Justin...NOW!

Okay, so I'm feeling a little lacking of patience (what's new??). I know how people say that Military Wives are so strong and don't complain and just take these times of separation in stride...but apparently I am not one of them right now. But that's okay, I like to go against the grain most of the time anyway. You know, with getting married young, moving across the country, among many other things, I guess it just comes with my territory to not fit in with the stereotypes. So, that means that I'm going to be the one to complain. So, here it goes: I want my husband back and I want him back now! Well, that felt good. A little childish...but good. He was supposed to come back Tuesday, but I'm now hearing Wednesday. I guess one more day isn't that bad. But when the man is only going to be home for 3 weeks, that one more day matters. Because after that, the dang boy will be gone on deployment...possibly up to 6 months if he extends in the Navy (we will see if that happens or not). And we have lots to do when he is home. Besides celebrating his 22nd Birthday and our 7th Valentine's Day, we have to do a lot of job searching for him, trips to the Reserve Recruiter, people we need to visit with, church events, and above all, spending some nice quiet time together.

So, I've been preparing for the 3 week extravaganza (I like that our marriage is measured in short bursts of chaos...but soon that will just be a past memory!), by shopping (yes to $160 on groceries at the Commisary), redecorating (poor Justin is not even going to recognize this pace between all the new throw pillows, new plants, and new canvas print), and reorganizing (too bad I moved all his stuff! Yikes!). So the spring cleaning (or late Winter cleaning?) is complete, and I feel very rejuvinated. So, I'm hoping these next few days will go by quick so I can enjoy everything with my husband...the love of my LIFE!

BLAH! Can you tell by the way I wrote this blog that I'm feeling a little mumble-jumbled, impatient, crazy, and a little off my rocker? Well if so, your assumptions are COMPLETELY correct... Sheesh.

Speak With Love (SWL)

A dear friend of ours, Travis Wright, came up with Speak With Love, a new organization targeted towards those in our world that seem to have been forgotten. The organization is meant to be a "beacon of hope and a reminder to the world that LOVE STILL EXISTS". Travis is an amazing man with a heart on fire for Christ and filled with the motivation to make our world a better place. I've included an excerpt from the organization's webpage: www.speakwithlove.org. I ask that you consider supporting this organization and keep Travis as well as Speak With Love in your prayers.

"True LOVE speaks without words. It’s universal. It needs no translation. LOVE is a language we all speak. It’s what we all desperately long for.

SWL is about reminding the world that LOVE STILL EXISTS.

SWL isn’t about words, it’s about breathing LOVE into them. It’s about impacting the lives of others with LOVE. It’s about speaking a greater truth through who we are, what we do, and who we become...

SWL is about living our lives for each other.
It’s about not having to carry the burdens of life alone.
It’s about reminding the world that the answer is LOVE…

SWL is about TRUTH.
It’s about HOPE.
It’s about LIFE.
It’s about TODAY.
It’s about having faith in TOMORROW…"

School Starts...

Well, school starts today. Lovely. I am not looking forward to it in the slightest. I am usually somewhat excited about starting a new semester, but right now, I have no desire or motivation. I think its just because this semester looks like its going to be really hard. But oh well. I will just do the best I can.

So this weekend I didn't get as much crafting done as I wanted. I prepped a bunch of sewing projects for the future, but I need to go to the craft store and get some muslim and satin ribbon. However, I did completely reorganize the house. I feel so much more at ease now because I can actually breathe in my closet and my laundry room. Why is reorganizing so invigorating? Also, my inspiration journal is being filled as each day goes on. I will post some pictures soon!

Justin called :). The ship is still planning on arriving on the 27th. So 15 more days to go. He is working really long hours and says the work is hard, but everything is going well. I cannot wait for him to come home.

New Pictures from Empire Mine

Well, when Justin and I had our quick trip home, he went shooting (photography) with a friend of ours, and in the midst of it, his friend took some great shots of us! Justin also learned a lot that day about his new camera: Canon Rebel Xti. His dream is to eventually become a wedding photographer (and me a wedding planner, so we can open up our own wedding business), so it was great that he learned so much that day from this guy who has taken lots of photography classes. Justin will eventually be able to take some photography classes once he is out the Navy. Anyway, enjoy the photos!

