November 30, 2011

Surprise Deployment Photos

Yesterday as I was finally getting myself together a friend tagged me in a photo on Facebook. I haven't seen her for a bit so I was wondering what the photo was. 

It was a photo of my husband before they boarded the plane!! 
Here are the surprise photos his squadron took on Deployment Day! 

My Hero is the first one on the left with the board in his hands 


My Hero :) This photo made my day It was so bitter sweet seeing it though!

Our Hero's boarding the plane... Going to fight for our Country

I hope you enjoyed these photos. We didn't get to hang out with them on Deployment Day his squadron had it so we only dropped them off to keep emotions under control. (Still get emotional, they just don't have to see it). So getting to see pictures from the time we didn't get to be with them was the best surprise ever! 
Not to mention being one of the few that got a personalized photo of my hubby! 

November 29, 2011

Deployment

Well, its here. Today was the deployment ceremony for my husbands brigade and a few units have started deploying. (Please don't tell me I'm violating OPSEC because I'm not, its NATIONAL news):

I have been strong until it got closer and reading my husband's Facebook status is what made me realize the time has officially came. Here's what he wrote: 
"I want to thank my loving and caring wife, parents and wife's parents for spending the last week with me before I depart. All I ask is my family and friends help support my wife and soon to be son while Im gone this next year. Show the love and support you have shown for me and give my wife some little extra love through this hurdle she is about to go through. Thank u and god bless and god speed"

Attending the deployment ceremony knowing my husband was already gone was heartbreaking but I did it. My husband wanted me to be there even if he wasn't. I needed to show my support for my friends and other soldiers. It was a nice ceremony, lots of speakers and of course the casing of the colors. 

Saying "see you later" to my husband was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. His unit had it so we dropped them off, no hanging around with them just drop off and leave. We wen't to breakfast early in the morning at a great cafe in downtown, then went to Starbucks. I didn't want the time to come I was dreading it. I kept thinking if I don't fall asleep will this day come or if I don't get out of bed it can't happen. But it did, none of my procrastination techniques worked as much as I wish it did. 

See you laters were heartbreaking, we arrived 10 minutes early and sitting in the car watching others say " see you later" broke my heart and I broke down. I told myself to be strong and to let him see me without tears for the last time before he left but it didn't work. I cried and he was okay with that. He is good with detaching his emotions and was able to just walk away. It hurt so much that he was able to walk away but this isn't his first deployment. It might be my first but it's his fourth. My heart dropped watching him walk away with his bags. I knew that our lives were never going to be the same. When he gets home for R&R  we will have our son who will be around 1 or 2 months by that time. 

Coming home after everything was so hard. I was okay but once I let the dogs out and they got out of control I just broke. I realized my husband won't be home to help handle them, he won't be home to help feed them, or take them out. It's just going to me, for the next 10-12 (supposedly 10) months I have to take full control of this house & raise a newborn when the time comes.

I know so many military wives have gone through this, and now I know after 2 years of being an Army wife the pain you feel when you have to say goodbye. I hope that no one ever feels the pain of having to say goodbye or see you later but I know that is unreal in this military life. 

If you are currently going through a deployment my thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and your husband. I know that I want all the support I can get, I hope this heartbreaking feeling goes away soon. The feeling of having your heart ripped out is honestly the worst feeling that you can't even begin to describe. 

Wishing everyone the best 




November 16, 2011

Change of Plans

First off, let me start of by saying that today was the first day hubby wore his Multi- Cams and my goodness does he look good.
Although the multi-cams mean deployment is a very short time away, I'm trying to find the positive in it.

Now for the changes...
Originally we were going to have family come for Thanksgiving, but since things w/ deployment were cutting to close to the Holiday plans we canceled and told everyone not to come.

The other day I had a change of heart, I told my parents and told hubby to tell his parents to come for Thanksgiving.

So now they are all coming for the Holidays, they actually get here on the 21st & 22nd.
I had to talk to my husband about making sure we get alone time together since our family's will be here until deployment. Which is unnerving to me, I don't think it's fair that my husband and I have to fight with our family's so we can get time alone before he leaves for a year.

Not only is he leaving for a year but he leaves as a husband, he comes home a dad. Theres a HUGE change that will be happening when he's gone and we need to do all we can to experience our last days as husband and wife, and prepare to be mommy & daddy. 

I just hope that once our parents get here it won't be a fight to have alone time.
Lets hope for the best! 

November 13, 2011

It's over....

Well the time has come, block leave is over. My husband signed back in today and will be going back to work. Thankfully they have a 4 day so he doesn't have to go back till Tuesday.

