In Honor of.....

Some of the few good men....

Happy Memorial Day to all my fellow americans.  As you may know, I am extremely patriotic and I get very emotional about holidays where we honor those who stand up for our freedom. Now of course my husband is a Marine and I live on a military base so its easy for me to get caught up in the celebration today. I am reminded EVERYDAY that freedom isn't free. I also celebrate and salute them EVERYDAY. I remember growing up, before I was a military wife, I didn't really understand what this Holiday REALLY meant. I knew the general meaning but I didn't totally know what it took to fight for our country or why they even had to fight in the first place. So I know that there are many americans out there that are proud and celebrating today, but I wonder how many of them understand the sacrifices that are being made for them. Once I married into the marine corp as I like to say, I learned quickly why we as a country have to fight to stay free. And I also learned that people had shed blood just so that I can live in a world where I can dream big. I have the freedom to speak my mind. I have the freedom to practice any religion I choose. I have the freedom to vote. I, as a woman can get a job doing anything from the military to being a doctor. Anything is possible. I am so honored to say that I am married to a United States Marine. He risk his life for people and children that he doesn't even know and will never know. And the amazing thing about most of these men and women is that they don't even know how brave they are. To them, this is just a job. A way to pay the bills and put food on the table. They invade whole countries and set up camp there for years at a time and they just say " well it's a job and someone has to do it." Living on base here, I am surrounded by 14,000 marines and their families. We are like a family and we stick together and support each other through the worst of times. Because the truth is, it isn't just the soldiers that stick up for our freedom. It's also the families that they leave behind.  Although Adam is gone, my life still has to go on. I still have to raise my babies and keep my marriage strong even though we are worlds apart. I have to be the mother and the father. I have to kiss my kids enough that it feels like 2. I have to be the nurturer, the punisher, the protector, the storyteller, the boo-boo kisser, the chef, the chauffeur, the maid, the teacher, the seamstress, the prayer leader, the accountant, and the book keeper. I see my neighbors putting up yellow ribbons showing that there loved one is deploying. I see black cars pulling into houses and I know that their world is about to come crashing down. I have to park my car in the middle of the road during the rising and falling of the flag everyday. I watch marines file off a bus and being greeted by there loved ones. Some of them have babies that they have never met. Behind every solider who has shed their blood, is a family to had to bury their loved one and then live with the memory of his lose and what he died for. So today I not only thank every military man and women no matter what branch your in, but I also thank your loved ones. I thank everyone who laid down there life so that my kids could be free. So please remember today while your cooking out on the grill, that some family, somewhere, is staring at an empty chair. A chair that once was filled with someone so brave that they died for you or is willing to die for you. Happy Memorial Day.

U.S. Marines

Officially strutting her stuff :)

15 months old and FINALLY walking. I can't believe how fast my baby is growing up! She is an amazing little girl and she brings so much laughter into our lives. I am a proud mama. You go girl!

Got Ink?

Wanting to spend some quality time with my dad, I suggested a matinee movie of the 'Hangover 2.' So that was the plan, well until I mentioned getting my tattoo touched up. Next thing I know, we are driving around Jacksonville in search of a tattoo parlor that looked up to par so to speak. Apparently my dad has been wanting one for years but never took the time to do it. So when I had mentioned it, he thought it would be the perfect time for him to get his cross tattoo. Not the typical father and daughter afternoon but unforgettable nonetheless. After striking out at the first tattoo shop, we hit the jackpot at shop number two. It was clean, friendly, and priced reasonably. My father had a wooden cross put on his right shoulder with the words ' Saved by Grace' placed over it. It turned out better then imagined and it describes him perfect! I had my tattoo done 3 years ago but it needed a little TLC. It's a rosary placed on my ankle with the cross lying on the top of my foot. And It also has little charms going around it that resemble things that are going on in my life. Today I needed to have Lucy's initial added next to her sister's and I also added a yellow ribbon in honor of my husband overseas. I am so proud of him and I wanted to always remember to support and honor him all the days of my life! So although this was an unusual way to spend the day with my daddy, we both had a great time and we will never forget it! Not only because we have a permanent reminder, but because we were together!

New and improved!

Dad's Ink

I love cowboys!

Week with the rent's!

Having a bonfire with Papa!

