I am sitting at my dining room table early this Tuesday morning, getting up sporadically to tend to the puppies and needing to finish my Bible Study. I am going to venture a little off of the pregnancy updating for this post and post about some things I have learned recently (meaning the last couple of years). Forgive me in the beginning for the randomness and such of this blog.
I have been involved with my new Bible study going on about 4 weeks now and I am learning so much about what it means to be a wife and a spouse under God's guidelines. Therefore, I have also been thinking about the journey I have already taken along the way as a spouse, a military one at that.
I have just been thinking of the women I have met along the way that define what a military wife is and what she is asked to do on a daily basis. I made a little list just for fun so I thought I would share some of the ones I have heard and witnessed first hand:
1. Plans will ALWAYS change.
2. Sleep is more of a suggestion than anything.
3. You need to know how to be a Mom and a Dad.
4. You need to have Poison Control on speed dial.
5. Pets are really there to keep the kids occupied so you can have a moment to yourself.
6. A piece of mail that has traveled thousands of miles can mean more than any diamond or ruby.
7. You have signs in your house that say where you have been, but you have NO idea where you could be going.
8. Your circle of friends spans the world, but when you need them they seem like they are right next to you.
9. It is so ok to cry, especially for no reason ;).
10. The expectant mother pass they give you gets thrown away bc EVERYONE is pregnant so your not getting a parking space any way!
11. Prayer can move mountains, rivers, oceans, volcanoes ext.
12. Things can always get worse before they get better.
13. It is ok to say NO to the bake sale, car wash or other things you are asked to do ;).
14. It's ok to be selfish sometimes.
15. Having a close knit family can make all the difference!
16. Remember everything can change in a moment...you can never say thank you or i love you too much.
17. It does pay to "pay" (tithe) God first!
Well, that list was a little longer than I wanted it and it doesn't even scratch the surface. When Nate and I first got married learning how to be a spouse was crazy and new and I always felt like I was doing it wrong. Nate was always there to tell me that if you burn it there is always McDonald's ;), if you break it we can replace it, and if nothing seems to be going our way it is ALWAYS going God's way (this one of the reasons I love my hubby). I started to get the hang of this military life and built up a routine. I thought I had being a spouse completely figured out! Now, again I sit here at my dining room table and think how different being a spouse is to a deployed soldier. I don't have to get up and make him breakfast after PT, no uniforms or smelly clothes to wash, and no random phones calls during dinner that receive a look of 'you are home now NO work' ;). I have had to change the way I communicate and react. Nate's face on Skype is better than ANY television show on tv. Letters and cards overflow on my table. I have never been so excited to send someone else a package. Nate's handwriting has become the prettiest in the world, and if you've seen his writing then you know this is a big deal. I am looking forward to the first load of laundry that has his multi-cam in it ;).
I have learned so much in these last 6 months that I feel will def. propel me into being a better spouse, friend and family member. One huge thing I have realized that has made all of this bearable, even on the worst of days, is our family! I know on Saturdays at 9am I will get a Skype call from our Grandparents. Sunday I will talk to Dad and Momma K. On any day of the week that I have a crazy question I will be found talking to my Mom. In the random hours of the night I will text with my sister and between our crazy schedules will find time to talk for hours. I know that the overloaded packages are from the Curtis clan. I know that every other weekend I can call and hear my Nana, aunt and uncle having fun in Orangeburg. How can I feel alone with so much love and support surrounding me. I find such joy in being able to say OUR family, we have become ONE. I send out a big thanks to all of you for your support for me and for Nate. We cannot even begin to explain how much it means to us to receive calls, text messages, letters, packages and skype calls from you all. You mean the world to us!
There is so much more to say, but I will be late to Bible Study. Thank you, also to our friends who have been so great and supportive through all of this, there are so many to list (you know who you are). Even the smallest gestures have meant so much! We love you all and can't wait to introduce Ady into this amazing family and friends we have. We love you!
