A quick preview

There are a few things coming up that I wanted to mention, and though they are still a week or two off I thought Id hope on here now and talk about them because life is crazy busy and I don't know if I will get the chance later on.

Hannah's 5th Birthday is coming up. Yes, we already had the big party and celebrated because daddy was home and the one thing I have learned is you never know when and how long daddy will be here because there is always something like travel for work, or just work in general with its crazy schedules. I still can not believe she is going to be 5. I remember ever birthday and see how much she has changed and I am excited but sad all at the same time.  She has taken a passion for books. She loves Barnes and Noble. To sit and read books for hours if we would let her. We usually let her buy one each time and she struggles over what to get. We read to her many times a day too. I am hoping that this is a very good sign at what is to come for school and that she will do well. She still has her fashion sense too. She loves to shop and points out shirts and pants and shoes she wants and picks out things she wants to wear in the morning. She loves dresses, which is new since there was a time she hatted them. Just the other day we were at Costco and she saw a cute outfit she said "she had to have" she begged and pleaded till we caved in. That would be my daughter, a little me. A shopaholic. We still can not get her to wear hair bows that clip in or a cute headband. She refuses and I never push. Maybe bribe a little which never works, but never do I push. She is a stubborn one just like her daddy, and me, and her brother. I think that her as a teenager will be trying because of that fact. So yeah its wonderful to see her grow and change and learn. I do sometimes finding it harder because she is our baby. I think that is why I struggle with the thought of her going to kindergarten in the fall. She has become sassy and is starting to get an attitude too. The other day as we walked I held out my had for her and she yanked hers away from me. I told her we were out where it was busy and she needed to take mine so she did not get lost and she told me "Mom (not mommy) I am big enough to walk without you holding my hand" and gave me a look that normally belongs on a teenagers face. Don't get me wrong, normally she is sweet and loving but its not all the time.

The other thing is my wedding anniversary. 7 years on July 4th. It never feels like its been 7 years. Even with two kids and moving through 3 states and 5 houses. I think this has allot to do with the fact he is never home and away on deployments and such. I can say I am truly happy. I look forward to life and our future and am excited by it. Even that day seems like yesterday. I remember flying into Jacksonville, FL. I remember walking down the corridor to where Chris was waiting for me all cute in his working whites. I remember hugging him and the drive back and him giving me a tour of the base. I remember the next day getting ready and meeting Chris's friends for the first time and going to the little church. Chris and his 2 friends were there and one of their wives was there and we had the sweetest ceremony outside surrounded by flowers and plant sculptures. It was a prefect summer day. I never was scared, or nervous. just happy. Afterwards we all went to Olive Garden to celebrate and then Chris and I went to see a movie and then fireworks down on the Saint Mary's waterfront. It was one of the best days in my life and I can say with having the small wedding and the big wedding, the small one was far better and special. Maybe I feel that way because the big wedding for us we were already married, but it did not come close to holding what our first wedding did. Now almost every year my husband is here to celebrate our anniversary its kind of a tradition to go see a movie and go to Olive garden followed by fireworks. Its our thing and I love it. 

Other than that life has been crazy, busy, hectic and wonderful in some ways and sad in others. somethings are going on that make me realized there is a certain aspect of military life, at least for me that as a wife you don't really hear about. Im not going into details but I have realized that its one of the hardest things for me being a military wife which makes deployments harder and being away from family harder. Maybe another day Ill approach this subject for today however Im sticking to the happier notes of this blog and leaving it at that.

Summer is almost here. 4 more days until Jordan is out of School. He is happy and counting down, and I am sad and realizing that next fall I will be kissing both my kids as they head of to the school and I will feel lost with no kids in the house during the day.

where to begin?

I know, I know. Its been a while since my last blog. What can I say other than I have been MIA. But now I am here, writing again.

Life has been busy. Very busy. So busy that at days end I fall into bed practically asleep. It will stay busy for some time too. Every day and every weekend is full of things to do. Im not sure where I last left off, what was going on and I don't have that much time to play catch up so Im not going to bother re-reading past blogs. 

So what has been going on. Well we attended Hannah's Kindergarten orientation where I went into panic mode on "oh my God. We have to do this, and get that, and work on this" apart of me wants to keep her home for one more year, to be selfish. I mean already years have flown by and once she heads off to school I know they will fly by even faster. Also Hannah's 5th birthday party is this weekend. That alone has kept me busy with planning and buying and cleaning and wrapping. You get the point. She is so excited and I am stressed. Here is hoping for warm weather since its a water party with slip n slides, pools, sprinklers, water guns and balloons. 

Jordan is getting ready for the end of school. He still has 2 weeks left. He tried out for a talent show with his girlfriend to sing a HS musical song, we should find out today if he made it though from what I hear they only take the best, silly since this is elementary school we are talking about. 

I signed up to Volunteer. I have been putting myself out there in hopes to cure my incredible shyness. Lets hope it works.

Now for the best news of all, I no longer sleep alone at night in my big King sized bed. My husband is home and I am so happy. We have been going non stop. Seeing movies, and going out. It feels so good to know he is safe and sound at home with me. To see his face and hug him. The kids were excited too of course. I feel bad though because they fight over him. "Daddy come here, daddy do this, daddy lets go out" and no like we don't have enough to do we are planning our first Washington camping trip. 

So yeah, thats life and if I go MIA again well sorry but I am a busy girl.

OMG, the sun really does exist.

So today is one of those days where I need a man around. I know that sounds sad but damn it if I did not need a few things done that my wimpy ass self can not do alone. First off I went to weed wack the backyard. See due to all the rain I have yet to be able to mow or do anything to my back yard, now that its sunny and dry I can finally get back there and make it look as best I can but within a weeks time my grass turned into a forest and is so tall I can not even open the back gate to get the mower in it. This is where I need a weed wacker because I can walk through the house with that and get the grass around the gate short to get the mower in. Well I go out there and since we have a electric one because our yard is not that big I plug it in and nothing happens. Why, because the wire thing in it is gone. So now I'm left to wonder what i need to buy, how to put it in and no one knows. Damn me for never being curious enough to ask my husband to teach me the ins and outs of things he usually does. I need my grass cut to find the dog crap that Gracie left back there because its hiding in the grass, and I also need it cut to do my big project, which again is something I need a guy for, or a few good friends who are willing to commit to this project. I want to move our backyard patio stuff up to the front courtyard. I already moved the chairs, but the table needs to people and a gate that opens to get out of the backyard. I also need to get the grill out which I can do but again I need a gate that opens. Then I need to somehow get the table into the courtyard, which may require it coming apart into pieces or someone who can lift it far above their heads. So see I need help, and everyone on this beautiful, sunny 75 degree day is gone and I am left wanting to swear up a storm because when I set my mind to something I would like to get it done soon before it drive me crazy. I also decided I want a pretty gazebo like tent to go over the patio furniture up front and that again requires strength I don't have and another pair of hands to put the thing together.

