AHHH I just had to say :)

I am so happy right now. 

I am happy because I can almost use my two hands to countdown the time until Garrett returns! I cannot be more excited for this deployment to end, because it means we get to start our life together! I get my kisses and my hugs and my care… Mmmm Mmmm yes, to have all that back along with many more things. AMAZING! 

I am just so in love with my husband and he makes me the happiest person in the world! I was so lucky to have that perfect match find me! 

Parenting gone bad...

Currently, I am subbing for an early childhood classroom in Pre-K. I couldn’t be more thankful for the life I was given and have now. I also couldn’t be more proud to be able to offer a good life for a child. 90% of the kids in this classroom are adopted, living with foster families, they are all on welfare, and some of them even have mental disabilities. My first two years of school were for early childhood education. When you further your studies in that field, you learn about the defects children are born with from mommies who don’t take care of themselves. It really bothers me when I can go to work and I know exactly the lifestyle one of my students mommy had. Breaks my heart how people don’t think about their children’s lives and here they are handing this child off from one family to the next...

Photo shoooting :)

Love maternities :)

The dreadful line...

One of the most important things I am learning through this deployment is our fine line between what to and what not to communicate. And by that, I do not mean lie about, I mean what to not make him stress over. It is hard when I am here and I can’t see what is happening there. I don’t know what his work schedule is. I don’t know how many people lied to him today. I don’t know what he had to re-do because the first plan didn’t work. All I can see is what I am going through. And how I don’t have that physical support that I am used to. He isn’t here to help me buy my new car. He isn’t here to help me with my medical issues when he is the best person to take care of me when I am sick! And worst of all, I am not there for him! I told him tonight that I feel upset over a our last conversation, and I wanted to share his “deployed insight” of why he may not be as verbally supportive.  

“im sorry kobie. i know your doing a good job. i have nothing to worry about back home and its all because you are on top of everything. im so proud of you and so amazed by what you do. im not used to having to say it tho. i dont say it at work because we are just asked to do our job. we dont get praised here and im in work mode all the time because thats my main job right now. im sorry that it seems like im ignoring what your doing but im not. i tell my friends all the time how much you do for me and how much you care. your all i talk about over here”

I am so glad the person I have to share my life with, is someone I can talk to and grow with from our conversations rather then let things linger and worsen! Yet again I have realized I was way before crossing that line, and I probably should have told my hubs a while ago before a problem occurred :) Still learnin that line!

Random fact of my day: 

If you are too hydrated, it could give you trouble sleeping! I always have trouble sleeping. Usually I take ambien because I need the push. Today I read that cherry juice contains melatonin. For those who don’t know what melatonin is, it is a hormone that helps you sleep :) A natural way is always a better way because you can train your body by using it’s full potential with no addictions! 

Healthy is important!

I cant even explain how drained I am physically and emotionally from deployment to everything in my life that my car accident effected to my treatment….. BLAH. 

I listened to everyone and looked at the bright side of my disability and took a break to get better! I guess it may have helped my head from the concussions, but I think resting has done all that it can do now. It is ridiculous to live like this, and I am not sure if it has been harder or better for deployment.

Therefore I am done… In attempt to take my route, I have switched to a less sedating medication so I can wake up with less than 12 hours of sleep. I have also decided if I am not subbing, then I am going to use my morning time to work out at the gym and get my body going again! The endorphins will be great for the positivity :)

Wandering around Oceanside.

Thankful :D

I am currently watching “Sleeping With The Enemy”, which is reminding me what I wanted to write about tonight. This last week, I have been around people who are have a series of unfortunate events happening in their lives. It makes me so thankful for my life and how everything is turning out. Everyone has their problems. Mine are definitely manageable! I complain a lot when Garrett is deployed (what wife doesn’t), but I know everything is going to be okay! We might not have 20 thousand dollars in our savings account (which I think is still not enough to save for a kid!), but we will be okay! We both have jobs, we have a very loyal relationship, we are planning a special wedding exactly how we want it to be, everything with my health is only getting better, my treatments are successful!!!, we get to buy my new car with no problems, and we always have a roof/ tent (LOL) over our heads :). 

That being said, I am quite thankful for the life I am living and the opportunities I have! 

And of course the love that puts a smile on my face :) Made it halfway! The rest should be downhill!

Halfway mark!!!

Today is my halfway day for deployment!!! (according to Garrett's ETA of course!)

