One Lucky "Swimmer"

All last week I had been feeling very strange. Super tired at work. HUNGRY beyond anything I've ever experienced. Nauseous when I fed that hunger. Super edgy and really irritated at the constant trips to the potty all day and all night! I wrote this off to being stressed with my job ending and our PCS to Ft. Lewis. In addition Aunt Flo should be arriving soon; that explained the sore ta-ta's!

On Friday, June 24, 2011, I knew something wasn't right because the sore ta-ta's had gone away and yet there was no surprise visit from my monthly buddy. Now I was wondering!

I woke up at 6:20 am to get ready. R was graduating his last cycle of soldiers. He had been named Drill Sgt. of the cycle so I wasn't going to miss watching him get recognized for his hard work and caring efforts towards these young soldiers. Not to mention I was getting flowers too...Who doesn't like that! I had one pregnancy test left from a scare we had last year and decided, what the heck...

I knew it was too early to test but I thought to myself--- hubby and I HAD been talking about trying for a baby in the near future and on a whim, decided we'd leave it in the big guys hands and quit trying to stop a pregnancy...However, I was nowhere NEAR ovulation when this happened and it kinda takes an egg to make a baby....But what if?

I unwrapped that bad boy with a vengeance thinking the entire time about all the strange symptoms I'd been having. I don't know about you, but I HATE that 3 minute wait once you've tinkled on the stick...I couldn't help but stare at it, my eyes crossing and manifesting fake lines the entire time. It hadn't been two minutes before I got this!



The line was so faint though; I thought I was imagining it...After R's graduation, I swung by our nearest Rite-aid and bought a digital test. Those are supposed to tell it like it is:) Lord, I never thought that ticking time clock was EVER going to disappear! But it finally did and I got this!!!!


I'm going to be a MOMMA!!!

The doctors confirmed it today. I am 3 weeks and 5 days pregnant; due on March 7, 2011! That is a good month before daddy will deploy. The ironic thing is, the day after I posted on here about baby fever, we conceived. How wonderful and bizarre!

Letter From Mommy

Dear Baby "G"

You certainly gave mommy a shock on June 24, 2011, the day I found out you were hiding in my belly! You are only 3 weeks and 5 days but already I'm protecting you and you don't even know it! See daddy's trying to nickname you "Al-g." Short for alien and our last name which starts with a "G." I refuse to call you that Baby "G." Mommy's looking out!

You must have really wanted us for parents Baby "G" because you came to us on our very first try!

You gave me those 2 beautiful pink lines at 6:20 am on a Friday morning. I know this because I was getting ready to watch daddy graduate his last cycle of soldiers. Daddy works for the U.S Army Baby "G." He's a pretty big deal to us and we're so proud of him:) He was so happy when I finally told him about you ! He was on the phone all night sharing your existence with EVERYONE; Your grampa's and gramma's and aunties and uncles. You have a really large family Baby "G" all to love on you and make you giggle and laugh!

Some women don't get pregnancy symptoms in as little as 3 weeks but Mommy has! You make me very hungry and tired and I use the bathroom a lot! I'm hoping these strong symptoms mean your a healthy baby and this will be a strong pregnancy. I am craving fried pickles 24/7 and have eaten breakfast food 3 times in 2 days! Mommy never does that Baby "G." I like variety and change so I definitely know you're helping me with my food choices:) Lets just try to make better decisions then oil soaked food and syrup on our eggs, potatoes, bacon and anything else we eat, mmmk?

Love,

Mommy

A cloud of change and BABY FEVER!

The husband and I have officially went from--roommate status to married couple status, YAY! R is no longer a drill sergeant, currently in school finishing up his E-7 promotion & getting ready for this PCS coming up oh so fast! I have only FIVE short weeks of work left and then it's off to Tennessee to visit family one more time before there's a bajillion states between them and I---For those who didn't know, we are currently stationed at Ft. Benning so visiting family isn't as road painful as it will be once we move.

Leaving here is going to be bitter sweet! This has been my home for almost 3 years and the place where R and I first met! We have A LOT of good memories here as well as some of our favorite eatery's, parks and hangouts...I'm excited for the change in scenery and life style as well as climate, haha, but now we have a very BIG new town to navigate to make home. Also moving 2 large dogs and a cat could be interesting when this is the only home they've known.


