Shutter Love Tuesday (Laughter)

2009 during family pictures. Not only was Ben making me LAUGH with the funny things that he was saying but he was also tickling my ear.

Back in 2004. We had our renewal of vows for all of our family to witness. We of course had to do all of the traditions. This is one of my favorite memories from the reception.

Today at Trendy house Shutter Love Tuesday is going on. It is my first day participating but boy do I have a good one for today. The theme is laughter so if you are in need of a good laugh head on over!

Back Home Monday

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Marriage Mondays

 By Julie at www.comehaveapeace.blogspot.com/

is talking about "Work Spouses" this week.

What are you doing at home to help your husband at work? Many women deal with workplace pressures of their own, or they work from home and deal with challenges there, but let's talk about how to be "his woman at work." How are we helping our husbands succeed in work:

•professionally

•socially

•spiritually
Being informed, interested, & involved are keys to giving our husbands the encouragement, freedom, and help they need to meet their potential as godly men in their work.
I often ask Ben what happened at work, what he thought about it, how he helped to solve it, etc. I ask him to explain things that I don't understand and try to chime in if I think that I understand. I may not always be right but it has helped to further communication between us.
Professionally ~ When a wife takes time to understand WHAT her husband does and how he is challenged, it shows she respects and admires him. It shows him his efforts are appreciated. As that happens, his bond and commitment to his admiring wife are strengthened.
I give my hubs mad props because I couldn't do what he does everyday. For one I don't take orders well and I am pretty certain that the military would boot me out! I respect what he wants and tries to do to help his young marines. I also know that he has to be stron because it would be a tough job to walk away from the family even for training.
Socially ~ The quality of our work is better when we have co-workers we enjoy and feel comfortable with. It's not a sin for men to develop friendships and good working relationships at their employment; in fact, it's part of their job. It's also part of a good testimony. I always say that the women who work closely with my husband aren't "allowed" to be his friend, unless they're my friend, too. :) It's a package deal. Him AND me or no him at all. That doesn't mean I spend 40 hours a week in the office, but it means I know their names, I care about their lives, I pray for them, I take a meal to them when needed, I pick out gifts given from the TWO of us, and when I stop in I see them as well as my hubby. If there's a work function to attend, we're there together. You may not get a paycheck from the same account, but you can still be his "career companion." That safeguard gives him the freedom to have good relationships with co-workers.
It is hard to remember all of those in the squadron, but I think that this is a great idea to implement!
Spiritually ~ A wife can encourage a husband's spiritual thinking about his work by asking how she can pray for him in his professional tasks, sharing scripture she reads that applies to his challenges, and seeing his work as part of his service to God in leading his home. No matter where he spends his work day/night, we want him to look forward to coming home to US! Do you pray for the success of his business, his boss, his co-workers, his decisions? He needs to hear your appreciation for him serving through working; when was the last time your husband heard you pray a prayer of thanks for his job and his hard work?
I am still struggling with this....I do pray every day for him and his work but not with him. I am still a recovering Lutheran who didn't learn to pray out loud with anyone.
Pick one of these steps to take:
1.Ask your hubby today about what he's working on, and then listen ...

2.If you can, plan to stop by his work this week for/with lunch (see what day is good 4 him)

3.Call/text him during the day to tell him you're thinking of him

4.Say YOU would like to pray before a meal, and pray for him, his work, his boss, his co-workers

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Friend Making Monday (Back to the basics)
For more check out Kenz at http://alltheweigh2009.blogspot.com/
All about me
First and foremost I am a child of God.
I love to laugh.
It tickles me to be creative. (Photography, sewing, scrapbooking, making cards, or any craft.)
I only work out because I know that I need to be healthy not really because I enjoy it!
I think that my family and friends are the best!

