My doctor didn't sugar coat it so neither will I.
We cannot have a baby without medical intervention.
Saying it, then typing it and then reading those words makes me weep.
Test Results:
Blood work:My hormone levels are fine and my parts look good. The problem with me is I'm not ovulating and they don't know why. If you don't ovulate, you don't release an egg, hence you can't concieve.
Semenalysis:Chris's sperm are slow and low. A normal percentage is 25% and he's at 8%. Me not ovulating coupled with his low, slow sperm count is "troubling."
We are both essentially broken.
So my options are pretty slim right now and I have to wait until we get to Fort Hood, Texas in January for me to even begin to explore my limited options, if they even have an infertility specialist. If they don't I may have to drive to San Antonio to see someone. I will make that trip.
My FLW OBGYN recommended for me to go on Clomid. Clomid stimulates the release of hormones necessary for ovulation to occur and it's mainly used for treating female infertility.
If I take Clomid to help me ovulate and after three rounds if that doesn't work on it's own, i'd have to take Clomid and have the doctors inject his sperm into my cervix, aka IUI.
If that doesn't work, remember Chris has a low and slow sperm count, our only option for children is the painful and expensice IVF treatments.
Did I mention IUI and IVF are all out of pocket and they are not cheap?
Atleast we are still young right?
TRICARE does not cover non-coital reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization or other types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) except under special circumstances for some severely wounded warriors.
Some Military Treatment Facilities may offer assisted reproductive technology services as part of their graduate medical education training programs.
From the get go, adoption for the both of us has been off the table and I am against using a surrogate. I want to experience all of it or none of it. Chris and I are also in agreement about not putting ourselves into debt over procedures that are not guarenteed (the average IVF cost is $12,000, but it can be as much as $15,000 per round).
I'm just numb. All I have ever wanted was to get married and have a family and I can't. We can't, naturally which is so defeating.
To make matters worse, Chris is deploying as soon as we get to Hood, which means we can't even start Clomid until he comes home in July/August. The doctor said perhaps weight loss will jump start my ovulation but that's still a long shot.
I went into this testing wanting answers, and I got them. Now I have to deal with the consequeces of opening Pandora's box.
I don't know who out there in cyber space reads my ramblings, but if you are a mom or dad, hung your kids for me. They are precious miracles. If you are the praying kind, pray for us.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Our First Home
I still can't wrap my head around the fact that we are home buyers!
So far everything is going well. We passed the credit portion (they look over all of your financial records to determine how responsible you are) and the appraisal (A lender won't lend you money if the home is valued less than the offer price) and our loan is at the final stage of underwriting.
All we need now is for the title work to come through. We've purchase our home owner's insurance and scheduled all of our utilities to be turned on and, just to be safe, ordered a home inspection.
Fingers crossed we can close on Dec. 26. Did I mention we will be signing of docs while we are in WDW?! What a place to create such an awesome memory =)
Judgement Day
Tomorrow is the big day.
I (we) finally get the results back from all of the testing (three rounds of blood work, a semenalysis, and the HSG).
The Doc could simply just say we are not "connecting" at the right time because i'm not ovulating due to a simple and fixable hormone imbalance.
OR he could deliver the worst news of my life, that Chris and I will never be parents.
Part of me thinks that if the tests revealed anything serious they would have notified me by now but then another part of me thinks that they haven't even looked at them yet since the doctor said they needed to see all the test results before he can tell us anything.
I've had a knot in my stomach all week about this visit. I NEED to hear the results. Even if what he says is bad news, I need to hear the words so we can move on with our lives.
To make this doctor's appointment worse is I have to go solo because Chris will be tied up with his ECCC graduation that I will probably miss. My appt. is at 9 and his graduation is at 10.
I hope we are not broken. I really want to be a mama and get to experience everything that comes with it, getting huge and all.
I (we) finally get the results back from all of the testing (three rounds of blood work, a semenalysis, and the HSG).
The Doc could simply just say we are not "connecting" at the right time because i'm not ovulating due to a simple and fixable hormone imbalance.
OR he could deliver the worst news of my life, that Chris and I will never be parents.
Part of me thinks that if the tests revealed anything serious they would have notified me by now but then another part of me thinks that they haven't even looked at them yet since the doctor said they needed to see all the test results before he can tell us anything.
I've had a knot in my stomach all week about this visit. I NEED to hear the results. Even if what he says is bad news, I need to hear the words so we can move on with our lives.
To make this doctor's appointment worse is I have to go solo because Chris will be tied up with his ECCC graduation that I will probably miss. My appt. is at 9 and his graduation is at 10.
I hope we are not broken. I really want to be a mama and get to experience everything that comes with it, getting huge and all.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The home buying process --3
When I woke up the next day, I was over it. I threw my phone on the bed, I usually took it every where I went, and took a nice, long, hot shower. As I was getting ready for the day, first stop on our agenda was IHOP to have pumpkin pancakes, I noticed that I had three text messages from my realtor.
Wrapped in just a towel and still a little bit drippy, my hearted started racing. In my offer I said we wanted to close in early January but the builder wanted to know if we would consider closing on Dec. 31. Intrigued, I called my realtor, my hands were too shaky to text her back, I asked her what that meant.
Basically she said if we closed before the end of the year the builder wouldn't have to pay an inventory tax. That's about $4-5000 big ones. I had myself a bargaining chip!
Now that I had some leverage, I told my realtor to say if he wanted to close on that day he would have to agree to my terms. I felt like such a bad ass! From my perspective, he wanted me to do him a solid favor and we have never met AND if I would be saving him a substantial hunk of change the least he could do was give me what I wanted. In the grand scheme of things, it wouldn't cost him nearly as much to meet my demands as it would for me to purchase these things on my own.
My realtor told me to stand by while she got a hold the of the builder.
In the mean time it was pancake time!
I was about to dive into my pancakes when my phone rang and we had a DEAL!!!!
All I had to do now was head back to her offer and sign the offer putting us offically under contract.
I.Was.In.Shock.
We.Just.Bought.A.House!
Wrapped in just a towel and still a little bit drippy, my hearted started racing. In my offer I said we wanted to close in early January but the builder wanted to know if we would consider closing on Dec. 31. Intrigued, I called my realtor, my hands were too shaky to text her back, I asked her what that meant.
Basically she said if we closed before the end of the year the builder wouldn't have to pay an inventory tax. That's about $4-5000 big ones. I had myself a bargaining chip!
Now that I had some leverage, I told my realtor to say if he wanted to close on that day he would have to agree to my terms. I felt like such a bad ass! From my perspective, he wanted me to do him a solid favor and we have never met AND if I would be saving him a substantial hunk of change the least he could do was give me what I wanted. In the grand scheme of things, it wouldn't cost him nearly as much to meet my demands as it would for me to purchase these things on my own.
My realtor told me to stand by while she got a hold the of the builder.
In the mean time it was pancake time!
I was about to dive into my pancakes when my phone rang and we had a DEAL!!!!
All I had to do now was head back to her offer and sign the offer putting us offically under contract.
I.Was.In.Shock.
We.Just.Bought.A.House!
The home buying process-2
I had anxiety all night long because I didn't want to piss of this builder by pointing out a flaw in his work.
On top of that, my Realtor shared that an offer fell through on this very same house six weeks earlier because of the builder's attitude. In a nutshell, the couple asked for routine things in there offer and when the builder countered, he came back $5,000 above asking. Obviously the buyers told him to go sit on a field and they moved on to another home.
I don't know if I was glad she shared this detail with me or not.
Now I was hoping that the builder had come to his senses since he screwed his pooch earlier and since the end of the year is coming up that he would need to get these houses off his hands more than I needed to buy this house.
My anxiety kept me up most of the night so I was ready to get this offer written. I met my realtor and she said that he would indeed fix the wall and he would fix it with poured concrete and not rail road ties aka wooden beams.
Whew! Now we could officially write the offer!
Even though the builder scoffed at the laundry list of things the first couple brought to the table, I figured I'd ask for the ceiling and figured the worst he could say was no or pick between one thing of another. My realtor is aggressive, which I liked, and said the things I am asking for are not outlandish:
For him to pay a portion of the closing
Include and install a stainless steel, french door refrigerator with ice and water in the door to match the rest of the appliances
Wooden blinds in all the windows
Install a garage door opener
Maintain the yard and security of the home until we move in
Frame the mirrors in the bathroom
Place light fixtures above said framed mirrors in the bathroom
Fix the retaining wall
If push came to shove, and he would agree to everything but made me chose between the blinds or the fridge I'd pick the blinds, since this place has a ton of windows and they are pain and often costly to put in, and I could probably score a sweet deal at a scratch and dent place, risk my life during Black Friday or take advantage of a military discount at Lowes or Home Depot.
I signed the offer and we submitted it at noon and I expected to hear back from him by dinner time or sooner.
Man, this is nothing like what you see on HGTV.
My home buying companion and I met some of her friends for dinner but I could hardly eat. My eyes were fixated on my phone. I did ask them in advance if I could leave my phone on the table and explained I was waiting for an offer to come through.
Still no movement from my phone. I am pretty sure I even slept with it on my face.
I went to bed, even more anxious!
On top of that, my Realtor shared that an offer fell through on this very same house six weeks earlier because of the builder's attitude. In a nutshell, the couple asked for routine things in there offer and when the builder countered, he came back $5,000 above asking. Obviously the buyers told him to go sit on a field and they moved on to another home.
I don't know if I was glad she shared this detail with me or not.
Now I was hoping that the builder had come to his senses since he screwed his pooch earlier and since the end of the year is coming up that he would need to get these houses off his hands more than I needed to buy this house.
My anxiety kept me up most of the night so I was ready to get this offer written. I met my realtor and she said that he would indeed fix the wall and he would fix it with poured concrete and not rail road ties aka wooden beams.
Whew! Now we could officially write the offer!
Even though the builder scoffed at the laundry list of things the first couple brought to the table, I figured I'd ask for the ceiling and figured the worst he could say was no or pick between one thing of another. My realtor is aggressive, which I liked, and said the things I am asking for are not outlandish:
For him to pay a portion of the closing
Include and install a stainless steel, french door refrigerator with ice and water in the door to match the rest of the appliances
Wooden blinds in all the windows
Install a garage door opener
Maintain the yard and security of the home until we move in
Frame the mirrors in the bathroom
Place light fixtures above said framed mirrors in the bathroom
Fix the retaining wall
If push came to shove, and he would agree to everything but made me chose between the blinds or the fridge I'd pick the blinds, since this place has a ton of windows and they are pain and often costly to put in, and I could probably score a sweet deal at a scratch and dent place, risk my life during Black Friday or take advantage of a military discount at Lowes or Home Depot.
