Under Construction!

Please excuse the mess around here while I go through some very exciting changes! I'll be sure to explain all the changes once they are complete, but you may have already noticed the new name and web address. I am so excited about the photoshoot that Sarge, Monkey and I did tonight and I cannot wait to reveal the adorable photos we got!

My posts are probably going to be sporadic while I get everything set up and working the way it should be. Very soon, I plan to post a lot more frequently and incorporate exciting new topics, videos, reviews, giveaways and photos!

Under Construction!

Please excuse the mess around here while I go through some very exciting changes! I'll be sure to explain all the changes once they are complete, but you may have already noticed the new name and web address. I am so excited about the photoshoot that Sarge, Monkey and I did tonight and I cannot wait to reveal the adorable photos we got!

My posts are probably going to be sporadic while I get everything set up and working the way it should be. Very soon, I plan to post a lot more frequently and incorporate exciting new topics, videos, reviews, giveaways and photos!

The 48 Hour Rule

Life in the military is full of so many unknowns and unexpected changes!

One of my biggest coping strategies is that from the time Sarge shares big news the 48 hour rule is in effect.  For 48 hours, we are allowed to vent, whine, complain, cry, throw a tantrum, eat comfort food, ask why and basically get all the negativity our of our systems. After 48 hours, we wipe the tears, put away the ice cream cartons and accept the reality of whatever the news is.

I wish I was someone who could just roll with the changes really easily, but I've found that I really need those 48 hours to gather myself and adjust to big news. Once the 48 hours are up, I find it much easier to figure out a new plan and accept it.  There are always positives to every situation, even if they are sometimes clouded by disappointment in the changes not being what we would prefer.

We don't have anything official about this upcoming deployment STILL! This has been the most frustrating pre-deployment period because we are just waiting and waiting and unable to make any plans at all really. We know Sarge is leaving and we know it is supposed to be soon, but they are dragging their feet on cutting the orders. Every time they give us a date, they tell us it COULD change... and then a few weeks later it does. I keep trying to make plans for myself and Monkey but get frustrated because I can't really book any flights or schedule anything, because it might change.

I woke up today with this yucky feeling and I couldn't shake it all morning. By lunch time, I questioned Sarge about deployment plans and whether or not he had heard anything new. He hadn't... but when he went back to work after lunch, wouldn't you know he was greeted with the news that things have changed again! I knew my feeling was for a reason!

That being said, another 48 hours has begun for us -- with the knowledge that even these latest changes will probably change again before all is said and done.  Whatever happens, we're in this together and I know we'll get through it!  I'm assured even more now that God has a lesson for us in this upcoming deployment and I am eager to find out what it is.  In the meantime, I am thankful that tomorrow is Friday and this weekend is a long one that might even be sunny and warm!

Sarge is currently out procuring movies for us to cuddle up and watch tonight. Monkey and I are about to make a batch of cookies together and maybe Saturday, we'll head to the Zoo for some fresh air, sunshine and fun with critters! This time, the 48 hours is more of a time to just be together as a family and soak up the moments we have right now. I guess I've already gotten my venting/adjusting out of the way and accepted that this deployment is gonna be a little crazy and unpredictable and there's really not much we can do to change that. I've even traded in my ice cream for cantaloupe!

Maybe this year is just about keeping calm and carrying on and trusting God has a plan for our journey that is bigger than we can imagine!

So now... off to cuddle and bake cookies!

The 48 Hour Rule

Life in the military is full of so many unknowns and unexpected changes!

One of my biggest coping strategies is that from the time Sarge shares big news the 48 hour rule is in effect.  For 48 hours, we are allowed to vent, whine, complain, cry, throw a tantrum, eat comfort food, ask why and basically get all the negativity our of our systems. After 48 hours, we wipe the tears, put away the ice cream cartons and accept the reality of whatever the news is.

I wish I was someone who could just roll with the changes really easily, but I've found that I really need those 48 hours to gather myself and adjust to big news. Once the 48 hours are up, I find it much easier to figure out a new plan and accept it.  There are always positives to every situation, even if they are sometimes clouded by disappointment in the changes not being what we would prefer.

We don't have anything official about this upcoming deployment STILL! This has been the most frustrating pre-deployment period because we are just waiting and waiting and unable to make any plans at all really. We know Sarge is leaving and we know it is supposed to be soon, but they are dragging their feet on cutting the orders. Every time they give us a date, they tell us it COULD change... and then a few weeks later it does. I keep trying to make plans for myself and Monkey but get frustrated because I can't really book any flights or schedule anything, because it might change.

I woke up today with this yucky feeling and I couldn't shake it all morning. By lunch time, I questioned Sarge about deployment plans and whether or not he had heard anything new. He hadn't... but when he went back to work after lunch, wouldn't you know he was greeted with the news that things have changed again! I knew my feeling was for a reason!

That being said, another 48 hours has begun for us -- with the knowledge that even these latest changes will probably change again before all is said and done.  Whatever happens, we're in this together and I know we'll get through it!  I'm assured even more now that God has a lesson for us in this upcoming deployment and I am eager to find out what it is.  In the meantime, I am thankful that tomorrow is Friday and this weekend is a long one that might even be sunny and warm!

