Mrs. Z's Field of Dreams

2012-02-06T10:49:00.000-08:00

1 week old
2 weeks old

Matti is 2 weeks old & is more precious than ever! She is not a fan of taking a bath or changing clothes. She eats, sleeps, & pees/poops all day long:) At night she sleeps 3-4 hrs before needing to feed again! Her favorite spot to sleep is on Mommy or Daddy's chest! She loves resting in her swing & she's great in her carseat for rides. We love seeing her bright eyes during the day & Mommy makes all kinds of silly faces & noises to try to get me to smile! We have been so blessed with this beautiful baby girl! We can't wait to see her grow!

Birth Story

2012-01-28T13:43:00.001-08:00

I was admitted to the hospital on Thursday night (Jan 19th) to be induced. That night they were going to place cervadil to thin out my cervix more & then the next morning start me on Pitocin to help my body labor & dilate. When the Dr. came in to check me & place the cervadil she told me I was still barely a centimeter dilated & asked me if anyone had ever talked to me about my pelvic bone. She proceeded to tell me that I had a flat pelvic bone where most people have a curved pelvic bone & that she thought this would be to my disadvantage of birthing her on my own. She said we would definitely try, but to be prepared for a c-section. So, I basically took the rest of the time before I went to sleep to mentally prepare myself for a c-section. It was something I was not opposed to, but of course I would rather try to birth my baby.

We went to bed shortly after trying to get as much rest as needed, but all in all that was completely impossible for me. With my nerves, the anxiety, & having to get up & pee every hour due to the IV liquid drip I maybe slept for a good hour on & off. The nurse kept coming in to check on me, check the monitors, & see if I needed anything for pain. I kept telling her I was fine. Then about 3:30am I woke up with what felt like mild menstrual cramps & of course had to go use the bathroom again. I told my husband what I was feeling like & he said to mention it to the nurse. Of course I didn't want to because I felt like it was too early in the game to be asking for anything at all, plus they weren't unbearable.

Around 4am the nurse came back in & they were starting to get a little stronger. Once again she asked if I needed anything for pain. So, I told her what I was feeling & she said she had noticed the contractions on the monitor but just thought I wasn't feeling them. She told me she could give me a mild dose of pain meds in my IV that would help take the "edge" off & allow me to get some rest. She told me it would immediately make me feel drunk out of my mind but just to go with it & rest. She was definitely right and for the next hour and a half that was the BEST sleep ever.

Closer to 6am the meds started wearing off & they were getting ready to come in & remove the cervadil. I was starting to hurt again & asked hubby to come over & check the monitor to see if I was starting to have some real contractions. He told me it looked like I was but he didn't know exactly what he was looking at. At 6am they came in & removed the cervadil (which hurt like you know what) because unfortunately the Dr. forgot to leave the string hanging to pull out, so a Helga look alike nurse came in to "dig" it out for me (she was really nice, but she looked like a Helga) and that's just what she did...dug for it...3 times. By this time I'm starting to be in a lot of pain - from her digging to my contractions getting very strong; my emotions got the best of me & I started to lose it. Hubby helped me get focused again & then we had shift change of nurses.

When my new nurse came in I told her I was starting to really hurt & asked when the Dr. would be by to check me. She told me that she normally made her rounds about 8 or 8:30am. It was 7am. She told me she could give me another dose of the pain meds & hopefully that would take the edge off until she could come in. So she did, but they did not work at all! I felt no relief & they kept getting stronger & stronger. It felt like they were coming every 2-3 minutes. So, I asked hubby to look at the monitor again, this time he could see the difference but still thought it was reading right because it said I had had 3 in the last 9 minutes lol. Oh it was definitely reading right because I was feeling it all. I had him sit on the bed with me & just rub my arm to try to take my mind off of the pain when it hit. That lasted about a minute so then I asked him to come rub my back & apply pressure when I was having one. Once one would hit I would grab the side of the bed, close my eyes, & breath really hard through it all while he would massage/rub & apply pressure to my lower back. We did this for quite some time until he went looking for the nurse ;) The nurse came & I told her I was very much in pain & either needed something or if she could call the Dr. & see what we could do. This was all before starting any Pitocin. So the good sign here was that I was laboring on my own. She made a call to the Dr. & she gave an ok to go ahead an order an epidural & she would be by very soon to check me. Time she had gotten there I was at 3cm & the epidural came shortly after. Epidurals are wonderful let me add. I was able to breathe through the contractions, but they were coming so fast it was hard to even have a minute of rest in between.

Then around lunchtime I was starting to have some pressure pain in my back again that was causing me to be uncomfortable. I laid there & tried to rest & tolerate it but again it kept getting worse & worse. I asked the nurse was this normal for me to feel pain like this with an epidural, she told me she would add a little more medicine to the epidural to see if it might help, but she couldn't guarantee it. I'm glad she did because it worked wonders. Then around 1:30 my Dr. came back to check me & meanwhile during all of the pain I had just experienced, I had laid there & dilated to 10cm. She then broke my water for me & it was time to get the show on the road. She said she would be back in just a few minutes & we would be ready to push! I was a little confused so I asked about my pelvic bone & all of the talk about having to have a c-section. She said nope, everything has worked itself out. You have done all of your labor on your own w/out meds having to help & the baby's head has already positioned itself below your pelvic bone. Praise the Lord! I was so happy! Hubby on the other hand was nervous out of his mind & couldn't believe we were at this point! I was very relaxed & wasn't feeling any pain at this point. I wasn't scared out of my mind like I had been the whole week before. It's like a calming had come over me.

Once the Dr. & nurse came back in we were all in our positions to start pushing our baby out. I pushed for an hour & out she came. The most beautiful baby girl of all! I was complete! She made that whole day worth the pain. During the whole process all I could feel was a little bit of pressure. My epidural was a good one & even though I tore a bit I didn't feel it at all. Of course until the numbness wore off :/ I was just thrilled to have her in my arms finally! She is just precious!

Hubby was a great coach, he thought he was going to stay at my head the whole time, but since he wanted it to be just me & him in the delivery he had to help hold my other leg ;) So he was in full action. He did great, he motivated me so much & helped me through it all! I couldn't ask for a better lifetime partner to share those moments with. We were both so proud & happy & we look at our little Mattilyn everyday & say to each other, she is perfect! It's amazing the love you have for your own!

She's HERE....

2012-01-25T08:38:00.001-08:00

Mattilyn Faith Zimmerman
Born Friday January 20, 2012 @ 3:07 pm
8lbs 4oz
20 1/2 in. long
Precious baby girl...I will be back soon with more pictures & a full post on her birth! Just wanted to let you all know she has arrived!!!!

40 weeks & 5 days

2012-01-17T12:09:00.000-08:00

Still waiting on Baby Z....went to the Dr. this morning, as of now we are 70% effaced, barely a cm dilated, but her head is resting really low & my cervix is very thin...induction is scheduled for this Friday morning. Say a quick prayer that everything will go smoothly for us!!!

Average size or bigger?

2012-01-03T14:50:00.001-08:00

Ok, so I have been a slacker on the belly pictures. I actually have not taken another belly shot since week 35. With the holidays & being sick & just having no energy, but just a little bit to get some things done before baby girl gets here, I just haven't taken them. Plus, my belly doesn't look like it has changed much to me anyhow. But, of course then others make comments like, "Do you think you can get any bigger?" lol...this one always makes me crack up. Gee thanks, I don't know! Anyway, we are 38 1/2 weeks now, will be 39 on Thurs & next week is the actual due date. January 12, 2012. But, we shall see what will take place. Last Friday I had my Drs. appointment & everything still looks good with me & baby. However, the midwife started asking questions such as; "How tall are you?" "How big were you when you were born?" "How about your husband?" "How late was your mother past her due date?" So, with answering 5'3", 8.14, almost 10lbs & 2 weeks, they will be seeing me back this Thursday to do an ultrasound to measure & weigh baby girl & see what might be happening in the next few days. Also, they did a quick look on the monitor of her then & she is still head down, but face up. So, we will see if she's turned over too. I had a few braxton hicks contractions last night that I thought were real for about 45 minutes, but then they started getting farther apart & finally went away. Miss Matti decided she just wasn't ready I guess. I will fill you all in after Thurs. to see where we stand with baby's arrival! It's a little nerve racking with how close we are to holding our sweet baby in our arms!!!

Still here...

2011-12-27T17:22:00.000-08:00

I'm still here...no baby yet! We have about 2 1/2 weeks to go, unless she decides otherwise. I've just been busy with holidays & having a cruddy cold...but I promise I'll be back with updated belly pics & news from our next Drs appt. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!!!

Late pictures

2011-12-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry! I know, I have been a bad blogger lately & haven't posted in over a month & I've gotten really slack with posting the belly pics. Anyway, as of right now I am 36 weeks...had my check up today & will be seen weekly from here on out. Everything looks good, I ended up being positive for the group b strep test & will have to receive antibiotics during labor/delivery, but other than that everything else is looking & feeling like it is supposed to. No major braxton hicks contractions, just a little mild cramping every now & then...but we are hanging in there...literally, it feels like baby girl is "hanging". She was in the breech position until last week & finally had moved head down; this week my midwife thought she had moved back sideways so she was a little concerned & decided to check on her via ultrasound. Baby girl is still head down, she is just already a long little booger - just like her Daddy. Hopefully she'll be long & lean & not a 10 pounder lol. It's hard to believe we are SO close to her being here. The weeks fly by like time is nothing & we are so ready & excited...but this Mama is a little nervous & apprehensive. I'm sure everything will be ok, it's just the "unknown".

Since I've been gone...

2011-11-14T17:10:00.000-08:00

I've had 2 baby showers so far

I have belly pics to post

I celebrated my 25th birthday

Found out hubby is receiving a very special award at his next month's drill

So happy to have had my veteran home this year

And now here we are at 31 weeks & 4 days, with baby girl about the weight of 4 navel oranges, always moving around, & Mama not being able to sleep very well. I have experienced the most pains in the last couple of weeks, from my neck to my back to my hips to my stomach being sore in the mornings where she lays at night....it is scary to think how close we are, but we are getting excited to meet her! I have her nursery almost completely done, just a few more things to hang on the wall & such.

