Time for an update...and I was Tagged

I hope you all don't think I am the most depressing blogger ever! I just had to let it all hang out in that last post and I feel much better!
So I am on my 2nd round of deployments and we are already into our 2nd week so things are movin' and I'm feeling motivated! There's a little saying in the Marine Corps that as the woman you need to make it through atleast one deployment with your man in order to really test your relationship and that it truly reflects your integrity and dedication to eachother. blah blah blah, but after going through one I really see the importance of it--and as hard as it was at times, I survived, we survived and we are better because of it. Hopefully after this one I will not only survive but I will get something shiny out of it!
So I was tagged like a year ago with the husband tag--I'm not sure if I technically qualify to do this tag, but he is close enough right? so.....



How long have you been married? Not married but been together for 4 years and been living together for 2 1/2 years which is just as hard AND wonderful as being married! It will happen someday, for now we are just fine...really.
How old is your hubby? Rich will forever be 29, for those of you who know him, this is not me dodging the question this is the truth.



Who eats more?.....depends on what we are eating, Rich can definitely put down some food, but he is no match to me with some oreos and milk!
Who said I love you first? Rich started saying something crazy like, " I love your snacks" and I'd be like, You love my what?!? and he would just smile and say you know what I love....but being the woman I insisted that I had no idea what that meant (even though I did I just wanted him to say the real thing not something gay like my freaking snacks!) so eventually I won, and he definitely said it first. But I quickly quickly followed!
Who is taller? He is. Thank goodness, not sure I could date a smaller/shorter guy. Is that mean?
Who sings better? Rich thinks he sings better....and to be honest he does sing better.
Who is smarter? Hmmmm we are smart in different areas, Rich can't spell to save his life or my life for that matter, so I definitely wouldn't nominate him for the spelling bee, but one thing I love about him is that he will suprise me with new things that he is actually really smart on and I had no idea he even knew about. He is street smart and book smart, I'm mostly book smart, but that's why I have him around so I can ask him questions! Together we can figure anything out--even Ry's math homework which can suprisingly be hard!

Who controls the TV remote?.....we have had this battle many times but there are nights when we both are interested in the same thing like the Hills haha! But on nights where I want to watch HGTV and he wants to watch something with motorcylces or something manly we compromise and switch off. But I think deep down he loves HGTV.....
Whose temper is worse? Rich is as patient as they come, which is awesome for me because I need all the patience I can get. I'll get mad real quick but get over it just as fast, if something really upsets rich he lingers on it, but that doesn't happen very often.
Who does the laundry? Will someone please explain to Rich that the laundry is not done just because you put it in the dryer!!!!! You still have to fold it!! He will take clothes out of the dryer put them in the basket and by the time I get around to folding them they need to be dryed again because they are so wrinkled! He definitely tries to help and for that I give him credit, he will start loads and I appreciate that, but all in all I do it.
Who does the dishes? We share this job, Rich hates having dishes in the sink so he helps out with dishes all the time. I love that. I clean the rest of the kitchen for sure though.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I sleep furthest away from the door, I have a phobia about that, but there are nights, occasionally that we will swap just to change it up. Wierd huh? Mostly because our mattress sucks and I get tired of sinking in to the middle of the bed. Time for a new mattress.
Who cooks dinner? RICH RICH RICH!! I do breakfast, he loves to cook, he will get so excited about a really good recipe and did I mention he likes the food network? Yup! I'm sure he appreciates that I just shared that! He cooks I clean. We both work and go to school so it's only fair to split it up.

Who is more stubborn? Me for sure. no question. Im trying to be better though.
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? ummmm probably him, that stubbornness of mine can be a B%$^#. We both hate to fight though I don't think we have ever had a fight last more than a couple hours. We forget why we were even mad.
Whose parents do you see most? mine
Who has more friends? Alot of our friends are couples, and we both have friends from back home so that makes it pretty equal, I stay in touch and talk with my friends more than he does though.


