Lyric's Second Birthday

Oh, My Sweet Baby Girl,

Happy Birthday My Love.

I can't believe that it has already been two years. It feels like just yesterday, when I was anxiously awaiting for your arrival into the world. You could not get here fast enough. But when you finally made your debut, I could not be happier. I was so in love. I didn't know what love really was until I had you in my arms. I was on cloud nine. 

What an amazing adventure it has been. I was so afraid and scared that I was not going to be a good mother to you. I hope that I have done an okay of a job and that I make you glad to call me your mommy.

I have watched you go from a teeny, tiny, needy newborn. To an independent, determined, self-assured little girl who has her mind made up about almost everything.

In two short years you have taught me so much. Although, I thought that it was supposed to be your daddy and mommy's job to teach you.

I can already see traces of the woman that you are going to one day grow up to be. You are going to be a great mommy. And a great sister to your baby brother.

When I was a little girl and growing up,I imagined the little girl that I would one day have. You aren't anything at all that I imagined. Not even close. You are so much better, and amazing than I could have ever dreamed of. Sometimes when I look at your sweet face, I end up teary eyed. Because of just how lucky I am to be your mommy and have you in my life. 

I hope that I can always help to guide you in the right direction. I hope that I allow you enough freedom to make your own decisions. 

I have loved every single second of watching you learn and explore and grow. You are turning from a baby to a child far to quickly. Way to quickly. And boy, do I not like it. I hate it. I do, I hate it!

I would love to keep you exactly the way you are at this moment, forever. But I can't. I know that I can't. But, what I can do is to cherish every second that I have with you. Savor your high pitched giggles, your waking up every morning calling for "daddy" or for "mommy."

I have no doubts that you will conquer every obstacle in your future. You are wonderful. You are amazing. You are worthy. You are gorgeous. You are Loving. You are You. And your mommy loves you!

I love you forever.

Love,

Mommy

November 25, 2012

Thursday Five #6

Blessed

Delighted

Joyous

Cheerful

Jolly

Thursday Five #5

Joyful

Giddy

Excited

Thankful

Jubilant

Thursday Five #4

Joyful

Excited

Grateful

Appreciative

Elated

Thursday Five #3

Happy

Thrilled

Joyed

Ecstatic

Elated

Five Question Friday #28

1. Where do you hide the reeeally good snacks?

I don't have a place that I hide the really good snacks. Not yet, anyways.

2. Do u keep your vehicle clean or am I the only one who has things falling out of their van?

We tend to keep our vehicles pretty clean. At least we try our hardest. Chris is pretty good at keeping the Camry washed. The inside is usually clean, except for the some days old workout clothes that Chris left in the Camry for two-four days. It can get SMELLY!

3. Have you ever been to Vegas?

Yes, I have been to Vegas. Not to gamble or anything. I have caught a few connecting flights from the airport. 

I remember going to Circus Circus while I was in 9th grade after competing in a band competition.

4. Warm room light blankets or cold room warm snuggly blanket?

I like either. 

5. What is the worst airplane/flying experience you've ever had?

I don't remember. All my recent airplane/flying experiences have been really well.

Thursday Five #2

Happy

Giddy

Grateful

Joyful

Gleeful 

Wednesday Wishes #11

{one}

Go to the Melting Pot with Chris.

{two}

Valentine's Day Cookies.

{three}

Cut my hair... And...

Donate to Locks of Love

We Want To Know #28

{1} Which of the following phrases characterizes how you live your life?
a. You only live once 
b. test the water before jumping in 
c. stability is the key to life


100% C. I love my marriage. I love my job (being a stay at home mommy), I love that Chris has a job and it is secure. 


{2} What were you doing the last time you had a really good laugh?


I was watching Lyric play. She is always making me laugh by doing something while she is playing. The last thing that she was doing that made us laugh was she was leaning over like she was going to do a summer-sault, put her hand under her and behind her to grab one of her rings to her ring thingy and fell over and ended up sitting on her arm. 