29 weeks & 4d ultrasound

2011-10-27T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today I am 29 weeks & had a Drs. appt where we had the 4d ultrasound done. I have gained 6 more lbs. & am now up to 128, baby's heartbeat was in the 140's - 150's, my tummy measures right on time with how far along I am, & no swelling just yet. After the check up; me, hubby, my mom, & his mom headed into the ultrasound room for our 4d. Which is such an awesome thing by the way! When we first started baby girl was face down & we found out she is breeched as of right now, but still has plenty of time to turn. So, our tech tried a couple of maneuvers to get her to move in a good position, but she would not budge & it seemed that every angle she had her hand in front of her face. We gave her a minute & we finally found a position where we could get a couple of good shots of her face, so we started snapping away:) We were even able to see her open & close her eyes which is so amazing! She has a little bit of peach fuz on top of her head so she may not come out with a head full of her hair like her Mom & Dad did...but she does already weigh 3.4lbs. Hubby & I were both big babies so I'm a little nervous to see how big she may be. She is already in the 58th percentile ( my little over achiever :0) haha ). Of course we won't be able to really tell anything until she is actually here, but to me it looks like she is her Daddy's girl. Looks to be that she has his nose & lips, long legs, toes, & fingers lol! But, that's ok:) Ok, Ok, I know you are ready to see some pics....so here she is.....

her arm & hand near her face

face shot

foot w/ toes spread if you look close to the right

Another Little Angel gained in Heaven

2011-10-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

This precious little angel named Lydia went HOME to be with her one true Prince early this morning. She is a 7 yr old who lost her battle with a brain tumor to gain a lifetime of eternity in such a glorious place called Heaven. I ask that you all say a sweet prayer for this special family, the Byrd family as they lost one of their precious baby "birds" this morning. Her mom has carried on a blog during her journey. Her mother is such a strong, courageous, faith filled, inspirational Christian mother, who her story is so powerful & full of peace. Take the time to read a few posts of hers & maybe even send her a comment letting the family know you're thinking about them during this time!

http://byrdhouse-byrdsnest.blogspot.com/2011/10/lydia-has-always-been-early-byrd.html

26 & 27 week belly pics & about baby

2011-10-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

I am now 28 weeks as of yesterday (just haven't taken the pic yet). Here is what Baby Z is up to these days in her days of growing!

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Her movement is never consistent...she will go full blast for a few days & then she will have a few days where she sleeps a lot & only moves here & there (I guess when she turns over to get more comfortable lol). I love feeling my baby move & I know she has to have her rest too, but I wish she moved ALL of the time!!! Maybe I'm crazy!

Food is sooooo good right now....I'm hungry all the time & since I passed my glucose test, it's like all I crave is sweets & carbs:) Not good lol!

I sleep pretty well through the night other than switching from side to side all night long to stay comfortable. I have began to have to literally jump out of bed when I get a leg cramp because there is no trying to get it to go away laying down. I get up about once a night to go to the bathroom. I'm back to being exhausted by the end of the day & lower back pain...but hey it's to be expected & we have now ventured into the last trimester:) Exciting & scary all at the same time! Last Drs. visit I had gained 4.4 lbs; I go back again on the 27th for a check up & 4d ultrasound - so with all of these sweets I have been eating, we shall see how much I weigh now:)

This weekend we will complete all of the painting in her room & start putting the furniture together!!! I'm so excited - pictures will come soon!

Maternity Pictures

2011-10-15T17:54:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, hubby & I had some maternity photos taken by his cousin's wife & I have to say, I think they turned out pretty good! Here's a few to share - she claims she's not professional, but I disagree - I think she does a fabulous job!!!!

25 weeks

2011-10-08T06:12:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

TO MY GRANDMA ANN!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU & HOPE YOU HAVE

A WONDERFUL DAY!!!!!!

HAPPY HAPPY

BIRTHDAY

TO YOU!!!!

22-24 week belly shots

2011-09-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Update on Baby Girl

2011-09-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have been slacking in the blogging area; with just a short post here & there or just a picture post...so here I will give you an update on Baby Girl & Mama:) Baby Girl is 24 weeks & 5 days, we will be 25 weeks on Thursday. So here is her 24 week update: from Whattoexpect.com.

Your baby weighs more than a pound and a half right now and sports a crown-to-rump length of about eight and a half inches (standard letter size!). At this point in fetal development, that beautiful face (though still tiny) is almost fully formed.
And all kinds of sounds can be heard by your baby in your womb: from air exhaling from your lungs (deep breath now), those gastric gurgles produced by your stomach and intestines, your voice and your partner's (which your baby will be able to recognize at birth), and even very loud sounds such as honking horns, barking dogs, or a wailing fire truck.

How Far Along: 24 weeks, 16 weeks to go!

Size of baby: Baby Z is more than a pound & a half, about 8 1/2 in.

Weight Gain/Loss: I have gained 20 lbs. so far

Body Changes: Belly is stretching every day & face seems fuller looking lol.

Gender: It's a GIRL!

Movement: She's moving all of the time, some days more than others. But, I'm afraid she has her days & nights mixed up already :/

Sleep: I usually sleep ok...now it's beginning to be a very light sleep with tossing & turning & all of the getting up to pee during the night - some days I am exhausted. Maybe I'm getting prepared already lol!

What I'm looking forward to: Her bedding arriving so we can paint & decorate the nursery!

Cravings: Nothing in particular. Just FOOD!!!!

Symptoms: Back pain:(

Best Moment This Week: Clearing out the office to make it a nursery!!!!

Sorry it's been a while...

2011-09-19T15:51:00.001-07:00

But hubby & I decided we needed a vacation, so we set sail on a cruise ship & sailed away from reality. It was a nice get away, very much needed for the two of us. And as I sit here typing this, (reality settled back in for us today as we headed back to work), with a stuffy nose & a kinked up back - I am missing that cruise ship!!!! Vacations never last long enough:(
But, I'll leave you with a few pics from that fabulous Caribbean get away!

19, 20, & 21 weeks

2011-09-04T11:22:00.001-07:00

18 week belly pic

2011-08-17T15:56:00.001-07:00

Thank You Lord

2011-08-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

Today was the day!!! We found out today that our little Baby Z is a precious little GIRL!!! Since we found out we were pregnant, our main prayer was that this baby would be healthy & well developed. In my heart, I wanted a sweet little girl so bad, but would have been thankful & pleased with a sweet little boy as well! Starting out with the heartbeat so high, I just knew it was a girl. But, as time went on & my shape started forming, I was slightly convinced the opposite way. I had determined it was going to be a boy! But, my prayer stayed the same. Today we go to the Dr. & have the heartbeat done first, it was 140. I looked at Matt & said..."It's definitely a boy." Even my nurse stated she had two boys & both of their heartbeats were in the 140's. We left her & went to the ultrasound room anxiously waiting to see our little boy on the screen. She started showing us the heartbeat once again, the head, the spine & so forth. Finally, she asked if we were ready to know what we were having. She started towards the legs & there was nothing in between. I couldn't believe my eyes. There on that screen was our sweet, sweet, precious baby girl. We were both in shock, but had nothing but excitement on our faces & in our hearts. The tech then went on to show us her feet, legs, arms & hands. As she got to the hands, our sweet little girl lifted hers up to say "hello". That little hand melted our hearts & our love for her is already so much it's uncontainable. The Lord is so good to us & has blessed our lives in so many ways, we can never be thankful enough. But, He looked down deep & knew the desires of our hearts & decided to bless us again. We thank the Lord He has given us a healthy happy little girl, whom we will spoil like there's no tomorrow! Thank you Lord!!!!

17 weeks

2011-08-08T15:11:00.001-07:00

and counting....down to Friday that is, when we find out if we have a boy or girl in the oven! Can't wait!!!!

15 & 16 week pics

2011-08-06T08:25:00.001-07:00

I am now 17 weeks, just haven't taken the pic yet! But, here is 15 & 16 weeks. It seems like the weeks are going faster than I can keep up! Next Friday, we go to find out what our little Z may be. Whether boy or girl! From the pics you have seen so far, what do you think? Some days I feel like I'm carrying a boy & other days I feel like I'm shaped as if it is a girl! I am all confused & haven't gotten the little motherly intuition just yet! When is that supposed to happen lol? I will be happy no matter what the sex of the baby is, a part of me would love to have a little girl to dress up & treat like a princess, but nothing takes the place of those mama's boys! I'm just ready to know & these next few days better not creep along! I am still feeling great! I have started to feel very light "flutters" in my lower region & right now those are the best feelings in the world! I can't wait until they get a little stronger! My energy is starting to come back & I know my hubby is glad of that because now I can get more things done around the house & he doesn't have to pick up my slack so much! But, he has been wonderful - not complaining at all! I still feel tired at the end of the day but not like it was in the first trimester! My appetite is back with a vengeance & at the moment I can't help but give into it! I do not own a scale, so I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not! I will be weighed soon & will go from there! The only problem I can complain of right now is lower back pain, but to ease it off I just get in the bathtub & soak. What a wonderful feeling! And so relaxing! Baby Z is about the size of my hand these days & about 4 1/2 - 5 in. long. Which means everything is starting to really stretch & grow. I love my little Z & can't wait until next Friday to find out & go shopping for his/hers first outfit:) Oh the joys of these little miracles!!!!

Last 3 weeks of belly pics:)

2011-07-18T18:20:00.001-07:00

Life can end in an instant...

2011-07-17T15:58:00.000-07:00

Life is like a vapor. Death comes in like a thief.

Hubby & I lost a friend early this morning to a tragic car accident. He was only 23 years old. Just a short life lived, but an eternity awaits him. Please keep this poor guy's family in your thoughts & prayers. We still can't believe it, it seems so unreal!

