What an eventful week! The kids and I flew to my parents house last Saturday, and boy do we miss daddy like crazy!! We will be heading to Vegas this weekend, and then we have some little things planned for the rest of the time. I'm thankful we will be gone for these select couple weeks though because his working hours just got super crazy.
His job in the Navy is an RDC (for the time being anyway) and that is what the Navy calls a drill instructor. He had pushed 5 divisions a year ago and then went on hold for a year, and now he has just picked back up again. The first week or so is known as 'P days' and those days have the longest working hours for all 3 RDCs that are on the push. We will be getting home just after those days are done so while his hours will still suck (7 days a week for sure, and often more than 16 hours a day) there will be some days that we will actually get to spend a half of a day with him. We have to be thankful for even a few hours when he is on push!
The kids have done pretty good. It had been a year since my parents had seen Bubba or Bug, so with Bug especially, the change was pretty shocking! Now she has a head full of hair, talks, yells, runs, dances, pees in the potty... the whole bit. Bubba has always been a wild child. No volume control, loves to annoy his big brother, and has two speeds... fast and faster! My parents are obviously totally smitten with them.
So I am pretty bummed that I had to miss small group this week and Ill be missing it next week as well, but I still participate even from afar! I love my small group girls :)
I am counting down the days until I can be back with my love though. I have no idea how we are going to do the 3 months apart early next year when the kids and I come out here to get the house stuff in order. How the heck am I going to do a deployment?? Ugh. Ive done two already, so I know Ill be fine, but still. I can whine a bit if I want, it is my blog after all! Haha.
My mom just came in a told me its time we moved back here to a move 'civilized' area, lol. She said that Blondie and Bubba were arguing about the pool. Bubba called it a pond (since there really are no in ground pools where we live) and Blondie said it was a pool. Bubba came back with, no... its a concrete pond!! Haha :) Oh I love em.
That's all I'm going to post about today folks! Lots more I could say, but I live by the Thumper Theory, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!" Have a blessed day everyone!
Babe, I love you and miss you something fierce!! I cant wait to be back with you and my Kadence in 11 days! I'm sorry I stressed you out a bit with what went on today, but if I hadn't told you, you would have been upset anyway :). I love you to pieces... see you soon!
-Mrs. J
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
That Tattooed Girl
So as promised, I have a little time on my hands at the moment, so I thought I would do a post real fast about why I chose the title of my blog.
Of course it is a reference to all the tattoos I have. I LOVE tattoos. Getting them, seeing them on others, planning for the next... they truly are addicting. In the past, tattoos where seen as the mark of a rough and tough person. Bikers, thugs, criminals. I think with the prevalence of tattoos today, the view has somewhat changed.
I said somewhat.
I know there are times I walk into a place and the first thing someone sees about me is my tattoos. That's ok. I'm good with that. What I struggle with, is that some of said people then assume that I am a 'bad' person. Traditionally, I know most women choose to get tattoos in a place that are easily covered with clothing. I specifically chose not to because they mean something to me, and I like having a reminder of that.
Growing up, I was the golden child. Almost literally. In saying that, I mean that I was the cute little white haired girl who got good grades and hardly got in trouble. Parts of my past have shaped who I am today, some of which being painful. Overall, though, I had a great childhood.
Today, when I see someone look at me for the first time and there eyes are on my tattoos, and I don't see appreciation of the work, but rather disgust or fear in some, it sometimes hurts. Other times, I kinda like the illusion of being some billy bad ass. Don't get me wrong, I cant hold my own just fine, but I don't often let myself get pushed to that point. Not anymore anyway. I see judgment of me and who the think I am pass over their eyes and I literally see them make their mind up about me.
There are few things that I am certain about in myself, but one thing I know for sure, is that I ALWAYS give people the benefit of the doubt, despite their appearance. The bottom of my blog displays a quote that I absolutely love. 'No one can make you feel inferior with out your consent.' Isn't that beautiful? I have to ALLOW someone to make me feel bad about myself, and I DON'T. I never second guess my art work because I got each piece with thought and meaning, and if someone would care to know what they are to me, they can ask. If they don't care to know and would rather prejudge me, then that's fine too.
