And we're off... 3 weeks later

The dreaded d-word began almost 3 weeks ago. I can't believe it's already been 3 weeks. I also can't believe that it's been 3 months since I've written on here! Where has time gone? If I write every 3 months, I'll be writing at halfway through the deployment then again after homecoming with the track I'm on. I keep telling myself I'll get back into blogging, but keeping myself busy and not reflecting on the deployment makes more sense to me right now. It's just another thing to pass the time when I'm not running on high octane fuel.
I have actually been handling it much better than I expected. Our relationship has been strengthened more than I could ever imagine by having to deal with this. Just the fact that I am able to do this and hold down the homefront amazes me. I have never been what I like to call a truly independent person; however, when forced into the situation, I persevered. EMV did not feel like it went this fast and it was about 4 and a half weeks long. I can't imagine that 6 months will even feel long if time continues to move at the pace it is.

This deployment has showed me that time really is relative. I could make it go SO slow if I just sat at home and moped about the fact that my husband is not only missing our first married Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Ollie's birthday (haha, yes I love my furbaby), our together anniversary for the 3rd year in a row, Valentine's day for the 4th year in a row, my stepbrother's wedding, and our very first anniversary. Good thing it's the paper anniversary and I have already planned my paper present for when he gets home.

The thing that I think I am having the most difficult time dealing with is the fact that I am going to need surgery to remove my gallbladder and Dan will be missing that, as well. I'm completely ok with it and have tossed around the idea of going home so many times, but this is something I have to do here. It would just create an even bigger hassle if I went home. I'm glad I made the decision to stay here, I think it shows that I can truly be independent. I do have my sister hopefully coming down when I get it done, if not I have so many friends who have offered to help me, it's wonderful. I will have an update about the date of surgery tomorrow.

Other than knowing I will want Dan when I get out of surgery, everything else is going well. I've been able to talk to him more in the almost 3 weeks that he's been gone than in the 7 months he was deployed last year. That in itself has made me so grateful that I sorta had expectations going into this deployment and they were completely thrown away. It really does help that we have been through this before. I don't want to say it's easier, obviously it isn't, but I do know what to expect and how to handle things and how NOT to handle them. Thankfully, that deployment was a growing experience for us as this is, too.

I can't wait to be back in my amazing husband's arms. We got to Skype today and it was great! Totally worth the waiting 2 weeks to see that man's mustache ridden face. I can't say I don't like it though, he's quite the handsome man, but I know I'm a little biased. Hopefully, tomorrow brings the same type of Skype call, but I appreciate any communication even if that means an email!

Big green weenie strikes again

I know, I know: Semper Gumby is the motto of a Marine wife. But, of course, I'm one of those people who gets really excited about the little things and my mind being stuck that Saturday was our big day. I just kept thinking, "I deserve this, he'll be home on the first flight. A month later for a birthday celebration is ok, right?" WRONG.

The big green weenie has struck again. I will be waiting until sunrise on Sunday morning to welcome my husband home. A lovely twelve whole hours after all of my friends welcome their husbands home. While they're nestled in their beds, I'll be waiting anxiously at the squadron. At least the outcome is worth it.

I feel like we always have the worst luck with the Marine Corps. If it wasn't painful enough for them to leave on my birthday, it's more painful to have my friends text me to make sure I know that my husband isn't coming home with theirs on Saturday, but he will, in fact, be coming home on Sunday. Well thanks for the big slap in the face. It stings pretty bad.

I understand it's a whopping 12 hours less that I get with my husband, but for being messed around with so much, isn't there anything that can make up for it? Yes, it would be getting the past three years of waiting on pins and needles back. However, that won't happen. We won't get these times spent apart back. I won't get to spend as much time with my husband as I'd like before he leaves for a seven month deployment.

There is something we get out of it though...

We get to be together forever, no more involuntary separation after the Marine Corps. We get to be an extremely strong couple who has gone through more than many, many couples have ever gone through. In fact, we will have gone through more than 99% of relationships, since the military wife makes up less than 1% of the population in the United States. We get a reunion: that first hug, kiss, all your worries for the past 7 months gone in an instant. For that, I am extremely grateful and I know we will overcome anything the Corps throws at us, especially deployment.