Who has more siblings? If you count my step and half siblings we are equal. He has two brothers and a sister, I have two sisters and a brother.
Who wears the pants? I DO! He knows I am the final decision maker, maybe I need to not be so opinionated. We definitely talk things through together and make important decisions together but for the most part I just decide because I am a little bossy. ok maybe alot bossy. not proud of it though.

When it Rains is Pours...

Don't you ever feel like when one thing goes wrong everything comes crashing down? Ok maybe I'm exaggerating because I am in the heat of the moment now, but after reading Ash's blog the other day about her day at the post office I felt like the last two weeks of my life have been just like that! Only I didn't even get to pee my pants! I'm seriously going to list everything that has gone wrong for us.....not for your pity just to VENT!

1. BOTH boys got some virus possible strep and I had to miss work to stay home with them. Never fun to use your vacation days for things other than vacation.
2. Rich's motorcyle had to get some work done on it and the day we went to pick it up from the shop ($470 dollars later) he pulled out and got to the first stop light, not only did it break down again but he ran over a nail and we had to replace a $300 tire. OUCH!
3. So I ordered the tire online because they said it would be delivered next day--10 days later I finally get the tire. I called and complained about their false advertising. Still didn't get my refund.
4. I paid our mortagae payment online and somehow they processed it TWICE, ok that wouldn't be a big deal if it was like a utility payment or something small, but it was our mortagage people! And I found out when Rich went to put gas in the car and it declined his card--so he called me.......ummmm Britt why is there no money in our account??
5. We took the boat out with some friends and got caught in a lightning tornado storm and almost died.
6. On that same trip I left my cell phone in the car thinking it was a nice safe place for it, but some idiot (me) left the sunroof open and it rained of course (hence the tornado/lightning) and my phone was floating in the cup holder.
7. I took it to Verizon and they told me all they had in stock was a bright pink version of it--I could take that one or wait a week to get a black one. I told them that if I wanted the pink one I would've bought the pink one in the first place and that they could take my $5.00/mo I pay for insurance and shove it if they didn't get me the same phone I already had. The poor guy at Verizon didn't deserve my attitude by any means but at this point I had reached my max.
8. Then I woke up with a tick in my thigh!! Who wakes up with a tick in their thigh unless they are on a mountain somewhere?!? We figured out that the dogs brought them into our room. so nice.
9. And the latest and greatest was the other day when my front tooth started turning gray so I took a trip to the dentist to discover that I had fractured my front tooth somehow and need a root canal and possible veneer, I didn't mind that so much---until my little sister called me lauging hysterically saying, So mom said you have to get dentures?

oh and Rich leaves Saturday for Afghanistan again....I need a hug from someone--anyone!!

Memorial Weekend in DC

We had a wonderful memorial day weekend...But I think if I have to eat another hot dog or hamburger I will lose my marbles. By the 17th BBQ you are thinkin'...havent we done this every day since Thursday?!?! Ok I know I exaggerate but I feel like we had a BBQ for breakfast lunch and dinner all weekend.

Out here in DC, the big thing on Memorial Weekend is "Rolling Thunder" which is an event founded by Vietnam Vets in order to celebrate not only soldiers who lost their lives in wars but also Prisoners of War Missing in Action. Over 750,000 people and over 500,000 (yes HALF A MILLION) motorcycles gather in the pentagon parking lot Sunday morning to ride in their honor. They call it Rolling Thunder because when all of the motorcylces ride the whole city sounds like thunder (duh).


It is a HUGE event, even for those who are not military or who do not own a bike. They raise money and donate to all types of charities. It really is a wonderful and overwhelming day to be apart of when you stop to think of its cause and what it represents. Sure we are very biased being that us and all of our friends are military and own motorcycles...but I would put this event on anyone's checklists of things to do in life. You will not be disappointed. Here are somes pics from our weekend!! Good food, good friends, great weekend! Hope everyone had a good one!


Just because we are bikers doesn't mean we look like this. Looks are very deceiving, he was as nice as could be.


Rich got a new hat and thinks he is Indiana Jones now. Back off ladies he is all mine.