Scripture Sunday

Gatlinburg Vacation- Part One

Hello Blog world!
Here I sit on top of a very beautiful mountain, in a spectacular home, with a breath-taking view.....SQUEALS!!! I can't wait to get home to download the pictures for y'all!
I wanted to let you know what the first part of our trip has entailed so far....we stayed in Hickory, NC, on Sunday night. It was a quaint little town that we didn't explore too much but we were certainly glad to have the first 5 hours of the trip under our belt.
Monday, we drove another 3 hours to arrive in Gatlinburg, TN. I must say this state gets even more beautiful every time we come here. The house was ready for us to come in so unloaded then went downtown to eat and grocery shop a little bit.
Grandma, Pawpaw, and Uncle Daniel arrived for a late supper then we hot tubbed it for a bit. We all visited for as long as we could then went to bed so the menfolk could be rested.
Tuesday, the guys took off to hike into the Smokey Mountains to their primitive campsite. We pray that they are faring well and enjoying their male bonding time.
The women and children took off to walk downtown Gatlinburg and go to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. It was fabulous! We had such a great time and it was by far the best aquarium that we have ever been to! They also gave a killer military discount! It should have been $32 for the kids and I but came out to be $9! We came home ate pizza and hot-tubbed it some more!
Today (Wednesday) we were woke up to yet another beautiful sunrise over the mountains then we were off for horse-back riding at the Walden Creek stables in Pigeon Forge. The kids loved the horse-back riding and so did Grandma & I! We did a little retail therapy in Pigeon Forge, ate at a quaint little cafe called "Happy Days" then came home to chill in the hot tub and sauna. How relaxing! I can't wait to see what else we have in store for us tomorrow!
Hope that all my family and friends are doing well & I can't wait to get caught up on everyone's posts when we get home!
Blessings!

Questions that I would like opinions to.....

Since we are on vacation #3 for the summer, I decided to post this and give y'all a week to post some answers  umm.....opinions on them.

#1. What is(are) the top thing(s) that you can do to improve your house for selling?

#2. For those of you with more than two children....What is your top tip for keeping yourself organized? And/or pros & cons to having more than 2 children?

And last but not least, I wanted to open up a Q&A session again. I love reading these on other people's blogs to get to know them better. I did one awhile back but I have MANY new followers since then. Fire away! Marine Corps, parenting, nursing, you name it!

Vacation #3 of the summer will begin soon!!!

I absolutely cannot wait to sink down into this hot tub and enjoy some lady only conversations with my mother-in-law.

Did I mention that we can relax in our very own sauna too?

Oh this house is just fabulous! We will be enjoying it while the guys are off camping in the Smoky Mountains. I am not sharing who I think is getting the raw end of the deal!
We will begin our trek to Gatlinburg, TN, tomorrow. I am super excited because I fell in love with that town when we drove through it on our way home the last time. I am excited to explore and spend a little time with my mother-in-law. Stay tuned for more as it slowly trickles in!

God is good

Seriously.

Always.

No matter what the circumstances.

Forever in my mind and heart.

I am wrestling with some personal issues right now (that I am not sure if I will share or not....just that right now they are a bit too fresh in my mind and heart to touch on right now...) Even in my time of doubt, worry, and strife, God is good. Just when my faith is being tested in one aspect of my life, God pops up from another direction to show me his mercy, grace and love.

I was feeling way low this morning when I came to the computer. Pretty beat down and in need of some cheering up. I decided to take advantage of the yearly "free credit score" email that I had received. I knew that our credit was steadily improving and was hoping that it would be in the "good" range.

I was stunned and humbled to find out that it had jumped into the excellent range!

Why am I telling you this? (I know that money is a taboo topic for a lot of people.)

I am telling you this because I believe that God has firmly had his hands all over this.....we began to faithfully tithe a little over a year ago & I am the first to admit that I had my doubts that we were going to survive it. Here I stand before you with so many wonderful blessings that I know God has provided for us.
II Corinthians 9:6-7: (Remember) this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously (that blessings may come to someone) will also reap generously and with blessings.

With that firmly planted in my mind, I am going to trust that God knows what He has in store for us and that I need to step back in faith to let him take us where we need to be.

So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. Isaiah 26: 4

It's Friday and Vacation is about to commence!

