Happy Memorial Day!

We returned a few hours ago from our trip to Normandy.  What a fantastic way to celebrate Memorial Day.  I'll save the details of this trip for posts throughout the week.  For now, I'll leave you with a breath-taking photo I took at the National American Cemetery in Normandy that honors those who fell in Europe during World War II.

We were truly honored to be there.  There aren't enough words to express the gratitude we felt for those whose graves we stood upon; those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our freedom.

Today, we honor them and all of our brothers and sisters in arms who also paid the ultimate price; as well as those who have served and continue to serve our great country on the homefront and abroad.



I took this picture at the Normandy American National Cemetery.  The cemetery overlooks both the English Channel and Omaha Beach, one of the landing beaches of the infamous D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.  A huge celebration to commemorate D-Day will be held next weekend.

And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave,
for glory lights the soldier's tomb,
and beauty weeps the brave.
~Joseph Drake~


Happy Memorial Day!



Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

I found this picture on Erin's blog, Every Branch.  Isn't it lovely?  Happy Military Spouse's Day to all the fabulous military spouses out there.  We all know that behind every servicemember--be it Soldier, Airman, Sailor, or Marine--is one heck of a significant other, whose unwavering support and unconditional love we could not be without.  Pat yourselves on the back today!

I'm gonna pat my husband on the back because he's one heck of a super-stud military spouse,  a far-out awesome dad, and my biggest fan.  I would not be able to do what I do everyday if it weren't for his love, constant guidance and encouragement.

And if it's okay, I'm going to pat myself on the back because I know I'm one heck of a military spouse myself :)

This day is doubly special because our baby girl is exactly 9 months old today...

...but I'll save her monthly update for another post, maybe on Monday after she's had her 9 month check-up.  And by the way, Malu said he was trying to do the front "poof" hairstyle that his sister, Lulu, sports.  Nice try, babe.  Nice try.  The outfit is so cute though, no?

Happy Friday you guys!  Weekend....woo hoo!!!

Military Spouse Blog Hop!

I just love participating in blog hops. They're so much fun and you get to meet so many cool people. This one is especially significant because it's for military spouses. I found out about it through Jes's blog, Day to Day Life of An Army Wife. You should go and check it out. She's in the middle of a PCS to Japan. I thought I was cool getting an assignment to Germany, but how cool would it be to get over to Japan? Too cool.

Turns out that this blog hop is being hosted by Riding the Rollercoaster. And although I'm probably a little late in doing this, it's still a great opportunity and a way to let everyone know that I LOVE being in the Army Wife and being in the Army myself.

I'm supposed to leave a brief bio on myself and many of you who've visited my blog before probably know my whole story. But bare with me as I try to sum up my history with some new followers!

1) I'm an Army brat. My dad retired as a Sergeant Major after 24 years in the Army. He never coaxed me into joining the Army. It's just something was I felt was fitting to do. And I always loved the Army life growing up, despite the many moves--especially one just before my senior year in high school. It's funny, at that one particular time, I swore I would never put my kids through something like that. And then, 5 years after that, I was commissioned into the Army from Colorado State University at Fort Collins.

2) I'm a Human Resources Officer, but had a short detail in the Chemical Branch when I was a Lieutenant. So, I did some schooling at Fort Leonard Wood (aka "Lost in the Woods"), Missouri, before going to Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, before winding up at my first duty station at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. I spent my first 5 1/2 years in the Army there and loved it.

3) While at Fort Bragg, I was deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005 and just happened to stumble upon the guy who would eventually become my beloved hubby. He and I were married in Columbia, South Carolina in June 2007. I was at my Advanced Course at Fort Jackson at the time. We never had a ceremony...we just had our marriage license and certificate notarized there with plans to have a ceremony later--like in 2008.

4) But shortly after that, the Army sent me to a grad school of my choice. So I opted to get an MBA from Colorado State University in Pueblo--not too far from Colorado Springs (where my parents live). At the same time, Malu had just gotten off of Active Duty. A few months later, he decided he missed the Army too much and joined the Army Reserves. A few months after that and not too long before I graduated, he deployed to Iraq. And at that point, still no wedding.

5) After school, I was sent here to Fort Bliss, Texas and I've been here since January 2009. Malu, the hubby, returned from his deployment in late August 2009, but hopped on another deployment because I had to deploy with my unit in November 2009. We wanted to get on the same deployment cycle. But after 2 weeks of being in Kuwait/Iraq, I found out that I was pregnant and was sent home. Go here for the full story. But I got home in time to see Malu off to his third deployment. And he's still over there now.

6) In the meantime, I'm almost into my third trimester and we're waiting on our very firstbaby--a little girl named Vaiosina. And I've been enjoying this pregnancy despite the difficulties of doing it alone.

7) I will be moving to Stuttgart, Germany in January. By then, Malu will be home to help me get settled in and at the same time will be trying to get back on active duty so that he can eventually join me there.

I tell ya, the dual military life is not easy. But it has its rewards too and I am humbled to be both a spouse to a fantastic Army Soldier and to serve as one myself. This August, I hit my 9th year in the Army too. How crazy is that? And how crazier is it that because of all these deployments we still haven't had a real wedding yet? Oh, someday. I'm thinking about just doing a vow renewal thing (although technically, we never took vows) at our 5-year mark. We'll have to wait and see!

Happy Saturday to everyone! The huge wind storm brought back some cold temperatures and now I'm completely under the weather and staying in today. Glad I have so many movies to watch!