Sunday, December 18, 2011

Deeper meaning

I am the luckiest girl in the world. I not only have an incredible husband who loves me unconditionally but with that I've gained an incredible family. My in laws and my husband have really molded me into the person I am becoming. Well actually it's my faith in God but they are the ones who have been incredible examples leading me towards Him.

My point here is that my entire life (I know I know a whole whopping 20 something years) I have felt rather lost. Without a purpose to path. I used to tell people that I thought I was going to die young because I couldn't see a real future for myself. Not that I wanted to die young but just that I couldn't imagine myself past high school no matter how hard I tried.

My husband and I had an extremely rocky path. We were off and on more times than the bathroom light. I treated him horribly and there were times when he treated me exactly how I would have treated me to. We broke up for a while and dated other people but we always found our way back to one another. It wasn't until the last time we broke up that I realized how important he was to me and just how much I truly loved him.

From that moment I've tried to become a better person. The best version of myself I could possibly be. Someone that he deserved to spend the rest of his life with. I'll admit that I've slipped up. But through those low moments I've soared. Those moments pushed me to where I am now and where I constantly work towards being.

There is always a deeper meaning behind everything bad in your life. If you are suffering it's only to teach you something. I am constantly striving to hold back from complaining and instead trying to figure out the purpose. Whenever I'm stuck in traffic I hold back from cursing and instead thank God that I wasn't the person in the accident.

I was told a story today about a family who had lost their son during the war in the beginning of last year. Just recently they lost their house to a fire. Along with the house was everything that belonged to their son except the flag that was presented to them at his funeral. At first I felt sorrow. But quickly the tears turned into a smile. I realized what God was doing, or at least what I would put my faith in. God is trying to reach out to them in saying that material things aren't what makes their son live on. Instead it's the memories and their love for him.

I am so thankful that I have such a glorious God to guide my life. He gives us comfort when we need it, strength when we feel like giving up, and courage to know that he has bigger plans for us.

So I will make my promise known. I promise to live my life with a positive outlook. I promise to always put my faith in things falling apart so that better things can come together.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Been a little mia

I've been preoccupied lately. I don't even remember the last time I wrote on here. I think maybe about it being December so that's pretty bad.

My nana passed away just a few days ago. She was 87. She was my great grandmother so my daughter's great great grandmother. Before she died she asked for Abigail. When I brought her to see her Abigail reached right out for her and held her hand. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Nana perked right up and spoke so clearly to her. Something she hadn't been able to do for a while.
I unfortunately wasn't incredibly close with my nana. I mean that in the fact that I didn't spend enough time with her. She only lived down the street so I should have been there at least once a day, but I wasn't.
For this reason her death wasn't what hurt the most. What really broke me apart was watching my grandmother watch her mother die. Ooma (what I call my grandmother) is an extremely important part of my life. I love her beyond words and since I've been home we have barely spent a day apart.
When I watched my cousins and my mom cry because of my nana's death I realized that they were in so much more pain than I was. They were closer with her than I was. She was their grandmother.
You don't know my Ooma but let me tell you something about her. She's tough. She's the strongest person I know. She has lived a hard life and still the only time I have ever seen her cry is when I moved to NC or she had to leave my house and say goodbye.
So when I answered her phone call and heard the words she's gone from a voice full of tears and heartbreak I couldn't help but break down.
I never want to feel the heartbreak of losing someone irreplaceable from your life. Going through this deployment I have obviously thought about the worst outcome. It makes my heart tighten up and brings tears to my eyes. Then having to grieve the loss of my nana and realize that my grandmother wouldn't really live forever really made death hit home.
I know that she is in heaven. I know that we have to let our loved ones go. But damn it's such a hard realization that you only get so much time with the ones you love.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Let's play Catch up

As you know we got our house. That's a huge stress I no longer have to deal with. Instead now I can worry about every aspect of moving such as what size uhaul, who's coming with me, what I'm taking with me, what I need to buy once I'm down there, and expenses.
The what I need to buy when I'm down there list is quite hefty. We sold all of our furniture before I moved because we didn't want to pay to store furniture we didn't even like. So, now I have the bittersweet task of buying a new mattress, living room set, washer and dryer. Plus, depending on our closet situation (as in I have no idea if our bedroom has a closet or not) we might need bedroom furniture. But bedroom furniture can wait until after my lover man comes home because frankly, that means it's one less thing I have to worry about.
I've got a $5,000 moving budget. As in that needs to cover the uhaul rental, gas, hotels, furniture and appliances. I'm only spending like $400 max on the uhaul. The gas should total to about $300 on the way down (between my car and truck). The hotel can be about $70-80 with the dog. That leaves about $4,200 for furniture and such. I'm a lejeuneyardsales fanatic so you can bet your butt that I will get everything accomplished and still have money left over.
I'm so excited to move back. Moving back is the final stage of this deployment. That's why it's hard not to move back asap. Thankfully our house isn't even available until January 3rd. I'm hoping to get down there toward the end of January. I want to soak up as much time with my family as possible. It's already proving to be difficult though. Once January 3rd comes around it's going to be an all out war of emotions for me. Should I stay or should I go? If you didn't sing that line in your head then your favorite song is probably something by justin beiber and I feel sorry for you.

