So a few months ago, the Sailor and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary! Which is crazy! It feels so short, but also like the appropriate amount of time. We have had so many ups and downs in just our first year. I think we've learned a lot about each other and ourselves, which just shows me that we have a hell of a lot more to learn ;) So I thought I would compile a list of what I have learned over the last year. Here it goes: 1. A relationship cannot last on love

I’m sure you’re reading all of this and saying, you married a man in the military, you should know you’re going to be around guns! And yeah

Everyone's list may be different, but here's what has helped me get through this lifestyle ;) 1. Wine – for all the things you cannot change. 2. Chocolate - for when things don't go your way and you need to eat. 3. Pencils with erasers – for changing dates in calendars, getting rid of plans, writing in new plans. Just throw away all your pens. 4. Cell phone – just for the social media alone, but our phones actually call people too! It’s a great way to stay in contact your fam

I’ve said this before and I will say it again: I hate change. Then you’ll say, what the hell woman, you married a man whose career is going to create a world of change for you!! Yeah…life’s a bitch. The hardest thing for me was moving away from my family. I would eat dinner every Thursday with my parents, and I would see my brother and sister as often as I wanted. If they wanted to go to a cool place for dinner, I could be there! So that’s been an adjustment. Over thes

Hey guys! I know I've been super slack about posting, apparently November is just as busy as October was so far >.< Anyway, as a little "throwback Thursday" (aka my favorite tag on Instagram), I thought I would share with you our military love story. Now the Sailor and I knew each other way before he entered the Navy. We actually met in the 7th grade at good old Durham School of the Arts. Coincidentally, our families moved into the same neighborhood on the SAME STREET the

Oh my goodness, I accidentally took a couple week hiatus! October ended up being a pretty busy month, involving the Sailor's birthday, a friend's wedding, a family emergency, our 6 month anniversary, a trip to Busch Gardens and Halloween (Below are pictures from the wedding, road trip and Trunk-or-Treat)! But I haven't forgotten about y'all and this blog! I have also been busy with work (my job still rocks!) and with the Family Readiness Group. While I was living in North

So the other week, the Sailor had duty on Friday, and I thought I could be a cool wife and come by and see him after I got off work. I told him the idea (he loved it), and he told me when he had watch, so I could come by afterwards. Now, keep in mind, I’ve only driven onto base once before, and it was with him in the car. So I was texting him that day double checking what gate to go through, since there isn’t just one, and he told me a different one than what I went into be

As a general rule, I am a person who hates change. I like planning and schedules and routines and things to look forward to every day and every week. When I lived in Durham, I had plans 3 out of 5 weekdays: Mondays were Subway and walking with a friend, Tuesdays were game nights at the local comic book shop and Thursdays were “Family Night” where I would go eat dinner with my parents at their house. And yet, my marriage to the Sailor would make it seem otherwise. One good

So I seem to have gotten my first real meeting with Murphy’s Law the first day of the Sailor’s month long underway. Granted, some of the tasks that I needed to get done should have been done sooner. However, I definitely should not have all of the blame put on me. Half of it goes on the Sailor who I need for all of these tasks anyway. I figured before this long underway that I should get on his Navy Federal bank account and get my own debit card for it. Great idea, right?

Moving to any new home is difficult. No matter if it’s 2 miles down the road or across county or globe. Packing your entire life into boxes is a surreal experience. Ideally you would be able to go through your belongings while you pack so that you don’t have a lot of junk to go through while unpacking (guilty). I think that apartments are a little harder in the sense that most of the appliances aren’t yours. The fridge, the oven, the dishwasher are all new things to learn

So I mentioned that I found a job. Which is awesome! I love income and making money and not being so bored. I know it seems so silly, but I feel like I have a purpose again. Having a job to go from 8:30-5 is one of the best feelings I’ve had since I moved to Virginia Beach. It helps a lot that I really like my job. It’s an administrative assistant in a small office; I answer phones, emails, write & edit blog posts, and do some filing. It seems like very mundane things,

After a month of trying out the house wife life, I definitely struggled. As a woman who lived alone and supported herself for 4 years, not working was a very abrupt change. I’ve never described myself as independent, but asking the Sailor for money was weird. It’s nice that we are able to do that as a couple, but it’s sad when my bank account has only money going out. When I received my last paycheck, it was a very sudden feeling of this is it, I’m unemployed. So after t

Okay, so you’ve gotten married, signed the papers and changed your name on Facebook. Now what?? I've complied a list of the order of steps for paperwork for your name change and becoming an official military spouse. Keep in mind, this list was made while keeping North Carolina as my permanent state of residence while living in Virginia. 1. Get your marriage certificate - This is your NUMBER 1 PRIORITY. Without this, you are nothing. It shouldn’t take too long, ours took l

Ah yes, the age old debate of keeping your last name when you get married or taking the new one. Or now the new version is creating a whole new one altogether. Although I’ve heard that’s a lot harder than what Friends lead us to believe. You can’t just become Princess Consuela Banana Hammock all of a sudden (bummer). Anyway, after I got engaged, as many women can attest, I was asked if I was going to keep my last name or take his. I always thought I would do that when I got m

If you knew me and my personality, you would know that I never wanted to leave Durham. I never had a need to, never wanted to. My family is there, my friends are there, I went to school there, I grew up there, I was comfortable. I knew I could find a job there and make my life there, even if it was by myself. I would have eventually gotten a dog, but that’s beside the point. If you looked at me and my siblings, you would say she’s the one to stay in her hometown. I hate

Let me tell you first of all that planning an actual wedding when your fiancé is in the military is a rare thing. There are plenty of reasons why couples do this: to save money, their fiancé is deploying soon, to get the health insurance quicker, to make more money, don’t want the hassle, for convenience, etc. I’m sure there are plenty of more reasons that I can’t think of now. Honestly though, it’s just important that the couple is on the same page. The Sailor has always