What a December!

{Warning: Extra long post.}

Birthday!

My birthday was this month.. I am the big 26! I know I had a birthday rant earlier, lol. On December 11th, (I decided to celebrate early) my friends and I went to Dave and Buster's for my birthday dinner. I was so tickled since this was the first birthday shared with friends. (Hopefully, I will get pictures soon!)

Anniversary!

 The following Friday, my husband and I celebrated 4 years of marriage by going to the Melting Pot. It was soo delicious!! He then surprised me with a dozen chocolate covered strawberries/bananas from Edible Arrangements. Plus, a 1.5 hour massage! I was spoiled rotten; however, I woke up at 2 a.m. sick as a dog.

Christmas vacation in Colorado!

 I was soo sick that day, that I didn't even have enough energy to go shopping and pack for the big trip to my mom's in Colorado. Mr. B told me that we still had to keep moving in order to fly out.. (pretty much to suck it up!-- which I told him that I would remember that!) So, we flew into gorgeous Colorado the following day. I was so excited to see my family for Christmas, which hadn't been done since 2004. I sacrificed them for my husband all these years due to deployments, and it was finally my year to go see mine.

The not-so-much vacation... RSV and Bronchiolitis

Well, things turned for the worst for little Miss A. (Miss A is 16 months old and is a peanut.) I knew she had a head cold for a week and half, and had seen her pedi twice in fear that it was going to her chest, because her cough was so bad. The day we flew in, she started to have a fever, and was refusing food and liquids. She was beginning to become lethargic real quick. My mom already lived 8000 ft up, and it would be at least an hour drive to the nearest hospital. So, the next morning, we brought her to the E.R. where we heard some bad news about our baby. The Dr. intially diagnosed her with clinical pneumonia. Her oxygen levels were from 87 to 90, and I was starting to freak out a little. They said if it goes down to 85, then they would admit her to the hospital.They ended up sending her home with an oxygen tank, and informed us that a specialist would come to the house with more.

The next day, she had a follow-up with a local pediatrician. The pedi told us that she was going to admit Miss A. (I started to cry at this time and thought I could hold it up, but the thought of my baby slipping away, scared the crap out of me.) I say that because she was eating nor drinking-- for days. As soon as we got to the hospital, they hooked her back up to the oxygen, and I had to put her in a tiny little gown. My sister, Miss M. brought me some delicious Sonic for lunch, and at this time the nurses told me that we were going to start an IV, draw blood, and do a chest x-ray. We left the room, and decided to take a walk. All day and night, I stayed with my precious little girl, as they sucked out her boogies, (with this awesome machine thing) gave her breathing treatments, and checked her stats. Everytime a nurse came in, she would whimper and bury her head into her pillow.

They following morning was my actual birthday, and my husband traded places with me in the hospital. I came back frequently to check on Miss A.  That evening, I had noticed that she received a toy from the hospital. I asked the nurses who had given her the toy, so I could thank them. It was realistic toy keys, and my daughter has sparked up. It turned out that the Marine Corps Toys for Tots had stopped by to give toys for all the children that were hospitalized. I started to tear up. I never knew how the toys got distributed each year, and the fact that my baby was thought of, really made me swell up inside. Well, on the eve of Christmas Eve, my little pumpkin was starting to eat and drink, and was bouncing all over her hospital crib. The pedi that admitted her, had decided to release her. She was well enough to follow treatment at home, which meant that she would be on continuous oxygen, and breathing treatments every six to eight hours. We were just so thankful to have her home in time for Christmas!

Birthday with fam

My mom got me a charm bracelet (like the ones that Pandora makes) and a tres leche cake... yum! We had a great time drinking wine, and playing a tourney of Texas Hold 'Em-- which I won! :)


Skiing at Purgatory

By Christmas Eve, I was able to escape and go skiing with my siblings. It was my first time going, and as long as I remember how to do the "pizza" to stop, and the "french fry" to go, I was good to go. Stopping was not so easy when you are flying down the slopes. I busted my toosh several times on my first run. By my second run, I made it all the way down the bunny slope with out busting my toosh. (Just because they called it the "bunny slope" didn't make it easy! It was super steep!) Nonetheless, I did it, and I am happy. I can't wait to do it again!

