30 Day Challenge Day 1

I'm discovering all of these challenges and things like them on the internet. I'm seeing a lot more of them now than ever so I decided to just start some. Answer some random questions, write about specific topics... Couldn't hurt to pass some time, right? And who knows? Maybe it will help to get some of my thoughts in order.

1. Write about your best friend.

In life you are very fortunate to have a handful of TRUE friends. I've had my share of convience friends or simple acquantances, but throughout the past couple of years, there's been a select few who have truely stood by my side and been there through thick and thin. I am truely blessed to have 2 girls in my life who have earned the title of my best friend(s). These girls I honestly do not know what I would do without. They are the very best support system a girl could ask for.

Wordless Wednesday

Something that always pulls at my heart... The feeling of being in his arms. The overall knowledge of how each and every woman feels when being reunited with their loves after a long period of seperation. Takes my breath away each and every time. (Ok, so maybe not soooo wordless :P)

Everyday is a new day. That is the only way you can look at it. It can bring in wonderful things or well, not so wonderful things. You are going to have your ups and downs. Some days you may smile when inside you are falling apart. Other days you may smile and really mean it. And thats ok. Its ok to be happy and hell, its ok to cry. Just realize that this is only temporary. As long as 6 months or 7 or a year seems (& most of the time, it DOES seem like an eternity), it is not forever. He WILL come home. Things WILL be normal again. You WILL get past this milestone. I am doing everything possible to remind myself of that everyday. Especially on those "downer" day, like today. I woke up this morning, instantly on the verge of tears. (Still I am not able to distinguish pregnancy hormonal-ness from simply being emotional and missing him.) He hasn't made it to his very last destination yet but should be there rather soon. Hence, communication will soon be cut to the very minimum, if not completely. (Yes. I know. Be thankful I'm even getting to hear from him. Which I am, by the way.) I would love to talk to him more, but the occasional text that I've been receiving since he left is just very comforting and well, very much looked forward to. And it pulls at my heart more and more knowing that I'm going to have to give that up. Granted, I know it comes with the territory. I just don't have to like it. It makes the fact that he really isn't here, well, suck. On a bright note, I've made it half-way! On my pregnancy, that is. Ultrasound next week. I'm so excited to see my lil man again -- only this time, he will be a bit bigger :) I can't believe how quickly those first 5 months flew by. If only these next 4 would do the same. I'm beginning to get impatient. (Yes. Already. I know... I'm in for it.) But I'm ready to meet him -- face to face, hold him, spoil him :) For now, however, I'll enjoy my sleep (or should I say, the very little sleep that I do receive.)

Mornings like these are the worst. I just can't get it together. I feel like a complete and total emotional wreck.

-- You'll Be On My Mind Wherever I Go --

Today has definitley been one of the better days I've had. The past few have been a tad bit rough, but hey, rough days happen. Thank God for the wonderful people in my life, they get me through so much more than they ever could realize. I've got a little bit to write, but it'll have to come later... Baby Tyler is making me super sleepy tonight :) I love these little weekly things, so here goes from MannLand 5 :)

the q's & a's --

1. Do you watch/read the news?

I try to avoid it as much as possible but sometimes it is just easier said than done.

2. How would you describe your "look"?

Honestly, pretty plain. As much as I want/try to change it up, I feel like I dress and look just about the same as I did my senior year of high school... (about 3 years ago.)

3. Did you play sports in high school/college?

I'm was and am waaay to athletically challenged to play any sports recreationally more less for a team. I'm not too coordinated.... Ok, I'm not coordinated at all lol.

4. Would you rather give up lip stick/gloss or high heels?

I really don't wear much of either. Now, if flip flops or chapstick were the options, then it would definitley be a toss up lol.

5. What's your favorite show to watch on tv?

I've got a few... Army Wives (haha.. who woulda guessed right?!) Teen Mom (whether it annoys me or not) and Law And Order SVU (reruns or new).

6. Would you rather bake or cook?

Baking is the best... I love sweets waaaaay too much & when I think of baking, sweets are what comes to mind. The cooking part I'm really trying to work on. My bestie & I are getting a place of our own soon -- I'm bound and determind to me one heck of a cook by the time the hubs gets home!!

7. Shorts or skirts?

Shorts. Definitley shorts. I told you, I'm more of a simple type of girl.

8. What's your favorite scary movie?

Ha. A few years ago I could have answered this one easily. I've become a skeerdie-cat when it comes to scary movies now... But I'd have to say the newer Amityville Horror -- Ryan Reynolds shirtless for roughly 2 hours, I mean, seriously?!

Thats all for tonight :) Night everyone!

What do YOU do to keep busy during these awfully long deployments? Having a job or going to school are always nice, but what about the rest of your day?