I've got a newfound faith today, remembering that 1 year ago on this day I was welcoming my then boyfriend home from deployment. It was the happiest day of my life. So much has changed since then, but I know it's for the better. I am now a Marine wife. I now live 500 miles away from my family. I, again, have something to look forward to in 3 days and in 9 months (ha, ha, not prego! Just homecoming :P ). Most of all, I know that I made the right choice in this lifestyle, because it's the reunion that makes the title of "Marine wife" worth while.

Time flies when...

You work and make plans every day, so much that you don't even know what day it is. I obviously know today is Sunday, thanks to my phone. But, earlier in the week I realized that the days just seem to blend together and go really fast when you have something to keep you occupied at all times.

We pretty much dominated this work up! So glad that it's almost over. I actually got to FaceTime with my handsome hubby yesterday morning. He has a very ugly mustache, but thankfully it'll be gone when he gets back.

Work has been great! I got a review from my supervisor that said I am doing an excellent job! I am so excited to be working, when especially I know that I couldn't find a job this good at home. I just hope to keep up the good work.

Nothing much other than that has been going on. Today, I got a call from my sister that my grandmother (my almost 85-year-old grandmother who still works) took a fall and they were taking her to the hospital. Well come to find out she's getting emergency surgery on her elbow because she fractured it. This is the first time in 45 years that she has been to the doctor. She doesn't believe in them. If you could spare her a few prayers that would be wonderful! She's a very strong woman and I know she will recover fully!

My Danny comes home on Saturday. Oliver coincidentally has a hair cut that day and I feel like I'll be running around like a mad woman trying to get things situated. It'll be fun! Tomorrow, I'm going to get a dress for our dining out with my friend Kate! I can't wait to find something that I like :)

Hope this finds you all well and those going through deployments, you rock! I realized how fast this month has gone by and I can't wait to kick real deplyoment butt!

Sometimes...

So, it's been a week and a day since my last post. Tomorrow will be ten days down with 20ish to go. I'm so ready for this deployment to just be started and get it over with. I hate that workups don't count toward the deployment time. It would be so nice if the Marine Corps were that nice and allowed that.

I've kept so busy, I'm running on high octane fuel. I can't wait to actually have a day where I don't leave my house and just sit and read. Hopefully soon! Next week, I'm working every day. A crazy schedule to say the least, but I'm glad I'll be occupied.

Just a few minutes ago, I was unloading the dishwasher. It made me feel sad. I'm not even sure why. I guess because it's something Dan and I typically do together. However, no matter how sad I may get, I realize it's all of those little things, like unloading the dishwasher and doing laundy and still finding his, that make this worthwhile, all because I know that I'll get him back. I also remember how lucky I am to have someone so special to miss.

This lifestyle isn't permanent, but this love is. I'm so thankful to have the most wonderful and supportive husband who keeps me motivated that I can do this. I can stay here and survive. Some days are easier than others, but at the end of the day we're one day closer to being together. It also comforts me that there are women here that are going through the same thing. I have amazing friends who also support me and I support them. Without this support, getting through the days would be a little harder. I can't wait till  I get to turn the page and finish this chapter in my life, and luckily I get to take you all with me, because your support is always there.

This post is a bunch of rambling, I don't even know if anyone reads my blog, but to my friends: thank you for keeping me sane and my eye on the prize.

Deployment Mode

Yes, I realize it's been forever. Sorry about that! I hope to get a little bit more into blogging now that we're officially in deployment mode. Dan left yesterday morning at 0300 for Mojave Viper until August 14th or 15th. The positives: we'll get seps pay, this is preparing me for what it will be like to be living alone, I have some amazing friends here and I'm working so it'll keep me busy. The negatives: the house is eerily quiet (though, it's never really loud), Oliver is sad and looking for daddy (and misbehaving a little bit :P), and I'm a little lonely.

