32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 32

My dream is very obvious. I hope to be able to have children of my own with my best Alejandro. I hope to one day have our own place that they can play out in the yard safely. I think every one has this kind of dream and I never thought I would say that I really don't want it back home in CA. I think we are going to set our roots somewhere in the Midwest. Living there for 3 years made us really love to the point we want to settle down there. Who knows what the next three years are going to bring us. We have already experienced, so much in the last 5 years now that we don't know what to expect any more.
I honestly can say that I have finished this blog challenge in the amount of days that I actually needed to complete it. Now I have to find another challenge to keep myself busy the next couple of months. Yes I do have that other challenge that I am doing, but I need to keep this one going because I really like doing it. Ummm to be continued....

Personal Challenge for Days 7 through Day 29

Boy have I failed on this challenge this month. I have had a really hard time trying to get used to Alex being away from me. I know this doesn't make up for me missing each and every day, but you know I did read these passages throughout this time that I haven't been posting this blog, but that is okay. I am at least making an attempt at trying to get closer back into my faith.

They are as follows:

EX 1:1 These are the names of the children of Israel, that went into Egypt with Jacob: they went in, every man with his household:

EX 1:2 Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Juda,

EX 1:3 Issachar, Zabulon, and Benjamin,

EX 1:4 Dan, and Nephtali, Gad and Aser.

EX 1:5 And all the souls that came out of Jacob's thigh, were seventy: but Joseph was in Egypt.

EX 1:6 After he was dead, and all his brethren, and all that generation,

EX 1:7 The children of Israel increased, and sprung up into multitudes, and growing exceedingly strong they filled the land.

EX 1:8 In the mean time there arose a new king over Egypt, that knew not Joseph:

EX 1:9 And he said to his people: Behold the people of the children of Israel are numerous and stronger than we.

EX 1:10 Come, let us wisely oppress them, lest they multiply: and if any war shall rise against us, join with our enemies, and having overcome us, depart out of the land.

EX 1:11 Therefore he set over them masters of the works, to afflict them with burdens, and they built for Pharaoh cities of tabernacles, Phithom and Ramesses.

EX 1:12 But the more they oppressed them, the more they were multiplied, and increased:

EX 1:13 And the Egyptians hated the children of Israel, and afflicted them and mocked them:

EX 1:14 And they made their life bitter with hard works in clay, and brick, and with all manner of service, wherewith they were overcharged in the works of the earth.

EX 1:15 And the king of Egypt spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews: of whom one was called Sephora, the other Phua,

EX 1:16 Commanding them: When you shall do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery is come: if it be a man child, kill it: if a woman, keep it alive.

EX 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded, but saved the men children.

EX 1:18 And the king called for them and said: What is that you meant to do, that you would save the men children ?

EX 1:19 They answered: The Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women: for they themselves are skillful in the office of a midwife; and they are delivered before we come to them.

EX 1:20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied and grew exceedingly strong.

EX 1:21 And because the midwives feared God, he built them houses.

EX 1:22 Pharaoh therefore charged all his people, saying: Whatsoever shall be born of the male sex, ye shall cast into the river: whatsoever of the female, ye shall save alive.

EX 2:1 After this there went a man of the house of Levi; and took a wife of his own kindred.

I know it is all baby steps and once I get into the swing of things I will be able to add me going back to church on a regular basis. The start of Lent is right around the corner and that is the beginning of another season in the Catholic Church, so maybe that would be a good way to start. March 9th is Ash Wednesday. Well here is to hoping that I can continue this quest through the rest of my time away from Alex. I have a lot planned between now and when he comes home in May. I just hope I can follow through with them all. Keep fingers crossed everyone.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 31

I think I a lot of fears. The one that sticks out the most would have to be going to jail. I have never been put in jail and do not ever plan on ever going. The next one would have to be dieing. I know everyone dies at one point in their lives, but I would just hate to leave all my friends and loved ones behind. The ones I am referring to the most would be Alex and my cats. I also, have to include my special extended family. I have always had a problem with death and that has started since my brother passed away back in 1986. The one that is most scaring me right now is failing my hubby and best friend when we are apart from each other right now. Things were a little shaky before he left and the first couple of weeks they still were, but you know what. I got the best email I could have ever gotten from him on Tuesday which just cleared up a lot of things for me and I know I can now do the rest of this deployment without being too worried about me back home. Now if we can only get his pay corrected in a timely manner.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 30

