Constant Beginnings

Today marks the last day that Chris will put on his "blues", military issued black patent shoes and dawn his cap with the old familiar Captain's bars on it. Such an exciting day for him, for us, for our family. So even though his official retirement isn't until August 1st, it feels that today is somewhat more of an end than that date will be. The military is all he's ever known, joining at the age of 17, heading off to boot camp a month after graduating from High School. Our paths crossed a couple of years later when he was still a lowly A1C. It is hard to believe I've been along side him for almost this entire journey through the military. We've survived countless PT tests, EPR's, promotions through each stripe as an enlisted member, OPR's, ROTC, college graduation, pinning LT bars, pinning Capt. bars, 3 moves across 3 different continents, 2 deployments, completion of graduate school, and countless exercises and training hours dedicated to the p...

My word for 2014 is "intention." So much of life is spent on "autopilot," simply going through the motions of routines and activities. It is my focus to act with intention. To move with  purpose, to focus on maximizing my happiness, to do with meaning. 1. Organization--I am happier and more sane when my life is organized. My focus is a meal plan, maintaining a weekly calendar of chores/homework schedule, etc. Chris and I have revised our budget to reflect our family financial goals. This ties in directly with financial organization and spending with intention or purpose. 2. Health--Once our little guy is born, health will become my obsession. Clean eating and working out. Lots of sweat, sweat, sweat. This is our last little one that I will carry, so no more excuses to carry this extra weight. I am focusing on pre-baby Kara, which will involve losing about 40 pounds. 3. Family time--Working full time and being a mom and wife is a juggling act. I am vowing to no...