Saturday, December 26, 2009

Hope everyone had a good Christmas! Ours didn't start out too great.. J was able to call me around 12 AM Christmas morning and I made the mistake of asking about the extension. He didn't want to tell me because he knew it would ruin my Christmas, but he received the official word the day before. So, I can now tell you that he is definitely being extended two more months. We are trying our best to stay positive in the midst of this disappointment, but it's not easy.


After opening all my Christmas presents I couldn't help but laugh a little.. I received a bunch of spa type things to help me relax, and even a gift certificate for a massage. Someone obviously knew I would be needing those things to help me deal with this disappointing news. Some may say it was just a coincidence, but in my heart I know better.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

"I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone!
The Savioryes, the Messiah, the Lordhas been born tonight in Bethlehem!" (Luke 2:10-11)



Merry Christmas!

* Christmas 2007 *
Our first Christmas actually together because the year before he was in Iraq..
We were also weeks away from becoming husband & wife!


* Christmas 2008 *
Our first Christmas as a married couple!



* Christmas 2009 *
The tree is up, and all the gifts are wrapped..
The only thing missing is him by my side..

My Christmas Wish for You….

..is that you will have a warm, cozy, and joyful Christmas day with the ones you love! May the love of Christ fill your hearts and homes... May your New Year be filled with peace and good health. Hope you have a VERY Merry Christmas!

[Ignorant] Things People Say -- Part 1

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

"Well you don't have to worry because he is just a Seabee so he won't be in harms way."

REALLY? I guess the fact that he is in a WAR ZONE and having to carry a gun around 24/7 is not a big deal since he is JUST a Seabee. Get real people! A war zone is a war zone, and there is always a chance that something bad could happen even if they never leave the "safety" of the base.


"I know being separated from your husband by war has to suck, but look at it this way at least you have someone to spend time with when he comes home--unlike some people." {She was referring to single people, like herself.}

Actually you don't know. You have no idea what it's like to watch your husband walk away, never knowing if the kiss you just shared will be the last. You have no idea what it's like to be terrified each time the doorbell rings. You have no idea what it's like to hear gun fire and bombs going off half way through a 15 minute phone with your husband.. while he keeps talking, completely ignoring your worried concern so you don't freak out. You have no idea what it's like to lose sleep [wondering if he is alive] because you haven't heard from him in weeks. All those things have taught me to never take the time I get to spend with him for granted. I will be VERY thankful when he comes home to me. But do me a favor and don't pretend to know what we go through.. If you had a spend a day in my shoes you would realize that is far more than just "sucks." Oh, and maybe you wouldn't be single if you signed off MS and FB every once in a while and actually became social (you know, that thing you use to do before social networking on the Internet took over) with people face to face.

The Perfect Military Spouse Care Package

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Today's topic: "After all of the packages you’ve packed for your husband, wouldn’t it be nice if someone mailed you a care package? What would be in it? Today we’re asking you to write about your dream care package you would love to receive in the mail for yourself – no expense spared, but it has to fit in a flat rate box. (Sorry, you can’t fit your husband in a flat rate box! )"

  • A phone number to a good handy man that will always be willing to help me when the evil deployment gremlins strike! {Everything seems to break when you're husband leaves.. ask any mil spouse!}
  • A card with a few encouraging words written on it
  • Bubble bath, a bath pillow, and aromatherapy candles to help me relax
  • Comedy movies to help me laugh on the days when I'm having the deployment blues
  • Chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate!
  • A gift card to a spa for a day of pampering
  • Nail polish
  • Comfy pajamas
  • A journal
  • Tickets to a fun event
  • A gift card to Marble Slab

What I Want for Christmas This Year

Sunday, December 20, 2009

a Kate Spade handbag, a new CHI flat iron, Gilles Marini's 2010 calendar, Starfish necklace from Stella & Dot, tennis racquets, board games, Circle E Candles, pajamas, nail polish, iRobot Roomba Vacuum Robot, a gift certificate to a luxurious spa, John Mayer's new CD, a fancy new camera....

..All those things would be nice, but what I really want need is a Christmas (and New Year!) filled with PEACE and JOY. GOOD HEALTH would be a big + too!

Tired of Being Alone

Saturday, December 19, 2009

I didn't participate in the blog carnival yesterday because I was having one of "those" days. I doubt I will participate in it today either. Sorry to those of you that are following along with it.. I'm planning to join back in on the fun tomorrow though.