I signed the offer and we submitted it at noon and I expected to hear back from him by dinner time or sooner.
Man, this is nothing like what you see on HGTV.
My home buying companion and I met some of her friends for dinner but I could hardly eat. My eyes were fixated on my phone. I did ask them in advance if I could leave my phone on the table and explained I was waiting for an offer to come through.
Still no movement from my phone. I am pretty sure I even slept with it on my face.
I went to bed, even more anxious!
The home buying process-- 1
For me, the best part of a PCS move -- I know I am crazy for actually enjoying part of this thing -- is looking up houses in our new area and looking up things to do, places to see and of course things to eat.
When we found out we were going to Fort Hood, Texas that was the first thing I did. I looked up houses to rent. It was during this initial search that we found out we couldn't really "afford," and by that I mean we would be at our BAH limit and would pay out of pocket for utilities, to rent in the area we wanted to live in BUT we could afford to BUY!?
Kina crazy right?
So we switched gears and started making a list of what we needed in a home and what we wanted in a home and that fueled our search and gave us a price point.
Originally we decided to get preapproved for $200,000 and in the area we wanted to live in, that could get you a pretty decent, pretty good sized home. By pretty decent and pretty good size I am talking 4 bed rooms, 2 full baths, two car garage, fenced in yard and 2,000 square feet.
Even though we could afford the mortage on a house at the price point, once we started utilizing USAA's mortgage calculator, which adds in property taxes (yeah we forgot about those) and home owners insurance (didn't phase us since we already have renters insurance) we realized we would be house poor and needed a more "responsible" ceiling.
With that being said, we marked our favorites on a website, which we had to sign up for (free) because it would only allow you to browse so many houses without doing so.
We started hearing the same Realty group over and over again from friends in the course and its funny because the day we registered for this website someone from that brokerage called me. Instead of being obnoxious and car salesmen like the woman on the other end of the phone made me not want to hang up on her. Even funnier is she worked for the firm that many people in the ECCC recommended. To put the cherry and whip cream on top they were a firm that USAA endorsed and if we used this preferred Realtor we would get a check, in the tune of $950, back at the end.
Double, triple ice cream sundae with all the toppings score!
I told her what we were looking for, where we were looking, a pricepoint we were comfortable and gave her an approximate timeline and set up a time when I could come down to Texas to house hunt with her.
I can't believe we could be buying our first home at the ripe 'ole ages of 27.
I made the 11 hour trip down to Texas with a friend here at the ECCC and lucky for me she grew up in Waco, Texas and just spent the last few years stationed at Fort Hood. The trip down flew by and I was anxious to meet our Realtor. I was kind of bummed I had to do this trip Chris-less but we both agreed that if I didn't find anything I LOVED that we weren't desperate to buy and atleast we tested the waters and learned something if I left without putting an offer in.
When I turned the corner to enter the door of the realty company I noticed a sign on the door that said "The Shine Team Welcomes Vanessa Lynch." I swear its the little things that matter.
Then I met my Realtor, Amy, and instantly liked her and knew she was the perfect match for us.
We were able to knock a lot of houses off my 22 house list for various reasons: price point, already under contract, not move in ready until Feb. or March and we need something by the first week of January or just bad design/location.
People always say don't buy the first thing you see, but the first house she showed me was the one. I just had that feeling when I walked inside. But, for good measure, we looked at lots more but nothing compared both asthetically and for the price. We saw some pre-owned homes that were $20,000 more than this brand new, never lived in number.
I wanted it!
However, once my agent told me that we would never share a fence line on one side of our house because of a runoff drain I had to investigate the backside of the property. Enter Army officer's wife's limited construction knowledge: I noticed the boards along the retaining wall were warped and I knew that was no bueno.
I showed the realtor and she agreed that this needs to be fixed so we headed back to her office, it was around 6 pm, to write an offer (umm is this real life?!) and she wrote in a prelimiary contigency stating I wouldn't write a full offer until he addressed to fix this.
This was a very productive and informative first day of house hunting. I have only been in Texas for two days (the first day doesn't really count since we got in at 7:30, checked into our hotel, ate dinner and hit the sack), and I have already found a house I loved and put an offer in!
Again, is this real life?
When we found out we were going to Fort Hood, Texas that was the first thing I did. I looked up houses to rent. It was during this initial search that we found out we couldn't really "afford," and by that I mean we would be at our BAH limit and would pay out of pocket for utilities, to rent in the area we wanted to live in BUT we could afford to BUY!?
Kina crazy right?
So we switched gears and started making a list of what we needed in a home and what we wanted in a home and that fueled our search and gave us a price point.
Originally we decided to get preapproved for $200,000 and in the area we wanted to live in, that could get you a pretty decent, pretty good sized home. By pretty decent and pretty good size I am talking 4 bed rooms, 2 full baths, two car garage, fenced in yard and 2,000 square feet.
Even though we could afford the mortage on a house at the price point, once we started utilizing USAA's mortgage calculator, which adds in property taxes (yeah we forgot about those) and home owners insurance (didn't phase us since we already have renters insurance) we realized we would be house poor and needed a more "responsible" ceiling.
With that being said, we marked our favorites on a website, which we had to sign up for (free) because it would only allow you to browse so many houses without doing so.
We started hearing the same Realty group over and over again from friends in the course and its funny because the day we registered for this website someone from that brokerage called me. Instead of being obnoxious and car salesmen like the woman on the other end of the phone made me not want to hang up on her. Even funnier is she worked for the firm that many people in the ECCC recommended. To put the cherry and whip cream on top they were a firm that USAA endorsed and if we used this preferred Realtor we would get a check, in the tune of $950, back at the end.
Double, triple ice cream sundae with all the toppings score!
I told her what we were looking for, where we were looking, a pricepoint we were comfortable and gave her an approximate timeline and set up a time when I could come down to Texas to house hunt with her.
I can't believe we could be buying our first home at the ripe 'ole ages of 27.
I made the 11 hour trip down to Texas with a friend here at the ECCC and lucky for me she grew up in Waco, Texas and just spent the last few years stationed at Fort Hood. The trip down flew by and I was anxious to meet our Realtor. I was kind of bummed I had to do this trip Chris-less but we both agreed that if I didn't find anything I LOVED that we weren't desperate to buy and atleast we tested the waters and learned something if I left without putting an offer in.
When I turned the corner to enter the door of the realty company I noticed a sign on the door that said "The Shine Team Welcomes Vanessa Lynch." I swear its the little things that matter.
Then I met my Realtor, Amy, and instantly liked her and knew she was the perfect match for us.
We were able to knock a lot of houses off my 22 house list for various reasons: price point, already under contract, not move in ready until Feb. or March and we need something by the first week of January or just bad design/location.
People always say don't buy the first thing you see, but the first house she showed me was the one. I just had that feeling when I walked inside. But, for good measure, we looked at lots more but nothing compared both asthetically and for the price. We saw some pre-owned homes that were $20,000 more than this brand new, never lived in number.
I wanted it!
However, once my agent told me that we would never share a fence line on one side of our house because of a runoff drain I had to investigate the backside of the property. Enter Army officer's wife's limited construction knowledge: I noticed the boards along the retaining wall were warped and I knew that was no bueno.
I showed the realtor and she agreed that this needs to be fixed so we headed back to her office, it was around 6 pm, to write an offer (umm is this real life?!) and she wrote in a prelimiary contigency stating I wouldn't write a full offer until he addressed to fix this.
This was a very productive and informative first day of house hunting. I have only been in Texas for two days (the first day doesn't really count since we got in at 7:30, checked into our hotel, ate dinner and hit the sack), and I have already found a house I loved and put an offer in!
Again, is this real life?
Monday, November 19, 2012
HSG
I purposely did not Google this procedure in advance because I can do a pretty good job of working myself up by myself. After canceling and rescheduling (when you don't get a period and need to rely on Progesterone to get one coupled with the fact the test can only be done between days 7 and 11 of your cycle and your body doesn't cooperate with the doctors time line, you get the idea) this critical test three times, I was just relieved that I could finally get it done.
Here is the skinny of the procedure:
A hysterosalpingogram, or HSG, is an X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them.
An HSG is done for a couple of reasons:
1. Find a blocked fallopian tube. The test often is done for a woman who is having a hard time becoming pregnant. An infection may cause severe scarring of the fallopian tubes and block the tubes, preventing pregnancy. Occasionally the dye used during a hysterosalpingogram will push through and open a blocked tube.
2. Find problems in the uterus, such as an abnormal shape or structure, an injury, polyps, fibroids, adhesions, or a foreign object in the uterus. These types of problems may cause painful menstrual periods or repeated miscarriages.
3. See whether surgery to reverse a tubal ligation has been successful.
I would have loved for Chris to be there holding my hand and talking me through it but with his ECCC graduation around the corner and the last critical event happening this week, he wasn't able to go with me. This is the life I agreed to and I am just thankful he is here with me versus down range.
Anyway, I put on my big girl panties and was about to drive myself when a girl friend offered to be my support. I was hesitant to accept her offer, but I just knew having a familiar face in the room would relax me.
Before the actual test could be done I had to go to the lab and have a pregnancy test done. I would consider myself a pro at 1. taking them and 2. failing them (I've got 15 under my belt) so this didn't phase me. What got me all worked up was when my nurse started going over the procedure and what I could expect. My palms started to sweat and for those of you know what happens to my body when I get anxious/nervous, that was throbbing.
She left the room to gather the items we needed which left me and my support system alone in the room with the model of a vagina. In hindsight looking at the Mirena diagram probably made matters worse, but my friend showed me where they would insert the catheter and then the dye.
Ay carumba, all the way up in there!?
We walked down the hall, took the elevator down to radiology and I stripped down from the waste down and covered myself in a blanket and sat down on the x-ray table.
Now I was really begin to freak out and the reality that I was actually having this test done became very real. The nurse assured me this would be fast, and that once the dye was injected it would be less than a minute.
Here is how it went down, and yes I cried the entire time. Not because I was scared of the procedure per say, more so because I didn't know what to expect and I had mixed emotions about 1. actually being able to finally have this done (sense of relief since this is the final part of the workup and then I can get the results of all my tests, which will give me some answers and the big picture of whether we can have kids or not), 2.what this test could tell me on the spot (am I willing to walk down that path and how will I handle the results, be them good or bad). 3. the fact that I needed to have this test done finally hit me....
My doctor suited up, gloves and the xray protection gown donned, and put the metal speculum in, along with copious amount of lube. Man I hate that thing and that stuff.
Then he swabbed me with Iodine to prevent infection. That stuff smells.
This next part was the worst part. He inserted a small, thin catheter with a balloon tip all the way through my cervix, where they would place an IUD. The cramping was immediate. Then he added air to the balloon at the tip. Even more cramping!
