I {Heart} Veterans

I loved walking to church this morning and seeing all the American flags on display. It
Helped rejuvenate my faith in patriotism (which I needed...maybe we all need).
My view on Veteran's Day has changed TREMENDOUSLY in the last few years! When

I first met GQ in September 2007; he told me he would be deployed 9 months later to Iraq.
I almost didn't continue dating him because I never wanted, intended, imagined EVER
dating someone in the military. It just didn't seem like a lifestyle I could handle.
But, unexpectedly I sort of started falling in love, big time. I wanted to walk away so badly
but I just couldn't; there was something super special about this guy.

We continued to date and GQ was indeed deployed in May of 2008 for one year to Iraq. it
was one of the hardest years of my life. I did NOT understand, by any means, the sacrifices
we were both going to have to face with a deployment. I was NOT well prepared and sort
of jumped into it head first without knowing how to swim. It was harder than I could ever
explain on this blog.

But it was even harder for him, and I failed to realize that at the time. I was not a good
support to him and struggled to figure out how to guide him through it all. I took my role
for granted. We both struggled.

GQ came home from Iraq and it took us quite a long time to mend our broken relationship
and for GQ to mend himself.

All of it was worth it! All of it, to get where we are today.

I'm so thankful I've had the opportunity to get to know more military families and their
struggles and triumphs. I have learned more through being an Army wife than anything
else I've done. Our lives revolve around the military and when they call, he goes. No matter
what plans there may be, it doesn't matter if the military calls, he goes. It's frustrating,
scary, disappointing and really difficult some days. BUT I know it has made our
relationship stronger and we have learned to cherish our time together.

GQ is getting deployed again next year and we are doing our best to be better prepared this
time around. I am going to try to do much better at being the best support I can be.

Right now, this country is in more turmoil than I have ever seen, in my short life. It scares
me, it worries me, it makes me wish more and more than somewhere we might find
common ground and be united as one. It's never, to me, felt more un-united, which is not
what so many have fought for.

I read something yesterday that called this generation the "lamest generation". When I saw
this tears instantly welled up in my eyes. Why? Because, it hurts me to think that's what
some think of our generation; I don’t see it this way, that our generation is lame, not in whole, we’ve done a lot of great things in my opinion.

I just wish the hatred would stop!

I cried last night after reading this because my emotions are very much on the surface
as I begin to plan for me, and all the families in our battalion to face life apart for a year. I have
a husband that by the time he is 33 will have spent 2 years of his life, overseas, trying to
make life better for the American people. No I don’t want sympathy I just hope for a little united patriotism is all.

I end with a simple thank you to all those who love this country, who fight for it, who support those that fight for it, who say thanks to a member of the military, who displays a flag in their
yard, who don’t have to be hateful to have an opinion (remember why you get to express it in the first place).

Thank you to all of you and to all Veteran’s and their families today, tomorrow and the
rest of the days.

God Bless America!

This is a picture of GQ punching a punching bag. This was taken for photo editorial about Veteran's today.

Fun Facts I Bet You Didn't Know...

I wanted to do this two months ago for our first anniversary but had some medical issues and just never did it. Better late than never, right!?!

On March 4, 2012 GQ and I celebrated our 1st anniversary. I smile at this because it seems like it's been much longer (in a good way). When we got married it felt like nothing had changed, it was such a natural process (although lots did change). I thought it might be fun for me, and maybe even you, to hear some little-known facts about us. Many of these in which I discovered once we were married. I also added some pictures of us from our first year married...

1. GQ and I always, always share our favorite part of the day with each other, always, every night! We've done this pretty much since we started dating but I love the ritual and hope to keep it going for forever...

2. We have a park. It's not really our park but we claim the little park on Georgia street as our own. We go there often (at night) to swing on "our" swings. If one of us is having a bad day, we go there to melt away our troubles. GQ took me to this park when we were dating and we've never stopped going. I love it!

3. GQ and I are funny. Most people who hang out with us end up laughing a lot. We argue a lot but rarely about anything serious. It's almost like a game for us and we always end up laughing. We laugh A LOT in our marriage which I think is VERY important.

4. We love going grocery shopping together. I know most people hate grocery shopping but it's something we actually really enjoy doing together. We have a lot of fun arguing over whether Little Debbie snacks really need to be added to the cart. Which of course I always believe they do...

