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