The biggest negative was that he left on my birthday. I'm definitely not a fan of that. We did get to celebrate a little bit on the 12th: he cooked me dinner and got me birthday cake ice cream, which we lit a candle and sang. We did get to spend 3 hours together, which is more than any time I've spent with him in the three birthdays we've been together.

Yesterday for my birthday, I went out for lunch with my friends Jenn and Karin and their kids! We went to Red Robin and it was delicious. Then I came home and let Oliver out and relaxed for a few. Kristi came and picked me up and we went to the Maritime Museum to see the new Blackbeard exhibit, since they just found The Queen Anne's Revenge. The kids got pretty antsy, so we had to leave there. Then we went to see her new puppy at the breeder. She's 3 weeks old and SO cute. They get her August 6th, so we have something to look forward to right before the guys come home. That's only 3 weeks away, which is awesome! We got this :) We went out to dinner at Ruddy Ducks on the Morehead City waterfront and it was delicious. We ended our day at the beach around 7:30 until 9, which was SO nice. I heard from Dan there and he ended up calling me back around 11:40, so it was nice to go to bed after being on the phone with him. He's a sweetheart, he really is.

I think it feels so different this training, because we're not used to being apart anymore. I just hope that that feeling changes and we get into real deployment mode. We're both sick (sinus infection (still) for me and not sure what for Dan) and want each other. Of course, that's something we can't have. However, we're so lucky to be able to talk on the phone. It comforts me that we can at least do that. I guess it's different because I'm also 500 miles away from home and not having school to focus on. I'm sure I'll fall into a routine and this month will fly by! Yesterday already did. We're 2 days down. Can't wait to see my boy and have him reunited with his little family.

Hope everyone is doing great! I think I'm going to start the 30 Day Military Spouse Challenge or something like that, that everyone was doing. Or just even writing every day, we'll see!

Blah.

I am certainly not a fan of sitting at home all day by myself. I try to leave enough chores for me to do throughout the day, but it's never enough. I just want a job. I have never been more motivated to find one, but I feel like nowhere is hiring. Come on people, I have a bachelor's in Elementary Education and I can't even apply to sub. How does that work?!

Anyway, so if anyone wants to get together, I'm free; all day, every day. Oh, except I have my first doctor's appointment at the Naval Clinic next Thursday at 10:10, but hopefully that won't take up too much of my day.

We're married!

Why hello there blog world, how I've missed being around. It's been a crazy four months. Dan and I are officially married, so that makes me a part of the strongest bunch of women I know: A Marine Corps wife. We got married on April 23, 2011. It was raining (by raining I mean literally pouring rain) when I woke up that morning and I could honestly say I wasn't even too worked up about it. I figured at that point whatever happens happens. The rain stopped sometime during my hair/makeup appointment, which ended up taking 3 hours, yikes! At least the results were well worth it :) I was so happy with the way I looked.

It wasn't raining as I got to the country club where we had the ceremony and reception, which made me feel optimistic. The venue director asked me if we wanted to have the wedding outside, which I decided against, because it still looked gloomy. I spent the next hour getting dressed, primping, taking pictures and pacing before it was my turn to walk down the aisle.

I would honestly have to say that was the longest walk of my life. I don't know why, but I was so nervous. I was mainly nervous about saying my vows, because I'm terrible at public speaking. But after those doors opened, I took a deep breath and made the plunge. My Marine was finally waiting for me. I kept my composure until I passed my grandmother, who was bawling. I stopped to give her a hug (I don't even know if that's typical, but  I didn't care it was my day). After the hug, I continued on and made it to Dan who couldn't take the smile off his face. We mouthed a few his and I love yous throughout the beginning of the ceremony, then it was our turn to say our vows.

Dan went first and it was honestly the most beautiful thing he has ever written. I actually just found his vow book and read all the scratch copies. Very cute. Anyway, so I made it through that without crying and then started my own vows and didn't cry then. Everyone was placing bets on how long it would take me to cry. Nothing yet. Blah blah blah, the ceremony goes on, we exchange rings and are pronounced husband and wife.

