Back Together
Chris & I in St. Louis!
Let’s talk about Chris aka Mr. Sarcastic, shall we?
If you have guessed that we are back together, you are correct! It’s hard to put into words exactly why or how we have gotten to this point without sharing every detail of our relationship and diving into each of our past relationships but I am going to give it a go.
Both of us have baggage. Emotional baggage from previous relationships. With that baggage comes a certain amount of hesitation about opening ourselves up wholly to each other. In my case, I am a runner. When things get rocky or make me uncomfortable, I run away. (Ironic, isn’t it?) This keeps my safe and it allows me to remain in control of things. But it also prohibits me from working through things and giving any relationship a fair chance.
Chris also has his own baggage but it’s not my place to discuss that here. What I will say about Chris is that when we were broken up, he didn’t give up on us. He kept fighting for us and encouraged me to give us the opportunity to work through the rocky stuff. He recognized that what we have is special and that it was worth working on.
So that’s what we are doing. We are working on it. 
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy belated Valentine’s Day everyone! <3
I think you all know who I spent my day with but just in case you forgot, here’s a little reminder.
Cutest Valentine ever right?
Yesterday my Facebook and Twitter feeds were filled with an equal combination of those celebrating Valentine’s Day and those who were not. I fall on the side of those who celebrate it. I wholeheartedly believe that you shouldn’t wait for a special occasion or holiday to tell or show the people in your life how much you love them but I also see nothing wrong with taking advantage of special days or holidays to make someone’s day extra special!
To make the day extra special for my little Valentine, I surprised him with this.
The mailbox had some of his favorite sweets and a cute little stuffed animal. The card had a knock-knock joke on the inside which was perfect for Little B because he LOVES knock-knock jokes. Want to hear it?
Knock-knock?
Who’s there?
Jamaica.
Jamaica who?
Jamaica me smile every time I see you!
Feel free to use that knock-knock joke anytime you want!
Little B also got this as a surprise.
How is this a present for him, you might ask? Well his little dresser and lower closet rack allows him to pick out his clothes all by himself. For a five-year old, there is no better gift than being more independent! Technically it was a gift for me too. I love it when things are organized and now I no longer have to stand at Little B’s closet and show him every piece of clothing so he can decide what he wants to wear for the day!
Now I want to know how your Valentine’s Day was! And what side are you on? Do you celebrate Valentine’s day or not?
A New Chapter Begins
I thought about titling this post “Another Chapter Ends” but saying something has ended seems so negative and I like to try to focus on the positive.
There is no good way to say this other than to come right out and say it. Mr. Sarcastic and I broke up a few weeks ago. I’m not going to share they whys and the hows of the break up but I will say that our relationship together was one that I am glad that I had and it was one that I needed to have. It was a relationship that I will look back fondly upon as I am grateful for all the good times that we had together and for all the things that we learned by being together. It was a relationship that will forever change what I look for in future relationships and it has helped my define what I need in a relationship in order to be completely happy. And in all honesty, it was a relationship that was difficult to turn the page on.
It was a relationship that taught me that although it may be difficult to turn the page, sometimes you have to do just that. Turn the page.
How We Met
Have you been patiently waiting for me to reveal how Mr. Sarcastic & I met or did you take a peek at my Facebook or Twitter pages? Well, just in case you didn’t find out how we really met, I will tell you now. Drum roll please…………..
The correct scenario from my blog post on Tuesday was scenario #2. That’s right, we met through a dating website. And shockingly only ONE person correctly guessed that we met that way. A majority of people thought that scenario #1 was how we met. Back when Mr. Sarcastic and I first started talking and before we had met in person, he made up that story for us to use to tell people so that we didn’t have to say that we met through a dating site. You know, because no one really wants to admit that they met online. We have never used that story, it was just something fun for us to concoct and laugh about.
Although I was very much against being on the dating website, I am certainly glad that my co-workers put me on it. I will give you a word of caution though. If you decide to try out a dating website for yourself, be prepared to weed through a lot of undesirables. A. LOT. You should have read some of the messages that people sent me. Eeesh! But what have you got to lose? Sometimes you find happiness in the least likely place at the least likely time.
