A Must Have Children's Book :: "Daddy Flies"

How many of you are ready for a book your kiddos will love?!

I was recently scouted out by a blogger who stumbled upon my page.  She asked if I would read the book "Daddy Flies", a book she wrote and had published.  At first, I was concerned about committing because we have been in between moves so much that I rarely have time to post.  Then I gave it a second thought and agreed!  Boy am I glad I reconsidered!!

"Daddy Flies" is a book about a little girl named Katie who quizzically wonders how it is exactly that her daddy can 'fly'.  She comes up with many different theories until she uses her surrounding context clues to piece together that her daddy has a very important job, he's a pilot!

This story is incredibly kid friendly.  The author, Brye Butler Steeves, wrote it with a particular audience in mind - kiddos!  This book is an incredible resource to use whether you're a teacher, a parent, or a person who works with children of Armed Service Members.  The rhythm of the story is beautiful.  Like Brye, the military spouse in me (though we are Army) can relate!  My husband is gone a lot too and when Lilianna begins talking, I imagine she will ask the very same questions like the main character, Katie.

Daddy Flies can be found on Amazon for only $8.99!! (Click the link to be taken directly there)

Trust me when I say this is a must have for your reading collection! I have only had this book a short week and I have read it to Lilianna three times!!


God Bless RachJ

The Great Journey to the Pacific Northwest (We are not Lewis and Clark...)

Hello out there in Blogger land!

How long has it been since I posted?!  Definitely not as long as the previous time (which is a positive thing).

We finally arrived from our 'hundreds and hundreds' of miles cross country move via Augusta, Georgia to Fort Lewis, Washington.  Many of you readers can relate, especially in regards to having an infant in tow.  That was a precious journey, that I'm sure a plane ride will cure the next move'round.  We saw so many beautiful sites along the way, including many national monuments.

Lilianna is Superman, for a second, outside a rest stop in Metropolis, Illinois

Lilianna and I outside of the Arch in St. Louis

Blake, Lilianna, and I at Mount Rushmore

Once we arrived in Washington, we were beat!  We took a few days to visit a few places, like:
Pike Place Market
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Seattle
Steilacoom
Tacoma
Baja Fresh (for Blake!)

Most notably, one of the best views any resident, and visitor for that matter, has the pleasure of seeing on a daily basis is Mount Rainier!

(photo courtesy of Haley Smith)

Just a few more exciting things we have had happen while here, so far:

• We stayed in lodging for approximately 52 days, and now feel sorry for people who have to stay longer than a week.
• I FINALLY landed my first teaching job!  I teach a class of 30 wild, but outstandingly talented fifth graders!!!
• Lilianna has hit quite a few milestones: crawling, standing, gliding, first tooth, many noises, bumps and bruises, first foods, and formula
• Haley moved with us and she found a job in no time (two jobs actually) and has also made quite a few new friends who have made her feel incredibly comfortable while being in a new place!
• Lastly, Blake and I decided to buy our own home .... sometimes you never know where life will take you but with your loved ones by your side the journey is 100% worth it!!

God Bless RachJ

Military Spouse Appreciation Day .... The LATE(st) Post

How fitting that I would be writing this latest post on Military Spouse Appreciation Day .... and by latest I really mean LATE.  It has been well over a year and a half since I last posted.  Why?! Life sometimes gets the best of you and you runaway with it.  My soldier returned from his tour in Germany, where he had been living for two years without me.  We instantly PCS'd to another duty station - mark that down as number 5 and we 'finally' had a baby.  Whirlwind of activities .... *Note how I conveniently left out that I turned the big 3-0?!

Blake and I, 7th Anniversary after he returned home.

Welcoming baby Lilianna to our crazy circus.

To make this long story short, I decided to write this not only to share my story as a military spouse but also to support my good friend Amanda, a dear military spouse whom I met almost 5 years ago, who is hosting a linkup over @SomewhereOvertheCamo.

Amanda and I, Fort Meade, NYE 2011.