13 weeks tomorrow

2011-07-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

So far this pregnancy has been a breeze & I hope it continues to stay this way. I have had no physical morning sickness; just feelings of being weak & tired ALOT. As long as I eat & keep something on my stomach I am good. My belly is starting to take a rounded shape & I can no longer force myself to squeeze myself into my tight pre-pregnancy pants! I did buy a bella band for the pants I can't fasten anymore, but I prefer loose fitting cotton pants at the moment. Baby Z is growing & is now about the size of a peach. I go back to the Dr. on Friday & my mom is going with me this time. She wants to hear the baby's heartbeat, which I will be glad to share this moment with her. She's so excited, she acts like a kid in a candy store. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. I have been having crazy, crazy dreams lately which I blame on pregnancy hormones. I have to use the bathroom ALL of the time, I don't know how much worse it can get lol. I don't have any strong cravings right now for certain things, but when I have my mouth & mind set on a particular thing to eat, there is no eating anything else. The one thing that I can not eat right now is Chinese food, which I normally love, but right now it turns my stomach to even think of it. My favorite thing to eat is pizza & Olive Garden salad:) Pregnancy is funny how it completely changes alot about your body, but it is so amazing & such a miracle to be able to bring a life into this world. I love it so far & I can't wait to get bigger, feel the baby, & find out what we are having. I will post some more belly pics soon! Have a great rest of the week!

11 weeks

2011-06-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

Baby Z & The Belly Bump

2011-06-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

Baby Z is 10 weeks & is the size of a prune! He/she is starting to develop their elbows & knees. Still no sickness; tiredness still lingers but not as bad as in the very beginning; energy is slowly starting to come back; and belly is growing. Baby Z is starting to make my pants very hard to get zipped & buttoned & starting to show their form in my tighter fitting shirts. But, I am enjoying every step of the process so far & can't wait for more! I love my little Baby Z:)

Our Little Miracle of Life

2011-06-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

So, Wednesday we had our ultrasound of Baby Z & it was by far one of the most awesome things in life. We were able to see our little peanut, hear the heart beat (which was 175) & see the little feet move. It was the best feeling in the world to see the little miracle of life inside me! Hubby was in awe too! We are already have so much love for this little life & can't wait to watch it grow & grow & form into our bundle of joy we can hold in our arms!!!

The midwife wasn't off by far with how far along I am. It was just a few days, so now I am 9 weeks & 2 days! Baby Z is a size of an olive!!!!

I will post the pic of our ultrasound as soon as I can get it uploaded!!!

Not Sure

2011-06-02T13:14:00.000-07:00

So the blog of our announcing our expectancy was a scheduled blog because I didn't want to get too busy to share with all of you. But, the midwife was a little unsure of exactly how far along I am with me giving her the date of going off birth control & last missed period, so I will go back next Wednesday to have an ultrasound done to see the progression of Baby Z. Which I am so excited about. I hated finding out that I wouldn't have my first ultrasound until around 15-18 weeks & really wanted to see the "proof" that I had the baby in there. So, I was beyond thankful & ecstatic when she gave me the news. So, next week I'll shall see our sweet little butter bean:) And will fill you all in on just how far along we are!!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Guess What?!?!?!?!

2011-06-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

Now I know the reason why,

I seem to be tired all the time!

I peed on a stick,

And what do I see,

But TWO purple lines,

Staring back at me!

My heart jumps a bit,

What shall I do?

This could change things -

A little life, Brand new!

Yes!!!! The hubs & I are expecting our first little one! I went to the Dr. on Tues., so now we are able to let the secret out!!! We are so excited & I have had the hardest time trying to keep it in. We found out a few days before Mother's Day weekend & that was our Mother's gifts. We gave them a picture frame & a "Grandmother" Mother's Day card! They were beyond ecstatic!!! I haven't been "sick" at all. I have been really, really, really tired & I just make sure I always have something in my stomach. I have times where I feel blah! But, hopefully the actual sickness will stay away! Little Baby Z is 8 weeks tomorrow & is the size of a blueberry. It's amazing how fast they start forming every little part. We are so thankful for this little miracle of life & pray that everything will go smoothly. So, my next set of blogs will be updates of our Baby! Hope you don't get too bored:)

Back to the Norm

2011-05-14T08:46:00.001-07:00

Well, our little life is back to normal. Hubby had to report back to his unit this weekend for good ol' drill. So, I'm home this weekend by my lonesome doing some much needed laundry. It's supposed to be rainy here, but the sun is shining brightly. Which I'm dying to get outside in:) We have some really exciting things that are happening in our life right now & in due time, I will let all of you bloggers in on the excitement. Hope you all have a great weekend!!!!

God Bless the USA

2011-05-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

*I stole this from MrsMike over at The Year After - hope she doesn't mind, but it was just too good to resist posting again*
05/01/11

Now I lay me down to sleep, One less terrorist this world does keep.

With all my heart I give my thanks, to those in uniform regardless of ranks.

You serve our country and serve it well, with humble hearts your stories tell.

So as I rest my weary eyes, freedom rings, our flag still flies.

You give your all, do what you must...

with God we live and God we trust!

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

Because I can't wait....

2011-04-20T15:56:00.001-07:00

I will bombard you with some pictures of the new house, but just remember not one room is completely decorated...we are still in the process. I'm just waiting for that awesome person to give me an unlimited credit card so I can go out & buy everything I need/want all at once lol. I will get there though & will present to you all of the finished photos soon!!! Thanks for being patient with me!!!!

Deprived

2011-04-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

Deprived is how I feel these days with no internet in my newly furnished house as of right now:( Pitiful I know! So with no internet at home means no pictures to post on my blog of the new house! We are in the process of getting it hooked up but with the move, life & getting unpacked & settled, it's just one of those last things on the list right now! But, hopefully by the end of next week, I will be up & running again to blog more & post the pics! Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

The Deal is Sealed!!!

2011-03-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

We closed on our house today! So, I will be MIA for a few days while we move in...I'll be back with pictures soon!!!!

I will never understand....

2011-03-28T07:35:00.001-07:00

the weather that is. It's almost the end of March & we have had 80 degree weather last week & now it is SLEETING!!!! What in the world!?!?!? It's cold, wet, & gloomy! Spring should be in full bloom. Glad I haven't packed up my winter clothes yet:/ Anyway, hope all of you bloggers had a nice weekend. I did:) I did a little shopping this weekend with mom for the new house & for myself, took a nice long walk outside with Charlie & napped, waited for hubby to come home then ate & relaxed watching tv. Sat we packed up some more things (majority of the day) & then had a family get together at my uncles. Those are always so much fun:) And yesterday we went to church & then out for lunch, did a little shopping for some necessities & then spent last evening at mom & dads watching Army Wives!!! *It's funny, me & mom used to be the only ones that would watch; now my mom, my dad, me & the hubby all watch it together* I think they have become fans too;) But, goodness wasn't last night's episode a tear jerker!!! Wow! I think it would have been worse on me watching it if hubby was still deployed! Keep on praying & supporting our troops!!!! They need it as well as their families! Well, I shall start my day on this rainy gloomy Monday. Have a great week ya'll!!!

Apologies

2011-03-21T06:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Blog World! It's so nice to be back! I'm sorry it has been a full two weeks since I have blogged, but the hubs and I have been packing, packing, & packing. Getting ready for our move next weekend:) Which is super exciting! It's a lot of work, but we are so thankful to be moving to a place of our own! I feel like I'm in a blogger's block & have no idea what to blog about, that & I have nothing overly exciting going on in my life right now! I am still beyond thrilled to have my hubby home & even though things are going back to normal, we still do everything together just about 24/7. Thank goodness he is my best friend:) On our down time in the evenings we watch NetFlix & we have started watching Grey's Anatomy from the beginning & have become huge fans! I never thought I would ever be a Grey's fan, but I LOVE that show! It's addicting lol! So, that has become our thing since he's been back! I feel like a whole lotta rambling is going on & once again I apologize! Hopefully, I'll be back to the days of blogging soon w/ more interesting things.....

Here's a shout out to my new followers: Thank you for following my blog & I'm sorry it is going through a lull right now:(

Here's a few things about me:

I just recently completed a 12 month deployment being married to an Army Reservist

My favorite color is green

I have a 2 yr old male dachshund

I could eat Mexican food everyday

I'm short & the hubs is tall

I love to travel & hope I get to often in my life

I can't wait to become a mom

In my eyes of decorating there should be lots of color

I have had to come from being dependent to independent, which has made me stronger

I have a heart for children & older people

I would love to be a photographer

I love being around people

Have a great week bloggers:)

Season Premier

2011-03-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

So, the season premier of Army Wives 5th season was last night...and well I'm by far the biggest Army Wives fan of all time I believe...even if some of the things in the show are not in realistic terms. I mean it is TV. But anyway, I tuned in last night with a bountiful supply of excitement & well...the first show of the season wasn't all that great! I hope it all turns around & gets really really good this year. Maybe I had too much excitement & built it up too much...I dunno, I'm just hoping for more! I will continue to watch faithfully though & I hope this is not the last season aired! So, here's to hopes of good season of Army Wives:)

Not sure if any of you catched the show afterwards "Coming Home", I only caught a few minutes - but wow! Hits so close to the heart:) I love watching homecomings even if it does get me reaching for the Kleenex's everytime!!!

Have a great Monday bloggers:)

House Hunt Complete

2011-02-28T07:53:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for the sweet comments about our new house. We are so glad to have finally found a place, as we have been house hunting since hubby has been back home. I felt like I was on the show House Hunters lol. We actually didn't think we would be getting this house which was #1 on our list of likes due to the sellers not initially accepting our offer, so we wrote it off & kept on hunting. Then a week later, we get a call saying they will accept our offer, so we felt it was meant to be & jumped on this great deal! It pays to wait it out sometimes! So, we are in the paper process & all of the inspections to go along with it. But, our closing date hopefully will be the end of March & then we will be moving once again...but this time it will be for good for a while!!!! I am already having to contain myself from buying up all kinds of stuff for this new place until I actually get in & see what I need & want :( But, we are excited to say the least. Hubby started back to work today so now every afternoon after work we will be packing up the rental house. Thankfully we didn't fully unpack here & 1/2 is still in boxes in the garage, so hopefully it won't be too much work. I'm also excited that we are moving near spring time this go round so it will feel fresh & new & we can get out in the yard & enjoy ourselves. Pictures of the house inside will come later once we are in & settled, so just hang tight! Hope you all have a great week:)

If everything goes accordingly...

2011-02-25T08:32:00.001-08:00

We will be proud home owners of this fabulous house......

