Happy Anniversary To My Husband

I know I just posted about Scott a few weeks ago during the Marine Corps birthday.....but here I go again. We just celebrated our 8th anniversary this past Sunday the 7th. I woke up that morning and before I got to see Scott and wish him a happy anniversary, Delana walked in the room and right away I could not help but squeeze her and tell her "happy anniversary." I had the strong impression to wish everyone in our little family happy anniversary. It dawned on me that we were celebrating our family's anniversary. More than just an anniversary of husband and wife. It was actually the day our family was established, December 7th, 2000 in San Diego California at the LDS Temple.

What did we do for our Anniversary, it was on Sunday, and we both worked all day Saturday, so not much. We did go out for dinner as a family Monday night, which was very very nice. What did we get each other? Some of the best gifts ever this year. Scott bore his testimony of his faith at church on Sunday. The best gift ever!!! I was so grateful to hear his testimony and it reminded me of why I fell in love with him in the first place. This post is my gift. I did actually get him a gift, but it has not come in the mail yet. I ordered him a 20x24 canvas poster of a recent picture of our family. He has been begging for over a year for a new family photo. He said it looked as if Delana did not exist around our house according to the walls. The poster has not come yet, but I was asked on Sunday to write up a bio about Scott for a cooking class that he will be teaching at a local Single Adult Conference.

Here is the bio I submitted. Happy Anniversary honey:

Scott Zabel, born and raised in Boise, Idaho, got his start in cooking at Wendy's of all places, when he was 15 years old. He loved working in the food industry and got his second job as a short order cook at a restaurant called Shari's. One day he was driving by a military recruiting office and he decided to pull over and he walked in. He joined the Marine Corps in April 1999. When the Marine Corps asked what field he was interested in, he said cooking. I am sure they laughed, not many people ask to go into the cooking field in the military. It is usually something people get "stuck" with. Scott went to cooks school in Fort Lee rigth out of basic training (boot camp). He gradutaed first in his class with the highest marks of all of the new Marines. His first duty station and chow or mess hall was in Yuma, Arizona. He was self motivated and earned the title of "Oorah Motivater!" He was motivated enough to go out to the local community classes and take some culinary art classes in the evening. He discovered there that he loved baking. His love for baking lead him to take the Wilton cake decorating classes at Michael's. His baking skills and cake decorating skills stood out and he was put in charge of the bake shop. He loves cooking and being in the kitchen but he had dreams outside of a base chow hall. He had dreams of someday in his millitary career working as a private enlisted aide to the Generals. He wanted to cook for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. This sounded like a dream that he would eventually work his way up to late in his military career. In January 2003 he was called to fight in a war that had not even begun yet and did not have even have a name yet. He spent 8 months in Kuwait and Iraq supporting the troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom. When he returned he needed to be transferred out of Yuma and onto his second duty station. He had a Gunnery Sergeant, Gunny Myers, that had left Yuma to go to Washington DC to be an enlisted aide. There was an opening in the Enlisted Aide Field and this Gunny remembered how hard working and motivated Scott was. He ignored Scott's young age and the fact of his short military career and experience, and gave him a chance. He called him up and said there was an opening and that he should try for it. The other leaders at the chow hall all agreed that though Scott was young, he was ready. Scott was accepted in 2004 and got a position working at the Pentagon where his main duty was to poor coffee for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. After a few months of pouring coffee Scott was asked to work on a team of four chefs and aides to the Commandant, General Mike Hagee. Scott then earned another title and nick name, "Junior." He was one of the youngest Marines in the enlisted aide field. The list of Generals the scott has cooked for include the following, Commandant General Mike Hagee (2004-2005), Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, General Peter Pace (2005-2007), the current Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway(2007 to present). Scott enjoys the education opportunities that he has received while serving in the Marine Corps. He returned to cook school in Fort Lee a few years ago to attend a NCO Cook School and he graduated top of his class again. He has had the privildge of taking a few courses at the Culinary Art Institute of America in New York. He looks forward to more years of experience. He is proud to be a Marine but his favorite role in life is that of husband and father to two very beautiful little girls, ages 6 and 2. He is a wonderful missionary and example to all those he serves with and serves for. He seems to stand out and shine and excel at all things he sets out to do and accomplish. He is living his dream job because of his self motivation and dedication to service.

Happy Anniversary Scott. I Love You.


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