Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful father in the entire world! We all love you so much. You have provided such a wonderful life for your family. You have been a man that all of your daughters look up to, and now your sons and grandson. With your love, guidance, and patience, you have been the rock of this family. I hope this year is a wonderful year for you. I love you, Daddy.

Happy 4th!!!

Happy 4th of July!!! And a big thank you to all the men and women serving our country in Iraq (especially CLR-27! We miss you guys...especially one in particular;o)). They continually fight to keep our freedom safe. It's what this day is all about. Let's not forget that! I love you so much honey, and I will see you so very soon!!!

An Update All About My Sweetie

Most of you probably aren't familiar with the picture above. Not unless you know someone in the military. Specifically, the Marines. That is a picture of the Sergeant insignia, the patch that goes on all the dress uniforms. The patch that Jason will have to go buy for all of his uniforms when he returns home. Yes, that's right! Jason got promoted yesterday to SERGEANT!!!!!!!! Sgt. Morgan of the USMC. I am so flippin' proud of you, babe! He has worked so hard and his hard work has paid off! He has made it to the 5th rank in the Marines in his first enlistment. Pretty impressive if I do say so myself;o) And yes, I am bragging. I can't help it!
That next picture...a just because that came from my sweetie today. Aren't they gorgeous!? He knows me and my love for pink! Pink in all kinds of flowers. How nice is it to get flowers just because;o) Thank you, my love!

And, what may look like homemade festive decorations, doubles as our countdown until Jason is home for leave. Each day we tear one link off. It also helps Austin keep up with the days, as he's now asking more frequently for us to count off the days until his uncle "Hason" is home. It's fun and exciting as the chain gets shorter and shorter each day! It will be here in no time! Holy cow, I can't wait! Hope everyone is having a spectacular week. It's July, y'all!!!

Retraction

Ok, so we went to the gym again today. I figured I'd check with the front desk one more time. So after some heckling from the manager (all in good fun, as he was one of the ones that helped us get signed up), one of the other guys heard me asking about a phone, and he had it! Well, dang. My new one is already in transit, but I guess it all works out. We will just switch my old one to Jason's line, as he is so hard on phones and the screen is cracked on his. I guess there are more honest people at my gym than I thought. But I am a little frustrated with the girl who I talked to on the phone yesterday. The one that supposedly "checked" the lost and found and the machines for me. Apparently she didn't look that hard b/c when I picked it up today, it was sitting on the front desk. Oh well.

I'm So Mad...

Mostly at myself, but at dishonest people too.

First let me tell you the story leading up to the anger.

Ashley and I decided to do the good thing and go to the gym this afternoon. Well, you see, Jason was doing some flying today, and I'm waiting on pins and needles to hear from him. So, I was toting my phone around the gym. After 55 minutes on cardio machines, I felt like I was going to die. I got off, downed my water, and cleaned my machine. Grabbed my Ipod and water bottle, completely leaving my phone sitting on the elliptical. After being home for a while and realizing I couldn't find my phone, I called the gym and it had not been turned in, nor was it still on the elliptical. Somebody snatched it! I am SOOOO furious. The lack of honest people in the world is so disappointing. I have never lost a phone before. BUT, technically, I didn't lose it, I remembered where it was, but somebody took it. Boo. I'm still fuming. After panic set in that Jason wouldn't be able to reach me on my phone, I ordered another one (supposed to be here Tuesday), and quickly called to do some rearranging at Verizon. I now am using Jason's phone but it's been switched to my number until my replacement comes. Thank goodness for the annual discounts at Verizon. I got my new one for relatively cheap. Still, that was money that I hadn't planned to spend on a phone when I still had a perfectly good one.

Well, anyways, it was reported stolen, so I hope whoever swiped it won't be able to use it. I don't know how that works, but that is what I hope. Butthead.

Another One of Those Updating Posts

1. Jason won the NCO of the Quarter board! Yay! Now his career folder goes up to regiment, and hopefully he will win at that one too. We're still waiting to see when the Sgt. board is.