5. We love to travel. We take at least 3 or 4 LONG road trips a year. We drive to Utah every year for Christmas, that's 24 hours in a car together and we still like each other for most of that time! :)

6. We spend a lot of time apart. This isn't exactly something I love but we make it work. GQ is in the Army and I travel frequently for work. We're lucky to have one weekend a month together. It's tough but we always try to make our time together well spent.

7. Lucas got a job in St. George, Utah and we are moving there this summer! Surprise!

8. We are excited about the move. Lucas got a job as a wildness therapist, you can read more about it here at Second Nature Entrada. It's his DREAM job and could not be more perfect for him.

 

9. We have been keeping this a secret for almost two months; it's hard for us to keep secrets.

10. We are also sad about leaving Ruston and all our amazing family, friends, co-workers, church groups, etc. We have made so many fabulous memories here in Ruston.

Now we'll see who really reads all they way through my blog! ;)
I must end by saying that I simply adore my husband. I have NEVER been happier in all my life. He is such a sweet, loving, funny, happy, optimistic, energetic, fun-loving, HANDSOME man and I'm so blessed to have him in my life.

WE'RE MOVING TO UTAH!!!!!!!

Frame is and Love it!

I have been doing the 14 Days of Valentines for GQ this month. Now before you start thinking what an amazing wife I am and how I'm trying to out-shine other wives, I have to say that I've been terrible at it!

I've missed a couple of days and left him with an empty box which is probably worse than no box at all. I made him a giant cookie last night (he loves giant cookies) and burned the edges, I just flat out forgot one whole day and I accidentally listed ALL of his gifts on our grocery list that HE took to the store, so he bought all his own presents. Genius right.

But today is going to be different. I have a great little present (so I think). I thought I'd share the idea that I totally stole off of Pinterest.

I found this cute little picture (I liked the colors a lot and they match our bedroom)...

The picture says "I love you because..." in a yellow, red and baby blue color scheme.

I will be framing it in a 5X7 frame.

And then I bought some dry erase markers so we could write lovey dovey messages to each other.

For my blind friends, I also though of doing a magnet board instead and using braille letter magnets.

I can't wait to write some sweet things on it life...

I love you because...

You make me work out at 5 am which I really hate your for at the time but love you for in the end.

You're gassy like me.

You shower on a daily basis even though you sometimes forget deodorant.

You make me delicious food and cook for me (thank heaven or I'd starve).

You work out so your super hot.

You leave your nasty, sweaty socks all balled up so I can then un-ball them to put in the laundry basket which reminds me you workout therefor you're hot.

You make me smile when I want to be grumpy.

You don't tell anyone all the WEIRD and CRAZY things I say.

See doesn't this seem like fun!

I say if you're single you should make one anyway and tell yourself why you love you, I'm doing this too for my office. I could use a little reminder to think about reasons why I love me, how about you?

GQ's Secret Admirer, With Love...

I just HAD to share this will all of you...

My brother-in-law, husband and I came out of Chilis tonight and found this on our car windsheild (obviously to MY hubby)...

"Hey cutie I just saw your car here so I decided to leave you a note. I need to come up to your work and get some counciling sessions anywho don't be so shady with me anymore. And you may not know who this is but trust me once you realize what your true heart disires you'll know it was me. XOXO Your Love"

Spelling errors and lack of punctuation included. Uhm. Yeah. So this was the PERFECT ending to my CRAZY, I-don't-even-know-how-to-describe week!

I CANNOT stop laughing every time I read this!

Tickled Pink...

I'm thinking if my husband bought me some of the following, I might be willing to cook more often/ever. Just sayin'...











Most of these pink kitchen tools, I don't even know what you do with them and the last one, well I gotta look cute when I cook. Duh.

God's Cute Dust...

Seriously, my husband cracks me up. I thought I'd share a few things about him (which he'll never read, so that makes it totally ok to gossip about him, right!?!)

1. My husband asked me if it was ok if he packed a knife ONLY and went to survive in the woods for a couple of weeks? He was dead serious. I realize some women would be OVER-JOYED to hear this but it's just bizarre to me. Then he asked if I wanted to go with him...

2. While in the car with GQ's little sis and I, he preceded to say the following:
"Deja's nephew Gavin is so cute. Like ridiculously cute. In fact I think when God was sprinkling the cute dust on him, like he does all babies, Jesus snuck up behind God and said, 'Hey, Dad!' and so God jumped and accidentally dumped a bunch of cute dust on Gavin and was like 'uh, oh, he's gonna be really cute'."
Quite possibly my favorite explanation of my nephew adorableness and my husband CRAZYness.