{3} Who is the last person you hugged?


The last person that I hugged was Lyric when I put her to bed.


{4} What song always makes you happy when you hear it?


There are many songs that make me happy when I hear them, I just can't think of one. I think of many. 


{5} What's the first thing you thought about this morning?

The same thing I think about every morning... I love the thought of waking up and seeing Lyric smiling and playing in her crib. 

2 on Tuesday #14 Red Carpet Fashion

What celebrities do you think have the best red carpet fashion? What celeb’s closet would you like to raid?

I didn't watch the awards. I don't know who's closet I would raid. I love many celeb's styles.

Five Question Friday #27

1. What's the last thing you bought for yourself?


I got a gift card for Christmas from Chris' grandma to Kohl's and with that I bought a pretty pale blues and purples robe, a pink nightgown, and a black leather wallet to go with the zebra print purse that I got while I was back home in Idaho in December.


2. What's your favourite meal on a cold winter day?

I love soup on cold days. I love my grama's hamburger soup. I can get everything cut and the hamburger cut and ready in less than fifteen minutes and put in the crock pot and it cooks itself and is ready to eat in 4-6 hours. Although, you could put it in a stockpot and I believe that it will cook just as well. That is how my grama cooks her soup.

3. Have you started looking at swimsuits for this year, and do you buy a new one every year?

Ew. No. I have not started looking. I love looking, but it is so hard to find one that I would actually feel comfortable wearing.

4. If you could be any candy what would you be and why?

If I could be any candy, I would want to be something that is chocolate. I choose chocolate because I think that it tastes good, and it is any woman's best friend. Mine especially when not feeling well or sad or stressed.

5. What are you most passionate about?

My family.


**What is your favorite thing to "pin" on Pinterest?


Do it yourself crafts.

Fill In Blank Friday #30

1.   The last thing I ate was macaroni and cheese.

2.   The last song I listened to was    "One More Time" by Brittney Spears .

3.  Using the letters in my name I can spell {Morgan} ran, man, an, or, organ, rag, ram .

4.  If I had to dress in one color for the rest of my life I would pick blue, because I love my blue jeans and couldn't live without them. Although, blue isn't so much my favorite color .

5.  If you were to look in my bag right now you'd find    lip gloss, gum, recipes, wallet, sunglasses, an mp3 player without the ear buds.

6.  When I finish filling in the blanks I'm going to finish with my blog pages.

7.  My all time favorite song to dance to is just about anything.

MilSpouse Quiz

I saw this cute little quiz over at My Marine and Me, and figured that I would join in. So, without further adieu...

The Milspouse Quiz


1. How did you and your spouse meet? 

I was involved in an organization known as The International Order of Job's Daughters also known as Job's Daughters. And Chris was involved in an organization known as DeMolay International. We were together with our organizations for an installation or something like that. And after the ceremony we went into the dinning room for refreshments and I sat close to Chris. While my youngest sister and her best friend sat right beside him. And they had to turn away from him so that they could eat their cake. Funny thing is, that Chris was trying to get with my middle sister before we got together. 

2. How old were you when you two met? 

I was 18 (almost 19) years old. And Chris was 16 (almost 17) years old. I am a little over two years older than Chris and I think that it bothers him. HaHa!

3. How long have you been together? 

We have been married for a little over one year and we have been together a little over two years.

4. Where are you and your spouse originally from? 

I was born in Pocatello, Idaho but raised in Nampa/Boise, Idaho area. And Chris was born and lived most of his childhood in Apple Valley/Los Angeles, California.

5. How did you feel about him joining the military? 

I was scared and afraid. I was full of mixed emotions. But it was something that he wanted to do, so I supported him one hundred percent.

6. Where did your spouse go to Basic Training? 

He went to Boot Camp in San Diego, California and then MCT was in San Diego as well. He then went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for MOS school. 

7. Has your spouse ever been deployed? 

No. Thankfully, he is in a non-deployable unit. Is it bad that I love that?

