Wedding Invitation

I just made this custom wedding invitation for a good friend
of mine and I have to say that I now LOVE making invitations.

If you're interested, leave a comment! :)

This is Marriage

I'm sharing this anonymously because I don't know the military wife who posted this personally, but her story really spoke to me.

"So I have been trying not to post anything very personal about my relationship because I've been realizing the harm it does, but THIS I have to share.  So, Valentine's Day was [our] first anniversary.  My dad was nice enough to take the baby all day and all night so we could be alone.  Unfortunately, we fought all day.  Maybe two hours the whole day we were okay, but it even got so bad he went to sleep on the couch -- and I didn't even ask him.   

One of the things we fought a lot about [was that] he didn't get me anything.  Not even a card.  We've been fighting every day since -- all day -- and then last night we finally both broke down. I was a disaster and when I woke up this morning I walked into the dining room to find a vacuum (I've been wanting one for a while), several cards, two movies (because we didn't get to watch one due to fighting) and beautiful flowers.  

One of the cards said: 'I love you [...] I wish I could just do it right the first time.  So, here is to the beginning to the second 1st Anniversary.  I hope it's more of what you were expecting than what I did the first time.  So, here's to doing it right the first time.' 

And he promised to take me out whenever we're lucky enough to get a babysitter when he's off. 

This is marriage, not being perfect.  Hell, it can be absolutely horrible, but being able to talk it out and you both never stop trying or giving up on each other NO MATTER how bad it gets.  I love you [...].  Thank you for not giving up on me through this past year."

Marriage isn't perfect.  It isn't supposed to be.  That movie you went to see on Valentine's Day that made you question your marriage/relationship because your man isn't like the actor in the movie...yeah, that movie was horseshit.  Romance is a fallacy and those movies aren't indicative of what real love is.

Real love is fighting about stupid things and saying things you don't mean.  Real love is screwing up something really important and saying "I'm sorry."  Real love is cuddling and watching her favorite TV series or his favorite guy that eats bugs on the History channel.  Real love is falling asleep on the couch on your wedding night as he takes the bobby pins out of your hair.  Real love is what I have with Ryan and I wouldn't trade what we have for anything in this world.

Valentine's Day: as told by a Sappy MilSO

As most of you probably know, this Valentine's Day was mine and Ryan's "first" as a married couple.  It was really hard on me to be without him.  Holidays seem to be the worst.  I was lucky to be able to spend our "first" Christmas and New Year's together.  There was just something about Valentine's Day that made it extra difficult to be without him.

Most of the time, I don't like to talk about Ryan being gone.  I feel like people get tired of hearing about it, or that they would rather just ignore the fact that he's gone rather than deal with it.  I also don't like to be the "Debbie Downer" or the "complainer," so, I try my best to put on a smile and bite my tongue when I think of saying things like, "I wish Ryan was here."

BUT...

What people don't understand is: Ryan is my best friend.  It's hard being without your spouse, but when your husband and best friend are all rolled into one huge ball of awesomeness... that takes it to a new level of difficulty.  So, maybe I'll just continue to wear my heart on my sleeve and stop trying to conceal my emotions.  Maybe other people should change the way they see me.  Some days are harder than others and yesterday just so happened to be one of them.

Ryan did his best to try to make things a little easier for me.  He sent me chocolate-covered strawberries and balloons from Edible Arrangements.  My hubby knows me all too well: food is much better than flowers.  The strawberries were amazing, as told by my ten-year-old sister who helped me devour an entire box of them in one sitting.  What meant the most was this recovered-from-the-trash note that Ryan sent along with the delicious dessert:

I'm one lucky gal.

In addition to the dessert delivery, Ryan posted a plethora of pictures to my Facebook wall.  I think he knew that I was feeling down, or that I needed a pick-me-up.  That's the thing with Ryan.  He knows how I'm feeling without me even having to say anything.  Even from 7,838 miles away.

All About Care Packages

My husband has only been in Japan for 5 months, so I wouldn't call myself a care package pro or anything.  However, I will share with you all of the insight that I have gained so far.

