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| the night he came back! |
Wetting the bed...My Noel
Showing posts with label Military Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Military Life. Show all posts
A Random-filled Tuesday
Oh how I wish I had something super wise and funny to share with you today...unfortunately, all I have is this short few minutes I could steal away...having 2 mobile kids has changed my life!! I am lucky if I get to blow my nose with both hands for a quick second...
Our lives are in a big transition, as you may know....
You see, this is a monumental week for us. For the first time in 9 years, I know my husband as a civilian.
How weird is this?? {I think to myself}
Its only been a week and a half since his haircut, and already he's feeling his head saying "I can't believe how much hair I have!" LOL...It is a little long, but Im letting him decide when he wants to get his next haircut. Secretly, I am hoping he doesn't go more than 2 weeks since I love his hair short.
Already, he's answered his phone a time or two with "Sgt. Stu-----.....umm.,..this is Levi"....its going to be an adjustment for all of us.
He's finding freedom in the little things, like deciding if he wants to shave in the morning or put on a belt. These were things that have become so routine.
How many prospects does he have for next month?? This infamous question no longer applies...and it makes both of us a little relieved.
This past week I have been a little under the weather...remember me mentioning that gray cloud of doom over my head? Well, it rears its ugly head in my life daily when I get ugly letters from the bank in the mail reminding me that this and that are missing, and our short sale process is in litigation. All of these mailers are routine, and we are doing everything we can, but getting this useless & negative mail everyday (almost) is not helping. You'd think banks would be interested in saving money, but the cost of a stamp is nothing to them, I guess.
It's even sort of put a damper on my craftiness...haven't made anything these last few days, which is abnormal for me.
I am remembering that God has this situation in His hand, just like he does everything else.
He thinks about my life's situation and me more than I know...the Bible says in Psalms
17 How amazing are your thoughts concerning me, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
If you've ever visited the beach with your kids, and had the pleasure of cleaning up sand off of your floor, you know sand is minuscule and scatters everywhere. God thinks of us more than each of those pesky granules.
Well, I know its Tuesday, so keep on doing what your doing. Think of ways to serve someone in your life somehow...it will make you feel good.
I have a basket of groceries Ive been wanting to donate..thinking of putting it in my car to give to someone I find in need...but then again, groceries in a hot car probably wouldn't be good.
As I sit in my air conditioned house when its 100+ degrees outside, and get the joy of playing with my healthy children, I can't help but be thankful.
Have a great 6-19-12!
Life Updates..and Photography Volunteer!
If you've been a reader for a little while, or from the beginning just a few months ago, you may or may not know a little about me.
Ive managed to already write 80+ posts, and about 10 of them tell a little about my life and what I intend for this blog. (If you'd like, you can go to the labels on the right side and click to see past topics and posts.)
One of the most frustrating things about starting out blogging, is working hard on a post, and then knowing "6 views" will be reported....again. I may grab a few of my favs from the past, and repost them, just so they don't go too unnoticed..lol
It'd be easy to join a bunch of "linky parties", do a bunch of giveaways, and pay to advertise.
But thats not me, nor what I want for my blog.
Did you know you can get your blog printed into a book?
I want to be able to say that if I go my blog printed into a book, that my book would not be full of artificial posts and ideas from other people. I try to portray family, creating, the love we have, the fun we have, and would love to form life-changing relationships with other bloggers.
Just pray for us...for me...during this trial with the real-estate market. Trying to short-sale a house in another state just isn't easy. It's like I have this gray cloud floating over my head most of the time, inside swirling dollar sings are just waiting to fall on me.
I told myself the other day that God is bigger than the real estate market, and He is.
I just need to really believe it.
My husband's last official day in the recruiting office is tomorrow, and I am on the fence about whether I am excited or not. Having him home more is going to be an adjustment, just because recruiting is so many hours, and his new job is much less. He will have DAYS off, and that is just unheard of as a Marine Corps recruiter.
We actually have a month to do nothing since his new job doesn't start until July.