I have a ton of stuff I should be doing right now but instead I'm sitting here on the couch in my pajamas.. listening to some tunes from John M@yer (his new CD is at the top of my Christmas list), and wishing I had white chocolate + almond ice cream. It's my cure for the blues I suppose. Today it's not working as well as it usually does though... Maybe it's just PMS, but all I feel like doing is crying. It's making me feel weak. I hate that. I hate how deployment (and PMS.. ha) makes me feel crazy--one day I'm fine/feeling stronger than ever and then the next day I'm a huge mess.

Oh, and the stress of a possible extension and our upcoming PCS is not helping my mood much either. I went to an FRG meeting/holiday party at the beginning of the week and a chief talked to us about the extension. He couldn't give us many details but he told us they are preparing just in case it gets approved and we should do the same. They are hoping to have an official yes or no sometime next week. I thought I was handling it well until I went to that meeting. It became real to me I guess. =\

Have I ever mentioned that I stress way too much?? I guess it's obvious huh? J is constantly telling me to just relax because everything will work out in the end.. even if it doesn't happen [perfectly] the way I want, we will manage/survive.. we always do. He has a point, but usually when someone tells me not to stress I just stress more! haha


Okay, I feel better since I was able to vent. Sorry if this blog was all over the place though! It's now time for me to pick myself up and get going.. I'm still not finished with my Christmas shopping! Eeek!

* P.S. -- If you're looking for a great new blog to read, check out Semper Fi: Life of a USMC Girlfriend! I've really enjoyed reading her posts. Sometimes I feel like I'm reading my own journal because I can relate to so much that she shares.

All You Need

Thursday, December 17, 2009

This made my day, and I hope it does the same for you!! ;)


[On December 7th, 2009 at 1:30pm GMT Starbucks invited musicians from all over the world to sing together at the same time to raise awareness for AIDS in Africa. In that one breathtaking moment, musicians from 156 countries played "All You Need is Love" together. Watch now, as musicians from all around the world come together and share a song.]

My Funniest Christmas Memory

When I was growing up every year on Christmas Eve my mom's side of the family would get together and exchange gifts. One year (when I was 12 or 13) we had the party at my aunt's house, and everyone thought it would be fun to watch old home videos from our past Christmases. It was hilarious seeing everyone dressed in their best late 80's & early 90's outfits--mullets and crazy perms included. The best video of the night though involved a few of my older cousins dancing and singing to Milli Vanilli's "Girl You Know It's True," and a 3 or 4 year old Karren (me) sitting on the couch watching them & picking her nose! My uncle recorded the video and he would slowly move away from the boys dancing so I wouldn't notice that he was catching me dig for gold... but when I did notice that he was looking I would freeze up and slowly move my eyes towards him to see if he was still looking at me. It was too funny!! I of course was embarrassed for a minute but it had everyone rolling on the floor from laughing so hard!


*For other funny Christmas memories, visit Wives of Faith.

You Might Be a Military Spouse at Christmas Time If You….

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  • have a yellow ribbon on your front door instead of a Christmas wreath.
  • plan on keeping your tree up 2 months after Christmas just so you can celebrate with your husband when he returns home.
  • skip holiday parties so you don't have to explain to people why your husband isn't there.
  • drive around town looking at Christmas lights and cry the whole time because you wish your husband was there with you.
  • have to fight the urge to cry every time you are in a store that is playing sad Christmas music (i.e., "Blue Christmas" "I'll Be Home For Christmas" "All I Want For Christmas is You")
  • sit & stare at the beautiful tree in your living room and feel selfish because your husband is in a war zone with only a tiny, cheap fiber optic tree that you mailed him.
  • think getting a 15 minute phone call from your husband is better than any gift under the tree.
  • promise your husband that you won't check the bank statements to see where he ordered your present. ;)

*For more “You Might Be a Military Spouse” thoughts, go here.

The Best Christmas Present I Ever Received

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

..was a phone call from my handsome Seabee while he was deployed to Iraq during our first Christmas together as a couple. :) He also got me a laptop and a [hot pink] iPod that year.. but hearing his voice was better than any present under a tree!


*To read about other gifts, go here

Monday, December 14, 2009

I'm skipping the blog carnival today. Today's topic is The Best Christmas Present I Ever Gave and I've been having a hard time deciding what to write for it. I love to give presents to everyone & their momma (ha..) but how am I suppose to know which present was the best? Today's topic just seems weird to me. I will join in again tomorrow though!


