Navy Wife's Prayer

Navy Wife's Prayer

Dear Lord, give me greatness of heart to see,

The difference between duty and his love for me.

Give me a task to do each day,

to help pass the time while he is away;

Give me the understanding, so that I may know,

That when duty calls he must go;

And, Dear Lord, when he goes out to sea,

please bring him home safely to me.

~Author Unknown

My Favorite "At Home" Workouts

I have been working at primarily from the privacy of my own home for the past two plus years and wanted to share what workouts/videos have enabled me to get the best results.

1. 8 Minute Abs...Yes, the '80's workout!  As much as it stinks, it works for both men and women; Ryan and I do it together!

8 Minute Ab Video from Google

2. Danskin Now Weighted Ball Workout with Mai Finnegan from Walmart!  This is a 24 minute complete body toning workout video.  There are three different weigh categories; 2 lb. which is basically pointless and then the 5 lb. and 8 lb. which have the same workout video and both work.  I have all three for various reasons (I only use the 2 lb. ones for walking), but if I were to rethink my purchases, I would only get the 8 lb. ball because within a week or so you will be able to do the entire workout.  My body instantly feels tighter when I do this.  When I lost 15 lbs over 2 months after college, I did this and I walked with stints of running for 45 minutes a day, along with minor diet changes. 

Danskin Now 2 lb Weighted Ball with DVD from Walmart ($10.77)

Danskin Now 5 lb Weighted Balls with DVD from Walmart ($9.77)

Danskin Now 8 lb Weighted Ball with DVD from Walmart ($16.77)

3. Walking/Jogging/Running - I am a true believer in traditional cardio.  Power walking is great for my body and with the fitter I get the more I increase my jogging/running distance.

On a side note, I have read that jumping on a trampoline can help prevent cells from clustering and therefore is a possible way to reduce chances of cancer, particularly breast cancer.  Has anyone ever heard of this before?  It was in a fitness magazine I read a few years back and haven't read anything since...

Also, if anyone has any "at home" workout suggestions, please feel free to add them in the comments section! 

Pre Deployment Sadness

There is no amount of preparation that can make you ready the love of your life being deployed or for leaving the love of your life for a deployment. Ryan and I are trying to make the most of our last few weeks/months before he leaves, but we still have our days where it hits us and it hits us hard. Holding back tears, thinking of being alone, worrying about his safety, thinking about our future (finding a place to live, starting graduate school, making friends in a new place) are some of the things that have been consuming me. I can tell Ryan is worrying about things as well and that also worries me. Knowing that he has fears and concerns make me all the more upset. When I want to cry, I try to hold the tears back, but my body feels hot, almost out of breath…it’s a feeling I has always gotten when I hold back tears, but it is extremely hard to explain.


I am dreading the deployment with every ounce of my being even though I know that Ryan and I are strong enough to handle it and have a love that will keep us solid. I am already thinking of things to keep me busy – getting furniture to paint for the bedrooms, living room end tables/tv stand/coffee table, making a frame for our bed and a headboard (thanks to HGTV), scrapbooking, making card; I’m looking into jobs, college courses, possible vacations. I know me and I know I need to stay busy to keep from going insane. A summer of tears is not what I am looking for, even if it is what I am feeling right now. I know that there will be plenty of tears, which is to be expected from me i.e. “Mrs. Emotional”, but I am hoping to minimize them as much as possible and stay optimistic, active and super healthy and happy. I need to put effort into showing Ryan my love through old fashioned, traditional methods…letters! (On that note, if anyone knows of any wonderful stationary places, please let me know!)

I am sure there will be many more entries on deployment and I know they are not exactly the most upbeat of entries, but sometimes a girl just needs to write down what’s on her mind to feel a bit lighter.

I love my husband!

House Update: Our "Future" Home Went Up In Flames On April 8th...

So, on Friday, Ryan and I were driving back to PA when our realtor called. He asked if we had watched the news and we said “Yes.” Then he asked if we saw our house and we said, “No.” Then he said, well apparently it burnt down last night and I think we should rescind your offer. With that I told him to repeat what he just told me so that Ryan could hear it. And what do you think Ryan’s reaction was? LAUGHTER! He didn't know what to do besides laugh... I was all concerned; is everyone ok, were other homes burnt as well, etc.? In the end, we believe it was a sign from God telling us that we should be buying a house in Virginia right now, at least not that house. 

As it turns out, no other houses were significantly damanged and everyone escaped, including the dog, safely.

Here is what we found on the internet:

Initial Article that we read: http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/smoking-blamed-for-sparking-condo-fire

Video: http://www.firerescuetv.com/video.php?vid=17a4113cb

Article: http://www.wvec.com/news/local/Discarded-cigarettes-blamed-for-Va-Beach-fire--90352564.html

Article: http://hamptonroads.com/2010/04/twoalarm-blaze-damages-virginia-beach-townhouse-other-units

The cause of the fire was "improperly discarded smoking materials," but it was later declared as arson. Desperate times lead people to do desperate things; it’s sad.

Future home…rest in peace.

I'll be living with my parents for the summer while Ryan is deployed.  Saving money!

Hands of the Bride and Groom

We heard and participated in "The Hands of the Bride and Groom" while we were on our Engaged Encounter Retreat and we were so touched by it that we decided to have it recited at our wedding.

Hands of the Bride and Groom

BRIDE

Sarah, please face Ryan, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you.

These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.

These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.

These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

GROOM

Ryan, please hold Sarah’s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.

These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a long hard day.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized

Our First Married Holiday! Happy Easter!

Easter 2010 was our first married holiday and it was glorious! The only way it could have been better is if our little Jared could have been with us  He was missed dearly, but the Easter Bunny was good to him!


My weekend started Thursday when I drove up to meet Dizzle for lunch! We went to an old fashioned tea house and had a traditional tea lunch. I had a Pear & Berry Tea and Diz had a White Chocolate Mouse Tea – we each drank our whole pot! It was a little pricey for us, but the tea and food was amazing! We were served miniature everything while porcelain dolls, tea pots and Pepto-Bismol walls surrounded us! After an amazing lunch (of me talking too loud), we went and played wiffleball in Manayunk! With only 6 people, we played 3 on 3 and no running. My team won!! WoooHooo! Rita’s followed and the realization that it is 100% sugar and borderline disgusting overcame me. It was a sad, sad moment. I am no longer 12 and able to consume sugar like it is water. That night we went to a wonderful Italian dinner with Dizzle’s Dad and then to a fire pit with some friends!

On Friday, I woke up to my siblings, Tom, Mike and Bonnie, filling a fish tank outside. Little did I know that my brother brought newts home for the holiday; they are adorable! We now have a natural fish tank on our porch with creek rocks, minnows, newts, bugs, etc.; it is pretty awesome! After the tank was set up and I was muddy from carrying rocks from the creek, I showered and met up with Mo for our lunch date! We went to a country store that had handcrafted furniture, great stationary, awesome country decorations, etc! It was a great place and one day when I have money, I will buy something from there for more than $3! After that, we got a basil, tomato and mozzarella sandwich, an apple crisp breakfast pastry and some drinks to consume at Peace Valley Park! We sat out in the beautiful sun, split the sandwich, picked at the apple crisp and talked like old times! It was another great day! Early that evening my baby came home!!! My heart leaps every time I see him! That evening, we had a camp fire with my family and friends! Mo, Diz and Bud came over, roasted marshmallows and had a few drinks! It was a fun night at the Malecki Plantation!

Easter Saturday was a nice day of creek hiking (it was FREEZING), making Easter candy and going to Easter Vigil Mass. We forgot just how long Easter Vigil Mass was… It was a really nice service and we were happy to be there as a family! That evening we the eggs were decorated and Jamie, Ralph, my cousin Anna and some of her friends came over for another camp fire some egg stuffing for the huge Easter Egg hunt the next day! It was a glorious Easter Saturday!

Happy Easter! We were woken up at 8am to start cooking and making coffee!! Easter is always a fun, casual holiday for us! We had a brunch for Jill, Jared, Kira, Aaron, Casey and the rest of my family! The menu consisted of eggs, homemade French toast casserole, homefries, bacon, pork roll, scrapple, bagels, oranges, pineapples, apple juice and coffee!!! After brunch we put on our muddy shoes/boots and went for our Easter Egg Hunt through the woods!!!

The Girls ready for the Egg Hunt!

(My sister Jill holding her daughter Casey, my niece Kira & my sister Bonnie)

Ryan & I on our first married Easter!!

And the Hunt has begun!

(My Adorable nephew Aaron with Bonnie and Kira following close behind!)

The Kiddos!

(Aaron, Kira & Bonnie)

Tom and Gramma helping Aaron get an egg in the tree!

That Easter Bunny must be a high jumper!

The whole gang!

Aaron trying to be like Uncle Mike and knock trees over!

Push!!!

Ryan, Mike and Tom trying to knock a huge tree over!

The mission was a Failure!  lol

Aaron's face was priceless while he was watching the "strong" boys push the HUGE tree!

Uncle Ryan helping Aaron push the tree over!

The family making their way back home!

The Sims Family!

(Aaron wouldn't look)

After the hike, we took a 3 hour nap! It was glorious! We fell asleep in our hiking clothing and woke up to leaves and sticks in the bed. Note to self, if you don’t want to have to wash your sheets before they need to be, before you jump into bed, change your clothing. Either way, it was totally worth it!

Around 3pm we woke up and started making dinner! Ryan and Tom manned the grill - shrimp, & asparagus while I heated the rolls and held baby Casey! I got off easy this year! We had ham, corn, potato salad, asparagus, shrimp, devilled eggs, fruit…and for dessert we had strawberry short cake! MmmMmm Good!

My Baby working the grill!

(Shrimp on top, asparagus on bottom)

Casey being the little joy that she is!

She is feeding herself now so we were trying out all the foods with her and she loved it all!  My favorite to watch was when she ate the strawberries and pineapples; the juice went everywhere!  :)

 
After an amazing Easter, Ryan and I drove 4+ hours back to VA… We got in at midnight and slept like babies!