tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56160200389065111282024-02-20T02:44:02.209-05:00When All You've Got To Keep Is Strong...Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-30066534718941073652013-10-07T12:56:00.001-04:002013-10-07T12:56:54.498-04:007 months<u><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">SEVEN MONTHS DOWN!! </span></span></b></u><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ok kids, we are in the home stretch!!!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I can count on ONE HAND the number of weeks that stand between me and this guy:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj68C1lfwu7MGl7PZfZSLzQvCf1GgsM5Nf59sfOPfPr4F0rI_y7RMmxIqsVnHEg-7dJmmlCLfX0rVb74sKUC5HPUiEteo-gGHrGE2hMh1pkyW7R2okmhEP7Kvc3ZomvSKvQFTCZZ2MDY/s1600/1185228_599595853416467_699175619_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj68C1lfwu7MGl7PZfZSLzQvCf1GgsM5Nf59sfOPfPr4F0rI_y7RMmxIqsVnHEg-7dJmmlCLfX0rVb74sKUC5HPUiEteo-gGHrGE2hMh1pkyW7R2okmhEP7Kvc3ZomvSKvQFTCZZ2MDY/s320/1185228_599595853416467_699175619_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's a big freaking deal, if you didn't know that. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Month <b>SEVEN </b>highlights:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-I did some gardening. Much to my surprise, out of the 26 mums that I planted, I believe I have only lost one- and I'm blaming that one on the lawn people that come in weekly- I'm pretty sure they trampled all over it. Oh well. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRRVJoKNi86EadqMN0jKw5D_xBxz1eZb452oXZvDaFcxdYpiIqHm6Qv9MaU8XUoQMnTswcpEbEUHPxkp1vQ48xFu-FdTuFDHcDu1YZgktT8cGkBhdZZrQ-pmBWeTPxU855sNJ4ROw2HM/s1600/1209144_10200585355335676_1877335052_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRRVJoKNi86EadqMN0jKw5D_xBxz1eZb452oXZvDaFcxdYpiIqHm6Qv9MaU8XUoQMnTswcpEbEUHPxkp1vQ48xFu-FdTuFDHcDu1YZgktT8cGkBhdZZrQ-pmBWeTPxU855sNJ4ROw2HM/s320/1209144_10200585355335676_1877335052_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-We booked our post-deployment cruise! 5 days to the Bahamas sounds pretty good in January! 85 days and counting....</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-We had a flea issue. Grrrr. Still not thrilled with that little episode, and I really wish I would have known it was a problem in North Carolina regardless of the treatment you have been using on your pets for 6 years... but it's under control now and we are flea-free. Once again, Randy is away when there is furbaby drama!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-Our 6th anniversary! This is about as good as it gets for a picture together when the boy is deployed-</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_jx2U2cIwRuiefFg8FcKMNqqJOWJZRSf3jNq63M6rPKFmCIvBgr6XZb9F0t7rtFfJylg7d_doNUzItOWNJ0KTZmjnafBbEdrQbCuJPxzFz_Vrt-zFhWDiMerg_rIVAl6FN_wbnB4zos/s1600/1234472_10200691291664018_1371994804_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_jx2U2cIwRuiefFg8FcKMNqqJOWJZRSf3jNq63M6rPKFmCIvBgr6XZb9F0t7rtFfJylg7d_doNUzItOWNJ0KTZmjnafBbEdrQbCuJPxzFz_Vrt-zFhWDiMerg_rIVAl6FN_wbnB4zos/s320/1234472_10200691291664018_1371994804_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-Plenty of FaceTime! The boy is currently hanging out in Rota, Spain. He is off the boat for a while, and in his own room with WiFi. It has been a really nice way to end this deployment- but it does make me miss him that much more each time we hang up. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-Homecoming outfit found, and ball dress purchased! I am feeling WAY ahead of the game this time!!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next stop- 8 months complete, and HOMECOMING!!! </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-76618180402776244952013-09-25T11:37:00.000-04:002013-09-25T11:37:29.697-04:00Life Changing<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's amazing how one moment can change your life.</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(I know, it sounds very profound and deep.)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">9 years ago today, (<b>seriously?? nine?</b>) Randy returned home from his very first deployment, and one moment essentially changed my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I remember every single detail about this day, and I honestly hope I never forget. I remember the drive down to North Carolina, and the excited energy, the constant chatter to stay awake, the VERY early morning breakfast on the road, me getting changed in the Burger King bathroom on base, and then not-so-patiently waiting and reading a book in the rental car.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I remember a Marine wife passing out tiny yellow ribbons for us all to wear. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I remember the screams of delight as the buses drove towards us... then away from us to make a stop at the armory... then towards us again... and past us when they missed the entrance to the parking lot.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I remember seeing one smiling face through the dark tinted windows of those glorious buses. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then, this.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJF3lj172OGdgpgZxnCah5f4ucNNyq72DSktsv7ZJW3Y2SbPPeAfJO4ag0LtkbHgRrydKguiRBWaDmuHJ_yKp8PY_NaQczb5c2JpUPF97okjIZsDgiGDlnKe8je_BrlBgTRXssWl0r-E/s1600/8133_1115940218039_110184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJF3lj172OGdgpgZxnCah5f4ucNNyq72DSktsv7ZJW3Y2SbPPeAfJO4ag0LtkbHgRrydKguiRBWaDmuHJ_yKp8PY_NaQczb5c2JpUPF97okjIZsDgiGDlnKe8je_BrlBgTRXssWl0r-E/s320/8133_1115940218039_110184_n.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I immediately knew I was right where I belonged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For better or worse, this one moment- this one hug- has defined who I am, and who I have become over the last 9 years. It has taken me on a journey that I had never even considered, but somehow is exactly the journey I am meant to be on. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-68719412913214000692013-09-21T12:20:00.000-04:002013-09-21T12:20:10.537-04:00200 days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<h4>
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">200 days.</span></u></h4>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqs8qJslffEDlL5x6uQSPeBTdko5kDoa7qqYADt7k-9yaj0LuhZwCA3vogPND4BOzRzRQl2G4_vIzRQR8VBBzn04H0rlb6LVw3-IdUNMkJeN9H4YWfw9uLBefFW23-rqFfuFP77dhqTs/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqs8qJslffEDlL5x6uQSPeBTdko5kDoa7qqYADt7k-9yaj0LuhZwCA3vogPND4BOzRzRQl2G4_vIzRQR8VBBzn04H0rlb6LVw3-IdUNMkJeN9H4YWfw9uLBefFW23-rqFfuFP77dhqTs/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">6 months, 16 days.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">28 weeks, 4 days.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4,800 hours.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Essentially- a long freaking time.</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the last 200 days I have:</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Redecorated my living room</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-purchased an iPhone</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-survived Easter with a stomach bug</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-flew to California</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-traveled home to Pennsylvania twice</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-decided to move to North Carolina</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-successfully completed a solo PCS move in the middle of a deployment with 2 cats, a dog, and my mommy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-lost 15 lbs (I still have 5 freaking more to go.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-saved enough money so I could be unemployed and incredibly bored until a good job comes along</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Unpacked 136 boxes in the new house. (I left the one labeled "Hats" for the boy to take care of.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Exchanged lots of emails, letters, packages, and pictures with my guy, and received many calls from an "unknown" caller. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It has been a long 200 days. Not as long as past deployments- I've said it before, but this non-combat deployment aspect makes a HUGE difference on my stress levels- but still long enough that I can feel myself slowly going crazy with anticipation. I am very ready for this deployment to be over- mostly so I can see if my husband and I are actually capable of living under the same roof again. After 3 years of doing the geo-bachelor thing- we are taking bets on how long before we both get sick of each other!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am ready for him to be home to see where he lives- I sort of feel bad that at the moment, he needs directions to get to his own house. I am ready for him to see his dog. I am ready for him to take out the trash, walk the dog, clean up the kitchen after I cook dinner, help me with laundry, help me with cleaning... the list goes on and on.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am just ready for us to be a team again. I am exhausted, and really ready to hand off some responsibilities. As easy as I make it seem as I manage every aspect of both of our lives, I'm tired. I'm ready for him to make me crazy because he seems like he's not listening- then repeats every word back verbatim when I yell at him about not listening. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a few days, it will be October. Then I will finally be able to say that my guy will be home NEXT month! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-26996836876949741422013-09-06T15:54:00.000-04:002013-09-06T15:54:08.902-04:006 months<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm going to be honest.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm bitter and cranky. I am not so happy about the 6 month mark this time around.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let me explain.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For the last 4 deployments, 6 months down would mean leave dates, mail cutoff dates, and some sort of beginning of hints of return dates. At this point, we would be a handful of weeks away from homecoming.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And now I still have two freaking months left. It doesn't sound like a lot- especially because at this point, 6 months is a pretty decent chunk of time- but right now it feels like a lifetime. Especially with everything happening in the world right now- I just want my guy home. Now. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">BUT- at the end of the day, we are 6 months closer to homecoming- so I will try to stay focused on that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm still bitter though. </span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">anyway....</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Highlights of month 6:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- road trip to Florida for our cousin's wedding! We had a fantastic time playing tourist, and of course seeing family. I got to spend a lot of time with Emma- so it was definitely worth it. Next time though, I need to factor in the next day drive when I am drinking and dancing the night away!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vtiUDS9DfYgZWfCWwkl8bdhMjnAQd8NtvhAlwrmmxpvSwmIOPb3gE2CuSf-pyFrXXXjIN0AUXf3zj3oXlQ0pSB-QOjUq_EsRuedl6a9-dS9idltYempLuQQvzBab9dXDoDQPUqS6bZY/s1600/21403_10200380953345754_701876934_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vtiUDS9DfYgZWfCWwkl8bdhMjnAQd8NtvhAlwrmmxpvSwmIOPb3gE2CuSf-pyFrXXXjIN0AUXf3zj3oXlQ0pSB-QOjUq_EsRuedl6a9-dS9idltYempLuQQvzBab9dXDoDQPUqS6bZY/s320/21403_10200380953345754_701876934_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwzyh8loAZlhaGdniKzJOG5p1DVilL7f-sxEqeXkIryMcCqKxBfwdXVxHIHrU5nvEaMD8n3ali-2SdrdtAEdKSjs0AQ3jmtATS4OCfGQ5e6xeXSyq400ALYPX18eqBuLc3kmAo7dCOyM/s1600/1173764_10200380966386080_1530384867_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwzyh8loAZlhaGdniKzJOG5p1DVilL7f-sxEqeXkIryMcCqKxBfwdXVxHIHrU5nvEaMD8n3ali-2SdrdtAEdKSjs0AQ3jmtATS4OCfGQ5e6xeXSyq400ALYPX18eqBuLc3kmAo7dCOyM/s320/1173764_10200380966386080_1530384867_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-I completed 250 sit ups a day for the entire month of August. This was to help raise money and awareness for my favorite organization- Hope for the Warriors. In total, I did 7,750 sit ups. For someone who does not work out, I am pretty proud of myself! (I am also working on another guest blog for Hope for the Warriors- so stay tuned for that!