Friday Fill-In

What is your must have gadget? submittLink up here to participate! With My

 Flyboy
I guess right now it would be my phone.  We got iPhones when we came out here because it was free with the contract, and so far it has been handy to carry around.  I love the google maps app because we get lost a lot around here trying to find new places. 


How does your adulthood compare to what you imagined it would be like when you were a little kid? submitted by L to the Third
Well I didn't really think I was every going to get married, so that is pretty different.  I also always said I wanted to be a pediatrician, but I learned in high school that I really didn't like math and chemistry...so there went that plan!  Growing up a Marine's daughter, I didn't think I wanted to marry anyone in the military, but my mom always swore I would end up with a Marine...as always, mom was right. 

What is your favorite chocolate recipe? submitted by Our First Deployment
I love pretty much anything chocolate!  My favorite with chocolate would probably be cake balls though. 
How do you deal with military life when it gets to be to much or to hard? submitted by Combat Boots And Pointe Shoes
I usually walk next door to my friend's apartment and sit with her a little bit.  When we get too frustrated, we have an agreement that we can go to each other and just vent and calm down.  We have both shed some tears out of frustration and there is never any judgement. 
What piece of advice would you give a new Military spouse facing their first deployment? submitted by The Albrecht Squad
I haven't been through a deployment with my husband yet.  We're gearing up for our first one later this year, so I'm starting to get things in order so we're not rushing around last minute.  I've been through deployments with close friends and my brother though, and I know what helped me was to keep up with my schedule and stay busy. 



One Year in Okinawa!

Well little bloggie follwers, this weekend will mark my one year in Okinawa!  I can't believe our tour here is 1/3 done already.  The past year went pretty quickly, and I know the next two are going to do the same.  It's hard to believe a year ago I was sitting in Seattle getting ready to fly halfway around the world by myself.  Since then, we moved into our apartment, got our dog Inu, visit some great places, tried some yummy new food, made new friends, celebrated a birthday each, had our first married Christmas together, and our first anniversary. 

So far we haven't had any family visit, but that all changes soon!  My brother's girlfriend (and a great pen pal of mine) is coming for a couple of weeks this summer.  I'm going to start making a list of all the places I want to take her and another list of all the food we're going to make together!  I've never actually met her in person, but through our letters and emails I feel like I've known her for years!

Then this fall, my parents are visiting us!  My parents haven't been to Okinawa since we were stationed here almost 16 years ago, so this is going to be a very exciting trip for them.  They already have a list of places they want to visit and I'm going to try to introduce them to new things that have come up since they were here last.  It's going to be fun showing them around for once! 

Hubby will deploy later this year, so his parents are waiting until he gets back to visit.  I think they will here here next fall to visit us.  I have plenty of time to find even more places to show them and hopefully I'll be an Okinawa tour pro by then! 



Two more years here.  I'm going to make the most of it and I hope you guys stick around to hear all about it! 

Friday Fill-In

What are some of your ideas for staying connected with family...you know, those people we moved thousands of miles away from? submitted by Live it. Love it (or not). Write About It.
We skype our parents once a week and catch them up on everything we've been up to.  If something important happens between then, we try to make a call or I'll email them.  I also keep Facebook updated with pictures for our family and friends to see.  A couple of my friends and I send care packages to eachother every few months and we also keep up with actual letter writing (because who doesn't love getting a written letter in the mail?!?)


What's the most romantic gift you have GIVEN? submitted by Painting My Canvas
I really don't know.  I can't think of anything that is very romantic that I've given him.  Usually I get him what he needs or what I know he's been wanting for a while. 


Would you encourage your child, if they came to you and wanted to join the military? submitted by Perfectly Imperfect
I don't see why not.  I grew up a Marine brat and ended up marrying into the life.  My brother enlisted and couldn't be happier with what he chose for his life.  I definitely don't think I would discourage it if they wanted to join.  I think it's something to be proud of.


What is your least favorite bill to pay and why? submitted by A Little of This, A Little of That
I don't like paying for our base phone.  It's one of the few bills we have out here and it's not really that bad, but I always find it annoying.


