Decisions, Decisions

As anxious as I am to leave New York and get stationed somewhere else, there are certain things and certain people I will miss. But before you grab your tissues and prepare for a slew of goodbyes, I won't be doing that quite yet.

My husband and I may have to make a decision in the next few months. Since I cannot accompany him to the school he is looking into, I will be heading back home to good old Ohio and spending my time there with family and friends.

The dilemma: when we go home to Ohio for Christmas, will I be coming back to New York or staying there?

With the amount of time we are forced to spend apart, why would we voluntarily choose to spend any more time apart than necessary? Well, ask any military wife and she will give you a few different reasons; save money, save time, and save the hassle of moving at the drop of a dime.

Of course with anything in the military, I'm not sure when and if we will have to make this decision. But, I have to be prepared to make it in the off chance that it does.

And until then, I'll be enjoying every chance I get with my two boys.

Oh, and I have to brag a little... I came home to a room full of candles and a bottle of wine last night. Swoon, my husband is romantical :)

Don't forget about the awesome giveaway that's going on right now too. You DON'T want to miss out on this opportunity! :)

Have a great weekend!


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Sugar Baby

Being a first time mom, I'm not really sure at what age kids can have what things.

So I decided to take an educated guess and keep it to a minimal amount. A small taste never hurt anyone, right?

Red velvet cookie 

There's only a few days left of summer so I decided to let Bubba indulge. We took a walk I chased down the ice cream truck and enjoyed a treat and a little family time.

Scribble popsicle

Too cold haha

But as much as I like summer, I LOVE fall and cannot wait for it, especially this year. Be prepared for recipe, picture, and DIY project overload!

Here's to the end of summer and fall creeping in :)

Perfect summer night 

Hooah and Hiccups Fan Appreciation Giveaway

Do you live in the Fort Drum, New York area? If not, you will probably want to enter this giveaway anyways and come up to visit!


The amazing owner of 516 Photography has generously offered a prize exclusively for my followers!


"Like" Hooah and Hiccups on Facebook, share the page, visit my blog and enter below. If you tweet about it, you'll get a bonus entry! You can gain multiple entries by tweeting and sharing the giveaway on Facebook daily. So, the more you share, the better chances you have to win!

She is amazing. Like literally, jaw dropping, and I'm so honored she has provided me and my followers with this opportunity!

Visit her website or look at the beautiful photos below. Great, right?? The winner will be chosen at random on September 12th...Good Luck!

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To Making It Count

Not to sound cliche, but I have had quite the past when it comes to men and relationships. I don't want to mention any names or specific situations, but it took a lot for me to put my faith in Z and trust him when we first met. Nothing he did, just the mistakes of past men in my life.

I'm sure you've heard the song, Crazy Girl, by the Eli Young Band. I first heard it when Z was deployed and I swear it was written about me. With the past that I've had, it's hard to feel confident sometimes because you're afraid of history repeating itself. Lucky for me, I married the right man to remind me of how much he loves me and that I have nothing to worry about.

We're gonna do what lovers doWe're gonna have a fight or twoBut I ain't ever changing my mind

Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you?I wouldn't dream of going nowhereSilly woman come here let me hold youHave I told you lately I love you like crazy, girl?


Z says "I love you" more than anyone I know and is constantly reassuring me of how perfect I am (which I assure you I'm not) and how lucky he is to have me. We go back and forth on who is luckier, yes, we're that couple.

But last night, I was caught off guard in having one of the best nights I've had in awhile. He wasn't supposed to come home until tonight due to a field exercise, so I had planned on spending the night without him. To my surprise, he was actually allowed to come home for the night! He didn't get home until 10 p.m. and his alarm went off at 3:50 a.m. so we really only had an hour to spend together, given he was exhausted.

But that time felt different than it normally does. We sat and talked. We snuggled. We laughed. We joked. And truly enjoy every single minute we had together. It was like we were given this time that we weren't supposed to have in the first place, and wanted to make sure we spent every second of it enjoying each others company. 

Now don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my husband on a regular basis, but this was different. We didn't expect it and felt like it was a gift given to us.

So I started thinking... why shouldn't all of the time in my life feel like that? In the blink of an eye, it could all be taken away, and I don't want to feel as if I have wasted the precious gift of life I've been given.

We can say "carpe diem" and "live life to the fullest" but there's a difference between saying it and actually doing it.

So that starts today. Here's to making it count (Titanic viewing party anyone?)

