A Day of Silence for Baby Cohen

I had been reading about Baby Cohen since day 1.
Baby Cohen was born with congenital heart failure and underwent many surgeries before becoming one of God's angels.
Not only did this story touch my heart since the beginning it also struck a personal note. My brother was born with the same condition 27 years ago and also passed away. There isn't a day that goes by that my parent's don't think about him. I am inspired by Megan and Brents' positivity. amazing courage and strength. My thoughts and prayers go out to them during this hard time

Baby Coehn's memorial service is July 1st and in honor of him many bloggers are going silent. For more information you can head over to BlueEyedBride or Send Love to Cohen. Those wanting to participate can link up at the send love to cohen site starting at midnight on 7/1. Since i have to work early I wanted to make sure I posted now in case I didn't have time in the morning.

So today my blog is dedicated to Megan, Brent and Baby Cohen. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless

I love summer!!

I spent my weekend laying by the pool and reading. It was perfect! It has been over a 100 degrees here in NC and even though I've lived here over a year this Wisconsonite is still getting used to the heat! Hopefuly when M gets back we will be spending our weekends at the beach!

This Sunday I tuned into ABCs new summer lineup. I loved The Gates! I am addicted to anything supernatural related. The Gates is def a show I will continue watching!And True Blodd just keeps getting better and better!

My SIL told me the show Pretty Little Liars was also good. It is on tonight so I may have to try it out. I know it's based on a book series so I may have to start reading it. I know I'm such a nerd

And tomorrow Eclipse comes out! I saw the midnight showing of New Moon but will wait and see Eclipse on Thursday. I am so excited! I read reviews and hear Its the best movie yet. Book wise breaking dawn was my favorite but eclipse closely follows.

What are some of your favorite shows on tv. Has anyone seen or read Pretty little liars. Is it worth it to check out?
And how many of you will be seeing Eclipse!



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Getting to Know you Sunday and a Book Review

It has been awhile since I participated in a Getting to Know You Sunday hosted by MannLand5. So I thought I'd jump right in this week

Here are the questions

1.If you had 5000.00 to spend on plastic surgery what would you have done?
2. Do you watch Soap operas and if so what is your favorite and why?
3. Favorite clothing brand?
4. An afternoon shopping spree at your favorite store or maid service for a year?
5. would you ever vajazzle?
6. Favorite Disney Princess?
7. Last movie that made you bawl your eyes out?
8. Have you ever broken any bones and if so what?

1. Hmm I'm not a big believer in plastic surgery. I feel that those botoxed plastic women, aka Heidi Pratt look way to fake for me. But if I had the money to spend I would get a tummy tuck. No matter what I eat or the workouts I do, I cannot lose the little pudge on my belly. So a tummy tuck for me please!!

2. Soap Operas:I used to watch Passions and Guiding Light but to be honest I haven't watched a soap opera in years.

3. Favorite Clothing Brand: I don't really have a favorite brand. I ship just about anywhere. For jeans though I love Citizen jeans

4. A choice between an afternoon shopping spree or maid service: A shopping spree!! I don't even need to think about that! Especially if someone else is giving me the money to spend

5.Vajazzle: I have no clue what that is so no!

6.Favorite Disney Princess: Ariel! I always wanted to be a mermaid as a little girl.

7. Last movie that made me bawl my eyes out: Pretty much an movie makes me cry.I would have to say Dear John

8.Broken bones: I am knocking on wood as I type this but I have never broken a bone!

And now for my book review. I just finished the book The Help by Kathryn Stockett.
Excerpt taken from Barnes and Nobles
Be prepared to meet three unforgettable women:

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town...

I wasn't too sure of this book when I picked it up. The books I read are usually lighter, more beach reads than anything on a serious subject matter but as I've heard great things about this book I decided to give it a try.