I am not lucky, I am blessed. It's a fact that I am realizing more and more as each day passes. Not all get to have the experiences that I do -- to know all that love has to offer, to know the true meaning of happiness. And right now, more and more, I'm seeing how happy I am -- how all of those twists and turns along the way these past few years, have brought me to where I need to be. Also, how they made me grow and learn so I could honestly appreciate and be aware of what I have. I am very priveleged to be able to say I married my best friend -- nobody knows me better than he does & nevre have I felt as comfortable, safe, & secure as I do with him (not to mention all of the lovey-dovey feelings that still exist :) ) I've just been spending the day reflecting. It's been one of those kinds of days. I'm somewhat taken aback by how much has changed over the years. 3 years ago, the army certainly wasn't in mind for our future nor was having a baby so soon. Friends that I always thought would be there slowly slipped away and/or showed some true (& awful) colors. I realized, also, that as good of a friend that I always try to be, I need to learn to be better -- to learn forgiveness and to be open/honest with not just others, but myself as well. I need to learn that I'm not going to always agree with others and how they live their lives but at the same time, they may not exactly approve of all the decisions I make myself -- life & friendship isn't about judging -- its about joining along for the ride. Everybody is different. Thats another thing -- I've learnt that there is still so much I do not know about myself and I've opened my eyes as to how much that fact scares me. I've got to get out there and give myself the opportunity to find out who I am & what I'm really about. That opens a huge goal for me this upcoming year. And I plan on putting every effort into successfully completing it. I feel like I have so much weighing on my mind. Ever feel like you just can't think clearly? Like everyday is just a blur? I have so many jumbled thoughts and emotions -- I feel like I need a filing cabinet to sort them all out. I feel like I bottle way too much up inside and just push it to the back of my mind -- planning on confronting and sorting it all out at a later date or perhaps, just forgetting about things altogther. Sadly, that just gets me into funks, like today. Anywho, as always, I've been browsing other wives' blogs and found this survey & for whatever reason, I always have to fill them out :) Military Wifey Survey -- from Simplysteele.blogspot.com

1. How long have you been a military wife? Will hit my one year mark in May

2. What branch of service is your husband? Army

3. Active/Reserve? Active Duty

4. What is his job? 11-Bravo, Infantryman

5. How many deployments have you gone through? We are in the beginning of our very first :(

6. Camo or Dress uniforms on your man? I'm a sucker for the camo's :)

7. What do you like about being a military wife? I love the opportunities that the military provides. Traveling, meeting new people...

8. Do you live on base? Not currently, but we sort of did -- it was a military reservation & it wasn't too great...

9. What is your favorite base so far? We still have the remainder of the deployment + another year at our first duty station -- Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

10. What is the hardest part of the military life? The long seperations, the hurry up and wait, their unorganized ways...

11. Do you go to the grocery store or Commissary? Since we live(d) on the island, the commissary was definitley the way to go -- spend 4.00 on a gallon of milk on post or 7 off post... I'm sure you get what I'm saying...

12. Do you work or stay at home? I'm a housewife at the moment -- looking for a job though :) until the baby is born that is, then I will be taking more time off obviously

13. Do you have a lot of military wife friends? I wouldn't say a lot -- but I do have a few that are absolutley amazing :)

14. Do you prefer Walmart or the BX/PX/NEX/MCX? The NEX is the best place to go in Hawaii. Schofield's BX/PX isn't awful, but the NEX has so much more to offer & is so nice :) (Walmart in HI is awful, btw... 4 isles at most for groceries and most everything is overpriced -- well, over priced from what I am used to in good ol' Kentucky lol)

15. How did your husband propose? This was truely the very first time I have ever seen my hubs nervous. Back when we first met, he had a motorcycle & we rode everywhere -- country roads, down to the river, you get the picture. We had this nice little spot that was "ours" we always went to -- whether to talk, watch the stars, or what not... Well, on our 2 years anniversary, he took me to a nice dinner and then took me there. I was so oblivous to what he was doing that I didn't even notice him fidgeting and asking all of these really serious questions about our future. The next thing I know, he turned me around with a ring in his hand, and asked if I would spend my life with him :) My answer well, is a lil obvious!!

16. Did you marry him after he joined or before? Before.

17. How long have you been together? March of 2008

18. Any kids? Our first little munchkin is expected to arrive in September of this year :)

19. Any kids yet to come? ^^^^^^^^^

20. Is your husband one of those "I am soldier hear me HOOAH" kind of guys? When he first enlisted, I truely thought he was going to be.. He went into the recruiters station, "I want to go to Airborne & Ranger school... I wanna look into Special Forces..." You get the picture...But after the fact, he actually calmed down. Granted he is very proud of what he does (as am I), he isn't that way at all.

21. Have you ever done combatives with your husband? Haha yes.

22. How many bases have you lived at? Just one

23. If you could change one thing about the military? The length of deployment (haha -- very unlikely, huh?)

24. Do you like military balls? The military ball was one thing I was really looking forward to. However, about a month before we got to Hawaii, Schofield had theirs, so we missed it. I'm hoping to attend one after deployment.

25. Where does your family live? Kentucky

26. What do you do for a job? Just a housewife at the moment

27. Have you ever gotten in a fight with an NCO's wife? Luckily I haven't had to deal with any drama wives & hopefully I won't have to. 28. Name one thing you do when your husband is gone. Right now, I'm preparing for our baby & getting care packages together for him :) Other than that, just STAY busy.

29. Do you think other wives do that too? What else can you do when your hubs is so far away? To keep your sanity, you have to stay busy.