On a different note it looks like I am coming to MN for apart of the summer. I'm not sure if I am thrilled about this or not. I want to see friends and family. I'm looking forward to taking the kids to the zoo and Hannah to the American girl store and Jordan to Lego land and being able to eat at places they don't have around here and I miss ALLOT!!! But I hate not having my own things, my friends here and I like the summers here because its the only time its nice here and we can spend time outside. Oh well, either way I win and lose.

Hannah's birthday party is fastly approaching. I have all her gifts purchased with the exception of an American girl outfit or two. Were having just a small get together with about 30 people, only 9 of them are kids, 5 are teenagers and the rest friends of the family. I am hoping for sun to set up sprinklers and slip and slides outside and we are just doing snacks, cake and Ice cream. Hannah is excited. She has been nagging me since Jordan's birthday about her party. Its always weird to realize how fast they grow up and how much they have changed. Its sad and exciting all at the same time.

Now that I sat down for a break all my energy has gone out the window, damn that sucks.

much needed sleep, and the lack there of.

I am so tired that I am wondering how I will ever make it through the day without dozing off. I seriously only got 2 hours of sleep, and yes I could still be asleep but for some reason my body wont let me, just like last night as I tried and tried to fall asleep and I could not. My brain was on overdrive and even though my body felt totally exhausted my brain just kept going with thoughts. Even 2 Tylenol pm's did nothing to help. So yeah today will be a totally awesome day I think what with me having twenty million things to do and my body wanting nothing more then to sleep and not participate in those errands that need to be run or chores that need to be completed. I mean I am so tired that the idea of a shower makes me want to cry because I really don't think I have the strength to stand for one. Wow, I so sound like a very old person suddenly. Please pray that I don't fall asleep into my pizza tonight when I got out with friends, that would not be good and not to mention very embarrassing.

So yeah now that I am done with my little rant on sleepless nights and a zombie like me I think I really should stop procrastinating and get on with the day because the longer I sit here and wait the harder it will be, or so I think. 

I so just want to crawl back into bed and sleep.

Lost in a daze. Or something like that.

I hate to admit it but lately my life has been boring. I feel like I am wandering around in a daze. I find myself willing the day to be over and yet at the same time I also feel very busy. I guess Its because for so long I was on the go. Away from home. Running errands, hanging out with friends, dinner out, shopping, getting our nails done. There was always something. My mom visiting, Sub ball, convention, birthday parties and so on and now I have been a home body. I have cleaning and laundry and planning of things like Hannah's birthday party or the trip I might be taking for a summer vacation in MN. Its not like I don't have things to do, its just I miss the constant on the go way things were. Even today was busy. Let me give you a run down.

Woke up late, got Jordan off to school but barely.

Made breakfast, ate breakfast, cleaned up breakfast for Hannah and me.

Got us ready and dressed for the day.

Did some laundry, wiped down the counters and picked up the house.

Ran to Wal-mart.

Had friends over to deal with some last minute things from my Cookie Lee Party I had last week and talked with those friends.

Watched my friends kids.

Said goodbye to my friends kids and then watched another friends kids.

Made dinner, ate dinner, cleaned up after dinner.

Played with the kids and the dog.

Did more laundry.

Talked on the phone with my mom, with a few friends and yelled at a sales person.

Gave Hannah a bath.

Put the kids to bed.

And now here I am. Those are usual days. Running errands, cleaning, Laundry, friends, kids, dog, working out. In all reality I am busy, I am doing things and I am not sinking into oblivion with no life. So why do I feel so bored? Why do my days seem to stretch on for what seems like forever? 

Time for a change

So we are looking at moving out of housing. I have already gotten in touch with a place that helps find rental homes and I have seen a few places I really like online now its just going to see them in person, oh and finding a place that we can afford and will take a dog. 

I'm not crazy about the idea of actually moving our stuff. I hate that part, packing, moving, unpacking. However the idea of maybe having a bigger back yard and a fourth bedroom again is appealing. I would say we would buy, but lets face it we don't plan on staying here unless there is no other option so why would we buy? 

So yeah, that is what is going on with me. I also am looking at a possible job prospect, so wish me luck on that. A new place to live and a new job, big things are a coming. 

Tuesday morning babbling

If you were to look into my closet you would see one color more prominent then the rest. That color is blue. There is a shit ton of blue in my closet and yesterday as I shopped with a friend I noticed that was what I went for. I also like whites, blacks and grey. Everything I wanted was blue. Another thing that was pointed out is I have to many sweatshirts because it was also what I went for on our shopping trip, and what was even better is those adorable, comfy sweatshirts were on sale, but I refrained and walked away (after much pouting) I did pretty well and stuck as close to the gift cards as possible. I did have a close call at American Eagle when I had a struggle between two outfits and only the amount to buy one. I still want the other one. A cute pair of black trouser shorts and a cute black and white cami style top with lace. I'm rather sad because damn that outfit was cute, and to be fair I don't own a pair of casual and everyday black shorts like those and I could dress the top up or down. See, there I go trying to talk myself into an outfit I really should be talking myself out of, or at least talking myself out of until next payday. Damn my bad luck for never wining the lottery. I'm off to get dressed in my new blue t-shirt. 

Oh and a completely different note I am so sick of wind, cold and rain. Yesterday was horrible and icky and I want some sun so I don't look like death in shorts. Where is fun spring weather because lately it feels like fall and Its so not helping my mood. I need my sunshine.

No kids+friends+dancing+drinks=fun!

That would be me at the combined Birthday celebration for Amy and me when we went out to the on base club to drink, dance and play pool with a bunch of friends. If you can not tell, I was a bit drunk at this point. See the red nose? See the fact that I look like a giggling fool? yeah, I was buzzed.



It was a fun night. I so can not wait to do it again. I generally don't get wasted, I know when to stop or slow down. I mean I am a 95 pound woman so I know I have to watch how much I drink.

We started off drinking at my house, then went to the on base club then ended up at Amy's house. We walked, the one good thing about living on base and near the base club, and its a good thing since none of us would have been able to drive by nights end.