Of course, in my mind I have trips and DIY projects planned...we will make the most of the budget we have.
Ive been wanting to "up" my photography practice, so tried to come up with a way I could use my time for something good and gain practice.
Having a nice picture could help show potential owners a nicer impression of the animal, increasing it's chances for adoption.....not to mention, I'd get photography practice.
Ive managed to already write 80+ posts, and about 10 of them tell a little about my life and what I intend for this blog. (If you'd like, you can go to the labels on the right side and click to see past topics and posts.)
One of the most frustrating things about starting out blogging, is working hard on a post, and then knowing "6 views" will be reported....again. I may grab a few of my favs from the past, and repost them, just so they don't go too unnoticed..lol
It'd be easy to join a bunch of "linky parties", do a bunch of giveaways, and pay to advertise.
But thats not me, nor what I want for my blog.
Did you know you can get your blog printed into a book?
I want to be able to say that if I go my blog printed into a book, that my book would not be full of artificial posts and ideas from other people. I try to portray family, creating, the love we have, the fun we have, and would love to form life-changing relationships with other bloggers.
Just pray for us...for me...during this trial with the real-estate market. Trying to short-sale a house in another state just isn't easy. It's like I have this gray cloud floating over my head most of the time, inside swirling dollar sings are just waiting to fall on me.
I told myself the other day that God is bigger than the real estate market, and He is.
I just need to really believe it.
My husband's last official day in the recruiting office is tomorrow, and I am on the fence about whether I am excited or not. Having him home more is going to be an adjustment, just because recruiting is so many hours, and his new job is much less. He will have DAYS off, and that is just unheard of as a Marine Corps recruiter.
We actually have a month to do nothing since his new job doesn't start until July.
Of course, in my mind I have trips and DIY projects planned...we will make the most of the budget we have.
Ive been wanting to "up" my photography practice, so tried to come up with a way I could use my time for something good and gain practice.
I know pictures are priceless, and sometimes a picture can make all the difference on whether a product is bought/sold, someone is hired or not........they can also mean life or death for a homeless animal.
Having a nice picture could help show potential owners a nicer impression of the animal, increasing it's chances for adoption.....not to mention, I'd get photography practice.
Too often, dogs are stuck with pictures like this:
Thankfully the animal shelter in town is already in the works of realizing this same idea, and there's a volunteer photographer orientation next month!! I'm pretty excited.
Last year, my dogs got out and ran away. I had to tour this shelter, and is was so bad, I left crying.
If one of my pictures helps save one animal, I have done a lot.
Last year, my dogs got out and ran away. I had to tour this shelter, and is was so bad, I left crying.
If one of my pictures helps save one animal, I have done a lot.
Thanks to those who keep up with me/my blog. I know I can be random and wordy :)
Kid-Simple Patriotic Garlands
We are a patriotic family...I love my Marine!
This is us pre-kids and married a month....we were in ignorant bliss, living a newlywed's life and celebrating his promotion he had just received.
A couple of years later, we started adding babies to the mix...
I can't imagine my life without pride for our country and those who live to defend it.
In preparation for this important holiday, we decided to make some easy garlands that take a short amount of time and don't require a lot of supplies or money.
I hope you decide to make one of these..they are fun and pretty when they are hung!
You need: Yarn (I used red,white and blue)
Roll of twine (bought a big roll at Home Depot for just a couple of dollars)
Scissors
Cardboard
1)Take your 3 colors and put the ends of all 3 together
2) Pull a long amount of the 3 strands together, so they are all the same length. You will need a long amount...the more you use, the more full your pom poms will be
3) Get a piece of card board and cut out 2 circles...using a CD for a stencil works great. Cut a smaller hole in the middle of both of those, a long with 1 slit going through one side of your newly formed "doughnut"
Once your doughnuts are wrapped well, get your scissors and go between the 2 cardboard pieces, snipping the strings carefully.
Get a longer piece of yarn and go between the 2 pieces of cardboard...tie a tight knot (or a few) to sinch the pieces together.