Jack Dawson (Titanic): Well, yes, ma'am, I do... I mean, I got everything I need right here with me. I got air in my lungs, a few blank sheets of paper. I mean, I love waking up in the morning not knowing what's gonna happen or, who I'm gonna meet, where I'm gonna wind up. Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge and now here I am on the grandest ship in the world having champagne with you fine people. I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You don't know what hand you're gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you... to make each day count. 

Day 12: Tofu Stuffed Shells

As I posted on my Facebook page, this was the last day of my Pinterest recipe challenge! Forever adapting to military life and the last minute changes, my husband is going out into the field for a few days which means a break from cooking for me!

So here it is, last day of the challenge. Yes, it's tofu again :) But you can obviously find a recipe for regular stuffed shells if this gets your taste buds going! 

I personally didn't enjoy this dish as much as the other tofu recipes I've made (hubby scarfed it). I thought it was a little bland and had too much oregano. Maybe I should have added more cheese or something to make it more flavorful...there's always next time!

Ingredients (I added garlic powder and didn't have shredded cheese so used this instead)

Add all ingredients in bowl

I smashed it all together with a fork since I don't have a food processor 

Add sauce to cover bottom of dish

Stuff shells with mixture

Line shells in pan

Cover with sauce on top (I was running low!)

I decided to add some cheese on top 

Voila! 

Ingredients

• 6 ounces jumbo pasta shells
• 14 ounces firm tofu
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• 12 ounces marinara sauce

Directions

• Cook shells in boiling, salted water; drain and rinse. Pulse tofu in food processor with oregano and lemon juice; season to taste; fill shells. Spread half marinara in 9-by-13-inch baking dish and place shells on top; add remaining sauce. Cover and bake at 350 degrees , 25 to 30 minutes.

Source: Rachael Ray Magazine

Introducing Robin!

Bare with me people, I plan on posting like 3 times today because I have a lo to say, so I'm warning you now... you'll see my pretty face a lot within the next few hours:)

This is Robin! I "met" her soon after I started blogging and sponsor swapping and she is such a doll. Her blog always makes me smile and I can relate to her in so many ways. I love her story too, super adorable, but I'll let her tell you all about it! So be sure to visit her blog, Sunshine State of Mind, and stay up-to-date on her transition from long distance to under the same roof :)

Hi, there! I'm Robin and I blog over at Sunshine State of Mind.  I'm a 20 something who can't get enough of being out on the water, laying out by the beach, getting together for happy hour, and traveling.  I was born and raised in central New York, but as you are reading this I am driving down the coast and moving to West Palm Beach, Florida! 2 years after falling in love in Fiji, and then enduring 2 years of long distance, my boyfriend and I are starting our life together in a brand new state.  It's going to be quite the adventure, but I can't imagine doing it with anyone else!  I love taking pictures, sweet tea, and experimenting with new gluten free recipes.  My blog covers all of the above! There's nothing I love more than meeting new people, so come on over and say hi. :) Can't wait to "meet" you! 

Interested in sponsor swapping? Email me using the link to your right! Comments work too :) 

2012 Virtual Tailgate

Sigh, I LOVE college football. My college was horrendous at football, and since I've been an Ohio State Buckeyes fan since birth, they are who I watched and who I cheered for. (My Saturdays in college were designated for day drinking but I will cover that in a different post).

Kaitlyn at Wifessionals came up with this amazing idea; a virtual tailgate to share recipes with other football fans, creative cooks, avid drinkers, or whatever you'd like to categorize yourself as.

I, of course, am providing the recipe for Baked Chicken Bacon Ranch Taquitos as previously posted. They're easy, delicious, and can be cut into bite size servings to share with all the rowdy fans at your tailgate. Click here for the full recipe!

Link up with all the other bloggers by using the link below and take a look at the recipes they're sharing!

Bucks kick-off this Saturday, September 1st at 12:00...O-H baby!!

Dinner and Shoot!

I love pictures. I love taking pictures, I love being in pictures, I love scrapbooking pictures. If you walk into my house, you're immediately on a trip down memory lane with pictures from every chapter of my life. There's something about them that makes me happy. I think it's important to document everything and I refuse to let a day go by without taking a picture of my son, especially. They grow too fast and since I can't slow time down, pictures will have to do.

Remember that wonderful camera my husband surprised me with? Yea, I'm glued to it. It comes on walks, it comes to the park, it comes to the store (don't judge me). And even though I may never have a future as a real photographer, for now, I enjoy pretending.