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-Day trips, beach time, and dinner dates with friends- I am still so happy to be back!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-I UNPACKED THE LAST BOX!!! 41 days after our household goods were delivered- the last box was unpacked, and everything inside was put away. I'm also just about done decorating and organizing the house overall- I just need to pick up a rug for the dining room, and a TV stand for the boy's "man cave". </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-FaceTime! The boy was FINALLY in port- so we were able to chat, and he was actually able to take a tour of the house. Have I mentioned lately how grateful I am for technology??</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz157Fu5TQkQ66SPj2lJup2q_-yC3UOpjySSrfj_3DHUwu4jZuyeKzLguGLzxVuO8dpKLz7CJK74c86pOnkPAxK3zYnokukRh76GpAPkbQRDDcP2lZACOBVesAvFJmS6NcUviqnlLx4Q/s1600/1176353_10200507858358300_1004365074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz157Fu5TQkQ66SPj2lJup2q_-yC3UOpjySSrfj_3DHUwu4jZuyeKzLguGLzxVuO8dpKLz7CJK74c86pOnkPAxK3zYnokukRh76GpAPkbQRDDcP2lZACOBVesAvFJmS6NcUviqnlLx4Q/s320/1176353_10200507858358300_1004365074_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8qUE5pOYbwMmQXGRMWXT1lOHwjozGFR-sucq22frtRNvBC3sTKTjkFN8H81JwOaDV_UmYcxNtDZZyUfmQnT2vdsEohG37jcY8mw0FSE1-abvwhDvQwi2xjQSR1iJpYzzjHxRzl_D98Q/s1600/1186218_10200504310069595_1187938942_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8qUE5pOYbwMmQXGRMWXT1lOHwjozGFR-sucq22frtRNvBC3sTKTjkFN8H81JwOaDV_UmYcxNtDZZyUfmQnT2vdsEohG37jcY8mw0FSE1-abvwhDvQwi2xjQSR1iJpYzzjHxRzl_D98Q/s320/1186218_10200504310069595_1187938942_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also got a lead on a job, but the downside is, the company is still waiting to hear if the contract is approved, so I am also waiting... In about a month though I should know either way what's going on. Good thoughts and positive vibes are appreciated- not just for me, but that the contract is approved!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Whew- it was a busy month. I am glad to see it go though. I am continuing to focus on the positive as much as I can... and hopefully my bitterness will go away soon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stay tuned!</span><br />
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-53203006940882499242013-08-14T20:43:00.000-04:002013-08-14T20:43:18.710-04:005 Months Down and the Big MOVE!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It has been a crazy last couple weeks- so crazy that I am about a week late with my "month five in review" post. I am still settling into life in North Carolina- but I am just so incredibly happy to be back. Every day I wake up and I still feel so confident about this decision- and so thankful for everyone who helped make this move easy and stress free!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, August 6th marked 5 months down in deployment number 5. I'm still not sure how much time we actually have left- and I of course am thinking worst case... because well, I've been doing this long enough and I know better to believe anything until the boy is standing in front of me. We shall see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Month 5 highlights:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -Lots and lots of "see you laters". Not really a highlight- because I HATE this part of the military life- and I suck at it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -My last day of work at the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. So bittersweet- but I am so proud of all that I accomplished and learned during my time there, and incredibly thankful for the people I met. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -The big move. Holy moly- was that stressful! It turns out that PCS-ing is stressful, but then to throw a deployment on top of that, plus moving 2 cats and a dog for the first time- all I have to say is God bless my mother for volunteering for that crazy mission. I'm sure she never really thought she would share a hotel room with her daughter, grand-dog, and grand-cats. It was interesting- but I have some pretty awesome furbabies who handled the move better than I could have ever dreamed. They are completely adjusted to life in North Carolina- and really loving having a bit more space to roam around. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All in all, month five was jam-packed. The move took exactly one week- and while it was stressful, I know that I am incredibly lucky that I got a door-to-door move, and all of my stuff arrived safely and in one piece. I seriously had the best movers EVER- who went so far above and beyond to make this easy on me. The second I told them my husband was deployed, I really felt like they took care of me even more- from taking my live plant on the truck with them, to delivering my stuff at night and staying pretty late to make sure everything was placed where I needed it. I could not have had a better group of guys!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And while my movers were awesome- my friends were even better. The second the moving truck pulled up, I was handed a glass of wine. They brought dinner, and more wine- and made sure that I had everything I needed. I am still amazed with how many friends offered to come help me unpack and get settled- I love you ALL!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Now that I am settled, I am already getting restless- so now starts the job search!</span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-18803202415222059832013-07-07T09:55:00.000-04:002013-07-07T09:55:18.998-04:00Halfway... and Halfway?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv9bsCFVBr9iGhsy8J7iGftUCObnJXXqxSZn1Tv1l9Vrp9hlpdoG6-gHBSzpa-oOmNzDKAgMqsv5l140Ftsj2OKtXsgwScWJ2ziaT_2Y3psBhMUxl0HZZBR_F9g-mRhydX_GZYaWuv2Q/s386/halfway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv9bsCFVBr9iGhsy8J7iGftUCObnJXXqxSZn1Tv1l9Vrp9hlpdoG6-gHBSzpa-oOmNzDKAgMqsv5l140Ftsj2OKtXsgwScWJ2ziaT_2Y3psBhMUxl0HZZBR_F9g-mRhydX_GZYaWuv2Q/s320/halfway.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shew... this picture kinda takes my breath away.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yesterday, <b>July 6</b>, was the 4 month mark in this deployment. Which... hopefully... is the halfway mark. (But I'm not holding my breath- it seems that the world is just on the brink of something- and I am none too thrilled about it!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Today, <b>July 7</b>, means that Randy has been in the Marine Corps for 10 years. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">10 years down- 10 years to go. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Double</i>. <b>freaking</b>. <i><b>digits</b></i>. </span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How in the WORLD did that happen? I've had conversations with girls whose husbands have been in for 2 years. I remember when we were in for 2 years! That was just yesterday wasn't it? I remember talking to wives whose husbands had been in for 10 years. They were OLD, weren't they?!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But then I remember:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -5 deployments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -4 homecoming hugs (waiting for number 5!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -3 PCS moves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -A wedding planned in the middle of deployment number 3 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -A geo-bachelor duty station (finally coming to an end!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -3 sweet furbabies</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And enough friendships, experiences, fabulous trips, tears, and <a href="http://sedlakwilliamson.blogspot.com/2012/07/9-lessons-in-9-years.html" target="_blank">lessons learned to last a lifetime. </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And yet... that's only the first 10 years. It has been quite a ride, and I am so excited to see what the second half will bring us. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This past month has been a bit emotionally exhausting. As usual for this deployment though, it really had nothing to do with the actual deployment. It turns out that the right decisions are usually the hardest to make, and this month I made a right decision. I am moving back to North Carolina. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm slightly terrified... but overwhelmingly excited. As are all my friends and family- who have been incredibly supportive, which made me feel so much better about everything. I have been in Stafford for 6 years now- so making this decision to move smack in the middle of a deployment and leave all that is known and stable was a bit of a crazy move on my part. But my gut- and my heart- are telling me it's the right thing, so here we go! I apologize in advance for those that might already be sick of the pictures and posts concerning the move- but since Randy is out of the loop these days, I will be documenting this as much as I can so he doesn't feel completely left out. Although- I think secretly he is happy he is on a boat and doesn't have to help me move. Ha!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Month 4 highlights:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -decisions made! Whew- what a relief! The plan going forward is to move to NC, then wait for orders. We are still hoping to go recruiting next summer, so there is a strong possibility I will be in NC for less than a year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -Road trip home to PA. Lots of time spent with Randy's family- which was fantastic. It is so nice to be welcomed with open arms- even with the boy halfway around the world. I also got to snuggle my sweet little niece- who is all smiles- all the time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgr3kSGEk14xel7heViL3rOcyEwjP3uRFwkJNldlBJITXet338STG1DbVRsC4UnywplFh3a6iPpGkGEJAGIZ1LYC0XYuMkOZD9DrBCaTs7km9wazNQBhKrWB-rThyphenhyphenCAHvssgu7zC3rHt4/s1600/emma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgr3kSGEk14xel7heViL3rOcyEwjP3uRFwkJNldlBJITXet338STG1DbVRsC4UnywplFh3a6iPpGkGEJAGIZ1LYC0XYuMkOZD9DrBCaTs7km9wazNQBhKrWB-rThyphenhyphenCAHvssgu7zC3rHt4/s320/emma.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -Housing chosen, move arranged. (In 2 days- which I do believe is a USMC miracle of sorts!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -Randy got a new job!! I am super proud of him and so excited- this is definitely a long time coming, and so well deserved. He is now the CAAT 2 section leader- whatever that means. I do know that he is excited, and learning a lot himself. He is responsible for Marines again- which is all he really wants!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Whew- it's been a pretty busy first half of this deployment. Month number 5 will certainly fly by- and I am really looking forward to that! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Now I can officially say that we have MORE time behind us than in front of us- now THAT is a great feeling!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-52219326780222888362013-07-01T11:29:00.000-04:002013-07-01T11:29:17.909-04:00A Leap of Faith and a Big Decision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9UTwvO1nnwU4VzTgMBg0hHW3PWHeUFTKOHUdOR__YVUZCoZ4jovVJ-kGGIp4DX-48OGbPTLCVMvlEYOBz2xvHlUCBQfnd2rHGy3PrfW2g4XCjCtdskj-Q4QVZoS8CJZOZX9LNL0MNt8/s1600/tumblr_mom2vaKYdE1rded6bo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9UTwvO1nnwU4VzTgMBg0hHW3PWHeUFTKOHUdOR__YVUZCoZ4jovVJ-kGGIp4DX-48OGbPTLCVMvlEYOBz2xvHlUCBQfnd2rHGy3PrfW2g4XCjCtdskj-Q4QVZoS8CJZOZX9LNL0MNt8/s320/tumblr_mom2vaKYdE1rded6bo1_500.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am a planner.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am logical and organized. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I research, and carefully plan my next step... then I over-analyze and doubt my decision.