Onto pictures. We have a HUGE family, so taking pictures was quite hectic, but when I finally just got to spend some alone time with Dan it was wonderful. We made it back to get introduced for the first time as Dan and Tori Kline. First dance, we danced to "Hold On" by Michael Buble. We are horrible dancers. Then dinner was served and I had my dance with my dad. That's when I cried. He made a mix for us to dance to of many songs that he found inspirational and popular. It was quite the surprise. My dad even cried, too. I was moved.

The reception was amazing! Definitely a blur now, but so much fun! I have never seen that many people on the dance floor at a wedding. Dad was feeling a little generous (and after talking to the CFO aka Deb, my stepmom and his wife) they extended for an hour. It was honestly the best day ever and I couldn't have asked for more of a fairy tale.  If you're interested in pictures, here's the link. I used a lot for my new blog look, but enjoy :) Click here to see wedding pictures!

No honeymoon for us thanks to the Marine Corps, but we had a wonderful time at home. We're currently now moved into our new house. It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath duplex and we're enjoying our "honeymoon". We do plan on taking one after the next deployment, which will probably be around our first wedding anniversary! I will for sure post pictures of the house soon. We ordered a bedroom set that comes in two weeks, so we've been sleeping on an air mattress. Needless to say, our backs are in pain!

So, this is goodbye, for now at least. I need to go finish dinner for the night. I already made pulled pork earlier (it already tastes delicious) and have to make the baked beans and a veggie! I hope to blog more now that I'm settled and have internet. Next up on my agenda, finding a job!

Day 31 - FINISHED! (Only took 4 months!)

Here it is, the picture of me. I'd have to say it's a new personal favorite of mine!

So much has changed in the past 4 months, I'm writing an update in a few!

Day 30

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Poppop.

Thank you, Poppop for being the best grandfather anyone could ever ask for. You're sorely missed and I can't wait to see you again some day. I love you always, RIP

Taking a break from the challenge for a post

It's time I've done some self reflection.  My relationship has been, well I don't really know how to describe it. I wouldn't say it's rocky, because it's definitely not anything to worry about, but I would say we've just been peeved with each other lately.  The distance is wearing us thin. Two years away from someone you love is obviously not the ideal situation (while I know I shouldn't complain because at least I did get to see him in those two years and it could have been worse); we are just so close to being able to finally be together and be normal.

Normal is a pretty relative term and one could argue that with the Marine Corps, life is never normal.  However, I feel as though being able to live together (minus deployments and trainings) will make us the "normal" couple I've been striving for us to be.

My biggest difficulty right now has been dealing with the being apart, not only physically, but also even if we can't talk. It's like I have this terrible separation anxiety that I can't get rid of. I feel even weaker with him being in the States than the seven months he was deployed. I just don't understand what is making me feel this way. The problem started after he came back from deployment; I have no idea what triggered it in me. You would think that after deployment I would have been able to handle things better, but not really at all. I now handle everything ten times worse.

The smallest things get to me. For example, tonight. I wasn't feeling well this afternoon. I was asked to babysit and hadn't had the chance to talk to Dan all day. I just wanted to talk to him, but literally seconds after him finally waking up and getting on AIM, he announces he's going out tonight. That really irked me.  The whole going out without me thing really has been irking me. It's not that I don't trust him either, because I do 150% I just have that awful anxiety issue. (I am a self-diagnosed hypochondriac, though).

This issue is eating away at me and more importantly, my relationship. Something needs to be done. I feel as though venting about it here might do the trick, I certainly hope so. Maybe it will bring some type of advice from someone who has been in a similar situation. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for, but here it is world. This is why I've been so out of it.

ETA: I just found this and I think I'm going to try it, I wanted to try "The Love Dare" when we got married. But for all you Marine wives, fiances, and girlfriends out there, I bet you'd love it. You can even do it if he's not deployed... Deployment Love Dare

Day 29

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

The proposal.

The day we decided the rest of our lives. What a fantastic moment, I'm so glad everyone was able to share in it the way they did. He proposed in front of my whole family, my family friends, and his family and friends, talk about guts!

