Update

I haven't posted in quite some time. We've had lots of visitors the last couple of weeks and I got a job!! Yay!!

Over the last couple of weeks we have lots of firsts! We got professional pictures taken for the first time (see bottom), we had our first Thanksgiving in our own place, we got our first Christmas tree together, and we put up our first Christmas lights up on our house! It's so exciting. It's not our first holiday season as a married couple, but just living together!

We also went to a marriage enrichment/enhancement class that we thoroughly enjoyed. We aren't having issues within our marriage, but it was an amazing experience and it has put lots of things into perspective! We both agree that we have never been happier and that we are very thankful that we were able to take that class!

Next on the list is my amazing friend Jamie. Her and her two sons are coming to Beaufort! I can't wait to see Emerson and finally meet Callan!! Ah! Less than a week! YAY! Jamie is the lady that I had lived with for 5 months in California while Evan was away for training. I miss them so much so I cannot wait to see them!!

Change? Ha.

Just the mere 'idea' of this "3-year freeze on military pay" makes me sick.

My husband has 3 years left on his 5 year contract with the Marine Corps. Where would this 'idea' leave us, if it followed through and got past Senate and the House? It would leave us, as a military family, behind!!!

We scrap as it is! It's hard enough to live on the housing, food, and basic pay that we get now! And if it's frozen for 3 years!?!?! Hello! Yes, the economy needs to get better, but this is -NOT- the way you do it! You can't just freeze your military's pay!!! Their families would get left behind as the cost of living continues to go up. We don't live in the lap of luxury as it is, so it would only go down hill!

Besides...

Military doesn't get paid nearly enough for the jobs that they do. I mean, come on!!! They risk their lives for each and every American out there. They risk their lives and get paid next to nothing, while your favorite professional sports players, singers, and actors/actresses are all making enough to last them 10 lifetimes?

Also...

Another 'idea' to cut the government's deficit is to get rid of some of the Marine Corps aircraft. That sounds asinine to me. Plane asinine!!

My husband is not at all happy with this so called idea and neither am I. It doesn't make since and it is not fair to your nation to freeze pay and create more ciaos amongst the military members. It's not easy as it is, living this lifestyle, so go ahead, make it harder on us by making it even -more- difficult on us financially. Thank you. -sarcasm-.

It's not entirely the military's fault that the government is in such debt. They've always been in debt. So I guess in order to get them out of that debt, it's time to use us as pee-ons. Go figure.

Is this the change you were talking about, Mr. Obama? I hope you're happy, America.

Click here for the article that I read.

Venting About Forgetting

Here I am. Sitting staring at this blank blogger screen and thinking what should I write about tonight? I've been sitting here with this page open for hours now with nothing to write about til....now....

While the husband has been on duty all night long, here it is, 0130, and I am browsing facebook. That's enough to get my brain working enough to be able to blog about something...

Okay, I get it, Halloween was the other night, but that doesn't mean you can just skank around all over my news feed with pictures. I don't want to see your "sexy" outfits. I don't find them too "sexy", maybe that's just me.

Man I sound really angry tonight. But for reallllll!! I have seen so many skanky pictures recently that have been floating around the internet of people that I know. If it's not from Halloween, it's from clubbing, partying, etc, etc...

It's weird because I was never the type to ever flaunt myself the way that most of the girls out there do...can you say class?

Am I such a humbug because I am now that old married woman? Sure. I just wish people would see how bad they actually look. No one cares. Really, put some clothes on, and stop making yourself look so, for a lack of a better term, easy.

I remember my dad telling me a guy likes a woman more when they have class...

Stop forgetting you're a lady. Remember your clothes and have pride in yourself because you're making the rest of us look bad....

November Adventures?

It's November! Wow! Time has flown by and 2010 is almost over.

What does this mean?! It means I have to start getting ready for the holidays!

Now that Halloween is over and our pumpkins are carved (see pictures below!), I have to start getting ready for Turkey-Day! Mmm! The most delicious holiday ever!

My parents are coming down for Thanksgiving so we have been preparing the house. We finally got our kitchen table and I love it! I am so pleased with our table! Although it doesn't feel like fall weather outside, we have our fall decor out also!

