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! 

Our Saturday Night~ VBlog ;)

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.

Captain Daddy's Promotion Ceremony!! Word{less} Wednesday

Yesterday my husband was promoted to Captain.... The word "Proud" seems like such a small word with how I feel about all he has done and accomplished. From Air Ground Defense strategies, to changing baby's diaper. From Oh My Gawd it's early wake up calls, to nighttime stories with the Man-Child. From going to the hospital to check up on fellow Marine's family members, to bringing me tea/soup in bed when I have the crud.

I support him in all that he does and jump on board with his wants and dreams for his career; but how he manages everything with his Duty as a Marine to his role as a Husband & Father is beyond amazing.... The pride and love I have for this amazing man of mine cannot truly be described in words....

Happy Easter from Our Family to Yours!

Baby B is 1 month away from being 1 YEAR old!!!!!

AHHHHHH!!!! 

This little dude of ours is growing waaaay too fast.... :(  In the past month alone he has developed such a character change.... 

He LOVES being outdoors, going on walks and runs, chilling out watching his brother and friends play and making my at home workouts interesting with climbing on crawling on and attempting to stand on any part of my body within reach! 

He has developed a mischievous side to him as well. "Mikey, don't do that, you know better"  with a response of a little smile, squinted eyes and then takes off full speed away from what he shouldn't be doing..... 

At one point last month I caught glimpses of green throughout his eyes. HOPING that he would have green eyes like me, SOMETHING that shows he came from me.... But this past week his eye have been more brown, showing he is a spitting image of his daddy.... Maybe I can claim the long fingers since I, too, have those?

He now has 6 going on 8 teeth.... I had forgotten how terrible teething was/is... Now I know why I forgot. He constantly has his fingers or various toys and objects in his mouth.

Last month he had his first Self Feeding Spaghetti Meal: Pictures HERE 

Oh what fun that was. He didn't know what to make of the feeling in his hands first, then once it made it to his mouth, the devouring began!

He also took his first Official Steps to his big brother! (Videos HERE)

Videos were immediately sent to daddy who was away at his parent's home, caring for his mom until she had passed. He was upset that he couldn't wait another week to do so (when he was coming home). 

But so proud and happy at the same time.

 

Getting him to stay still for anything is impossible now! Always on the go, and now that he can walk and hold toys, I'm constantly finding various toys throughout the house. He is LOVING his new ability! I love seeing him discover new things and recognize that he can do something new almost daily!

He LOVES food food (not just his baby food). No matter what meal we're having he has to have a bite or ten (cut itty bitty of course). If he doesn't get a bite, he'll let us know how he feels about it! 

 

He's always smiling, unless he's super tired, poopy or hungry. 

Then it's a yell or cry. 

But all in all he's pretty darn content. There were, of course, moments where he refused to let me put him down, this had a lot to do with teething and catching a nasty bug big brother brought home from school.

 Mastered/Advanced Skills: 

~Walking like a CHAMP!

~ Crawling super fast!

~ Eats with fingers

~ Climbs on everything!

~ Bangs everything together (or on the floor!)

~ Knows what up, down mean

~ Waves hi
~Waves Bye-Bye

~Says Bye-Bye

~Tries repeating numbers and ABC's 

~Sings/Yells to tunes while dancing/banging his head on the couch
~Says Dada, Bra (to brother) and WooWoo (to our dog), Spits/Blows raspberries at me when I ask him to say Mama. (Ya, still no Mama love)

 Weight: abt. 27lbs

Height: 31.7in.

I am so looking forward to seeing all of his skills further develop. With big brother and friends here all the time he picks up on so much. And every one of them loves him to pieces as he does them. But I know it will come to be him being the little brother who gets into everything.... And he's just going to smile and take off. Ya.... Between both boys (and possibly another baby along the way) I've got my work cut out for me.

Daddy decided today that our little monkey butt, Mikey Monkey, will have a monkey birthday theme for his First Birthday! :) Looking forward to that with family and friends AND his 1 year old birthday photos! Lots to do and plan for (mainly for everyone that will be here because he'll be a happy camper with just the attention). :)