Day 28

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of

Tornadoes.

Pretty much any wind, thunderstorms, lightning, etc. scares the bejeesus out of me. It is not going to be a fun summer in NC dealing with more frequent pop up thunderstorms.

Day 27

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

The DiOttavio Cousins

I couldn't pick a picture of just me and one of my family members, so I picked my siblings and my 3 DiOttavio Cousins :) They're the best!

Day 26

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Memories at the shore.

Up until I was a senior in high school, we would always go to the shore. Yes, it is in fact the Jersey Shore, but not the area that MTV claims as the "Jersey Shore"; my shore is Sea Isle City. I miss those times so much and wish we could all go back to going as a family. We had such great times and some of my fondest memories of my childhood (though it's debatable if I've made it out of being a child yet) happened there.

Day 25

Day 25 - A picture of your day

Sykpe date.

I love me some skype dates :) This actually happened on January 25th when I was originally supposed to make this post :P

Catching up on some... Day 24

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Incurable Diseases.

I couldn't find a picture that I liked of this one, so I decided that the picture was cute. I wish I could make every disease curable. I hate that people have to suffer with any type of disease that cannot be completely cured.

Day 23

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

I can remember this being the first adult fiction novel my mom gave me to read.  I was 13.  Since then, I became fascinated with Nicholas Sparks and reading anything my mom could give me.  I had trouble coming up with a favorite book, because I read all the time. I would have to say Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult are my favorite authors though. I just recently finished "Safe Haven" and can't wait to see what Nicholas Sparks and even Jodi Picoult come up with next.

Day 22

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Style.

I wish I was better at styling myself. I want to look hip and young like I should, but I feel like I always wear grandma sweaters and clothes that don't flatter me.  When I eventually get some money, I'm definitely going to ask a friend who has style to take me out and just pick out things that look right!

Day 21

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

There is no picture for this other than a broken heart, even though my heart is far from broken nowadays. Only two people in the world (Dan and I) know what I wish I could forget. It's nothing to do with my relationship with Dan, but it's something I still am so terribly scarred over.  I'm just extremely thankful that I have found someone who looks past it and accepts me for who I am, rather than who I was.

Day 20

Day 20- A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Western Europe.

Dan was lucky enough to go to Italy this summer and I was extremely jealous! (He had never been out of the country before, let alone New York City and that's 2 hours from home!) I want to be able to travel to Ireland, Italy and Poland before I die to see where my ancestors came from.  I'm only the third generation on my mom's side, so we still have family over there. I also want to travel the Mediterranean and see all the beautiful sites it has to offer.

Day 19

Day 19 - A picture and a letter

Dear Family,

I cannot explain how much I will miss you.  I know I'm so excited to move to North Carolina to be with my husband, but I don't know what I'm going to do without you.  I cannot express to you all the emotions that I'm feeling, because mainly I'm scared. I'm scared to be the first one to leave the wonderful home and life you've created for me. I'm nervous as anything to fail on my own. But, I know that I'll always have you all to come back to.  Thanks for getting me ready for this and giving me something to look forward to when I'm gone: always coming home.

Love,

Your sister and daughter

Day 18

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

My entire body.

I know this sounds extremely cliche but yes, my biggest insecurity is my body.  I know I could go on for hours and hours, but I won't.  I don't like how I can gain and lose weight at the drop of a hat; it makes me so angry how my weight fluctuates (especially since my wedding in 3 months away).  I cannot stand my thighs. It's obnoxious how big they are.  My stomach is another thing, it goes from flat to flabby and won't decide how it wants to look on any given day. On my face, my nose is my biggest insecurity. I just wish that I could find love for my body and not rely on Dan to tell me I'm beautiful every single day. I get extremely self-conscious if he doesn't tell me it. I know he does it on his own and it's not forced but there's something about if he doesn't say it, I freak out. Some day I hope that I'll be able to be comfortable in my own skin, even if it means having to force myself to work out every day to get those results and keep up with them.

