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.

30 Before 30.

I tend to do much better with short-term goals so a Bucket List wouldn't be of much use.  I present to you 30 Before 30..{which is approaching WAY too fast}.

1. Run a half marathon.

2. Have another child (or two?). ha!

3. Go an entire month without eating out, this also counts drinks & snacks. Grocery store purchased items only.

4. Go to Disney World or Disney Land.

5. Reach my goal weight.

6. Buy a Louis Vuitton.

7. Buy a strangers coffee at Starbucks. Just because.

8. Live internet-free for an entire week.

9. Bake something for a new neighbor.

10. Make a new best friend...for life.

11. Send someone flowers.

12. Let go of hurts...for good.

13. Blog about Bennett's Birth Story. ha!

14. Own a sewing/monogramming machine..& learn how to use it.

15. Throw a ridiculous awesome party, or two.

16. Scrapbook a major life event: wedding, honeymoon, Bennett?

17. Fly alone with Bennett.

18. Travel out of country again.

19. Go rollerskating.

20. Sponsor a child through Compassion.

21. Go on a Mission Trip.

22. Go to Hawaii.

23. Help a family in need provide Christmas for their children. Perhaps start this as a family tradition.

24. Own a treadmill.

25. Go on a camping trip with Greg & Bennett.

26. Use only CASH for an entire pay period (except bills).

27. Go on a big Girls Trip..somewhere warm!

28. Go to a concert.

29. Ride a Train.

30. Go out Dancing with Greg.

I'll be revisiting this several times and mark my progress over the years.  I only have 3.5 years, but I think I can make it happen!

I...

* I love to blog while Greg's away.  Lately, I have found myself censoring my words for fear of what someone might think or how someone could read it the wrong way.  That ends now.  People, I don't like seafood so you won't see me dining at Red Lobster once a week.  If you do not like me or what's on my heart, please do us all a favor and stop reading.

* I had a weak moment Friday night while driving home and was astonished at how long it has been since I've allowed myself to have one.  It felt good to get it out of my system.  I'm kinda tired of putting on the "strong" front all day/every day.  The loneliness is creeping in..especially with Christmas here.

* I still think Bennett is the cutest kid. ever. in history. end of story.

* I sat down and thought about what it will be like to have a help-mate when it comes to raising Bennett.  I just cannot imagine someone else to help give bathtime, entertain during playtime, or even feed him his squash.  Such a foreign concept for me, but I cannot wait to experience it! Time is passing!

* I am so obsessed with The Vampire Diaries right now.  I've watched Seasons 1&2 and caught up on Season 3 in one week flat! Got me to thinking about my adoration for Twilight also.  I think what it is about vampires that us girls love so much is their intensity.  They love so deeply it's a tad-bit ridiculous. 

* I talk a lot about our marriage on this blog, but I want to be the first to tell you that it isn't perfect.  No marriage is, but I put in 150% of my energy into making it not only last, but grow.

* I'm kinda, sorta, maybe getting sick of seeing people who get to be with their spouse day-in and day-out take advantage of it. Either it be bad moods, fights, or simply just not making the time for each other...it makes me ill.  Life is far too short for that.

* I think Greg's Christmas package has gotten stollen somewhere between here and there and I am one upset wife! More than anything else in the box, I'm most sad that he will never get to read the letter I included.

* I couldn't tell you the last time someone asked how I'm doing...and genuinely cared about the answer.

* I feel that everyone has a defining moment in life and I feel as if mine has been this deployment. I'm working on a post about it and I'm not going to hold back anymore.

* I kinda want to disappear and Christmas be over. It's a lot harder than I ever thought about. Come on 2012!

* I am uncontrollably infatuated with my son.

* I, by no means, think that admitting I had a weak moment makes me any less of wife, mother, or friend.

* I need a fur vest and new riding boots before I go back to AK.

* I am looking forward to a bubble bath in our Alaskan home.

* I found this picture and I immediately started laughing.  Everyone talks about Bennett's eyelashes.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. This was engagement day. {click on it to make it larger if you cannot see} 

* I also found this picture from about 4 years ago. Good times.

* I love looking through old pics.  Greg & I have had some serious fun!  Life is way better with him by my side! Ah, love.

