So I made kale chips, and this is how they turned out...

Let's just jump on in shall we!

This past Friday night Ray had duty (meaning he wouldn't be home until the following day) so I had plenty of time on my hands and I was bound and determined to make these kale chips. However, after cleaning up after dinner and sweeping and swiffering the floors I plopped myself on the couch for the rest of the night. But, I DID find the motivation the next afternoon - so it's all good!

I've found sooo many yummy recipes on Pinterest, and only a couple not so great ones so I figured these would be great, healthy, yummy, not-potato chip-goodness.

Let's also note that I have never worked with kale. I've eaten it a total of one time, but it seemed so easy! Just as the directions said, I separated the leafy-ness from the tough stalk and veins and washed the leaves. Right away I noticed how much hardier kale is than regular lettuce or spinach and I was excited about what the future could possibly hold for my salty-crunchy craving. I got out my salad spinner I use on rare occasions, simply because I'm not a big fan of the contraption. Then I tossed the kale with olive oil and sea salt per instructions and laid them onto the cookie sheet. You can also enlist your child to help with this process, simply because it makes it a little more fun!

See looks promising!

Now, the recipe said to bake them for about 30 min, which I abided by and was eager to taste the first batch. My thoughts went like this:

"Mmm... crunchy, salty."
"Super thin."
"Like, tissue paper thin."
"But it has kinda good flavor."
"Did I just taste burnt leaves?"

A few minutes later and a few more kale chip tastings and I needed Ray's opinion.
"That tastes like burnt leaves."

Then I get defensive about my efforts and say that they were better straight out of the oven and I'd cut the time in half for the second batch.

Nope. Just nope. Still burnt leaves. (I'm also saving the most pathetic picture for last... because it deserves it.)

I was so disappointed! All that time (not really, it doesn't take long). But alllllll that kale... Now I'm at a loss for what to do with the remaining kale leaves and quite frankly I'm scared to take to Pinterest for suggestions on kale. So how about any of my readers? Suggestions on kale? Or how to better improve the kale chip?

Also, I have uploaded a new video! Feel free to check it out, give it a thumbs up, comment, subscribe... you know the drill ;) Click HERE!

3 YEARS Later!

Holy guacamole you guys! It has nearly been 3 years, THREE YEARS! since I made my last blog post. So much has happened I don't really even know where to begin. Well, I guess I'll start off by saying we have since made a new addition to our family. Our beautiful daughter Lila joined our family in September of 2013 and has been the biggest blessing I have ever received. Each day she teaches me something new and I don't know how my heart is still in my chest because it grows so much bigger every day with all the love I have for her (yes, sappy... but completely true).

In January of 2014 the Marine Corps sent Ray (and the rest of us) to be stationed in Virginia. It was a little sad moving from the base where I learned spent my first years as a military spouse. It felt like home, and the friends we made there felt like home. To be honest, since our move, it has been such an adjustment and I still feel like I'm readjusting every week. I still can't say that I feel like this place is our "home," but maybe we're getting there. Or maybe in a few years when we move, that's when it will feel like home. Ray has also since been promoted, which has brought on new responsibilities and a slightly different schedule. (Like I said, readjusting every week!)

At the beginning of September of 2014 I started daily vlogging on my YouTube channel. It was a lot of fun, but it also took up a good chunk of time that I knew I could be spending with Lila and Ray. After the holidays ended (we were able to travel to Missouri and visit family) I unofficially ended the daily vlogs. I absolutely love that I have those memories of our daily life during that time to look back on for years to come (especially since I was able to capture her first birthday festivities)! I will still do vlogs every now and then, but haven't completely settled on specific days. Don't you worry though, I'll be sure to let you know when I resume them!

For months now I've been feeling like I have some type of creativity inside me and it's trying to get out but just can't figure out how to express it properly. I'm still not sure if the way I should do it is through blogging, vlogging, home decorating, or just coloring in coloring books. So please bear with me while I figure myself out and also figure out this blog. It's still under construction, so please avert any judging eyes. 

Family pic! 

Baby doll and a baby doll

Baby girl and Me! See - heart full EVERY day!

 As always, sending our love from afar.

- Suzanne

Being Strong

So I know I haven't been around (the blog) much lately, which most likely comes as no surprise. But I'm just going to jump right into life right now.