We are so excited to finally be moving to a place of our own!!!! Can't wait:)

Late Valentine's Day Post

2011-02-17T18:42:00.000-08:00

So, this year my Valentine was home with me:) I tell ya, I am still on this high of having my hubby home. Maybe that's my problem with sleep lol! Anyway...this year he was super sweet! I came home from work to dinner ready & waiting for me with candles lit!!! (hubby is still on leave from his job) He gave me the sweetest card & 2 bags of my favorite candy! He also had vacuumed the house for me! AND *He bought me a new watch* He's the best! We definitely enjoyed our evening of being together on this LOVE day!!! I love this man so much & am so thankful & glad he is my life long partner! Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's day as well & if this time you weren't with your valentine hopefully you will be next year!!!

Sleep Deprived

2011-02-09T18:56:00.000-08:00

Ever since hubby got home...I've encountered a problem...I can't sleep. I mean, I sleep but I never rest. I go to bed tired; I wake up tired! Anytime during the night I can wake up wide awake. The other night when I thought I was asleep (and evidently hubby wasn't) he told me the next day, all I do is toss & turn - the whole time! I'm not sure what my problem is. Is it because I'm not used to him being back in the bed with me or do I really have trouble going to sleep & resting? This past weekend, I was able to sleep in which is a great feeling, but it still happened & I woke up with a tension headache because of clenching my teeth so tightly (probably because I'm so tired & stressed that I'm not resting). So, tonight I am trying a Tylenol PM to see if that will help & I have an extra hour to sleep due to the prediction of snow in the area...so we shall see. I'm so tired of being tired. I want to just rest peacefully. Well, I'm off to hopefully catch some zzzz's! Have a good night!

Stressed.....

2011-02-02T18:28:00.000-08:00

We are currently living in a rental house that is quaint & cute, but it's an older house & it is costing us a fortune trying to heat this place. So, the hubs & I are on a hunt to purchase a home of our own. Who knew how stressful this would be. We find a great looking house we both like, but then it's in a not so good location or we find a great location & nothing that we like. We've been on the search for a few weeks now & we've come up with a handful we will contact our realtor about to go take a look at...so wish us luck & keep your fingers crossed that we end up finally finding a place of our own to call HOME!!!!

Looking Back

2011-01-25T19:03:00.000-08:00

Looking back, I can't believe I actually made it through a year long deployment. But, I did:) Never in a million years would I have seen this becoming a chapter in my life. I being a newly Reservist's wife, had no clue what to expect or how to deal with anything to this extreme. I felt alone, overwhelmed, & broken hearted. I will never forget the day I found out that my husband would have to be deployed. He had just gotten back from his annual summer training in California & I had come in from work the following day & noticed his unusual manner & had a feeling something was up, but never imagined hearing the deployment word come out of his mouth. But, it did & we dealt with our emotions of the moment & moved on enjoying the next 6 months of our lives together, grasping every moment with value. One of the hardest days of my life was having to say goodbye to my husband knowing where he was headed. The first month came & went pretty fast being he was held in Washington state & I was able to take a visit. The second month again went by pretty easily & fast because hubby had just gotten over there & everything was still new. That month I really began to understand "cherishing the moments" as I looked forward to every phone call & hung on to every word I was hearing on the other line!!! Come month 3 & 4 you establish a routine & you start keeping yourself extra busy, but you can feel the time apart weighing on your shoulders a bit & tugging at your heart. Next is month 5 & you're so excited because you can begin to talk & plan out R&R. You get so anxious & start planning for the perfect outfit to wear & where to go or what to do to spend that quality time together. Month 6 rolls in & we're weeks away from his visit home. He makes it home & to see him walk from that plane into your arms after 100 & something days makes your heart skip a beat & melt at the same time. Those 2 weeks become the most amazing weeks of your life because you are back with the one you love & you feel whole again. But, after the 2 weeks are up you know you have to send him back over & it tears your heart into. It's hard, but you have to hold onto knowing you are on the downhill of the deployment & you just have to push through until you have him finally coming home for good. After R&R my emotions really seemed to hit me full blast. I got tired, I got angry, & I became sad. But, I had to suck it up & move on. Thankfully, I got back into my routine & other than having a few down days I made it through the next 6 months. Month 10 I became really excited knowing it would be just 2 months until he would be home...but then the changing of the homecoming date changed so many times I can't keep up. But, it finally was finalized & my hubby came home to me safe & sound. Looking back, it seems that it went by really fast. In it, it went faster than I thought it would, but it had it's moments when it seemed it would never end. I am so happy it did end & we made it through. It's still hard to believe at moments that I went through it & made it!!! I am a dependent person who had to become independent; I had to become strong; learn to control my emotions, but at the same time learn to let them out when need be; I had to learn to show all my love to my husband through phone calls, letters, pictures, skype dates, & facebook chats; I had to learn I would be going from knowing everything about my husband & his everyday life to only knowing certain things; I had to learn to have faith & use it every single day; I had to learn how to deal with "other's" crazy questions or simple concern but unnecessary comments about this deployment; I learned how to be overly proud of my husband & his service & become thankful to all military men/women & families; - it was a lot to learn, but I'm glad I was able to have this year to learn these lessons. I love my husband so much more & we have become stronger through this. I am & will be forever grateful to have him home safely. And looking back - I'm glad I have this experience to look back on!

Catch up Blog!!!!

2011-01-22T18:32:00.000-08:00

Ok, so here is a catch up blog...bear with me & I hope you do not get bored with all of this information....

Catch up #1 - Month 12 in Review

- Best friends baby shower

-Girls shopping day & movie

- Watched "How Do You Know"

- Watched Lifetime's "Marry Me"

- Mailed out Christmas cards

- Christmas shopping

- Paid off Credit Card(s)

- Snow x's 2

- Work Christmas Party

- Church Christmas Party

- Church Christmas Play

- Leave date changed

- Still reading "Eat, Pray, Love"

- Leave date changed again

- Pack up stuff @ Mom & Dad's

- Christmas Eve (Matt flew out of Afghanistan)

- Christmas

- Make welcome home signs

- Moved into rental house

- New Years Eve (Matt flew out to the US)

Catch up #2

So, hubby ended up officially leaving overseas on Dec. 31st & landed in the good ole US of A on New Years Day...he had to spend a week in New Jersey for deprocessing & he finally came home on Jan. 7th. He told me he would call me when his bus got close, so as I'm drying my hair...he rings up my phone & tells me they're almost back to the unit. I begin to fly around like a mad woman trying to get everything ready for my grand appearance to this man of mine whom I haven't seen in 6 months which was horrific on my nerves. I get in the car hoping I look halfway decent & together & fly to the unit. I arrive right behind the bus pulling in...I jump out of my car & run to meet the love of my life just as he stepped off the last step. We ran to each other with huge smiles & wrapped each other up in a welcome home hug & sweet kisses. It was awesome! That is one of the best feelings in the world! So happy & grateful he is home safe & sound!

So, we've been back together for 2 weeks now & I love every minute of him being back home with me! He is such a wonderful man & our lives are whole again!

Catch up #3

Our 2 year anniversary was January 10th...so hubby & I loaded up for a quick trip out of town for just the 2 of us & some quality time. We ended up shopping, hanging out, sharing many laughs, & hearing all kinds of stories about his deployment. For our anniversary night we went out to eat at The Melting Pot, which was an awesome experience. We loved it & the food was fantastic. It was such a nice few days away for just the 2 of us!

Catch up #4

And now I leave you with a few pics!!!!

Please don't forget about me....

2011-01-17T16:25:00.000-08:00

Hey bloggers! Sorry it has been so long but with hubby's homecoming & the move with no internet connection hooked up just yet, I haven't had the time to do a decent blog, but hopefully tomorrow I will be back with a homecoming post with pictures for you all to see! Please don't forget about me...I will be back to catch up with you all hopefully real soon!

Well....

2011-01-08T11:41:00.000-08:00

After 370 long days of deployment....HE IS FINALLY HOME!!!!!!
Pictures to come later:) I'm off to enjoy my hubby!!!!

Goodbye 2010

2010-12-31T15:40:00.000-08:00

This time last year me & hubby were just a few days away from him leaving for his year long deployment to Afghanistan. This year we are a little more than those last year's few days away from hubby being HOME!!! I can only hope that this will be an amazing year, way better than this past one. Which I have to say, I am thankful that I can look back & say I made it through 2010 by myself without my life partner here by my side, I can say I made it through a deployment (which I never would have dreamed of having to do this in my entire life), I can say I've become stronger than I ever thought I could be, and I can say even though millions of miles apart....we made it through 2010 together! He did an awesome job - he made me proud, he stayed safe & sound, he kept his head up through all of the junk & kept me positive as much as I could be, he kept me filled with his love & communicated with me as much as he could every step of the way, he did it!!!! I did it!!! We did it!!! Here's to bringing in the New Year apart still, but very much together in heart! I will see him soon! I love you babe!
Happy New Year everyone!!!!!

Just an ordinary day

2010-12-28T18:40:00.000-08:00

Well that soldier hubby of mine is still not home yet...but believe me, you will all know when he is. Today was back to work from the holidays. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, got to spend time with your families, & got everything on your wish list. My Christmas was wonderful even though hubby wasn't here. We still have one, well actually two more Christmas celebrations to go. We still have my dad's side of the family & then mine & hubby's Christmas when he gets home. We are spreading it out this year, which is nice, keeps the festivity going! But, besides celebrating Christmas I have been busy with the rental house, getting all of our stuff out of storage & moving it there & getting the water & electricity turned on. It has kept me busy & hopefully will continue so this time will really fly by until hubby is home. I actually went today & picked up a few decorative pieces for the house, which felt awesome by the way. It has been forever since I have shopped for a home & I loved it. I could probably get carried away, but I will try not to. Sometimes that's not a simple task! Well bloggers that was my day, consisting of work, shopping, & out to dinner for the best friend's 25th birthday which by the way will hopefully be having her baby girl real soon! I'm so excited! Anyway, that's all I got...toodles!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2010-12-24T08:05:00.001-08:00

I hope this will not be going against OPSEC, but I can officially say, my husband is no longer in the desert of Afghanistan. He is not home; I have no idea when he will actually be home, but I am ecstatic that he is out of there! And even though he will not make it home for Christmas, he will still be the BEST Christmas present EVER!!!
Anyway, besides that exciting fact...I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Hope you all enjoy your precious time with your families!!!! Merry Christmas!*Christmas 2009*

2010-12-20T15:33:00.000-08:00

Well, as you can see I have no title for my blog. I just couldn't think of one. Anyway, I apologize for my last few posts being down in the dumps. But, due to the fact that my husband's leave date keeps getting changed every few days, what do you expect. But, hopefully we are beyond that. Although, they have another formation tomorrow & it seems after every formation there is a new date in mind for leaving - so we shall see. But, as of right now I am happy that he is coming home soon. I'm happy that things have settled down for hubby & right now all he has is time on his hands. He can sit back, relax, & watch movies or do whatever else he wants to do until it's time to load up. I'm also happy that we or I should say I will be able to move into the rental house before he gets home & hopefully have it all set up & decorated so he feels like he is actually coming "home". This little delay will give me the time to do so, so despite my down feelings - that I am thankful for! I hated the fact that as of a few weeks earlier, we were not going to have any place to go once he got home (we were having to wait a couple of weeks) except for a hotel or such, I also hated the fact that I couldn't have cute decorations around "a" house to celebrate his homecoming or put signs in the yard. But, now I think I just might be able to :) Everything works out for the good, even when we don't think so sometimes. So, I've pushed away the unhappiness & now I am happy. I'm happy for it all! Thank you Lord, that the end is in sight!!!!!