Without further ado:
//Tell us about yourself and your blog.
  ::My blog is entitled 'The Jamisons: A Traveling Circus'.  Blake and I have been married 8 years, so far, and in these wonderful 8 years we have moved a total of 8 times ... yes 8! Some voluntarily during deployments, and the rest PCS's.  A traveling circus has to pick up and go after each show and well I consider almost every new station to be a circus show.  I don't mean that stations are full of clowns, okay some are, but it's the journey.  It's always a circus.  New places, people, putting on a show, searching for a job, learning new protocol (especially if one post has a certain set of rules versus another post).  But it's the job .... it is worth it and it CAN be fun!
//What branch of military are you affiliated with?
   ::ARMY STRONG!  Blake enlisted 9 years ago August.  To think that we are almost to 10 is INSANE!!!!  When I graduated high school I was accepted to a few different colleges and ironically it didn't matter to me which I attended, so I let my mom pick one.  She chose North Georgia College and State University (now it's University of North Georgia ... UNG ... yeah, that.)  Funny story - my dad was former Air Force and the one thing my mom said was not to go to college and fall in love with a military man, because NGSCU was and still is a military college.  Well .... I didn't! Gotcha .... Blake and I actually met working together during college at Brooks Brothers.  We were dating for almost a year before he decided to enlist.  So go figure, I'm surrounded by cadets EVERY SINGLE DAY and the one guy I fall in love with is a preppy golden nugget from the green hills of Dahlonega Georgia.  When he enlisted it was a shock but we always manage to fight through every job given, still to this day.
//What is one thing you enjoy about the military lifestyle?
   ::Honestly, I enjoy everything about the lifestyle ... except most of the time spent apart.  Who likes that really?  I feel like during our eight years together we have really been through the ringer of time apart.  First deployment = 15 months (what's worse is that he was on the first group back during r&r, which means we spent 12 months apart until he returned home).  He received orders to Germany not even a year after PCS'ing to Fort Meade, and he went alone since I had just started college to finish my degree.  That was a 2 year tour without me.  Currently, I am sitting here blogging while he's away, again, on a 2 month TDY for his next MOS.

I also LOVE moving to new places and meeting new people.  I was born for THIS.  This is my destiny, honestly.  I really love to volunteer and help wherever I am needed, whether it's military affiliated or for the surrounding community.  

//What advice would you give other spouses who are new?
::EMBRACE IT!  Embrace it all! You are going to be so scared in the beginning, but it's a good scare.  You will learn all about the military, or branch of service your husband is in and you'll still be learning after he retires.  Take every day with a grain of salt but don't take him for granted.  There's a reason he joined up ... to serve his country and to provide for you and yours!  That might sound easy, but it's not.  Love hard and fight hard.  This lifestyle is NOT for the weak.  If you don't think you can hack the time apart then you need to do some deep soul searching.  It's not for everyone.  I have spent countless nights away from the man I am going to spend the rest of my life with, but while I have, he has too.  Get out in your community and volunteer somewhere on post: Spouses Clubs, FTGs, ACS, USO, etc.  This is a fantastic way to meet new people, learn about the military lifestyle quickly, and fall in love with the community around you.  Remember to make friends because you'll remember them and cherish them for life!  You never know when you'll be stationed together again.

Enlisted Spouses Club Fun Night at Chevy's, Fort Meade MD

Fort Meade Thrift Shop Holiday Luncheon

God Bless RachJ

When It Rains .... It Continues to Rain

Will the rain ever stop?!

This seems to be a question every Georgia resident, or long term visitor, keeps asking themselves lately.  As we approach mid-August the children are heading back to school, college will start again soon, and many folks are ending their long planned summer vacations.  However, as they come back home it seems the rain is still pouring down.  Never-the-less I will not let a little rain stand in my way .... because apparently I love to stand IN the rain.

I spent what felt like hours (even though it was only an hour tops) at the DMV last Wednesday to renew my license.  For those of  you who have not experienced renewing/receiving your license in Georgia since the new rules have gone into effect, thank your lucky stars - or wait until it is your turn, but be prepared.  I am very thankful I did not pack away important documents that were needed to update my license.  I took a total of 11 documents with me, and graciously only had to use 6 of them in order to get a new Georgia license: this is ABSURD.  However, it only took me 20 minutes tops, once in the building, to transfer/renew.  Here is your warning: BE PREPARED!

As the weekend approached we experience tax free weekend here in Georgia and I would say it was mediocre.  I suppose shopping the weekend before and cheaper prices was really well worth the experience.  I also REALLY miss tax free week in Maryland.  'Those were the days'!  But I did get a new pair of tennis shoes to wear during Zumba that are not as clunky as my running shoes, and thank goodness for a military discount on top of the tax free.

