Getting this off my chest!

There is a rule I like to follow where I don’t talk politics on Facebook or my blog. And with the overwhelming negativity and boasting on social media outlets, I am sure you could understand why. But I feel like there are a few things that I need to get off my chest. 

I am disgusted. Not with the outcome of this election, but by the words that have been used to show that we are not as united as we’d like to think. Did I vote for Obama? No, I didn’t. But I am still supportive of our nation’s decision in choosing to keep him as our President.  

As a military spouse, choosing a president is extremely important to me. With a husband who serves this country, you can understand how essential it is for me to stay on top of political issues when foreign affairs are involved.  And it is even more important for me to stand united with my country while thousands of men and women, including my husband and friends are still fighting for us. 

Both Romney and Obama supporters are guilty here. I get that those who voted for Mitt are disappointed. And I understand those who voted for Obama are overjoyed. But we can share our feelings without being foul. Recently I watched a solemn crowd listen to Gov. Romney give his last words in the 2012 election. And as he offered prayers to our President I felt at peace with this decision. But once the cameras showed Obama’s headquarters in Chicago I couldn’t help but feel disgusted by the sight of t-shirts that read “99 problems and Mitt ain’t one” “Once you go black you never go back”, or reading a sign that is in accordance with the Civil Rights Movement that read “We HAVE overcome”.  Again, I understand that our country is excited, but associating this debate with the hard times our country faced years and years ago only makes me feel like we have stepped backwards. It hurt me deeply to read that sign that almost alluded to the fact that because I didn’t vote for Obama then I must be against him as a black man. In 2008 I understood and shared in the excitement over electing our first African American President. I remember feeling a bit of joy over it as I did vote for him. But this year’s election shouldn’t have been about that at all. To suggest that those who voted for Romney to be racist (and I have seen statements that have said so) is wrong. How is that uniting us? 

But what also hurts are those who have said that our country is “stupid”, or that we are doomed because Obama has been reelected. That to me is ignorance. The majority of our country has made it clear they believe in our President. They support him. And by no means do we all have to agree with this decision, but as a united nation we should respect it. He is just one man. His decisions alone are not what shape this nation. We are not doomed. Our nation isn’t going to fall into socialist hands. We will survive another 4 years. I promise. For some it might be a little harder and for others it may come easier. But that’s all part of our democracy. That is the beauty of our country. And the fact we as a nation decide upon all issues, is one of the most admiring aspects of the Unites States of America. 

And for all who are utterly disappointed in how our election system runs, let me remind you that there are hundreds of countries that don’t ever have the choice to pick their leader. Many are forced to live under the rule of a dictator.  Be thankful for our countries right to vote. 

And I will close with how proud I am of our Presidents speech. Even though I didn’t vote for him, I must have faith in him as my president.

“I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as our politics suggests. We’re not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America.” - President Barack Obama

Gobble, gobble, gobble!

It’s officially the week of Thanksgiving and you can feel it in the air! People are taking to the streets and to the stores. I’m not sure how many are dancing and spreading the blessings of thanks to one another and each and every person they see and meet along the way! But, I do know that the energy is gearing up for those days ahead and I want you to get your attitude of gratitude on as you remind yourself to be safe as you venture out and about!

While some are counting their blessings more than once, sending cards, texts, and emails of thanks to those they love.  Others are feeling the pressure. They are on the run, and running they are as the grocery stores gear up and the retailers are preparing for the opening of Black Friday. Some even beginning it on the day of Thanks and some lining up on the sidewalks to buy on sale what will still be on sale in December but they just have to have it now.

 Ah yes, Thanksgiving is upon us!

Many are looking forward to a day of great smells in their homes. Shared stories of those they love, the memories of times once held together, precious memories of those that were good, great, not so grand, or all wrapped into one.

And then there are the traditions that now are only figments of the imagination. Those times that seemed like so long ago, they were real and touchable, but yet so gone as are those who held them together.

A holiday that many savor just as the smells and aromas that fill homes or the memories of so many.

Turkey, dressings, and pies, oh my! The Thanksgiving Parade and football! The joys of a day.

A day to GIVE THANKS and to be thankful. To remember the First Americans, their hospitality, the extension of self for the greater good, and treaties broken. The circle of life in lessons learned, in gratitude. Interesting how that works isn't it?

I am thankful for so many things, so many people, so much of life's lessons and continue to be blessed by all.

I can look forward to doing that “Black Friday” thing; an interesting study in human behavior it is. I love going with friends and enjoying a pumpkin spice latte. It is a wonderful time to kick back and just people watch, to have several laughs as you watch people just lose their ever lovin' minds without filters or restraints. 

Now that is just funny and so wrong on so many levels …Maybe it is just funny that it is wrong or wrong that it is funny!

We will be spending our Thanksgiving with some of our closest friends. Gonna cook it up real nice with Nicole for about 20 people.

Sometimes it is time to change it up, to switch from what was to what is and what fits you best for now. Sometimes it is time to break from tradition.

