Relaxation fail!

So remember when I said I would have a relaxing day at the pool this Wednesday? Well, it didn't happen. The weather sucked, plus the pool didn't even open I'm guessing because of the weather. Blah. So what did I end up doing on my day off? I cleaned. Yes, I cleaned my house from top to bottom. I had been meaning to clean and that day was the only day I would have time before my mom arrives on Sunday. I have this tendency to clean my house like a mad woman when I have company coming. So much for a day of relaxation. When it comes to cleaning, I go off on a tangent for the most part. I become like a crazy cleaning lady once I start. I ended up dusting parts of my house that I didn't even know could accumulate dust. It was nuts, but boy do I feel better. I got a lot accomplished. I love getting things done and accomplished on days off, but it would have been so amazing to just have one day to lay out in the sunshine ALL day and read on my nook with no worries or a care in the world. Oh well, at least I don't work a ton next week, plus my mom will be here on vacation all week. It will be great to spend a lot of time with her since I haven't seen her in nearly two months. Then at the end of July, Jarrett is flying me out to Savannah, GA to spend the weekend with him since he will be deployed there for a month or so. That will most certainly be a nice little vacation from my hectic life.

Katie<3

Relaxation please?

  

My goodness I need to relax. I am stressed stressed stressed! Between the military and not knowing if we are staying in VA or being stationed somewhere new, work, the puppy, trying to find a real job in this economy let alone a career, researching and trying to figure out grad school and constantly worrying about the future, I am completely overwhelmed with everything. I never have real time to myself. Yes of course I have my evenings to myself because Jarrett works nights, but I don't really get to have "me time" very often. I live thirty minutes from the beach and I have a pool at my apartment complex, but do I ever have the time to just relax at the beach or pool? Nope, sure don't! My perfect relaxation day would consist of a pedicure and perhaps a massage and then just spending the rest of the day either at the pool or the beach just reading a book and getting tan. Perfect. Since I'm only off Wednesday this week, depending on the weather, I am forcing myself to lay out at the pool ALL day, and I will read my Fifty Shades of Grey and get a little tan going on. This WILL happen. You know things are crazy when you have to force yourself to relax. Actually, come to think of it, I have never been a relaxed type person. I have always worried myself into oblivion. I never really give myself a day to relax, just by myself. I think we all just need a day like that. A day to ourselves, to think about nothing. A day to rest and let all of the day to day worries rest also. I think we all get so caught up in our lives that we forget to breath. We need to breath. We need to relax.

Heres to a day at the pool,

Katie<3

Happy 4th of July!

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July! I know I sure did. Jarrett and I FINALLY had a day off together. We work opposite shifts plus Jarr's been working weekends occasionally, so it has been really hard to spend quality time together. We don't even have to do a ton of stuff to spend quality time with each other. We just needed pure relaxing and that's what we got. We went out to lunch, came back home and took about a two hour nap together with Leo, cooked out on the grill with the in laws and then went and got ice cream. Perfect day! Fireworks wise, we decided to be bums this year and not go out, but I'm pretty sure we'll be able to see them from our porch. As Americans, we are so blessed to live in this country where our brave men and women fought so that we could be free today. We are so blessed to have a day like this so that we may celebrate together the birth of our great nation. I am proud to say that I am an American, and that I live in a nation that has its freedom. Happy birthday America!

Katie<3

Catch the star that twinkles in your heart!

Catch the star that twinkles in your heart

and it will lead you to your destiny's path

Follow that pathway and uncover the

sweet sunrises that await you

Take pride in your accomplishments

as they are steppingstones to your dreams

Understand that you may make mistakes

but don't let them discourage you

Value your capabilities and talents

for they are what make you truly unique

The greatest gifts in life are not purchased

but acquired through hard work

and determination

Find the star that twinkles in your heart

for you are capable of making

your brightest dreams come true

Give your hopes everything you've got

and you will catch the star

that holds your destiny - Shannon M. Dickinson

Katie<3

Done standing still!