Life as we know it.

WHERE to begin?!?

Oh, I know.

The little guy who held residence in my belly for 9 months...

Is now this smiley 10 week old!

Bennett Myles W.

June 27, 2011

2:17 pm Alaska Time

8lbs 4 ozs

21.25 inches

To say that he has stolen my heart is an understatement.  Who the heck was I before I became a mom?!?

The past 2 months have been the most incredible/awe-inspiring/challenging/rewarding/emotional months of my life! I know every new mommy knows this...but being a mother is the most humbling experience in the world! We've had a lot of ups and downs so far, but I wake up every morning thanking God for choosing me as the mother to raise this sweet, long-legged, clingy, smiley, his daddy-made-over, tummy-problem little boy!

When I look at Bennett I cannot help but think of the scripture in Jeremiah...

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..." - Jeremiah 1:5

God has such great plans for my baby and each new day I am thrilled to watch him develop and grow! He sure does love his mommy and lights up when he hears his amazing daddy's voice via Skype or DVD!

I realize I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog and I really want to have these memories posted to look back on..so, I'm working on it! We are now closing in on Month #5 of this deployment! I still LOVE marking my days off the calendar.  I also want to post Greg's R&R experience & Bennett's birth story, but no promises on when that will happen! For now..I'm soaking in every single memory because I already know they grow up too fast. 

You may or may not find me dancing around the room to this song with my sweet little man...

And I may or may not had a crying breakdown when he was 4 days old & I was dancing with him because I was already picturing us dancing at his wedding. Oh the joys...

Month In Review: #1 {April 2011}

Happy May!  I've seen a lot of bloggers do this to help recap their time during the Big "D".  I think it will be great for me to see what I accomplish each month and what exciting things I have to look forward to in the month ahead!  Soo, I'm officially starting:

Month In Review: #1 {April 2011}

-Went on our last Date Night "just the two of us"...next time I see my husband we will have a baby boy tag along! :)

-Said "see you soon" to the one man on this earth who is my absolute best friend.  A long year awaits...

-Began eating my 1 Hersey Kiss for breakfast each morning.

-Had a girls day at Aubree's the day after our husbands left and consumed almost a whole plate of brownies!  Thankfully, I had already passed my glucose test!

-Received my first phone call and almost peed my pants!  Take note, there is a baby on my bladder and I get overly excited at any chance my husband is on the other end! Thank goodness for cordless phones and being at home when emergency strikes. :)

-Mailed off 2 Care Packages along with a Letter.

-Walked in two 5k's..or should I say waddled?

-Finished up shopping for the nursery..humidifier=check!

-Learned what it was like to not even go to the bathroom without my cell phone attached to my hand...or what it felt like to realize you weren't signed onto skype or facebook the entire night and had missed a chance to chat with your husband.  

-Got an Easter Basket full of flowers on my front porch the day before Easter...the Easter Bunny came all the way from a war zone!! :) 

-Celebrated Easter at my amazing church and then lunch with sweet friends afterwards

-Got to see my sweet husband's face and all of the worry and anxiety I had been feeling for 2 weeks was completely washed away for those 20 minutes.

-Went to a dentist appt for a cleaning and discovered that my gums are bleeding so bad from this pregnancy!

-Began having nightmares...

-Read Behind the Blue Star Banner in 2 days flat! Best Book EVER! If you are the wife of a deploying husband..and especially if you're pregnant...Run to get this book!

-Began turning officially crazy when I jumped up out of bed smiling because I had just heard my husband come home from PT one morning...nut job, this girl!

-Went to my 31wk Doctor's Appt and heard Bennett's heartbeat..adore that sound!

-Celebrated Aubree's 23rd Birthday with a surprise dinner at Silver Gulch! Such a good night!

{how fabulous is that going to be when it's all green??}

Overall, I'm glad this month is over! Not to wish my life away or anything..but I think the change in calendar will do me some good!  A new month..a new start..and a new opportunity to grow! Here's what I have to look forward to in the Month of May:

-A trip to NC..family, friends, sunshine, getting a tan, shopping..JOY!

-Attending 2 baby showers..I LOVE celebrations with friends.  I think every day should be celebrated when you have such wonderful people in your life!