The Baloughs
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Daddy on the Go in Afghanistan
What's up with Dad?
The weather here has become much more manageable, which means it is getting into the low 100s high 90s on a regular basis. Also, we have finished our Change of Command which means I now have a new boss. The inventories went well, and everything got taken care of. Next, is Reset. Reset is where the Army fixes the equipment we have in theater and gets it back to fully operational. Once Reset is complete it is tie to start sending containers and people home for good. Mixed in there somewhere will be NCR&R, which means I will be sitting in Hawaii enjoying the wifey, puppies, and a cute little newborn baby. This is pretty much it here in Afghanistan.
What's up with Mom?
Morgan has been prepping the house and getting ready for Ady to come into the world. Baxter and Oreo evidently had a great play date with the neighbor so we will see how they will do with Ady.
Well, I will let her update you guys more when she sends her bog next.
The weather here has become much more manageable, which means it is getting into the low 100s high 90s on a regular basis. Also, we have finished our Change of Command which means I now have a new boss. The inventories went well, and everything got taken care of. Next, is Reset. Reset is where the Army fixes the equipment we have in theater and gets it back to fully operational. Once Reset is complete it is tie to start sending containers and people home for good. Mixed in there somewhere will be NCR&R, which means I will be sitting in Hawaii enjoying the wifey, puppies, and a cute little newborn baby. This is pretty much it here in Afghanistan.
What's up with Mom?
Morgan has been prepping the house and getting ready for Ady to come into the world. Baxter and Oreo evidently had a great play date with the neighbor so we will see how they will do with Ady.
Well, I will let her update you guys more when she sends her bog next.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Mommy's Sept. Update
HelloAll,
It's my turn to update the blog so here it goes...
What's Up with Mom?
Well, I have been trying to keep busy so time passes faster, although I do like 'days off'. I have joined the Spouses club here in HI so that means monthly luncheons and events to attend. I have also volunteered to help out at the Thrift Shop. The good thing about helping out at the Thrift Shop is I can pick when I volunteer and how often, which will be great when baby comes and then they also give free child care so I won't have to worry about finding someone to watch Ady. I am still continuing my FRG stuff. I am attending a Spouses Conference in October which is going to be fun. I will get to participate in a couple different classes about couponing, decorating (food and the home) and some other classes. At the end of September I am also going to take a cooking class which should be fun. My friends are also throwing me a shower in October so that will be something to look forward to. I still have a lot to do like finding someone to do Maternity photos and newborn photos. I am still working on packing bags for everyone and loading them in the car! I am also working on some Fall/Halloween projects, because it is my favorite season ;). That is about it for my schedule.
What's Up with Dad?
Nate, like he said in his last post, has been very busy with inventory and the change of command. He has found some time to relax though and participate in the family Fantasy Football draft. He was also able to participate in the Pros vs. GI Joes video game night. He also won the Corn Hole tournament they had at his FOB. He is managing to have some normalcy while over there. He will hopefully be preparing to come home for RandR here soon for November.
What's Up with Ady?
Well, Miss Ady is as busy as ever ;). She finds times between poking mommy in the stomach to kick my bladder, then she finds time for her beauty rest. She likes listening and dancing to music, especially in church. She has shown me multiple times that she doesn't like when mommy eats spicy foods. She is continuing to grow each day and we have our 32week apt. next Friday!!!! Only 9 more weeks (hopefully) til she makes her grand entrance.
Randomness:
Cravings: Seafood, Spicy Food
Clothing: Dresses are my best friend! They show off the bump but don't make me feel like a sack of potatoes. Most of my shirts are getting to the "too short" mark which means SHOPPING!
Activities: I try to walk about 3+ miles a week. I am finding it harder to bend over and get things. It might be time for YOGA!
Sleeping: My hips start hurting so flipping over has become more frequent. Naps are always a good thing ;)
Doggies: Oh those puppies make every day so much fun ;). Oreo likes to lay her head on my belly and "listen" to Ady and Baxter just likes to step on her and assert his "dominance" LOL.