We have even painted the living room...hence why I have been MIA for a little while. We have one more wall to go and some touch-up work to be finished. We painted it brown and red! We have one accent wall which is red. It looks great! Once we get it all finished I will be sure to post pictures!

Hope you all had a wonderful October and are getting ready for Christmas, cuz I sure ain't! :-p

Evan's pumpkin is on the left and mine is on the right!!!

Milspouse Friday!

Here it is! Another MilSpouse Friday, courtesy of Wife of a Sailor!

1. Are you a night owl or an early bird? Well, I don't like to get up early and I like to stay up late, so I guess I'm a night owl. However, I am more of a cheery morning person then a cheery night person, just ask my husband. Hahaha. He hates me in the mornings! lol!

2. What makes you jealous? Jealousy...hmmm. I get jealous when I see my friends having a great time when I'm unable to be there because I am so far away. I know I'd be included if I were there, but it's hard not being able to have a good time with them.

3. Have you started Christmas/holiday shopping yet? When will you finish? (There’s only 63 days left!) Haha. No...not that I haven't thought about it. I usually get my shopping done early. I need to get on the ball! Thanks for the reminder!!

4. What would you have a personal chef make you tonight? Oh my! I would love to have some parmesan chicken with a side salad and some bread sticks! mmmm!!

5. Where was your first kiss? My first kiss?!? Oh no. My first kiss was at my (then) boyfriend's house when I was about 14. It was on new years eve and my head was laying on a pillow in his lap.

Starting Over

Starting from scratch is hard.

I once went from months of sitting in an empty apartment to having a dozen friends whom I loved very much. I was pretty close to all of them, but closer to a few.

Now that I'm in South Carolina I feel as if I have been cut off. Disconnected to my world of friends. I am back to sitting in an empty house with no one to talk to. It's not fun.

If you know what type of person I am, you know that I need people. I yearn for friendships and I hate being alone. I open myself up to people I barely know hoping for a friendship. Once a friendship is established I will and am a good friend. Well, as we all know, relationships can't be one-sided. I can't be a friend to myself...

I guess that's the culture of the military lifestyle. Starting from scratch. Jumping from place to place, only to figure out how to be a person again. Find friends. Find a life outside of my house and outside of my husband.

We all know we need girl time.

I have two years here, so let's hope I get out of this slump soon.

MilSpouse Friday!

Hey! I am trying to get back on track with my blogging, so here's another MilSpouse Friday from Wife of a Sailor!

1. What are some things on your bucket list? Skydiving, going up in a hot air balloon, traveling the world (specifically Hawaii, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand), Swim with dolphins, go on a cruise...that's to name a few!
2. How long have you been a MilSpouse and where have you been stationed so far? I just celebrated my first anniversary with my husband, but he has been in the Marine Corps for almost two years and I've been there through all of it! We have been to Monterey, California and now we are in Beaufort, SC.
3. What is a list of songs that sums up your life so far? The River by Garth Brooks, 18 days by Avenged Sevenfold, Far away by Nickelback, Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat and so many more that I can't seem to think of right now!
4. What is your favorite kind of pizza? I am in love with meat lovers pizza!
5. What are three good things in your life right now? God, my husband, and my family.

Blessed

Laying in bed tonight, with my husband by my side, I started thinking about how I got in the position I am today. How did I manage to end up with one of the greatest men on Earth? And, how did I get where I am today? Why aren't I out on the street, or homeless? (Of course, I was (and still am) wide awake and high on caffeine).

I was unable to come up with any other logical answer to those questions, other than that I had been blessed. I truly have been blessed my entire life.

Since the minute I was born into this scary world, I have always had someone to take care of me and make sure I was happy. I am so thankful for all of the people in my life, I could never ever express my gratitude.

My parents are the most caring parents I know. They've always been there for me and my brother. They're still there for us, and now my husband. I am so thankful that they were able to give me the life that I have been given.