Are you surprised at how Mr. Sarcastic and I really met? Have you ever tried a dating a website? If so, what was your experience?
Six Months and Counting
Today marks six months since Mr. Sarcastic and I became an official couple. Crazy, right?
To celebrate that day, let’s play a guessing game about how the two of us met. Listed below are three different scenarios, read through them and pick which one you think is the true story of how we met. Ready?
Scenario #1: One day while I was out for a run, I had a close call with a car as I attempted to cross the intersection. I thought the driver of the car saw me but like most drivers who are turning right he did not look right! (That’s another blog post all on its own!) I of course reacted by giving him the finger and yelling a few choice words. It was well warranted, trust me! He responded by rolling down his window and apologized profusely to me. We ended up talking for a few minutes and then he invited me out for coffee. I was a little hesitant but he was cute and I was recently single, plus he owed me something for almost hitting me! I suggested we go for ice cream since I don’t like coffee. Our ice cream date turned out to be a great success and the rest is history!
Scenario #2: I had been threatening one of my co-workers that I was going to sign him up for a dating website. He ended up beating me to it and with the help of two other co-workers they made me a profile on dating site instead! I was leery about it but agreed to humor them and keep it up till the end of the week. I perused the site for a little bit and came across a profile that interested me. I wasn’t brave enough to send him a message but we played a continuous game of looking at each other’s profile until he finally messaged me. His message was a breath of fresh air compared to all of the messages that I had been getting so we ended up chatting back and forth. Before the end of the week I gave him my number and he asked me out for coffee. Since I don’t like coffee, I suggested we meet for ice cream. Our ice cream date turned out to be a great success and the rest is history!
Scenario #3: While grocery shopping one day I kept spotting a cute guy in various places throughout the store. We eventually ran into each other in the frozen food section as we were both buying garlic bread. He made some comment about us both having ingredients for a spaghetti dinner in our cart. We laughed about that and chatted very briefly. On the way out of the store I stopped at the Redbox kiosk to get a movie and guess who was at the kiosk next to me? Since the ice was already broken, we talked a little bit more and eventually he asked me out for coffee. I suggested we go for ice cream as I don’t like coffee. Our ice cream date turned out to be a great success and the rest is history!
Leave a comment below indicating what scenario you think is the real story of how Mr. Sarcastic and I met. I will reveal the answer on my blog later this week. If you don’t want to wait, I will announce it on my Facebook and Twitter pages at the end of the day today!
Our Perfectly Imperfect Weekend
This past weekend Mr. Sarcastic and I put our relationship to the test. We went on our first trip together. It wasn’t just any trip. It was a trip that involved many hours in a car……with my four year old……to visit my hometown……and my Mom. Hey, go big or go home right?? Why have a romantic rendezvous away with just the two of us when we can test the limits of each other’s patience and sanity instead?
Prior to this trip our relationship has been pretty easy. We see each other a few times a week. Occasionally it involves our kids, but not often. Because of our limited time together we have pretty much only seen the best of each other.
Funny how all that can change in 48 hours.
By the end of the trip we had managed to sufficiently annoy each other, resorted to giving each other the silent treatment and mumbled a few choice words under our breath. In other words….we became an official couple. 
Here is how it all went down.
The day of our trip happened to coincide with a bad day / week at work for Mr. Sarcastic. Mix that together with a 5 hour drive and a kid who has the patience of well….a four year old and it makes for quite an adventure. And let’s not forget the added pressure of introducing Mr. Sarcastic to my Mom for the first time.
But then we went here and all of that nonsense didn’t matter.
We spent the rest of the night along the water looking for the elusive Petoskey stone and watching the sun set. Brennen was happily content picking up rocks and throwing them in the water. Lots of happy memories were made there.
We started the day on Saturday having breakfast with my Mom and then the remainder of the day was spent playing fudgie (a name given to tourists because of all the fudge they buy and eat). Like the day before there were a lot of ups and downs. Brennen had several breakdowns for various reasons, we walked a few miles in the wrong direction and then a gazillion miles up the hilliest path on Mackinaw Island all the while I was pushing Brennen in a stroller. (I think I was being punished.) We even managed to liquefy the fudge that we bought. But walking in the wrong direction gave us views of the Island I hadn’t seen before and the hilliest paths proved to do the same. And in between Brennen’s breakdowns was the silly little boy that makes me smile.