Anyways, I've got less than 20% of this bad boy left. I can't believe how fast it's gone. It's all so exciting now! I just have to get to the 23rd which is my last day of work. Then enjoy Christmas and new years, survive our 2 year wedding anniversary by my lonesome, and then it's just a matter of when I decide to pack up and go!

WAHOOO!!

I'm not going to end this with a wahoo. Instead here are some catch up pictures of my little pumpkin butt.







Thursday, December 1, 2011

It's December!!!

This is my last full month in NY!! Next month I move back to NC!! I am so excited. This deployment is finally dwindling down. It feels so good. I can't wait to have the love of my life home with me :-)

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Moving Questions

Ok I need some advice and suggestions.

When I move I'm doing it on my own. I want to know what my best option is.

I need about the size of a 10" Uhaul truck. Probably even less. They have a ubox which they transport themselves which would be nice.

I have a car that can't tow anything so one of the towing trailers isn't possible.

What is the best bet for the best price?

We got the house!

Yes, we got it! I feel like a million pounds have been lifted off my shoulders. I'm so relieved to finally have a place back in Jacksonville so I know I can leave when I have to. I will admit I'm having buyers remorse. Not that we bought we rented but I don't know if there is a term for that. Anyways, it's probably because I didn't physically see this house I just pictures. But I went with my gut. Also, this place is in a completely different town than last time. All the way on the other side of base, actually in jacksonville. More towards New River. So needless to say, it will be different. But I'm hoping a good different.

So anywho.... Yay!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

It's been a bit

I feel like writing but I don't really know what I want to write about. I'll start off with Abigail bit me tonight. She full out grabbed my leg and chomped down with the 3 teeth she has. And let me tell you it hurt! My almost 9 month old might be the devil.
But seriously, other than this biting thing, she is a wonderful baby. She sleeps a lot, giggles a ton, smiles all the time, gives you kisses when you ask or even when you don't, and always wants to rib your eyes, nose, or mouth off your face for whatever reason. Seriously, she's a doll.

I had to work on thanksgiving but that's ok because I made out like a bandit with tips. My big guy got to call me in the morning before I went in which made me smile. And then he told me he would be coming home a couple weeks earlier which just made my day.

The next night I had a table with a brand spankin new marine at it. I'm talking charlies, scratchy voice, no eye contact, yes ma'm the whole shebang. He was on his 10 day leave and man was he skittish. Anyways, he was a darling to see but not at first. At first site I wanted to run and hide and give my table to anyone else. I teared up but managed to pull myself out of it. Thank the lord he was black because at least it wasn't one of those "OMG!! He's home to surprise me! Oh, no, my bad, someone else." moments. No I'm not racist just to make that clear.

Anyways, that was a fun little moment in my life. He's even heading to Jacksonville. Maybe I'll run into him again. HAHA. Yea right. I have a kid I went to high school with who's on Lejeune who I have never seen. That place is gargantuan.

I haven't heard back on that house yet. I guess the lady is supposed to be emailing me documents to docusign but I haven't gotten anything yet and it's been a couple days. I'm nervous that someone else will put in an application and get the house. But at the same time that makes me oddly relieved. I think it's like buying your wedding dress. You love it, but you don't want to be done shopping. You know what I'm talking about. And if you don't, you aren't married yet.

I am actually kind of having second thoughts on the house though. I love it. I think it's an incredibly charming home. I am just nervous that I went with the completely opposite side of the area. I'm talking east side of the base vs west side. Once in Hubert now out towards the air station. Our friends are in Hubert and I love Hubert, but I hated how long it took to get anywhere. Wilmington was across base just to get on the road. And Jacksonville was a good 15-20 minutes depending on the time of day. It's just a pain. So it has it's goods and bads I suppose. I'll take whether we get this house or not as a sign as to whether I made the right decision.

Let's see. What else can I mumble on about...OH, black friday shopping!!! Which I didn't attend. I don't like mornings and I hate crowds. But I do love deals and steals. Which is why I'm anxiously anticipating cyber monday!! I really want a kitchenaid stand mixer. Preferably THIS one. They are just so expensive!! But I have come to the conclusion that I just can't function properly in the kitchen without it therefore it is a dire necessity. I've left it up to my husband. I dangled the possibilities of endless treats for him to think about. He's a sucker for my cooking and he loves spoiling me so I know eventually I will get it. He knows I would never let him buy it if we didn't have the extra cash though. So key word eventually.

We've tossed a bunch of ideas around for things to buy while they are on sale but the fact is, I have to move and less is better.

Ok, this is getting ridiculous. Adios amigos. (I don't speak spanish. I don't like pressing 1 for english. But I love the saying adios amigos.)