6 Months Old... Already?

So... Sorry its been a while since I have blogged anything.. Sometimes I just get caught up in the day to day life things and I forget about anything but that.
I'm sure y'all with children completely know where I am coming from.
So as you may or may not not know, Gabriela turned 6 moths on the 17th. I can't believe our sweet girl is already HALF WAY to ONE. It honestly seems like just yesterday we found out we were expecting, much less having her and now being 6 months so soon!! She is one amazing little girl. She brings so much love and laughter in our lives, its sometimes so hard to imagine what life was before she came along. ♥ The other night I put Gabriela in her crib to go to bed for the night. A little while later I could hear through the monitor being somewhat fidgety and restless. So I went in there to check on her.. I walk in and I talk to her as usual and she begins to CRACK UP laughing.. Not some little chuckle it was a hardcore laugh. Of course that made me begin to laugh and as a result we sat there and laughed together. Its not possible to be upset she's not asleep in times like that... She is so awesome. Even if I have a not so good day.. Gabriela is right there to make me smile. Everytime. :)
I look forward to watching her grow into the little lady she is to become. Its such a blessing that John and I have been given. To be the parents of the most precious gift, ever. I am total awe.
Life is good(through it all)- some days are better than others-for sure. But tomorrow always brings a chance for renewed strength, new experiences, and new "moments". And looking at Gabriela each day brings me that renewed confidence of an amazing life now and what is to come in the future.

This is Dedicated....

To My Sweet Husband John. One day a year is not enough to show the person that you love them so I decided to dedicate this blog to him.

John has shown me more love than anyone I have ever been with in my entire life. He is so loving, caring, compassionate, patient, gentle, and such a handsome man. I feel so blessed to have him as my dear husband. It has been a long 7 years together since we first met but I can't imagine being by my side but him. He is not only my husband but truly my best friend. He is such an amazing father to our sweet girl and Gabriela doesn't realize it yet.. but she is so lucky to have him as her papa. :)
(as am I to have him as my husband) ...


As I laid in bed the other night I felt so much sadness(and sympathy) for all the other Army wives (especially those in John's Brigade and Former Unit) that are currently all deploying. You take for granted that you are with your husbands every night until you don't have anymore for up to 15 months at a time. When John and I did 14 months apart all we could was stay positive and continue the constant prayers for a speedy and safe return. I am SO thankful that John doesn't have to go back to Afghanistan this time... I really don't know what I would do if he had to do it again. Once, was more than enough! To all the wives that are currently going through it again... You are in our thoughts and prayers. I know everyone acts like they know what you are going through but they don't really... as for that I do. And I am so sorry you have to go through it AGAIN. Stay strong, positive and know that it will all be over before you know it. In the mean time if you need anything.. please, feel free to let me know.


I have experienced so much in my life already(good and bad) and I never imagined I could or would be as happy as I am with John. Yes, We are like any couple and we have our trials and tribulations but we know that we are both in this for the long haul and no matter what we are going to stick it out and always be determined to PUT OUR MARRIAGE FIRST.

I LOVE Corinthians in the bible and I think its spoken best by saying:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ♥"

I have never loved a man like I have John.. and I know I never will. I know we are soul mates in every depth of the word and I can't wait to spend our lives TOGETHER, raise our children TOGETHER, and explore all that life has to offer TOGETHER.
I love you baby! Thanks for being the most amazing man in my life.
♥ I love you today, tomorrow and forever. ♥

TGIF!

ITS FINALLY FRIDAY!!!
I am soo happy the weekend is finally here. It has been such a long week for our entire family it seems. The snow is coming down pretty hard and has been since we woke up... fun fun! I am so ready for some much warmer weather.. hopefully it will be here sooner than later.. even though it sure isn't looking like it today.
Tonight John has said he wants to take me out since its been a while. All I can think of is FOOD! I want something good to eat and that can be a date enough for me. I'm not too hard to please.. ;]
..
So today for some reason... Gabriela has been extremely fussy. She didn't want to lay down, she didn't want to eat, she didn't want her passy, I gave her teething medicine, gas drops, changed her diaper, held her, sang to her, laid with her, and she didn't seem interested in ANY of it... I finally told her that she was tested the patience of a saint! Then I came back into the living room(for the hundredth time) put on Soundscapes on the tv and now she's PASSED OUT!
Parenting is so rewarding.. however sometimes it is so exhausting. Today might be one of those days that qualifies.
This weekend we are going to an "International Party" and I've just been told that I need to make something Greek... Anyone have any suggestions? John thinks I should make my fabulous pastccio(Greek lasgna) .. but I doubt I have the energy to do it.. Maybe I will. Maybe I won't.
Well I'm so tired I'm going to lay down for a little bit while I can.
If anyone has any suggestions of what I should make for the "International Party" let me know.

Have a Great Weekend Everyone!

Here We Go Again...

So, I finally decided that I was going to be active again in my blogging. Its a good way to keep in touch with family and friends back home(Not to mention .. gives me a chance to share my random thoughts). So here it goes. Hopefully I'll be better about it this time.

Here is the latest things going on in our lives:
-We got back from visiting our families and friends the day after Christmas. It was nice to spend time with everyone(but so glad to finally be back home after a longggg 3 weeks.) We were so tired of traveling from place to place everyday and living out of our suitcases. We enjoyed it so much for everyone to be able to meet our newest(and sweetest) addition to our family, Gabriela Eden. It was awesome to see my parents(& family) and John's parents (& family) to see our little one. Its so surreal to know that we are parents much less that our parents are now the grandparents. Gabriela is the first grandaughter on my side and the first grandchild period on John's side so to say the least we are thinking she's going to be somewhat spoiled(She already has more clothes than John or I do) :] I realized who some of my true friends.. are and aren't but its okay because I know that people come in my life for different reasons and in different seasons.

- We moved into Anchorage from Eagle River at the begining of December. We decided to downsize a little while we have the opportunity to be able to do so and so far we LOVE it. Yes, its smaller but we are saving a little money and are in the center of anywhere we want to go. Plus, Our neighbors aren't noisy(like our last ones were) and everyone has been extremley friendly.
I'm almost finished with my "Martha Stewarting" of the house.. so it feels so homey already. ♥
- Gabriela is already 4 months old. That in itself is so amazing. Feels like just yesterday we found out that I was pregnant and here she is. She has so much personality and is such a sweet, loving and funny baby. We are loving being parents and can't wait to raise her together and see her grow more into the little lady she already is. ♥
-We are thinking we are going to be in Alaska now until 2010. We were supposed to be getting out towards the end of this year(2009) but apparently the Army had different plans and has decided to extend his contract.. Gotta Love the Army! Its a little dissapointing but honestly I am so thankful and blessed that he doesn't have to go to Afganistan like the other guys that are leaving by March of this year. Iraq for 14 months was more than enough that I can handle. So excited about No More Deployments for my love.
- As for me.. I'm LOVING being able to stay at home with Gabriela as long as its possible. It's so rewarding! But I have been thinking a lot lately about going back to school and finally becoming a massage therapist. I've wanted to do that for so long and I think my opportunity is finally becoming available. I've been looking into schools in the area and will figure out soon all my options.

I can't believe the way my life is turning out. I have An Amazing, Devoted Husband, A Beautiful and Smart Daughter, A Wonderful Family, and Great Friends.
All in All.. Life is Great and I am so Blessed and Amazed EACH and EVERYDAY!
♥