Again....

2010-12-18T09:41:00.000-08:00

"They" did it again....that's all I have to say! I'm so frustrated, I can't even blog!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-15T16:49:00.001-08:00

Hope Flushed....

2010-12-13T15:53:00.001-08:00

That's just what happened to my only Christmas wish this year...it's just been flushed down the drain. The awesome, keep to your word, loyal Army *sarcasm* has yet done it again. Hubby's leave date has now been pushed out an extra 5 days!!! So, no Christmas together this year after all! Talk about feeling bah hum bug!!! (however you spell it) Please deployment don't get any worse...we just want our soldiers home safe, sound, & soon!!!! This really puts a damper on things especially since I was encouraged just a few weeks ago when I thought this delay had been fixed!!! But, that's how it goes I guess. I'm just ready for this roller coaster ride to end...I'm not a fan! Thanks for listening to me vent even though I know to expect this stuff, it still hurts your feelings!

Flashback Friday

2010-12-10T09:39:00.000-08:00

This was our one year dating anniversary. He surprised me & took me to NewBern for a horse & carriage ride & then to dinner in the upstairs balcony of the restaurant with candlelight & a mini piano bar. It was so much fun! I loved it:)

Way too long...

2010-12-07T17:02:00.001-08:00

Ok, it's been way too long since I've done a real post & I apologize, but honestly it has been crazy busy around here lately! I have been trying to get last minute details done before hubby comes home, get my Christmas shopping done (which I haven't), & begin packing up my stuff at home to move to the new rental house. We originally were going to purchase a house back in the late summer that was being totally renovated...but things started happening one after the other & needless to say the house is still not done. So, we were obligated to find somewhere to dwell once the hubs makes his arrival! I'm glad we have that under our belts...I was beginning to panic inside not knowing what in the world we were going to do. But, everything always works out! I'm hoping I can get things moved in somewhat before hubby comes home & that way I will have a place to decorate for his homecoming! I have the outfit...I will begin to work on signs...and then I will wait:) He will be home in a matter of weeks & I can hardly contain my excitement! We are both beyond excited! It's hard to believe the end is right around the corner! That is such a wonderful feeling!!!

BUT...with all of the excitement, I would be lying if I didn't admit that I'm a little nervous & concerned. It's crazy...you just never know how your spouse or yourself is likely to change in a years time. Will he be able to adjust right away, Will I be able to adjust right away? Am I going to be everything he remembers? Will I be able to give him the time/space he needs to readjust? Alot of questions have gone through my head lately...I don't know what all he has experienced or seen...he made it a point to not tell me any of those details so I would not worry. In a way, I am thankful for that, but then again I wish I knew. I'm sure he will be fine, he will be glad to be home, & he will adjust just fine.

Anxiously waiting.....

**side note - Just about every other day, I have a new follower...but then the next few days, they disappear - Please stick around, I would love to follow your blog as well:)**

Month 11 in Review

2010-12-03T20:15:00.000-08:00

We are very fortunate to be working on our last month of deployment...come on Month 12:)

Month 11 in Review:

- Voted

- Yearly Gyno visit

- My 24th Birthday

- Received birthday flowers from my hubby

- Baby shower for hubby's cousin

- Shopping trip in Raleigh

- New battery for my car:(

- Finished reading "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks

- Sent hubby care packages & letters for this month

- Bad news about extended homecoming dates...but those have cleared up & everything is still on schedule:)

- Veterans Day

- Ordered photo Christmas cards

- Went to the movies to see "For Colored Girls"

- Judgment House with our church

- Found a place to rent when hubby comes home until we are able to decide where to settle down

- Thanksgiving

- Started reading "Eat, Pray, Love"

- Girl's Night

- Found out highschool friend is prego:)

- Went to the movies to see "Morning Glory"

- Watched "Eat, Pray, Love"

- Received a letter from hubby

I know, I know

2010-11-30T16:59:00.000-08:00

I have been such a bad blogger lately, with no new posts. It has been a busy busy busy past few days! But, I promise I have made the time to catch up on reading your blogs:) I will be back soon I promise...after things calm down a bit!!!

But for spectacular news....the Donut of Misery is down to 6.79% :) Wooooooohoooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving...

2010-11-24T18:23:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving...a giving of thanks! I love this time of year. It's a time to spend with loved ones, appreciate the fall weather, and reflect on the past year with such a thankful heart. I know some think it's crazy to celebrate one day out of the year for giving thanks & that we should be thankful everyday...and I agree that we should be thankful everyday. But, sometimes a lot of us (I'm just as guilty) take things for granted, but for some reason on this Thanksgiving day every year, it's a time for me personally to take a step back & look at everything, every person that I am thankful for! I hope you too, have an abundant list of things to be thankful for!!! Not to mention all of the wonderfully delicious food we get to partake of:) And especially, this year for Thanksgiving, as many of us have deployed soldiers, we should be so thankful for their service, their sacrifice, & their willingness to do their job. I am especially thankful for my husband as well as all of the soldiers! I hope all of you have a wonderful thanksgiving & those traveling, I hope you have safe travels! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

A list of a few things I'm thankful for:
- I'm thankful for Jesus
- I'm thankful for salvation; God's love, mercy, grace, & protection
- I'm thankful for my loving husband
- I'm thankful for my wonderful family: inlaws as well
- I'm thankful for life
- I'm thankful for my friends
- I'm thankful for a roof over my head - a warm place to call home
- I'm thankful for my health
- I'm thankful for our abundance of food
- I'm thankful for the ability to see, hear, smell, taste, & feel
- I'm thankful for answered & unanswered prayers
- I'm thankful for Charlie (aka dachshund pup) for keeping me company during this deployment
- I'm thankful for my freedom
- I'm thankful for my blogger buddies
...and the list could go on & on
Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!!!!

He makes me smile

2010-11-22T07:44:00.000-08:00

Hubby: "Hey, I read the other day that red wine helps with menstrual cramps"
Me: "Oh really, where did you read that?"
Hubby: "Cosmopolitan"
:)
He always can bring a smile to my face even when he doesn't try! LOL!

Proposal Story...

2010-11-15T17:00:00.000-08:00

I've been seeing a lot of blogs lately talking about relationships, engagements, marriage, & growing old together. It has gotten me in the mood to reminisce...so here is our proposal story! Hubby had just recently finished up his basic training & AIT & had come home. During his time at AIT we had talked about getting married & starting to really get serious about it! All along, I had made him posters of different cut outs of rings that I absolutely loved just in case one day he decided to go ahead & purchase "the ring". So, we also decided it was time to go look at them & try some on. I had picked out 3 that I adored, but told him it was completely his choice. I had been telling him all along that he really needed to sit down & have the talk with my parents so they wouldn't be completely blown away & know that it was coming in the "near" future. Well, about 2 weeks later we had been talking about taking a day trip. I had been wanting to go to Ocracoke, but he wasn't to keen on getting up early & taking the ferry to get there. So, we decided on Wilmington. We arrived around lunch time & did some scenic walking & a little shopping, then decided to eat some lunch. We ended up at "The Union Cafe".

After eating our lunch, we decided to take a boat ride over to the Battleship & tour around.

Once we had ended our fun in downtown Wilmington we headed for the beach. We rode down to Wrightsville, but it was just so crowded. Hubby wanted a quiet place that we could have time to ourselves. So, we ended up riding to Topsail Island. Once we arrived & changed into our bathing suits, we headed down to the beach! We set up our stuff & hubby wanted to go for a walk. We went walking for a while & then headed back to our chairs. Once we got closer, hubby asked me what was under my chair. It looked like something had blown underneath there. So, I looked & there was a "JC Penney" watch box that had duct tape all over it. I opened it up & inside was a folded piece of paper. I unfolded it and in huge letters it said "Marry Me", I turned around in shock & hubby was down on one knee with my ring in hand & he asked me to be his wife!!! I was so shocked....I think I asked "For real?" and he said yes! I hugged & kissed him & said YES!!! Then we heard whistling & clapping. We looked up & a group of people on their deck of their beach house were watching the whole thing & congratulated us! I was so happy & the ring was more than I could ever ask for. It was absolutely gorgeous! *See for yourself* (**While I was getting situated on the beach, hubby had planted the box under my chair**)

*My parents knew about the whole proposal...he had already talked to them & showed them the ring*

Afterwards, we headed back home & stopped by his parents & grandparents to announce the engagement & show off my beautiful ring! Then we headed to my family! It was such an awesome day! And it may not sound very romantic to you or extravagant, but it was exactly how hubby thought it out & I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!

So, we were engaged on June 28, 2008. And we had set the date for our wedding January 10, 2009. Needless to say, I immediately jumped on the wedding planning!!!

I'm so thankful I met & married my best friend!!!

*Now blogger friends....I ask you to blog about your proposal story or a how you met story on your blog...and even if you've already done it, do it again:)*

Check this out...