Christmas Day

Oh, if I had a picture of my mom's tree with all the gifts galore! (It will make people sick if they saw all the gifts-- but, heck, we have such a huge extended family.) Anywhoo, I was able to sleep in until 7 a.m. which was super duper nice. (We had a talk about kids waking up at 5 or 6 in the morning.. I chuckled at the thought-- mind you that I don't like waking up early...) So, I was just soo tickled to see Miss A and Miss K open up their gifts! To hear Keira squeal when she opened up her Toy Story official Jessie doll, was the best! I was hoping for that reaction, because that doll was so stinking expensive. But, she had been asking for it for a long time. (I am like my mom, I like to spoil my girls on Christmas.)

Speaking of my mom, she and my stepdad, got me the Kindle!! I was so stoked! I love to read, and the only time I have been able to is when I am tuckering down for bed. Well, about 15 minutes later, my husband likes to come and turn out the light. {Which I am forced to close my (Sookie Stackhouse novel) and get some sleep. } So, now I can happily finish my chapter under the covers. :) Did I mention that she got me these flaming red suede hooker boots? Seriously, these things go past my knees. (She made me try them on over my pj's, lol) I couldn't help but to chuckle as I extended out my leg and showed Mr. B. ;)

But, we all know that Jesus is the reason for the season! I prayed like crazy for my baby girl to get better, and my wish has finally been granted.

The following week... tummy bug

I am convinced that this season was the gift that kept giving, and not in such a good way! The whole family, Miss K and I, got the tummy bug. Just when things were looking a little better.. Bam! Anywhoo, we were able to take  Miss A off of the oxygen tank the morning we flew home, and she is doing soo much better!

Well, that is it for now. I will try and post my New Year plans tomorrow.  I believe I have something in the works with overstock.com, so stayed tuned for that! :)

Hello World; How've you been?

{A story and a song about second chances.}

The Story:

The Mr. came home from Afghanistan two December's ago. We've had our ups and our downs, and sometimes we drive each other crazy. Sometimes he says he's depressed. Although, I know that he is suffering from post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) from the two previous combat deployments. We lost 8 guys from the first, and 20 from the most recent. (That doesn't even include the injured.) To say he came unscathed, is a lie. My husband had a near death experience in Afghanistan, that shook my world. You can read,  here.

Last night, I was searching for bonding glue to make these mini ginger bread houses for Miss K's pre-school to decorate, down in the basement, and I was searching through my scrapbooking box, when I came across a unfamiliar red notebook. Back in the Marine Corps, I used notebooks to write my thoughts- to vent- about my situations in MRP at Geiger. Channeling through memory lane, I opened the notebook, and realized that it was my husband's-- addressed to me. He had never given me the notebook before, and well, I hid downstairs for awhile, and read it. It was his Afghanistan journal. Tears welled up in my eyes as I read his hopes, his fears, and his un-dying love for me and Miss K. (Sometimes, life gets in the way, and you forget not to take each other for granted.) After I dried up the tears, I headed back upstairs, and showed him the notebook. He looked at me, and smiled. He read the journal, and said he had forgotten about it. He said he was trying to forget his experiences, and he wrote it, in hopes that someday, some one else would read it. Today, is the day. {If you have trouble reading the letters, click on them, and they will get bigger in a different window.}

"Traffic cars, cell phone calls

Top video screams at me

Through my tender window I see

A little girl, rust red minivan

She's got chocolate on her face

Got little hands, And she waves at me

Ya, She smiles at me

               

Hello World

How've you been

Good to see you, my old friend

Sometimes I feel, cold as steel

Broken like I'm never gonna heal

I see a light, little hole

In the little world

Hello world

Every day I drive by

A little white church

It's got these little white crosses

Like angels in the yard

Maybe I should stop on in

Say a prayer

Maybe talk to God

Like he is here

Oh I know he is there

Ya, I know he's there

-----------------------

Hello world

How've you been

Good to see you, my old friend

Sometimes I feel as cold as steel

And broken like I'm never going to heal

I see a light

A little grace, a little faith unfurled

-----------------------------------

Hello world

Sometimes I forget what living's for

And I hear my life through my front door

And I'll be there

Oh I'm home again

I see my wife, little boy, little girl

Hello world

Hello world

All the angels disappears

I remember why I'm here

Just surrender and believe

I fall down on my knees

Oh hello world

Hello world

Hello world"

~Lyrics from Lady Antebellum

*All images belong to Semper Fi to Apple Fi, and this blog is copy-righted. Do NOT take images; it's unlawful.*

