2011: A Year in Photos

As 2011 comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the happenings of this past year...in photos, of course. 2011 was a relatively uneventful year but still a good one, nonetheless.

January

because every year should be started with a party

February

F and I had our first Valentine's Day where we could physically be together...

...we also had our first experience with a massive ice storm that closed the base for a week

March

we celebrated our first St. Patty's Day physically together as well

April

F marked one year as a commissioned officer in the Air Force

we had our first Easter in the same state (lots of firsts when it came to holidays!)

May

I turned 24

F and I celebrated our 2 year "dating anniversary"

June

F and I went to Fort Benning in Georgia to watch F's best friend join the Army

July

I got to meet the USAF Thunderbirds and watch them in action at the Air Show

and my mom came to visit! :)

August

I happened to be home in Michigan when the sky turned some rare colors

September

F turned 25

I got the honor of being the Matron of Honor in my best friend's wedding

October

F and I celebrated one year of marriage <3

November

it became public knowledge that Baby Bee is on their way!

December

we said goodbye to 2011 and prepared for all the changes 2012 will bring...including our daughter!

Here's to wishing all of you a wonderful 2012. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

the Best Wordless Wednesday

On Behalf of a Grateful Nation

Thank you. Thank you to those who gave their lives to ensure that mine stayed free and safe. Thank you to those who risk their lives every day to ensure that America will always have its freedom. Thank you to those in the future who will join our services. Thank you to those who fought in prior wars. Thank you to those who came home. Thank you to those who didn't. Thank you to those currently serving, both at home and overseas. Thank you to the "silent ranks" who hold down the homefront and risk their hearts.
To all the veterans, those currently serving, and those who will serve in the future, on behalf of a grateful nation I say thank you. It is because of you that America continues to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.
A special thank you to those military who have affected my life. To my Daddy in heaven, an Army vet who served in the Vietnam war. To my mom's uncle EJ, a man I never met but a WWII Army vet. To my husband's grandpa, another man I never met but a proud Marine who served all over the world during the war. And, most special to me, my husband, an active duty officer in the United States Air Force. I have never been so proud about anything as I am about being a military wife. To all these men, and to all the men and women past and present who keep my country safe, words will never be enough. Simply put, thank you.

Sincerely,

A Proud Air Force Wife

Some Exciting News

Happy belated Halloween, everyone! Hope you all had a fun day. I know we definitely did! We went through 6 HUGE bags of candy for all the cute little trick-or-treaters. Then we went to a neighbor's for an "after party" that consisted of Taco Bell and leftover candy. Always a lot of fun. :)
As you may recall, in my last post I said I had a big announcement to make. Well, here it is......I'm pregnant! Baby Bee is set to make their appearance around the middle of June. F and I are very excited (and perhaps a little nervous too!). We found out in the beginning of October and it's been a whirlwind ever since. I hit some really bad nausea pretty much 6 weeks on the dot. Luckily, I saw a doctor and was given some medicine that appears to be a lifesaver. Hopefully, by the second trimester, I won't need it at all. I've already started looking at baby stuff and can't wait to find out if it's a boy or girl so I can start decorating the nursery and buying stuff! F hopes for a girl, I hope for a boy so we'll see how this turns out. lol.
Sunday was also F and my one year wedding anniversary. What a great time to go public with our pregnancy right? This will definitely be a date that I will always cherish. Now bring on June so we can meet our baby!

This was at 6 weeks (I'll be 8 weeks tomorrow)...nothing really there yet!

A Special Wordless Wednesday

F and my one year wedding anniversary is Sunday so I thought I'd take advantage of a Wordless Wednesday to post some of my favorite wedding photos. Also, stay tuned! After our anniversary, there will be a BIG announcement and maybe even a giveaway to go with it. ;)

