Denim Friday

Fact-I am a teacher.

Fact-I wear jeans to work on Friday and find this rather exciting.

I learned early on in our marriage that Nathan truly believes teachers walk around school on Friday giving each other high fives and saying things like, "Hey girl! TGIF!" I find this absolutely hilarious because it couldn't be further from the truth. He has never actually come out and said it, but I imagine he pictures the teachers to look like the lovely ladies in the above picture. Obviously all teachers wear mom jeans.

Another school related item, I returned from Spring Break to find that one of my first grade girls shaved off her eyebrows! Apparently her brothers were making fun of her for having a unibrow. She meant to only shave the middle portion, but ended up taking both of them off. She had a new haircut a few days later that included bangs. Well, in true teacher form, TGIF!

It's Finally Over....For Now Anyway

I find myself starting this post over and over again, I am struggling with what I really want to say. I want to share all of the details of the past week, but there are so many memorable moments, emotions, ups and downs that I don't know where to start. I am actually feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Nathan is now a Marine Officer, he is truly in his element. The commissioning ceremony was surprisingly emotional, almost bittersweet. I felt so proud of my husband and everything he had accomplished, but I could not deny what this moment meant for us down the road. I tried my best to stay present, however, as I stood there holding MC my mind was flooded with thoughts of separation, deployments, single parenthood and of course the safety of my man. When I saw Nathan after the ceremony I could tell he was also feeling a variety of emotions, we probably weren't thinking about the same things though. Nathan reminded me later that we aren't "normal" I think he was trying to make me feel better.

Nathan and Mackenzie together for the first time in 10 weeks.

She didn't cry and I think that is a smile.

Our little family.

The commissioning ceremony.

Pinning on his bars.

Nathan and Mac

OCS is "Done Sir Done!"

I would like to thank everyone who supported myself and my family through this last chapter of our life, whether you sent letters, commented on the blog, or made a phone call...please know that we appreciate your support more than we can exclaim.

Seeing Kelly and MC for the first time put butterflies in my stomach. Ten weeks away from a baby provides so many changes, and I will admit, at times it was hard to believe that MC was my daughter because of how much she had changed...but, as soon as I saw the hairline I knew it was true. My biggest fear was, and continues to be, that my daughter will not know her father. What a humbling experience to see that the world does not stop for you but continues to go on without your input or protest.

I would like to publicly thank my wife for holding down the fort while I went off to fulfill my duties, I truly believe that I could not have accomplished these goals without her. They say, "Behind every great man is a great woman", while I don't consider myself a great man I do know that I have a great woman behind me proving the saying holds a true meaning behind the context. One of the greatest honors I have experienced was having my wife pin my Lt. bars on my uniform, I couldn't have imagined a more fitting end to the struggle we have faced. Thank you Kelly, I would not have been able to do this without you.

As we move to the next phase, please continue to keep us in your prayers...I would like to close with the toast to the flag. For you wives and girlfriends, read the words and pay attention to the the stanza, "Womanhoods care for it, Made manhood dare for it" because you are who we fight for making this the most meaningful line contained in the toast. I will take the liberty for the men in your life and thank you for being our rock. Continue to look out for us...no matter how strong we are or pretend to be we still need you...

Here's to the red of it
There's not a thread of it
No, not a shred of it
In all of the spread of it
From foot to head
But heroes bled for it
Faced steel and lead for it
Precious blood shed for it
Bathing it red

Here's to the white of it
Thrilled by the sight of it
Who knows the right of it
But feels the might of it
Through day and night
Womanhood's care for it
Make manhood dare for it
Purity's prayer for it
Keeps it so white

Here's to the blue of it
Beauteous view of it
Heavenly hue of it
Star spangled dew of it
Constant and true
Diadems gleam for it
States stand supreme for it
Liberties beam for it
Brightens the blue

Here's to the whole of it
Stars, stripes, and pole of it
Body and sole of it
O, and the roll of it
Sun shining through
Hearts in accord for it
Swear by the sword of it
Thanking the Lord for it
Red, White, and Blue

Thanks again, there is no better friend, no worst enemy...Semper Fidelis

Very Respectfully,

Nathan

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Turbulence

Definition of Turburlence: great commotion or agitation


I had a moment the other day when I was talking with my mom about MC (daughter); we discussed how much she resembled her father. Yes, you may detect a bit of resentment there….I carried her for 9 months, gained an unmentionable amount of weight, endured 16 hours of labor and the only thing that seems to resemble me is her chin! And let me tell you, no one looks at that child and says, “Wow, she has your chin, what a cutie!” Anyway, back to my original thought. As we talked about MC and her father, it was like I suddenly remembered, I have a husband, I’m a married woman, Yes! I truly felt excitement at this moment.


