Blue, but not Royal

I thought today I would be ready to poke fun at all of you who woke up to watch The Royal Wedding, but I'm not feeling into it today. This morning I, too, got up early and turned on what I thought was the news. Unfortunately, all I saw was coverage, coverage, coverage of the big event. I suppose it's exciting, but I'm sure it doesn't need to be on every single channel. I'm sure some of you even remember waking up to watch the wedding of Princess Di, too and we all know how that turned out. When in doubt, SLEEP!

Ahh, perhaps I'm just bitter that I don't get to rock some of the fabulous hats that were in attendance today.

I should take my own advice and sleep when I'm feeling this way. I don't know what's wrong with my attitude this fine day. I'm having a bit of some pregnancy blues, I suppose. I want Baby K now. I want to spend my time taking care of him, not taking care of two dogs who just happen to be driving me nuts today. 

I also want to feel like a person again. I want to put on clothes and not want to run away from the mirror in horror. I'd like to get a taste of this pregnancy glow people speak of. I want a normal appetite. I want sushi and wine, but not necessarily together.

I want to not have to drive for hours every weekend from now until we PCS. I want to finish up this pregnancy and this duty station with a feeling of peace and not rushed chaos.

I want to not think about all the terrible things that could happen to Baby K that are beyond my control. Maybe you don't know this, but today is SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Awareness Day...and I really don't want to think about that either.

I wish I could just chill out, relax and trust that God is in control of my little family.

But today I just can't help feeling blue.

And it all seems so selfish when I think of all of the people in this area who have suffered from the devastation the storms brought earlier this week. My prayers are with the entire Southeast during such a scary, sad time.

Psalm 30:5
Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Dear Baby K,

I want you to know that I love you so much already. When I think about why I'm here in this world, I hope a big reason for that is you- I think it is. I plan on doing all that I can to make you happy while raising you in a way that your dad and I can be proud of. I want to teach you so many things- humility, compassion, loyalty, curiosity, confidence and a fun lovin' attitude with a southern accent, of course. These are just a few characteristics that I know I'll find in you later on down the road. I pray daily that I can be the best parent to you that is possible. I can't wait to meet you and see if you have my eyes or your dad's height. I wonder what your mannerisms will be like and I daydream about your laugh. When I hear it for the first time, I know I'll melt. I can't describe how wonderfully scary being on the verge of motherhood is- Scary because I want to be the best mother I can be and wonderful because each little flutter and kick reminds me that you're already a big part of what makes me, me. I've loved you since day one and that will never stop. Not ever. You come out when you're ready and not a day sooner, okay? I love you already!

- Mama

Our Great Migration

Remember when I promised you long, long ago that I would add more photos from our trip across America? Well, I'm a liar no more! Here they are...in all their glory. Please excuse my inability to make slideshows/movies/etc. There's an extremely awkward part towards the end, but I have no desire to fix it. Maybe I'll get better, ehh? Probably not. Enjoy!

Pregnant With Laughter Part 8

{At the beginning of this lil ole meme of mine, a few people added their links. As of late, no one is participating, but I hope you don't mind that I keep plugging away with my Pregnant With Laughter posts. I enjoy having a place to share these funny moments and be able to access them whenever I need a good laugh. I'll continue to add a link at the bottom of the page if anyone would like to participate. Thanks for reading (and laughing) with me!}



Being pregnant often causes one's mind to go to mush. Small things fly out the window, like sanity, for instance. Some people refer to this time of forgetfulness as the dreaded "pregnancy brain." I try to avoid these moments at all costs, but I simply can't. They're inevitable. 

I've shared with you before some of my crazy dreams I've had and today I'll share with you another. I bring up the pregnancy brain issue because I believe it played a part in the following dream...

Captain J and I were laying on our aging grey sofa, legs entwined, and marveling at the miracle that was kicking around inside my belly. I was laying back and my husband was propped up on one elbow with his other arm stretched out on my belly so that his hand might get to feel our son's movement. We dreamily discussed what he might look like and how we couldn't wait to hold him. It was at that moment that I suggested, "Maybe we can just take him out for a second. I want to hold him right now."

Now, in my pregnant brain (and inside my dream) this was completely do-able. Somehow (and I won't go into the gross, gruesome detail) we took our sweet baby right out of the womb, just to hold him.

