Debt Free

My husband and I started our marriage in debt. I brought along some pretty hefty financial baggage in the form of student loans, but luckily it didn't scare away my husband. As mentioned before, as part of our marriage counseling we took a course by Dave Ramsey that totally revamped what we ever thought we knew about money and finances. This class was better than any other counseling we received  The numero uno item that couples fight about is money. We knew we weren't starting off on the right foot, so we took the class and became educated.

This class saved our butts and started our marriage off on the right foot. We knew we had a hole to dig out of, so we followed steps and slowly but surely dug ourselves out. I wont' spill too many beans because I really think if you're interested then you should take the course, but the first main step was to establish an emergency account with about 3 months worth of total income brought into the house. This step took us about a year to complete and then another 6 months once I got on AD (since our income increased, the stash had to increase again). Then we slowly paid off the vehicles and credit cards. The final beast were my unpreventable student loans. The AF didn't pay for my schooling, and I didn't have parents that were in a position to help out much either. I knew this when I started my degree in 2008. I knew I was on my own, and would be responsible for my own education. On one hand I was very envious of many of my friends that had parents/family funding their college. I feel like they took it for granted the amazing gift they were receiving. Then on the other hand, I feel sort of empowered taking it on myself. I had to learn to budget at an early age, to resist blowing my loan returns every semester and really gained the feeling of independence knowing that I can provide for myself without anyone's help.

Fast forward 3.5 years later, and today we made the final payment to the student loan company. We have no mortgage, car payments, credit card debt or student loans anymore. We're finally debt free and it feels amazing. I encourage you to reevaluate your financial books. You don't have to live in a perpetual state of debt. Growing up, I thought a car payment/credit card payments were something you always had. Not true. 

Not sure how long this state will last, given that we're both looking at future educational programs that we'll surely have to take loans out for, but for now....we'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Oh The Places We'll Live

Kit and I started this tradition when we first moved in together in April 2009. Yes, we weren't married. We're not your old fashioned couple. We took pictures in front of each house/apt we moved into together. I love watching us change over the years and remembering each house and what memories we made there.

April 2009

 This was our very first place together, in Stillwater OK on McDonald Str. Two bedrooms, wood floors and one very small bathroom. We could walk to The Strip (street lined with country bars), bike to class/work and walk to football games. The house was everything we needed at the time. This was the home we came to after our wedding, and quickly determined afterward that we were in the market for something with a little more space and a yard for our new puppy.

May 2010

This would be our last house as full time college kids. This had a big yard, car port, 3 bedrooms and two baths with wood floors. This house was a little run down but it was our favorite in Stilly. We loved decorating it together, hosting cook outs and even our graduation/commissioning party here. We were still within walking distance to The Strip and biking distance to work/school. We were sad to leave for sure. Next we moved in with Kit's parents in Sulphur, OK.

April 2012

Next we moved out of Kit's folks house to the tiniest apartment ever in San Angelo, TX. One bedroom, one bathroom and painted cement floors. The location was pretty sketchy but we never got broken into or had anything stolen so big plus! Kit was gone Oct and Nov, so I moved us out of here mid November to our next home.

December 2012

This is our current home in Panama City, FL. Three bedroom, 2.5 bath, wood floors and two story with a huge yard and pool. We absolutely love our new home, if only I could ever get my husband back so that he can enjoy it!

First FL Spring

Here are some pictures from around my house recently and some work fun. It's Spring here which means more outside time, green grass and the windows are always open.

Morale Outing for Work, the boss and I

The Gang

Spring = Shave Time

She Disagrees

Darla He Still Loves It!

Our Sweet Boy

1 Year of Service

It's been officially one year since Kit and I loaded up the truck and headed to live in San Angelo, TX. I can't believe it's been a year. I started my seven month course at Goodfellow AFB while Kit worked off and on in OK flying back for weeks at a time. That course was the toughest experience I've ever gone through. I came home numerous times crying from frustration, questioning if I had it in me to really do my job, but my kick ass classmates and supportive husband lifted me up and gave me the confidence. I'm still working on issues briefing, but they say public speaking is one of the things people fear most so I'm not alone. Then came graduation! More bitter than sweet I would say.

I had to say goodbye to my family that was forged in tears, stress, long long hours and support. We all formed an amazing bond that I'm not sure even time will tear apart. It was especially hard saying goodbye to my two favorite girls.

Then came the next chapter, hello Florida and the Florida Air National Guard that would be my new employer! No I'm not guard, still active duty, I just work for the guard. Complicated I know!


