Engaged...

Last night we got several calls from LillBlue...no voice messages were left, then there was a text...

We were at the pool and my phone was in the car. When we were leaving I did not call her back but texted her and said we will be available in about 5 minutes was she? She texted back YES so we called when we got back to the house. Since we are still very perceptive parents I had a feeling I knew what the phone call was about, but I waited to hear it from her.  She was over the moon excited and totally giddy :)

To get the full story we must back up to Easter in MO earlier this year. Or maybe even 2007 or was it 2006 that we FIRST heard about this Bud? Yes, way back then. But let's just take it back to Easter for now. We took a long weekend and went up and she came down with the Bud. The Bud spoke with MiB...he asked for permission to marry LilBlue. Talk about whoa, MiB thought he was ready to answer that question, but then when the time was upon him his brain went foggy and thousands upon thousands of thoughts were rolling around in his head. And getting the words out as he wished was very difficult. Anyway, after an extremely deep somewhat long conversation that was even emotional at times he granted said permission. Next stop was checking in with Uncle G, yes, the Bud made a good decision by checking in with Uncle G. After all, he has and always will claim her for his own, it seemed only right. He got a good lecture, uh, I mean talking too, or er, uh, great discussion and then was threatened with his life given permission on that end too!

 Chatting with Uncle G

No worries, wedding is not too soon so to speak. He was just asking and there is no wedding planned to take place until after graduation NEXT spring. That's a relief. Because we really want LilBlue to finish school before going off and getting married! Ahhhh, but there will be a ring...sometime this summer he says to MiB. Okay, so we now know, we just don't know. He has the goodtogo but when he will act on that goodtogo is unknown! The reality is we know it's just a matter of time...breathe in, breathe out, that's what I keep telling myself; after all, she IS 21 years old. I was already married by the time I was 21. That's really irrelevant, she is mine and 21 is too young to be getting married!

So in May when we were in the BIG O for her surgery, we went to see the narrowed down ring choices. Both are beautiful and I think she will be thrilled with either one. So to recap again, we know, we just don't know; we are in a holding pattern until he pops THE question and gives her the ring...

That time came last night. That's why we got several calls with no messages and finally THE text :) When we did talk with them, she was just a tad bit excited! She's going to be a Mrs. and she is certainly thrilled about that, she loves the Bud :)

Wedding is most likely going to be next summer some time. Let's just pray for a mild day rather then a melt your face off day especially if she wants it to be outside! I know she has already started planning...she's been "pinning" under a Mr&Mrs category for quite awhile now but in the last 24 hours she gone pincrazy! LOL

Tonight they had dinner at at the Bud's house where there was a little engaging celebration. Let the countdown begin!

Celebration Cake! Looks yummy!

MANY CoNgRaTs to them both and may God bless them richly with many happy years to come. It's extremely easy to get married, but staying married is the part you have to work VERY hard at every day. To working hard together! We love you both and truly want the best for you!

Easter :)

It was good...

Started off in church :)

Got a nice picture of two of the ones we love very much...

 

There were some really cute toes!!!

After an awesome lunch of really good fried chicken, potato salad, chinese slaw, mac n cheese, deviled eggs, green salad and baked beans we started the annual hunt.

 

 The hunting crew and then with the extra two!

 

 LilBlue gathering!

 MalMal picking up her eggs!

 Nater Tater hunting...

 Treyster

 SCORE....bucket full of eggs for Little #2

And I do not know what happened that I did not get a picture of Little #1. He was there and hunting with the best of them! After the hunt, egg tokens were exchanged for money and prizes. It's always a riot to watch the redemption. Such decision. By the end they are giving away things to each other, it's priceless! 

Since we were driving back to LA, and LilBlue had to go north back to the Big O, and Uncle G needed to get back to OKC we all headed out. Of course we gathered and loaded the last of our things before hitting the road. It is always bittersweet to leave in the middle of things...but I did get to have strawberry shortcake before we departed :)

We snapped a few more photo's then off we went our separate ways!

 LilBlue with her Uncle G!

 

 Seems like we usually forget to get one of the three of us, I'm so glad we didn't today :)

It was very good...

Good Friday

I thought this was good, so I'm sharing...

Well then...

Yes, it was sort of kind of one of THOSE days...not really bad in the big scheme of things but it certainly was not good, so to speak!

Of course this morning was the memorial for one of our own. His life was cut way short due to a traffic crash. What a great family, from all indications his parents did a fabulous job rearing him and he was so very highly thought of by those who knew him. A true witness.

