Hi, guys.

Blogging. It's really hard to write sometimes- because, honestly, I just feel all over the place lately. It's hard to sit down and tell you something, when really, I'm just trying to figure out where I'm at myself. This last year has been such a whirlwind, and I feel like I'm trying to catch up with myself, in a way. There have been a lot of ups and downs and twists and turns. I may feel one way, one day, and completely different the next. As soon as I decide I have pinpointed something, my internal GPS recalculates itself. In the world of people who are focused, driven, and set on achieving specific goals, I feel like I drift from place to place, never fully settling.

But lets get past my little moment.

Let's talk about what everyone else is talking about...football season. Or wait, let's not, because honestly, it's just not my thing. It's fall though, and it's hard to ignore the day of football, when everyone else is so excited. I must admit, as much as I don't even pay the slightest attention to what is happening, the sound of
a football game on the TV does sound like fall. Yes, I'll sit and do my own thing, enjoying the smell of an Apple Cider candle and the taste of chocolate, while my husband proudly watches his 4-0 Chiefss

Babysitting- This "job" has been a blessing lately. I get to hang out with the coolest two-year-old and his wonderful mother a few times a week. Seeing life the way a two-year-old does helps lift my spirits.

Cold weather- you know you've gotten used to Virginia when 75 degrees feels cold! We've been having temperatures in the 70's for awhile now. It's beautiful, but I find myself pulling out the jeans, long-sleeves, blankets, and tea much more than I would have back in Minnesota or Iowa. Miss Zulu and I have been enjoying longer, leisurely walks and can't wait until the leaves start to change color. We also can't wait to see D.C. in the fall!

Unpredictability- That's the name of the game in life, but I think it's absolutely expected in the Marine Corps. Although Keagan's schedule has been a little more manageable than earlier in the POI, I'm still finding myself preparing to jump in the car at any moment and bring Keagan supper, because he won't be able to come home. Forget making anything that doesn't reheat well, because there's no way that casserole is going to come out of the oven at the right time. I just realized how much this section is focusing on food, but I guess that's the name of the game in the life and Marine Corps too. So...

Food- After a couple of wildly scheduled weeks, I finally got a "normal" week of cooking supper in last week. Lately, I've realized how awesome food is. Not only is food essential (duh), but cooking has become a relaxing task for me and a creative outlet. I love looking for new, fun recipes to try. Time together with Keagan is limited, so sitting and enjoying a meal together is more enjoyable now than ever before. Nothing says "Good Saturday Night" like a plate of nachos piled high with all the fixin's.

Adventuring- Keagan, Zulu, and I enjoyed frisbee golf at John Lee Pratt Park in Fredericksburg a couple Sundays ago. I hope to go back, soon. It was very different from the courses back home. We climbed up and down steep hills, crossed over creeks, and got pretty muddy. It was a great afternoon to be outside, though. A group of other wives and I enjoyed a morning hiking at Prince William State Park. As I mentioned before, the weather has been incredible, and I very much enjoy Virginia's landscape and scenery. We went about 5 1/2 miles; it was so nice to get out and enjoy time with other wives outside. I did feel a little less heroic than the others though, because every single one of them had a baby strapped to them. Hopefully we'll be doing more of this soon! Then, my sister-in-law and I wandered Fredericksburg National Military Park. It wasn't the most exciting tour we've ever done, but was enjoyable nonetheless. We did a short walking tour, and then a driving tour, visiting landmarks of civil war battles that took place in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania.

Classes- I've started classes to get national certification as an Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeping Specialist. Although the material is very dry right now, I'm enjoying having something "real" to do and accomplish again. The classes are all self-paced, so I'm doing what I can to get as far as possible before our next move.

Speaking of our next move, we realized we're only about two months away. These past four months in Virginia have gone by so slow and so fast all at the same time. It was a little crazy realizing that now is the time to start researching housing and moving options. Pensacola is not far off!

Learning to be a military spouse- This is no easy task, and I don't think I'll ever accomplish it. The world of military "spouse-ness" is very deep and complex. I'm trying to walk the road with grace and and an open mind. It's easy to get bitter and frustrated sometimes, but every day we get a little stronger and learn a little more.

Oofta. This got a little longer than I expected. I guess when one decides not to write for awhile, they feel as if they must write a long, somewhat awkward update that seems a little too much like a Christmas letter in September.

Why I Walk

Sometimes, I wonder why it is that I walk,
but I do it often.
Maybe it's for the fresh air.
Maybe it's to get up and get moving.
Maybe it's to notice the beauty of what we usually don't notice.
Maybe, it's for all of those reasons.
Sometimes, though,
I know why I really walk.
It's because sometimes,
when I don't know what else to do,
I can walk,
and if I am walking,
even if I don't know where I am going,
at least I can say that I am moving forward.

Simplifying

Not every school of thought is one that you should be a part of.

-Mary Carlomagno

You can't do it all. You aren't expected to do it all. You can't know it all. You aren't expected to know it all. Focus on one "school of thought" at a time and determine if it's energizing or deflating to your motivation and well-being.