I read it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. I loved it. The book is set in the 60's in the heart of Mississippi during a time period full of turmoil due to the racial tensions growing across the nation. This book made me laugh, cry and be thankful over how far things have come since then. It also reminded me that even though we didn't live through the civil rights movement it still didn't take place that long ago.

If anyone is looking for a must read def pick this up

Now I am on to read an American Wife

Faithfully

One of my all time favorite songs is Faithfully by the band journey. I hadn't listened to my Journey cd for awhile and was reminded of how much I love their songs when watching the season finale of Glee. Immediately after that episode I went and downloaded Gless rendition of Journey and burned it to a cd. I have their version of their song Faithfully on repeat and listen to it over and over. In alot of ways this song is the perfect theme song for military spouses. Especially for those who are going through a deployment.

Lines like "Being apart ain't easy on this love affair. Two people learn to fall in love again. I get the joy of rediscovering you, I'm forever yours, faithfully."This seems to capture the emotions I have been feeling lately

As you all know I've been in a bit of a funk waiting for this deployment to be over but when listening to this song today, for the 5th time. I had to stop and think about the deployment in perspective and actually be thankful for going through it

Since M has been gone we've both grown alot, both as individuals and as a couple. Our first deployment we were newly married and still adjusting to being married. This one took place after M had been home for a year and I had finally gotten adjusted to living in NC. I've told yall how we both fell in a rut before M left. I had work and school and M had alot of thing going on to. It was easy to not make time for us and our relationship

This deployment made me realize that we took all that time home for granted and could havespent it in a totaly different way. We both agreed that when he gets home we are going to spend more time cultivating hobbies that we enjoy together, traveling and exploring new places

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In the Home Stretch

M has been gone 3 months today and will be home in a little less than a month. We were notified the date the guys will be home and the countdown has begun. Now hopefully the army doesn't pull a fast one and change their minds as usual

I have been in a bit of a slump this week. My parent left sunday morning, and by Monday I was not only Pmsing but stuck with the worst head cold in the world. Good thing most of my kiddos are out of town this week because it has been hard to drag my butt out of bed and head to work

I am officially over this deployment and being alone. For me it seems the first half of the deployment flew by and now these last few weeks are starting to drag!

I even finished up my end of the deployment to do list. The minor repairs that needed to be done in our house are done, thanks to my dad! I bought my hubbys welcome home gift and scheduled my wax and hair appta! Of course I have to look great when he comes home. And I also finally made an eye dr appt that I have been putting off. Go me!

The hubs and I also finally decided on what to do about our vacation. Instead of heading to Florida or to the Dominican republic as planned, we are going to stay at his parents cabin in northern Wisconsin. We each are taking two weeks off and I am looking forward to boating, grilling out, mini golfing and relaxing!

Now just a few more weeks to get through and this deployment is over!


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Whose Team Are You On?

I am addicted to anything Vampire related. Especially if it pertains to Twilight or True Blood!

I watched New Moon for the 8th time last night and cannot wait until Eclipse comes out! When reading the books I was def Team Edward. For some reason Jacob to me seemed like to much of a kid while Edward was so sensitive and mature. Whn watching the movies I flip flop between the two. In a way I feel for both Jacob and Edward. We shall see whose team I'm on after Eclipse

My newest obsession is true blood. I can't wait for Sunday nights to watch the show. It's like an older, sexier version of Twilight.
Move over Edward. I am now on Team Eric!

Do any of you watch True Blood?whose team are you in Team Edward or Team Jacob


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The Green Eyed Monster

I finally downloaded an app for my iPhone that allows me to write my posts instead of just reading everyones! So hopefully this works

This week I have been hit with the green eyes monster known as jealousy. Normally I'm not a jealous person. Envious at times sure. Who doesn't get envious when you have friends buying their own home when your stuck in an apt, or when talking to my family and hearing everyone together when I'm so far away. And of course as your typical girl I get envious of my friends new purses, hair styles or clothes. But besides those things I have always been content with what I have. More than content, I love my life and wouldn't trade places with anybody else

But two things lately have made me envious. The first is that all my friends, Including many of y'all are pregant or just welcoming their new born babies. I think that now because I know M and I are at thy point and ready to try for a famiy when he returns I am
Anxious to get started! The other day M calls and the exact words Out of my mouth were "hurry up and get home and make me pregnant". M's response was I hope you didn't say that in front of your parents!!

