Sweet Gift

I just have to say I have the most wonderful husband. Not just because he spoils me but because he is the sweetest, kindest, supportive and loving man I have ever met. We were talking today and he mentioned how I deserved something special just for him to say thank you for keeping things going at home while he has been gone (apparently my sister had something to do with this lol). He told me I could pick anything I wanted and this is what I chose:

 

 

 

Limited Edition Mint Chip Seatbelt bag!!  

 

When this bag was released on Saturday, I looked at the picture and thought it was really cute. My sister and I were talking today and she mentioned how the two bags released in this collection reminded us so much of our Mom. The other bag in the collection is called Lady Luck: it's black and red plus it has horseshoes, dice, and 4 leaf clovers. Our Mom loved to play video poker and was always lucky when she played (Lisa purchased this bag). I chose this one because Mom loved Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. Every time I carry this it will remind me of her and I will smile.

 

 

Thank you to my amazing husband. I love you so much and can't wait for you to come home!!!

Getting Healthy!

These last few weeks I noticed I was getting extremely tired easily and not feeling that great. I decided that I needed a change. I knew it was time to get healthy and back into shape. Here is what I have been doing to get myself started:

1. Completely cut out soda!! This is a huge deal for me and I am surprised at how easy it has been.

2. Drink no less than 1 gallon of water a day.

3. I take Emma on two 1 mile walks per day (once in the morning and once in the evening).

 She looks at me like this every time..lol...hoping we just turn around and go home.

4. Eating 3 meals a day. This was my biggest problem, I would eat a bunch of little meals but nothing ever substantial. 

I am amazed in just the short time I have been doing this at how great I already feel. I am probably going to add 2-3 days a week going to the gym. Tomorrow I am meeting up with a friend tomorrow (she is training for a huge walk for cancer) and we will be walking 19.5 miles. I love the RunKeeper app on my phone so I can track how I am doing. 

Speaking of walking, I am so incredibly proud of my Dad, my sister Lisa and my niece and nephew for participating in the Relay for Life in Santa Fe Springs, CA in honor of my Mom, Kathy. The event raised a total of $93,000 which is absolutely incredible. I can't wait to participate in this next year.

Besides my big walk tomorrow I have a busy week ahead. I am now part of our Care Team (on top of already being a Key Caller and Treasurer), so I have plenty of meetings for that and our big FRG meeting on Thursday. We are putting together the care packages for our battery, can't wait to get them sent out.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend!!! 

Yay for Fall!!!

I had to post a photo of my exciting purchase from Walmart!!

 I am so excited to add these adorable Scarecrows to my decorations this year!

weekend away

This past weekend I was able to be a part of a deployed spouses retreat at Great Wolf Lodge. I was really looking forward to this trip, an opportunity to meet other wives in the brigade and really getting something out of it. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed. There really was no structure to the weekend, the sessions were unorganized, and had nothing to do with dealing with deployments and how to keep your marriage strong (and keeping yourself sane). Some wives that I encountered were less than friendly (even some from our own unit). I did however make the most of it and enjoy the time I had there. I was able to see my brother-in-law yesterday afternoon at the NHRA race in Charlotte. It was nice to get out and enjoy the races! 

Last week, a group of ladies from our FRG were able to go to the Give 2 The Troops warehouse in Greenville. All I can say is WOW! This facility of absolutely amazing! We got enough food items and toiletries to put together over 150 care packages for the soldiers in our battery. Give 2 The Troops receives donations from many different companies, they allow FRG's to go in a take what they need for care packages. We had two vehicles FULL (I mean to the top) with everything we need. We are having a huge packing night to get these packages ready to go and sent out. Barbara Whitehead is amazing for creating such a wonderful organization.

I am really glad that fall weather is finally here! I love wearing jeans and a comfy hoodie!! This weekend I may get out all my fall decorations. Now if Halloween would get here faster it would be perfect! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!

NEVER FORGET!

