30DBC Day #7: Favorite movies

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE MOVIES!!! I am an avid movie watcher and I don't think I could narrow it down to one or two favorite movies. So I will tell you my favorite movies for each genre of film.

Drama: It would be a tie between Beaches and Steel Magnolias

Love Story: The Notebook

Romantic Comedy: Pretty Woman

Musical: This is one of my catergories that I can't pick just one or even two or five for that matter. I love musicals especially Grease, Sound of Music, Jesus Christ Superstar, My Fair Lady....I could go on forever!!

Action: Anything with Denzel Washington or Samuel L Jackson in it. I also love the movie "Mississppi Burning". It is older but a great movie!!

Horror: I am not a blood and guts horror movie kind of girl, even though I will watch them. I like suspenseful type movies like the old Alfred Hitchcock movies. I love the movie Rear Window and The Birds

Sci-Fi: Hands Down would be The Star Wars movies!!! LOVE THEM!!

Holiday Movie: White Christmas and The Christmas Story. I could watch them both a million times during the holiday season and not get enough!!

As you can see, I love movies!! This doesn't even touch all the movies I love but it is a select few!! 

30DBC Day #6: A picture of something that makes you happy

Today's challenge is a hard one because there is not one thing that makes me happy. I have an entire list of things that make me happy. So I will do my best to keep it short and sweet.

Things that make me happy:

Laughing with my friends

Christmas

The smell of babies

Reading

Baking and the way my house smells when I am baking

Hot chai tea 

Puppy breath

Seeing people happy after I have done something nice for them

Praying

 

Watching snow fall

Boy....this list could go on forever. But the one thing in my life that makes me the most happy over anything else is my family....my ENTIRE family!!! Husband, kids, parents, siblings, all of them. Any time spent with them is the happiest times of my life!!!

30DBC Day #5: My siblings

So today's challenge is to write about my siblings however, that isn't really a challenge at all since I adore each and every one of my siblings!! We are a crazy bunch but they are the best group of brothers and sisters a girl could ask for. I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters, which make for chaotic holidays. The only thing I wish my siblings understood is how hard it is for me to be so far away from them. I frequently feel like the "outsider" and I hate that feeling. But I guess that comes with the territory of being away from home.

All of us at Corey and Leanne's Wedding. I think the only picture that has every sibling in it together!!

My older brother Jason was always my idol growing up. I always wanted to be around him and his friends, which I am sure annoyed the crap out of him. As adults, we are still pretty close. He is a great man and an awesome father to my beautiful niece, Riley. He was always there for me growing up, especially when I was trying to figure out the dating world and he is still there for me to this day. He is the competitive one amongst the kids and it is often quite humorous to watch him play games.

Jason and I

Corey is the dreaded "middle" child of my mother's 5 children. Everyone seemed to that their pairing, except for Corey. He always danced to the beat of his own drummer and rarely went with the pack. It has served him well being that way as he navigates the world of being a newlywed. Corey is the "chill" one in the group, always avoiding confrontation and trying to keep everyone else calm!!

Corey and his best friend Josh

Tracey is #4 and my younger sister. Despite the distance between us, Tracey and I always managed to stay close. We have helped each other in so many situations in life and I am very proud of the woman she is becoming. She is an awesome Mom is my gorgeous niece, Madison. Tracey is the outspoken one in the group and boy does that make for some interesting exchanges, especially between her and my mom!!

Tracey!!

Next in line is Philip. Even though he is not my blood brother, he is as much of a brother to me as the rest of them. He is too hard on himself and doesn't give himself enough credit. I wish he knew that he didn't have to try so hard to impress people and that when he is himself, the real Phil, he is really cool to hang out with. Philip is the athletic one. Despite my other brothers playing various sports and still playing them, he is the one whose life revolves around sports.

Philip

Timothy is the baby brother and he will always be my baby!! I laugh because he always says "he is living the dream"...what the dream is exactly, I have no idea but he seems happy. He has always been so "happy-go-lucky" with life and continues to be that way. Timmy is the "clown" of the group, always cracking jokes, always smiling. If you ever need someone to cheer you up, he is the person to turn to!!

Timmy enjoying his lobster

Finally, is Alecia (aka FeFe), the baby of the group. She is really coming into her own this year and I am so proud of her because of the steps she has taken to improve her life. She recently joined the Air Force after 5 years of agonizing over the decision!! It is a huge step in her life and I am so excited for her to start this journey.

Fefe!!