I know some people look at their family, and the way they were raised, and think "when I have kids, I want them to have a better life then me". That's what my parents did for my brother and I. They truly gave us a life better then theirs. They went through tough times in their life, as most people do, but they turned it around and proved to the world that they could conquer life and show their children it could be done. They never quit. They never quit on us, and they never quit on each other.

See, that's what I want. I strive to be like my mommy and daddy. Most people wouldn't say that, or wouldn't like to admit to that, but I do. I want to be just like them and I want my kids to have a life like mine.

I will never quit on my husband, my marriage, my family or my lifestyle. I think that's how our military lifestyle has been so 'easy' and not ended in a divorce or a separation, like some people. The life that we live is not easy at all. It's not easy on me and it's not easy on him. You have to have a one-of-a-kind love and work as a team in order to get through the times of separation.

As I get older and start to think about having children, I do question if I'll be a good enough mom, but then I look at my parents and my confidence comes back. I know I'll be okay, and if I'm not, at least I have them to help point me in the right direction.

And my husband? I don't really know how I ended up with him, or how he ended up with me. I know I'm a tough one to handle sometimes, and I don't think I'd be able to handle me. It just goes to show I am so blessed. He has a huge heart.

So, God, thank you so much for giving me such an amazing family and such a great husband. You have blessed me with so many things and I am forever grateful.

It's Our First!

Yesterday was our first anniversary! :)

I cannot believe how quickly our first year of marriage went! We had many ups and downs this past year.

I mean when you're a couple in the Marine Corps you don't really get to spend a lot of time together. It's mostly apart, and that can be rough. You have to learn a whole new aspect of communication when you're apart from one another. So, that in itself is very difficult.

Our past year went something like this;
October 12th: We got married, that same day I flew back to Ohio to finish up my degree.
Thanksgiving: I flew from Ohio to Cali to spend 4 days with my husband.
The end of December: My husband flew from Cali to Ohio to spend Christmas with me and our families. After Christmas we drove from Ohio to California.
May: He left for training in Florida, which left me in California.
June: He went from Florida to North Carolina.
July: I flew from California to North Carolina to visit with him for a week.
September: He finished training and moved me from California to our duty station in South Carolina.

Maybe you lost track? In the past year I have spent 5 months and about two and a half weeks total, with my husband. Which, obviously means, I have spent 6 months and two and a half weeks without him. Now that tells you something about our relationship. We are one of a kind. Our love is amazing, and I am very proud of that!

Yeah, it was definitely difficult, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. And, no when I married him I really didn't "know" what I was "getting myself in to".

I love him and I think that's really all that matters.

Happy Anniversary to us!

The Boys of Fall

For all those country music lovers and sports lovers out there this post is for you...

I was watching Kenny Chesney's music video, "The Boys of Fall", today and I can relate to it in more ways then one. It actually really hit home.

I played multiple sports in high school including soccer, basketball, and men's tennis. I was a stud, for the most part. I always had league honors and was always a starter on varsity. Of course I wasn't the best at everything, but I always did my best.

Soccer was my first love. Every time I'd step on that field I would turn into a someone different. My heart was there and I was a leader. I was emotional. We'd stand there and listen to the National Anthem and my heart would beat out of my chest, my stomach would fill with the fluttering of butterflies, and my legs couldn't stop moving. I was the same way on the basketball court. Always. I played soccer for 14 years and basketball for 10 years. I loved them both. I loved the team. They were my sisters. (I'm number 3 below).

I really miss all of those things and I'd give anything to put on that Wildcat jersey and play a game. Just one.

So to all of those who are reading this and are currently a part of a team sport. Remember how it makes you feel to step on that court/field because that feeling will only come back a couple more times in your life once your sport is over with. That guy in the music video is right. It does come back when you get married. It'll come back very seldom. So cherish these moments in your life. Don't take them for granted.

Saying all of this I got to thinking and I have actually applied to a coaching position for soccer here in Beaufort. Fingers crossed!

New Beginnings

Where do I start!?!?

These last two weeks have been a whirl-wind of brand new everythings.

Let me first point out my new blog design courtesy of miss Brie over at etceteralife.com. Thanks so much! She did a great job!