I am now part of a group where not having kids make me a minority. Just the other day I had all my friends over to lay out by the pool. They all brought along their kids and my friend J and I were the only two without any. For once I felt like I was the one missing out. You know how childless couples claim that it's better to be childfree, how you can come and go as you please and can do whatever you want. Well for once I felt like those excuses were horse poo. Icant wait till we have a little one to bring home, take swimming for
The first time and even change a diaper! So yes I have baby envy

I also am jealous of my bestie here whose Hubby just came home. He had been deployed for 5 months and then came home for a day before leaving again for a 3 mth class in AZ. It's been nice to not be the only single one at our weekend get together and since we had no hubbys at home we have enjoyed quite a few girls nights with many alcoholic beverages being consumed. Now it looks like I will be back to drinking my wine at home. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy for her but with my family leaving on Sunday I am sad to be alone again.

Oh well nor too much longer to go till my soldier gets home!



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A Griswald Family Vacation

My family has arrived! You know the scene in A christmas vacation where their relatives ring the doorbell and the Griswalds all stop what they are doing and slowly answer the door. That's how I feel!

Not really, I truly love my family and was so excited for them to visit but as family tends to do some things truly get on my nerves.

Take for example the fact that I have 2 80 pound labs of my own in a 2 bedrm apt. The apartment community I live in is small and very strict and 2 dogs are all thats allowed. Well my brother bought along his 80 pound lab. Who barks at everything and who he doesn't take care of. The first night she had me up three time. Three and did I mention that sunday's are the only day I don't work and can sleep in. Not this past sunday. I was beyond irritated. And my house looks like a tornado! I can't even walk anywhere without all there stuff being around

But that's only two minor things I can endure until they leave on Sunday. So far the visit has been going well. We've enjoyed laying by the pool and my parents are able to keep themselves entertained when I'm at work. I did decide to take Thursday and Friday off of this week so I can spend more time with them so I now only have two more days of work. I am so excited. I def need a mini vacation and I want to be able to spend some time with my family before they go back home

One of the hardest parts of being an army wife is being away from your family. Everything continues to go on at home and I'm always the last to know. I miss out on every family get together, wedding shower, my cousins' bachelorette party and so forth. The day my parent's arrived in town we also received word that my Grandpa had been taken to the hospital. Thankfully only for his gall bladder and he had surgery yesterday and is doing better today but it still really hit me that when something happens I am so far away. And with M being gone sometimes my feelings of loneliness are intensely magnified

So I am beyond grateful that my family has come to visit me and keep me company. After they leave hopefully there are only 4 short weeks left until M comes home!!

As for the rest of my parent's visit I am going to take them to Wilmington so we can lay out on the beach and I am also going to take them to Ft Fischer where we can tour the ship the USS North Carolina. So it's going to be a fun few days at the beach!

Now if only they would stop feeding me. I am slowly gaining back all the weight I have lost! AHH

To cut or not to cut-I need your help

Why is it that summer always makes me want to cut my hair? Last year when I moved to NC I had long hair down past my shoulder blades. Since I have a young looking face, when I showed up at my client's houses for the first time they thought I was 19. Combined with the hot weather here in NC and the fact that I'm always outside with my client's I decided to cut my hair. I cut it into a cute bob about 2 inches off my shoulders. By the end of summer the cut had grown out and it was a little longer than my shoulders. I went back to the salon and asked for an inverted bob cut, one that didn't take off too much length. I left with a lopsided mullet cut that was cut in two layers, one chin length and one ear length. My husband hated it and it took forever to grow out. It has finally grown out and is once again a little past my shoulders. However it is in that in between stage that no matter how I style it it doesn't look too cute.