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But this time, for some reason, I'm not doubting this decision. I am taking a huge leap of faith, a shot in the dark... whatever cliche' is appropriate.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In just about 3 weeks, I am moving back to North Carolina. </span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ymbPthQZGMKvqGOZsy52P-y_aUdStczpuBacyWSNyZ3_sSXaBaea4SDwGbtwnhk1qgrZRiku0GwUuLYvBWnyWgkDskuecUv6qet6K1CiiO-nFPO1RcmGemalA9CyLWQxbIc0fHHJqdQ/s412/North-Carolina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ymbPthQZGMKvqGOZsy52P-y_aUdStczpuBacyWSNyZ3_sSXaBaea4SDwGbtwnhk1qgrZRiku0GwUuLYvBWnyWgkDskuecUv6qet6K1CiiO-nFPO1RcmGemalA9CyLWQxbIc0fHHJqdQ/s320/North-Carolina.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My trip to California 2 months ago made me realize that I am just not happy right now. I tried everything to break myself out of my funk, but nothing worked. I felt stuck, trapped, and I needed to find a new direction.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When Randy and I made the decision to do this geo-bachelor thing we've been rocking for close to 3 years, it was because I was happy here. It made sense for me to stay, because I loved my job, had a great support system, and back to back deployments were looming on the horizon. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But then a lot of things happened all at once, and my next steps became crystal clear. I needed to do something quickly so that I could be happy again. I did some research, made some phone calls, had many conversations with my closest family and friends, and cried. A lot. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The more I talked, and the more I cried, the quicker I realized that I was absolutely, positively making the best decision for me at this point in my life. Like I said last month, and as I've been told- it's hard to find happiness during deployments. This decision will allow me to find some happiness.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Luckily, because we've had great communication during this deployment, I was able to talk this all over with Randy- on the phone- like practically normal people do. He has been incredibly supportive, and has done SO MUCH to help me make this move- and he's done it all from the middle of who knows where with a crappy phone connection. He got special powers of attorney at a moment's notice, he called base housing, and the transportation office, and got everything filled out and taken care of so all I needed to do was sign and fax some paperwork. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That just confirmed this all in my mind even more- it has been SO easy. I thought it would be next to impossible to arrange a move 3 years after we were actually supposed to use it, then get a house on base. But both things happened and were official and taken care of within 2 days of me signing the papers. In the military- things just don't move that quickly. <b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>It is my sign.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My sister told me this is very unlike me- it sounds much more like something she would do. It's a big risk... because I am giving up a job that I enjoyed... but the risk right now to me is so worth it. Once I made this decision and told Randy, he was so excited to know that I would be down there in a house with his dog when he got home from this deployment.<b> </b>We have both sacrificed a lot in the last 3 years to make this work- mostly for me. He has been amazing- and allowed me to stay and work because he knew it would make me happy. Now it's my turn to make a sacrifice for him.</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, on July 18th, I will allow a bunch of strangers to come into our house and pack all of our worldly possessions. I will watch them load our stuff onto a truck a few days later. Then, with the help of my fabulously awesome parents, I will pack 3 cars with 2 cats, a dog, and the stuff the movers rejected, and attempt a PCS move in the middle of a deployment on my own. </span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I must be insane. Truly. But I am so excited for what's to come. Stay tuned... it will be an interesting ride.</span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-49469631373407326802013-06-08T13:29:00.000-04:002013-06-08T13:29:15.112-04:003 months down and a day late<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now I'm 2 days late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Month three has been completely uneventful and very unexciting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That's probably why I felt like the month of May was never ending. On the flip side- I already feel like June is FLYING by. That is ok by me!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I spent a lot of time by myself- and I am ok with that. It gave me a lot of time to think- which again was ok. It led me to a major revelation- some of which I blame on my fantastic trip to California to visit some of our closest friends. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiq7enhfGaywkgBGnnlc8d3U1AwNM7aykxf0yC2640sJpCqxjkZ9PFLcJ1uX0tFETE0ZE5mGiK8KAlZrFpzUmC0U0po_OZSAIza6QaXkBk8j3Uc1uiiU2twvs6wXjFxiaUtDPSU1jWJs/s1600/943591_4786189011965_644271199_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiq7enhfGaywkgBGnnlc8d3U1AwNM7aykxf0yC2640sJpCqxjkZ9PFLcJ1uX0tFETE0ZE5mGiK8KAlZrFpzUmC0U0po_OZSAIza6QaXkBk8j3Uc1uiiU2twvs6wXjFxiaUtDPSU1jWJs/s320/943591_4786189011965_644271199_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VdLQCZiK-OPQeJgLUa3sA1wBNr_Ka1kXEEsGH08XatUpxR0VUzI7R6nYNToxqeCkKcAONCjbf5A5yAvaLfCuAEYvbSF_B1JYqzKUpoSCpBZnBH3mDvMI5KsMhrgjx1gRIUBmW6VoKwE/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VdLQCZiK-OPQeJgLUa3sA1wBNr_Ka1kXEEsGH08XatUpxR0VUzI7R6nYNToxqeCkKcAONCjbf5A5yAvaLfCuAEYvbSF_B1JYqzKUpoSCpBZnBH3mDvMI5KsMhrgjx1gRIUBmW6VoKwE/s320/b4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Coming back from California made me realize that I might not be as happy where I am as I could be at this moment in my life. It's hard to find happiness during deployment- and many years ago, right before we kicked off deployment number 3, I was reminded that you are miserable enough while they are deployed- so you need to make choices and do things that will make you as happy as you can be. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So- with that in mind- I am starting to make changes that will make me happy right now. I'm taking bigger risks- although "risky" for me right now is buying a loveseat from a website that's a final sale.... but for me, that's a pretty big risk. I'm speaking up for myself and saying no to more things. I'm getting stuck in a rut, and I just don't want to be. I'm choosing to do things that will make me happy now- hopefully these choices will ultimately make my family happy in the long term. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The next couple months will be a bit more challenging- in that we have some long stretches where I will not hear from the boy. Since I've talked to him every single day since he has left, this will be a bit of an adjustment for us both, but I will take a couple weeks of not hearing from him and knowing that he is safe versus what we have experienced in the past: months of fear with no communication during the height of fighting season in Iraq. I will certainly miss our daily chats, but we will be ok. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm excited for what the next few months will hold- and looking forward to making choices that will make ME happy. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stay tuned! </span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-56288804310425217852013-05-10T15:57:00.003-04:002013-05-11T14:14:37.416-04:002013- Military Spouse Appreciation Day<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today, May 10, 2013, is Military Spouse Appreciation Day.</span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr4zTD4bOwtiPaS2Fu4fmLLku1PoeDpOqKWO1DR_LiZDR56SfHLY-tYzmYLcXKRDjEDHKcXLsaBGPH5FDoAreFE778eFxy3IwpF-230tii3-yNxbIfmHqZUCBWk5wYQZs81gXXBHzPuE/s1600/milspouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr4zTD4bOwtiPaS2Fu4fmLLku1PoeDpOqKWO1DR_LiZDR56SfHLY-tYzmYLcXKRDjEDHKcXLsaBGPH5FDoAreFE778eFxy3IwpF-230tii3-yNxbIfmHqZUCBWk5wYQZs81gXXBHzPuE/s320/milspouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> You can read my 2011 post <a href="http://sedlakwilliamson.blogspot.com/2011/05/military-spouse-appreciation-day.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I agreed to move to North Carolina with Randy in 2005, I really had no idea what to expect. I was moving to a different state, I knew nobody, and he was leaving in 6 weeks for his second deployment to Iraq. The spouses I met just a few days later welcomed me with open arms- and taught me everything I know about being a military spouse. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I watched them as we all struggled with a difficult deployment that affected us all deeply. I watched them cook meals, fly to funerals to comfort friends, run meetings, calm our fears, and answer our questions. They did all this while their own spouses were deployed. They were just as afraid as the rest of us- but I would have never known that. They handled everything thrown at them with such grace, courage, and strength, and I have done my best to model myself after what I saw from them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They taught me so much- and continue to teach me. It is an honor to be amongst their ranks- and to be a part of this amazing community. I am thankful every single day- and so appreciative for the amazing examples I had early on. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have now been a military spouse for over 5 years. There are good days, bad days, and the best days ever- but every day I know that I do not walk alone. I am surrounded by some of the strongest women I have ever had the privilege of knowing- let alone calling my friends, my sisters. I am only as strong as those that support me- and I am incredibly lucky to be completely surrounded by some of the strongest women I know. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They are the ones that answer my calls at 2 am, drive to comfort me when I just need a friend, put their own needs on the back burner to take care of a neighbor's kid, volunteer way too much, move to a different state the moment orders are issued, and still manage to smile and laugh and enjoy everything that life throws at us. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So- to my fellow milspouses- Thank You. Thank you for all YOU do to support our fighting men and women. Thank you for all you do to support your fellow spouses. Without you, I would not be where I am, or who I am for that matter. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am eternally grateful to each and every one of you. </span><br />
<br />