I remember this day 10 years ago very clearly. I was a junior in HS and I was sitting at my desk at home watching the news like I did everyday. The first plane had already hit the North Tower and as I watched the coverage I watched the second plane hit the South Tower. I was numb, I was scared and I went into panic mode. I woke my Mom up and we stood in awe watching what was unfolding. I went to school and all of my friends just sat there not knowing what was happening and what else could happen. We then learned of the plane that hit the Pentagon and the plane that crashed in Shanksville, PA.

Looking back on that day I think of all those families who lost loved ones and who are still struggling to heal. My heart breaks for them and I always keep them in my prayers. The situation is very different for me now with being married to someone in the military who is deployed and fighting for our freedom against terrorism. We all have been affected and changed by these events 10 years ago. 

We will never forget those lives lost in the attacks and we will never forget those service men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. 

Thank you to those who continue the fight for our freedom, may you all come home safely!!

Are we done yet?

As I'm typing this I can't believe that Kyle has been gone almost 4 months already! I would have never thought that time would fly by this. Has this deployment been easy? NO. Has it strengthened our relationship? ABSOLUTELY! We both have learned so much about ourselves and each other. We definitely appreciate each other so much more than before. We are still unsure as to how long he will be gone, we are praying that he comes home early (just waiting for a decision from the government, boo!). I think I am to the point where I just want him home and out of harms way.

 We were talking today about our big move coming up next year. We are so excited that in 9 short months we are leaving Bragg. I am so excited to start this new chapter. After he finishes up his schooling in Arizona we are keeping our fingers crossed that we get Fort Carson, CO. His current boss knows a lot of people there and is going to put in a good word for Kyle. It would be wonderful to be close to home and already have friends and family in CO! 

This weekend I plan on getting some much needed yard work done. It has been really hot outside and of course I have no desire to be working in it. Keeping my fingers crossed that the weather agrees with me. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

What I have been up to

Sorry I haven't blogged much lately. I have been thankfully keeping busy (it's not easy when you have no kids and you don't work haha). Last weekend I flew up to Erie, PA to finally meet the rest of Kyle's extended family (on his Mom's side). I had a great time!!! I felt comfortable right away and pretty much laughed the entire weekend. People thought I was really brave for doing this on my own but I am so glad I did. I can't wait to go back. I was glad I picked the weekend I did as I missed out on all the wind and rain of Hurricane Irene. 

I am really excited that summer is coming to a close. Don't get me wrong I love being able to swim and go to the beach but there is something magical about leaves changing, pumpkin patches, and fall. Kyle and I had so much fun last year participating in all the event that Fayetteville puts on. I hope to enjoy it all again this year (even though Kyle isn't here).

I also have been taking different classes through our MWR, mostly FRG related. I have 2 more that I will be taking next week. It's a great way to keep busy and also learn the in's and out's of frg's. In a few weeks I am going up to the Great Wolf Lodge for a deployed spouses retreat. I think it's wonderful that our brigade has put this together and I think it is a wonderful way to meet other spouses in different battalions. 

So far this weekend has been really relaxing for me. I foresee a lot of Netflix watching on top of the watching the NHRA in Indy on TV. I treated myself to an in-home mani/pedi. My sister told me about this awesome nail polish color from OPI and I found it yesterday:

I LOVE IT!!! It is the perfect Army green color and really pretty on.  

I also bought this one:

 It was definitely time I revive my nail polish collection and these two are great additions!

A few posts ago I talked about the break-ins happening on post. Thankfully things have been really quiet as far as that goes. I think everyone in the neighborhood are watching things a little more closely than before. Let's hope it stays quiet and we can get back to feeling safe again.

Kyle is doing well, I am still able to talk to him on a daily basis but we will see how long that lasts. Things are supposed to be changing in the next few weeks for them. As long as I know he is safe that is all I care about. I sent out 2 more packages to him yesterday. I think that brings the total in 3 months to about 14 haha. I love sending them and he loves getting them. So it's a win/win situation.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!