Meetings this afternoon, along with a clinic visit for that "fungal infection" that is not...I know! So much for me going on to medical school! It is, well, they don't know what it is. Seriously, they do not, I go back next week, so stay tuned for further developments.

Then this evening it was a catch up night for me as MiB did some icebreaking on the main base. I was able to finish gathering things for our trip this weekend, do some long overdue filing, sort through other pending paperwork, along with organize a few things in the unpacked closet that still has a looooong way to go before it is done. Oh me, I am ready for bed.

It is storming here this evening so really going to bed might be pointless as I don't really sleep all that well when it storms, but I am willing to try. I have another full day tomorrow with several items on my "to-do" list before we leave. I would like to hit a couple stores for their sales...also need to make an order on base, along with secure 5 photo frames and a new brown shirt. Then I should try to do a return that I have and finish getting LilBlue's spring basket items. And work in the other things on my planner, yep, I have enough to keep me busy that's for sure!

Take care and be safe!

Ohbytheway...about LENT!

I forgot to blog about Lent, I did not forget Lent.

So, anyway, I am not catholic. GASP:) I really only have a simplistic view of Lent. When we lived in Italy, catholic or not our Chapel friends gave up things for Lent. This was all kinda new for us.  I went along with it in my own sort of way and thought it was a totally cool, doable concept. And while it is much more then the words on this site, you can still peruse through the information and get a really good handle on the whole Lent thing. I like the big picture concept and have chosen to go along since Italy.

This year for Lent I gave up soda. It's pretty big for me. So far so good. I can tell you my water consumption has gone up d r a m a t i c a l l y, which IMO is a good thing. I haven't really had any real "I need a soda" moments, though there have been a few, wow, I would so drink a soda right now if I weren't refraining from drinking them moments! So it's going well. I also don't participate in the free day thing as some do, you either are giving it up or you are not IMO so I go all the way.

So that begs the question...do you do Lent?

What did you give up, refrain, fast from????

It's an interesting activity for sure. One of my friends also gave up soda,as did her husband and her son gave up M&Ms. Munsy neighbor gave up desserts. I only know this through random conversation, I did not do a poll or anything like that!

Happy Friday, it's North to MO today, so traveling prayers and happy start of the weekend to you! Looks like we are in for soggy travel time, and you know how much Ima going to enjoy that for 8 hours, NOT!

Thursday Thoughts!

I am getting sooooo excited for LilBlue's arrival and it still seems soooooo far away, I hope I can make it til then! Life this week has just been plain full. Full of GOOD things but full nonetheless and I am looking forward to MiBs return.

Since I had a full calendar this week, I did not get to accompany him on this latest trip. I am sad and I miss him and I am ready for him to be home. We have a graduation this evening so he will get in, change into his Mess Dress and we will take off for that. Then home again to rest up for the weekend which is jammed pack with Christmas parties and then more Christmas parties on top of that! I think we have 6 to stop in at tomorrow! Can you say marathon touch and go? LOL I am going to try to take pictures this weekend of all our partygoing! Last weekend I did not carry a purse to most of the events so I did not have my phone available to snap any shots. The few I did have are from MiBs phone so at least I had something!

That's it, that's all I got that can go public...life is good, we are still livin' the dream and I'm going to get out the door to finish some errands before MiB arrives back home! Be safe and hope you are enjoying and NOT stressing over Christmas. I have said it before and I will say it again, it ain't about what is or is not under that darn tree, breath and take in the true meaning of the season... It truly hurts my heart to know that people are going deeper into debt, spending what they do not have to do something that is so not going to REALLY matter in the coming years.

SO my thoughts today are...

• Love me some homemade soup!
• I am ready for a sunny vacation!
• Is is time to look at the next chapter?
• And, what will retirement look like???

Food for CHRISTmas thought...

I recently ran across THIS blog...I think it is a MOST worthy read.

However, you may need to put on your big girl or boy pants as it might make you bristle. As for me I didn't  have any issues with it, after all, we were and still are some of those people who just don't and never have really BOUGHT into the materialistic side of CHRISTMAS.

In fact our kid is one of those who did not have the Santa experience and so far she has not been in therapy for it and we feel she is going to turn out all right! We told her he was just a fat silly Christmas clown. She also gets three gifts and she knows why.

We try to keep the main focus on the real thing. Just our way, it's not for everyone, we know it and we are okay with those who hold to other beliefs. But I still felt like sharing.

So I did, again, my blog, my thoughts...

31 Days of Military Life ~ Day 27

Taking the easy way out today since it is a full schedule, starting out at PWOC then on to the Attic for the afternoon, PTA and AF101 this evening. I will be ready to meet my bed again tonight :) Still not certain on the "goal day" plans but know it will be time together for sure!!!

