let's get real.

Since my phone conversation with my husband got cut short because he had to fall asleep on a cot in the middle of the desert...I am now turning to blabbing about this on my blog.

Lately, and it's been on my heart for a very long time, I have noticed that there are very few people that I have met in this crazy army life that are REAL.  As in, the same person no matter who is around, doesn't think that they are better than others, and just an overall kind person.  And it must really be bad because my husband notices it too...between the wives. 

Sure I have a big personality, but I also have a big heart.  I could not imagine hurting people or acting towards another the way some people have done me in the past few months.  I was telling a friend tonight that it is all so catty...I feel like I'm on an episode of Real Housewives.  Maybe it's from the constant bouncing around to different cities and meeting new people...maybe some people aren't used to "stable" friendships?  Or maybe some people think they need to make big impressions by judging others?

And the biggest thing that pulls on my heartstrings is that I've spent so much of my time investing in these relationships to only find out they are phony.  And now when I need them most {big "D" as I call it} they are no where to be found.  So, my heart is very guarded, but I am starting over.  I no longer trust all and I am looking for very different qualities in friends and hope that this experience has taught me a little about life outside of my "southern bubble" as I call it. 

I know nothing I say will ever make these individuals stop and think about their actions, but I do hope that I can hold myself accountable to never act this way and to treat others with respect, sincere love, and reliable friendship.

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
     - Romans 12:9-10

But to end on a positive note, I have found a couple of really great, true friends on this Alaskan journey and they mean the world to me!

And because all blog posts aren't complete without a picture...this is real...

found in my medicine cabinet the morning after my husband left!  Sometimes I pinch myself just to be sure it's real because I have such an awesome marriage...

Merry Christmas.Happy New Year.Hello 2nd Trimester!

We had a great, quiet Christmas here in the Artic!  We were unable to travel home this year due to some work scheduling so we spent the Holidays in our little home, surrounded by Army Family!  I cannot even begin to tell you how blessed we are to have met such extraordinary people..I couldn't imagine life without them!  I have met some of the greatest couples who I know will be lifelong friends, long after our time in AK is up!  A lot of our great friends were able to travel back to the Lower 48 for Christmas, but there was a handful of us still around who enjoyed the Holidays together!

Tacky Christmas Sweater Party 2010 @ the O'Neill Household

 sweet friends.

 White Elephant Party 2010 at our house. Look at my awesome prize! :)

 We hosted Christmas Eve Dinner at our house and we love having our home filled with people!

Christmas Morning 2010...PJ's, Presents, & Pancakes (breakfast).

A new tradition we started! Our final Christmas just the two of us!



New Year's was spent at one of our friend's house and we rang in the New Year with some delish Apple Cider and then headed home cause I was pooped! We had a great time celebrating with such sweet friends and their house full of kids!  I felt right at home with all the silliness...made me miss my nephews just that much more and got us both excited about the years to come! 2011 is an exciting/challenging year for us, but in the words of my sweet husband "I'm excited about us".  Life is the best it's ever been, and even with the challenges to come I know we will continue to grow together, as a family.

And last but not least..as of yesterday, I'm in the 2nd trimester!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 14 Weeks

Size of baby: A Lemon

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 3 pounds, which I find is so crazy considering how much my belly is poking out!

Maternity Clothes: I have two pairs of Maternity Jeans that are like heaven right now!

Gender: Can't wait to find out this month! :)

Movement: Not yet...

Sleep: Ugh, averaging about 6 hours per week. No joke. I am miserable.  I took Unisom for the first 2 months of my pregnancy and decided to come off of it since my morning sickness has decreased.  I didn't realize how much it was affecting my body until I decided to try to go to sleep without it.  I'm still holding strong by not taking it, but it has been pure exhausting!

What I miss: Feeling cute??

Cravings: Pickles and Apples!

Symptoms: Gagging all the time (embarassing) and lack of sleep.

Best Moment this week: Knowing that in 2011, I'm going to be a MOM!

 

Happy 2011!  May your year be blessed!

justice.