On Sunday we celebrated the family 'August' birthdays! Big shout out to Haley and Leigh for another year added and another year wiser!

Haley and Leigh celebrate with 1 candle in the cake! Meme and Todd watch with excitement.

 We attended the Braves game on Monday night as they played the Phillies.  We waited almost 3 hours for the game to begin, due to ..... RAIN!  Guess you are not surprised.  When the first pitch was finally thrown it continued to rain for at least 30 more minutes and then the skies finally closed and we could watch without mounds of gear and water weighing us down.  While walking around the stadium we discovered the new Waffle House.  Haley couldn't resist a photo op.

Left: Storms were brewing
Right: Haley find Waffle House

One final shout out:
Everyone knows I love Arbonne!!  I tried their Vanilla Protein Shakes for the first time and absolutely loved it!  Jennifer Reitz hooked me up with some amazing recipes to use with my powders and I cannot wait to try them all.  Thanks Jen!

Almond Crunch recipe with vanilla protein powder

God Bless RachJ

20 Years Later Led to this Journey

As promised following my last post ..... Haley's birthday has come and gone.  Who knew you could have so much fun in one weekend?!  We traveled to Charleston for a blast from the past, for some, and a new adventure for others.  Haley had no idea we were going to Charleston AND staying overnight.  We slyly tricked her by going to Rebecca's on Friday evening and spending her birthday there.  Be on the lookout for several links included in this post - I couldn't resist sharing the goodness!

Before we made it to Rebecca's we made a pit stop in Anderson South Carolina.  Haley and I often shop on the Blake&Brady website, a passionate little desire!  We thought we would drop on, on tax free weekend, and see what the little boutique had to offer in person.  We were pleasantly thrilled at how friendly the staff was and how easy and convenient it was to shop!  Needless to say we both found several pieces that had to be added to our expanding wardrobes.

After making our selections we posed in front of the shop! Check out the super cute shopper bags!

 After shopping we headed to Rebecca's for Haley's birthday celebration.  Twenty years folks!! No longer a teen!  I cooked stuffed shells for Haley, one of her favorite meals that I cook.  Rebecca made the cake!  She made a watermelon cake covered in Cool Whip, kiwis, strawberries, and slice almonds.  HOLY MOLY! Can we all say delicious?!  Afterward, Haley opened her gifts and I think she was pleasantly surprised to see she got pretty much everything she asked for!  Later on we headed to grab some homemade milkshakes and ice cream.  Then it was time to snooze because we had a busy Saturday ahead of us.

20 never looked so good! (Stuffed shells and a watermelon cake)

As we hit the road rolling on Saturday morning for Charleston we had one more surprise for Haley.  We were stopping to pick up Destin!  Since he joined the Navy he's been away from home and everyone is missing him so much, especially Haley!  What a birthday surprise!  Check out how great he looks!

Top: Rebecca, Destin, Haley, and myself = just picked him up!
Bottom: Rebecca, myself, Haley, and Destin = Marion Square in Charleston

We headed into Downtown Charleston and arrived at the hotel.  Haley was super confused .... we let her know we were checking in and she said 'wait, what?! we're staying?!!'  Hilarious moment!  We unloaded the car and headed for the Trolley stop (FREE, yes please!)  We took the trolley to Marion Square, hopped off and headed toward the Market Hall and Sheds.  After sweating to death and aching feet we took a break and enjoyed a nice lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.  After we finally made it back to the hotel we headed for the Tanger Outlets in Charleston, just to shop a little more.  Come on folks, it was tax free weekend, plus these outlets had an American Eagle!  We took Destin to Zaxby's and then dropped him back at his barracks.  It was so much fun to be able to see him after such a long time!

Rebecca and I 'trolley riding'

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Charleston

As Sunday rolled around we knew our journey may soon be coming to an end, but not before we shopped a little more.  We hit the shopping strip in downtown.  We visited several little stores including The OOPS and Warren on King.  After walking around and getting slightly warm on a sunny Sunday afternoon we stopped in at Nick's Bar-B-Q for a little lunch.  Holy cow, the BEST bar-b-q I have had in quite some time, and the mac-n-cheese wasn't too bad either!  I would definitely recommend trying this restaurant if you visit!