P.S. -- Can you believe Christmas is NEXT WEEK???

My Favorite Christmas Recipe

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Today's topic for the Wives of Faith TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BLOG CARNIVAL is My Favorite Christmas Recipe.

I rarely ever cook, but when I do I like meals that are quick and easy. The recipe I'm going to share is super easy, and it always a hit at holiday parties!


Sausage Rotel Dip

Ingredients:

1 package Jimmy Dean Sausage

1 package (16 ounce) cream cheese

1 can Rotel, with liquid drained out


DIRECTIONS:
1. Brown sausage in skillet; drain excess grease.
2. Add cream cheese and cook over medium heat until melted.
3. Add Rotel and mix well.
4. Serve warm with chips or french bread.

Good News, Bad News

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Good News: J will be able to transfer in 2010.

At the beginning of the week J looked at his orders only to realize they said he was suppose to transfer in 2011 instead of 2010 like we thought. He has already been extended in the battalion longer than he is technically "suppose" to so he knew there had to be a mistake. Turns out it was just a typo! It was a huge relief because otherwise he would have to deploy again!


Bad News: Deployment might be extended.

J called this morning and freaked me out.. The first thing he said was "I need you to be strong for me ok." My first thought was something bad happened to him. Thankfully it wasn't anything too serious, but it's still nothing I wanted to hear. He received a warning order that deployment may be extended a couple months. He called me as soon as he found out because he didn't want me to read about it on the Internet. (I guess the rumors were posted all over FB and a bunch of wives unfortunately had to find out that way.) He was expecting me to be super upset.. and honestly I'm still surprised I didn't flip out.. but I just had a peace in that moment that I cannot & probably will never be able to explain. I do know where the peace is coming from though, and I'm so thankful for it Him! I guess it's just proof that God has definitely been doing a work in my heart lately.. because I won't lie, normally I would be very upset and I might even say a few mean things to my husband. (Hey, I never said I was perfect!) Yes it sucks that I will have to wait a few more months, but getting upset & crying about it won't change anything. All I can do is put my big girl panties on and deal with it.


Good News: J was able to choose his next duty station.

It's not official until he gets the orders in his hand, but so far it's pretty much a sealed deal.


Bad News: Moving away from home to be with your husband sometimes makes you the bad guy with your family & friends.

We will be moving very far away this summer. I'm nervous but excited. I will have to get on a airplane for the very first time, and I'm not too excited about it! To make it worse, when I told the one person that I needed to encourage me and be excited with me, I got a cold shoulder + a "well, it's been nice knowing ya." It hurt more than words could ever say. I couldn't believe the one person that is always preaching about submitting to your husbands was actually making me feel selfish for it!

* Mil wives -- how did you deal with your first big move? How did your family and friends react when you told them you were going to be very far away? Did you have friends try to make you feel like crap for being excited to move away with your husband? Did they list all the bad qualities about where you would be moving? If so, what was your response?

My Favorite Christmas Song

{I'm participating in the Wives of Faith TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BLOG CARNIVAL! It starts today and will last through December 24. It's a great way to meet fellow military wives, and if you participate you have a chance to win some really awesome gifts! So, if you are a military wife and you would like to join in on the fun, go here for more info.}


I love Christmas music so much that I always have a tough time choosing just one favorite! In a previous post I was able to narrow it down to three that I really like.. Well, I've been trying my best to choose just one favorite for this post but I still can't decide which one is better than the other! So I'm going to cheat a little and list three [more] favorites instead of just one. ;) OH! & since this blog carnival is aimed at military wives I thought it would be fun to add only my three favorite deployment Christmas songs.

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Sending You A Little Christmas" by Jim Brickman & Kristy Starling

and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Rascal Flatts



[Go here to check out the other military wives that are joining in on today's "Favorite Christmas Song" fun!]

Four Months Down!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

We only have two more months of this horrible deployment to survive!! * Wooo hoooo! * I'm excited and very relieved to finally see the end of this beast in sight. I have to admit though... I'm getting a little nervous about his homecoming. I want things to fall back into place and be exactly how they were before he deployed, but I know it's not always that simple.

. . .

I'm really looking forward to a few big changes that will happen after deployment... One of those changes will be moving to a new duty station! The list of openings should be out soon, so hopefully not too long after that we will know where we will be going! I'm excited about moving somewhere new, but I know I will be hardcore homesick for a while. (I've never been away from my hometown for me than two weeks.) I'm trying to look at it as a blessing though, because he won't have to deploy for three years!! ..and that sounds wonderful to me!!


