House of Shu: 2014

My entire adult life has been peppered with troubles, choices, and learning experiences. Was I the cause of some of my own troubles? Absolutely. Have I made bad choices? Of course. But all of the learning experiences that have been placed in front of me, I have embraced. Everything that has happened in my past (good or bad) has made me who I am today. I know I wont be the same person in ten years that I am today, and I am good with that. Happy even!

But, truly, throughout my entire adult life (and some when I thought I was grown enough) I have had an amazing man standing by my side. We joke around about how we "grew up together", even though we didnt meet until we were 16.

The point is, without such a wonderful man growing with me through the last half of my life.. that's right... HALF my life!... who knows where I would be. Where he would be. Where, or if, our wonderful boys would be!

Living the "army life" may not be ideal for everyone. For us, however, it has done nothing more than make us grow... as adults, as a couple, and, most importantly, as a family. I would not trade our history or our lives for anything!

Short story long... happy anniversary to the best friend, husband, and, especially, the best father for our boys I could ever dream of! I love you, stud!

Here's to hoping for many more to come! 💑

There is no more truer statement being made at this time.

However, I am here. Awake. Watching Jeopardy and eating sunflower seed. Writing to you.

I was unaware that it had been nearly 6 months+ that I had been on here! Well, that is just unacceptable. What can I say, though? I just started (about 3 weeks ago) a job working full-time... and let's face it... that takes some getting used to when you (meaning ME) haven't worked much at all in the last 5 years!! I have been very fortunate to have stayed home with my kiddos for as long as I did, but I am beyond thankful that I have been given the opportunities I have in the last six months. I have met some amazing people and learned that I am more than I have given myself credit for! Also, and more importantly, I have realized how much support and love I have standing behind me on a daily basis. My mom and dad... always attempting to convince me that I have more potential than I put forth (previously, obviously). My friends and neighbors in this wretched place who have helped to make sure our children don't kill themselves (and especially each other!). Most surprisingly...

My husband. Words don't do him justice. I always thought he maybe could not survive raising our three boys without me. This was probably maybe even a little bit of ego talking. Ha! However, though I know they still need me around to do laundry and tedious housework that they still can't do to my seemingly OCD(ish) standards, he and the boys have really stepped up in a way I never anticipated. I regularly come home to clean dishes and a clean kitchen, bathed children, and the occasional shampooed carpets. Hubby and children alike have given me the confidence I have needed in order to hold down a full-time position again, and I have never been so happy to be a supervisor/friend/wife/mom/student/etc... I am finally... at the age of 31... figuring out who I am and who I can be!

Simply put....
LIFE IS GOOD!!!!

Here are some pics of us from recent goings on :)