I have never felt cramps like that before and I have never been that uncomfortable before (read: a strange man between my legs looking at my cashlapas, a speculum and a catheter all up in me, two nurses, a good friend and a radiologist in the same room).
The radiologist came in, set up the xray machine and then the doctor started inserting the dye inside. WOW! That's the only way to explain it. I wanted to bear down but that would have pushed the dye and the catheter out, but he nurse was right it was less than a minute in length.
I heard the doctor say that my uterus looked perfect and the tubes looked clear, then I covered my face and started to hysterically cry. I almost wanted to feel the "pop" the nurse mentioned because atleast that would mean I had blockage that the dye was able to open and push through. Atleast that would have given me a reason as to why we are having a hard time try to get pregnant. Instead I don't know why. I do know my "parts" look normal which is a good thing but then my mind starts to race. Is there a bigger problem or is this a quick hormone fix. I hate when I can't turn my head off.
I. Lost. It.
All my emotions came to a head. I was really in this room having this procedure done because I am an infertility patient. I can't have kids without medical intervention. Shit just got real.
I won't know what the big picture looks like until I can schedule a follow up appointment (for all you military spouses out there you know what a challenge this is in and of itself). I told my nurse that we are PCSing Dec. 14 and they need to fit me in somewhere. I don't care if they give me my results in a bathroom, I NEED to know what's going on and what options I have ASAP and before we get to our new location.
I am not starting 2013 without answers.
Here is the skinny of the procedure:
A hysterosalpingogram, or HSG, is an X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them.
During the test, a dye is put through a thin tube that is put through the vagina and into the uterus. Because the uterus and the fallopian tubes are hooked together, the dye will flow into the fallopian tubes. Pictures are taken using a steady beam of X-ray as the dye passes through the uterus and fallopian tubes.
The pictures can show problems such as an injury or abnormal structure of the uterus or fallopian tubes, or a blockage that would prevent an egg moving through a fallopian tube to the uterus. A blockage also could prevent sperm from moving into a fallopian tube and joining an egg. A hysterosalpingogram also may find problems on the inside of the uterus that prevent a fertilized egg from attaching (implanting) to the uterine wall.
An HSG is done for a couple of reasons:
1. Find a blocked fallopian tube. The test often is done for a woman who is having a hard time becoming pregnant. An infection may cause severe scarring of the fallopian tubes and block the tubes, preventing pregnancy. Occasionally the dye used during a hysterosalpingogram will push through and open a blocked tube.
2. Find problems in the uterus, such as an abnormal shape or structure, an injury, polyps, fibroids, adhesions, or a foreign object in the uterus. These types of problems may cause painful menstrual periods or repeated miscarriages.
3. See whether surgery to reverse a tubal ligation has been successful.
I would have loved for Chris to be there holding my hand and talking me through it but with his ECCC graduation around the corner and the last critical event happening this week, he wasn't able to go with me. This is the life I agreed to and I am just thankful he is here with me versus down range.
Anyway, I put on my big girl panties and was about to drive myself when a girl friend offered to be my support. I was hesitant to accept her offer, but I just knew having a familiar face in the room would relax me.
Before the actual test could be done I had to go to the lab and have a pregnancy test done. I would consider myself a pro at 1. taking them and 2. failing them (I've got 15 under my belt) so this didn't phase me. What got me all worked up was when my nurse started going over the procedure and what I could expect. My palms started to sweat and for those of you know what happens to my body when I get anxious/nervous, that was throbbing.
She left the room to gather the items we needed which left me and my support system alone in the room with the model of a vagina. In hindsight looking at the Mirena diagram probably made matters worse, but my friend showed me where they would insert the catheter and then the dye.
Ay carumba, all the way up in there!?
We walked down the hall, took the elevator down to radiology and I stripped down from the waste down and covered myself in a blanket and sat down on the x-ray table.
Now I was really begin to freak out and the reality that I was actually having this test done became very real. The nurse assured me this would be fast, and that once the dye was injected it would be less than a minute.
Here is how it went down, and yes I cried the entire time. Not because I was scared of the procedure per say, more so because I didn't know what to expect and I had mixed emotions about 1. actually being able to finally have this done (sense of relief since this is the final part of the workup and then I can get the results of all my tests, which will give me some answers and the big picture of whether we can have kids or not), 2.what this test could tell me on the spot (am I willing to walk down that path and how will I handle the results, be them good or bad). 3. the fact that I needed to have this test done finally hit me....
My doctor suited up, gloves and the xray protection gown donned, and put the metal speculum in, along with copious amount of lube. Man I hate that thing and that stuff.
Then he swabbed me with Iodine to prevent infection. That stuff smells.
This next part was the worst part. He inserted a small, thin catheter with a balloon tip all the way through my cervix, where they would place an IUD. The cramping was immediate. Then he added air to the balloon at the tip. Even more cramping!
I have never felt cramps like that before and I have never been that uncomfortable before (read: a strange man between my legs looking at my cashlapas, a speculum and a catheter all up in me, two nurses, a good friend and a radiologist in the same room).
The radiologist came in, set up the xray machine and then the doctor started inserting the dye inside. WOW! That's the only way to explain it. I wanted to bear down but that would have pushed the dye and the catheter out, but he nurse was right it was less than a minute in length.
I heard the doctor say that my uterus looked perfect and the tubes looked clear, then I covered my face and started to hysterically cry. I almost wanted to feel the "pop" the nurse mentioned because atleast that would mean I had blockage that the dye was able to open and push through. Atleast that would have given me a reason as to why we are having a hard time try to get pregnant. Instead I don't know why. I do know my "parts" look normal which is a good thing but then my mind starts to race. Is there a bigger problem or is this a quick hormone fix. I hate when I can't turn my head off.
I. Lost. It.
All my emotions came to a head. I was really in this room having this procedure done because I am an infertility patient. I can't have kids without medical intervention. Shit just got real.
I won't know what the big picture looks like until I can schedule a follow up appointment (for all you military spouses out there you know what a challenge this is in and of itself). I told my nurse that we are PCSing Dec. 14 and they need to fit me in somewhere. I don't care if they give me my results in a bathroom, I NEED to know what's going on and what options I have ASAP and before we get to our new location.
I am not starting 2013 without answers.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
MY "RedNek" wine glasses
When Chris and I first moved to Missourah, as the local yokals call it, I stumbled upon these lil gems and thought they were the funniest thing.
What's even funnier was the price tag...
$16.95 for ONE!
I eventually caved and bought one for my mom as a birthday gift. I'm kind of kicking myself now because I WAY over spent and could have made her an entire set for the price I paid for ONE.
Intrigued?
Whelp, on a recent trip to the mecca of crafting stores, Hobby Lobby, I scored big baby.
I bought a mason jar that retailed for $1.79 and it was on sale for 50 percent off: .89 cents.
Then I bought a candle stick holder that fit nicely underneath that retailed for $2.99 that was also, score, 50 percent off: $1.50.
I had some Super Glue at home and woila!
Grand total:
$2.38!!
What's even funnier was the price tag...
$16.95 for ONE!
I eventually caved and bought one for my mom as a birthday gift. I'm kind of kicking myself now because I WAY over spent and could have made her an entire set for the price I paid for ONE.
Intrigued?
Whelp, on a recent trip to the mecca of crafting stores, Hobby Lobby, I scored big baby.
I bought a mason jar that retailed for $1.79 and it was on sale for 50 percent off: .89 cents.
Then I bought a candle stick holder that fit nicely underneath that retailed for $2.99 that was also, score, 50 percent off: $1.50.
I had some Super Glue at home and woila!
Grand total:
$2.38!!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Texas Show Down
So we just got the RFO, or request for orders, so hopefully we will get the official golden ticket, aka the orders, some time early next week.
In the mean time, Chris and I have been busy looking at houses online, comparing layouts, price point where are comfortable (figured in taxes and insurance), features we want vs things that are must haves and have narrowed down an area where we want to live: Harker Heights.
We also picked a Realtor that many people have recommended which reassured us and the Realtor pointed us in the direction of a VA lender who has 34 years of experience writing VA loans.
I am road trippin' it to Texas in a few days to house hunt with a friend in the ECCC that is not only from Austin but just came from Fort Hood, double score.
Did I mention she is a good time?
I just hope we actually do some house hunting while we are down there, hehe.
Our first stay is shot since it's our travel day and after 11 hours in the car, we will be beat, so that leaves us with three full days and our agent said we could probably see a dozen houses in a hour, good deal!
Chris and I discussed with our agent that we aren't desperate to buy. If we don't find something we love in our price range we aren't signing on the dotted line and we will start our search for a rental property.
Fingers crossed, y'all.
In the mean time, Chris and I have been busy looking at houses online, comparing layouts, price point where are comfortable (figured in taxes and insurance), features we want vs things that are must haves and have narrowed down an area where we want to live: Harker Heights.
We also picked a Realtor that many people have recommended which reassured us and the Realtor pointed us in the direction of a VA lender who has 34 years of experience writing VA loans.
I am road trippin' it to Texas in a few days to house hunt with a friend in the ECCC that is not only from Austin but just came from Fort Hood, double score.
Did I mention she is a good time?
I just hope we actually do some house hunting while we are down there, hehe.
Our first stay is shot since it's our travel day and after 11 hours in the car, we will be beat, so that leaves us with three full days and our agent said we could probably see a dozen houses in a hour, good deal!
Chris and I discussed with our agent that we aren't desperate to buy. If we don't find something we love in our price range we aren't signing on the dotted line and we will start our search for a rental property.
Fingers crossed, y'all.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Giddy 'up!
So where is the Lynch family heading next...
Here are a few hints:
Give up?
We are going to the place where they saying everything is bigger....
We report in January but I am making a trip down with a friend this month to house hunt! Get ready Texas, here we come!
Here are a few hints:
 |
| They rock these year round |
 |
| These are a common accessory |
 |
| They worship these bad boys |
 |
| Typical past time/weekend event
|
Give up?
We are going to the place where they saying everything is bigger....
Friday, October 26, 2012
Coffee Group Round Two
For our next "Coffee Group," we all went bowling at they alley on post. It was such a fun time!
Ironically there was an even number of us, 6, so we split up into two teams for a friendly competition. My team, obvs, was on a roll (did I mention one of my team mates was 9 months preggers?!) until our lane broke, not once, not twice but three times. That seriously put a damper on our momentum and we lost our mojo.
We ended up having to move lanes but that still didn't help because our new lane wasn't cooperating either. Just our luck right!?
How did I solve this problem? Lunch time and cocktail time of course. We all took the opportunity to grab a bite to eat from the concession area and do what ladies to best, chit chat =)
Before we all left, I pitched the idea to have a Pinterest Party where we make crafts and everyone brings a Pinterest inspired dish to share. I am so excited I can't wait to host it!