<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-22776749026168941612013-05-06T22:41:00.000-04:002013-05-06T22:41:43.110-04:00Month 2 is in the books!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As of about 7:00 this morning, we officially put month 2 in the books.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I could not be happier. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This month has been challenging for me, and for once, it really has nothing to do with the deployment. (Alright, maybe it does- if the boy were around, I think maybe I would have handled things better- differently? who knows.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The boy is still floating around in the middle of who knows where. I am still hearing from him regularly, which is such an amazing gift. I have moments where I feel guilty that I have talked to my husband practically every day since he left, but then I remind myself that we have paid our dues. In past deployments, we have gone months with no communication, so I am thanking my lucky stars for this gift we have this time around. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I just got home from my week long trip to California, which was definitely the bright spot for month 2. It was amazing to be able to spend a week surrounded by some of my closest friends- who truly are my family- when I desperately needed to be reminded what family truly was. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My big grown up realization this month was that maybe family isn't what we are born into. It turns out the family we are born with can stab you in the back and say hateful, terrible things just as easily as a stranger can. The family that Randy and I have created for ourselves- our great, big, wonderful, chaotic Marine Corps Family- will <b>always </b>be there when we need them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Month 2 highlights:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -A flower delivery at work. Apparently the boy has been a bit of a slacker in the letter writing department- his words not mine!- and felt bad. I love flowers for no reason!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -Turning 29 plus 2..... despite being slightly sad about my age, I really had a fantastic day. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow1ere-yJYwnHtw5_Wuo2hFkR9mGkgH_wCu3DgpZ2IE6l2r_jCyfFzpTkAAL82qkbFtiriPEqWWBJJv9gcFe8yjqh3TdemzXCHiwh5jSHEjIJ0_Q3w8nP-jDW-J5xgXvfJKusGo1lbwg/s1600/bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow1ere-yJYwnHtw5_Wuo2hFkR9mGkgH_wCu3DgpZ2IE6l2r_jCyfFzpTkAAL82qkbFtiriPEqWWBJJv9gcFe8yjqh3TdemzXCHiwh5jSHEjIJ0_Q3w8nP-jDW-J5xgXvfJKusGo1lbwg/s320/bday.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -My car was rear ended AGAIN. This is the third time this has happened since we have moved to NOVA. But- it was taken care of while I was in California, and was able to pick up my car this morning. I handled it. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -I kicked off my deployment weight loss journey... which was completely sidelined by my trip west... whoops. I started again today, so we shall see! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -My trip to California!! We were busy! Wine tasting, cupcakes, seals in La Jolla, a fabulous pre-birthday dinner in Coronado, and just lots of time with friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePw50RE301Cw4XL7ucSEhBSCKqieNM_G8saTxKhijtgH3JNWnUO2pcg_8Ur4hXbW_iaJZkPPuFfpiwxKhny7kxoUYiitKUT8wrgjq1NIdJzaWdOEGzn4fPAu84z3ou0x1lPCj3pVeR5I/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePw50RE301Cw4XL7ucSEhBSCKqieNM_G8saTxKhijtgH3JNWnUO2pcg_8Ur4hXbW_iaJZkPPuFfpiwxKhny7kxoUYiitKUT8wrgjq1NIdJzaWdOEGzn4fPAu84z3ou0x1lPCj3pVeR5I/s320/beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T5j8Oil1EE7fNJuW-LCTYeKkSvzMb8vMn7VUfotOF1wyP1Xdx40R_gDyQ-sw-S71mGS_Y0fpyfpJMbnqYV59OjeJGUQMjJvUzvuS6YecpHr7c7QD-h7O4azNyI_hbjqzxK5MidK5djY/s1600/wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T5j8Oil1EE7fNJuW-LCTYeKkSvzMb8vMn7VUfotOF1wyP1Xdx40R_gDyQ-sw-S71mGS_Y0fpyfpJMbnqYV59OjeJGUQMjJvUzvuS6YecpHr7c7QD-h7O4azNyI_hbjqzxK5MidK5djY/s320/wine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfMRErDS8f7_Rj__ogMeKIzoZCE8BnPyC78__S1koDIS0PSB_1lpSF9kPC86CWlrpm5vfiyqROoGrPNjehyphenhyphenuIRhMs59Ejk2Zw0vcvGgFQmvCm01U4tXIxzGnGkDeMA4E3Cv4VNbH2DCk/s1600/DSC01009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfMRErDS8f7_Rj__ogMeKIzoZCE8BnPyC78__S1koDIS0PSB_1lpSF9kPC86CWlrpm5vfiyqROoGrPNjehyphenhyphenuIRhMs59Ejk2Zw0vcvGgFQmvCm01U4tXIxzGnGkDeMA4E3Cv4VNbH2DCk/s320/DSC01009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -Decisions were made, and deadlines were created. The boy and I have some big choices to make in the upcoming months... mostly concerning our next step in the Marine Corps. He also FINALLY made a decision about the motorcycle he wants... which, according to him, was the most stressful thing for him this deployment. (Seems strange, but this is our new deployment reality, and I will take it!)</span><br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All in all, this was another quick month. I am hoping that this coming month will be less stressful, and that I will be able to focus on the positive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh... and one more thing! A book was written and recently published that gives an account of Randy's first deployment in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. It was an awesome read- definitely hard for me at times, but gave me a much better understanding of what transpired during our very first deployment. Be sure to check it out! The website is: <a href="http://www.memoirsofanoutlaw.com/">http://www.memoirsofanoutlaw.com/. </a></span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-81971403528929678542013-04-13T10:43:00.000-04:002013-04-13T10:43:10.332-04:00Hope For the Warriors<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">About a month ago, I was asked to write a guest blog for a fantastic organization, Hope for the Warriors. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been involved in this organization practically since it was created. While my role has always been tiny compared to what these amazing Marine wives have been able to accomplish, it is an organization that I absolutely adore, will always support, and will forever be in my heart. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was truly an honor to be able to contribute something that would potentially help other spouses and caregivers. Again, while my contribution was tiny</span>, <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I hope that by telling our story, I was able to help someone, somewhere. I hope that I was able to give another spouse the courage to realize it is OK to ask for help. I hope that I was able to give a Marine the courage to realize that maybe what they are feeling is "normal" in our world. I hope that I gave a fellow military family the strength to step forward and deal with what they are feeling. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In case you missed it, here is the link to my guest blog. Please share- the more we talk about PTSD and what our servicemembers have dealt with, the more we are able to make the stigma go away.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://hopeforthewarriors.blogspot.com/2013/03/dealing-with-ptsd-and-deployments.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://hopeforthewarriors.blogspot.com/2013/03/dealing-with-ptsd-and-deployments.html </span></a>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-38951807723040432092013-04-06T12:18:00.000-04:002013-04-06T12:18:59.379-04:00One Month Down!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Today, April 6th, means we are <i><b>officially</b></i> ONE month down in this deployment!!!!</span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<br /></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Whew!!! It's been a busy month- and went by much faster than I thought it would. Usually (for me) the first month is the longest and the hardest. But this time around, time is flying.... and I am definitely NOT complaining!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After 4 combat deployments, this MEU deployment stuff is pretty easy. Now, I am not trying to take away from anyone who might be having a rough time with this type of deployment, but for me, I would take this any day. I keep telling Randy that they need to come up with a different word for this- because this is NOT my definition of a deployment!! It is a welcome change for me to actually be able to sleep soundly at night, and not have a constant pit in my stomach. I can actually take a deep breath- and go about my day to day routine and not feel guilty about getting to enjoy my life. I can actually smile, and laugh, and have fun- and not feel like I have someone sitting on my chest. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm actually really jealous of the boy- he got to spend 4 days in Cyprus, and I actually got to see some sights and sounds and food there as well- thanks to technology. <i>(My iPhone is now my new best friend!)</i> I am completely thrilled that he can actually relax and enjoy himself- and see the world, like he was promised almost 10 years ago when he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He deserves this- he deserves to kick back at a bar in Cyprus, and laugh and have a good time. I am incredibly happy that he gets these opportunities- and it doesn't hurt that he is buying me pretty things too!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In no particular order, my month one highlights:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -My iPhone. I am seriously in love, and incredibly thankful that I got the phone when I did. Communication with the boy is SO much easier- however he tries to get a hold of me, I can instantly answer back!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -I redecorated my living room. No idea where this came from- I woke up one morning and just decided I was sick of EVERYTHING. Thankfully, I had houseguests that could help me with the "man" stuff:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKipRcck80N3LqivFanptcw2XZnd37Xu3eR8lpxE9PzjSSCrcihJB2IQUapuYOKq4_HQ0JPzDSxoy5-GntlB4wOd56jXY01dz1R_zo4eZAs3ouNLKzbnhbLX4VIh67sAT3h2Eqgrkd2JA/s1600/150862_4616960901368_1819205179_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKipRcck80N3LqivFanptcw2XZnd37Xu3eR8lpxE9PzjSSCrcihJB2IQUapuYOKq4_HQ0JPzDSxoy5-GntlB4wOd56jXY01dz1R_zo4eZAs3ouNLKzbnhbLX4VIh67sAT3h2Eqgrkd2JA/s320/150862_4616960901368_1819205179_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best houseguests ever! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
-<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I got to drive home in the worst snowstorm Northern VA had gotten all winter. This was of course on deployment day, when I was functioning on 4 hours of sleep tops. Super fun. But 4 wheel drive, new tires, and my kick ass PA driving skills definitely saved the day. I probably won't do that again any time soon though. Really not much fun at all!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
-<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Easter 2013. The year the Sedlak family ALL got the stomach bug. Sharing means caring right??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> -I got to snuggle cute babies:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQveFDGjERemH1o2tHBq-MYalOOqamr1HaqhpK7q0hU_4rp_coCkALdyHHBbvD1RyGiKMbKl350W48-Jpny8l9pUyFYF_-qMFgdfeHICCogzNENa2hnec10uPdomjxG-MYHbPchoEPOg/s1600/46573_4642386416990_1029603948_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQveFDGjERemH1o2tHBq-MYalOOqamr1HaqhpK7q0hU_4rp_coCkALdyHHBbvD1RyGiKMbKl350W48-Jpny8l9pUyFYF_-qMFgdfeHICCogzNENa2hnec10uPdomjxG-MYHbPchoEPOg/s320/46573_4642386416990_1029603948_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBt-vAcA-nR7pTK0YjodK3Zokkwzx2DxgP5j5l_V_XACCh-Uo4xaP8FCCkH7l_0_Ll5lxyEg-k9N73MwOms_3jgS0McmMd-j5XGuWZfdo0zbFl80gi0Zp_vsL8sjX6zZ1KmSA3cwCX_Es/s1600/548905_4642533100657_1627637988_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBt-vAcA-nR7pTK0YjodK3Zokkwzx2DxgP5j5l_V_XACCh-Uo4xaP8FCCkH7l_0_Ll5lxyEg-k9N73MwOms_3jgS0McmMd-j5XGuWZfdo0zbFl80gi0Zp_vsL8sjX6zZ1KmSA3cwCX_Es/s320/548905_4642533100657_1627637988_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cora</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDRIJBtm7RCbtKa_nN3au-wTixnJCPEQuff9AQCIlMcYKOJvfwfqZtKI5NPHZfk78o4az4koivIuUTpzrNEatKCrEOmt7NLOuOLYEctC6goNrxcccXyfS05Skbrc_j0zMNwSNAnd5z4w/s1600/7215_4642386336988_1575888184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDRIJBtm7RCbtKa_nN3au-wTixnJCPEQuff9AQCIlMcYKOJvfwfqZtKI5NPHZfk78o4az4koivIuUTpzrNEatKCrEOmt7NLOuOLYEctC6goNrxcccXyfS05Skbrc_j0zMNwSNAnd5z4w/s320/7215_4642386336988_1575888184_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma and Auntie :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> All in all, it was a pretty decent first month. I am hoping that communication with the boy continues to stay pretty consistent, and that he continues to enjoy himself and stay busy. I am already starting to plan my weekends for May, and I am working on finalizing the details for my trip to California. I am busy, relaxed, and taking it one day at a time. You can't ask for much more than that!</span></div>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-79928867750750701412013-03-01T18:06:00.000-05:002013-03-01T18:06:34.606-05:00This is hard.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcN9rkEgS8-TQp_8f-58-0191h5eSOC9U3AF5JrVY7HRKX2ar7sBcqblaI-kPgvcIwjENRdaD3dA0tziz-bQPDgXfAVuw1DrtLw_t8_CKg3FZUkB9oTD1efZWz39fvU6a1vfFgZkUcCE/s1600/168181367304232811_Gn3UrUNB_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcN9rkEgS8-TQp_8f-58-0191h5eSOC9U3AF5JrVY7HRKX2ar7sBcqblaI-kPgvcIwjENRdaD3dA0tziz-bQPDgXfAVuw1DrtLw_t8_CKg3FZUkB9oTD1efZWz39fvU6a1vfFgZkUcCE/s1600/168181367304232811_Gn3UrUNB_c.