Oh and we took the rugrats to the pool!

Naughty Girl

So we have had kiwi for 2 1/2 years and throughout those years Rich and I have had about 87 arguments about her peeing on the carpet and have gone through about 87 new rugs. She goes on walks and I let her out all the time but for some reason she just likes to "do her thing" on our soft carpet. The arguments go something like this and let me just say it is the same each time almost word for word and nothing changes.....she still pees....and we still argue!!

Rich: BRITTTTT!!!!!!

Me: (oh crap I know that yell) yeeaaahh????

Rich: Kiwi peed on the carpet AGAIN!!!! (and then you hear him yelling at kiwi as if she is a child and knows what he is talking about)

Me: Ok.......well why are you telling me? Can you get the carpet cleaner and start cleaning it?? The time it takes to yell my name and wait for me is time you could be using to soak up the pee!!!

Rich: Where is the carpet cleaner?? Where is a rag?? (It's in the same place it always is but for some reason he has to ask every time)

Me: ok I'm coming with the rag, it's going to be fine, it's nothing we can't clean up and if I can't get it up we will just get a new rug.

Rich: Why do we continue to get nice things when she ruins everything??

Me: Well I'm not going to have a rug that has pee stains all over it and I'm certainly not getting rid of her!!

And then he has to pout for ten minutes until I convince him that it's just a rug.

Ok two things, 1. I know I was a horrible potty trainer and by 2 1/2 we should be over the "accident" stage, but I'm pretty sure he was there when I was potty training her, so isn't he equally responsible?? and 2. The joys of having dogs completely outweigh the problems that come along with them like peeing on rugs and chewing on the cabinet wood corners in the bathroom... Right?!?! I'm not sure what to do about our little pee monster. I guess we should buy stock in rug companies.The funny things is that five minutes after the incident Rich is the one cuddled up with kiwi on the couch........ he is such a push over!

I'm Laughing...are you?

Check out this You Tube video-----Am I just easily entertained or does anyone else find this hysterical!!! Watch the guy in the center. Too funny. Let me know if I'm just really lame for laughing. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QVRNOZAdsY


We expect these people to run their own country yet they can't even do a damn jumping jack! Incredible.

Daddy's Home!

I had to play the oldie! Daddy's Home!!

Well Deserved R&R

Hey hey!!

Wow I was on the verge of getting kicked out of the blogging world if i didn't get my act together and post something!!! Sorry Ladies.....I have been busy "catching up" with my man--very very busy with him no time for computers :)!! But he is home and life is great, we just got back from a much deserved vacation to Florida. We went to Miami/Ft. Lauderdale for four days. Absolutely beautiful, a little crazy though with all the spring breakers but we enjoyed ourselves very much. The hotel was by far the nicest we have ever stayed in......Ever..you know you are real classy when you see a bidet for the first time and think what in the world does that do? (the toilet that sprays warm water on your butt). Not sure why anyone really needs one of those. Needless to say I think Rich used it 7 times a day. He would have brought it back with us if he could. He's gross.

I was so excited to see the sun for the first time this year that I got a little out of hand and layed out way too long... I was a lobster the rest of the trip. We are quite the vacationers---can't keep Rich out of the bathroom and I look like I am on fire. But we had a wonderful time!!

Best Grandparents EVER!

I swear I dont know how some of you girls are so amazing at posting every week. You are blog rockstars. Either I am a horrible blogger or just don't have a very exciting life. Probably the latter of the two.

So who has the best grandparents EVER? I do!! My sweet grandparents came out to visit me again. They are the biggest ball of FUN you can imagine. Not to mention they cooked me dinner, did my laundry, went grocery shopping for me, the list goes on and on but most importantly they kept me company! My grandpa can never pass up a trip to Costco and my grandma is always up for Target so they were great shoppers. We had such a great time together-I hated to see them leave! Thank you thank you for all your love and support you both are such great shoulders to lean on and I love you dearly! xoxo

Nice to be home....