Doctor's Visits: Next apt. is Sept. 16th for our 32 week check up. Still no word on the results of my glucose test.
Hobbies: Napping and trying out new recipes!
Well, that is about it from this Hawaii Balough. Aloha!
-Mommy Balough
It's my turn to update the blog so here it goes...
What's Up with Mom?
Well, I have been trying to keep busy so time passes faster, although I do like 'days off'. I have joined the Spouses club here in HI so that means monthly luncheons and events to attend. I have also volunteered to help out at the Thrift Shop. The good thing about helping out at the Thrift Shop is I can pick when I volunteer and how often, which will be great when baby comes and then they also give free child care so I won't have to worry about finding someone to watch Ady. I am still continuing my FRG stuff. I am attending a Spouses Conference in October which is going to be fun. I will get to participate in a couple different classes about couponing, decorating (food and the home) and some other classes. At the end of September I am also going to take a cooking class which should be fun. My friends are also throwing me a shower in October so that will be something to look forward to. I still have a lot to do like finding someone to do Maternity photos and newborn photos. I am still working on packing bags for everyone and loading them in the car! I am also working on some Fall/Halloween projects, because it is my favorite season ;). That is about it for my schedule.
What's Up with Dad?
Nate, like he said in his last post, has been very busy with inventory and the change of command. He has found some time to relax though and participate in the family Fantasy Football draft. He was also able to participate in the Pros vs. GI Joes video game night. He also won the Corn Hole tournament they had at his FOB. He is managing to have some normalcy while over there. He will hopefully be preparing to come home for RandR here soon for November.
What's Up with Ady?
Well, Miss Ady is as busy as ever ;). She finds times between poking mommy in the stomach to kick my bladder, then she finds time for her beauty rest. She likes listening and dancing to music, especially in church. She has shown me multiple times that she doesn't like when mommy eats spicy foods. She is continuing to grow each day and we have our 32week apt. next Friday!!!! Only 9 more weeks (hopefully) til she makes her grand entrance.
Randomness:
Cravings: Seafood, Spicy Food
Clothing: Dresses are my best friend! They show off the bump but don't make me feel like a sack of potatoes. Most of my shirts are getting to the "too short" mark which means SHOPPING!
Activities: I try to walk about 3+ miles a week. I am finding it harder to bend over and get things. It might be time for YOGA!
Sleeping: My hips start hurting so flipping over has become more frequent. Naps are always a good thing ;)
Doggies: Oh those puppies make every day so much fun ;). Oreo likes to lay her head on my belly and "listen" to Ady and Baxter just likes to step on her and assert his "dominance" LOL.
Doctor's Visits: Next apt. is Sept. 16th for our 32 week check up. Still no word on the results of my glucose test.
Hobbies: Napping and trying out new recipes!
Well, that is about it from this Hawaii Balough. Aloha!
-Mommy Balough
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Daddy to be On the Go in Afghanistan
Well, Afghanistan is really hot still, that much has not changed, but right now our Brigade HHC is going through a huge change as the Commander is transitioning. In the next few weeks we will complete $40 million worth of inventories ensuring the new commander has inspected all property items. This means I have PLENTY to do. Also, I turned 27 while in Afghanistan along with a few of my fellow Officers and NCOs in 3rd Brigade 25th ID. I put up a couple picture of the cakes that Morgan sent to me. They were AMAZING. I am so excited about Ady coming, and getting to go home in November.
Today we had thunderstorm in Afghanistan and the rain could not have been any more welcome. The place flooded in some sections, and I don't understand why? We have been in Afghanistan for ten years and why do we have problems with water flow and irrigation. We are almost done with the change of command inventories which means that I get to move on to my next phase of deployment. That also means I get a new boss, and it will work well.I had the weirdest smell recognition moment the other day. I walked out of my barracks room and smelled the grease from a fifth wheel of an eighteen wheeler. That sent me back to the days of my dad taking me to Kaplan Trucking.
