DIY Tufted Headboard

My husband surprised me with this!

My husband built the frame and board. Sorry forgot to take before photos. I'll post the link to the instructions we used. The only difference was I used curtains instead of fabric, cause it was way cheaper. :)  

Find the instructions here: https://doordiy.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/tuft-luck/

Ah, the love of farm tables

Sooooo....this table used to be an all white, dirty and worn, dinner table. I originally painted it yellow, but my husband didn't like it. So I came home one day, and it was a completely different table. I must admit, he had a better choice in colors than I did. 

For this piece, he chopped off the legs down to the right size to make it into a coffee table. Sanded the whole table down and stained the wood in walnut. He then used teal spray paint (I know, cringe. I hate spray paint) to spray down the bottom and the legs. 

Looks pretty good though right?! 

Caramel Apple Buffet

Another great idea for staff meetings! This caramel apple buffet is perfect for autumn meetings. 

Red, White, and Blue

Easy and inexpensive ways to decorate for the Fourth of July! 

The cookies shown are shortbread cookies, with cream cheese frosting, fresh strawberries & blueberries! Delish!

Happy Father's Day to our Sailor

Thank you to my amazing husband,
who has learned to become such a wonderful father.

Thank you- for working long days, and never-ending nights to support your children. Thank you for putting their needs before yours. Thank you for teaching them God's ways. Thank you for always protecting them. Thank you for coming home after a long day at work, and still have the energy and excitement to play with your kids. They might not be able to show how much they appreciate you right now, but one day they will look back and be so thankful to have a dad like you. They will look back at all the times at the beach, outside playing soccer, walks to the basket ball court, learning how to tie their shoes, riding his first real bike, (and the list carries on) and feel so blessed to have you in their lives.You might feel like being Sailor has made you missed out on the little things, but it seems to me you've been able to be there to help them achieve those little mile stones that I couldn't. I waited for the longest time to see our baby crawl, and when does he do it? The weekend you came to visit. I waited patiently to see him take his first step- and when does he do it? Again, the weekend yo got to visit. Bub, you've impacted their lives more than you realize. I catch our older son, praying before his meals. I was surprised- I didn't even have to remind him. He told me you taught him. They look up to you so much. They want to be just like you. And you're doing a great job at setting a wonderful example. Thank you being such a hard working man that still manages to make time for his family. You'll always be a hero in their eyes, and in mine.

We love you.

Happy Father's Day

The Heroes Behind The Heroes

It's definitely not easy being a Navy Wife. 

Being a Navy Wife or any military spouse deserves it's own title. It's hard work. You wear many hats. You deal with all the things a civilian wife/mom deals with and then some. You go on for weeks and months at a time not seeing or hearing from your spouse, relying solely on emails or packages. Your children are deprived from seeing their father or mother. Sometimes, you feel like a single parent- taking care of household duties (even the manly stuff like mowing the lawn & taking out the garbage lol), errands, groceries, kid's activities and appointments, financial planning, working, schooling, and the list goes on. Things such as- distance, finances, communication, in-laws, careers, children, infidelity, mental health, deployments, etc. can definitely put a strain on your relationship and your life in general. I mean, seriously, how many 20 year old's have to start making wills?

Overtime, it does get easier. The distance doesn't but everything else seems too.

Being a successful military spouse requires God, love, careful planning, and a whole lot of patience. He's making a sacrifice, and when you chose to marry him, you signed up for that same sacrifice. Sorry but, it's a packaged deal. Remember that old saying? "Beside every strong man, is an even stronger woman." Remember, your husband, if he's anything like mine, does what he does, to make you and his family proud. So return that to him! Support your husband- he relies on you as his wife, for this. Every sailor needs support from their loved ones. Respect him, he might not always feel respected among peers, don't add to that stress. Help him, it's not easy for him to be on a ship for weeks,months, or years at a time! Honor him, always, always, always, make sure he feels like number one. This is key in any marriage! Remain faithful to him- He's away a lot, he needs to know that he's coming home to someone who loves him. Communicate with him- He needs to feel like he's still part of the family/head of the household, include him in everything that goes on. These are all some things that I've had to learn over time to make our transition into and out of deployments and under-ways go a little smoother.  

Sometimes, your mind is constantly worried, wondering, wandering, and anxious, feels almost like your mind doesn't even have any time for itself...but honestly, I wouldn't give my Sailor up for the world.   

It seems so stressful, so people wonder- what makes it all worth it?

To know that my husband is out there, risking his life, making a difference, saving the world, being a hero- that's an amazing feeling. I couldn't be more proud. It's such a rewarding feeling when you watch him come off that ship and  you get to hold him in your arms.

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day 

to all those amazing ladies/fellas that keep on supporting their Sailors! 

I look up to so many fellow Military Wives/Husbands for how strong they all are!  

So cheers! To The heroes behind the heroes! 

San Diego Livin'

A Beautiful Sumatran Tiger at the Tiger Trails 

San Diego Safari Park, Escondido, CA

It's not a Hawaiian beach, but it'll have to do :)

Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, CA