In bigger news, I've thankfully hit a mile stone I never thought I'd reach---Used to be that I had to have change and that next place, but being married has somehow changed that...I'm thinking more long term now---Wanting a house of my own. Wanting to buy furniture that will stay in the same living room until I decide it needs to go...I am even getting BABY FEVER! However R and I are not in the right place to be trying those pipes...Or maybe we are? He's deploying next spring *insert sad face here* By the time we reach Washington he'll be leaving in 7-8 months for a year...We have discussed the baby thing and I think we've settled on a time frame but keeping that hush hush for now:)

I'm really excited for the unexpected switch. I used to think I was defective; a natural born gypsy. Definitely someone who would never be settled. The first time I heard Zac Brown's song, Colder Weather I cried because it fit all too well. I figured life would always be about rambling for me---But turns out people just need time to mature and grow--Thinking long term finally feels wonderful and there is definitely a sense of peace I have found in that...

I'd be excited that it's Thursday if I had this weekend off, but I don't--However, I can be excited for all of you who do! Happy Thursday everyone!

You Are Missed Gramma!

I cannot believe that June is just around the corner and that in seven short weeks I will be saying goodbye to my job! I figured the month of May would drag by like sludge, but apparently I was wrong because here we are in the last weeks--

I know that my attention was else where in early May; Some of you on my Facebook page would have heard, but my grandmother passed away a few weeks ago at 86 years old. She lead a very strong life, down to the end, and accomplished the things that meant most to her. She wanted to out live her husband so she could take care of him. Check. And stay out of a nursing home. Check Check! I think I got my bull dog personality from her, ha! She took care of her husband until his death in December 2009 and she passed into God's hands while sleeping in her bed May 3, 2011. I was very lucky to attend her funeral 800 miles away in the hills of Pennsylvania with the rest of my family. She was such a wonderful women and will be greatly missed by me and many others--

During this, I also had a charity event going on for a local abused shelter for Mothers Day. I paired my new business as a Mary Kay consultant with sponsors (local businesses/ family and friends) to bring the Mothers of Hope Harbour joy and appreciation during a darker time of their lives. This took up a lot of time on top of working 12 hour days but it was so worth it and felt wonderful to be apart of! In addition, I was pulling ladies together to throw my first 2 Mary Kay parties and planning a birthday party for my sister---

Next week I have a day devoted solely to the MOVE and getting questions answered. However I'm hoping one of you might be able to answer this one. We are wanting to fly our cat to Washington instead of drive him out there; ONLY because of his inability to be indoors for long periods of time without being SUPER annoying, lol...Our only problem is he'll be there long before we arrive to pick him up. Is there anyone who offers a service for this? Such as picking him up for us? Or does the airport board them until you claim your animal?

HAPPY FRIDAY everyone!!!! I actually have an entire weekend off this week so it really IS a happy Friday:)

Calling all my military ladies!!!

Here is a question for my military gals---

On post living vs. off post living??? Time is flying right now and in 3 short months we will be pcs'ing 3,000 miles from here to Ft. Lewis Washington...My husband and I have been doing a lot of talking about whether to look for housing in near by towns or simply try on post housing, seeing as he will be deploying 6-7 months after we arrive...I am really on the fence about it! I will definitely be moving to Phoenix, AZ after his departure so I could see the no contract thing being a plus to living on post. However, I would love some opinions on the pros and cons if you could!

Thanks Ladies!

I Would Rather An Edible Donut, Please And Thank You!

Jiminy!!! I can't believe that my last post was on February 14th---Oops!

Well I'm still loving the Scion. We made it back from vacation as two much happier, relaxed people and I have since canceled the Battle Of The Abs event on Facebook. Laziness Work got in the way of every ones training...Excuses excuses, I know!