Morgan is doing such a great job at home keeping the puppies and baby to be. I am so proud of her and everything she is doing. Ady has her bed, dresser, swing, and LOTS of clothes. I am so thankful for everyone sending the clothes to keep Ady clothed and prepared for the beginning of her life. Well, I am going to go and I will let Morgan caught you up from Hawai'i.
Today we had thunderstorm in Afghanistan and the rain could not have been any more welcome. The place flooded in some sections, and I don't understand why? We have been in Afghanistan for ten years and why do we have problems with water flow and irrigation. We are almost done with the change of command inventories which means that I get to move on to my next phase of deployment. That also means I get a new boss, and it will work well.I had the weirdest smell recognition moment the other day. I walked out of my barracks room and smelled the grease from a fifth wheel of an eighteen wheeler. That sent me back to the days of my dad taking me to Kaplan Trucking.
Morgan is doing such a great job at home keeping the puppies and baby to be. I am so proud of her and everything she is doing. Ady has her bed, dresser, swing, and LOTS of clothes. I am so thankful for everyone sending the clothes to keep Ady clothed and prepared for the beginning of her life. Well, I am going to go and I will let Morgan caught you up from Hawai'i.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Mommy to be on the go!
Well, here I go again with another Mommy to be update (and it didn't take a month!)...
I have a lot of things coming up with the FRG as well as with me personally. We are going into overdrive mode in preparations for the troops returning home in a couple of months. I have meetings to go to and events to help plan, which I enjoy because it makes me feel needed and useful. I just signed up for a new Bible study called 'Excellent Wife'. It will give a biblical perspective on how to be an "excellent" wife for your husband. I am looking forward to starting it next Tuesday. I am also joining the spouses club called the Hui (sp?). This should be exciting to get to meet other military spouses and join more fun little groups. I am also starting a weekly lunch with a couple new friends of mine and we are going to try a different restaurant for lunch every week. All of this should hopefully keep me super busy until the baby comes.
Nate and I have ordered Ady's nursery furniture so we are now just waiting for it to arrive so I can finish decorating her room and put it all together! We are so thankful for all of the gifts that we have received! We have amazing friends and families! Nate and I have decided to go with a travel system and now we are just trying to find the perfect one for us!
Nate has been so amazing throughout this entire pregnancy! I forget sometimes that he isn't here in HI physically with me because he stays so involved. I am constantly getting emails about new things people have told him about or that he has researched, which makes me super happy! He is reading his "daddy books" as he calls them and is putting me to shame with all of his vast knowledge. He loves to sing to Ady and she often kicks in response to her Daddy's voice. I cannot wait for Nate to come home on R&R, I am so ready for a Nate hug. Although, I have heard he has lost 20lbs!!! I hope there is enough left for me to hold onto with that hug, but he works out twice a day so I'm thinking I'll be hugging a rock ;).
Well that is about all for now! We hope you are all doing well and Nate's up next from across the pond!
The Baloughs
Prayer Requests:
1. Nate makes it home for Ady's arrival!
2. My 28wk doctor's apt on Friday.
3. My glucose test on Thursday.
4. The deployed troops and the moral amongst the soldiers.
Cravings: Hot Wings, fried pickles and fruit
Clothes: Leaning more towards dresses these days ;)
Rings: Still fit great!
Emotions: Past cry baby stage now into "I will cut you" stage...I take no prisoners!
Puppies: Are stuck to me like GLUE! Oreo views my tummy as her pillow and Baxter views it as his trampoline!
Pains: Just my pinched Sciatic nerve ;(
Movements: Ady is moving up a storm, she really reacts to music.
New Happenings: I now know what heart burn feels like...Boo!