In most cases, when I have a chance to get to know someone who may have prejudged me on my tattoos alone, I am always given the chance to prove them wrong. Sometimes when I am at the park with my kids, I see other moms staring at me and I wonder if they are thinking there is no way I can be a good mom or that I must beat my kids or something. Once they see the care and attention and affection my children get, they soften to me. I shouldn't have to do that, but I'm ok with that role.
Maybe this is a part of who I am supposed to be. I am a walking example of how prejudgments can be so off base. Yes, I have tattoos. That is one part of me. The bigger parts are that I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend. I comfort those who need me, and seek the comfort of others when I am sad. I love to run and be outside. The sound of my children's laughter and crashing waves are two of my favorite sounds in the world. I love my dog as though she came from my own body. Following Christ is a new journey for me, and I love every step. I am a normal person, just like everyone else. Showing someone who may have made up their mind about me before getting to know me how wrong they were, I believe is an important lesson for people to learn. In the future, they wont be so quick to judge.
When we first began going to the Chapel, I was afraid of how I would be received. Its a church, and I know the impression I can give off visually. It had been years since I stepped foot in a church. Walking in there for the first time was a little scary. Every time we go to church, someone always compliments me on my art work. Always. It pretty much never fails. How awesome that feeling was! I know people sometimes recognize my tattoos before the would recognize my face, but that's ok with me. I have them on my body to SAY something without speaking, and I do that rather efficiently.
I know that not everyone appreciates tattoos as an art form, but I do. When there is meaning behind the ink you put on your body, its a beautiful thing. Most of the time, I don't even realize that I have them anymore unless someone comments on them. In line a wal mart once a nice man commented about the Corinthians verse on my shoulder saying it was one of the most beautiful tattoos he had ever seen. Its just letters, but its the over all message he was speaking about, and I get that. I love that.
One thing I never do is apologize for who I am, and my tattoos are a part of that. Some people will close the door on my face before they have a chance to know me, and that's their loss. They will never know my name, just refer to me as 'that tattooed girl' but Id rather them know me that way than to ever be able to speak my name. I am who I am, judge me and you will be judged. My family and friends don't love me any less (which says a lot for my mom since she hates tattoos, haha!) and neither does my Lord. Maybe He isn't a big fan either, but He still adores me! At the end of that day, those things are all that matter.
Take it or leave it.
-Mrs. J
Of course it is a reference to all the tattoos I have. I LOVE tattoos. Getting them, seeing them on others, planning for the next... they truly are addicting. In the past, tattoos where seen as the mark of a rough and tough person. Bikers, thugs, criminals. I think with the prevalence of tattoos today, the view has somewhat changed.
I said somewhat.
I know there are times I walk into a place and the first thing someone sees about me is my tattoos. That's ok. I'm good with that. What I struggle with, is that some of said people then assume that I am a 'bad' person. Traditionally, I know most women choose to get tattoos in a place that are easily covered with clothing. I specifically chose not to because they mean something to me, and I like having a reminder of that.
Growing up, I was the golden child. Almost literally. In saying that, I mean that I was the cute little white haired girl who got good grades and hardly got in trouble. Parts of my past have shaped who I am today, some of which being painful. Overall, though, I had a great childhood.
Today, when I see someone look at me for the first time and there eyes are on my tattoos, and I don't see appreciation of the work, but rather disgust or fear in some, it sometimes hurts. Other times, I kinda like the illusion of being some billy bad ass. Don't get me wrong, I cant hold my own just fine, but I don't often let myself get pushed to that point. Not anymore anyway. I see judgment of me and who the think I am pass over their eyes and I literally see them make their mind up about me.
There are few things that I am certain about in myself, but one thing I know for sure, is that I ALWAYS give people the benefit of the doubt, despite their appearance. The bottom of my blog displays a quote that I absolutely love. 'No one can make you feel inferior with out your consent.' Isn't that beautiful? I have to ALLOW someone to make me feel bad about myself, and I DON'T. I never second guess my art work because I got each piece with thought and meaning, and if someone would care to know what they are to me, they can ask. If they don't care to know and would rather prejudge me, then that's fine too.