There are a lot of things that I miss. One of them being my hubby of course. The other one having the friends and loved ones that have become part of family back at home in LA and also in WI. There are so many to name and to put pictures of that I don't think it would be fair to post any pictures in this blog because I would forget someone. I know I don't have to mention names because they all know who they are.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 29

I know an average person wouldn't understand why I put these two pictures on here or being something new to us. Alex and I don't have kids at this time and a very special extended family. Alex has Tammy with him on the ship which is to the right and I have Michael and Mackenzie on the left. Yes we do collect stuffed animals and make them part of our family. Don't ask questions and if you need to know then you obviously don't know us very well. Three years ago this July, we lost twins and when I told Alex that they didn't survive boy were we devastated. I have spoken to other couples that have been through the same thing we have and they have the same reaction we do. If it gives us comfort, then so be it. Also, if you haven't experienced losing a child, then don't judge me for having stuffed animals to give me comfort. Every one handles things differently and this is how we handle it. Heck a very good friend of the family gave my sister and I a teddy bear when my brother passed away. I was never separated from that bear growing up and you know what. Thanks to me making a trip to LA in September for a funeral, I was able to bring it to be part of my family. It now lives here with me and my very special extended family.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 28

My hubby is an amazing man. Yes I complain about him quite often, but you know what I wouldn't do what I do without him on my side these days. You know what he isn't by my side right now. He is by my side in spirit, but not physically. Being a Navy Wife, we are separated at times and this is one time that we are indeed apart. This was taken back in 2006 the year we got back together and it has to be one of my favorite of him. Just being himself and I like that the most about him. I sometimes think he over does it, but you know what, I love him any ways.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 27

I have many weaknesses and I have shown my main two ones in a previous blog entry already. One of them being Webkinz and the other one being Facebook. I hate to admit this in a blog but right now the only real friends that I have are the few that I keep in touch with on a regular basis on Facebook. It is really that it has come down to that, but when you are a Military Spouse in a whole near area of the country that you don't know many people it is really hard to get in the mood to meet people. This also gives me a really good way to keep in touch with my hubby. We now have a really cool way to communicate with each other now, but it is always nice to be able to do have this page. Webkinz on the other hand started even before I got together with Alex. I started collecting them when I worked for the company that makes them. My collection grew from 4 to now when I have over 400 of them and I am only missing 3 in the whole entire collection. Alex wants me to have a little something special every month and this is definitely something that I enjoy collecting. I also now have the bite for Scrapbooking. In fact, I am going to my first all weekend event next weekend not that far from my place and hopefully I will get a lot accomplished.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 26

This is was the easiest picture that I have to blog about in this challenge. It is not that I dislike being with him. It is that I dislike not being with him right now. This picture was taken a little less than a year ago when we were in WI. It was at the Russel Military Museum when my parents were in town visiting. I am hoping that this time apart for us will help us actually grow together as a couple. People keep on telling me that deployments don't always do that, but you know what. The two of us have been through so much in the last 3 years that I think that if we can get through them, we can get through whatever God brings us now. I love him and you know what, I always have even during the 13 years that we were apart. I am just a little lonely now and wish he was hear to comfort me and give me the little pep talks he used to always give me.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 25

Technology has been amazing to me lately. My cell phone went down for a couple of hours yesterday and boy do you not realize what how naked you feel without your cell phone. At the time this all happened of course I was relying on my GPS on my phone to get me to and from a Play date that I was attending in Hampton. Luckily the few times that I have been over there I do remember how to get back home because my phone was out of commission. The other two technologies I have been using a lot lately of course have been my laptop to keep up with my schoolwork along with keeping in touch with my friends and family back home. Right now this is the only way that I can keep in touch with Alex. Since he is out to sea at the moment and our phones aren't smart phones email and facebook are the only way of communication. It sucks, but it will have to be that way until we can figure out another way of communicating with each other. I am hoping the my new iPod will become my new friend shortly. With a new month starting in about week I have a new goal to fulfill. I have a new job starting next week which will keep me busy, but will also keep my mind off of Alex being gone. I am also going to start a new diet routine. I know Alex has been trying to get me to do it himself, but you know what I am not happy with myself physically, mentally, and spiritually any more. I am hoping that with the time that we are apart that can change. The only thing that would be stopping me is if something comes my way that we didn't plan for at this time. Time will just tell if that will be the case though.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 24