There's No Place Like Home

This past week, F and I had the opportunity to go home for a TDY. F had a class he had to take which, conveniently, was located near our hometowns. So we got to spend a week at home. While it was a great time in a very expensive hotel, it was bittersweet. One thing I've learned as a military wife is that going home is always bittersweet. It's great to see family and friends and everything you love about home but it's heartbreaking when you have to leave it all. God has blessed me with the opportunity to be stationed only 4 hours from my hometown, but I know that that's temporary.
F has two more years here and then it's on to the next PCS. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't already scared about it. We talk about all the different places we could go and some genuinely seem beautiful, but there's truly no place like home. When I can't get in the car and be home in just a few hours, I think the true homesickness will really kick in. I know the military lifestyle is about sacrifice, but sometimes I wonder just how many sacrifices I have to make. To be honest, I don't feel like I'm as happy as I could be... like something is missing. And I think what's missing is home. I really thought after a year and a half of living here I'd be better adjusted but I guess I was wrong. Sure, I'm better than day one, but I'm still not "yay Air Force!" and I'm still dreading the day I have to pack up my boxes and move even further from the one place I am truly happy and relaxed at....home.

the Detroit skyline

25!

Happy birthday to my amazing husband! He's 25 today! I love you, baby, always and forever. <3

Back From Hiatus

I apologize that I've been MIA so much lately. Unfortunately I had come down with a viral infection that was quite ugly. But I'm feeling a lot better now, so it's back to blogging!

Having been so ill, I learned even more about the military family. Before being stationed here, I had heard time and time again about how the military is like your family away from family. I thought there was no way that could be possible...but it is. Sure, when I was feeling under the weather, having my mom taking care of me would have been ideal. But a lot of people came forward offering to drive me to doctor's appointments, bring me anything I may need, etc. I had people constantly checking up on me and seeing how I was doing. It was great knowing that there were so many people down here that had my best interest in mind too. I think it's safe to say it made me a little more okay with this lifestyle. My network down here is great. Sure, everyone will eventually go to different places and no longer all be at the same base, but that's part of this life.

Sometimes I think people forget what exactly they signed up for. I've seen several military friends end up divorcing or really depressed because this life is too hard for them. I'm not saying this is easy, no way, but what I am saying is that you really have to know what you're getting into before you get here. I did my research and talked to wives on Facebook, forums, etc. so I came in with a pretty good idea of what this life entails. I will never divorce my husband because the military life is too much. And I've learned to make the most of it so that being depressed won't happen either. In fact, I kind of actually like it here and will be sad when we move on to the next base.

Yes, there are low moments. For instance, F has to go TDY for a week that happens to be the week my best friend is getting married. I'm the Matron of Honor and I was really looking forward to having F with me. Going dateless is pretty lame, especially when you're married. I would be lying if I said I wasn't really upset. But, I know that that's part of this life. He's missed birthdays, Easter, etc. and I'm sure he will miss many more things. When "the big D" rolls around, that's 6 months he'll miss. No, this life isn't glamorous but, it's my life and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Letter to a Military Spouse

While I have never had the pleasure of meeting you or your husband, I felt the need to write you and express a very deep feeling that I have in my heart.

I, as a person, am not brave. I do not tackle things head on..., as I hate confrontation. I will travel 100 miles out of my way just to avoid a conflict. I am an American woman that has no idea what is going on in the military other than what I hear on the news.

I have never had to let go of someone so that they could go fight for people that they didn't know, people that sometimes do not appreciate or understand what they are fighting for.

I have never had a sleepless night of worry because of a report that another bomb has exploded and I still haven't heard from my husband.

I have never had to wait for months on end to hold the one that I loved so.

I have never had to tell my children that daddy wasn't coming home tonight because he was so far away fighting for something that they aren't yet old enough to understand.

I have never had to hold my head high and suppress the tears as I hear that it will be at least another six months of separation before my loved one gets to come home.

I have never had to deal with a holiday away from the one that I thought I would share every day of my life with.

And I have never had to feel the panic rising in my heart at the sound of a ringing phone or knock at the door for fear that it is the news that everyone is terrified of getting.

For the reasons listed above, I can not tell you that I understand how you feel. I can not tell you that you must be strong. I can not say that you shouldn't be angry, because you "knew what you were getting into when you married a military man". I can not say these things because I have never had to walk in your shoes.

What I can say for certain is that because of your unselfish acts of bravery and your husbands willingness to stand up for those who see him as "just another soldier" - - I will never have to walk in your shoes.