2. We are hitting the road tomorrow morning to spend the rest of the week in Georgia with some family. I haven't been down to my aunt and uncle's house since I was 10, I think. I'm excited for the mini vacation. It will help the time go by more quickly!

3. I will be 27 next week. I'm having a hard time being considered late-20's. I think I just turned 18 last year! I think I will pull my friend Lori's trick, and every birthday from now on out will be my 26th:)

4. I had another photo shoot yesterday. It went wonderfully and I'm thrilled with the finished products. I was up 'til midnight editing them! It was for 3 little girls, I will be posting a "brag book" of sorts soon. I have several more lined up already! Super excited!

5. I get my "hair did" today. I have the coolest hairdresser ever. I always enjoy our 3 hour visits every 6 weeks. Yes, 3 hours. I have a lot of hair and a lot of highlighting:) I only have one more appointment before Jason comes home!!!

6. Hair appointments also mean eye brow waxing. Ouch!

7. I don't know if anyone noticed my countdown at the top of my blog, but we now have LESS than two months before R&R starts! Woohoo!

8. Kojak has a very strong attachment to me. He has separation anxiety, for real. Every time I leave, even to the store, he waits by the door, or either acts out and does something totally crazy and uncharacteristic, like peeing on the floor. Ashley is so graciously babysitting him this week while I'm gone. I hope he's not a huge pain in the butt. I bought new toys for him, so hopefully he'll stay plenty busy. I'll probably owe her big when I get home.

9. Kojak still thinks he weighs 10 lbs. instead of 40. I can't tell you how many times we've had the wind knocked out of us from him jumping in our laps. In his mind, he's a teacup chiuaua.

10. I still haven't packed. Dang.

11. The garden over and Mom and Dad's that everyone has so back-breakingly worked on this year is finally producing veggies! We have squash growing out of our ears! And as soon as the tomatoes start turning red, they will be sitting on every available surface as well. Yum:) This means fried squash for my birthday dinner next week. I love it!

12. I'm addicted to Ted Dekker books. I'm reading Boneman's Daughters right now. You can't put these books down.

13. I bought my first pair of "bermuda shorts" last week. I thought I would hate them and that they would look like granny pants, but they are really cute and sporty. So I bought another pair:)

14. I was tired of pink toenails, so I painted them purple. Loving it.

15. I'm going to start tanning when I get back from Georgia. Gotta get ready for August!

16. June and July are so packed from this moment on. I'm happy about this, if everything goes as planned, these months will fly.

17. I have made Ashley my assistant/posing technician (you like that title, don't ya, Ash?). She has been a tremendous help with the photo shoots. She's going to have some long trips to make to keep her job when Jason comes home and we move again. Hehe.

18. Ok, off to start my day. It's a busy one! Hope everyone has a terrific week!

Questions Galore

A whole lotta questions, and not much else to do. So here ya go!

1. Last beverage: Water
2. Last phone call: My Hairdresser
3. Last text message: Mandi
4. Last song you listened to: Halo by Beyonce
5. Last time you cried: Sunday b/c my head wouldn't stop hurting. I know, I'm a crybaby. I'm ok with this.

SIX HAVE YOU EVER:
6. Dated someone twice? Yes, I was a dumb, dumb girl at one point.
7. Been cheated on? Yes, by a serial cheater. One of those things you wish you would've known first.
8. Kissed someone & regretted it? Yes
9. Lost someone special? Too many in the past few years.
10. Been depressed? Who hasn't?
11. Been drunk and threw up? Nope

