{Half~Way Down}

Dear Deployment,


I woke up this morning with a smile on my face. The sun was shining bright. I rolled over only to realize that you are still here!! You are quite persistent with your ways. One would think that I would have learned that by now but I guess I just keep holding out hope that you will change your mind and just go away.


My smile started to fade away (I bet you are thinking that you dragged me down on this beautiful day) but then I remembered that today is a very special day. Do you know what today is? Since I count the days, the hours, and sometimes even the minutes, I can tell you that today you and I are celebrating an extremely important anniversary.


Can you believe that we have known each other for 3 whole months? I know it feels like we have known each other FOREVER but really it’s only been 3 months.


You might not be as excited as I am about our 3 month anniversary and that’s okay because I can’t say that I care too much about your feelings today. You haven’t spared my feelings by any means in the past 3 months so for today, I am putting myself first. Sometimes you make me cry. Sometimes you make angry. Most of the time, you just make me feel lonely. You have been at my side for 3 long months. You try to wheedle your way in whenever I am lonely or feeling a little sad. You find the time to follow my every move. You scheme behind my back. You try to throw your wicked curve balls every chance you get. And can I just mention that manners don’t seem to exist anywhere in your egotistical world.


I can only imagine what you have thought since we first met. You have witnessed my raw emotions. You probably think I am weak and pathetic. I am almost certain that you think you can win this battle by digging your hooks in a little deeper with each passing day but guess what? I am still here too!!! Through it all, I have managed to stand strong.


I have learned a new routine. It’s different than before but it keeps me moving forward one step at a time. Although I channel my energy on getting through each and every day, my focus is still on my family.


I have to admit, I never truly understood the word consistency until you came to be. Some might call me crazy for doing the things that I do but truth be told, my daily habits keep me grounded. They allow me to get through those days when you want me to give up.


I have my moments when I am weak. I have those days when I am vulnerable but, I am learning that I have a vigorous spirit. I love my husband more than you can possibly understand. You can continue to hover over me and you can do your best to set up your daily hurdles but I guess I should probably mention that I can be quite the persistent one too.


We have made it halfway through our travels together. I presume that you understand that I still don’t like you. That much hasn’t changed! I still follow that same motto in life, I put one foot in front of the other and I continue to move forward. I think I might have mentioned before that I had found a bit of determination deep inside. I can tell you today that the determination I have is planted deep within my heart.


As of today, WE ARE OFFICIALLY HALF WAY DOWN!!! From this point on, we are sliding down your hill instead of trying to climb your rough terrain. From this point on, there is no looking back because in just 3 months, you will be gone and I will get to wrap my arms around my husband!!


We are fully aware of how much time you have left in this house and believe me, we are looking forward to kicking you out so that we can welcome home our missing link, the one who makes us whole, the one who makes us practically perfect in every way.

~ Happy Half~Way Down Anniversary!!!! ~

{NOLA}

There is one place I have been waiting to visit since moving to Louisiana.  

Pronounced noo aw-lins or new or-lins or new or-lee-yuns, but NEVER new orleens, the crescent city is often referred to as a European city on a Po boy budget.


This past week the kids and I got to spend some time down in N’awlins with Grampy & Grammy and let me just say that the trip was AMAZING!!! It was way too short but we somehow managed to accomplish quite a bit. We all enjoyed more food than we needed, strolled through the French Quarter, rode in the famous streetcars, and even saw a bit of marine life. Every aspect was fun, memorable, and left us wanting to go back for more.

Have you ever watched The Princess and the Frog? We have watched it A LOT! It became a family favorite after we learned that we would be moving to the south. The movie left a lasting impression on all of us. After several conversations with the kids, I can tell you that we all had painted a picture in our minds and those pictures matched the movie pretty well.

I wasn’t disappointed when we reached our destination. Everything I imagined was right in front of my eyes. Walking through the French Quarter was pretty exciting. I had been told that there was a feeling like no other once you reached the great city of New Orleans. I felt the change as soon as we made it into the heart of the city. The streets seem to come alive. The atmosphere is different but somehow it is quite welcoming as you surround yourself with people and music. The breeze from the Mississippi River carried the smells of that ever so famous Creole/Cajun food. I think they might actually put something in the air because I have never had the urge to eat as much as I did during our trip. I have to say, I have never experienced anything like it in my life. The kids were a little nervous about their new adventure. Some sights were very new and a bit strange to their little eyes but they actually got over the shock pretty fast.

