Monday, April 18, 2016

Influenster Treat Vox Box

I received the Treat vox box from Influenster, full of great things to try! It included Weleda baby wash, Yogi tea, Hills Bros instant cappuccino, Yum-V probiotics, and Country Crock butter. It's just filled of great products! The coffee is delicious, especially if you're a coffee junkie like I am. My older kids liked the probiotics and I like that they're getting them. And the baby enjoyed his bath with the Weleda baby wash! I also baked some yummy garbage cookies with the Country Crock butter. I made a basic cookie recipe and added crushed potato chips, crushed pretzels, Reese's pieces and chocolate chips. They are the perfect cookie. They're sweet and salty and soft and chewy with a little crunch. Definitely worth trying!!

Make it your own cookies

Influencer sent me the treat vox box full of goodies to try! One of the items was a coupon for Country Crock butter. Country Crock has a make it your own cookie recipe on their website bit encourages you to get creative in the kitchen. I used their recipe and added crushed potato chips, crushed pretzels, and Reese's Pieces candies. It made a deliciously sweet and salty cookie! These cookies were pure perfection!

Here is the recipe:
  • Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Country Crock® Spreadable Sticks or Tub, cold from the refrigerator
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 to 2 cups of your choice of mix-ins
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°. Mix Country Crock® Spread, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, egg, egg yolk and vanilla in large bowl until well mixed. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda until blended. (Dough will be soft and creamy.) 
Add your favorite mix-ins in any combination, and mix until every spoonful of dough has some of the delicious mix-ins.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls on ungreased baking sheets 3-inches apart.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool 1 minute on wire rack; remove from sheets and cool completely.
Add toppings and decorations if desired.

I received these products free for testing purposes. 

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Airbrush Perfect Legs Vox Box

I received the perfect airbrush legs vox box from influenster. I was a little skeptical about leg makeup. I'm not a fan of self tanner because it's always streaky or orange, but this product is very different! It looks like a cream foundation or a regular tanning lotion. When I first smoothed it on my legs it looked a little streaky, but I decided it looked like I didn't have enough on so I got a little more. When I added a little more it evened right out and looked awesome! I did have a little too much on my foot and it looked dirty, but once I rubbed it in a little more it was fine. My legs were evenly tanned, not orange and not streaky. They looked great! After I applied it to my legs all I had to do was wash my hands and the color was gone! I was very surprised and pleased with this product!

Monday, March 16, 2015

Dessange Voxbox - hair care!

I received the Dessange voxbox from Influenster for testing purposes.

In my voxbox was:
California Blonde Illuminating Shampoo
California Blonde Illuminating Conditioner
California Blonde Brass Color Correcting Creme

I have to tell you, I LOVE these products so much!! My favorite of them is the color correcting Creme. My bright blonde hair has turned a brassy Orange color over time and after just 3 treatments it has brightened up a ton!! I'll bet after a week or 2 it will be back to its original color, which I love! The color corrector leaves my hair feeling soft and it smells nice. I've been applying it right when I get in the shower and then rinsing it out 5+ minutes later. Then I follow it with the shampoo and conditioner. I've been using the shampoo and conditioner for a week and my hair is so shiney and it looks great! All I have to do is blow it dry and I have a gorgeous style!

If you color your hair blonde I would 100% recommend you get the Dessange California Blonde hair care line! You won't regret it! And, the best part...it's available at my favorite store, Target!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Influenster Spring Vox Box

I received the Spring Fling Vox Box from Influenster and it was full of great products to try!!

*Playtex Sport Fresh Balance Tampons
*Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retroglam Mascara
*Kiss Everlasting French Nails
*Nivea Body Skin Firming Moisturizer
*Peach Cobbler Air freshner from Labor Day Movie

I am LOVING the retroglam mascara! It goes on so smooth and clump free and dries quickly so it doesn't leave marks when I blink. I love how it doesn't feel dry either.

I am not usually a fan of fake nails, but I really like the Kiss Everlasting French Nails. They looked natural and were so easy to put on. Check out my blog all about them here.

I have been using the skin firming moisturizer daily for 4 days and haven't noticed my skin being any firmer yet, but I will check back in a few days and let you know! My skin is definitely feeling much more hydrated and it smells fantastic!

