AKA- My 'crunchy' mom side!
In January I decided to invest in a Beco Baby Carrier. Oh what a wonderful thing it is too!! I had been a great fan of the Moby wrap ever since a friend let me borrow hers when Keirnan was a baby, but I had never been fond of it for the boys when they got bigger. So, I finally found a carrier that is easy to use and comfy for both me and baby! Owen loves the Beco as much as I do!
So, after a bit of research and hearing great praises from a couple friends I decided on the Gemini. I even got black so Will would consider wearing Owen also. I still haven't gotten him to yet, though we'll say its do to lack of opportunity! This was the best investment into baby wearing I've ever made, totally worth the money!
I love how easy it is to throw on and adjust. Though I'm a bit small so if I don't have the around the waist part tight enough, that is a bit difficult to pull tighter. I also like that I can cross the straps over my back and its a front and back carrier as well as having the ability to shorten the area between baby's legs/ under his butt for while he is still smaller! So, there is my plug for my Beco.
The other thing I started doing the past month or two is Bountiful Basket. Its a food co-op that is nationwide and a friend in Colorado has been telling me about it for a year now. Well, I finally remembered at the right time of the month and got in on it. $15 gets me a basket of about 50% fruits and 50% veggies. I don't get to pick what comes in my basket, so its like Christmas with food every 2 weeks! Its really opened up my eyes and is forcing me out of my food comfort zone. (Considering I don't really eat veggies, this is major!!)
This last week's basket had a bunch of bananas, apples and clementines, (no problem getting rid of those in this house) as well as a pack of mushrooms, a pineapple, a few avocados and a huge amount of peppers. So, tonight once Will gets home I'll be making some guacamole and some jalapeno hot sauce! Oh, there was a bunch of spinach in there also. I added some into our salads the other night and made my first 'green' smoothie yesterday. All a success, and the boys and I downed that smoothie so fast!
Finally, a friend made her baby homemade baby food and it sounded so easy. I figured I'd try it also. It was very easy, but Owen wasn't impressed. I don't have the right stuff to store it all so, a lot ended up going to waste. Thank goodness it was cheap and I had a coupon! (But then, that was part of why I picked those foods for a first try!) So, before I attempt it again, I need to get some containers to store/freeze it all and wait until Owen is eating more that a tablespoon or two at a time! In the meantime, I had a coupon from Gerber, so that will do for now! Hey, nobody is perfect!!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Reflections
I haven't posted much the past couple months and what I have has been pretty inconsequential. The reason for this is so much has happened that has really thrown us off. I'll start at the very beginning, after all its a very good place to start. For the privacy of the families, I am not giving full names, if any. This is what this past few months looked like through my eyes, my personal recollections of a difficult time for my family and people I've come to care deeply about. I have left a lot out either because it doesn't factor into my feelings and thoughts, or because I won't 'stir up trouble.'
We came to Ft. Riley in June of 2010. Will's unit deployed that Fall and came home a year later. While deployed, Will took the job of Platoon Sergeant. Since then he has had many guys come and go. There are a handful still here who deployed with him, but even the 'new' guys aren't really very new. These guys are tight, close friends. Will is the platoon 'Dad.'
When it comes to his job, my husband has one fault. (If you'd call it that.) He simply cares too much. He has come to care for his soldiers and their families. Last summer one of his guys got into some trouble and he was so upset (not mad) that the guy didn't feel he could come to Will for help. That's how he is, its how we are. I am not the typical NCO wife either, I care also. I try to stay out of my husband's career- its his, not mine. But this is our life, and I am a part of that. When Will talks about his guys, I listen and through his stories (good and bad) I get to know the guys. I am always telling the guys that I would rather the phone ring at 2am because they need a ride home from the bar than because they didn't think they needed one and got into trouble, or worse. Some of the guys believe me, probably more after it was tested and they found the worst they get from either of us is a good teasing! Some of the guys I know better than others. Some I know their name and some of their antics, but wouldn't know them on sight. Some I know on sight, but for the life of me can never place the name to their face! I have been one of the co-FRG Leaders since last summer, and have met many of the wives. (I can usually place the families to the guys.) We are a family.