2010-11-12T17:30:00.000-08:00

Thought these were cute...

http://www.survivalstraps.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SB-Ladies%2FKids+Dog+Tag

Thank You

2010-11-12T06:29:00.001-08:00

Firs of all I would like to thank all of you blogger friends for my birthday wishes! I had a wonderful day despite hubby being so far away!!!!

Second of all...yesterday was Veterans Day! I just wanted to say a special thank you to all of our past, present, & future servicemen/women for their calling & service to our country! It takes special people like you all to do the duties you are so willing to do. Also, I would like to say a special thank you to all of the families of these service men/women....our soldiers need the encouragement & support you all give to them. You as well make an ultimate sacrifice so that they can do their job & I thank you! Without these strong men, women, & families our country wouldn't be where it is today! Special thank you to all of you!

**And here are the beautiful flowers hubby had sent to me at work on my birthday** :)

Today....

2010-11-09T14:20:00.000-08:00

I embrace....
years of life!!!!

Keep those prayers coming...

2010-11-08T16:46:00.000-08:00

Hubby called again today......more news of the delaying of the homecoming date:( Boo! No ones happy!!!! But, prayers can change anything:) I am really not a happy person right now...I'm getting in one of those blah moods & I don't wanna!!!!!

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

2010-11-06T07:02:00.000-07:00

The Good - Hubby did call yesterday:) For some reason, he thought I had to work that morning so he was waiting until I had gotten off lol! Poor thing, can't keep everything straight here as well as there! But, I was so glad to finally hear his voice...He's so sweet!

The Bad - Hubby and his men get no recognition for any of their service over there! Breaks my heart...but he makes me so so so proud!!!!

The Ugly - As close as we are to the finish line Mr. Leader/Army wants to change the leaving date...not for the better of course, for the worse. What in the world....please don't do this to us!!! It's not officially set in stone...but I will not be the happiest if it becomes that way! So, pray hard for us that it stays the way it is!!!!

- Annoyed Wife

I hate this feeling....

2010-11-05T08:43:00.001-07:00

Today is Friday (11:44am) & I hate this feeling that I have come across me (so many times during this deployment). And maybe I am the only one who feels this way...but sitting here right now I feel as if my day cannot start until my hubs calls! It's been since Sunday since I've heard his voice & I thought for sure he was going to call yesterday, but he didn't. So, today I am nervously, anxiously, kind of patiently waiting for him to ring my phone! I know he will, he always does when these feelings come over me...but I would like for him to hurry up lol. I just don't like these feelings & wish I could be more productive with my time beforehand, but for some reason I can't. I can't get motivated. So, I decided to blog to waste some time & hopefully he will be ringing up my phone here shortly! Anyways...hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Month 10 in Review

2010-11-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

So, yes month 10 has come and gone & now we are venturing into month 11:) So excited...hopefully hubby will be home sometime soon after!!!!

Month 10 in Review:

~ Got a letter from hubby:)

~ Sent hubby a Halloween care package

~Girl's Night

~ Overdue massage w/ the bestie

~ Started packing up summer clothes

~ Unpacked fall/winter clothes (not that we have even needed them yet here in NC)

~Went to see "Life as we Know it"

~Started reading "Safe Haven" - Nicholas Sparks

~Took a Mental Health Day from work

~ MIL's Wedding Shower

~ Mom & Dad's 27th wedding anniversary

~ Watched "License to Wed"

~ Started the search for a dwelling place ;) (more on that to come)

~Went on a Haunted Train Ride & to the Haunted House w/ some friends

~ Accomplished 300 days of deployment

~Hubby packed up a box to send home...stuff he doesn't need any longer ;)

~Brakes for car :(

~ Watched "The Strangers"

~ Halloween

Now, ready for November to start trucking on by!!!!

Welcoming in November:)

2010-11-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hello, November! I'm so glad you have come to grace us with your presence! Now, just as fast as you have come in, I would be forever grateful if you were that fast to leave us & let December follow in your footsteps! Because, of course I am ready to see my lovely husband soon!!!!

I am so excited November is here...another month closer, my birthday, and Thanksgiving all rolled into one!!!! Can't wait to get this month moving!

Just a hello to some new followers:) Thank you for following my page! Please leave a comment so I can also check out your blog as well!!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween weekend!!!!

300 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-10-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

300....300......300
Woo Hoo!!!!

Today is the day we celebrate 300 days of being done with this deployment! It's bittersweet. It's amazing that I have been away from my husband for almost 300 days (considering he had a 2 week R&R). Well, not amazing in a spectacular/good way. But amazing that we've HAD to do that! But, I'm so thrilled that we are this close to being done! I'm so excited that it is finally coming to an end! I will be a very happy girl when I see that sweet face & he is home with me, but I think I will even be just as happy when I know my hubby's feet are on U.S. soil!!!! Yay for 300 days...and here's to the last of it:)

Award Time - Check to see if you were tagged!

2010-10-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

I have been given a blog award from Newlywed and Deployed!
Thank you so much...I love reading your blog & all of your deployment adventures! I was impressed by your 7 interesting facts about yourself!!!!

The rules are:
1. Thank and link back to who gave you the award.
2. Share 7 interesting things about yourself.
3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy! *I only did 5*
4. Leave the recipients a note, telling them about the award.

7 things about me:

1. I currently am going through a first time deployment - which hopefully is closer to being over than not.

2. I not only married my best friend, but my soul mate!

3. I love long layered emo hairstyles, but am too chicken to ever try it!!!

4. I could eat chips & salsa everyday

5. My biggest fear is mice

6. I don't like my legs

7. I have had cosmetic surgery

Passing this along to:
Trading Diamonds for Dog Tags
Expat Girl
April Flowers
Standing by Him
Flip Flops and Combat Boots

Wordless Wednesday...Almost

2010-10-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Who all has had the privilege of seeing "this guy"?

Feeling Festive

2010-10-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

Feeling festive & wishing the hubs was here!!!!

Mental Health/ Care Packages

2010-10-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, well today I decided to take a Mental Health Day from work. During this deployment so far, I have not taken any time off except for when Hubby was home & if the Dr. has been out. So, today (well actually yesterday) I decided I needed a day from work. I needed a day to clear my head, have some alone time, & just do what I wanted. I did just that. I slept in this morning, got up & headed out to print some pictures off to send to the hubby, came back home, talked to hubby, ate some lunch, sat outside & read, took a nap, finished up hubby's Halloween care package & took it to the post office to be sent out, came back sat outside some more & read, and now I'm catching up on blog world & facebook & getting ready to go enjoy some shows on TV & who knows what else is in store for today. These last few months are starting to stress me & the hubs out. I hate that it is, but we are so anxious for this deployment to be over. Hubby has been putting up with a lot lately & to top it off he's now sick. Poor thing! I feel bad for him, but we both just have to push through just a little longer. He finally was able to get some meds today & hopefully he will start feeling better soon. He was able to take today easy as well & we enjoyed just being able to talk to each other without a time frame (he normally calls me on my lunch break during the work week). Anyways, to help cheer him up & hopefully make him feel better, I let him know he would be getting a little something something in the mail shortly:) So, here's a preview of his Halloween package:

Friday Fill-In

2010-10-15T19:06:00.001-07:00

What are some things on your bucket list? (from New Girl on Post) ~ to travel to Europe & Africa, become a mom, go parasailing, go on another missions trip, try sushi, and I'm sure the list could go on & on but I'm drawing a blank...
How long have you been a MilSpouse and where have you been stationed so far? (from Raising Roscoe) ~ I have been a mil-spouse for 2 years, 1 year as a girlfriend - we have never been stationed anywhere because the hubs is a Reservist
What is a list of songs that sums up your life so far? (from Confessions of a Sailor's Wife) ~ Right now, because I'm sleepy & can't really think of all the fabulous songs that could sum up my life....at this present moment, the only one that comes to mind is "Come Home Soon" by SheDaisy...:/
What is your favorite kind of pizza? ~ Pepperoni, sausage, & black olives
What are three good things in your life right now? ~ My precious husband, my job, & my wonderful family

Ideas?!??!?!

2010-10-12T16:56:00.000-07:00

Ok...yes, hubby's homecoming is still a ways away...but I'm already wanting to look for a super cute outfit to wear for when that day arrives. In the summer, it's easy to find a cute sun dress or summery outfit to meet & greet your lover...but what are some ideas for the winter??? So...blogger world, I'm asking for your advice, pictures, websites, etc.!!!! I want to look super cute for my hubba lubba!!!!

Thank you all in advance!!!!

"I'm Proud of You"

2010-10-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

It's nice when people say "I'm proud of you"...but it's even more wonderful when my hubby tells me "I'm proud of you". We were talking the other day about the last 9 months & how far we have come; when hubby decides to tell me how proud he is of me for handling things on my own, being strong & enduring this time of separation. Now grant it, it has not been the easiest thing to deal with, but I have done it & am continuing to do it one day at a time. It makes my heart melt to know my soldier is proud of me, his wife. I always tell hubby how proud I am of him & his service & how much he means to me; but for him to tell his wife who's back home just living her normal life that he's proud, gives me such a warm feeling & I fall in love with him all over again! This man in my life is so wonderful & so thoughtful! As his deployment is slowly coming to an end hopefully, I become more & more proud of my husband...just because of who he is!

Mil-Spouse Friday Fill-In

2010-10-08T10:54:00.001-07:00

What is the longest road trip you've ever taken? ~ It's not extremely long, but the longest I've traveled somewhere in the car is to Alabama...it's a 9-10 hr. drive.
Do you collect anything? Tell us a bit about it. ~ I collect magnets of all the places me & hubby have been together as a married couple...
What is your favorite part about being an adult? ~ That I can have a husband & being able to make your own choices:)
What song brings a tear to your eye? ~ Not sure of the title, but the song by SheDaisy something like "come home soon"...but alot of love songs bring tears to my eyes
Describe your first plane ride (how old you were, where you were heading, etc). ~ My very first plane ride was when I was maybe 1 or 2 to Alabama & my mom says I cried the whole time....my very fist plane ride that I remember was when I was 14 to Mexico. Our church went on a mission trip there & I was just really nervous & paranoid that I would get sick, so I made sure I took some medicine to help with that...but now I don't mind flying at all!

