Life since the PCS

My husband and I have been in California for 7 months, going into our 8th month now. In just this short period of time, SO many things have changed and I've been blessed in so many ways.

As many of you know, I run my own photography studio, Christina Rush Photography. A couple years ago, I had a big project in my mind. The project being working with women and showing their natural beauty. I joined other photography projects catering to women, but nothing fulfilled my idea. Every project seemed to cater to a specific look for women. To fit a project's idea of beauty, they had to be curvy, have a mom body, be fit.. etc. Everything EVERYONE, was labeled by a specific body type. In 2014, after hashing my ideas with a beautiful momma, Jessi, I decided to start putting together a plan and execute it for launch in 2015. I shut down my boudoir site, Just a Little CRush and headed in a wonderfully new direction. In January of 2015, a nationwide project called Raw Beauty Sessions was launched. Thank you Jessi for pushing me to do what I wanted, and what I needed.

Raw Beauty Sessions is on a mission to show all women, they are beautiful, just as they are. No matter a woman's body type, no matter if a woman has what society calls, "Flaws".. all women are beautiful. I'm proud to say that as of May, 1, 2015 we have photographers in 7 states and we are growing! Yeah!

Another awesome growth for me since our PCS to California? My photography newsletter is now sent to more than 40 people. While I don't send newsletters regularly, this is something I'm very proud of. This means people are looking at what I'm doing, and people do enjoy my work. I can't wait to announce a HUGE adventure I'll be taking after our baby boy arrives in a few months.. oh yeah, I still haven't blogged about that either, have I? Man, I'm behind! :D

So, the MOST EXCITING thing to happen in my life since the move and.. well, pretty much ever... We are pregnant! My last posts about doctor visits and seeing where we were heading with our journey to have a baby were actually follow up baby appointments. While there are some scary things going on with this pregnancy and a  lot of risks for premature labor, our little boy is healthy and currently thriving at 24 weeks. I feel his movements, his kicks. He there, he's alive and he's ours. We finally got our little miracle I've been praying and begging for for almost 7 years. Almost 7 years, and 6 miscarriages.. He's our lucky number 7.

We'll have more images, better quality, next weekend :)

Life is is so amazing right now.

Heart Strings

Image from http://www.smittenby.net

Lately, the thought of adoption has been tugging at my heart strings a little bit. When I was 16, I always said I didn't want to have kids of my own, I only wanted to adopt. As I grew older, my want to adopt never changed, but the want to become pregnant and carry weighs heavy on my heart.

My husband wants children and wants to try without adopting first. After 5 years of marriage, and 6 miscarriages faced in the time we've been together, I feel like something is telling me maybe adopting is what I'm supposed to do.

With every miscarriage, there has always been someone to say, "Maybe now is not the right time". But there is never a wrong time, in my opinion. To bring a baby into the world when 2 people want it so badly and without a shadow of a doubt, would provide the best life they possibly could for the child, and love the child more than anything in the world... what's wrong with that?

Yes, the past year has been hell trying to help my husband fight his addiction and yes, there's a long road ahead of us. But the addiction is something he will have to battle for the rest of his life, it is a disease you learn to work through. You are never cured. But it does get easier to manage and live with.

I start thinking about how amazing adopting would be. I think of how scary it would be and, unfortunately, how much it would cost us. But any amount of money would be worth it to me to give a child a loving home, and fill the hole in mine and my husband's hearts. I've been doing research and I'm finding some assistance, thankfully.

I found the military will give $2000 in adoption assistance, of course, there are rules to it- ones I would be more than happy to adhere to. I also found out that my job gives up to $5000 in assistance. Knowing this, pushes me more toward it; I feel like it is more of something telling me this is what I'm supposed to do.

Within the past year, I was accepted into the Red Thread Sessions program as a volunteer to photograph newly adopting families. It was always a program I admired, and had so much respect for. It's something I feel strongly about. The more photographs I see from Red Thread Sessions, my heart just fills. I've grown a passion for adopting. Again, something feeding my want to adopt.

