We have more big news!

Let me first start by thanking all of our veterans. Thank you all so much for the sacrifices you've given. Thanks to all who have given their life to keep our country free. 

Our daddy <3 Chance has been serving his country since 2008. He went into the navy the January after he graduated. He was whirled away to San Diego for school only to fall in love with the city and be relocated to Norfolk. He's been on the mighty Mahan for nearly six years. He's been on two deployments and countless underways. After his last deployment we threw around our options. We were dead set on him staying in. Job security and insurance was the major points in our decision. 

Let's fast forward a few weeks to this recent underway. He wants out. After finding out that baby #2 was on its way, Chance had a large confession to make. He can't take another deployment away from his kids. He doesn't want to spend another deployment at sea. He wants to be home and raise his little ones. This has caused so much conflict with us. 

Chance has no schooling. He graduated highschool in 2007 and hasn't taken a class since. I have an AA but it won't get me a job. I'll have to go back to school for another degree before I can have a career. This has placed me in a very stressful situation. Chance gets out in 3.5 years, I have that time to be accepted to nursing school and graduate. In that time another baby will be arriving. I have a lot to get together and figure out. Chance won't be taking classes while he's in the navy. I'm trying to be a supportive wife and allow him to follow his dreams. I say it like that because Chance's dream is to go to UTI and be a mechanic. They make less then half of what he's making right now unless he gets lucky and scores a great job. That is really scary. The thing that scares me most is UTI has no campuses near us. The closet ones are over five hours away. I really want him to start some college classes but unfortunately it would be a waste of money since no class would go towards his degree. 

As you can see I'm stressing like crazy! I've only been married to Chance for a little under two years but the Navy has always provided everything we needed. I'm excited to finally be able to start school but also worried about my babies being out in daycare. I've been researching both of our career choices and trying to do what I can to get us both exactly what we want. This is such an exciting and worrisome time for us all! 

Our Daddy is home!

     That's right, our Daddy is finally home! On Friday, after 8.5 months, the USS Mahan finally arrived back I'm its home port of Norfolk. It's the first time the crew has been on American soil since December. Everyone was giddy the morning of the big return. B and I got spiffy in our homecoming attire and headed down to base to await the arrival of our Daddy. As soon as you could see the mast everyone flocked pier side. We were all the way in the back and couldn't see the ship until it was right at the berth.  After an hour wait that seemed like it took a year, Chance made his way to the brow where we could wave. We exchanged a few text and somehow he was the first to make it off the ship (after the chiefs and new Dads of course). 

I cried my eyes out when I finally got to embrace him. Being able to touch my husband again was a dream come true!

Chance was so thrilled to see B! B on the other hand was a bit shy. Chance kept trying to hold him and all he wanted to do was say Mama and climb back to me. He said Dada but wasn't sure what was happening.

He's finally warmed up to Chance. He still wants Mama when he's sleepy or when he gets hurt. Chance has been a rock star. He's kept B entertained and allowed me to sleep in and woke me up with breakfast. He has been an amazing father already and we are so lucky to have our Daddy back home! 

The changes

Ahhhh!!!! Our Daddy will be home SOON. I feel like everything must be perfect. I didn't know how dealing with a toddler and being a housewife would work out. I'll admit these past 8 months I've lived with my mom and had it easy. Spoiled me. I've taken these past two weeks to figure out what it really means to be alone with B. I was going to say single parent but I really wanted to choose my words. I am by no means a single parent and I feel for all those who are however, I have been without my husband so in a sense single. My mom has been a great help. I was able to nap with B when I wanted, I could get my hair done, I never cooked and only cleaned our messes. Now I'm looking at taking care of two boys and a schnauzer. So far I feel like I've fallen into rhythm. While B is sleeping I take the time to wash clothes, clean, do dishes, shower, ect. I manage to cook with him at my feet clapping and saying 'bite'. 

Since being back in VA, I've had to learn a few things and make some changes. In FL we had B blocked off from the kitchen but here its nearly impossible. He LOVES to tear out the trash so that has Ben immediately moved to a closet. Poor Roscoe went from eating when ever to eating only when B is sleeping. B loves to play in the dog water and mix the food with it. He also loves to tear my cabinets out so I've moved all the glass items to the back and let him have at it with my pots and pans. We also have stairs now and he can already break through the gate. I try my best to go on a large amount of walks. The more we are outside the less he messes. We go out back with roscoe, walk around our neighborhood, and water our flowers to keep busy. I've managed to get him on a schedule and its been going good. So far he's been going to bed between 6:30 and 7 which is a big difference for us. He use to settle down at 9:30 if we were lucky. He has so much energy that its really hard to keep up with him. I've had to start planning meals a little better and actually cooking something. I was really bad about not eating while Chance was underway but now I have to cook something! 

