{merry christmas time}

With each change of the season, I get so excited...at the end of every season, I am glad for the change. But none excites me more than the beginning of the Christmas season. It is the day after Thanksgiving, and I am ready!

You would have thought it was magic when I plugged in that first strand of Christmas lights that I had placed in my son's sweet hands.

I cannot wait to soak in every day of this Christmas season.

{commission}

For almost a month and a half now, I have been a Second Lieutenant's wife. My husband has been in the Marine Corps since we met, but he took his oath of office at the end of September to become an officer in the United States Marine Corps. 

We were allowed to do whatever we wanted for the ceremony, so this was one of the first parties that I did everything for from start to finish {my wonderful mama did pick up all the food from Costco for me - you can only get so much done in one day}. 

We had lots of American Flags as decor and lining the garden beds at the park

I made the programs myself on my trusty HP printer

Swearing his oath of office

I got to pin his Lieutenant's bars on 

Foot-poppin' kiss!

All pictures were taken by Captus Fotography

 

{remember with honor}

We ask a lot of those who wear our uniform. We ask them to leave their loved ones to travel great distances, to risk injury, even to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. They are dedicated. They are honorable. They represent the best of our country, and we are grateful.

-President George W. Bush - 02 OCT 01

Today we went to a local restaurant that was giving dinners to those with active or retired military IDs. Walking into the lobby full of strangers was like walking into a room full of friends. All of the older women smiled at me holding my little baby...the men shared what branch of service they had served in...to me, to us, just starting this life, just starting the hardest journey of our lives, it was so sweet to be encouraged by women who know my fears, my heartaches, my tears in the middle of the night, my pride, my love for one man, my love for my country, my obedience to my God, and my determination to live this life well. 

My husband is not a veteran, yet...he has not served in combat...but when he does, I am encouraged to know that I am in the company of the best of our country. 

{semper fi and happy birthday}

Today is the United States Marine Corps' birthday. It's pretty special to be a part of this family, even if it is just by marriage. I didn't swear an oath of allegiance and service to the Corps, but four years ago today, I said, "yes" to his "will you?" {Yes, I am that much of a Marine Corps Hard Core wife, that I got engaged on the Corps' birthday}. And then, 4 months later, I made a covenant with God and my husband. And so, by de facto, I joined the Corps.

I was talking to a friend who is marrying a service member - and had to speak the hard truth: it is harder to be the one who stays than the one who goes. But it is good. I love my Marine. I love my country. I love our friends who serve.

Semper Fidelis...and Happy Birthday to all Marines, past and present, and their Families.

{feeling crabby}

I finished it! This quilt I have been working on for the past month or so was an attempt to use up things lying around the house without spending more money. {it almost worked!} I just used embroidery floss that I had around, and fabric that I had around. And my wonderful mama had an awesome coloring book at her house that I nabbed the pictures from! The only things I had to buy were the batting {because that is a bit pricey, I don't keep it lying around - I only buy it for projects when I really need it, but I had a coupon, so no biggie}, and enough material for the backing and binding {I was able to gauge it pretty well, so I didn't really have any left over! Yay!}

I have just been letting Jack play around on it - I think it is going to become our storytime blankie....

...now to get back to my million other projects that I have around here {I've got to start that Project Life stuff!!!}

{it came!...and will you join me?}

It came! My Project Life kit came in the mail today!! I am so excited! I am just shocked by how awesome it looks {and how much came with this kit}.

It is a system of scrapbooking that involves journal cards and photographs in special page protectors {on the left-hand side of the photo}. :-) I think it is going to be great fun!

I am just about to go put together my first layout, but I want to know...

Would you like to join me in doing Project Life? There are an abundance of journal-ing cards here, and I would love to do this project with you! If you are interested, I would love to share...please let me know via Blogger, Facebook, Phone, Email - If you live close, we can have a get-together, if you live far away, we can be Project Life penpals!

Have a great evening!

{a project a day}

Are you like me? Do you have so many projects you would like to do that you don't even know where to begin?

I love projects...and by projects, I mean crafts. I am not really an adrenaline junkie, I don't like computer games or electronic games, but I do love crafts {just look at earlier posts in this blog}. So, I decided to add one more project to my huge list of ongoing projects: Project Life {website: http://beckyhiggins.com/}. It is a new way to scrapbook based on journal cards, mementos, and pictures. I love traditional scrapbooks with all the pretty stickers and embellishments, but I have a son. And I don't think he is going to be as into that sort of thing as I am. So, I thought I would give this a whirl and see if it would make a good baby book for him. I'll post updates...we'll see.

For now, I have to finish my little quilt that I made using fabric and embroidery floss that I found around my house! {shows you how much stuff I have for projects}. I am almost done, and can't wait to show you!

Here's a preview with the pillow I already finished that will match the quilt:

PS - This is a quilt and pillow set for children - not all of my home decorations involve a lobster wearing sunglasses...although it could be fun...