Early in July, I found out I was pregnant. With my past history of miscarriages, I was terrified and I made a doctor's appointment for the 1st available date. A few days went by and I went to the doctor, where they did a blood test to confirm pregnancy, and wouldn't know the results until the next day. My worry increased with my results. The nurse who called with my results said, "Your HCG levels are not high enough for us to medically consider you pregnant. It could be extremely early in your pregnancy, but we need to wait a few days and see if you start your cycle.". In other words, "You may be pregnant and everything is ok, just early, or you are losing your baby". July 15th, is the day I started to miscarry and July 16th, my miscarriage was confirmed. I was 5-6 weeks along. I feel anxiety just thinking about it. Each one has affected me differently both emotionally and physically. While I'm hurt and absolutely heart broken, I feel a sense of calmness. The week of my miscarriage, I had dreams. Each dream was happy, and about baby #6. Out of all my miscarriages, never once did I have a sense of the gender of the baby, but for some reason, I new 6 was a girl, and she had her daddy's blue eyes, and my dimples. Whether that would be true or not, It comforts me to think it.

The story doesn't really relate to adoption, but it's one of those things that keeps me divided on my decision. Adopt, or keep trying and possibly face more heart break. I was only a few weeks into my pregnancy, and I already had such a strong sense of connection to my child. I worry with adoption, would I have that same connection? One can hope so, but it is something I completely fight with myself over and I believe my husband does as well. What if we adopt and eventually are able to have a biological child, would the connection or feelings be different? I know it might sound silly, or I might be looked at badly for even asking such questions, but it's a very real worry for me. I know without a shadow of a doubt I'd love the child, and the child would be mine. But I can't help but wonder, would the feelings be slightly different? When talking with people about adopting, of course people with no knowledge of what it's like with an adopted child, they've always commented it wouldn't be the same.

I know I over think things. It's just how I am. But with such a huge decision, I need to know what to expect.

Ever want something so bad, but the what ifs keep you held back? I feel like that's where I'm at right now.

So this is part of my Roller Roaster

It's been somewhat of a hectic and somewhat emotional week. Both good and upsetting news and thoughts.

I guess I should just write this from the start of things. Too much going on getting me to thinking.

I went to the doctor about an issue that I have had for more than 2 years now. Didn't get any news from that, 2 of the 3 tests they ran had good results. The 3rd test I'm sure had good results, I just never heard word of them. I think if the results were bad, I would have heard from the Doctor's office. It's the whole, "No news is good news" thing. My doctor said she would be in touch with me for my next appointment. Later in the week, I got a phone call from a Specialist/ Cardiologist to set up an appointment in May. Having to wait that long because evidently this specialist is a very busy woman and highly requested- but my doctor said I "need" to see this specific doctor. Yesterday, I received a call from another doctor. I'm being sent this week or next to be put on a Halter monitor for 48 hours. I'm not sure what's going on in this chest of mine, but I will be glad when the issue stops. They have ruled out any stress and anxiety. Which is a good and bad thing- depending on how you look at it. Good because, I'm not stressed- but rather relaxed, and bad because the issue could be much bigger. Hoping for good news because I don't need my husband stressing while being thousands of miles away.

My husband and I have been on the house hunt. Yet again, we have decided to try and purchase a house. I know, crazy because he is deployed. I believe I looked at nearly 20+ houses. Put a verbal offer on one, we lost out. Put a contract offer on another, our offer was beat by a full cash offer. I guess 3rd time is a charm, found a house that was cheaper than house one and two, it was also  more suited to my family. Our offer was accepted, and today was the home inspection- Good news there. Now, Come on closing!

The same day I get the exciting news about our house offer being accepted, I read of the death of a Sailor on the USS Enterprise. I knew it wasn't  my husband because I had received an email from him shortly before reading a post by the USS Enterprise Facebook page. But even in knowing my husband was safe- My heart shattered. You can't help but ache for the family.. but at the same time, as terrible as it may seem- you are relieved that it's not your husband. My husband knew the guy- they didn't work in the same division, but their paths had crossed, being that they are the same rate. They were more or less acquaintances. But never the less, I could tell that it had an effect on my husband. The circumstances behind the death have not been released, and I don't expect them to be. It's not our right to know- but only that of the family.

