We've Moved!

It has been a crazy cyclone of a mess around here.

But I've got some exciting news!

Four weeks ago, we moved! ...not to a new base or state, just to a new neighborhood that comes with a larger house and a better view. We love it so far. It's a breath of fresh air and as close as we're going to come to a new beginning without having official military orders; which I'm still holding out for- I've got that moving bug...ready to go, see, and explore new regions, countries, and cultures.

But for now, we're busy exploring our new surroundings and forming new routines.

In the morning hours, we hit the 3.4 mile walking trail that is conveniently located a block from our home. The best part is, it swings through a park and hangs a left back to our front yard. The kids look forward to this little routine, and to be honest, I'm enjoying it myself...even with the intense heat.

When the sun begins to settle, we pull out the bikes to squeeze the remaining drops of Oklahoma's golden rays. The kids are quiet, expelling their last ounce of energy in a soothing rhythm of petal, push, glide, while the sun drowns the swaying fields of wildflowers and foliage that rattle with the wind in pools of canary yellow and burnt orange; we're bathed in the evening light.

This is my therapy,  my church, my time to reflect and clear my head.

On a side-note, I've been busy wrapping up some projects that I'd love to share with you over the next couple of weeks!

Things are turning out to be on the sunny side-- after all, it is Friday!

Emmie

PS Photos are from instagram. Follow me here:  http://instagram.com/emilyroe

Good News, Bad News

Like Yin and Yang, Ebb and Flow, Peaks and Valleys, Wax and Wane, and all other opposite sayings that walk together hand-in-hand, I have good news, and I have bad news.

pic from our zoo trip. more on that after I sort through the 100's of photos...

Bad News:

I have a virus. Well, my computer has a virus, but it 's giving me an unhealthy dose of frustration, both mentally and emotionally, along with the harsh effects on my pocketbook.

I cried. Hard.

I may have to go dark for awhile until this problem is resolved, or until I have a new laptop...


Good News:

I've been nominated by Circle of Moms to participate in their search to find the Top 25 Military Family Blogs! I took part in this last year and had a great time meeting fellow military wives.

The rules are, you can vote ONCE a DAY until August 16! So if you enjoy my blog, please send me a daily vote by clicking the button below, then click the orange THUMBS-UP button by my name (Writings of an Air Force Wife).

I'd appreciate any and all votes! Please help spread the word.

Tomorrow's Friday, so it can only go up from here. Right?

Have a good one, EM

All in boxes.

Perhaps this is the beginning of the end? Or maybe this is the just end of the beginning and we’re turning the page to a new chapter, a new adventure. I’m going with the latter. 

Our house, our life is tightly wrapped in tissue paper and secured into cardboard boxes. I have to admit, it was hard watching them pack up everything we own --all of our memories and the life we’ve created for ourselves. But as hard as it is leaving the house we’ve called home, I can’t help but to wonder what’s in store for our future.

When you’re approaching the hustle and bustle of life, it’s best to take full advantage of the small things, because when rush hour hits, it’s the small things that get thrown under bus. So before our boxed-up belongings gets loaded onto a moving truck, we’re squeezing the bejesus out of the remaining days in our Alaskan Home. And not in the tourist-sightseeing-Alaska kind of way, but in the this-is-our-life-in-Alaska kind of way…

like deeply breathing in the smell of sweet air that Alaska graciously gives us right before it rains. And when she rains, she rains to a slow rhythm that makes your window sheers calmly sway back and forth.

And moose poo lying on the sidewalk when you’re trying to teach your little one how to ride a bike. You see, only in Alaska.

*I do however, want to give thanks to the moose that trimmed ate my shrubbery. That’s one less thing I have to take care of before our housing inspection. So big props to you, Mr. Moose.

They don’t call it "The Land of the Midnight Sun" for nothing! We’re doing our best to stay up well past our bedtime --in the sun-- making cheap wine toasts with the clink of our glasses in the front yard while snuggling with barefooted babies. After a harsh winter, Mother Nature’s way of apologizing is with a cool breeze that lovingly hugs your body, and sun rays that gently kiss your cheeks. I can forgive even my worst enemy any day of the week with an apology like that.

 We’re ending the week by seeing off our moving truck which is Oklahoma Bound.

Over the next month there are some exciting things in store for my little family --Krysta’s ballet recital, our remaining days in Alaska, a four day ferry ride to Washington, a cross country road trip, and last but not least, the begin of our new life in Oklahoma City!