Just recently I have become very passionate about photography. I have always been told that I have an eye for it, but I never believed it until now. I have gone on 3 Interviews in the last month and they were all for a Photography job. I know I don't always seem really happy to be on my own at the moment, but you know what. Having the camera that you see in this picture and 2 batteries for it, I could get lost in my own little world. Now that we live on the East Coast, there is so much for me to experience. I sometimes feel that having a camera to be able capture some of the moments that I have is wonderful.

I forgot about this one time right after I got my new camera, my hubby and I went to a puppy parade and got to witness something truly amazing. There was a family there with there little boy Jackson who was celebrating his first Halloween and he was dressed up a little bear. You want to talk about an adorable little guy and his parents gave me permission to use him in my portfolio to show people my work. I probably will never see them again and/or hear from them again, but they will always be a memory that I will hold dear to my heart. I wish him and his family nothing but the best in life and if there is a reason I am pretty sure we will meet up again in the near future.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 23

My love for food has obviously gotten me into trouble a lot lately. I tend to use it as a crutch when I am having a bad day especially chocolate. Thinking about this blog entry I couldn't really think about any pictures that I have that I could put in this entry. This was taken almost 4 years ago at the Bridal Shower that the company I used to work for in LA gave me. I honestly didn't think that they would have given me a shower, but I guess after working for the company for almost 6 years I did make a difference. I have to admit I do miss some of the connections that I had at the company, but I don't miss the stress during my two favorite times of the year when we were the most busy. Those would be Fall and Spring time. Any one that works in the giftware world understands why those are busy for us.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 22

I really don't have a style for say. You will mostly likely find me wearing either Yoga pants with a t-shirt or Jeans and a t-shirt. I know being a Military wife I should look a little better than I do sometimes, but you know what. I honestly don't care what some people might think about me right now. My hubby left 2 weeks ago for 5 months if I am lucky. I really don't have any one to impress. I am hoping to change my attitude by the time my hubby comes home in May so he can see I have made a difference in myself. I know Alex will be proud of me if I actually do this while he is gone. I just feel with all the love and support that Jacie and my friends will give me the next couple of months will help me reach my goal. Heck Alex might even surprise me and take me on a shopping spree because of it. Cross your fingers ladies.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 21

I have come to realize who my true friends are recently. It has come to my attention that I tend to rely on them way too much lately. I can truly say that all my true friends are Mary, Jacie and Julie. I have known Jacie who is to the left with her hubby Steve and I just met them the day Alex left to meet up with his ship. I most say especially the days that I feel like not doing anything on certain days like I am having today I wouldn't know what to do. It is ironic enough that I am the Veteran Navy Wife but she has been there for me more than I have been there for her. I can honestly say, I have made a really good friend through her and she has instantly become a sister to me. Mary I have known for years and she has been there for me through my darkest hours. I have shown pictures of her already and I really don't have any recent ones of her. My other friend Julie unfortunately I don't have a picture of her to share with you all. She is a person that can so relate to what I am going through since her hubby is retired Navy. I am figuring right now that Alex and I are going through something that all married couples go through at the beginning of a deployment and boy does it suck. I just figure as long as I can get through it and not let it break my marriage I will be good.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 20

This picture describes one of my most favorite sports that I can ever think of which would be Baseball. I never did play it except for the times that I would try to play it with my brother in our front yard before he passed away. This was taken at the last Home Dodger Game back in 2006 that I went to with my two good friends Mary and Yvette. This was also the last game that I went to at Dodger Stadium before Alex and I got married. I wish I was able to go back and go to another game, but it hasn't been the right time to do that. I do miss watching the game because because being their to physically is nothing like watching it on TV. Hopefully I will be able to go to a game some time soon.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 19

This is my most treasure object. I know this is weird, but it is my engagement ring. This is just a symbol of our marriage, but you know what, I can't imagine myself not wearing it ever. I take it off to due cleaning and when I am in the shower, but even there it feels weird. I love him dearly and can't wait to see him again and put his hand in mine like we did the day we got married.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 18