I loved the movie Labor Day! The love story was beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. There was a scene and some discussion of recurring pregnancy loss and baby loss, which I was not expecting and it was very difficult to watch. The scene in the movie where they make peace pie was my favorite scene and I love the air freshner that came in the Vox Box!!

I'm so excited to be a part of the Vox Box program and I hope to receive another one in the future!












Kiss Everlasting French Manicure - Spring Fling Vox Box

I received the Kiss Everlasting French Manicure set in my spring vox box. I received it for free for testing purposes.

I was SO excited to try these. They went on super easy and fast and they looked so nice! The nails are numbered so you know what sizes you're looking at. It took me less than 20min to apply the full set. Once I applied them, I trimmed them down a little and filed them smooth.

I got SO many compliments on how pretty my nails looked!!

A few quick tips if you're going to give them a try:
*Be sure to use enough glue. Too little glue and they will fall off much sooner than they should
*If you like to wear short nails, just trim them after they have been applied. They are so easy to trim with nail clippers.
*If your nails aren't perfectly shaped, you can file the nail gently to make it fit your nail beds.

The price on these nails is really good and much better than the salon prices. Plus, you can apply Jamberry on them!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kiss-Everlasting-Real-Short-Length-French-Nails-Pearl-White-Tip/16627600

Saturday, January 21, 2012

So, I had a Baby...

It has been a while since I put anything on the blog, but mostly because I have been otherwise engaged.

On December 10 we welcomed our beautiful daughter Hazel into the world!


She was 8lbs 13oz of squishy baby love!

I was scheduled for a c-section on Dec 14 because she was measuring so big at my 36 week ultrasound, but when I woke up on the 10th, my water broke!

Of course, after it broke I showered, went to a cookie sale at the church down the block, had lunch with my mom and finished a few sewing projects! By 2 in the afternoon my mom was a nervous wreck and insisted I call the doctor. I'm not sure why I was so hesitant to call, except that I was afraid they would tell me I had peed my pants and it wasn't my water breaking!

I call my husband, who was at work, and told him I was going in to get checked out. He too thought it was a false alarm so he stayed at work.

When I got to labor and delivery the nurse explained that she was going to do a litmus test, but that they are more often than not unreliable. She said if it was negative, which they usually are, she was going to do a different test. She did the litmus test and was shocked by how definitely positive it was!

I called my husband at work to tell him it was "baby time" and he panicked! He got to the hospital in record time and was a babbling and pacing mess. I had to yell at him to sit down and shut up because he was making me nervous!

I was informed that the c-section would take place at 5pm that evening so we just had to wait.

At 5pm I walked into the operating room and by 5:19 we had a baby!

We didn't find out what we were having and it was absolutely the greatest feeling ever when the doctor held her up and said, "It's a girl!"



I was in the hospital for 3 days before we headed home. I LOVE our hospital, but I was so ready to be back in my own home.

Since then we have a lot of family visiting (glad that's over!) and we have been having a lot of fun!



Hazel is 6 weeks old today!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

30 Days of Being Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving to all!! Today I am thankful for a lot of things! A lot of my friends were posting 1 thing a day that they were thankful for, but instead I made one big list. I of course am thankful for so much, but here are a few things that I thought of!

* My husband - He is my everything and my best friend. I am so thankful that he is part of my life and that we have the relationship that we have.

* Baby Squirrel - Even though the baby hasn't made it's appearance yet I am so in love and thankful for this baby. After a lot of trying and heart break, we have a beautiful baby on the way who I can't wait to meet!

* My Family - I have a wonderful, loving and supportive family. They may be a little crazy and drive me nuts at times, but they are mine and I am so thankful for them

* My grandpa - He is no longer with us, but I am thankful for him every single day. He was an amazing man. He taught me so much. I can feel him with me every day, and I truly believe he had a part in me being pregnant with baby squirrel. I am not sure how to fully put into words how thankful I am to have had my Pap in my life.

* Our home - It may be falling apart in places and it is a work in progress, but we have a roof over our heads and a place we call home. There are so many people who don't have something that I take for granted sometimes, and I am truly am grateful that I have a home.

* My friends - I have made a lot of amazing friends over the years and I am thankful for each and every one of them. I don't live near most of them any more, but I love chatting with them when I can. Even from 1,000+ miles away my friends bring a smile to my face and I don't know what I would do with out them.

