- Vent -

 

     Fellow Spouses: Do any of you sometimes feel that when you are with your Friends or Family that you have the words "emotionally unstable" or "Oh, why yes. I would LOVE for you to bring up that my Husband is deployed because I'm definitely not reminded of that daily" written on your FACE?! I feel like most people I know do not know how to act around me any more. It's becoming really frickin' awkward. They are starting to over analyze my moods and mistake my "tiredness" for being depressed about deployment (more like mother nature is visiting and I'm a bit fatigued, people!) Or they mistake my "sour attitude" for me missing my Husband (apparently, I'm just not allowed to have bad days anymore). My favorite is when people say, "Gosh, this must be so hard for you! I would never want my daughter to marry someone who is in the Service." YUP! People say the DUMBEST things. I feel like a freak of nature that everyone is staring at when I walk into the room. Like they expect me to burst into tears when they say, "Hi". When actually, I'm doing perfectly fine. Of course I miss my Husband but I'm so excited for him and what he's doing right now. If anything, the way everyone is treating me is the only thing that's putting me down. I'm hoping this will all fade, SOON. I want my normal support system back!

- Alli! That's hello in Palau, I think.... -

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     Yup, my Husbands second port was, Palau. It's an Island Country in the Western Pacific. Palau is most famous for, Jellyfish Lake. It's a freshwater lake containing millions of stingless freshwater jellyfish that have lost the ability to sting due to having no natural predators. Each day, the jellyfish rise to the top of the lake to take in the sunlight. The jellyfish swim to the surface by the millions and you’re able to swim with them. Jordan was extremely excited to do this! So glad he got the opportunity to do so :)

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     Parrotfish are extremely common in Palau. So, its normal for the locals to eat this fish...WHOLE. Deep fried. I'm am in NO way a fan of ANY type of sea food! So, this was extremely gross to me. My husband wanted to try it, ate the whole thing - scales and all! Then decided to take a goofy picture pretending to go for the head. Thanks Babe, hated loved opening up that email!

- Aloha from Hawaii! -

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     First stop on my Husbands Deployment, Hawaii! They anchored there about 2 weeks ago (for security reasons I wont mention what ports he's in currently until they leave). They were only in port for 1 1/2 days though. Unfortunately, Jordan had duty. Poor baby! He did get about 3hrs where he was able to go out into port and get a Hamburger and a GoPro Camera. I told him his crappy iPhone pictures were not cutting it! He said it was a pretty odd scene while in Hawaii. It was RIMPAC week (it's the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise). So, he was watching a bunch of Japanese Ships pull in and dock into Pearl Harbor.... If watching Japanese Ships pull into Pearl Harbor, passing Submarines their country sunk 71 years ago isn't confusing/emotional...I don't know what is!

- Red, White & Blue... I'm so Proud of you! -

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       Just sent my Husband his Second Care Package. Its 4th of July themed. I saw on Facebook today that his ship received their first load of mail. Hoping he got his first Care Package! This Care Package included the following:

• Snack, snacks and more snacks! Granola Bars, Gummies, single serving Cereals, microwavable Velveeta Mac n' Cheese, Trail Mix, Goldfish, Ande's Mints, Two bags of microwavable Popcorn, microwavable Chef Boyardee Ravioli, Sour Patch Kids and Jolly Rancher's.
• Rock-star and Monster energy drinks.
• More pictures to add to his Photo Album.
• Notes I have been taking at Church so he's up to date.
• Two Love Notes because he's extremely missed!
• Eye Drops because his contacts always dry out.
• Fabreze, they don't always have time to do laundry!
• Wet Ones, they dont always have time to shower!
• Chapstick and Sunscreen. Its getting to be over a 100 degrees where he's at :(
• A crazy Mouse looking Beanie for "Crazy Hat Day" on the ship.
• A DVD containing the best of, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
• In a separate box I sent him a sturdy, "Clip On" fan, for his bunk. He's tired of sweating himself to sleep. Poor baby :(

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     Saw this idea floating around tumblr and had to do it! So, I put our niece in her Digi onesie and placed her in a large flat rate box. Took a picture and added it to one of the flaps in the Care Package and gave it, "I tried to send you Vera... it didn't work!" as the caption. Simple, but something that's going to brighten his day!

- Military Discount Days -

Best part about being married to a Sailor? Military Discounts!

     I'm a scrap booking, craft obsessing, shadow box nazi, pinterest pinning pro. And I definitely over decorate the inside and out side of my care packages. If you are like me - just wanted to let you know that JoAnn's is having their "Military Discount Days" this July 1st through the 7th {2012}. Present proof of military service, past or present or Military Dependent ID to receive a discount - 20% off your total purchase! Includes regular-sale-priced and clearance items! In stores only, not valid at Joann.com.