It had been an eventful week, and I'm sure hoping this week slows down- but from the looks of it, I'm running at full speed ahead. But hopefully, I can squeeze a blog post or two in somewhere. I have a few thoughts tinkering in my head.

What it means to be a Navy Wife

Flip Flops and Combat Boots has teamed up with Anchors Away Etsy shop to host a contest for Navy Significant others. This is the first contest I have entered, and am quite excited about it. Anchors Away offers some super cute items on her Etsy shop.. I can already tell it's going to get me in trouble with the husband.

The winner of the contest will win this awesome clutch bag!

To enter I have to tell Nicole and Marianna what it means to be a Navy Wife, and post the best picture of my husband and myself. This is a similar question I asked in the previous contest I hosted open to all Military Significant others. But I never posted what it means to ME to be a Military Wife/ Navy Wife. So this is a great opportunity for me to share that with all of you, my followers.. and hopefully winning the awesome clutch as well! ;)

Let me start off by telling you why I chose this picture. This picture was taken on December 19, 2008. The day I became a Navy wife, the day we started on a new journey.. a new adventure. Not knowing where it would take us, not knowing the people we would meet, the places we would see.. not knowing what the Military life had in store for us. It is the reason my blog is titled "Married to a Sailor: The Journey of a Navy Wife". This is my journey, my life.. and this is what it means to me:

I was brought up with Military in my family. Daddy Wade was in the Navy and out of the Navy before he met my mom. My great grandfather was also in the Navy. I grew up hearing an occasional story from my grandfather, always seeing pictures on his wall and it bringing a smile my face (by the way, he's around 90 and still sports a high and tight). Both my Aunt and Uncle were in the Airforce and retired from the Airforce, I loved hearing them talk about it. My cousin was in the Army, had been hurt in Iraq and was discharged. My brother joined the Airforce straight out of high school. Never realized how proud I could be of someone until the day I watched my brother leave for basic training. I always had a since of Patriotism, a lot of pride in our military. I had thought hard about joining myself, and had talked to several recruiters. Then I met my husband.

I never told my husband I was considering the military. We dated nearly a year and he started talking about joining the service. I honestly was a little scared. I didn't know where it would take our relationship. I was madly in love with him. He came to my house one day before we both had to go to work. He sat me down and asked me If I thought it was a good idea for him to join the Military. I was just his girlfriend. What do I say? It's not my decision. And that's what I told him. I grabbed his hand and said, "I support what ever decision you make. But I cannot make the decision for you. I am only your girlfriend and you cannot base your life decisions around me". He looked up at me and said, "This is about you. This is about us. I plan to marry you. This is your decision too." Talk about making you choke up! I knew we were serious, I knew I wanted to marry him.. but never saw that coming. We sat there and talked about it. The next day, he signed his name to the United states Navy. Three months later, he asked me to marry him. Two short months later, we were married. The next month, he left for Navy Boot Camp.

So, Back to the question. What does being a Navy Wife mean to me? 

• It means it's more important than ever to have good communication, and to rely on communication of the the physical aspects of a Civilian relationship. Living life through emails, and setting up Mobile email so no matter where you are, not missing the simple emails that just say "I love you and miss you so much", and your heart skip a beat as you read those words from your husband while he's out at sea.
• It means being strong, knowing you can handle the life of a Navy wife. You will hear the saying, "Only the Strong Survive", I believe it is the truth. If you don't believe you're strong enough for this, how can your husband?
• It means that every kiss feels like the first and never loosing those butterflies.
• It means adventure, taking risks and taking things as they come. Getting to see new places and experience different cultures.
• It means not planning anything, and learning to be spontaneous. If you don't make plans, you can't blame the Navy for breaking your plans. Just enjoying everything on a day to day basis.
• It means learning that you won't always be number one priority and when you have kids, they won't be either. Means smiling and even laughing when you hear "The Navy is my husband's mistress, and that bitch gets all the attention" because it's the truth.
• It means putting your big girl panties on and enjoying the ride. Yeah sure, things get tough, but it's all about how you take them and what you make of them. It's learning to see the positive in every situation. 
• It's having even more pride for the Navy and Military. It's a lot different than a brother, or Aunt/ Uncle being in... when it's your husband, You're apart of it.
• It means determining HOW you let the Navy defines you. You can say it doesn't define you, but you're ignoring it. In having Pride for your husband, in being patriotic, living this lifestyle.. it's already defining you. To me, I define myself as a Proud Navy Wife, married to an amazing man who IS a Sailor. Do I love him just because he is a Sailor? No. I would love him just as much if he was just a plumber. 
• It means staying positive, to keep yourself from getting depressed when he's away. 
• It means making some of the most unbreakable friendships imaginable. Finding others who understand without saying the emotions that come with the Job of being a Navy wife. 
• It means being in a position to help new Navy wives, giving advice and direction because we were all lost at one point and it's nice to have a helping hand.

