Life on the More Ruggid Side

Kyle is currently on his leave for 2 weeks, so I also took off of work. We planned a trip to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, and ending up in Sequoia National Park. Each place was allotted about 2 days to see whatever we could and then move on to the next destination.

We woke up last Wednesday at 3am and headed out to Lake Tahoe. Most people might think we were nuts leaving that early in the morning. If you have lived in California, then you would understand that traffic is ridiculously unpredictable around here and it's hard to find when the traffic is "green" for a majority of the way. We thought we'd trick the system by leaving when everyone was still asleep. It worked for the most part, but these Californians don't seem to get off the road for any time of day. There was still plenty of action going on even that early in the morning. Ridiculous.

We arrived about noon and ate lunch. It was a beautiful city! We drove around a little bit and enjoyed the Lake. We stopped by Emerald Bay to take some pictures and enjoy the scenery. Really, we just hung out for our duration in the city. Hung out on the beach, enjoying the sun and the cool, fresh water. Seeing all the different people around. Etc, etc.

OH! And while I was there...I got the letter from RID stating I had passed my NIC!!! For all of you who don't know what that is...it means that I am now a nationally certified sign language interpreter! Woo hoo! 

 Can you see me in this picture?:

Our next stop was Yosemite. Kyle was ecstatic. He's been there before and absolutely loved it and couldn't stop talking about it. Obviously, I got excited because his excitement was affecting me! The roads were curvy...I got a little motion sickness. I think my husband enjoys those curvy roads a little too much if you ask me....

I enjoy the outdoors but I'm not used to uphill climbs or major hiking. In fact, I'm not one that enjoys to even get a little dirty let alone jump around, kicking up dirt everywhere. Let me tell you, this trip did not encourage cleanliness. I was stuck in a dirty hell almost! Good thing God creates such beautiful things, because if it was ugly, I would have been a nightmare. Maybe. I do happen to love my husband, so I wouldn't have wanted to kill him... just yet anyway. ;-)

Rant over. Moving on...

We hiked a few trails. Took lots of pictures. Any time Kyle saw Half Dome, I'm pretty sure he had a heart attack from excitement. He just loved it. I can understand though. His love of national parks and all the memories attached from previous "boys trips" with is family have a very real, deep love in his heart. Much like how I feel about Europe. In some ways, the two have some strong similarities. Lots of walking. Seeing old things. Lots of people everywhere. Need a picture every 5 seconds. However...in Europe, I didn't have bugs buzzing in my ear or dirt caking onto my body in areas I like to keep clean. Ah....the great outdoors.

Our accommodations were what me and my grandma like to joke as "basic." Except this was about 5 levels below basic. I have been camping before. Several times, in fact. However, I didn't realize that we were going camping on this trip. We stayed at a "hostel" out in the wilderness. I have stayed in hostels in Europe many times and let me tell you...none of them reminded me of 4H-Camp. I had to hike up a mountain to use the bathroom or shower or even use the laundry...which was all in the exact same room, by the way. And don't expect any privacy from the other gender. It was a free for all. So yes, when I walked into the bathroom and heard some guy let one rip, I almost died. Classy. Lets get real. Girls are much more proper in the ladies room. We try to hold the loud things in until everyone clears out. We do things such as "courtesy flushes" so anything that might stink doesn't just sit there. It's a bathroom, sure. But we aren't there to flaunt it. Kyle wasn't even afraid to let it go while other people were in the room. :::shake my head::: Then tried to blame it on me. Sheesh. Boys...

Returning back to my point: this was much more country-esk than I wanted. Needless to say, I didn't feel clean for several days which is hard for me. What an adventure it turned out to be!

Don't get me wrong. We had a great time. I'm glad I got to experience Yosemite and all its glory with my wonderful hubby. Next vacation though, I want a spa. =)

Me in Mirror Lake

 Up at Taft Point

Half Dome

Our next part of the trip was Sequoia National Park: Home of the big trees. Now this place was a new experience for both of us. I was excited to go somewhere Kyle had never been before.

The trees there. HUGE. I mean, ginormous. After one day of looking at all the major stuff, we were done though. There wasn't much else for us to do, so instead of staying there for 2 nights, we just spent the day and left to come home early. It was beautiful and very breathtaking to see all the trees and how huge they were, their age, etc.

Us, next to the KY tree

 I know it's hard to see...but I'm in this picture!!! Down at the bottom left of the tree. :)

Overall, the trip was a success! It was beautiful and we were able to marvel at Gods awesome creation. Yes, I got dirty. Yes, I shrieked because bugs attacked me. Yes, I might have complained a little. But in the end, I have the best hubby who put up with all of that just to show me some awesome things.

I am glad to be home, where I can enjoy some nice, hot showers though. :)

I guess we'll see what happens on our next trip. I just hope it's a little more clean. ;-)

Much love!

Army (aka military) Wives.

I am a military wife.

One major mistake I am making is rewatching all of Army Wives. Basically, I cry every episode. I was crying to these episodes prior to becoming a military wife. Now that I have assumed that title, rewatching these episodes has a whole new meaning.