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Deployment Day number 5 is way too close for comfort. Right now, the number of days we have left before d-day can be counted on less than 2 hands. And I hate it. I also hate just about everyone and everything too right now, so I apologize to those that might be catching the brunt of my bad attitude. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's hard to remain cheerful and try to appreciate what people are saying. I do appreciate the kind words... but there's not really anything that can make me feel better right now. I know that it will get better... I get to that point each and every time, but right now, I am bitter and angry. (And not so secretly hoping this sequester will cancel the deployment altogether. [I also know that is wishful thinking.])</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have cried to the point where I have bruises under my eyes... to go along with the fabulous dark circles from lack of sleep. I'm wishing that we would have gotten out of the Marine Corps in October... I am wishing that he never joined the Marine Corps period.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is HARD. There is no easy way around it. I keep reminding myself that this is not a combat deployment, but at the moment it honestly doesn't make me feel better. I might not worry about my husband for every waking second for the next 8 months, but I sure as hell am going to miss him. I hate knowing that I am going to have to watch him say goodbye to the "kids", and that none of them are really going to understand where he's going. I know that Mocha will pace and whine and cry because she sees Daddy's truck, but doesn't see Daddy. And that will absolutely break my heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Right now, 8 months seems like a lifetime, and it hurts to think that I really have to spend that much time away from my husband. I'm having a really hard time at the moment finding the good, the positive, and the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm hoping that by this time next week, I will be feeling a bit more optimistic and ready to conquer whatever deployment number 5 will throw at me, whether it is sink monsters or surgery for the dog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It will get better, and before I know it, 8 months will be 7... and I can do 7 months in my sleep. </span><br />
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-91993050993591846412013-02-22T21:27:00.004-05:002013-02-22T21:27:52.349-05:00The In Between<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ugh. I think this is my least favorite part about the deployment cycle... the weird limbo in between thing we are experiencing right now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Randy got back yesterday after a month long training. We have a handful of weeks left until he is gone for 8 months.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And it sucks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am at the point where I just want him gone already- because any military wife will tell you- the sooner they leave, the sooner they get back home. I am, at this point, desperate to start the countdown. I am sick of this looming sense of doom... because that is what I am dealing with now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I want to be happy that my husband is home, and we get to spend a long weekend together, but at the same time... I'm afraid to allow myself to get too comfortable in having him home again- because I know it is short lived. I know that in just a few weeks, I am on my own again for the long haul. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's hard to balance preparing myself for deployment, and enjoying the last few days I have left with my guy. It's just a sucky feeling. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I used to intentionally pick fights with him, and distance myself from him... because somehow in my mind, that would make it easier when he actually left if I was mad at him for whatever stupid thing I had created in my head. I've learned that that's not really the best way to handle things, and I make an effort to NOT do that- and just do my very best to enjoy the time we have given. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The pit in my stomach is there- although I don't think it's as big as it usually is at this point before he leaves. It makes a huge difference knowing that this is not a combat deployment (at least not yet.) I actually had a twinge of jealousy the other day when he was rattling off the list of places he will be going- that is definitely something new in relation to deployments. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Some of these feelings are definitely new- but the suck factor is still the same. I still have to say see you later, and I still have to get in my car and drive home to an empty house. I'll allow myself to wallow in self-pity for a day or so, then I will snap myself out of it and move on with my life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Until that day comes though, I will try my hardest to make the best of the in between... and I will remember that each day- good, bad, indifferent- will bring me closer to the big goal- homecoming.</span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-55518442939313586962013-02-13T20:36:00.000-05:002013-02-13T20:36:51.260-05:00Deployment Goals 2013<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, it's time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, almost.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I saw a movie commercial on TV tonight, and I got really angry when I realized how close we are getting to D-day. But there isn't a single thing I can do to stop the clock... which for us is both a good thing and a bad thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Believe me, I hate that my husband is leaving again, and that this deployment will be a little bit longer than the rest. But I am also excited to tackle some new goals, and get myself (and the brat) back into a routine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo86jjS7l66sEWMdwZ5Yxha20W19aHXr79ETwIMUXQ7KPRsd9WgZG_BzjEEV6tMOmASEbTbLVJfngxr6TTAuXR5XYc4SqbXNPtA1iKsRA9koJ7xUAcyDTGJ5li6gBhjnLoVY3WdI03L0/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo86jjS7l66sEWMdwZ5Yxha20W19aHXr79ETwIMUXQ7KPRsd9WgZG_BzjEEV6tMOmASEbTbLVJfngxr6TTAuXR5XYc4SqbXNPtA1iKsRA9koJ7xUAcyDTGJ5li6gBhjnLoVY3WdI03L0/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, here are my deployment goals for round 5:</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Save money. </b></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I feel like this is always a big one for military families during deployments. We have some pretty specific savings goals this time around- namely a motorcycle for the boy, a cruise to celebrate for us, and just padding our savings a bit. We will also be coming up on a PCS move soon after he gets home, so that means a bit of job insecurity for me. We are also going to be done paying for the truck in the spring as well, so we will be able to be car payment free- I am ridiculously excited about that. (I don't recommend to ANYONE getting 2 brand new cars within a year of each other. Not our smartest move!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Lose weight.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is also another typical one for us military wives. I'<span style="font-size: small;">m pretty good at losing the w<span style="font-size: small;">eight while the boy is gone- not totally sure why... but I always manage to gain it all back when <span style="font-size: small;">he gets home. So <span style="font-size: small;">my goal is to not only lose weight (I'm aiming for about 20lbs) but to keep it off once h<span style="font-size: small;">e gets home.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Have something to look fo<span style="font-size: large;">rward to each month.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Woo!! Travel! A <span style="font-size: small;">girl's best friend during deployment. This will be my way of staying busy- and making time pass as quickly as possible. I am already planning on heading home for Easter, so that takes care of March, and then I will <span style="font-size: small;">be heading to California in April or May... I haven't quite decided yet. I'm trying to plan out as far in advance as I can<span style="font-size: small;">. I am a planner after all. It h<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">lps whe<span style="font-size: small;">n I see everything w<span style="font-size: small;">ritten out- <span style="font-size: small;">I like having full week<span style="font-size: small;">ends with stuff to do and look forward to.<span style="font-size: small;"> It also gives me somet<span style="font-size: small;">hing to write to the boy about.</span></span> So, if anyone would like a vis<span style="font-size: small;">itor, or needs someone to visit in the DC area... give me a shout!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Stay positive<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> This one might be hard. Because de<span style="font-size: small;">ployments are hard. <span style="font-size: small;">They, unfortunately<span style="font-size: small;">, don't get easier. D<span style="font-size: small;">istance sucks- but I will try my best to focus on the positive and remember that it could always be worse.<span style="font-size: small;"> It could definitely be worse<span style="font-size: small;">- this one is not a combat deployme<span style="font-size: small;">nt! (yet!) Yay!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">5. Get into a rou<span style="font-size: large;">tine a<span style="font-size: large;">gain.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I am a <span style="font-size: small;">creature of habit, and I have been completely off my game the last few wee<span style="font-size: small;">ks. Strangely enough, I think I am just ready for this deployment to start, so I can get<span style="font-size: small;"> into the swing of things and just DO THIS. I am already si<span style="font-size: small;">ck of the waiting game... waiting for him to come home for a little bit longer, only to t<span style="font-size: small;">urn aroun<span style="font-size: small;">d again and leave for good. No fun at all. I need to get my<span style="font-size: small;">self into a routine- getting up, w<span style="font-size: small;">orking out/walking the dog, going to work, etc. I'll get there... in a few more weeks.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So there they are. Deployment Goals 2013. I'm <span style="font-size: small;">pretty confident that I will be successful<span style="font-size: small;">... I've done<span style="font-size: small;"> it before, and I plan on <span style="font-size: small;">k<span style="font-size: small;">icking ass!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></b> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-90964221502295414262013-02-08T18:05:00.001-05:002013-02-08T18:05:10.995-05:00A Weekend Away<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just like last deployment, one of my goals is to have one fun thing to look forward to each month. It doesn't matter how small <i>(like a pedicure)</i>, or how big <i>(a week long trip to Cali)</i>- I am going to stay busy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Even though the boy is only away training, I still wanted to do my best to keep busy while he was away. Lucky for me, one of my closest and oldest friends is pregnant with twins- so I got to head home this past weekend for her baby shower. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now, for those that know me- bridal showers and baby showers don't necessarily rank very high on my list of favorite things. But when it means that I get to see some of my favorite ladies... I am all about it.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1MOcJOENkBH1M1UUPG9NwqpprFFqcA0O_9nO0rhaUD267T9LxurWjAp-pHjM8Vh0cq7e1NE1Zbj1PrrcAi6mI31kd9N5cprj7D8q-TDfgHOnBxnEHNRkyBPlRJZ28EtGIUTy7-kFUU8/s1600/DSC00953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1MOcJOENkBH1M1UUPG9NwqpprFFqcA0O_9nO0rhaUD267T9LxurWjAp-pHjM8Vh0cq7e1NE1Zbj1PrrcAi6mI31kd9N5cprj7D8q-TDfgHOnBxnEHNRkyBPlRJZ28EtGIUTy7-kFUU8/s320/DSC00953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> It was so wonderful to be able to spend even a little bit of time with my "sisters". We don't get to see each other as often as I would like, and I miss them terribly. I was reminded again though what an amazing support system I have- each of these ladies has a LOT on their plate- but they were quick to ask how I was doing, and how the boy was doing. I can't tell you how much that meant to me.