Thursday Thoughts:

• THE DRIVE is still a =(
• Gotta ebay me some BE...
• Prayers for wisdom & our future...
• Neighborhood is getting friendlier!

It may be a dreary day here (and it is weather wise) and there is MUCH NEEDED rain in the forecast but I am grabbing my raincoat and getting out the door for whatever life brings today! I hope you are meeting the challenges you face with a positive can do attitude cause anything less is just not acceptable. Take your circumstances for what they are, evaluate how you got there and make the needed adjustments to get where you want to be. Heck ya it's scary but it's your life and if you want to LIVE then start doing it and quit making excuses...


Outta here!

Movie Day

Today we took in two movies...I know right! But it is just sooooo hot here and to do anything outside is crazy so we did the movies x2.

Movie #1 was The Help, good, very good. Makes you think...we have come so far and yet IMO we are still so far away from equality.

Movie #2 was Winnie the Pooh...yeah I know, but I love Pooh, and I wanted to see it so we went. It was cute and I'm sure lots of children loved it, I thought it was okay. It was not as good as I had hoped it would be but still a nice flick!

So now it is just chillin' in the room with chips and dip, we did Cane's for lunch, best fried chicken anywhere. If you pass a Cane's turnaround, trust me on this, it is worth it, extremely good fried chicken tenders. The fries are nothing to write about, nor is the slaw, it's average and the Texas toast, well let's just say if they would toast both sides they would have a winner, but they don't so I don't give it a second look, which is good since I have extra #s right now and bread won't help that! LOL But the tenders, they are AWESOME and the sauce is really yummers as well!

Hope you had a wonderful Sunday, we did and now as I said we are just chillaxin and enjoying the calm before another BIG week arrives. I can't even begin to describe it here, just know that if you are looking for things to pray for please pray for the men and women of Team Barksdale. Trust me... they need your prayers as do MiB and I as we have realized there are many things here that need prayer. I pray for those who seem lost, weary, broken, sad. I ask for God's hand to touch and intervene in the lives of those who so need it. We have seen too much all ready that is without the Master's hand involved; so we are praying for involvement of His power to help those who are most in need and to sustain us and empower us to help those who need it and to just be whatever we are to be.

Good Night!

MONEY

I guess it never hit me so hard how many people focus on money...yeah, I know, it's part of everyday life but I don't give it much thought. It's a necessity and all but I see it as part of the big picture not the picture, ya know??

So anyway I have many thoughts on and about money but it's not a topic of conversation for me, usually, but lately it's been in the topics of conversations I have been on the fringe of...I am just going to tell you right now we are a one income family BY CHOICE, we are not in debt, we buy cars without a payment plan, we have retirement accounts, we do not live paycheck to paycheck, we tithe, we save and we are by no means destitute but we are not what I would consider wealthy. I like to think we do all right. How much we make is no secret, it is readily available published information, my husband is in the military and that's just how that works. We have always tried to live within our means, we budget, we save, we do without, we have had PBJ months so that we can do other things, it's never been a problem, I think we managed well. 

Anyway, I am hearing about people who are struggling, who are losing their homes, who are losing their cars...I'm blown away by the number of folks who are walking away from "things" they cannot afford that I consider basic necessities (homes). They don't even look back...there are a couple things I "notice" about the ones sharing this...

WARNING: THESE NEXT FEW STATEMENTS COULD BE CONSIDERED JUDGMENTAL...continue reading at your own risk.

So you are losing your house and you still have a state of the art cell phone...yeah, okay.
You are letting your house go back and you have acrylic/gel nails and you just had a pedicure...
You are going to walk away from a home that was too expensive to begin with...
Your house is being foreclosed on and you just spent $400.00 on a COACH bag...

Are you getting the picture? It's crystal clear to me and yet the ones in this situation seem to want sympathy...no, I don't think so. I'm old school, I think you tighten your belt and take care of your business. Give up some of your "necessities" to take care of the real bills, get rid of extras to take care of basics.

It was only nearly three years ago that we have switched from prepaid (read that TRACFONE) cell phones to contract phones and that was only due to some unique aspects and giving up the landline that we decided to do that. We do not and have not had cable TV since we have been married with the exception of our stint in COS, CO when we lived at the base of the mountains and could not get rabbit ear reception. We had dial up internet until we lived in Italy and only DSL was available. We don't eat steak at home and rarely out either, we drive new to us cars and we pay cash for them. I am not bragging here, I am telling you that this is how we roll, we don't buy it if we can't afford it, we don't have the latest gadgets nor do we long for them. Living is not about having stuff and having stuff is not living in our world. We are pleased with our life, it works for us. 

