The More Candles the Bigger the Wish

So my 24th birthday was last Thursday! It was one of the best birthdays I have ever had. I have some freaking awesome friends, I don't know what I am going to do once we PCS to Germany. Hopefully I make some equally as great friends. We ended up going to the Melting Pot,which is this awesome fondue restaurant. I got so many awesome gifts, my favorite being a Keurig! So I just wanted to share some pictures :)

The Roller Coaster of Marriage

Growing up when I thought of marriage I would always relate it to fairy tales such a Cinderella. You wait for your prince charming to come and find you and you live happily ever after and ride into the sunset together and live happily ever after. No one ever tells you how hard marriage can be. It is like a roller coaster with lots of ups and downs. Now when I think of marriage I think of it as a child having to grow. The first year is like the first year of a baby's life. Your so in awe with it and everything is so new, exciting, and cute. Your head over heels in love and so excited that you met the one person that you are going to spend the rest of your life with. Then comes the second year which is known as the terrible two's and your mind keeps jumping to the thought of :What was I thinking?!?!?Reality sets in and those things you use to think were so cute start to drive you crazy. But that's what marriage is trying to find a balance of sanity and crazy. Then there are so many other factors that can effect your marriage.

Children: They change your marriage and they change you. You still are yourself but then you become a parent to someone else thus creating a whole new version of yourself. So when you are a new verison of yourself it will also bring you to a new version of yourself. Sometimes a marriage can take a back seat because you are so focused on the new little person who has became your world. You have to remember that your marriage is just as important as your kids. Learning the balance of being a spouse, parent, and still being you is the hardest part. I still work at it everyday.

Finances: Money. It plays so much in a marriage. What if one of you is a spender while the other is a saver. Having a difference in how the household money is handled can be very hard on a marriage. This was one of the hardest things to try and overcome in my own marriage. With us what has seemed to be working lately is compromising and putting a balance on how you spend and save.

Basically it all comes down to good marriages don't just happen. They take work it is a process. Its not going to be a fairy tale but its not going to always be a nightmare either. I've been married for almost 3 years and I am just starting to understand that marriage is a give and a take. The only thing I am 100% sure about at the end of the day about my marriage is that I love my husband.

The Military & My Career

So I never realized how hard it was for a spouse of a service member to have a career or even establish one. I am a college student, I have been for awhile, might as well be a career college student since I feel as if I will never graduate. I was originally going to school to be a psychologist and become a family and marraige counselor. Well after 3 1/2 years I had an epiphany and decided I didnt want to do that. So I changed my major to PTA (physical therapy assisting). Well after finding that I really enjoy this and taking the pre-reqs to apply for the program, my hubby tells me we got orders to Germany. At first I am ecstatic then I realize I cant do the PTA program because you have to be physically here. Bummer right... So I am sitting here at a cross roads trying to figure out what to do. So as I go through all the degrees my school has to offer, I see I am six classes from being able to get an Associate's degree in Allied Health, whatever that is. I figure I might as well take this so I can at least have a degree, but I know this isnt what I want to do for the rest of my life.
Then last night I am laying in bed and talking to my husband about how I am about to be 24 and I dont know what I want to be when I grow up. He tells me to do something I love and am passionate about. So I am sitting there thinking and it hits me. What do I like to do??? Bake! I love to be in the kitchen making something up. Hmmm maybe I should open a bakery become a baker. Then I thought can I even do that because ever four years we will be moving. How do all you other Military wives balance a career and always moving? Who ever thought that when we graduated high school at 18 we would know what we wanted to do for the rest of our adult life was sadly mistaken.

Song Link-Up Week 33

My song choice for today is the song "Nothing" by The Script. The reason I choose this song is because I went to The Script concert last night, and all of the songs are stuck in my head. I freaking love this group so if you haven't heard of them before give them a listen. Don't forget to link up with Goodnight Moon.