What is the proudest moment you've had as a military spouse? submitted by Our Okinawa Life
It would have to be the time I went to a BBQ and one of the guys that works with my husband told me that he's a good Marine and he's happy he gets to work with him.  It made me feel really proud that they came and told me that.  I'm proud of my husband each and every day, but that moment definitely stands out to me. 

Friday Fill-In

During military separations (whether short or long) how do you keep yourself positive and motivated?
I have great friends who keep me busy!  Also, when I don't have contact with hubby, I email him at night just to let him know how my day went.  He may not get to read it, but I get to feel like I'm talking to him anyway.


What is your favorite concert you have ever been to?
I've been to Brad Paisley twice and they were my favorite.  He puts on a great show!


What do you miss most about your "hometown"?
I miss my family, friends, and green chile!  I miss ordering a pizza with green chile on it :(  I do love the food out here in Okianwa though! 

If you could run in any race, which charity would you choose to support?
Make A Wish   The daycare I worked at used to have fundraisers to raise money for them and I really like what they do. 

You find out Willy Wonka is your father, what 3 course meal do you INSIST he create in that stick of gum?
I'd want to start with a nice ceasar salad, then enjoy Penne alla Vodka, and end with a delicious cheesecake!  Yup...I want all the yummy fatty foods in my stick of gum! 

Friday Fill-In

Wife of a Sailor is where you'll want to go to link up!

1.Do you or your {spouse} ever wish your {spouse} was in a different branch of the military? submitted by The Turner Family

Heck no!  I grew up in a Marine Corps family!  I am so proud of him being a Marine

2.What duty station(s) are on your “No Way, Hell No, Not Going, Have Fun Unaccompanied” list and why? submitted by Every Branch
I don't think there is anywhere I wouldn't go with him.  I mean, I packed up my life and moved out here to Okinawa with him and we love it!  I may not like every place we get stationed, but I will make the best of it.

3.If you could be one age forever, what age would you choose and why? submitted by Three Krakens
I love being 25.  Each year I get older, I learn a lot, but this year is different.  I'm really becoming comforatble with who I am and hopefully learning to adapt better. 

4.If you were a breakfast cereal, which one would you be? submitted by the C.W.
Nothing too sugar coated.  I have a sweet side, but it's not a sugar coating side.

5.What is your morning beverage of choice and why? submitted by NH Girl Displaced
It's usually a cup of coffee, but right now I'm off of coffee for a month to see if it helps with my migraines.  I think I was overdoing the caffeine!

Our rings

Mr. Yellow Ribbon is asking to see your rings...link up here to show them off!

Did you look at rings together?

No we didn't.  He proposed to me 7 months after we started talking, and I had no idea it was going to happen!  Afterwards I found out he had been looking at rings for a few weeks and actually bought my engagement ring over two months before he proposed.  He knew my favorite cut so he went off of that and bought a beautiful ring all by himself.  Neither of us saw our wedding bands until they were put on our fingers. 


 Do you like your ring? Did you from the beginning?...and be honest!

I love my rings!  I was in total shock when I first saw it and couldn't believe how perfect it was.  I have small hands, so I didn't want anything too big because I didn't want it to look odd.  The center stone is the perfect size and the surrounding diamonds really make it shine!  Sometimes I still get distracted by it when the sun hits it just right!


How often do you wear your rings?

I wear them every day.  I take them off when I shower, when I do a lot of dishes, or if I'm baking and coloring icing.  Other than that, they are always on.


 Do you clean your rings?

I have a jewelry cleaner that I bought and I use it about once a month.  I've also had to get a stone replaced so it's been cleaned then too.


 What went through your mind the very first time you saw your ring?
Oh my gosh, is this really happening?  I hope he's not joking...that would be such a mean joke!  Wow...what a gorgeous ring!



What's on my phone?

Link up here to play along!

The apron I made...it's my first one, so I think it turned out alright

 St Patrick's Day craft from our monthly craft day

 My IV that they made way to difficult

 Flowers from hubby to help me feel better

 Inu's first time at the beach!  He was fine with the water
until he noticed the waves. 

 I love that we went to the beach on a February afternoon!

 The curtains I made for our swinging door in the kitchen