Ok no more sad posts--we have a month down! Halle-freaking-lujah! And I have to say that I'm glad the holidays came and went as fast as they did, I just didn't quite have the Christmas spirit this year, but I had a wonderful time in Utah. Despite my hellacious travel getting there, when I finally arrived, all the problems getting there were well worth it. It was so nice to see my family and friends, being so far away you really appreciate spending time together even if it is sitting on the couch and watching tv. I love you family!!! Thanks for understanding my time is split among 3 families and as much as I would love to spend the entire vacation with each of you, Im thankful for the time I had and I miss you already--so hurry and come see us! Oh and if you're wondering where any pics are.......ya I brought a camera and the battery died the first day and I had no charger...SMART MOVE!!
It's kinda nice to be back home and I must say the positive side of Rich being gone is that when the weekends come I have so much time to do random things that need to get done but I never want to do. But now I really have no excuse--sooooo I spent my Friday night and cleaned out my closet, I rearranged the order of my clothes three times, including color coding and everything--is that wierd??? HA! When I finished that I moved to the bathroom and put all 389 of my bath and body works lotions in order of ones I like to ones I don't use (im seriously not exaggerating I have a million of them). Today I'm going to tackle "the drawer" Do you all have that one drawer in your house that everything gets shoved into when you dont have a place for it or dont want to take the time to find a place--ya well I have one and it desperately needs to be cleaned out so I can shove more crap into it. Its too full.
Hope everyone had a Holly Jolly Christmas and Happy New Year.....2008 will be a great year!

Hurry home

As I sit here tonight my head is spinning, my stomach is in knots and I’m still not sure if posting my feelings is the best idea right now. I just got home from dropping Rich off…probably the longest car ride of my life…… Not wanting to reach the driveway, open the door and find the empty house that I know is waiting for me.

To say the least my emotions are one big roller coaster ride, one minute I feel empowered and strong and the next I feel weak and vulnerable. I tell myself to keep it together but at any moment I feel as though I will crumble. I can’t put into words the pain of having to pry my hands off of him, to watch him walk away, and to want just one more kiss, the kiss that you never want to end for the fear of the unknown. I know I need to stay positive. I know that when duty calls you must go…and for that I am proud of you, but it doesn’t take away from the heartache…not yet anyway. I feel overwhelmed with a sense of incompleteness. The one I want to share my days, my nights and my dreams with isn’t here

I need my moment to cope, my moment to feel sad and angry that you are the one that has to leave, but these feelings won’t last long because I know how truly blessed we are, we have been given so much and for that I am forever grateful. I think of all the women (and men) who are away from their loved ones over seas tonight just like me, my heart and prayers go out to all of them. I still hurt, everyday away from you will hurt, but I find solace in prayer and thoughts of you, and it is this that will carry me through these next few months. You are my hero, you are my life, hurry home you know I will be waiting.

Our Little Erik

One of the best things about children is their genuineness. They are so honest, so real and their innocence is irresistable. We had the boys do Christmas lists last night and I wanted to post some of little Erik's wish list--The list was long and of course he listed the usual "boy toys" but I wanted to post the best ones. The spelling is exactly how he had it--which makes it even better. :) I translated for you.

*A gerbal but not a rill one. ( A gerbil but not a real one)

*A statue of a eagl. (eagle)

*A stuffed pengun.(penguin)

*A snow globe with a pengun. (penguin--I have no idea what's up with all the animals)

*A bow and arrow (and next to that he has....fake one) :)

*A drum set and a a gitar. (guitar)

Rich and I also made lists and the boys looked at ours and Erik took mine and wrote at the bottom....a ring... and then handed it to Rich. I LOVE THIS BOY!

Catch up!