The guys went to NTC in February. They were barely halfway through the month when there was an accident. We got an email through the FRG saying a soldier had been injured. After 10 years as an Army wife, I told myself the practical- if it had been my husband, I would know by now. I also talked myself into believing it wasn't anyone we knew, it had to be from a different troop. The next day proved to be very long. I heard from one of the wives saying it was on facebook that it was one of Will's guys and that he had died. I almost immediately heard the same from another wife. I assured both wives that we would have heard if he had died and it had not been put out who the soldier was.
Part of taking the FRG leader position is taking a training class that discusses how to handle these events- the dreaded rumors. I immediately called up the FRG chain and, somewhat shaky, asked what was going on and why was there anything on Facebook. After a lot of run around it was confirmed the next morning, my husband had lost one of his soldiers, one of his boys. I was heartbroken.
Will has served for 22 years, been through multiple deployments and never lost anyone. I guess looking at the odds, it had to happen. It was painful. The guys still had over a week in 'the box' with no phones. How is my husband doing, how are the guys doing? Who is there for them when they don't have their wives to stand behind them? And the obvious, what happened? I spent a lot of time on the phone and on the computer with many of the wives. We pulled together. The ladies were amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better group of ladies. Any rumors picked up were immediately sent to us to handle. They didn't freak out, they accepted that we were telling the truth and didn't know anymore than we were telling them. (From some of the other FRGs I think that wasn't the case with their wives.) It didn't hit close to home, it hit us straight through the heart.
In the middle of dealing with the loss of one of our own, we were hit with a second. Another one of the guys lost his newborn son. The guys couldn't even be there for their 'brother.' They were still out of touch with home. So my co-FRG leader and I went into double time, what can we do to support this family also. (There wasn't much we could do for them as they were out of state.) How do you deal with so much loss in so short of a time? Well, for me- you don't.
I got sick, that nebulous overall, just not feeling right sick. I went to the doctor and while he had me get a blood panel done, he didn't do well hiding that he thought I might be depressed. I'm not suicidal and I don't hate my life, how am I depressed? Maybe I was, one night a few weeks ago I yelled at Will as I have only one other time in our marriage. After we'd calmed down, we talked. And Will asked me a question I hadn't even asked myself. How was I handling it all? I broke down and got it all out. Maybe I was depressed. A day or two later I had a follow up with the Dr and by then I was already starting to feel better again. Nothing else changed, I just uncorked a very shaken bottle.
After the guys got home from NTC, a good portion of the troop flew out to Bobby's funeral. His family paid for them to go out there for a couple days to morn his loss and celebrate his life. Being guys, of course I got nominated to call the family contact and get their flight information. (And how can I not think of these guys as my family!?) I made a new friend that day. I will be forever grateful to his family for doing that, for understanding that the guys needed to say goodbye also.
When they came back the entire troop threw themselves into preparing for his memorial service here, I did too. (How could I not.) When Bobby's family got here, we wanted to make sure they were well taken care of. Sitting with the guys at the memorial was heart wrenching. I just wanted to take their pain away. After the service I got to meet Bobby's family. They were amazing and it was such an honor to meet and get to know each of them those couple days.
So, today as I write this Will is out with the guys. Monday he moves on to a new job. Its the way of the Army. I'd say we're closing this chapter, but as long as we're still in Kansas I don't think this part of our life will truly close. I'll close this out with a song that is hauntingly accurate in how we remember those we've lost. We each have that one special thing that helps us get through the hard times. Lee Brice, I Drive Your Truck.
We came to Ft. Riley in June of 2010. Will's unit deployed that Fall and came home a year later. While deployed, Will took the job of Platoon Sergeant. Since then he has had many guys come and go. There are a handful still here who deployed with him, but even the 'new' guys aren't really very new. These guys are tight, close friends. Will is the platoon 'Dad.'
When it comes to his job, my husband has one fault. (If you'd call it that.) He simply cares too much. He has come to care for his soldiers and their families. Last summer one of his guys got into some trouble and he was so upset (not mad) that the guy didn't feel he could come to Will for help. That's how he is, its how we are. I am not the typical NCO wife either, I care also. I try to stay out of my husband's career- its his, not mine. But this is our life, and I am a part of that. When Will talks about his guys, I listen and through his stories (good and bad) I get to know the guys. I am always telling the guys that I would rather the phone ring at 2am because they need a ride home from the bar than because they didn't think they needed one and got into trouble, or worse. Some of the guys believe me, probably more after it was tested and they found the worst they get from either of us is a good teasing! Some of the guys I know better than others. Some I know their name and some of their antics, but wouldn't know them on sight. Some I know on sight, but for the life of me can never place the name to their face! I have been one of the co-FRG Leaders since last summer, and have met many of the wives. (I can usually place the families to the guys.) We are a family.