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I've been reading alot lately. These late summer/early fall evenings (as well as weeks without a husband home) are perfect to curl up on the couch, crack open a book, and enjoy some quiet time. Because I've been reading some pretty thought-provoking books lately, I've been keeping notes. I'm naturally a book marker-upper. I love underlining and highlighting and writing notes and organizing thoughts. That's why library books are hard for me- first, I have a limited amount of time to tear through the pages; second, librarians frown upon writing on their property; and third, I can't go back to re-read the good parts! So, lately, I've been taking notes instead. It makes reading a little less leisurely, but it helps me keep ahold of the morsels of wisdom, wit, and thoughtfulness that each author provides. Looking back at these notes helps me get more out of what I would otherwise soon forget. 

Happy Wednesday

A Quick Weekly Roundup

1. Drinking. Tea every morning. I used to dislike tea, so I'm not sure what prompted me to give it another try, but I'm enjoying it! What's your favorite kind and how do you drink it?

2. Tasks. Babysitting, vet trip (last set of shots, yay!), trying to fix my old computer/look for a new one, backing up all of my files. Hopefully having everything settled by the time I start classes!

3. Cookies. Since the Marines had another tough week in the field, a group of us got together to bake, package, and deliver cookie boxes to the rooms of all 250 Marines in Delta Co. It was SO much fun and I'm sure the Marines were quite happy to come back to such a surprise.

4. Brunch. I'm excited to have some friends over for brunch tomorrow! I'll be spending today cleaning and making granola, egg bake, and coffee cake. I'm so excited for what my kitchen is going to smell like!

5. Technology. It rocks. I skyped/talked on the phone with so many people back home this week.

6. Puppy problems. After having a great last couple of weeks, I think the teething is getting to her. She's been extra clingy and whiny this week and apparently forgot that she was potty-trained. Let's hope she feels better soon!

7. Reading. Home to Holly Springs. Can't stop thinking about this quote, "Loving God is our only hope."

8. Wishing. For this cookbook. Drooling over the preview and catching Summer's contagious excitement.

9. Trying. To clean a crockpot that had BBQ Pork in it waaaay too long. =( Right now it's filled with water, 1/4 c. baking soda, and a little dish soap, "cooking" for 4 hours. Any tips???

10. A little nervous about all of the talk about Syria. Being this close to D.C. and surrounded by so many military families makes it all a little more real. Keep praying for wisdom!

And finally....to make your day better, I've been enjoying these things lately:

Wake Me Up. This song: so energizing, and catchy!

What the Fox Say? If you haven't seen/heard this yet...you absolutely have to. Keagan came home at 2 AM this morning, showed this to me, and whether it was the lack of sleep, or actual amusement...we couldn't stop laughing!

For a good laugh, or genuine "awwww," here's a charming video that went viral this week.

And finally, this picture of a very happy puppy this morning. After walking, playing, and a good, long, tummy rub...I thought she might start to cry because she was so happy!

How was your week??

Sunsets

Seven forty-five is too soon for the sun to set, just like any time is too soon for good company to leave.

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In the past, I've been thrilled about September. I could feel the change of season in the air. In the Midwest, it seemed that September came, and always brought with it a gentle breeze that blew in the wonder of fall. Oh, I couldn't wait for that breeze to come. I always had a fresh schedule, I couldn't wait for the trees to begin to turn, and I lived for walks outside in the comfortable temperatures. Out came the jeans, out came the candles to burn, and apples, oh yes, apples.

This year just seems...off. The air still feels very much summery and not a bit fall-like. We're all still wearing shorts and tank tops 99% of the time. Giant bugs are still flying everywhere. The pace of life has not changed. Every year, up until last year, September meant the beginning of school. Last year, meant the beginning of married life. This year, I'm in Virginia, on the same schedule I've had for months now. This year, September just seems like another month of summer, with the sun setting too early.

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I am a very nostalgic person. It's in my nature, as much as I try to put it behind me. I'm also a major thinker. I get lost in my own thoughts way too often. Sometimes, I view these characteristics as non-threatening, and sometimes I have to curb them from taking over my present joy.

The past week was a week that I wanted to hold onto forever, but unfortunately, I could not. Wrapped in that week was our first anniversary and a week with Keagan's parents and sister. I truly wanted to write so much. I wanted to write about a year ago, the time leading up to the wedding, the wedding, and the early life after. I wanted to write about this year, our anniversary, and the fun we had all week. Unfortunately, my writing impulses were slowed once again-- thank you, laptop, for biting the dust.  Now, I have Keagan's laptop as a temporary substitute, but going back on writing impulses never seems to work for me.

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Like unpacking a suitcase after vacation, putting an apartment back together after having company is emotionally deflating. Normally, I like a neat, clean, apartment with everything in it's place. But having company means blankets in a stack, air mattresses against the wall, suitcases in the corner, coffee cups on the counter, and towels hanging all over the bathroom. Putting each thing back in it's place just means....our apartment is empty again. I like quiet, I like order, but having good company throws those likes to the back burner.

Independence is good- I like it. I am good at it. But a lot changes when your favorite company is across the country. It's a good thing, to have people worth missing, but it's also hard to bounce back from the treasured days spent together. Yet, we move on. We enjoy those days, enjoy the present days, and look forward to the days ahead. We accept that sometimes the sun sets sooner than we want it to, but it's all a part of the change of seasons. The wonderful, hopeful, change of seasons.

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