Clipped Wings

I'm having one of those days. I feel like my wings have been clipped. What I mean is I feel sort of trapped. I know that sounds crazy buts that's how I feel. I have one of those personalities were I have the need to want to travel to be able to pick up and go with no restrictions. I feel like I cant do that anymore, and its driving me crazy. I feel stuck unable to fly. That's part of the reason I love the military life because we are able to move around so much. How do I get past this feeling? I love to be able to get up and go. Road trips, travel, anythings. I miss not having restrictions in life and being able to do my own thing. Sort of missing my freedom in a sense.

Air Force Ball

So I went to my first Air Force Ball last Saturday. It was so much fun, and felt so good to get dressed up. big change from my usual shorts and flip flops. Just wanted to share some pictures with you guys.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #59

1. My favorite thing that happened this week was taking my first boxing class and making it all the way through.
   
2. Find a penny, pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck.
3. Autumn is officially here and my favorite part of the season is usually the leaves changing colors but we don't have that in Florida. So I would say buying winter clothes. Gotta love the fall fashion.
   
4. One of the things I’d like to do before winter arrives is we don't have winter in Florida so I usually just hope it gets cold enough to wear a jacket lol.
5. I –would/would not/might– be willing to participate in MilSpouse Secret Santa.
   

Don't forget to link up with a Wife of a Sailor

We are PCSing

OMG!!! I am so excited but nervous at the same time. First let me say we have been at Macdill AFB for a lil over two years, and I have been telling my husband I wish we could PCS. So he put in for a special duty assignment and he got it so we are moving too...... Germany!!!! Ramstein AFB to be exact! I am so excited because I havent been to Germany since my dad was stationed there when I was a kid. Since we are moving from Tampa, FL I am also looking forward to having 4 seasons. I cant remember the last time I got to see a autumn and a winter. It will be my daughters first time seeing snow as well. So in 6 months I will be saying Hello Germany! I am sad that I will have to leave the good friends that I have made along the way. Good news is two of my friends husbands are also trying to get stationed in Germany as well. so that is something to look forward to. Either way I am excited about this new journey in my life.

Moves Like Jagger *Song Link Up*

I chose this song because every time I hear it, the song makes me happy. It just makes me want to get up and dance. Besides whats better than Maroon 5! Don't forget to link up with Goodnight Moon!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

So I have actively been trying to post on my blog a couple times a week and have been doing a good job so I have finally been able do the MilSpouse Friday Fill-In.

1. My plans for the weekend include hanging out with a few friends and spending time with the family, but what I'd really like to do is be out in Colorado renting a cabin. It's something I have always wanted to do. Something about Colorado just speaks to me, hopefully I will be able to live there one day and enjoy the beautiful mountains. Until then I just have to keep planning my trip and rent a Cabin.

2. I consider Labor Day Holiday to be the last day I can wear my white shorts :)

3. My favorite meal for cookouts is Baked Macaroni & Cheese but my hubby wouldn't agree he is a meat man. He piles the meat on his plate when we go to cookouts.

4. So far, my favorite part of the summer has been the fact this is the first summer I have been able to find shorts that fit! Got to love losing 85 pounds. I'm a size 12 now, an steadily going down. Shorts in Florida= pure happiness

5. When it comes to deployment, my philosophy is keep as busy as possible, find a hobby or something you love to. It helps the time move along more quickly.

Go Link up. You might find a few new blogs to follow!

