Mamarazzi Monday

Thanks to my new found military spouse blog site that I found, I will be posting a picture of the booger every Monday! I know many of you follow my Project 365 (which I know I need up update and put on here) but this is going to be just an added bonus!

Sophie and Dani (Shane's two girlfriends) came over for some play and swim time this morning. I don't know if Shane is quite liking behind chased around by girls already, but he better get used to it. He's a stud!

**Insert scream of frustration here**

WHY do my instructors feel it necessary to pile on load of work the week of my FAVORITE HOLIDAY!?

I have 3 mini-papers, one large paper, 2 discussion questions, and participation posts (2 posts, 4 separate days) to complete by Sunday.

Did I mention I was working three nights this week and Saturday 10-3? And a baseball game with my family Saturday night? And then there is this little holiday called 4th of July Sunday where we are having about 20-30 people over the house.

And to do all this on top of my daily routine with Booger AND keep with my C25K challenge.

Did I mention its about 6 weeks till DH comes home? So I am now starting to get those millions of little things written out and planned for. Its so stressful with so many things being up in air right now. We have "kind of" dates but until I know his flight schedule and that he's on his way to the US, I won't be at ease.

Progress

So its been 2 full weeks since starting my C25K challenge and a week since I cut out all soda and caffeine from my diet. I must admit, giving up caffeine was something I wasn't at all looking forward to. I really love my coffee and Diet Pepsi. But it has been completely worth it. I feel a new kind of energy, not the up and down roller coaster of living off caffeine but an actual long lasting energy. My skin has cleared up a ton and I over all just feel great. I have noticed small changes in my body as well. I am hoping the further I get into the running program, the more inches I begin to lose. I have been drinking strictly water and eating (for the most part) very healthy with lots of lean proteins. R&R is right around the corner and I want to look my best for the hubs! I have already lost 15 lbs since he left and I'd really like to lose another 10 or so by the time he comes home.

I'll keep everyone updating on my progress!

Do you believe in angels?

Sometimes I feel like I am truly being watched out for, that God has put certain people in certain places at the time when you need it the most. I haven't had a real feeling like this in quite a while but I'd like to share a story about a woman I met at the Nashville Airport.

I had JUST dropped my husband off at his company to leave for Afghanistan for a year, had to rush back to our townhouse for move out inspection, and then speed to Nashville to catch my flight home. All with a recovering from a stomach bug 10 month old. The day had obviously not started off well with a lot of tears and "see you laters" but to top it off when I dropped off our rental car at the Hertz drop off at the airport, I left one bag, the one that contained pretty much every piece of Shane's 12-18 month closet, in the car. Unbeknownst to me, I went to the check in counter and then realized this bag was missing. I knew I didn't feel like my hands were full enough! So I trekked back down to the Hertz center and waited forever for them to see if they could find it. I was starting to get worried after 10 minutes because I knew it had to be in the car. Finally they came out with the backpack and I rearranged all my bags to head back up to go through security.

At security, I was held up because I forgot to change in a HUGE bag of change for cash at Walmart that day. So my bags were searched because they couldn't tell from the scanner what it was. I then had to rearrange everything in Shane's diaper bag plus manage to get my shoes back on and deal with a fussy baby who didn't want to be stuck in his stroller.

I made my way to the gate where I found out the plane was already going to be late. Awesome. I chatted with the flight crew who of course fell in love with Shane. I had just bought my ACU diaper bag and they soon asked about it. I explained that his daddy had just left today and they apologized and offered me to pre-board when the flight came since they could tell I had my hands full.

Then I met Kris. Kris is a fellow Army wife. Her husband is out of the Illinois National Guard and she was returning back to Chicago after a business trip in Nashville. We got to talking and since my flight from Chicago to Boston was going to be tight and we kept getting delayed, she offered to put me up for the night just in case I got stuck in Chicago. Now, I don't know about you but I have met very few people who would invite essentially a complete stranger to come to their home with them and then drive them to the airport the next day. We finally left Nashville and were on our way to Chicago Midway. We got to Chicago a lot faster than I hoped we would and my anxiety about not getting home that night lessend greatly. Then we were told we were going to have to circle because of there not being anywhere for us to land. We circled for an HOUR. I watched the minutes pass and the time my plane was supposed to take off passed. Every few minutes I could connect to the southwest site on my phone and saw that my plane had been delayed about a half hour. I knew we'd be cutting it close. I jumped off the plane as fast as I could with my hands full of bags and a baby. Kris was right behind me. She ran, yes I literally RAN, all the way to my next gate which of course was in a completely different terminal. She made sure I got on that plane and was on my way home safely and made me promise to let her know as soon as I was home safe.

I think I would have fallen apart that day if it hadn't been for Kris and her compassion and kindness. She has literally been a Godsend. We are still in touch and I always enjoy chatting with her and her encouraging words. She is an AMAZING woman with more accomplishments on her list that I could ever imagine. Meeting her was a reminder that there are good people out there and that even on your hardest days, God is looking out for us all. I consider Kris to be my guardian angel that day and I am so lucky to have met her.