I seriously think that when you turn twenty five, a light bulb goes off in your head. While I haven't been twenty five long, I feel as if I am finally starting to figure everything out. Not that I am a person that never has things figured out because I'm not. I have always been the girl that planned and planned and planned for EVERYTHING. In high school I of course thought about my future and what I would be when I grew up. We all think about who we are going to be. I was never that person that had that one thing that they were good at. Nowadays it seems like everyone is good at one thing and then they go to college for that one thing and then they do that one thing as a career for the next thirty some years. Since I didn't really know what that one thing was, I took the business type route because that was the route that my father took. I was so focused on getting my business degree from our community college and then transferring to our university to specialize in a more in depth business major, and then I met my husband.

I then became a military girlfriend, something I never thought I would be. Then I was in a long distance relationship which turned into me being a military fiancé and then a military wife. My whole outlook on the future changed. I was thinking about being a military wife and all of the responsibilities that came with it. I was thinking about the life that we would have together and all of the things I may have to sacrifice. I stopped thinking about my education and career. I literally only thought about marrying Jarrett and moving to Virginia with him. Well because my husband is so darn amazing, he continued to push me to obtain my education and then move with him, so I did. I finished my business degree from the community college and then transferred to the university. I then realized that I wanted to pursue a degree for me. I pursued my Bachelor's in English Literature instead. At that point, I just wanted to graduate with some sort of degree and move with my husband. I still really didn't care about anything except being with him.

Right now in my life, I have never been more determined to have a career and be a military wife at the same time. I am determined to show everyone that it can be done. As I've stated before, even with my degree, I have had a rough time finding the right full time job for me. I thought it would be easy and non-stressful, but I was so wrong. This was one big disaster that I had NEVER planned on. I found myself standing still, not knowing what to do. Well, I am not standing still anymore. After much considerable thought, I have decided to go for my Master’s online in either English or Business. I figure I will do it all online just in case we get transferred to another state. It will be so much easier for me to accomplish if I do it online. I do feel lucky to have any kind of job right now even if it is just retail, but I do intend on still trying to find a full time job. I wouldn't mind working full time and going to school at the same time. For the first time in a while, I feel like my head is on straight. I actually want to pursue a career in both of my fields. Not just one career, but possibly two. I think I want to obtain my Master's in Business Administration and work my way up the ranks at a really good company. I can honestly see myself being some sort of corporate queen. I wouldn't mind it at all. I could do so many things with a Master's in Business. Even my English degree would lend a hand in a business environment.

Aside from the whole business career, I really want to use my English degree meaningfully as well. Writing and reading has always been a passion of mine. This passion has never died in me. The biggest thing that I want to do in my life is write a book series. There are so many amazing authors out there and I want to be one of them. I want to be the female Nicholas Sparks. Honestly I do. His books are so inspiring and the stories are phenomenal. I could only be so lucky to come up with stories as wonderful as his. I either want to write a romance series or a series for teen girls. I'm not sure quite yet, but I want to write something incredible. I use to think that I wanted to have a publishing career and help discover those remarkable authors, but after a lot of thought, I really want to be one of those authors. Who knows, maybe this blog will be turned into a book. Hey a girl can dream right, and this girl is certainly dreaming. Okay I have certainly rambled on long enough about further education and career aspirations. I just had to get it all out there and boy do I sure feel better.

Katie<3

Visits!

Caroline and I at my wedding

Chris, Matt and I

I love when we get a ton of visitors in a row. It's amazing how much time we've gotten to spend with our families even though we live three hours away from them. Over the past two weeks Jarrett and I have gotten to spend a lot of time with our awesome siblings. First, Jarrett's sister Caroline came to visit. Jarrett's mom and step-dad moved here to Virginia at the beginning of the year so she also came to spend time with them. Caroline is the closest I have come to having a sister and I really missed her. It was so nice to just hang out at Jarrett's parents house with her as a family like old times. Her and I also went shopping, got some yummy froyo and then her, Jarrett and I went to Busch Gardens. Perfect.