Lips of an Angel *Song Link-up*

I'm so freaking excited!!!! I have been trying for weeks to remember to log into my blog on Thursday so I can do the link up with Goodnight Moon, but I never remember. GOOD NEWS I REMEMBERED TODAY!!!! So my song this week is
Hinder- Lips of an Angel
Why?
I honestly have no idea why this song is in my head, but lately I have had this song on repeat. I know when the song first came out I was addicted to it had so many good memories attached to songs. Maybe I'm just reliving good moments from my past. Anywho enjoy!!!! Maybe I will end up with some new followers!!! YAY!!! ha ha ha

Another Deployment

So today my husband came home from work, and the first words out of his mouth were I'm deploying again. Besides one of my besties here i haven't told anyone. This will be our second deployment. I am having mixed feelings about him going. I know it will be tough on our daughter, and she will old enough to be able to know whats going on. I think the break will be good for hubby and I's marriage though. Sometime apart might help us more than it could hurt us. I just wish he didn't have to be in a dangerous place. It wont be for a couple of months so lets see how this goes. Not much more to write because I am still trying to digest the information myself.

New Blog

So I created a new blog. I am still going to be using this one, the new one is just for cooking. I have a bunch of recipes that I want to share, and I didnt want to fill this blog up with that. So I have this blog for everythings else. So go check

out my new blog http://alilsugarnspice.blogspot.com

Shante's Oh So Yummy Chili

So i just thought I would share this recipe with anyone who can appreciate a good chili. It is a family favorite in my household. It makes about 12 servings. Best of all it is ONLY 155 calories per serving with only 4.1 grams of fat. So you get something healthy and it is oh so yummy.

Whatcha need:
1.5 Lb of ground beef or turkey (I am a turkey girl)
1tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp celery salt (It is a seasoning)
1 28 oz can of tomato sauce
1.5 TBSP chili powder
1/8 cup chopped parsley
1/4 tsp hot sauce
16 oz of kidney beans

Step 1: Place between 4-5 cups of water into crock pot along with kidney beans cook about 3 hours or until beans become soft
Step 2: After beans become soft, brown ground beef or turkey then add into crock pot
Step 3:Add garlic, onion, and celery powder
Step 4: Blend in tomato sauce. Then add chili powder, parsley, and hot sauce.
Step 5: Let simmer for another two hours
Add cheese, sour cream or what ever your heart desires and enjoy!!!!

Questioning my abilities as a Mother

This is one of those topics that I figured was easier to write in a blog versus trying to talk about it out loud because its kind of hard to tell someone you think you suck as a parent. Thats the way I have been feeling lately. Let me start by saying I have a two year old and I know they call them the terrible twos for a reason, but I really swear my daughter is intentionally trying to get under my skin. She doesn't want to listen to anything I tell her and when she doesn't get her way she has major tantrums. I have tried time-out and spanking her butt , and nothing seems to work. I know parenting is suppose to be hard but it is even harder when your child is being no help. I have never been one to have much patience or any at all, but since my daughter was born that is something I have been working on a lot. I keep telling myself that she is just a kid and she doesn't understand what she is doing, but I know at this point that she understands somethings she does are just wrong. It's a tough stage, and I have been pushed way beyond my patience levels. It's a tough stage and I doubt my parenting skills more now than ever. I feel like a prisoner in my own home because I cant take her anywhere. She cant walk around in a store because she is constantly trying to pull and knock things over. She cant go into the cart because she is squirming and trying to climb out the whole time and as soon as i put her down she starts the tantrum. I feel like at this point I don't enjoy motherhood but I seem to stressed all the time. I feel like it is a chore, and I do it because I have to not because I want to. Don't get me wrong I love my daughter, but I am just at my wits end. The part the sucks the most is I feel that I don't have my friends to turn to because most of them are too busy trying to pressure me into having another baby to realize that I am struggling now. I have expressed multiple times that I have no desire to have another child anytime in the future if at all. I'm a military wife, a full time student and a full time mom. Why would I add another child into the mix if my plate is already overflowing. I just want to scream sometimes if you want someone to have a baby so much have another one yourself. I feel like if I want another it will be my husband and I's decision. I know it probably seems like I a rambling but I really just wanted to get this off my chest. So I hope you guys don't think I am a horrible person. If ya have any advice to help me get through this it is very much appreciated.