I do understand that as a military wife you are expected to uphold a certain amount of control, but I never understood how you could do it, until now. I have figured out that you are not like other women. You are of a special breed. You have a strength within you that holds life together in the darkest of hours, a strength of which I will never possess. The faith you have is what makes you stand out in a crowd; it makes you glow with emotion and swell with pride at the mention of The United States of America.

You are a special lady, a wonderful partner and a glorious American.

I have more respect for your husband than I could ever tell you, but until recently I never thought much about those that the soldier leaves at home during deployment.

Until this moment I could never put into words exactly what America meant to me.

Until this moment, I had no real reason to.... Until I heard of you.

Your husband and his military family hold this nation close, safe from those who wish to hurt us...but you and those like you are the backbone of the American family. You keep the wheels in motion and the hearts alive while most would just break completely down. Military families make this nation what it is today.

You give us all hope and you emit a warming light at the end of a long dark tunnel.

Because of you and your family...I am able to be me. I am able to have my family. I am able to walk free in this great land. Because of you and your family, I can look ahead to the future with the knowledge that life is going to be okay. Because of you and your family, I can awake to a new day, everyday..

I realize that you are a stronger person than I will ever be because of these things and I just wanted to take the time today to say thank you to you and your family for allowing me that freedom.

I will never be able to repay this debt to you, as it is unmatchable. However, I hope that you know that no matter where you are...what you are doing...what has happened today...or what will happen tomorrow...Your husband will NEVER be "just another soldier" to me.... And you, dear sweet lady, will never be forgotten.

You are all in my prayer's everyday and I pray that God will bring you back together with your loved one safely.

May God Bless You!

(Author Unknown)

Wordless Wednesday

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds

Starting This Life

One of my friends from back home text me today wanting advice as her boyfriend dropped the bomb on her that he was planning on joining the Army. She wanted advice on how to handle the situation and I thought, what better way than dedicating a blog entry to her. So here it goes!
When I met F he had just joined the Air Force two months prior. However, his orders were to finish school so, for the first 9 months of our relationship, he was just like any other college student. We went to different schools but we saw each other all the time and were apart, at most, maybe a week or so at a time. When it came time for F to go to OTS (Officer Training School), I was terrified. I had heard training was a place where relationships either became real strong or fell apart. I was worried we'd fall apart. I was worried that I would be heartbroken and lonely the whole time, crying nightly. I was worried about how often I would or wouldn't hear from him. More than anything, as we were engaged by that point, I was nervous about what my future life was going to be like when he became full active duty. I felt so many emotions in the days leading up to his departure. The night before we stayed up together all night and I'm pretty sure I was seconds away from being sick due to my stomach doing so many tricks. I held on to him as tight as possible at the airport until we had to say goodbye and then we both bawled until his flight was in the air. Since then he's commissioned, PCSed to his first duty station, and has been actively working in the Air Force for a year and a half.
Will I say that being a military wife, or any form of significant other for that matter, is easy? Most definitely not. Being a military wife is hard. You have to be willing to sacrifice a lot. You have to understand that the military will always come before you and you have to learn to live with that. You have to accept that your spouse will be gone a lot and that the military doesn't care if his being gone falls when you're expecting your first child, celebrating an anniversary, etc. It's a difficult life, I can't deny that. However, it's also incredibly worth it. Never in my life have I been so proud of anyone as I was of F the day he commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. Pinning those bars on his jacket was such an emotional moment. I was so proud of him and so anxious to learn what military life was like. Yes, I had to give up a lot to move around the country with my husband but I wouldn't change it for the world. I am incredibly proud of F and I am incredibly proud to be an Air Force wife.
My advice to my friend is this: understand that it is going to be hard to have him gone. But, focus on you. Take the time he's gone to pamper yourself, go out with friends, etc. Have fun. Set a routine; it will help make the time go by so much faster. Take advantage of whatever communication is allowed, be it Skype, "snail mail", phone calls, etc. And, turn to your friends who have been through it. My Air Force family has been a huge help many times in this lifestyle. Rely on your friends who have been there, they will keep you sane.
As for my followers, if you have any advice for my friend, feel free to leave it as a comment so she can read it. Let her know that we've all been there and can help! While it may be a difficult life, I promise it's one you will be oh so proud of.