I know blogs are supposed to be something where you can share any and all thoughts you want to, almost like a diary..... but that's on the Internet.... that anyone can read... including creepers... But that's not what worries me about sharing my feelings. It worries me that my family reads my blog. Not that I'm not open and honest with them about things because I am. But I don't like them to know when I'm feeling weak. I don't like them to worry about me. (But just so everyone is clear, I am allowed to worry about them!)

I remember when Ray and I came home (Missouri) for Christmas and it felt so good to be back surrounded by my family and friends. I truly didn't want that time to end and it was so incredibly hard for me to say goodbye. As I choked back my tears, I knew that people were looking to me to be strong. I feel like that was the first lesson of dating someone in the military - you have to be strong. It's something that we no longer have any choice about. I'm supposed to be strong. I'm expected to be strong. So when Ray and I stopped in Kentucky for the night at my brother and sister-in-laws house, my "strength" was nearly completely broken when my nephew reluctantly gave Ray and I  hug goodbye and he very adamantly said "No! No!!" not wanting us to leave. It almost broke my heart. I was tired of having to be strong and say goodbye to my loved ones.

I can't pinpoint the exact moment when I realized how lucky I am to have the family I do, but I know it was some time in college. I am truly blessed beyond words. And now I'm getting a little off topic.

Often times life has been compared to a book, so I'll stick with that illustration (haha, get it, illustration!! Ok, ok... lame I know!) We have many chapters in our lives, and right now I'm beginning the "Deployment" chapter. I reeeeeeally want to skip this chapter, or skim through it, or do something to make it go by faster. Ray has only been gone a short while, and already I feel weak. I'm generally feeling good and strong and happy and cheerful during the day, but at night I feel exactly the opposite. All I want to do is curl up and watch a movie with my hubby. Hey, I'd even take him falling asleep on the floor in front of me. I just want it to be done and over with.

But I can't let myself think like that. I have to look at this situation and know our relationship will be stronger having gone through this. I have to remember my goals for myself while he is away. And I have to kick this deployment's butt.

One of my goals during this time is to blog more - please don't hold your breath because we all can see my history or blogging (or lack there-of). But also, please know that I am always striving to remain strong and positive on the outside, even if the inside of me is the exact opposite. Fake it til you make it right?

I'm not going to end this blog on a sad note, because frankly that's no fun at all! So here you go! This always makes me giggle :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YQpbzQ6gzs

Sending my love,
~Suzanne

Husband down! (Asleep that is, hehe!)

Hello alllllll!!! Well, Husband has fallen asleep on the floor yet again. This has actually become almost a nightly ritual. He's either on the floor or on the couch. But I still think it's adorable because he doesn't go to bed without me (since I'm a night owl). I guess that's one of the ways we make compromises.

I heard (who knows when and where) that you shouldn't go to bed without your significant other. And, generally speaking we abide by this "rule." When Hubby doesn't fall asleep on the floor or couch and decides to go to bed, I generally try to go to bed with him as well - even if it means I'm laying awake in bed for, what seems like, hours. And likewise, Hubby will also lay in bed with me on weekend mornings, or at least he does until he gets too uncomfortable. Unlike me, he is a morning person. His normal body clock is set to wake up at about 6:30 am, but he can fall back to sleep for maybe an hour before getting restless. See - compromise :)

I guess lately I've just really been appreciating all the little things Ray does or says. I want to remember every teeny tiny little detail while he's gone (does that sound creepy??? if it does... who cares!). I think this mindset is a complication of Ray gearing up for deployment and military support sites. Confused? Let me explain.

I am a member of one military support group in particular (but without naming names) that can be the most helpful and support bunch of women you will ever come across in your life. Other times, the nearly 3,000 women's opinions can be.... overwhelming. Oh there is plenty of drama for any reality tv show junkie to witness, so that's exactly what I look at it like - my own reality-Facebook-group-show. The girls are free to voice their opinions about anything, ask questions, seek guidance from others, and have all around support. But with that many girls, obviously not every one is going to see eye to eye, hence where the drama comes in.

