Sharing Our Stories

A few weeks back in our Believing God study, our pastor's wife asked us to pray that people would begin to "share their story." Her thought was that we, in the body of Christ, so many times carry the shame of our past and instead of testifying to what the Lord has done; we allow whatever tool the enemy uses (fear, shame, doubt) to silence us. And in muting us, we miss the opportunity to be vulnerable to others and to encourage those who may be in the ditch - to tell them there IS, in fact, a way out. It was cool that she said that, because as the weeks of dvd lessons go on, Beth's teaching just goes right alongside of that. I've been chewing on that, and praying for the testimony of our redemption to be the louder voice that would attempt to stifle what the Lord has done.

It was an amazing thing to yesterday read Amanda's post on Major Life Events, after having read Big Mama's post on Letting Go. I love both of these blogs (duh) and I found such encouragement in the fact that these two also have a harder time putting into written words the difficult stuff. I have many an unfinished post because of that very reason. I have had some, well, interesting things going on in life since the start of Believing God, but some things are just hard to put into words.

I just thought it so neat of God to answer my prayers not only for the body of believers I fellowship with on a weekly basis, but also for the body everywhere. I am thankful for the testimony of these Godly women that just frankly, blessed me tremendously. I am so encouraged in the vulnerablity of women I talk with, and that God is doing a mighty work in the lives of many that I love. It's just so Him to answering with a loud YES in a big way.

My Kitchen Must Haves

There are two kitchen items that are necessities in my life. One is the crock pot. I used to be scared of this particular appliance, but now that I know how to use it, and that you can cook ANYTHING in it, I have a deep, deep love for it. In fact, Cpt Mom and I have affectionately termed our slow cookers "pot." We think it's funny to ask for pot from one another. Because, yes, our pots somehow end up at each others houses. I use my crock pot at least once a week, but more likely 3 and even sometimes 4 times during a week's time. I heart my pot.

The second item I love is my pampered chef baking stone. I prefer it over a regular cookie sheet by about a billion times. I think it aids in the process of cookie baking perfection. So, when I broke my stone last month, I was devastated. I had my stone on top of the oven and I turned on the wrong burner. It broke into 4 pieces. A sad day for me!

My hubs did a great thing for me. Knowing my deep love for my stone, he bought me a replacement for my birthday. It just came in today and I can't wait to bake myself some birthday cookies on it to begin the seasoning process. YAY.

That's all. Pot and Stone, my favorites.

Tales update

It has been 2 weeks since I did a weigh in. I have been sick for most of it. Boo.

I haven't had much of an appetite since Major got home. I seem to just be having one malady after another. So, that has been helpful in the times when we eat out and such. At least I don't overeat. I also have tended not to be able to taste a lot of what I eat. What a waste!

On a happy note, the Racer and I ate at California Pizza Kitchen yesterday with 2 of our kiddos. We were really craving the greek pizza. Why else would we have taken 2 hungry and tired children to a restaurant across town?!? The kids were doing well, thankfully, and she brought the bread out quickly, but then it seemed to take forever to get our food. They were starting to get restless and I could only hold them off with gum for so long. And in their best effort to stick-it-to-the-man, both children decided they did not want to eat even one of their noodles (a typical staple in their diet). But, both wanted our pizza instead. Now, this pizza is covered in veggies (tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, avocado) and it has like a vinegar based sauce on it. Now, Dirty Job isn't a fan of these types of veggies. The Cutie will spit out anything that tastes of any kind of vinaigrette. This is definitely not their kind of pizza. Each one of us uttered the words, "You may have some, but I don't think you are going to like it." So, wouldn't you know, they basically wanted to inhale our pizza. Of course they took all the yummy stuff off, so really all they were eating was the pizza crust. But, I just think it is a great illustration. Don't try to stick anyone in a box. Even if you think you know how they will react.

Ok. Sorry for the digression...onto my weigh in...

I lost 4.4 pounds!

Updated Stats:
Starting weight: 188.4
Today's weight: 152.4
Total loss: 36.0

Check out Tales From the Scales and go encourage the ladies on this journey.

Oh, and on a semi-related note: To anyone who watches The Biggest Loser:
Boys...that was quite the cryfest. You gave Kelly a run for her money.