I have a lot of things coming up with the FRG as well as with me personally. We are going into overdrive mode in preparations for the troops returning home in a couple of months. I have meetings to go to and events to help plan, which I enjoy because it makes me feel needed and useful. I just signed up for a new Bible study called 'Excellent Wife'. It will give a biblical perspective on how to be an "excellent" wife for your husband. I am looking forward to starting it next Tuesday. I am also joining the spouses club called the Hui (sp?). This should be exciting to get to meet other military spouses and join more fun little groups. I am also starting a weekly lunch with a couple new friends of mine and we are going to try a different restaurant for lunch every week. All of this should hopefully keep me super busy until the baby comes.
Nate and I have ordered Ady's nursery furniture so we are now just waiting for it to arrive so I can finish decorating her room and put it all together! We are so thankful for all of the gifts that we have received! We have amazing friends and families! Nate and I have decided to go with a travel system and now we are just trying to find the perfect one for us!
Nate has been so amazing throughout this entire pregnancy! I forget sometimes that he isn't here in HI physically with me because he stays so involved. I am constantly getting emails about new things people have told him about or that he has researched, which makes me super happy! He is reading his "daddy books" as he calls them and is putting me to shame with all of his vast knowledge. He loves to sing to Ady and she often kicks in response to her Daddy's voice. I cannot wait for Nate to come home on R&R, I am so ready for a Nate hug. Although, I have heard he has lost 20lbs!!! I hope there is enough left for me to hold onto with that hug, but he works out twice a day so I'm thinking I'll be hugging a rock ;).
Well that is about all for now! We hope you are all doing well and Nate's up next from across the pond!
The Baloughs
Prayer Requests:
1. Nate makes it home for Ady's arrival!
2. My 28wk doctor's apt on Friday.
3. My glucose test on Thursday.
4. The deployed troops and the moral amongst the soldiers.
Cravings: Hot Wings, fried pickles and fruit
Clothes: Leaning more towards dresses these days ;)
Rings: Still fit great!
Emotions: Past cry baby stage now into "I will cut you" stage...I take no prisoners!
Puppies: Are stuck to me like GLUE! Oreo views my tummy as her pillow and Baxter views it as his trampoline!
Pains: Just my pinched Sciatic nerve ;(
Movements: Ady is moving up a storm, she really reacts to music.
New Happenings: I now know what heart burn feels like...Boo!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Lady bugs
So what's new???
Afghanistan is hot, so not change there , but I did get to to see the greatest thing in the world the other day thanks to Skype. What is it?? Look below I shall make you wait till the end.
Life here in Afghanistan is picking up with a Change of Command coming up I keep busy making sure $40 million worth of the governments' money is not lost or wasted. Which means I am VERY busy, but I guess that is the life of an Executive Officer. I am trying to get everything ready to send home too, which is only six months away. Now, I am waiting I put in for a Branch transfer, which means if I get it there is a 98% chance Morgan, Ady, Baxter, Oreo, and I will be cozying it up in the Rockies. (Yes, Tim you can come visit and go to a Rockies game). Well, that is the updates for the Army side.
Morgan has made this a very easy deployment, due to all the letters and cards I get from her. I don't understand why mail takes so long to get home, but it can get here in nine days from Hawaii. I get the Mail Clerk come by at least once a week bringing me a letter or card from M. Balough. I think they finally figured out who it was (DUH Morgan). I am so thankful for all of my family that has sent me mail, packages, and comfort items. Morgan Balough, Ashley Balough, Timothy Balough, Denise Kolakowski, Curtis Clan, Salley Williams, Jane Davis (Greenville Upstate Blue Star Mothers), just to name a few, and Amazon. I have been so blessed that Morgan has sent me pictures in the electronic mail so I can feel part of the pregnancy. She is got to be the MOST GORGEOUS pregnant woman EVER !!!! I cannot wait to come home and see Morgan and little Ady still in the belly, then she can pop out. I am good with Morgan going into labor at the airport as long as I can see Ady and say hey while she is still in Morgan's belly. Question is what do I do with my luggage? Wait for it or have someone pick it up???? Let's pass on the Airport labor part, that might not be as fun as I think.
