Happy Birthday Marines!

                                   Happy Birthday to all Marines, past and present! Semper Fi!!!

                                         

Busier than a bee?!?

17 days left until we can start moving into our new house. I say "start" because I have my doubts that we will move completely out and in within one day. One day because my husband has to be into work the following day. No time off from training to move and no leave given for a PCA. 

My plan: get a majority/all of the "oh my gawd my back is breaking" heavy stuff loaded up on Saturday and haul it over and unload Sunday. 

While this may seem weird to not just move it ALL at once, the kiddos and I are going to still be at our current home for a little while longer. I'll need to go through the house and make sure everything on the list/lists (yes, I keep finding more that needs to be done and piling up stacks of paper with lists on them to make our house rental ready) has been completed, get all of the utilities turned off, have a cleaning service come through, and tie up any other loose ends that Murphy might like to throw my way at the last minute... 

I don't want to move, but I want to be closer to my husband, and we NEED more room!! I started packing last week... Our house started looking so empty, now it looks like a cardboard factory blew up, tied in with children's toys and random crap that needs to be gone through! 

I received estimates on our back patio extension (this will be done next week) and repainting our man-child's 1 red & 1 blue "Star Wars" walls, our small hallway, baseboards in the dining & living room, and the chair rail in the master... $650!!! WITH us providing the paint!!! WTF?!? Again, our house is not huge, so that price for doing nothing but taping off areas and rolling on some paint (not even primer) was a shocker to me! Looks like we'll be throwing our painting clothes on soon and sending the kids to the neighbors! :-/

Fence/Gate guy came out on Tuesday, was told I would have an estimate that night, it is now Thursday, and 1 voicemail and an email later, no response. A. I'm hoping nothing bad happened. B. If nothing bad happened why the hell have I not received any word? Obviously you do not want our business and are wasting what little damn time I have, next!

Between packing and preparing the house I find myself trying to remember the last diaper change time, the last snack, how long did he nap for, oh CRAP, the man-child needs to be picked up from school!!! This is while the husband is waking at 0400 to drive to work at 0500 or going in at 2000 to 0200 (with an hour drive to and from).

I write things down to remember, only to turn around looking for what I wrote and finding it under a pile of things getting packed or tossed out... Baby decides he's going to freak out because he's bored of watching me run around and wants to help (by tearing into everything) or be held WHILE I do everything.... Eeemmmm no. So he starts crying and as entertainment to myself I start imitating him and he starts laughing at me until I stop then he starts crying again... Really?!? Go play with your football dude. 

The man-child has been a big help about 92% of the time... The other 8% is the fact that he's grown tired of it all and is bored, needs a nap, or needs food... He is responsible for his room and has decided to pack up a large majority of his toys this week... I think that has a lot to do with the above ground pool we got for him and his friends to enjoy. 

While the point of the pool is to use it as a distraction/decoy to get them to stay outside so I can pack up more, check things off the list and continue feeling like I need to get the hell out of this chaotic moving mess and the children mess/living mess that still requires tending all while being slowly buried alive in bins and boxes! 

The organization I did have of everything has slowly become a can of silly string let loose... Somehow this will all fall in line together, right?!? If not I may have to hit up Hot Topic for a straightjacket and ask directions to the nearest ROUNDED padded room because boxed shaped anything will have become my conscience nightmare.... 

Something I MUST remember.... DO NOT wear flip flops while moving anything!!! Every damn time I do wear them when moving I drop something, trip, slip, get my feet and toes cut up, banged up and smashed! It never fails.... My husband looked at my legs the other day, when I decided to wear shorts since we were going out, he couldn't believe the amount of bruises on my legs. Some I know were caused by Baby B getting under my feet and rather than dropping a 50lbs+ bin on him I found ways to swing it around while landing in ways I'm sure would hurt more if not for the adrenalin rush of almost crushing the Baby. Who if course has now taken off laughing and looking back smiling with a look of "tag you're it, come and chase me now!" Yes, many bruises from that little monster as well as... Well, crud, I don't know. Everyone gets injured in different ways while moving right?!? Some just more than others... Especially someone who seems to have Murphy making my body his own puppet during moves... If I walk away from this with only minor cuts and bruises I will be lucky! If I actually WALK away without screwing up my already f'd up back I will be ecstatic!!! 

Giveaway: Personalized Wooden Blocks by Ta-Daa Decorations! TWO Winners!

Say hello to my newest Sponsor, "Ta-Daa Decorations By Bahar!! She makes beautiful personalized wooden blocks, signs, monogrammed letters and tons of crochet items! Such an awesome variety to choose from and each item she makes is is made special for you with tons of love!!