Racer's 100

1. I don't know why I thought this was a remotely good idea.
2. Our computer keyboard has had various things spilled on it, so the D key has to be punched really hard in order to work.
3. That's why sometimes I have typos.
4. I used to live in the OC.
5. Sometimes I wonder why I ever left.
6. That was 8 years ago.
7. I need to MOVE ON already.
8. It's just that it gets so hot here in the summer.
9. Kindergarten reading books are going to be the death of me.
10. It's a lesson in patience and self control every day when we sit down to read.
11. I have a deep, deep appreciation for my daughter's teacher.
12. I'm also pretty sure that my girl will one day be nominated for an Oscar.
13. She put on a dramatic presentation today when asked to clean her room.
14. Complete with real tears and a moving monologue.
15. My Dirty Job no longer cries when getting on the bus.
16. It makes me fell 1,000 percent better about putting him on there each morning.
17. My husband already bought my birthday present.
18. I was so impressed.
19. I accidentally found out what it was today.
20. He doesn't know that yet.
21. I'm not sure that I'll tell him.
22. He would be so sad.
23. He and I and some other cool peeps are going to see Beth Moore in April.
24. I think he is very brave to make the journey into the land of estrogen.
25. We get to go out of town for it.
26. WITHOUT OUR KIDS!!!!
27. I'll miss them.
28. I'm turning 31 soon.
29. It makes me want to go to Baskin Robbins.
30. It also makes me want to celebrate with a Sprinkles cupcake.
31. But Sprinkles mocks me with false hopes of a grand opening.
32. They lie.
33. I cry.
34. I love white cheddar and nacho cheese popcorn seasoning.
35. I will only attend movie theatres that have them.
36. Or I sneak my own in.
37. I prefer mini M&M's to all others because of the candy coating to chocolate ratio.
38. I have a severe sweet tooth.
39. I have to have dessert.
40. Everyday.
41. This past year has challenged my faith.
42. The Believing God bible study I'm currently doing has been such a blessing after last year.
43. I'm believing God to heal my son.
44. Because He is ABLE.
45. And I'm crazy enough to take Him up on His word that says He can heal.
46. If He doesn't, I already know why, and I'm trusting His no if that's His answer.
47. I love Francine River novels.
48. Especially Redeeming Love.
49. And I love the book Captivating.
50. I want another baby.
51. And I want to adopt.
52. And I want another tattoo.
53. Diet Coke with regular cherry syrup from Sonic makes me smile.
54. I love cheesecake.
55. But I am a cheesecake snob.
56. I despise cheap cheesecake.
57. I love to bake.
58. I hate to do dishes.
59. I want to get my RN.
60. And then work in labor and delivery.
61. And help pregnant teens.
62. I'll be purchasing a new bathing suit for the first time in 4 years.
63. I'm working out quite a bit.
64. This baby bulge ain't goin anywhere.
65. Because of #39.
66. I love when my husband gets a babysitter.
67. I love that my man is quick to forgive.
68. I love that he still looks at me like he did when we were dating.
69. Even when I pull out my angry eyes.
70. I hate my hair.
71. I am growing it out.
72. And adding bangs.
73. And not bleaching it EVER AGAIN.
74. Until I am swayed by cute blond hairdos everywhere.
75. I love dueling piano bars.
76. My dream vacation with my hubs is two weeks on an island somewhere.
77. In the sun.
78. With an all you can eat fruit buffet.
79. And a massage.
80. My other dream vacation is backpacking through Europe with my girlfriends.
81. My husband is very jealous of this dream.
82. So I am willing to go to Europe twice.
83. I LOVE spontaneous road trips.
84. I went to the Contender finale once.
85. Yes, that is boxing.
86. It was AWESOME.
87. Summers make me want to listen to Dave Matthews Band.
88. And go to his concerts.
89. My nephew was born this weekend.
90. I get to meet him face to face in less that 3 weeks.
91. I'm pretty sure my ovaries are going to be aching after that.
92. Going to Disneyland with my kids is the best.
93. They believe.
94. And I remember believing, too.
95. I graduated in '95.
96. Shoes make or break an outfit.
97. I love Long and Lean jeans from the Gap.
98. I don't own any, but I love them all the same.
99. I am on a quest this year to find my perfect jean.
100. I can't believe Cpt Mom is going to do this, too.