It means so much to me, I could go on forever about what Being a Navy wife means to me, this is my life and my husband's life. My husband is career with the Navy. We have many years ahead of us. Why not enjoy it? You choose your own happiness.

I hope you Enjoyed my Entry. :)

I'm Baaaaack ;)

It's 3 am and the hubby and I are still awake. I are on his work schedule (he works Nights), and he has this weekend off. We probably won't go to bed until 5am-ish. He will sleep until probably 2ish and I will be up around noon probably earlier. I don't sleep much, and that's actually a lot of sleep for me. I don't know if I ever mentioned it.. but I have a mild case of insomnia and can go without sleep for a while.

We went and watched the "A-Team". It was super funny. Kept us laughing. We wanted to go see "Grown Ups", but Cinema Cafe in Hampton isn't showing it, so we're going to wait for it.
Now, I'm blogging.. while he is playing the newest UFC game for XBox. I think he's addicted. Thank goodness it's a rental. haha

Nick's family was in town Sunday night through Wednesday morning. My house is still a mess (hence the reason I have yet to post pictures of the new place!). We enjoyed them being here, but with all the stress we've been under.. it was good to have this weekend to ourselves so we could relax. Finally getting some time with the husband since he's been back in port. Much needed.

It was great seeing his sister. We had not seen her in over a year and a half. She's married to a Soldier and they are stationed in Italy. We finally got to meet our Nephew! He turned a year old earlier this month. He's such a cutie.. a chubby little cutie! He made me want a baby even more. And seeing my husband with him was hilarious, made me smile. He was so scared to hold him... and even play with him for fear he would drop him. His sister had to force him to hold the baby. Tuesday he started to warm up to the little guy. I smile just thinking about it. We took the family to the beach. Our nephew loved it. It was his first beach trip. Enjoy some pics ;)

Isn't he adorable?
Yes. He is.

PS. I'm Back! I have a smile on my face and my positive upbeat (sometime overly positive) attitude back. Whew! Sometimes we just need a moment to step back and recollect ourselves.

Any time that I feel down, or start to feel sorry for myself.. I re-read this quote:

When you're struggling with something, look at all the people around you and realize that every single person you see is struggling with something, & to them, it's just as hard as what you're going through.

 I know I've used the quote before in a post. It really helps me. I read that quote and It makes me want to be a better person, to help people. Helping others makes me happy. Which is why I have and am learning so much about the Navy life. I like to think that I have helped several ladies, and hope to continue that. In all honesty, Helping others, helps me. It's one of the reasons I have created my blog.  I will also be applying for an ombudsman position with my husband's ship. Finger's crossed. (oh yeah, failed to mention.. I didn't make the FRG board. But that doesn't mean I won't be involved. Congrats to the ladies who did make it!)

Thank you to all my lovely followers. It means a lot to have you as a reader. I'm sorry I have been somewhat of a recluse lately. I haven't been stopping by many blogs lately, but now that the stress is residing, I will get back to my normal routine ;)

Oh! I will be hosting a new competition soon. Bigger prizes than the last one. I don't care for the whole numbered post things.. So, it will be similar to my last competition since it was so successful, but on a different topic of course ;). When I hit 150 followers, I will begin the whole setting up the next competition and prizes.