MARINES: A Few Good Women

This video gives me such a huge sense of pride, everytime I watch it. :)

Semper Fidelis

The {unofficial} twins- A homecoming tale of the pre-schooler kind

The Story:



 

My friend Brittany and I are from the same town, and graduated from the same high school. Although, we didn't hang out back in school, we knew of each other. It was until a baby budgeting class in good ole' Twenty-nine Palms, that I recognized her. We were about to be eight months pregnant, and she was wearing the maternity cammie uniform. We narrowed it down to our home town, and realized that we were due a day a part, and both of our husbands were deployed to Iraq, and would miss the birth. We went to Denny's for dinner, and hung out at each others houses everyday. (It was a relief to have a friend from the same hometown, going through what I was going through.)

Well, July 31st came, and she called me and said she was having contractions, and was packing for the hospital. I rushed over with excitement. (It was her due date, mine was the next day) While she was upstairs, I was downstairs and my water tore. (It wasn't a full break) Her entire family was there, and I was a bit embarrassed. Her sister hollered at Brittany from downstairs, "Holly's water just broke!" Brittany hollars back, "Nah uh!" (Giggle)

So, I am thinking I totally peed myself, decided to drive myself to the hospital to check it out. (Mind you, I haven't eaten since 9:30 the night before, and it was now 2:00 in the afternoon) I got admitted. Dang it!

It wouldn't be hours before Ms. Britt showed us, because she was too busy stuffing her face at a local Mexican restaurant, lol.

I had Miss K the following morning, and Brittany had Mr. C that evening. :)

They grew up together for the first two years, literally.

---Britt and I on my husband's homecoming day

"It's never goodbye, It's see you later"-----

Then, we had to pcs from Cali to the east coast. It was a sad day. But, she pcs'd back home to Texas to a reserve unit, and 16 months later, (last month, November) we finally came home to visit! :)

When Miss K and Mr. C saw each other at the airport baggage claim, it was a true homecoming. They ran to each other with arms wide open with squeals, which stopped passerbys to stop and stare.

-----------In each arms at last!

Monkeys jumping on the bed!-------



Blog Reviews {BR}

I have decided to start "blog reviewing". I am going to feature a different blog each Sunday and give a critique. (No harm, positive feedback!) Now, I gotta figure out how to make a button for this.. "My blog was reviewed by Semper Fi to Apple Pie". Any donations? :)

Want your blog to be reviewed, and featured? Comment below! Thanks. :)

Dealing with PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder)

Disclaimer: Read with caution, you may know more about me than you may ever wanted to know. This is my story, and my hopes is for other women to possibly relate to what I have to go through from month to month.

So, I have a confession to make.. I suffer from PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder). I am one of the 8 percent of women every week or two before the witch arrives who gets crazy, and I mean CRAZY.

Every women is known to have signs of PMS; however, sufferers of PMDD gets PMS x 1000. 

Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder

According to http://health.yahoo.net/ , (PMDD) is a condition marked by severe depression symptoms, irritability, and tension before menstruation begins.

The symptoms of PMDD are similar to those of PMS, but they are generally more severe and debilitating. Symptoms occur during the week just before menstrual bleeding and usually improve within a few days after the period starts.
Five or more of the following symptoms must be present:


•Disinterest in daily activities and relationships

•Fatigue or low energy

•Feeling of sadness or hopelessness, possible suicidal thoughts

•Feelings of tension or anxiety

•Feeling out of control

•Food cravings or binge eating

•Mood swings marked by periods of teariness

•Panic attack

•Persistent irritability or anger that affects other people

Trouble concentrating

•Physical symptoms, such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and joint or muscle pain

•Sleep disturbances

I experience majority of these symptoms, and it frustrates me. I feel like Dr. Jeckyll and Mrs. Hyde!
I become my husband's worst nightmare, and it makes me want to crawl in bed and stay there until its all over, and I am normal again.

I've also been a sufferer with Dysmenorrhea since I was thirteen. Dysmenorrhea is a severe form of menstrual cramps and flow-- agonizing, and debilitating. I was diagnosed with each condition when I was in the Marine Corps. It would literally leave the naval doctors thinking I was having a miscarriage (my periods were infrequent), with intense pain, loss of blood, and a pale face. I would be sent to my barracks room with "sick in quarters" for a few days with vicodin. They also thought I had polycystic ovaries, and thought it was the reason I was in so much pain and with the infrequent cycles. The naval doctor prescribed me Prozac, and I didn't take them because I didn't want to be labeled as a mental health issue. But, PMDD isn't a mental health issue. It has to do with the hormone changes during the menstrual cycle, and it must be off balanced. Prozac was prescribed to me to alleviate those symptoms. However, I still refuse to take medication.