The guys went to NTC in February. They were barely halfway through the month when there was an accident. We got an email through the FRG saying a soldier had been injured. After 10 years as an Army wife, I told myself the practical- if it had been my husband, I would know by now. I also talked myself into believing it wasn't anyone we knew, it had to be from a different troop. The next day proved to be very long. I heard from one of the wives saying it was on facebook that it was one of Will's guys and that he had died. I almost immediately heard the same from another wife. I assured both wives that we would have heard if he had died and it had not been put out who the soldier was.
Part of taking the FRG leader position is taking a training class that discusses how to handle these events- the dreaded rumors. I immediately called up the FRG chain and, somewhat shaky, asked what was going on and why was there anything on Facebook. After a lot of run around it was confirmed the next morning, my husband had lost one of his soldiers, one of his boys. I was heartbroken.
Will has served for 22 years, been through multiple deployments and never lost anyone. I guess looking at the odds, it had to happen. It was painful. The guys still had over a week in 'the box' with no phones. How is my husband doing, how are the guys doing? Who is there for them when they don't have their wives to stand behind them? And the obvious, what happened? I spent a lot of time on the phone and on the computer with many of the wives. We pulled together. The ladies were amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better group of ladies. Any rumors picked up were immediately sent to us to handle. They didn't freak out, they accepted that we were telling the truth and didn't know anymore than we were telling them. (From some of the other FRGs I think that wasn't the case with their wives.) It didn't hit close to home, it hit us straight through the heart.
In the middle of dealing with the loss of one of our own, we were hit with a second. Another one of the guys lost his newborn son. The guys couldn't even be there for their 'brother.' They were still out of touch with home. So my co-FRG leader and I went into double time, what can we do to support this family also. (There wasn't much we could do for them as they were out of state.) How do you deal with so much loss in so short of a time? Well, for me- you don't.
I got sick, that nebulous overall, just not feeling right sick. I went to the doctor and while he had me get a blood panel done, he didn't do well hiding that he thought I might be depressed. I'm not suicidal and I don't hate my life, how am I depressed? Maybe I was, one night a few weeks ago I yelled at Will as I have only one other time in our marriage. After we'd calmed down, we talked. And Will asked me a question I hadn't even asked myself. How was I handling it all? I broke down and got it all out. Maybe I was depressed. A day or two later I had a follow up with the Dr and by then I was already starting to feel better again. Nothing else changed, I just uncorked a very shaken bottle.
After the guys got home from NTC, a good portion of the troop flew out to Bobby's funeral. His family paid for them to go out there for a couple days to morn his loss and celebrate his life. Being guys, of course I got nominated to call the family contact and get their flight information. (And how can I not think of these guys as my family!?) I made a new friend that day. I will be forever grateful to his family for doing that, for understanding that the guys needed to say goodbye also.
When they came back the entire troop threw themselves into preparing for his memorial service here, I did too. (How could I not.) When Bobby's family got here, we wanted to make sure they were well taken care of. Sitting with the guys at the memorial was heart wrenching. I just wanted to take their pain away. After the service I got to meet Bobby's family. They were amazing and it was such an honor to meet and get to know each of them those couple days.
So, today as I write this Will is out with the guys. Monday he moves on to a new job. Its the way of the Army. I'd say we're closing this chapter, but as long as we're still in Kansas I don't think this part of our life will truly close. I'll close this out with a song that is hauntingly accurate in how we remember those we've lost. We each have that one special thing that helps us get through the hard times. Lee Brice, I Drive Your Truck.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Rockin' Body to TurboFire
A year ago tomorrow I started Rockin' Body and found a love for the BeachBody programs. What a year its been too! In the one month I did Rockin' Body I met my goals and felt fabulous about myself afterwards. You can go back and read my end of the program post from Feb. 13, 2012.