Thanks for Reading! :D <- Big cheesey smile

Not keeping it bottled up

Seems like I have been posting less and less lately. There's been a lot going on, and somethings are better left unsaid.. well, better to not blog about.

I have been stressed to the MAX! So has the husband. His work schedule (not including the workups!), The move, Family visiting and a few other things.. has just really stressed us lately and has given us no breathing room, not to mention.. the hubby and I haven't gotten any time together. Guess that adds to the stress? Oh, not to mention I now know when they are deploying, found out the official (for now) deployment date. It's creeping up. I'm prepared, well.. as best as I can be.

I get jealous when the ship lets the guys off, and my friends get their husband for an extra day. Because my husband is "Essential Personnel", he doesn't get any days off that aren't his designated days off, not to mention he works 13hr shifts, night shift at that. It's draining. More so than the intense workup schedule that we have been undergoing since April. I know I shouldn't get jealous, it's the military... but I won't really get any time with my husband before deployment.

It's sad that I feel like I get to talk to him more when he's out to sea than when he's home. I see him for roughly one hour a day and that's while he's getting ready for work.  Yea sure, he does get 2 days off, but he sleeps practically the entire first day and the second he is still exhausted. I can't blame him for wanting to relax. Hell, if it were me working like he does, I would want to sleep every chance I got. At the same time that I understand.. I feel alone.9

I've gotten to the point where I feel like the kid who is always picked last for Kickball. If that was ever you growing up.. you know how bad that sucks. I'm a very patient person. And I know I'm a damn good wife. I am very understanding, but after a while.. it gets to me.
There's a little more to it than that, but I'm not going to get into it. Damnit, I just need some attention from my husband.

My husband and I have been trying for a baby for a few months now. It's been kept quiet, but If I talk about things, I feel better. My husband and I struggle in this department. What I mean by that is we have had several miscarriages since July of '08. One very recent. Another stress we've been facing. I've kinda come to grips with the recent one, but at the same time.. I find myself blaming myself. I know it's not my fault. But I think blaming yourself is the easiest way to accept it. I beat myself up thinking that my husband will not love me if I cannot give him a family. I know that's not true. I know he'll still love me. He actually wasn't sure he wanted kids until we found out we were pregnant in late June of '08. He got so excited. Seeing his face, the way he looked at me and rubbed my belly.. was the greatest thing I have ever felt or seen. Beginning of July '08 I miscarried. I found out I had been pregnant since April and had no clue it had been that long. I had just found out I was pregnant. I still think about that one all the time. I was about 3 months along. It's hard not to think about. I just keep telling myself that right now is not the right time for us. It will happen when it's supposed to. I'm going to be going to the doctor in the near future, so maybe I'll get some insight as to what's going on with my body. I haven't even told family we're trying for a baby. I guess I'll find out if any of my family reads my blog now.

I'm not depressed, although this isn't exactly the most positive blog post. I'm generally a very happy person. Not to say that I'm not happy right now, I'm just stressed. It happens to the best of us. I know that for me, it's best to let it all out and not keep it bottled up. It will only intensify the stress.

I would really like to thank Goodnight Moon for being totally awesome. She has been the one I feel like I can talk to about everything. I so wish she and I lived closer together!
Thank you to the couple other ladies I have talked briefly to as well.

Well, I'm going to leave this post as is. I'm going to post again later with some pics from my husband's family visiting. We finally got to meet our Nephew. He's a year old!
I've seen several ladies comment me wanting info for photo sessions. Shoot me an email at CRushGFX@yahoo.com, I've been away for a while and had a lot of comments and wasn't able to keep up! I apologize for this!

Todays Color Alert: RED, WHITE and BLUE

Will Finish my blog tonight and reply to comments. But for now, this is more important. Remember these pictures while you celebrate this weekend for Memorial Day:

No need for words, these images say enough.

Just Something to think about this weekend.

Military Spouse FREEBIE- MyCaa Books

I am not sure how many of you are familiar with MyCaa (Military One Source), but I'm going to post this anyways because I know there are several people who don't know about this. I had 4 friends email me this week alone to ask about it, so by posting this, I'm sure that at-least one person will learn something new.

First off, let me start off by saying I love MyCaa. And not just because of the $6,000 spouse grant you can get for schooling.