"Ta-Daa Decorations By Bahar is giving TWO of my wonderful friends the chance to win their choice of Personalized Family Blocks or Worded Blocks. Both with up to 5 five blocks to be made in winners choice of colors!!   

Please stop by and view her Facebook Page HERE to see more of her beautiful items!

Follow the Rafflecopter entry below and enter all of the entries for a better chance to win! 

(Some you can enter daily for a greater chance of winning!)  

All entries will be verified at the end of the giveaway.

Open to US and APO/FPO only.

Good Luck! 

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All Gave Some but Some Gave ALL

Memorial Day is a National Holiday dedicated to remember those that gave their lives selflessly to protect millions of American's they had never met. To allow us and future generations enjoy the freedoms that we are lucky to have.

A couple of years ago we were Honored to be in the presence of many of these Heroes on this day. Arlington National Cememtery is a sombering reminder of the sacrifices so many have made/will continue to make to give hope and a protection to our country. While many enjoy the day off with BBQ's, pool side, beach trips and travels, I find this to be a way that we also celebrate those that gave us the opportunity to be here. 

They have given their lives so we as a Nation can live our own knowing and appreciating the moments that we have together. While this is just one day out of the year, our Heroes sacrifices are lived through us all daily. The birth of a child in a Nation of freedom and unity, the right to fall in love and marry who we please, the moments we wake without the fear of losing our lives or our loved ones when we step out the door, our right to vote and so much more.... Our lives and happiness are because of these amazing men and women that have and continue to allow us to live them without fear of others taking away the wonderful freedoms we do have. 

I am grateful every day of my life, of my children's lives for the sacrifices these men, women and families have made. Thank you to all of our Military Members and families that have lost their loved ones so that we all may enjoy the time we have with our own. God Bless and Semper Fi! 

Giveaway & Review: Datevitations!!!! AND $10 off promo code to get your own!

I love giving my husband gifts that are personalized from for just him from me or the kiddos. While I could have gone in the direction of creating his Datevitation coupon book geared from the boys for Father's Day ( they can be made for any occasion from anyone), I chose to make it from me to him!

He's due to deploy later this year, so with that in mind I created a book that entailed coupons "just for us." From little getaways and date nights to some bedroom fun ones! Because let's face it, we have A LOT of bedroom/wherever in the house time to fill before he leaves and why not do so with some fun Datevitations to play around with too?!?

I had fun picking out his custom love coupons that went into his Datevitation Book. Chose a blank first page to handwrite my own little note on and was even able to customize my own words on them! Though a couple that I chose already had a perfect idea written out!

  

• Datevitation.com is the web's first online platform to create a custom love coupon book. Unlike the pre-packaged love coupon books on the market, you pick the dates and can customize the text to your liking.  Once you are done customizing the text in your book, Datevitation will print it out and ship it to you.
• Our library contains over 350 date ideas ranging from skydiving to stargazing to steamy adult-only activities. We also have over 100 book cover options to suit any occasion.
• In addition to being the perfect romantic gift for your sweetie, Datevitation just launched its "boy" and "girl" characters with over 200 new activity illustrations specifically for kids and parents.  Just in time for Father’s Day!

• Books normally start at just $20 so it makes for a thoughtful yet economical gift.  But as a special treat for my friends, you can use the code  ‘MARINEWIFE’  for $10 off your purchase in May or June.  That means you can get your loved one a one-of-a-kind gift for Father’s day starting at just $10!  The order cut-off date for guaranteed delivery by Father’s Day is June 6 so make sure to get your order in before then!
• Datevitation is a family business run by the husband-wife team of Alex and Olga Karpman.  You can get to know them on the Datevitation blog, where they offer video guides to date ideas and romantic gestures. You can even watch Alex propose to Olga in a video they posted on Youtube as a Save The Date, and now has over 1,000,000 views (you can view the video here)!   
  

  

  
  

  Follow the Rafflecopter entry below and enter all of the entries for a better chance to win! 

  (Some you can enter daily for a better chance to win!)  

  All entries will be verified at the end of the giveaway.

  
  

  Good Luck!

  
  

  ***Winner will receive a promo code for a free Datevitation gift book with 5 custom pages and free general shipping. Additional pages are $1 each.  Tax will be applied to books shipped to California. 

  Books ship to U.S. only. 

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Our Saturday Night~ VBlog ;)

Giveaway: R.E.D. Friday Mini Dog Tag Necklaces by Moonstone Creations!! TWO Winners!!

Please give a big welcome back to one of my amazing returning sponsors Tessa, creator, owner and visionary jewelry artist of Moonstone Creations! 

Her work can be customized to your life, wants and occasions!

Moonstone Creations is giving TWO of my wonderful friends the opportunity to win one of her gorgeous R.E.D Friday Mini Dog Tag Necklaces!