Ironically there was an even number of us, 6, so we split up into two teams for a friendly competition. My team, obvs, was on a roll (did I mention one of my team mates was 9 months preggers?!) until our lane broke, not once, not twice but three times. That seriously put a damper on our momentum and we lost our mojo.
We ended up having to move lanes but that still didn't help because our new lane wasn't cooperating either. Just our luck right!?
How did I solve this problem? Lunch time and cocktail time of course. We all took the opportunity to grab a bite to eat from the concession area and do what ladies to best, chit chat =)
Before we all left, I pitched the idea to have a Pinterest Party where we make crafts and everyone brings a Pinterest inspired dish to share. I am so excited I can't wait to host it!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Girls Day Out!
Chris informed me that the Small Groups voted to have a Dining Out, which means spouses are invited, so I went digging through my hanging space bags to see if I had any dresses for the occasion.
Luckily I had three, but two of my options were from several Dining Out's past (read from our college days) and there was no way I was going to fit into them (read they were sizes 8 and 10) and the one I had wore to the 130th's Ball in Hawaii in 2010 wasn't my fav to begin with (read I only had two weeks notice to find a dress and get it altered and being busty and short that's a tall order so I was already very limited to what I could get). So I called up my friend Nina from Hawaii and asked if she wasn't to take a day off from being a mom of two and venture into STL with me. Of course she said yes, who else would say no to my offer?
Anyhoo, I extended the invite to two of the ladies I met at the coffee and originally they both said yes but since we were leaving early, my pregnant new friend had to pass because she was experiencing morning sickness. So the three of us loaded up into my lil zoom and we headed into STL.
The 2 hour + trip went by pretty fast because of the great conversation and before we knew it we were at out first stop, The West County Mall. We went to Dick's first because I needed some cold weather running gear and the girls entertained my spandex filled fashion show.
Our next stop was Nordstrom to start our dress hunt but they had nothing, a big shocker, but then we magically found ourselves in the shoe department, oops, but I hit the jack pot. I finally found not one but two pairs of boots that actually fit me! Woohoo! I was amped. My eight year search finally came to an end. On that note, a celebratory drink was in order, so we picked up some Starbucks and continued our hunt for dresses. Turning up nada, we were off to the Galleria mall to continue our search and to have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.
Before we left, I made a pit stop into AE to entertain the idea of potentially buying skinny jeans. Boy did I score again! I found TWO pairs of skinny jeans that not only fit amazing they also were very flattering and I scored 20 percent off.
By now we were famished so we had to eat before any more shopping could carry on. Lunch was yummy and filling and we all walked around, food babies in tow, on a mission to find dresses. FINALLY Nordstrom had a dress for me (and I found a sweet black blazer) but nothing suited Elizabeth's fancy so we continued on our hunt. She eventually found a stunning purple number that ironically was the long version of the black, lace cut out back dress that I wore in my friend's wedding!
By the time it was all said in done, the mall was closing (the day went by so fast!) so we loaded up our spoils and made the drive back home.
This was a very successful day =)
Luckily I had three, but two of my options were from several Dining Out's past (read from our college days) and there was no way I was going to fit into them (read they were sizes 8 and 10) and the one I had wore to the 130th's Ball in Hawaii in 2010 wasn't my fav to begin with (read I only had two weeks notice to find a dress and get it altered and being busty and short that's a tall order so I was already very limited to what I could get). So I called up my friend Nina from Hawaii and asked if she wasn't to take a day off from being a mom of two and venture into STL with me. Of course she said yes, who else would say no to my offer?
Anyhoo, I extended the invite to two of the ladies I met at the coffee and originally they both said yes but since we were leaving early, my pregnant new friend had to pass because she was experiencing morning sickness. So the three of us loaded up into my lil zoom and we headed into STL.
The 2 hour + trip went by pretty fast because of the great conversation and before we knew it we were at out first stop, The West County Mall. We went to Dick's first because I needed some cold weather running gear and the girls entertained my spandex filled fashion show.
Our next stop was Nordstrom to start our dress hunt but they had nothing, a big shocker, but then we magically found ourselves in the shoe department, oops, but I hit the jack pot. I finally found not one but two pairs of boots that actually fit me! Woohoo! I was amped. My eight year search finally came to an end. On that note, a celebratory drink was in order, so we picked up some Starbucks and continued our hunt for dresses. Turning up nada, we were off to the Galleria mall to continue our search and to have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.
Before we left, I made a pit stop into AE to entertain the idea of potentially buying skinny jeans. Boy did I score again! I found TWO pairs of skinny jeans that not only fit amazing they also were very flattering and I scored 20 percent off.
By now we were famished so we had to eat before any more shopping could carry on. Lunch was yummy and filling and we all walked around, food babies in tow, on a mission to find dresses. FINALLY Nordstrom had a dress for me (and I found a sweet black blazer) but nothing suited Elizabeth's fancy so we continued on our hunt. She eventually found a stunning purple number that ironically was the long version of the black, lace cut out back dress that I wore in my friend's wedding!
By the time it was all said in done, the mall was closing (the day went by so fast!) so we loaded up our spoils and made the drive back home.
This was a very successful day =)
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Pet Halloween Party
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| My lion. His brother did not want to cooperate with me. |
The local pet store in Waynesville, Rocky Top Pets, was having a one year anniversary/pet halloween party where they were promising free hot dogs, soda and candy (they had me at hot dogs), a pet costume contest along with discounts on food and freebies.
Obviously we had to go because I had to show off my Pride of Lions (read more than one lion is called a pride) aka Oakley and Koa were going dressed as lions. The reason behind their costumes is Koa's breed, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, are from South Africa and they were bred to hunt down lions.
We told our new friends, the Arnolds, about the event since they has a boxer named Macy. We all met up and the dogs met and had a blast. Not only did they have fun playing with eachother and the other dogs, they also scored a ton of free stuff!
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| Dog treats, Tshirts, Bandanas, goodie bags and more! |
Friday, October 19, 2012
Finally, a REAL Coffee
So the Commandant's Reception wasn't a total waste after all.
One of the ladies, who happens to be excepting her first lil love, took the initiative to get every one's contact info and put out a FB invite to meet up for coffee at the Starbucks on post. I was super hesitant at first because I did not want to go to some event with kids running amuck, but then I remembered that most of the ladies at the reception were either kidless or there kids were school age.
So, I took a breath and headed over to the Starbucks. I was the first to arrived so I ordered my fav, a peppermint hot cocoa (I find there hot coffee to be too strong and it was a bit chilly and opted not to go with my usual iced number) and found a cozy nook in the corner.
By the time it was all said and done, seven of us showed up and we spent a good couple of hours talking and laughing. Eventually the numbers dwindled down and just left three of us, but it was great for me because I had the most in common with them. So much so that we made plans to drive up to Saint Louis the next day to shop for Dining Out dresses.
Needless to say I am glad I went!
One of the ladies, who happens to be excepting her first lil love, took the initiative to get every one's contact info and put out a FB invite to meet up for coffee at the Starbucks on post. I was super hesitant at first because I did not want to go to some event with kids running amuck, but then I remembered that most of the ladies at the reception were either kidless or there kids were school age.
So, I took a breath and headed over to the Starbucks. I was the first to arrived so I ordered my fav, a peppermint hot cocoa (I find there hot coffee to be too strong and it was a bit chilly and opted not to go with my usual iced number) and found a cozy nook in the corner.
By the time it was all said and done, seven of us showed up and we spent a good couple of hours talking and laughing. Eventually the numbers dwindled down and just left three of us, but it was great for me because I had the most in common with them. So much so that we made plans to drive up to Saint Louis the next day to shop for Dining Out dresses.
Needless to say I am glad I went!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Breakfast Burritos
Don't get me wrong, I love PDub's Breakfast Burritos, but when I have a hankering for them, I don't want to put the effort into making her super yummy, but a lil time consuming, Breakfast Potatoes.
With that being said, I created my own, hit the spot, version. I always tend to make way to many tater tots so instead of throwing them away the next day, they inspired me to create these bad boys:
Ingredients:
1-2 cups cooked Tater Tots (mine were left over, so I recrisped them (I just used a lil pat of butter) up in the same skillet I make the eggs in)
6-8 eggs (My rational depends on how many you want to make and how big your tortillas are. I also figured one egg per burrito. When I made mine, I used 8 eggs and that filled 8 burrito sized tortillas)
1/3-1/4 cream, 1%, 2% or whole milk (whatever you have on hand)
1/2-1 cup of cheese (I used a 4 cheese Mexican blend because that's what I had, but use whatever you want and however much you want!)
8 burrito sized flour tortillas
How to:
If you are making the tots from frozen, cook them based on what the package says. I bake mine and when they come out of the oven I hit them with a little bit of salt and pepper.
Scrambled your eggs in a pat of butter and seasons them with a salt and pepper to taste.
Once the eggs are 98% scrambled, add in the tots and off the heat add in the cheese and stir to combine. Don't be afraid to smash the tots!
Once the filling is all mixed up, place the tortillas on a plate, covered with a damp paper towel and heat them in the micro until they are pliable (less than a minute should do the trick).
Then fill 'em up. About 1/4 cup of filling should be enough, but then again eyeball how much you want to put in them, but be mindful of your ratio of filling to burrito.
To roll, place the filling closer to one side of the wrap and fold in the sides and roll up tight!
Once they are rolled, I roll them in foil and put them in a freezer bag and put them in the freezer for a quick breakfast on the go.
When I have a hankering for them, I just take them out of the freezer, remove the foil and microwave them for about 2 minutes until they are no longer frozen and nice and warm =)
Variations:
* If you want to jazz them up, add in some cooked bacon crumbles or ham.
* To kick up the tots, saute some onion, a red bell pepper, a green bell pepper and garlic in some butter and then add in the tots, giving them a crush as you incorporate them into the veggies.
With that being said, I created my own, hit the spot, version. I always tend to make way to many tater tots so instead of throwing them away the next day, they inspired me to create these bad boys:
Ingredients:
1-2 cups cooked Tater Tots (mine were left over, so I recrisped them (I just used a lil pat of butter) up in the same skillet I make the eggs in)
6-8 eggs (My rational depends on how many you want to make and how big your tortillas are. I also figured one egg per burrito. When I made mine, I used 8 eggs and that filled 8 burrito sized tortillas)
1/3-1/4 cream, 1%, 2% or whole milk (whatever you have on hand)
1/2-1 cup of cheese (I used a 4 cheese Mexican blend because that's what I had, but use whatever you want and however much you want!)
8 burrito sized flour tortillas
How to:
If you are making the tots from frozen, cook them based on what the package says. I bake mine and when they come out of the oven I hit them with a little bit of salt and pepper.