The music was good, we danced, we laughed, we drank and we danced some more. I think there was 10 of us at the club that night in our group. We got carded by the manage an hour into our night out. I think he thought because we had the guys buying most of the drinks we were underage, plus several of us looked it. He looked a bit shocked with what our actual age was because he said something like "I never would have thought" I even offered to show him my drivers license and my military dependant ID to prove my age though he said I did not need too.

After the club closed we attempted to walk to Amy's house for snacks since we were starving. I forgot what its like to go out drinking and dancing and the fact that usually at least for me my body craves food.

I cant wait to go back. Its fun to get out without the kids, with friends and just have fun. I hope though next time my husband will be able to go because it kind of sucked being the only one without a husband.

Finding myself

I realized today that I've changed while my husband has been gone. I was so worried about him changing while he was gone that I did not see the own change in myself. Its not a little change, but its not a bad change either. Some people may not see it, friends and family, and maybe even my own husband wont notice but I can. I can see how very different I have become. I like it, I like feeling more alive and happy and out there. I like not being so afraid or shy. I like doing different things and pushing the boundaries. In away I am kind of excited for my husband to see the new me. To see if he notices and I am also kind of worried he wont like the changes in me. 

I wish I could describe what I mean when I say I have changed. I'm more energetic, more outgoing, my anxieties I used to have are there still but not as bad and in some areas gone all together. I am doing thing I never once would do and I am putting myself first for once, not that anyone is forgotten or go without. My kids have everything they need and don't go without, but before I went over board and spoiled them and never put myself first, never budgeted for things I wanted. I am stronger now in the sense that I am getting a backbone. I'm working out. I go out allot more then I ever have. I have more friends and I laugh more. I am slowly changing my wardrobe and the way I hold myself. I have new goals and wants. Its not that I was unhappy before, I loved my husband, my kids and all that but I lost myself for awhile. 

Does any of this make sense? It does to me and I think that is all that matters. 

Happy Birthday to me!

Ive been so busy that now when I have nothing to do I am so bored and wander around aimlessly feeling all lost and alone. I like being busy, it helps, and because I have been so busy I have lots to write about, sadly I don't have much time to write about them because duh I am busy.

However I currently have time, 40 minutes to be exact before I am off to do more things that keep me busy so you get a quick post. I could write about the drama that is going on, the party/dancing that will happen this weekend to celebrate my friends 21 birthday as well as my 28Th birthday or the cute story about me, an 80 some year old man, 2 oranges and lots of females with a camera, but instead you get this:

ITS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

So happy birthday to me. I am 28 years old today and sadly starting to feel older than I would like.

Today started off great, well its still great. I got up to flowers from my husband which are beautiful and cards from the kids and one that my husband left behind and had me in tears (good tears) Then I got text messages and emails and ecards from family and friends all wishing me a happy birthday. Then lunch with my friend who took pictures for my husband and had them sing me happy birthday but at least I got a free cake out of it so its all good. Then shopping because every girl needs to spoil herself on her birthday right? Then I had to stop at the store for a pot luck dish (I'm lame and got chips and dip) for tonight's meeting I need to go too. Then I hung out with friends at home which leads me to right this very moment. So yeah, good day, lots of great friends and I am all smiles. The only thing that could make this day any better is a certain someone being here.

I like having a friend whose birthday is around mine because then we can do fun things to celebrate. Thursday night everyone is going out to dinner and then Friday we are doing drinks/shots here at my house and then out to hopefully dance the night away. We are checking out a ladies night but non of us have been so hopefully its not super lame and lastly Saturday we are getting tattoos.

So yeah its my birthday, and even though I still have time to elaborate on so many other things going on I wont because did you not catch the whole its my birthday theme of this blog, and on your birthday you should relax and enjoy the day, so you all will have to wait another day to hear the cute, funny and down right dumb things I have been up too.

My Sub ball experiance

So about the Submarine Birthday ball, I had a blast. It was super fun and I felt like a princess even with my hair all Shirley temple looking.

Ill start at the beginning because I have the time to write and I am bored.

I got up early, earlier then when I need to get Jordan off to school to set my friends hair in curlers, then my other friend came over so we could practice on her hair which took almost 2 hours to do. We ate lunch and relaxed for a bit before starting to get ready and I will say we so did not have enough time to get ready, basically it ended up to us scrambling around doing hair, make up and getting dressed along with getting the kids ready for the sitter and pictures taken. We were aiming to be at the ball room by 5pm and instead got there around 5:30 and already the place was packed. We found my friends husbands commands tables to sit at and mingled, got drinks and made fun of the wilted salad that was small and pathetic and gross looking and must have been sitting out for about an hour. At least dinner was much better and dessert was the nummiest. The room was pretty and full of people and very humid and stuffy and at one point I almost passed out because my corset was tight and the hot air made it really hard to breath.

After dinner we danced, drank shots and danced some more. They had set up the in and out cafe downstairs for more Ball seating and they also had another DJ down there as well so we would dance upstairs for awhile and then go downstairs where eventually we ended up for good because it was less crowded and cooler. We stayed till about 1:30AM and then walked home (which thankfully was only 10 minutes away) because none of us wanted to take the chance to try and drive home.

So yeah, I guess I did kind of sum up the night because I really could have gone into more detail but now you get the shorter version.

All you really need to know is I had fun and I cant wait to go back with my husband next year. I did miss him allot through out the night, especially when you see men all around you in their dress blues dancing with their wives but I did not let that stop me from having a great time, plus I felt like a princess all night long.

Is it sad I already have my eye on a beautiful dress for the next ball?

I promise

I promise that I will have a blog all about the fun time I had at the Submarine ball soon, but for now I am dead tired and need for some sleep because i feel like I have been going non stop for a very long time.

April 2009 Sub ball pictures

The above picture is just people dancing. No I am not in it, I just wanted to capture the moment to show people who were curious what its like at a Sub ball. 

Again Im not in this one, just taking random pictures

More dancing people.

Hey, one I am finally in. This is me(the one with the flask) My friends Racheal (the one in the strapless black dress) and Amy (the one in the silver dress) and Joni (Im so probably spelling her name wrong) who is in the black halter dress.

Us girls again. We are about to get our dance on.

Me taking a breather between songs because this was at the end of the night, I had a buzz and my feet hurt.

Amy and I at nights end goofing off and playing around with the camera.

Showing some leg for the hubby

Me being silly and Racheal looking very drunk.

Me dancing with Amy and her husband Mark

Us girls and our flasks. We were smart and brought our own drinks.

Resting again.