The R.E.D. Friday necklace is a mini dog tag is a .5" x 1" hand stamped with "R.E.D. Friday" text on an 18" ball chain with a red crystal charm and red ribbon.

Moonstone Creations specializes in unique handmade inspirational jewelry that includes natural gemstones. All jewelry purchased online at the Etsy store will ship in a gift box with gemstone note cards detailing the healing properties of the natural gemstones used. 

In Tessa's words: Moonstone Creations is my full time job. I couldn't be happier waking up everyday to do the things that I love, and I am so thankful for each and every customer who help me to live this dream!

Please stop by and view her Business Page HERE and Facebook Page HERE to see all of her beautiful items!

Follow the Rafflecopter entry below and enter all of the entries for a better chance to win! 

(Some you can enter daily for a better chance to win!)  

All entries will be verified at the end of the giveaway.

Good Luck!

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Giveaway & Review: Happy Baby Organic Superfoods from Happy Family Brands!!!

Say hello to the Mini Marine's favorite new organic snacks by Happy Family Brands!

After being contacted by Happy Family Brands Associate Manager for their Military Division to conduct a review and giveaway, I had my husband look into the nutritional value of their Organic Superfoods Snacks. He's the health nut guru of the family and was pleased and impressed with their snacks ingredients. (This says A LOT!) From there I was given the "green light" to say yes! :)

Happy Family Brands Organic Superfoods has snacks for baby's, Toddlers, Kids AND Adults!! They are sold all over the states from Publix, Harris Teeter and even at several Commissaries aboard different Military Bases!!! 

There are Military Happy Mama's aboard Joint Base Charleston, Eglin AFB, Fort Stewart and Fort Bragg!!! 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES for MilSpouses! 

Are you a Military Wife who would like to represent Happy Family Brands? 

There are current paid positions open aboard: Camp Pendleton, Fort Campbell, Fort Hood and JBLM!!

Happy Mamas on the installations educate the Military Families on healthy feeding options for their children through samples and organic food classes!!

Click HERE for full details on becoming a Military Happy Mama today!!!

Review:

As a good mom (or weird to everyone else in the house) always does, I took a taste test of each snack before letting our Mini Marine have any. Much to the disgust of the man-child watch me eat "baby" food. That was until I raved about how yummy it was and he asked to also try the Veggie Pals Carrot Orange Apple Chews and Happy Times & Happy Yogis snacks. Only to then say: "Man Mikey you're lucky! Those things are good!"

Baby sure didn't argue as he sucked down Happy Baby Grains, Happy Baby Greek Yogurt and Happy Squeeze in seconds! Or when he couldn't shovel the Veggie Pals, Happy Times or Happy Yogis into his mouth fast enough!! I'd say he enjoyed them A LOT!! Pretty cool that they sell them at Harris Teeter out here too!! 
Happy Baby= a Happy Mama which= a Happy Family!!

Giveaway!

Happy Family Brands Organic Superfoods is giving away EVERYTHING pictured in the photo below to one of my lucky friends!!

Baby's belly is sure to enjoy!

 

Enter & Follow the Rafflecopter below! 

A few entries can be done Daily to increase your chance of winning!

Winning entry drawn will be verified.

Open to US residents only.

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To Move or Not To Move? My back and forth dilemma...

For hours.... Possibly even days I have been scouring over various rental websites... My sweet husband has dealt with me (put up with/ignored) for over a year now complaining (nagging/throwing a fit/refusing to clean up after anyone but baby and I for days) about our small house. 1,000 sq ft. 2bdr, 2bath. Of course it took me having another kiddo and becoming a stay-at-home mom to truly SEE and FEEL how small it is...

I bought the home for my oldest and I three years ago. It was PERFECT for just he and I. A year later, my now husband, then BF, moved in with all his "stuff". Forcing me to reevaluate the furniture layout/sell off furniture/almost reconsider our entire relationship just to have MY home back!!! But through many glasses of wine and deep breaths I managed to adjust to having him and his "stuff" in and throughout the house... Marriage a few months later and a year after him moving in... Baby joined us... A two bedroom with a school age child and a baby... Unable to move for another year (unless orders came) because I had taken advantage of the first time home buyers tax credit, 3 years in residence or pay $8k back to the IRS... We've stayed. With baby 2ft away from us every night for the past 13 months...

Now he has been PCA'd to Lejeune. 50 miles/hour away. But with this comes work ups for a lengthy deployment later this year. 

My dilemma is this: 

Moving:

1. Move to a much more roomy home in a wonderful community, with a great school, easy access to so much more than is around Cherry Point.

2. Be closer so we can actually spend time together as family and not have him put in 100+ miles a day or stay overnight during late nights/early mornings.

