Two years

It's been two years today.  Two years since Stephen lost his best friend, his battle buddy, his brother.  PFC Conrado Javier was KIA in Afghanistan in 2010 during their first deployment.  Javi was a sweetheart he was a little quiet and shy at first but when he got used to you or was around his friends he was hilarious and always making jokes.  His favorite thing to say was "That's badass!" you heard it All.The.Time. lol he wasn't only my husband's friend I considered us good friend's as well.  He always helped my husband and I when we would argue or have a misunderstanding he knew how Stephen was being affected by the way and he always took the time to make sure I knew that he loved me and just told me to hang in there for him.  He was a light to everyone he knew.  I was able to attend his funeral in his hometown in CA in January of the following year.  It was by far the hardest funeral I've ever been to.  I was very glad though to speak to his mother and hug her and just be with her for a few moments though we couldn't understand each other very well *she speaks Spanish I speak English* but the language difference didn't matter we didn't need words we just knew and we just held onto each other for awhile and we cried together.  It was beautiful ceremony I think about 500 people were there.  The graveside service was just as moving, I can't hear Taps without crying now.  My husband won't ever forget, he won't ever stop talking about him or thinking about him and I'm glad.  He was an important part of his life much more important than I can understand and sometimes I don't think wives can ever really fathom how important that one friend can be to them during a deployment like they went through.  And that's ok I'm just so glad they had each other as long as they did.  

Please if you're reading this today please send a prayer up for Javi's family this day cannot be an easy one for them no matter how much time has passed.  Thank you.

RIP Javier

A bridal shower

I haven't blogged in quite a while, but if I'm not feeling moved to then I probably shouldn't because it won't come out how I want it to or how I need it to!  I'm trying to just go with the flow lately and I'm much happier for it *but more on that later* a few weeks ago a dear friend of mine called and informed me that I would be her matron of honor at her upcoming wedding!  Now the last time I was in a wedding party I was 8yrs old and had a pretty little basket to carry lol.  So I've been Very nervous about doing this for her.  And that means stress as well.  I want this to be wonderful for her, and amazing, But I don't want it to destroy me, my mother *who is always my right hand woman*, or our poor husband's that inevitably get caught up in the cross fire.  I also want to enjoy this time with my friend as well and get to meet some more lovely ladies!  That is a lot of wants, wishes, and expectations for one small event.  One of my big worries is money, my husband and I are doing just fine and he's finally getting unemployment which is a blessing beyond belief!  But I need to make my pennies stretch for this!  I feel weird asking the other bridesmaids to help *there's only 3more and I know none of them probably have the money to spare* so I feel like if I can pull it off myself I should. 

Thankfully the guest list isn't huge at all and definitely manageable  

so what I want to know is do any of you have budget friendly tips for bridal showers?  Decorations?  Food?  Venue?  Anything?  Anybody done this before?  Is there anything you wish you would've done differently?

Well Hello There Old Friend

It's a clear, chilly night here in Northern California.  Beautiful, crystal clear and ice cold.  My favorite candles are glowing atop the desk and bookshelf the flames dancing delicately against the light blue and grey of the walls while their sweet perfume fills the air, steam is still rising from my mug of green tea while I take a sip and feel the hot and aromatic liquid pour down my throat and warm me from the inside out, I feel more relaxed already.  There is nothing like a clean and warm room, filled with sweet scents on a cold night like this.  My movie is starting to play it's a favorite...a Beatrix Potter Classic the kind of quaint, quiet, calm cartoon that has me dreaming of water colors, misty afternoons, irish flutes, classic books and favorite  W.B. Yates poems, and of course countless cups of tea...this seemed like the perfect time to write y'all a quick little note apologizing for my absence lately but you see I have a perfectly wonderful excuse, you see my husband is home and he's home for good!

( if you follow me here, or here, or on instagram mrslester21 ...you probably already knew that )

 and well we've just been keeping ourselves busy learning about each other, just adjusting, loving, and soaking up every minute together.  And figuring out our very own Normal it's been an amazingly interesting and beautful few weeks since he's been home and I would not trade one kiss, one argument, one ounce of Us for anything in the world!  But I just wanted to let y'all know that I have Not forgotten about my blog or the fun I have sharing pictures, projects, and anecdotes of my own...or reading about Yours!  So keep an eye out for my much needed updates coming soon

...And Remember You're Beautiful

this is also a Note that I woke up to on our chalk board a few days after the husband was home isn't he sweet!

Love, Marie

My big dream for 2012

...well one of them anyway lol!

  Last year in around september I went to my first women's retreat with my church.  We went to a place called Jenness Park Christian Camp at first I was not happy about going in a moment of weakness while surrounded by the little old church ladies I had signed myself and my mother up *if I was going down I was taking her with me* on  the way up to the park I was pretty much pouting lol no internet, no tv, no phones, the cell reception is worse than bad, no wifi, and there was 1 payphone in the whole camp.  And I had to be there for THREE DAYS! 

This was probably one of the best times in my entire life, it was amazing having no cantact but with the women at the campe, no electronic distractions, the food was wonderful, the scenery was AMAZING.  They had awesome classes to attend, devotions, singing, it was great!  Most of the time though I would go off and find a quiet place to journal, reflect, or just pray.  My headphones were abandoned the second day!  The sounds of nature and God's creations were much more beautiful and melodic than any song on itunes could EVER be!

Here are a few pictures of the park! 

So these are just a few, another cool thing is verses are etched and written on EVERYTHING in the camp!  The word is all over the place!  It's wonderful!  My goal this year (or dream depending on how you look at it) is to get a group of women/girls together to have our own little women's retreat we could all just get a regular cabin, split the price, and have our own little workshops and crafts!  Everyone (or anyone who wanted) could give their testimonies about how they found the Lord, a time when they really felt close to God, anything!  We could talk about things we have trouble with, things we need to work on, ways that we've grown in the Lord!  It could be a chance to make friends, learn about ourselves, each other, and most importantly to grow in the Lord and surround ourselves with positive christian influences and principals for a couple days!  I'd love it if it could be a Military Girl group, wives, girlfriends, mothers, fiances, past AND present!  But I would love it just as much if it wasn't made of military girls but I feel thats something women with military spouses or finaces or boyfriends (sons, nephews, etc.) need a safe and strong Christian influence and support system!

 

 

Have you ever been on a women's retreat?  What did you like or dislike about it?  Do you feel the need for a stronger Christian influence in your life?  Do you feel a need for more like-minded friends with the same Christian principals?