-A roadtrip to see my college bestie, Britty! Girls Weekend = Long Overdue!

-Celebrating my birth as I turn the big 2-6!

-Celebrating my nephew's 3rd birthday..that can't be right?  He was JUST born!

Happy May, friends! xoxo

toys running the streets and day 8. a photo that makes you angry/sad.

ok..back on track.  It was the Summer Solstice weekend here in AK and if you have ever been in Alaska you know that Summer Solstice=tons of fun!  Our days & nights were jammed packed full of activities, one of them being a 10k!  I am so proud of myself for completing the 6.2 miles and for actually running 6 of those 6.2 miles!  This was my very first 10k and I absolutely LOVED it!  Greg and I have already decided to try our first 1/2 marathon in August..training mode has taken over!  Here in our town of Alaska the Midnight Sun 10k Run is a sight to be seen!  Some people dress up in costumes to celebrate the 24-hours of sunlight and of course, I participated.  I'm not exactly one to let fun times slip by...
10,000 points to whoever can guess what we were? :) 

pre-race:

post-race:

We seriously felt like celebrities the entire race {and no, I ran in pink tennis shoes, not the pink heels}!  Kids, and adults, went bananas for us!  I've never taken so many pictures for people in my life..it only confirms that I was wrong to not trust my gut and audition for Tinkerbell at Disney World the summer I graduated from college!  And because I just love my husband & his hilarious ways, I have to show you guys this pic!

It takes one creative man to figure out how to wear cowboy boots AND run a 10k!  Nice work, babe!

So..speaking of running/working-out/in-shape{ness}.  Here's my day 8 pics:

Angry: because I don't look like this anymore.

Sad: because I did it the complete wrong way.

But ya know what?  I'm happy now.  That's more than I can say for myself back then.  Both these pics were taken when I was a Senior in College ('07) and honestly, I was a tad-bit crazy brained about working out.  I woke up, worked out, went to class, went for a long run, went to work, worked out, attended my group x classes, then went to dance practice, and usually ate a hot dog {no bun} for dinner. No joke. Too much on the body?  Absolutely.  I saw the gym as an opportunity to relieve stress and so I smothered myself in it.  Sure, I would love to look like this again, and by training the proper way I hope to obtain my goal.  First stop, 5k on the 4th of July! 

day 6. tickles my fancy.

Since today is all about tickling my fancy, here's what REALLY hit home with me today.

My husband just finished up a training class last night for the Army and earned a new badge.  {so proud of you babe!}  This class was one of the toughest things Greg has encountered in a very long time...only approximately 30 passed and the class started with near 70 students.  I can't even begin to tell you how many hours my poor husband spent with his nose in the books during the past 3 weeks.  Literally, the extent of our conversations went something like this:

Me: Welcome home

Greg: Thanks baby.

[a few hours later]

Me: I love you, here's your dinner.

Greg: Thanks Shan..I love you too.

[a few hours later]

Me: Going to bed now..I love you.

Greg: I love you too..sweet dreams.

repeat next day.

And that's it.  For three weeks, I saw my husband physically at night, but mentally, he was checked out..and for good reason.  Finally, when he arrived back to our house Tuesday night at 11pm, sweaty, hungry, dirty, dusty, sun-burnt, and drained..all of his hardwork had officially paid off! :)  I don't know if me or him was more excited for that moment!  Where am I going with all this??

Well, yesterday, my husband had a much deserved day off!  We slept in...lounged on the couch, he got to take a nap (which I can't remember the last time he did) while I went to lunch with my girlfriends {love them!}, we went around town & even bought our first vegetable plant, came home to cook dinner together, went for a fabulous walk beside the river on post, cleaned our house, put lampshades on, shredded some files, caught up on DVR shows, and fell asleep side by side.

My day was jammed packed FULL of little moments.  Ya know, those moments where you pinch yourself because you can't really believe this is real life.  The moments where you have the biggest smile slapped across your face and you can't get it off.  The moments where you are absolutely 100% positive that this is where you are supposed to be and who you are supposed to be with.  Just the two of us...