A long marriage is two people trying to dance a duet and two solos at the same time.
~Anne Taylor Fleming

1. If you could be a fugitive from the law for whatever reason, what would your crime be? A line from one of my favorite upbeat country songs......"Having too much fun."
2. How long do you think you will be a military family? Minimum another 7 but that will put us at 16 so we will continue onward to 20 if God is so willing.
3. What’s your favorite recipe? Hmmmm......meatball stone soup, earthquake cake, italian dip, and a few others. Great now I am hungry!
4. What would you want your last five words to be when you leave this life? Life was absolutely, stunningly, amazing.
5. Where do you hope to retire? Probably western NC near Ashville or into Tennesse. Still up for debate!


And...here we go!

1. Laughter is the medicine that I desperately need right now.
2. See you Saturday are the three words that started off the last email I sent.
3. What I'm most looking forward to today is having Ben officially on vacation.
4. A really good friend puts a smile on my face.
5. Where in the world is my faith.......
6. Ice cream, just what I needed!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the children's sidewalk art and ice cream social, tomorrow my plans include packing, Cole's birthday party, church, & life group and Sunday, I want to leave for our Tennesse vacation!

2007

Before Daddy left for his third deployment in Iraq

1. Do you have any nicknames and if so how did it come about?
Yes I do. Jamers, Buns, Julierra, Babe, Little J, and of course my favorite Mom, mommy, momma.
2. What is your birth order amongst your siblings?
OLDEST
3. In a movie of your life, who would play your significant other?
Hmmmm.....MckDreamy
4. What is currently your favorite song?
Praise you in this storm: Casting Crowns
5. Are you saving your money for anything right now? Big or small purchase?
Yes, I am. Pretty large purchase.....printing the past few years of the blog into book. It's more expensive than I thought.

Week 37 of 52

Modeling our new sweatshirts to support my college Alma Mater

And

Kendall and I before the pre-school shower at church.

Wednesdays post

Wordful Wednesday

for more visit

The kids helping make cupcakes for my birthday

Who had fun at the last day of Mommy and me at the pool?! I did, I did!!

Sibling love melts my heart

Fun with Ted at Emerald Isle

My parents WAY BACK in the day before us kiddos. Not even sure what a date would be but prior to 1977. I think that these posed pictures at parks are always so fun!

1. What is your favorite fair/carnival food? Cotton candy!!
2. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? I don't believe so......
3. What is your favorite gift to receive?any gift is my favorite!
4. When was the last time you tried something new? hmmm....not really super sure?! I did shoot a new gun on my date night last month
5. What is your favorite and least favorite book genre? Favorite would be fiction and least favorite probably anything political
Memoir, Mystery, Political Intrigue, Romance, Humor, Historical Fiction, Historical nonfiction, Chick Lit, Self-Help, Other
6.Silver or Gold? White gold :-)
7. What makes you sigh? Un prompted kisses and hugs from my kiddos
8. If you didn't know how old you are, how old would you claim you are? 25!
9. Would you break a law to save a loved one? To protect a loved one? Yes and depends
10. If you had to teach something, what would it be? Nursing
11. You're having lunch with 3 people whom you respect and admire. They begin to criticize a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. What do you do? I would hope to speak up about my friendship with the person.
12. Which of the 5 Love Languages is your prominent means of experiencing love?
Quality Time (Score 10)
In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.
Physical Touch (Score 8)
This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.
Words of Affirmation (score 6)
Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.
Receiving Gifts (Score 4)
Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.
Acts of Service (Score 2)
Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

Pictures from my 33rd Birthday

Before dinner

My two favorite guys

Girls having fun

My 33rd birthday was a happy one!

My surprise birthday cake and my helpers to blow out my candles

Monday Mugs (Then and Now)

Monday Mugs (Then and Now)

Kendall on June 30, 2006 (Then)

Kendall August 15, 2010 (Now)

Isaac- September 7, 2008 (Then)

August 15, 2010 (Now)

Completing Him Challenge (the end) & Marriage Monday

Today is the last day of www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/ of Completing him challenge. I must say that I am very sad that it is coming to an end. It was nice to have guidance on topics that need worked on in marriage. Not to mention reading some fabulous blogs in the process. I am hoping that we will see more of this from Courtney! Without further ado.....