Arch Rock on Mackinaw Island
Now if that doesn’t make you smile…nothing will.
We also spent some time at my favorite beach. We found a few souvenirs to take home but we also left behind some as well.
Looking for pretty rocks for our collection.
Leaving our mark in the sand….
Sunday we headed home. Another fun filled adventure of being cooped up in the car. Add in a breakdown at McDonald’s because the play area was closed and three tired people from a jam pack weekend and that would summarize our return trip.
The weekend was by no means perfect. Life is not perfect. But in between all those little imperfections are pieces of what is perfect for me. And this weekend was imperfectly perfect.
Soldier Story Saturday: A Tale of Two Soldiers
Today’s Soldier Story Saturday is written by my friend Lani who also happens to be a Michigan girl at heart! On top of being a Wife, a Mother and a Soldier Lani is also a runner who is currently training for the Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon in Phoenix on January the 15th as a member of Team in Training. I should also mention that Lani’s youngest son is just shy of 3 months old!!! Big props to Lani for training for such a big race so soon after having a baby! If you would like to donate to Lani’s fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please click here. Now here is Lani’s story!
Him: It was March of 1989 and he was ready to get away from New Mexico and his home. He joined the Army and became a Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. Barely 18, he was sent on a plane to jump into Panama to go after Noriega. That was just the start of much combat experience for this Soldier. He spent time in Haiti. He’s been places many people don’t even know existed. He was deployed to Iraq during Desert Storm and saw stuff that still haunts his dreams to this day.
Her: A college senior was doing her student teaching in a band room in central Michigan. She wanted to be a band director, but felt there was something missing with her life. One day, an Army Recruiter and a Band Liaison came to talk to the high school band about the life of an Army bandsman. She auditioned for and was accepted into the Army band program and signed her enlistment contract soon thereafter. Graduation was just a couple of months away, and graduate she did – and then she headed to Basic Training. That was the summer of 1999.
Lani leading the band as the Drum Major.
Him: 14 June 2000 (that’s how we do the dates in the Army) was not a good day. Or was it? He was on a routine training jump when things went wrong. His parachute collapsed and he fell from the sky 200 feet up. He landed on his head and was in a coma for a week. He woke up from the coma and was sent back to his unit for light duty. During this time, he was assigned to work at the post museum, in charge of the Soldiers mowing the grass and doing other work. But he also started researching the Vietnam War and acquiring equipment and uniforms from that time. One of his first (or maybe THE first) events as a living historian was at an air show in Columbia, SC.
Her: Ft. Jackson, SC, was her first duty station, and as a member of the band, she played concerts, ceremonies, and parades all over the state. But that day she was playing at an air show in Columbia, where Ft. Jackson is located. Since her apartment was less than a mile from the air show site, she decided to drive to this performance. After the band was done performing, she decided to walk around and look at the displays, being a history buff. And then she wandered into “Vietnam” and there he was. He had an extra ticket to that evening’s USO (United Services Organization) dance and he invited her to attend. He also gave her $20 in case the ticket didn’t work. Well, she had to go to the dance, if nothing else than to give him his $20 back.
Them: They had a great time at the dance although they didn’t dance much. They enjoyed the big band music of the 40s and talked a lot, getting to know each other. He asked her out and she said yes. That was 10 years ago, and now former Staff Sergeant Ryan and current Staff Sergeant Lani have been married for almost 9 years. They have endured three major separations – their engagement and first few months of marriage while Lani was in Korea (they got married during her mid-tour leave) and then two deployments – 6 months to Afghanistan and a year to Iraq. Lani and Ryan have two sons, Robert (age 7) and Thomas (age 2 1/2 months). Lani is currently stationed at Ft. Huachuca, AZ, and is still with the band after 12 years of service to her country with the U.S. Army. Ryan is a disabled veteran who enjoys golfing, doing ceramics, and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Their Wedding Day!
