Loving...Not Loving.

I'm LOVING how long my hair is getting. I participated in the post-wedding chop as most newlyweds do and have regretted it ever since!  I am just NOT a short-hair person.  You combine my frizz with short and it is a recipe for disaster.

I'm NOT LOVING the fact that I cannot find any cute, decent priced camel colored riding boots!  I've had my trusty boots since fall of 2009 and they are really starting to show the wear.  I basically live in these boots during fall/winter and am so disappointed that I cannot find a replacement.

I'm LOVING my new pixie pants!  I found them at the most random place..Khols!  I have never been a Khols shopper, but seeing as how they carry Jennifer Lopez and Lauren Conrad I thought I would give it a try.  The ones I ended up buying were from Lauren Conrad and I am obsessed!  I want to go back and buy every single one of her pants..they fit me so well!

I'm NOT LOVING that Vampire Diaries only comes on once a week. How am I supposed to make it to the next Thursday?

I'm LOVING the fact that the sheer thought of how close we are to the end of this deployment puts me in tears! I daydream about Greg returning home 99.9% of my day.

I'm NOT LOVING that my son is growing up so fast on me and it's breaking my heart.  I packed away some of his clothes from when he was only a couple months old and it was emotionally exhausting! ha!

I'm LOVING Essie's fingernail polish in Marshmallow.  Doesn't everybody spend their Christmas money on finger nail polish?

I'm NOT LOVING how pale I am.

I'm LOVING my new Toms. Actually, I think I'm obsessed with my new Toms.

I'm NOT LOVING my "Mom Arms".  They need to go away, quick.

I'm LOVING that I gave Bennett his first comb-over. Makes me laugh so hard.

I'm NOT LOVING the fact that if I even have a sip of caffeine past lunch time then I am up.ALL.night.long! When will I ever learn?  I am a sweet tea addict apparently because my willpower to say "no" to it if I'm out to dinner is impossible.

I'm LOVING watching sweet Baby Bennett sit up on his own and explore.  His mind is so full of wonder.

I'm NOT LOVING that I'm really starting to just get downright SICK of being alone.  At the beginning of deployment I was scared to be alone.  In the middle, I was proud of myself for doing so well alone.  And now, I'm just sick of being alone. I'm ready to have someone to eat dinner with again.

I'm LOVING that there are swimsuits on the racks.  That means we are closer to warm weather and that means our first family vacation! So excited!

I'm NOT LOVING that I only have a few weeks left to shop at Target. Anxiety.

I'm LOVING my son's personality.  It gets no better.

bye bye.

2012. The Year of Impact.

I've mentioned it to several people, but I don't feel that becoming a Mother has changed me.  I do feel, however, that it has made me a MUCH better version of myself.  I still enjoy all the things I did before I had Bennett...shopping, going out with friends, blogging, crafting, cooking, etc.  The only difference is that now, those things take a backseat to my responsibilities as Bennett's mom...as it should!  I feel this way about my relationship with Greg too.  I don't feel that being married to him has changed the person I am..only upgraded me.  He took a girl that was broken, had trust issues, self-esteem issues and loved me.  Loved me like there was no tomorrow.  And because of that, I'm a much better version of myself.

I was thinking back on our New Years celebration last year.  I wrote this post here about the events.  We enjoyed a quiet night in with some great friends and their children that we've met along the Army Journey.  Greg and I had a conversation on the way home about how big of a year 2011 was going to be for us...how challenging it was going to be.  I told him, that no matter what, we would grow together as a family!  He told me that he was "excited about us".  Such a true statement.  I'm so excited to say now that 2011 is over, we've done just that!  We are such a close family...no matter the miles between us.

As I watch my son nap on the monitor and write this blog post, I want to share my feelings on what I want 2012 to be for me.  This year, I want to make an impact.  A big one..on someone's life.

My growth through becoming a Wife and Mom and the strength I've gained through this deployment have given me the tools to relate to people on a very personal level.  A level where most people dare not go.  A level where others get annoyed.  A level where others feel that a pity party is being thrown.  A level where I once was during my postpartum depression. 

When I scroll through my facebook news feed daily, I see so many people struggling.  Struggling with loneliness, parenting, finances, infertility, employment, happiness. 