The past month I have been REALLY trying not to stress over our PCS this summer...There was two possible scenarios, one of which we would not get an answer on until it was down to the wire. As in one week until we're to move, wire... R submitted his packet for warrant officer, in hopes that he would be accepted. So instead of us PCS'ing out west in July, we would be taking a mini road trip 2 hrs. from here, further south...He was denied today; due to a non progressive cataracts that he was given a waiver for. I'm so sad and frustrated for him right now---This was the only reason he re-enlisted. R's only guess, as to why they didn't accept the waiver, is because of the draw down in the military accepting new soldiers...Apparently there are more pilots then there are aircraft's right now...It makes sense, but it still sucks...I have one last hope that maybe his denied application isn't indefinite and maybe just temporary...We shall see.

So it looks like we will be going west come late July! This will be my first PCS with the military so I am a bit nervous. I'm also nervous because R will be in school until, basically, the day we are to head out, ahh! I can handle this; I'm a big girl!

What I AM having a hard time with is the big "D" as some of you put it...I'll be getting my very own donut of misery come next spring, yay! *note my sarcasm* This will be my first deployment as his wife---which being married to him for 3 years, by that time, makes me a very luck women that I haven't had to share him more. I do realize this! However, him being a Drill Sgt. for the past 2 years hasn't exactly placed him in my bed every night...Most of the time our day looks like this---I come home late from work (11:00 pm'ish) he's snoring in the room while his alarm is set for 3:45 a.m---He wakes at 3:45 a.m and I am sleeping sound beside him...Like ships passing in the wind most days...

I am tossing around the idea of moving to Arizona during the deployment because R's folks and sister live there. I have more then completely befuddled my siblings over this decision, as to why I wouldn't be returning home to Tennessee, and my answer is this: I want to feel that R is near and I can do that by being in the one place he called home for 20 years; by being around the people that knows him best! I'm NOT one of these girls who will pack up all of his things until he returns. No! I WANT to see remnants of him being there, his stuff lying around the house...All of my siblings back home have families of their own now as well...Children and husbands to take care of...Their lives do not revolve around the military nor do they really understand it...I know that my family would be empathetic on the days where I am feeling scared or worried but I don't feel they would really understand what I will be going through...Arizona makes sense for these reasons...

I also would LOVE the opportunity to spend more time with R's side of the family! I am close to my own family so it feels unnatural to have family that I do not know quite as well...R's folks and sister rock as good, down to earth, just great and supportive people so I'm looking forward to having that close by as I navigate my first real deployment with R.

Goodness!!! The rain is coming down hard and the puppies are whining so I guess this means I should stop typing and baby them...ha ha! Thank you for your listening ear ladies...I'm not usually this whiny and emotional on here, so please excuse that... I know A LOT of you can appreciate what I'm talking about because you've been through it or are currently going through it, so its comforting to talk about it with you all---I heart my readers!

Goodnight Blog--

New Toy, New Adventure, New Event, 2011 Rocks!

I just knew this year was going to be fabulous and look how it has started out! My very own 2011 Scion xB a.k.a NEW LOVE!!!

Happy Happy


Look Mom, ALL HANDS!!!

I just love this car---I insisted that it be a manuel and didn't mind that I had a week wait on it being shipped. This thing is so much fun; zipping around town, in and out of traffic. I literally make excuses to hop in the drivers seat and take off; running errands with such conviction, ha! I guess you could say this was my Valentines present from the hubby, right along with a surprise 5 day trip back to our favorite spot. Remember this place???

Thats right, March 5th, we're headed back to Gatlinburg, Tennessee! R and I had our first real vacation together in Gatlinburg, just the two of us last April and it was fantastic. The entire trip was so relaxing and fun...We had so many options! There was walking the strip, doing things like white water rafting, mini golfing or simply staying in our cozy cabin and watching a movie by the fire...I fell in love with the jacuzzi on our deck, over looking the mountains and total seclusion...We spent a lot of time out there...We did things like go-karting and aquariums, haunted museums and mazes, ice skating and pool...This time I just HAVE to go visit the titanic museum! They were having thier grand opening last April and we missed out on the ticket sales:( But hey, I have that to look forward to this time! I totally recommend this place for any couple looking to take a breather and a recharge:)

In other exciting news.............................You are invited to....................