I still remember exactly where I was when I met my friend's boyfriend (later-to-be husband). Wal-Mart. With my Mom. Right in front of the shoe department. I remember walking away from running into them and thinking, man, Shae has found a great guy. She is soooo happy.
I still remember exactly where I was when I received the text message. Living with my best in our tiny little house. Attempting to sleep on the futon in the living room because of all the sirens. June. Summer of 2008. Greg was in WI for his Annual Training with the Army Reserves.

As I read the text that June night my heart feel from my chest and onto the floor.  One of my lifelong best friend's husband had been murdered.  She LITERALLY is the most heartfelt, sweetest, kindest person you will ever meet.  How could this be happening to someone as precious as her?  They had only been married less than a year.  Why him, he was SUCH a great man?  He was so young and full of life.  Their newborn son is in the NICU fighting for his own life, why today?  So many questions.  

Many sad events and sleepless nights later, her newborn son went on to Heaven to be with his daddy.  Why does one person have to endure so much pain?  She is way to young to be experiencing this.  More questions.

Her and I have grown up together..cheering together for many, many years and then dancing together in college. If there was anyone on this Earth that deserved happiness..it was HER!

I cannot explain to you how greatly this affected her, me, and our entire community/state.  I hug a little tighter, pray without ceasing, and most of all, love more passionately.

Today, justice was served. Over 2 years later, he was found guilty of 1st degree murder.  Thank you GOD!
You can read/watch the story here.

{one of my fav moments of Shae}

Shae - I love you. Today, tomorrow, and forever. I pray that you feel Shawn's famous smile today more than ever and know that you are LOVED.  Thank you for being such a shining example of class, dignity, and pride.  You are remarkable and there is a special spot in heaven for you, my lady! 
"Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right." Psalm 106:3 NIV

time.

Am I the only one who feels like I'm going to go to sleep one night & wake up to it being December again?  Man, oh man..time.is.flying!  Recently, I've found myself counting weeks by using events we have coming up..and our calendar is full! :)  No wonder I can't keep track of the days!  We are seriously taking advantage of every opportunity we have here in Alaska & loving it!  I guess if I leave AK in 3 years with only a few recap posts on this blog that means I'm using my time wisely right?

Here's what we've been up to:

Hiking in the gorgeous interior

I shot a gun for the very 1st time!

Hosted a St. Patty's Day Party

Lots of green fun!

Decorated for SPRING!

Got a very sweet Easter surprise!

Went to an amazing church service to worship our Risen Lord!!

Cooked & Hosted a huge Easter feast to share with some "Army Family" since we couldn't be with our real family...

Neighbors & Friends: The O'Neills

Hubs & I :)

Throw in a few random get-togethers and even a fire night, plus work for the hubs & I'm getting started as being a substitute teacher for the school district here and you've got one busy couple! 

My attitude has drastically changed since my last vent/post and I am so thankful for the blessings I am receiving!  I'm such a lucky, lucky girl to be living this life!!  The month of April has many exciting things in store for Greg and I and we both can't wait!  We went to Lowe's tonight and bought items to start working on our outdoor entertaining space..the weather here is SO beautiful and staying daylight until well after 9pm!  In a few more weeks it will be close to 11pm..and countine to move later each evening!  I get so giddy thinking about all the fun we are going to have here this summer and even more giddy thinking about the great friends we get to enjoy it all with!

On another note, I started reading the book Crazy Love today and let me just say, if you haven't read it...RUN to the store to grab it up!  It is absolutely remarkable to be so humbled by our ever-present, all-knowing Creator!  Thank you God, for loving me. forever.

Drum Roll Please....

First off...biggggg CONGRATS to one of my very best friends Katie for her pinning ceremony on Friday! Katie has busted her butt to get through the Radiology Program at SCC and let me tell you, the girl has some skills! :) I'm soo proud of her and I know that she is absolutely going to do wonderful! We have her graduation coming up this Friday evening, but her pinning ceremony was so very special! Katie even got to give the prayer of benediction and it went something like this..."Dear Baby Jesus...6lbs, 12oz...my best friends Shan & Laura are the most amazing people on the planet..." Right Kt?!? haha..j/k.

