Life.. Reimagined

I never imagined I would be a military wife.

Having to be 2nd priority in your husband's life and knowing that he could very well have to leave and may be across the globe for months at a time was not my idea of marriage....but....Guess What?

Here I am.... Military wife plus 2 Military kids!

My husband has always been the "tactical" type. Everything he owns is black and has a multipurpose use. I should have known that eventually this would have been my lifestyle. His dad was in the Army and they traveled quite a bit so this has been engrained in him since he was little.

One day I remember my husband tossing out the idea of enlisting in our Air National Guard. I vaguely remember saying it would be a great back up plan for our family if our economy does go completely downhill.... and then BAM...He is off to Basic Training and I'm traveling 12 hours in a car with a 3 year old to watch him graduate. (Thank God for portable DVD players)

Even though this life isn't easy...it sometimes has more stressful moments than happy moments...

it also makes me utterly grateful for every little thing I call mine. It makes me look at marriage in a new perspective, it makes me stronger, it ...like it or not.. makes life very busy and exciting and I wouldn't trade it for anything! Not many wives can say that they burst with pride for their husband, not many wives have a support group that will walk to through fire to help with anything needed, and not many wives experience the homecoming kiss after a long deployment...but us chosen ones..although hard...take it one day at a time with a smile!

And I couldn't end this without saying a HUGE thank you to everyone..absolutely everyone..who has not only helped mow my yard, watch my kids, or help fix something... but also to everyone that has had just a kind word or a word of encouragement for my family. You are greatly appreciated!!

Morning Routine

Our family will be going through a change soon so right now I'm trying to nail down a great routine that I can keep up with. I've always thought routines are necessary for a comfortable life. When I had my babies they were put on a routine as soon as possible.
My present morning routine works but every once in a while you need to check in and update.

In the morning I try to wake up before Brewer boy and get some mommy time in. I read my bible, pray, and plan my day.
Most of the time ..Brewer boy wakes me up..so of course I go get some morning snuggles and change a diaper and put on his clothes for the day. Then I fix a bottle and feed the baby. Once he is happy then I start getting dressed myself. I try to pick out my clothes the night before so there isn't a huge thought process to getting dressed.
My daughter wakes up at 7am so if it's about that time I go ahead and get her up. She has her own routine that she follows each morning to make sure that she is ready for the day.
It's then time to check all bags and lunch boxes to make sure they are ready. I load up the car. Double check my daughter to make sure she has everything. Put baby in carseat and head out of the house for work and school.

What does your mornings look like?

Marriage Monday

I feel like in our day and time now that the sanctity of marriage is nothing more than a piece of paper that you pay for to make it "official" so the woman can change her last name.. yet again.

That's is so far from the truth. Marriage is a commitment. Marriage is work and it gets hard sometimes. But if done right.. it is the most rewarding thing you will ever experience. There is nothing like the feeling of knowing that in this world of 6 billion people.. someone has your back.. at all times. To support you , love you, listen to you, ..and annoy you. Let's be honest if you live together long enough.. you get annoyed with each other.

I want to use my little space here on the world wide web to hopefully inspire someone to not quit.. to work at it.. make it work.. at all costs...you won't regret it.

True Beauty

If you have read my blog long enough then you would know that I have had a burden to homeschool Lyla since she was about 3. She is so interested in learning and I feel like if we could focus on that interest then she would go so far in life. Also this momma thinks about the things you get exposed to in public schools. The character traits of others that are not acceptable but can't helped to be picked up if you are with them all day....The words that a child should not know...The innocence that could be lost in a moment .. when I am not there...and can not explain ..I can not fix. Once that innocence is lost.. it's gone.. forever.

Although there is a few things that my child has already picked up and learned that I am not happy about.. we have gotten to the stage of "boyfriends" and "who likes who". We are asking about makeup and jewelry.

I ask why she thinks she needs all that...she is to young. She says so she can look good and be beautiful.

So I go straight to the Bible to get something.. anything.. that will grab her attention and let her know that God made her without jewelry and makeup ...and she is perfect just the way she is.

So here is the lesson we are learning right now:

1 Peter 3:3-4

³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Your beauty is your spirit, your character, your joy, your friendship to others, your love for those that are unloving, your faith, your prayer life
Your beauty does not come from gold, glitter and all things that sparkle. Yes, they are nice and lovely to look at..but it does not make your beautiful.

You are beautiful .. just being You.

Repost from 2008 - Baby Dr Appt

I love going through old posts on my blog and reading what I was doing and how life was like at the moment. Sometimes Gregg and I chat about how we can not even fathom our lives right now without our kids or each other. We sit and think about how our lives would be different if we hadn't met each other.. or if life went a different way. Earlier in our marriage.. we had a "maybe" answer for that question..but now.. we both just look at each other and think.. I don't know.. I can't even imagine what life would be like with out our family. I don't want to know. I don't want to know what life would be like without them. I am happy.. beyond happy. I am content. Safe. Secure. Settled. I am settled. And I love it.

So grab a drink with me and let's go back to 2008 when I was pregnant with Lyla and I guess I had just went to my 3rd Dr appointment and it was Gregg's first time going with me. He worked a lot. He always has. When I met him he worked two jobs and he has always been one to work .. even overtime.. just to make sure that I have never "wanted" for anything. So funny to see that we already had Levi's name picked out back in 2008 also.

Ok .. I will stop rambling.. let's take a trip to the past......


Dear Baby,So I had dr appt number 3 Monday and your daddy got to go with me!!
This was the first one for him to go to! It was just a check up but the dr brought in that thing and let your daddy listen to your heartbeat. He was excited...your heartbeat was loud. Dr Haraway said your heart rate was about 154...which means that the old wives tale about the baby’s heartrate being over 140 means you might be a girl!
We made the appt for the Big ultrasound to see what you are going to be...it is March 24 so we will see if that old wives tale is true! Now you just have to turn the right way so we can see. That way daddy and  I can get your room ready! 
I thought I wanted a girl ...I think because I lost your sister Natalie....but the further along I get I don’t think I will prefer one over the other as long as you get here and healthy!
I have almost past the point of when I lost Natalie which might not mean anything but it means alot to me for some reason. Here lately I have been so nervous over everything...knowing that this is close to when my water broke with Natalie and i don't wanna lose you.
I already love you so much! We have discussed a few names.....so far we have Levi Greggorey if your a boy and Lyla Faye if your a girl.
Well it is time for me to head to chuch so i had better get going!!!! Please don't kick my bladder while we are praying and make me run to the bathroom!

Sincerly,
Your Momma