Block leave was pretty uneventful, he wanted to relax (which I understand). We didn't travel, or have family here it was just him & I. We got a lot done with the nursery, we just need the changing table cover and its done.

Block Leave in Summary: 

We celebrated hubby's 28th Birthday 

We won a contest to HAWAII! Yet because of the deployment we can't go so we took the money instead, thats right $3000.00 for us. Exciting! 

Hubby put together more baby stuff, we got another activity center from my biological mom. 
Its really cool, the piano on the bottom makes noises when stepped on and the chair goes side to side so he can move. 

My parents bought us a video monitor (the one that hubby wanted) for Landon's room.

We attempted a snow man, little did we know that the snow had to be at a certain "temperature" to form so that was a failure. But we did get into a big ol' snow fight.. W/ buckets & shovels. Not your ordinary snow ball fight.

The honey-do list got completed & the house is spotless (for us at least).

Plans for Thanksgiving have been completed. We are going to my good friends house for Thanksgiving, I still don't know what to bring but I do know we will be bringing sparkling apple cider for the kids & preggo (me)

Hubby attended his one and only OB appointment, I'm glad he got to go but I am thankful he won't be attending anymore. He asked every WORST case scenario question possible and almost gave me an anxiety attack.

I spent most of block leave BEGGING my husband to get a fake Christmas tree so we can do X-mas early, he still isn't having it.. Little does he know he has no choice. Tomorrow we are picking up a fake on from Target. (On SALE)... 

Even though block leave is over we still have a little time left, just got to spend every moment together and make the best of it.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.



November 11, 2011

Veterans Day Discounts & Deals

Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to 
die." -G.K. Chesterton

Thank you to all our Veterans past and present and to those that stand behind them.

Now, Veteran's Day is a day dedicated to those that have served and with that does come perks.

If you haven't heard of the discounts & deals here is a list for those of you military families looking for things to do today to show appreciation to your hero.

The restaurants currently offering Discounts/ Free meals for Service Members
Applebee’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11
free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members 

BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse, Fri. Nov. 11th.
Complimentary lunch entree or a one topping mini pizza for dinner. Offer valid to all active duty military and veterans, with proof of service.

Chili’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. 
Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals. This offer is available from 11am – 5pm on November 11, 2011 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service

Denny’s Veterans Day Appreciation Event, Nov. 11. 2011. Free Grand Slam breakfast to any veteran from. Participating markets include select diners in Maryland, Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, Colorado and Washington, DC (from 6:00am – 2:00pm), as well as the following New York locations: Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo areas (from 6:00am – 10:00pm). Call ahead to verify, and check with your local Denny’s if you live in another area

Golden Corral – Free meal, Monday Nov. 14:
from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner.

Hooters – Free Meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Hooter’s is serving up a free meal to military veterans all day on Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active duty military personnel. Get 10 Free Wings – Boneless or Regular, drink purchase required. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service. 

Outback Steakhouse – A week of Free Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes Monday Nov. 7 – Friday Nov. 11. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product during the week leading up to Veteran’s Day.

Subway – Free Six Inch Sub, November 11, 2011. Select SUBWAY® Restaurants will offer a FREE six inch sub or flatbread to military veterans on Veteran’s Day. This offer is valid only on November 11, 2011 at participating local SUBWAY® restaurants, Military ID or proof of service required. Note: SUBWAY® Restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. 

T.G.I. Friday’s – Buy one get one free Nov 11.  Valid for all US Military personnel and veterans. Must wear uniform (if permitted by your service) or present military ID or other proof of service. Only valid at participating locations for anyone with an old or current military ID

The Olive Garden, Free entrée. Offer good for veterans and active duty military, on Friday, November 11th during regular business hours. Chose from a special menu; all entrées inlcude freshly baked garlic sticks and choice of soup or salad. Off er good in US and Canada, proof of service required.

Retail Store Discounts 
Amazon.com – Free MP3 album download “Veterans Day Honor” This free downloadable album includes 12 songs as performed by the military bands and ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces. (album will be full price again starting Nov. 12).

Big Lots – 10% off your entire purchase with valid military ID. 

Cabela’s. Cabela’s is giving their standard employee discount to all US military veterans, active duty military, Guard/Reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel on Nov. 10-11. Discount varies from 5% to 20%, depending on the item.

Dollar General. 10% discount on entire purchase on Veteran’s Day. Offer good for all active-duty military, retirees, veterans, Guard/Reserve, & immediate family members. The coupon can be found in the store circular, or by asking an employe. Also good online from Nov 11-13, use Coupon Code VETERANSDAY. 