How selfish? How weird?

I woke up panicked that I would even entertain such a thought. 24 weeks is no time to take a baby out of Mama's belly. For the next few hours, I contemplated what a terrible mother I might turn out to be because of my dream persona insisting on endangering her sweet baby fetus simply because she had to hold him. Was dream Mrs. K a reflection of the real Mrs. K's selfishness? Crazy, hormonal pregnant lady thoughts ensued. 

Have you preggos had any funny dreams lately?

A plus

Yesterday, I went to pick up Drifter and Holly after our hiatus to sunny Florida. We tried out a new boarding company because the last one we used caged them all day with no chance to play with other furry friends. Not cool.

Captain J opened the door to the facility with a little trepidation. We hoped our pups got a good report card after all the bragging I did on their behavior with other doggies on the application form.

The gentleman at the counter began checking us out and closing our transaction as he said, "I've dealt with huskies before and two can be a real pain in the a**..."

[Insert incredibly awkward, uncomfortable pause]

"...but these two were great! I'll watch them for you anytime."

Whew! Catch these two on a bad day and his comment could have been a totally different story.



Like a proud Mama, I acted like my angels were always just that- perfect little angels. Inside, I was a little dumbfounded. Most people don't describe my dogs as well behaved. Poor D-Nugget and Holly dog. They probably were just happy to get out of the four walls of our living room for a couple days to play with other creatures of the k-9 persuasion.

We're longing for dog parks and huge fenced in yards at our next duty station. Send your positive thinking powers our way!

Love,

Mrs. K, Captain J, Holly, and Drifter

The good luck spatula

I didn't have a wedding ultimately because I'm a cynic. I won't go too far into detail because I recognize that wedding season has begun and I wouldn't want to put a damper on anyone's day. The truth is, though, there's only a few people whose wedding I would actually want to go to and I kept that in mind as I was playing with the idea of having a wedding of my own.

I thought, "Surely no one cares much about what dress I will choose, what my hair will look like, and what music I'll walk down the isle to." I figured if everyone had to come to a wedding, they'd mostly be concerned with whether or not there was alcohol or if it was on the house. Most of all, though, I didn't think anyone would want to come, aside from family and close friends- and that was pushing it!

Then there was the business of showers. It sort of, kind of makes me feel totally uncomfortable. I mean, why would anyone buy me fine china because I found the man I want to be with? Nothing says "good luck" like a new spatula, I suppose.

I guess I just felt like I didn't deserve the gifts that were sent our way. People were incredibly nice with their cards, words of encouragement, and lovely house warming/newlywed gifts that it left me at a loss for words. We hadn't even given them a wedding party to attend yet presents were arriving in the mail, left and right.

I think the majority of my anti-wedding feelings stemmed from the fact that I'm an introvert. I don't enjoy having all the attention focused on me, despite my love of this very public blog of mine. Nothing terrifies me more than the thought of everyone staring up, eyes focused on me, on a day that I want to remember as incredibly special and important. You see, I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the moment I married my best friend if I was nervous about tripping down the isle or searching for the right words to say when some random, intoxicated, old dude sauntered up at the wedding reception asking for a dance.

As I reflect on all these happily avoided moments, I can breathe a sigh of relief. I can spend the entire month of May celebrating other couples wedding festivities and think to myself, "Better them than me!" I mean that in the best possible way. I know most women would love to walk down the isle in a gorgeous dress with all eyes on them on their very special day, but that's just not my cup of tea. I would marry Captain J a million times over, but thank God I don't have to.

So, here's to the end of April and the beginning of May! I'll be home in Tennessee quite a bit in the upcoming month to celebrate with friends who are soon saying "I do." I can't say I won't be as big as a house by then. I can't say I won't avoid the picture taking at all costs. But I can say, Happy Wedding Day to all of you who are tying the knot. I'm incredibly happy for each of you and wish you so much love on this new chapter in your lives.

Meanwhile, I'll be the pregnant chick in the back, trying not to pass out from all this Southern heat and humidity.

Blessings,

Buh-bye

A brief hiatus is in order,

for a certain couple on the Georgia border

We're off to frolic, hand in hand

and place our toes back in the sand.

Goodbye, farewell, I'll write again,

but not until after I work on my tan.