The whole lot of them are a bunch of crazy, loud-mouthed New Yorkers and I absolutely adore each and every one of them. They each bring something special to my life and I wouldn't be the woman I am today if they hadn't been a part of my life!!

30DBC Day #4: My parents

Today's challenge to to talk about my parents!! Well this one might be a long one because I have been fortunate each to have several people in my life that had a hand in raising me.

My father, James, was the light of my mother's life. He was her first true love and to this day, had life gone a different course, they would still be married. When I was 9 months old, he was killed in a boating accident that left my mother widowed at 22 years old with 2 children under the age of 3. As I have gone through life, I have learned of the many traits I possess that are identical to him such as my passion for taking pictures, my love of playing basketball and my obsession with ketchup!!

Daddy Jim circa 1971

When I was between 3 and 4 years old, my mother remarried the man who became my Dad!! He is a Dad in every sense of the word despite not being my blood. He never treated my brother and I different from the children he had with my mother. He has been there through everything and even when things have gone sour in our relationship, we have still managed to find our way back to each other. He and my mother divorced when I about 13 and they both remarried. My step-mom has always been someone I can turn to, especially when I need an ear to bend or some advice that I wouldn't otherwise think of. It is funny how even though he is not my blood, I have so many traits that I learned from him such as my love of music (especially the Beatles) and my knack for electronics.

Dad and Mary August 2010

Last but most certainly not least is my mother!! It is so hard to put into words what I feel toward my mother.I have written about her before (Mom) but here is a little bit about her. I hate to use the old cliche of "my mother is my best friend" but it is so true and then some. She is my rock, my confidant, my adviser and my mentor. My mother and I didn't always have the best relationship. As a teenager, I wanted nothing more than for her to butt out of my life and to leave me alone. When I joined the Navy, I truly started to see my mom in a different light but over the last couple of years, our relationship is truly evolved. I can count on her for anything and I am so proud of the woman she is. She has taught me so many traits that I hope to pass on to my own daughter such as strength, independence and compassion. I absolutely adore this woman and I am truly blessed to have her as my mother.

Mom and I after a few too many jello shots!!

30DBC Day #3: My first love

My first love.....oh, do I ever remember the day I met him. It had been such a long day and I was exhausted. There was so much hustle and bustle all around me but I could here his sweet voice screaming in the background. I longed to look into the eyes of that tiny creature making those sweet cries but first, they had to make sure he was ok. My heart did a flip and my stomach twisted in knots when they walked over and handed me the bundle of blankets. There, with a face like a tiny angel, was my sweet boy. I had waited 9 long months to look into those eyes and smell his sweet smell. It seemed like the whole world disappeared around us as we stared at each other. I fell in love that very moment and my love for him grows more and more with each passed day. Never have I felt like this and I know that I never will again!!! He is the first person in my life to fill my heart completely. He is and always will be my first true love!!!!

Little Man 12 hours after birth

Little man October 2010

30DBC Day #2

Today's challenge is to tell about the meaning behind your blog name. "See you about the decks" was a common Navy phrase that my husband heard frequently when he was on the ship. I never had the fortunate pleasure of serving on a ship despite being in the Navy for 10 years. However, since we are a Navy family, I wanted a Navy term that would mean I look forward to meeting people and "seeing" people again as they visit our little world via my blog.

The Navy is more than a job for my husband, it is his way of life as it was mine when I was serving. We will be a Navy family until the Navy tells us we need to go home. I miss being in the Navy but I am happy that I can still be a part of it all by being a Navy wife. Everyone has their "horror" story to tell about the military way of life but for us, the good has always outweighed the bad. We get a paycheck every 2 weeks (there about), we have a decent roof over our head, the doctor bills aren't killing our bank account, we don't worry about him getting fired or laid off, and we get to see different places that we otherwise may have never seen. Yes, the deployments and time apart stink but who knows what kind of job my husband would have otherwise so several months apart doing something he enjoys is so much better than him being in a miserable job that he will dread every day. To me, his passion for the Navy is going to teach our children to strive for the things they love even if it makes their lives uncomfortable every now and then!!

We are extremely proud to be a Navy family and I hope I get to see all of you about the decks!!!!

Have a Fine Navy Day!!!!!!

30DBC: Day #1

Well, here it is....Day 1 and today's challenge is to introduce myself, post a recent picture and to type out 15 random things about myself. Should be easy right? Well, we shall see.....

It all started on fine Tuesday back in 1976......