Not long after finishing it, we got pregnant and I had every intention of keeping up the exercising through this past year. I knew I had lucked out on the first 2 pregnancies in not gaining a lot, but with getting in shape before this one I also knew I probably wouldn't be so lucky to lose a good 10lbs at the beginning! I was right. I gained 25-30 lbs this pregnancy as opposed to the 10 and 15lbs, respectively, for the first two! I'm sure I wouldn't have gained so much weight if I hadn't been on and off pelvic rest this entire pregnancy also. I did manage to do two 5Ks this past year though! (St. Patty's Day and Fourth of July)
So, now I have a wonderful new wardrobe I need to get myself back into! At my 6 week postpartum appointment I was 132lbs, so I'll be using that as my starting weight since I don't have a scale in our house! My pre-pregnancy weight was 120lbs. and that's what I want to get back too. (I've already lost 20lbs since having Owen!)
I look forward to posting in 3 months how I've done with TurboFire!! Wish me luck! And if it goes well I'll add in running come the spring and the warmer weather! I would love to do more runs this year and maybe even get up to doing a half marathon. (Maybe I can talk Will into a Disney Run!)
Not long after finishing it, we got pregnant and I had every intention of keeping up the exercising through this past year. I knew I had lucked out on the first 2 pregnancies in not gaining a lot, but with getting in shape before this one I also knew I probably wouldn't be so lucky to lose a good 10lbs at the beginning! I was right. I gained 25-30 lbs this pregnancy as opposed to the 10 and 15lbs, respectively, for the first two! I'm sure I wouldn't have gained so much weight if I hadn't been on and off pelvic rest this entire pregnancy also. I did manage to do two 5Ks this past year though! (St. Patty's Day and Fourth of July)
So, now I have a wonderful new wardrobe I need to get myself back into! At my 6 week postpartum appointment I was 132lbs, so I'll be using that as my starting weight since I don't have a scale in our house! My pre-pregnancy weight was 120lbs. and that's what I want to get back too. (I've already lost 20lbs since having Owen!)
I look forward to posting in 3 months how I've done with TurboFire!! Wish me luck! And if it goes well I'll add in running come the spring and the warmer weather! I would love to do more runs this year and maybe even get up to doing a half marathon. (Maybe I can talk Will into a Disney Run!)
My TurboFire Journey, part 1!
So, after starting and stopping TurboFire inside a week. I tried again last month while Will was at NTC. I am now at the end of week 5 and its been great. In the first month I lost a total of 11 lbs and 4.5 inches!! I love doing it. It was hard at first because I didn't know the moves and couldn't keep up and felt so stupid, but kept going and have really picked it up.
But when we went out of town I missed 4 days. I made them up by doubling up on workouts for the next week. It about killed me! With everything else happening (That's a different post) I think I overdid it to the point of being severely fatigued. As a result, I wasn't able to get through workouts like I had been, and I was feeling beyond tired every single day! Now I know why they say don't do the HIIT workouts multiple days in a row. So, week 5 I am essentially skipping in an attempt to feel better, and its worked. Will has picked up a lot around the house to help me out and now I'm feeling back to normal.
Now I just need to get my butt back into gear and start again. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, but let me tell you, it takes much less time to lose that newly formed habit. So, I need to start over forming my habit. Thankfully, I have found some amazing new friends to take this journey with and they have been awesome keeping me going!
Only 2 more months to go, but hey, I'm already almost back into my pre-pregnancy clothes! Some of the jeans even already fit again and Owen isn't even 4 months old!!
But when we went out of town I missed 4 days. I made them up by doubling up on workouts for the next week. It about killed me! With everything else happening (That's a different post) I think I overdid it to the point of being severely fatigued. As a result, I wasn't able to get through workouts like I had been, and I was feeling beyond tired every single day! Now I know why they say don't do the HIIT workouts multiple days in a row. So, week 5 I am essentially skipping in an attempt to feel better, and its worked. Will has picked up a lot around the house to help me out and now I'm feeling back to normal.
Now I just need to get my butt back into gear and start again. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, but let me tell you, it takes much less time to lose that newly formed habit. So, I need to start over forming my habit. Thankfully, I have found some amazing new friends to take this journey with and they have been awesome keeping me going!