Hey girls!!! It's been a crazy couple of weeks, I havent been able to post anything because we have been so busy, my finals have been winding down and we have been preparing for Rich to leave on Tuesday, packing his stuff, paperwork, finalizing wills--NO FUN AT ALL. So to catch you up on the last month, thats where we have been--oh I need all of your addresses I will be sending out our Christmas cards so if you could just post your address as a comment so I have everyones that would be great!! Also are we going to do a Christmas party when I come out to visit? I will be there from the 20th thru the 2nd. So if anyone has any ideas or suggestions.....Love you all! XOXO

Veteran's Day

In honor of Veteran's Day and the Marine Corps Birthday (Nov. 10 1775) I wanted to post part of the message that was put out by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Please take a minute to read it and to think about the men and women who serve our country.

"Since the birth of our nation, our liberty has been purchased by valiant men and women of deep conviction, great courage, and bold action; the cost has often been in blood and tremendous sacrifice. As Americas sentinels of freedom, United States Marines are counted among the finest legions in the chronicles of war. Since 1775, Marines have marched boldly to the sounds of the guns and have fought fiercely and honorably to defeat the scourge of tyranny and terror. We are the Marines--that is what we do. Just like the Marines at Belleau Wood-we are once again engaged in sustained operations ashore. The Marines have been given the toughest sector and have prevailed over a resilient and determined enemy who has made us pay for our gains. Once again, as in any struggle the road ahead is far from certain but as marines we are not dissuaded by the challenges of war or the tough conditions of a warrior's life. On our 232nd birthday-- to every marine, those still in uniform and those who have served honorably in the past--be proud of who you are and what you do. Know that your citizenship dues have been paid in full you are part of this nation's elite warrior class.

Cherish our families who offer marvelous support, abiding resolve, and steadfast patience. Remember those who have served and those who have fallen--their names are chiseled on the roll call of America's heroes. Those who have carried the battle colors of our Corps have forged our heritage, and today's generation of leathernecks chart our future. Carry the colors with pride, carry them with honor!

My Exciting Life

Soooo since I don't have cute babies of my own to post pics of everyday, I am left with posting what is exciting in my life right now and right now, retainers are exciting....like most of you I had braces in junior high, and once they were off I NEVER wore my retainer, well now im paying the price with my bottom teeth, one is starting to shift, so rather than having to wear braces all over again for two yrs I chose the retainer route...Let me just tell you ladies that nothing makes you feel more sexy than popping your retainers in before getting into bed WOW, talk about spicin' it up in the bedroom!!! .....NOT! Not only do I feel like a 14 yr old again, but I talk with a lisp, I spit all over, and apparently when Im sleeping I subconsciously take them out because when I wake up in the mornings we find them in random places in the bed or stuck to Rich's back (gross I KNOW!) . Not to mention that my dentist also told me that if I dont stop grinding my teeth at night I will have to wear a mouth guard! WHAT?!?! So picture what a hot mess I am at night with my retainers in and my mouth guard--next thing will be head gear!!! No wonder Im not engaged yet?!?!?!

Tag! Its my turn!

Now that everyone has been tagged, I'm it and I will have no one else to tag!! NOT FAIR!
Ok this is really going to take some memory jogging to go back ten years ago...but here goes....

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
*Probably still wearing body suits-yeah the kind that snap in your crotch. Apparently I thought they were cute.
*Wanted to start shaving my legs so bad and would beg my mom every night to let me.
*Putting curlers in my hair before school pictures. Yuck.
*Making home videos with my friends pretending like we were on talk shows, and thinking we were hilarious.
*Sportin' the braces!!

5 Things I was doing 5 years ago:
*Senior in highschool , couldn't wait to graduate
*Getting my CNA license.
*Thinking I would be married right after highschool. HA!
*Working at the Assisted Living as a CNA
*Couldn't wait to move out and go to U of U.

5 Things I was doing 1 year ago:
*Adjusting to my new life in Virginia and loving it!
*Getting settled in our new townhome.
*Missing my family and friends back home!
*Bought our first puppy Kiwi
*Appyling for nursing schools and praying every night that I would get in! It worked!!