Scrambled your eggs in a pat of butter and seasons them with a salt and pepper to taste.
Once the eggs are 98% scrambled, add in the tots and off the heat add in the cheese and stir to combine. Don't be afraid to smash the tots!
Once the filling is all mixed up, place the tortillas on a plate, covered with a damp paper towel and heat them in the micro until they are pliable (less than a minute should do the trick).
Then fill 'em up. About 1/4 cup of filling should be enough, but then again eyeball how much you want to put in them, but be mindful of your ratio of filling to burrito.
To roll, place the filling closer to one side of the wrap and fold in the sides and roll up tight!
Once they are rolled, I roll them in foil and put them in a freezer bag and put them in the freezer for a quick breakfast on the go.
When I have a hankering for them, I just take them out of the freezer, remove the foil and microwave them for about 2 minutes until they are no longer frozen and nice and warm =)
Variations:
* If you want to jazz them up, add in some cooked bacon crumbles or ham.
* To kick up the tots, saute some onion, a red bell pepper, a green bell pepper and garlic in some butter and then add in the tots, giving them a crush as you incorporate them into the veggies.
Quesadillas
Several months ago while we were livin' the life in Hawaii, my good friend Jess had me and another "Never Daunted" spouse over for a play date (ie they both has lil ones) and she served up some mean quesadillas for lunch.
I was looking through her new pics of her lil girl and it made me miss them so I decided to whip up her quesadillas with a few twists of my own.
Ingredients
4 medium flour tortillas (as is this makes two, but I just halved the recipe and just made one for myself)
2 Tbsp. Ranch dressing (I used Spicy Ranch)
2 Tbsp. Salsa (I used Mild)
1/3 c. Shredded chicken (I didn't have any chicken so I just used more cheese)
2 strips cooked Bacon crumbled (optional, but I left this out because I didn't have any on hand)
3/4 c. Shredded cheese (I used a full cup since I didn't have any chicken)
2 Tbsp. Chopped green onions (I omitted these)
(If you like spice add in jalapanos)
How to:
Combine all ingredients in bowl. Since I'm just using cheese, I just mixed the sauce components and I sprinkled the cheese on top of the sauce layer.
Heat skillet with a drizzle of veg oil.
I LIGHTLY browned both sizes of two tortillas because I like the texture and crunch when they are browned.
Place one of the LIGHTLY browned tortillas back into the skillet.
Off the heat, spread the mixture on top.
Place the other lightly browned tortilla on top.
Cook until the cheese adheres and melts to both tortillas and carefully flip it and cook on the other side.
I was looking through her new pics of her lil girl and it made me miss them so I decided to whip up her quesadillas with a few twists of my own.
Ooey Gooey Quesadillas
Ingredients
4 medium flour tortillas (as is this makes two, but I just halved the recipe and just made one for myself)
2 Tbsp. Ranch dressing (I used Spicy Ranch)
2 Tbsp. Salsa (I used Mild)
1/3 c. Shredded chicken (I didn't have any chicken so I just used more cheese)
2 strips cooked Bacon crumbled (optional, but I left this out because I didn't have any on hand)
3/4 c. Shredded cheese (I used a full cup since I didn't have any chicken)
2 Tbsp. Chopped green onions (I omitted these)
(If you like spice add in jalapanos)
How to:
Combine all ingredients in bowl. Since I'm just using cheese, I just mixed the sauce components and I sprinkled the cheese on top of the sauce layer.
Heat skillet with a drizzle of veg oil.
I LIGHTLY browned both sizes of two tortillas because I like the texture and crunch when they are browned.
Place one of the LIGHTLY browned tortillas back into the skillet.
Off the heat, spread the mixture on top.
Place the other lightly browned tortilla on top.
Cook until the cheese adheres and melts to both tortillas and carefully flip it and cook on the other side.
 |
| So cheesey and gooey! |
 |
| Yumm! I like mine with a dallop of sour cream. |
Commandant's Reception
Last night we got all gussied up, Chris in his dress blues and me in a knee length cocktail
dress, the very same dress I wore as a bridesmaid in my girl friend's wedding a few days ago, haha.
With these types of "formal" events, it's always kind of difficult to gauge what we ladies are supposed to wear. Some were saying formal, some were saying cocktail. In my world, formal and cocktail are very different terms. Formal means long dress and cocktail means short or knee length. I'd rather be over dressed than under dressed so I figured my bridesmaid dress would be totally appropriate.
The reception was at the Engineer Museum in one of the ballrooms and since two of my friends had just attended one of these, I had the inside scoop on what was in store for us. My friend Ashley reassured me that my knee length dress would be 100 percent fine because she herself wore a similar dress and she told me wear comfy shoes since we would be doing a lot of standing and to eat a lil something before we left the house to tide me over.
Good thing I listened to her on all accounts because, no offense, this event was lame! Hardly any Capt.'s brought their spouses! What also erked me was the fact that there were no tables or chairs. Okay there were five super small tables that were ill placed. How are you supposed to hold your purse and coat (don't all formal functions have coat checks?), a drink, plate of food and socialize?
Anyhoo, at first everyone just stood around and chatted and waited to go through the receiving line. THIS time Chris knew better after the disaster that was the COC in Hawaii and went through it WITH me this time!
We were introduced and shook hands with a Colonel, Command Sargeant Major, and Commander of the Engineer Brigade here. It was super weird that their spouses weren't beside them. The ECC also changed up the event and only half of the Small Groups attended. The other half will have there own, next week.
Shortly after one of the Colonel's wives came up to me and another spouse and invited us to a separate room with the other spouses to chat while Chris and his colleagues heard from the senior command team.
All of the senior spouses had brought a bottle of wine and began pouring everyone a glass, which I thought was a nice little ice breaker/effort to make everyone feel comfortable. Then each senior spouse introduced herself and told us a little bit about themselves (how many years married, how many kids, how many moves, time with the Army, some words of wisdom. Since we only had 15 ladies, we went around and introduced ourselves.
Over all, I did meet some new ladies who are also stay-at-home dog moms and got some good info about Texas, so this social event wasn't a complete waste of time.
With these types of "formal" events, it's always kind of difficult to gauge what we ladies are supposed to wear. Some were saying formal, some were saying cocktail. In my world, formal and cocktail are very different terms. Formal means long dress and cocktail means short or knee length. I'd rather be over dressed than under dressed so I figured my bridesmaid dress would be totally appropriate.
The reception was at the Engineer Museum in one of the ballrooms and since two of my friends had just attended one of these, I had the inside scoop on what was in store for us. My friend Ashley reassured me that my knee length dress would be 100 percent fine because she herself wore a similar dress and she told me wear comfy shoes since we would be doing a lot of standing and to eat a lil something before we left the house to tide me over.
Good thing I listened to her on all accounts because, no offense, this event was lame! Hardly any Capt.'s brought their spouses! What also erked me was the fact that there were no tables or chairs. Okay there were five super small tables that were ill placed. How are you supposed to hold your purse and coat (don't all formal functions have coat checks?), a drink, plate of food and socialize?
Anyhoo, at first everyone just stood around and chatted and waited to go through the receiving line. THIS time Chris knew better after the disaster that was the COC in Hawaii and went through it WITH me this time!
We were introduced and shook hands with a Colonel, Command Sargeant Major, and Commander of the Engineer Brigade here. It was super weird that their spouses weren't beside them. The ECC also changed up the event and only half of the Small Groups attended. The other half will have there own, next week.
Shortly after one of the Colonel's wives came up to me and another spouse and invited us to a separate room with the other spouses to chat while Chris and his colleagues heard from the senior command team.
All of the senior spouses had brought a bottle of wine and began pouring everyone a glass, which I thought was a nice little ice breaker/effort to make everyone feel comfortable. Then each senior spouse introduced herself and told us a little bit about themselves (how many years married, how many kids, how many moves, time with the Army, some words of wisdom. Since we only had 15 ladies, we went around and introduced ourselves.
Over all, I did meet some new ladies who are also stay-at-home dog moms and got some good info about Texas, so this social event wasn't a complete waste of time.
Home owners... maybe?
Even though we won't know where "home" will be next for us for another week or so, Fort Hood, Texas is a very realistic option and possibility.
Even though moving is both emotionally and physically taxing, the idea of looking for our next house and the adventure a new place has in store makes it a little more tolerable.
When we first got to Hawaii, the thought of buying a house crossed our minds since we were going to be there for three years anyway. However, when we saw what the starting cost of a home was ($350-400,000 for a town house style home) and what that amount what get you (no yard, no privacy, no view, being attached or way to close to neighbors) we nixed that idea real quick.
Once we left Hawaii and moved to Saint Robert, Mo. the same thought crossed our minds, but we nixed it for very different reasons. Once we started looking at the houses, their shotty construction raised red flags, ie they are built fast and with cheap materials. Even though the prices are great out here, you can get a lot of house and land for wayyy less than in Hawaii (starting at about $150,000), a poorly built house is going to cause us more headaches in the long run and since we are NOT going to be living here for more than six months, it's not a game we want to play.
Now that Fort Hood, Texas is a very real option for what's next for us, Chris and I have been looking up houses to rent and to own. Since we have lived in two different homes, with very different layouts and features, I really know what I am looking for in our next home:
(these are in no particular order)
-Within our budget! We have been watching lots of home type shows on TV lately and it drives us both crazy when the Realtors show the couple a home way above what they said they wanted to spend/can afford. It's just plain mean.
-It cannot be built on an ancient Indian burial ground (thank you scary movies)
-It cannot be haunted!
-It cannot be near a cemetery!
-Safe location
-Nice neighbors
-Four bedrooms
-Three bathrooms
-Two car garage
-New or newer construction (or have sturdy bones and character)
-Move in ready (no major renovations and no crazy wall colors to correct)
-Fenced in yard
-Open concept floor plan
-Update kitchen with a well placed island and lots of cabinets and counter space
-Nice curb appeal
-Close to base
-Needs to be energy efficient and hopefully has solar panels
-Separate dining room
-Eat in kitchen
-Mudroom
-Finished basement
-En suite bathroom with his and her sinks
-Walk in closets
Like a typical potential first time home buyer, I have a very large "wishlist" but when it comes to making a commitment of this financial caliber, if I am going to invest this kind of green it has to be what I am looking for. Yes, I am willing to compromise but it can't hurt to dream and know what we want =)
Even though moving is both emotionally and physically taxing, the idea of looking for our next house and the adventure a new place has in store makes it a little more tolerable.
When we first got to Hawaii, the thought of buying a house crossed our minds since we were going to be there for three years anyway. However, when we saw what the starting cost of a home was ($350-400,000 for a town house style home) and what that amount what get you (no yard, no privacy, no view, being attached or way to close to neighbors) we nixed that idea real quick.
