A Move in Process

For anyone who has a spouse in the military who is set to either deploy or in our case, head off for a month of training on the other side of the country... might I give you a word of advice? 

Try to not move in the middle of it. 

Yeah, life is so up in the air and full of craziness right now that I forget what it's like to have nothing pressing on the agenda! Or even worse, what it's like to have a clean, organized house... 

In the middle of the packing for our new house (which we don't move into until August, so all our things are headed for a storage unit!), we have LDAC packing, dejunking, and a To-Do list that keeps growing. I know you're jealous. Y'all want our life, I know. It's pretty desirable! ;)

Miss Scarlett is in heaven though. Every room is filled with her kind of play land and theme park. Bags, packing boxes, packing bubbles.... She's living the kitty dream. I kind of envy her enthusiasm for life at the moment.

It's all good though! It's always a test of patience... a test of diligence and an opportuity to choose a positive helpful attitude. In the end, it's all worth it!

Happy Monday to you! 

I hope your day is sailing right along!

Christmas at the Carters

Welcome to our home! Can I take your coat? (Oh wait, this is VA... you're not wearing one!) How about a latte? What's your flavah? I'll make you one! (As long as you're not opposed to skim milk... It's all the hubby drinks! Can I get an EW? Talk about milk-ed down water!). 

It's my favorite time of year, so needless to say, our home is filled with Christmas cheer! I walk into our little living room and feel so happy (even with all the red! I think those scientific research people are wrong about red...) Every night I look at our little 6-foot tree and say to my husband, "Isn't it pretty? It's so cute!" And, even though he has heard it almost a dozen times now, he sweetly replies, "Yeah! It's a pretty one this year!" (I do have the world's greatest hubby, just so y'all can get jealous and stuff!) 

It's our second Christmas together, though it still kind of feels like our first (it's the kid in me that thinks that way!) I recently found a journal entry I wrote for Strom (before we even met) that shared hopes that he would love Christmas as much as I do. While I don't think that will ever be so (I mean, he's a man and all!) he did tell me how fun I make this time of year. (Score! That's all I wanted to hear!) 

*Kicks back and sips happily on a peppermint mocha* (I wish.)

Our First Easter

This Easter marked two things for us: 1) Our first Easter as a married couple, and 2) My first Easter away from my family. So while it was all fun to start new traditions together, I couldn't help but feel the ache of missing my family and all our crazy traditions. But what does one do other than press onward? Despite the distance, we made the day really sweet - even if there were video games going on throughout most of the day! 

I'll warn you, this may be a long post

In the 9 months we have been here in Virginia, we have visited a fair number of churches, yet we've been churchless - nothing has felt quite right for us. We have recently found one that has filled us with hope, and this past Sunday, it filled is with joy! One thing I have noted about this church is how joyful the congregation is. What a refreshing thing that is! The Easter service was such a blessing to us, from the hour-long worship service, to the flowering of the cross, we walked away filled with excitement over the glory of the Lord and our hopes that this church very well may be "the one."

Alright, let's get down to business. As I mentioned before, it was just the two of us for Easter. I can recall childhood memories of it just being me and my immediate family on every holiday (and all year long for that matter) and us all sitting on the sofa with a self-timed camera and tripod. Well, those memories became very real when it was once again, my new tiny family on the sofa with a self-timed camera. Only it was on the over sized chair, rather than a tripod. As the camera ticked and beeped off preparing for a sudden flash of continuous shooting, dear Miss Scarlett was intrigued and jumped up to investigate. We have the whole series of photos, yet this one speaks volumes: (Don't mind my extremely large open mouth...I obviously find my cat to be hilarious)

Yup. That really happened! Too bad she's completely out of focus! This happened three more times, but eventually, we got one that we settled for:

After our Sunday's Best were hung up, the food prep began. I suppose I am used to being in the kitchen all day when it comes to holidays. I have always been my mother's right arm in the kitchen, so I wasn't too surprised that I spent my whole day in the kitchen on my own. Although Strom was a help, I flew solo for the most part. My mom and I chatted the afternoon away to make it feel normal, but there was no hiding it: I missed being her right arm. 

No, I did not sneak that muffin. I cut the recipe in half and it made one muffin short of a dozen. They look awfully delicious, right? (Lemon Poppyseed Muffins). So, this is my first attempt at putting on an Easter dinner: 

It wasn't bad at all, if I do say so myself. The muffins killed the rest though - absolutely delish! We topped off the evening with some decadent chocolate mousse and decided we did pretty well for our first run! :)

"Surely He has borne our griefs
      And carried our sorrows;
      Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
      Smitten by God, and afflicted.
        But He was wounded for our transgressions,
      He was bruised for our iniquities;
      The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
      And by His stripes we are healed."

-Isaiah 53:4-5

And for this very reason, we celebrate this day each and every day from now until forever!

Date Night

It was our first date night in over a month. I was not-so-secretly elated to have the night off from cooking. He threw on a nice polo and I dressed up just a little. A girl never passes up an excuse to feel pretty. He walked me to the car and opened my door. What a gentleman! As we drove down the road, the sun shined in our faces and we sat in pleasant silence. Nearing a red traffic light, we slowed to a stop. 