Take your pom off through the slit. Use the long string that is extra to tie your poms onto your garland twine, or whatever you wish to use for your garland.
Fluff and trim any long pieces that are left.
Cardboard triangle
Glue (fabric or hot is fine)
Length of lace trim
1) Get your lace trim, and iron it flat. My lace trim is a little wide, and I wanted to hid the raw edges of my triangles, so I folded it in half. Use starch...it helps keep it folded and a little stiff. There are many kinds that you can find in the stores...
2) Cut a cardboard triangle...mine was 4 inches across the top (small triangles look cute, but big ones can be made too)
3) Iron your triangles, and sandwich them in any order into your lace trim (if you folded it)...attach them to the trim with a line of glue. I used hot glue because I wanted instant adhesion without any wait.
I loved this pledge of allegiance fabric I had stashed away...
Yarn
Coffee Filters
Paint brush
Hot glue
1)Take the yarn and cut 6 long pieces (however long you want your garland to be)
2) Two by two, use the 3 strands to make a pretty braid. This will be what you hang your filters from.
3) Dilute some paint with some water.
4) Let your child paint on the filters any pattern they want. This is fun because the filters are very durable and allow the paint to spread a little and they dry super quick!!
The longer your garland is, the more you will need...BUT-keep in mind, you will have double of whatever you make because once they are dry...
5) Cut them in half
7) Use hot glue to attach them to your braid to hang!
This is us pre-kids and married a month....we were in ignorant bliss, living a newlywed's life and celebrating his promotion he had just received.
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| Home from Iraq |
A couple of years later, we started adding babies to the mix...
I can't imagine my life without pride for our country and those who live to defend it.
In preparation for this important holiday, we decided to make some easy garlands that take a short amount of time and don't require a lot of supplies or money.
I hope you decide to make one of these..they are fun and pretty when they are hung!
POM-POM Garland
You need: Yarn (I used red,white and blue)
Roll of twine (bought a big roll at Home Depot for just a couple of dollars)
Scissors
Cardboard
1)Take your 3 colors and put the ends of all 3 together
2) Pull a long amount of the 3 strands together, so they are all the same length. You will need a long amount...the more you use, the more full your pom poms will be
3) Get a piece of card board and cut out 2 circles...using a CD for a stencil works great. Cut a smaller hole in the middle of both of those, a long with 1 slit going through one side of your newly formed "doughnut"
Wrap the yarn around and around until it is all around your cardboard!
Fluff and trim any long pieces that are left.
Fabric Bunting Garland
What you need: Scrap fabricCardboard triangle
Glue (fabric or hot is fine)
Length of lace trim
1) Get your lace trim, and iron it flat. My lace trim is a little wide, and I wanted to hid the raw edges of my triangles, so I folded it in half. Use starch...it helps keep it folded and a little stiff. There are many kinds that you can find in the stores...
3) Iron your triangles, and sandwich them in any order into your lace trim (if you folded it)...attach them to the trim with a line of glue. I used hot glue because I wanted instant adhesion without any wait.
I loved this pledge of allegiance fabric I had stashed away...
Coffee Filter Garland
You need: Paint (Acrylic works well, but others are fine too)Yarn
Coffee Filters
Paint brush
Hot glue
1)Take the yarn and cut 6 long pieces (however long you want your garland to be)
2) Two by two, use the 3 strands to make a pretty braid. This will be what you hang your filters from.
3) Dilute some paint with some water.
4) Let your child paint on the filters any pattern they want. This is fun because the filters are very durable and allow the paint to spread a little and they dry super quick!!
5) Cut them in half
6) Iron them so that they can hang more flat. I kept some of the folds of the filter in tact.
Leaving a Family
These last few days have been so crazy...
It was a rewarding event to go to....to see our husbands do what they do best: be respected leaders and teachers to these highschoolers who have made commitments to become Marines.
There is just nothing like it. I know I have talked a little bit about our life in the Corps, so you may know we have just a couple of months before we start a new chapter as civilians again.