Here she is in action :)

Blast from the Past: High School Best Friends - L.L.T.P.

some things never change...

We had a great time celebrating at O'Malley's with some fabulous chicken wings! Yum! That place is seriously my favorite place in the world! It's in my old College Town and if you know me at all, you know how much I LOVED college and O'Malley's. They used to have "wing night" every Thursday and you bet your bottom dollar that I was there with bells on...every week..same table..same group of friends! Even if I did get wing sauce on my dress this time (so sad) I did have a fabulous time! :) Here are some pics from the event...

Honestly..this place gets TWO thumbs up!

The Beautifullllll Graduate! :)

My BFF...Laura

Evidence of the Wing Sauce Crime...sad times for this girl. However, I'm loving Kt in the background...

Next up...BIG, BIG, BIG news!! Greg and I found out our duty station! I mentioned before that we found out where he will be going for his BolcIII schooling...but now, we found out what's next after that! I'm not gonna give away the exact location...

However, I will say this:

69 hours from our current home.

4,108.31 miles.

Once we get there in January I'm sure you will be able to tell by some of my pics! :)

holy guacamole! That's some distance! That being said...Greg and I have the chance of a lifetime...and instead of focusing on the negative {how many things I'm going to miss, how far it is, how different it will be, etc} I'm going to focus on just how amazing it is that WE get the chance to live there! I know that God has placed us there for a reason...and I cannot wait to see the outcome! :) Seems like everyone that has heard the news has some rude comment to make, or some snide remark about what I'm going to miss. I'm sooo sick of it! I do believe that hearing people say things like that only make me want to go more! Maybe I'm the only one, but I feel as if when changes occur to someone I know or love, I try to support them in that and not make them feel WORSE for it happening. Greg and I will have each other and make the very best of the situation. Remember that post about remaining positive? Man, it just gets more and more important each day. Who knew that God was preparing my heart for this....

Dollywood Recap

I know, I know..I'm a little late with this recap...but I'll spare you with the lame excuses. I've just been plain out BUSY! Here are some pics from the Dollywood Trip with my BFF. We had an absolute BLAST! It wasn't too crowded and the weather was gorgeous! It was the "Festival of Nations" week at Dollywood so we got to see some awesome shows that aren't normally there! :) I love spending time with the BFF..and let's just say, I probably gained 10lbs from all the stupid fair/festival/greasy/sugary food! The real topper of the day was the hugenormous (yes, i just made that a word) funnel cake! It was my very 1st funnel cake ever & let's just say...I'll never be the same! I was waddling out of that place after I ate it! I threw over 1/2 of it away and I still couldn't breathe because I had consumed so much! Not to mention I paid about a million dollars for it...but I would like to tell myself it was worth every penny...and every pound! The whole next day I laid in bed with a tummy ache. :( Dollywood is so much fun to anyone who has never been, or who is thinking of going. It's not your typical "Amusement Park"..everything has it's special Dolly touch. Enjoy the pics :)

"Charleston" Bird Houses as I call them..I want one!

Some Mexican Dancers..they were fabulous!

We got to tour Dolly's Bus :)

Dolly's Wig

I loveeeee me some pickles!

She loves her some potatoes :)

Kid at Heart.

Thursday I will be here...

With...

My BFF/Sister from a Different Mister/Maid of Honor Laura Beth! :)

{perhaps I will start a Friend Friday so I can tell you just how fabulous she is?}

I soooo cannot wait! We had originally planned to go to Carowinds, but they aren't open during the week yet! What kind of amusement park isn't open on Spring Break?? Have no fear, we will have JUST as much, if not more fun at Dollywood! I haven't been in yearssssss..but LOVE it! My fav. part is the shows! I always swore I would be on one someday..what happened to that dream?!? haha. But don't let me fool you, I'm a SUCKER for the roller coasters! I've gotta go get my outfit ready! I'm thinking capris and my Tevas! :)

I know I haven't been such a good blogger lately, but I've been on-the-go this Spring Break! {and I've been sleeping in till 10 everyday} I miss reading! I will be back soon my loves. Have a great day everyone!