If you like to read, you're going to love this.


Did you know that MyCaa gives away 10 books a year of your choice (from the options they have) to military spouses every year? Yes, 10 free (even shipping!!) books every year!

It's quite awesome.

The books change regularly, Sometimes they may not have a lot that you are really interested in, but the next week they will have TONS. I have already had 6 or 7 sent to me this year. Mostly military related, but not always. They have a Fiction and Nonfiction section. in the Nonfiction they have a lot of self help books. Like things for stress, deployments, PTSD, money management, etc. (I recently got one, "What to expect when you're pregnant".. no, not pregnant.. I'll blog about that later.).

A few ladies and I were chatting about books the other day, and I was asked for some recommendations, I gave a few suggestions and then remembered MyCaa. Thought it would be a good idea to share with all of you. None of these ladies knew about it, so I was happy to help.

You do have to have an account with MyCaa. The website made me make a separate account from the spouse grant portion. If you're just searching the site for the free books, it's a pain to find and you may actually never find them. I honestly cannot remember how I got to them. I've known about it for almost 2 years now. {side note.. Wow, I've been married almost 2 years!! :D <- big cheesey smile}. So, I will also share links to the Fiction and Nonfiction books.

Remember, the book list will change often, so I don't suggest getting all 10 at once and having to wait until the next calendar year to get more... unless you see 10 you absolutely want. I know right now, Chicken Soup for the Military Wives Soul is currently on there. That's a must read in my opinion!

Ok, now for the links:

For fiction books:
https://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/Topic/Issue.aspx?IssueID=1288&TopicID=482&MaterialTypeGroupIDOpened=-1
(Like I stated earlier, they don't tend to have as many fiction books)

For Nonfiction books:
https://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/Topic/Issue.aspx?IssueID=1289&TopicID=482&MaterialTypeGroupIDOpened=-1


Ok, there's my post for today. :) Hope someone learned something new, and is as excited as I was when I first found them!

Now time for the winners!

AND THE WINNERS ARE....(Drum-roll please)

My Life as a Sailors Princess

PRIZES:
-A blogger award from my blog. (one made by me for winning my competition)
-2 photo edits. (You send me a picture and I have fun with it) I use Photoshop CS3 for my edits. Large photos are required and will have to be sent to me via email. [email: CRushGFX@yahoo.com]
-Custom made Graphic
-A blogger button for your blog.
-be mentioned on my Blog :)

 Mrs. Muffins

PRIZES:
-1 photo edit. (You send me a picture and I have fun with it) I use Photoshop CS3 for my edits. Large photo is required and will have to be sent to me via email. [email: CRushGFX@yahoo.com]
-A blogger button for your blog.
-be mentioned on my Blog :)

 Goodnight Moon

PRIZES:
-A blogger button for your blog.
-be mentioned on my Blog :)

Complaint Department, Take a Number

Yesterday I got Really irritated. Okay, honestly I was beyond irritated. I was on the verge of being irate! Ha, just realized.. I have 2 blogs (this being the 2nd) where I am CLEARLY on a rant.. and they both deal with Facebook. Why am I on that site again?

Ok, so it wasn't Facebook directly, but it petty girls on Facebook. I just read Mrs. Gambizzle's Post and this blog is related to hers. We're on the same rant.. and about the same person. Well, actually mine's more than just that person, but that person triggered my reaction. Am I rambling? pssh.

My husband's ship recently left for another workup. This one is one of the long stretches. I decide to get on Facebook yesterday morning, ya know.. to kinda put me in a good mood and talk to some of my military wife friends. Just wanted some casual conversation and maybe make some plans. What do I see as soon as I get on there? A girl posting "I don't need to see people whining and bitching about their guys being gone" She kinda rambled on and mentioned that she had her own problems that "are NOT military related". She has also posted that people need to "Suck it up and get over it. You signed up for this". She's always such a negative person and always Complaining about people "Complaining". Another girl posted something like "So what, your husband's gone.. get over it.".. *raises eyebrow, gritting teeth*

Ok, I agree with the whole "you signed up for this, suck it up" thing. BUT in a totally different sense than she did. I DID sign up for this life when I married my husband. I "Suck it up" when I have a day that the Navy changes plans or something goes wrong, and I don't COMPLAIN. That's how I look at it. But, I IN NO WAY signed up to NOT miss him. No one did.