I want to take it upon myself to help make these people feel better.  An encouraging word can make a lasting impression and turn a day around for someone.  I know, because I've had people do that for me my whole life.  I say all the time that I know the GREATEST people.  I do!  For every negative or hurtful person in my life, God has replaced them with a handful of encouraging, uplifting people.  It has been astonishing to sit back and watch His faithfulness at work in my life. 

I want to be the eyes, hands, voice, and heart who let people know how much they are loved.  Or how great of a job they are doing at something.  Or just how wonderful of a person they are. 

So, forget new years resolutions to lose weight. To save money. To travel more. To get a 6-pack.

I want to focus on what's really important.  And be a first class role model for the person I want my son to become.

2012. The Year of Impact.

Month In Review - #9 {December 2011}

Month In Review - #9 {December 2011}

-Had a few "girls" nights + Bennett.  I LOVE having Bennett and getting to hang out with my friends at the same time.  It's the greatest life.

-Attended an assortment of Christmas parties.  This month is always the busiest of the year with so many events planned!  I feel like we were non-stop, but it was oh-so-fun!

-I was able to get dressed up and enjoy a night out to dinner with my girlfriends while Bennett stayed with Greg's parents.  It was so perfect and I am soooo very thankful to have people here who love my son and take care of him the way I would.  Those nights out are just what I need to put a little more pep in my step and get through another month of this deployment!

-Bennett had his onstage debut when he played Baby Jesus at my parent's church Christmas program.  There was a real live baby goat next to Bennett and let's just say, Bennett was not fond of it!  He cried a little, but nothing that would make me embarassed.  I was extremely nervous!

-Took Bennett to see Santa and it didn't even phase him!  We ended up visiting 2 Santas because I had a serious Mom Fail.  The first pic with Santa was good, but I realized AFTER the pic was printed that you could only read part of Bennett's shirt.  I purchased the shirt for his pic with Santa so I was very disappointed in myself! 

 Soooo, off we go to a second shopping mall and a second Santa. This pic turned out sooooo much better..shirt AND smile! 

-Found out I am going to be an Aunt to another healthy NEPHEW! Bring on the sports, camo, and overalls! 

- Traveled to Tennessee on the day before Christmas Eve and visited family.  Spent Christmas Eve celebrating Tash's birthday and having a big meal/opening presents with family.

-Continued the tradition of pj's/presents/pancakes with Bennett on Christmas morning.  We had a great time checking out what Santa brought my good little boy and it made me estatic for the years to come! 

-Celebrated Christmas Day by attending church, lunch with my family, and dinner/presents with Greg's family.  It was a busy, busy day and we are both still recovering!

-Bennett turned SIX months old and I threw him a little birthday bash!  My family and close friends will not be in AK to celebrate his first birthday so why not celebrate the halfway point?  I never need an excuse to party.  It was SUCH a great time and everything turned out exactly like I had visioned it.

-Bennett met his Great Memere and Pepere on Greg's side for the first time.  They travel down from Maine every winter.

-Bennett got his very first TOOTH on the last day of December!  The second one is not far behind!  He had been having a time with it so I was so glad when he woke up and it had finally broke the skin! He looks so cute with it in his little mouth..but just another sign that he's growing up!

-We celebrated the New Year together at Aunt Laura's house with friends.  Ok, technically Bennett was a party pooper and left the scene early when Nana came and got him and put him to bed.  But we still had a great few hours together leading up to 2012...the year we've been WAITING on forever!  New Years also made me even more thankful for friends who help fill the lonely moments.  I can honestly say I had SUCH a great time and I think that that is so important during this deployment!

wasn't Bennett such a stud on the very last day of 2011?!?

Now...as if my sweet son wasn't eye candy enough...

 This looks soooooooo good to me!  Today, we hit the 100 day mark until exactly one year from when Greg left! Bring on the double digits!

January:
-Celebrating family birthdays
-Bennett's 6 month well-visit at the doctor, which also means shots!
-MORE girls nights..I promise, they never get old!
-Celebrating Abby's 1st Birthday!
-Bennett turning 7 months old.
-{Hopefully} visiting our great friends Aubree and Brandt who are in the south from Alaska!  We miss them!!

Happy 2012, friends!  It is going to be BEAUTIFUL!