Amy, her husband Mark and me down stairs at the In and out cafe where they had more dancing and a bar

Racheal's husband Todd and us

Me and home before going to bed because I was being silly

This is the cake cutting ceremony after dinner (and before the dancing) where they get the longest qualified Submarine Veteran and the newest cut the cake

Amy giving me bunny ears while we are waiting for dinner.

Before the ball. Ignore the hair, I know I look like Shirley temple and it so did not turn out the way it was supposed too.

Another Leg shot

All pretty and ready for the ball.

Not such a lovely day

My life is very intresting right now, not in a good way, well mostly not in a good way, but thats a story for another time.

I am bored. I need to run errands and get some basic grocery's but instead I am stuck here waiting for a package that needs a signature and of course knowing my luck it wont be till later tonight that it shows up leaving me to either run errands much later then I wanted too or putting them off for another day. So here I sit playing the waiting game, have I ever mentioned how much I hate this game?

I'm also very, very tired. I have not been sleeping well do to stress and other things. Stress is a horrible thing, especially for me since I get really sick when I get super stressed and I am about to that point. Its stress and what is causing the stress that is making my life interesting right now in a not good way and what I would give to be able to sleep soundly and not be stressed. Right now life sucks.

Easter, This and That.

According to the ten day forecast it will soon be in the 70s here. Oh my God that is exciting, its sad when something like sun and warm weather makes you smile and giddy inside but after months of rain, snow, wind and cold I cant help but to find the idea of a change for the better something to be giddy over. Of course knowing the weather here and its constant changing forecasts for the days to come I wont hold my breath.

Anyway that is besides the point of this blog. This blog is to update on events that are going on. This weekend was Easter. It has come and gone and my daughter wants to know if we can have Easter every day. I told her no. what a mean mommy I am. The kids love Easter. I forgot about the egg dying even though I have everything for it, but the kids got to dye some eggs at a friends house so all is good and forgiven on my part. I also forgot to make the Easter cupcakes Hannah has been wanting to make with her pink frosting so that is something I will have to make soon or I will never hear the end of it. As I mentioned in my last post Saturday was spent outside doing egg hunts and getting ready for Easter. Sunday the Easter bunny came and the kids awoke to getting dressed, finding eggs hidden through out the house (which were really meant for an event I volunteered for but it was cancelled due to rain) and since I did not want the eggs going to waste we had a second egg hunt. Then they looked for their baskets because I hid them. Growing up my mom always hid mine and its just a tradition I took with me when I had kids and moved out. The kids love it and usually it ends up to be a game of hot and cold with Jordan. Hannah found hers the first place she looked, but she didn't care and spent seconds dumping things on the floor. They both loved their baskets, though sadly Hannah was more thrilled and to this moment plays more with the empty plastic eggs instead of the toys from her basket. She makes huts and homes for her Littlest pet shop animals so at least she is somewhat playing with other toys. I have however found her hiding eggs and then re-finding them herself. I asked her what she is doing and she informed me "I'm playing Easter mommy" She also has been bugging me for the candy non stop for the last two days. Jordan however is the opposite. He has yet to eat any candy really and loves the egg hunts not for what is in them but how many he could find. They also got a few other baskets from family and friends and my house is an explosion of toys, stickers and candy, oh and of course plastic eggs. Remind me to save those for next year and not throw them out like I tend to do only to have to re-buy them all over again the following year.

After all the Easter events at our house I gathered what I needed for my part of Easter dinner, called my mom to wish her, my brother and my step dad a happy Easter and we headed out into the cold, windy, rain to a friends house for Easter Dinner. She had another egg hunt, egg activities and we played board games, oh and ate very good food. 

Overall it was a good Easter weekend. It would have been better if Chris was here and he was missed allot, but its just part of the job and life as a Navy wife. I did get pictures though our brand new camera was acting up so they came out a bit fuzzy, something I need to look into before Sub ball.

Speaking of Sub ball I got my dress today. Its very pretty. I was all worried it would not fit but it does thank goodness, however as I was putting it back in the bag I noticed pen on my dress and when they tried to get it out with something they swore would work and not stain it did one but not the other. The pen is gone but there is a water mark in the material. So I'm left to wonder what to do. I was hoping it would dry, but its clear the mark is there to stay. I mean its not really noticeable unless your looking for it and its on the back of the dress, but still when you pay that much for a dress, then alterations you expect them to be more careful and not stain the dress not once, but twice. So we will see. Ill try not to be Anal and not think about it. It is still very pretty (like very, very pretty) If I could Id wear it everywhere, though I might get strange looks if I did that. I also exchanged my tiara for the one I fell in love with awhile back. I know, shame on me, but to be fair I only spent 5 dollars more for the one I really wanted. Now its just counting down the days till Sub ball.

I did realize a few things though about the upcoming sub ball. One I am wearing curlers to get my hair, well curly (the whole point of curlers right?) and I will have to wear them to get my nails done, which is in the mall. So shy little me will have to walk through the mall with my head covered in curlers looking like an idiot, the price we pay for beauty huh? The Second thing is I wont have a husband to hold my money, ID and so on, so I am going to have to hope that no one steals my purse because I do need my ID or else I'm kind of screwed. When you live on a Military base and need to get on and off it you need your Military ID. 

So that's my weekend (and Monday) Tomorrow I am shopping but have to be careful on what I buy because overspending would be bad since somehow I am behind on my cable bill according to a message on my machine and yet I have not seen a bill so I need to get that paid up or else I might find myself without cable, phone and Internet for a few days which to me would be a bad thing to happen. I can live without the phone (I have my cell) and even the TV but I need my Internet because I am sad like that. Its sad because last time I was at the mall they had tons of cute things I wanted to buy so here is hoping to some restraint.

I'm currently listening to my Mama Mia! soundtrack and trying my hardest to avoid the call of the peanut butter cups that are sitting on the kitchen counter, maybe now would be a good time to either do some sit ups or go to bed. 

Adults acting like kids

Its sad when you see the adults acting worse then the kids at a kid friendly event.