This is a hard one for me. I don't know what our future is going to bring us at this moment. When I got married to Alex almost 4 years ago, I was scared because we just moved to WI and was going to be farther away from my friends and family. Now almost 4 years later and we are again in another state on the opposite side of the country. Alex is on his first deployment that he has been on since we have been together and I am completely on my own right now. I have made a few really good friends, but you know what. During these next 5 months, I am going to find out who my true friends are and I am going to start weening out the bad friends that are no longer there for me. Being away from my comfort zone for the last 3 years now have made me realize that your true friends will be there for you no matter where you are state wise or life wise. Alex and I don't have any kids and aren't really sure we are ever going to be able to have ones of our own, of which we are okay with that. Most of my friends at this time, don't have kids and they can relate that Elvis and Lelani are our kids. It is common with married couples that are older and one of them is in the Military. I am putting together our calendar for this year and I am going to allot a month for each of our kids because I think Alex would like that a lot.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 17

This is a shot of our normal Sunday afternoon at the park with our kids. We always got weird looks from people at the park because the first thing they would think is that is a different looking dog. Then they would look again or one of them would Meow and they would realize they were cats and not dogs. I swear the first time we took them over there Elvis was pouting and wouldn't go any where. Lelani wanted to walk the whole entire park if I let her, but I was afraid she was going to get too tired so I brought her back to where Alex and Elvis were. At one point, we dropped our end of the leashes on the grass to see what they would do and they followed us around the park for a little bit. They are definitely our kids right now and they are making this time apart from their dad so much easier on me right now.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 16

Having this blog allows me to post a lot of my pictures that a lot of you don't always get to see. This I took not too long ago in IL and it isn't even with my better of the two cameras that I currently have. This is a Barn Owl that has an injured Wing due to a plane strike. He will never be able to be released back in the wild due to the human imprint that he obtained when he was being rehabilitated, but you know what. Now that the Stillman Nature Center has him, children will be able to see a Bird that people in the Midwest don't normally get to see.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 15

The best way to show my favorite color I would have to say would be in a picture. I love the color green and always have. It represents a lot of different things like, money and Nature. The one I like the most would be Nature. I have the love for taking pictures of Nature and whenever I think Nature I always think of the color green.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 14

This one came really easy to me. I didn't have to even think about it. My mom and dad I admire so much in my life. They have been through so much in the 38 years that they have been married, that I don't know how they do it ever day. My brother was killed back in 1986 and at that time my dad was laid off. Shortly after that my grandma on my mom's side had a massive stroke of which my mom took on her Conservator for her mom because she could no longer take care of herself and someone had to speak for her. I am still amazed that they are together after all of these years. They have raised two beautiful strong independent girls since then. I know the next couple of months are going to be hard for them, but I can honestly say my dad deserves it. My dad is going to be retiring this year in February after working close to 40 years for the Film Industry. I must say dad, "You deserve this time off. You have worked really hard to support us over the years, it is your time to be lazy." I love you guys a lot and can't thank you enough for all the love and support that you have shown us over the years.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 13

Besides my addiction to Webkinz, I would say that I am also addicted to Facebook, Scrapbooking, and photography. I am lucky to have a very loving hubby that would rather let me buy my Webkinz monthly, do my Photography, and also do my Scrapbooking to keep me busy. All of these will keep me busy for the next 5 months along with schooling since I am going to be starting that up again pretty soon now.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 12

This is very old picture of my sister and I. I can't remember the date that this was taken, but I believe it had to be back in the 80's. Another thing that a lot of people don't know about me unless you have known for me years, is that I used to take dancing lessons. I would go at least 4 to 5 times a week. I miss it, but I haven't been so lucky to find a place that I really like. The places I have seen lately have been the type that people are looking into taking it more for a job and I just want to do it as a hobby and a good sense of exercise. Cyndy, I am sorry if this is embarrassing you because you are in it. I couldn't think of anything else that I have a picture of that is old at this time.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 11