I think he's right about the excess cute dust thought...

3. My husband thinks I'm short. If any of you have met me you know I'm NOT short. I'd say I'm average but I have long legs so people think I'm taller than I really am...except my husband who calls me shorty. So annoying.

4. My husband is quite the creative chef. Honestly, I never have a clue the crap, I mean stuff, he actually puts in our meals. I can tell you when cleaning up the kitchen I find some truly SHOCKING ingredients. He's been begging me to let him try to make Pumpkin Spice hamburgers lately and they just HAPPEN to be out of pumpkin spice every time we go grocery shopping. I have my sources.

5. Speaking of sources, my husband is currently at the FBI offices in Baton Rouge because he has all intentions of becoming an agent. He seems pretty serious about this and he packed his best dress clothes to wear the office this week. I'm not 100 percent sure how I feel about this yet...

6. And last but not least, my husband is obsessed with ninjas and zombies. He talks about it ALL the time and it's just weird. Ladies, why are guys so obsessed about this? I recently told him that I wanted to get some food storage together for us, just in case. He says to me, "Oh YAY! You finally believe me about the Zombie Apocalypse". "Yes honey! That's EXACTLY what I'm talking about..."

However, I love him!

I'm Coming Home...

I have been wanting to blog about this for months now, I think about it often but every time I sit down to write about my experience I come up empty.

Two years and one month ago, my now husband came back from his deployment to Iraq. Exactly two years ago today he drove to Utah to see me.

I had no clue what was going to happen because WE had pretty much fallen very much apart during his deployment. It was a difficult time for both of us, and that's a huge understatement. In fact at this point two years ago we were broken up, barely talking, living hundreds of miles apart and pretty much living our separate lives. I don't believe it's how either of us really wanted it to be.

It was a difficult time for us as a couple and a more difficult time for him. I won't try to explain what he was dealing with because only he really knows and only he would be able to share his experience. For me however,  I was feeling about everything, pain, loss, rejection, fear, heartache...and on and on. But I was also feeling a lot of strength and had done some serious emotional strength building.

GQ had promised me he would come visit me when he got back, before he ever left, so like always, he insisted on keeping that promise. And truthfully I wasn't so sure he should come. I had finally taken massive steps to move forward and I didn't want anyone or anything to pull me off of my path.

In a ginormous leap of faith I told him he could come. He was very hesitant too, it was a leap for both of us.

I remember waiting for him to get to my apartment and literally praying for a good solid hour that somehow, someway, God would get me through this. Neither of us had any idea of how we would react when we saw each other. I'm pretty sure I threw up a couple of times because I was so nervous. I had to put my faith to work and trust that I would be guided. I also had recently learned I was strong and felt more ready than ever to handle whatever came my way.

When GQ finally got to my house (he drove from Louisiana) I helped him grab his bags, we shared a real brief "Hello" and we walked up to my apartment. We both sat on opposite sides of the room for several minutes saying nothing to each other. It was perhaps the most awkward I've ever felt. How strange to be sitting across from someone you've missed so much and have nothing to say to each other!?!

We talked about his drive for a minute or so...

Then we both kind of looked at each other and ran to give each other the biggest hug. It was a moment I won't forget. We hugged for quite a while, just held each other. From that moment on we began to slowly rebuild our relationship. We still had a lot of mending to do and such a long journey ahead of us.

I have a new found respect for military families. What a hurricane of emotions one goes through, on both sides of the world, during that period of separation. It was a time I hope to never have to repeat, although most likely I'll have to. However, GQ and I's love reached a whole new level post deployment. In my wedding vows I said that during that deployment I never thought we'd ever be able to be like we were before, and we never wore, everything got better and stronger.

It was interesting that I was thinking about writing this post for sometime now. For those who know me, during the summer I am all about So You Think You Can Dance, the only TV show I am committed to all year. Well a few weeks ago, while visiting Utah, GQ and I were watching this show and there was a routine on there that said EVERYTHING I wanted to say in less than 2 minutes.

It hit both of us hard we were basically sobbing by the end of it, our story was flashing across the screen for millions to see. But it's not just our story, it's the story of too many.  I often find music and dancing to explain far better than I can with words, how I am feeling. This was pretty much the best example of this I have every experiences. Please take just a few minutes to watch this piece all the way through, so I can share with you my experience. You won't regret it.