Love,

Mrs. K

Pregnant With Laughter Part 7

Hiya pals! Boy, do I have a pregnancy story (that I want to remember) to share with you today! Before I hop to it, I'll go ahead and let you know that if you would like to join in to the link up then you can do so below. Simply share something humorous that happened to you during your pregnancy or link up a story about your funny kids. Feel free to steal the picture...and away we go!



I appreciate everyone who helped me and voted in my poll the other day about which dress to wear to the CG Reception. If you're wondering what a CG Reception is- my husband tells me nothing- but my best guess is that it means Commanding General Reception because that's where we went last night- to Ft. Benning's General's residence. It was so neat to see inside his place and hear about all the history there. The house is a lovely plantation home, originally built in 1919, I believe. This is fuzzy to me because as he was explaining it, I got a little dizzy, but that story is to come...

Anyway, thank you all again for voting and for my friends on facebook who left comments on my new photos from the night because you all really made my day!

Oh, and I'm so glad I didn't go with dress number three because someone else definitely had that on.

On with my Pregnant With Laughter story:

I'm standing there on the beautiful hardwood floors under the historic chandeliers of Generals of the Army past when I'm suddenly feeling lightheaded. Great. Perfect. The room already felt like it was collapsing on me because even with a great pair of high heels, I was still one of the shortest people in the room. The ice left in my water had all but melted so I gulped down the last few drops and tapped my strapping Army Officer on the shoulder and leaned over to whisper, "Do you think it's okay for me to sit down?"

The General had just been discussing that the couch nearest to me used to belong to so and so (add someone really important here), but all I knew is that it was about to hold this pregnant gal's booty because I had to sit down. It was either sit down or fall down.

I told you Georgia is hot. I just got too hot in there.

So I sat down, trying not to pass out. As I did, this lady I had been chatting with earlier came over to check on me. She quickly began busying herself to get me more water and lots of fruit and crackers, while the rest of the gaggle of officers stood listening intently to this speech.

I felt like such a drama queen, but I figured it would be much worse to topple over, glass in hand, and embarrass Captain J.

After this lady graciously helped me in any way she could, I looked up again to see her entering the room and giving the General a quick wave. When I recounted what he had just said in my head, I realized he had announced her as so and so's wife. But that meant she was a (one star) General's other half.

Great. Perfect.

I was allowing this lady, who was important to the functioning of this party, to wait on me hand and foot.

I suppose that brings a whole new meaning to us preggos who think we're entitled. Oh well, it's a good story to remember.

I felt better almost immediately after I left the stuffy room and got some more food and water in my belly. No need to fear! Anyway, here are a few photos from last night (and here I am at Week 23!).





Thanks for reading. I'd love to have you link up your stories or leave them in the comment section!

Try It Out Tuesday

I haven't posted one of my try outs in quite some time, but after I tasted the yummy dinner I prepared last night. I knew today would be the day! Because let me tell you...

You've got to try this easy yet flavorful recipe!

I also finished the book I've been reading today so you'll want to try that out, too.

Grilled Chicken with Spinach and Melted Mozzarella



Recipe print off options found here.  The best part? It's low in calories and high in protein! If you click on the link, you'll be redirected to Gina from SkinnyTaste.com. If you're on weight watchers, it's your lucky day because she provides the point information for many of her recipes.

I would never tell Captain J that what he consumed last night was good for him. He might not like it as much anymore! Of course, I added the pasta and bread, but the noodles were whole wheat! He really enjoyed it. I did, too especially because I just had some more for lunch today. It makes for tasty leftovers!

I've been cooking a lot more lately. In an effort to save time and money, I've begun to plan out our meals for each week and only make a trip to the grocery store one time. I despise the grocery store, but I will say that it is much more fun now that I'm printing coupons. I go to coupons.com and use their printable options. When I don't find what I'm looking for there, I browse around google looking for specific product coupons. Target has a lot of great options, too for cleaning supplies and basic grocery necessities. It's rewarding to see how much I have saved at the end of the receipt when I check out. Not only am I feeling better about saving a few dollars here and there, but I'm also impressing the Captain. I usually step outside my comfort zone of tasty country cookin' to try to make a wide variety of meals he might enjoy. I think he's really embracing this new side of me.