* The Marine Corps - The Marine Corps never makes life simple and they have taken my husband away from for more time than I care to count, but I can't imagine our life any differently. It is a way of life that is not for everyone, but I am thankful for all the Marines have done for us and all things that have come from our experiences.

* To have my husband stateside - I am so thankful to have my wonderful husband home. He is in the US, in the same state and same city as me AND he comes home every night!

* Our military family - When you are part of the military, you are frequently far away from your family, but the other military families become your second family. I am lucky enough to have my mom in town, but I still have my military family too. They are people who understand the life and what you are going through.

* For being pregnant - I am thankful that I am pregnant during the holidays because that means I get to eat whatever I want and no one can say a word!

* My pregnancy pillow - Seriously! Without it, there would be no hope of getting any sleep at night these days!

* The local YMCA - I have been taking a prenatal swim class and I am so thankful for my 45min twice a week that I get to get in the pool and get the weight of the baby out of my pelvis!

* Music -"Music Washes away from the soul, the everyday dust of life." enough said...

* Everything my husband does - He works 12+ hours a day 6 days a week and he still finds time to get things done around the house to help me out. I'd be lost with out him.

* Food in the cupboards - I have a kitchen full of food. This time of year it becomes more apparent that many people don't have enough food to go around. I am thankful that we have plenty of food to go around.

* My husband - because even after a long day he calls to see what I need him to pick up and he goes out of his way to make me smile.

* My husband - because he looks damn good in a uniform!

* The way my family celebrates thanksgiving - for as long as I can remember we always invited people who didn't have anywhere else to go. No one should spend thanksgiving alone and no one should eat take out on thanksgiving! Since my husband and I have been married we have kept this up and always invite those that may be alone. It doesn't matter if we have 5 or 35 people around the table already...there is always room for one more.

* My mom - I am so thankful to have her live close again and I am constantly thankful for all that she does for us

* Cell phones - because without them I would lose touch with the world and wouldn't be able to catch up with friends and family.

* My in-laws - because even though I complain about them sometimes and get frustrated, they really are great people and they always come through for us in the end!

* Modern technology - because I got to see my baby's sweet chubby face today! I am so in love with my little (or not so little) butterball!! I can't wait to meet him or her!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family and friends and don't forget to be thankful for all that you have!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Making New Friends

Friendship is a funny thing when you are an adult.

I have found that the older I get, the harder it is to make friends.

As a kid, and even a teenager, you are at the same place in you life as most of your peers, but as you get older that changes.

I got married pretty young, which instantly put me in a different place than my friends. While I was going to school full time, working 2-3 jobs and coming home to my husband every night, they were full time students who had part time jobs and partied full time. I tried so hard to stay in touch with my friends, but they were quick to write me off, because I lived a "boring" life in comparison to their party filled lives.

In the years between being written off by long time childhood friends and today I have made a small handful of friends whom I love very much. the problem is that we don't live in the same cities anymore. Hell, we don't even live in the same time zones!

A year ago, we moved to a new city. I have been trying since we got here to make some friends, but as an adult this has been no easy task.

I have found that most people my age are just in a different place in their lives and have no interest in a married gal with a baby on the way. Then there are the people who have kids, but aren't interested in being friends because I don't technically have a kid yet. My favorite though, are the people that have all of their friends and don't seem to be interested in making any new ones.

Two of the guys that my husband works with have wives close to my age. I was friendly with both of them and we hung out from time to time, but once they met each other I ceased to exist. They both have kids so they hang out all the time. They have no problem calling me when they need a baby sitter, but when it comes to doing something fun I am not invited.

Maybe they think I wouldn't be interested, but really I just want friends and I would love to hang out.

Why does it have to matter if I have kids or if I am married or what I do for a living? Why can't it be like when we were 7?

I am so sick of trying to maintain and/or build new friendships when the other person doesn't give a shit. I am done helping other people, when they never reciprocate. I am sick of being forgotten by people. Mostly, I am sick of being used by other people. All I want is a friend. A friend to get together with, someone to talk to, someone who doesn't just want to use me.

Making friends as an adult SUCKS!!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Gender Predictions

I blogged a few weeks ago about the gender predictions I have been doing. This week marks single digit weeks until Baby Squirrel makes it's appearance and I couldn't be more excited!

I decided to recap the gender predictions on this blog because in a few more weeks I am going to start a pool for people to guess Baby Squirrels gender and stats and the winner will get a gift from the babe!