My husband is a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. His job is a Saxophonist in the Marine Corps band. No, he isn't infantry or Delta Force like these women on the show, thank God. He isn't the first being sent on missions through the Afghan desert. He isn't hiding as a sniper, shooting someone from a far distance. Instead, he plays in ceremonies and parades. While other people may look at the band is lesser because they play instruments instead of shooting guns all day, but I think quite the opposite.

It's just like the duty of the families who are left behind. Families are an essential part of the military dynamic. We are the ones who are left behind and have to hold up everything on the home front while our soldiers, or marines, or whatever branch you're part of, are out doing their duty to serve their country.

The bands in the military play a big part. They help to boost morale. They keep people united for a common goal. Since Kyle is in the band, I have the privilege of seeing him play whenever there is an open invitation or parade and it is within driving distance. Lately, that has meant I have been able to watch him play more frequently since they have been playing a little more around town. When they play the Marine's Hymns or any of the other branches' songs, there is a huge smile that spreads across my face. Why? Because you can see across the crowd, one by one, as men and women stand and rise in honor of the branch they served in. There is a look in their eyes of honor and pride.

Music does something to people. It can bring to mind past memories or feelings in a way a simple word or picture can't always do. The fact that my husband can bring that kind of a feeling... a feeling of pride... remembrance... unity... to all the people who are sitting there listening. That makes me proud. I am proud of my husband and what he does for this country and for the USMC even though it isn't one that requires him to hold a gun on all his assignments.

So, now, as I watch all of these episodes of Army Wives where death and sadness fill the air... it makes me appreciate everything good so much more. Though Kyle is only in the band, he could be called away to deploy especially if there was some kind of war that broke out. His MOS does not require any kind of immunity from deploying. He still went through basic training. He still has to requalify for shooting everything, etc. If they need him, he'll go.

For now, I will sit back and wait while he leaves on trips for concerts or parades or more trainings. I will continue to be thankful that he is the man I fell in love with and was able to make my husband even though he is a Marine and there is always a risk for danger. I will also be proud of the man he is and what he does for this country.

To all the other military wives out there... keep up what you're doing. You are the backbone to this country because without you supporting our troops, who knows what it would be like here.

July 4th - A Dad to Remember

Happy July 4th everyone!

Though today is a wonderful day in the life of Americans, it holds a very different meaning to me. Today marks the 10 year anniversary of my dad's death. What a way to celebrate this nations excitement, right? Ever since that awful day, my joy for this particular holiday hasn't exactly been replicated like it is in so many of my peers. 

When I was younger, particularly in High School, this day was really rough. I saw all my friends goofing off and hanging out. We'd go for a big firework event or sleep outside in tents at another friends house. I would remember taking a step back from the activities and watching all my friends have a smile on their faces. In all honesty, that was the part that hurt the most. I became selfish in my emotions and wanted everyone else around me to be solemn without excitement. I mean, my dad was dead, right? Didn't they know that? Often times I would just go sit down somewhere with that pathetic puppy dog face and refuse to be any fun. Why? I wanted one of my friends to acknowledge that July 4th wasn't exactly a fun day for me like it was for them. The first couple years it worked. Someone would always come up to me and eventually sit down next to me and ask me what was wrong, etc. Eventually when I was satisfied with the attention I got, I would liven up and rejoin the crowd. 

Looking back now, I realize how selfish I was. Yes, my dad died. Yes, it was tragic. I would never tell myself that it was anything less than that. While it is perfectly normal for children to have to bury their parents at some point. Burying them as a 14 year old may be a little too young in my opinion. Regardless, I realize now that most of my "depression" in front of others was a show. Not always. Lets be real, I was...no, I AM an emotion person. Crying is no stranger to me. If I am really honest with myself though, I just wanted the attention. I can see now how much that turned away the friends I had instead of draw them closer. 

As the years went by, I got less and less phone calls or texts with their condolences. It hurt as first. Later I was able to understand that this tragedy wasn't theirs. It was mine. My family was the only one that was truly dealing with this major loss (as well as a few close friends). For the most part, everyone just moved on with their lives. 

And now, 10 years later, if I don't get one "How are you?" or whatever, it won't hurt. I'm past the point of being truly sad on this day because I have learned how to celebrate the fabulous 14 years I had with my dad. While I still don't really celebrate this day too much, I am able to see past the death of my dad and look more at the celebration of it being the July 4th - and remember all the July 4ths that I got to celebrate with him. Going to the farm, eating with friends, and doing fireworks. 

So, tonight, I will be celebrating the 4th of the July, for the first time, for what it really is. Kyle is playing in a concert and I will be lucky enough to attend and listen to some true American/military tunes (woohoo! ;-) ), and end with watching fireworks. Though I'll be doing it alone, since the hubs will be playing and can't sit with me... it will still be enjoyable to me. I guess being married to a Marine is making me learn to re-enjoy this holiday like I used to. Just another reason why God shows blessings in mysterious ways. 

Enjoy the 4th everyone! 

I know I will. :)