Six

The number of years, tomorrow, that I will have been married to my best friend.

Six.

I hope to live these last 6 years at least ten times more in our lifetime...

Not everyone is lucky enough to be married to their best friend. I'm so lucky not to be like everyone :)

I love you, Nicolas Durgeat... Happy Anniversary!

Despite the drought ~

A while back, I posted this blog:

http://jdurgeat.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-great-unknown.html

I was so afraid... not for myself, but for my children. I knew the changes in my life that were about to take place, and while I was ready for them - I did not know how they'd play out. I ached for my kids... I was going to take their comfort and predictability away from them for a short time. I was going to give them a new normal, whether they liked it or not. I could only pray that the Lord would help them accept this with grace and patience - and He has answered that prayer.

Despite the drought, the grass is greener on the other side.

Our lives are still in transition. Each day is another day closer to the finish line - the one marking the end of the race from military to civilian life. In 1 week we will be the proud new tenants of a 4 bedroom, 1 story, BRICK duplex! A far cry from the third story apartment we occupied in Germany. I'm so close to locking in on a job as a 911 dispatcher. Stevie is excited about starting her new school on January 7th. Our van is another day closer to the shores of the US of A. My husband's permanent residence paperwork is complete, he has a SSN, a green card, a valid Texas Driver's License, a bank account and a truck registered in HIS NAME!

Much to my surprise... I found that the comforts that I thought I would be taking from my children - I carry with me. I know they'd flourish better in their OWN bed, in their OWN room, in their OWN house... but it's because we're together as a family that their comfort continues. I'm here to rub Victoria's back to sleep every night.... that is her comfort. I'm here to make Ava's chocolate milk in the mornings... that is her comfort. (Stevie's always been comfortable...) And no matter which bed we share at the end of the day, I'm with my husband, and that is my comfort.

I'm so excited to move into our new place. I'm excited to decorate, and make it our home. I'm excited to get/accept this job offer... I'm excited to learn new skills, to meet new people, to continue to reconnect with old friends and build relationships and network with others... to plant roots, and watch my family THRIVE!

Lord, thank you!

Just stop!

Since I left the military and moved home, I've encountered a lot of negative in other peoples' lives. I know of one too many single mothers, two too many that are younger than they should be. I don't knock single mothers, because I was one! I don't take pity on their individual situations either, because I look at what few circumstances I know that led them to their paths, and none of it was forced upon them.

I see marriages hanging on by a thread. I see friends with health problems who choose to dwell on them rather than ignore them and focus on the positive in their lives. I've had parents cry to me about issues with their children, and when I offer the same advice that they've heard from others they choose to ignore it and find someone else to cry to instead.

My advice is for ALL of you to look at your life, right now. What do you not like about it? 2 months ago, I was MISERABLE! I was stressed out, on anti-depressants, no time or patience for my children, and no drive to be a wife to my husband. Why? My career was ruining the person that I wanted to be. What did I do? I lined up my ducks so I could LEAVE that job and transition my family into a life in which we could all be happy.

So look at your life, point out the things you do not like, and CHANGE THEM!! Sure, it's not easy... but this is YOUR life! You're gift from God. He did not give you a lifetime of breath to watch you waste them, being unhappy. He painted the skies for you, He filled your life with love, and He gave you the breath to enjoy every bit of it. If you're not enjoying it - look to Him and let Him guide you to happiness... Look within, odds are you already know the answer, MOTIVATE yourself to embrace the change that needs to happen.

Above all else... just stop bitching! You never know when the person you're bitching too has overcome far greater odds than you have, and your bitching sounds like petty queep... Stop bitching, and start LIVING!

Before I forget...

Victoria-isms of present day:

After someone sneezes: "Bless you!"
After someone says "Bless you" to her, "Tank You!"

"Hey Victoria, what's wrong?"
"I cwying..."
"Why?"
either "ecause" or "I nunno!"
"Well don't cry!"
"Ohh kaay..."

"Hey Victoria! I love you!"
"Wuv you tew"

"Go play your DS!"
"OK! Dowhatdowhatdowhat?!"

"Mommy, hepd you?" (translation: Mommy, will you help me?)

There are many more words and phrases she uses that are slipping my mind as I write this - so I'll add to this post as they come to me :)