Moving on, Greg and I both know that we are going to be parents. one day. Lord-willing. Unlike Carrie & Big...SATC reference ;)..we don't want it just be the two of us, forever.  Rather it be by having a biological child or by adoption, our family will grow..and we both sooooo look forward to that day when God blesses us with the gift of a child.  Isn't it that we are always eager and anxious for the next stage in life?  Maybe it's finding Mr. Right, Graduating from college, Marrying Mr. Right, Having your first child, retiring & traveling with Mr. Right...the next stage in life seems way more appealing than where we are now.  I've always lived like this, and when I look back on my past memories [high school, college, our wedding] I wish I would have embraced them more and appreciated them for the awesome moments they were.

All of my little moments I've had with my husband recently have made me appreciate the here and now.  God has us here for a very specific reason and it feels great to just enjoy it...today.  And that, my friends, tickles my fancy.

day 5. favorite quote(s).

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
                  -Jeremiah 29:11


"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
                  -Psalm 37:4

day 4. favorite book(s).

no surprises here. addiction.

this book is AMAZING.

and this book is fabulous, the movie absolutely STINKS.  I honestly wish I would have never gone to see it...

And for a fav. children's book {which I cannot wait to read to our child(ren) one day}

day 3. favorite tv show(s).

Love the Army Wives show on Lifetime. Sure, some of it is complete and total ridiculousness, however, I'm still hooked.  And as sad as it may be, some of my non-military friends enjoy the show and get a tiny little glimpse into my life.

If you come into my house and flip on the TV..there about a 99.9% chance it will be on HGTV.  My favorite channel of all time!  I am obsessed with home decor and home buying/selling...Greg and I have always had a lifetime goal to flip a house one day & we make such a great team!  He's the handyman and I'm the one with design & style knowledge! :) Here's a couple of my favorites:

Again, love anything related to dance and this show never disappoints.

And last, but certainly not least, this is my favorite duo!  If I ever got the chance to meet Stacy London I think my life would be complete! {but hopefully not because I got put on the show!}

day 2. favorite movie.(s)

there it is...I'm coming out of the closet.  I'm a happily married 25-year old who has a ridiculous love for the Twilight Saga.  Team Edward by the way! 10 million points to whoever can tell me what my favorite day in June is going to be?
How embarassing....no, really. Whoever opened up every Twilight book and Twilight movie and inserted crack cocaine....you should have to pay for this.

Moving on..here are a few other fan favorites:

Can it get any better than this?!? I'm a BIG dance movie fan.

I do love my favorite group of girlfriends.

And drumroll please for the #1 movie of all time:

Oh yes..I can quote almost the ENTIRE movie.  I could watch this movie once a week for an entire year and never get sick of it..it's that fabulous!

day 1: a new challenge & favorite song.(s)

So today, I decided to start a new challenge.  It's 30 days of designated blogging material..I got the idea from Ashley at Daddy's Duty and decided to give it a try.
Day 01 - your favorite song
Day 02 - your favorite movie
Day 03 - your favorite television program
Day 04 - your favorite book
Day 05 - your favorite quote
Day 06 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 08 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 - a photo of you taken recently
Day 12 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - a fanfic
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a YouTube video
Day 24 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - this month, in great detail
Day 28 - this year, in great detail
Day 29 - hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - whatever tickles your fancy

Here goes nothing...
Day 1: Your favorite song.
Picking just one favorite song would just be a crime for me considering I absolutely LOVE music & have a wide range of favorites.  I like everything from classic rock, hip hop, pop, country, contemporary christian, and alternative.  So per true Shannon fashion...I'll mix up the rules & list a few..in no particular order.

A classic. How can you NOT love this song?  Brings back soooo many college memories.


Colbie Calliat..one of my favorite artists of all TIME. so organic and real.




You might kill me for posting this video..but I couldn't find a better version.  Oh well...my husband and I both adore OAR.  I think it's against the law to not..


And lastly...I leave you with one of the most influencial songs in my LIFE. Greg and I saw Brandon Heath in concert once & let's just say..I am forever changed.  I've wrote about this song before on this blog, but man, I so desperately have a longing for missions, both foreign & domestic, and this song only magnified that.


Back tomorrow with favorite movie(s). Happy Saturday!

2 very IMPORTANT things.

1) Listen to every single lyric in this song.

