The Real Military Wives of Blogland

I'm joining in on this link-up ( a day late, oops!) with Samantha and Mallory. It's a one time link up called The Real Military Wives of Blogland. Military Wives have always had a bad reputation, a negative stereotype, and I'm here to tell you that not all Military wives fit in to that negative stereotype.

Dave and I first met when we were in the sixth grade. He sat across from me and I instantly started crushing on him. I had a huge school girl crush on him all the way through eighth grade. I used to tease him and drool over him all at the same time. I even wrote about him in my little diary, all the time! Read about that here, it's hilarious! Anyways, he ended up moving away and I moved on. I stumbled upon his Myspace in 2007 and sent him an email, I know Myspace? Really? He never responded and I felt like a total idiot and then I completely forgot I even sent him an email. A few months later he finally responded and told me the reason why it took so long was because he was in the Air Force and he was deployed so he didn't have access to Myspace. We quickly exchanged phone numbers and started talking all day, every day over the phone. He lived in Texas and I lived in Utah. A couple months went by and I made the trip to Texas to visit him. I had no idea what being in the military meant. I didn't know Dave got a paycheck twice a month, I didn't know it was an every day job or that he received full benefits. I hadn't known anyone in the Military before him so I was completely clueless on how it worked. I literally thought that being in the Military meant you were deployed then you came home and went on with your life. See? Clueless! I was so naive.

Dave and I dated, got engaged and married all within seven months. To say I had no idea what I was getting myself into was an understatement. I remember being on base with Dave one time while he was playing a football game and the National Anthem came on. I noticed everyone stopped what they were doing and all turned and faced the same way. I had NO idea what they were doing so I just sat there. I didn't see a flag around.. Do I stand up too? Or is that just for Military members to do. I was so dumb. haha I literally had to learn every single detail about the Military just so Dave wouldn't get in trouble!

A little about me:

I attended Dixie State College in St George, UT but I dropped out to go through Cosmetology School. Once I became a hairstylist I worked in a Salon for a few years. Last year I decided it just wasn't for me anymore and decided on a career change. I'll be going back to school once Dave finishes his Bachelors degree in January. I'm the biggest girly girl you'll ever meet but I love sports! I ran track in high school and I have a passion for exercising and fitness. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and have a very strong Testimony of Jesus Christ. Dave and I have two kids together, Kyson 5 and Presley 6 months. I like to read, shop, paint my nails and clean. Yes I enjoy cleaning! I love to bake, lift weights, and play with my own hair. Being a wife and Mom is the greatest blessing to me and I love them with all my heart.

Dave and I are about to celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary and I'm still learning things. The Military life has been so good to us. Dave has never had an extensive job, demanding at times, but not too bad. I really can't complain. He's only been deployed twice in his nine years of service and I've only been married to him for one of them. It's been a pretty easy, good life for us and I'm so thankful for this experience. So many people have it so much harder then us and I really admire all those who sacrifice more then me. We've been stationed at Dyess AFB in Texas all nine years of service. Dyess is referred to as a black hole because no one ever leaves this dreadful place.

One thing I wish I would have known coming into this lifestyle is that your spouse has signed over their life to the Military. That means they get to tell you where to live, what to wear, when you can and can't talk on the phone, what color of phone you can own and pretty much every other detail of your life. It's hard when every decision you make revolves around the Military. Even when it comes down to buying a phone. 

Even though it's hard sometimes and a lot of Military wives ruin it for the rest of us, it's been worth it. We have a steady income, we have fabulous health insurance and in my opinion we're well taken care of. There are so many people that take advantage of the Military and think just because they are a Military wife that they are entitled to things. They're not! Sure they might make more sacrifices than most people but that doesn't mean they're better than anyone else. And I try to stay away from those people because they are just full of complaints and negativity. So to all the wives who support their husband and stay loyal to him and do everything they can to make it easier on them, you're doing a great job!