HAVE YOU:
12. Found out someone was talking about you? Yeah, I'm so glad I'm out of high school.
13. Ever sung karaoke? Oh yes, what fun. Probably not for those listening, but fun for me!
14. Have you ever broken a bone? My toe, and that's just a little bone. I did not react well, I said some choice things. I would hate to see how I would react to breaking a bigger bone.
15. How many kids do you want to have? I want 3, but any number that the Lord wants to give me will be just fine.
16. Do you have any pets? A crazy 8 month old Australian Shepherd named Kojak.
17. Do you want to change your name? No, then nobody would know me:)
18. What did you do for your last birthday? We had a combination cook out for me and my dad's birthdays, and on the actual day, Jason took me to a nice dinner and let me pick out a new pocketbook.
19. What time did you wake up today? Which time...2ish, 4ish, 5ish, and finally got up at 6:50. Long night.
20. What were you doing at midnight last night? Catchin' some z's.
21. Name something you CANNOT wait for? AUGUST!!!!!!!!!!!! My sweetie comes home from Iraq for leave!
22. Last time you saw your father? Last night.
23. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life? I would change the fact that I'm a diabetic.
24. What are you listening to right now? iTunes on my computer.
25. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom? I've talked to a Tommy, does that count?
26. What's getting on your nerves right now? This deployment, and that it's so flippin' humid.
27. What makes you most happy? The fact that I'm saved, my husband, my family.
28. What's your name? Christie
29. Nicknames? Chris, Christie Belle, Hon, Babe
30. Relationship Status? Happily committed in holy matrimony:)
31. Zodiac sign? Cancer
32. Male or female? Female
33. Elementary: Wallburg
34. Middle School: Ledford
35. High school: Ledford
36. Hair color: Blonde
37. Long or short: Medium
38. Do you have a crush on someone? Jason
39. Piercings: Several in my ears.
40. Tattoos: None for me!
41. Righty or lefty: Righty

FIRSTS :
42. First surgery: Wisdom teeth ripped out by a sinister man with huge hedge clippers. I was asleep, but that's what I imagine it was like.
43. First piercing: Ears
44. First best friends: Blake Lewis and Eric Swaim
45. First sport you joined: Cheerleading
46. First pet: First ones I remember...Tippy (an extremely cantankerous pomeranian), and Sugar Baby (my cat before cat allergies).
47. First vacation: I'm pretty sure it was Lake Hartwell for a family reunion.
48. First concert: New Kids on the Block...before they were known as NKOTB. I remember what I was wearing. Being like the late 80's, early 90's time period, I wore a pink ruffle skirt with scrunch socks, a New Kids tshirt with one of those tshirt clips and a side ponytail with a pink scrunchie. I was so awesome.
49. First crush: Joey McIntyre. Probably not the first one, but the first one I remember, and it was a big one. My walls were covered with his posters.

NOW:
50. Eating: Nada
51. Drinking: Nothin'
52. I'm about to: Probably eat lunch, take a nap, talk to Jason, then go to dinner and a movie with my family.
53. Listening to: Still iTunes
54. Waiting for: August!

YOUR FUTURE :
55. Want kids? A million times yes!
56. Want to get married? I did, and I did:)
57. Careers in mind? Photography

WHICH IS BETTER WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX?
58. Lips or eyes? Ooo, hard one. I love Jason's equally.
59. Hugs or kisses? Again, both are spectacular.
60. Shorter or taller? Taller
61. Older or Younger? Younger. What is it Ashley calls me? A "puma". Apparently that's the term for an older woman that's with a man who's only a little bit younger.
62. Romantic or spontaneous: I like a healthy mix.
63. Nice stomach or nice arms? Arms, they are what hold you.
64. Sensitive or loud? Sensitive, I guess. Loud can be "annoysome". (You like my new word, I know you do). But not too sensitive, because then that comes across as needy.
65. Hook-up or relationship? Relationship

FAVORITE COLORS:
66. Just two??? Pink
67. And I guess it would be....Blue

HAVE YOU EVER:
68. Kissed a stranger? Nope
69. Fallen out of love? Yes, a long time ago.
70. Lost glasses/contacts? Plenty of times.
71. Changed clothes in a car? This used to be a weekly occurance. Not so much anymore.
72. Broken someone's heart? Yes, poor guy. He was a bit needy.
73. Had your own heart broken? Plenty of times. It sucks.
74. Smoked a cigarette? Yes, because I was really cool when I was 17. HA! More like I was a total idiot considering I'm a pretty sever asthmatic.
75. Been arrested? No, thank goodness. I'd probably faint right there.
76. Turned someone down? Yes. Repeatedly, boy was he persistent.
77. Cried when someone died? So very much.
78. Liked a friend that is a male? Oh yes, back in the day.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
79. Yourself? Most of the time.
80. Miracles? Absolutely
81. Love at first sight? Nope, sorry.
82. Heaven? Totally
83. Santa Claus? Always have:)
84. Kiss on the first date? Why not ;o)
85. Angels? No doubt!
86. God? Completely!!!