Our next visit consisted of my older brother, Matt, coming for the weekend. He hadn't been to visit in almost a year so it was about time he came. I had to work a ton that weekend, but he did get to spend some quality time with Jarrett. They just hung out and did "guy" stuff. haha. On that Saturday when I got off work, we went to Busch Gardens. Yeah we have season passes there so we go a lot. I love living so close to Williamsburg. We road a ton of roller coasters, ate amazing food at The Smokehouse and then had some delicious sweets at the sweet shop. I seriously can't go there without getting chocolate covered oreos or chocolate covered smores. Amazing. It was a short trip, but it was enough for Matt to clear his mind of some unnecessary stuff happening in his life.

Our last visit was my younger brother Chris and his girlfriend Erin. Erin wasn't able to meet Leo when we picked him up in Maryland, so this was perfect timing. She is a huge dog lover, so of course, Leo really took to her. They have a strong bond now. Anyways, Jarrett had to go to work as soon as they got in to town, so I got to spend the day with them. I took them to our favorite sub place, Firehouse Subs, then we went to Peninsula Town Center, our outdoor mall. We then chilled at the house with Leo and later I took them to Cancun, the best mexican restaraunt next to La Tolteca in Maryland. Delicious. They left the next day to go spend time with Erin's grandparents who also live in Hampton.

All in all, it was wonderful to get to spend all this time with my sister in law and brothers. I love my families so much. I am so greatful to have these people in my life.

Katie<3

7 years ago sometime this month!

Us when we were 18!

Us 7 years later at 25!

I can't remember the exact day in June that we met for the first time, but I know it was in June. We were 18 when we met at the restaurant that we worked at. We knew eachother for 8 months before Jarrett finally asked me on a date. Took him long enough. Haha! Yeah, there's not really too much of a difference in the pictures above, but I really do think we look older in the second one. I somewhat feel that 18 year old mentality in the first picture and that "we're a bit wiser now" feeling in the second. And we are wiser now. We have been through SO much in these past 7 years. I would literally be here forever if I tried to retrace our steps. We have grown from two immature 18 year olds who had no clue to two strong willed 25 year olds who are working hard towards hopes and dreams. We have had to learn a lot of things the hard way, but we learned them and are better for them. We had to grow up FAST. Military life came way too fast. We were dating one minute and then before I knew it, he went off to boot camp and we were married four years later. Where does the time go? It's amazing how the years just fly by. Pretty soon we'll be starting a family of our own, our kids will be grown and then we'll be grandparents before we even know it. Yikes I'm getting way too ahead of myself. But this is all so true. Life moves so quick. Even though it seems fast, I can't wait for the next 7 years and forever with Jarrett. I can't wait till we are old, sitting on the porch in our rocking chairs at 6 o'clock in the morning, watching the sun come up.

Katie<3

A weekend of childhood reminiscing!

Okay okay...I've been really bad at updating lately. I'm just going to go ahead and blame it on the puppy. I have literally had my hands full with him when I'm not at work. Jarrett and I are on opposite work schedules right now, so when I'm coming home, he's going to work. This means I have the whole entire evening with Leo until Jarrett gets home at midnight. Needless to say, I'm a bit exhausted. Anyway, this past weekend was mini vacation time for me. Jarrett wasn't able to come because he got sick at the last minute. Total bummer, but the weekend was still amazing just the same. Every summer since I was a kid, my dad would take my brothers and me camping or white water rafting. Now that we are all grown up, we have kind of left the whole camping trip every summer thing on the back burner. I had decided that it was time to go back to it. Although my brothers couldn't make it this time, I was able to spend some quality time with my dad and, for once, there was a woman on the trip, my dad's long time girlfriend, Kelly. Every summer we went it was always just me and the boys, no other girls or women at all. This time was really nice to have another female to hang with. I needed this weekend so bad. I needed to get away and enjoy the fresh air. I needed to clear my head. I didn't have a care in the world for once. I didn't mind at all just spending time with my dad, one on one. Going back to Cherrystone with my dad brought back so many memories. All these thoughts came flowing back all at once. Things that I hadn't thought about since I was twelve. Yes it had been twelve years since I had been there. We took many strolls around the campsite while we were there. My dad even remembered so many things that I remembered. Me falling off my bike and skinning my knee pretty bad. Me crabbing for the very first time. My dad taking us to get ice cream at the Little Neck Cafe. My little brother and I making our own tye dye shirts at the craft center. Playing tennis together as a family. Riding paddle boats together. My dad making his famous hobo meals for dinner. There are a ton more memories, and I could go on forever, but then I would be writing a book. It was a simple weekend full of the simple things in life. It was one of those weekends that reminded me of just how blessed I truly am and how blessed I've been my whole life.