Was it a good summer for your marriage? Or a hard one? Was it a joyful time with lots of memories? Or was it filled with ups and downs?
I feel that it was a good summer for our marriage. We had a few minor arguments but not like we have in the past. Our communication has been better and we have been taking time to enjoy each other like we once did. It especially has helped to take time for date nights together. (Go figure! Alone time helps!!) I think that we made a lot of memories (mostly joyful) which really makes me happy and I hope Ben too!

All of our marriages go through different seasons. We all have our ups and downs. We have the newlywed season, then the... I'm so tired I can't keep my eyes open cause we have a newborn... season, the on the go with the kids and their activities season, the challenging teenage season, the empty nest season and the golden years.
I was reading another blog a few weeks ago that talked about a book called "The Four Seasons of Marriage." I am interested in reading that to see just what season we are in right now!
As you look ahead to the fall, do not lose your focus on building a strong marriage.
With many obligations on our plates, it is very hard to lose focus of our spouse for other people and activities. I have given up some things that I wanted to do so that I can concentrate on Ben. It has been hard but in the end has made me feel closer to being the wife that I am suppose to be.

1. We must continue to remember those dating days and what made us fall in love with our husbands in the first place.
And try new things on those dates because it makes you grow toether!
2.Remember our sacred vows.
3.Remember to ask your husband how you can be praying for him daily.
I need to be more proactive and specific for him
4.Remember to tell your husband how you admire him.
5.Remember to keep your priorities in line.
Amen
6.Remember to follow your husband's lead and vision for your family.
7.Remember to respect your husband.
always
8. Remember to keep kissing him like you mean it!
No matter what season you are in, God longs for you to follow his design for marriage.

This summer, many of you participated in the Marriage Challenge. How did it go? How did it change you and how did it change your marriage?
I think that it gave me the opportunity to focus on topics and I work better when I have a specific goal in mind.
What I do today determines where my marriage will be in the future.
So I need to get up off my butt and work at my marriage like God intended it to be!
Do you know what kind of wife you want to be 30 years from now? What are you doing today to get yourself there? With God's help, I know we can get there!
Visit Julie at
www.comehaveapiece.blogspot.com/

Getting to know you

The Q's.


1. What kind of athlete has the hottest body? Any athlete! I think that working out & being physically fit makes a man so much more attractive!
2. Are you a planner or a procrastinator? Hahahahaha....I am by nature a HUGE PLANNER. It doesn't work well being a marine corps wife! Since I have had the kids I have become somewhat of a procrastinator too. There are some things that just need to slide!
3. Diet or regular (soda)? I am not a big soda (pop) drinker. I guess if I am indulging in it that I would like regular.
4. What's your one "must have" for Fall? I was getting rid of 3 pairs of boots so I knew that I would have to have some replacements so I got a few pairs....ok I can feel Ben glaring at me. I bought 5 pairs but in my defense they were all on a big sale! I got them for $60. Some of them retailed at $90 per pair and I just happened upon a sale with a coupon....
5. What's your favorite fast food restaurant? I am pretty easy to please! I don't know that I have a favorite because anything that I don't have to cook is my favorite!
6. What do you think is the sexiest profession for a guy? United States Marine Corps. (Hello have you seen my hubby?!)
7. Did you wear braces? Just recently. I got them off earlier this year! April to be precise.
8. Would you rather have a guy that's super sexy or kind? I have a guy that is both :-) If I had to choose I would say kind.....it is much more important in the scheme of things

Heartwarming Homecomings

Share your homecoming stories! Link up with Heartwarming Homecomings!

I am joining www.usnchic.blogspot.com/ for Heartwarming Homecomings. I had so intended on getting this posted yesterday but life again got in the way! I am taking some time out of my busy birthday to post it today!

We have had 3 homecomings from deployments which I am including in this post. (And 6 homecomings from detachments which aren't nearly as exciting to the civilian sector but still are to us military folk!)

Goulet is my Husband's call sign.