Needless to say I'm loving all these changes and I can't wait for the next one! Our daddy is going to turn things around again. Roscoe and I are extremely anxious. I can't wait for B to see his Daddy! Chance is so ready to have his little man back. I tear up thinking about how beautiful the reunion will be!

Have any of you dealt with a change? With kids? How did you handle it?

Update on our Daddy;

Yesterday morning the official announcement was made. Our Daddy is sailing home. The pentagon was the first to release the information and our ombudsmen still won't update us on it (the FRG and her suck. They don't do their job at all). Annnnywaaaaay, I can't give any dates as to what I've heard about the ships return but I will tell you that it should be soon. It sucks to not have an exact date but knowing he's on his way makes up for it all. I couldn't imagine spending anymore time away from him and I'm so relieved that they have decided to allow his ship to return to home port. This mess in Syria is scary. On one hand I do believe it is morally wrong and on the other I think American needs to stay out of it. We always get into things and it causes problems for us. We should be focusing on our economy and problems with our youth. 

To all of you brave sailors still out there, thank you for fighting. Thank you for allowing my husband to return home. I couldn't be more appreciative. B needs his Daddy here with him, we all do.

Homecoming;

I haven't really been sharing a whole lot lately because things have became a bit twisted. After the happenings with Syria we got some horrible news. Our Daddy's deployment has been extended indefinitely. Instead of being relieved by the USS Barry they reloaded all their weapons and headed East to the coast of Syria. If you've been following the news at all you'll know there are five destroyers off the coast and our Daddy happens to be one of them. His communication was cut off for a week and a half and just yesterday we were able to chat with him. It was so amazing to see him on FB and get to say I love you. It made everything so much more worth it. Today we still are unsure on his whereabouts and his return date. We continue to pray and ask that all of our friends do so too. This is a very trying time for me as a mother and a wife. I was excited for our little B to finally meet his Daddy and really get to know the man who has fought for all of our rights. 

I will continue to keep everyone posted on our situation and I have high hopes for the 'war'. 

Happy labor to you all

Goodbye once again;

      It's that time once again. Tonight we went to my Granny's to see everyone and say our goodbyes. This is one thing I can never get use to. Leaving the life you know and love so much is one part of military life I don't enjoy. This time it will be extra hard for everyone involved. B and I have been in Florida for the past eight months. We have lived with my Mom and Dad and spent every waking moment with family. It's going to hurt them so bad to see their first grand baby leave as well as Roscoe and me. My Mom, Dad and Granny have all had their turn with tears this past week anticipating the upcoming departure. Come Monday, Mom, B and I will be on our way to Virginia to make a permanent home once again. 

As bitter as I may seem on this subject, this all brings me one step closer to my husband. Soon Chance will be joining is back in Virginia and we'll be starting the frustrating house hunt all over again. He'll be able to remeet his little man and spend some much needed time with me. The Navy (insert military branch) life can be a hard one to adjust too. It comes with so many up but drags some agonizing downs. 

Bucket list;

   

This hunky man got a tattoo on Cyprus.

He is so proud of his job. I love that he went with the traditional anchor. I'm so incredibly jealous that he got another tattoo and even more jealous that it was in a different country! He has the chance to mark something off his bucket list and I'm so happy he did!

This handsome comb over man will be home before we know it! B and I are so incredibly excited to see our Daddy! I'm ready to have my partner in crime home and I can't wait to see B with the man of the house. I'm ready to have all my boys home and be back in our home. 

Pondering;

As I lay here next to my beautiful 10 month old, I find myself pondering what would we be doing if the sailor were here.  

It would be 11:15 in Virginia Beach right now. The last hour of Power Block would be blaring in the living room as I clean up from the fried egg sandwiches Chance begged me to cook. B and Roscoe would be out back frolicking or bothering Daddy as he tried to finish his shows and hunt for local car shows to head too. 

It's hard to believe that my husband has missed half of our sons life. He left when B was only 5 months old. Our little guy wasn't even sitting up and now he is running. Out of the 3.5 years we've been together Chance has been on two deployment. That's 16 months spent oceans apart. Out of those 3.5 years he's been gone at least another 12 months. States away or out somewhere floating at sea. 