Being on recruiting duty, and keeping the feeling of comradery with other Marines has been more difficult, but it does still feel like we are leaving a family.
Family who:
Yesterday, I got to hear a former Marine who had served 21 years speak. He had traveled all over the world, and had duties that included working for the president. One thing he said stuck out to me, which was that the Marine Corps teaches and it GIVES. At some point through those future Marine's lives, they will have to evaluate their time in the Marine Corps. No matter when they look back, they will be able to clearly know that the Marine Corps GAVE them values that can't be found anywhere else. It gave them a life of opportunity.
It was a pleasure to see my husband dressed up in his cammis and speak to his recruits. He was a magnet for conversation when he took our 7 month old and walked around with her in his arms. It was a cute sight to see. Yesterday was probably one of the last times I'll ever see him in action as a Marine again...maybe the last time in the uniform and boots. There's just something about having people appreciate him publicly. It makes me feel good, and I am sure it makes him feel good too.
About 6 months ago, we had lunch one day with Levi, and he was in uniform. A man approached with a note, and quickly left. We opened the note, and inside was a $20 bill, and these lovely words:
I think sacrifice is something any military member knows very well.
Leaving this Marine Corps family will be such a change for us, but I believe "Once a Marine, always a Marine." I am also thankful that God led him through this time in the Marine Corps, to hopefully go on and use the values he has learned in the next place He has for us.
Wednesday-husband left for an interview in another state
Thursday-potty training day
Friday- Noel's birthday day
Saturday- husband returned and we had to go STRAIGHT to a family day event for the Marines and Marine Corps recruits in the area.
It was a rewarding event to go to....to see our husbands do what they do best: be respected leaders and teachers to these highschoolers who have made commitments to become Marines.
There is just nothing like it. I know I have talked a little bit about our life in the Corps, so you may know we have just a couple of months before we start a new chapter as civilians again.
Being on recruiting duty, and keeping the feeling of comradery with other Marines has been more difficult, but it does still feel like we are leaving a family.
Family who:
throw a baby shower for you when all of your family is out of state
attends your kids birthday parties because ^
is experiencing similar life situations you are
understands your everyday life more than anyone else
Yesterday, I got to hear a former Marine who had served 21 years speak. He had traveled all over the world, and had duties that included working for the president. One thing he said stuck out to me, which was that the Marine Corps teaches and it GIVES. At some point through those future Marine's lives, they will have to evaluate their time in the Marine Corps. No matter when they look back, they will be able to clearly know that the Marine Corps GAVE them values that can't be found anywhere else. It gave them a life of opportunity.
It was a pleasure to see my husband dressed up in his cammis and speak to his recruits. He was a magnet for conversation when he took our 7 month old and walked around with her in his arms. It was a cute sight to see. Yesterday was probably one of the last times I'll ever see him in action as a Marine again...maybe the last time in the uniform and boots. There's just something about having people appreciate him publicly. It makes me feel good, and I am sure it makes him feel good too.
About 6 months ago, we had lunch one day with Levi, and he was in uniform. A man approached with a note, and quickly left. We opened the note, and inside was a $20 bill, and these lovely words:
"Thank you for your family's sacrifice. Lunch is on us."
I think sacrifice is something any military member knows very well.
Leaving this Marine Corps family will be such a change for us, but I believe "Once a Marine, always a Marine." I am also thankful that God led him through this time in the Marine Corps, to hopefully go on and use the values he has learned in the next place He has for us.
Our Transition
trans-ition
trans-fer
trans-formation
trans-
prefix meaning "across, beyond, to go beyond," from L. trans-,
from prep. trans "across, over, beyond,"
probably originally prp. of a verb *trare-, meaning "to cross"
Transition and the military life go hand in hand. I have to deal with this sort of thing whether I like it or not, and the Marine Corps is in control. In a few more months that will not be the case anymore, since we are leaving this family we have known for 9 years. This is a bittersweet transition for me. The Marine Corps has given us reasons to celebrate and reasons to cry.