Enough about food, let's talk literature...

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt



This book by Beth Hoffman sat on my shelf for awhile, just waiting to be plucked from the masses of unreads in my lineup. It stole my heart! I've always been a sucker for southern literature. Here are a few quotes from others describing this novel:

"Anyone in need of a Southern-girl-power fix will find {this book} engaging." - People

"Charming, disarming, sweet as the scent of magnolias on a Southern summer night." - Mary Kay Andrews

and my favorite-

"A peach of a novel." - Ladies Home Journal

I like the latter most because that's exactly how I would describe it.

The main character and book namesake, Cecilia Honeycutt, had a troubled life. Growing up in the North with an eccentric mother who clung to her days of growing up in Georgia and the life she had built herself there as Vidalia Onion Queen left its toll on young CeeCee. When tragedy strikes her household, she has no where to turn and is forced to leave the only life she's ever known to live with an aunt she has barely met.

CeeCee's character is one of a very strong and sweet girl who is attempting to navigate through the mess of feelings she has for her mom and dad. Disappointment and embarrassment are not uncommon for her, but what evolves from her story is much different. Perseverance, love, and a little Southern hospitality help to change CeeCee's world, yet again.

All the characters in the book are each interesting in their own way. Hoffman's words leave you wanting to know more about each one. This is definitely a chick read, but it's a good one all the same. Let me know if you try it out!

Love,

RealMilitaryWives.tv

Hi there! I just wanted to drop a quick note to all my readers about the exciting new somethin', somethin' I'm involved in! It's a new website that just launched today and it's called RealMilitaryWives.tv . If you enjoy my vlogs, you will like this new site. Go look me up over there and browse around to meet other military wives from all over.  Thanks for watching!

(And now, unfortunately, I have to get back to my regular scheduled programing- aka dog sitting and supper cookin')

We'll chat soon.

Love,

Mrs. K

Growin' grass

Not that kind, you potheads! In addition to my duties as household domestic engineer (*snicker), mom to two pups and one sweet baby boy on the way, and online schooling, I'm also adding grass grower to that list. We're in the business of growing grass in the backyard because it looks like two Alaskan huskies have been rolling around in it for the past four months. Oh, yeah...they have.

We're moving soon so we can't very well leave this place with no grass. Southerners like their lawns, ya know.

We realized that we only have about two months to get this done so it's back to this for Drifter and Holly.

That's right. They're caged again.

Which also means, I'm stuck with them during the day again. I'm thrilled, can you tell?

I like spending more time with them inside, but Drifter gets so restless. He doesn't like being in here. He has too much energy and longs to be outside, at a dog park, or a running trail. Bless his crazy little heart.

Our new routine consists of me waking up around 7:30am to bring them inside for the day. There goes savoring my relaxation time before the baby arrives. These two are like little toddlers themselves.

The cage has been set up in the far corner of the lot so that we could get the grass growing and that is where it will stay until we leave here. In the meantime, I'm about ready to go to the library and check out every dog training book on the shelves. These two are terrible. I love em' but they are bad dogs.

Oh, well...at least they're entertaining and keep this pregnant gal off her butt all day.

Here's D-Nugget getting his workout in for the day-



And here's my dear, Holly being alpha to the crazy one-



Fair warning: My sanity might leave again. Hopefully, it won't. Wish us luck and thick, soft green grass!

Spring crafts for young'uns and the young at heart

It's payday, which also means it's my designated Hobby Lobby day. If you follow me on Twitter, you may already know that it was a little touch and go there for awhile. The recent tornados in the area almost prevented this crafting day from even happening! That would have been a tragedy.

I made some super cute stuff!



I found the idea for this spring wreath here. Here's how you can make your own-

You'll need:

*a styrofoam wreath

*yarn

*push pins

*felt paper (I got four for $1, but I ended up using just two. You could easily skate by with one.)

*scissors

*ribbon



Step 1: Cut a long piece of yarn and tie a knot at the end of it. Secure the knot to the wreath by using a push pin. Don't worry about it showing, you can cover it with yarn as you wrap it around. If you'd like to switch colors of yarn or extend the color you're using, simply tie the fresh yarn onto the old piece and continue wrapping it around the wreath.