Today on base they had a kids Easter egg hunt where they put out a ton of eggs in fields for the kids to find. They break the events down by age. 0-2 year olds go first, then 2-3 and 4-5. then 5-6 and 7-8 and finally 9-12. They surround the fields with white tape making a square so the kids stand on the line and they are told how many eggs they can grab and it is repeated over and over by the volunteers if you have more then allowed please put them back so other kids can grab them and have the same amount. Round one was the youngest kids (0-2) and this is the only age group where kids can have help from a parent. So my friend goes out with her daughter while I wait with the other kids (they time them so the age groups don't overlap) and she came back with 5 eggs. There should have been enough for each child to get 20 eggs in this age group. She explained to me that parents where grabbing handfuls of eggs like it was a race and did not care that they had 30 or more eggs while other kids had 3, 4 or 5 because of all these parents. The sad thing is I saw the parents push and knock over other peoples kids to get the eggs and they totally forgot about their own little kids while the egg hung was going on. Its sad that people, especially a parent can be so rude and act so horribly and not realize that because they want to take all the eggs other little kids are going without. Not like it really mattered because my friend later pointed out that most of the candy in the eggs were jolly ranchers, gum and now and later for that age group. Seriously what kid at that age can eat candy like that? and what were the people thinking who decided what candy should be given out in the eggs to that age group.

Hannah did well. She understood what she had to do and went and got eggs without grabbing or pushing or running. It seemed better when parents were not allowed though I saw several kids grab out of other peoples buckets. Hannah did grab more then the allotted amount but I made her give those eggs to a child who was to afraid to go alone and there for had none so her and my daughter walked away with 15 eggs each (that was the allotted number of eggs each child could take) I did see kids who still took way more then allowed, or parents who would let their kids do more then one egg hunt and by the fourth egg hunt it was clear that even the volunteers realized the foul play and kept a better eye on what people were doing and trying to keep it more fair. I was worried once we got to Jordans age group which was the oldest that this would be the one where the kids would shove and push and steal but it probably was the best behaved one. Jordan was smart and while all the kids ran to the middle to grab eggs he grabbed the eggs nearest us. He also counted out what he could have and when he was done he came back to riffle through his loot.

Overall it was a good day, the kids had a blast and the rain held off and it was sunny out. Its hard to believe tomorrow is Easter. We still have to dye our eggs. Tomorrow we have our own egg hunt and both my kids get 3 baskets (from us, and from each set of Grandparents) then its off to a friends house for dinner and another egg hunt. We are a busy family this week and I so could use a nap but instead I am off to clean.

I hope everyone has a very happy Easter Sunday.

Just another crappy day

There is only one good thing about today. It was sunny and warm and I got to wear a tank top and sit in the sun while my kids played outside. I also gave Gracie a bath too and let her sit in the sun and dry off.

Now for the rest of the sucky day.

People are pissing me off. Rude, mean, asshole of people. I wanted to full out punch someone today but I did not because that is not who I am plus Hannah was with me and that would not be a good example for her.

I ran to the store and the person and the store refused to price match though I know they do it because they did it last week and he was such a jerk about it too. I mean really could you not be nicer to customers? (and no I was not having an attitude with him though he was a jerk even before I set my stuff on the counter and I only got defensive when I tried to explain all the times they priced matched stuff even as early as last week) and he was all "well I don't know where you have been shopping but we have never done that and if you dont like our policy then you can go shop elsewhere" So I walked away leaving all my stuff on the counter to pissed to care about buying it nor having this jerk ring me up. Of course when I got home I realized I needed a few of those things like now so I will have to go back out (to a different store) and get what I need.

Then I get home to make Enchiladas for dinner only to realize I am missing an ingredient and my kids were already starving at this point so I had to make Spaghetti instead since I had the stuff to complete the meal and did not want my Hamburger going to waste. Its not what I have been craving all day but it works, though the damn jar or Spaghetti sauce wanted to not unscrew and I sat there for 10 minutes (well it felt like ten minutes) cursing the jar and banging it on the counter.

And to top it all off I am still sick. Its just the worlds worst cold but it does not make for a very happy me, or a very productive me. I have a few piles of laundry to do and a house to sweep and dust with no desire to do anything else but vent, and then curl up on the couch with some cold medicine and sleep or at least watch some TV. I am so pathetic, I know but hey I can admit that I am a witch when I am sick and a bigger witch when people piss me off with their rudeness.

Lets pray tomorrow is better.

(oh and I called the store and asked for a manager and she said they do indeed price match)

Not meeting expectations

So after all that excitement about April finally being here I am sad to say that so far it has sucked. It rained with a snow mix and was cold and windy on the 1st and then I came down with a wicked cold that made my head feel like it was going to explode and my throat feel like sandpaper and gave me much pain. I really hope things get off to a better start. 

I guess I should be more fair to April seeing as there were a few good moments in the 2 days that have made up the month. Like the free showing of Inkheart at the base theater that I took the kids too. It was 6 dollars for two sodas and a large popcorn and though the seating set up was horrible it was a free movie with cheap food and sure beat the $40 some dollars for the kids and I to see Monsters Vs. Aliens so I'm not complaining, plus it was nice to just get out and the kids enjoyed it. Also I got to be the target of many April fools jokes Hannah and Jordan tried to play on me. It was very cute how hard they tried. Hannah didn't really get the whole April fools day thing but with Jordan's help she was able to point out the non existent spider on my hear while I pretended to be freaked out so she would think she got me and fall to the floor in a fit of laughter. Jordan's jokes were better and I even feel for the whole "mom your shoe is untied" where I look and I am wearing slip on's with no ties. Its moments like these I wish My husband was here or at the very least I could call him and tell him all the cute, funny, sweet things our kids are doing.

As for now, well I am still sick and in pain and I still feel like my head might explode. I spent the day in bed instead of running the many errands I had to run like spending money at Costco and eating lunch at one of my favorite restaurants and taking the kids to another free movie at the base theater. So instead my day was boring, filled with sleeping, looking around for hairstyles and color ideas for my salon visit next month, and watching movies lounged on the couch with the kids (it was raining out, what a surprise) I am really, really hopping to start feeling better soon. It sucks because I am like a child who wants her teddy bear when she is sick but my teddy bear is at sea. I guess I will have to settle for some Ice cream and cold medicine to help me feel better. 

April has come at last

Its April, which is one of my favorite months. The reasons why, well it usually starts to get nicer out. This will only be my second April here in Washington but it seems the weather gets warmer and it does not rain as much which is always a nice rain from what has been a near constant drizzle. Its also the month that holds my birthday which means I get another year older, though I can sadly say I am not dreading birthdays and aging instead of looking forward to them. 

For this month we have spring break for the kids where I try to keep them entertained. Trips to the zoo maybe, the movies, swimming, walks, the park. Its also the month of the Submarine Birthday Ball and this will be the first year I will be going. Easter also falls this year in April. I love Easter because I like dying the eggs and hiding Easter eggs for the kids to find and creating baskets and dressing up in spring outfits. It will be different this year not having daddy around for the kids, this is the one holiday I don't think he has missed and if he has its only been once or twice. 

