The List Has Arrived

We have been waiting for this day for a LONG time. We finally received the list of potential places we'll be stationed to for the next 2-3 years. We will submit our top 20 preferences, and then wait to find out where our first (semi) permanent home will be! This next move means many things to us. It's where we can finally decorate and nest (haven't really had the chance since we've been married), where hopefully we'll have our first child at :-) , and a place we can finally call "home". We've been married almost 3 years, and lived in 4 different locations. We feel like we have just started the "adult" phase of our marriage, so moving into a home where we'll be at for more than 12 months will be a new experience all on it's own. Bring on the decorating, furniture buying, and memory-making. We're beyond excited for this next adventure! Here's our preference list ranked first choice to last choice:

1. Florida
2. Korea
3. Hawaii
4. California
5. Virginia
6. Colorado
7. Texas
8. Germany
9. Germany
10. Korea
11. Florida
12. Overseas Deployment
13. North Carolina
14. Ohio
15. Louisiana
16. Illinois
17. Montana
18. South Dakota
19. Arizona
20. Nebraska

I know you may look at these and think "What were they thinking!?" BUT we made our best decision based on the job, NOT just location. I will be doing this job for 2-3 years and that's a long time to be unhappy and stressed out. Thankfully I have a wonderfully understanding husband who AGAIN put his wants aside and based it off of job duties (not which cities have MLB teams....) , and not just location. Overall, what good is an amazing place if you're working 6 days a week/12 hours a day and always upset? Not a good situation....

We find out the evening of Friday, August 3! Wish The McVays luck!

Rents in Town

My parents came to visit us for the first time since we've moved away from OklaHOMEa!

Dad at the old time ice cream shop

Downtown shopping fun

She loved the lily garden

The parents got to meet my class!

I had to take them shooting.... 

Birthday Boy

Today is my fuzzy four-legged child's 3rd birthday! Let me tell you how he came into our lives three years ago....

Three years ago, I was flying back to Oklahoma from Alabama. I hadn't seen my husband in five weeks, and this was the first time we were apart for that long. I was at my Air Force "boot camp" or field training. We had only been allowed to write letters, so I was so excited to see my fiance! I head down to baggage claim at Will Roger's Airport to collect my gear. Then around the corner comes my sweet fiance, with this ball of golden fur in his arms....

Previously before I had left, we had lightly discussed buying our first pet together. He was pretty hesitant due to our hectic school/work schedules, but I was totally game. Apparently that first weekend that I was gone he and his best friend Brie went to a Golden Retriever puppy breeder and picked out our baby Zeus. Lucky for me by the time I was surprised with the little guy, he was already potty trained and into a sleep schedule!

Zeus is by FAR my most treasured gift my husband has ever given me. To say that I love my dog is a giant understatement. He goes where we go, lives where we live, and is very much a member of our little family. He's the first living creature we ever raised as a couple, and that is truly "golden". Happy 3rd Birthday Zeus August Bear McVay!

Zeus enjoying his tasty birthday treat!

Doesn't Get Easier

When I was growing up, my parents rarely went on business trips or such things where they couldn't go together. I was raised in a family where if one goes, we all go. When I started dating my husband (almost 4 years ago), it brought new challenges. He had drill and various other military training to go to throughout the year that I couldn't come to. I could handle it. A weekend out of the month was nice, because absence makes the heart grow fonder! We embraced it and always celebrated the Sunday nights when he would return.

I am very independent, almost to a fault. I can go into self-operate mode with ease, but this doesn't mean that I don't need my husband in my life every moment that I can get. He's my best friend, secret-keeper, and other half of my soul. When he's not here with me the house just feels wrong and empty. I'm writing this because over the next couple of months, he will be gone for various weeks at a time. I always thought over time I would acclimate. Hoped that I would get used to seeing the bags packed and the prepped uniform hanging on the door. I haven't and it doesn't. I'm beginning to understand that maybe it's always meant to hurt. If it didn't, then maybe things aren't working properly in a marriage like they should. Luckily, I have really great friends here to keep me busy and a work schedule that a workaholic would envy. On a positive note, Zeus always gets more attention during these times and coincidentally so does the laundry! Even though I find myself swallowing that dreaded lump in my throat every time, it feels better to have someone to love and to be loved in return. Also, numerous homecomings just give us more excuses to celebrate!

Quarter of the Way

We're 1/4 of the way through . Cheers! School has been a whirlwind of emotions and obstacles to say the very least. Thus far, I'm more aware now of my flaws then I've ever been in my life. I've developed personal barriers just in the short amount of time that I've been here, and I am more aware of the faults I've always had lying beneath. More details on what I'm trying to overcome here in a future blog. I have come home to my husband with questions on whether this is the right path for us, and come home with smiles and confidence.

I'm unsure of many things but I have to keep in mind . . . that this is a process. If anything, I've learned that much. This process takes time, hours of hardwork, dedication and most of all....patience.  The process is designed to break you, strip you down to your most susceptible self, then build you back up to be better than you'd ever thought possible. I'm learning so much about myself, and for that I'm grateful. I'm building confidence and skills that can be applied anywhere and everywhere. Yes, there will be days where I feel like I don't deserve this opportunity, but those will pass.

At this point, I do know a few things. I know that I have the BEST support system at home a wife/servicemember could ever deserve. I know that I have a class that provides me with the best reinforcement. I know that I belong here. Lastly, I know that I will kick this experience's ass. Challenge Accepted. I'm ready and nowhere to go but up!

My Gentleman

We have almost been in Texas for three weeks, and honestly it feels like three days. My day starts at 5 a.m. and ends around 10 p.m. I have either been at work, at the gym or running errands like a chicken with her head cut off. It feels like when we get one task completed, three more pop up in it's place! We definitely can't complain that we're bored with nothing to do. Meanwhile, Kit has been applying for jobs like a madman. He's got a couple of bites but no guarantees yet. Hopefully that will change soon! Kit has been a stay-at-home husband since we've been here, and is kicking ass and taking names doing it. Frankly, I couldn't have been so focused at work without his wonderful help and understanding. He has been doing all the house chores, errands, dog walking, and everything else under the sun that I don't have time for. He understands so gracefully when I call last minute with meetings to attend or when my alarm clock must go off at 5 a.m. five days a week. My husband isn't perfect, but he's perfect for me in every. single. way. I just wanted to take the time and express my never ending gratitude for everything he's done. We aren't the classic family unit (where the husband is the bread-winner, works and the woman stays at home), so it takes a very special man to deal with these reversed roles. He takes everything in stride, keeps me confident in what I'm trying to do, and is the glue to our family. As an officer, I couldn't have picked a better gentleman.

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

We hit Pinterest for a dinner idea tonight and this was what we chose! It was such a hit that this is definitely finding it's way into my recipe book. Hope you enjoy this healthy dish!

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

Servings: 10

1 onion, chopped

1 16-oz can black beans

1 16-oz can kidney beans

1 8-oz can tomato sauce (used a 16 oz can)

10 oz package frozen corn kernels (used 2 small cans of corn kernels)

2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies 

1 packet taco seasoning

1 tbsp chili powder 

24 0z. (3) boneless skinless chicken breasts

chili peppers, chopped (optional)

chopped fresh cilantro (sets the whole dish off)

 

Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. (I just cooked the chicken and shredded it separately THEN added it to the mixture). Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream or a do-lip of plain greek yogurt. Serving size: 1 1/4 cups • Prep Time: 5 minutes • Calories: 202 , Fat 1.5, Fiber 10g, Protein 17g, Carbs 33.