Beyond the Cammies: April 2012

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Off to Florida!

Source: flickr.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

There will be limited posts the next week. We are finally leaving tomorrow to pick up our Marine and to spend the week celebrating my baby sister and my new brother. I can't wait to spend some good family time at the beach!

Don't Give Up

Yesterday at my MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers), we had a very touching speaker. She talked about how everyone has a story. She encouraged us to look beyond what we see on the outside, and really take the time to get to know people's story. The lady at the checkout counter may be moving slow. Before getting angry and jumping to conclusion, create conversation with them. You may be surprised they need your prayers. She also encouraged us not to give up. We all are hurting and we need to really be there for each other and pray for each other. This really hit home for a number of reasons. I feel that God guided me to this group a few weeks ago to give me people in my life that I can pray with and talk with during this difficult time.

I also believe he led me to this group to grow in my faith. I was born and raised Catholic. We were married in the Catholic church and have begun to raise our kids Catholic. I love the reverence and the tradition of the Catholic church, but have really been longing to get to really know Jesus and really be taught the Bible. I have began connecting with a few of the other gals in my group and asking questions. It is amazing to me that I formed an immediate connection with one of the gals. We started talking and I just got the chills. She was had gone to the college I went to, had been in real estate and now is staying home to take care of her kids. She also had been a social worker and also loves to swim. I have been talking with her lately about her faith. She is the kind of person that when you talk to her and see her, you immediately see Jesus. I long for that in my life. I long for Jesus to be part of my marriage.

I realized that as a Catholic you learn prayers, but you really don't learn to pray. I have always wanted to develop that. I started E-mailing her yesterday asking how she chose her church. Little did I know, she was born and raised Catholic and she also was longing to be taught. She got me thinking about how AJ would react to me looking to make a move to a nondenominational christian church. So, I started texting him yesterday. I asked him why we are Catholic? He was a little thrown off by my texts, but it got him thinking as well. We came to the agreement that I am start exploring other options. The church I am looking at visiting also has all of their sermons online, so that AJ could also be a part of the church while he is away. I am excited about this journey. I know that we continue to be Catholics because we didn't know any different. Our families just had been Catholic. My parents aren't practicing and AJ really hasn't been for awhile. I am excited to grown and develop my faith and make it a priority in my marriage.

It Is Near

Source: singingthroughtherain.net via Jen @ on Pinterest

Today has been hard. Not sure exactly why. I had lunch with a friend and explained the military life to her. Ask I talked with her, I realized that even though I am ecstatic to see my Marine in a few days, I know that the hard good bye is at the end. It has been 7 months since my Marine left. His deployment has been pushed back and we have done a lot of waiting. I told AJ today, "I am just done. I am ready to bring you home." Our youngest just turned one. You can see that we haven't spent much time as a family of 5. At the end of this week, the worry of war returns. The sleepless nights, holding on to every phone call, and sleeping with the computer.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Blog Spring Cleaning

It was time to clean up the blog and give it more of a springy summery look! I have played and played and I finally have things they way I want it. It is amazing the tutorials out there, that make blog design quick and easy. Here are a few I found as I was "cleaning" up. Love to hear your thoughts! I hope it is easier to navigate!

Source: songbirdblog.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

Source: kevinandamanda.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

Source: memoriesoncloverlane.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

Source: designerblogs.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

Month of the Military Kid

I was so excited to wake up to hear that my kiddos have been selected as Military Kids of the Day by the National Military Family Association! I am so proud of them and the sacrifices they make!

Evil Molars

It has been a long sleepless week. Not only have I not been able to get myself to bed, but Mr. G and his molars have also had other plans. I woke up at one point asking AJ to please get up next, then quickly realized it was still all me. I guess I know how I will be spending my kid free day. I have been in such a fog from the lack of sleep. I sure hope it works itself out before classes start in two weeks. Boy am I looking forward to some help next week.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Military Marriages

I heard today of another beautiful former military couple, splitting. It just breaks my heart. After 15 years of this life, we have seen so many of our friends separate. We all have this picture in our heads of how a reunion and homecoming should be. Our heads are filled with how our world will be perfect when our military loved one comes home. The reality is that it takes work. Lots and lots of work.( Even years after the deployment or separation. )You have to find ways to grow not only as a couple, but as an individual. You have to find ways to be creative and stay in love after months and months apart. After the service member leaves the service, feelings of loss and guilt often consume the service member. They see their buddies still coming and going to war, and for whatever reason they left that life behind.