Only 2 more months to go, but hey, I'm already almost back into my pre-pregnancy clothes! Some of the jeans even already fit again and Owen isn't even 4 months old!!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Love is...
Yesterday was Valentines day, the day Hallmark and Russel Stover look forward to each year. The day we celebrate our love for one another, for me its in celebration of my spouse and my children. Part of me looks forward to the fun of the holiday, another part of me can't get over how commercialized it is! Its so much worse than Christmas! I don't think I ever learned a thing about love through generic cards, candy, or flowers. I learned about love every day of the year, and celebrated it the day after Valentines Day each year.
Today is my parents' anniversary. They have been married over 30 years. As I sit here and watch P.S. I Love You, after a nice call to two of my three mothers, I can't help but reflect on how much I learned about love through my parents. Growing up I watched my parents love through good times and bad. And now, as an adult, I realize how truly blessed I was to grow up in such a loving home.
I never doubted that my parents loved me, I never doubted that they loved each other. The happiness a child enjoys is expounded by this knowledge. I'm not going to sit here and tell you my childhood was perfect or my parents are without fault, I'm sure even they had rocky patches over the last 30 years! The point is, they taught me how to love through it all, the good the bad, and yes even the ugly.
I have been married for 10 years and while we have definitely had our rocky points, I love my husband more now than I did in the beginning. If it hasn't become apparent yet, while not musically inclined myself, I am very expressive through music. I can name a song, or songs, that describes any part of my life pretty accurately. (If not literally, than at least in the feelings brought out by the song.) So, after 10 years I can't help but think of Shania Twain's "You're Still the One."
I credit this knowledge to growing up with such a great example of what love is. My husband had the same example of a lasting marriage, his parents have been married over 40 years. And now you're doing the critical thinking and wondering how I have three mothers when both sets of parents are still married. Its easy, I'm a second wife, and therefore my husband has two sets of in-laws. When he first told me about his ex-wife's family, and I first met them I was shown how much further love can go. I learned that when you get divorced you're only divorcing the spouse, not the family. So, I am blessed with two sets of in-laws. (And yes, our sons carry the names of all three dads!) I consider this part of my husband's family to be my in-laws just like his biological family, because he considers them family. My children are blessed to have the love of 3 sets of grandparents. Oh, and did I mention my in-laws #2 were married over 40 years too!?
So, we have a one of a kind marriage that is just like everyone else; we laugh, we tease, we fight, we play, we care. We get up each morning and make an effort to show our boys just how much we love. We don't always succeed, but we never go a day without saying those three little words: I LOVE YOU!
This Valentine's Day my husband is away at training, better than previous years when he was away at war. But I still miss him. I curl up in bed each night and think of him, of how much I wasn't able to share with him today, and of how much the boys have done and will do while he is away. This is part of the military life. And while I may shed a few tears as I miss my husband, I find they are more because I know he is missing so much growth in our family, and I know it makes him sad too. This is love. No matter the length of time away, you're always excited to see your loved ones.
So, while my husband is away, my Facebook will see extra action and my mom will field all the I just have to tell someone moments of each day that I usually share with him. I'm sure she wonders how he ever gets any work done! Here's a parting song that sums up our relationship:
Today is my parents' anniversary. They have been married over 30 years. As I sit here and watch P.S. I Love You, after a nice call to two of my three mothers, I can't help but reflect on how much I learned about love through my parents. Growing up I watched my parents love through good times and bad. And now, as an adult, I realize how truly blessed I was to grow up in such a loving home.
I never doubted that my parents loved me, I never doubted that they loved each other. The happiness a child enjoys is expounded by this knowledge. I'm not going to sit here and tell you my childhood was perfect or my parents are without fault, I'm sure even they had rocky patches over the last 30 years! The point is, they taught me how to love through it all, the good the bad, and yes even the ugly.
I have been married for 10 years and while we have definitely had our rocky points, I love my husband more now than I did in the beginning. If it hasn't become apparent yet, while not musically inclined myself, I am very expressive through music. I can name a song, or songs, that describes any part of my life pretty accurately. (If not literally, than at least in the feelings brought out by the song.) So, after 10 years I can't help but think of Shania Twain's "You're Still the One."