P.S. If you liked what you've read, please vote for me in the Circle of Moms Top 25 Military Blog contest. I truly appreciate each and every vote you can toss my way. I couldn't have gotten this far without you guys! 

Please click here, then the ORANGE THUMBS UP button to vote!

Have a great weekend!
Em

Cheers to family.

A big bird flew into Anchorage Alaska, and landed with my mom and uncle, safe and sound. There were extended hugs and big shouts of “HEY EMMIE!” and oohing and ahhing over the little ones as we passed them around and the clanking of wine glasses in celebration of family togetherness.

My mom is flying out tonight, and my uncle is here until Sunday, so we’re soaking up every second and making the most out of their time here. This is my uncle’s first trip to Alaska and we’re planning on showing him everything- the mountains, the water, the city, the boats, the wildlife, and our favorite spots that we’ve become accustomed to over the last 4+ years and have grown to love.

First stop was one of our favorite restaurants, The Glacier Brewhouse, for Alaskan Amber and Salmon BLTs.

my mom and Krysta

vats where they brew their own beer

We spent hours catching up. Storytelling about how the fish was *this* big. And laughing until our eyes were heavy and little ones fell asleep in our arms.

It’s going to be a good weekend indeed!

P.S. My friend posted on facebook that there was a moose in her yard, so Ron and Greg walked down the street in hopes that the moose would still be there. Sure enough, there he was at the park! Greg was happy like a kid on Christmas morning!

If you don't mind, could you cast a vote my way? I've been nominated to take part in the Top 25 Military Blog contest which ends May 25! Thank you all so much for your votes; I truly couldn't have made it this far without all of your support!

In honor

Yesterday was Mother’s Day. A day that honors all women who have babies, big or small.

Little did I know, I was born to be a Mom. I was born to love and nurture and cherish and support these two babies that I call mine. To protect them when they are scared. To kiss boo-boo’s when they are hurt. To encourage them when they are feeling less. To applaud their accomplishments and spark their creativity. To stay up all night when they are sick. To give them strength and wisdom. To lead them into truth.

I feel inspired and honored and humbled to be a mom --to know that I’ve created these two little miracles, and are teaching them and sculpting them into happy respectable little people. These two lovelies are my greatest accomplishment; my greatest, most priceless treasure. The road of motherhood has led me on an extraordinary journey and fills me with pride and happiness throughout my very being.

And so as we celebrate mothers, it’s also a time to celebrate the ones that made us Mommy, our little ones.

I am truly, truly blessed.

Krysta Jean 2003

William Emerson 2010

I’ve been searching for the perfect Mother’s Day quote on MothersDayCelebration.com, and this one seemed to sum it up the most. It goes:

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.
She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.”

~Rajneesh

This quote is also on my friend, Melissa’s, blog- --another fabulous mama.

If you don't mind, would you mind giving this blog a thumbs up? Just click this link, then the orange thumbs up button!  Thanks!

 

I hope y'all had a fabulous Mother's Day and Happy Monday!

Em

This is for you all, my loyal readers and friends!

I know that I've mentioned on twitter, that I'm going to hold off on blogging for a few days until after our movers arrive to pack up our first shipment. BUT, I have some very exciting news that's too good to not share right away!

I've never had recognition for my blog before, so when I received an email from Circle of Moms telling me that I've been nominated as one of their Top 25 Military Blogs, I was beyond elated.
This is what Cloud 9 feels like!

Let me tell you, I’m so honored to be participating in this and to be among these other amazing military bloggers. I’m defiantly with good company, and steep competition, I might add!

All of these woman –and men- have come from all different branches of the military, all from different walks of life, from all around the world, and yet we’ve all come together to share our like-minded stories --our love for this country, the military, and our families.

This was all made possible by you all, my loyal readers and friends! I truly couldn’t have done it without your continued support for my little blog and family! So a BIG THANK YOU goes out to you and you and you, from the bottom of my heart. I’m extremely humbled and grateful.

If you have enjoyed reading my blog, please cast your vote, ONCE A DAY until May 25, by clicking here to vote.

You don't have to be a blogger or military to vote, it's open to EVERYONE.
So help me spread the word.
Tell your mama, your brother, your third grade best friend... even your 14 year old crush, if you'd like! And while your at it, check out the other great military blogs on Circle of Moms.

Thank you ALL so very much!

Em