If you are having readjustment issues, even years later. Don't hesitate to call your deployment buddies. You will be surprised how many of them are going through the same things you are (even years later). Get professional help! There was a year that AJ and I were either at the priest or a counselor. We were not willing to give up on our marriage. Remember, marriage is not easy. Military marriages are even harder. Remember the reason you fell in love. I pray that getting my masters degree will open up opportunities to work with other military families.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Our Week

I wanted to share some photos from our week. Graycen has been a crazy monkey as you can see. This was one of those moments I struggled with getting my phone or getting him down. I couldn't let the moment not be documented!

Miley has been crazy. I think she knows something is up with the suitcases out. She has chewed up a ton of things including two of my heels. Of course from different pairs of shoes.

Keegan passed up my Mom. That is a moment to document. As soon as you pass up the Mamaw, you are officially a big kid!

AJ enjoyed some time in CA with some good friends of ours. They had a little poker night and he was forced to wear a Miami hat. I am surprised he doesn't have burn marks on his head from it.

I have been packing. Florida can't come soon enough. Graycen is ready to go!

This is a crazy busy week. The kids have a ton of activities and it seems as if I will be in and out of the garage more then I am home this week.

Desk Space

Ready to Go!

My Ikea table came this weekend! Keegan and I about killed each other putting it together, but it is up and I am ready to go! Now, for organization and shelving. The table is $59.00 at IKEA ( I paid more on Ebay, because we don't have an IKEA. The chair was $99.00 from Office Max. My green bin with my books in it came from Target ($2.50!)

Source: beyondthecammies.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

For shelving I decided I want IKEA floating shelves. I think 2 will do. I am excited that IKEA will ship those for a minimal shipping cost. I love this look! It is all coming together. Now if I can get my grant finalized!

Source: frommygreydeskblog.com via Jen @ on Pinterest

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Deployment Battle Buddy

Kim is my "deployment husband" or battle buddy. We have many long late night conversations ! I have stood in for her husband at a recent award ceremony. We threw together a quick dinner last night. She made G cake. They were fast friends!

Transferring Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

My husband decided to transfer his post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to me. He has no plans to continue his education and we decided that it may not be a good idea to keep it for the boys. It has been a process!This website has been the most helpful. Everyone at the school and the VA kept telling me to be patient. Well, when I was patient, my application got lost, my benefits got denied, and now I wait. The reason my benefits got denied, was that my husband needed to extend his contract. They must serve 4 years after the grant has been transferred. So, luckily he is at a major military base and can meet with his career planner. Once that is done, I will probably have to resubmit my application for benefits to the VA. Did I mention school starts in two weeks?

To get the process rolling you will have to go to this site. There your service member can access the transfer application. (This is not handled by the VA. ) This has to be accepted before the VA can process your application. This is the part you need to make sure the service member has enough time left or extend their contract. Once that is done and accepted, you fill out an application through the VA. Here is another pamphlet with some great information! Good luck and don't let this benefit pass you by!

Lesson learned when using any VA benefits: Be proactive! When they tell you to be patient, ignore it and call daily! My school doesn't seem to be concerned, so I will let it all fall into place (with my daily phone calls.)

Few Hours Left

Just a few hours left to enter the giveaway for Michelle Cuthrell's Beyond the Blue Star Banner book! It is a great read for anyone who has gone through a deployment, is going through a deployment, or wants to know more about a deployment. Enter now! You won't regret it. It honestly changed my perspective on facing my 6th deployment.

Waiting

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I have to say this week did go by really fast. Next week, I have something scheduled everyday. I have to admit, I have the baby packed and stuff for AJ in the suitcase. I have laid out stuff for me and haven't even thought of packing the big boys. I am ready to be there now! Just over a week!

As much as I can't wait for moments like this.....

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This has to come again....

Source: Uploaded by user via Jen @ on Pinterest

But it will be the last! (I'd say FOREVER, but I have heard that before!)

Source: Uploaded by user via Jen @ on Pinterest

Are you on Pinterest? If so.... I want to connect with you. This is what is being "pinned" from my blog. I have a huge Deployment/ Military Wife board, I'd love for you to follow! Isn't Pinterest great?

Friday, April 20, 2012

Loss Of Words

This week a few of my deployment battle buddies and I have had this discussion. My Marine has been gone this time for about 6 weeks, gone totally since October. We are lucky that when he is stateside, we have been able to text, chat, E-mail, and Skype throughout the day. Lately I have found myself not having a ton of things to share with him when we chat on the phone or Skype. This left me feeling bad.

Was our relationship falling apart? What in the world are we going to talk about on our last leave block? Are we pulling back from each other? These are all questions that were running through my head.