God's timing is flawless..for I heard this tonight, one of the hardest days of my life.

I have been very absent lately..and for that, I will not apologize. To say I've been dealing with alot is an understatement..and 1/2 of the stuff I'm dealing with no one knows about. I know there are other military wives out there who have to be able to understand me on this: but do you ever feel as if you are always the support system and never have one yourself?!? I feel as if I try and try and try to build my husband up...Constantly giving him 1,000% of me so he can continue to do well in his training and such...and it leaves me feeling SO empty. He is amazing to me while he is away, please do not get me wrong, but I feel as if I have absolutely no one to lean on to build me back up, make me feel needed and appreciated...and to reinforce that I'm doing something right. And that's not even HALF of the emotions I'm feeling...

I know that God has the plans for our future...but getting through the hard times is never easy on anyone. Lately, has been one of those hard times. A very important time for both Greg, myself..and our future. And after today, I can honestly say that I am married to the man God created for me...because no matter how much pain my heart may feel, I would rather experience this pain than live without the love and friendship of my husband.

Sorry for the emotional babble..but I have GOT to get this off my chest.

2)go HERE! If you have internet access you do not have an excuse to not do this...takes all of 2 seconds and the lives you will touch will be endless.

randomness.

Today will be random.

-I've been going through a "rough spell" lately. I'm not quite sure if it's the fact that I have been living in a different state for 4 months now & haven't had any visits from my lifelong friends or the fact that I'm moving to Alaska the week after Christmas. I'm not sure. The only people thus far who have came to visit are our parents (which was awesome) but really makes me question how strong my friendships really are. I have one friend who literally never calls, never texts, never anything. And if she does, it's to tell me something about her life. In the last 3 months, she has NEVER asked how Greg and I are doing. This disturbs me...a lot.

-We attended a General's Reception here at Ft. Lee this past Friday. Greg and I actually had A LOT of fun! We love meeting older people and hearing their stories in the military. And of course, they had fun with us because we have such an interesting move coming up! I'm living here in Virginia with only a suitcase full of things because the rest of our items are in storage. When Greg told me about the reception on MONDAY I immediately knew I had nothing worthy of wearing...so off shopping I went. I love the little dress I wore and it will be a great addition to my wardrobe.

My husband is handsome.


-I am extremely excited & a tad-bit nervous for my husband to attend Airborne Training in 2 weeks.

-Greg's parents came up & took us to DC for the weekend a while ago & I never posted about it. But here's a few pics...we had a GREAT time & saw so many sights! Needless to say, my little feet were HURTING by the time we got home!




-Completely opposite my first thought, but I'm ready to get to Alaska & get SETTLED IN! I'm ready to have a home, start Newlywed life, make NEW girlfriends, and get involved in a church. Army Temporary Lodging has for sure made it's mark on me. I'm OVER it. Peacing out of here in 8 days. Thank the good LORD!

-Greg and I are going through a moment together right now (to be left unspoken) that no doubt is drawing us closer to one another and Christ. We could use prayers as we seek His will for our lives.

-Hubby turned 28 at the end of September & we had a fabulous day celebrating together. Of course, he had to work, but I spent the entire day making him breakfast, lunch, & dinner..along with many surprises!



-It is POURING the rain here in Virginia and I feel like I might float away. Makes me seriously stay in my baggy sweatpants 24/7. My poor husband...

-WCU Homecoming was nothing short of a BLAST! I loved seeing all of my girlfriends and re-living our days together!




-I adore Christmas music on Pandora & Holiday drinks @ Starbucks.

-I need more warm clothes.

-I have a very special post coming up...in honor of Veteran's Day, but with a different spin on things.

-I wish my Mom would get appreciated more for all the things she does.

Help!

Ok girls, I need a new name! "Mr. & Mrs. in Training" just isn't cutting it anymore. I mean, for instance, I started this blog when my husband (then fiance) went away to Officer Training. Well, he's done..he's trained! And I was in training to become a wife. Now, in no way do I think I am an expert in this matter, but I've been a Mrs. for 3 months now and the name just.doesn't.fit.