Perhaps this year, this week is your week for major changes in how you do this holiday, and I pray you begin it with a breath of gratitude, the wind of hope that touches your face to remind you that we are all connected in this thing we call life, both here and in the next place.

Be gentle with people and extend kindness to all you encounter. Remember those who are now growing or grown and they do not need us like they once did, do not always express their love the way they once did, and we have given them the strength to fly, yet it is us who miss what once was more than they do. 

May you have a glorious day while taking one step of dance at a time and letting you decide how you will enjoy this week of Thanksgiving.

Will it be with gratitude or jacked up stress?

It is up to you now.

It's Ball time...yeah baby!

237 years ago, the United States Marine Corps was born in a tavern in Philadelphia, PA. Each year, on November 10th, Marines all over the world celebrate the birth of the Corps. Marines and their wives/dates go to balls, with a formal cake-cutting ceremony and a solemn reading of Gen. John A. Lejeune’s birthday message, summarizing the history, mission, and traditions of the Corps. The country is reminded of the valor, the pride, the honor, of being a United States Marine. The Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment still remain strong today, and Marines deployed all over the world uphold those values as they fight to defend our freedoms.

237 years later, Marines remain faithful. When Semper Fidelis was adopted as the motto of the Marine Corps, it was taken to heart. From Marines who remain fanatically devoted to their country, to the Corps, and to their fellow Marines, to the wives who stand devoted by their husbands’ sides through war and peace, we remain steadfastly faithful through the good and the bad, the easy times and the times when you feel like you can no longer go on.

As a Marine Corps wife, Semper Fidelis is my vow, too. It is my duty and my honor to stand beside him, to be always faithful not only to my husband but to the values of the Marine Corps as well. It takes honor to be a Marine Corps wife. It takes courage and commitment, especially when your husband is fighting halfway around the world and you don’t know if he’ll be coming back or not. It takes a special kind of woman to be the wife of a Marine. When you marry a Marine, you aren’t just marrying the man. You’re marrying the Marine Corps as well, and Semper Fidelis applies to the women left behind as well as the men who don the uniform.

There are many nights when I can’t sleep for fear. There are many times when I feel like I can’t go on alone anymore, living in terror and loneliness. There are times when I would love to have my husband never deploy again, for us to live a life of civilian peace. And there are those occasional phone calls, where he tells me he doesn’t think he can do it anymore, either. Being a Marine, or the wife of one, doesn’t mean there are never moments of doubt, or fear, or anger. It means that we persist despite those feelings; we continue on because we believe in the Corps, we believe in what we are fighting for. When he feels like he can’t keep going, I raise him up. When I feel like I can’t do it anymore, I remember the man that he is, the pride I feel in his courage and his convictions, and I remember that our shared sacrifice will lead to a better world for our children and our grandchildren. I support him unconditionally, and I will remain faithful to the very end. Semper Fidelis is my motto, too.

Not only on this special day we celebrate every year, but always, remember the Marines around the world who sacrifice every day defending our freedoms. Remember the families left behind. And remember the Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice, Marines who heard their country’s call and gave their all.

This coming Saturday I get to celebrate this AMAZING celebration of the Marine Corps with my husband. I am soooo excited to get my hair and nails done, put on my dress and heels, and get all fancied up with my Marine. We will also be celebrating 7 wonderful years together.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the glamour of the Ball that we forget what it's truly about. Be proud and stand by your man. And have a lil fun while you're at it :)

Tagged!

It's been like 90 billion years since I've been tagged in one of these things, but Ash decided she wanted to know these fun facts about me... So here you go!

#1. What did you do ten years ago?

Let's see... I would have been 20 years old. I was a waitress and going to school. I was hanging out at bars and singing karaoke evevy Tuesday at TGI Fridays. Oh those were the days! 

#2. What did you do one year ago?

A year ago my husband was deployed and I was enjoying my first day back in Cali in 3 1/2 years. 

#3. Five snacks that you like?

Wheat Thins, Cheeze-its, Chesse Puffs, anything chocolate, and strawberries, I guess.

#4. Five things you would do if you were a millionaire?
-BUY A HOUSE!!! 
-Go on another missions trip
-Take a vacation and bring all my friends
-Wardrobe malfunction days be gone.
-Buy houses/cars/clothes for all my family. :)

#6. Five bad habits?
-Become obsessive about projects
-Being too critical about myself 
-Caring too much 
-Facebook. Is it really necessary? Yes. ;)
-Checking my alarm 500 million times before I go to sleep-- just to make sure.

#7. Five things you like to do?
-Be with Matt.
-Be with Family.
-Go to Church.
-Drink wine
-Watch my kids grow up.

#8. Five things you would never dress in or buy?
-Anything with shoulder pads.
-Leather pants.
-Crocs. 
-Things with never ending ruffles. 
-Non flattering anything-in my standards

#9. Five Favorite Toys:
-My phone.
-Laptop.
-Camera
-Car
-Ipod!


I am not going to tag anyone specifically, so if you want to do this, consider yourself tagged! :)