So tomorrow I am going for a hair cut and can't decide what to do with it. I also have a wedding coming up that I am standing up in so I don't want anything too short. I was watching Tori and Dean the other day and loved Tori's new haircut. But I can't decided if I really want to cut some of my length off. So I decided to post pics and have you all pick which one you like.


My hair currently


Hairstyle Number 1





Hairstyle Number 2








I am going in to the salon tomorrow! So please vote and let me know which one you like better!
Thanks

So Over It

When my husband first told me he would be deploying, I was excited. Now before you all write me off as a heartless person let me explain.

The last time my hubby deployed we had been married for only a month. Even though it was M's 7th deployment it was my first and our first as a married couple. I stayed in WI with my family and friends and had no one there that had every gone through a similar situation. M and I fought constantly and were horrible to each other. Obviously we worked out all of the problems we encountered during that deployment and our relationship only got stronger because of what we had faced. I knew that when he deployed again we would be ready for it. So when we got the news that he would be leaving I was excited to not only prove to myself that I could handle a deployment I was excited to prove to him that we could make it through this deployment without any of the problems we had before

And we have. Our communication has greatly improved. Last deployment if I missed a phone call I would beat myself up about it and we would get irritated at the other for either not calling or not answering. This time we set up a time for M to call and if one of us was busy we would email the other to let them know and not get upset about things. If we did get into a minor argument we got off the phone before it would escalate and talk to each other later on in the day. We have spent our phone conversation planning activities to do when M gets back and just making sure we let the other person know how much we miss each other

I have also surprised myself with how I have handled this deployment. After all this time I am away from my family and living in an apt by myself. I threw myself into work and school and have the most amazing friends that are always there for me when I need them. My friends and I have at least one night a week we get together for dinner and we are always together on the weekend. My hubby laughs at me because I am always on the go and never do anything to relax but for me the busier I am the faster the time goes.

I also have found a part of me again. A part of me that I hadn't realized was missing. This past year I was so concerned about being the perfect wife, friend, employee and student that sometimes my priorities were out of whack. I spent alot of time trying to maintain friendships that were never meant to be, I focused all my energy on work and school and then would feel guilty if I didn't have enough time to give to my hubby. IF I spent a lot of time with the hubby I felt that I should be studying more or working more. I never took the time to enjoy what I was doing.

This deployment made me realize what is truly important and has helped me realign my priorities. I can't wait for M to come home and be able to spend all of our time together. School is over and I am cutting back on my work hours this summer. I am finally getting to be more like the care free girl I was when M and I went instead of always stressed and anxious. Even M has commented on the change. It has been nice to feel more like me again. I have started reading a lot again, working out more and eating a more balanced diet. I also have spent time with my amazing friends and our relationships have grown. I have finally found my group of friends here in NC who I can't imagine not having in my life. I am def in a happy place right now

However I am def over this deployment. Remember a few months ago I posted my list of things I was excited to do now that the hubs will be gone, you know things like sleeping with the tv on, watching girlie movies and reality tv without being made fun of, not cooking, etc

Well those things have all gotten old. I am ready for the hubs to come home so it is him I am sleeping next too not the dogs. I am ready to have someone to watch tv with again and someone to go out with during the weekend. I miss my babe and am ready for him to be home

I am officially over this deployment

Summer Reading List

Summer is fast approaching. School is almost out and in just 9 days I start my summer work schedule. This means I will no longer be working Friday or Saturday. I am def looking forward to a four day work week and a 3 day weekend.

When I was a kid you knew summer was starting when my local library had their summer book club. I couldn't wait to go into the library and join. Every book you read had to be recorded and when you read so many books you earned certain prizes. I lived for this every summer

As an adult I am still addicted to reading. If fact I knew my hubby was the one by his love of books. I still remember visiting his apartment for the first time and instead of a huge flat screen tv plastered to his wall or Scarface poster's there was a huge bookshelf(the same one I had to be exact) full of books). That was it for me. He was the one!

