Home of the free, because of the brave

I have always been a very patriotic person (I'll admit I tear up when I hear the National Anthem or God Bless the USA) but to be quite honest until this year I never gave much thought to Memorial day. I always looked at the holiday as the start of summer, a day for friends and grilling hot-dogs and three-day weekends. My dad and I rode in Rolling Thunder one year - a motorcycle rally where hundreds of thousands of motorcycles ride to DC on Memorial Day as a tribute to those who have served. It's an amazing sight, they close the highway down and people are on the sides of the roads and overpasses waving flags- I remember there being motorcycles as far as I could see in front of me and behind me and it sounds like a massive thunderstorm. (Clips here and here kind of give you a feel for what it's like) It is one of my favorite memories with my dad and I felt so honored that we participated in that together. Although that is one of my fondest memories - this Memorial Day is different for me, for two reasons:

(1) This past September my good friend Jordan was killed in action while serving with the Marines. We grew up together and his death shocked me to the core. I still think about him often - he was a super funny guy who could quote Forrest Gump like none other, impersonate Elvis and was so musical it would knock your socks off. He was an unbelievable guy with a super sweet wife and an incredible extended family and it's sad to think that he didn't come home as planned with his fellow Marines. I take comfort in the fact that he died while doing something he loved. For some the military is just a job, for others it is a way of life, for Jordan it wasn't the former but the latter and he was proud to serve his country.


(2) I married a man who is a member of the US Army and now everyday I think about the armed forces in a way that I never did before. I never realized the sacrifice, hard work and dedication the those in the military and those that married into the military force. It's one of those things that I always knew but never really fully understood until I faced it myself. Moving 4,000 miles and an ocean away from those we love is just one of those sacrifices, though it is nothing compared to the sacrifice that others make.

This Memorial Day, in addition to enjoying your weekend, I ask that you take a minute to remember those who have fought and died for our freedoms.

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and on a lighter note, don't forget to support Kitties for Camo:

Whatever you get into this weekend, be safe and have fun!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, friends!

Friday Fun

After spending the day at this fabulous place:

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Joe and I had so much fun we decided to upgrade our day tickets to annual passes! We are both proud owners of:
My first annual pass ever! I think it's funny that Joe is standing directly behind me in my pic - what a goof! My neighbor's wife is in town for the next three weeks and our husbands had off so we decided to go and make a day of it. Since my neighbor and his wife don't get to see each other often, I watched their four-month old son, so they could have some quality time and enjoy the park. I actually had a great time playing with and holding the baby - he didn't fuss the entire day! I soaked up the sun and enjoyed some quality people-watching! I even sat next to a family who was from Maryland. It always makes my day when I meet people from my home-state! I really look forward to going back and actually getting a chance to enjoy the water park- I have a pretty strong inkling that we will be going back tomorrow as Joe has already mentioned it several times! He had such a great time, he wore himself out - he's been asleep on the couch since we got home, I can only imagine how our neighbors are feeling! All in all it was a great day!

Reason #59872 why I love kids

Joe and I have a 2 (almost 3) year old neighbor, Miss K. For her age, she is one super-smart kid, not to mention absolutely adorable! She moved a few months ago but Miss K (and her Mom) are going to be in town for the next few weeks and I am beyond excited!! The other day, Miss K was talking to her mom and here is the gist of the conversation:
Miss K: I want my big sister!
Miss K's Mom: But you don't have a big sister.
Miss K: Yes, I do!!
Miss K's Mom: No you don't, you are a big sister but you don't have a big sister.
Miss K: Yes, I do!! ( I think the No you don't/ Yes I do's went on for quite awhile)
Miss K's Mom: Well, if you have a big sister then what's her name?
Whaddaya know but Miss K said my name!!

And when I heard this story, my heart melted!

Best Card Ever!!

We can talk or not talk, laugh or not laugh, pretty much anything or nothing.

And it's all good, I'll just stalk your blog!