3. Take a big cut on our after bills paid money that goes toward paying off the mortgage and truck faster/savings. 

4. Still able to pay everything off within the 5yr plan I have set up.

5. Not actually knowing anyone out there. (Support system/friends we've known for years are here).

6. Baby will have his OWN room and not sleeping within 2ft of us! 

7. Sucking it up a pushing forward with the moving process/getting the house ready/finding a renter.

8. Not delaying the inevitable and having to try and find a place that will accept our German Shepherd during a "non-prime" PCS season next year.

9. Longer summer for the man-child which will give us more time to do more and possibly go out to Cali to see family and friends.

OR

Staying Put:

1. Stay here in our bursting from the seams home and finish the work that I've wanted done to it for awhile now.

2. Not being able to see my husband and spend time together as a family daily, mostly on weekends if a training permits.

3. Being close to friends that have become family over the years.

4. Continue to bitch and complain about the lack of room.

5. Ability to pay off everything within 2-2.5yrs.

6. Not having to suck it up and deal with the moving process/getting the house ready to be rented/finding a renter just yet.

Yes, I wrote out a much longer, more in depth Pro's and Con's list to us moving or staying. Ran numbers for current pay, deployment pay and when he gets back for all of our bills renting or staying and the possibility of us not finding a renter. Financially we're good all around, but I always factor in the what if's and Murphy's Law... My husband calls me a negative Nancy when I do this, but his ass will be half a world away when Murphy likes to pay his "Husband's Deployed Time to Reek Havoc" visits that I am left to handle.

He's dead set on the house we looked at this weekend. I love it as well too, buuuut then I find myself going through the list of what needs to be done and all I want to do is curl up in a corner with a bottle of wine and a book and pretend that list doesn't exist.

What to do, what to do???

Wordless Wednesday: Pics & Video Hubby's Change of Command & Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Award

May is for Moms: An Interview With My Mother

1. How did you feel the moment you found out you were pregnant with me?

Scared to death because I was I was so young, a mere child myself. But frankly once I felt you growing inside me I was truly excited.

2. Was I a wonderful surprise or carefully planned?

You were a wonderful surprise. I wouldn't have been scared had you been planned.

3. What was the most challenging time in my childhood? Why?

Teenage years were the most challenging. Because you were growing into a young woman, independent, and extremely hard headed at times. There were times I saw so much of me in you it scared me.

4. Did you worry more about me as a child or now that I am an adult?

As a child, I worried more because I was responsible for who you would become. I know I may have not always made the right choices but I see the wonderful woman you are today, and know I did something right. :)

5. What is one thing that you thought was deeply important when I was a baby that you now realize did not matter at all?

That when you became my age (19) you would take your time growing up, go to college, enjoy life, and travel the world before you settled down with a family.

Giveaway: 3 sets of prints from StickyGram

You will love what I am about to share with you, guys!

Some of you might have heard of the new online magazine, Daily Mom, that just launched last month. It's an amazing resource of posts and articles for the modern woman and mom. Imagine Pinterest worthy posts with useful information about all aspects of life - from parenting to beauty, fashion, green living, health, fitness, and more. Once you visit Daily Mom, you will be hooked - jumping from one post to another.

I have partnered with Daily Mom to host one of their giveaways as a part of an extensive 50 Days of Giveaways campaign to celebrate their launch. For 50 days, they will be giving away one awesome prize a day to thank their new readers. So today we're giving an opportunity for one lucky reader to win 3 Sets of Prints from Stickygram. 

StickyGram is a company that found a fun and unique solution to what to do with all your instagram photos. Be sure to check out their products on their website. Keep in the loop by following them on Facebook and Twitter. And of course, enter below for a chance to win. Check out the Daily Mom Feature on Stickygram by writer Danielle. The giveaway will run for a week, and there are only two mandatory entries with many optional ones. All you have to do is follow the directions below in the Rafflecopter widget. This giveaway is open to international residents. And be sure to visit Daily Mom tomorrow to see what new item they are giving away and to enter previous drawings! The prizes range from strollers to high chairs, monitors, diaper bags, fashion items, baby clothing and photography products. There is something for everyone.

Need Help? Don't have a Facebook account to enter with? Email Daily Mom staff!

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After you've entered the giveaway, be sure to browse Daily Mom and check out some of my favorite posts! I'm loving:

4 Simple Ingredients to Clarify Your Skin

Best Interview Question for a Babysitter

DIY: Sidewalk Chalk Paint

FEATURED SPONSOR GIVEAWAYS FROM DAILY MOM

 

This post is for notification purposes only. To see a full list of prizes and current giveaways, please visit  our Giveaway page.

♥ Weekend Social Mix Blog Hop ♥

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