Step 2: Using scissors, cut circular shapes from the felt paper. I use circular loosely here because they do not need to be perfect. In fact, it adds character when they're not!



Step 3: Fold the circles like a fan crease two or three times and stick the pin through the folds, like so-



Be sure to buy the longer sized pins because mine were short and finicky to work with.

Step 4: Arrange your newly-made felt flowers to the wreath in any area of your choosing.

     

Step 5: Tie a ribbon around the top to hang and voila!



The other fun activity I did was creating coffee filter butterflies! This project is great for pre-school aged kids. There are plenty of tutorials out there that involve water colors, paint, etc. but I find this way to be much less messy. I have a TON of old coffee filters that we never use because we're french press kind of people so I wanted to try this out.

You'll need:



*Oh, and pipe cleaners. You'll want those! Some people use clothes pins, but I'm working with what I have.

Step 1: Have your child use the washable markers to color in portions of the filter in any way their little hearts desire. The coloring doesn't need to be complete necessarily. Squiggly lines will do just fine.

Step 2: Take a spray bottle full of water and squirt it 2-3 times in the middle of the filter, allowing the water to blend the colors together. Allow this to dry for about 20 minutes.

Step 3: Bunch the center of the filter with your fingers while fanning out the wings of the butterfly. You can secure this shape by wrapping the pipe cleaners around the middle. Bend the remaining to make it look like antanaes.



You can hang these in your child's room with fishing lure or tape them to the wall, whatever they wish!

And there you have it...crafts for the young and old(ish). As you can see, I had a wild Friday night. G'nite bloggy friends!

Pictures and a Poll- Week 22

I went shopping today in search of a cocktail dress- a pregnancy one. I'm not sure those three words go together: pregnancy cocktail dress. It just seems all wrong. What do you think?

Anyway, it wasn't as terrible as I thought it was going to be. I have to have a dress for next week's CG Reception and I was really waiting until the last minute. Finally, I picked myself up off the couch and drove to the mall. I consider the trip a successful one because I left with a dress in hand. But I want to know what you all think. I can always take the one I bought back. Which dress should I choose? Poll Below.

I took pictures with everything because every girl knows the camera adds 15lbs or so. There's no trusting those mirrors! With all these photos in my possession, I decided it was time for a 22 Week Update!

Size of Baby: 11 inches (1lb) ~ the size of a spaghetti squash (ha)

Total Weight Gain: 12 lbs! No trouble gaining now :)

Maternity Clothes: I really should buy some. I'm sure they'd be amazing! I'm still rockin' the rubber band trick and the belly bands.

Gender: Boy! So exciting :)

Movement: Oh yes! I can feel him from the outside now, too. It makes me happy.

Sleep: I toss and turn a lot, but I'm tired enough to rack in plenty of hours.

What I miss: Feeling in-shape

Cravings: Oatmeal

Symptoms: Heartburn is back.

Baby is doing well and so is Mommy! Now, if only I could decide what to wear. Which one should I choose?

[polldaddy poll=4919443]

 

 

 

Pregnant With Laughter Part 6

My Pregnant With Laughter story this week won't be focused on my pregnancy, but it will be focused on this cutie patootie-



That's Kyron, my niece. We call her Ky for short. She's the brightest little squeezable- cheeked toddler south of the mason dixon line. I'm not biased at all. She really is. Ky tends to give her mother (my sister) a run for her money. She has a lot more sass than her two older brothers.

Well, anyway- I'll get to the story...

Not too long ago, Kyron wandered off to her room as my sister cooked up something fabulous in the kitchen. It wasn't much later that Paige heard a scream that she thought to be unintelligible.

She headed towards Ky's room wondering what her youngest had gotten herself into this time.

Again, she hears "ayudame! ayudame!" escape the lips of her two year old daughter. She arrives in Ky's room to find her little leg stuck in the bars of her crib that she is quickly outgrowing. Puzzled, my sister starts to untangle her leg from the bed.

"Kyron, what are you saying?"

"Ayudame!" she proclaims.

"I don't know what that means", she says.

Another little voice comes from another room saying, "It means 'help me' in Spanish, Mom. Kyron needs your help."

That's right, folks. My tiny little niece and nephews are brilliant! That, or they watch a lot of Dora and Diego. Either way, how can you not laugh at that? When your two year old breaks out some Spanish on you, it has got to be a proud moment!

