Happy Thanksgiving!!

It's Nathan and My First thanksgiving together!! I decided to cook a turkey and a ham, and had the Friedricks and Day over to join us, Since I am my mothers daughter and don't know how to make food for just 2 people. It was a great time with them!! Later Anna and I went and started our Christmas Shopping early. Nathan says he's going to get up with me tomorrow morning and go out there with me for Black Friday... We'll see?!?

USMC Ball

I have to say that my Marine looks damn good in his blues!!! Had a wonderful time.

Pictures

I am a photo whore... everyone who knows me knows this! I love taking photos and having photos taken. So Leslie Cain took some photos of Nathan and I that I have been wanting to have done... Navy vs Marine... yes our house is divided when it comes to the branches of service... but there is nothing but love between us!

Labor Day Weekend

There is nothing to do in Jacksonville, NC. So for Labor Day Weekend Nathan and I secided to get out of town... and headed to where this country was started Willimsburg, VA. We didn't make it to Busch Gardens but it's only a four hour dirve so I can see us going back up there soon to check it out!!! On the way home we stoped at the Naval base there so I could get some Navy things... I mean yes I am a Marine wife, but I was a Sailor first!!!

Happy Anniversary!

Our First Anniversary!!!

Shanda's Visit

The hardest thing about being in the Military or a Military wife is leaving friends and family behind. But it is so Awesome when they come to your neck of the woods to visit. We went out to Holligans, a local night club here in Jville and then went down to Myrtle Beach. I can say Myrtle beach isn't what they make it out to be. I thought by seeing it on all the travel channels and to be one of the top beaches in the States it was going to be beautiful.... NO it was far from it. There was trash everywhere and run down looking shops and Hotels. There were some nice looking hotels... cause I am thinking about Nathan and I going to the Anderson Hotel for our Anniversary!!!

Post Deployment Leave

I was so excited to come back home... even though I just left here 2 months ago! We had awesome layover experiences, starting with leaving Jacksonville. The flight from Charlotte was late due to rain so we would have to stay until later in the evening to catch a flight or hitch a ride right then on Delta... so we chose Delta. Our layover in Alanta was crazy... we were suppoesd to be there for an hour which turned into 4 cause of the weather in Houston.

Anyways, when we finally got into Houston I wanted to see my baby girl... My Korona!! And I can say that she was just as happy to see me!! I didn't think she would be so so so excited but it was like as soon as I walked into my mommas house and yelled her name she was in my arms and giving me kisses!!!

We were only in Houston for a week and we learned our lesson that a week isn't long enough... so next time we will be home longer. But while in Houston we went and visited family and I even through Nathan a Homecoming party!! To my surprise our neighbors gave us a $50 gift card to Chilli's. It was awesome to see that besides family and friends, other people worred about Nathan being gone and wanted to show thier thanks.

Photography

So I love taking photos and I have deceided to start my own business. I think it will keep me busy and help Nathan and I make some money on the side. I just hipe business goes well and I will be good at it to keep clients!!

Beach

I love living 20 minutes away from the beach... I mean who wouldn't! Nathan and I have spent may weekends going and I can't get enought. I wonder when I will take Korona... she's afraid of water... LOL.

USS North Carolina

So Nathan has never been on a ship... well he has when our schools used to take field trips in the the 3rd grade to the Battleship of Texas, but since he's been older nope. So I thought it would be cool to go to the Battleship of North Carolina... seeing how his next deployment he could be on one... here are the pictures!!

Home!

All I can really say is he's home and it feels good.... It's like he finally gave me my breath back.

Home Sweet Jacksonville

So I left on Sunday from Houston to head to my new home on the East side.... it took 12 hours just to drive to Atlanta and then another 6 to Jacksonville. But I am moved in thanks to my awesome mother and new marine wife friends.... anyhow I got the casa all set up for his arrival on Sunday... so all I am missing in our home is him.... I wish time would hurry!

Last Work Day

SO today is my Last day at work... so excited cause I am moving to go live with the Hubbs. Oh got more good news too.... he comes home in 9 days!!!! Oh I'm so excited. I can say all the moving and packing and trying to get everything ready has been hard and stressful... and peopel have see the withch in me come out on more than one occasion but it's so good knowing that it's all done and Sunday I will be headed to Jacksonville!!!! Oh my Boss got me a cake for me leaving here's the picture... thought it was too cute... and if you don't know I was in the Navy.

Moving On UP!