Just thinking about everything that needs to get done before he comes home! I cannot wait :))) I think I have enough going on to keep me busy and positive for the next few months. I booked my last vacation before Garrett comes home. Every year about 40 of my friends go on a cruise to Ensenada and this year may very well be my last! I am definitely ok with parting from this tradition because the grass on the other side is greener and brighter.

I got to talk to Garrett this morning for 15 minutes online. He said he wouldn't be on again until tomorrow. I told him "That's so far away!" (only because we have barely talked the past three weeks!) and he said "but you know I am ok".   -______-  Men.

Tonight I will be celebrating! And it is perfect timing because bevmo has zins for 33% off :)

AT&T

BLOWS!

They do not accept power of attorney from deployed military spouses....

All I can really say to keep this classy.

Post melt down ramble...

It’s relaxin time!

I feel like today I was ran through the washing machine! I want to say that deployment is mentally exhausting. I literally shut my brain down as of four hours ago. I am tired of talking to people, tired of handling accounts with a power of attorney, tired of work stress, tired of apartment shopping… I think it’s safe to say, I am tired! 

What helps when this happens? A great nights sleep! An ambien induced sleep! Since it’s hard to sleep with things on your mind (and a military wife’s mind is never at ease), I like to use sleep aids so the next day, I am stronger and able to handle bigger situations at a more relaxed time. 

I am so excited to soon be signing our lease to our new apartment! No more staying with family for deployment! Just Garrett and I, and Duke of course ;) We get to make our own plans. We get to live how we want to. We run everything about our lives. 

Thinking about Garrett tonight. Thinking about the romantic things I wish I had when he was here and I was spoiled. Thinking about the time I had a medical situation with medicine that made it not possible to drink alcohol. That night Garrett came home with a bottle of magicale that he had to walk into Disneyland to get… and I was mad because he wasn’t paying attention to my issue -______-. Man I sure would kill to go back to that night! 

Deployment has taught me more than enough… but one thing I will never forget, is too take advantage of our moments together! 

Thinking of you tonight 

We took so many pictures! But I will never have enough! 

<3

Sometimes adult life makes me wanna...

be a kid again.

Maternity Shoot... 01/12

Finally done editing my best friend's 17 week maternity shoot! Can't wait to take more!!!

Fur Babies...

What a beautiful day in Cali <3

Wedding savers!

I have a gluten allergy. I have been on the gluten free diet for almost 6 years and I developed my allergy in my late teens. For my wedding, I would like to have buffet style food served. I am getting married on a farm and simple is so far, best. I would prefer not to hire servers, chefs, kitchen assistants, coordinator, bar tender. All I want is the food!! So I spoke to the owner of a gluten free bakery I shop at and got some insider tips for buffet style!;

1. Don't ever tell a catering service your food will be for a "wedding". You simply need to say "a party".
2. When you tell the your guest list amount, they make sure there is 2-3 of everything for everyone to eat. Especially doing buffet style, women and children typically do not eat 2-3 steaks, baked potato, etc. having a party of 110 can easily be dropped to 70-80 and still allow the right amount of food.
3. Rent the heaters! Most of the time your venue will have tons of them on hand. They are also super cheap at costco. You can request to even pick up the food from the caterer in the steel pans. 
4. Hire someone to worry for you. I will be hiring some nicely dressed friends of my brothers to serve small items, manage trash, ask about refills, etc.

We will be saving almost $5,000 by using these techniques.

That milk glass is half full...

Obviously being a military wife, I am always around my military friends who are from all over the world! A melting pot, right in our Oceanside area. I have learned so many things from my wife friends. I never knew how much it took to keep a household organized! I have always taken care of myself on my own; paid my bills, budget my money, clean, decide when and when not to go out, always employed, somehow fit school in there. But now, I have a household. It's not just me, it's us.

I have also learned that the military can flip you upside down and shake any plans/ temporary goals right out of your head in an instant! Here it goes for the best thing I have learned *drum roll*

STAY POSITIVE!

There is ALWAYS a positive and a negative to anything. I have realized if I am relaxed and I take the time to find the positive in things, it will be worth it in the long run! Stress is like acid to life and people dont always realize how their negative feelings are rubbing off on the people they care the most about! 

My new friend fertility!

UNFORTUNATELY!

I am really not enjoying the constant thirst, tiredness, anemia, and hormones!!!