Shopping at Warren on King

Eating a delicious lunch at Nick's Bar-B-Q

Table 28 LOVED the BBQ!

Well folks .... the Charleston journey ended there but there will be other birthdays .... Haley turns 21 next year!  Who knows where we will go then?!

God Bless RachJ

Staying Busy

It has been about two and a half weeks since my last post so I am going to start with a jazzy request!  My aunt is reformatting her jewelry business, after officially choosing a name: Connie's Classy Jewels.  Check out one little goody she sells:

Mum earrings in several different colors!

Click on the link provided and check out her goodies: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladyblueeyes Also, drop by her new Facebook page and like! She has a giveaway coming up: https://www.facebook.com/conniesclassyjewels

Now .... what have I been doing to stay busy?! Lots of stuff has happened in the past few weeks.  I have spent lots of time with my family and have watched Ronnie receive so much love!  I have also been able to reconnect with some friends I have not seen in a while!  I was very happy to meet up with Danielle for lunch and surprise her dad, whom I have not seen in many, many years!  We had a great time catching up since we have last talked with each other - never a dull day!

Danielle, Dan, and myself at El Sombrero in Gainesville

Mom and I also headed up to South Carolina to see Rebecca and Marion again.  We spent Saturday afternoon at Columbia mall, shopping our little hearts out!  Such a busy area, reminds me of Augusta, but the mall is not as big as I am used to!  We decided to head to Rock Hill for dinner and dessert that evening!  What a gorgeous area!

I got to visit Haley last week at work.  She works at Lake Lanier Islands, for those curious who signs her paychecks.  In stead of working at Windows, the restaurant where she is a hostess, she was tediously attending to the everyday needs of customers in the Butler Pantry!  Her first time working in there and I must say she was doing a FAB job!

Mom, Haley, and myself traveled back to the theaters to check out The To Do List.  Haley was thrilled to see Aubrey Plaza in the film and I was equally excited to see Young Neil (played by Johnny Simmons).  I have established a first name basis with him since seeing Scott Pilgrim!  This film had all the crudeness any movie junk of tasteless enjoyment would like!  If you're looking for a good laugh and want to reminisce of what 1993 meant to you .... go watch! This is NOT a film to watch with your kids or parents! That's your courtesy heads up!

I have found a new obsession for Birchbox!  I love getting the monthly subscription boxes.  It is neat to test items that fit the profile I set for myself.  I was so impressed with a certain brand of hair gel and a particular brand of sunscreen that I decided to buy the full product.  Here's the cool thing: The hair gel was free!!!  I love earning points that help me get products for free!! If you're interested in the $10 monthly box click this link: http://birch.ly/17oMEjZ 

Not much more has happened except: Blake returned from Africa! Can I get an Amen?!  He's back in Germany and we are just waiting to see what October will bring in relation to our military future!

Check back next week to see how we spend Haley's 20th birthday!!!!

God Bless RachJ

Memory Lane

How can I possibly wrap up the past two weeks in just one post?

On Saturday I participated in a softball tournament with some old friends and along the way made some new!  It has been well over ten years since I played the beautiful game and it felt great to get back behind the glove.  What a great day to get out and make a difference.  We played ball in order to help raise funds for baby Josiah!  Follow his story and participate if you can! A Heart For Josiah

A little third base action

Sunday brought a different adventure.  We headed back to the movies to see Grown Ups 2.  It was much different from the first Grown Ups in which there were way more characters introduced.  I will admit my guilty pleasure of this movie is the fact that the Grown Ups decide to throw an 80's party.  Yeah, we all know how obsessed I am!

Tuesday brought a new and exciting journey.  I traveled with Cassie, Missy, and Santiago down to Columbus to see our sweet Katee!  It was so great to surprise her and check up on baby Bryan and of course big Bryan!  Such a sweet bond we all share and great laughs we can share together.  Katee and Bryan introduced us to a little restaurant called The Black Cow and we all had a delicious lunch.  I recommend the fried green beans!  I was so sad to say 'see you again' since it has been several months since I have last seen them, but we will all see each other again VERY soon .... baby Bryan will be here before we know it!

Missy, Santi, Katee with baby Bryan, Cassie and myself

One last happy note: Blake is back in Germany!! More to follow.


God Bless RachJ