2011

2011 was quite a year.  There was good and bad, both of which God used to continue to shape and mold me as a person and also my marriage.

The year started off well with The Man continuing to work on his sobriety.  It was a time of change.  His schedule was a bit crazy and continued that way into February and March.  I didn't love how busy he was with work, helping coach basketball and rehearsals for a show he was in.  There were days that I barely saw him! But we got through it and and April was much better, especially since the show, Sweeney Todd was running. It was a great show and I'm so glad he did it!

May brought a TDY and The Man was back out to sea.  I missed him while he was gone but the time apart was good for us.  He enjoyed being back out and I enjoyed having some time alone too.  And of course, homecoming is always the best part!  We also enjoyed June and July cause we worked on our very first garden.  We were so excited to grow and eat our own veggies!  We are eagerly awaiting spring so we can garden again.  We've already been talking about what we're growing this year...

One of the many house projects

August was good to us.  Looking back, I'm glad it was!  We managed to fit in a trip to Disney Land.  We wanted to go at least once before kids so we could enjoy it just the two of us.  Once we got home we bought a new truck, which we are still enjoying and getting a lot of use out of.  In order for The Man to do the projects he wants to around the house, it's much easier having the truck to haul supplies and debris & trash after!

September started off great with a camping trip.  We hadn't been camping in about two years and were really wanting to go, so we carved out Labor Day weekend for a trip to a nearby campground.  I thought I had posted about it but I guess not.  I think it got overshadowed by what happened next.  I headed to the East Coast cause my dad was in the hospital.  I was going so I could help my mom out and be there when he got home so he wouldn't have to go to a rehab facility.  It didn't turn out that way.  Instead of returning to his earthly home, daddy went to his forever home.  The pain for us is horrible but knowing where daddy is helps.  It also helps knowing that I'll see him again.  I'm looking forward to that!  From daddy's homecoming did come some good.  One good thing was the opportunity to see friends and family and make more memories with them.  People and relationships are so important and I don't like to waste any chance I have to spend time with the people who are important to me!  The memories we made make me smile.

Joey hugging Dad

Our family expanded again with the addition of dad's dog Joey.  We love him but he's been a little trying at time.  We're working on discipline and listening and he's getting better.  He's so much more fun and enjoyable when he behaves!

At the end of October mom came for a visit and while she was here we got some great news!  We found that we were pregnant!  Even though I didn't share with you until December we knew at the very beginning of November.  Morning sickness, fatigue and other fun symptoms have hit and I'm very much looking forward to the second trimester.  Even with not feeling the best, we had a wonderful Christmas.  We were blessed with great gifts and enjoyed spending time with most of The Man's family.

And how could I forget?  We managed to get down to Eugene for a Ducks game.  Not just any game but the Civil War!  I love going to games at Autzen.

And even more importantly, The Man got one year of sobriety in November.  This is huge and I know it wasn't easy.  I am so proud of him for this accomplishment!

2012 is going to bring even more change to our family.  We know what some of them are but know that there are many surprises in store for us.  So we go into the New Year thankful for each other and our families and friends and we know that nothing that happens will surprise God.  He'll be there with us every step of the way.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I've had a few blog posts rolling around my head but I haven't had the energy to write them out.  Munchkin has been sucking all my energy and leaving me with nausea...I'm very much looking forward to the second trimester!  It will roll around after the New Year.  With that in mind, I've decided to take the rest of the year off.  I also want to be able to focus on Christmas and spending time with family.  I've been enjoying taking naps, sleeping in when possible and just enjoying time with The Man since our time with just the two of us is limited.

However, before I leave I do want to say thank you to Cat from The C.W.  She had me for her blog swap that I did with Wife of a Sailor.  It was an amazing box!  I got homemade goodies (The Man has been loving the chocolate covered peanut butter crackers!)  I also got two movies, hot cocoa, tea, a notepad, popcorn and an adorable elephant ornament.  I was super excited about the tea because she found my favorite kind! I LOVE the Tazo green ginger tea but it can be hard to find!  I may or may not did a little dance in excitement!  Thank you so much Cat!

Yummy treats

I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas.

Childhood Memory

When I saw the bin of loose mixed nuts, I had to buy some, even if they were ridiculously priced.  A bowl full of mixed nuts is more than just a bowl of nuts.  To me, it is reliving my childhood.  At Christmastime growing up, my parents always had a bowl of mixed nuts.  Only at Christmas because they were a special treat.  They would be out with a nutcracker (for us, cracker thingie you use for lobster.  We don't eat seafood in our house so this is a good use for us!) and the little pick thing.  The walnuts were always my favorite and the only nut I would eat.  My parents used to tell me to stop eating all the walnuts cause if I had my way there would be none left!

My bowl of mixed nuts

As I write this I'm munching on my nuts, enjoying this little slice if Christmas past....and Christmas present.

The Nutcracker

For about 10 years while I was growing up, my mom, dad, aunt, uncle and I would see The Boston Ballet's Nutcracker.  I LOVED it.  The music, the dancing...beautiful.  I was sad when we stopped going.

Every Christmas when I hear the ads for The Nutcracker, I tell The Man how much I loved going as a kid and how I would love to go again.  I'd also mention that I'd love to make it a tradition.  Not once or twice, but just about every time we hear the commercial.  So being the amazing husband that he is, he bought us tickets for my birthday!  I was so surprised and shocked.  What a great birthday gift!

With the Mouse King at McCraw hall

I enjoyed The Pacific Northwest Ballet's version of the Nutcracker.  The set was beautiful, the music was amazing and the dancing was beautiful.  But...it wasn't The Boston Ballet.  Even though it's been 15+ years since the last time I went, there were parts, mostly in the second act that were very different from what I was expecting.  The Russians (as my family called them) was always a favorite of mine.  And in the Boston Ballet there is an Old Women with a huge skirt and has tons of kids underneath and they all come out and dance.  I was really looking forward to that dance...and it was missing.  I was a sad girl.  I'm also not sure there was a Sugar Plum Fairy.  I'm still a little confused on the lack of the Sugar Plum Fairy.  