Remember, my friend Meg? She came to visit back in March for her birthday and we had an awesome time (you can read about it here and here)! She's one of my dearest friends and a fellow member of the Sisterhood - a group that has had some of the craziest, most random, best times ever! Well, she sent me the card shown above (sorry for the wacko angles, it was the only way I could get minimal glare) and it so lifted my spirits! Meg, girl I know you don't have a blog but I know you stalk read mine (and some other people's too ;) ) but this card couldn't have come at a better time! From the confetti (which exploded all over my newly-cleaned kitchen and I am still finding stars in random places, hello dishwasher), to the message inside, it totally made my week!! Thanks so much friend!

The Sisterhood on one of the best vacations I have *ever* had - we went to Myrtle Beach a few years ago and it was amazing! Miss you girls, a lot....

Toes in the water, toes in the sand!

Yesterday, Joe and I were beach bums at one of my favorite beaches here in Hawaii! You couldn't have asked for a prettier day, it was gorgeous! I hate having to fight for beach space - I always seem to pick the spot where no one is and inevitably someone will come and place their towels right next to mine! Fortunately, it wasn't too crowded - huge plus! We took our library books (I am finally reading The Ocean Between Us - everyone seems to be blogging about this book and I am so excited to be reading it!) and plopped our badonka-donks on the sand for some good 'ole fashioned beach time! It was fantabulous!

Joe under the sunbrella! I was basking in the sun - thanks to SPF-70! There's even a picture to prove it but I am so not posting that picture!

We got home and I was starving. In an effort to get me to not eat ice cream, Joe fixed dinner. It was AMAZING!! I do not know why Joe has not cooked before this, it was so good!! It was a cheeseburger with salsa and cheese, tomatoes and french fries. The picture does not do it justice!


Friday came around again and Joe and I just relaxed all day - it was wonderful! Now we are waiting for our good friends, GI Joe's wife and her hubby to come over! Let the good times roll!

Denali and Milo waiting by the door

Happy Friday Friends!
:)

One fish, two fish

Red fish, Blue fish!

Yesterday, Joe and I took a trip to the Waikiki Aquarium. We had a great time but it was nothing like the Baltimore Aquarium that I am used to. The $6 ticket price should have given it away - I'm used to paying $30 in Baltimore. Even though it was small, I still had a great time looking at all the fish!

Famous Last Words

"We'll start cooking dinner at 5:30" was part of a conversation Joe and I had a few hours ago. However, when Hubs walked out the door to go to the neighbors, he said "5:45 for dinner, right?" Not sure about the time discrepancy but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and we'll go with the later time slot. If he knows what's good for him, he'll be here in 7 minutes ready to grill some burgers, otherwise I'll turn into quite the bear. The kind that eats people, not the cute cuddly kind. It's a good thing I heart footsteps headed up our walkway....

We had a great weekend hanging out with GI Joe's Wife and her hubby! It started with dinner on Friday night at Tuesdays, Ruby Tuesday's that is and ended with a great lunch and not one but two movies! GI Joe's Wife wrote a great account of it here, complete with pictures. Check it out - I'm off to eat dinner! This girl's a starvin' Marvin!

♥

Lovin' this song by Lee Brice:

be a best friend
tell the truth
over use i love you
go to work
do your best
don't out smart your common sense
never let your prayin' knees get lazy
and love like crazy

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

I love a good excuse to eat Mexican food, and what better day than Cinco de Mayo! Have the best memories eating at Fajita Grande, Mexicalli, or Cacique (hello amazing restaurants in Frederick) with good friends and so wish I could celebrate with them today! At Alicia's bachelorette party, I ate so much food I felt like I couldn't move! I guarantee the next time I'm back in town, we will be eating at one of those three restaurants! Can't wait! Hope your day is filled with yummy enchiladas, guacamole, pico de gallo and chips and salsa - I know mine will be!

:)

Photo from here

Rain on a Sunday

This weekend has turned out better than I ever could have expected! It's been wonderful, I was able to hang out with some great new friends, spent quality time with Joe, and even got some beach time in!! All in all, it has been a great weekend! Hope yours has been too!

It's raining here but something tells me that it's still going to be a good day!
Sorry for the junky picture but it gets the rain point across....
Happy Sunday Friends!

:)

"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24