When I delivered Miss K (doctors told me it would be difficult to ever have children) my Dysmenorrhea went away. It was magical, and my cycles became normal. However, with my husband deployed during the entire pregnancy and birth, being diagnosed with gall bladder disease at eight months pregnant, with the surgeon telling that Miss K could die from surgery in utero; I was beyond stressed. Then, a whopping three weeks after the Mr. came home from Iraq, I had gall bladder surgery, and ended up with complications. I was rushed in an ambulance a couple days later to a civilian hospital for a week as they administered every test known to man to make sure they didn't knick my bile duct. And why was my heart rate at a whopping 36 beats per minute? My poor husband and six week old baby girl had to stay at near by hotel room. (My husband is such a amazing father for having to take care a brand new baby by is lonesome for that week.)

 I was  diagnosed with pre-partum and post partum depression. I never looked at as a mental health issue, I looked at it as a overstimulated, brand-new mother/wife that had too many things thrown at me at once. Here I was again, at a different duty station with Prozac being re-prescribed to me. I still didn't take it. I felt I would suck up what I was going through, and keep charging forward. Until I cracked up the following summer when my husband deployed to Afghanistan, and I had an eight month old on my hip. Miss K was eleven months old when I yelled at her in my parents hotel room at 3 a.m. due to exhaustion. I felt like the worst mother. Here I was again, dealing with symptoms from PMDD.

When the hubs came home from Afghanistan, I immediately became pregnant with Miss A. He was home, and I was happy. It was night and day. He got to experience the delivery, and I was in high heaven. For the first five months, I was nursing, and didn't have a cycle. I was still living in bliss. Then, they came back... along with PMDD. A year later, and I am starting to realize that I need to seek my new provider, and have him stop all this craziness. I can't live like this. I tend to keep all of this to myself, and I am tired of hiding it all under a shell.

Anywhoo, I needed to vent. I just needed to let it all out. If you read all of this, you need a blogger award. (I probably should make a button: I survived reading Semper Fi to Apple Pie's post)

Happy Thursday!

Lalaloopsy dolls have been captured!

I just wanted to thank everyone that commented on where I could find these whimiscal dolls for Miss K. I also want to thank my big sis for finding them in Colorado in a desolate Walmart up in the mountains. There were four of them, and I told her to buy them all. (I am giving them away as gifts to my nieces) I magically found one on Target.com, and strangely they have one that is now in stock (which I purchased) and now that I am checking the site, it is now sold out-- with another one to be sold! What is Target doing?? (oh, and all of these were bought for $20 dollars a piece. I couldn't realistically see myself purchasing a doll for $50 on Amazon, eek.)

Wanted: Lalaloopsie Doll

I have searched online, and I have called many stores in my area while hunting for this whimisical rag doll for Miss K. She has been begging every since her birthday in August. I just feel like the bad mommy that can't produce one for Christmas. :/

December birthday ba hum bug

Here it is again... December. The most stressful time of year.  Sadly, my dreaded birthday falls right smack 3 days before Christmas. Terrible, terrible, terrible--an inconvience really.



My first birthday-viewing from my expression, "what the heck is this?"



What Not to Say to a Christmas Baby

“Oh, you’re so blessed—you share a birthday with Jesus!

“Merry Birthday!”

“You must get so many presents!”

“Wow! What a ripoff. I feel so sorry for you!”

“You must be a real Angel/ very sweet/ a gifted person/ etc.”

“Merry Christmas” before you say “Happy Birthday.”

“Are you joking?”

“Is this a fake ID?”

“I’m going to wait till the after-Christmas sales so I can get you something bigger.”

“Your sister/brother feels really left out; let’s give her/him an extra present, too.”

Courtesy of www.christmasbirthday.net

I was due to arrive on Christmas day, but my mother thought she was doing me a favor by inducing me early. She wanted me to have my own special day; however, being so close to Christmas, I told her it wouldn't have mattered. I am not the only one stuck in this Christmas birthday conumdrum, there are many like me that feel overlooked.

