Friday Favorites, Let's Start With My Least Favorite

Least Favorite ||  Hey, least favorite is technically still a favorite.

 We always want to share the cute throwbacks, but we have no control over what others share. I wanted to scream EEK, delete, DELETE when I saw the following from back in Middle School, but that would be admitting the flaws. Instead, I commented: 'This was such a fun trip!', because that's what it really was. It's not about how any of us looked in Middle School, it's about the memories. #flashbackfriday

Favorite Quote || Via Jess

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.

Favorite Product || Jane Iredale

I think maybe Kathy(?) told me about this brand when I was talking about going natural with my products, and boy am I glad I listened. So far, the mineral powder worked wonders, and I'm obsessed with this little kit, the all-natural ingredients, and their customer service. Technically I've only used it once since I don't wear foundation or anything, but the one time it was lovely.

Favorite Recipe || Olive Garden House Dressing
Anyone that recognizes the jar, you know you now want an Irish Wake ;)

Favorite Accessory || Firmoo Sunglasses

I've had a love affair with Firmoo for years, and now that they have sent me prescription sunglasses that allow me to see while driving, I'm head over heels! Firmoo, I thank you and the other drivers on the road thank you. I am always amazed at the endless options they offer.

I can't believe I spent years agonizing over which glasses to choose, dragging friends along to help me try on thousands of pairs, and ending up still disappointed. I'm now four pairs into Firmoo {three reading, one sunnies}, and I picked EVERY pair by myself without a single complaint. Thank you Virtual Try-On; you're my new BFF.

For future reference, I will probably not wear the glasses with that hat ever again, but I still like it. Other than that, thanks for the inspiration P!nky! I needed a lighthearted post for today, and now it's time to enjoy our last weekend together before Will starts his next course.

My Husband Is a Cougar Attraction

As I mentioned Monday, we scoured the Emerald Coast for a hotel and we got super lucky to manage a room at the Sandestin Resort in Miramar Beach, Fl. I felt like we won the lottery, because it is one of the most fun resorts I've ever been to, and Will flirted us into a heck of a deal on a room. I wish we didn't have to share said room with two other dudes, but hey, it can't always be a honeymoon. At least it was two of our favorite dudes!

Dustin {blue shorts} came all the way from North Caroline to see us, so we had to show him how to party down in the South, and no, it's nothing like that show. We drank relaxed on the beach, dined in fancy restaurants, and tried to soak in everything that the Sandestin had to offer. Shoutout to one of my favorite people in the world, because Dustin reads the blog too. He may have been Will's best friend first, but since we are married, he's my family now too.

After the beach, I had to RUSH to get ready being the only girl with three boys in one room, and even left without drying my hair. I guess I could complain, but it made my life easier and I didn't want to keep my three dates waiting too long. I won't go into every detail of the night or weekend, but I will say that we all let loose and made a lot of friends. I'm talking free entry to every bar, free drinks, and infiltrating a bachelorette party who bought us even more drinks keeping us out way past our bedtime. Carpe Noctum, I guess.

Sandestin seems to be popular for families, bachelorette parties, and reunions, so we weren't surprised by all the cougars we came across. We tried to get Joel to dance in the lion's den, but Will was the only one man enough. Boy, did they EAT.HIM.UP. Maybe I should have been upset by all the women pinching his tush, but I really can't blame them. But don't you worry, I got a dance or two in with him, because I can't resist him either.

As you can imagine, we all woke up pretty hungover the next day. We went to breakfast, I attempted to lay by the pool, and Will ended up having to drive us all home. Since we like to keep it PG around here, you'll have to visit Facebook to get a sneak peak at the rest. For now, enjoy a very rare hangover shot of yours truly. Don't get used to it.

Where There's A Will There's A Way

One thing you may not know about military life is that even when they are off on nights and weekends while stateside, they could be called in for cleaning, duties, Honors, and pretty much any reason that the command deems necessary. Not that I'm complaining because yes, we 'signed up for this', but it does make planning ahead extremely hard. For example, we have been 'planning' to go to Panama City to celebrate the homecoming for MONTHS, but nothing could be set in stone until we got the official okay on Friday. Do you know how hard it is to get a hotel on the beach with that short of notice in the middle of the summer?