100 things by CptMom

1. I don't understand why my husband feels the need to "air out" our garage by opening the door from our laundry room to the garage.
2. Yesterday, I thought I might surely die.
3. Today, much hope was brought to me in the form of an antibiotic.
4. I heart you Levoquin.
5. I do not heart tantrums!
6. Today I laughed in my daughter's face when she informed me that yes, she was going to be hitting again.
7. I couldn't help it.
8. I appreciate her honesty.
9. It is refreshing.
10. Laughing in her face was probably not my best parenting moment.
11. Nor was the peach sorbet I gave her with lunch and called it a fruit.
12. I have some of the best friends a girl could ask for.
13. I just put 5 ponytails in my daughter's hair.
14. Her hair is super fine and about 3 inches at the longest spot.
15. She looks super!
16. I like to text message.
17. I am not fast at it.
18. When I text a teenaged girl, she thinks I am Gramma Moses while she waits for my response.
19. I call or text my husband each time we have been apart.
20. Just because I can.
21. And for a year...I couldn't.
22. I like to go out to lunch.
23. I love California Pizza Kitchen.
24. I want to go there.
25. And eat the greek pizza.
26. My husband thinks it is a disgrace to pizza everywhere.
27. My daughter does not like to watch tv...
28. Except for Barney.
29. I have watched Barney approximately 974 times since she got this video 3 weeks ago.
30. Thank you to her aunt for giving us the video.
31. On any given day, I will have a Barney tune running through my mind.
32. A hunting we will go.a hunting we will go.we're going on a treasure hunt.a hunting we will go.
33. See, I told you.
34. I could probably fill this list with other tidbits about Barney.
35. I will spare you.
36. My girl loves babies.
37. She is loving and nurturing and so sweet with them.
38. It makes my mama heart proud.
39. When angry, she has been know to throw a baby at me.
40. That makes me a little less proud.
41. I like to watch reality tv.
42. Starting Over was my first reality love.
43. I was really sad when they took it off the air.
44. I still am when I think about it.
45. The Racer and I would record it and share tapes and talk about it later.
46. It was then I first started to realize people thought we were a little crazy.
47. We are.
48. I love the Lord.
49. I try to represent Him better each day.
50. Somedays I do, other days, I begin anew.
51. My husband apparently does not believe dress up princess shoes to be appropriate going out attire.
52. My daughter does.
53. I guess I can't wear my pink princess shoes on our next date.
54. I want to go to Hawaii.
55. A lot.
56. My friend is going there is week with her hubs.
57. I am most jealous.
58. Love does not envy. Thanks for the reminder.
59. I take wedding vows very seriously.
60. I feel broken-hearted when people don't.
61. I loved being pregnant.
62. The desire to be pregnant hit long before actually wanting to have another baby in my house.
63. I love, love the sound of children's laughter.
64. I wear my grandmother's wedding band alongside my own.
65. She wore it for 71 years before.
66. She had great love for my grandfather.
67. She inspires me to love stronger.
68. I love to travel.
69. I don't do it very often.
70. A trip with my husband is always good for our marriage.
71. It is a time when we both relax an just really enjoy each other.
72. My husband is very task oriented.
73. VERY.
74. I am not sure if he has sat down since he got home.
75. I am relational to the core.
76. He has lots of re-organizing to do due to my love of all things relational.
77. I was deeply touched by friend's generosity this week.
78. She is one of the most giving and selfless people I have ever known.
79. Seeing my daughter show off for her daddy melts my heart.
80. Seeing them run and play does the same.
81. I am a Daddy's girl.
82. I wish all girls could be.
83. I love nothing more than seeing children who have most obviously dressed themselves.
84. My girl has just recently begun picking out her own outfits.
85. I am secretly a little disappointed when they match.
86. The sillier the better in my book.
87. She chose a skirt to wear to bed the other night.
88. It made me smile.
89. My girl likes to wear boy underwear over her diaper.
90. In fact, she is wearing a pair right now.
91. The joy of growing up close to your boy cousins.
92. I enjoy reading.
93. My husband does not.
94. We are going to a marriage retreat next month.
95. I am so looking forward to it.
96. It will be like a vacation of sorts.
97. Only harder.
98. But, more rewarding in the long run.
99. I love my husband's family.
100. You now know more about me than you ever needed to.

Here come the BRIDES

Jenn hosted a wedding dress challenge of sorts. So, with our deep love of all things wedding, Cpt Mom and I were eager to join in the fun. We decided to wear our dresses doing something we sometimes get to do together - errands and such. It was fun.