I kinda lashed out. I have yet to post that I miss my husband, but that doesn't mean I don't miss him, because I do.. Very much so. I think it's normal to miss your husband.. and honestly, If you don't... Something is very wrong with you or your relationship. Just my thoughts. Anyway, back to the point.. I lashed out. I posted:

"gets annoyed when girls "Complain" about other's who post and complain about their men being gone. Do you realize you are "Complaining" more? Seriously. Shut up. Atleast some of us miss our boys."

I went on to say "I do not think posting that missing your SO while he is gone is complaining. I would HOPE that everyone will miss their significant other while they are away.
*OPSEC violations are a different story*Besides that.. Why not be positive? Negative status updates can effect others mood. Be encouraging and be there for the person who is having a hard time with their loved one gone. Some people actually like having their husband around."

That status update ended up being a bit of a popular post. Several girls thought the same thing I did, but didn't say it. Some of them needed to hear, "It's ok, you're allowed to miss him".. encouragement. It's good for everyone. I like being a positive person. I actually pride myself in knowing I try not to bring negativity in my life (although, sometimes.. it happens.).

The girl who triggered my post ended up deleting her status. I assume that maybe I wasn't the only one who said something. I considered deleting her, but I would like to be able to get along with all "Big E" wives, although.. is that really possible? The reason I want to get along with all possible is because there will be a couple positions on the FRG board opening soon. The president of the FRG said I would be a great person to be on it. The FRG leader's are by vote. So, I need want to get along with everyone.

 So there.. That is my Rant. Weewh... I feel better. ha. 

Do you agree? Or did I over react?

50 followers = Competition time! (a little late!)

 CONTEST HAS COME TO AN END!!

Thank you to everyone who entered! I cannot wait to read every one of your posts! I never imagined so many people would get involved!

You can find a list of the entries at the bottom of this blog. 

Voting will begin shortly :)

I've decided to run a competition. Something simple. The winner will be up to a vote from my followers :). So everyone can be involved!

I wanted to do this when I hit 50 followers, but chaos happened in Tennessee and it was all I could think about. Was incredibly worried about my friends and family there. Now I'm at more than 70 followers, and am a little behind! Yikes! I had planned to do another competition when I reached 100 followers, but since I'm already creeping up on it.. it may be pushed off to 150, or I might do another small competition.

Since it's Military Spouse Appreciation Month, I want it to be about YOU!

For my Blogger Competition, here are the rules:
 1. I want you to post a blog. Yes, there's a catch.
You have to write about what being a military wife/ SO and what it means to you.

 2. Link my blog/ this competition in your post.

 3. Tell me the link to your blog! Post it as a comment in this blog post. (I need it for the voting ;) !) I will update this blog with Links to everyone's posts.

 4. Deadline is May 11 (11:59pm eastern time) and voting will start May 12 and end May 14 at 11:59pm eastern time. Voting will be as a poll that I will post in my blog. If anyone cheats and I find out, you will be disqualified.

Oh, almost forgot! PrIzEs! Who-Hoo!!
For now, the prizes are not physical. But In my opinion, and several others.. they are just as great!
Oh.. and I almost forgot.. there's a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize! Awesome right? Totally. ha

Will receive a blogger award from my blog. (one made by me for winning my competition)

2 photo edits. (You send me a picture and I have fun with it) I use Photoshop CS3 for my edits. Large photos are required and will have to be sent to me via email.

Custom made Graphic

A blogger button for your blog.

and be mentioned on my Blog :)

_____________________________________

Will receive 1 photo edit. (You send me a picture and I have fun with it) I use Photoshop CS3 for my edits. Large photos are required and will have to be sent to me via email.

A blogger button for your blog

And be mentioned on my blog!

_____________________________________

Will receive a blogger button

And be mentioned on my blog!