Sarge is currently out procuring movies for us to cuddle up and watch tonight. Monkey and I are about to make a batch of cookies together and maybe Saturday, we'll head to the Zoo for some fresh air, sunshine and fun with critters! This time, the 48 hours is more of a time to just be together as a family and soak up the moments we have right now. I guess I've already gotten my venting/adjusting out of the way and accepted that this deployment is gonna be a little crazy and unpredictable and there's really not much we can do to change that. I've even traded in my ice cream for cantaloupe!

Maybe this year is just about keeping calm and carrying on and trusting God has a plan for our journey that is bigger than we can imagine!

So now... off to cuddle and bake cookies!

One Word 2011

I recently came across the One Word concept while browsing online. I paused to read about it and felt a tug at my heart as I learned more. I quickly ignored it, closed out the page and walked away...  the tug went away.

That night, I came across another post about it and did the same thing... the tug went away.

A few days later, I was busy pouring out my thoughts during my quiet time and I felt that tug again.  This time, the tug didn't go away when I walked away from my quiet time and started my day...  it followed me as I did laundry, scrubbed toilets, vacuumed floors and wondered how on earth two people could possibly create so many dirty dishes. The tug got stronger and stronger as the day went on!

So here I am. After praying about it some more, I think it's time to realize that "the tug" is God telling me that He wants me to do this. He has a word for me to focus on this year and I need to listen to what He is saying to me through this word.

There are a lot of words I feel like He could be giving me...

COURAGE 

STRENGTH

FAITH

SERVE

HOPE

LOVE

JOY

All of these are good words and could certainly teach me a lot, but is one of them the word God is laying on my heart with that gentle tug?

I'm not sure what my word is yet... I have an idea, but I'm still in the process of asking God if this is really the word He has for me or if He might give me an easier option! I hope to update soon with my word and continue to update frequently throughout the year about how God is using this word in my life.

Something else is weighing heavy on my heart tonight...

Please be in prayer for those women out there who are currently pregnant and suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarium. This is the same illness I battled during my pregnancy with Monkey last year. It is a horrible thing to go through and there just is not enough awareness out there, and consequently not enough doctors who know how to properly treat it. I've recently been contacted for support by a woman who is 22 weeks pregnant with a little boy, and lives not too far from where we are stationed currently.

Tomorrow, Monkey and I will be driving to deliver copies of Ashli McCall's books on HG (Beyond Morning Sickness - http://www.beyondmorningsickness.com/ and Momma Has HG) to this sweet woman. With the help of a friend, funding has also been secured for an FDA approved medical device called Prima Bella which helps greatly with the symptoms of HG. It is my prayer that these tools, and anything else I can do for her while I am there, will bring her hope and strength to get through another day with HG. It is also my prayer that one day, HG will be given the attention it deserves so that a cure/better treatment will be found!

Are you part of the "One Word" challenge? What word has God put on your heart for 2011? Please share with me so I can be praying for you this year!

One Word 2011

I recently came across the One Word concept while browsing online. I paused to read about it and felt a tug at my heart as I learned more. I quickly ignored it, closed out the page and walked away...  the tug went away.

That night, I came across another post about it and did the same thing... the tug went away.

A few days later, I was busy pouring out my thoughts during my quiet time and I felt that tug again.  This time, the tug didn't go away when I walked away from my quiet time and started my day...  it followed me as I did laundry, scrubbed toilets, vacuumed floors and wondered how on earth two people could possibly create so many dirty dishes. The tug got stronger and stronger as the day went on!

So here I am. After praying about it some more, I think it's time to realize that "the tug" is God telling me that He wants me to do this. He has a word for me to focus on this year and I need to listen to what He is saying to me through this word.

There are a lot of words I feel like He could be giving me...

COURAGE 

STRENGTH

FAITH

SERVE

HOPE

LOVE

JOY

All of these are good words and could certainly teach me a lot, but is one of them the word God is laying on my heart with that gentle tug?

I'm not sure what my word is yet... I have an idea, but I'm still in the process of asking God if this is really the word He has for me or if He might give me an easier option! I hope to update soon with my word and continue to update frequently throughout the year about how God is using this word in my life.

Something else is weighing heavy on my heart tonight...

Please be in prayer for those women out there who are currently pregnant and suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarium. This is the same illness I battled during my pregnancy with Monkey last year. It is a horrible thing to go through and there just is not enough awareness out there, and consequently not enough doctors who know how to properly treat it. I've recently been contacted for support by a woman who is 22 weeks pregnant with a little boy, and lives not too far from where we are stationed currently.

Tomorrow, Monkey and I will be driving to deliver copies of Ashli McCall's books on HG (Beyond Morning Sickness - http://www.beyondmorningsickness.com/ and Momma Has HG) to this sweet woman. With the help of a friend, funding has also been secured for an FDA approved medical device called Prima Bella which helps greatly with the symptoms of HG. It is my prayer that these tools, and anything else I can do for her while I am there, will bring her hope and strength to get through another day with HG. It is also my prayer that one day, HG will be given the attention it deserves so that a cure/better treatment will be found!

Are you part of the "One Word" challenge? What word has God put on your heart for 2011? Please share with me so I can be praying for you this year!