Katie<3

Home sweet home!

This weekend was full of puppy shenanigans, great family time and of course, great food! Saturday was the big day. At 2 o'clock Jarrett and I would officially be the owners of Leo. So excited and nervous all at the same time. My heart was literally pounding as we drove to the breeder's house. Yep, this is just another thing to stress me out. I might just be posting random rants here and there about the fun process of puppy training. Beware. Besides our new addition, we got to spend some time with my brothers and we all went to Red Roost for dinner that night. For those of you that don't know, Red Roost is one of the best places in the world to get crabs. Going to dinner there is one of my favorite past times from living in Maryland. It is a summer must for the whole family. After dinner, my sister in law, Caroline, came over. I haven't seen her in forever, so it was certainly awesome to get to spend some time with her. We played with Leo then went to Cold stone to get some delicious ice cream. Great times like always. On Sunday my dad had a cookout full of beef brisket, BBQ ribs, potato salad, baked beans and lemon pie. I'm telling you, every time I come home my dad cooks like there is no tomorrow. He always makes so much food and then sends half of the leftovers back to Virginia with me. I'm not complaining though. After lunch it was time to brace the three hour ride back home with an eight week old puppy. Yeah, he wined and howled a lot, but for the most part he slept. I must say, the past couple of nights with him have been pretty darn exhausting, but I know they will get better. I wouldn't trade him for the world!

Katie<3

Follow your destiny, wherever it leads you!

Walk your path one step at a time --

with courage, faith, and determination.

Keep your head up and cast your dreams to the stars.

Soon your steps will become firm, and your footing will be solid again. 

A path that you never imagined will become the most

 comfortable direction you could have ever hoped to follow.

Keep your belief in yourself and walk into your new journey.

You will find it magnificent, spectacular, and beyond your

wildest imaginings.

-Vicki Silvers

Katie<3

Memorial Day!

Today is Memorial Day. A day to remember all of the people that have sacrificed their lives so that we can be free today. On this day I have always thought of those that died for us, but now more than ever, I have a better appreciation for everyone in the military and all of the families that stand by them. Whether you know someone who died in battle or not, when your associated with the military, it truly hits home. Sunday at church, we took a moment to pray and recognize our Armed Forces. It was such an amazing feeling when they asked everyone serving and who have served to stand up. Everyone applauded tremendously. I wanted to blubber like a baby when Jarrett stood up. Then they asked family members of these soldiers to stand up. Yep, the water works came on as I stood up with my in laws in honor of Jarrett. We all get so wrapped up in our three day weekends, our beach days and our cookouts that we sometimes forget about what this day is all about. Actually, we shouldn't just use THIS day to remember our fallen heroes. We should remember every day!

Katie<3

Home sweet home!

I went on a quick trip to Maryland Tuesday and Wednesday to finally meet Leo. I am so in love with this puppy. It's insane. He is literally the cutest thing I've ever seen. I also got to play with his brothers and sisters which was hilarious. Leo is such a snuggle bunny, and I'm kind of hoping that he stays that way and isn't way too hyper. What am I talking about? He's a dachshund. He's going to be hyper no matter what. Well I guess one can only hope. I know he will be a little wild at first, but it will pass as time goes by. Besides seeing Leo, I was able to fit in some time with my mom and brothers and three of my closest girls Christina, Brooke and Amanda. Every time I come home, my days are so packed it's crazy. I drove home early Tuesday morning, got in to town at twelve, went to lunch with mom and Christina right then, visited my brother Chris at work, went to see Leo at two, had a delicious spaghetti and meatball dinner with my mom and older brother Matt, went to a baseball game with Brooke after dinner then Chris and his girlfriend Erin came over and hung out. Wednesday I spent the whole day with Amanda since she is moving to New York in a week and I haven't seen her in forever. She is basically going through what I went through two years ago with graduating from college and moving away to be with the man she loves. We went to Panera for lunch and literally talked there for two hours. We have been through so much together and I am going to miss her so much! At least now I have a reason to take a little vacation to New York! Anyways, after spending all day with her I met my mom for $4 burgers at yummy Backstreet Grill and hit the road back to Virginia at six! Why yes I am just a tad bit exhausted, but I wouldn't trade my Maryland trips for anything!