With the end of deployment rushing upon us, I find myself in a panic. I have to find a new home, move in, & most importantly prepare my son to meet his Daddy. This is exciting and makes my stomach flop. The Navy leaves me with a feeling of joy. It keeps our love fresh. I get butterflies more often then not when my husband is near. It's always like we're falling in love. But how will B feel? He isn't find of men to say the least. He cries and rubs his face in my legs when men talk to him. My cousins and uncles try so hard to play with him and he won't have anything to do with them. This is scary for me. Chance and I have prepared for the worst when it comes to B. We've talked the situation over numerous times but I still can't imagine how I'd feel if my son cried when I tried to hold him. On this note, we must hope for the best. 

I can honestly say that the Navy is a blessing for us. My husband might be gone more often then not, but he's able to provide for us. B and I are beyond spoiled in every way. I drive a nice vehicle, we have nice clothes, & B is able to have anything he desires. We have great health insurance and I'm never worried about the bills. I will never take this for granted. I am extremely proud of my husband and I can only hope that B grows up to feel the same way about his Daddy. 

B is 9 months!

It's crazy how fast time flies. I feel like just yesterday I was in a panic at the hospital hoping Chance would make the birth of B and now he's 9 months old!

Our sweet little guy is growing very quickly! He began crawling and pulling up within a couple days of each other. Just a few days ago he took three steps! Three steps! Sheesh slow down kid!

He loves to eat. I try to feed him a taste of almost everything I eat. He's very finicky when trying new things and textures but he's getting better every day.

He talks up a storm! His favorite thing to say is Mama but he has a pretty big vocabulary for a 9 month old.

His daddy is missing him like crazy. I can't wait to see them together. I think it's going to be the best day of my life. We both love this little guy so much!

1/2 way there;

I began this post as one about pyrex. I ended up erasing it all because my mind just happens to be elsewhere at this time.

I'm about to rant. As the title states my husband is half way done with deployment. We are overjoyed that our Daddy will be home soon. He's been gone sometimes around four months (I'm trying not to dwell on the time) and they've have been anything but easy.

I'm not going to complain about deployment here. The deployment has gone swimmingly. It's going by super fast and we've been terrific. We've been communicating amazingly and doing what we can to get a little Daddy & B time. However, living at home is horrid. If you've moved out of your parents house do not go back. It's like a giant slap in the face. I took off work today to distress a bit only to wish I was at work. It's way to stressful to be home. It's not little B, he is so amazing. It's just my parents.

Not only am I stressing over living situations, I'm stressing over B's passport. We ended up canceling the trip we were needing it for but it's been a rough time with it. I've sent documents they have requested three times and still got denied. If I knew Chance being gone would cause this much problem with getting a passport we would have done it before he left.

Since everything has been adding up, I've decided that maybe heading back to Virginia is the right thing for us. It puts paying off my car on hold but it's well worth the time I'll have with B. of course this will mean quitting the job I've came to love and leaving the friends I have made but it's worth it in my mind. I'm starting to look at houses and apartments again and I'm now remembering how much of a pain it is just to find a place to stay.

Sorry for such a stressful post. I feel as I'd I need a warm bath and some hot tea ;)

Allusive much?

Why yes, yes I am. I know I've been such a horrid little blogger lately.

This past week I began working again. I haven't worked in over a year. I miss my little guy so much!!!! This is my very first full time job and I was actually excited to start! I worked at this daycare before I got pregnant and moved to VA so I was super ecstatic when they called me back!

The reason for my job you ask? Fortunately I do have a reason! My husband just received orders and we're going back to VA! How exiting for us!? We are definitely excited because we plan on becoming homeowners soon after our return. This means we need to pay my car off this deployment and put some money in savings. This can't be done without a little help from super woman ;)

How have all my lovely followers been?

Deployment;

I know I've been a horrid blogger lately.

Today marks a month down in our deployment. I hate admitting it but it has taking me this long to accept it and I'm still not there. It's way different to have a baby here waiting for daddy. I'm very thankful though. Chance has ported four times this month so we have skyped numerous times. They're all so bitter sweet. I love seeing his face but it sure makes me miss him.