Once we left Hawaii and moved to Saint Robert, Mo. the same thought crossed our minds, but we nixed it for very different reasons. Once we started looking at the houses, their shotty construction raised red flags, ie they are built fast and with cheap materials. Even though the prices are great out here, you can get a lot of house and land for wayyy less than in Hawaii (starting at about $150,000), a poorly built house is going to cause us more headaches in the long run and since we are NOT going to be living here for more than six months, it's not a game we want to play.
Now that Fort Hood, Texas is a very real option for what's next for us, Chris and I have been looking up houses to rent and to own. Since we have lived in two different homes, with very different layouts and features, I really know what I am looking for in our next home:
(these are in no particular order)
-Within our budget! We have been watching lots of home type shows on TV lately and it drives us both crazy when the Realtors show the couple a home way above what they said they wanted to spend/can afford. It's just plain mean.
-It cannot be built on an ancient Indian burial ground (thank you scary movies)
-It cannot be haunted!
-It cannot be near a cemetery!
-Safe location
-Nice neighbors
-Four bedrooms
-Three bathrooms
-Two car garage
-New or newer construction (or have sturdy bones and character)
-Move in ready (no major renovations and no crazy wall colors to correct)
-Fenced in yard
-Open concept floor plan
-Update kitchen with a well placed island and lots of cabinets and counter space
-Nice curb appeal
-Close to base
-Needs to be energy efficient and hopefully has solar panels
-Separate dining room
-Eat in kitchen
-Mudroom
-Finished basement
-En suite bathroom with his and her sinks
-Walk in closets
Like a typical potential first time home buyer, I have a very large "wishlist" but when it comes to making a commitment of this financial caliber, if I am going to invest this kind of green it has to be what I am looking for. Yes, I am willing to compromise but it can't hurt to dream and know what we want =)
Friday, October 12, 2012
Doing the right thing!
I was on my way home, both pups in tow, from our morning walk when I noticed a large dog sniffing around our house. From a distance the dog looked like a grown up version of Koa and I could spot a collar but I have never seen this dog in our neighborhood before.
I ducked into a friends yard where I would take refuge behind her privacy fence in case the situation got dangerous. Just a few months ago while Oakley and I were coming home from our daily walk in Hawaii we got chased home by dog and I did not want a repeat of that scenario.
While the stray was distracted I tucked Oakley under one arm, he's a compact 15 pounds, and attempted to tuck Koa, now he's a lanky 27 pounds, under my arm and run for my door. We got to the door at the same time the stray got to the door but I managed to get my dogs behind the door -- okay I threw them -- and inside the house.
The stray seemed friendly and super lost, so being the sap I am, I grabbed a leash and some dog treats to see if I could lur him (I knew it was a he because he had two VERY distinct items) in to see if he had any tags on his collar. I whistled to him and he came straight away. Without touching him I noticed he didn't have a name tag but it looked like he escaped from being chained up because part of the chain was still attached to his collar.
This dog was clearly someones pet because he had obviously been around people before and let me put a leash on him. Unsure of how he would react to my dogs and vice versa I put him in the back yard and called my husband who would for sure be home any minute to update him on our new house guest.
Like I predicted my two dogs went bananas when they found out a playmate was in the back yard, but with Koa only 12 weeks old I wasn't about to take any chances. When my husband arrived, he helped me get him in the car and we took the dog to a nearby vet to see him maybe, just maybe he was micro chipped. The vet scanned him three times and no dice.
Since my Plan A was a bust I asked them where I could take him but as soon as they found out that we lived "Outside City Limits" they said I was pretty much SOL but I could try to see if Animal Control would take him. Determined to find this guy a place to stay, we drove to the Saint Robert Municipal Center, which houses the City Hall, Police Department and Animal Control, and flagged down two off duty police officers. They informed us that we JUST MISSED the Animal Control officer and just like the vet said a few minutes earlier, we are SOL because we live "Outside City Limits" and Saint Robert doesn't have a shelter.
F. M. L.
Annoyed that the vet and even the local law enforcement didn't want to take responsibility and turned their backs on this dog, we googled area shelters (Thank God for technology and Wifi) we drove to the Waynesville Animal Shelter to see if they would take him in, since they were the only place still opened.
What happened next brought me to tears. The shelter worker told me that since we didn't live in Waynesville we were SOL and that we should just release him where we found him.
Are your F'in kidding me!?
Aren't you guys supposed to be in the business in helping and protecting animals?!
I was sick to my stomach and enraged. I couldn't just let him go where we found him.Our road is crazy busy with cars since the main drag is closed due to construction, diverting all the traffic through our neighborhood. Letting him go in our neighborhood would be a death sentence and I would NEVER forgive myself.
My husband is a saint and is just as much a sucker for animals as I am and said we could let him sleep in the laundry room over night and reassess in the morning. When we got home, our two dogs were freaking out so we HAD to introduce them. I was super weary about this, but Chris took the lead and the dogs got along great! Whew. The only hiccup was our stray, which I named Big Fella, barked at Koa when Koa tried to hump his face (I would have done the same thing) and again when Koa tried to eat his food (Again, I didn't blame the big guy).
I called the Saint Robert PD, who then told me to call the Waynesville PD, who transferred me to the Pulaski County Sheriff who gave me Humane Society's number who was obviously already closed and their website didn't say when they opened.
F. M. L.
I knew we were taking a risk taking this dog in but I had no idea that all this bs would follow suit. If my dogs ever got loose I would want someone to take them in, check their name tags and call us or bring them to the vet to scan them (we got both dogs chipped). I am just so disappointed with the politics and red tape in this town/city/county!
I slept like crap all night long because I kept having nightmares of us releasing Big Fella and him getting hit by a car. However, I was comforted by the fact that he was sleeping safe and sound in our house because it was cold and raining hard outside.
Once 8 a.m. hit, I tried calling the Saint Robert Animal Control officer again and thank the baby Jesus she told me to bring him in and that she would take him!!!!!
I was so happy I cried.
After coaxing Big Fella into the car, I drove him to the very same police department that turned there back on us from the get go. Afraid to give her my real address, I gave her a friend's address (I asked said friend for permission in advance) since she lived within in city limits. Another reason why I am glad I still have my Hawaii ID. She took him and I hope and pray that his owners are looking for him and that he gets reunited with them real soon!
I ducked into a friends yard where I would take refuge behind her privacy fence in case the situation got dangerous. Just a few months ago while Oakley and I were coming home from our daily walk in Hawaii we got chased home by dog and I did not want a repeat of that scenario.
While the stray was distracted I tucked Oakley under one arm, he's a compact 15 pounds, and attempted to tuck Koa, now he's a lanky 27 pounds, under my arm and run for my door. We got to the door at the same time the stray got to the door but I managed to get my dogs behind the door -- okay I threw them -- and inside the house.
The stray seemed friendly and super lost, so being the sap I am, I grabbed a leash and some dog treats to see if I could lur him (I knew it was a he because he had two VERY distinct items) in to see if he had any tags on his collar. I whistled to him and he came straight away. Without touching him I noticed he didn't have a name tag but it looked like he escaped from being chained up because part of the chain was still attached to his collar.
This dog was clearly someones pet because he had obviously been around people before and let me put a leash on him. Unsure of how he would react to my dogs and vice versa I put him in the back yard and called my husband who would for sure be home any minute to update him on our new house guest.
Like I predicted my two dogs went bananas when they found out a playmate was in the back yard, but with Koa only 12 weeks old I wasn't about to take any chances. When my husband arrived, he helped me get him in the car and we took the dog to a nearby vet to see him maybe, just maybe he was micro chipped. The vet scanned him three times and no dice.
Since my Plan A was a bust I asked them where I could take him but as soon as they found out that we lived "Outside City Limits" they said I was pretty much SOL but I could try to see if Animal Control would take him. Determined to find this guy a place to stay, we drove to the Saint Robert Municipal Center, which houses the City Hall, Police Department and Animal Control, and flagged down two off duty police officers. They informed us that we JUST MISSED the Animal Control officer and just like the vet said a few minutes earlier, we are SOL because we live "Outside City Limits" and Saint Robert doesn't have a shelter.
F. M. L.
Annoyed that the vet and even the local law enforcement didn't want to take responsibility and turned their backs on this dog, we googled area shelters (Thank God for technology and Wifi) we drove to the Waynesville Animal Shelter to see if they would take him in, since they were the only place still opened.
What happened next brought me to tears. The shelter worker told me that since we didn't live in Waynesville we were SOL and that we should just release him where we found him.
Are your F'in kidding me!?
Aren't you guys supposed to be in the business in helping and protecting animals?!
I was sick to my stomach and enraged. I couldn't just let him go where we found him.Our road is crazy busy with cars since the main drag is closed due to construction, diverting all the traffic through our neighborhood. Letting him go in our neighborhood would be a death sentence and I would NEVER forgive myself.
My husband is a saint and is just as much a sucker for animals as I am and said we could let him sleep in the laundry room over night and reassess in the morning. When we got home, our two dogs were freaking out so we HAD to introduce them. I was super weary about this, but Chris took the lead and the dogs got along great! Whew. The only hiccup was our stray, which I named Big Fella, barked at Koa when Koa tried to hump his face (I would have done the same thing) and again when Koa tried to eat his food (Again, I didn't blame the big guy).
I called the Saint Robert PD, who then told me to call the Waynesville PD, who transferred me to the Pulaski County Sheriff who gave me Humane Society's number who was obviously already closed and their website didn't say when they opened.
F. M. L.
I knew we were taking a risk taking this dog in but I had no idea that all this bs would follow suit. If my dogs ever got loose I would want someone to take them in, check their name tags and call us or bring them to the vet to scan them (we got both dogs chipped). I am just so disappointed with the politics and red tape in this town/city/county!
I slept like crap all night long because I kept having nightmares of us releasing Big Fella and him getting hit by a car. However, I was comforted by the fact that he was sleeping safe and sound in our house because it was cold and raining hard outside.
Once 8 a.m. hit, I tried calling the Saint Robert Animal Control officer again and thank the baby Jesus she told me to bring him in and that she would take him!!!!!
I was so happy I cried.
After coaxing Big Fella into the car, I drove him to the very same police department that turned there back on us from the get go. Afraid to give her my real address, I gave her a friend's address (I asked said friend for permission in advance) since she lived within in city limits. Another reason why I am glad I still have my Hawaii ID. She took him and I hope and pray that his owners are looking for him and that he gets reunited with them real soon!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Hoffmann Wedding
I was very a little skeptical how this wedding was going to turn out because the bride-to-be was so calm during the process, way to calm and go-with-the-flow for me. But I can honestly say it was amazing and I had more fun at her wedding than at my own.