23 years young

Yesterday was my 23rd birthday. I have come to expect nothing grand or it being the "most special day of the year" anymore. I don't know if that's because of years of crappy birthdays or just getting old and realizing its not that big of a deal. This year's birthday consisted of homework, laundry, working out, and keeping my 14 month old busy. Pretty much an ordinary day besides our dinner out and a few gifts. Since Matt's been in the Army we've spent 2 of my birthday's together and NONE of his together. Last year I wouldn't even consider him being around because he had a 24 hour CQ shift and slept until 5 PM when we went to get dinner. So maybe I am a bit jaded over it all. But at least today I was surrounded by people that I love very much (minus the DH) and really that's what it should be about.

Father's Day

I don't have enough words about Shane's father/the love of my life. Even from Afghanistan he is such an amazing father. I know he can't wait to see his monster.

"Can we hike this Freedom Trail?"

Since SOMEONE gave me crap about not writing about our visit and even though I should be headed to bed, I will blog just for her!

Monica and Luke (my two favorite Indiana-ians) came in last Saturday for a long weekend of fun! Being around another Army wife and new mommy was such a nice change. While I do have a support group here, there is NOTHING like being with someone who completely understands your struggles, bad days, and the time needed to be spent on the phone/skype with your soldier. Saturday was pretty crappy weather wise so we laid low, did some quick shopping up at the mall I work at, and had pizza and watched a movie.

Sunday I was able to show her some of the history of my wonderful state that I am so proud of. We went to North Bridge in Concord where the Revolutionary War essentially began. I enjoy history probably a little more than I should and the thought that I am standing on the ground where so many men lost their lives in order to gain our independence gives me goosebumps every time. We learned that brakes on baby carriages are a MUST and that trees aren't always as easy to climb as they appear to be. We had a great lunch down in the center of Concord then headed back to Westford since the babies had enough of our sight seeing.

Monday I took her into good ole Beantown where I had to explain to her why we were called Beantown. Our first stop was Make Way for Ducklings in the Public Garden and then I proceeded to illegally feed the ducks at the pond. Whoops! I'm glad she enjoyed how gorgeous the park was. I have always had a soft spot for that area especially this time of the year. We walked through the common and followed some of the Freedom Trail into Fanueil Hall for a bit of souvenir shopping and lunch at Cheers. We stopped by the Old Town Hall where the Declaration of Independence was read to the public and where the Boston Massacre occurred. I wish I was able to take her over to Bunker Hill and Paul Revere's house but the little ones were definitely being pushed to their max so we headed back home. That night was a bit of a shit show if I do say so myself. That day also happened to be the Army's 235th birthday so we drunkenly baked and decorated a cake. I don't think much more explanation is needed. I'll let you use your imagination.

On their last full day here, we went up to Maine which really sparked the idea of her whole trip. Ogunquit is probably my favorite place ever. Matt and I have great memories up there and my parents have a time-share up there every July so I've spent quite a bit of time up in that area. Luke had his first ocean experience and Shane had his second which resulted in a very wet toddler for me and a drowned camera for Monica. We did some souvenier shopping and then drove a bit down route 1 for some lunch at the Maine Diner (YUM!). I promised her a trip to Coach so we hit the Kittery Outlets on the way back. We both made out pretty well at the outlets without using my discount.

Overall, it was such a great time to spend with a wonderful friend. I am sad we don't live closer but I know in this crazy Army life we may end up sharing a duty station again. Until then, I am going to look forward to our joint family vacation in a few years! Love ya favey!!!

A Mother's Love

This little boy is my whole world. He keeps me going through even the toughest, darkest days (which I've seemed to have more than a handful of lately). I am so blessed to have him as my son and it is truly a privilege to be his mother.

I will write an update after our company leaves Wednesday, but we're having a wonderful time with Monica and Luke here! Seeing Shane with Luke makes me confident he'll be a great big brother... someday.

Couch to 5K Challenge

I have recently been inspired to take this challenge! For those of you who've never heard of it, its a 10 week program that takes you from being a non-runner to running a 5K non-stop! Those 10 weeks put me at right around the time Matt will be home for R&R so I'll be able to take runs with him! Today was day 1 and I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't nearly as out of shape as I thought I was. I guess chasing after a very busy 14-month old and carrying him around has helped out my fit factor!

I also started using Mederma's Stretch Mark cream. Thanks to my little boy, I have a few stretch marks on my stomach that have faded quite a bit since I had him but not nearly to where I'd like them to be. So I caved in and paid $35 for a lotion. Yes, $35. Another blogger bravely put her before and after pictures up and that really pushed me to buy the lotion. She looks INCREDIBLE.

I am so excited for Matt's Father's Day gift which I will share with everyone once he has seen it!