8. Ever been to his promotion ceremony? 

Nope. Not yet.

9. How long have you been a military wife? 

Since I have been married, according to my blog ticker, 1 year, 1 month, and 4 weeks.

10. Did you marry him before or after he joined? 

We got married the day before he left for MCT.

11. How did your husband propose? 

It was the night of my graduation/prom. On our way back to my place we stopped by the Boise Train Depot and were sitting near the pond. And he asked me if I would marry him. Although, we had already agreed to get married when the time was right. 

12. Where did you get married? 

We got married the afternoon before he left for MCT school. We went to the courthouse, just the two of us. We hope that later down the road we can have a ceremony where our family and friends can be there.

13. How old were you two when you got married?

Chris was 18, and I was 20. 

14. Did he wear his uniform on his wedding day? 

No, we both wore casual day clothes. When we have our ceremony for family and friends he will wear his uniform and I will wear a gown. (Hopefully my dream gown)

15. Where are you and your spouse currently stationed? 

We are stationed in Norfolk at the Norfolk Naval Base. And currently, I love it. I love living near the beach. I just hate being so far away from my family and friends back in Idaho.

16. Do you live on base? 

No, we don't. 

17. How long were you married when you had to go through your first separation? 

The only separation that we have had to go through so far is Boot Camp, MCT school, and MOS school. 

18. What is your favorite base so far? 

We have only been stationed at one base so far and that is here in Norfolk. So, so far, this is my favorite base.

19. Do you think your spouse looks good in his uniform? 

Of course! I love it when he has a uniform on. Whether it be his cammies, his Blues, or his Alpha's. He looks good in Uniform. But who doesn't?

20. Do you think military life is more advanced than civilian life? 

Advanced? How? I am still kinda new to the military life. There is still the drama. 

21. Do you like the benefits you receive as a military dependent? 

I do. I really do like the health benefits that we get. Although, I either don't or forget to ask whether or not they give military discount. 

22. Do you have a lot of military wife friends? 

Locally I spent a lot of time with a wife of a husband that my husband works with in the shop. That was until things went down hill all of a sudden. I do hope to start to hang out with another wife of a husband that Chris works with. We hung out a bit, then didn't. She moved to Florida for a little while. And is back again. Hopefully, we can become friends and hang out together. 

23. What is the hardest part of the military life? 

Them not having a set schedule. It's hard to plan things in the evening because, I never know when he is going to be home for dinner. It's hard to know whether or not he is going to be home late or early.

24. Do you own military wife stuff? 

Not really "wife" stuff. I have a sweatshirt, that's all. I do want a Marine Wife license plate border, sticker, lanyard, and maybe a few more sweatshirts. 

25. Do you support your spouse as a member of the military? 

Of course. I am so proud of him and I will always support him.

Thursday Five #1

Blessed

Incredible

Productive

Elated

Happy

I'm blessed to have such an amazing baby girl. She is as perfect as could be. She is finally sleeping all through the night, isn't a picky eater, eats what is put in front of her, happy, healthy, perfect!

It's incredible that Lyric is finally sleeping all through the night! If she wakes up she falls right back to sleep. No more needing something half way through the night.

I'm feeling productive because I am finally, once again caught up on all our laundry. I don't know what happened there this last weekend. But I didn't do any of our laundry. So, it got kinda high.

I'm elated that Lyric is sleeping all through the night. If you can't tell... It's a BIG deal to me.

I'm very happy that my father-in-law's knee surgery went well yesterday. 

Hannah Montana...

This morning,
I turned on the T.V and turned on some Netflix.
And was debating on what I was going to turn on for Miss Lyric.
While I made our breakfast.

And I saw under children T.V shows and movies...
Hannah Montana.

So, I turned it on...
Starting with season one, episode one.
And as soon as the first song came on...
Lyric started dancing.

I think that we have found a new favorite T.V show.

I'll try and get pictures later.
Wasn't able to get a good picture of her dancing.

Bed Time...