Here we are before leaving. It was cold and rainy, but we took off our jackets and posed pretty.

Here I am stuffing all the material into the truck. Which reminded me of my wedding day when I had to do that in my husband's much smaller truck.

Here's Captain about to hop in. She had a hoop skirt!!!

It really freaks guys out for you to show up at Lowe's in wedding gowns. I think I saw a guy run out of the store screaming when he spotted us.

I was talking during the snapping of this picture (big surprise there), but I have to include it because it is where we spend many an afternoon...the play area of Chick-Fil-A.

Shopping for some barftastic shoes at Ross.

You knew we'd go somewhere for a sweet fix!!! This custard place is so yum, and the owner wants her mommies group to have a wedding dress party now. Way to go, Jenn, for inspiring women everywhere!

Cpt's "formal" picture.

My posed pic.

Three cheers for fitting in our dresses. These would not have fit us one year ago!!!

OK, so my advanced technology knowledge kept me from posting the picture of us and our first love...chocolate. But I have had victory and the picture is finally here, and now anti-climatic. Oh well!

I also realized this is our 200th post, so I'm challenging Cpt Mom to post 100 things, and I'll post 100 and we'll celebrate 200 posts of randomness. WOO HOO.

Dresses

So, Jenn over at Munchkin Land had an idea that we submit pictures of ourselves in our wedding dresses. You know, just for fun. So, you know, the Racer and I, with our deep love of all things weddings, are all in.

We have already begun coming up with crazy ideas of ways to present our wedding dress pictures to you all. I know, you can hardly wait!

The contest ends Saturday, so head over to Jenn's and check it out. Be sure to let us know if you join in. We want to see your wedding dresses!

Discipline

By 8am yesterday morning, I had already had it! There hasn't been a lot of sleep to be had in this house due to the Cutie's latest sleep protest. Then you add to that the fact that I have seemed to have one health ailment after another since the Major hit the US, and you had one cranky mama. CRANKY. So, as I was at the grocery store yesterday morning with Corporal Cranky, I mean Cutie, I was planning this seething post about how I am done. Done with all the pain. Done with just starting to feel better from one thing and something else pops up the very same day. And, most certainly done with tantrums! I was really mad about it.

I got home, unloaded the groceries, got dressed for church. All while stepping over a tantruming toddler. I tried to get her dressed. But, instead I took her to church in her pajamas. I told you, I was done. On the drive to church, I go from being mad to being fragile.

After I drop off a screaming child, I walk into service just in time to begin worship. We start to sing...You're all I want, You're all I've ever needed, You're all I want, Help me know you are here.
So, I bawl my face off a little, hug the racer, and bawl a little more. The realization hits that He is all I need...and He is here. In all my complaining, I had lost sight of that Truth. Really, all the problems I have been having are minor. I am not in severe pain-just enough to make me irritible and edgy. The sleep will eventually come. And she is tantruming because Major Hunk is home. And really, that is reason to celebrate...in the midst of my annoyances.

I was still feeling the discipline of that one, when the pastor stepped up to preach on rebellion.

Ouch.

Can't a girl catch a break?!?

The truth will set you free...

I know, I know, the whole one of you reading is wondering why I'm not posting very often. I'm sure you check our blog 100x/day hoping I've updated with something funny happening in my life. So I thought I'd come clean and just share the truth. It's mildly humiliating to put on the world wide web, but I'm shameless when it comes to loving you, internet folk. Or when it comes to lovin me some Garth...either way...

The truth is this: Now that Major Hunk is home, I have no life. Not even a little. Apparently, Cpt Mom is my only friend, and now that she has, you know, balance in her life, I am a total and complete loser. We used to share fun adventures at Ben and Jerry's or Ross, but now the increments of time that I see her is spent with me SUCKING THE LIFE OUT OF HER so help me because I haven't had an adult conversation.

So there you have it. Me. No life. And therefore, no reason to blog.

to be accountable

Well, I did not weigh in this week, and I was going to let it slip by without saying anything about it. I easily could have gotten away from it, because both of our readers are so kind, that they wouldn't have said anything :)

I didn't weigh in due to some health issues that have been going on over the course of a couple of weeks. I will spare you all the gory detail and just suffice it to say that I am feeling heavy throughout it.