B isn't to sure what to think. I'm not really sure he knew who daddy really was. I know he knew daddy but I'm not sure how much. Chance was away for quite sometime when B was little. I can't wait for them to see each other again though. I'm so excited for Chance to be able to see what a great little guy B has became. He's wonderful in every way.

I think now that deployment has started my blog is going to take a different turn. I'll probably be focusing more on deployment and mommy things rather then just ramblings with life. I hope my followers will continue to support me through all of this.

Bring on 2013 (2012 in review)!

What a year what a year!!

It's time to review this past year and see just how much I've changed and give my predictions for next year.

In 2012 I moved nearly 1000 miles away to make Virginia beach, VA my new home with my sweet husband. I got to be a proud navy wife and witnesd my husband reenlist for the good of his family. I got a Jeep Liberty as a birthday present as well as finally turned 20. We attended one wedding and numerous get togethers (can't forget our takamaka Sundays). I took the trip back home four times in total. My tummy got HUGE and out popped my little B. My husband very narrowly made the birth if our first child. I road tripped to Richmond and OBX to stay busy on weekends. I stayed in an apartment through one hurricane. I watched the summer Olympics and saw our president reelected. I cooked my very first thanksgiving dinner and many other dinners actually. I got to witness my baby grow and see my husband turn into an amazing father. I witnessed my husbands ship deploying for the second time and seen him for the last time in 2012.

This year has definitely been full of exciting memories. At this time next year I'll have my husband back from deployment. Hopefully we'll be stationed in Jacksonville but I'm happy with Norfolk as well. We'll have most of our debt paid off and may even own a house. We'll be trying for another little one and have a toddler running around. I'll be working and finishing my degree. I'll have branched out as a military wife and made more friends and participated more. I won't go through any long periods of time without my husband and he'll be able to see B grow everyday. I'll have a new tattoo or so and maybe some piercings. I hope next year is half as rewarding as 2012 has been. I've got to see and do so much!

Opinions on moving home;

As I was looking on my facebook the other day, I stumbled across a post that was a little offensive to me.

As you all know, my husband and I decided moving home during deployment was the best thing for us. This post was an administrator saying that she thought military wives who moved home were weak. Many women commented saying if they agreed or disagreed but there was one particular women who stood out. I had commented that I was moving home to save money and let my mom keep my baby while I goto school or college (yes I am paying my mom it isn't free childcare and plus I trust her way more then a daycare). The girl was calling people out and referring to them as "bitches" because they, WE, decided to move home for a deployment. I for one don't feel weak for moving home. She said that it was irresponsible and that I choose this life as a military wife. I feel like those statements are very wrong. I feel like moving home to save money and pay down debt is very responsible of me. I also feel like allowing my mom to keep my child so I can start school again and get a job is responsible. I'm being responsible for my future as well as my child's. I also don't think I chose this life. I chose my husband but he chose the military. I stand by him and I am very proud and thankful of him for his choices but I for one, did not choose to move away from my family. I don't feel like it makes me any less of a women to come home to my family and friends.

I've been in Norfolk for a year now and I have one person I can really trust. I don't want to be in Virginia without my family and friends. I've always lived very close to my family and have taken any chance I could to travel back home to them. I feel like being family oriented isn't weak but that's just me I suppose.

How do you guys feel on this subject? Do you think it's weak to move back home? Do you feel like you chose the life you live away from home? I would love to hear more opinions on the subject!

We're moving!!

That's right, B, Roscoe, and myself are moving home to Florida! My mom is on a plane coming to help drive down as I write this.

This is kind of a bitter sweet happening. As I said in my last post my husband's ship is deploying. I have elected to head home and start classes and working again while I have free childcare (my mom). I'm super excited to get back home to my family and friends. I can honestly say I won't be missing very many people here. I have one person that I truly consider a friend and I believe she's heading back home for the deployment as well. I keep hearing great stories about how supportive and friendly the military community is yet I can't seem to find friends that aren't corrupted. The one group of girls I really tried to be friends with ended up being druggies and I'm not cool with that.

Little B is ready to get back to some warm weather for a while! We're tired of it being 50 (yes I know it's colder for some of you). I also can't wait for my wonderful husband to meet us in Florida for Christmas. I'm super excited! Our anniversary is coming up as well; it's our first Christmas as a married couple!

I hope everyone is having an awesome December. This year has flown by!!

The joys of being a military wife;

The worst part about being a military wife is the time spent apart.