Gender Predictions:

Chinese Gender Chart - BOY
 The chart tells you if it is a boy or girl based on your age, the year and when you concieved
Ring Test - BOY
 A wedding ring tied to a string will swing in circles when held over your belly if you are having a boy and back and forth if you are having a girl
Intelligender - BOY (I have PCOS, so of course it said boy!)
 A kit you buy at the drug store. You pee on some powder and see what color it turns, but it says right on the box it is not meant for people with PCOS...
Color of Pee - GIRL
 If your pee is a bright yellow you are having a boy and if it is a dull yellow you are having a girl
Moms Skin - BOY
 If mom has acne during pregnancy it is a girl and clear, glowing skin means boy
Ask a 5 Year Old - BOY
 5 year olds are very intuitive and they will tell you if it is a boy or girl
Toddler Boys - BOY
 If a toddler boy shows interest in an expectant mom she is having a girl, if the toddler boy shows no interest then she is having a boy
Clumsiness - BOY
 If a mom to be is extra clumsy she is having a boy, but if she is more graceful, she is having a girl
Needle Test - GIRL
 This is a complicated one that my mom did...she held a needle over my belly and asked questions. The needle moved according to the answer to each question. (I can explain better another day)
Boiled Cabbage - BOY
 Boil cabbage then add equal parts cabbage water and urine. If the liquid turns purple it's a girl and red it is a boy
Leg Hair - BOY
 If a mom to be has leg hair that grows like crazy it is a boy, if the hair is normal then it is a girl

Cravings - GIRL
 If you are craving salty things you are having a boy and sweet cravings means a girl
Sleeping Side - GIRL
 If you are more comfortable on your left side it signifies a boy and more comfortable on your right side signifies a girl
Dad's Weight Gain - GIRL
 If the dad to be gains weight you are having a girl and if he loses weight or stays the same, you are having a boy. In my husbands defense...he recently quit smoking (GO HIM!!) which could be the reason for the weight gain!

I have done 14 gender tests, 5 have said I'm having a GIRL and 9 have said I am having a BOY.

Right now the odds are saying it is a boy, but we will know for sure in 9 weeks!! I am so excited and I can't wait to meet my little squirrel! :)

Friday, September 30, 2011

Military Spouse Friday Fill-in

Fridays are Military spouse Friday fill-in days over at Wife of a Sailors Blog. It is a fun way to get to know other military spouses and learn about each other each week.

Here is this weeks Friday Fill-in:

1. I always feel like I’m     84      years old, but in reality, I’m far younger than that.

I am to the point in my pregnancy where I am getting very uncomfortable and it is difficult to move. Sometimes it takes me 5 minutes just to get off the couch!


2. I wish my family understood better when I tell them I am allergic to dogs.  
I am severely allergic to dogs and my in-laws just DON'T get it! When we go to their house they refuse to put the dogs outside or in the basement. My husband will put them in the basement and then EVERYONE goes down to be with them because they are lonely...leaving me upstairs...ALONE! I was there a few weeks ago and they let their 100+lb jump up and shove his paws into my pregnant belly. The dogs can't b left outside or in the basement, but it's ok for me to have to go sit on the front porch in the snow so that I can catch my breath and stop wheezing. It's not like they are small dogs either. They have a 100+lb golden with TONS of fur and a 50ish lb pit/lab mix. SO damn frustrating!

3. If you saw me when I feel like getting pretty , you’d think I was a total girly-girl, but if you saw me any other day , you’d think I was a tomboy through-and-through. 
I do love to get dressed up. I love a cute pair of heels, a pretty dress and make-up! I love to feel pretty and sexy, I just don't take the time to do it very often. I am a billion years pregnant and if I put make-up on I just sweat it off in about 3.2 minutes. And seriously...lets not even talk about trying to fit my giant swollen ankles into a cute pair of heels!