I didn't grow up with birthday parties by the poolside, and I didn't have friends to celebrate my day, either. I just remember my dad bringing me to Toys r us to pick out a toy, and a dinner at my favorite restaurant. The years have passed since I've been a child, and I still have the same issues. This year, I am trying to plan a dinner at Dave and Buster's with friends, and the timing is awful. (Not my fault, really.) Too many Christmas parties, families in town, hustling and bustling for the last minute gifts.

I honestly don't remember the last time my own dad got me a birthday gift! I kid you not. I know I sound bratty for ranting, (the cliche- It's the holidays!)

My top TEN on "Why I LOATHE Christmas Birthdays"

1. The birthday/Christmas present

2. Everyone is gone for Christmas, therefore no birthday party

3. The Christmas wrapping on your birthday present

4. Your siblings making their Christmas list around your birthday

5. It gets too dark too early

6. Your birthday present is missing with some other Christmas gifts that your parents had hidden

7. The birthday pie-- or my case as pictured above-- the Santa cake

8. Being named after the holidays a.k.a "Holly"

9. It's freaking cold outside!

10. Yesterday was your birthday? I completely forgot, because I was out shopping for Christmas.

Ugh, Ba Hum Bug!

Semper Fidelis

I found this on another blog, and I had to share it on mine. It definitely teared me up.

Excerpt from President Ronald Reagan’s March 4, 1987 speech, dealing with the Marine Barracks Bombing in Beirut, Lebanon:

“…May I share something with you I think you’d like to know? It’s something that happened to the Commandant of our Marine Corps, General Paul Kelley, while he was visiting our critically injured Marines in an Air Force Hospital. It says more than any of us could ever hope to say about the gallantry and heroism of these young men who serve so willingly so that others might have a chance at peace and freedom in their own lives and in the life of their country. I’ll let General Kelley’s words describe the incident.

He spoke of a ‘young marine with more tubes going in and out of his body than I have ever seen in one body. He couldn’t see very well. He reached up and grabbed my four stars, just to make sure I was who I said I was. He held my hand with a firm grip. He was making signals , and we realized he wanted to tell me something. We put a pad of paper in his hand - and he wrote “Semper Fi.”

Well, if you’ve been a Marine or if, like myself, you’re an admirer of the Marines, you know those words are a battlecry, a greeting, and a legend in the Marine Corps. They’re Marine shorthand for the motto of the Corps - “Semper Fidelis” — “Always Faithful.”

General Kelley has a reputation for being a very sophisticated general and a very tough Marine. But he cried when he saw those words, and who can blame him?”

Child Modeling 101

The Story

Like most parents I know, our children are gorgeous to us. I find myself tempted to put Miss K in photo contests so she would get recognized, and someday be the next Gap Kid model. Every fall, Gap.com does a contest to appear in the Baby/Kid Gap spring 2011 clothing line. Every year, I forget to add a photo for submission, or I can't decide on the "winning" picture.  Miss K has such a vibrant personality, and I can't help but daydream about her being in the ads of Gymboree, Gap, The Children's Place. Lol, I know, I am crazy, right? Now, I wouldn't dare put her in pageants, ugh. And if she didn't like doing it, then I wouldn't force her too. So, forget these endless contests. I decided to go straight to the source.

(Pictured at right: Miss K when she was 15 months)

What I have learned about finding a reputable agency

They are freaking hard to find. Google "Baby modeling Agencies" and you will get site after site trying to get you to buy a list of agencies."You can get our list of agencies for only..." Ugh. 

BEWARE: Don't buy into it. You can find agencies without having to spend money.

Reputable agencies don't charge any up front fees either. They only tack on a commission when your child has landed the job.

Most agencies have a minimum age requirement. Most only accept 4 years and older. Miss K has to wait until next summer.

After calling a few agencies in driving distance - if you live more than an hour and half away, they will push you away. You live too far. (A tad frustrating for me, the drive was within two hour and half hours)

There isn't "open casting calls" for children. You literally have to submit photos and your child's info through the mail, and pray for a reponse.

Anywhoo, that is what I have learned today, with a lot of research.

Blogs with substance

So, I made the mistake to add quite a few blogs that mainly do "giveaways". I thought their blog was cute, and therefore added them. I didn't realize that their "family" blog would litter my dashboard with giveaway after giveaway. Not that I am against bloggers having giveaways, maybe give out a few here and there, but-- when your blog starts to lag substance, it becomes too much. So, I decided to delete them. I am sorry. But, I actually like reading blogs.