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also got to show off my crafty side... I made some diaper cakes for the shower. (I'm really quite proud of how these turned out- I surprised myself!)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0PinyU7niwxFwJTs_nY8v9BOTUMYWqsxj0oNdgDzLrlgAOuv2rE7ueiuocZmvQGCKxYHd1AZK6ZhLWptacoHkhgyALv0MZ5oJrIQyZIhH2q9ZAIViiL5JOJtoOBUhQWfeshPnQnVbFI/s1600/DSC00931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0PinyU7niwxFwJTs_nY8v9BOTUMYWqsxj0oNdgDzLrlgAOuv2rE7ueiuocZmvQGCKxYHd1AZK6ZhLWptacoHkhgyALv0MZ5oJrIQyZIhH2q9ZAIViiL5JOJtoOBUhQWfeshPnQnVbFI/s320/DSC00931.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81X3SsncQiUjuUbmh2iaZK30zeNXflWWljeN7-16Vb2m-tngY_qB_px9cv8MZ__HcJXeUxIskZUp_5kBctwXeqDZ4hyphenhyphenJFhdmNFGOG14rtbSfzPPpcamtruV2OZOssfWMp9tR2jWnexls/s1600/DSC00934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81X3SsncQiUjuUbmh2iaZK30zeNXflWWljeN7-16Vb2m-tngY_qB_px9cv8MZ__HcJXeUxIskZUp_5kBctwXeqDZ4hyphenhyphenJFhdmNFGOG14rtbSfzPPpcamtruV2OZOssfWMp9tR2jWnexls/s320/DSC00934.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> My favorite part of the weekend though was getting to spend time with my sister and my sweet little niece. Emma is 8 weeks old now, and she's already changed so much since I saw her at Christmas. I was happy (for selfish reasons) that my sister and niece were at home all weekend. It's rare that I get to spend that much time with my sister- and when we were getting ready for the shower, I felt like I was in high school again, as she was bugging me to borrow my makeup and some random hair products I brought with me. It was actually pretty fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I got to snuggle a lot with this little lady:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J8GCQR4AYKYDZlcUW-IBfUYZMLgYB_pB_4n13rB7BROdWknSwzXneydty-13QqiP9oLV-YuXSnyq9T0tgm4RILxsVxPT3dR3dUVYdFBPev-aZUSqm3o0ngiTTDiSnyeshNcf56TFFvQ/s1600/DSC00958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J8GCQR4AYKYDZlcUW-IBfUYZMLgYB_pB_4n13rB7BROdWknSwzXneydty-13QqiP9oLV-YuXSnyq9T0tgm4RILxsVxPT3dR3dUVYdFBPev-aZUSqm3o0ngiTTDiSnyeshNcf56TFFvQ/s320/DSC00958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And I loved every second of it. Having Emma around now definitely makes it harder to leave PA.... I wish I was much much closer to home so I could see her every day. (I'm secretly still hoping for orders close to home once this deployment is behind us.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, Mission Stay Busy was a success for the month of training. Stay tuned for more deployment adventures.... anybody want to come visit?? I make a GREAT tour guide!! :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-65595935373477543742013-01-30T22:14:00.000-05:002013-01-30T22:14:43.813-05:00Murphy's Law- Marine Corps style!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Murphy's Law- anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Military Wives Murphy's Law- anything that can go wrong will only go wrong the second he leaves for training, or deployment, or is completely unreachable by conventional means of communication. </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is bound to happen.</span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And honestly, after almost 9 years in the Marine Corps li<span style="font-size: small;">fest<span style="font-size: small;">yle, I pretty much expect i<span style="font-size: small;">t.</span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes, it is something major<span style="font-size: small;">, like a dog needing surgery.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Somet<span style="font-size: small;">imes it is completely ridiculous, like a sink monster ju<span style="font-size: small;">mping out from underneath the <span style="font-size: small;">coffee cup in the sink.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But it will always be something that you know wouldn't have happened if your husband were home. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Which is <u>exactly</u> what I was thinking Saturday night.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am pretty sure that if the boy had not been floating around somewhere of the coast of VA, then I probably wouldn't have had to take a fun filled trip to the ER.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Each time that Military Wives Murphy's Law sneaks up on me, I am reminded of something very important:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can handle it. </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If it is thrown in my face, knocks me off balance, catches me off guard- it doesn't really matter. I can handle it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, when stomach pains were keeping me awake and very uncomfortable at 3 am, I knew I could and would handle it. I hopped in the car, and checked myself in. I felt a little bit sorry for myself- but that was my own fault. I was yelled at by just about all of my co-workers on Monday morning when they found out I was there by myself. I was reminded (again, because I am stubborn) that it is ok to ask for help, and it is ok to call people at 3 am if you are in the emergency room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The moral of the story: Something is bound to go wrong. And it will seem like the end of the world, because I know that it would be so much easier if my level-headed husband were home. But he isn't- and that's not anybody's fault. He is doing his job, and I must do mine. My job is to take care of it- and handle it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Saturday night was just a reminder of Murphy's Law- and I handled it!</span></div>
<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-27118911195872672722013-01-20T15:23:00.000-05:002013-01-20T15:23:10.854-05:00Dear Deployment: You still suck!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yesterday I got my hair cut. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />Sounds like a simple, straightforward, relaxing way to spend a Saturday right?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was... until those pesky deployment demons snuck up right at the end and kicked me in the gut. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was asked to schedule my next appointment... and the date they gave me was one measly week before the boy leaves.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hearing that... and coming to the realization that the number of weeks that stand between me and deployment number 5 can be counted on 2 hands sent me right into meltdown mode. I did, thankfully, manage to make it out of the salon and into my car before I lost it.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">UGH. </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The thing is, I knew they were going to ask that question, and I knew what the date would be. But to actually hear that out loud was a huge reality check, and I did not like it one bit. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It turns out, my heart has yet to realize there is a difference between this deployment and the last 4. This one so far is a non-combat deployment, so the realities are a lot different. My head has realized this... but I am not sure at what point the hurt will be different.... and I really don't think it will. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My husband will still be leaving for 8 plus months. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We will still be apart.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I still have to stand there and watch him get on a bus and drive away from me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I still have to keep everything going on my own.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am still going to have to find ways to make the time pass as quickly as possible.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The only difference I've found is that this time I might actually be a bit jealous of some of the locations the boy gets to visit. <i>(That is obviously something new- I can safely say I've never been jealous of the time he spent in Iraq or Afghanistan.)</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bottom line is, deployments still suck, regardless of the combat or non-combat nature. As much as I keep trying to put on my big girl panties, it still hurts knowing that I only have a handful of weeks left before he is gone for good. And for more than half of those weeks, he will be away training. Which sucks even more. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>But- it is what it is. It's my turn- and we all have to take a turn. This too shall pass... and hopefully soon after he comes in the fall, we will be on our way somewhere new... together. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>And that will make it all worth it. </i> </span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-56965079404487702112013-01-17T22:27:00.000-05:002013-01-17T22:27:24.002-05:00Promotion Day!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On January 1st, the boy officially became a Staff Sergeant.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxZViUCJDUDOB8taAGPBjk8U5E7ML7DbIaVbc-iypskkkUArsuo7pyirayVVlUbysZ2zRn5xMkDwW5la0RlouFpJz3Jt9ch8RWPABmhSKmFHR743t-WnUkbMolsaMjKk4l3ZqbRg7SG8/s1600/46423_521802681184692_2073113998_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxZViUCJDUDOB8taAGPBjk8U5E7ML7DbIaVbc-iypskkkUArsuo7pyirayVVlUbysZ2zRn5xMkDwW5la0RlouFpJz3Jt9ch8RWPABmhSKmFHR743t-WnUkbMolsaMjKk4l3ZqbRg7SG8/s320/46423_521802681184692_2073113998_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But it wasn't officially official until he pinned on on January 7th.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And then it wasn't officially officially official until it updated on his online records... then when he changed it in his email signature... then when I called him on his office phone to hear him say his new rank... however many different ways you say it, it is official!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Needless to say, we are both thrilled with this promotion. It of course means new challenges and new responsibilities for both of us, but it is something we are both ready to take on. It also means that the boy is guaranteed to stay in until retirement now, which is a huge relief for both of us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It does also mean another deployment... which is fine. (More on that another day.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I don't really know if I can really put into words how proud I am of my husband.... and how proud I am of us really. This is something that I honestly feel like we both earned together. <i>(That sounds like I am one of THOSE wives... that wear their husband's rank... I promise I am not!) </i> I could care less about what the rank is- but this was a long time coming, and it took a lot of sacrifice and dedication on both of our parts. There were plenty of days that the boy just felt like giving up on all things Marine Corps- and it was me convincing him that what he was doing was worth it... and important. And then there were the other 360 days that I absolutely hated all things Marine Corps- but was reminded how much HE loves the Marine Corps... and that changed my tune.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've come to the realization that I won't ever get to have a conventional "career", and I probably won't ever work at a job long enough to retire. That's why I throw myself so much into all things Marine Corps- because here in another 10-ish years, the boy will retire, and with that, we will both close a huge chapter in our lives. This, when it really comes down to it, is my career- my choice- too. And I am okay with that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The new SSgt has now accomplished <b>MORE</b> than he ever thought he would in the Marine Corps. The best part is- he's only halfway through. Who knows what this guy will accomplish next- but I know he will do great things, and be a fantastic leader!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Congrats babe! I am so very very proud of you!