In most cases, when I have a chance to get to know someone who may have prejudged me on my tattoos alone, I am always given the chance to prove them wrong. Sometimes when I am at the park with my kids, I see other moms staring at me and I wonder if they are thinking there is no way I can be a good mom or that I must beat my kids or something. Once they see the care and attention and affection my children get, they soften to me. I shouldn't have to do that, but I'm ok with that role.
Maybe this is a part of who I am supposed to be. I am a walking example of how prejudgments can be so off base. Yes, I have tattoos. That is one part of me. The bigger parts are that I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend. I comfort those who need me, and seek the comfort of others when I am sad. I love to run and be outside. The sound of my children's laughter and crashing waves are two of my favorite sounds in the world. I love my dog as though she came from my own body. Following Christ is a new journey for me, and I love every step. I am a normal person, just like everyone else. Showing someone who may have made up their mind about me before getting to know me how wrong they were, I believe is an important lesson for people to learn. In the future, they wont be so quick to judge.
When we first began going to the Chapel, I was afraid of how I would be received. Its a church, and I know the impression I can give off visually. It had been years since I stepped foot in a church. Walking in there for the first time was a little scary. Every time we go to church, someone always compliments me on my art work. Always. It pretty much never fails. How awesome that feeling was! I know people sometimes recognize my tattoos before the would recognize my face, but that's ok with me. I have them on my body to SAY something without speaking, and I do that rather efficiently.
I know that not everyone appreciates tattoos as an art form, but I do. When there is meaning behind the ink you put on your body, its a beautiful thing. Most of the time, I don't even realize that I have them anymore unless someone comments on them. In line a wal mart once a nice man commented about the Corinthians verse on my shoulder saying it was one of the most beautiful tattoos he had ever seen. Its just letters, but its the over all message he was speaking about, and I get that. I love that.
One thing I never do is apologize for who I am, and my tattoos are a part of that. Some people will close the door on my face before they have a chance to know me, and that's their loss. They will never know my name, just refer to me as 'that tattooed girl' but Id rather them know me that way than to ever be able to speak my name. I am who I am, judge me and you will be judged. My family and friends don't love me any less (which says a lot for my mom since she hates tattoos, haha!) and neither does my Lord. Maybe He isn't a big fan either, but He still adores me! At the end of that day, those things are all that matter.
Take it or leave it.
-Mrs. J
Taking shelter.
Last night sent me to a new level of scared. There is something about that fleeting moment when you feel like the lives of your children are in danger, and there is nothing you can do about it but cover their tiny bodies with your own, and pray for the best. Terrifying doesn't cover it. My heart beat was audible as it pounded out of my chest.
When I went to bed, we were under tornado warning, but we have been before and nothing has come of it. My eyes were closed for maybe 15 minutes and then the alarms went off directing us to take shelter immediately. Boats(my hubby) and I flew into the kids rooms and grabbed them up and hauled butt downstairs. Poor Bug was freaking out and shaking, clinging to me for dear life, but it was only a response to my panic. They boys were scared, but they were really helping out by comforting Bug.
The second time the sirens went off, we cleared out our inner closet. You read that right. A closet. Its the only place we have to take shelter in a tornado in out house. It is the central point of the lower lever with no windows. Not having a basement BLOWS.
So while Boats is standing out side like all the other genius men in our neighborhood (lol), the kids and I are chillin' in the closet watching Oprah and I am facebookin' from my phone. I swear, I got more info from Facebook that the news! A lot of people said they didn't even hear the sirens. There is one like right outside our house, so of course we heard it. Our poor dog (a Great Dane mind you...) got put in the bathroom with our two cats. There is no way we would have ALL fit into the closet. I cant wait to move back to California and just have earthquakes!