I credit this knowledge to growing up with such a great example of what love is. My husband had the same example of a lasting marriage, his parents have been married over 40 years. And now you're doing the critical thinking and wondering how I have three mothers when both sets of parents are still married. Its easy, I'm a second wife, and therefore my husband has two sets of in-laws. When he first told me about his ex-wife's family, and I first met them I was shown how much further love can go. I learned that when you get divorced you're only divorcing the spouse, not the family. So, I am blessed with two sets of in-laws. (And yes, our sons carry the names of all three dads!) I consider this part of my husband's family to be my in-laws just like his biological family, because he considers them family. My children are blessed to have the love of 3 sets of grandparents. Oh, and did I mention my in-laws #2 were married over 40 years too!?
So, we have a one of a kind marriage that is just like everyone else; we laugh, we tease, we fight, we play, we care. We get up each morning and make an effort to show our boys just how much we love. We don't always succeed, but we never go a day without saying those three little words: I LOVE YOU!
This Valentine's Day my husband is away at training, better than previous years when he was away at war. But I still miss him. I curl up in bed each night and think of him, of how much I wasn't able to share with him today, and of how much the boys have done and will do while he is away. This is part of the military life. And while I may shed a few tears as I miss my husband, I find they are more because I know he is missing so much growth in our family, and I know it makes him sad too. This is love. No matter the length of time away, you're always excited to see your loved ones.
So, while my husband is away, my Facebook will see extra action and my mom will field all the I just have to tell someone moments of each day that I usually share with him. I'm sure she wonders how he ever gets any work done! Here's a parting song that sums up our relationship:
Sunday, February 3, 2013
More than you can Handle... Bull!!!
There's this always heard, and often used saying, "God won't give you more than you can handle." I'm guilty of using it myself. Well, I recently read something that made me think and here is what I've come up with. It's a complete load of crap!
God will give you more than you can handle because he loves you and he wants you to lean on him and trust in him. When you reach a point where you just can't handle anymore, yet more is piled on, He is saying "trust in me."
So often as times get tough, we tend to shy away from God, to say "I've got this." We won't admit we have a problem, not to friends, not to family, and especially not to ourselves. We do everything we can to fix the bad in our lives, but so often we won't just hand it all over to God, to throw up our hands and say, "I'm done, you do it!" I say it to my husband often enough, especially after a very bad day with temperamental toddlers, but I rarely think to say "God, I need your help here." Maybe if I did I wouldn't have those types of days, and I would learn to once again have patience!
So, this year as the Army has my husband gone off and on multiple times, and therefore my boys go into the typical acting out that comes with Daddy leaving, I'm going to try to remember to hand it all over to God, to enjoy more of the little things, and play more with my boys!!
God will give you more than you can handle because he loves you and he wants you to lean on him and trust in him. When you reach a point where you just can't handle anymore, yet more is piled on, He is saying "trust in me."
So often as times get tough, we tend to shy away from God, to say "I've got this." We won't admit we have a problem, not to friends, not to family, and especially not to ourselves. We do everything we can to fix the bad in our lives, but so often we won't just hand it all over to God, to throw up our hands and say, "I'm done, you do it!" I say it to my husband often enough, especially after a very bad day with temperamental toddlers, but I rarely think to say "God, I need your help here." Maybe if I did I wouldn't have those types of days, and I would learn to once again have patience!
So, this year as the Army has my husband gone off and on multiple times, and therefore my boys go into the typical acting out that comes with Daddy leaving, I'm going to try to remember to hand it all over to God, to enjoy more of the little things, and play more with my boys!!
Monday, January 28, 2013
My Next 30 Years
Today I am 30 years old! I can't believe it most days. It feels like I just got out of college a year or two ago, not almost 8 years ago! While I enjoyed my 20s, part of me couldn't wait until my 30th birthday when I could play this song.
Tim McGraw definitely hit it on the nail with this one! So, while I look forward to "My Next Thirty Years" as I raise my family, I have to be thankful for the last thirty years and all I have experienced, witnessed, and achieved.
"I think I'll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years."
So, here is a wrap up of the highlights my last thirty years:
- I turned 3 the day the Challenger exploded, it sparked an interest in aviation and space safety in me that never died.
- My only sister was born and died when I was getting ready to start Kindergarten. My grandfather died about a year later.
- I was privileged enough to go to Space Camp/ Academy for seven years. (My team received the highest award 3 times!)