My Someday List

So I am sitting here thinking of all the things that I wanted to do in my life and all the stuff I still want to do , and I thought it would be appropriate to create a bucket list, well actually add on the bucket list that I have laying around in a notebook forever. I am always thinking of things I want to do before i die so here it is

Shante's Bucket List

1. Parasail
2. Send a message in a bottle
3. Own a log cabin in Colorado
4. Move in to Colorado
5. Go to the Olympics
6. Go sailing
7. See the ball drop in Times Square
8. Travel to all 50 States
9. See the Wonders of the World
10.Ride in a hot air ballon
11.Shower in a waterfall
12.Swim with the dolphins
13.Have a Beach Wedding
14.Take a photography class
15. Rent a beach house for the summer with my 5 closet friends
16.Be in love like the people in the movies
17.Go see a psychic and have my palm read
18.Go stay in an expensive hotel and order room service
19.Watch the sunrise and set on the same day
20. Sign up for a cooking class
21.Ride in a helicopter
22.Go snowboarding and skiing
23.Ice skate in central park
24.Have a book published
25.Go to Italy ,Paris, England, and Spain
26. Go to a book signing for each of my top 5 favorite authors
27.Own a Range Rover
28.Run a marathon
29. Go horseback riding
30. Go on a picnic
31.Take a dance class
32.See the northern lights
33. Go on a vacation by myself
34.Go snorkeling
35.Fly first class
36. Ride on a train
37.Go to a famous art museum
38.Be Kissed in the rain
39.Go to Disneyworld
40.Name a star
41.Ride a gondola in Venice
42. Go white water rafting
43.Attend a movie premiere
44.Attend the inauguration of a president
45.Go to Salem for Halloween
46. Go to a spa and get a mud bath
47.Fall asleep under the stars
48.Tie a Cherry Stem in a knot with my tongue
49.Be Hypnotized
50. Be Debt free
51.Have someone write me a love song
52.Join the mile high club
53.Bury a time capsule
54.Take a pole dancing class
55.Be courted

Tripping over the makeup case

After staying up til 2 am to study for my test that I had in my 8am class I had every intention of coming home taking a nap and then cleaning my house because it is desperate for it. I have been in denial at the extent of the messiness in my bedroom especially since my house is usually fairly clean or as about as clean as it can get with a two year old following behind you making a mess as fast are you clean it up. I didn't realize how much clutter I had going on until I got up in the middle of the night to pee and almost broke my neck tripping over my makeup case. Trust me it is a huge case. But instead of spending the rest of my Saturday cleaning I spent it with my family and friends. So tonight when I trip over my makeup case again it will be ok because I had a great day with the people that matter most. But tomorrow is a new day so I know it will go back to normal and my house will be spic and span.
On a brighter note I think I found the swim suit I want this summer.What do you guys think?

This is the beginning.

So I set this blog up about two or three months ago and had all the intentions of writing in it all the time, but the first day I set down to write I came up blank. So today I am on Facebook and see a friend of mine updating her blog again, and i decided today would be the day I start my blog. I figure the easy place to start is by introducing my self to the millions of followers I will eventually get :D Well my name is Shante' and I'm a 23 year old wife and mother. Not really where I thought I would be at 23 but I am happy that this is where life has taken me. I am in school to become a physical therapist and have about a year left of school, but if you would have asked me a month ago I would have told you that I was a psychology major and was graduating this year to become a family and marriage counselor. After much thought I decided that was not what I wanted to be when I grow up so I made a drastic change. I live in Tampa where I soak up all the rays while the sweetie works his butt off for the Air Force. I am not sure what exactly I will be blogging about besides my everyday life and things that i love and think are important. So prepare yourself to see my blog bounce around from topic to topic. The life of an Air Force wife can be pretty hectic well at least for me. So feel free to read all you want and get a glimpse into my life, and leave all the comments your heart desires. Smooches until the next post...



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