Shut down info.

I know that a lot of people are worrying about this so I figured I would pass the word from my FRO.

"As you already know, we are facing the possibility of a government shutdown. I am sure many of you have questions concerning this situation so I will tell you want I know and provide some resources to help you continue to take care of yourselves and your families as we move forward and through this event.

What I know:

• Marines and mission essential civilians will continue to work to ensure that forward deployed Marine Corps operations, and operations and training for forces preparing to deploy, continue.

• Civilian Marines in positions critical to national security, public health and safety, medical care, power and maintenance, emergency and disaster assistance, and vital areas, to include our Family Readiness Officers, will not be furloughed. Civilian Marines who have been furloughed will not be allowed to do their former duties on an unpaid volunteer basis.

• Under the current Continuing Resolution (CR), a government shutdown at midnight on April 8th would mean Marines will receive midmonth pay (on April 15th) for the 8 days of April already covered by the CR. An approval of a 1 week extension (through April 15th) of the current CR would mean Marines will receive their normal midmonth pay for the first 15 days of April.

• Marines will continue to work and will continue to earn pay for the period of the shutdown but will not receive that pay until the Congress provides appropriations.

The following is a brief list of some of the resources we can tap into to assist those in need if a government shutdown occurs:

Navy‐Marine Corps Relief Society: Remains open, implementing general disaster relief policy which is to meet the immediate needs of its clients. This situation will be treated as we would a natural disaster, requiring rapid financial assistance without reviewing budgets or providing financial counseling. The Society will assist with rapid, short‐term, interest‐free loans to avoid privation of essential items such as food, gasoline and other necessities. Pre‐approved financial assistance ($300 for single Sailors and Marines; $600 for

Under the tenets of the Feed and Forage Act (41 USC 11) all active duty Navy and Marine Corps Families) will be delivered in the form of a check. To obtain assistance, the client need only show a military ID card and sign a repayment document. Disaster relief policy guidelines do not require a power of attorney. Quick Assist Loans will not be available during this time.

Marine Federal Credit Union (MFCU): Plans to cover the 15th payroll for all active duty military members with direct deposit to MFCU. Check with MFCU for additional information: https://www.marinefederalhb.org/home/home

Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU): Plans to cover the 15th payroll for all active duty military members and DoD employees paid through DFAS with direct deposit to NFCU. Check with NFCU for additional information: https://www.navyfederal.org/about/government.php

Note: If you are not banking with MFCU or NFCU, please check with your financial institution to gain insight on their Government Shutdown Contingency Plans.

In conclusion, I realize how stressful the doubt of impending financial insecurity is for our service members and their families. However, there is no doubt in my mind that you also have the resiliency to push forward, make it through to the end and persevere through this adversity. Remember: this is not permanent; our government is making every effort to ensure we are paid on time. And, if we are not paid, we will retroactively receive all pay due once the budget or a new CR is approved. I am also confident that we can each experience a lower level of duress by managing our expectations: plan for the worst while hoping for the best; support each other in those ways that you can support each other; and, most importantly, let us know when you need help because our leaders cannot assist if they do not know. I leave you grateful for your service and sacrifice and with a quote from one of our own spouses ‐her Marine is currently deployed‐ "We must choose to thrive while others survive!"

God Bless You and Semper Fidelis!"

This is from the commanding officer of CLR 27. I don't know for a fact but I have heard from others that USAA will not be paying in full on the 15th but will be helping with deferments. I would call them and ask yourselves if you bank through USAA. 

I hope this helps at least a little. 

25 more

Here are the next 25 things about me.