5 Snacks I enjoy:
*Ice Cream
*Ice Cream
*Swedish Fish
*Anything chocolate
*More ice cream

5 Things I did yesterday:(how boring is this for all of you! Im sorry!)
*Had a hair appt in the morning
*Attempted to take our family pictures for X-mas cards
*Went to Target--I swear we are at Target 17 times a week. Can't get enough of that store
*Cleaned my house
*Had movie night with the boys

5 Jobs I've had:
*Nanny
*Johnnie's waitress!!YES!
*CNA at Assisted Living
*Home Health Care/Hospice CNA
*Medical Biller/CNA at Cardiologist Office

5 Things I would do if I had a million dollars:
*Invest it!
*Pay off our mortgage and car
*Shop, Shop, Shop, Shop, Shop, Shop
*Put money in savings for the boys
*Go on a dream vacation--probably not just one!

5 TV shows I like:
*The Hills--Shut your mouth--- I LOVE IT! Everyone has a guilty pleasure!
*Anything on HGTV I love home shows and decorating etc..
*The Office
*The Bachelor
*Used to watch Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy

5 Things I hate doing:
*Getting up early--esp when its dark and cold outside.
*Cleaning the tub/showers
*Cooking --Thank goodness Rich LOVES to
*Paying bills--watching all that hard earned money go just like that!
*Blow drying my hair--I know this is random, but I really don't like it, I wish my hair would just dry straight.

5 Biggest Joys of the moment:
*RICH RICH and more RICH, couldn't ask for anyone better. I want to squeeze him all the time.
*Ryan and Erik, they give me a glance into mother hood and as much as I would love to claim them as my own, I find so much joy just being in their lives.
*Being in nursing school and finally achieving my dream..... ok cheeseball
*Being a marine "wife" and all the excitement that comes with the job.
*Our dogs--we are the pathetic dog owners that treat our dogs like people.

People I tag--The rest of you have been saved since you have already been tagged!
*Jenny
*Jess (Schonberg)
*Tawny

Happy Halloween!!!

Our friends host a Halloween party each year and fortunately for Rich it gave him the opportunity to wear his favorite Spartan suit somewhere other than just around the house! The movie 300 is his all time favorite so it seemed to be the perfect costume idea. He was sportin' a whole lotta leg and I think our friends saw more of Rich than they would have liked but we had a great time! I had to post our Halloween mafia pics too because they are my favorite!

Last weekend Rich and I took a little get away weekend up in New York City! We had an absolute blast! Living on the East Coast definitely has it's advantages. We are so close to so many neat places, we decided to ride the train up to New York Friday morning, it's only a three hour train ride and we flew back sunday night. We spent the weekend shopping, sightseeing and enjoying the city in the fall. We took a few crazy cab rides and about killed someone--- our cab driver almost ran over like 3 people!! If you get in their way they will RUN YOU OVER! It was a nice relaxing weekend, we enjoy being spontaneous and taking off at the last minute. When the boys are with their mom it's fun for the two of us to have "us" time. No matter how in love you are it seems like weekends like that can cause you to fall in love all over again....awwwwwwww

New York!

Come to my house!

Since most of you will never get the chance to come to my house all the way in Virginia I figured I would bring Virginia to you! We love our cozy house, and I'm having so much fun decorating it. We have painted every room and now that we are done Im ready to start all over again and Rich wants to cry!

my house!!

Our Puppies!

Here are the fur balls of the house, Max is 4 and Kiwi is almost 2. Kiwi is the dominant one in that relationship for sure. She might by 1/4 of his size but she runs the show!! They are our other two children......they keep us laughing!

My Favorite Boys

Good times in Virginia

California Trippin'

Just the Girls

Year of Weddings!

This year has been full of weddings for us.....sad to say none of them ours. We have gone from Utah to Chicago and had three in Virginia so far. I caught the bouquet at four yes FOUR weddings. So much for catching the bouquet and being the next to marry, thats a bunch of crap!! Our plan is to go to all of our friends weddings and steal all the good ideas, that way in 15 years when we finally get married ours will be the best!! We have loved every wedding so far, they have all been absolutely beautiful and definitely memorable.