4. I feel like I’m in a totally different universe when I'm with military families vs civilian families.  
I have a lot of military friends and I have a lot of civilian friends. I absolutely adore all of them for their own reasons. The military world is just so different than the civilian world. A milspouse friend of mine posted this on Facebook yesterday and it kind of explains the difference:

Civilian wives will get angry and snotty if your child is misbehaving, military wives will come outside yell at your kid and then let you know they did it

Civilian wives will tell a neighbor child to go home when dinner is ready, military wives expect that all children in their home will be eating with them

Civilian wives get angry if their husband is late and doesn’t call, military wives are ...grateful if they get a call this week
...
Civilian wives expect their casserole dish to be returned, military wives aren’t exactly sure who owns what

Civilian wives think men look good in uniforms, military wives think one man looks good in a uniform

Civilian wives get excited when the doorbell rings, military wives don’t

Civilian wives ask their friends if they can help, military wives don’t give their friends the option

Civilian wives get annoyed when plans change, military wives are surprised when they don’t

Civilian wives ask if their child can come play, military wives call and say “Hey is my kid over there?”

Civilian wives get angry when they trip over their husbands shoes, military wives would do anything to have to pick up their husbands boots

Civilian Wives hate their husbands’ stinky shirts, military wives snuggle up to them at night.
 I don't agree with all the statements, but some of them are so true. And, for the record, I truly love all my friends the same. I don't value military friends over civilian friends or vice versa. I value my friends for who they are and the different relationships that we have!!

5. In honor of this being MFF #60… 60 months ago  (exactly 5 years ago, so September 30, 2006) I lived in a duplex in San Diego, CA with a roommate and my life was totally different because of SO many reasons.
It was my freshman year of college and I was living with a milspouse. I was not married, but I was engaged to my husband. My fiance and the roommates husband were deployed to Japan. I was a full time student, working 40hrs a week and partying like it was my job. I was living off of $20 a week for food and struggling to make the bills, but I was too proud to ask for help. It was a time in my life where I learned so much about myself and what I was capable of and I learned so much about life and the world. I would never trade that time of my life for anything! Plus, I truly feel like that deployment helped my relationship with my husband (fiance at the time) grow! 

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Gender Predictions

SO...I have a super secret (not really) blog with baby stuff on it. I have been doing gender predictions to find out what Baby Squirrel is going to be. My lovely husband and I have decided not to find out the sex of our baby so I have been having fun with the old wives tales trying to guess what the baby will be. I posted another one today, so I thought I would share it here.

Yesterday I was 28 weeks pregnant!

That means I have officially entered my 3rd trimester!

This is getting real now! Just 12 short weeks from now I will be meeting my sweet little baby!

This week I am going to tackle the old wives tale about cravings.

A friend of mine from culinary school told me about this old wives tale yesterday, so I decided to share it here. According to this tale if the mother to be is craving sweet snacks she is going to have a girl. If the mother to be is craving salty snacks she is going to have a boy.

Courtesy of Google Images

My food cravings have been fairly regular throughout this whole pregnancy. Early on when I was nauseous ALL the time, all I could eat was cinnamon raisin bagels with peanut butter. From about week 12 on I have craved orange juice and mashed potatoes. The last 3 weeks ALL I have wanted is a yellow cake cupcake with chocolate frosting!! (In fact, I am still dreaming of that damn cupcake!)

Courtesy of Google Images

All of those foods are sweets...well, except the mashed potatoes. But, for the most part I have craved sweets, which means that I am having...A GIRL!!

That brings our totals now to:

Boy: 9 - 75%
Girl: 3 - 25%

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Worry and Panic

Panic has started to set in.

I am 26 weeks and 5 days pregnant and I have started to panic.

I have been panicing about everything!

Early in this pregnancy we decided to forgo the testing for downs syndrom and other chromosomal abnormalities. It was not covered by our insurance and for other various personal reasons we decided not to go down that road.

While I am still certain that we made the right choice, I have started to panic thinking that something is going to wrong with my baby. I feel like if something is wrong, it is all my fault and somehow by not having that test I have hurt my baby. (*If you want to judge me for not having the test, be my guest, but please keep it to yourself!)

I worry, all day long, that I am not going to be a good mom. What if my kid doesn't like me? What if I am just a crappy mom? Am I going to ruin my child's life?

I want to have a relationship with my child like I have with my mom. My dad and I don't really have a great relationship. I was always trying to please him and I was never good enough. I don't ever want my child to feel that way...EVER! I worry my child will feel that way about me though.

I have 13 weeks to go, but we have so much to do around our house. I worry that it won't get done. I worry that we will have to bring the baby home to a crappy house that is a nightmare for a baby because of all the unfinished projects laying around.

Basically, in a nut shell...I am a nut! I am panicking about the little things and worry about things I have no control over.