So this is where you all come in....
I need a blog title! You guys know a little bit about me so I figured I would see if you guys could think of anything creative. Some of y'alls blogs out there are the most creative things I've ever seen!! Throw me anything you got...and there just might be a prize for the reader who can help me! :) Thanks girls! xoxo

WCU Homecoming Madness

Tonight, Greg and I are heading to NC for the weekend! It's our alma mater's homecoming this weekend and we are pretty dang excited about it! I've mentioned before, but Greg and I met in college! I still cannot believe that this is my THIRD Homecoming as an alumni! No doubt about it, those 4 years were the BEST of my life!! It's going to be so fun going back to our old stompin' grounds as a married couple! Last year when we went back we were newly engaged and Greg even mentioned that he ALMOST made a plan to propose to me during halftime with the Dance Team on the field! {since I used to be on the team} Holy crazy he is!! :) So thankful he decided to do it on-top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere...

Anyways, here's some blast-from-the-past pictures to get me in the spirit of Western Carolina Homecoming! :)

This was right before my Graduation Party! It was actually a month long celebration, but this is a pic from one of the nights! Bittersweet, for sure!


Charleston for the SoCon Tournament


Catamount Madness during Spirit Week!


That's me right up front..Senior Year :)


Before the Homecoming Parade in 2006!


Back in 2005! After performing about 10 times that day..I promise we didn't always look this rough!


Singing the WCU Song...good times. Especially after you JUST got done performing for about 10 mintues in 90degree heat.


Football games were so much FUN! I'm in the front left :)


Team Photo 2004-2005...holy forever ago! However, one of these girls is a Carolina Panther TopCat and another is a Washington Redskins Ambassador! And in case you're wondering...there are no pro sports teams in Alaska! :( I've already looked into it...boo!


And you better believe this place will be involved! :)


AND I'm looking forward to seeing these two beauties...Ashley & Jackie! They both went to Western same time as I did and are just absolutely the sweetest!

Do any of you go back for Homecoming?!?

Gooooooooooo CATS!!! :)

Adopt A US Soldier. Just do it.

Greg's cousin posted about this on her facebook the other day and it completely excited me! {thanks Alaina!} I ran straight to THIS webpage and signed right up! I got the email containing my soldier's information from the website and immediately sent my soldier an encouraging email introducing myself and letting him know that I promised to be a support system for him as he fights for me! Yes, I said it...me, and my freedoms!


Being married to a soldier sometimes makes it easy to opt-out of other opportunities. Often times I hear wives say, I've already adopted a soldier, I married one! Yes, in fact, I did marry one, but I also know how much it would mean to my husband to receive support from a stranger who appreciates him! And who better knows how to support a soldier than an Army Wife?!?

Now, I'm not saying you must be an Army Wife to do this...if you have about 5 spare mintues and $.44 for a stamp a week, you should do this! It costs absolutely NOTHING to sign up..just a valid email addy. You can send emails, write letters, send newspapers from where you're from, send magazines, send care packages, or simply add them to your prayer list! If you are a teacher then your classroom could adopt a soldier..or if you have kids let them adopt a soldier and make things for him/her, draw pictures, crafts, etc! Even a small group at your church or sunday school class!

I'm on my second email with my soldier and working on finding out his likes/dislikes. I just now mentioned to him that I am an Army Wife, but do you wanna hear something really crazy and cool?? I sent him my first email introducing who I am and where I live now, but also where I am moving to and how I recently got married in July. Keep in mind that when you are signing up for this you don't have to mention anything about who you are...they don't match you with someone that you will have something in common with. They simply send you a random soldier's contact information. Well, I got up this morning and checked my email to find a response from Jason {my soldier}. Guess where Jason is stationed at?!? THE SAME STATE WE ARE MOVING TO and..he's a newlywed, he got married in August!! How completely ironic and a total gift from God! He told me that if I have any questions about the area to just let him know! He also told me that he had signed up to be sponsored before & had gotten a 3rd grade class to support him! He said that it helped out so much during his time away from home! I am just over the moon excited to have this opportunity!

Please, please, please get a group of people together or just you and your spouse go visit this website and get the information for a soldier. I know the soldiers, the military community, and especially the loved ones of the soldier would appreciate it far more than you will EVER know! They are giving you the freedom..so use it to support them! :)