Homecoming 2005
This was our first deployment. Ben went to Iraq with HMLA 269. We had been married for 13 short months. (Although that is quite long for some military couples prior to deployments!) This is far and above one of my favorite pictures of the two of us.
Homecoming 2006
Yeah you read that right. HMLA 269's cycle and dwell time was 7 months gone and 5.5 months home.
Kendall was born during this deployment. This was her first time to meet her daddy. Forgive my appearance. Kendall was only 10 weeks old and I was learning how to be mommy & daddy so I didn't have much time to fix myself up! Daddy then left again when Kendall was 8 months old.
Homecoming 2007
Reuninted as a family once again!
Isaac has (thank goodness) never had to endure a full-blown deployment yet. Obviously, we don't know what the future holds for us in the Marine Corps as far as deployments are concerned......but we are sincerely glad that we have had him home for this long.

Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven. ~Tryon Edwards

Hello birthday Friday!!

Friday Photo Flashback (Birthday Style)

I could not have a birthday flashback without including Rebecca (the curly-haired blonde to my right in this picture) She planned and executed 2 surprise parties for me when I lived in Pensacola, Fl. I don't have a better pic (at least from b-day celerations) of the two of us but she always made me feel special!
This is another one of my fun friends from FL. Dana was a huge support while I was down there. Here we are at my surprise party #2.

Some of my favorite 3 west girls out for my birthday. Aurelia, Mary, Dana, Jenny Lyn, and me

Random birthday picture at my parents
2000
Just in case you are wondering why I chose to flashback to birthdays?! Today is my birthday! I was looking for a picture of Ben from my birthday in 2003 (since that was around the time we started dating) but couldn't find it. So this is what you end up with :-) Hope you enjoy!
For more visit Alicia at

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1. Have you ever visited another country?
Not the ones that I really want to go to but yes I have been out of the country.
2. Where is the strangest place you have ever been?
Hmmmm....I don't know about strange. Every place that we have been has been unique and fun-filled. Maybe in Puerto Rico at the Star Bucks (long story!!)
3. What is your favorite season?
AUTUMN (there is nothing more beautiful than seeing all the leaves change color and that is when I said the first "I love you" to Ben!)
4. What one song will always cheer you up?
Barbie Girl (Don't judge!)
5. What Disney character do you resemble most?
Ariel (just because the hair is red now!)
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1. Birthdays are: AWESOME! I love having your own special day and the feeling you get from people remembering it.
2. My favorite birthday memory was in 2003 when Ben came to my birthday party. He was in full swing flight school and even though he should have been studying he came out. There was a few other funny memories from that night that I am going to plead the fifth on too!
3. A birthday tradition I (or my family) has is ice-cream cake!!
4. If I had to choose one birthday meal to eat for the rest of my birthdays hence forward, I would choose a nice big ol' steak, loaded sweet potato, broccoli, and some ice-cream cake.
5. My birthday is on August 13th.
6. If I could take a birthday trip I would go to Germany and/or Greece.
7. The best gift I've ever received for my birthday was a scrapbooking program. I really don't know but since I am sitting at the computer and looking at it.......
This week’s questions are:

1.What is ONE thing you’d like civilians to understand about being a military family?We don't take one single celebration for granted. You learn the hard way when your spouse has missed not one, not two, not even three but FOUR of the same holiday in a row.
2.What is your favorite mistake?Most definitely involves Ben. I wasn't supposed to be out the night that he had to "save me" and if I hadn't been we might not have ever started dating. I'd like to believe it was God leading us to each other!
3.What indulgence could you give up for a year? Hmmm....going out to eat?!
4.If you could be a winged animal, what would you be? Easy one! Eagle
5.What is one question you’d like to see asked in a future MFF??????
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And...here we go!
1. Music feels my heart with joy.
2. A shower is what I like first thing in the morning.

3. The first thing I said this morning was: thank-you baby (when Kendall greeted me with a big un-prompted Happy Birthday Mama!)
4. Red Robin; it's what's for dinner tonight.
5. It's all been fun!
6. Stretching is what I feel like doing right now.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my birthday dinner with my family, tomorrow my plans include relaxing with the family, church, & life-group and Sunday, I want to have a good baby shower at church then a great pool party with friends!