The Officer's Wife

There are stereotypes about almost every type of person in the world. In the military, this is no exception. There are stereotypes about enlisted wives and about officer wives. For those of you who are unaware, F is a 2nd Lieutenant. As an officer's wife, it's amazing how many things people assume about me and sometimes even say to my face. I do a pretty good job of keeping quiet but maybe I should make a few things clear.
For starters, my husband and I do not think we are better than anyone. I have actually had people say they won't hang out with me because "I probably think I'm better than them". If I truly thought I was better than someone, I would most likely stay away from that person. If I am talking to you and looking to hang out, I think of you as an equal, not a lesser, person. Don't assume what I think unless you know it's a fact. The only reason my husband is an officer is because he has a college degree and went through a program to get commissioned.
Just last week we went to a retirement ceremony for a Chief Master Sergeant who has a Masters. Sure, he's enlisted but there's no way my husband or I would think we're better than him. He's a very educated man with 32 years of military service who chose to be enlisted because he likes his job. F chose to be an officer for the simple fact that it paid better, not because he thinks he's better than anyone else. As for me, I have no rank so I don't care what your husband's rank is. As long as you are a good person, you have my kindness.
Second, while it's true that my husband makes more because he's an officer, this does not mean we are living on a pile of cash. To be perfectly honest, it's quite the opposite. We are good friends with a couple here who are at a much lower pay grade than F. However, they have 3 cars (one of which is a sports car) and were looking at buying a house while still paying their rent on the one they're in now because they can't get out of the lease. Obviously this means they are financially in a good place. F and I, on the other hand, each have a car and only use one to save on gas because we can't afford to fill both tanks regularly. Essentially, we live paycheck to paycheck. We have thousands of dollars worth of student loans to pay off (mostly F's but some are mine too) that make us rather poor. F is almost always stressing over finances and I feel awful when I have to ask for money to pay a bill or get something that's absolutely needed. Just because he wears some shiny bar on his uniform does not mean we are in rich. In fact, I can bet you that there are many enlisted families that have more money than us.
I apologize for this mini rant but I've had a few situations where I've heard "well, it's different for you because you're husband's an officer" and I thought it was time to set the record straight. Yes, my husband is an officer. However, he puts his pants on one leg at a time just like everybody else. He and I are not some special supergods because of his rank. We don't go around informing everyone that's he an officer. We don't think we are better than anyone else. And we most certainly are not rich. In fact, sometimes being an officer's wife is rough because a lot of people don't want to befriend an officer's wife and you often find yourself struggling to make friends. Or people make these assumptions that you're snooty, rich, etc. and it's insulting and upsetting. So, before you assume anything about anyone of any rank, get to know the person...you may be surprised what you learn.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #49

1. If you could have a private concert with any singer, who would it be?  submitted by An Air Force Wife’s Blog
Adam Levine (well, okay, Maroon 5). He is most definitely my number one celebrity crush so I'd be more than okay with some one-on-one time lol.

2. Is there anything you do to supplement your family’s income? submitted by Our Life, One Adventure at a Time

I'm in the process of starting up my own crafting business on Facebook and Etsy which would make for a little extra money in the income.

3. During your pregnancy (whether past, present, or future), what did you nickname your unborn baby before you knew the sex? submitted by Explosions of Love

Well there's no babies here yet but I already know that baby number one will be called Baby Bee because of our last name starting with a 'B'.

4. Have you ever won a blog giveaway?  If so what did you win? submitted by Mrs. O’s Life
I actually just won a giveaway on a page on Facebook that won me a mini photo shoot of me and my husband! I didn't even know someone had nominated me but apparently they did and I won! So now I get some amazing photos of him in uniform that aren't from our wedding.