"Challenge Of The Abs"

I am so pumped about this event held on Facebook!!! Ahem, a little excerpt from the event page---

"Welcome to the "Battle of The Abs" event! You are being invited to vote on a closed competition between 3 Facebookers; Rebekah, Robert and Mary battling their way to fab abs in just 2 months! Cheer us on, poke fun, or just say hello as we move towards judgment day! We will be posting "no gliz or glamour" pictures of each contestant and their abs . That's where you come in Facebook friends! This is an open poll and we need voters! So be sure to come back and vote for who you think has the MOST IMPROVED fab abs on April 13th 2011!!! "

P.S Did I mention that the winning prize is a $100 value of the champions choosing!!! Losers pay up;)"

I know some of you are on my Facebook page already. Those who are, have already received an event invite...However, I wanted to open it up to my blog followers as well! If you are interested in being a voter in this event, on April 13th, simply email me your email linked to your FB account and I will add you and send out an invite! I hope to see you guys over there cheering me on and digging on the other two, lol! You can also leave me your email in a comment here if you're comfortable with that...The more voters the better!

♥ HAPPY VALENTINES LADIES ♥

New Toy!

So excited for my new toy to show up this weekend! Pictures to come shortly after:p

My First Attempt Writing A List--

I would like to do something different this year, which is to set goals for myself in 2011. Kind of like a new years resolution but more long term and several of them--Believe it or not, I have never once made a list of things I would like to accomplish in the new year or any other time of the year, for that matter--I think it would be interesting to look back in 2012 and see how my goals held up! So without further chatter, here is my 2011 bucket list--

1. Make our home, more like a home with our next PCS move--I have a really hard time with decorating and being creative when it comes to my living space, but its something I want to work on and something I know my husband would like to see me do--
2. Cook more meals and cut down on eating out--Both my husband and I work a lot of hours and usually do not get home until after 7:00 so this could be a hard one, but we still enjoy home cooked meals together, not to mention the health factor, so this is something I would like to see become more of an occurrence--
3. Run my first 10k--Hoping for this in the spring--
4. Run my first half Marathon--This is going to be a huge accomplishment for me and one I will make happen!
5. Loose 10 pounds--You knew it was coming! Everyone puts this on their list so wouldn't want to disappoint--I have, somehow, put 10 pounds on since our wedding and its time to get it under control before it gets out of control. Look for this accomplishment before the winter is over--
6. Frequent more winery's and learn more about the process--I stopped at my first one in Sedona, AZ while on vacation visiting my husbands folks and sister. It was such a relaxing and great time! I loved the whole experience and am more then wanting to go again!
7. This next one isn't really a goal but a change I would like to see happen in my life-- Its one I can't really talk about right now, but I wanted to write it down just the same--
8. Take more time out of my day and spend it walking my 2 dogs--Our new big back yard has been such a God send for our 2 fur babies but its made me a lazy doggie mommy. I have really gotten relaxed about their exercise because now I can just open the back door and their happy enough. This house was Pipers first home with us, but before this house, we only had Bella and she got out at least 6 times a day and spent a good 2 hours playing with other dogs on the apartment grounds. She misses it and the car rides and going to the puppy park on post and the nightly walks and runs...It makes me feel poorly because I know how much she enjoyed the "us" time and she doesn't get that as much anymore. So here's to a new year and happier puppies:)
9. Become a bigger part of the FRG--Family Readiness Group--My husband has been asking for this and at first I got mad at him for pushing me into something I wasn't sure I wanted to be apart of, but once I calmed down and we talked, I realized that he was right. He is getting higher in the ranks of the Army and the Army says I am a direct reflection on him in his career, whether or not I like that. Obviously the civilian world works a little differently. Regardless, the higher he gets in rank the more responsibility he has to his men and their families. He needs to know that he has a supportive wife just as committed to his success as he would be to mine and is--Apparently being apart of your FRG says that in the military world...So I will try harder!
10. Finally, take a month off and travel the states--R is going after a career as a warrant officer and will be locked down for several months we are thinking. I am planning to take that time and do some traveling with myself and our 2 dogs--I want to go hike a gorgeous mountain, see the coast line of Maine, eat a hot dog on the streets of New York City, and camp under the stars of Montana...You get the picture:)

"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve"--Dr. Napoleon Hill

2011 will be a great year as I work to achieve this list! What about you--What are you allowing your mind to conceive and believe?