I had the opportunity to see my DH (dear husband) this weekend and it was amazing! My flight got in a little late and of course I got lost driving my awesome Kia Rondo, so hubby arrived at the hotel before me. As I made my way to our room I had that nervous butterfly feeling in my stomach. I love that he still stirs up those giddy, school-girl emotions. He opened the door and the second I laid eyes on him I felt complete again. I was with my better half and we had the next 30 hours to tell stories, hold hands, and once again, kiss each other goodnight. The only thing missing was MC, but it was much too short of a trip to bring her. DH was able to watch a few video clips of the babe and was amazed at her development. I told him about her sassy, little attitude and he swears that comes from me. The weekend was perfect and I am reminded of how strong our commitment is to one another.


You can do a lot of people watching at airports and that is exactly what I did on my way out to DC. I seemed to zero in on all of the annoying people and it left me frustrated. Then something wonderful happened to me on my flight home from DC to Chicago. I sat next to an older gentleman, he smiled when I sat down and that was about it. However, when beverages were being served he would only use his right arm to take items from the flight attendant; I watched a little longer to make sure my observation was correct. After watching him spill most of his coffee onto the tray I offered to help open the small package of peanuts. He was thankful and began to tell me about the stroke he had almost a year ago. Later the pesky flight attendant asked him several times if the items sticking out from the seat in front of him were trash. I felt like snapping back with, “No lady, the items are not trash, they are a package of Kleenex’s this man is using and he placed them there because he has limited mobility of his left arm.” The lady was just doing her job and it actually reminds me of how I rush through my days not really slowing down to pay attention to the things that matter most. I am thankful for sitting next to that man; he reminded me that nothing in life is guaranteed and a little bit of kindness can go a long way. I need to slow down and breathe in all that is happening around me, especially MC growing up.

Oh, the faces she makes

MC has so many expressions at 6 months, this girl cracks me up. Doesn't she look annoyed/bored in the last picture? I hate to think of the looks I'll get when she is 13. I can't help but feel a little sad that DH is missing this part of her life. It's hard for me to remember what she was like when he left and his point of reference when we talk on the weekends. I know he is missing her and I try to keep him updated on the little things she does.



I did a lot of reading this past weekend and came across this article discussing blogs of military wives. I read through some of the blogs and it was nice to find other women that are facing some of the same challenges. I know, I know, I am new and most of my challenges are yet to come. I feel like a sponge trying to soak in as much as I can about this new world of mine. Most of the women have husbands that are currently deployed whereas mine is away at school. A few of the women welcomed home wounded men and one blog was that of a war widow. Their stories brought tears to my eyes, scratch that.....I was a sobbing mess. It takes a great deal of courage to share such personal experiences and I am thankful these individuals are willing to speak so openly.



Onto something a little less serious. Since moving in with my parents, yes, I live with my parents at the moment and any comments regarding this issue can be kept to yourselves.....I have found myself completely obsessed with Beverly Hills, 90210. It has always been a guilty pleasure and now I can watch it without Nathan making fun of me:) My friends and I watched this show when we were growing up. It wasn't until my adult years that I realized how cheesy and unrealistic some of the story lines could be. Oh well, I will continue to watch until my other obsession begins.....The Hills. Do I see a trend here?

A Much Needed Phone Call

I spoke with DH last weekend and I can't describe how good it felt to hear his voice. He seems to be doing well and described this experience as the hardest thing he has ever done. I am so proud of him and the dedication he has to serve. I decided that this experience is also the hardest thing I have ever done. I welcome the challenge as it reminds me I am alive. I am finding strength and confidence I didn't know existed.

People at work are beginning to hear about the decision we made and I am getting comments like "that is so sad" or "I could never be alone with a small baby." Before DH even left, one guy told me, "that is a terrible decision, he doesn't want to do that." I've learned a lot about people that I thought I knew pretty well. Guess I can't be right all the time, despite trying. My response to these individuals have been, "No, it's not sad, it is the right decision for our family, but I'm glad to see you support our troops" and "Well, I hope your husband never leaves you and the kids then" and to the fellow offering up his two cents, "You have obviously never met my husband (and he hasn't) because anyone who really knows him would agree that this is his calling, thanks for the support." I am not asking anyone to understand our decision, but I am asking that you respect it. A huge thanks to everyone that has had kind, supportive words, it means more than you will ever know.

Onto the wild child.....MC is changing so much right now. She if finally feeling better and showing off her new skills such as screaming mama/dada, rocking out in her exersaucer (thanks to Aunt Jilly and Uncle Teague), eating rice cereal and pulling off her socks and sucking on them until they are soaked. This child has so much energy, I don't know how I am going to keep up with her. Here are a few recent pics of the babe. Here is the link to OCS, you can find recent photos of DH's platoon, he is with Company C. http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/

This was taken right before DH left, they kind of sleep the same, right?