Being the first car in line, we had a perfect view of the Hess station across the street. A man came out to change the gas prices as we waited for the green light. With his long pole (whatever it's called) he took down the "9" from the listed price, "$3.59" and placed it in the grass. 

We looked at each other as if we were witnessing a murder. We glanced at the red light and suddenly burst out in exclamation, "Number changing man, hurry!! Change it!! We want to know!! What is it??" The glaces to and from the red light to the number changer frantically increased. "Hurry!!!" The scene was so far beyond hysterical at this point. 

The man grabbed a number off the grass. We looked at the light. Still red. With the pole, the number was lifted into the air. "Hurry!!" The light, still red. 

$3.58 

Shouts of gleeful joy bounced off the car windows as we high-five'd each other. We won. For once the price change dropped. And a moment later, the light turned green. And date night continued.

We drove past the Hess station tonight. 

$3.65

And since every post is better with a picture... Here's my furbaby! =)

Cat Nap

I'm pretty crazy about my cat. To all those who know me personally, you know how monumental of a statement this is. I realize I have failed on past pets (who now belong to other family members...) but Scarlett is a keeper. Yes, she drives me absolutely batty at times, but I still love her. She reminds me of myself. Is that weird? If I were a cat, I would be Miss Scarlett. 

Another person who adores her is my sweet hubby. He may love her even more than I do. The evidence is in these overly-bright, rather overexposed photos of a cat nap in the sunshine. If my heart melts over kitty love, I can't imagine motherhood! 

Some Assembly Required

Let me begin by saying that I am not a crafty person. I try really hard, but I usually end up in tears at the end. Yes, I really admitted that (that's for you, Mom). Over the summer I attempted to make a lovely chalkboard out of a picture frame, and while it was a cool idea, it ended up in pieces...and I in tears. Yup.

So, what I am about to tell you will have you screaming, "Don't do it! You lack all capability of being crafty and Jill-of-all-trades-like!" Well, it's too late. What is done is done. What happened, you ask? I attempted to put together a cheap bookshelf. That's all. Nothing crazy, nothing even impressive. Just a 6-piece cheap "do it yourself" bookshelf from Target. I just got sooo tired of seeing my office look like this: 

Something just had to be done. I thought I would surprise Strom by organizing the office/study room by the time he got home from class, making it look all professional and easily accessible. And really, I should have been able to do this. It is all quite simple. But not for me. 

It started out great! I felt like the total wife. I even got a little help from Miss Scarlett (who was more interested in eating nails than handing them to me...). I nailed the back on the shelf and stood it up, proud I was nearly done. That is until I realized I nailed the back onto the front of the bookshelf. Yes, I really did do that. Further inspection revealed that I also had the base of the bookshelf backwards. Or maybe the sides and top backwards... whichever it was, part of it was exposed wood (yeah, more like cheap particle board) and part was smooth and white. Yaaay... Remember I said I like to cry like a little girl when things go miserably wrong? This was no exception. I have one more confession though.... I tend to get upset sometimes when I make stupid mistakes....

 Yes, I really did kick out the back out of sheer frustration with myself. There was no salvaging it and I thought it would feel really good if I did. And well, it did. But then I was faced with the realization that I A) wasted $20 (which wasn't a huge deal, I wasn't out to put something great together. I just wanted some organization) and B) Strom was going to come home to not just a disorganized room, but one that was now disastrous. Oh yeah, and that my neighbors would see what I did wrong when the thing sat in the communal dumpster. Oh yay for sweet success. 

Let me tell you something about my husband though. He's just about the most precious thing alive. He came home, still in his uniform, walked into the office and chuckled to himself. "What happened here?" I came in (visibly emotional from my awesome afternoon) and told him I wanted to surprise him. Surprise! He grabbed me in a big bear hug and told me I did such a great job (I am literally laughing out loud right now) and said, "Look at how sturdy it is though - you screwed it in very well...everything is even and straight. We can still use it!" He just thought I was the cutest thing. Well, it may have been a cheap bookshelf even if I HAD done it right, but I was certainly not going to fix it up and use it. So...

 Someone special took the reins the next day. The same someone who went out and picked up the second bookshelf after class. The same someone whom I pretty much adore. 

What should have been a $20 surprise, turned into a $40 story, but I'm thinking it's worth it at this point. Life is what you make of it, and we made a pretty sweet memory with this story! It doesn't hurt that I absolutely love how it came out. It hardly looks like a cheap set up, if I do say so myself. 

PS: In case you're wondering, the storage bins are from Target. Cute, right??

My Subjects

I love my camera. For the last few days, it has been in near-constant use. And lucky me, it's beginning to click! I am not one who enjoys teaching myself something, (can you imagine how much I just loved accounting and finance in college? Yeah, not so much!) so this is a rare exception for me. 