With the hubby gone for about another month and a half I will be spending my three day weekends pool side with a good book. Just thought I would share them with y'all

Currently Reading
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

Summer Reading List

The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead
From dead to worse
Dead and Gone
Dead in the Family

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Grownup Marriage by Judith Voight
First Comes Love by Whitney Lyles
A Bumb in the Road by Maureen Lipinski
Not Ready for Mom Jeans by Maureen Lipinski
Rattled by Christine Coppa
Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts
Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zurell
Angelology by Danielle Trussoni
Naturally Thin by Bethenny Frankel
Uncharted Territori by Tori Spelling
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
Something Blue by Emily Giffin
Love the One Your With by Emily Giffin

If there are any titles you think I need to add let me know! I am always on the lookout for a good book

Also I have spoken with a few of you about the Nook. Barnes and Nobles E-Reader. Do any of you have it and if so is it worth getting. I went and looked at it and loved it. The amount of money you will save buying e-books instead of regular books is amazing but at the same time I know there are certain author's who I will need to run out and get their newest books. So I want to make sure I'd use it before going out and spending the money on it. So what do ya'all think. Is it worth it? Do you love or hate it?

Happy Reading

Updates and Memorial day recap

Hello everyone!

I hope y'all had a great memorial day weekend. I had to work on memorial day but on Saturday I went downtown to where the Special Operation Museum. They had the grounds decorated with hundreds of flags commemorating veterans. It was beautiful. I spent the rest of my saturday napping and then I went to babysit my friends kiddo's so they could go out for their anniversary. Babysitting a 16 month old and a 5 month old was actually easier than I thought. Too be honest it was quite fun. Def gave me the baby itch

Sunday I had friends over to enjoy the pool. My one friend makes the best Sangria so needless to say we spent a better part of the afternoon laying out and drinking yummy sangria. We also grilled out and it was nice to eat an actual meal for once!

Yesterday after I got off work I had my friend's hubby come over to do some repairs around the house since the hubs is gone. My blinds are fixed and the hard to reach light bulbs are changed. I also finally finished decorating my bedroom and the guest bedroom just in time for my parents visit next weekend. Today after work I even went and rented the Rug dr and shampooed the whole apt. It's been quite a productive few days

So you know how I have mentioned my baby moon to the Dominican Republic. Well I don't think that is going to happen anymore. M still hasn't gotten his leave dates and we had hoped to book the trip this week. Also after doing some thinking I think we should probably do the grown up thing and save money and continue to pay off debt instead of taking a trip. So we compromised and are probably going to go to Destin Florida since in a year we will be moving there. Now the hard part is going to be finding a place to rent that allows two big dogs. So if any of you know of a place to rent in that area let me know

And finally, remember how I have said before that Emily Giffin is my favorite author. Well this past weekend she came into my home town. I had asked my mom a few weeks before if she would go to the signing and get my book signed by her. Well my mom planned on going but then my dad wanted to go up north for the weekend so she had asked if it was ok if she didn't make it. I understood and totally forgot that Friday was the day Emily Giffin was in Milwaukee. Friday night I went to a friends house before going to see SATC2 and as we were leaving for the movie I pulled out my phone and saw I had a voicemail message. Assuming it was my mom I started to listen to it. It was EMILY GIFFIN calling from the book signing. My mom had ended up going and told Emily Giffin about how much I loved her books and she had my mom call my cell so she could say hi. It was so cool!She even said she was planning on coming to Charlotte in a few weeks for a book signing. I've been searching all over the internet for when she will be in Charlotte and where but have come up with nothing. SO hopefully the date will be put out soon. I am def going!! So if any of you are from the Charlotte area and hear anything about it let me know!!!