 Today was the day that I have been looking forward to for MONTHS. Today my parents arrived in NC and I don't have to return them until Tuesday! Now most of you know that my mom and a CRAZY intense surgery just two short weeks ago. But that did NOT keep her from traveling. She was determined to see her grandbabies. And maybe her daughter but most importantly...the garndbabies :) This trip had been planned for a while now but because of her unexpected cancerous mass in her stomach, we didnt know if it was still possible. So today was EXTRA special. Not only did I get to see my parents after several long months, but I also got to hug the strongest woman I know! Now because the mass was 16 lbs, my mom has lost A LOT of weight. And she has been telling me for a few days now that I won't recognize her but I wasn't prepared at all for her dramatic new appearance. I have always thought she is beautiful inside and out but she looks better then ever. I was a little shocked at first because she still has a tube draining from her stomach and she does still look weak and tired. It was a reminder to me of how hard the past two weeks must have been for her and my family back home! I wish I could have been there for her. I should have been there for her. But the important thing is that she is on her way to recovery and was still able to come and take a vacation. I am so excited to spend a week with my parents and the girls are the happiest I have seen them in a long time. After dinner and some catching up, we had a bonfire. And what's a bonfire without smore's??? They were delicious! And of course my mom and I had to sneak away to watch the finale of American Idol!!! Scotty won which was a PERFECT ending to a great day. I can't help but wish that Adam was here. I miss him so much and because he is traveling, we can't communicate for a few days. I have so much that I want to tell him! But most importantly I want to tell him that I love him and I hope that where ever he is tonight, I pray he is safe!

Eating a bedtime snack.

Music, rides, and cotton candy....

Saturday was a day FILLED with fun. Nothing like a good carnival to make you feel like a kid again. Something about loud music, smell of cotton candy, and the butt crack of a carnie that takes you back to the days of simplicity! I honestly can tell you that I was more excited then the kids. We already knew from last years carnival that Sophie takes after her mother. She is fearless of ANY ride and the way to her heart is through a stick of cotton candy. But what we weren't sure of, is how Lucy and Cohen would react. Well the verdict was as predicted. Cohen liked only the rides that had wheels and he could steer. Anything else, he cried for his mom. And Lucy, well she acted as if it was no big deal but the second we took her off, all hell broke lose. Both of those reactions were very fitting. After we had enough of the rides, we moved on to face painting. Once again, Cohen was a little leery. We tried to get a mustache painted on his face but he refused. So instead he received a baseball on his hand which he loved! Sophia wanted to look like a kitty and when asked what color kitty she said " well my favorite color is pink." So a pink kitty she was! We all had a great day and were extremely exhausted that night. I am so glad this carnival is annual and I am already anticipating next year!

Their first date :) This is the future, I can see it now!

Biker chick!

She did NOT want to get off the ride!!

Cohen, me and sad little Lucy.

Sophia on the boats!

Cohen had a blast!

Ready to ride!

The infamous dragon coaster!

Dancing to the band!

Sophia getting her face painted!

my precious little kitty )

Cohen's baseball painted on his hand.

Love her!

Unsuccessful Skype date :(

It's been a month since we were able to Skype with Adam. Apparently someone decided to build new wifi towers in hopes of making the internet more accessible. So as painful as it was, we waited patiently for a whole month. The rumor was that the new internet would be up and running by May 16th. I was counting down the seconds until I could see his face on my computer screen! He usually gets off work around midnight which is 4:00 PM our time. So the girls and I piled up on the computer chair and waited for the call. Then FINALLY, our computer started to ring. It's so hard to explain but after so long, you almost forget what he looks like. But he was just as handsome as I remembered! Well anyways, the call lasted about 4 minutes total. So for lack of nicer words, I am SO NOT impressed with the "new and improved" wifi. We literally spent 2 hours calling each other back and forth and praying that it would work.  While I went to cook dinner, Sophie manned the computer in hopes that she could tell daddy that she painted him a picture! I had a total break down in the kitchen as I heard the computer ring and then I hear Sophie say " ugggh why won't skype work so that I can tell my daddy something!" I can't even put into words how heartbreaking that was. Every time it would ring and she clicked answer call, the screen would turn black and she would say " Ugggh not again, ohh man!" I couldn't help but feel so much pain and guilt. No three year old should have to wait for two hours sitting in front of a computer just to be able to talk to her dad! And then it's even worse when its unsuccessful! Lucy was sitting there blowing kisses over and over every time the computer would ring. I prayed that Adam could hear her at least just once. He is so afraid that she wont remember him and I know that hearing her so excited would definitely ease his mind! So although we weren't able to chat and catch up, I was so thankful to know that he was ok. For me, it was just knowing that he was doing well. He looked amazing and his smile was bigger then ever! And as Sophie and I said our bedtime prayer tonight she said " please make those people fix Skype a little more because it's still broken!" And I said " Amen to that sister!" 