Do you have a funny preggo or kid story to share? Simply create a post on your blog, steal the pic if you'd like, and come back here to link up. If you don't have a blog, please feel free to share your story in the comment section. I love reading what all of you have to say!

good is great.

I want to love Georgia- mostly because I always wanted to live here when I was in college. I thought, "After school, maybe I'll try to get into UGA in a Master's program there. I'll move away, but not too far. I'll be closer to the beach. Life will be grand."

Little did I know, I would soon move very far away. I used to also think, "Who moves to Alaska? That's so weird." It's funny how life works out, isn't it?

Anyway, back to Georgia talk...

I haven't been all that impressed with the last 3.5 months (our time here). But I think it is less of Georgia's fault and more of the Army's. I know, I'm a Negative Nancy today. What?! I can't blame myself!

We can't really put our fingers on why we don't like it much here, but I think it's a mixture of so many different things, some of which I've mentioned on my blog already. I've told you that we aren't exactly city folk (read: we're the opposite of city folk). I've also mentioned (probably more times than you would like) how much we miss the beauty and adventure of Alaska and all the friends we left behind there. Maybe you've heard a time or two how bad my allergies are back in full swing living here, but you don't know about the nasty critters that sneak into Georgia homes (I've found cock roaches crawling on me twice now!). I also haven't mentioned my disdain for the areas that tend to spring up around military posts. If you've spent any time around some of the larger military installations then you know what I speak of- the ghettos.

On the outskirts of many of our nation's Army posts, there tends to be that bad part of town that you don't want to find yourself lost in during the middle of the day, much less in the wee hours of the morning. The strip clubs, the drug deals, the shady spots around town where you just know trouble is lurking. This is what I hate about Columbus.

We live a couple exits away from this so called ghetto, but we're still affected by it here in the "better" part of town.

When we signed the lease for this place, we were told it was one of the safest neighborhoods around. We quickly got chatty with our neighbors and they told us differently. The truth is, there's not much of this city untouched by crimes ranging from small to large. We were told that our house in particular had been broken into several times. THAT would have been nice to know (can a girl get some Southern hospitality?). We set to work installing lights and securing our house via an expensive alarm system.

We've had our share of issues- nothing too bothersome or pricy, but when my car was broken into the other day, it just sent me over the edge.

I'm frustrated that I'm bringing a child into this (often) screwed up world. I want our son to be safe. I want to be able to protect him from all the bad stuff in life, although I know I won't be able to always do that. I don't want to have to worry about someone breaking into our house next time (b/c then I'd be in court all the time b/c you know I'm bringin' out the big guns!). I'm also annoyed that people can't make ends meet  for themselves without trying to take from other people to advance themselves in life, but that's just a whole other vent in itself.

I'm mostly unhappy with Georgia because I know we'll be moving soon. I haven't had time to like it here yet and we're moving again. This is why I'm satisfied in blaming the Army for right now. Because they're going to make us move to another post that is even more dangerous or so I've heard. I'm not the wife who has her mind made up that she'll hate the next post they're PCSing to just because everyone told her it was terrible. In fact, I get annoyed when I try to think positively about it and people continually tell me, "oh, you're going to HATE it there."

ma-ma-mama says, "Life is all about what you make of it."

So, gosh darn it- we're going to love Ft. Polk if it kills me. Our baby will enter the world there and teach us how to love on a whole new level. It might be hard, but it's only temporary. I'll just keep reminding myself of that.

As far as enjoying the Georgia chapter of our lives, I will say we're doing a good job of it. There are times when I look behind at Alaska or forward to Louisiana and wish to be there, but I don't want to wish my life away. We've had good times here. We found out we were expecting here, Savannah was spectacular, spring came early for us ex-Alaskans, and we've made some fun pals here that are in the same predicaments. Just last Sunday, J and I were able to make our first fishing trip of the season together. We found a great marina where we'll house the boat, which includes a beach area, marina restaurant, cabin rentals and coves and coves of Georgia water and landscape. I even caught the first fish of our season opener! The weather is perfect right now and I really shouldn't complain. Sometimes I just need to focus on the good...

And the good is pretty great around here. I'm so blessed to be very much in love with my husband and carrying our child. As long as I have these two boys, I'll be alright any ole place we end up.