1. I used to go to Myrtle Beach every year for spring break with my family so I thought it was pretty funny that I ended up living just 2 hours from it. 
2. I would love to visit lots of other countries but it terrifies me to leave the country. I blame it on movies. 
3. I went to high school with my husband. I knew there was something special about him way back then. 
4. I can sometimes be quite the procrastinator. 
5. Other times I am the complete opposite. 
6. I have one older brother, 2 older step brothers, a younger step sister and younger step brother. 
7. I am extremely proud of my husband. Not just for being a marine and protecting our country but for being such an amazing person. 
8. This is my favorite number. 
9. I don't like odd numbers. 
10. My birthday is June 19. Yes, ironically an odd number. 
11. I believe in God but I find myself questioning more than I would like to. 
12. My perfect idea of a date night is putting on my comfiest clothes and snuggling next to my husband all night either talking or just being together. 
13. I love the rain but I believe there is something magical about sunshine. 
14. I believe that everything happens for a reason. 
15. Sometimes I wonder how I ended up being blessed with such an amazing husband and daughter. 
16. I believe in staying positive. 
17. I also can't help but be terrified that my husband wont come home to us. 
18. When I finally get my daughter to fall asleep at night I lay in bed with my fingers crossed praying to God that she will stay sleeping. 
19. I'm running out of interesting facts. 
20. I'm addicted to my blog. It's a wonderful form of therapy. 
21. I was never a huge fan of working out but I am craving a good work out. Probably because I'm still in my 6 weeks of post op recuperation. 
22. I wish I was way more artistic than I actually am. 
23. I love singing but only when no one is listening. 
24. I'm currently exhausted.
25. I really need to hear from my husband one more time before I fall asleep tonight. 

Rules to live by

Being back in my home town I've been thinking about where I used to be and we I am now in my life. I've gown up so much in the past couple years. Unfortunately I can't say the same for most people around here.

I don't know why people feel the need to waste their time and energy focusing on other people's faults. Just live and let live.

I've decided to write down some of my rules to live by. Maybe the right people will read this and it will click for them.

1. If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all. I used to be one of the people who would complain to one friend about what annoyed me about the other friend. I realized how ridiculous this is. My rule now is that if I can't say something to someone's face then it shouldn't be said at all. This has really helped me stop focusing on the negative and pay attention to the positives in people. 
2. Don't use the word hate. There is really never a reason to ever use the word hate. Sure, saying you hate broccoli or something is fine since you can't hurt broccoli's feelings. Have you ever really thought about what it means? In my eyes saying hate means that I will never talk to this person, there isn't one thing I like about this person and I would be happy if I never saw them again. It's a mean thing to say and I have never met someone I feel comfortable saying it to. 
3. Patience really is key. Marriage has helped me realize how important patience really is. If you exercise a little patience you will see that the little things will stop bothering you and you are overall happier. It will help you listen better as well.

These are just 3. There is obviously the golden rule of treating others as you'd like to be treated which should cover everything in one. Let's be better people.

Baby girl

If this isn't the cutest picture anyone has ever seen then you're lying.

Next 25

Like I promised here are the next 25 facts about me...

1. I feel as if I have two hearts. One is full of love for my husband and the other for my daughter. I couldn't imagine taking any of my heart away from my so the only logical explanation is I grew another one. 
2. I love to snowboard but I hate snow. 
3. I'm currently craving ice cream with the Reese's shell. 
4. I'm allergic to cats but I really love a big fat snuggly cat. 
5. I can't watch movies where the main character is put in a tough situation or does something you know is going to bite them later. It makes me uncomfortable to watch. It's hard to explain. 
6. I have a self diagnosed form of mild OCD. Everything in my room must be symmetric and match.
7. I don't find any other man attractive other than my husband. My mom says all the time "wow that is a good looking guy." And all I can think about is how my husband is way more handsome. Even compared to Brad Pitt, George Clooney or any other "sexiest man alive" celeb. 
8. I hate flossing. 
9. My favorite color is plum purple. 
10. Strange enough, my least favorite color is another shade of purple, mediumish purple. I can't really describe it. 
11. Sometimes I can be pretty darn smart and others I could be mistaken for a complete ditz. 
12. I have a horrible memory. If there weren't pictures proving it I wouldn't even think I was ever younger than like 14. I honestly barely remember things that happened several days ago. 
13. My husband and I can never make a decision. Dinner time is more like hell in our house. 
14. I love candles. Especially when they smell like vanilla. 
15. I have 3 tattoos and I want at least one more. 
16. I would absolutely love to have a full sleeve but I can't bring myself to do it. 
17. I wish I could have my hair be any other color other than brown but I don't think I have the complexion or what not to ever be anything other than a brunette. 
18. I'm terrified of sharks and spiders. Snakes too. Ick. 
19. I'm a very censored person when it comes to my personal life. 
20. I love sleeping. 
21. I don't use the word hate lightly when it comes to people. I think people are too quick to speak these days. I always think before I say I hate someone because 99.9% of the time I don't mean it. 
22. I'm a die hard romantic. 
23. I love string cheese. 
24. My husband is truly my soul mate. 
25. It bothers me that most people I tell I am from NY automatically assume I mean the city. NY is a big state people, a lot of which is rural not the city. 