You're welcome :)

- Clean Diet -

 OK body, is this a clean enough diet for you?

     I went to Sprouts last night to do some Organic and Clean grocery shopping. Going to Sprouts is ALMOST as good as going to Disneyland! I want to make sure I am in tiptoe shape when my Husband comes home. I'm excited to start a healthy, strong, clean lifestyle. I loaded up on Veggies, Fruit, Wholegrain and Protein. I'll be tracking my progress every 4 weeks! And at the end of a SUCCESSFUL four weeks, I'll reward myself. Like...Disneyland! If I do good these next four weeks I am going to take my Niece to Disneyland, for her first time!

     Being healthy is extremely important. Its also really important to focus on this during a deployment. We need to make sure we take care of ourselves which can easily be forgotten! Its really easy to either over eat from depression or to not eat enough because we are so busy taking on our Husbands normal chores. I found a blog that may be useful to some of you. Her name is Taralynn McNitt and shes a complete inspiration! Follow her at undressedskeleton.tumblr.com

- Deployment Survival Kit -

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     Sent my Husband his first Care Package today. It was “Deployment Survival Kit” themed. Oh, and ignore that I spelled "Deployment" wrong on the box...I fixed it after I took the picture. Care Package included the following:

• Hot Sauce and Garlic Salt - to season the ships (sometimes gross) food.
• Pocket size snacks - for those busy days.
• A photo Album - filled with pictures of Us, Family and Friends.
• Wrinkle remover and Lint roller - to help keep his uniform spiffy.
• Proactive Soap Bar - to help scrub the days crud off.
• Extendable back scratcher - since he no longer has his personal one, me.
• A Monster - an energy drink for those hard days.
• A Book - to help pass time during Duty.
• Special note from me - Filled with encouraging words and Bible verses to reflect on.
• A Cigar - to have an excuse to go “topside” to get some much needed sunshine.

- Fresh Water Washdown -

       CMC Snyder (Command Master Chief) on Jordan's ship is really good about posting pictures of the current activities aboard the Benfold to the Benfold Facebook page. I realized this the last time Jordan was out to Sea so he now makes a effort to get his picture taken, lol. It's almost a comforting feeling to see current pictures of him and the whole crew. Best part, CMC Snyder likes to write silly captures to the pictures! These two pictures were taken on June 18th. They were in the middle of a Fresh Water Washdown. Notice how BEAUTIFUL and blue that ocean looks! They are on their way to their first port, Hawaii.

First picture, Jordan is the sweeper on the Left. Second, Jordan is in the Middle. Miss that face!

- June 15th, 2012. At 1300. Departure Day -

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     Yes, “Departure Day” came and passed. Jordan left June 15th, 2012 at 1300 for his 8 month Deployment. Probably one of the hardest things I had to deal with. I did pretty well with the whole situation until the ship actually started to pull away from the pier…. That's when I started to panic a little. But, once everything was over and Jordan's ship started to disappear into the horizon, I felt better about everything. I'd have to say, I am so PROUD of Jordan and the outlook he has on this deployment. He has a strong idea and knows what he needs to get done while out at sea. So, that when he gets home we can start our life together! Finally be able to buy our own place, get a dog, etc. Distance makes the heart grow fonder; this Deployment will do nothing but make our marriage even more stronger! I'm excited about the adventures he will come across, the hard work he’s going to put into his Naval career and of course, for that Homecoming!

     Jordan and I would both like to thank my Dad (PH3 – Photographers Mate – Veteran) for joining us for the Departure. He took amazing pictures to document that day for us and our Family. But, most definitely I appreciate him for accompanying me on the 2hr car ride home. Not sure if I could have done that by myself.

     I miss you so much already babe! Come home safe, have amazing adventures and work hard. You are absolutely my everything, I adore you! There are no words I could type or speak that could even come close to describing how much I love you! All I can say is, I am BLESSED to have you as my Husband. Forever and ever, Amen.

- Christmas on the Benfold -

       My poor Baby had duty on Christmas Day for the second year in a row! I know how miserable he felt about it so I knew every other Man and Women on the Benfold {name of his Ship} would too. I decided to get on Pinterest and search for the perfect Christmas inspired baked goods to make Goodie Bags for everyone! I dropped them off right before their Christmas dinner, it was perfecting timing as a desert for everyone. I got many "Thank You's" and Jordan was so proud he had to make sure everyone knew that HIS WIFE made them, so cute. It was an awesome feeling!

Resources:

Chocolate Andes Cookies 

Holiday Pretzel Bites 

     The Holiday Pretzel Bites were a HUGE hit. I'm pretty positive those could stay fresh if they were to be shipped properly in a Care Package. I may have to do those {none Christmas style} in the future for deployment.