I will weigh in again next Tuesday.


Until then, here are some good things I did this week:

I have consumed a lot of water.

I have only had the equivalent of one diet soda over the course of a week.


Things to work on this week:

Get more exercise.

Pre-plan what I will order when we are eating out.

Steamroller

A girl in the youth at our church lost her dad today. The second family for this to happen to in 7 months. Two daughters without their fathers.

I don't know why, but I know the ONE who can bring this family comfort. The ONE who will stand with them in this time of loss.

Lord, I have no idea how that family feels, but Lord, You do, and I pray that You will lift them up into Your hand and that they may weep in Your presence. Father, be so close to them in this time.

Weigh In. Ugh

Back to some accountablility.

I have gained.

I weighed in this morning at 131. I was up to 132.5 last week. This may not seem like a lot, but I stand on a slippery slope with my eating. I feel like I'm always only one binge away from disaster! I know I need to work on that mentality, because each item I put in my mouth is a choice, not the end all.

This week's goals:

1. Workout video 5x this week. My goal is to do my Slim in 6 workout for the next 6 weeks in hopes to buy a bathing suit after that.

2. Drink some water.

This morning, my girl had meltdown after meltdown. This was after a night of little sleeping on the couch because I couldn't get her to stay in her room. (A bad habit I have allowed to establish.) After the 20 minute scream/cry/kick fest, I was really about to pull out my hair. I really felt like I might lose my cool. I wrangled her into the car seat and thought a drive would settle her down. It didn't. She just escalated. During this time, I began to doubt just about every choice I have made in my motherhood journey. Why do I allow her tears to change my resolve? Why did I ever allow her to sleep on the couch with me? Why do I let her manipulate me this way? Etc, etc, etc.

Our mommies group is reading Boundaries With Kids. Let me tell you, this could not be better timing for me. I was an early childhood teacher by trade before leaving my job to become a stay-at-home mom. I was very consistent in my classroom. I could spot a child who was trying to manipulate me and calmly deal with it. I was able to, most of the time, keep my emotions out of it. These things are not so when it come to dealing with the fruit of my womb apparently. I immediately become emotional and I don't always see I am being manipulated until after the fact.

I have to admit that the topper on my day was when my husband emerged from the bedroom, bleary-eyed about an hour after the drama had passed and said...are you ready for this??
He said, "I don't know how you do this, babe. You get less sleep than me, you deal with all of this, yet you keep on going."

I have to say...I needed to hear that. I needed to hear that my job really is hard. It is not just my own perception as I deal with the day-to-day stuff. But, it really is hard.

As I type this, my husband is taking a shower with the door open while our daughter plays and wanders in and out. After almost 2 years of showering with the door open, it does my heart good.

Welcome home, honey. We have a toddler now!

Monday's List

I have the best picture to post of Captain and me, however, the retro technology that is my computer is giving me grief over downloading the images from my camera. Hopefully with prayer and fasting I can overcome. Actually, hopefully with prayer alone. Because ya all know I'm not going to fast considering their is a batch of andes mint cookie dough in my refrigerator.

Onto my fave - all things random.

• I'm 99.9% sure I am going to drop out of my Thursday morning Bible Study. While this is one of the highlights of my week, it now falls at a time when both children are in school and my hubs is home. One on one time with my man is VERY HARD to come by. So, for a season, I will be a dropout.
• I just read Cpt Mom's post about her custard stop, and I am now filled with envy.
• Dirty Job was the first to partake of the chocolate fountain at the welcome home party. No chocolate transporters (such as strawberries or POUND cake) had been set out yet, so he just stuck a plate under there. He is his mama's son. I gotta tell you, it made me proud.
• At same said party, a comment was made to me by a mom with older children "It could be worse, I could have an 18 year old who acts like a 3 year old. I have friends with kids who have developmental disabilities." Seriously, I laughed hard on the inside. She obviously doesn't know I have a "disabled" kid.
• Dirty Job said Captain's name on Saturday in such a way that you could understand it. So cool.
• What Not To Wear had a Father/Daughter Dance. She's pretty much smitten with her daddy. She requested he wear his suit and when she first saw him, she told me he was going to be the handsomest dad there. I agreed.
• I have gained 2.5 lbs. Apparently a steady diet of Gobstopper Heartbreakers will catch up with you.
• What Not to Wear wore camoflauge tights with red and black plaid shoes to school on Friday. I wonder where we came up with her pseudo-name!
• At church when Cpt Mom was responding to the message, it made me cry to see her hubs covering her in prayer.