I need to get my overly emotional self together and relax. All this stress can't be good for the baby! (One more thing to add my list of things to worry about!)

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

A Big Day!

Today is a big day in our house...

Today I am 24 weeks pregnant.

24 weeks...should I have to deliver after this point, the odds of survival are pretty good. I feel like after today I can really take a big deep breath and relax a little. I know that won't happen, but I can do it if I want. :)

Today I am 13 weeks from being full term.

Today I am 16 weeks from my due date.

This is getting real folks. In just 16 weeks I will be holding my sweet baby squirrel! That is so painfully exciting! I really want to scream from the roof tops that I get to meet my baby in just 16 weeks.

I love watching my husband get excited about meeting our baby. Some days he gets so excited, he is almost giddy! He can't wait to meet our baby squirrel either.

But, what really makes today a big HUGE day in our house...

I am taking out my tongue ring.

I got my tongue pierced while I was college and my husband was deployed overseas. I had to do it while he was gone because he doesn't like piercings. He is ok with tattoo, but he thinks that piercings are mutilating your body.

He didn't hate the piercing or anything, he just isn't a fan. When I did it, years ago, I promised that I would take it out when I got pregnant with our first child. That's when it is truly time to grow up.

When I got pregnant this time I didn't take it out right away because I know that things can change very quickly. I'd had it happen before, so I told my husband that I would take it out when I was 12 weeks pregnant and the risk of miscarriage went way down.

When the 12 week mark came and went, I said I would take it out eventually.

A few weeks ago he asked me when it was going to come out. I told him it would be out before that baby made it's entrance into the world. But apparently that wasn't a good enough answer for him. He wanted a date. So after so serious feet dragging I decided I would take it out at 24 weeks. Viability.

Sunday night my lovely husband reminded me that Tuesday was the "BIG" day. I'm not going to lie...I got a little panicky. I don't know why, but I did.

Taking my tongue ring out means that this is real...I am really going to be a MOM!!

So there ya have it folks...it is a big day in our house. All because I am taking my tongue ring out...and of course because I am 24 weeks pregnant and I get to meet my baby sooner rather than later!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Remembering a Hero. Our Hero. And the Foundation of Our Family.

On Saturday August 6 my family held a memorial service for my grandpa.

He passed away on November 5, 2007 at the age of 87. My grandmother followed him just a few short months later on April 17, 2008 just 2 months shy of her 90th birthday. They had been married for 65 years, raised 4 children, had 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

My grandpa fought in World War II. He was a Major in the US Army. He served throughout Europe while his wife was at home with their youngest child. He was shot in the war and spent a full year in a hospital recovering. For his service to our country he received two purple hearts.

With his death and funeral falling so close to Veteran's day there were not enough people to give him his full military honors that he deserved. For that reason, we had a memorial service to remember the two people who meant so much to us.

They are both truly missed in our family and everyone was eager to be there to honor them.

The service was a full military honors service for my grandpa, but it was also a time to remember my grandma, who was the foundation of our family.


When my grandpa was choosing their burial plot years ago, he specifically chose a spot under a large tree. He always said that he chose that one so that when people came to visit them they would be comfortable in the shade. When we arrived at the cemetery that Saturday it was raining. When the service was about to start the family gathered under the tree to get out of the rain, just as he would have wanted. And then, as if he were watching over us, the rain stopped. It stopped just until everyone was in their car after the service, then it poured. But, we all knew he was there with us.


We buried them 4 years ago, but there is something so devastatingly final about the shots being fired and taps being play. It was like a wound that had been healing for almost 4 years had been freshly opened again. I have missed my grandpa every single day, but this day I felt like the hole in my heart was being ripped open.
 
 
My amazing husband was a part of the ceremony and he read the meaning of folding the flag as they folded it. He loved my grandpa and my grandpa loved him like he was his own grandson. He was so proud of him for being a Marine. I know he was honored to have him be part of it all.



After the military portion of the service was finished, we had a family service. The ivy wreath was empty and each person came up and told a story about my grand parents. As each person finished their story they put a flower in the wreath. It was such a wonderful way to remember them. Even a few of the great grand kids that are old enough to remember them stood in front of us and spoke. People spoke of how they know they are with us every day, funny stories or something they will never forget.