Find out what works for you and start making changes to have more money then month, to be free to help others, to find happiness not in a dollar figure. I think everyone has dreams, I do, I dream of a simpler life with less. I want less stuff, less distraction, less busyness and the sad thing is I already have less of each of these things if you compare me to someone else in my socioeconomic situation and that is scary! 

When MiB retires we are considering lots of options, one of those is a nomadic lifestyle. Sounds nuts and somewhat off the wall but if you know us very well that's not so hard to picture us doing it and I think we could do it, seriously! We have a while to decide but with careful planning and not having the debt monster eating at our heels and if we really think it's what we are supposed to do we know it's possible.

I hope if you have financial issues you are taking an active role in figuring ways to solve them, that you are seeking guidance and making a way to get into a better place. I like this guy and I think he gives solid advice if you are needing/wanting some direction.

My personal favorites on being better with your money are 

• Have goals! 
• Live below your means...always!
• Save and pay cash, it's very rewarding!!!!
• FREE is good, do free things and be happy about it!
• Eat meatless one or more nights per week (or try the vegetarian lifestyle)
• Shop as a necessity not for recreation; don't shop with friends, you spend more!

You can make it work, don't give up, tomorrow is a new day and everyday can be a fresh start, aim for better, try never to do worse!

Another good read and I try to get this into the hands of young people is The Wealthy Barber. It's a really, solid easy to understand book. I snag copies on ebay and half.com fairly cheaply and have also picked it up in used bookshops. MiB keeps copies in his office to hand, sometimes the copies come back sometimes they don't. It's a good read!

You know you can do it...so save some bucks, pay cash, live large with little it's an amazing thing to do and feel! I know we are truly blessed, we have abundantly more then we need, we are wealthy beyond understanding; it's a contentment that we found not in the monetary system of our society but in an eternity system within our beliefs. God is good and he is the source of our true wealth and everlasting life that he freely gave to us and we accepted it. Wow, what more could one really ask for?

New Wheels...YIPPIE!!!

So the long awaited for find has been found...thank you Craigslist and God!

While we would have liked to have found LilBlue a replacement vehicle first we could not pass up this one. It was the right price for our budget (PTL!!!) and we definitely wanted to get back into a Honda. Score.

Our newest Lil Red CeCe

We are still in the market for our LilBlue a new to us Honda Accord and we know it's out there we just have to find it...all prayers for this matter appreciated! LilBlue would like it to be blue with gray interior, just sayin'! Tomorrow we are back on the road as a three car caravan as we head to MO and then to LA. It will be a quick visit with the family and then on to our new location. 

Neat news on the LA front is that I already have a "friend" :) A neat family we knew in AL has a daughter there and we met her once and we know her other two sisters as well, isn't that cool? It is such a small world...I love when little things like this happen! Makes me a little more excited about arriving, I will already "know" someone! Now if we get the housing situation squared away it will all be good!

Dentist Visit!

Plain and simple I do not like to go to the dentist...I had to go today. It was not painless, they are not brutal but gentle does not come to mind either. It's uncomfortable, I don't like it. It is also so intimate, I mean I could hear his stomach growl and he could probably hear mine!

However, the report, as usual, THANK YOU LORD, is good, no cavities. I'm good for another year or two! Yep, you read it right, even though we have wonderful insurance and I could go every six months, I do not. I try to get by with at least a year and like this time two! I know, I know that's bad, but hey, it could be worse, I mean I am only skipping a dental exam/cleaning for pete's sake! Any I am the cavity free queen so it's no big deal in my book!

I have a little jaunt coming up and hopefully I will be able to blog while gone. I think there will be internet so that makes it a good possibility that you will get to hear about it! I am making progress on getting all the required mountains of paperwork completed so MiB can get his orders and we can get on with the business of preparing to go North. Yep, that's right NORTH where there will be lots of snow and cold. Ahhhhh, I can't help it even though I do not like the snow I am excited! Talk about an adventure this will be one as we are driving the 4000 so miles up! What keeps lingering in the back of my mind though is the fact it could all change with one phone call, so stay tuned to see if we actually end up in Alaska or not!

Carry on and enjoy the rest of your day....yes, we are slotted to go to ALASKA!!!

Thursday Thoughts!

Busy week, not a lot to say, been fun this week with G&G, have made them roasted veggies twice, they like them too, we have also made candy, played Wii and I have done a little cleaning for them and it's all been good. Today is a full day of errands and trying to make the final prep plans for the graduation event this weekend, we will definitely be doing some running and it will all be fun!