Our journey began on Decatur Street. Most of the streets in the French Quarter are lined with restaurants, bars, and cute little shops. We stopped at a quaint little restaurant where I got to experience my first ever shrimp Po Boy. The restaurant walls were held by tall windows that let in all of the sights and sounds of good ol’ fashioned New Orleans traditions.

We browsed the shops, took in some history, and stopped to enjoy the music that filled the Vieux Carre.

We made our way down Bourbon Street, luckily before the sun set. Not exactly a place you want to hang out with your kids but, it was interesting to see to say the least. We had to cross the street a few times to keep little eyes from noticing too many things. Travin was fascinated by the ladies and me well I got to enjoy one of New Orleans finest cocktails, a Mint Julep. Although I do believe that the bartender happened to think that I needed to enjoy the bourbon portion a little more than the mint or the sweetness portion of the drink.

Our second day was spent at the Audubon Aquarium. However, our trip would not have been complete if we didn’t have a chance to taste a beignet or two. We took in a few more sights as we wandered down the peaceful NOLA banquettes. We eventually made our way over to the Original French Market Coffee Stand.

We finished up our trip by taking a ride on the famous St. Charles Streetcar.

I have been told that there is no East, West, North, or South in New Orleans. You simply head anywhere the music is. We will definitely be finding our way back towards the music but, the next time we head uptown, downtown, lakeside, or riverside, Daddy will be in tow!!

{Friday Fun With Military Spouses: April 1st}

Happy April Fool's Day

It's time to learn a few more secrets about me!

1. What romance movie scene reminds you of your s/o or spouse and the LOVE you share? submitted by Simply Sunshine and Daisy’s



I saved this question for last. I don’t know that I have a specific scene but I do have movies that remind me of certain things in our lives.


The Notebook: Two crazy teenagers who fight and make up over the dumbest things, why because they are young and in love =) A young couple who faces many obstacles but eventually overcomes them so that they can be together.


The Wedding Singer: This movie always reminds me of My Jay!! From day one he always put himself out there for me. His sense of humor and quirky way of doing things (like making up songs) always makes me laugh. He wants to grow old with me!!!


Ha I just thought of one scene and don’t laugh because it’s probably totally lame but so true. There is a scene in Beauty and the Beast where the Beast gives Belle a special gift to show his appreciation and of course that he loves her.

My library isn't quite that big but it’s pretty big. Some of our best dates have been to Barnes and Noble for book browsing and coffee =)


2. If you were allowed to deploy with your husband to a war zone would you and why? submitted by I & J


Not really a great question to ponder while we are faced with deployment because there is a huge part of me that wants to say yes. Being separated SUCKS!! I think it would be interesting to see things but after the few things that I have heard, I don’t know how great it would be to see some of those things. But, because we have children my answer would have to be no.


3. Have you ever done anything (intentionally, or unintentionally) to embarrass your spouse/significant other in front of his military cohorts? submitted by Marrying the Navy


If you know my husband, you know that there isn’t much that will embarrass him. He will do just about anything. I have been involved with things to try to embarrass him but he is good at turning the tables around.


I can share that I am the only one who can make him turn different shades of red and I take pride in that =) but it usually only happens when others aren’t around.


4. What is your most irrational fear? submitted by Eights on the Move


Being buried alive. I have had this fear ever since I was a kid.


Dark water. If I can’t see the bottom, I won’t be going in.


Paranormal activity. With the family I married into, I should be used to A LOT of wired happenings but I’m not and it freaks me out!!!


Guns!! Very bad experience led me to this fear.


Letting others down or disappointing the people in my life.


I am not a fan of snakes AT ALL!!! Ever since we moved to Louisiana I have developed this weird fear of Alligators. There is an area by our house where I like to go running but there are a few swampy looking spots. It really creeps me out to run through there especially when I’m by myself. I always pull one of my earphones out of my ear and run as fast as I can until I make it to the other side. My husband thinks it’s the funniest thing, me NOT SO MUCH!!! I guess on a positive note, it helps with my running time =)


5. If you could only live in one kind of climate for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? submitted by Many Waters


If I could get rid of the pollen (and the bugs) during the spring time here, I would choose the weather we have here in the south. Spring weather is so amazing in the south. I LOVE IT!!!!


80 degrees, warm breeze, bright sunshine....The only thing missing is the beach =)

Don't forget to link up with this weeks host over at 

An Expeditionary Family.