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeGWpuU4mP6wUEIxtfdWVz2ZvZbwKdIb5Q7IfqO30K5YyewsJhxambWFbhBCAAdpZy0VC5zaei3Qsf55AaIvw0rPkbj7Qhp88QkaVUUQqJlACKOMQudQ8x-eQAE-NyWfEBXbki6LBJzI/s1600/DSC00921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeGWpuU4mP6wUEIxtfdWVz2ZvZbwKdIb5Q7IfqO30K5YyewsJhxambWFbhBCAAdpZy0VC5zaei3Qsf55AaIvw0rPkbj7Qhp88QkaVUUQqJlACKOMQudQ8x-eQAE-NyWfEBXbki6LBJzI/s320/DSC00921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-62685609481935245382012-12-31T20:18:00.001-05:002012-12-31T20:18:57.136-05:00Goodbye 2012... Hello 2013<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another year is about to be behind us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A brand new year is in front of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn0LoHo-88FRwXdPg-_NoFgrb7JNUnNjZ7Nminrhp7LTJik8YeHpJ638x18jU017002aTS7cWx7X6ZsW0SCmPCBobwCwLdl4HBAR3PG79-NGNzTDPh2aWLv58ddpPY3lbutEwa8rAJWI/s1600/2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn0LoHo-88FRwXdPg-_NoFgrb7JNUnNjZ7Nminrhp7LTJik8YeHpJ638x18jU017002aTS7cWx7X6ZsW0SCmPCBobwCwLdl4HBAR3PG79-NGNzTDPh2aWLv58ddpPY3lbutEwa8rAJWI/s320/2013.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Honestly, I'm not completely sure where the last 365 days have gone, but I am not so sad to put 2012 behind us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has been a challenging year... definitely a roller coaster full of ups and downs. I was cautiously optimistic that 2012 would be the year that the boy and I would actually get to live under one roof again, but of course the Marine Corps had other plans for us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been reminded that I need to be patient, always be Semper Gumby, and that everything happens for a reason. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've learned that things will happen when they are meant to, not when I want them to, and that good things happen to those that wait and persevere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Things will never be perfect- but then again, I am not striving for perfection. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2012 taught me some valuable lessons- and I am sure that 2013 will teach me even more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2013 will bring us a promotion (Hello SSgt Williamson!), a deployment, new experiences with new family members (I'm an auntie now!), a happy homecoming, and lots of new adventures to fill the days while the boy is floating around the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am looking forward to seeing what the year brings!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Happy 2013!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-4376295846826461482012-12-17T21:21:00.003-05:002012-12-17T21:21:40.921-05:00There are no words<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What happened on Friday in Connecticut was completely and utterly horrifying and devastating. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There really are no words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've been watching or listening to the news almost constantly. I feel like that is my way of honoring the victims- the teachers and support staff, and all those sweet babies. I want to know as much as I can about their lives... I want to do what little I can to honor their memory, and to make sure they are not forgotten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This tragedy- while not to take away from the victims and their families and friends, and really the entire community- has been especially hard for me to deal with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My mom was an elementary school teacher for 30 plus years. Many of her friends- who are like my family- still are teachers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I worked in elementary schools for 4 years- and still keep in touch with many dear friends from both schools I was lucky enough to work in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have a lot of friends from high school and college who are educators.</span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My life is full of people who have dedicated their lives and their careers to the education of children.</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When these events began to unfold on Friday, I could not help but picture myself there. When I still worked in the school system, we were required to practice lockdown drills a few times a year. The principal would come over the loudspeaker, we would take the children to a corner of the room, turn out the lights, lock the door, and shutter the windows. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then we would sit and wait. I remember how unnerving the situation could be. I would sit with a couple kids on each side of me, and one in my lap. They would lean on me, and whimper a little as someone came banging on the door and shaking the handle to ensure that it was locked properly. I would do my best to reassure the kids, and let them know that everything would be ok- <b>that this was only practice.</b> </span><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Eventually, the lockdown was over, the lights would be turned back on, and we would return to our normal, hectic day in kindergarten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've read a lot about the actions of the teachers that day. They are being called heroes- which is exactly what they are. They selflessly shielded their kids- knowing exactly what could happen, but knowing that they were responsible for the safety and well being of those children. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I know that every single educator I know- including myself- would have done the exact same thing if we were put in that situation. I know that I would have done everything in my power to protect my kids- because that's just it- they were <b>my</b> kids. For 8 plus hours a day, 5 days a week, they are that teacher's kids. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They hug them, encourage them, love them, discipline them, inspire them, and keep them safe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They reassure them- even when they themselves aren't completely sure that everything will be ok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They create a safe environment to inspire kids, and encourage them to come back to school the next day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And today, teachers, support staff, parents, and kids across our country did something incredibly brave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They went back to school.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They all proved- every single one- that the bad guys are not going to win.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-19367944797863471532012-11-16T21:30:00.001-05:002012-11-16T21:31:21.608-05:00Happy 237th Birthday Marines!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Yes, I know, the actual birthday was on the 10th. But since we aren't celebrating until tomorrow, I still get to use that title.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tomorrow night, I will put on a fancy dress, uncomfortable heels, and strut my stuff at our battalion's birthday ball. I honestly am not sure there is any other branch of the military that celebrates their "birthday" the way the Marine Corps does, but it sure is fun. It is the one night of the year in the Marine Corps that is really just fun.... mandatory fun yes... but still just fun. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is a lot of ceremony and tradition, and some somber moments of reflection and remembrance. The ceremony reminds us what it means to be a part of the family that is the Marine Corps, and how truly important our Marines' roles are in protecting our country. (And, a handful of days after finding out that deployment #5 is official, it will be good for me to have this reminder.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It also makes for some fantastic people watching.....ha! (Gold lame' mini anybody?!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This year will be my 9th ball. I've actually been to more than the boy has. The year he was deployed, the unit that was tasked with keeping an eye on us invited all the spouses to their ball. So I took my sister as a date, and we had a fun girls night with all the other ladies. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So here's a look back at us at Birthday Balls of the past:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuRYCaj3r6DJ-PIXoEMZrA4KoBQ4oSHBHGi9He6ws7dZxG5q1uhTa1muFwNj6yfto32flhTj9wPxCgoXcjGC5k2jqZTIPLmrfL4eELR26a594KuqYcj8SQWYyAyv_Bifj0JMqcsh5p0s/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuRYCaj3r6DJ-PIXoEMZrA4KoBQ4oSHBHGi9He6ws7dZxG5q1uhTa1muFwNj6yfto32flhTj9wPxCgoXcjGC5k2jqZTIPLmrfL4eELR26a594KuqYcj8SQWYyAyv_Bifj0JMqcsh5p0s/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> This was our very first ball! The boy had gotten home from Iraq about 5 weeks earlier. I flew down from Penn State, and the drastic change in weather gave me a cold. This was also my first experience with Marine wives- I will never forget the one wife who felt it necessary to show me that she was in fact duct taped into her dress!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXdtAR4oJRhRBkge7I4hkCqJwNAsy6R2x1I_Q3H5PS9P953PlIQb2wjHsZZF4CJvHVeT14NdAXLjJr5_wzYrq7TBU5kUnMqZj8oIrlst1eCnc9wNqZOuAnZTki8k6PLqVYnH-PK6t3DM/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXdtAR4oJRhRBkge7I4hkCqJwNAsy6R2x1I_Q3H5PS9P953PlIQb2wjHsZZF4CJvHVeT14NdAXLjJr5_wzYrq7TBU5kUnMqZj8oIrlst1eCnc9wNqZOuAnZTki8k6PLqVYnH-PK6t3DM/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2005</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YRL_U7U5RWm_rtxD7wB-UI7TIvMU3STzg70DQ3aL_ms0587vMUC1LJHXGGH2_sYM-T0urYXUVxSijGUZDryV98J9Pa7oBabiIG7_C9QpYAl8R-1ezV6iDeCbWE5ObdLRDk0CiQHWrSo/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YRL_U7U5RWm_rtxD7wB-UI7TIvMU3STzg70DQ3aL_ms0587vMUC1LJHXGGH2_sYM-T0urYXUVxSijGUZDryV98J9Pa7oBabiIG7_C9QpYAl8R-1ezV6iDeCbWE5ObdLRDk0CiQHWrSo/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2006</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With my baby sister! She was sweet enough to fly down to North Carolina and we had a blast!</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxfEGHK5IUNx03unyjUotKLOth7-OkphLaA5hbHSkl5sSkNmZ_6I4GEh_GCJFKfd2VlkRHAj9lzonovAdwiI85D4NvA2Lfda7H_t3rkX5wBu5VAtKImVywIDxqInoVQMBvglMc3b4Yyw/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxfEGHK5IUNx03unyjUotKLOth7-OkphLaA5hbHSkl5sSkNmZ_6I4GEh_GCJFKfd2VlkRHAj9lzonovAdwiI85D4NvA2Lfda7H_t3rkX5wBu5VAtKImVywIDxqInoVQMBvglMc3b4Yyw/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2007</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our first ball at Quantico. Obviously a bit intoxicated, and the woman that did my hair sprayed me with glitter before I could protest... bleh.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh815FRLe_9DybYja6I9xq3LCu29VSXKIR5tbGBS-Urn6vK9uVdNKts8iX0dnTYxDycj1bAPiVMhJAV_4_8HSptrZ6A8gxlKKXVTnYgs6t7r6CUit-HCW6m3B02urynuVblqDRn3J1KfBY/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh815FRLe_9DybYja6I9xq3LCu29VSXKIR5tbGBS-Urn6vK9uVdNKts8iX0dnTYxDycj1bAPiVMhJAV_4_8HSptrZ6A8gxlKKXVTnYgs6t7r6CUit-HCW6m3B02urynuVblqDRn3J1KfBY/s320/5.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is my fave!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mbPR0CSwnyrCguqMGK8l8b0vxPFFFv1DPfYFwOHPNcRFXJUBe6TXkVIcDDTAU933so3Rn-O4rkfaCki29Lwwxz33s1UccgHELvP3zVUBQjhAGqH7kKL4FvHXktt4mJ8PsigJBdZEcy8/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mbPR0CSwnyrCguqMGK8l8b0vxPFFFv1DPfYFwOHPNcRFXJUBe6TXkVIcDDTAU933so3Rn-O4rkfaCki29Lwwxz33s1UccgHELvP3zVUBQjhAGqH7kKL4FvHXktt4mJ8PsigJBdZEcy8/s320/6.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Drunk again... ha!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcH_SW89rKLnOMmKXn56BKiEqOVKCtBhMfN4OUGrq4xM2OqW_4qLIM_NfbXlBe1ilzAugs6SA3pEGOsgOL-TfFK5jZbbT_NTjjzuqDwuiKf_hDNVDV6FEYS8HHBPSqEWmb6O0OKZTZpo/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcH_SW89rKLnOMmKXn56BKiEqOVKCtBhMfN4OUGrq4xM2OqW_4qLIM_NfbXlBe1ilzAugs6SA3pEGOsgOL-TfFK5jZbbT_NTjjzuqDwuiKf_hDNVDV6FEYS8HHBPSqEWmb6O0OKZTZpo/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Birthday ball.....in the gym. And dress recycling!