April is just a great month. I can start finding pretty flowers at the grocery store to fill my kitchen with and we don't feel so trapped in the house and are able to go outside more and open the windows when they days are nice. I love having the windows open. 

So Happy April Everyone!

A risk I am willing to take

OK, so if I tell you something you have to promise to not laugh at me, or make fun of me or go crazy on yelling at me for what you might consider stupid.

I have thought about this for awhile, years in fact. My husband is against it, though I am not sure why since I think most men would not mind. See I want to get a boob job. I hate being small and tops not fitting like they should because I have nothing to fill them out. Its depressing and I have had lots of friends who now have had it done and what can I say I am jealous but no that is not the reason I want to get them done, I want to do it for me. I want to look in the mirror and feel better about myself and the way I look. I know that may sound shallow and such but its what I want.

As I said my husband is against it. I always tease that when he is out to sea I will just go and have it done, I wouldn't however go threw with it because I want his there if I do. See I have this problem with bleeding, I tend to bleed allot in surgery or when I have babies and this can be a problem and my husbands fear is there will be a complication and either I will bleed to death or my body will reject the foreign objects that now make up my boobs basically.

I will give you an example of how badly I want this done. I hate having surgery, I hate being put under. It gives me huge anxiety and I always fear I wont wake up, and yet I am willing to go through all this and the pain and recovery that comes with the operation. 

I know the risks, I do. Like I said its something I have been wanting and debating and researching for some time, now however I am ready to take it to the next step and actually (maybe) consult someone or a few someones. I need to look up good surgeons in the area and talk to them about my concerns, get price quotes and so on so I am better prepared. I also need to see about what insurance covers. I know that the surgery itself is on me, but I'm talking about if there are complications. If I start to bleed and need to be hospitalized or my body rejects them later on will my insurance cover breast implant related problems. I know some insurances do and others don't. 

I think once I take the next step I might be better prepared to make a decision about what I want to do and then I can either start to save money or disregard the idea all together, and of course there is the obstacle of my husband. If he is highly against this I wont do it, but I would like him if I do decide to do this to get on board with me and be supportive as I know he will be a key player in my recovery time. 

As I said you can think I am shallow or dumb, but its what I want and I had to get my feelings out there because sometimes it just helps to write things down, and no, I wont be going really big just more natural looking and normal because right now anything above an A cup would be great.

Cinderella

Ha. After much looking on the web for the dress I purchased for the sub ball I finally found it, granted its not in this color but a really pretty Sage color but other than that this is my dress. Pretty huh? Now lets hope the seamstress who is on vacation can get it done in time. She has a week from after she gets back to get it ready and if its not ready I am screwed.

I have a light gold bag and heels that match and pearl earring and I think I might buy the matching necklace and I do have a sparkly pearl headband that I may or may not wear after a friend told me I look like a child wearing it, and I already look young as it is.

Can you tell I am excited? I feel like Cinderella in this dress. The only thing that will be missing that night is my prince.

Things I should be doing

I have been meaning to sit down for some time now and monkey with my blog. Make it pretty and nice and all that, but sadly I never get to it. Its just like how I keep meaning to organize my make up drawers or finish the photo book online that was supposed to be for my husbands last patrol. These things just are there waiting to be given some time and yet I don't get around to it. I blame the fact I have no attention span lately, maybe I never had one but the point is I get fidgety or something comes up. One day though I will do it, today however is not that day.

I watched Australia tonight and bawled like a baby. My Daughter noticed and asked me "mommy what's wrong" I informed her mommy was sad but OK and she gave me a hug and a big smile and said "don't be sad mommy, I love you" I gave her a smile and thanked her. When my husband is gone and I watch a movie that has any type of romance in it that is not a romantic comedy (and sometimes even when it is) I cry. 

My weekend is slow. I was hoping it be more eventful but really its been lazy. Did I mention we and a friend and her kids went to the movies last night? yeah, well we did and now I remember why I don't go to movies unless I am paying $3 or less at the base theater because just for the kids and me with food and tickets it was $40. That's the price of buying a movie at the store and ordering a Costco pizza. I wish I could say my weekend would get more exciting but I highly doubt that. More cleaning and laundry and hanging with the kids. Spring break is upon us, 5 days of both kids being home when I am used to one, which can I say is kind of scary since my kids love to annoy the other and with one being out of school I can say that their annoying one another will eventually annoy me. Sadly I know their love of bugging each other will only grow and get worse as they get older. Isn't that part of sibling love?

I am off to finish my book and try to not be so damn bored though what I really should do is get some sleep since it is 1 in the morning.

How to simulate being a sailor

HOW TO SIMULATE BEING A SAILOR:

1. Buy a steel dumpster, paint it gray inside and out, and live in it for
six months.

2. Run all the pipes and wires in your house exposed on the walls.

3. Repaint your entire house every month.

4. Renovate your bathroom. Build a wall across the middle of the bathtub
and move the shower head to chest level. When you take showers, make sure
you turn off the water while you soap down.

5. Put lube oil in your humidifier and set it on high.

6. Once a week, blow compressed air up your chimney, making sure the wind
carries the soot onto your neighbor's house.
Ignore his complaints.

7. Once a month, take all major appliances apart and then reassemble them.

8. Raise the thresholds and lower the headers of your front and back doors,
so that you either trip or bang your head every time you pass through them.

9. Disassemble and inspect your lawnmower every week.

10. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, turn your water heater temperature
up to 200 degrees. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, turn the water heater off.
On Saturdays and Sundays tell your family they use too much water during the
week, so no bathing will be allowed.

11. Raise your bed to within 6 inches of the ceiling, so you can't turn
over without getting out and then getting back in.

12. Sleep on the shelf in your closet. Replace the closet door with a
curtain. Have your spouse whip open the curtain about 3 hours after you go
to sleep, shine a flashlight in your eyes, and say "Sorry, wrong rack."

13. Make your family qualify to operate each appliance in your house:
dishwasher operator, blender technician, etc.

14. Have your neighbor come over each day at 5 am, blow a whistle so loud
Helen Keller could hear it, and shout "Reveille, reveille, all hands heave
out and trice up."

15. Have your mother-in-law write down everything she's going to do the
following day, then have her make you stand in your back yard at 6 am while
she reads it to you.

16. Submit a request chit to your father-in-law requesting permission to
leave your house before 3 PM.

17. Empty all the garbage bins in your house and sweep the driveway three
times a day, whether it needs it or not. (Now sweepers, sweepers, man your
brooms, give the ship a clean sweep down fore and aft, empty all trashcans
over the fantail.)

