardest, saddest, draining year of my life. I have so much pride. I love tanner so much my words could not explain. I dreamed of this day the way most girls dream of their wedding day. and it turned out 100 percent what i had hoped for. seeing tanner for the first time was soooo happy. as i watched the airplane fly into hill air force base i got all teary eyed. WE did it is what first came to mind. at times i didnt think i could make it. i prayed some days 5 times. asking for the safety of tanner and his battle buddies. I was truly blessed. i know tanner was watched after. i know my prayers were answered. Me and tanner survived our last deployment together. It feels soooo amazing. I will never have to go through that again. Tanner I love you
I love this picture.

we are so Happy to be in each others arms again.

I have so many people to thank. My mom and dad supported perfect. My mom never let me leave without giving me a huge hug since tanner wasnt here to do so. my dad was always so upbeat and happy. and always asked how SWEETY (tanner) was. tanners parents and family. His mom always hand delivered my flowers for tanner each holiday. i could not have survived without these to families. always took care of me. My room mates for always checking on me and keeping me involved. whitney especially. She cooked me dinner so many times and always came to my house to keep me company. of course tanner. he called very often and did his best keeping our marriage afloat. and my church members. going to church each week would motivate me for the following week. and so many other people. i love everyone who helped me. i will admit i was not always the nicest person. you would be able to tell if i was very stressed or had a bad conversation with tanner cause would be very awnery. but i am now very happy and motivated. i can now say I LOVE MY LIFE.

rest in peace ARRUDA

I am a proud wife of Tanner Nelsen. I have been supporting him in the army for 7 years now. He is my Hero. I am sooooo in love with him. He is such a sweet husband and has done a wonderful job of supporting me through 2 deployments. I can always feel his love for me. He has lost One of his Amazing battle buddies. what a strong set of guys he is with. Every one of them are amazing. It will be a rough road ahead, how ever CPL ARRUDA Will never be forgotten. I love our soldiers and will always support them.

I hope you enjoy this movie i made of the funeral. I got permission from his father to video tape and take photos. I made this on behalf of our soldiers still in afghanistan fighting. we pray for your comfort and safety.

Tanner I love you with all my heart. You are my best friend and forever my HERO

P.s I hope this copy will show up good. The one i have on my computer is the actual one.sometimes blogs dont present the best quality.