Next on the list...Our move! We are finally settled in to our nice new place in Beaufort. I absolutely love our house and I love where we live! It's all so much different then California. The locals here, are actually really nice. I was even pleasantly surprised that the community of Beaufort actually support military personnel. I have always heard horror stories of members of the military living in some town/city that doesn't give a lick about them....I'm so glad I'm not in one of those places! :)

Now for the new additions in my life...

We have the newest member of the family, Mieka (pronounced Mee-ka). She's a 4 month old, full blooded, great dane. She's the size of a full grown lab. I have a feeling she's going to be our minature pony once she's grown.

Also, babies being born everywhere...my friends back in California had their babies recently. Callan Avery was born September 26th and Allyson Grace was born October 1st! Congrats to the new proud parents! I will be meeting Callan come December, and I cannot wait!

Now, that I have internet, I will hopefully be blogging on a new job soon! I have been applying and applying so I am very hopeful that I will get a job offer somewhere. Prayers!

Last, but certainly not least, on the list, is our anniversary! It's coming up in about a week. It's our first one and I am so excited that I will be able to spend it with my husband. :)

And we made it!!

....AND....

WE MADE IT!!!

MCAS Beaufort! :) I'm so excited that we are finally here. We went through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio (stopped there for the weekend), West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, annnnndddd South Carolina! Woot!!!

:)

I'll have to blog on our move a little later...once we get a place and aren't in temporary lodging. :)

Finally! This is it!

Here it is!

The moment I've been waiting 1.5 years for! My husband is finally done with training! We finally get to be together somewhere that's somewhat stable! Yessssss! I am beyond happy!!!

I go pick him up at the airport within hours so I'm trying to find something to do to keep my mind busy, instead of watching the second hand tick by...tick..tick...tick.....

Woot!

My emotions are crazy whack, but I could pee my pants just thinking about the next 3 years together in South Carolina. I'm not, by all means, saying he won't get deployed. I'm just saying I get to be somewhere stable for a little bit and I'm sooooo excited!

Yay.

Ok. I had to blog about it. You know how it goes!

YAY!

Milspouse Friday!

Thank you Wife of a Sailor for doing this!

1. Do you set goals for yourself during deployment? What are some of them?

I actually haven't been through a deployment, yet. Thank goodness. I think I'd have to set some kind of goal tho, to keep my sanity. Maybe like exercising or scrapbooking, or something along those lines.

2. What would you say to someone dating a military guy or gal?

I would tell them that is a one-of-a-kind relationship that it is tough, but they can make it through it. I always tell people if they ever want to talk or just want advice that I'm always here. It's better to have a friend that is in your shoes and can understand you then not have a friend at all.

3. If you have children, how do you prepare them to move to a new place?

I do not have children just yet.

4. Name one hobby that gets you through alone time.

Scrapbooking is my saving grace! It gives me pictures of him to look at and it gives me opportunity to make something beautiful for him to see later.

5. What’s the one food you don’t ever get tired of?

Well, I'm a junk food junkie, so sweets never get old! But, when it comes to food-food, I'd have to say pasta. I love love love pastas! :)

Done.

So I've come to learn a lot about people in my 22 years of life...

Not saying that I'm old...

I'm only saying that I've lived and I've learned. I've learned the easy way, but I've also learned the hard way. Being a military wife, or just in the military, it forces you to grow up fast.

I've always tried to be the best person I know how to be. I've explained this in my last posts time and time again. That being said, let me tell you about my journey, and in explaining my journey, I know I won't make friends, and I know I'll probably lose some more...but here it goes anyway.

When Evan went into boot camp I had friends in college who couldn't understand why I would just sit and wait on a man for 3 months. They encouraged me to move on, date, and see other people. I turned them down time and time again. I lost these friends over the 3 months of me waiting, all because I supported him. I didn't do them wrong, they just didn't understand. These friends would claim to be my best friends... I went along with the idea of them being my best friends, and even believed them.