I wish I could have gotten the 'doing' part...

But,

Here is the after part...

Notice, 

The toothbrush in her mouth?

We just got out of the bath.

She wouldn't let me finish drying her hair...

But look!

Look how curly her hair looks. 

Or, 

Is that just me?

She also looks like...

She's getting tired.

Yup! 

She got off, (well, I got her off of the changing table)

And then got all her

Winnie the Pooh characters off of the bookshelf...

And decided to lay on Tigger.

Would you just look...

Tigger, is almost as big as her!

Looking out the...

Window.

Telling the world...

"Good Night."

Yummy!

We tried a new food today...

Can you guess what it is?

Spaghetti-O's! With meat balls.

She's attempting to try to poke her finger...

In the O's,

Like they would be a ring.

But... 

Every time she does that...

They break.

"Yummy!"

Just look at that pretty girl! 

With food all over her face!

It's even in her...

Hair,

Eyebrows,

Neck,

And looks like...

Santa Claus!

We Want To Know #28

{1} What is your most commonly used word or phrase when you are frustrated?

I think that my most commonly used word when I am frustrated is "crap" or "shoot."

{2} What random question do you usually get from strangers or casual acquaintances?

Usually when we are out shopping we get asked if Lyric is our first child or our only child. I mean how old do we really look? Do we have another child with us?

{3} Did you ever correspond by mail with anyone, who? Do you still have the letters?

When Chris was at boot camp we wrote to each other. Yes, I do still have my letters that he wrote me and I wrote him. 

{4} Do you dance in public? why or why not?

Nope, I don't know how to dance. 

{5} What is your favorite kind of chapstick/lip balm?

Anything! I'm not picky. I usually just look on the shelves at the store and see what they have and choose from what is there.

Wednesday Wishes #10

{one}

for all of Lyric's many many toys

{two}

a red dutch oven

{three}

red cast iron skillet

Breakfast!

Miss Lyric...

Loves to eat!

Especially her breakfast!

She eats all of her breakfast.

Every time!

And after she is done eating...

She likes to...

Comb her hair with her fork. 

Just like in The Little Mermaid.

"Mommy,"

"That was yummy."

We've Found Something!

So,

A few days ago, 

Miss Lyric found her...

Drum Roll, Please...

Her...

Belly

Button!

And...

If you can't tell from the above picture...

She loves to play with her belly button.

Orange Julius (But Better!)

We made Orange Julius' this evening...

And Lyric ended up wanting some as well.

And guess what?

She took it from me!

And that's not all!

She drank it gone! 

All gone!

And that's not all...

She wanted more!

So,

When I didn't give her more...

She went,

And started to play with her cup.

Now, you probably want that recipe???

I don't get credit for this recipe. 

The credit goes to my amazing mother-in-law.

Almost Like Orange Julius (Better!)

3 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate

  (1/2 of 6 oz. can)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

6 ice cubes

Combine in blender, blend until smooth. 

Makes 2 servings.

**Double the recipe for more servings.

28 Ways to Stop Complicating Life - Marc and Angel Hack Life

M

Life is not complicated.  We are complicated.  When we stop doing the wrong things and start doing the right things, life is simple.