October....a new month

2010-10-02T17:27:00.000-07:00

First of all, I will say, I honestly can't believe it is already October:) I am so excited that we are that much closer to hubby's homecoming! But, I'm really hoping the time doesn't start dragging by...maybe with the upcoming time change & now that it starts to get dark earlier, it will seem like the days are going by faster!

Already though, this month is starting to be a sad one. Yesterday, one of my co-workers received news that her husband's cancer is back & it's also stemming from somewhere else. They won't find out until later next week...but it's just so sad! They are a very young couple with 3 small children. But, the Lord is in control & will have His healing, protecting hand upon them! Today marks the year anniversary (if that's even an appropriate word) of my father in law's death. It doesn't seem like it's been a year already, it seems as if it was yesterday. I can remember that day so well, but at the same time, wish I didn't! This saddens my heart, because hubby is away, as you all know...and I wish I was with him to comfort him if he needs comforting. My hubby is very black & white and holds many of his emotions inside. He doesn't like to talk about things in detail & how he feels about them, he'd rather move on & never look back ...which I wish he would be more open & talk about his feelings...I just hope he's ok. I haven't been able to talk to him today because of him being out of range:(

Apart from all the sadness...sorry:(
I went & pampered myself with a massage!!!! My friend wanted to go have her a pre-natal massage before she left for vacation & wanted me to go with her...so I figured, I couldn't pass up a massage, so I had my own done! We booked them at the place we always go, so we walk in & there's a man & woman waiting on us. The woman takes my friend & the man takes me. Now, some of you think ok...your point???? I've never had a man do my massage...so I was a little caught off guard lol! It ended up being fine, once I got over the slight oh my gosh moment...but turns out, my friend thought I had had him before. But, oh well, it was nice & so relaxing. He did mention to me afterwards, that it felt as if I had alot of stress built up & that I needed to relax more. I wanted to say "Yea, well you trying to relax all of the time while your spouse is deployed", but I felt no need in disturbing the relaxation I was feeling at the moment or make him think I was some crazy person lol! But, in all reality, I always have tightness & my neck & shoulders seem like they hold stress all the time (what it comes from, I have no idea)...so maybe I should look into having a massage done every month - I think it would be helpful:)

Then last night a group of us girls went out for dinner & it was so much fun, as always. So despite the sadness & the bad news (even though my heart goes out to the ones this sadness effects) I enjoyed my first day of October!!!! Hope everyone has a great month!!!

Month 9 in Review

2010-09-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

Well, September has come & gone as of midnight tonight! Boy, am I glad to see the beginning of October...another month closer to hubby coming home!!! So, here's my month 9 in review - not too much went on this month...

- Cousin weekend in New Bern

- Labor Day - Beach day

- Girl's weekend in Ocean Isle

- Sep 17th = 5 years of me & the hubby "being together in life"

- Hubby's communication block only lasted 7 days of the 14 we were expecting

- Attended the good ole' Ayden Collard Festival :)

- Girl's Night

- Sent hubby letters & care packages

- Received my bridesmaid dress for MIL's wedding

- Hubby's base finally got wireless internet

- Had several skype dates with hubby

- Read "The Ocean Between Us" by Susan Wiggs

- Watched "Date Night"

- Bought us new living room furniture

- Oil change for the car

- Read "365 Deployment Days - A wife's survival story" by Sarah Dawalt

and that's pretty much it...nothing too spectacular - but I'm starting tomorrow off (Oct 1st) with a bang - pampering myself:)
woo hoo for October!!!!

Girl's Weekend

2010-09-27T17:34:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, me & the bestie headed down to Ocean Isle for some girl time. Much needed I might add! We were able to stay at her aunt & uncles house on the sound & enjoyed the awesome view. We were minutes away from the beach - major plus:) We had a blast (as always)...we shopped, laid out on the beach, sat on the dock & read celeb magazines, laughed our heads off & had lots of girl talk! This was one weekend, we could both somewhat relate to not having our husbands around lol! I am very thankful for her friendship & how she has helped me & kept me busy during this deployment time!
She is almost 6 months prego & I was able to feel her sweet little Layla give me a kick the other night! It was such a neat feeling...I can't imagine how she feels when she feels it!
I'm so excited to meet her - and maybe hubby will be home to meet her as well!
It was so nice to enjoy a fun-filled relaxing weekend! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well!

Mil-Spouse Friday Fill - In

2010-09-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

1. What characteristic about yourself has either been strengthened or weakened due to your experience as a Military Spouse? (from The Albrecht Squad)

-My independence has strengthened, I’ve had to learn to do a lot of things on my own…& my confidence has weakened in the area of having a looming fear – which I’m sure everyone shares that has a spouse overseas, but I try not to let it overtake me!

2.What is your favorite vacation spot and why? (from 'Tis the Life of the Army Wife)

-Any beach – it’s so refreshing & cleansing. I love the peacefulness!

3. If you could have any fast-food restaurant in the food court on base/post what would you pick? (from The Only Pink in a House of Blue)

-I don’t live on a base/post but if I did I would request a Chick Fil A

4. Where did you go on your honeymoon? (from Pennies from Heaven)

-We went to St. Lucia – it was awesome!!!

5. If you could have any job in the world regardless of money, degree or experience, which job would you have and why? (from Proud to Be a Navy Family and The Calm Before The Storm)

-I would be a photographer because I love pictures & capturing life’s moments

Blog Award

2010-09-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been awarded this wonderful blog award by Newlywed & Deployed - Thank You so much...I enjoy reading your blog & your adventures of deployment:)
She is new to blog world & her husband is also deployed, so go check out her page & show her some love!!!!

On to the rules for accepting this award...

1. Accept the award. Post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2. Pay it forward to 5 other bloggers that you have newly discovered.

3. Contact those blog owners and let them know they've been chosen

Here are the 5 other bloggers that I would like to share this award with: (If you'd like to start following there pages, you can get there from my page:) )

1. A Blog A Day While You're Away

2. A Personal Look into My Life as GI Joe's Wife

3. Head in the game. Heart in the sand.

4. The Year After

5. Cause I don't know how it gets better than this

5 years ago...that's where it all started!

2010-09-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

5 years ago as of yesterday I met my best friend & we decided to start our journey together. It doesn't seem like we have been together that long, but we have & it has been an amazing 5 year journey. We have had good times & bad times, happy times & sad times...but during all of those times we have shared a love that no one else is able to comprehend! I am so thrilled to have my best friend as my husband now (almost 2 years)! Life with him makes perfect sense! And here's to many more :)

Friday Fill-In

2010-09-17T19:53:00.001-07:00

*sorry if these are short & sweet...I've had a long day & ready to hit the bed*

1. How do you spend your deployment money, do you save, pay off bills or enjoy the extra money while it is there to buy the things you do not normally have?
- This deployment (our first) we decided to save & just use my money in order to buy a house & maybe a new truck for hubby

2. If you could relive one occasion or moment, what would it be?
- Our 1 yr anniversary...not because it was spectacular, but because we weren't together then because of deployment, so I wish we could go back & enjoy it together!!! ( we did celebrate before he left though)

3. What's the worst job you ever had & if it was so bad why did you take it?
- This is my 2nd job ever & I have to say both of my jobs have been pretty awesome

4. If you could play any character on TV, who would you be?
- Roxy off of Army Wives, she's such a care-free genuine person who has a heart of gold

5. If you could become the world's expert in something what would it be?
- A cure for cancer

*Have a great weekend:)*

Back in action

2010-09-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

So, hubby's little adventure of silence only ended up lasting 7 days instead of the expected! (Long enough for me) I was so happy to hear his voice yesterday, it was music to my ears... AND not only did I hear his sweet voice, we got to skype for a few minutes (*sigh*)...how you might ask since the last time me & hubby skyped was on his way home for R&R in another country?!?!?! Because, after almost 9 full months of deployment, hubby's base decides to get wireless internet!!! No complaining here, even though it has taken a little while... I'm happy for it! So, we have been chatting, skyping, & talking on the phone! I'm so ready for that man to be home! We don't have too much longer, but it's long enough!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!!

*Cheers to 100 posts*

Oops!!!

2010-09-11T15:57:00.001-07:00

*I forgot to do this yesterday, but here are the questions & my answers*

1. Do you set goals for yourself during deployment?
- Yes & No...I have only set a few, i.e. stay busy as I can, read several books, & get some bills paid off - I should have made it a priority to learn something new this year, but I didn't! I wish I would have now!

2. What would you say to someone dating a military guy or gal?
- I would say...From my part-time experience, as anything in life the Military has it's pros & cons, you have to take it as it comes & be able to deal. It's not the easiest of lifestyles at times, but you do reap the benefits! And, it teaches you how to be a STRONGER person! But, even as much as you "know what you're getting into" it's still hard to be away from the one you love!

3. If you have children, how do you prepare them to move to a new place?
- I don't have children & if the time comes I will look for the advice as well

4. Name one hobby that gets you through the alone time?
- Reading, blogging & journaling (yes more than one)

5. What's the one food you don't ever get tired of?
- (2) Italian or Mexican:)

Always Remember.....

2010-09-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

On this day, let us remember the lives that were taken & the families who lost! As Americans we should never forget!
In Memory of 9/11

Hello....