Katie<3

Chocolate and peanut butter obsession!

It's no secret that I have always had a major sweet tooth, but I feel like the older I get the worse it gets. I love all kinds of sweet goodies, but my absolute favorite is chocolate and peanut butter together. Goodness gracious I love chocolate and peanut butter. It's a little bit insane. Just a little bit. Then Pinterest had to come along and all. I just had to go and search for chocolate and peanut butter desserts. Well, this is what I found and this is what I am dying to make:

1.) Truffles! My goodness! Need I say more?

 2.) Homemade peanut butter cups! Yes please!

 3.) Some kind of chocolate/peanut butter brownie bite thing.

 4.) Whoopie pies!

 5.) Cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and pb cups on top!

 6.) I have no clue what this is, but it looks like a chocolate/peanut butter casserole?

7.) Peanut butter and chocolate chip muffins!

8.) And last but not least, half chocolate covered pretzel sandwiches with peanut butter frosting in the middle. Yikes!

So, at some point in the near future I will make all of these. Stay tuned for updates and recipes!

Katie<3

Getting ready for Leo!

Goodness gracious I have been lacking on this blog! Sorry guys! I keep forgetting that I have the computer back again! I promise I will get better at this whole thing. And yes, this post is going to be about Leo and it most certainly won't be the last! haha! I really feel like I talk about him way too much, but I can't help it. I've never had a dog of my own and I'm pretty hyped about getting him in two weeks. I'm sure my huge obsession with him will end shortly, but for now, just let me bask in his total cuteness for just a little bit longer! I just love the breeder because she has been updating us every week with new pictures and updates on his progress. He is already growing up so fast and we haven't even officially met him yet so this Tuesday can't come soon enough. One of the other things that I love about the breeder is that she gives you a little starter kit with a whole bag of food, treats, toys and a blanket when you pick up your puppy. Yay! Aside from that stuff, I did go shopping today for the rest of the small stuff that he'll need. As soon as we put our deposit down on him I immediately sat down and made a list of everything to buy! If you learn anything about me it's that I make lists for literally everything. I always like to be prepared for things and this is surely something I want to be perfectly prepared for. Yes I know, control freak! haha! Anyway, all that we have left to get is his crate and crate pad, his bed and his pet carrier then he will be all set and ready to come home. Also, more and more toys and some Ravens apparel, and THEN he will be ready!

Katie<3

Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

"The first Military Spouse Day was first celebrated in 1984 when President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the observance to honor the contributions of military spouses. The military now sets aside the Friday before Mother's Day each year to pay tribute to the spouses who play a vital role in the nation's defense." -- Quote from a military family blog I found, http://militaryblog.militaryavenue.com

I had no clue that there was a day devoted to military spouses, and I'm really glad there is. There are so many misconceptions about military wives. A lot of people have not one clue what we go through, and so many are ignorant to the fact. Every military wife is different in her own way. Yes some military wives are house wives, but they are not sitting at home eating bon bons all day. They are keeping everything sane while their husband is working extremely long work shifts. They are taking care of everything. Some military wives are stay at home moms. They take care of the children while daddy is at work or while he is deployed for a long time. They keep themselves and the children going while the biggest factor in their life is gone for months at a time. Some military wives are actually able to have stable careers despite the wrath of being sent to another base constantly. I commend those wives and I am working on being one of them. Some military wives only have a high school diploma, but that in no way belittles them. That says nothing about who they are, but being a military wife says everything. Some military wives have Masters degrees and Doctorate degrees, while dealing with young kids at home and a husband that has been gone for nine or more months. Some are having to sacrifice everything while their husband is literally fighting for his country. We all chose this life, and while it may be hard and completely exhausting sometimes, I think I can speak for all military spouses when I say that we wouldn't have it any other way.

Katie<3