So starting today…

1. Stop berating yourself for being a work in progress. – Start embracing it!  Because being a work in progress doesn’t mean you’re not good enough today.  It means you want a better tomorrow, and you wish to love yourself completely, so you can live your life fully.  It means you’re determined to heal your heart, expand your mind and cultivate the gifts you know you’re meant to share. May we all be works in progress forever, and celebrate the fact that we are!
2. Stop doing immoral things simply because you can. – Start being honest with yourself and everyone else.  Don’t cheat.  Be faithful.  Be kind.  Do the right thing!  It is a less complicated way to live.  Integrity is the essence of everything successful.  When you break the rules of integrity you invite serious complications into your life.  Keep life simple and enjoyable by doing what you know in your heart is right.
3. Stop meaning what you don’t say. – Start communicating clearly.  Don’t try to read other people’s minds, and don’t make other people try to read yours.  Most problems, big and small, within a family, friendship, or business relationship, start with bad communication.  Someone isn’t being clear.
4. Stop wasting time and money trying to acquire more of everything. – Start focusing on quality.  High quality is worth more than any quantity, in possessions, friends and experiences.  Truly ‘rich’ people need less to be happy.  Live a comfortable life, not a wasteful one.  Too many people buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have to impress people they don’t know.  Do not spend to impress others.  Do not live life trying to fool yourself into thinking wealth is measured in material objects.  Manage your money wisely so your money does not manage you.  
5. Stop spending time with negative people. – Start spending time with nice people who are smart, driven and likeminded.  Relationships should help you, not hurt you.  Surround yourself with people who reflect the person you want to be.  Choose friends who you are proud to know, people you admire, who love and respect you – people who make your day a little brighter simply by being in it.  Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.  When you free yourself of negative people, you free yourself to be YOU – and being YOU is the simplest way to live.
6. Stop trying to change people. – Start accepting people just the way they are.  In most cases it’s impossible to change them anyway, and it’s rude to try.  So save yourself from needless stress.  Instead of trying to change others, give them your support and lead by example.
7. Stop being lazy and cutting corners. – Start avoiding future headaches by doing things right the first time.  Always put your best foot forward.  Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.  Why give less than 100%?  Life is too short to waste it by living below your full potential.  If something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing well.
8. Stop procrastinating. – Start taking action and making changes.  Action and change are often resisted when they’re needed most.  Get a hold of yourself and have discipline.  Discipline is choosing what you really want over what you want right now.  Putting something off makes it instantly harder and scarier.  What we don’t start today won’t be finished by tomorrow.  And there’s nothing more stressful than the perpetual lingering of an unfinished task.
9. Stop worrying and complaining. – Start focusing on the things you can control and do something about them.  Those who complain the most accomplish the least.  And when you spend time worrying, you’re simply using your imagination to create things you don’t want.  It’s usually only as good or bad as you think it is.
10. Stop being dramatic. – Start spending less time gossiping about problems and more time helping yourself and others solve them.  Stay out of people’s needless drama and don’t create your own.
11. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Start focusing on being everything to someone.  Helping or pleasing everyone is impossible.  But making one person smile can change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  So narrow your focus and be yourself.
12. Stop making promises you can’t keep. – Starting under-promising and over-delivering on everything you do.  Period.
13. Stop blaming others. – Start accepting responsibility for everything in your life.  Blaming others accomplishes nothing and prolongs the complications you’re facing.  Either you own your problems, or they will own you.  Your choice.  When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give up your power over that part of your life.
14. Stop reacting without a plan. – Start planning and working toward specific goals.  Make a list of your top 3 - 5 goals.  What’s most important to you?  What do you value most?  What 3 - 5 things do you most want to do in your life?  Simplifying your life starts with these priorities, as you are trying to make room in your life so you have more time for these things.  Having a plan, even a flawed one at first, is better than no plan at all.  There is good reason why you should wake each morning and mindfully consider what and who you will give your day to: Because unlike other things in life – love, money, respect, good health, hope, opportunities, etc. – time is the one thing you can never get back once it’s gone.
15. Stop confusing ‘being busy’ with ‘being productive.’ – Start tracking and measuring your progress.  Being busy and being productive are two very different things.  Results are more important than the time it takes to achieve them.