How Facebook Says I Spent My Year!

Forgive me followers, for I have sinned. It has been 3 months since my last blog! Not only that but it is New Years Eve! Are we really a clock spin away from 2011!?!? The other day I was doing my normal thing on Facebook and I stumbled onto an application where Facebook sums up your entire year in status posts---It was actually very enlightening for me. My sister made a good point. That it gives you insight into the type of a person you are by showing you what you focused on and what your all around attitude was during 2010? So here is my year in a nut shell, says Facebook...

Feeling lazy today but I should and need to be productive! The way I'm
feeling, I'll be lucky to get showered??? Argh, Hate these days!~I am totally
wasting this day off and I hate it!!! But can't seem to get motivated to do
anything...Grocery shopping and cleaning the house would be a good start...Would
someone like to lend me a kick in the hiney?~Going for my first run in a good
while this evening!!! Wish me luck...I', cringing already about how much I'm
going to suck from where I was...Ekk!~really wish I had a good mountain to hike
today...Instead, I'm off to work where there are no windows to let the gorgeous
day shine in! Maybe a good thing I can't be out in it!?!?~Mountain biking at
Flatrock! Looks like rain!? Ain't skeered of a little mud;)~"Hi, my name is
Rebekah G******* and I am a flip-flop-aholic"~Definitely need run tonight after
this day is over! Stress is the pits!~Going stir crazy!~I love when I can have a
surprise!!! Waiting on the hubby to get home so I can be like a kid and watch him
open it!!! I might even help him tear the wrapping:p So, I've been talking into
a half marathon in March, ekk! Okay it didn't take too much prodding:p I've been
wanting to do this for sometime! Anyone wanna join!?!~Oh my goodness, thank you
all for ALL the birthday wishes!!! Rob took me out for hibachi and sushi and
bought me a gorgeous dish set that I have been wanting for a year!!! Still not
sure how he did it because it required a membership to Costco, which we do not
have...At any rate, my creamy chicken tacos looked amazing on them tonight! My
sis Mary also bought me gorgeous peal earrings!!! Great day:)~Sun dried tomatoes
in a grilled chicken salad, wow!

I really liked this summery of my year. I think it really shows what an active and motivated individual I am and that I love being outdoors! It also shows my random goofy side but that I also have days where I could use a jump start even. I noticed I used exclamation points quite a lot but even that rings truth about the type of person I am; excitable and loving life...Most days:)

Here are some pictures and comments about 2010 that Facebook didn't share, however, that I would like to---

In spring of 2010 I went white water rafting with R for the first time and fell in love!

That same trip I enjoyed a cozy cabin adventure with R in the foot hills of the great smokey mountains

In 2010 we moved from our cozy 1 bedroom apartment into a house with a yard for Bella!

Shortly after, we adopted this cutie pie...R says shes 3/4 German Shepard and Pit bull and 1/4 tard hound, but we love her!

2010 brought a nice promotion to STORE MANAGER back in September! This picture
really has no relation other then the fact that I am always on my phone now;)

I ran my first 5k in Phoenix, AZ! The race for the cure was such an awe inspiring experience and one that I was so proud to be apart of! Jordan Sparks mother even opened with a speech before the race which I thought was very nice...

Right after the race! I met my goals of not stopping and not being the last to finish so I was feeling pretty happy at this moment...

I visited my first winery in the foothills of Sedona, AZ!

Sedona, AZ...I loved all the red clay!

I saw the bright lights of Vegas!

I ate the biggest most amazing soft pretzel under the canopy's of Ceasers Palace


R and I had so much fun in Vegas and definitely had our drinking goggles on!

We celebrated one of the most beautiful Christmas I can remember! It even snowed making the day so magical...

And R spoiled me rotten with these!!!

And this!!!! Oh yes, some of you might remember that I have been asking for a Garmin since I started this whole running journey! R made my entire year with this gift...I am taking it out for a spin this afternoon in fact!

And finally, R and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary on December 27th, a few days after such a wonderful Christmas...It was such a beautiful year babe and I wouldn't have wanted to spend it with anyone else. Here is to 2011 and another spectacular year!!!