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
87. Is there one person you want to be with right now? Jason, hands down.
88. Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time? Yes, but before you jump to conclusions, let me explain. I was "dating" this guy occassionally, and he assumed we were "together", and so you can imagine his surprise when I told him I had decided to make it exclusive with another guy.
89. Will you post this? Well, I wouldn't have just answered all of these questions to just delete them.
90. Did you lie on any of these questions? Nope

A Dog's Purpose

I got this in an email from Mom, and it's so true. Makes me wanna go squeeze on Kojak for a bit!

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolf hound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life - - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy..
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Been a while...

Wow, it's been a while! Life can just get so crazy, that blogging is one of the things to take a backseat. So, having been a while, this is what's been going on in Christie's world.

Jason is still doing well, he will be coming home in just over 2 months for his leave. We are taking a week and going to a cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I am so excited, I could scream! Afterwards, we are heading to my great aunt and uncle's lake house(s). They currently have a vacation home at a lake in Georgia, and a rental cabin which they have so graciously let us have for 4 days while we enjoy all the water sports we can stand! It's a celebration of his 1st homecoming with my side of the family. This will leave a few days to visit with his family after our vacations.

Jason is also up for an NCO of the quarter board next week. This basically means a sheet of paper in his career folder that looks really good. Afterwards, he's supposed to go on a Sergeant board. Please pray that he wins both with flying colors! Being promoted to Sgt. is something we've both been praying for! And, I know I'm partial, but he's a wonderful Marine, and he has worked so hard for it:) I'm so proud of you, honey!

Reenlistment is just around the corner. This is a time of excitement and nervousness. We are waiting to see what the re-up bonus is, and are also praying that we get the duty station we've requested. Parris Island, SC. Still close to home, but close to so many awesome places. I think my family will be happy if we get stationed there too. 45 minutes from Savannah, GA. An hour from Charleston, 15 minutes to the beach, an hour to Hilton Head. Plus base housing is super nice (or as Austin says "wooper wooper nice")!!!

Jason has started going to a bible study on Tuesday nights that they announced in church. It's based on the book "Marriage On The Rock" by Jimmy Evans. I just bought the book, and we are going through it together. This has proven to be such an awesome way for Jason and I to connect and strengthen our marriage, even though we are tons and tons of miles apart.

About a week ago, I was feeling like I was just going through the motions, in a total rut. I knew exactly why. I had strayed from prayer time and devotions. I have since devoted the first 30 minutes of my day to reading a devotional, reading through the Bible (sadly, something I've never made it through), and spending my prayer time on my knees. There are so many things in my life that I really need to cover in prayer, and there's no better way than on your knees!

The devotional that I'm using is so appropriate for this time period. It's called Faith Deployed. It's specifically for the spouses of deployed military members. Written by wives from all the different branches of the military. It's wonderful, I wish I would've found it the first deployment!

My birthday is this month, I will be 27. I can no longer say mid-20's. It's late-20's. I'm not thrilled with this. It doesn't help to have a husband that constantly reminds you that you will always be the first one to get to these milestones first. Even though he is just 6 months behind!

My Mom and I are headed to Boone for the day of my birthday. I love it there. We can spend all day up there shopping in the millions of neat little stores. Then Friday, we will have my family birthday dinner. I've requested Grilled Tamari Chicken, Fried Squash, and Green Beans. Complete with my mom's delicious homemade chocolate cake! You don't diet on your birthday. It's a rule.

We are heading down to Georgia in two weeks. This will also help the month pass quickly. I really have a hard time not wishing the time away when my husband is gone.