Unfortunately, I have only two models to work with right now. While I am grateful I do at least have them... The one gives me these faces when I ask for his attention: 

So, I have come to rely on the sometimes-compliant little Miss Scarlett. Who ever said the dog was man's best friend? I propose a cat is a girl's best friend:

I love that little thing.

2010: Looking Back

Can you believe it? We are staring 2011 in the face at this very moment (and possibly, post-2011 by the time I actually complete this blog!). This has been quite a year! I've been sitting here attempting to recall all the events this year brought, but I'm drawing blanks. I see great big block letters like, "WEDDING" and "MOVING" flashing in my brain... But that's about it! Then it dawned on me that 2010 started out with my husband already in Afghanistan. If you have gone through a deployment, you will fully understand me when I say that it is the blurriest sense of passing time. It almost stands still, yet life does go on. So, January through June is almost completely erased from 2010. My apologies to my future children if they inquire about my activities of February or March, 2010. 

But this year was a wonderful year. I am almost sad to see it come to an end (though happy it's another year closer to January of 2013). God has been faithful and ever present. He was faithful to not only safely bring Strom through his second deployment, but He granted Strom the Green to Gold scholarship he had been working toward for nearly two years. What an answer to hard work and prayer! So Army life is on hold as we rock out the collegiate/ROTC life for a few years. It's a change for my husband, but I think he's enjoying it! 

We have had our share of adventures this year (many of which you have enjoyed along with me!). The greatest of all, of course, was our wedding on August 8th. All the precious memories with my family leading up to the big day will stay with me forever, only leading to the most incredible day of Strom's and my life. Sometimes we still can't believe all the phone calls and cross-country flights have come to an end. It was a beautiful and special day that I continue to want to relive over and over! As well as our honeymoon! I got my first passport stamp when we arrived in Antigua! (I recommend Antigua for anyone desiring a tropical dreamlike vacation!). I still miss our fruity drinks and endless relaxing on the beach and by the pool... *sigh*

Our return to the states brought with it the packing of all my belongings...Into the UHaul everything went, and Virginia-bound we were. A tearful goodbye to be sure, but God brought us through the ups and downs and we have settled into our new -- and first! -- place together. 

With little time to relax, we headed up to Washington D.C. the weekend following our move and excitedly attended Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor Rally. What an honor it was for us to be there!! Not to mention, when we arrived at our hotel, we learned of our room being double booked. Rather than fret, I rolled with the flow and wondered if I saw a park bench on the way into the city. Thankfully, the situation was quickly remedied when the hotel bumped us up to the presidential suit for the weekend. I'll take double booking any day! *wink* It is an event I will carry with me for all time. The spirit of the American people was present that day! I expect encouraging things this coming year! 

The very next weekend, we were on our way to Seattle Washington! I'm talking nonstop honeymooners here! I think I am still tired! Strom's wonderful grandmother threw us a lovely wedding reception for all those who were unable to attend our wedding in Maine. It was a very short but very sweet weekend trip! Their generosity towards us was such a blessing!

The adventures continued when we boarded that Texas-bound plane for the wedding of my precious friend, Kelle. (You can read about it Here!) And what a time it was! My first trip to Texas was about as memorable as could be! We started as online deployment buddies and are now the best of friends. Amazing how things can turn out! 

Ironically, I and two of my closest girlfriends were all brides this summer! How did that happen? What sweet memories we all made together! 

And of course (jumping seasons here) we celebrated our first Christmas together. I am a major lover of Christmas, so this was monumental for me to finally have my man with me through the season. From the numerous Peppermint Mocha runs, Christmas performances, and gift shopping, to our eggnog-filled wine glasses and trip home to Maine, it was wonderful and special in every way.  

Last (but not least) the random moments that pop into mind are these little pictures: 

Left: While visiting my family Florida, I was actually and completely taken by surprise when I walked into my bridal shower. If you know me well, you know that I am not easily left in the dark. It was one of the sweetest moments of the year! 

Center: My family and I took in a Yankees game! Although they were not victorious, it was a fun event - even if my nephew was less than impressed!

Right: As part of Strom's bachelor party, my dad, brother, sister, sister's boyfriend, and sister's boyfriend's father (family friends!) trekked up Mt. Katahdin. They were crazy. Insane. Out of their minds. I was begged to come along, but I thought to myself, "Lounging in the pool the week before my wedding orrrr.... hiking 10 miles... tanning? Hiking? Yeah...." I tanned. I lounged. I kept all my bones in one piece. But they had fun! 

So that is 2010. More or less. Probably less... But it's what I can recall (or find pictures for!). 2010 had its amazing highs, and it had its lows...But it was a year full of growth and faith. I am happy to be standing (okay, sitting on the floor waiting for the ball to drop here on the East Coast!) here with my husband at my side, my parents cuddling behind me, our closest family friends to my left and right, and two of my three siblings crowded around me. And somewhere in this big house is a our little kitty girl - terrorizing her cousin kitties I am sure.

So here we are, 2011 one hour away. A new decade filled with promise and purpose. I raise my glass of water to this new year and praise God for His every blessing. 

Happy New Year!!