Free Car wash. Thousands of car washes around the country are offering vets a free car wash on Veterans Day. Find a list at Grace for Veterans, which helped veterans receive 101,537 FREE Washes on Veterans Day in 2010.


K-Mart. Exclusive Early Veterans Day Sale – Nov. 10th! EXTRA 5-10% off Almost Everything with coupon code VETERANSDAY. Friday & Saturday Specials + EXTRA 5-15% off & FREE Shipping orders of $49 with coupon code HOLIDAY.

Netflix: Netflix – One Month Free Trial.

Seven-Eleven – Free small Slurpee on Friday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Offer good to all current and former military members. ID or proof of service required.

Sports Authority – 15% off all purchases. All Veterans and Military personnel please stop by your local Sports Authority store to receive 15% OFF YOUR ENTIER PUCHSASE on 11.11.11 ONLY! Please show proper identification or proof of service at check-out to receive this special offer.

Sport Clips – Veterans Day National cut-a-thon and Help A Hero program. Sport Clips is the official haircutter of the VFW and will donate $1 from every haircut during the National Cut-a-Thon to VFW’s Operation Uplink, which provides free phone time to active-duty military personnel and hospitalized veterans. Sports Clips stores also offer a offer a Heroes discount which includes active and retired military. 

Steve Madden. We’d like to salute our heroes by doubling our everyday military discount of 15%  to 30% OFF for Veteran’s Day ONLY. Valid with a form of Military identification (past or present) in Steve Madden stores only (not valid online). *Full priced merchandise only. 

Have a great Veteran's Day with your hero, if not military have a great Friday and don't forget to Thank a service member! 

November 10, 2011

Presents for baby Landon!

So today baby Landon got his first set of presents! 
My biological mom sent some presents for him so my husband can get to be apart of the excitement before he deploys. 
He's upstairs putting together one of them. She said we have another box coming so I'm excited to see what it is. It's really nice having him apart of all the baby stuff so it's not an entirely new house when he comes home full with baby toys.

Here's what she got him!
Evenflo ExerSaucer Triple Fun Jungle - Evenflo  - Babies"R"Us
(that's not him for those of you just tuning it, he arrives Feb 29)

 && 
Child of Mine Carters - Newborn Boys' Polar Bear Tee, Bodysuit, and Pants 3-Piece Set

I'm a HUGE fan of the baby pants w/ stuff on the butt. (thank you Carter's).

So excited it's starting to look like a baby will be living in our home in  a few more months.
Here's the photos of hubby putting it together, and getting his battle wound


November 8, 2011

Marilyn Monroe for the soul

“This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, somg go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babve, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up becuase if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.” 

Marilyn Monroe

Military Wives

So were 1/2 way through block leave and emotions are starting to get raw. Little things are starting to make a different, the bags are packed and read to go. We're completing the final chores around the house and  having the hubby finish the honey do list. Today we are going to my OB appointment to check on Landon. This is his first appointment he will make, but its also the last. 
 The worst part about getting orders is the waiting game. We know the date is coming up, we can't help but count the days left. Its hard to go about your day knowing that the days will soon be husband-less, and filled with random hobbies, and learning new things. In February it will be me in labor, with my close friends by.
Anyways, as I was catching up in the Facebook world (which has gotten very drama filled) I found this link on my friends page. 
10 things you don't know about military wives

I posted what the article said below, but its so true. Sometimes I wish that people would understand this is the life we chose. Good & Bad, deployments and them being at home. This is a lifestyle and one that we love. We might be hurting when our husbands leave, but we can pick up and move on. We know how to take care of ourselves, family and man the home front. 

Military Wives are STRONG & INDEPENDENT. 
We were given this life because we can make it through it all.