18. Have your neighbor collect all your mail for a month, read your
magazines, and randomly lose every 5th item before delivering it to you.

19. Watch no TV except for movies played in the middle of the night.
Have your family vote on which movie to watch, then show a different one.

20. When your children are in bed, run into their room with a megaphone
shouting that your home is under attack and ordering them to their battle
stations. (Now general quarters, general quarters, all hands man your
battle stations.)

21. Make your family menu a week ahead of time without consulting the
pantry or refrigerator.

22. Post a menu on the kitchen door informing your family that they are
having steak for dinner. Then make them wait in line for an hour. When
they finally get to the kitchen, tell them you are out of steak, but they
can have dried ham or hot dogs. Repeat daily until they ignore the menu and
just ask for hot dogs.

23. Bake a cake. Prop up one side of the pan so the cake bakes unevenly.
Spread icing real thick to level it off.

24. Get up every night around midnight and have a peanut butter and jelly
sandwich on stale bread. (midrats)

25. Set your alarm clock to go off at random during the night. At the
alarm, jump up and dress as fast as you can, making sure to button your top
shirt button and tuck your pants into your socks. Run out into the backyard
and uncoil the garden hose.

26. Every week or so, throw your cat or dog in the pool and shout "Man
overboard port side!" Rate your family members on how fast they respond.

27. Put the headphones from your stereo on your head, but don't plug them
in. Hang a paper cup around your neck on a string. Stand in front of the
stove, and speak into the paper cup "Stove manned and ready."
After an hour or so, speak into the cup again 'Stove secured." Roll up the
headphones and paper cup and stow them in a shoebox.

28. Place a podium at the end of your driveway. Have your family stand
watches at the podium, rotating at 4 hour intervals. This is best done when
the weather is worst. January is a good time.

29. When there is a thunderstorm in your area, get a wobbly rocking chair,
sit in it and rock as hard as you can until you become nauseous.
Make sure to have a supply of stale crackers in your shirt pocket.

30. For former engineers: bring your lawn mower into the living room, and
run it all day long.

31. Make coffee using eighteen scoops of budget priced coffee grounds per
pot, and allow the pot to simmer for 5 hours before drinking.

32. Have someone under the age of ten give you a haircut with sheep shears.

33. Sew the back pockets of your jeans on the front.

34. Every couple of weeks, dress up in your best clothes and go to the
scummiest part of town. Find the most run down, trashiest bar, and drink
beer until you are hammered. Then walk all the way home.

35. Lock yourself and your family in the house for six weeks. Tell them
that at the end of the 6th week you are going to take them to Disney World
for "liberty." At the end of the 6th week, inform them the trip to Disney
World has been canceled because they need to get ready for an inspection,
and it will be another week before they can leave the house.

So true

A friend of mine sent these two things to me about military life/ being a submariners wife and I wanted to post them here and add my 2 cents worth to them. 

You know your a Navy wife when...

1) You can unpack a house and have everything in place 48 hours after your belongings are delivered. ( It usually takes me a bit longer than 48 hours because of the kids, but its pretty damn close)

2) Your husband's work and dress clothes cost more than yours do. (yeah, they do. Once you add in the cost of patches and medals and ribbons and all that great stuff)

3) You've changed more oil and mowed more lawns than your husband because he's never there to do it himself. (Actually I bring the vehicles in to have the oil changed, but I do the lawn work more than he ever has)

4) You only write in pencil because EVERYTHING is subject to change (Yeah, like the time we bought a house in Georgia because we were supposed to be there for another 4 years and year  later were moving across country)

5) You have a larger selection of curtains than Wal-Mart does (Yep, I do. Every housing unit we have lived in has different sized windows or more/less windows, because of that your curtain collection grows)

6) You can remember where you kept the Scotch tape in your last house, but unfortunately, not in this one.....you mark time in duty stations, not years.... (I still get in the car and try to drive a route I drove in Georgia, which as you could have guessed does not work out so well when you are across country or will suggest us go grab something to eat at a restaurant they don't have here in WA but we ate at all the time in GA)

7) You know that "back home" doesn't mean at the house you live in now..... (When I say back home I mean Minnesota)

8) You ALWAYS know when payday is and get ticked off if there are more than 2 weekends during that pay period (We get paid on the 1st and 15Th of every month)

9) You know better than to go to the NEX or commissary on payday unless its a life or death situation (I go to a grocery store out in town because on payday those two places (and Costco even though that's off base) are zoos. 

10) You know to respect his detailer... no matter how much you secretly hate him (Yeah, because this is the person who decides where you will end up living/moving too)

11) You can't remember the last time you saw a doctor who wasn't wearing khaki. (In Georgia we had a choice, here we don't)

12) It only cost you $25 to have a child. ( I don't remember it even costing me that, but who knows, I was a new mom and already had crazy hectic stress going on)

13) You pick apart uniforms on TV and in the movies, even though you used to yell at your husband for doing the same thing. (Oh how true this is)

14) You've learned to sleep through the sounds of planes, helicopters, foghorns and jets..... (lets not forget the morning PT when you can hear them singing while they run threw housing, I actually like waking up to that one)

15) You can hate military life but be terrified to leave it all in the same breath! (I'm already freaking out and we still have 12 years before Chris retires)

You know you're a submariner's wife if....

1. You use the words poopie suit, duty, head, and cover in a non perverse way on a daily basis (Even my kids know what these words mean, and Hannah is only 4)

2. You lost count of the number of times you've been on board "The world's most powerful warship" (I remember the first time I went into a submarine. I was wearing a skirt and had to climb down (and then back up) a ladder. I remember Jordan's face of awe and eating diner on board which Jordan to this day can tell you what we had which was pizza and brownies) 

3. You know what time the mid watch is.

4. Youve stayed awake during the mid watch to talk to your husband on the phone. (I will wake up at any hour to talk to my husband regardless of how tired I am)

5. You've eaten on the mess deck and wonder how they can screw up a salad. (Chris has told me horror stories of the things they have screwed up and its so very sad)

6. You've super glued, ironed on, or velcroed a patch onto a uniform. (or conned the local seamstress to get it right by tomorrow and she gets double the price) (I am all about the second option or be the mean wife and make my husband do it because I am afraid of screwing it up)

7. You've lived in any or all of the following cities; Kingsland, GA, Groton, CT, Bangor, WA, San Diego, CA, Norfolk, VA, Pearl Harbor, HI. (We lived in Kingsland, GA for 5 years and are in Bangor, WA currently with a stop over in Groton, CT between the way)