O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

Friday, December 4, 2009

It's our family tradition to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to put the Christmas tree up.. Well, I couldn't wait so I decided to put it up Thanksgiving night. I went into our storage shed and pulled out the tree we used last year. I was so excited and filled with lots of Christmas cheer.... but all my cheerfulness was completely shattered when I put the tree together. It looked horrible. Not the way I remembered it looking last year. (Then again.. last year my husband was home, and silly things like a Christmas tree didn't mean much to me. I was just happy that he wasn't in a war zone.) I put ornaments on it even though it looked worse than Charlie Brown's tree and decided to just deal with it. A few days went by and I couldn't stand looking at it anymore. It made me feel so depressed. Yes, it was that bad y'all! So, I turned into the Grinch and took the tree down.

While in Grinch mode I thought seriously about just skipping Christmas this year...

..until I was in Kmart one night for toilet paper (just keepin' it real, haha) and I saw a beautiful $200 tree on sale. I could buy it for less than 100 dollars, and if I didn't like it after I put it together I could always bring it back. It sounded like a good deal to me! So I bought it, brought it home and listened to my favorite Christmas CD (Casting Crowns Peace On Earth) while putting it together.

Somewhere in the middle of putting ornaments on the tree I zoned out and completely forgot about making the tree look "perfect." I got lost in the music. I was singing praises to my King and that's all that mattered in that moment. I was reminded of the true meaning of Christmas, and that when you strip away all the tinsel and glitter.. God's real truth shines through.







HOW SWEET IT IS TO BE LOVED BY YOU

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times,
always with the same person” -Mignon McLaughlin

Have I mentioned lately how wonderful and romantic my husband is? No?? Well, he is!! My husband sent me a box of chocolate covered strawberries today.. On the card he wrote "I just thought you would like something as sweet as you are!" ;)

It came at a perfect time too, which completely amazed me! You see, the heat stopped working last night around 7 PM.. this is the third time I've had a problem with the heater. This is a new house so you would think we wouldn't have any problems this soon. & of course last night it just happened to be freezing, and there was also a problem with the housing's answering service so I couldn't get in touch with anyone to fix it. I seriously called for almost two hours, and when I realized I wasn't going to get through I decided to call a few family members. It was basically a waste of time. (If deployment has taught me anything it's that I can't depend on anyone for help--not even family.) I've never felt so alone in my life! It was horrible. I went to bed in crappy mood and woke up feeling even worse. Those yummmmmy strawberries made my whole day much better!! ..even if I was freezing too death while eating them! Ha!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.. but to be honest if I were to blog every single day it would probably just be about me missing my husband. I know y'all don't want to read about that.. and I don't want to come across as whinny, depressed, or weak.. so I avoid posting anything at all.


I did realize the other day that I haven't posted anything about how J is doing over there.. & this seems like a good time to do it since I have nothing better to do I haven't sent his family any updates either. His family reads my blog so I figure this will be the easiest way to update everyone + their momma.

{This is completely off subject but is "everyone & their momma" just a southern expression? My family has always said it--like if we go a store and the parking lot is packed we say "oh my goodness, everyone and their momma is here today!" J thought I was silly when he first heard me say it. haha}

Anyway, J has been doing fine. He hasn't been able to call or email much because the lines have been down alot lately. He only gets one day off to rest (which in my opinion is not enough) and he usually spends that time watching movies or sleeping. He had a good Thanksgiving-if that's even possible over there. A few days before Thanksgiving he attended a free concert where Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band performed. There was also a model there but I can't remember her name. She wasn't too special anyway. Well, according to my husband she wasn't.. but he was probably just telling me that so I wouldn't get jealous. Ha! He said the concert was awesome and definitely boosted the morale. They gave away round-trip plane tickets to a few lucky soldiers to use when they returned home. Unfortunately J didn't get one but it was still very cool of the band to do that. (He took pictures at the show but he hasn't been able to send them to me because the comms are either down or the Internet freezes up.)


Every deployment my husband comes up with something [that in my opinion is crazy] to do.. for instances, alot of the guys have contests to see who can grow the best mustache. {J never wins. Thank ya Jesus!} When he was in Kuwait a bunch of guys shaved their heads.. bald..

He thought it was cool. Me.. not so much.

Well, this deployment he is trying to see how long he can let his hair get before someone says anything to him..
He definitely knows how to make a wife proud. Ha! ;)
 
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