16. Stop over-committing and trying to do too much at once. – Start saying “no” more often.  If you never say “no,” you will take on too much and get nothing accomplished.  In the beginning, you need to say “yes” to a lot of things to discover and establish your goals.  Later on, you need to say “no” to a lot of things and concentrate on your goals.  Once your goals are established, focus on doing one thing at a time and doing it well.  Also, leave space around commitments in your day.  Whether you have appointments, or things you need to do, don’t stack them back-to-back.  Leave a little space between things you need to do, so you will have room for contingencies, and you’ll go through your day much more relaxed.
17. Stop being inefficient simply because you’ve always done it that way. – Start opening your mind to making positive changes.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Many times we live with unplanned, complex systems in our lives simply because we haven’t given them much thought.  Instead, streamline your life by finding better ways of handling common tasks.  Focus on one system at a time (your cleaning system, your errands system, your paperwork system, your email system, etc.) and try to make it simplified, efficient, and logical.  Then, once you have it perfected, stick to it. 
18. Stop cluttering your space. – Start clearing clutter.  Get rid of stuff you don’t use and then organize what’s left.  If you have a cluttered living or working space, it can be distracting and stressful.  A clear space is like a blank canvas, available to be used to create something great.  Getting truly organized and clutter-free can vastly improve anyone’s life.
19. Stop overloading your mind by consuming useless information. – Start unsubscribing from useless e-lists and news feeds, and keep the TV off.  Limit your time on Facebook, Twitter, CNN.com and your other favorite websites, etc.
20. Stop obsessing over the past and future. – Start being present. Paying more attention to the current moment can make a huge difference in simplifying your life.  It keeps you aware of life, of what’s going on around you and within you.  It does wonders for your sanity and stress levels.
21. Stop waiting for things to be perfect. – Start thinking of how many things don’t get done in this world simply because people are waiting for the perfect time, place and circumstance.  If you’re waiting for the perfect conditions, ideas or plans to get started, you’ll never achieve anything.  A good idea without action is nothing at all.  Keep it simple and just start.  Focus on the next positive step forward.
22. Stop focusing so much energy on trying to avoid mistakes. – Start learning from your mistakes, then smile and move on.  No matter how smart you are, you will make mistakes.  Trying to avoid them will only waste time and complicate your life.  There is a lesson in every mistake you make, and learning the lesson is how you move forward.
23. Stop making emotional decisions. – Start taking a few steps back so you can think things through.  When you’re caught up in the moment and your emotions are soaring, you’re bound to make poor decisions that will lead to needless complications.  The best advice here is simple:  Don’t let your emotions trump your intelligence.  Slow down and think things through before you make any big decisions.
24. Stop being unhealthy. – Start taking care of your body.  Start sleeping eight hours every night.  A tired, malnourished mind is over-stressed and rarely productive.  Your health is your life, don’t let it go.  Eat right, exercise and get an annual physical check-up.  
25. Stop holding on to intimate relationships that make you unhappy. – Start looking out for yourself when it comes to intimate relationships.  It’s better to WAIT, and give your hand to someone who will never let go, rather than holding on to the outside of a hand that has never fully opened for you.  If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you.  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot.  Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.  Remember, anyone can come into your life and say how much they love you.  But it takes someone really special to stay in your life and show you how much they love you.  So slow it down.  True love is worth the wait.
26. Stop holding on to hate. – Starting letting hate go!  Keep your sights set on the future.  Holding on to hate and anger is like grasping hot coals with the intent of throwing them at someone else – you are the one who gets burned.  If you want to forget someone, and move on, you must give up hating them.  It’s hard to forget someone you hate, because hate takes pieces of your heart – thereby keeping this person within your heart.  If you want to forget them, let go of the hate, and create peace in your heart instead.  Also, remember that whenever you hate something, it usually hates you back: people, situations, and inanimate objects alike; which will only further complicate your life.
27. Stop pretending like you know everything. – Start accepting the fact that there’s a lot you don’t know.  Nobody has it all figured out.  Nobody knows more than a minuscule fraction of what’s going on in the world.  Why?  Because the world is simply way too vast for any one person to know everything well.  And most of what we see is only what we think about what we see.  The sooner you accept this, the sooner you will stop making the same unnecessary mistakes, and the sooner new doors of opportunity will open in your life.
28. Stop giving what you don’t want to receive. – Start practicing the golden rule.  If you want love, give love.  If you want friends, be friendly.  If you want money, provide value.  It works.  It really is this simple.