So Nathan called on Monday telling me that he has to move off base. I got fustrated, not at him but just the fact that everything is so last minute from any branch in the service. Anyhow so I did some thinking and knew that all I wanted was to be with him so I have decided to move. I got on the ball on finding a place to live and found these apartments that were nice. Well the call me friday telling me that their policy has changed so I decided to back out and get back in touch with my realitor. Well I found this nice townhome and called on it. Turns out there are 3 other people looking into the same house... ugh! I get the vredit application over asap and then the lady calls me back and tells me I got it... Wooo Hoooo. Now here comes the fun part... PACKING!

It's Raining it's Pouring...

Well on a positive note I got to talk to Nathan yesterday... Woo Hoo! SO excited about that. I can't believe that we are coming up to 7 months already... and soon it'll be over! Thank god!! Anyhow so he seems to be doing good except that he was informed that because he's married and receives BAH now he has to move off base. I can't seem to find an apartment to have an opening until around September and not to mention there is talk of them going back out there in February!!!

IFest Ireland!

So Jordan (a girl from my class) and I went out to the IFEST that was in Downtown. It was the last weekend to go so I was happy I went. It was nice to get out with someone that didn't have another half with them, and me feel like a 3rd wheel. Anyhow so the Country on display this year was Ireland though they had other sections of smaller countries... here are some of the pictures...

Balance

So I got some advice this week that I need to balance everything in my life. I didn't know that I wasn't balancing everything already, but I listened to what was said. Then I realized that they didn't know what all I was doing and what others had planned for me to do. I thought I was doing fine with me balancing Work, my husband deployed, no communication from my husband, taking care of our finical stuff, and dealing with some other personal things that I want to tell my Husband but can't cause he's deployed and there is NO COMMUNICATION... oh and I forgot I'm in school too.... I know what I can and can' handle... and I thought I was doing pretty well but I guess not, I guess someone could come live my life and do it better.

I am always planning for the future saving for the future, always thinking of the what ifs... but I live in the present. And sometimes life throws you a curve ball when you least expect it. Like this weekend was a friends son's 1st birthday party in League City and another friends Bachlorette party in Tomball. For the bachlorette party I planned on going to the Passions party but others wanted me to go out so I decided I'd go out with them since they were only going to the 1st club. So I needed to buy a dress to wear out cause everyone would be wearing old prom/bridesmaid dresses. Couldn't find one so whatever I'll just go dressed regular.SO...It's raining all day Saturday so when it's clearing up on our side of town I jump in my truck to head to the Birthday party the time is 12:57... I'm closer to their house than mine when it seems someone is continuously just dumping water out over my truck... ugh great what was supposed to be an hour drive turned into 2 and a half! So I'm exiting 45 to 518 and the intersection is slightly flooded but I can make it through... as I get a quarter mile down the road it's completely flood so I'm doing my best to turn around cause you can't stop... and pull into a Gas Station... which I sit at for 30 minutes... but then have to run inside cause I have to pee... While inside I ran into a firefighter and he said he would push the water out of my way for me to get on 45 just stay behind him... I didn't make it to the party but I made it home at 5:40 with my truck making a weird noise now sounds like I have crickets under the hood.

So I go to the passions party, have fun learning about all these toys to help in the bedroom and then she's taking orders... I thought about getting some things but with the way my truck is sounding I'm choosing to save the money on the toy that gets me around town... smart thinking right? Well this friend that gave me advice shows up there late and then doesn't say much to me... so when I'm leaving early because I'm not going to the club anymore (saving money now) I get I wish you were going.I realized I am balancing, balancing my checkbook. I did what I could do this weekend... Couldn't make it to the birthday party... but I made it to the passions party... just couldn't go out to the club... I was so worried about balancing that I ended up screwing something up... MY Truck! Which now will take money out of the checking account to whats wrong with it, so going out becomes... less... I take care of the responsibilities 1st then have my fun...

Happy Birthday!

So my birthday was Friday and I had to go back to the doctor cause what ever this crap I have has gotten into my ears... Doc told me that I have a Ear adn Sinus infection. If that wasn't enough of a present for me, mother nature decided to give me the monthly so woo, Happy Birthday right...

Saturday I wanted to have a girls night dinner at the Cheesecake factory since we couldn't go to Fredericksburg, but the husbands came along too... so I'm just going to end here cause I'm not even going to bring that up.

Today I went and took pictures of Ethan and Avari and Christian and Cadyn in the Bluebonnets. It was a beautiful day, but really windy. The came out really good. Now I'm going back to bed where I should have been all weekend!