Another see ya later-

I wanted to write a post for all our buddies deploying, you know who you are. There just aren't many words I can say that could describe accurately the enormity of the situation so I'll leave it short and to the point. Captain J and I are praying for your safety and you are on our minds. And for the loved ones you had to leave behind, I'll remember them in my prayers at night, too. Stay safe and thank you for all you do!

Love,

Jerks.

This morning I woke up to the promise of a lovely day! I just returned from a beach trip to be welcomed home by my husband and flowers all over my house on Saturday. Then, Sunday was perfect. But I can't talk about that right now because I'm all fired up. Mad. Wronged.

I woke up early to make breakfast while Captain J prepared for work. I had several things planned today. I was to be productive! I walked J out to his car to see him off as I gently teased that "there better not be a scratch on my car since I've been gone. I'm going to inspect!"

Then I saw it. He didn't.



"Um, there's a hole in my car!" I said.

He replied with, "Yeah, there are lots. Sorry."

Clearly, he didn't hear the alarm in my voice. When he finally understood that I wasn't crying wolf, he joined me in my anger.

Yesterday, I was so blissfully happy to be back in the south. The weather is warm and the lakes are hopping with boats carrying some of the nicest and most genuine people I've met in this country.

But now I'm mad all over again thinking that this city isn't for us. See, if this had happened in Alaska...well, it just wouldn't have. People carry guns in Alaska. Big ones. And you don't just stroll into someone's yard to see what you might find in their car without thinking of the consequences. You don't do that out in the country, either!

But here, in this city, some stupid (emphasis on stupid) thug decided to break a window in my precious BMW attempting to get at a bag in the back seat that looked like it might contain a computer (It did not). Here's the numbskull part: This person broke the tiny window that the computer (if it had been in there) wouldn't have even fit through.

Why are people so dumb mean?



Jerks.

splendid sun

Instead of frantically searching craigslist for a job so the hubby and I don't have to hit the poor house (due to the pay freeze), I'm chillaxin in a comfy chair in a breezy, beautiful place and perusing failblog and failbook. They make me giggle.

Jenn and I have had a great time here doing absolutely nothing. The weather has been beautiful since that one rainy day and we've taken advantage of it, relaxing in the sun. In an effort to save money (due to the pay freeze), we prepared all of our food here (except for that tee tiny trip to the bagel place).




I'm anxious to find my way back to Georgia to the arms of my husband. Today, he told me: "I've completely forgotten how to function without you." Apparently, he's been living off of ramen noodles and Pizza Hut delivery. Bless his bones! I'll be home soon, babe ;)

While away, I worked really hard to finish the book I was reading. Do you see the sarcasm here? I actually wasn't working hard at all. I was reading on the beach, day after day, to bring you this book review:

Khaled Hosseini crafted the words in a new favorite read of mine, A Thousand Splendid Suns. I had heard so many good things about this book and finally found it at a repeat store in Columbus for a little over a dollar. I found a jewel with that purchase! I will say that the book might get you fired up! It might make you sick to think of the injustice in the world. It might make you see a tiny glimpse of the heartache that many Afghanistan women have endured over the last 40 years.

The novel takes you into the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila. Both grew up in separate towns in Afghanistan, but later find their lives intersecting in a most unwelcome way. After understanding that they only had one another, they began to bond over crushed dreams, day to day heartaches, and past wounds. Their story is one of oppression, but also one of compassion.

I don't want to give too much away. You should read this book, though. I won't promise that it won't infuriate you or make you wonder if there's hope at all for them, but it's one that you don't want to miss. It kind of puts this whole pay freeze into perspective. Sure, it's annoying. But we're so much better off than so many people in this world!

³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well

We're headed "home" tomorrow. Wish us safe travels and we'll chat again soon!

Love,

Wedding Opinion- Help!

This is me with my bestie, Miranda. I'll pause for a moment so we can all be jealous of her beautiful hair.

(Pause)

(Pause again)

Okay. Now, Miranda is a weird, awesome, incredibly intelligent nursing student and soon to be wife. I've known her since she named my long toe, convinced me her family washed and saved paper plates, and almost allowed me to be malled by a chicken. Still, I love her-Which is why I'm asking a favor of you today. She's getting married this September in a lovely ceremony in Greece! Ahh (*swoon). She needs our help choosing a bouquet for the wedding. Will you go vote? It takes two seconds and we'd both greatly appreciate it!