Well, I'm off to Believe God!

Like a deep breath

I was inspired by Jenn's post on finding time alone. While my time alone was not technically "alone", it was refreshing none the less. I took my Cutie for a leisurely snack out at our local custard joint. I got a delicious custard filled with chocolate and peanut butter goodness and she had an italian ice. I sat in the leather couch and just relaxed. She wandered around the table writing little notes to herself. She was so good I even closed my eyes. Then she said, "No night night." That ended that. There was a little kid's corner where she "quietly" banged on the little piano and wrote on the chalkboard. Even though it wasn't exactly the break I have been wanting in my sleep-deprived state, it was a nice quiet spot in a tantrum filled day. Thank you Lord for those.

Now I am off to try and sneak in a nap. Wish me luck!

Random Tidbits

• We had a party for Major Hunk at our church yesterday. There was a great turn out and we were so blessed to spend time with our family and friends. It was so exciting for me to see such support welcoming him home.
• The Racer and I actually did stick our heads under the chocolate fountain at the above mentioned party. Proof to come. If that doesn't scare you off, it may give you another glimpse into our weird senses of humor. We do, in fact, crack each other up...even if no one else gets us.
• We waited until everyone was done eating from the fountain before putting our germs into it. We are nothing if not classy.
  
• My family celebrated Christmas today. We held off the family celebration until my guy was home safely. It was a super fun, relaxing time.
• We get to do it again next week with the in laws. It will probably be the opposite of relaxing.
• My parents were uber-generous with their gifts. It just shows how incredibly thankful they are that my hubby came home safe. I suspect that no one wanted to tell me (and I appreciate) that they were all worried about the possibility of him not coming home.
  
• It is such an unspoken rule not to talk about it, that it took me 3 attempts to write that line above.
  
• I camped out on Black Friday to get a wii for the hubs Christmas gift. He loves it. He is currently trying out each and every game. It may become his new love.
• Once again, the sermon this morning spoke to me right where I sat. It addressed a conversation the Major and I had just last night. God is so amazing in all His all-knowingness!

Happy week, friends. Thanks for visiting our blog.

PS. We are not sophisticated at all here at the Crying Moms, so I often wonder if people actually read this thing. We don't have one of those things that tells us if anyone has read it. If you feel so inclined, leave us a comment, let us know that you were here. And if this was your first time stopping by...I am sorry it had to be on this post. Don't let it scare you off. Give us another try. And, don't judge the Racer by my randomness. It really wouldn't be fair.

12 Years Later...

I hit my rebellious phase in August of 1994. I was 17 and my friends and I had just met some Marines at one of our beach outings. My parents forbid me to date the MAN OF MY DREAMS THAT I LOVE YOU'RE RUINING MY LIFE and I immediately rendered them incapable of having a soul. Thus my senior year began what I'll call the "Dark Ages."



In my most brillant moment of 18 year old independence, I decided to get a tattoo. Because my friend had gotten one, and she was a rebel. And by golly, I was a rebel, too. I picked out a flower design on a whim and ask the tatt guy to repeatedly stick a needle in my right butt cheek. I remember going home with my saran wrapped bottom and staring in the mirror for minutes at a time. It was such fun being a secret rebel. Until I told my brother about it.



My brother threatened to spill the beans several times. He's a big talker that way. And then there was the time I was admitted to the hospital and I was sure the backless gown shared my secret with my mother. I don't remember the exact moment that I was exposed, but I know my mom was more than a little disappointed. However, what could she do?



Fast forward to this past weekend, in 2008 in case you aren't sure what year we're in. Throughout the couple of days there I am picking up toys, wrestling on the ground with Dirty Job, petting the dog, moving my brother into his new place, etc. Apparently, my dad had never gotten the memo about my tatt, because he very calmly mentioned my "champ stamp." In all the hubbub, I obviously didn't wear a belt and my tatt is pretty high on my buns. One false move on the low rise and see what happens?



My friends, be sure your sins will find you out.







*As a footnote, I do not believe my tattoo is a sin, I do however know that my rebeliousness was.

A very happy anniversary, indeed.