8. You think day after duty is a special holiday. (Duty is when they have to spend the night on board, usually the day after duty they come home after turn over in the morning or early afternoon, I've never been that lucky and see my husband generally around dinner time the next night)

9. You know the difference between a mini day, liberty after field day and fast cruise is.

10. You're husband has ever uttered the words "I'm not at liberty to say" (you have no idea how often I hear this)

11. You can pack a sea bag in under 10 minutes. (I can, but my husband can pack it much better...you would be amazed what you can fit into those things)

12. You know what a TLD, LES, and TVQ are, but you don't know what the letters stand for. (I can happily say I do know what the letters stand for)

13. You've stood on the beach despite snow, rain, or sand gnats to watch the boat pull in. (The second time I saw a boat pull in I was standing on the beach with friends to suddenly be drenched with a down pour of rain and fierce wind that blew sand at us and oh how it hurt. You could not see a hand reached out in front of you much less the river. I also stood in freezing rain 6 months pregnant on the pier and bitter cold weather that made you think you were going to freeze to death and yet I would brave any element for the thrill of seeing that boat pull in)

14. Anything less than 30 days doesn't really count as a patrol. (30 days Is a breeze)

15. The other crew always get the better deal. (Chris is on a one boat crew, so sadly there is no second crew which trust me is nice to have because it means there is a time your husband is not responsible for the boat because the other crew is and you can spend weekends with him and every weeknight when the other crew is in charge of the boat)

16. You know at least 10 guys you would consider friends of the family and yet you still don't know their first name. (I even call my friends husbands by their last names even though I know their first names)

17. You send emails religiously to a system you know is broken. (I so do this)

18. You expect an email everyday from a system you know is broken. (You learn to deal with disappointment fast in this lifestyle, though I now know to not expect an email so if I do get one its a surprise and if I don't its not that big of a deal)

19. You've spent more months of your marriage apart than you have together. (I actually sat down and figured this out, and we have indeed spent more time apart than together)

20. You've actually grown to like sleeping alone. (I hate it when he is gone and would rather him be in my bed but those first few days he is back I cant sleep because he tosses and turns and it takes time getting used to having him there)

21. You use a phone tree. (oh how I love the words "you have a phone tree message"

22. You have your ombudsman's number programed into your phone because something might happen and she is your only contact that can successfully reach the captain. (I learned the hard way when I needed to get ahold of her and did not have her number on hand, now its in my cell phone)

23. You know what "boat smell" is. (I hate the smell before he leaves but love it when he gets back)

24. You know what month it changes from dress whites to dress blues and back again. (I love him in his dress blues)

25. You give him a kiss and a smile when you drop him off at the turn styles and then cry the rest of the way home. (I save the crying till the kids are in bed because you have to be strong for them)

26. You know what it means when your child says “daddy has duty ..again?? and proceed to take all their frustrations out on you” 

27.You know the difference between 3 section and 4 section duty. (oh and how this simple thing seems to make such a difference)

28. You’re strong enough to say ‘No honey, go out in port , enjoy yourself, you deserve it" and patiently wait thru the 20 hour difference in time zones to tell him your child puked all over you during the 10 hr wait in the naval hospital emergency room. (my kids always get sick when he is standing duty or out to sea or on travel)

29. You can honestly accept phone calls, snail mail and web-cams are purely a surface fleet luxury.

30. You have told a creditor “No really, I don’t have power of attorney because he had to work every day until O dark 30 for 6 weeks prior to this deployment but if you want your money you better tell me what the problem is “ (I am so far lucky to not have had to deal with situation, though I have seen many wives go through this.

31.You look at your cat or dog as a “Partner in life” (Gracie is my hugging post and movie night cuddler when my husband is gone)

32. You’ve listened to a surface fleet wife say “it’s been 2 days and I haven’t heard anything from him” and you wanted to punch her. (I have many friends who have surface fleet husbands and never have I wanted to punch them for a comment like this, though I do get annoyed sometimes)

33. You have asked the toilet “Why do you do this every time he leaves”and the air conditioner, the garage door opener, and the dryer......etc.  (Just yesterday I went to open the silverware drawer and the whole front panel came off. It never fails everything goes to crap when the husband is gone)

34. You’ve told your boss after the school calls “You just don’t get it….I’m a single parent regardless of the fact I am wearing a wedding band and the DNA tests proved it is his baby too”

35. You have told your child’s therapist “ You’re kidding, who would have thought ?“ after a diagnosis of separation anxiety and lack of communication. (Hannah has really bad separation anxiety when daddy leaves and it breaks my heart)

36. You check your email every 10 minutes by hitting the send and receive button convincing yourself it has to be the server. (I check my email almost every hour in hopes for that one email that will make my day/week/month. You get the point)

37.You continue to miss and love the absent best friend and husband you know that endures the bare minimum of life’s luxuries to keep his family and this country safe. (The hardest part about deployments is not how much I miss him its knowing that he comes back and the kids have grown and have changed and he missed all of that. He missed plays and choir concerts and dance recitals and birthday parties. He misses a lose tooth or a cute song or a new girlfriend. I cant even begin to imagine what it must be like for him and how hard it must be to miss all of that and feel like your kids are growing up without you really being there and missing it all and yet he does this job for us and I am ever so proud of him)

38. You have accepted the fact that no one will ever understand the loneliness, pain and suffering your heart endures no matter how much they say “ I can imagine what it must feel like”

39. Your husband keeps a watch that counts down his time until shore duty/EOS to the second.

(June 2011 cant come soon enough because that is when we go to shore duty)

40. You spend a majority of the time answering “ I don’t know” to the following questions “when will he be home” Will you make it for the wedding” Can we book the hotel rooms for you now? ”Will you be here for the family reunion” “Will you make it to see us this year”??

(This is very true when it comes to my husbands family)

41. You know the homecoming in a submariner’s life is the one thing that makes it justified. 

(The day you look forward to from the very beginning. The day that you spend hours primping and getting all dolled up and the kids all looking cute with butterflies in your stomach. To see your husband and the smiles that fill his face and the kids face. The running into each other's arms and the honeymoon feeling all over again)

42. You spend crazy money on first kiss tickets in hopes you might be the lucky winner and get your husband off the boat first. (I won once. It was when we also got to have a pier homecoming. Chris was the very first one off that sub and all eyes were on us and I got to run forward and hug and kiss my husband and than he got to leave right away (usually they have to finish up work first and its a few to several hours before they can go home)