Vote here.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

-Beach Bum

Merci (for voting)

First of all, I wanted to say thank you to all who voted in the last poll. A whopping 42.86% of you were right about our new addition to the family! 38.57 % thought the baby was a girl and the remaining 18.57% voted that I'd be having twins (psh. thanks! ha)

Baby and I are doing well. We're enjoying lazy days at the beach and missing "Dad" more than we thought possible. Captain J and I are having trouble coming up with a name. There's one that's pretty high on our list, but I can't bring myself to make the stamp of approval. It's just such a big decision, right?!

I'm enjoying being pregnant this week. As I feel his little flutters kick into overtime every time I take a bite of chocolate, I know he is more like his Mama every day. I love the feeling of him growing inside me because now I can see the progress in me physically. It seems each day I wake up, my belly has grown even bigger. I'm beginning to realize that this is the closest I'll ever be to my first born and although I want August to get here very quickly so I can meet him, I also want to keep him to myself for awhile. I know when he's born his dad will get busy making him his little man so I want to be a little selfish and enjoy my time now. Any chance I can make my son a Mama's boy? ;)

Yesterday, I tried laying on my tummy to get some sun on my back. He sure didn't like that! After just a few moments, I felt what I think was a real kick (or three) so I flipped back over to give him more room. I guess those days of laying on my tummy are over.

That's it for a quick update. I just wanted to talk about the baby a bit, but the sun is calling our names...

Pregnant With Laughter- Part 5

 Howdy friends! It's time for another installment of Pregnant With Laughter. If you don't know what it is I speak of, come around more often! Every Wednesday, I swallow my pride and find something funny about my pregnancy experience to laugh about and tell you all about. Sometimes it's a weird dream or a tale of crazy hormones gone worse, but whatever it is, I hope you get a giggle out of it. I'm enjoying this time in my life, but there are trials so what else can I do but laugh at myself?!

Do you want to join in? Maybe you have a funny pregnancy story or your kid said something hilarious the other day at the grocery store- I don't discriminate! Tell us! Just link up at the bottom of the page and feel free to swipe the picture if you'd like, too.

My confession for the week is this:

 

As many of you know, I'm at the beach. For many women (read "me), it's sometimes difficult to feel super confident in bathing suit land. Sure, there have been times in my life when I knew I looked good, but that's after working out my bikini body for awhile, drinking lots of water, and eating healthy.

Today just isn't one of those days.

Tomorrow won't be either.

In fact, I've got at least four months before I might think about being confident again.

And I might not ever, ever feel right about donning my two piece and tanning in public ever again.

This is my farewell.

Goodbye youthful, toned body of my past.

Hello, baby bump!

Ahh, the pregnancy bathing suit.-I've got to laugh so I won't cry.

Out of the Office-

Are you wondering where I've gone? Fear not. I didn't completely lose it in my gender reveal bliss! I'm simply taking a much needed vacay to relax and unwind. I'm glad to be in a place where I don't have to clean up after my dogs. It's husky shedding time, in case you didn't know. Yes, I'm in a breezy wonderful place that I feel is my home away from home (away from home since the military is involved). Of course, I did have to bring these pesky pregnancy hormones with me so I miss my other half like crazy, bananas, but I'm having a good time with my bloggy pal, Jenn.

We arrived in Siesta Key late last night and woke up to showers this morning. Not the hot, refreshing showers one may find in a bathroom. No, the other kind. The beachy kind. We grabbed some bagels out in town with the intention of going to the grocery store afterwards, but that quickly became out of the question because a monsoon came. Ok, that's dramatic but it felt like a monsoon to us. Wind was knocking us over and a quick trot to the car left us looking like we accidently got stuck in a car wash without the car. Good times.

The good news is that the rest of the week looks amazing and I can't wait to get some sun on this pasty white body of mine!

(*I don't know how much you'll hear from me this week, but I'm going to try to post Pregnant with Laughter tomorrow...ya know, in between my busy sun bathing time ;) )

It's a...

No April Foolin' y'all. Captain J and I will welcome our little man into the world in August. I'm so excited!