Last night, I was fortunate enough to tag-a-long with a few local photographers in the area and watch them have a photo shoot...of my son! He's a little ham and thoroughly enjoyed the 6 women snapping pics of his naked booty in a tub. As someone commented, I need to show him this later in life (maybe in front of his girlfriend) and embarrass the hell out of him.

HAM! Captured by Bethany Payne Photography

I am so interested in learning what makes a good picture when it comes to posing, lighting, etc, and these women were all so great with answering questions and teaching me tricks and tips!

Here's my take on the photo shoot. Obviously I am NO professional and the other girls had way better pictures, but I wanted to show you all a few of my personal favorites :)

Farewell and Day 11: Green Bean Casserole

We had dinner at a friend's last night, which meant no cooking of a main dish for me! I was designated as the bringer of the vegetable and so I turned to my Pinterest board for something everyone would eat.

I'm sure we've all had green bean casserole at the holidays, but I've never personally made it so I decided that's what I would bring. Plus, it was that or salad and I had to stick to my challenge!

This is so easy to make and tastes like some extravagant gourmet dish...always a plus! Even if your audience isn't a fan of mushrooms, they won't even know they're in there!

Ingredients (I used frozen green beans)

Mix milk and soup ( I was super lazy and did it in the casserole dish)

Mix soup mixture with green beans and 2/3 cup of the onions

Bake for 30 minutes

Add remaining 2/3 cup and cook for 5 more minutes

So as the title would imply, there was a farewell at last night's dinner. I personally didn't have to say a goodbye yet, but two members of our group did as their exits from Drum overlap, and one will be leaving before the other gets back.

And then there will be five people left in our six person group. Goodbyes or see you laters are an inevitable part of military life, or rather life in general. We just seem to do it all the more frequently.

I've said goodbye to high school best friends, college roommates, and soon-to-be army family. I'm not ready to get into that yet so I'll save that for another day.

I'm tagging along to a local photographer event tonight and I couldn't be more excited to pick up some tips! Plus, my handsome baby is the model ;)

Happy Saturday!

Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 4 cups cooked green beans
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/3 cups French fried onions

Preparation:

Mix soup, milk and pepper in a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish. Stir in beans and 2/3 cup of the fried onions. Bake for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees F. Top with the remaining 2/3 cup fried onions and bake about 5 more minutes, until onions are lightly browned.
Serves 6.

Source:About.com

Plan to change plans

I've said it once and I'll say it again...I'm Samantha, and I'm a compulsive planner and control freak.

I used to make to-do lists multiple times a day in college. I had a social planner, school work planner, and one for both. Yes, overkill and a little psychotic. But for me, it was how I kept control at all times and made sure I was at the exact place I needed to be or had the exact assignment done on time.

And then I married the United States Army (and my husband too). He's an even bigger control freak than I am (the Army, not my husband, stay with me people). He's also completely disorganized, oftentimes cruel, and extremely fickle. Now given my personality as explained above, can you see why it's a problem?

For awhile, my husband and I weren't even sure if and when we could get married. We didn't know when we would see each other next after OSUT graduation, hence why we "eloped" if you will. Forget trying to plan a reception back home to celebrate; the first time we tried, we changed it because he deployed and the second time was due to an uncertain return date. Thanks a lot Uncle Sam!

Despite the lack of certainty, it happened, and it was perfect

Introducing the newlyweds!

Making it home for our son's birth? We only found out a few days before he was leaving Afghanistan that God willing that child stayed put until he was supposed to, that Zach would be there. Throw in crazy hormones and extreme worry and you can imagine how a 39 week pregnant woman felt.

Awaiting our bundle

Family of 3 :)

My point in all of this is that the only thing you can plan for is change. Given a date? Write it in pencil. Plane tickets? Prepare to pay out the butt last minute or gas up the car instead; who knows if you'll actually leave when you're "supposed" to.

How do I cope? Sometimes I don't. I throw a temper tantrum like a toddler and curse the Army until I'm blue in the face. And other times, I take a deep breath and roll with the punches.

We are waiting on the next step in my husband's career (3 years left ugh) and the anticipation is killing me. I'm hoping I don't have to do the rest of my time here at Drum but then again, I have no choice.

To making plans and having them change 100 times...

I'm Samantha, and I'm a recovering compulsive planner and control freak.