Thoughts:

• I'm abundantly blessed!
• I know the Season's Reason!
• I'm liking saving vs spending...
• The gift giving is out of control!

How we steer clear of the over buying and focus on what we know is truly important...

Thursday Thoughts!

Florida is a good place to be and I think the temps are above average, I mean come on 65* in December, what's not to like, I think these snowbirds are onto something...maybe that is my future...I think I can live with it, but not yet.

Yesterday it was 79* in the sunshine state, wowsa! That is nice, yesiree!

Enjoy your weather wherever you are, I am!


Thoughts:

• Whoa...it's December!!!
• Not pretty on the added poundage :( 
•  I'm looking forward to the new year...
• I'm pretty much doing cash or gift cards!
• I am not a big fan of all this buy, buy, buy holiday, but I do love CHRISTmas!

Thursday Thoughts!

Holy cow! Here we are on Thursday again and I just don't know where the weeks go...it is amazing here in that we are feeling a little bit like Fall and I LOVE IT! Fall is my favorite season of all, I love all the colors associated with fall, I like to think of them as the jewel tones, which are also the colors I enjoy wearing, so I hope they are good colors for me, hmmmm...well, that is another post so we will just leave it alone!

Thoughts:

• Be thankful for ALL that you are
• Be thankful for ALL that you have
• Be thankful for ALL that you will be
• Be thankful always to God our Father

 

Thursday Thoughts!

I'm not really here today, I am on my way to the airport. It's travel time again, this month it is a combo trip, I am soooooo ready, I just pray that the issues with the accident do not interfere with the enjoyment of the trip.

So, this trip starts off with my flying in to meet up with a friend and then we will set off on wheels to see dear, dear, dear friends on the east coast. We are soooo very excited. I know it will be such a sweet time I can hardly contain myself yet the anxiety of being "far, far away" from my LilBlue is tugging at my momstrings. She is still recovering, she is still physically hurting, her head is still giving her fits with a constant companion headache, she is continuing to make it through what needs to be done, that is just how we roll. I am so very proud of her for just going and doing what has to be done but I also fear for her that she is potentially pushing her little body too far, taking on too much too soon and will not realize it for some time into the future. I continue to bathe her in prayers daily, moment by moment most of the time. I am angry at how much this whole incident has robbed her and me. I am still extremely frustrated with the whole thing, and feel my inner peace has been rocked to my core, I am also on edge EVERY time the phone rings later in the evening, I am constantly thinking about her and where she is, if you know me this is somewhat over the top. I am doing what I know to do, pray, I know we will get through it and I know I know I know that God is still in control, I trust that above all else. I will take it moment by moment and know that this too will someday be a memory, one I will not choose to vividly recall.

That's it, gotta run, I'm on the road again (or at this point, in the air)!

Thoughts:

• Love me some cooler temps!
• Time is such a control freak...
• the Littles are keeping me sane
• I am eating too much ice cream :)

New Runners!!!

Okay, they are new running shoes, but let's face it since it has been so hot I have been doing more walking then running...nevertheless I needed some new shoes, so while I was in the big O I went to my favorite running store and procured a new pair! They are my favorite brand but this time since I am doing way less running I did not go with the wave creation I went with the wave rider. It will serve me just fine for the walking I am doing much more then running. I like the color this year as blue is one of my favs!

I did use them the past two days and they are not as cushoiny as my creations but they work good, I even ran a little in them, they work well for that too.

MiB also got new running shoes and I sent him some new inserts and while we are not running together, we really never have as he is on a whole different level then I, I always think about him while I am running or walking and pray for him, his day, his leadership, his Airmen, her everything. I also pray for my family, friends and all that is on my mind. I am most often a solo walker/runner and it provides me with a great opportunity to pray.

Enough from me, I'm rambling, just wanted to show off my new runners :)

Reflection...

I am a Christ follower, I try to please the One I follow....some days, I fail miserably. The good thing about this is that He knew I would and He still loves me.

Another amazing thing is that He put His son on the cross to take the penalty of MY sin (and yours), I am always in awe of this. Why would He do that? He did that because he loves me without hesitation, he wants what is best for me in all circumstances on all days, I find that incredible. I also can in a small way comprehend this due to the fact that as a parent I feel the same way about my own child and her life.

I pray that during this time of Easter celebration that if you do not know why it is celebrated that you will ask...ask someone who will provide you with the scoop on this incredible truth. It is something to be shared. It is amazing. It is a time of remembrance, a time to reflect, a time to celebrate.