::Care Packages::

Hey y'all!

I need your help!

You may have heard that a couple of months ago the big "D" word happend: Deployment!

Yuck! I know, but thankfully with technology, Mattie & I get to iMessage daily and occasionally FaceTime {much better than waiting weeks or months for a letter that to hear from your love}.

It is especially nice for Lennon to hear his voice! It always makes me happy to see her smile at him.

One thing about deployment that I have enjoyed is making Care Packages.

I have sent Mattie 2 since he has been gone, although he has only received one so far.

I recently asked him if there were any guys that have not received any care packs and sadly he said there were quite a few! Seeing how happy he was to get the first one, I have decided to take it upon myself to send some to the Marines who have not gotten one.

This is where you come in!

Visit my GoFundMe help send a care package!

Care package are kind of expensive to fill and send {approximately $100 per pack}, but with your help, we can boost their morale! I have set up a GoFundMe to raise $500 to send 5 care packages over. 100% of the money will go toward filling and sending these packages. 

You may ask, what are some of the things that your money will be going towards?

Here are a few of the requested items:

-Stationary & Pens

-Handwarmers, Handwarmers, HANDWARMERS

-Razors

-Chapstick

-Kleenex

-Cough drops

-Drink additives 

{Mio, Gatorade Powder, etc}

-Snacks

{Sunflower Seeds, Nuts, etc}

-Candy

And much, much more!

Postage is only $15.90 per box

I hope you will help send a little bit of home to these Marines while they are over seas!

Here are a few photos of the Care Package that Mattie has received! 

I was so happy that he got it  before his birthday!

They are as much fun to make as they are to be opened!

Happy Tuesday!

::OBX::

Hey y'all!

I know it's been a few, but I have good reason! Mattie and I finally went on our first vacation together... After almost 4 years! 

Not only was it our first vacation together, it was Lemmon's first vacation! She is only 3 months old and has been to 2 oceans, Comic Con and flown across the country!  

{This girl has the life!}

Such a good traveler!

So where did we go? 

Corolla, North Carolina!

For those of you who don't know Corolla is a part of the Outer Banks {OBX}. If you don't know the OBX... You need to!

Anyways, my family has been having family reunions there forever. 

That is the SurFadAck'14 crew! This year it was 4 generations wide! 

Our week consisted of amazing food, tons of beach time, painting bird houses and of course, Oh Hell!

Here are some of the highlights from our trip!

Lennon picking up her Aunt Sissie & Uncle Bobbles

Love their matching swimsuits!

Just a friendly {cut throat} game of Oh Hell!

She seemed to like her tootsies in the sand!

#surfadackcrafts

Matt learned he likes raw oysters but LOVES fried ones!

Memorial for Uncle Tommy {the coolest dude that ever lived!}

As you can tell, we had a blast!

Happy Wednesday Y'all!

::Married to the Military::

Hey Y'all!

Today I realized that I have never done a post about my experience of being married to a Marine.

Mattie
{Isn't he cute?!?}

The main reason for this is that, until recently, I haven't had a typical "Married to the Military" life. We have been stationed in the same place the whole time Mattie has been in the fleet. He hasn't deployed and other than 6 weeks last year, we haven't been apart. Yes, we were supposed to move to Japan, but plans changed. Honestly, the only  things that have been typical: 

{1} Things constantly change

{2} Mattie works very long hours.

USMC Birthday Ball 2011

Another reason, is that I have never felt as though I am a typical spouse. Before I met Mattie, I always said that I wouldn't date someone in the military. Not because of them {I mean who doesn't love a man in uniform?!?}, but because I didn't think I was strong enough. Long hours, deployments, constantly moving, being away from family, and the list goes on and on. Obviously, that all changed. 

USMC Birthday Ball 2012

When I met Mattie, he was still considering doing a Career in the Marine Corps, but I was head over heels. Over the past couple of years, he has decided to finish his contract, then go to school. Of course I would support him if he wanted to reenlist, but between us, I am slightly relieved.  I have a ton of admiration for anyone who goes into the military and even more for the spouses who have been there beside them for more than one enlistment. I think it takes an extremely strong and special kind of person to be a military spouse.

By special, I mean not controlling {Surprise! I'm a bit of a control freak}. It used to drives me nuts when Mattie has to work super late or is told "No" about vacations and usually without him knowing a solid reason. Just ask my mom, if I was told "No", I wanted to know why? FYI: You don't ask "Why?" in the Marine Corps. I don't think it was until Lennon was born, that I finally was able relinquished control and started accepting what they throw at us.

Mattie packing for a Corporal's "getaway"!

So what did they throw at us? Deployment. 

We thought since he had less than a year left on his contract, it wasn't going to happen. Well, it is, but I have a sense of calm about it. It's not for too terribly long, considered non-combative and there will hopefully be internet where he is. 

{Now I can't say when and I can't say where... So don't ask!}

Anyways, I'm starting to feel a bit more typical. You might want to check back after he actually leaves to see if this new found strength and understanding is still fully intact. 

USMC Birthday Ball 2013

One thing is for sure, being married to him outweighs ANY negatives that come along with the military.