However, where there's a will...there's ALWAYS a way. Will, Dustin, and I spent all afternoon checking every website and making phone calls, and we managed to finagle a room at the AMAZING Sandestin Resort in Miramar Beach. It was perfect timing too, because we were just about to give up. Well, we never give up, but we definitely wanted to. Anywhosit, the boys needed some beers after that, so Drinking Jenga seemed like a good idea. I wasn't drinking, but I decided to play, and I think I regret it. If you watch the following video, you will see why.

Joel actually cheated, so I could have said no, but it was the principle of the matter, and I just solidified my title as the best wife ever. I would tell you more about the weekend, but I'm still recuperating. Let's just say, there is a reason I swore off Rumple Minz years ago. Hey...it was free because I got kicked out of the bar mistakenly, and you all know I can't say no to free. I'll fill in all the details soon, but now I'm going back to sleep.

Nine Months Or Three Weeks, I Still Miss Him

I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that this homecoming was harder than the last deployment. You'd think nine months would trump a measly twenty-one days, but I was able to talk to him throughout the deployment, had an idea of his mental state, and didn't have three weeks of irrational thoughts and fear running around my brain.

But let's go back, because the planning for the homecoming actually started before the school began. As we've been learning lately, his new position comes with spousal responsibilities that I have not had prior experience with, and one such 'job' finds us responsible for throwing a homecoming for the class. It was a little surprising to know that a group of about ten of us would have to come up with the funds, plan, and execute a homecoming for 80 soldiers, but it turned out to be a bonding experience and helped us pass the time while they were all gone.

As usual, I also spent weeks working on his pile'o goodies, and I may have outdone myself...The beer selection was impeccable, there were snacks galore, and I pricked my fingers a million times on those dang roses. You know my motto: "Let the wife make the husband glad to come home & let him make her sad to see him leave." 

Obviously, I take it seriously...

I found the banana idea on Pinterest, but my little sayings are the best part. Just sayin'. "Report for booty and peel me like a banana" and "Your Banana is banana's for you" are quite appropriate if I do say so myself.{ Insert self high five}

Okay, so after we spent a month and a half working on this homecoming, guess what happened? It stormed all morning. We were already extremely nervous picking up our husbands from the hardest training they will EVER experience, and we probably weren't even going to be able to show them what we had worked so hard on. You'd think after all the planning, volunteering, baking, and legitimate blood, sweat, and tears we would be devestated, but between the relief of having our soldiers home and realizing that the whole process brought us all closer together, we understood that it was all worth it regardless.

And you know what? Seeing the smiles on their faces when they laid eyes on us showed that we were what they were looking forward to, and then hearing that thoughts of us were what got them through the rough times made it ALL worth it. It was clear that the traditions and goodie bags were the last things on their mind, and we really can't complain about that. You can't complain about much of anything when they wrap their arms around you ;)

You'd think I couldn't love my husband anymore, and then he goes and slips the following into a conversation we were having: "As I walked through the woods talking to a Tech about being away from you, I told him 'I was thinking it sucks to be away, but then I get to fall in love with her all over again when I come home."

I mean, I feel this way every time he comes home, but I didn't know he did or at least that he would have voiced the feelings to a stranger in public. Just when I think he can't be anymore perfect on the scale of human perfection, he makes me woozy like a school girl... That's how you keep love alive, people!

One last final shout out out to thank Chik-fil-A for their amazing generosity in donating thirty gift cards to a bunch of soldiers that had to forage in the woods for weeks at a time. They were happy when they got to eat in the DFAC {dining facility}, so you can only imagine how excited a warm, hearty chicken sandwich could make them. And to the Army...you may take my husband away more than I like, but I can't deny that I enjoy falling in love with him over and over again.