We are getting ready for a transition from the Marine life to civilian life again. So many things are up in the air, and as we get closer to the last day we begin to grow anxiety. An anxiety that we shouldn't really have because we know God is directing our steps.
Where are these steps leading, you may want to know?
Well, I would like to know too.
Having a house on the market for the past 5 months and see it transform our savings account was also not part of our plan at all. Maybe you are feel the pinch of the economy in some way?
Thankfully Proverbs 16:9 promises me:
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
All I can say at this point is we may be relocating to be near family, or we may be called to live somewhere else. We are really in the dark about the situation.
What we do know so far, is that we are keeping our options open. Looking for jobs is a stressful process, especially when we are having to convert all of Levi's qualifications from "military lingo" to what I call "civilian lingo".
He actually has a big opportunity that has popped up in the past week, and he will be flying to NC for a few days of interviewing. (The job wouldn't be in NC..its just where the interviews are)
One of the days of his trip happens to be Noel's third birthday. Its the 2nd birthday he's missed....and hopefully the last. However, these are the types of sacrifices that have to happen when duty calls. Luckily, I don't think she is at an age where she will care too much, and we can celebrate as a family when he gets back.
Just please pray with us this week as we prepare for the questioning he will be going through and his safe travels. If its Gods will we live somewhere other than Northern California, like we had planned, I hope that He makes it clear.
If a job offer comes out of next week, we will have a hard time saying no.
The security, benefits and freedom that would come with that job sure is appealing...and it happens to be the technical job he did for the Marine Corps before we got called to recruiting duty.
Have you been through any transformations lately that just had you stressed?
I find confidence in that verse, and also in the definition of the prefix itself....
going across/over and beyond whatever it is sounds so freeing and fun. Think of transformation as a positive experience.
Caterpillars transform into butterflies
Seeds the size of a flake of oatmeal can grow to be sequoia trees
Babies crawl and then walk, and then run.
Our life is crazy, but good...
2012 is the year for change---- and I dont mean the kind of "Hope and Change" we've been dealing with the past couple of years, but I mean REAL change for our Studer family.
The year kicked off with the biggest decision we could have made- to leave the Marine Corps after 9 years of service. There are many reasons why we have decided this..and even now sometimes, we ask ourselves if we are making the right decision?? The military is beneficial in so many ways...
Its scary.
Ive really only known my husband as a Marine, since we struck up our friendship officially the night before he left for bootcamp. Its a long, intricate story, but really the Marine Corps is all we have known together..... and without it, I am a little timid about what we will be. I know it doesn't define who we are or how much we love eachother, but it has become a lifestyle and an identity for Levi. He was just 18 when he signed his life away for at least a little while. He's been shipped all around the world and given a job title at such a young age and being told what to do and how to do it for so long.
Like many other military families, events the Marine Corps brought us to have forever shaped our lives. Who wouldve thought I would have to have my first baby without him by my side. I remember hearing stories of that happening {before it happened to me}, and I would sit with my mouth wide open and say "oh, I could NEVER go through that."
Well...I must have jinxed myself because the exact day we got notice he was deploying, I found out we were expecting....he left 2 days after we found out we were having a girl.We decided her name over dinner at a mexican restaurant the day before he left......he got to hear his first daughter cry through the phone my mom left on for his sake{without my knowledge}- wasn't too happy about that one.
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I could make a list, but wont.
If you know a Marine, you know they are some of the hardest working men and women out there.
So, what is next? How will my Marine-man go through this new stage without "Sgt." before his name.??
I have a feeling he's going to be answering his phone with: "Sgt. Studer, how may I help you sir, or ma'am?" for quite a while.
As of right now, we are in the middle of a lot of pending things.
1)We are finalizing his resume
2) Searching for potential jobs
2) Trying to sell a house we had to leave behind 2 years ago in North Carolina that is sucking our bank account dry
3) Chasing down a hard-to-find insurance adjuster who owes us money from hurricane Irene's damage 7 months ago
...stick a demanding recruiting job, and 2 daughters on top of all of that- we have a lot on our plates.