Just kidding, I won't bore you with the detailed version of my life story. I will just give you the short and sweet version. I am Jaime....who Jaime is, I am not too sure as of yet. I am going through a journey in life right now, trying to figure that all out. Somewhere along the way, I lost myself and while I hope to find me again, I don't want to find the old me, I want to find a "new and improved" me. My marriage needs work, I need work....heck, who doesn't need a little work, right (and I don't mean plastic surgery either). But I am hoping that while I try to complete this challenge, not only will it allow you to learn about me but it might allow me to learn some things about myself that I have forgotten about. Oh yea, the picture was taken about 3 months ago when I was on my way to my 16 year high school reunion (yes you read that right.....16 years)!!

Now on to the 15 random things.....let me see:

1.) My children are my heart and soul. They are the reason I walk this Earth, the reason I wake up everyday, the only reason for my exsistance (or so I think!!)

2.) I hope to get my Master's degree in Education one day and would love to go even further to get my Ph,D.

3.) My mother is hands-down my absolute best friend in this entire world. I can't go a day without talking to her and I cherish the awesome relationship we have. I can talk to her about anything. 

4) I spent 10 years and 26 days serving in the United States Navy. That was the boldest and best decision I ever made in my life and I am very proud of my time served.

5) I miss being in the Navy a lot but wouldn't trade being home with my babies for anything!! 

6) I am an ex-smoker

7) I would love to lose 15-20 pounds but I am not in the mind-set yet of getting my butt in gear to do it. I need to stop whining about it and get it done!! 

8) I HATE RUNNING!!!!!! But love to chase after my kids!!! 

9) I pride myself in being a strong woman who can handle almost anything that is thrown her way. I know that God will always see me through and will never give me more than I can handle. I just need to remind myself of that every now and then!! 

10) I have 2 tattoos and I love them. I can't wait for my next one which I should be getting sometime next year. 

11) I love to cook and wish I wasn't surrounded by such picky-eaters!!

12) I also love to bake but I don't bake every time I have the urge to. If I did, I would weigh 400 pounds!! 

13) I tend to shop too much and typically using shopping as therapy. It is a bad, bad thing!! 

14) I  have 2 sisters and 4 brothers. I love them all so much and wish we could be closer. They will never realize how great they have it to be so close and get the opportunity to be so involved in each others lives. 

15) I am one of the most loyal friends you will ever have. I may not pick up the phone to call often or send emails/texts/messages every day but if you need anything, I have your back, until you give me reason not to!! God has truly blessed me with some pretty awesome friends!!!

Compassion and the 30-day Blog Challenge

Wow, I have been bad about blogging as of late. Between traveling, the move and life in general, blogging is always furthest from my mind but I hope to change that. I will get back to that in a minute.

First, I want to tell you about a proud Mommy moment I had yesterday and today. Little Princess was at gymnastics class and for the class, they had converted the gym into a huge Halloween maze for the kids to go through. She was having so much fun running, climbing and tumbling all over the place. At she was approaching one area, she came upon one of the little girls who had fallen and hurt herself. She was crying and my sweet girl went up to her and started rubbing her back, asking her if she was ok. She gave her a hug, told her it would be ok and even offered to kiss her "owie". She then took the little girls hand and walked with her to the slide area they were coming upon. I couldn't have been more proud to know how much compassion my Princess has....until this morning that is.

Princess woke up throwing up and was having a very difficult time with it. I was busy trying to get her cleaned up along with anything she threw up on so I had her lay in my bed with a bucket "just in case". Little Man woke up and was immediately concerned for his baby sister. I left the room to go get her some Pedialyte and came back in to find him lay next to her, rubbing her back and reassuring her that she would feel better soon. My heart bubbled with joy to know that amongst this chaos we call life, we have taught our children one of the most important qualities a person can have and that is compassion!! I am one proud Momma!!!

Now, back to my lack of blogging....I was reading my friend's blog (That Tattooed Girl) and came upon an awesome challenge which she got from a great blog called Katie's Journey I am going to join in the fun and use the original list which goes a little something like this:

Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3-Your first love
Day 4-Your parents
Day 5-Your siblings
Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7-Favorite movies
Day 8-A place you've traveled to
Day 9-A picture of your friends
Day 10-Something you're afraid of
Day 11-Favorite tv shows
Day 12-What you believe
Day 13-Goals
Day 14-A picture you love
Day 15-Bible verse
Day 16-Dream house
Day 17-Something you're looking forward to
Day 18-Something you regret
Day 19-Something you miss
Day 20-Nicknames
Day 21-Picture of yourself
Day 22-Favorite city
Day 23-Favorite vacation
Day 24-Something you've learned
Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26-Picture of your family
Day 27-Pets
Day 28-Something that stresses you out
Day 29-3 Wishes
Day 30-a picture 

I hope some of my friends and readers out there join in the fun too!! But if you do, make sure your credit Katie with her amazing idea by linking to her blog!!! Stay tuned for Day 1 of the Challenge tomorrow!! 