Early Birthday

So yesterday I get a call from Nathan telling me that he has ordered some things online that I need to bring to Lejeune with me when I go up there to see him at homecoming. Of course they are for him... and they are hoodies... I mean what else does he wear. So anyhow he tells me that he has ordered me an early birthday present and I should have gotten it... so we figured I'd get it today... which I did!!! I can say I cried, not because of the gift but because of the Card.... seriously what did I ever do do deserve such an amazing man! I've never had anyone tell me the things he does... it's like he knows just what to say to make it better, make me feel at ease, or in this case to make me at a loss for words to say what and how I feel for him because I love you just doesn't do justice to what I feel... it's way more. Here's the gift he got me!

St Paddy's Day

Gotta go green because of the Day and I'm Irish! I got to talk to Nathan yesterday!!! We have been talking a lot more often now cause he's back in his shop doing his MOS! I can't wait until he's home we are talking about where we are going to go when he comes home on leave so that we can get away. He said that he wanted me to come up there to live with him and I would ♥ to do that but there are other things that we need to consider... so that's still an option. I am so stress free at the moment cause I get to talk to him more now!!! I don't take for granted if I only get a 5 minute phone call cause at least I know he's safe and alive!!

Anyways I went out with Shanda and Jen tonight to celebrate St. Patty's Day and took some pictures. We started at Bakers St. Pub but then left cause it was to packed... and ended at Mikes Place!

He we go Again!

I know it's been a while since I wrote but here we are 28 days later and still no call from Nathan. I talked to Annette and she said that I have been being distant... which I'll admit I have. It's just hard and fustrating. I seriously want to break down and cry. I explained to her about the prior post and what I felt. She's my best friend and I am hers... we tell things to each other that we don't tell others in fear of a judgment so we are having a date night Friday going to Chuy's!! Guess it's time to just get out these feelings of loss on her side and mine!

You Knew he was Leaving...

So I took Nathan's advice from the flower and went out... it was Dinner and a Movie cause eveybody was going... Annette and Chris, Crystal and Murphy, Courtney and Jody. Amber and Travis were supposed to go but they couldn't get a sitter... I wasn't going to go but Crystal and Annette wanted me to go since my in laws were watching all the kids... it was a Adult night that just happened to be Valentines.... not that I care about celebrating this day... We ate at Papasitos... it was okay. Gerri and my momma asked if I was going to be okay with going out with couples and I thought I would be. I remained positive there but I have learned to put that fake smile on my face and act like Nothing is wrong, I mean who wants to be around a party pooper... everyone was joking around about Sex and even Annette was like umm you're probably thinking thanks guys, but hey I could handle it and joked with everyone... and then everyone had to thrown in their 2 cents about how I knew he was a Marine and he was getting deployed yada yada yada... so I decided not to go to the movie... one because it was raining and I hate driving in the rain... 2 I had a headache that seemed to be getting worse... 3 I missed him

So when I got home I wrote Nathan an Email just a crying... It's like they (they meaning my fam and friends) don't understand what or how I feel and they don't take the time to do so... I mean yes we did get married knowing he was going over there for a while but that doesn't mean that I stop loving him or I don't have the right to miss him because I knew he'd be gone... I do miss him everyday and I'm head over heals in love with him and this is so damn hard but I do it, I suck it up and push through another day cause it's the only thing that gets me closer to him... I stay strong and talk about how he is doing when people ask about him without crying, but I never get asked "Hey Katie how are you doing"... It sucks and hurts to be fake and stay strong even when I'm not... and it's like when I need someone to talk to when I need that shoulder to cry on because I feel like I'm gonna break and I want someone to tell me it's gonna be okay.... they go away or change the subject or it's back to You knew he was leaving...

Loss

We found out that Annette lost the Baby today. I am back at work trying to keep it together. I walked in and she just started to cry. I just wonder why do things like this happen to good people. I mean I tried to remain positive and comfort her, and just said there was somthing the matter that God knew you and Chris can't handle, and to tell that to the Girls. I mean what do you say I'm just at a loss of words and hurting for my sister and best friend in one...

I got home Friday knowing that I was a dumb ass this week by ruining my Suprise but I knew it was going to be there... so here they are...

So I went with Annette, Chris and the kiddos to the in-laws Ranch yesterday and got some more good shots of the Girls, Phoebe came along too!