However, when it came to marrying my real best friend, my "best friends" ditched me. They didn't support me. At all. They didn't come to our reception, nothing. It really bothered me at first, but then I realized if they really were my friends would they have treated me like that? No. Would they have ditched me for some party for the two of them, right before I left for California? No. Absolutely not.

I haven't talked to them, much, if at all.

Then you have the mil-spouses/girlfriends/fiancées (or whatever).

I became good friends with one lady who didn't know a whole lot about the Marine Corps, so I took lead and showed her the ropes. Her and her, then boyfriend, were new to the Corps so I taught her everything I knew. I didn't do this because I felt like I had to. I just did it because I wanted to. Then, they get married, send me an invite and everything. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend (it was out of state), but I supported them throughout the whole thing. A few months down the line this friend calls me out on a facebook status....tells me I don't support my husband among other things. What. Excuse me? Just because I am complaining about a certain situation -not pertaining to you- doesn't mean I don't support my husband. Mind your own business.

We're no longer friends.

Then, coming to California, I have met some great people. People I'd do anything for. People I'd go out of my way to do things for, people I have gone out of my way to do things for. I have never done anyone wrong and I've always thought that they'd give me the shirt off their back. I thought I was personable, I thought I was liked. I was proved wrong again.

My husband gets here tomorrow and we leave Monday morning. Saying that, we decided we'd try to get everyone together for one last "coffee" morning while I was here. Well, we had a not-so-great turnout which really threw me for a loop. It really made me feel not-so-special anymore. It hurt.

Don't get me wrong, I have had some great experiences with people also, but today, I'm here to say that I'm done.

I'm done letting people into my life. You are no longer worth it to me and in the end I don't matter to you, so why should you matter to me? You don't. I'm finished. I am building walls, so stay out.

The people that do matter to me will stay in my life only because I know that I matter to them and that they are worth my time. Relationships work two ways, folks. Friendships are relationships too.

I'm done being hurt. I'm done being disappointed.

There I said it. I said how I feel. Is that what you were waiting on? You're not going to walk all over me again. Ever again.

"At this point I would so much rather have a few good friends than a lot of fake friends." -Lauren Conrad

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou

My Time In Cali

So here it is, it's coming to an end. I've been in California since December 2009 and I'm leaving come Monday.

Let me tell you, I've definitely met some of the greatest people I know.

After my husband left in May 2010, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I hadn't met many people nor grown close to anyone, but I knew I couldn't go back to Ohio due to financial reasons. All I could keep thinking is that I'd be staring at the four walls of our apartment for the next four months. I was a mess (to say the least).

Well, after the first couple weeks of me being home alone I received a phone call. It was Jamie. Jamie and I had met 2 weekends before my husband left California and we really didn't know one another. As we were talking she brought up the thought of me moving in with her, her husband, Greg, and their, then, 11 month old son, Emerson. After talking it over with the husband we concluded that it'd be a great idea.

It was the best idea ever. The last 4 months of my life out in California have been very enjoyable. I'm not sure what I'd do without Jamie and Greg. They've really taken me under their wing and I am forever grateful. They rescued me from nights of constant crying. I didn't realize I could make such great friends in such little time.

Emerson, their son has also been a saving grace to me. I love this kid so much. I've always liked kids, but Emerson is truly one of a kind that I've become really close to! I've seen him go from crawling to walking to running. He's even saying words now. Of course, among his words is "Jess"...ahhh! It's amazing how much he's grown and it'll tear me up to leave.

I know reading this you probably are thinking, wow, she didn't know these people, how did it go? Truthfully, me living here has been amazing. We haven't fought or argued about anything. Jamie is a stay at home mom and I am a stay at home wife. For us being around one another 24/7 you'd think we'd have fights...or something. We haven't. Not one. We've become extremely close and I love this family with my entire heart and I will definitely miss them.

Along with Jamie, I have met so many different Marine wives. It's amazing how much different we all are, but yet, so much alike. I have been so blessed to have so many friends out here. It's such a bittersweet circumstance. I am very happy to be able to be with my husband, but yet so sad to have to leave everyone that I have met here. Marine wives are like family to me. It's just the vicious cycle that we military families experience. You marry a Marine, leave your family for complete strangers (across the country) who then become your family, and you just leave again. It's definitely a one of a kind lifestyle that you'll never understand unless you live it.