 I really enjoy my job and what I've done this far. It's challenging and difficult at times, but it always keeps me on my toes and always digging deeper for answers. The people are amazing, and in that alone I can't say how blessed I continue to find myself in that arena. No matter what you do, if the people you work with are caring, hard working, honest, and just kick ass....then you'll enjoy your job a whole helluva lot more. I was extremely blessed in TX and it hasn't stopped here. The men and women I work with always keep me laughing, are helpful, extremely intelligent and so incredibly hard working. I couldn't ask for anything more. May the AF Gods continue to bless this lucky Lt.

My First Day - 15 April 2012

43 Runner's Commandments

1. Don't be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of the run.
3. Don't make running your life. Make it part of your life.
4. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.
5. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.
6. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
7. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.
8. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.
9. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
10. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.
11. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.
12. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.
13. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
14. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.
15. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.
16. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.
17. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.
18. Don’t always run alone.
19. Don’t always run with people.
20. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.
21. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
22. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.
23. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.
24. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
25. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.
26. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
27. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.
28. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
29. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.
30. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.
31. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often.
32. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
33. Without goals, training has no purpose.
34. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.
35. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.
36. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.
37. “Winning” means different things to different people.
38. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.
39. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.
40. Never apologize for doing the best you can.
41. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.
42. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.
43. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.

Weight Loss Update: 3 Months

Ah it's April! Figured I'd give a little update on where I'm at thus far! About 3 months into this journey and so far I'm down 12 pounds! Definitely not where I'd thought I'd be at this point, but 12 pounds is 12 pounds! Overall my goal is to lose 32, so only 20 more to go. Changes I've seen are that my ABU pants finally don't hurt anymore! Which is a huge plus since I have to wear them 45 hours a week. Other than that, I haven't noticed any other physical changes yet.

I'm tracking all my calories with my app on my phone still, staying at about 1330 calories a day (specific to me and my goals) and working out 4-6 times a week. In the month of March I ran 84 miles! Pretty damn proud of that. I run 4 times a week and just last week started integrating weight training 2-3 times a week. I have a PT test for the AF on 6 May, so I definitely will be kicking up my training a notch this month. If I get over a 90% then I get a pass off from work a day. If I didn't need more motivation! With 20 more pounds to go it is a little daunting at times, but I have no choice. It's coming off, one way or another! My 1/3 way there update picture below!

Hold Up

The McVays are currently on hold at the moment...it all started with a phone call. Always does.

Yesterday (Wednesday) morning, my husband emailed me asking when a good time to call is. Hmm I thought. This is either really good or really bad news. He is about 9.5 hours ahead so at lunch time it's about 10pm there, and he's an early bedtimer, so this must be important. He called me during my lunch break to tell me that everyone else is coming home...except him. Instead of getting replacements after they leave, thoughts were it'd be more efficent to just have someone stay behind for a couple more months to finish the job and then no one will have to take their place. Fortunately only a handful of people are needed to stay behind, not the whole unit and guess who insisted in staying behind....my dear husband. His best friend is his deployment buddy and has a newborn and 2yr old at home with a full time working wife holding down the fort. The decision was simple for him. He would stay and let his friend head home.

I'm actually ok with this. Yes it sucks. Yes I'm not happy about it, but I can't help but be so damn proud of my this amazing man I call husband. He's one helluva guy and I wouldn't expect anything more. He's more upset at the fact that he got his hopes up of coming home to me, and now having to deal with staying for another two months really upsets him. I can't blame him. It's starting to feel like he'll never come home, but I know that's not true. I just need to be patient. He'll be home late this summer which is still better than his original return date in October.

I will use these extra months to get closer to my weight goal, save more money (with him working longer = more $$!!) and utilize this extra time to better plan our homecoming trip. I really believe in everthing happening for a reason, and this might lend to help you knowing why. On Monday, I received word that to apply for the AF PA program, I still needed to take two more college classes as prerequisites. One is a simple class that I can take online, the other is a rather difficult science class with a lab. When I work 45 hours a week, who has time for a lab!?! Well that day I found a close by college that offered the class portion online and the lab from 5p-7:30p. It couldn't have been more perfect. I can have my cake and eat it too. And guess when the dates are for this course? Mid June to mid July...it ends when Kit is due home. I found this class before I knew about Kit's hiccup. I'm definitely not happy about my husband's delay, but maybe I needed it to keep concentrated on my goals a little longer. Maybe I needed this, we needed this and somehow with some hope and encouragement this life of ours will be everything we ever wanted.

Everything happens for a reason.