While we were in the closet, the kids and I all held hands and we prayed. Prayed the God would put his arms around our community and our friends and their families and keep everyone safe and the devastation to a minimum and no life loss. That seems to be the case, so I am grateful for that. I am actually about to shoot an email out to everyone in my small group making sure everyone is ok since we are all scattered through the county.
Today is going to be spent cleaning up the house so that Boats wont have to worry about it while we are gone, and finishing up the packing which is almost done. We have a lot of stuff! I think we will get it all though and hopefully my stress level isn't through the roof.
On another note, I recently signed up to go back to school. I am SUPER excited! Classes begin on August 23, and I was able to order my books last night. I am starting with my associates since the MyCAA wont pay for a BA, but I can move to that after I get the AA so long as I stick with my same school, Ill know ALL my credits will transfer to my BA, and possibly my Masters one day. I am going to major in Criminal Justice. I think I always knew that's the direction Id go in, but I wanted to focus on raising my family. Now that Bug is two, Bubba is 4 and Blondie is 6, I can start to work on a degree for when Bug is finally in school. I should have my BA by then, and Ill definitely be able to find good work. Maybe even a job that will help me pay for my Masters!
I guess I lied in my last blog, this one had nothing to do with my title! Haha. Maybe Ill get around to posting a second blog later on. I'm on a roll!
-Mrs. J
When I went to bed, we were under tornado warning, but we have been before and nothing has come of it. My eyes were closed for maybe 15 minutes and then the alarms went off directing us to take shelter immediately. Boats(my hubby) and I flew into the kids rooms and grabbed them up and hauled butt downstairs. Poor Bug was freaking out and shaking, clinging to me for dear life, but it was only a response to my panic. They boys were scared, but they were really helping out by comforting Bug.
The second time the sirens went off, we cleared out our inner closet. You read that right. A closet. Its the only place we have to take shelter in a tornado in out house. It is the central point of the lower lever with no windows. Not having a basement BLOWS.
So while Boats is standing out side like all the other genius men in our neighborhood (lol), the kids and I are chillin' in the closet watching Oprah and I am facebookin' from my phone. I swear, I got more info from Facebook that the news! A lot of people said they didn't even hear the sirens. There is one like right outside our house, so of course we heard it. Our poor dog (a Great Dane mind you...) got put in the bathroom with our two cats. There is no way we would have ALL fit into the closet. I cant wait to move back to California and just have earthquakes!
While we were in the closet, the kids and I all held hands and we prayed. Prayed the God would put his arms around our community and our friends and their families and keep everyone safe and the devastation to a minimum and no life loss. That seems to be the case, so I am grateful for that. I am actually about to shoot an email out to everyone in my small group making sure everyone is ok since we are all scattered through the county.
Today is going to be spent cleaning up the house so that Boats wont have to worry about it while we are gone, and finishing up the packing which is almost done. We have a lot of stuff! I think we will get it all though and hopefully my stress level isn't through the roof.
On another note, I recently signed up to go back to school. I am SUPER excited! Classes begin on August 23, and I was able to order my books last night. I am starting with my associates since the MyCAA wont pay for a BA, but I can move to that after I get the AA so long as I stick with my same school, Ill know ALL my credits will transfer to my BA, and possibly my Masters one day. I am going to major in Criminal Justice. I think I always knew that's the direction Id go in, but I wanted to focus on raising my family. Now that Bug is two, Bubba is 4 and Blondie is 6, I can start to work on a degree for when Bug is finally in school. I should have my BA by then, and Ill definitely be able to find good work. Maybe even a job that will help me pay for my Masters!
I guess I lied in my last blog, this one had nothing to do with my title! Haha. Maybe Ill get around to posting a second blog later on. I'm on a roll!
-Mrs. J
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Ready, set...
There is something so freeing to me about blogging.
As most of you know, I love to blog. I have a few blogs previously, but I have chosen to get rid of them and start over. Brand spankin' naked-as-a-jay-bird new. I have a few reasons for doing so. First off was that I was realizing how much personal information was out there. I know I had readers whom I had never met in my life. That's totally ok, but not when I was putting things out there that could be used against me in some ways or possibly identity theft and such. I had also come to realize that a lot of what I wrote about was angry. Quite frankly, it disappointed me. I don't want people to think of me as this rage filled female who will blow a gasket if you look at me sideways. I reserve that for people who cut me off when I have my kids in the car :).