Only people that have known me for the last 7 years and/or have come to my house know this about me. Yes I am avid collector of Webkinz. If you don't know what they are, then just go to www.webkinz.com and it will give you a tour to show you what they are. Some people collect purses, shoes, fairies, Angels, cars etc., but I collect these. Out of the whole entire collection I am only missing 3 at this moment. I hope that in the future I can get those, but they aren't a priority right now.
I also do collect Stuffed Hippos. This collection started with Alex back in 2008. We don't really share the story behind why we collect them and share them with only particular friends . Alex suprised me yesterday with this little girl. Her name is Tammy and she is actually a repeat of one that we already had, but he said he saw her when he was at the exchange while away from me and couldn't resist her. I thought it so cute because I would have never thought he get a pink hippo and have it on the ship with him. Yes people out there he does have a heart even though he doesn't always show it. I know it is going to be awhile before I get to see her, but knowing he has one to keep in company is really touching. Love you Alex.

32 Day Photo Blog Challenge Day 10

This is my family back in 2002. From left to right, we have my best friend Mary, Cyndy's best friend Gayle, my mom Caryn, my dad Larry, myself and my sister Cyndy. This picture was taken at the party that we had for the 30th Wedding Anniversary. We had a very small party because my parents aren't really big party people and this was perfect. The people that meant the most to us were there and that is all that matters. Our family has now grown a little bit more. Gayle is married to Bobby now have two boys by the name of Brandon and Bradley. They are in the picture to the right. Cyndy is now married to Bryan and I am almost married to Alex. We have a big family to begin with and it seems to be growing on a daily basis. Knowing that I have such a big and extended family makes me realize how lucky I am to have them in my life. Even though most of them are on the West Coast, I know that I can call them if I ever needed to. I appreciate their support and I can never thank them enough for that. Alex and I both love them all. You guys are my life right now.

Have Been Out of Commission

The last 6 days have been a little crazy for me. I am now on my 7th day without Alex being home and boy has it been a little lonely here. I must say having Elvis and Lelani has really given me a reason for me to get up everyday. I think that if they weren't around to wake me up I wouldn't get out of bed sometimes. My really good friend Julie told me that this time away from Alex was going to be really good for us. I didn't want to believe her at first, but you know what she was right. I haven't actually had a phone conversation with him since he left a week ago yesterday, but knowing that he is thinking about me every day by looking at the pictures that I put onto his hard drive before he left makes me realize that I am always on his mind. Right before he left I asked him if he wanted to take any of our stuffed animals with him and he told me no because they needed to be here for me to help me get through the time we are going to be apart. He sent me the picture above yesterday of a little girl by the name of Tammy. This is the stuffed hippo that he found at the exchange and couldn't resist to take her on the ship with him. I think it is absolutely adorable and I can't be jealous because at least he has a little girl to watch over when we are apart. I am pretty sure she will make sure that he is doing what he is supposed to be doing. I am one very lucky woman to have him in my life and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Photo Blog Challenge Day 9-Holiday

This has to be one of my most favorite Holidays that I have spent with Alex. I have never had some one spend so much on me in the first few months of relationship and boy does he still spoil me to this day. This was taken Valentine's Day 2007 and we were at the Space Needle in Seattle WA. We didn't do it on the day itself and that was because he was on duty that day and we really didn't want to celebrate on the actual day when everyone else does. I love this picture and wish I could do it 100 times more with him especially now since we are apart for the next 4 months. Having this blog challenge and the other challenge that I am doing is going to help me get through this hard time that I am going through right now. Maybe this will encourage me to continue it through the rest of the time we are apart. Just an idea...

Personal Challenge Day 5 and 6

I was thinking about the last two days in which I have been so busy trying to spend time with my hubby before he left for 16 weeks to be on his ship. During this time I was helping him try to memorize the Our Father and the Hail Mary. I think because I was helping him to do this, I feel that using those two prayers would be appropriate to use for these two days for my reflection. The picture that is to the left was taken right before he got on the plane to leave me, so he can meet up with his ship. I think this was the hardest thing that I have had to in my marriage and I have had to some really hard things the last 4 years. I still wouldn't have it any other way and I keep on telling myself that it is only 16 weeks before I will see him again. I know that time will fly like nothing once he gets checked onto the ship. I love him until the bitter end of my life and can't wait until we spend the rest of our lives together without another deployment.

Our Father or the Lord's Prayer

Our father, who aren't in Heaven, hallowed be they name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses.
As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee.
Blessed are though amongst women and blessed be the whole womb Jesus.