Happy Wednesday!!!

MilSpouse Fill-In #16

Here are this week's Friday Fill In questions from Wife of A Sailor If you are a blogger, follow her and join in the fun. If not, please share your answers in the comment section of my blog. I would love to hear what everyone has to say!!

1. What is the longest road trip you’ve ever taken? It was one I took about 10 years ago. I drove from South Carolina to New Orleans for a family reunion. Spent 3 days there and then drove from there to New York for 2 days and then drove back down to South Carolina. It was a fun drive!!!

2. Do you collect anything? Tell us a bit about it. I collect Barbies and Willow Tree statues. I love Barbie, they remind me of my childhood. I have 94 of them as of right now. My Willow Tree collection started when I was pregnant with my son. Each piece has special meaning to me and I love them all!!

3. What is your favorite part about being an adult? Being able to do what I want. If I want to stay up late, I can. If I want to skip dinner, I can. I normally pay for bad decisions like staying up late but it is still a nice privilege.

4. What song brings a tear to your eye? Whiskey Lullabye. It reminds me of someone special from my past.

5. Describe your first plane ride (how old you were, where you were heading, etc). Ummmmm, I don't remember it but I know it because of pictures. I was 1 and I was going on a cruise with my mom and brother.

MilSpouse Fill-In #14

Here are this week's Friday Fill In questions from Wife of A Sailor If you are a blogger, follow her and join in the fun. If not, please share your answers in the comment section of my blog. I would love to hear what everyone has to say!!

1. What characteristic about yourself has either been strengthened or weakened due to your experience as a Military Spouse? I would have to say my ability to "get the job done". I have always relied on having people around me to help me do things but being so far from home and having a spouse gone frequently has made me realize that sometimes you have no choice but to get the job done and to do it yourself.

2. What is your favorite vacation spot and why? I would have to say Sandbridge Beach, VA. My entire family rents a large beach house right on the ocean every few years. It is always such a great time. The house is amazing, the company is always a blat and the memories are plenty.

3. If you could have any fast-food restaurant in the food court on base/post what would you pick? Steak and Shake!!! I miss their burgers and milkshakes!!!

4. Where did you go on your honeymoon? My apartment. We never had a honeymoon. Heck, we have never even gone away just the two of us for a night!!!!

5. If you could have any job in the world regardless of money, degree or experience, which job would you have and why? I have always wanted to be an event planner. I would love to plan birthdays, weddings, showers, etc. I have so many wonderful ideas but never the capital to back those ideas!! It would be great doing that kind of job!!!

SAHM

So for those of you who don't know what SAHM stands for, it stands for Stay At Home Mom, which I am proud to say I am.....or am I?

Who came up with that term anyways? Had they ever met a true SAHM?

I have been a SAHM for 4 years and in those 4 years, life has been pretty moderately paced between play-dates, appointments, outings and day to day life. My children and I enjoyed an occasional "pj day", complete with popcorn, movies and snuggles in our big bed!!

However, all that very rapidly changed in the matter of 3 weeks. My life as a true Stay at Home Mom went out the window. My days are now spent taxi-ing children to and from school, to and from dance, to and from gymnastics (2 different classes) and to and from soccer. Add in there various appointment for them, myself and even the dog plus other errands that round out our life and this Momma wonders where the term SAHM fits into her life now.

While I love seeing my children grow and excel at the various activities that they have chosen to participate in, I long for a "pj day" and wonder if I am setting a bad example by letting Little Man skip school one day, declaring it an official day of rest. I know he is only in Pre-K but am I setting the precedent for the rest of our school years. I guess only time will tell.....I think a "pj day" is in order very soon!!!!

Mamarazzi Monday: Soccer

My Little Man had his first soccer game on Saturday and it was so awesome to watch him play. He doesn't really understand the concept of soccer yet but he will get there. He was having fun trying to get the ball away from the "bad guys" (as he called them). The league he is in is Micro and they don't keep score or anything. They play 2 quarter then take a break and then play 2 more quarters. He did so good and was so sad when the game was all done. I am so proud of him for trying so hard!!!

Heading out to the field to play

Waiting to play

Go get 'em Noah!!

Trying to get the ball

Playing soccer is thirsty work!!!

Cheering on her big brother!!!