I share this story only because I know of too many people going through this same story. The pain of a deployment is not really measurable for me, or for GQ. In fact in any relationship we reach a point where we have to dig deep and decide if it's worth fighting for. It's the toughest decision some of us will ever make. It's a dark time and a scary time but let me tell you this, when you finally get through it, even if you barely survive it, it's magic.

I am so glad I got to be a part of my husband's life during his deployment. I was far from a good support system to him but I treasure the things it taught me. Rough patches will come, they will, trust me. But it's fun to be able to stand up after it and find you've reached a whole new level.

I got a fairytale love in the end, but it hasn't always been this way. It took a lot of stripped away and polishing to get here.

Where Sneakers on your Bicycle...

This song keep playing over and over and over in my head...




because I REALLY want to ride a bicycle!

I can just picture my hubby and I out on the town...



Or we could get one to ride with ALL our friends...



If I had a fairy godmother,



which I don't, I'd ask for one of these...



I want a tandem bike SO VERY MUCH!!!

Tall Shoes Cause Pain...

I went to the National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana state convention this weekend. I always love these convention because I get a chance to spend time and learn from some pretty spectacular people. So this is about how my weekend went...

First off, I don't have any pictures of the first couple of days because my camera broke. Surprise! Surprise! Deja broke another piece of technology. None-the-less, my husband bought me a new HOT PINK camera for my birthday! So on my birthday, (yep it was my birthday and yes presents are still being accepted) is when I started snapping pics.

This is my first pick on my HOT new camera...

We are still working on posing abilities.

 My mom and sister sent me an awesome package with cute clothes, shoes and jewelry (hello, they know me well) and a "Birthday Babe" tiara and pink ribbon...which I totally wore!

Natalia, Dianne and I spent quite a bit of time selling t-shirts. T-shirt saler is now added to my resume...

Pretty cute shirt wouldn't you say!?! My boss based the design off of the whole Chick-fil-A concept...

Because we're dorks, we decided to each take our picture with the Chick-fil-A cow...

Don't get me wrong, I love conventions but when I start getting a little sleepy, what's better and more exciting than posing with a cow!?! Absolutely nothing.

Even though I was in meetings all day for my birthday, my hubber-wubber decided to join me on my b-day because he loves me and because he likes meetings (he's so strange). It was nice having him around...

See, we still like each other and it's been over a month!

Besides the camera, he also bought me a shiny new cane...

It's like a new car for me but waaaay cheaper!

The night of my b-day we all got dressed up all fancy for the annual banquet....

...and no, I'm not ashamed of the tiara.

GQ is a good purse holder. But I think he likes it way to much, it' kind of freaks me out.

As Natalia demos, the food was good...

and the company wasn't too bad either...

At the banquet, awards are given. This woman, Tammy Green, was a huge mentor to me when I first came to Ruston to attend the Louisiana Center for the Blind. She was ALWAYS kind and helpful and was a great example to me. She won a major award on banquet night and I couldn't be happier for her.

This year I also got to be part of the scholarship committee. It was a lot of fun giving away money to some well-deserving college students! Almost as fun as getting it, almost!

We had a great scholarship class this year...

Miss Amber won our top scholarship this year, very deserving. She is getting ready to go to Baltimore for college to study journalism and is currently earning her personal trainer license. Her arm muscles are rid-i-culous! She would so be hired as my body guard if I needed one. And we spent the whole scholarship breakfast talking about shoes, you know, the important stuff!

We also heard a great speech by our national president, Dr. Mark Maurer, at the banquet.

The last day of the conference I spent a lot of time holding this little cutie...

This is Joshua and his mommy...

Josh's dad gave a great closing day speech...

One of the highlights of the convention for me was meeting a little girl named Marissa and her family. They were at their first convention. Marissa and I have a lot in common. She and I have similar eye conditions, both love pink, fashion, purses, shoes and accessories. Needless to say we are match made in heaven! She is a sweet little girl with WONDERFUL parents. She is using a cane at school, and loves it, and it also reading Braille like crazy! I had so much fun with her and her little brother...

Oh, I forgot to mention that at the very beginning of the convention I had a little incident with a TV that did not turn out well for me. I produced a large jumbo size Braille "A" on my head after a high-speed collision.

Luckily (I guess) it was under my hair so you couldn't see it. But it was like I gave myself a permanent Bumpit, you know the little hair things you see on TV..."From Flat to Fabulous in Seconds"

I certainly Bump'dit!