1.  Obtain their mailing address.  Most of the time, this can be done by Googling their ship name or base name.  If you can't find it online, simply ask your soldier/sailor/airman/coastie/etc. and they will be able to give it to you.

2.  Order and/or pick up military care package boxes.  USPS is your friend.  You can either call them at 800-610-8734 to order the kit or you can go to your local post office and ask for the FREE military packages.  These can be sent to any FPO/AP address (so, any military base worldwide).  The kit includes boxes, stickers, customs forms, and even tape.

3.  Choose a theme.  Whether it's a holiday, their birthday, or just because, themes are an awesome way to begin creating your care package.

3A. (Optional) Choose scrapbook paper to go on the inside of the box.  This is my favorite part.
Hobby Lobby and Michael's are great.  You just choose two coordinating pieces,
fold them in half, cut them and tape them to the box.  It's simple and decorative!

4.  Get the stuff.  Depending on your theme, now's the time to get the good stuff!  Military members love food, but I would shy away from homemade goods unless its something like trail-mix or you know that it will get there in time.  There are a lot of not-so-successful stories about homemade food items.  Other good items to send are: pictures, cards from family/friends, working gloves, thermals, socks, underwear, washing pods, dryer sheets, towels, blankets and favorite snacks.  For a list of things not to send, go here.

5.  Stuff it, seal it, send it.  Stuff all the stuff into the care package. Seal it with your handy dandy packing tape they sent you.  Fill out the pesky customs form (if it's an international shipment). Send it by taking it to a drop box or to your local Post Office! :)

Christmas Care Package

I sent my sailor his care package just in case I didn't make it to Japan due to some crazy reason.  Luckily, I made it and had a GREAT two weeks in Japan.  I'd be doing all of the MilSO's a disservice if I didn't post pictures of the gifts I got him and the package that I sent.  So, here you are: :)

The "HOME" shirt pictured in the care package box was made by a local company here in NC called Kustom Kottage.  They can make anything and everything and my husband LOVED his shirt.  They also make decals, tumblers, etc.  If you can think it, they can make it!

I ordered these puzzle piece keychains from an Etsy shop called RiverValleyJewelry.  My husband, again, loved it.  Although it came as a keychain, he took it off and put it on his dog tag chain so that he could wear it every day.  :)

I ordered this embossed USN wallet from EBay.  My husband kept saying that he needed a wallet, so it was a purchase that was long overdue.  This was his favorite gift.

Kustom Kottage also made this shirt for us.  The first thing Ryan said when he opened it was, "I'll actually wear this!"  Not exactly the response I was thinking I'd get, but, hey, I'll take it!

DIY Pinecone Ornaments

Today, I walked into my Aunt and Uncle's home to find my Aunt and her friend Karen making these awesome pinecone ornaments.  They are so rustic and Christmasy-looking and I am just so in love with them!  Plus, I am all about recycling and reusing things, so this project was right up my alley.

All you need is:

Pinecones

Ribbon/String or Twine

Glue

I wish that I would have gotten more pictures of the ornament-making process, but my fingers were very sticky and sappy!  You simply tie a loop knot and then a bow and glue it on and VOILA!  I have a mini-tree, so we went searching for some smaller pinecones in the backyard and we hit the jackpot.  Here are some photos of my tree:

  

Thanksgiving Care Package

I asked my husband: What is your one favorite thing that you eat at Thanksgiving?  Of course, he said, "pumpkin pie."  At first, I thought to myself, "How in the world am I going to send him that?"  Well, thanks to a couple of YouTube tutorials and my aunt-in-law, we successfully made him pumpkin pie in a jar!

 

We made a simple homemade pie crust and then smushed it down into each of the jars.  It took quite a lot of time and effort, but it was so worth it.  Well, at least, I hope it was.  He has not told me if the pumpkin pie was any good or not yet, but, when he does, I'll let y'all know!

Of course, I had to send him more than just pumpkin pie!  So, I gathered up a list of things and headed to the grocery store.  I decided to make him "Thanksgiving in a box" by giving him things that he may eat for Thanksgiving dinner.  The "turkey," stuffing, macaroni and mashed potatoes were the best that I could find.

 However, he was the most excited about the popcorn ball.  I guess I did something right!