Things I'm Loving

Here's a rather random list of things that I'm loving right now.  I always like hearing people's recommendations on things, so I thought I'd share some of my own.  

First and foremost, let me just say I'm loving Steve Jobs and the new MacBook Pro.  It came yesterday.  I was worried about transferring all my documents, etc. to the new laptop.  I should have known that Apple has thought of everything already.  I started the new computer up and it asked me if I had a backup from another computer I wanted to load.  I hooked up my external hard drive and now my new computer is just like my old one, even down to the wallpaper.  I have all my documents, all 4000+ photos, all my software programs, EVERYTHING all loaded onto my new computer with just one click of the button.  This is just another reason why I will never go back to a regular PC; Apple makes my life too easy.

And let me just add, that everything about the MacBook Pro is awesome.  The screen images are so clear and sharp, the keyboard is back lit, and the multi-touch track pad is amazing.  Really this is just one sexy laptop!

I've been using the regular Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser for a while and really like it.  It is inexpensive, and it doesn't over dry my face.  Plus there is the fact that it is shimmery gold, and it makes me happy to wash my face with liquid gold.  Because I like the regular cleanser, I couldn't resist trying the Skin Brightening Daily Scrub.  Sometimes my face needs a good scrub.  My face feels so clean and soft after a wash with the scrub; I love it.  I'll still use the cleanser, but sometimes you need to scrub those dead cells off.  

bareMinerals Foundation is my new best friend in the makeup department.  If I want to look like I didn't just roll out of the bed with very little sleep, I need to put some make up on in the morning.  I had been using liquid foundation, but I am always afraid of it being too dark, looking uneven, or just looking like I have too much makeup on.  I love that with bareMinerals you look really natural.  I always describe putting it on like watching Bob Ross paint.  At first you are skeptical and thinking it isn't going to look good, but then as you approach the final steps you are amazed at how beautiful it came out.  Give it a try, but don't judge until you see the finished product.  

Speaking of makeup, if anyone wants to recommend a blush, I'm looking for a new one. 

The last thing I'll put on the list this week is Golden French Toast Coffee from Green Mountain Coffee.  French toast is probably my favorite breakfast meal, but my hips thank me for not indulging in it that often.  However, now I can have it as often as I would like--in the form of coffee that is.  I wasn't sure it was possible to capture the essence of french toast in a coffee flavor, but they did a great job.  It smells just like the actual food, and the flavor lends a sweetness to the coffee that I rather enjoy.

What I want to be when I grow up...

There was a question from the MilSpouse Friday Fill In that I wanted to answer, but because of my broken computer, I didn't get the chance to do it at the time.  The question was:

 If you could have any career in the world with nothing holding you back, what would you do? 

For me, this question has a few stages.  Please do not take any offense at my personal opinions...they are just that--my personal sentiments to answer this question.  

If you asked me this question back in the end of high school/beginning of college, I probably would have said I wanted to work in marketing/advertising.  (Hence my major.)  I guess I didn't have much ambition for changing the world; I just wanted to find a place in it at that time.  

If you asked me this question after I was married, I knew the most important place I could be was in the home raising my family.  I know it probably sounds 1950s-ish to most people, but I cannot imagine spending my days away from my boys.  For me it is so very important to savor these years before the children are of school age.  I've noticed in recent years people begin sending their children to school earlier and earlier, and there is definitely a side of me that wonders why.  But don't get me wrong, I've fallen into that trap too.  I like to think if we led a normal civilian life that I wouldn't be pushing my young son into school so early, but I am not sure.  I know that the socialization is good for him, but I think there are some parents that like to use the "it's good for them" as an excuse to really do what is good for themselves.  There are only so many years we get to spend with our children before they go to school and grow up.  If I want to have a career, I'm sure I can manage that after the children are in school/grown up.  I cannot have these special moments with the boys later.  Maybe I'm an overzealous parent, but I cannot think of anywhere or anything I'd rather be doing than helping my children learn and grow every minute that I can.  

There is a third part of my answer for this question though.  If there were NOTHING holding me back, my dream would be to work for an emergency response organization like the Red Cross.  Whenever a disaster strikes, I wish I could be doing something to really help.  I think that most people feel the same way when they see people suffering.  Maybe everyone wants to be a part of the team to help.  I know there are ways to help without actually being there, but my passion would be to be there in the thick of things helping people.  If I could be anything, I would want to be part of an emergency response team helping people during the moments of their greatest need.  I hope that one day I'll be able to make a difference like that in people's lives.  

Since I probably couldn't read your answers last friday, what would you want to do if nothing held you back?

NEXT MONTH!

As of today, I can finally say NEXT MONTH my husband will come home and my family will be whole again!

It's still way too far in the future to get excited about it now, but just being able to say NEXT MONTH is amazing.

Last night before bed the boys and I watched some videos I taped of Pat reading bedtime stories for the kids.  We've watched these videos before, but both boys really reacted this time.  Ryan was talking to Pat as if he could hear him.  Sean was trying to blow on Pat's face and help him turn the pages of the book.  Ryan soon realized that it was like watching TV and that his Daddy wasn't really there.  Sean was amazed by seeing his Daddy and never stopped trying to get close to him.  It was definitely heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

Pat mentioned there could be the possibility of us using a webcam soon.  I think that would be so great for the boys.  We have not done a webcam chat this entire deployment.  I think that they need to see their Daddy more.  The thing I resent the most about deployments is how hard it is on the children.  It affects them no matter what age they are.  While I could complain about this for a lot longer, I truly understand the reason for these deployments and am proud to stand as an Army family despite the hardships.

My countdown is on, my homecoming sign has been made (yes a bit early!), and I'm on the look out for a homecoming outfit (any ideas?).  :-D