I woke up from sleeping on my side and had bruises from the weight of my body. I am staying positive though, and thinking about how lucky I am to be able to recover from my past issue and have normal hormone levels to be able to make our own child before it's too late! 

Disneyland, family and friends....

ALL DEPLOYMENT LONGGGG <3

D

Women are vicious!

Currently at Pendelton, there is a very nice group offering free events and classes per following guidelines. One wife holds this group together! She is 23 years old (my age) and I know I wouldn't have time to do the things she does. No I do not agree with a thing here or there. But I understand that it takes a lot of discipline, sacrifice, and time to keep such a group together. Every time this person running this group does anything to offend anyone, they run to facebook to post mean things about her! I have even requested they remove them and I have never met the girl. I am not sure why this vicious girl has been removed or blocked from the group, but if I were running it and I saw the things being said about me behind my back, I would have done the same.

It drives me crazy that in such a close knit life style, wives can be so quick to treat others so bad! It is cruel.

Morale of my story: Pick and choose your friends wisely! You like people because of who they are, and they do not need to have the same values as you to be your friend! You never know when you will need someone, so be nice to everyone and get over yourselves!

Spouse Quiz

1. How did you and your spouse meet?

I was dating his room mate.


2. How old were you when you first met?

22. And he was 22 as well!

3. How long have you been together?

Hmmm. We didn't start our relationship until we were in love and knew we would want to be together forever, which was in February 2011!

4. Where are you and your spouse originally from?

I am a military brat, so where I am from is a good question... Japan, California, Colorado; He is from Virginia.


5. How did you feel about him joining the military?

He was on his 4th year in and he just re enlistment... It is what he wants, so i support him.
6. Where did your spouse go to basic training?

Paris Island

7. Has your spouse ever been deployed?

LOL YES! His first 4 years in, he was always PSCed in the U.S. and only spent 13 months total in the U.S. The rest of the time, he was deployed.

8. Ever been to his promotion ceremony?

No, he has always been deployed...

9. How long have you been a military wife?

Wife: 5 months  Brat: 23 years.

10. Did you marry him before or after he joined?

After


11. How did your husband propose?

Well, as usual, the marine corps ruined our 4th of July plans and had him work last minute. At this point, I was really upset because we were never able to follow through with plans and I was upset. Garrett booked a weekend at Disneyland and got us a very nice room at the Grand Californian. Our first day there, we were leaving the valet to go to the liquor store and I ran over a spike strip! We forgot everything we wanted to bring. Everything was going wrong. It was so us... His original plan to propose at the 4th of July fireworks show had changed and he had to propose the day everything went wrong but we still had each other :)! July 3rd during a water show, which broke down right as he was proposing! 

12. Where did you get married?

Denver, CO. Our wedding will be in Santa Barbara CA

13. How old where you two when you got married?

22

14. Did he wear his uniform on his wedding day?

He will be!

15. Where are you and your spouse currently stationed?

Camp Pendelton, CA

16. Do you live on base?

No

17. How long were you married when you had to go through your first separation?

2 months

18.  What is your favorite base so far?

Not Pendelton! Wishing I were on east coast!

19. Do you think your spouse looks good in his uniform?

Of course DUH.

20. Do you think the military life is more advanced than the civilian life?

Not more advanced... Definitely different.

21. Do you like the benefits you receive as a military dependent?

Yes. I do not like the mess ups from the people setting it up!

22. Do you have a lot of military wife friends?

Yes! Great ones. Few but they I pick and choose wisely.

23. What is the hardest part of the military life?

Since I dont have a family with children of my own, the only negative thoughts we have is not being able to follow through with plans/ trips.

24. Do you own a lot of military wife stuff?

Not really... Not military wife stuff, but fair amount of marine/navy things.

25. Do you support your spouse as a member of the military?

YES... You have to think about what you're getting yourself into BEFORE the marriage...

Introducing to blogspot :D

My name is Kobie, and I am married to my wonderful husband Garrett. He is currently in Afghanistan serving in the USMC. We are stationed at Pendelton for now. Hoping to be on the east coast by November 2012 :) We are planning our wedding for August of 2012! We have a pug named Duke and he is 5 years old! I absolutely LOVE pugs.

For now, most of my posts are dealing with deployment/ military/ whatever is on my mind that I don't feel like talking about because the one person I do want to talk to is not here! Or photography things! I LOVE photography and I try to shoot everything everywhere I go to keep my memories with me :)