Day 17

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

There are quite a few things...

Oaks Elementary School.

This is where I'm student teaching for the semester and I'll spend a lot of my time there. It's like having a full time job, just being a student still.  I really like the school and would love to have a job there one day when I come back from NC.

MCAS Cherry Point.

This is where I'll be moving to once we get married. House hunting and deciding things from 500 miles away is no fun, but it's going to be very worth it. Not to mention the job hunting and staying there during the upcoming deployment, but it will become home because that's where my love is.

And lastly...

Our wedding.

This is the most time consuming thing ever. I am beginning to hate planning things. They say you're supposed to have fun planning your wedding, but I am not. All the little things are getting to me, but it's ok, the end result will be very worth it. I will be married to the love of my life and finally moving with him! Now, if the Marine Corps would love to cooperate with my plan, that too would make it all better.

Day 16

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

My Mommom.

She's 84 and still works and babysits my 3 little cousins (7, 5, and 3) and goes to church every day and has put up with a lot of crap.  Her brother was killed in WWII, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer (4 different times) and many other diseases and finally succumbed to them, she was her sister's caregiver, and even my siblings and my caregiver when my parents divorced.  This woman will honestly bend over backwards for anyone. She's basically awesome.

Day 15

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

I want to be a mom.

I think there's nothing more loving a person can do than be pregnant for nine months and willingly bring another life into this world with their partner.  I've wanted to be a mom since I could remember and used to babysit all of my family friends' children.  I was told at 13 that I'm going to be a great mom someday and I cannot wait for that day to happen (but really, I can wait, I just know that's what I want to do with my life).

Day 14

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Daniel Adam.

My life would be so much less complicated (Thank you, Marine Corps) but at the same time I would be lost without him. He saved me from being a crazy cat lady (and I don't even like cats).

Day 13

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

The Fray.

My all-time favorite band since I would say what 9th or 10th grade.  I can't remember exactly when I started liking them, I heard a leak of something of theirs on the internet and I just fell in love.  They sing my all-time favorite song "Look After You" as well. I wasn't one of their bandwagon fans either, I liked them before Grey's Anatomy and before they were super famous :)

Day 12

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

The beach.

I know it seems like a typical girly girl thing to say I love, but I truly love the beach.  I could spend hours on the beach laying on a blanket or sitting in a chair reading a book or even building sand castles.  I find no other place as relaxing as the beach. I can't wait to move a lot closer to it!

Day 11

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

War.

I think this one is pretty much self explanatory.  I don't hate many things but this one I do, for so many more reasons that just the fact that my fiance is a Marine. It was actually a struggle for me to come up with something I hate but this popped into my head.  I'm more of a silence the violence increase the peace kinda girl; it must be my inner hippie coming out.

Day 10

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the craziest things with

Liz.

Liz has been my best friend since 9th grade.  We've seriously done the craziest things together.  She made me break out of my shell and I love it!

Day 09

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

My FOTF Family.

This was an incredibly difficult post for me to figure out who has gotten me through the most. I'd love to say any of my friends, but I can't. In the past two years, I have grown so much from my relationship that none of my civilian friends even understand what I've gone through. Yes, they supported me, but they did not get me through it. My family didn't understand either, but yes they got me through it; however, they didn't make the most impact on me to get through it. I would have put a picture of myself, because typically I tend to keep things inside and get myself through them. BUT, without this wonderful group of ladies, I would have been lost. I thank my lucky stars every day to be a part of such a close-knit group of women. These ladies have been through everything I have and they can relate to me. They're there to listen any time of the day or night and can offer advice that no one else that isn't in the situation would know to offer. Thank you ladies for making my days brighter and for giving me the confidence to hold my head up high and face whatever the Marine Corps throws at me.

Day 08

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

or...

It was a toss up between the two, but the first picture definitely I love more than the second. They just make me smile. Dan was the cutest little baby and for some reason that picture can always put a smile on my face. The second, I asked him to show me a picture of his new green MCMAP belt and that's what I got. He's cute :)

Day 07

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

My engagement ring.

