Butterflies

Ok...so I'm not a daily blogger. I think I realized I'm not going to be a high achiever when it comes to posting but I do what I can and it makes me happy.

So, something I've been meaning to talk about, a few weeks ago I had a video conference with my hubby from Afghanistan. It was an amazing opportunity our command offered and I hope that all commands have a chance like this. Our experience with Skype this deployment has been pretty bad; we have the connection just long enough to for a few "can you see me?" "can you hear me?" and then it ends.
Early Saturday morning I headed over to base for my time slot. Saying I was excited and nervous would be an understatement. I had total butterflies in my stomach. Not to mention I got all dolled up for the occasion; at 6:30am on a Saturday! It's crazy and amazing at the same time; just the chance to really see my husband change me into a school girl with a crush. I couldn't believe I would act this way with my husband that I've been with for 5 years, who has seen me looking, let's just say, not my best. It’s silly, but I love this silver lining. And I'm not the only one, the gal that came in after me looked just as excited and done up.
My husband and I have always been very much in love, but this deployment has brought back the serious butterflies. I can only imagine what the preparation for homecoming will be like. I think I'll multiply that feeling by 100.

Memorial Day

My husband and I have been reflecting on Memorial Day this weekend in our correspondence and conversations. As a family, we truly honor our military and their sacrifices on a regular basis, but our feelings are magnified this Memorial Day with this current deployment.

This Monday most people have the day off from work, stores plaster special "Memorial Day Sales" everywhere you look, and it is an excuse to have summer BBQs...I hope that under all the typical holiday style Americans observe and understand what this day really means.   Freedom is not free, we are incredibly lucky to live in this free country where we have brave men and women willing to defend those freedoms at all cost.  I am so thankful to all our military and to those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.

This Memorial Day fly the American flag in honor of our military, visit memorials, place flowers or flags on the graves of fallen heroes, and take a moment of silence to reflect on their sacrifices. I do hope everyone has a good weekend, enjoy the things you love about this country and remember the true meaning of Memorial Day honoring those who have given all in the name of our country and our freedom.

“I thank God for my life,

For the stars and stripes
May freedom forever fly, let it ring.

Salute the ones who died
The ones that gave their lives

So we don’t have to sacrifice

All the things we love.” ~Zac Brown Band

I'm Back!

I'm finally somewhat back in the swing of the things.  I've been away for awhile and a lot has happened...the best of which is we are one more month down in this deployment.  :)  I feel like I'm reaching the peak and getting ready for the downhill slope...although not quite in the homestretch yet.

I have lots of catching up to do.  I have big plans for my blog & some really great new pictures.  Also I'd like to say welcome to any new followers!  I get so excited everytime I get a new follower!  I can't wait to get to know everyone.

AND I got an Sweet Blog award!...Thank you Marissa at Living the Life of an Infantryman's wife!  I will pass it on. 

Hope everyone is having a great Friday!

Milspouse Blog Hop!

I'm way behind the curve on this one...but I was really interested in being a part of the Military spouse blog hop from Riding the Rollarcoaster so I'm going to do it now...even 6 days late.

My name is Kirsten, I am a twenty-something originally from the Poconos in PA.  I went to school at the University of Scranton when I met my Marine during my college years and have been head over heels ever since.  We have been married for almost 2 years and he is the most wonderful husband.  Every day I am so thankful we found eachother.  We are currently living in paradise and enduring our first deployment.  I started my blog when he left as a journal for my sanity, a learning tool & way to connect with other spouses.  I am enjoying my work as a financial counselor.  After many jobs, I've actually found something I love; that makes me very happy. 
I am extremely patriotic.  I love the beach.  I love to dance (alone & with my hubby).  We don't have children yet but are looking forward to starting a family in the near future; we want to start with a pet.  I'm not a writer by any means...but I enjoy journaling my thoughts and experiences in our crazy military life that I love.   If you follow me I hope you enjoy and I can offer something new and interesting.


        

Slacking...

I've been a major blog slacker. I feel out of the loop. I even missed the military blog hop on Friday, I was so disappointed; maybe I can still get on that.  But I have been really busy, visiting family, in transit, combating jet lag, etc. Any time I've spent online in the past week has been writing my hubby. I meant to post earlier, but I abandoned that idea for my craft project making a “flat husband.” Yes…I made a paper-doll of my husband. I saw another unit do this and take pictures of the flat hubbies different places they went. I thought it was really clever and sweet. He’s with me everywhere I go; in my heart and in my thoughts, this way I can show him and send him fun pictures!  I think having it with me will also remind me to take pictures (I always forget to take out my camera).  I know there are companies that make large cardboard cutouts and pillows of husbands and daddies that are really neat.  However, I wanted it to be personal, creative and mainly have something that was easier for me to carry around.  I had a good pic of my hubby printed in a 5x7 for his face then printed a template for a paper-doll.  With a little artistic license, I constructed a cute paper-doll of my marine! Maybe if I can get my act together I'll post some photos.

Happy May!

Woohoo! Another blog award!

Thank you so much Laura from Diamonds and Dog Tags for The Circle of Friends Award!
Even though I've been a blogging slacker lately! 

The Rules:

1) Post it on your page

2) List five things you looooove to do
3) Pick five friendly bloggers and pass it on!

Five things I love to do....hmmm
1.  I love to walk on the beach.  The beach is about a 5 min walk from our house.  I used to go almost everyday but lately I haven't had a chance.  It's so calming and relaxing, but at the same time good exercise.  I always feel so refreshed afterwards.  Not to mention, the sand does wonders for the calluses on my feet!
 
2. I love to dance, dance, dance! Dancing is what brought my husband and I together (salsa dancing to be exact) and we've been perfecting it ever since. Dancing is one of the many things I really miss; dancing with my hubby that is...I still dance around the house by myself all the time.

3.  I love to watch movies.  I'd say I'm somewhat of a movie connoisseur.  Unless it's a really obscure, b-list movie, I've probably seen it and can rattle off the title, plot, and characters/actors.  Although lately I've been fixated on watching a full TV series on Netflix, my current obsession is Friday Night Lights (totally underrated in my opinion!)
 
4. I love going out to eat.  This isn't that unique, but I cook dinner every night so when my husband and I go out it's special!  Now that he is deployed, I literally never eat out, so right now the thought of that seems really fun!
 
5.  I love at home spa treatments!  I love to pamper myself in little ways, like facials, face masks or soaking my feet in a foot bath.  My favorite pampering item lately is the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque.
 
I'm passing this award on to these friendly bloggers:
 
Cheryl at Boots in the Doorway 
 
Wife on the Rollercoaster at Riding the Rollercoaster
 
Noelbelle at Devil Dog & Litigation Love
 
Hellcat Betty
 
Navywife24 at A Day in the Life of a Navy Wife ( I second this from Laura)
 
If you already have this award then I second it! Thanks again!

Sad songs say so much

Ok… so I know it can be extremely tormenting to listen to certain sad songs during a deployment, even most love songs strike a chord. I try to avoid this torture, but sometimes it’s just one of those things I can't really evade. A fellow volunteer- friend of mine posted this song today and it literally just sounds like I have been feeling. I hadn’t heard it before, so thank you for sharing Jessica :) If I had a soundtrack in my head that matched my feelings it would sound something like this.




Hmm…I think I need to work on making my posts a little more upbeat.  It's just where I’ve been lately in my thoughts, but I promise I will make an effort to blog about the good things too!