So in writing this, I just wanted to show Jamie and Greg how appreciative I am of them. Without you guys I honestly don't know what I'd be doing. I'd probably be banging my head against the wall with tears running down my face. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can never explain how grateful I am for you.

I love you and I will miss you more than you know.

Revolving Dollars

Urgh.

Stressed.

I hate this world so much. What do I hate about it? I hate MONEY. Money is what the world revolves around. Being in the military you'd think we'd be taken care of...well. Barely. Just barely.

We're having to make this move CROSS COUNTRY. We just got our last paycheck and we were supposed to get an "advance". Was it on there? No. Do we leave before the next paycheck? Yes. Do you see the issue here? We have NO MONEY to move. None. Just our out of pocket money. No advance in advance....

So. What do we do? Hmm. Husband went and asked admin about it and they said they haven't even processed it!! Uhm. Hello. We have ORDERS. Please. Get on the ball. Get it together. PLEASE.

I'm -hoping- we get this advance on next paycheck come the 15th, but we'll be on the road already and we'll already have the moving truck paid for. Yeah, we'll get reimbursed, or at least I'm hoping. Now. We're tight. Just struggling to pay the bills since we're having to pay for the truck.

I guess looking at the whole situation...-if- we had a credit card we could just put everything on there and pay it off once we get the money. Problem is, we don't have a credit card. I've learned that's what this nation revolves around...credit cards. Borrowing money to pay back later. Shriek.

Urgh.

Makes me sick. Literally.

Getting to Know You

1. Do you like seafood?

Yes! I love seafood. I just don't like muscles or clams...those are weird.

2. Are mermaids hot?

Yep

3. Have you swam in the ocean?

Yes, both the Pacific and Atlantic.

4. If you got stung by a jellyfish, would you let a stranger pee on you?

Uhm no. But then again, I guess it just depends on how desperate I am.

5. Have you ever pee'd in the ocean?

Who hasn't?

6. Can you make a cute fish face? (Show a pic..if you want)

Haha. I can make a fish face, if it's cute? That's a different story!

7. When you see the lobster tank at the grocery store do you just have this overwhelming urge to set them free or cook them up?

Neither! Ha.

8. Are you afraid of sharks?

Yes and no. I find them intriguing and I believe if you don't bother them they won't bother you.

Who I want to be

Here I am...

Sitting. Thinking. Sitting. Thinking. Sitting some more. Thinking some more.

Who am I? Who do I want to be? When someone says my name, what will they think? What do I want them to think?

I want my name to be a good name. I want to be thought of as a good person. I want to make an lasting impression in someones life. I want to make a difference -and- be a good person at the same time. I want to be a role model. I want to be someone that someone else looks up to or admires.

I know I can't be the perfect person, but on a daily basis I try to be the best person that I know how to be. I do not do this just for the people I love, but for people in general. Everyone needs to be loved and everyone needs to be cared about.

I try to live by the "golden rule". Treat others the way you want to be treated. By all means, I am not perfect, I have my days, and I recognize this, but I sure put every effort into making people happy as much as I can.

I care about people a lot. That may be where I falter and get my heart broken or my hopes too high. I have lost a lot of friends. Friends that I did care and still care greatly about. Whether they care about me is a different story, and frankly, it doesn't matter to me.

I want to be cared for too, but I would give all of my love for someone before ever asking for love in return. I hope people see this in me because it's truly how I feel. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and have love for others engraved in me.

I want to be known as a good person. A person who cares about others.

I'm not sure why I wrote this, but I have just been thinking about a lot of things recently.

For instance, One of my good friends just deployed to Afghanistan and I found myself really caring for how he felt before he left and now I catch myself worrying about him and thinking about him. A lot.

Also, I have had dreams with my Grandfather appearing and every time I wake up I remember the message that was said the day of his funeral. And the preacher said, "What will your name mean to others?"

I hope I have made a difference in someone's life and if I have not, I will. That is my goal in life. That is who I am.