Two Interesting things that happened recently that made my heart flip!!
1) I was around when another Soldier opened his care package, and he threw me something. I did not realize what it was at first and then I flipped it over and realized it was a little Lady bug bean bag animal, just an amazing realization that Lady bugs is perfect for Ady.
2) See below
Morgan is up next which means another month till the next post. Thanks to all who follow and enjoy reading the life of the Baloughs with a little critter on the way.
The Baloughs
P.S. The cool fact: I got to see Ady kick on Skype!!! Got to be the best present I could have got over Skype. Love you Ady and Morgan.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Mommy to be update!
It's my turn again! I don't know where to start. I guess with feeling and seeing Ady move. I finally got to see her kick!!! It was the most amazing thing ever. Since the 'first' kick, she has been moving up a storm. She was quite the moving one in church on Sunday, especially when it was time for the music ;). Nate did finally get to see her kick but I will let him tell you about that ;).
I have been working on lots of baby things lately. I know time is going to fly by in these last weeks and I am def. behind. I have all the decorations for her room ready execpt one or two. I still need to find a crib that I am happy with, it's so hard to choose! I have moved on a little from onesies and have started working on bows. I am trying to stay busy so I don't go stir crazy waiting for baby and Nate to get here!
Nate and I have been talking a lot about what we want our family to be like and how we want to raise our babies ;). I am so excited to start our family. I know babies are not a new thing, but for Nate and I we are just over the moon excited for our baby. My mom has done nothing but talk about little Ady ;) and the puppies. It is so fun sending her weekly photos. She is going to come out in December for a little bit to help me after Nate leaves, which I am so thankful for. It is amazing to think how many people love our daughter even before she is here ;). It's a def. encouragement knowing we have such an amazing support system behind us.
On another note Nate and I have been working on a verse for baby Ady. We want just a verse of encouragement and one to represent what we want for our little girl. We think we have decided on Isaiah 40:30-31. I am so excited to teach our little girl about scripture and I am hoping Nate and I can take her to her first "church service" together after she is born ;).
Well, again not much going on here. I had a good doctor's visit with everything is checking out very good. She is measuring exactly what she should be and heartbeat is 150. My next appointment will be in about 2-3 weeks and I will have to take another glucose test, prayers appreciated! Nate is next with his Balough Bundle update!
The Baloughs
I have been working on lots of baby things lately. I know time is going to fly by in these last weeks and I am def. behind. I have all the decorations for her room ready execpt one or two. I still need to find a crib that I am happy with, it's so hard to choose! I have moved on a little from onesies and have started working on bows. I am trying to stay busy so I don't go stir crazy waiting for baby and Nate to get here!
Nate and I have been talking a lot about what we want our family to be like and how we want to raise our babies ;). I am so excited to start our family. I know babies are not a new thing, but for Nate and I we are just over the moon excited for our baby. My mom has done nothing but talk about little Ady ;) and the puppies. It is so fun sending her weekly photos. She is going to come out in December for a little bit to help me after Nate leaves, which I am so thankful for. It is amazing to think how many people love our daughter even before she is here ;). It's a def. encouragement knowing we have such an amazing support system behind us.
On another note Nate and I have been working on a verse for baby Ady. We want just a verse of encouragement and one to represent what we want for our little girl. We think we have decided on Isaiah 40:30-31. I am so excited to teach our little girl about scripture and I am hoping Nate and I can take her to her first "church service" together after she is born ;).
Well, again not much going on here. I had a good doctor's visit with everything is checking out very good. She is measuring exactly what she should be and heartbeat is 150. My next appointment will be in about 2-3 weeks and I will have to take another glucose test, prayers appreciated! Nate is next with his Balough Bundle update!
The Baloughs
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