The memory wreath looked really nice when we were done. Before we left the cemetery My mom and aunt filled a small vase with flowers, one for each person who couldn't be there. They now have 16 great grand children and the 17th is on the way, so they left a flower for each person so that they knew we were all thinking about them. 






My grandpa was one of the best people in my life. I saw him all the time. He always had an excuse to see me and to spend time together. When I was in high school my grandma went in to a nursing home. I went and visited with her 3 days a week and I would drive out to his house 2-3 times a week just to chat with him. I would call to tell him I was on my way and he would put a beer and a soda in the freezer. When I got there we would sit and chat over drinks. I loved spending time with him. When I moved away he bought a cell phone so he could call me and I wouldn't get charged for it. We had a weekly phone date.

I am certain that he is the reason I am pregnant. He always said we would be good parents. My due date is December 21, which I feel is his doing. He loved Christmas and in my crazy mind I feel like he is showing me that he loves our baby to be and that hes got our back.

I miss him.


I miss them both.


Friday, July 22, 2011

Military Spouse Friday Fill-in

 Every Friday Wifey of a Sailor does a Military Spouse fill-in. It is a fun way to get to know other military spouses. Head on over to her blog and check it out!  

Do you eat raw cookie dough?  
Why yes, yes I do! That's the whole reason to make cookies isn't it? I don't eat a whole batch, but a few bites here and there. :) My aunt used to tell us that we would get worms if we ate cookie dough...

When you get online for the first time of the day… what site do you immediately head to? 
I usually check Twitter and Facebook first. Gotta keep up with the social networking lol

What was your favorite pet as a child and why? 
As a kid I had fish and bunny rabbits. I loved my bunnies! I could pet them and hold them. I would let them out in the back yard and they would just hang out near where we were hanging out. They never left. My family has a plethora of pet allergies so we could only have rabbits because they lived outside.
I had chickens too, but they were mean. They liked me and would follow me around, but you couldn't really pet them of play with them, so the rabbits were cooler. Though I was quite a sight to see with 7 chickens following me in a line!


If you had a snail that could magically grant wishes, what would you name it?  
I would name it dead. I hate snails! I think they are gross and slimy. I think I would leave it nameless and once it had granted my wishes I would give it a shower of salt or a swim in a beer pool!

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?
I have tried to count...I really have, but I get bored after about 100 licks and lose count. I do have to say that Tootsie Pops are one of my favorite candies! :) 

 

Saturday, July 16, 2011

I Just Thought You Were Overweight...

All my life I have been the fat kid.

As an adult, I finally came to terms with my body and that I was never going to skinny. And, finally, in the last few years...I was ok with that.

When I got pregnant I knew that I wouldn't have the cute little bump in the early weeks, and I was ok with that too. Even if no one else could see it, I knew that I was pregnant and that was all that mattered.

Yesterday, I was sitting in my mom's store with her business partner and her business partners son when a customer walked in. The two ladies were chatting and it came up that I was pregnant. The customer, an older lady, looked at me and said, "oh, I didn't realize you were pregnant, I just thought you were over weight."

At that point I could have just crawled in a hole and died.

When she asked me how far along I was, I told her I was almost 18 weeks. She looked at me and smiled as if to say, "I knew it! You really are fat!"

Needless to say, she left me feeling pretty low.  And, while I am still happy to know that my little squirrel is growing inside of me, I can't help but wonder...when am I going to feel pregnant and not just fat?

Thursday, July 7, 2011

My WTF day!

Today has been a weird day, with a capitol W!

W-E-I-R-D!!

I started out my day by running a few errands. The first store I went to was a local business that sells cloth diapers and I wanted to check them out. The woman who owns the store brings her 5 sons to work every day. As I was looking at diapers, one of the little boys squatted next to me and peed on the floor...

Yep. He peed. On the floor. Next to me!

Courtesy of Goggle Images

I left.

As I was driving to the next store I needed to go to I witnessed an accident. Not a big deal in this town, it happens all the time, and yes, everyone was ok. But it just added to the day.

I ran a few more errands with no trouble, but then as I was heading to my mom's store with lunch I witnessed ANOTHER accident. This was only 45 minutes after the first one. And it was only about a half mile away. This time it was just two little old ladies, who were too old to be driving, that slammed into each other. Again, everyone was ok, but really...I had witness ANOTHER traffic accident?!