I'm not one for material items and I would say that I probably have other things that are technically people, but it asked for item. I love it and Dan did such a great job picking it out all on his own. It's custom made with a story behind it so I'll share it: Dan was deployed on the 24th MEU and their last port was Italy. While he was in Italy he bought me an engagement ring and he ended up thinking the diamond was too small. He tried to buy a new diamond and put it in the same setting, but apparently according to jewelers it wouldn't fit. So, he got my ring custom made and sold the diamond and kept the gold from the original for me to be able to do something sentimental with it later. I accidentally saw the transaction from Italy on his bank statement and said, "HOLY CRAP! What would you spend $2,000 on?!?!?!" He's luckily quick on his feet and told me, "Remember that night I emailed you and said I was really drunk? Well, I paid for a whole bar tab." YIKES! I thought and it ended up causing a little disagreement. Flash forward 2 weeks and multiple cry sessions later because he said he wasn't ready to get married, and he proposes! It was a trick the whole time. Mainly, it's just important to me because it symbolizes our love and our new life and journey together.

Day 06

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

T.Swift

Taylor Swift is awesome. I saw her live in concert and too many people give her criticism about it, but she seems like a relatable and genuine person. I'd love to meet her! Trading places with her would be even more awesome.

All caught up :) Day 05

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

Easy peezy lemon squeezy! Best day ever, hands down :) Homecoming on August 11, 2010. The sheer joy on Dan's face is enough to melt my heart ten times over (especially for someone that doesn't ever smile like that). Probably pathetic that I enjoyed this moment better than being proposed to, but it was the best feeling in the world for not seeing his face in 7 long months.

Two more! Day 04

Day 04- A picture of your night.

Sykpe date with the fiance and looking at the best website ever! whenparentstext.com

Still catching up... Day 03

Day 03- An picture of the case of your favorite show.

I'm a gLeek!

So I'm bored and want to catch up...Day 02

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest



Taylor and I.

He's my step-brother and I've known him since I was 4. He's my bestest friend!

Day 01

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts



1. I'm terribly impatient. Don't let that fool you though, I've found a profound sense of patience when dealing with my fiance being a Marine. It's just waiting on the mundane, every day things that I have a lack of patience for.

2. Even though I'm impatient, I'm going to be an elementary teacher. I told myself that I would never in a million years want to be a teacher, but I ended up knowing that's exactly what I wanted to do.

3. I'm a lefty.

4. I have a biological brother and sister, as well as 4 step-brother's at my dad's house and 2 step-brother's at my mom's house.

5. I'm getting married on April 23, 3 days after my last day as a college student. Call me crazy, but I call it an adventure.

6. Wedding planning is for the birds and definitely not my thing, but I'm now trying to have fun with it.

7. I'm moving to North Carolina after I get married. I'm scared to death, but don't tell anyone else that. The thing that worries me the most is that I'm going to be living alone during a deployment and my family is 500 miles away. Living there is going to be worth the two and a half long years apart, though.

8. I always told myself that I wasn't going to date someone in the military. Now, I'm head over heels for a Marine and survived a deployment.

9. My biggest fear is tornadoes. Basically, even when it just thunderstorms, I'm a scaredy cat.

10. Dan (my fiance) and I have technically known each other for a very long time. My dad was his baseball coach when he was in third grade. My mom was his fourth grade teacher. Flash forward about 10 years and we meet again working together at CVS. The first time I saw him working I thought, "Wow, who's the cute new kid?" Throw in some flirting and relationships that didn't work, lose contact during boot camp, see him over boot leave and he accidentally gives me the wrong number (it was a typo on Facebook), lose contact over MCT, find each other again on Facebook. The rest is history :)

I'm Back!

Well, I've decided to come back to the blogging world :) So much has happened basically this is going to give me the chance to explain my journey over the last year. Starting with this...

31 Day Photo challenge:

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 - A picture of your night
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the craziest things with
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity
Day 19 - A picture and a letter
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change
Day 25 - A picture of your day
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss
Day 31 - A picture of yourself