I know it's not much, but it's something fun. :)




CURRENT CONTEST ENTRIES:
Chantal's Blog

My explosive life... as an EOD tech's wife

The Life Of An ET's Wife

My Life as a Sailors Princess

Riding the Roller Coaster

Diary of a Navy WIfe

Dear Afghanistan, Be gentle on him

Deployment (again)

ACU's, Stilettos Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutus

G.I. Joe's Wife

Goodnight Moon

Reflections of a Navy Wife

Mrs. Muffins

The Resors

Life and Times of a Displaced Jersey Girl

Navy Doll

The Voigt Story

Bellajo Photography

A Hapa Girl and her Hapa Family!

Lucky Dimes and Dog Tags

Confessions of a Sailor's Wife

Engaged to the Navy

Head in the game. Heart in the sand.


^^ That's all the Entries! Wowza! :D
I'm really enjoying your posts ladies! Setting up the Voting now! :D

Home Update

All of my family is safe and accounted for. Thank goodness.
I feel so helpless being 13 hours away. I feel like I should be doing something. But, what can you do when you're 1/2 a day away?

Tennessee is the Volunteer state. This time of crisis really proves why they are called that. People all across the state are reaching out to help. Our schools are opening their doors for shelters. Random strangers are reaching out to help those who lost everything. People are out in their boats helping anyone in need. The state is being brought together.

They are saying the flooding is worse than Katrina. Unlike Hurricane Katrina, Middle Tennessee is not getting any national attention. Which is sad to me. Seems like Tennessee is left to pick up the pieces themselves. Houses are completely under water. More than 12 people have been killed in Tennessee alone. Some people were trapped in their cars on the interstate, the flood waters covered cars. So many historic places are damaged. The Grand Old Opry, Opryland Hotel, Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Ryman all have water damage. It's such a sad time for Nashvillians.

Now for the Pictures:

Wal Mart in Ashland city before the water really came in

The roads in front of Harpeth High school

The only cow that survived from it's owner's farm. So sad.

LP Field/ Titans Stadium

Grand Ole Opry

What once was the Very beautiful Opryland Hotel.
Had to rescue more than 1,000 people. More than 10ft of water.
All the lower levels where completely flooded.

This car ended up being completely under water.

Country Music Hall of Fame before they were forced to open
the dams.

Opry Mills Mall- Rain Forest Cafe
The water got higher than this.

I could post so many more pictures, but I will leave it at this. Please continue to keep the flood victims in your prayers.

So far.. This is the hardest

Lots of areas look like this

No, I'm not talking about workups or even Deployment. I'm talking about the State of emergency my hometown is in. Being 13 hours and seeing pictures, hearing the news of the flooding, the deaths.. in middle Tennessee. AND even worse, they expect there to be MORE flooding and MORE deaths.

Riverview Restaurant is now gone. It was swept away.

People are loosing everything, some loosing even their life to this. As of right now, the death toll is at 12. I pray there will be no more lives lost from this. The Weather Channel just said there are 2 missing now. I pray they find them and find them alive.

Had to take boats to get People out

The pictures people are posting online from home.. Well, it's really starting to get to me. I grew up there. The first 18 years of my life, I never moved out of Cheatham County... and now, so much is being washed away, literally. But that is still not what scares me the most. They have started to evacuate parts of the county I grew up in.

My Grandmother is stuck at her job... which is right on the Cumberland River. She can not get home because the roads are blocked by the flood waters. I just pray that she can get somewhere safe. My mom is keeping me updated on her, but I think my mom might not tell me everything that's going on so that I won't worry so much. Either way, I'm worried.

Small shopping center

They are saying the waters could rise up to 10 more feet. According to the weather channel, the levee in Nashville is on the verge of breaking. They have opened several dams to keep them from breaking. It is good to keep them from breaking.. just scary because that means more flooding.

I just pray the water stops rising and levels soon. So many have lost their home. It's sad, you can't get flood insurance there unless your are in a classified flood zone.
They are calling this the "100 Year Flood". It has been over 100 years since middle Tennessee has seen a flood like this.

Please keep middle Tennessee families in your Prayers.

House now is on it's own island with no way out other than a boat

Farms Flooded

Roads Flooded