My husband does not read this blog. But, I feel compelled to write this post anyway.

Five years ago today, I stood in the church full of hope and optimism for our future. Just 5 days earlier, you came to my house and asked me to marry you on Friday. It was so unlike your planned and detailed personality. I didn't even know if you were serious. You were. Your unit had been activated and we had both agreed that we wanted to be married before you left. With this new development, if we got married now, we could spend some time together as husband and wife. If we waited for official orders, we could have as little as 48 hours before you would ship out. I said, "Let me think about it." Then I called you and said, "Yes...Let's do it!" Calls to our family and some friends, a rushed dress alteration and a cake were made and we were all set. I wasn't even nervous. I had stars in my eyes.

Year one brought trials and difficulties as we began to unpack all the emotional bags we brought with us from our previous years.

Year two brought much prayer and healing.

Year three came with a pregnancy and a new baby, with a renewed hope for the future. We believed God for a new job for you allowing me to resign from my position. And we received news of an impending deployment.

Year four came with many adjustments as we lived apart for 2/3 of it. This year made me appreciate you in ways I never had. We adjusted to parenthood in separate parts of the country.

And year five may have been the toughest one yet. Loving you from 8000 miles away all the while knowing you were in harm's way challenged me in ways I didn't expect. I quickly learned that I couldn't be your comfort in the difficult times. I had to trust God to do that.

But, each lesson has brought me closer to our God and closer to you. I love you more today than I did five years ago. I respect you in ways I never have before.

I look forward to what year six has to bring. What ever it is, I look forward to facing it together.

Thank you for being a loving man, husband and father.

I love you.

Weigh In

I weighed in last night hoping to have redeemed some of that surprising weight gain from last week. Apparently, a week of nerves, busyness cleaning my house, and the relief of my husband being home to stay paid off in the weight loss department.

I lost 5.6 pounds!! And, I finally hit the 30 pound mark!! And, I officially weigh less than I did on our wedding day!!

Wow! This is a big week for me.

Now, realistically, I know some of that was water weight. I was definitely expecting a loss for that reason alone, but I didn't expect that much.

I am pleased that we have not been eating out too much. I think Major knows he has plenty of time to eat his favorite foods now, there is no rush to get to all of them this week. This new development will be good for my waistline.

My goals for the week:

• Increase activity.
• Continue drinking lots of water
• Decide what I am going to eat before we go out

Updated Stats:
Starting weight: 188.4
Today's weight: 156.6
Total loss: 31.8

This and That

Well, my family took a short trip out to CA to help my brother and his very pregnant wife move into their new place. Neither one of them can lift anything heavy, so we were so excited to help out. My mom kept the kids while hubs and I lugged heavy objects up some stairs. The kids had a wonderful time and I couldn't have asked for a better trip. My mom LOVED Dirty Job's communication book, which was such a blessing to me. I have been praying that my folks would embrace my little guy where he's at and she really did that this trip. YAY for answered prayer.

Dirty Job once again had a hard time getting on the bus this morning. Too many days off from the routine, I think. We are getting some more PEC cards to have a morning schedule, so hopefully this will help him adjust accordingly.

I spent some sweet time with the Lord in my Believing God study this morning. Week 4, Day 4 just drop kicked my face in, spiritually speaking. I am now bracing myself for my husband to do this lesson, because I'm pretty sure we are going to have to have a serious conversation about it. The Lord used Abraham to kick my butt this morning, and I'm pretty sure He's going to use my husband in the same way during our discussion of the lesson. I'm putting some padding on!

I got to talk to Cpt Mom this morning, as her main squeeze was asleep. I can't put into words how happy I am for their family to be reunited and doing so well. Even in speaking with her, you can tell the load is so much lighter!!! What an amazing season our God has brought them through, and the blessings that will come from it...well, I can't hardly stand it!

One last thing. I have a serious addiction to Gobstopper Heartbreakers. Thankfully, my brother shares in this addiction, so I only ate 1/2 a bag this weekend.

He is home!!

I just wanted to give you a quick update and let you all know that Major Hunk is home!!!

In all the excitement, I didn't take any pictures. I had to keep my hands free to hug my man!

So, I will round up pictures from family and friends and post a few at another time.

Meanwhile, we will be enjoying our time as a family of three.

The Cutie is responding much better to him so far.

Thanks for praying! I will be back soon.