Link up to the Mamarazzi

MilSpouse Fill In #13

Here are this week's Friday Fill In questions from Wife of A Sailor If you are a blogger, follow her and join in the fun. If not, please share your answers in the comment section of my blog. I would love to hear what everyone has to say!!


1. How do you spend your deployment money, do you save, pay off bills or enjoy the extra money while it is there to buy the things you do not normally have? I save as much as I can so we can enjoy the money together when he returns. I do splurge on a few small things but nothing huge.

2. If you could relive one occasion or moment, what would it be? The moment my children were born. I would love to have more babies but it isn't in the cards for us. I would love to experience those moments again!!

3. What’s the worst job you ever had and if it was so bad why did you take it? My very first real job was at Burger King. It was an ok but the manager was a sexiest pig. I actually filed a sexual harassment charge against him along with 2 other females that worked there. He was fired shortly after I quit.

4. If you could play any character on TV, who would you be? I would have to pick Rachel from Friends. I know the show is no longer on TV but she was my absolute favorite!!!

5. If you could become the world’s expert in something, what would it be? I would love to be an expert on child-rearing because that would mean that I would have very well-behaved children.

Budgeting

So I am really kind of nervous with this new adventure we are about to partake in. We have decided to go to an "envelope budgeting" system. I have done research, figured out how it would work best for our family and today was the official first day. So far, so good. I paid our household bills through web bill pay as I always do and then this morning, I went to the bank and withdrew the money I needed to fill our envelopes. The only money that is left in our account is the money allotted for gas. We have decided to not do our gas money in cash mainly for my convenience. I typically have at least one child with me when I get gas and instead of having to cart them inside, it is much easier to use my card right at the pump.

But I digress....I am hoping this system will not only prevent us from frivolous spending but enable us to build up our savings, which I am really focused on for our future. I am the biggest culprit of relying on my check card way too much. I personally think it will be more painful for me to put down five $20 dollar bills to pay for something rather than running my check card. I even went as far as taking all of my credit cards out of my wallet except for the one I need for gas. That was painful....LOL

So tonight was the first time in a long time I paid cash for something and it was kind of odd. I had to remember to grab money out of the appropriate envelope and remember to put what was left over back into the envelope when we got home. But I survived....now let's see how my family survives during our first month of our new budget system!!

To my friends who may have used this system or are using it, please share any tips you may have!! They would be greatly appreciated!!!

Wish us LUCK!!!!

Tasty Tuesday: Pomegranate Chipotle Sauce

One of my favorite products of the standard Tastefully  Simple line has been the Pomegranate Chipotle sauce and it has been since I started selling the products. I love taking it just straight out of the bottle and smearing on an awesome pork tenderloin to throw it in the oven for about 30 minutes and Voila! An awesome dinner that taste like it came from a gourmet restaurant. It has an amazing combination of pomegranate and mango with the smoky flavors of the chipotle chili. It tantalizes your taste buds with it combo of sweet and tangy and can take any meal up a notch.

A few serving suggestions for the Pomegranate Chipotle sauce are:
1) Spread on meats, fish or poultry while baking or grilling.
2) Spoon over cream cheese; serve with crackers.
3) Excellent on chicken wings or ribs.
4) Brush over bacon-wrapped cubed chicken breast; secure with a toothpick. Bake at 350˚ for 30 minutes or until bacon is crisp and chicken is cooked.
5) For a unique salad, combine 3 Tbsp. Pomegranate Chipotle Sauce with 3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar and 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Toss with torn greens and sliced peaches or mango; sprinkle with crumbled Gorgonzola cheese and pine nuts or pecans.

A few recipes found on the Tastefully  Simple website are:

Pomegranate Chipotle Chicken Pizza

Pomegranate Pecan Dip

Fiesta Seasoned Hot Wings

The Pomegranate Chipotle sauce runs for $8.99 for an 8 oz. bottle. You can order this product and many others by visiting my website: Jaime's Tastefully Simple Website. I hope you try some today!!!!!

Mamarazzi Monday: Coming Out

Hello everyone, I am Jaime and I am a Mamarazzi......

There, I said it....I am out!!! I absolutely love taking pictures of my gorgeous babies to point that I can't go anywhere without a camera!! You just never know what kind of cuteness will occur!! So I came across this awesome lady who does a spot every Monday called "Mamarazzi Mondays" and I am going to join in the fun!!! Want to check it out? Read Household 6 Diva blog and join the Mamarazzi!!

So excited about starting school!!

My little soccer player!!

The Ballerina