Kori, our friend from Hawaii, and also a bridesmaid made the trip for the wedding which made everything even more fun. She came in an entire week early to make the wedding festivities but her flight ended up coming in AFTER the bridal shower haha.
Kori ended up staying with me for a few days before ther wedding so Steph could spend some QT with her mom (she flew in from JAPAN) who she hadn't seen in almost two years and had never met her first and only grandson.
Not wanting to interfere with family bonding time Kori and I played tourist. We visited Bridal Cave *very appropriate if I do say so myself,* hit up the Outlets *shopping is tres $$$ in Hawaii and she made a killing,* had a blast in the City Museum and went up into the famous Arch.
The rehearsal went off without a hitch. Okay I lied. Kori wanted to get some Sonic drinks before the rehearsal because she had never been to one *read they don't have them in Hawaii but they love to tease you and show the commercials anyway.* So we walked in, Cherry Limeades in hand, and of course my Godson Chase wanted nothing to do with me or Kori *he is going through his "I only want Mommy and Daddy" phase right now* so naturally Kori and I tried to lure him in with our drinks. Chase took a sip or Kori's and he was hooked. Well of course when I gave him a sip of mine, he held it in his chubby cheeks and than promptly let it dribble all over his white shirt. FML. We were there for all of five minutes and he is soaked, his white button up is stained cherry limeade pink and no one has a changed of clothes!
Lucky for me Steph is such a cool, laid back mom and it didn't phase her one bit. She just gave me her signature, "Really, Vanessa?!" look. I dodged a bullet there. Whew. This was also the first time we got to meet Jerad's groomsmen and they were a hoot! Naturally, I turned the walk down the aisle into asecret competition that only my partner and I knew about and of course we killed it!
After the rehearsal, we all went over to a BBQ restaurant for dinner and it was super good. We all introduced ourselves (Names, where we are from, how we know the bride and groom and ect) and Mr. Talker aka Jerad gave a nice speech which would only be a foreshadowing of things to come.
Jerad went out with his friends after the dinner and Steph, Kori and I ran some last minute errands and spent the rest of the nightpicking out finalizing the music for the ceremony and reception.
Like the terrible bridesmaid's Kori and were, we slept in and woke up to Steph, the bride, bringing us coffee and breakfast sandwhiches from Panera. I had made a ton of PDubs cinnamon rolls and brought two tins over the week before so we chowed down on them as well.
The morning went pretty well until the rain started! I would have been beside myself, but Steph was as cool as a cucumber. I think I freaked out more than her all week! We loaded up the cars, got ourselves ready and were headed out to get our makeup done. Kori and I were following Steph and her mom to the salon when I noticed Jerad didn't give me much room to back out. I have backed out onto Jerad's dad's grass a dozen times before and thought nothing of it when I went to do it this time.
Epic fail. I got stuck in the mud, big time!!!!! I was sweating, freaking out and in "Kori just go on without me" mode. After a few attempts of lightly piushing the accelorator, using boards to give my front tires traction, the lil lightbulb went off in my head and i zeroed my eyes onto the hitch on the back of Jerad's dad's car.
Did I mention that it's now POURING out!?
I told jerad to get a chain, hook it under my car (how i knew this was even feasable still boggles me) attach it to his dad's hitch and pull me out.
Amazingly, it worked like a charm and we were out of the mud and on our way to the makeup place, just 35 minutes behind schedule. While I was freaking the @#$% out, Steph was laughing and posting my FML moment all over social media.
To keep the wedding on time, after one person got there makeup done, I drove them back to the venue so they could start hair. Once all of our faces were painted and our hair was all did, I started to calm down and relax. The three mimosa's helped too =)
Even though we practiced outside, the change in weather forced us to have the wedding inside and it turned out great! The room looked amazing. The table clothes were black with white napkins and the chairs were covered in white fabric and accented with a black bow. I'm usually not a fan of covered chairs, but it really pulled the room together and made it look complete. I am super glad Steph took my suggestion on the center pieces because they really made the room feel warm and the floating candles in the tall cylinders gave the room a very romantic feeling.
Steph and Jerad renewed there wedding vows in front of there family and friends with a pretty twinkly light background, which is where the head table would sit.
My favorite part of the vow exchange, was when Jerad comically said "until death do us part" because during a rousing and belly aching game of Catch Phrase, Jerad's word was Under Taker and to get us to guess that, he made a WWF reference by saying "Rest in Peace." He said it in the same tone during his vows as he did during the game causing Kori and I to bust out laughing. Luckily Steph's sister gave me a swift jolt to the rib to control my laugh.
After the ceremoney was over, we took some pics then we had to get ready to make our grand entrance. Obv I took our entrance a bit further than everyone else and we were the crowd favorite. We walked into "Always a Good Time," by Carly Rae Jepson and Owl City. Initially I had suggested walking into "Gundam Style" but this worked out way better.
I wore my partners jacket and he took my bouquet. I also walked in holding his budlight and when he walked it he "cheered" me with my bouquet I took a swig of his beer, took of the jacket and threw it at him. It was pretty funny.
After Steph and Jerad had there first dance with there son Chase, who mean mugged everyone when they put him down.
Jerad gave a heart felt speech and opened the dance floor with a well timed, "Hey DJ, Play that funky beat!" Of course it didn't sound like he said funky and the look on his grandma's face was priceless!
The rest of the night was filled with yummy food (Spinach and bacon poppy seed sald, Chicken marsala with havarti yukon gold mashed potatoes and pecan infused broccoli and three flavors of wedding cake: red velvet, marble and tiramisu) and LOTS of dancing!
Jerad and his groomsmen put on quite a show for us, dancing to "Bye, Bye, Bye" complete with the pyramid spin showcasing each of the guys signature moves.
We even got to listen to a song that Jerad and his buddy recored in high school! Man Jerad can SING and DANCE!
But hands down, the best was when Jerad took off Steph's garter to LMFAO's "Girl, Look at This Body."
I can't do it justice. You just have to watch it for yourselves:
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Another funny moment was when no one heatd last call and when they realized the bar was closed, one of the groomsmen remembered that we had a jug of mimosa's in the bridal sweet and prompty made every still left do shots from the spicket.
Since no one wanted the party to end, some of went over to a local dive bar still donning our wedding gear.
This wedding was really a blast and I had the best time!
Kori, our friend from Hawaii, and also a bridesmaid made the trip for the wedding which made everything even more fun. She came in an entire week early to make the wedding festivities but her flight ended up coming in AFTER the bridal shower haha.
Kori ended up staying with me for a few days before ther wedding so Steph could spend some QT with her mom (she flew in from JAPAN) who she hadn't seen in almost two years and had never met her first and only grandson.
Not wanting to interfere with family bonding time Kori and I played tourist. We visited Bridal Cave *very appropriate if I do say so myself,* hit up the Outlets *shopping is tres $$$ in Hawaii and she made a killing,* had a blast in the City Museum and went up into the famous Arch.
The rehearsal went off without a hitch. Okay I lied. Kori wanted to get some Sonic drinks before the rehearsal because she had never been to one *read they don't have them in Hawaii but they love to tease you and show the commercials anyway.* So we walked in, Cherry Limeades in hand, and of course my Godson Chase wanted nothing to do with me or Kori *he is going through his "I only want Mommy and Daddy" phase right now* so naturally Kori and I tried to lure him in with our drinks. Chase took a sip or Kori's and he was hooked. Well of course when I gave him a sip of mine, he held it in his chubby cheeks and than promptly let it dribble all over his white shirt. FML. We were there for all of five minutes and he is soaked, his white button up is stained cherry limeade pink and no one has a changed of clothes!
Lucky for me Steph is such a cool, laid back mom and it didn't phase her one bit. She just gave me her signature, "Really, Vanessa?!" look. I dodged a bullet there. Whew. This was also the first time we got to meet Jerad's groomsmen and they were a hoot! Naturally, I turned the walk down the aisle into a
After the rehearsal, we all went over to a BBQ restaurant for dinner and it was super good. We all introduced ourselves (Names, where we are from, how we know the bride and groom and ect) and Mr. Talker aka Jerad gave a nice speech which would only be a foreshadowing of things to come.
Jerad went out with his friends after the dinner and Steph, Kori and I ran some last minute errands and spent the rest of the night
Like the terrible bridesmaid's Kori and were, we slept in and woke up to Steph, the bride, bringing us coffee and breakfast sandwhiches from Panera. I had made a ton of PDubs cinnamon rolls and brought two tins over the week before so we chowed down on them as well.
The morning went pretty well until the rain started! I would have been beside myself, but Steph was as cool as a cucumber. I think I freaked out more than her all week! We loaded up the cars, got ourselves ready and were headed out to get our makeup done. Kori and I were following Steph and her mom to the salon when I noticed Jerad didn't give me much room to back out. I have backed out onto Jerad's dad's grass a dozen times before and thought nothing of it when I went to do it this time.
Epic fail. I got stuck in the mud, big time!!!!! I was sweating, freaking out and in "Kori just go on without me" mode. After a few attempts of lightly piushing the accelorator, using boards to give my front tires traction, the lil lightbulb went off in my head and i zeroed my eyes onto the hitch on the back of Jerad's dad's car.
Did I mention that it's now POURING out!?
I told jerad to get a chain, hook it under my car (how i knew this was even feasable still boggles me) attach it to his dad's hitch and pull me out.
Amazingly, it worked like a charm and we were out of the mud and on our way to the makeup place, just 35 minutes behind schedule. While I was freaking the @#$% out, Steph was laughing and posting my FML moment all over social media.
To keep the wedding on time, after one person got there makeup done, I drove them back to the venue so they could start hair. Once all of our faces were painted and our hair was all did, I started to calm down and relax. The three mimosa's helped too =)
Even though we practiced outside, the change in weather forced us to have the wedding inside and it turned out great! The room looked amazing. The table clothes were black with white napkins and the chairs were covered in white fabric and accented with a black bow. I'm usually not a fan of covered chairs, but it really pulled the room together and made it look complete. I am super glad Steph took my suggestion on the center pieces because they really made the room feel warm and the floating candles in the tall cylinders gave the room a very romantic feeling.
Steph and Jerad renewed there wedding vows in front of there family and friends with a pretty twinkly light background, which is where the head table would sit.
My favorite part of the vow exchange, was when Jerad comically said "until death do us part" because during a rousing and belly aching game of Catch Phrase, Jerad's word was Under Taker and to get us to guess that, he made a WWF reference by saying "Rest in Peace." He said it in the same tone during his vows as he did during the game causing Kori and I to bust out laughing. Luckily Steph's sister gave me a swift jolt to the rib to control my laugh.