Today Chance leaves for a long underway. This underway leads to a short break then deployment. When is at short break I'm not exaggerating. He has 9 days between the two. I hate to complain,
but since this underway was a group mission and everyone else in the group cancelled then why the heck is the Mahan still going? That makes zero sense. We've been scrambling the past few days to prepare for the deployment at hand. We've bought new uniforms and got patches seen on, we've bought new under garments, and we even spent time packing all of his stuff already.

Tomorrow my mom arrives to help on our 15 hour trip back to FL. Yes, I amazing baby who is going home for deployment. I really have good reasoning though. I plan in starting school again and getting a job and lets face it, child care is WAY cheaper when my mom will be the care giver.

I'm really going to miss my sweet Hunky and I know he's going to miss b more then anything.

Why does thanks come once a year?

Yesterday I happened to see a million different post dedicated to being thankful.

I love holidays just as much as the next person. The thing I don't get is why we show the certain emotion once a year. Valentines, Fourth of July, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving are a few of the holidays I believe should be celebrated everyday. You should always let your love one know you love them. You should always be patriotic. You should always thanks your Veterans, and you should always show what you're thankful for. Even with saying this I know I'm guilty at not showing these things all of the time.

So enough of my anti holiday rant and a little about what in thankful for.

I'm thankful that this past year has been so rewarding for me. I'm thankful for all of my friends and family back home in FL. I'm thankful for my sweet baby boy that we're blessed with. I'm thankful for my freedom. I'm extremely thankful for my wonderful husband. Without him none of this would be possible. He's been such. A great Daddy to our son, he provides for us and makes sure I have all the means to be comfortable, he protects his country without complaining, and he loves me like a women would crave to be loved.

I am so so extremely blessed this year just as I am every year. I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving with their families. We ended up spending it on the ship since Chance had duty. He's had duty on thanksgiving all four years he's been in the Navy! Today we'll be feasting at home with a good family friend.

Veterans Day;

This holiday is really near and dear to my heart.

Of course as you all know my husband is in the Navy. He's been to war and I respect him and am so proud of him for this. B and I spent our day on the ship with Daddy since it was his duty day. We took our boys pumpkin cheesecake and watched some football with them. I'm so lucky to have a husband in a great division!

My grandfather on my mother's side fought in WWII in the Army.he received a Purple Heart and fought hard. He was in the Philippines and ended up catching a horrible bug. When I say bug it is literal. He died when I was only 7 because of a worm he got from the waters. The doctors had no idea what it was and could not cure him in time. I love my paw paw and am so proud of everything he did for his country even if he didn't really want to.

My grandfather on my fathers side retired from our Navy. He was on the USS Guam for a good portion of his Naval career. He served our country for a very long time. He now has stage 5 melanoma cancer in his spine from the Navy. He is so proud of his career in the Navy and for all he did. He shows his metals and tells his stories like it happened yesterday.

I am so proud of all the men and women who serve and have served our country. I respect them and feel for them each day. I'm proud to be an American and have such brave people to fight for our rights and freedoms!

InstaTuesday week 14

That's right, once again I'm linking up with Jane for a little InstaTuesday (you might as well just expect this every Tuesday)!!!!

Before sharing my pictures I want to talk about our lazzzzy weekend. We live in Virginia beach so we were in the path of Ms.Sandy. Fortunately for us, we kept power the whole time! I arrived home from Florida Friday only to get a text saying they were going to be doing a sortie (all the ships would head out to sea due to the storm surge). I was really upset that we came home to see Chance and he'd be leaving once again. Thankfully his lovely Captain is very family oriented and let the guys come home for the night. After returning to work the next morning I got a wonderful text saying it was cancelled and he'd be home Sunday! I was so relieved for my husband to be coming home. We mainly day around the house and watched TV but it was really nice to spend time together and have an extra hand with little B.

Now for my Instagram pictures:

InstaTuesday week 13;

I want to apologize to everyone for my lack of post and the sloppiness of what I have posted. Since I'm on vacation I'm been using my phone to post and the capability is very limited! We live in a state forest so they still have no way of getting WiFi to my home. This leaves me with a choice of extremely slow dial up or sloppy 3G.

Once again I'll be Joining Jane and linking up for InstaTuesday. My Instagram is samijcopeland. Head on over and follow me or leave your username and I'll be sure to check you out!

It's so hard for me to chose pictures but most of these are from my trip and the photo a day challenge. I over load on baby pictures but he always does the cutest things!!!