Yes, I am sure that we are pulling back from each other a bit. We both know that we can get through the day on our own. We both just have been going through the motions for awhile now. Does he love me less? No! I have to remember that this is a great time to not relying on communication. In a few short weeks, I will no longer be able to text or call him when I want to. That is going to be difficult. Graycen has been calling him in the morning and before bed. I just love watching his eyes light up when he calls Da.

I need to start my journal of things that I want to make sure that he knows. Some days, I feel that maybe he won't find those things important or they aren't worth sharing. But, someday I know that we will discuss everything. Has anyone else felt like this facing a deployment?

Song Link Up!

I am linking up with Goodnight Moon! This week my song is Rumour Has It by Adele. We all know that in the military life, it is filled with rumors! My little guy and I love to put this song on loud and dance. He starts the minute the song starts playing! Enjoy! What is your song?

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Catching Up

I just love these Instagram photos I took the other day. I was having a great afternoon with my littlest guy. Love that he was trying to kiss me. Little did I know after all the kisses, I got a huge bite. I couldn't get mad, he is just so sweet.

He is doing really well with sleeping lately. ( I probably just jinxed myself for tonight.) It is amazing that I have to force myself to go to bed these days. I also love that I can make it through a day (most days) without a nap. Now, if I could just figure out how to fit in my workout time during one of his naps we will be golden!

I really think that G misses his brothers this week. Last week was spring break and there was always someone around to pick him up. This week it is just us, and I can tell when I am trying to get something done... he is looking for someone to hold him. He has been a bit fussier then usual, and I think I feel a molar. For those of you counting, that is 8 teeth in and a molar on the way.

I enjoyed my kid free day today. I decided that I would get my floors washed and some laundry done, but then I was relaxing. My computer came today... so I spent the day playing on it and getting it set up for school. I love it by the way. Don't know why I waited so long to make the Mac jump. Having an iPhone and iPad has made the transition a ton easier. Anything I can't get it to do, I have found the answers on Google. I also got to catch up on my Guiliana and Bill episodes I had downloaded. It is amazing how much better of a Mom you feel after you get a break. I know the days of getting to relax are numbered as school starts in a few weeks.

We are down to the 9 day countdown until we will be heading to Florida for my sisters wedding. So excited that a handsome Marine will be meeting us at the airport. He is missing the boys, especially G, terribly lately. It will be so nice to spend some good quality family time with our toes in the sand. I am already dreaming of the photos I will be taking of the boys on the beach.

Mini Omelets

I am constantly looking for new ideas for dinner. With three kiddos, I need to change things up and make things exciting when it comes to dinner time. I decided to do breakfast for dinner tonight and modified a recipe I found on the Internet. It was a big hit and I even have left overs for breakfast!

You Will Need:

8 eggs

2 muffin tins greased

1/4 cup of milk

Vegetable of your choice. ( I used mini sweet peppers)

1/2 tsp of baking powder

1 role of sausage. ( I used Bob Evans maple sausage.)

1/2 tbsp of oil

Grated cheese ( I used cheddar.)

Cook the sausage until brown. Add your veggies and cook together. Fill each muffin tin with the sausage mixture. Then beat together eggs, milk, baking powder, oil, and salt/pepper. Spoon the mixture over the sausage mixture already in the muffin tins. Top with grated cheese.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes. I then served them with fruit!

Diaper Box Turned Storage Box

My Mamaw would be so proud. I found some super cute contact paper yesterday at Target. I not only papered my vanity drawers, but covered a diaper box and filled it with all of my school box. I can't wait to get my Macbook Pro and my desk put together!

My Grandparents

My Grandparents would have shared their 60th wedding anniversary today. They both were a huge inspiration in my life. Although, I know they worked hard at marriage and had many difficult times I have always looked up to them and how they loved their children and grandchildren. As much as we miss them here, I know they are together in Heaven celebrating today. Love you Mamaw and Papaw.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Pinterest Cooking

Summer Salad

I have been in a rut lately with food. I decided this week I was going to try some of the Pinterest recipes I have been "pinning". I made this Summer Salad for lunch and it was amazing. It will be on my weekly shopping list. Graycen even enjoyed it. I found this recipe on one of my favorite blogs, Sunny Side Up

Ingredients:
Bag of salad mix
Feta Cheese
Strawberries
2 apples
Almond slivers
Craisins
Brianna's Poppy Seed dressing (the one with the peach on the front).

I mixed the apples, feta, almonds, and craisins in a bowl. Then I put lettuce and strawberries in a bowl and added the feta mix along with the dressing. It was amazing!

For Dinner:
I made this Caprese Pasta from Pearls, Handcuffs, and Happy Hour. The only modification I used was ragu, and I added chicken. It was super easy and I know that my kids will love it!