5.  If I looked into your refrigerator right now, what would I find? submitted by Married to the Army
A lot of condiments, yogurt, and a few leftovers. We definitely need to do some grocery shopping lol.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in #47

1. Does your Significant Other read your blog?  Why is this a good or a bad thing? submitted by Mrs. Alana’s Miscellany
Mine doesn't but it wouldn't matter to me if he did. There's no big secrets or anything like that. I just know he's not really the blogging type lol.

2. What is one item in your house that holds the most sentimental value and why? submitted by The Albrecht Squad
I couldn't pick just one but one that comes to mind is my great-grandma's engagement ring. She gave it to my grandma, who gave it to my mom, who gave it to me. Someday, if I have a daughter, I will give it to her as well.

3. When it comes to water fun in the summer do you prefer the beach, the pool, a lake, or the sprinklers? submitted by The Turvo Times
If I'm just laying out relaxing, I vote for the beach. But, if I want to go swimming, then I vote for the pool.

4. What is the one special thing that you do for yourself to get you through the first week of a deployment/separation? submitted by A Creed and a Psalm
Well, F hasn't deployed yet but, when he went to training, I made a part of my room decorated with a bunch of pictures so that, when I was lonely, I had an area I could go to and see his face and smile.

5.  What is your biggest guilty pleasure website? submitted by Christine’s Little Blog
Facebook and Twitter would be the biggest, without a doubt.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in #46

Are you a different person than you were five years ago? submitted by Sisterly Thoughts
Absolutely. Five years ago I was just starting college and had a lot of living left to do. I'm still quite young and still have a lot to learn but, in those five years, I went through heartbreak, two close and difficult deaths, all of my college career, leaving my family, falling in love and marrying a military man, and beginning this crazy Air Force journey. I think it would be impossible to stay the same for five years but I think, especially this past year or so, I have changed quite a bit. And I am totally okay with that! :)

If you could go on Amazing Race, who would you take with you as your partner and why? submitted by Thoughts from a Poekitten
First of all, I don't think I would want to go on that show but, assuming I had to, I would take my husband. F and I can have entire conversations without ever saying a word. We compliment each other perfectly and work well together which I think is something that would be extremely vital in trying to win a show like Amazing Race.

Does Facebook or Twitter actually bring more stress or good in to your life? submitted by Just an Arizona Girl
Good, for sure. It's a great way for me to keep in touch with everyone back home and all my military friends throughout the world. Without Facebook and Twitter, I think I'd miss everyone a lot more than I already do.

June is National Soul Food Month- what's your soul food? submitted by NH Girl Displaced
Pasta. I could eat various forms of pasta every day and never get sick of it.

If you could live in any other era than the current, which one would it be & why? submitted by Sugar in My Grits
I think the 50's would be pretty sweet. I love the poodle skirt look and the Greasers. I think it would have been a pretty fun and crazy time. But I'm perfectly okay with living in the era that I do. :)

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #45

I decided this seemed more interesting than Flashback Fridays (and I was running out of ideas) so now on Fridays I will be taking part in Friday Fill-Ins, courtesy of Wife of a Sailor. Enjoy!

1. Underwear Parties, how old is too old? submitted by Wookie & Co.
 I have absolutely no idea what an underwear party is so I'm not really sure what age group should even have this!

2. What was your favorite class in high school? submitted by Adventures of M-Squared
English. I've always been really good at it (thus why I minored in it in college) so I was always in Honors English/AP English in high school and it was pretty much a walk in the park for me.

3. Have you ever convinced packers/movers to pack something they aren’t supposed to for a PCS? submitted by Ground Control to Major Mom
We've only had one PCS so far and it was a DITY but, next time when we have TMO I'll see what I can get away with. ;)

4. Blogging plays a growing roll in the media. If you were asked to embed as a blogger with a deployed military unit, would you go? What do you think your blog would be like? submitted by To the Nth
I would definitely consider it. I think it would be interesting to see what kind of lifestyle they have overseas. I think my blog would basically tell the day-to-day life over there so that families back here in the States could "see" what their loved ones do and know what kind of environment they're in. Hopefully that would bring them some peace knowing their loved ones are okay.

5.   Do you think kids should attend year-round school? submitted by Marrying the Navy 
No way! While I understand the importance of education, kids still need time to be kids too!