Luckily, we have God who can carry a lot of plates...I kind of picture one of those amazing waiters/waitresses who has plates up and down their arms...heck, He can even carry them on his head if he had to.
For now, I just take one day at a time......and today happens to be my littlest beauty's Happy Half Birthday! How could half of a year fly by so quickly?
Today we celebrated with a trip to the children's museum where we had TONS of fun.
I am choosing to look past the crying the whole way there, the knick in my windshield I got ON the way there, and the full parking lot once we got there.
I have 2 amazing daughters.
I'd love to hear comments, if someone happens to ever read my blog. Feel free to share with a friend. In the midst of all of this change, I left my thriving crafty page to start what seems to be me just talking to the cyberspace... and that is ok too. ;)
The year kicked off with the biggest decision we could have made- to leave the Marine Corps after 9 years of service. There are many reasons why we have decided this..and even now sometimes, we ask ourselves if we are making the right decision?? The military is beneficial in so many ways...
Its scary.
Ive really only known my husband as a Marine, since we struck up our friendship officially the night before he left for bootcamp. Its a long, intricate story, but really the Marine Corps is all we have known together..... and without it, I am a little timid about what we will be. I know it doesn't define who we are or how much we love eachother, but it has become a lifestyle and an identity for Levi. He was just 18 when he signed his life away for at least a little while. He's been shipped all around the world and given a job title at such a young age and being told what to do and how to do it for so long.
Like many other military families, events the Marine Corps brought us to have forever shaped our lives. Who wouldve thought I would have to have my first baby without him by my side. I remember hearing stories of that happening {before it happened to me}, and I would sit with my mouth wide open and say "oh, I could NEVER go through that."
Well...I must have jinxed myself because the exact day we got notice he was deploying, I found out we were expecting....he left 2 days after we found out we were having a girl.We decided her name over dinner at a mexican restaurant the day before he left......he got to hear his first daughter cry through the phone my mom left on for his sake{without my knowledge}- wasn't too happy about that one.
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photo by mk.loeffler.photography
Fast forward a couple of years, and now we are a recruiting family in Arizona. No one seems to understand that Marines are everywhere. Even without a base, there are military families scattered throughout the United States, and yes, they are still Marines- just a tough as any other. The families often endure just as many hardships {and different ones} than those who are around a base. I could make a list, but wont.
If you know a Marine, you know they are some of the hardest working men and women out there.
So, what is next? How will my Marine-man go through this new stage without "Sgt." before his name.??
I have a feeling he's going to be answering his phone with: "Sgt. Studer, how may I help you sir, or ma'am?" for quite a while.
As of right now, we are in the middle of a lot of pending things.
1)We are finalizing his resume
2) Searching for potential jobs
2) Trying to sell a house we had to leave behind 2 years ago in North Carolina that is sucking our bank account dry
3) Chasing down a hard-to-find insurance adjuster who owes us money from hurricane Irene's damage 7 months ago
...stick a demanding recruiting job, and 2 daughters on top of all of that- we have a lot on our plates.
Luckily, we have God who can carry a lot of plates...I kind of picture one of those amazing waiters/waitresses who has plates up and down their arms...heck, He can even carry them on his head if he had to.
For now, I just take one day at a time......and today happens to be my littlest beauty's Happy Half Birthday! How could half of a year fly by so quickly?
Today we celebrated with a trip to the children's museum where we had TONS of fun.
I am choosing to look past the crying the whole way there, the knick in my windshield I got ON the way there, and the full parking lot once we got there.
I have 2 amazing daughters.
If I could have just one thing in this world, it would be this.
I'd love to hear comments, if someone happens to ever read my blog. Feel free to share with a friend. In the midst of all of this change, I left my thriving crafty page to start what seems to be me just talking to the cyberspace... and that is ok too. ;)
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