Hail Mary, Mother of God, pray for our sinners now
and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Photo Blog Challenge Day 8: The Past

I can't believe that this picture was taken 5 years ago this coming September. I love this picture of us because this just shows that even though we were so young when we first dated back in 1993, you never know what will happen. I don't regret ever meeting you honey on your Grad Night. The one thing that I do regret was not keeping in touch with you for the 13 years we were apart.

Photo Blog Challenge Day 7-The Place You Feel Most Like You

I have a few places that I feel at home these days. I have always loved the ocean because I have always felt right at home with the animals in the ocean. This is a picture that I took back in 2006 when Alex and I got back together. We were in Monterrey, CA for my birthday and we had such a wonderful time. I sometimes wish we were able to stay there because it was magical. The other place that I feel the most like me would be at any Zoo. This is the entrance sign to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. I was lucky to go to a total of 3 Zoos when we were in the Midwest Area. I went to this particular Zoo with my good friend Sam and her two children. I miss Sam terribly now that have moved to VA and wish that we could hang out as much as we did before you started your job. Miss you girl and can't wait to see you again.

Personal Challenge Day 3 and 4

JOSH 1:3 I will deliver to you every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, as I have said to Moses.


JOSH 1:6 Take courage, and be strong: for thou shalt divide by lot to this people the land, for which I swore to their fathers, that I would deliver it to them.

The second verse means a lot to me right now. I am going to be on my own for the next 16 weeks since my hubby is going out for sea time for that period of time. I think it is very appropriate for this time in my life.

Photo Blog Challenge Day 6: Article of clothing. (Does not have to be worn, or even yours! :))

Any one that knows me well, I am a Die hard Steelers fan, but for my honey I were this jersey on a regular basis for Alex. At the time we got married, we had a period in time that I didn't have any money coming in to cover my bills because I was on unemployment and we had just moved to WI. If you know anything about how that goes after moving somewhere, then you understand that there is usually about a month that nothing is coming until they get everything verified. As I am seeing that happen now, times are a little tight for us. Thank you to my good friend and my adopted sister Ashleigh, I had this picture taken back in November for Alex. I got Alex this jersey right after they got my back pay taken care of from our move from WI to WA. It is a Troy Aikman jersey which is his favorite NFL player. I know it isn't a recent one, but heck he is a Icon for the players today. The little guy that I am holding in this picture is the character I got when we were moving during that same move. Shortly after I bought this jersey for him, I got my Ben Rothlesberger Jersey and boy was I in heaven. Okay Ashleigh, I am not going by the plan of this challenge by adding another one, but I have to add this one just because I feel guilty with wearing his Jersey. Now I don't feel so bad. I have to admit for the first time in my life I am really close to where my favorite NFL team plays on a regular basis. Hopefully by the time we leave here in 2013 I will be watching the game at Heinz field with my terrible towel and all. I can't wait because Alex has promised me at least one game. I will keep my fingers crossed and even if I have to go by myself I will do that. I am not chicken to go to a game by myself. Heck there has to be another Steelers Fan that is a Navy wife out there in this area right.

Photo Blog Challenge Day 5

My job some one would think that it is the hardest job you can have in the Military. I am a Navy Wife of three years now. I know these pictures are not with him in his uniform, but you know what. My husband's rank comes off the moment he walks into the house. Yes he has been for 17 years and about to start his final sea duty, but you know what. Our lives our relying on this job to be keeping our head above water. Yes we do live around whatever the Navy wants us to do, but it isn't our lives 100% of the time. The picture to the left is at our former MC promotion party back in WI. The picture to the right is us just being us for our Xmas gift to each other. You can't ask for anything more right. Life is too short and we have to have fun no matter what life is going to bring us these days.

Personal Challenge Day 2

I don't think I am going to reflect on this verse for today. I agree with it, but I am just going to leave it as is.

1PET 1:4 Unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that can not fade, reserved in heaven for you.

Photo Day Blog Challenge Day 4: Inanimate Object That Hold Sentimental Value For You.