Balboa baby

My daughter is in a phase where she can't be put down for a second. This makes doing anything difficult so I finally broke down and bought a baby sling. I was completely against these at first because they first of all look like you are squishing and suffocating your child and secondly I was sure I would have to buy tons of them so that they would match all my outfits.

Well after doing research and actually looking at them I decided on the Balboa Baby adjustable sling. The other choice was a Moby sling I think and that one looked like a huge ace bandage wrap and way too much work. The Balboa just slides over your head and baby pops right in, kinda like a kangaroo. Man they really have something with that...

Anyways, I LOVE IT!! It's soooo comfortable and there are so many different positions for baby to be in to make it comfortable for them. Plus my hands are free for doing everything I need to get done.

Yea, it was a good chunk of change but so far totally worth it. And I only bought one style. Who would have known after becoming a mom and wiping poo and spit up on my clothes daily that matching would not matter? ha.

Oh, and the diaper geniie. AMAZING.

That's all for now. We are headed to the in laws to have lunch and do a photo shoot of Abigail.

Have a great Sunday!

I don't know.

I have no idea where this post is going to go I just feel like I need to write.

Today is April 1. That means that tomorrow Abigail turns one month old and we are very close to checking one month off this deployment already. There isn't really anything bad I can say about that. This month has flown by and I really hope that is how every month will go.

Do you ever feel like tiny little people live in the radio and play the music? Well if so then mine are cruel. There are some days when all you want to do is cry your eyes out but certainly not when you are driving down the road.

Today my little radio people decided to play If You're Reading This by Tim McGraw. Jerks. If you haven't heard this song then you can go look it up. I'd bring it here for you but I really don't even want to think about it again. It hits way too close to home and easily made me cry.

I guess that's all part of this though. Unfortunately I happen to be a country music buff so I have to put up with hearing songs that remind me of how sad I am right now constantly. I think it's actually a country music law to pull the heart strings of the listeners. I can't really complain though. Music is supposed to move you and country music excels at it.

I've always been a sucker for a guy who can sing. It's a curse and a blessing that my husband has an incredible voice. I love listening to him sing in the car but now that he isn't here all I can think about when I'm driving is how I wish he was next to me singing along to the radio.

This deployment is hard. There's a constant sting to my heart. I carry myself well and rarely break down and cry but that doesn't mean I'm not hurting. One thing that really sucks is when people ask me how I'm doing. I don't understand why people can't think before they speak. If there is one question that no one wants to be asked when they are hurting it's if they are ok or not. Well I was until you asked that and now I'm doing horrible as you can see from the tears pouring down my face.

That's what happened today with that song. I was doing perfectly fine with it until my mom asked me if I wanted her to change it. I was telling myself that if I can get through this song without a break down that I really am a strong woman. As soon as she asked that I let myself feel the lyrics and my heart shattered.

Don't get me wrong, I really am doing fine. I'm confident that this deployment wont break me and I know that it will eventually end. But I am a female and unfortunately that means my emotions have a mind of their own.

Lately Aber dabers (my nick name for Abigail) has been really fussy. It seems like she wants to be held by everyone but me. That really sucks. She has no problem crying in my arms but as soon as she switches to someone elses hands she stops and is completely content.

It's the same at night time. Anyone else can put her to sleep but if I lay her down in her crib she wakes up and starts crying. I try really hard not to let myself get frustrated but when I'm up with her for a couple hours at night trying to get her to go to sleep it's a real struggle. Luckily last night she went to sleep at midnight and slept all night until 6:30. So even though it was a struggle to get her to sleep it paid off with a long slumber.

Shes definitely transitioning into her more awake and alert phase. Its great watching her change but it makes me sad that I cant share this with her daddy.

I miss him. A lot.

I think this is long enough. I'll write again soon.