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Happy Brothers! <3
f you are interested in contributing a story to the Soldier Story Saturday series, please contact me by email at bamoats@gmail.com If this story or any of the other stories featured in the series have moved you enough to donate to my Wounded Warrior Project fundraiser, please click here to do so. Thank you.
Brennen’s Story: Part 2
This is a continuance of Brennen’s Story: Part 1.
After receiving the news, Andrew and I were elated! We wanted to share our happiness with everyone we encountered. However, we decided to wait out the first 3 months before officially announcing my pregnancy.
During the first month of my pregnancy I continued going to the infertility clinic for exams and ultra-sounds. My first ultra-sound showed that only one of the embryos “stuck.” As much as we wanted to have twins (since we knew that we would never go thru IVF again), we were just happy to be pregnant. After a month of normal check-ups, I was released to my ob-gyn for the remainder of my pregnancy.
Once I got through my first trimester, we finally got to share our news with the world! What a great feeling it was too finally tell people I was pregnant.
I wish I could say that my entire pregnancy was easy and problem-free. I can say that the first 13 weeks of my pregnancy were amazing! I did not have any issues. I was happy, life was good. However, week 14 changed all of that.
When I was 14 weeks pregnant Andrew and I were at my company’s annual picnic. It was a cold and rainy day but we were having a good time despite the weather. Our good time came to a screeching halt when I headed to the bathroom and discovered I was spotting. Andrew and I immediately left and headed for home, both of us fearing the worst. A call to my ob-gyn did nothing to ease our fears as she told us that if I was having a miscarriage there was nothing they could do to stop it but she also said it was up to us if we wanted to proceed to the ER. Initially we tried to wait it out at home, but as the bleeding got heavier and I became more hysterical, we decided to head to the hospital. We waited for an eternity in the waiting room and then another eternity in a private room. Once I was finally taken for an ultra-sound, I waited alone for the technician to tell me my fate. Imagine my relief when she showed me that the baby was fine! After this incident, I was put on bed rest for a few days and given restrictions on physical activity for the remainder of my pregnancy. Despite reassurance from my doctor that the baby was okay, my outlook on my pregnancy was forever changed.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed being pregnant. I loved watching my stomach get bigger and bigger, knowing that the baby inside me was getting bigger too. I loved feeling the bubbles of the baby’s first movements which eventually led to ferocious kicks as time went on. I enjoyed reading and singing to the baby. But partly because of what happened during week 14 and partly because of our struggle to get pregnant, I lived every day in fear that something would happen.
Another highlight of my pregnancy, was finding out that we were having a boy! I had suspected it all along as only boy names were appealing to me. However, the same ultra-sound that showed we were having a boy also showed my doctor that the baby was not measuring properly. This red flag resulted in a second ultra-sound which only furthered my fears. At my next ob-gyn visit we were given the results. My doctor said the baby was healthy but that he was going to be short. Please forgive my response, but I said “You mean, he’s going to be a midget?” (Hey I was pregnant, so I can be excused for politically incorrect statements, right?) The doctor said he was just going to be shorter than the average person. Phew! Another sigh of relief! I mean Andrew and I aren’t exactly tall people, we weren’t expecting our child to be tall.
About a month before my due date, I began to dilate. At each sub-sequent doctor’s visit, I continued to dilate more and more and at each visit the doctor would say, “He will be here any day now.” Eventually my doctor scheduled me to be induced because she was concerned that once I went into labor, I would not make it to the hospital in time due to how dilated I was. In all honesty, it felt like it was very fitting for me to be induced. I mean my pregnancy was very planned, why not my labor and delivery too? On January 22, 2008 I was induced around 9am. Overall my labor and delivery was very smooth (not nearly as scary as all the stories people like to tell you). The only issue that arose was quickly resolved by ensuring I laid on my side as Brennen’s heart rate dropped if I was in any other position. I received an epidural about 1 hour before I gave birth and I pushed for 45 minutes. At 3:06pm on January 22, 2008, I heard the greatest sound I have ever heard – the cries of my son! Brennen Zachary had finally arrived and in my opinion je made the world a better place!
I was officially a Mom!