The Man had never seen The Nutcracker (he had never been to a the ballet before so it was a first for him!) and he enjoyed it.  He really enjoyed the music.  Though in thinking and talking about it, I'm not sure even seeing the current Boston Ballet's show would have satisfied me, with my memories.  I'd love to go back the PNB Nutcracker next year.  I think the more I see it and become familiar with it, the more I'll like and enjoy it.  And even with my disappointments, I still had a great time and really enjoyed myself.

Christmas Blog Swap with Household 6 Diva

Wife on a Roller Coaster came up with a great idea...a Christmas blog swap!  So a bunch of Milspouse bloggers got all swapped up and we're taking over someone else's blog for the day.  You can find the complete list of participating bloggers and the links on the RC's blog.

You can find me over The Few, The Proud, The Wife.  When you're done reading, this post, please head on over and say hi to Ines and leave me a little comment love.  Thanks!

I have the honor of hosting Ann Marie from Household 6 Diva.  In case you've never heard of her, here's her bio:  Ann Marie Detavernier is a Military Spouse currently stationed in Baumholder, Germany. With her husband currently deployed to Afghanistan, she is a full time volunteer in her community, an award-winning photographer, and a trailblazer for military families living overseas. She writes with humor and refreshing honesty about daily life as an Army Wife and Busy Mom of three small children at www.household6diva.com.

I didn’t grow up with an extended large family.  My parents divorced when I was young and with a working Mom, the holidays were a season of choir and band concerts, carnation fundraisers through student council, and a quiet candlelit dinner at home with my Mom, sister and I.  It was festive. It was heart felt. It was real.

My husband and I were legally married the last Wednesday of November and spent our honeymoon night in a tiny hotel somewhere in northern Ohio on our way to his family’s Thanksgiving celebration.  It would be another three weeks until we moved in together and frantically prepared our new home to receive family for our unofficial official Wedding Day on New Year’s Eve.

The following year, Seth was deployed to Iraq in early November when I was 33 weeks pregnant with our first child.  The first week of December I was invited to someone’s home for a Christmas Caroling party.  I remember that morning waking up with no intention of going.  I was 39 weeks pregnant. The only dessert I had confidence I could prepare properly (that would at least turn out edible!) was a Jello No-Bake cheesecake.  I was perfectly content to spend the day in yoga pants watching tv and sorting through baby clothes for the hundredth time.

Around three in the afternoon, I changed my mind.  I made the crust, mixed up the pudding, and popped open a can of sliced peaches thinking they might look nice as a decorative garnish on top.  Then I ran upstairs to take a shower.  An hour later I was waddling back down the stairs in my nicest white maternity shirt and brown corduroy slacks to grab my beautiful pie and head out to the party. 

When I arrived I was greeted by warm hugs and heartfelt smiles.  It was overwhelming – but in a very good way.  As I set my comparatively frumpy pie among the exotic desserts I remember wanting to cry.  I felt like I didn’t belong there.  My husband was in Iraq.  My belly was huge.  My dessert looked like it had been made by a second grader. 

That was the moment the hostess finally found me.  Ms. Brigitte had been a military wife for many years and instantly made me feel at ease.  “What a beautiful pie you made! I’m so glad you are here!”  She then circled the room with her arm linked in mine introducing me and engaging others in fun conversation.  The evening continued with beautiful alternating rounds of singing and more laughter and stories.

When it was time to go, I again felt tears prick my eyes. It had been a beautiful evening of hospitality and warmth. It was festive. It was heart felt. It was real. 

And although my husband was far away that Christmas, my heart was full because of my new military family.

Patience

I'm sure it's no surprise to many of you that I've been dealing with nausea.  It's not fun.  Eating small meals/snacks does help but that's been hard.  Cooking has no appeal.  I've also been exhausted and taking lots of naps (which I'm enjoying).  All that to say...that's why I haven't been posting very often.  I appreciate your patience with me while I survive the first trimester.  I have a couple of blog posts in my head...now just to get them written!  You will have a treat this week though.  I'm participating in a Christmas Blog Swap and that will take place on Wednesday so keep your eye out for that!

How is your December going?

Early Birthday Present

I got an amazing gift today.

I'm considering it an early birthday present

even though my birthday isn't for a few more days.

What is it, you ask?

Well, The Man and I

were able to see

our munchkin today.

We also saw and heard the heartbeat.

It was AMAZING!

I cried

and squeezed 

The Man's hand really tight.

Seeing the munchkin 

made it so real.

To say we're excited

is an understatement.

There were many days and months

when I wasn't sure

we'd ever get pregnant.

God is good

and

it happened in His timing.

Munchkin measured a little smaller

than we expected.

My due date got moved back a bit.

We're looking forward to 

meeting our munchkin in

Mid-July.

Music Thursday

I was going to share a video of the Trans Siberian Orchestra since we got to see them this past weekend.  They are incredible.  Sadly I can't embed any of their videos.  If you've never heard of them (or you just want to listen a little!) I suggest you go here and check out some of the videos.  The show was amazing with the lights and the sound and the energy.  I'm hoping we can make this an annual concert!

So, since I can't share that with you, I'm going to share one of my favorite Christmas songs with you.  I didn't like this song at all until I heard the version by Third Day.  This is the only version I like!

 Sorry for the cheesy video...it was the best one I could find.  There's just something about this version that I love!

Do you have a song that you only like one version of?

Linking up with Goodnight Moon: