An Important Message

An Important Message from Ellen about Bullying



"I am devastated by the death of 18-year-old Tyler Clementi. If you haven't heard, Tyler was a bright student at Rutgers University whose life was senselessly cut short. He was outed on the Internet and he killed himself.

Something must be done. This month alone, there has been a shocking number of news stories about teens who have been teased and bullied and then committed suicide; like 13-year-old Seth Walsh in Tehachapi, California. Asher Brown, 13, of Cypress, Texas and 15-year-old Billy Lucas in Greensberg, Indiana. This needs to be a wake-up call to everyone: teenage bullying and teasing is an epidemic in this country, and the death rate is climbing.

One life lost in this senseless way is tragic. Four lives lost is a crisis. And these are just the stories we hear about. How many other teens have we lost? How many others are suffering in silence? Being a teenager and figuring out
who you are is hard enough without someone attacking you.

My heart is breaking for their families, their friends and for a society that continues to let this happen. These kids needed us. We have an obligation to change this. There are messages everywhere that validate this kind of bullying and taunting and we have to make it stop. We can't let intolerance and ignorance take another kid's life.

I want anyone out there who feels different and alone to know that I know how you feel. There is help out there. You can find support in your community. If you need someone to talk to or if you want to get involved, here are some organizations doing great work:



The Trevor Project at 866 4U TREVOR. It's a 24-hour, national help line for gay and questioning teens. You can learn more about The Trevor Project at their website: thetrevorproject.org.

Angels and Doves is a nationwide anti-bullying non profit organization.
Their website is AngelsandDoves.com



The National Center for Bullying Prevention is helping to promote awareness
and teach effective ways to respond to bullying. You can learn more about
them at their website: Pacer.org/bullying



GLSEN is also a great organization that is working to eradicate bullying and
bias in schools. Their website is: glsen.org

Things will get easier, people's minds will change, and you should be alive to see it."
- ellen

School Time ... Already?!?

My little girl is growing up WAY too fast! For the last few months she has been showing a very strong interest in going to school. It seems like every day she tells me "Mom I want to go to school." And as much as I love that she is so excited to start school, I have almost been putting it off, b.c well ... I am so not ready for her to be grown up enough to start school.

She is a VERY bright little girl, so I know that she is ready, it's just I look at her and see my sweet baby girl wrapped in my arms looking up at me with those big beautiful brown eyes ... I feel like I am holding her back though. I feel almost like a bad mother for not going up to the CDC and finding out about getting her enrolled. So I am starting the process ... It is so scary to think about her being old enough to go off to school. But it will be good for her. She is VERY social and I know that this will help her learn to make friends, not that she needs help with it lol.

She is so very excited. When I told her I was going to go up and talk to someone about getting her in school she yelled "YAAAAAAAAAAY! I go get dressed" and then I told her that we weren't going to go up today and she got all pouty, crossed her arms, sat on the floor and just pouted for a good half an hour, then she forgot and started to play again. I love that she is so excited about going to school. But for me, when I think about it my eyes start to tear up. I am so proud of her and want her to be happy. This is a HUGE step ... I just hope I can get her in school soon.

Giveway that I Don't Want You to Win ;)

So I totally want to win this bean bag ... seeing as my "job" is a photographer this would be SO perfect for newborn sessions!!!

You can totally go and check the giveaway out but don't enter, b.c I want to win ... haha -- TOTALLY kidding by the way :)

I Swear I am Alive ;)

Just wanted to do a quick update for everyone!

I am alive I swear, I know I have been kind MIA in the blogging world for about a month now, but I have a good reason I swear!!

Things have been CRAZY busy since having Little Man. We have had family visiting pretty much every weekend since he was born. So I have been busy trying to do the "keep everyone entertained" thing ;) but we finally have a break from family members visiting -- and I cannot help but be quite happy about that lol.

This past week was AMAZING! My best friend came see me all the way from New Mexico! We hadn't seen each other in over a year and this visit was MUCH needed! I plan on blogging about her visit and include pictures soon!! I am sad that it is over :( I just dropped her off at the airport this morning and I already feel like something is missing.

I finally have a date to get my gallbladder out -- Oct. 14th. I am SO ready for this thing to be GONE! It has caused me so much pain and annoyance that I am happy to see it go!! Plus, I get to see a friend that I haven't seen since the day Hunk and I got married. His best friend *P* is going to come and help out with the kiddos while I am recovering :) I am excited to see him, but so scared of how the hubs is going to do taking care of the kiddos ... I try not to think about it ... lol!

We are all doing GREAT! Still trying to get Little man on a set schedule, it's hard when you have people coming and going. But now that things are settled down it's my goal to get him on a good one. He is really a good baby. Little Miss is doing AWESOME as a big sister. She can be a little overwhelming at times, and has starting the whole "treat me like a baby too" stage, so I am planning on making more time for her and taking her do things just her and I like we used to. I know she misses getting all of our attention. But she really does love her brother and is good about 95% of the time ;)

One Month Old

WOW. A month old already ... where does time go!?!? Little Man has changed SO much in a month and has grown up so much, and yes I know that's what they are supposed to do, but do they really have to grow up this fast?!?

Your eyebrows are finally starting to show
You still have you pretty blue eyes (and they actually are getting blue-er)
You gave me your first really (non-gas) smile
You loooooove mommy's kisses and will smile after them
You know my voice and will look for me when I am not holding you
During the day you ONLY sleep in your swing (or on momma chest)
You are finally starting to get little rolls on your arms and legs
You HATE your bouncy seat
You looooooove bath time
Your legs are already getting VERY strong and you can push yourself a few inches when you are on your belly ... which scares me, I don't want you to be mobile too early!
You love listening to you sister talk and/or sing to you
I realized that you are EXTREMELY ticklish
You went though a growth spurt
You no long like sleeping with momma
You have been a grumpy butt lately :(
You are starting to realize you have hands and will wave them around and follow them

Friday Five #14

Here are my answers for Wife of a Sailor's Fill in Friday questions :)

1.What characteristic about yourself has either been strengthened or weakened due to your experience as a Military Spouse?
I never had the chance to live on my own before I was married. I lived with my Mom till I graduated high school, from there I moved back in with my Dad and I met Hunk while I was still living with him. So the first deployment I went though hit me HARD. I had never been alone. And then on top of that I was alone with a 6 month old baby girl. I learned VERY fast how to do things on my own. So my independence improved greatly b.c of the military and I am so very thankful that it did :)

2.What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
I have only been there once, but Hawaii. My family went during the summer of 2005 and it was the BEST vacation ever! I want to go back some day :)

3.If you could have any fast-food restaurant in the food court on base/post what would you pick?
Hummmm this is a tough one ... I think I would want a frozen yogurt or a smoothie place. We don't have either of those in the town so it would be very nice to have one :)

4.Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Sadly we have yet go go on our honeymoon. My Dad got us a hotel room the night of our wedding and that's where we went after the wedding. I hope to one day get to experience a honeymoon -- or even just some time away with just me and Hunk.

5.If you could have any job in the world regardless of money, degree or experience, which job would you have and why?
Hummmm -- well I know most of you would think that I would say photographer, but I would also LOVE to be a flight attendant. LOL, don't ask me why, I just think it would be so much fun to be able to travel and see the world!!

Five for Friday #13

Here are my answers for Wife of a Sailor's Fill in Friday questions :)

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?
SAVE SAVE SAVE!!! Then when he gets home we go and splurge a little. We have only been though on deployment and when he came back we got a new flat screen TV, new living room set, and I surprised Hunk by getting him a boxer pup :) and of course we paid off credit cards.

2.If you could relive one occasion or moment, what would it be?
The day that I met Hunk face to face. You see we met on Myspce, he was in Tech School in Texas and I was in Florida. We talked on the phone a little over two months before we actually met. I will never ever forget the feelings of that day. I went to Oho for a week to visit my Mom and during that time, Hunk had moved to Florida at his new base. After my vacation was over, he was picking me up from the airport. Yes, I was letting someone I had NEVER met before pick me up from an airport -- I look back at that now and think "wow that could have gone VERY wrong" but thank God it didn't! I remember getting off the plane ... walking down the terminal ... seeing him sitting on a chair over by himself ... I got instant butterflies ... he looked up, saw me, and smiled ... my knees went weak ... I approached him and he gave me the best hug EVER ... we kissed and it was fireworks ... it really was one of the best moments of my life and I wish I could go back and relive it :)

3.What’s the worst job you ever had and if it was so bad why did you take it?
OMGsh hands down when I was pregnant with Little Miss I worked at KMart and it was THE WORST job of my liiiiife! There was NO A/C in the store and I actually passed out from over heating :( Needless to say I quit after that!!

4.If you could play any character on TV, who would you be?
Hummmm -- I would love to be Roxy on Army Wives :) I love how feisty she is and how she isn't afraid to speak her mind!

5.If you could become the world’s expert in something, what would it be?
I am going to say time management!! I wish I could manage my time better with two kiddos. There is so much I would love to do with Ains and it's hard to fit it all in when you have a newborn. I know that one day I will be better at it! Thankfully Little Miss is actually pretty good at being patient with me :)

Taking a HUGE Step

So tomorrow I am taking a HUGE step in the "big girl world" and going apply for college :) I went straight into college right after high school but I was too worried about partying and spending time with the love of my life jerk that broke my heart then to focus my time on something that was really important. I never really had the motivation to go back until now. I have been waiting to go back for a looooong time now, was even going to go back when we were in Florida, then I found out we were moving to GA so I had to put if off once again... Well now that Little Man is here I have nothing holding me back. Virginia College just opened up a new location in Macon and they offer online and evening classes!! That works out perfect for me :) I am going up to talk to a counselor tomorrow after my lunch date with a girl friend (and fellow blogger). I am kinda really excited to start this new chapter in my life ... but I am also REALLY nervous! I mean I am going to be 25 on Sunday and I am JUST starting out my journey towards my "career" but I say better late then never :) I will update everyone once I talk to the counselor! Wish me luck!!

Three Weeks Old

Little Man you are growing like a weed already. I look at pictures from the day you were born and it's crazy to me how much you have changed already. I can remember thinking "How am I going to do this? How am I going to be a mommy to two kiddos?" before you were born -- turns out it's really not that hard. Granted I have had AMAZING help from the hubs. I am so not looking forward to him going back to work ... That's when things are going to get really interesting.

Three weeks have gone by and you have grown so much! Things I don't ever want to forget:

You are finding your voice and cooing more and more every day
You let out your first laugh in you sleep
Every night between 3&4 you think it's time to wake up, and I struggle to get you back to sleep
You got your first diaper rash :(
You had your 2 week check up and you weigh 8lbs now
Little Miss was finally feeling better from her cold and was able to hold you again. the look on her face was sooooo priceless, she really loves you so so much
You got thrush :(
We switched you to Dr Brown's bottles since the other ones gave you too much gas which made you have bad tummy aches and gas
We had our first night of keeping momma up all night -- it was not fun.
You went on your first outing, we went pick out new couches and you were good the whole time
You will actually move your head and give me kisses (I know you are really just hungry and looking for your bottle, but hey I'll take what I can get)
You took a binky other then a soothie for the first time!

09.11.01

Never Forget....

Freedom was attacked this morning by a faceless coward and freedom will be defended.
-George W. Bush



I can remember I was in my US History class when the principal came over the intercom and announced that everyone turn on the TVs in the class rooms to the news channel, that there was something happening that would be embed in the history books.

I remember the teacher turning on the TVs just as the second plane hit the tower.

I can remember thinking "what is going on?"

I can remember being pissed.upset.hurt.confused.

I can remember thinking that my Dad would be going away for a long time b.c of this.

I can remember doing nothing the rest of the day at school but watching the news in all our classes.

I can remember not having an appetite at lunch.

I can remember calling my Dad later that night and crying on the phone.

I can remember a week later my Dad calling to let us know he was leaving for war and wasn't sure when he was going to be able to call again.

I can remember crying for a week stright.

I can remember thinking that life would never be the same.....

They asked our grandparents...

"Where were you when Pearl Harbor was attacked?"

They asked our parents...

"Where were you when President Kennedy was shot?"

And they'll ask us year after year...

"Where were you when the towers fell?"



What do you remember about the day that changed the life of every American?

Let Down

This week has been super hard on me. I have been let down by someone I thought was a really good friend and it turns out I was wrong -- very very wrong. I am not going to go into detail about it just b.c I am still VERY hurt and I just want to forget about this person and move on with my life. I am so sick of being walked all over like dirt under people's feet. I guess you can say that there will be no more Miss Nice Brooke. I have put up with people's crap for faaaaaaaaaar too long now and it's time to start sticking up for myself and telling people how I really feel. I have held back my feelings about certain things/people for so long now and I just cannot do it any more. The more I hold in the harder it is to bite my tongue. I just really really really hate drama and fighting with people so I let people use and abuse me and I am SICK of it. So get ready for a new Brooke b.c I am over peoples bull and I am no longer playing nice. If you don't like it, sorry I am not going to try to please everyone any more ... I am looking out for me and my family and the friends that really care and matter to me the most will have my back and not try to pull crap on me ... That is all :)

Fill in Friday #12

Here are my answers for Wife of a Sailor's Fill in Friday questions :)

1.Do you set goals for yourself during deployment? What are some of them?
Oh of course! It's one of the things that helps me get though them! Some of my past ones were lose weight (I think we all try to do that while they are gone, b.c lord knows they are over there getting in shape ;), save money, fix up the yard, de-clutter the house...

2.What would you say to someone dating a military guy or gal?
At times it really sucks, but it's so worth it. It's worth being away from them at months at a time, b.c when they come home it's honestly like falling in love all over again. It makes you appreciate this country so much more, I remember the first time I hear the nation anthem during our first deployment and it made me cry knowing that Hunk was out there fighting for our country. It makes your relationship so much stronger, knowing that you can get though anything (literally) and sticking with them makes them appreciate you so much more. Find a good support group, get to know fellow spouses in your boy/girlfriends unit, they will help you out so so much when your loved one is gone.

3.If you have children, how do you prepare them to move to a new place?
Thankfully we have only had to move once, and Little Miss was young enough that it really didn't phase her at all. And with the job my husband has here we will actually be here until he retires (unless he requests to leave, which would mean cross training into another job -- and the only way that will happen is if he has the chance to fly on gunships)

4.Name one hobby that gets you through alone time.
Well having two kiddos defiantly keeps me busy enough! But I try to get involved in spouse groups, going visit family/friends, doing things around the house that I have wanted to do and didn't have the time, planning a getaway trip for the hubby and I for when he returns.

5.What’s the one food you don’t ever get tired of?
OMGsh grilled chicken, steak and potatoes, Korean short ribs, BLTs ... yea I love food lol

I Need...

... a good book recommendation! Since I can't leave the house much I have gotten bored. I need an adult activity to keep me sane when I have those rare few moments of quiet mommy time. Thing is I need help picking one! It can really be about anything! I love to read, I love getting lost in a good book. I am one of those people that as I am reading, my mind is playing everything out like a movie :) Usually I would go spend hours in a book store reading cover after cover until I found the perfect one, but I really don't have time to do that at the moment ;) So I am asking you :) Is there a book out there that you loooooove and would recommend to a mommy of two?

Awesome Giveaway!

You must you must YOU MUST go and check out this awesome giveaway going on now (Sept. 8th) thru Sept. 15th over on A Cup of Jenn's blog.



She is giving away a BEAUTIFUL Antique brass Tree charm & red bead necklace from Earrings Nation's shop!



I think this maybe a new fav Etsy shop for me :) She has some ADORABLE stuff!! My personal favorite is the Flying Swallow Necklace! I think I may be brown-nosing the hubby for it ;) Hey my birthday is next Sunday!!

I'm Alive I Swear!

Yea that picture pretty much sums up how I feel right now -- like I got hit by a truck! I have some nasty cold or something that is kicking my butt good! But I still wanted to give everyone a little update on what's going on in the Armendinger household :)

We had Little Man two week check up today and he is doing GREAT! He weighs 8lbs now and has hit every mild stone a two week old is supposed to hit -- which isn't much lol. But our one glitch is he has thrush. We had to switch him to Dr Brown bottles, he was getting a little too gassy and it was causing him some tummy aches.

I have been doing GREAT -- other then being sick lol. I found out today that I have to get a mole removed from my head next Tuesday :( I swear I cannot win with things on my body lately. First my gallbladder has to be removed and now this. I am just ready to be back to my 100% feeling good self. I have a 3 year old and a 15 day old to take care of, I cannot be sick!!

Another thing I have been struggling with is what I want to do with my photography business once I am all healed up from my gallbladder surgery. I loooooove taking pictures, but right before I left for maternity leave it was really starting to feel like "work" to me and not what it used to feel like. I looooove taking pictures, and I love taking pictures for people, but I don't know if I want to do it all the time any more. I think I am going to cut way back on how many sessions I take on a month and stop doing weddings completely! I wish I could devote more time to my non-profit organizations that I am involved in (like OpLove), those sessions NEVER feel like work to me. I just wish more people knew about OpLove here. Maybe that is something I will look into... Getting the word out in this area about it :)

Well this blog post got a little rambly. We are all alive and well over here in good'ole Central Georgia :) Still trying to get used to having a 3 year old and a 15 day old, but thankful for my wonderfully crazy life. It really doesn't get much better then this :)

Two Weeks Old

Okay time you can start slowing down now! I remember with Little miss wanting time to speed up so I could see her walk and talk, and now (sometimes okay a lot of the time) I wish she would just sit still and be quiet! (If you are a mom you understand ;) But with Little man I am in NO RUSH at all to see him grow up. I wish he would stay little forever and just nap on my chest and give me those sweet gas smiles :)

I am in shock that it has been two weeks already! And once again here are things that I learned and don't want to forget:

You look AMAZING in navy blue
You peed ALL OVER Grumpa
You are following things with your eyes already
You looooooove to watch football
Your belly button fell off
You got extremely spoiled by your grandparents
You looooooove your play mat
You sister was sick and was ordered not to go near you by the doctor -- it was so sad.
We found Daddy's baby picture and you look JUST like he did, so now he has been calling you "mini me"
I had to switch you to Dr Browns bottles b.c the ones you were on made you really gassy and have tummy aches :(
Grandma took you on your first walk around the neighborhood
You are not so found of being swaddled any more
You do not like tummy time
Nights were kinda rough this week, but you are so worth it!

Fill in Friday #11

Here are my answers for Wife of a Sailor's Fill in Friday questions :)

1.What is a weird/funny superstition that you have?
I will not walk on man holes/drains. I am always scared that they are going to fall when I step on them and I will be stuck. I am EXTREMELY claustrophobic. My heart is racing right now just thinking about being stuck in a tight space ...

2.What are your hopes and dreams for the years AFTER the military? After all, we aren’t in it forever!
We want to retire to Virgina!! I love it there and I want a big house with a big wrap around porch with a huge back yard that all the grand babies can come and run around in for the holidays and summers. I would love to travel some to and see some things that I have always wanted to see, like Greece, but Hunk isn't for that quiet yet. I still have some convincing to do ;)

3.Since [this] month is National Apple Month (no really!), I’d probably ask: What is your yummiest apple recipe?
I am not much of an apple lover... So sadly I do not have one :(

4.How long have you gone as a military spouse without talking to your husband/wife during service?
THANKFULLY only about a week and it was when he was in SERE training.

5.I occasionally watch When I was 17… on MTV. So, what was something that was significant about your 17th year of life?
Oh geeze I was living in Wilmington, Ohio, a Sophomore in high school, working at Wendy's, in color guard dating a loooooooser... actually a lott'a losers lol.

Five for Friday

1. you have been so amazing as a daddy of two.

2. i love how much you love both our kiddos.

3. you let me sleep a lot this week bc i have been in lots of pain.

4. we watched robin hod and you sang the end credits song to me :)

5. you have not complained once when i ask you to help me out with house hold chores, one of the kids or even when i ask for you to get me something to eat or drink.

Thursday Five

Mrs. Gambizzle over at Life as Sailor's Girl hosts this cute little Thursday Five where she gives you five words and you have to incorporate them into five things that happened to you over the past week.

This week's words are:
Happy
Joyous
Giggly
Lucky
Thankful

ONE. I am so very happy to know that I will be getting this gallbladder OUT of me soon.

TWO. I am feeling so so so joyous that my bestest friend will be here in just a short 16 days -- Eeeek!

THREE. I get so giggly every time I see a smile on my baby boys face :)

FOUR. I am so lucky to have two amazing little kiddos that fill my heart with more love then I have ever known.

FIVE. I am so so so thankful to my hubby for letting me sleep in or nap when I am in pain or feeling crappy.