So, like I said, with girls free to post about anything, I think often times they use it as their personal diary. They complain about what their husbands are doing, what they're not doing, what they used to do that they no longer do, etc. Now granted, some of these girls have very serious issues with all different kinds of abuse or neglect or heath issues or what have you. But I see all too many times where girls go on the site and just complain about their husband, or their in-law or this or that. As many times as I've seen it, I just can't help but be thankful for what God has given me. I have a supportive, loving husband who makes me laugh hysterically on a daily basis. I have a wonderful family, one that I was born into and one that I married into. And even though there are times where I am upset at someone/thing or another, why on earth would I complain to hundreds of girls "what my husband did!!"

I guess that's another thing I was told along the way - do not discuss your arguments between you and your husband with your mother (or insert other family member). So how do these women think this is okay? I don't know.... I guess I'm just too much of an old fashioned person to think that you keep your personal problems personal. Don't get me wrong, if there are serious issues to be addressed, go get help people! But speaking in generalizations.

Moral of the story... I like to ramble. Second moral of the story, I love all the little moments I get to share with my husband and I hope that when I've been married 60 years, I'll still remember them.

Ok, Ray has officially woken up enough to go to bed, so off I go! Thanks for listening/reading!! Sending my love!!

~Suzanne

Pictures!!!

So I've been wanting to write on here, but I really don't have that much to say.... so how about some pictures? Ok!!! (Just so you know you can click on the picture to see the enlarged version)

1st wedding anniversary!! We went to sushi then settled down and watched a movie :)

Ahhh! Mollie Gross came to Cherry Point!!

And she was absolutely HILARIOUS!

And I got my book signed and a pic snapped :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

New Background Time!

Friends and Family,

If you have come across my blog before I have finished its "face-lift" please excuse the mess. I swear I have to relearn how to put things how I want them each time I get a new background. Will update soon!!

Fall is here!

Oh I am so happy fall is finally here! I love the cooler weather, all the leaves changing colors (and I have a beautiful pair of brown boots I am eyeing!!) and all the holidays that come with it. Obviously, Halloween has come and gone, but fall is definitely still in the air here in eastern NC. While some people are eagerly Christmas shopping, I still like to remember Thanksgiving!

I am so excited for Thanksgiving this year as we will be going to Kentucky to meet up with my parents, sister, and my brother and his family. Ugh, I am so unbelievably ready for not only Thanksgiving itself, but to see my family!!! The last time I have seen my family was in May, and yes, time has gone by quite fast, I still miss them terribly. Luckily, I will get to spend almost 4 days with them!!

So... obviously, I have changed my blog to better represent the season. And in a way, it is also very representative of how I have been feeling lately. I need a change. A change of pace, a change of activities, a change of hairstyle or something!! In all seriousness, I have been really trying to figure out what God's plan is for me and how he want me to use my 'talents' if you will. I have my own ideas, but I am trying to keep in mind those are only the things that I want, and not necessarily what God wants for me. One thing that I struggle with is that I thought I was supposed to figure this out in college - that's why you go to college right? To search and find ways to use the talents God gave you and use them to the best of your ability. To choose the career path that best serves Him. Well... I don't know what that is, and I've been done with school for almost a year now. What am I supposed to be doing? What is His plan?

And in the meantime, while I try to make my eyes and ears ready for his response... I try to keep busy. Today, Ray and I raked leaves! And I will gladly insert a picture to show you how many there were! And what better reference to use than the Mini!

The 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball was this past Monday for Ray's squadron. We had an okay time... not as good as last year, but I'm chalking that up to a bad DJ and not knowing as many people as I did the year before.

Let's see... Oh! We also made a trip to Chicago, IL (ok, well outside Chicago) a couple weeks ago for one of Ray's friend's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful and we had an amazing time!! Congrats Nate and Kelly!! (I am aware the pic is fuzzy... but I like it! hehe!)

As of right now, that's all we've been up to as of lately (and I'm not going to summarize the past nearly 3 months that I have failed to blog - mostly just work and auto-x). But auto-x is coming to a close for the season next weekend and then the next weekend is Thanksgiving!!! AHHHH!! I'm so happy!!

 So that's it for now! All my love :)

Thought I'd include a picture of our Jack-O-Laterns this year. Guess you can't guess who carved which one ;)

Went for a drive today. We were just waiting for the ferry :)