I am sure there will still be a venting post or two here and there, however, Ill be more conscious of how it can be received on the other side of the screen. I will still have temper tantrums when I don't get my way, and sneer at people who I believe are the epitome of classless trash, but I suppose that just the woman in me.
On to a quick intro for those who may be visiting my blog for the first time. I am a new follower of Christ. Everyday I pursue an intimate relationship with Him, and everyday I know I'm just a little bit closer. My three children are my world. My dog strongly believes I came from her womb, and by default, so did my kids. I have a husband who is this amazing, wonderful, passionate, beautiful and caring piece of man that I don't believe I deserve at times. He has shown me true love in a way I wasn't sure existed anywhere other than fairy tales. Being married to my love also means I am married to his mistress. The US Navy.
Sometimes I feel like my life is zooming past me and I cant keep up. There are days that I struggle with who I am, and the person I want to be, and whether or not they are the same person. The answer will change depending on the day you ask me.
I have friends that blow me away with their ability to love and care for others, and with out them, I would be truly lost at times. Lately, I have been feeling a tugging on my heart to be putting myself out there more for the people that I care about, and I am trying to do that. Its new to me though, so bare with me.
I am not the openly emotional type. I hardly ever cry, so if you see it happen, put your sunglasses on because an Eclipse must been soon to follow.
For right now, that's all Ive got. My eyes are dry from being awake longer than I have wanted to be and packing for our trip to California in two days. Thank you to all of you who followed me over to the new spot, and maybe my next blog will explain why I chose the title. Its not necessarily as obvious as it sounds :) Goodnight all!
-Mrs. J
As most of you know, I love to blog. I have a few blogs previously, but I have chosen to get rid of them and start over. Brand spankin' naked-as-a-jay-bird new. I have a few reasons for doing so. First off was that I was realizing how much personal information was out there. I know I had readers whom I had never met in my life. That's totally ok, but not when I was putting things out there that could be used against me in some ways or possibly identity theft and such. I had also come to realize that a lot of what I wrote about was angry. Quite frankly, it disappointed me. I don't want people to think of me as this rage filled female who will blow a gasket if you look at me sideways. I reserve that for people who cut me off when I have my kids in the car :).
I am sure there will still be a venting post or two here and there, however, Ill be more conscious of how it can be received on the other side of the screen. I will still have temper tantrums when I don't get my way, and sneer at people who I believe are the epitome of classless trash, but I suppose that just the woman in me.
On to a quick intro for those who may be visiting my blog for the first time. I am a new follower of Christ. Everyday I pursue an intimate relationship with Him, and everyday I know I'm just a little bit closer. My three children are my world. My dog strongly believes I came from her womb, and by default, so did my kids. I have a husband who is this amazing, wonderful, passionate, beautiful and caring piece of man that I don't believe I deserve at times. He has shown me true love in a way I wasn't sure existed anywhere other than fairy tales. Being married to my love also means I am married to his mistress. The US Navy.
Sometimes I feel like my life is zooming past me and I cant keep up. There are days that I struggle with who I am, and the person I want to be, and whether or not they are the same person. The answer will change depending on the day you ask me.
I have friends that blow me away with their ability to love and care for others, and with out them, I would be truly lost at times. Lately, I have been feeling a tugging on my heart to be putting myself out there more for the people that I care about, and I am trying to do that. Its new to me though, so bare with me.
I am not the openly emotional type. I hardly ever cry, so if you see it happen, put your sunglasses on because an Eclipse must been soon to follow.
For right now, that's all Ive got. My eyes are dry from being awake longer than I have wanted to be and packing for our trip to California in two days. Thank you to all of you who followed me over to the new spot, and maybe my next blog will explain why I chose the title. Its not necessarily as obvious as it sounds :) Goodnight all!
-Mrs. J
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