- I graduated high School with a 3 1/2 year Army ROTC scholarship to the school I grew up wanting to attend- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, as well as the offer of another one to Auburn.
- I know where I was when "The World Stopped Turning."
- I got married to my best friend (Another great Tim McGraw song in that one!)
- I graduated college and unfortunately, got a medical discharge from the Army instead of my commission.
- I lived and worked in Germany for a year and a half.
- Will and I struggled with infertility for over three years, and were told we could not have children without medical intervention.
- Our "Rainbow baby" Keirnan Andrew was born May 10, 2009.
- Our second son, James Donald, was born November 13, 2010.
- We survived two deployments to Iraq. (Will to Iraq, and me at home during my MS3 year of school, and again with a toddler and a newborn!)
- I lost a dear friend in Iraq June 2006. (You are loved and missed John!)
- Our third son, Owen Mason, was born December 3, 2012.
- We've moved across the world and/ or the country 3 times.
- We've bought and sold a home.
- I completed most of my Master of Aeronautical Science degree. (By most I mean all but my thesis, which has been half done since Keirnan was born!)
- I have been a stay at home mother for almost 4 years, something I never thought I would be, but something I have enjoyed and found I am blessed to be able to do.
- I found a church home, accepted God, and was Baptized a year ago tomorrow.
- I have made more friends in my life than I can count, some I have lost over the years, many will always be a part of my life.
This list shows just how blessed I have been in life. It hasn't always been easy. There have been difficult times, but I have such an amazing family; through blood, through marriage, and through the Army. I can't thank God enough for all my blessings these last thirty years.
I look forward to my next thirty years and all the ups and downs they will hold.
"Hey my next thirty years I'm gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I've done
Maybe now I've conquered all my adolescent fears
And I'll do it better in my next thirty years
My next thirty years I'm gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I'm doing here
In my next thirty years
Oh my next thirty years, I'm gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I'll remember my next thirty years
My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years."
"I think I'll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years."
So, here is a wrap up of the highlights my last thirty years:
- I turned 3 the day the Challenger exploded, it sparked an interest in aviation and space safety in me that never died.
- My only sister was born and died when I was getting ready to start Kindergarten. My grandfather died about a year later.
- I was privileged enough to go to Space Camp/ Academy for seven years. (My team received the highest award 3 times!)
- I graduated high School with a 3 1/2 year Army ROTC scholarship to the school I grew up wanting to attend- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, as well as the offer of another one to Auburn.
- I know where I was when "The World Stopped Turning."
- I got married to my best friend (Another great Tim McGraw song in that one!)
- I graduated college and unfortunately, got a medical discharge from the Army instead of my commission.
- I lived and worked in Germany for a year and a half.
- Will and I struggled with infertility for over three years, and were told we could not have children without medical intervention.
- Our "Rainbow baby" Keirnan Andrew was born May 10, 2009.
- Our second son, James Donald, was born November 13, 2010.
- We survived two deployments to Iraq. (Will to Iraq, and me at home during my MS3 year of school, and again with a toddler and a newborn!)
- I lost a dear friend in Iraq June 2006. (You are loved and missed John!)
- Our third son, Owen Mason, was born December 3, 2012.
- We've moved across the world and/ or the country 3 times.
- We've bought and sold a home.
- I completed most of my Master of Aeronautical Science degree. (By most I mean all but my thesis, which has been half done since Keirnan was born!)
- I have been a stay at home mother for almost 4 years, something I never thought I would be, but something I have enjoyed and found I am blessed to be able to do.
- I found a church home, accepted God, and was Baptized a year ago tomorrow.
- I have made more friends in my life than I can count, some I have lost over the years, many will always be a part of my life.
This list shows just how blessed I have been in life. It hasn't always been easy. There have been difficult times, but I have such an amazing family; through blood, through marriage, and through the Army. I can't thank God enough for all my blessings these last thirty years.
I look forward to my next thirty years and all the ups and downs they will hold.
"Hey my next thirty years I'm gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I've done
Maybe now I've conquered all my adolescent fears
And I'll do it better in my next thirty years
My next thirty years I'm gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I'm doing here
In my next thirty years
Oh my next thirty years, I'm gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I'll remember my next thirty years
My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years."
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