After lunch with my mom I went home. I got a few things done at home and I had just sat down on the couch to work on a new knitting project. Just as I sat down I noticed a little old lady walking up my front steps. I got up so I could answer the door, but she just walked in.

Yep! Walked right in my front door. No knocking. Just walked in.

As she came in the door she looked at me and said, "am I in the right place?"

Uhhh...NO. Get the HELL out of my house!

Turns out she was looking for the office up the road that has the same address as I do. I live at 555 S. Wannabbaker Rd and she needed 555 N. Wannabbaker Rd. It happens all the time, but no one has ever just walked into my house! Not to mention the fact that my house most definitely looks like a house. Not a business!


I very happily gave the crazy old lady intruder directions to the correct location. She argued with me briefly and then headed on her crazy way. 
As she was walking out the door I noticed she was wearing a name tag. The tag said Sister Crazy Lady. Ok, so it didn't say crazy lady, but it did say sister. 

She is a NUN!! A nun just barged into my house today!

Courtesy of Google Images
After I recovered from the crazy old lady nun walking onto my house I left to take dinner up to the husband at his office. As I was walking to my front door Santa Claus rode by on a bicycle wearing neon green bike shorts.

That's right folks...Santa Claus. In bike shorts.

I wish I had pictures of that!

AT this point I should have called it a night, but I didn't. I decided to go to Walmart...after dark.

There really are no words to describe what I saw. Here are a few visuals, but if you would like more, please check out The People of Walmart.



Courtesy of thepeopleofwalmart.com I did not take these photos

I couldn't even get what I went to Walmart for...I had to leave. And FAST!

When I got home I was informed that THIS was going on in my home town. The guy is has killed 7 people including his own daughter and is holding 2 people hostage while snorting some sort of powder.

That isn't happening directly to me, but it just adds to this crazy messed up day!

I am going to go crawl into bed and hide under the covers where I am safe! Tomorrow has to be more normal!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Getting Over Myself

We moved to southern Indiana last October and it is no secret that I have had a hard time adjusting. We lived in San Diego before we moved and I was spoiled.

I loved living in San Diego! It's a gorgeous city and there is so much to do. I had some really great friend and I had great fun. I always knew that it was not permanent. Nothing is in the military. But, that didn't stop me from being sad when we moved.

I have been finding all the negative at every turn since we moved to Indiana, but last night I realized it is time to get over myself. That life here is not all that bad.

Our friends who live down the road invited us to a BBQ last night. A few of thier neighbors get together for the 4th of July every year. They have BBQ with tons of food and then set off fireworks after dark. In Indiana fireworks are more than just sparklers, bottle rockets and snap pops. You can buy the HUGE fireworks that shoot WAY into the sky.

The BBQ was fun, it was good food and it was fun and refreshing to just sit around and chat with friends. The defining moment for me was when we sitting outside waiting for the guys to start the fireworks.

It was humid, just sitting still your skin is a little sticky. The bugs were out so we were coated in bug spray. A couple of the kids were running around catching fire flies and putting them in a jar. Just as the sun set, they were ready to start the show. Everyone gathered together on the front lawn. We sat in the yard drinking sweet tea with the summer humidity leaving it's mark on our skin. As the fireworks were booming just above me I realized that this was perfect. Just how life should be.

And with that, I realized that instead of looking for reasons to be unhappy and dislike Southern Indiana I should be looking for the perfect moments like that.

Also, for what it's worth...the fireworks display last night rivaled that of many small towns!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Five Years Together

5 years ago today I married my best friend. Today we are celebrating 5 more anniversaries than many people said we would have, and we are still going strong. Last night we were chatting with my mom and my husband said he didn't know anyone who had a relationship like ours. <3

I have never shared pictures of myself before, so in honor of our anniversary I am going to share a few pictures from that day.

It was 95 degrees and humid that day!




They threw bird seed and all seemed to collect in my dress!



These are my favorite kids in the whole entire world! The boys will freshman in high school this fall!!

I love this one of the wedding party


Us with our bridesmaids and groomsman


 One of my favorites



Our 1st dance with our parents watching in the background


I wanted fireworks (which I realize is a ridiculous request) and DH wanted a sword tunnel. Our parents surprised  us with this!

Happy anniversary to the love of my life!

Here are a few pictures from the last 5 years:

2007

2008 - Vegas

2009 - Miya Jima Island, Japan

 2010 - Road Trip


2010 - Road trip South Western Colorado