Waiting patiently....

Feeling accomplished!

 Ok so one of the HARDEST things about deployment is not having 'Mr. Fix it' around when something needs to be fixed or assembled. I am NOT very handy with tools and when the directions call for a drill, count me out. And as you already know, I sold my barstools at my garage sale and they weren't even for sale!!!! So today I purchased 3 new stools. I arrived home, opened the box, and found a million little pieces!! Trust me when I say I seriously considered putting them in the garage and adding it to Adam's 'to do list' for when he gets home. But after looking at the empty bar for awhile, I decided it was worth a try. There is nothing better then trying something out and feeling so accomplished after you have succeeded! It might sound silly to ya'll but I am so proud of myself right now. I started the stools at 7:30 and 2 hours later I was eating a bedtime snack at the bar. When I first started, I had a little helper named Sophia. Against my better judgment, she was the one handed me the screws and holding up the legs of the stool. She had begged me to help because she said it would go faster. I finally agreed to the help and after 2 screws, my assisant was " exhausted" as she put it. So as I was tucking her into bed she tells me " have fun putting our new stools together and I will see you in the morning for pancakes at the bar mom!" So as frustrated as I got with these stools, I kept going knowing that I have a date for breakfast and she wants to sit on the new stools!

Pretty new bar stools!

My little assistant 

Oops....one is a little taller! My bad :)

Well on the plus side, the stools are adjustable in height!

That's more like it!!!

Everything happens for a reason because I love them even better!

The Stewart's....

I wanted to share with you some pictures I took of my very close friend Ty and her ADORABLE son Cohen. Ty has been my "replacement" husband through this whole deployment and I couldn't ask for a better friend! I was so honored to be at the doctor's appointment when she found out that she was expecting their first baby girl! We immediately decided it was photo-shoot time!! Cohen's daddy is also oversea's and is missing out on a lot back home! I pray that he can look at these pictures and feel at peace! Thank you Ty for always being there when I need you and thank you Cohen for always making me smile! And baby girl Stewart ( you really need a name!!) I love you already and I cant wait to meet you! I will be the crazy lady with the camera!! :) I hope you enjoy these pictures for years!

Boot resembles daddy who is fighting for our country!

One pink balloon for one little baby girl on the way

Talking to his sissy!

We couldn't get him to kiss his sissy so we placed a pretzel on her tummy and this is the result! It looks like he is biting her! I thought it was cute. I had to share it!

Cohen Christopher.  20 months old

Selling our junk!

In hopes of getting the house 'perfect' before Adam comes home for R and R, I decided to have a garage sale. Not the brightest idea I have ever have. It sounded great in theory but it didn't quite go as planned.  First of all, I don't do 'bargaining' really well and let's just say that I got SCREWED! I was selling a high top bistro table that we haven't used in years and just sits in the garage. But we do however use the high back barstools at our island in the kitchen. So I decided to only put 20 bucks on the table since I wasn't including the chairs. But I did consider throwing in the chairs if someone had asked. But for a higher price of course. So our first customer of the morning comes up and says " Does this table have chairs?" And of course I say " Yes." Then he proceeds with " for $20 bucks? I 'll take it!" And of course I didnt have the heart to tell him that the chairs were $ 10 dollars a piece!! And I have to tell you that he was a retired military man who was buying it for his wife. It just tugged at my heartstrings.  So there you have it. I sold stuff that was IN my house and not even in my GARAGE SALE???? So now My island is bare and I have to spend ALL of my garage sale money on new bar stools! I learned a huge lesson today. I will never have another garage sale again!

All of our junk!

Lucy eating donuts while cruising 

Pretending to sell my hubbies truck for some wine :)

Cohen test driving the cozy coupe