After the ceremoney was over, we took some pics then we had to get ready to make our grand entrance. Obv I took our entrance a bit further than everyone else and we were the crowd favorite. We walked into "Always a Good Time," by Carly Rae Jepson and Owl City. Initially I had suggested walking into "Gundam Style" but this worked out way better.
I wore my partners jacket and he took my bouquet. I also walked in holding his budlight and when he walked it he "cheered" me with my bouquet I took a swig of his beer, took of the jacket and threw it at him. It was pretty funny.
After Steph and Jerad had there first dance with there son Chase, who mean mugged everyone when they put him down.
Jerad gave a heart felt speech and opened the dance floor with a well timed, "Hey DJ, Play that funky beat!" Of course it didn't sound like he said funky and the look on his grandma's face was priceless!
The rest of the night was filled with yummy food (Spinach and bacon poppy seed sald, Chicken marsala with havarti yukon gold mashed potatoes and pecan infused broccoli and three flavors of wedding cake: red velvet, marble and tiramisu) and LOTS of dancing!
Jerad and his groomsmen put on quite a show for us, dancing to "Bye, Bye, Bye" complete with the pyramid spin showcasing each of the guys signature moves.
We even got to listen to a song that Jerad and his buddy recored in high school! Man Jerad can SING and DANCE!
But hands down, the best was when Jerad took off Steph's garter to LMFAO's "Girl, Look at This Body."
I can't do it justice. You just have to watch it for yourselves:
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Another funny moment was when no one heatd last call and when they realized the bar was closed, one of the groomsmen remembered that we had a jug of mimosa's in the bridal sweet and prompty made every still left do shots from the spicket.
Since no one wanted the party to end, some of went over to a local dive bar still donning our wedding gear.
This wedding was really a blast and I had the best time!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Where is the Lynch family going???
...we won't get an RFO, or request for orders, for another three weeks! Ugh!
We met with the Branch manager today and lucky for us we know him from Hawaii. I'm not saying he would risk his career to get us what we want but it's always nice to see a familiar face and it's even nicer to get straight answers/advice from a friend.
After Chris and I talked and went over and over our list, we made some revisions:
1. Fort Hood, Texas
2. Fort Hood, Texas
3. Fort Richardson, Alaska
4. Fort Bragg, North Carolina
5. Fort Lewis, Washington
Fort Hood would be our best bet because there are three brigades, which gives him more oppertunity to take command, AND two of them are deploying (Feb and May). Although this sucks for me, he NEEDS to deploy for his career progression and deployments are inevitable in this line of work. As of now the average wait time to get a command here is 15-18 months. Hawaii and Fort Lewis have the lonest weight time, so Lewis is also out for us.
Although Alaska would be an adventure and we would make more money (we would get COLA again since this is considered an OCONUS location), it's SUPER cold and they are not deploying so this wouldn't help him in the long run either.
Fort Bragg is also out because Chris has never deployed (he volunteered several times) and hasn't gotten an oppertunity, despite asking serval times, to go to a school (Sapper, Ranger or Airborne). Showing up here would be a death sentenace for him. Other people would judge him and wouldn't give him a fair shake because he wasn't "tabbed" or "patched up." This really erks me because you don't get to decide when you deploy or if you deploy or if you get to go to said schools.
I've heard more great things than I have heard negative things about Hood. It's hot and dusty but we like hot and not having to deal with snow is a big perk for us. The base is HUGE and I wouldn't have a super hard time finding a job. Fort Hood is located 45 minutes from Austin, two hours from San Antonio and about an hour and change from Dallas. Plus we would be close to family in Chandler, AZ and in San Jose, CA AND we could vacation in the Gulf of Mexio, drive to Vegas and maybe even do Napa =)
Fingers crossed!
We met with the Branch manager today and lucky for us we know him from Hawaii. I'm not saying he would risk his career to get us what we want but it's always nice to see a familiar face and it's even nicer to get straight answers/advice from a friend.
After Chris and I talked and went over and over our list, we made some revisions:
1. Fort Hood, Texas
2. Fort Hood, Texas
3. Fort Richardson, Alaska
4. Fort Bragg, North Carolina
5. Fort Lewis, Washington
Fort Hood would be our best bet because there are three brigades, which gives him more oppertunity to take command, AND two of them are deploying (Feb and May). Although this sucks for me, he NEEDS to deploy for his career progression and deployments are inevitable in this line of work. As of now the average wait time to get a command here is 15-18 months. Hawaii and Fort Lewis have the lonest weight time, so Lewis is also out for us.
Although Alaska would be an adventure and we would make more money (we would get COLA again since this is considered an OCONUS location), it's SUPER cold and they are not deploying so this wouldn't help him in the long run either.
Fort Bragg is also out because Chris has never deployed (he volunteered several times) and hasn't gotten an oppertunity, despite asking serval times, to go to a school (Sapper, Ranger or Airborne). Showing up here would be a death sentenace for him. Other people would judge him and wouldn't give him a fair shake because he wasn't "tabbed" or "patched up." This really erks me because you don't get to decide when you deploy or if you deploy or if you get to go to said schools.
I've heard more great things than I have heard negative things about Hood. It's hot and dusty but we like hot and not having to deal with snow is a big perk for us. The base is HUGE and I wouldn't have a super hard time finding a job. Fort Hood is located 45 minutes from Austin, two hours from San Antonio and about an hour and change from Dallas. Plus we would be close to family in Chandler, AZ and in San Jose, CA AND we could vacation in the Gulf of Mexio, drive to Vegas and maybe even do Napa =)
Fingers crossed!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Bridal Party Weekend
Getting sent to FLW early couldn't have worked out better if I planned it this way myself. My good friend Stephanie is getting married Oct. 5 and instead of trying to PCS and find a house AND get to the wedding at the same time, we are only about a two and half hour drive away =)
I drove in Friday afternoon to help her MOH of set up the venue. Good thing her mom had a vision and is a crafting genious because I would have been zero help. Don't get me wrong I can decorate but being so far away and not from the area I wouldn't have known where to begin to find a venue or the decorations.
Anyhoo the MOH and the mom worked feverishly through the night to get the place in shape. After we did as much as we could, we went out for a late dinner.
However, I still had some work to do once I got back to the house I was staying at. I had to boil pasta and assemble a cold pasta salad. I am not a fan of traditional pasta salads so I made one with basil pesto, haved cheery tomatoes and mozzerella for my take on a caprese sandwhich.
The next morning after a breakfast of homemade cinnamon buns (PDubs recipe) that I had made and brought, I made a pit stop to pick up the MOH's mom a gift certificate to her favorite nail salon for all the hard work she had put in getting the shower together. Of course I got there before they were open so I killed time in the grocery store next door. Of course the girl scouts AND the boy scouts would be waiting for me! I got mobbed by girl scouts asking for donations for their chili cook off AND by the boy scouts selling popcorn. I made a donation and then headed over to the shower.
Even though getting everything done was stressful the shower turned out great!
I had to leave the shower right before the end to pick up our friend Kori who made the trip all the way from Hawaii. Talk about a good friend! Poor thing just had enough time to unpack and shower because Steph's bachelorette was the same day!
We met up with some other gals at a sushi restaurant for dinner before heading into Saint Louis. Our first stop was the Lumiere Casino. Steph and Kori gambled while the MOH and I had some cocktails. I am not a gambler and would much rather eat, drink or buy something with my green which is exactaly what I did. I'm also not a huge sushi fan so I was still hungry when we got to the casino so the MOH and I saddled up to the Burger Bar and shared some sliders =)
Once Steph had her fill of gambling we made our way to Washington Ave. where there are a TON of bars! The coolest bar we went to was one called Shiver and there was an ice room in the back! Since the MOH knew the bouncer we got to have a photo opp in the room for free =) Saved us about $24 a person.
During our walk up and down Wash Ave we came acorss Saint Louis Man and made the bride take a pic with him.
I can't remember all the bars we went to but I think we went to five total and the last bar we went to before we called it quits (we made it to 3 am!) had a really good live band!
It was such a fun night!
I drove in Friday afternoon to help her MOH of set up the venue. Good thing her mom had a vision and is a crafting genious because I would have been zero help. Don't get me wrong I can decorate but being so far away and not from the area I wouldn't have known where to begin to find a venue or the decorations.
Anyhoo the MOH and the mom worked feverishly through the night to get the place in shape. After we did as much as we could, we went out for a late dinner.
However, I still had some work to do once I got back to the house I was staying at. I had to boil pasta and assemble a cold pasta salad. I am not a fan of traditional pasta salads so I made one with basil pesto, haved cheery tomatoes and mozzerella for my take on a caprese sandwhich.
The next morning after a breakfast of homemade cinnamon buns (PDubs recipe) that I had made and brought, I made a pit stop to pick up the MOH's mom a gift certificate to her favorite nail salon for all the hard work she had put in getting the shower together. Of course I got there before they were open so I killed time in the grocery store next door. Of course the girl scouts AND the boy scouts would be waiting for me! I got mobbed by girl scouts asking for donations for their chili cook off AND by the boy scouts selling popcorn. I made a donation and then headed over to the shower.
Even though getting everything done was stressful the shower turned out great!
 |
| The Bride to Be and her gifts. |
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| The spread: Iced tea, punch, fruit salad, pasta salad and finger sandwhiches. |
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| The set up. |
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| The center pieces. |
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| The sign the MOH's mom made on her cricut! She was up until 3 am making it perfect. |
I had to leave the shower right before the end to pick up our friend Kori who made the trip all the way from Hawaii. Talk about a good friend! Poor thing just had enough time to unpack and shower because Steph's bachelorette was the same day!
We met up with some other gals at a sushi restaurant for dinner before heading into Saint Louis. Our first stop was the Lumiere Casino. Steph and Kori gambled while the MOH and I had some cocktails. I am not a gambler and would much rather eat, drink or buy something with my green which is exactaly what I did. I'm also not a huge sushi fan so I was still hungry when we got to the casino so the MOH and I saddled up to the Burger Bar and shared some sliders =)
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| The bride and her Hawaii Bridesmaid Kori |
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| Steph and her MOH Lauren |
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| Me and the Bride |
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| She didn't win big, but atleast she didn't lose either |
Once Steph had her fill of gambling we made our way to Washington Ave. where there are a TON of bars! The coolest bar we went to was one called Shiver and there was an ice room in the back! Since the MOH knew the bouncer we got to have a photo opp in the room for free =) Saved us about $24 a person.
 |
| Ice Bar at Shiver! It was cooooold! |
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| Since we were in STL it was appropriate that this area had a baseball theme. |
During our walk up and down Wash Ave we came acorss Saint Louis Man and made the bride take a pic with him.
I can't remember all the bars we went to but I think we went to five total and the last bar we went to before we called it quits (we made it to 3 am!) had a really good live band!
It was such a fun night!
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