It was good to be out there haven't been there since Nathan was home in April and I got to see the Damage that Ike did to the House... Annette's Belly is getting big, I can't wait to see him and meet him... I can't wait until Nathan comes home and gets to meet his Nephew!!! I have bought all this stuff for Caleb and want to give it to her so she can start putting it in his room!

Caleb Aaron

So Annette, she's one of my besties and sister in law is expecting. We found out Monday that is was a boy!! So I went to her house yesterday to see what teh Name was going to be. I guess you can see that in my title... but yep it's Caleb Aaron... I like it, but it's going to have to grow on me just because we have Chris (my brother in law) Christian (my 10 yr old niece) and Cadyn (my 3 yr old niece) so it's a name that fits but I think the "b" is throwing me for a loop... LOL anyways just wanted to share. I can't wait to get her baby shower going... I'm so excited for them!!! In a way it kinda make me want a baby too, but at the same time no... though I know when I find out everyone will be just as excited!!!

Oh and I happend to get a picture of Cadyn while I was there with the new Camera!!! I ♥ hers!!!

Nikon D40

Yea!!! I got my camera up and running... It's what I told Nathan I wanted for Christmas and he told me to go buy it for myself since he's obviously in Afghanistan! I decided I wasn't going to that I would wait until he got back and he could get it for me but then Circut City was having a big sale (cause they are going out of business) so I just watched it... When it reached $399.00 with 20% off I couldn't pass it up... I am a huge penny pintcher and figured I could save us money if I did just go ahead and purchase it now! So I got it and finally go to use it on this beautiful day!!! Here are some of my shots...

Care Packages

Today Gerri and I went to the Houston Marine Moms lunchon and then to the packing of the care packages. I can say these ladies are awesome! Though they are moms and I am a wife it's good to be around people that are in similar situations as you. We all had to introduce ourselves and tell where our Marine was at and how we became part of the group. Gerri went before I did and she got me choked up. She started to cy and couldn't finish... so I did. Though it made me feel really good that she did say she was happy Nathan found his soulmate (that's when I started to cry) and that she loves me and is happy for him that he found someone he loves, trusts and can talk to... I don't know it just makes you feel good that they approve.Later we all went to Sheila's house and got to filling up those care packages!!! Guess they guys in 3/8 are gonna love Houston Marine Moms... and 1 wife... LOL!

I got a Call!!

I am so excited that I got to talk to Nathan today... Woo Hoo!!! Though I forgot to ask him any questions that I really needed to know. Instead I asked about what he needed and the things that Houston Marine Moms needed to know... Great guess I will have to wait another month before I can get these questions answered...

Fallen Heros

Today I knew about on fallen hero, but found out that we lost another as well. I haven't heard anything from Nathan in 17 days and now I think I am really going to loose it. It's hard hearing that kind of information and my heart goes out to the families that lost their sons and husbands. Finding out today though is different, way different because these guys are in 3/8 with Nathan one being in H&S company as well, the same as Nathan. It just hits a little to close to home, if you know what I mean. I know they say no news is good news so that's what I remind myself all the time and I fear that I will find out on the news that something has happend to Nathan, though I know that's not possiable. They have to notify me first and I have to give the permission to release the information to the public. It's just hard.... very very hard and I can't wait until he's done!

Moment

So it's one year as of today that I confessed how I felt to Nathan... Funny I thought that I was never going to get the chance cause I thought I blew it in 2005. And here we are a year later, a lot has happened in a year... We got together, got married and now he's deployed. I was at my sister in laws last night celebrating the turning of the year. Around 11 at night I just couldn't take it so I left and went home. I turned the radio on and listened to the countdown to midnight and begin to cry. I had a moment last night... a moment where I really missed my husband, a moment in thinking of the year before and wishing he was home. All military wives understand these moments when their husband is gone but it's hard to understand for others. They look at it as if we choose to be down... we don't. We go everyday fighting our emotions to gain strength and pray everyday for the safety of our Marine. We go days and weeks without communication and still manage though it's hard. So don't tell me to stay and drink... don't tell me I am doing this to myself, don't tell me I was like this on Christmas... don't tell me anything unless you know exactly how I feel, until then don't tell me anything just be there for me. I know I chose this life I chose to be his wife... I chose us and I know it's going to be hard... as I'm sure there are hard times for anyone and they want to have their "Moment" Moments when the son moves out or the daughter gets married or their spouse decided to leave or you get in a car accident... we all have moments in our life where it's okay to break down, that others in this world may never experience... so don't tell me I'm doing it to myself don't remind me I chose this life... when having moments help people move forward.