This days challenge was a little hard for me. I was looking around my place and found this little statue that I got back in 2007 for Alex. At first, Alex didn't know what to think about this statue because since we don't have kids. Now that he is getting ready to go back out to sea it means a little more to him now. I am hoping that there will be a day when he comes home from a time underway, he will be greeted by his son on the pier along with me. All we can do is hope and pray that the right time comes along for us to start a family.
This other object might look a little weird for some people. When you go to weddings you normally see a Unity Candle at the ceremony. When we were planning our wedding I wanted to do something different. I have seen the candle ceremony and I thought that is so traditional and kind of boring. I see the reasoning behind it, but I thought there would be another way we are symbolizing us becoming one that we don't have to use candles. I heard about the Unity Sand ceremony and that is what we did. This is our Unity Sand Vase. Unfortunately we didn't get it done at our wedding because we didn't have it out for some reason. We ended up doing it in our place in WI when we got back which I thought was a really nice way to symbolize our new Chapter in our lives in WI. I wasn't able to keep it the way we had it there because of the obvious reasons, but I was able to save the sand. We now have it on our mantle here in VA. I look up at it everyday and just remember why I am happy to be married.

A New Challenge For Me

I have been thinking about with it being a New Year today what I can do for a New Year's Resolution. I have already committed to two new challenges that are really good ones for me to do, but for some reason something has been eating me inside. I don't think a lot of people realize that I was born and raised Catholic and that is because for the last 3 years my religion has really gone to back burner in my life. My feelings towards a tradition of being a Catholic have changed and I know a few things that I might say in the next few sentences might offend people, but you know what. I don't care at this point.

I do believe there is a spiritual being out there, don't get me wrong. The thing is I don't feel that I have to go to an actual church to believe in God. I believe that God is with me at all times. I also, feel that as long as I am comfortable in what I am doing and not feeling guilty in any way possible that it is okay with me. This what my New Years Resolution is going to be this year. I am hoping that it will help me get back into my faith a little bit more. I have had a hard time trying to get Alex to go to church with me these days with the move that we just did and him getting ready to go out to sea at any time.

I am not going to try to force him to go church with me or promise to go to church once a week because I don't think that is going to work any more for me. I am going to try something small. When we were unpacking our stuff I was looking at our Wedding Pictures and also our book collection. I noticed that 1 our Wedding took place at the church I grew up at and 2 I have a Bible that I haven't opened up in almost 10 years, but I still have it on my book shelf. I am going to try to at least read one verse a day. I am also going to reflect on it a little bit and might tell you how I feel about this passage. I would love to say for the next year, but realistically I know that isn't going to happen.

In doing this I am hoping it will convince me to start going to church on a regular basis. Any one that reads the bible will notice that the first verse that I read today is the first one in the Bible. It comes from GEN 1:1 In the beginning God created heaven, and earth. This is a hard one for me to always believe in, but growing up the way I did, I do believe in some of it. I also, do believe in Evolution and all the science behind it, so I am torn on this subject. Don't worry I am going to pick them in order. I am going to read the first one that comes to interest.

So, I am now doing at least 2 blog entries for the next 30 days. I am hoping that these two challenges will help me use this blog a little bit more often than I have the last 3 years. I am also hoping that this will give me a reason to get involved in things when my husband is out to sea. I want to make this blog an interesting blog for any one that is actually following it. Wish me luck and let's see how far this goes.

Photo Blog Challenge Day 3: A View You See Daily.

This is a hard one for me, but I think I have one to share with you. I have multiple things that I have a view of everyday, but this has to be my favorite besides my husband. The short haired one is my female cat Lelani and there are days I don't think I am going to get through the day especially with all that I will be going in through in the next couple of weeks, but you know what I love this girl of mine. The other one is my male cat Elvis. He pretty much picked my husband the day we got these two 3 years ago before Xmas. One of them if not both of them are staring us down in the morning to wake us up so they can get fed. If we don't set the alarm for us to get up, they are usually the ones telling us to get up because it is past 7am.
This picture is the most important one in my opinion. Honestly if this wasn't true for the next 3 years I would not have the means to have the mean to make ends meet. I am truly lucky to have the man that I have in my life right now. I can't ask for anything else and I am really looking forward to starting another year in my marriage with him. We have had some rough times in our marriage especially within the last 1 1/2 years, but you know what. I wouldn't have it any other way. Love you baby and I am so very proud to be your wife.