1. When a deployment is imminent, we just want it to start. That doesn't mean we want our spouses to leave. We don't. But when the date has been set and our husband's bag is sitting half-packed in the corner of the bedroom, we start getting anxious, worried and a little bit angry. We think about the upcoming months and everything he's going to miss and everything we're going to have to do alone. It's overwhelming. Once they leave, we can start to tackle the challenges one at a time and that's so much easier than the waiting. But those last few weeks before he leaves are wrought with frustration, nervousness and a little fear.
2. We are not miserable the whole time they are gone. We don't like that our family is split up, but we can't live in the future or press a pause button on our life, so we focus on other things. Hobbies, children, visiting friends and family, work; our life is still full. Just not complete.
3. But there are tears right underneath the surface. Whenever our children do something new, or something exciting or sad happens, or even when there have been just too many nights that we've stayed in alone, we get really sad. And we can't always be sad because we don't want to upset the kids.
4. That being said, most of us like our lifestyle. We enjoy the adventure of moving every few years, starting over, making new friends and living in various parts of the country and world. We have close friends everywhere. It's stressful yes, but also exciting.
5. We rely on our friends a lot. Even when our husbands are home, we are used to be canceled on at the last minute, not knowing schedules until an hour before an event, or having a job take precedence over the family. So, we have friends who are reliable, patient, flexible and who make us laugh. We love and truly appreciate our friends. So do the kids.
6. Our children are well adjusted and okay. In fact, most of the time, they are amazing in their ability to see the silver lining in every challenge. From the beginning of their lives, they've moved around, started over and had a parent leave for huge amounts of time. We have lots of strategies to help them stay connected, and we analyze how to make each deployment as painless as possible on the children.
7. We don't need or want pity. We look for love, friendship and fun. We don't need you to say "I'm sorry," when we tell you our husbands are away. We knew what we signed up for when we got married. However, we'd be so grateful for a helping hand. Helping us with something that would normally take two people, like shoveling snow or even just bringing in our grill for the winter would be awesome and will relieve the stress a little.
8. Please don't ask us what we are going to do to "keep busy" when our husbands are gone. Just like you have a healthy relationship with things outside your marriage, so do we. We don't need to "keep ourselves entertained" or "find something to do to pass the time" while he's gone. Those comments are insulting. We will just continue to live our life. Yes, there will be a hole in it, but we will not be pining away for six months or a year. So don't try to give us projects or find stuff to keep us busy. We'll be fine.
9. There are romantic moments about military life that rival only the most dramatic movies. We've been spun around by a man in uniform after he hasn't seen us in months. We've seen our children run toward their daddy with pure glee and excitement. We've dressed up like royalty and attended military galas and we've watched ships pull into port, with sailors standing at attention around the perimeter.
10. And sometimes the civilian population can be so supportive and sweet that it just brings tears to our eyes. These moments are precious and get us through all the tough stuff. So thank you. We appreciate all the thoughts, good wishes and the extra stuff you do to make us feel better. We notice it. We see it. And it really does help.



November 5, 2011

Op Love

Today we did our pre-deployment photos with such an incredible photographer. The photos turned out wonderful! 
Granted the baby weight in my face showed & I was red from the cold they look great.
It was 13* outside when we took the photos.

Here's a few of my favorite ones 


This one is my absolute favorite, we were having a snow ball fight <3 


I'm thinking this one for Christmas cards if we don't have a full length one


November 4, 2011

Decorating Landon's Room

Block leave is going great, were getting a lot done around the house & working on getting Landon's nursery done. 

The past few days I worked on wood letters for his wall, and yesterday we put up some blue & green sheer curtains to make the room give the appearance of being painted and it also looks kind of like bubbles on the curtains.

Here are some pictures of this weeks arts & crafts for Landon's room:




 





The completed wood letters, on the wall :) 


Yesterday we put up the curtains in Landon's room as well. My good friend Heidi gave me her girls old curtains  they were blue & green. So I decided to do the green behind the blue to make an underwater appearance.



Now to clean & organize the garage so I can get to everything when my husband deploys


November 2, 2011

Blog Under Construction

So if you haven't noticed the blog title & photos are gone. 
We are taking pre-deployment photos this upcoming week so I will be updating the photos since the ones up there were from 2 years ago.. 

Don't mind the BLAHness of the blog, I'll still be updating & blogging. Just waiting to put the photos up there. 

November 1, 2011

November

It's here. The month I have been dreading. I tried to stay up as late as I could last night so today would come slowly. But eventually I fell asleep & woke up to November 1st.
Deployment is coming soon... To soon.

As we continue the packing for bags. stocking up on all his goodies, hygiene products for him to take & finish the final details of pre-deployment its hard to think it will soon just be me. 

I'll be the one taking all the responsibility, shoveling the snow pregnant, waking up with the dogs, doing all finances (which I already do)... everything..

It will be me and my friends when the baby is born, and me and my friends to celebrate all the occasions that he will miss.

This is the life we have, it hurts but its reality. I want to make every second count of this month as it's our last one. I want to make the memories we will cherish years down the road. 

I am still not ready for the day to begin and November to continue but I know I have to. I have to be strong for myself and my husband. I have to keep going since it's the only way to go. I can't look back and wish it never came. Moving forward is the only way to make it through this. 

Hope everyone has a great November.
Spend every moment with your husband as if he is deploying tomorrow <3