</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOi2FkPSnqcXGhfKuY54oyrRZD5NGBMfBOg-Ot7YxtKftGDgTckdc8xi7h8s2WEDYpT-Xsnw5KktWTCIOLyVwwoeXP3KfAfh61Nw3VbbZdP-0008wGJTAjyGUVZojI_vmR1Kr1X_6DwBM/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOi2FkPSnqcXGhfKuY54oyrRZD5NGBMfBOg-Ot7YxtKftGDgTckdc8xi7h8s2WEDYpT-Xsnw5KktWTCIOLyVwwoeXP3KfAfh61Nw3VbbZdP-0008wGJTAjyGUVZojI_vmR1Kr1X_6DwBM/s320/8.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So there ya go- the years in review. There is obviously some drinking, lots of fun, and plenty of great memories each year. It is such a fun, special night for us all- and it never hurts to be in a room surrounded by Marines in dress blues!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-13165460897341977212012-11-14T20:50:00.000-05:002012-11-16T21:31:10.288-05:00It's a part of this life<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well.</span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I've had 2 beers, 3 meltdowns, and my eyes are just about swollen shut. But I still haven't completely wrapped my brain around this latest bit of news.</span></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Come spring 2013, the boy will be deploying for a fifth time.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">5 deployments. Seriously??</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Before you say anything, let me tell you what I do know at this very moment in time:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> -I know that this is always a possibility, being married to an infantry Marine during a time of global upheaval and conflict.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">-I know that there are good things, and that I will find the positive in all this.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">-I know that this will be good for his career and his new rank.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">-I know that it is NOT a combat deployment.... at least today it isn't. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">-I know that this will be the worst that I feel, with the exception of the day he actually leaves.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">-I know that I am allowed to feel exactly how I am feeling at this very second. I deserve a chance to wallow in absolute self pity, and feel incredibly sorry for myself. (I also know, that because this is the 5th time that my husband has had to call and tell me that he is deploying, that this too shall pass.)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">But I just don't want to play Pollyanna right now. I am emotionally exhausted for so many reasons, and I just want a chance to feel sorry for myself. It is rare that I allow that to happen, because I just refuse to dwell on all the negative in my life.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b><i>Deployments are a part of this life. </i></b> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Yes, I knew that. Yes, the boy knew that. It still does not make it one bit easier. Deployments are never easy. If they were, I would seriously question why I continue to stick around to put myself through this. Deployments are hard, and test you in ways that you never dreamed you would be tested and challenged. I hate every last second of having to be away from my husband. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I have very mixed emotions right now, and I am angry at anyone and anything that happens to cross my path. I apologize for that- but at the same time, I just cannot help myself. I am once again having some feelings of regret, and wondering <b>what if </b>we had made different choices at step 1, 12, or 2597. There's no point in looking backward though. I know it doesn't make a lot of sense, but that's how I feel. All I want is to live with my husband again and be "normal". I honestly didn't think that was too much to ask, but apparently when the USMC is involved, it is.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So, tomorrow I will wake up, put on my big girl panties and my superhero cape, and keep leading the life that I have chosen. The boy will deploy in March whether I like it or not, whether I stick out my tongue and stomp my foot, whether I think it's unfair or not right. Nothing will stop the clock, so I will embrace it as best I can.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This is a part of this life, and it is what I have chosen. Good, bad, indifferent or otherwise. It just doesn't matter. Deployment number 5 is here to stay, and despite our best efforts, it is happening. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I will keep telling myself that, but it doesn't mean that the pit in my stomach and the lump in my throat will go away any faster.</span></span><br />
<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-64019282998400824372012-11-05T22:18:00.000-05:002012-11-05T22:18:26.867-05:00Vote!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM742GEaKM2ZSLdls4K8BzFqEATkyANyt-_fjgk_M_eKAz2J7Pvh3q6S4wVX8braC-Y1aorUl1zKcFJp1ci1OHD1KunAuYuxKhyrzanMxJwgVmHfvlYxBlf0Tw1lwimsya4W9YdZ9SYo/s1600/Vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM742GEaKM2ZSLdls4K8BzFqEATkyANyt-_fjgk_M_eKAz2J7Pvh3q6S4wVX8braC-Y1aorUl1zKcFJp1ci1OHD1KunAuYuxKhyrzanMxJwgVmHfvlYxBlf0Tw1lwimsya4W9YdZ9SYo/s320/Vote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the 4th Presidential Election that I have had the privilege and duty of voting in.</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have never gotten one of those fun little stickers though, because I have always voted by absentee ballot. In 2000 and 2004 I was a Penn State student. In 2008 and now in 2012 I am a military spouse.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But that hasn't stopped me. This year I requested my absentee ballot on the very first day Pennsylvania allowed you to request ballots. I sent it back within 2 days, and felt... proud? happy? excited? All of the above really.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is really an honor for me to be able to exercise my right to vote, a right that my husband has fought to protect. (Yes I know I am dragging my military spouseness into this, but hey, its true!) </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is going to be short and to the point- make sure that you exercise your right to vote tomorrow. I am not so concerned with the who part- although I think everyone knows that there is a particular candidate I prefer more than another- but you need to get out there and vote. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is incredibly important. Men and women have died protecting our freedom to vote.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is our right, responsibility, duty, and honor as an American. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DO IT!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5616020038906511128.post-77535382718238921912012-10-24T20:37:00.002-04:002012-10-24T20:37:39.523-04:00Pit Bull Awareness Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2tJDCBUYCGqJ2qJMt5qEKkjiyXNtu1tLGs233QvrYXMZOSP4KemgZh-E7eaY5SBTGq4SdhBBPJZUsGr6QQLVOl89DH90FoDMq6KZrbg8YLLUrSzrFt-1KI88A193CghedjJPcZf-ASQ/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2tJDCBUYCGqJ2qJMt5qEKkjiyXNtu1tLGs233QvrYXMZOSP4KemgZh-E7eaY5SBTGq4SdhBBPJZUsGr6QQLVOl89DH90FoDMq6KZrbg8YLLUrSzrFt-1KI88A193CghedjJPcZf-ASQ/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is my dog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Well, Randy's dog.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mocha girl. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She is a lab-maybe pit-maybe boxer- mix. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (A mutt.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And a spoiled rotten brat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I found out a couple weeks ago that October is Pit Bull Awareness month. And while we are not completely sure that Mocha is part pit- we have tried to be good pet parents and ambassadors for the breed in general. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love dogs. LOVE them. I grew up with German Shepherds... I am a big dog kind of girl. Before Mocha flung (flang? flinged?) herself into our world, we were shopping for a puppy of the shepherd variety. We had agreed that we would get a puppy that summer, when I would be home to train it and housebreak it and all that puppy stuff. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Little did we know, a teeny mutt had other plans for us. We all know the story- sweet Randy was helping our neighbors move, and when they got to the neighbors new place, the previous occupants had abandonded their 4 month old puppy. She had been locked in her cage for at least 3 days, with no food and water. Randy calls me and asks if we could keep her. There was a gross misunderstanding, and I was suckered into keeping her. This was of course after many phone calls to lots of shelters and rescue organizations. The rescue groups couldn't take her- they were all full. The shelter would take her, but would euthanize her, because she could <i>possibly</i> be part pit bull. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The thought of taking this adorable creature to a shelter that would only kill her broke my heart. (Ask my dad- I was devastated, and hysterical crying.) I just couldn't bring myself to let that happen. It didn't matter to me what kind of dog she was- all I knew is that she needed to be rescued. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And here we are, almost 5 years later. We still aren't totally sure what kind of dog we have, but I do make a point of saying we think she is part pit bull. We try to be good ambassadors for the breed- even if she isn't part pit bull. I've gotten to the point where I just might rescue some more pit bull type dogs- just to prove to everyone how incredibly sweet and caring and lovable these dogs are. We have worked hard to have a well trained, well mannered dog. And while she isn't perfect, and most of the time is scared of her own shadow, she is still a pretty fantastic dog who is throwing a lot of stereotypes right out the window. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My point in all this rambling is this- if you see us walking down the street, don't run away scared. Stop and ask us questions- we are happy to tell you Mocha's story. She will love on you and let you pet her.... and if you are tiny enough, maybe let you climb all over her. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoPIDvPtBCQulvj0pEuBUTOIKbXuMkzsAKFnuZfvaIlJBZF-BU6BEPvw3pZYoVmiKeHMXP8aiZnp9WAHP-cGYd8iEHO32nR7ahfk8jpiD-i8q-9uijt0MTriyxQUDaLQA9sPH2QwBsyc/s1600/37611_1328069761145_3561983_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoPIDvPtBCQulvj0pEuBUTOIKbXuMkzsAKFnuZfvaIlJBZF-BU6BEPvw3pZYoVmiKeHMXP8aiZnp9WAHP-cGYd8iEHO32nR7ahfk8jpiD-i8q-9uijt0MTriyxQUDaLQA9sPH2QwBsyc/s320/37611_1328069761145_3561983_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She makes a great babysitter- and thinks that she can do a much better job of caring for children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRO8DLnku1qvj4OQSYBAXr_2raTVJiToO6I_COoEP0Xt-iMR_kL2bRxIgJZivXM2FXAezz0xY4Ve7-LYtMl-3Edm9kMxk8jVc9dLGtYDhYMnH2IoXcdcOJgMhb2B5EYHD8-LBG1EG_c8/s1600/45579_1358351798177_7862246_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRO8DLnku1qvj4OQSYBAXr_2raTVJiToO6I_COoEP0Xt-iMR_kL2bRxIgJZivXM2FXAezz0xY4Ve7-LYtMl-3Edm9kMxk8jVc9dLGtYDhYMnH2IoXcdcOJgMhb2B5EYHD8-LBG1EG_c8/s320/45579_1358351798177_7862246_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm hopeful that one day Mocha won't have to deal with the stereotypes. People will realize that it's the person, not the breed, that makes a dog what it is or isn't. But until then, we will take her wherever we go, and we will answer people's questions. We will keep smiling when they cross to the other side of the street when they see us coming. We will keep being good ambassadors- and hopefully change someone's opinion along the way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi8neaYPg-wLgTpsY7kVvW8ufT1EBLRWkMvXqecu1oaEPRP7vSz0o3eXRPu-0VGz_tSqXFMQrb6AxN4VJkRblBU0r1gBLDEj79qzdE8aOfpDoY7dmKLoXXg68iI-I7Hj1KjvPVflj_Tk/s1600/33652_1405564058454_4324453_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi8neaYPg-wLgTpsY7kVvW8ufT1EBLRWkMvXqecu1oaEPRP7vSz0o3eXRPu-0VGz_tSqXFMQrb6AxN4VJkRblBU0r1gBLDEj79qzdE8aOfpDoY7dmKLoXXg68iI-I7Hj1KjvPVflj_Tk/s320/33652_1405564058454_4324453_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667406379019365472noreply@blogger.com0