2010-09-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

*Just wanted to say "Hello" to all of my new followers! I love having my numbers increase as I am fairly new to the blog world! I hope all of you enjoy blogging as much as I do, even though I don't get the time everyday! But, I love reading all of your's!!! - Thanks for following!!!*

Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend! I did, I started mine out by getting together with my 2 favorite & only girl cousins for some much needed girl time & shopping! We have such a fabulous time together with all the catching up & laughing that we do. Thinking about it now, this time was a special cousin weekend...this past weekend will probably be the last time for a while that we 3 get together again, as my cousin April is a new wife of the Military & her and her hubby will be PCSing to Hawaii! But, maybe we will just have to have a cousin reunion there at her place on the beautiful Hawaiian island!!! Sounds like an idea:) But, it was so much fun as always! I love those girls!!!
Then Labor Day, me & the family spent the day at the beach!!! It was wonderful! I enjoyed my weekend, but of course it would have been more awesome if hubby was home. Hubby is out of contact with me for quite some time, so please remember him in your thoughts as well as me as we go through this time...after I bragged on Friday in my Mil-Spouse fill in about him being the best communicator, well the Army just had to test him lol. But, we'll get through it!!!
Anyway, I'll leave you with a pic of my & my bestest cuz's!!!!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

2010-09-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

1. What is a weird/funny superstition that you have?
Don't open an umbrella inside, it brings bad luck...

2. What are your hopes & dreams for the years AFTER the military? After all, we aren't in it forever!
Settle down & raise our babies & travel the world

3. Since [this] month is National Apple Month (no really!), I'd probably ask: What is your yummiest apple recipe?
I've never made my own recipe of it, but my grandmother made some awesome apple turnovers

4. How long have you gone as a military spouse without talking to your husband/wife during service?
Well, I will have to say my hubby is pretty awesome at communication...if there is a way, he will find it:) So, the longest we have gone is 4-5 days!!! *I love that about him*

5. I occasionally watch "When I was 17" ...on MTV. So, what was something that was significant about your 17th year of your life?
I finally broke up with a very controlling boyfriend & started enjoying my life again hanging out with all my friends...I'm so glad they were still there for me!!!

I Want It Wednesday....

2010-09-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

To be together again!!!! *I know this deployment is getting shorter & shorter, but I'm ready for him to be home already*

Month 8 in Review

2010-08-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

August is now finished & we are heading into September...look at the time fly. Praying that it keeps flying by:)

Month 8 in Review:

- Read "A Time to Embrace" - Karen Kingsbury

- Got new highlights to make my hair blonder

- Took care of getting hubby's Jeep inspected/tags

- Celebrated Dad's 50th Birthday

- Friend had her baby 8-14-2010 *Baby Lauren*

- Had several girl's nights

- Started a new devotional by Beth Moore

- Started reading "The Ocean Between Us" - Susan Wiggs

- Hubby's week of no communication only turned into 4 days:)

- Best friend found out she is having a GIRL!!!!

- Decided to come off birth control

- Made goal to have 2 extra bills paid off before hubby comes home

- Found out my cuz & her hubby are PCSing to Hawaii:) *Vacation = near future;)*

- Sent hubby several letters/care packages

- Grandad went into hospital for heart surgery

- Season Finale of Army Wives

- Watched several movies: "Valentines Day", "Switch", "Bond of Silence" & "The Perfect Murder"

- Met a new Army wife & her family

- MIL got engaged

- House hunting

- Donut of Misery is down to 32.94% - now if only that will come true:) Of course, we never know......

Bring on September...I'm ready for the Fall!!!!

Mil Spouse Friday Fill-In

2010-08-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

1. What secret indulgence do you act on while your spouse is away? - Watching reality TV shows & Lifetime movies that he normally wouldn't watch with me

2. If you were a spice, what would you be? - Cinnamon....sweet & savoury:)

3. Where do you go for support when your significant other is deployed? - I would have to say I get the most support from my blog world, it's a little difficult with hubby being Reserve & all to have in touch support with others - plus this deployment is new to a lot of us & most of my bloggers have great experience & advice! If it wasn't for the blogs that I follow, it would be harder for me to get through this! *So thank you*

4. What is the oldest thing you own? - Probably my grandmother's wedding rings!!

5. How did you vision your future pre-military? - Me & hubby were just talking about this the other day...I always dreamed of getting married right out of high school & having babies soon after & being a stay at home mom. That's all I wanted, I was never career minded. All I wanted was a husband & children...that would be my life! But, that didn't happen. I met hubby a year after I graduated & we dated for 3 years before marriage was even in sight for us. Hubby had always talked about the military life. His plan was to go Air Force to be a pilot, then it changed to Coast Guard, and the next thing I know he called me up & told me he had met with an Army Reserve Recruiter. A few weeks later he had signed & was headed to Basic Training in the following 2 months. Now, I was really naive about it all & honestly thought we would get his time done & out deployment free. But, I was very wrong:( Looking back, I would never imagine myself going through this or being able to deal with this - But, I've had to & yes at times it's been the hardest thing I've had to deal with. Thankfully it was early on in our marriage & we didn't have children just yet. But, I can tell I've become stronger from it & it has taught me a lot about myself. I have a new, deeper love for my husband & I'm ready to have him back in my everyday life!!!

Babies, Babies, Babies...Everywhere!!!

2010-08-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

All around me there are babies or pregnancies!!! So many friends that have had babies, having babies, & trying for babies!!! *Makes me have the baby fever* :( But, my best friend found out today she is having a ...................................... GIRL!!!!! Oh how sweet:) No matter what she says, I WILL be Aunt Jessi!!!! I'm so excited for her & her husband! And can't wait to help spoil her!!!! Can't wait to meet her bundle of joy!!!!!!!!

Now, if I could just get my hubby back home for a little bit, then maybe we can start making our own plans to start our little family!!! We shall see;)

Blog Award Time

2010-08-22T10:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Jen over at Mr. and Mrs. Boots for this lovely award. She's new to the blog world & is currently going through a deployment, so check out her page & give her some words of encouragement!!! Ok...so the rules....
1. Thank the person from whom the award came
2. Name 7 interesting things about yourself
3. Pass on to 9 bloggers
4. Let the bloggers know they have an award from you

So, here goes 7 interesting facts:

1. I have the most fun/loving/stubborn dachshund named Charlie

2. I'm married to my best friend

3. I've moved 13 times in my life & I'm not even a military brat (will be 14 once hubby gets back home)

4. I own over 40 pairs of shoes

5. I'm secretly in love w/Ashton Kutcher

6. I want to be a photographer one day

7. I do not like sushi

Now for the tagging part....

*I'm gonna leave this one up to you guys...if you would like to join in...do so....the blog award is yours:)

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

2010-08-20T15:24:00.001-07:00

1.If you could be a fugitive from the law for whatever reason, what would your crime be?

Robbing a bank...it seems like no one ever gets caught!!!

2.How long do you think you will be a military family?

Unless plans drastically change, until hubby's 6 years end.

3.What’s your favorite recipe?

Chicken Rotel and Shrimp & Grits

4.What would you want your last five words to be when you leave this life?

Thank God, I'm nearing heaven!

5.Where do you hope to retire?

Some exotic secluded island, where it's always warm:)

I want it Wenesday...

2010-08-18T18:23:00.000-07:00

This pool to go behind....
This house, with this...
In the driveway....lol!!!!

**P.S. Hubby called today - he got back early...yay!!! *that was my last want - and I GOT it:)*

130 days...

2010-08-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

Until Christmas...WOW!!! How crazy is that...Christmas will be here before we know it & not too long after for several of us Mil spouses, our hubby's will be back from their deployments! Hallelujah!!!

I've started reading "The Ocean Between Us" & I am thoroughly enjoying it so far:)

I've made it 4 out of the 7 days so far w/ no communication from hubby & will hopefully hear from him again in 3:)

I don't know what it is these days, but I've come upon a blog block....for some reason I can't think of anything to blog about right now...so yes it's random & probably boring.

Anyway....can't wait for next week's season finale of Army Wives - it looks very intense!!!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend...I must go take care of a sick dog (again):(

Really??? I have to do that???

2010-08-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true...I HAVE to go through next week with absolutely no communication from my husband! Do you know how bad that is going to suck!!!! I don't even want to think about it. But, it will all be ok...I'll just keep myself busy & pray for his safety! I already feel a tad bit out of sync with my husband being that he's so far away & now I'm really going to be out of touch for a while. I know, some of you think a week...wow that's not so hard. But, well to me it is! Thankfully I have never had to go that long without some form of communication this whole deployment & I guess that's why I'm freaking out just a little. I mean, ok Army you can take my husband away for a whole year (if you must), but PLEASE don't take our communication away!!! I mean...HELLO!!!! Anyway, enough about that....I will make it I'm sure...I'm just throwing my own pity party!!!!

Now, for Mil Spouse Friday Fill In:

1. What is ONE thing you'd like civilians to understand about being a military family?
- Deployments & how hard they are at times...it's no comparison to a trip/vacation away from your spouse for a week to a month. And it's A LOT of sacrifice!!!!

2. What is your favorite mistake?
- I am at a loss for this one...I don't know!

3. What indulgence could you give up for a year?
- Well, being that I already gave up my husband not by choice...let's see....soft drinks!!

4. If you could be a winged animal, what would you be?
- An eagle...despite all of it's glory...they stay with there one mate til death!

5. What is one question you would like to see asked in a future MFF?
- Where is the worst place you've ever been stationed at?

Mrs. Z's Field of Dreams

Birth Story

She's HERE....

40 weeks & 5 days

Average size or bigger?

Still here...

Late pictures

Since I've been gone...

29 weeks & 4d ultrasound

Another Little Angel gained in Heaven

26 & 27 week belly pics & about baby

How your baby's growing:

Maternity Pictures

25 weeks

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

22-24 week belly shots

Update on Baby Girl

Sorry it's been a while...

19, 20, & 21 weeks

18 week belly pic

Thank You Lord

17 weeks

15 & 16 week pics

Last 3 weeks of belly pics:)

Life can end in an instant...

13 weeks tomorrow

11 weeks

Baby Z & The Belly Bump

Our Little Miracle of Life

Not Sure

Guess What?!?!?!?!

Back to the Norm

God Bless the USA

Happy Easter

Because I can't wait....

Deprived

The Deal is Sealed!!!

I will never understand....

Apologies

Season Premier

House Hunt Complete

If everything goes accordingly...

Late Valentine's Day Post

Sleep Deprived

Stressed.....

Looking Back

Catch up Blog!!!!

Please don't forget about me....

Well....

Goodbye 2010

Just an ordinary day

Merry Christmas!!!!

Again....

Wordless Wednesday

Hope Flushed....

Flashback Friday

Way too long...

Month 11 in Review

I know, I know

Thanksgiving...

He makes me *smile*

Proposal Story...

Check this out...

Thank You

Today....

Keep those prayers coming...

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

I hate this feeling....

Month 10 in Review

Welcoming in November:)

300 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Award Time - Check to see if you were tagged!

Wordless Wednesday...Almost

Feeling Festive

Mental Health/ Care Packages

Friday Fill-In

Ideas?!??!?!

"I'm Proud of You"

Mil-Spouse Friday Fill-In

October....a new month

He makes me smile