We got a creative itch around here the last week or so. With everyone's help, last Saturday, we revamped Ashley's yard. It looks like something from a magazine now:) We've also been rearranging and redecorating inside, adding pictures, rugs, and accents. I'll let her post the pictures, but it's really cute, and it's made it look SOOOO much bigger!

Austin and I just got back from a "date". We took off to Wendy's for dinner while poor Ashley's down with another migraine. We had a fun time. It's cool how kids enjoy the smallest things, like eating in at Wendy's. I love our "dates". He's totally the man in my life while Jason's gone. Well, him and Daddy:) We're piled on the couch now, while he plays on his laptop and I blog. All the while listening to the summer thunderstorm outside. Peaceful evening. I just wish Ashley could join us:(

Kojak is finally calming down just a bit. He's still a kangaroo, but he seems to be controlling it some better. He's finally mastered "howdy" and "wait". He's such a smart dog. He loves jumping to catch his toys mid-air. I must share a photo where we captured him doing this.

This is another priceless Kojak photo. And Austin's face makes it too! Speaking of pictures, I've been getting nicely acquainted with my camera. I've done a couple of photoshoots and have been thrilled with the outcome, as have the subjects. Hopefully with more practice, I can make it a part time business.

Ok, so enough for now. I know there's still more I could write, but it's probably taken y'all all day to read what I've already written, if you even stuck with it to the end!

To The Greatest Momma Anywhere

I wish for you all the joys and desires of your heart. You deserve the best, because you are the best. You are the best Mother, and the best Wife. You are so very special and dear to everyone in our family. I couldn't ever wish for a better Mom. I feel so very blessed to call you MY Momma. You have always been there for me (even when I'm living "not so close"), and I don't know what I would do without you. You took such wonderful care of me growing up, especially through the really rough years of early onset diabetes. It was a learning experience for both of us, and you got us through it. Those years really bonded me to you, and I don't think anyone could've done a better job. Even now, in my 20's, I still need you just as much. I will never be too old to need you.

You have given us all so many beautiful memories. Things that will be with me forever. I love you dearly with all of my heart. Thank you for being the mom that you are and my best friend. Happy Mother's Day.

Pampered Chef Can Be Dangerous to Your Pocketbook

It's pretty funny that a girl with no kitchen has this many new kitchen gadgets! Man, I can't wait to break out all my pretty red kitchen stuff again. I miss my stuff:( But, not as much as I miss my husband!

Silly Pup

Kojak loves his brush time. Especially when we get to the belly:)

Kisses for Mommy. He's such a loverboy.

Camera Love

I've been learning the in's and out's of my new Nikon D90. I am so spoiled to this camera now. The quality of the pictures is amazing! It doesn't hurt when you have such a purdy subject either:)

Our Handome Fella

I can't believe my little puppy is 30 pounds now! He had his first professional grooming Wednesday. He came out smelling so good, and his fur is so much thinner and softer. They said he was wonderful for his grooming. He is such a tolerant dog, it didn't surprise me. I've never met a dog so patient. Teeth cleaning, baths, brushing. I really got lucky with him. Now if I could just get him to stop jumping on anyone and everyone! Little Kojak also got to reunite with his brother, T-Beau on Friday night. My great aunt and uncle are his owners, and they are up visiting. The two brothers haven't seen each other since we got them. I was anxious to see how they would be, but after a few sniffs, it was as if it had only been a day since their last meeting. They were so excited. It was good fun.

To My Darling Sister

Ashwee, today you are 24. I can't believe we've grown up so fast. We've been through alot together, and I've always taken comfort in the fact that I've had you right by my side through thick and thin, highs and lows, to call me out when I needed it, encourage me when I was down, hold me up when I couldn't stand, and celebrate life's joys. I am so blessed to have my best friends as my family. Family is so important, and we have the best. I am a pretty lucky big sister to have you and Alaina as my little sissies.

You have become a beautiful young woman, and a wonderful Mommy and wife. I am so proud of you. You have taken me in at one of the hardest times of my life without a second thought. You have such a big heart, and you have never, ever hesitated to help your loved ones whenever we've needed it. I love you so much, and I wish you a very Happy Birthday.