Eggplant...

So, I tried eggplant for the first time tonight...and I cannot decide if I like it! Justin and I eat zucchini ALL the time, and I guess I was just expecting it to taste exactly like zucchini...but, it doesn't! And I can't tell if I like it. I ate all that I prepared, but I just don't know. Its like sweet, but peppery, and some other taste I can't put my mouth on. I prepared similarly to how I saw it done on Rachel Ray: Grilled like a steak, topped with other yummies (I did my favorite marinara sauce, and sauteed mushrooms), and then topped with fresh parmesan and mozzerella...and then zapped under the broiler to melt the cheese. Lots of yummy flavors, but I just can't tell if I like it. I'll have to cook it for Justin once he is home to see what he thinks. Does anyone have any good recipes for eggplant?

A Day to Create...Finally

Okay, so I finally got around to create my inspiration Journal that I have been wanting to make...especially since one of my resolutions for 2009 is to actually keep an Inspiration Journal. So first off, I should give credit to those that inspire me: Donna Downey and Amy Butler. I actually got the idea of Inspiration Journals from Donna Downey and have made a few just like hers, but I felt that I need more pages than the design she uses for my personal journal. Also, I love every single fabric that Amy Butler designs. So, I got so excited this Christmas when I found some of her fabrics under the tree! (Thanks Mom!). So, this is how the process went:

Some great Amy Butler Fabrics

My New Brother Sewing Machine (compliments of my Mother!)

A plain journal that I "borrowed" from Justin (yikes!)

The cute fabric stitched and ready to go

A home-made button



And ta-da! An Inspiration Journal. I just love the cute little yellow ribbons and the fun Midwest Modern colors. Now...time to be inspired and fill this baby up! Just like Donna Downey says: Live a Life Inspired!

Oh, and by the way, I also turned in an application today to Starbucks, got my oil changed, and did Pilates! PHEW! I'm feeling productive :)

First Night W/O Justin

Okay, so night #1 without Justin out of what?...3 weeks? Not too bad so far! Got caught up on some much needed magazine reading. Got to love Food & Wine, Living, and The Nest! Best Mags ever. And can't forget Wine Enthusiast. Thank goodness for the dear neighbors for giving me all their old magazines.

And, I'm watching Jon & Kate +8! One of my most favorite shows (plus many others). I'm also staring at 5 loads of laundry that need to be folded. As well as my dear dog...just hanging out.

Anyway, tomorrow I am going to craft. FINALLY! I need to let loose all these creative juices. Between Amy Butler Fabrics and Donna Downey Inspiration Journals, I have plenty to do! Especially because one of my New Years Resolutions is to keep an Inspiration Journal (and work out 3 times a week...which means I better work out tomorrow).

Anyway, I'm hoping to put up more pictures of stuff tomorrow! Be blessed in this New Year!

A Lazy Day

So Justin leaves tomorrow for 3.5 weeks...Sea Trials...Lovely. Me on the other hand, has nothing to do! Okay, well thats a lie. I start school in a week, so I have to buy books and get prepared for another threatening semester. Also, I need to finish my application for Starbucks and turn that in...and finish Twilight, and create a bunch of things, and finish my painting...OH! and plan my neighbors wedding. So at least I will be busy while Justin is gone.

Though I will miss Justin terribly, it will be nice to have some quiet time. We have been busy since Thanksgiving. Between hosting Thanksgiving at our house, finals, having my best friend stay for almost 2 weeks, flying to California on Christmas, flying back and lastly, hosting a New Years Party, it is time to have so peace and quiet. I just wish I was able to spend some of that tranquility with Justin. And unfortunately, once Justin is back, he only has 2 weeks home until he leaves for DEPLOYMENT...yes, I said it, the D word. But, he will soon be done with this Active Duty Military thing...I just have to hang on for 6 more months. Then we get to live the life of Reservists. YES!

So, I'v added some pictures of the Holiday Decorations. We loved having our house decorated for Christmas and wish we could keep it like this year round. Oh well. I'm sure next Christmas will come fast than expected.




Anyway, more pictures to come soon hopefully! Blessings for a wonderful New Year!