Do it Live!! :How to deal with unpredictable timelines...

We'll Do it live!!! -- that my friends, is a favorite quote of my DH and several of his friends - essentially saying "screw it, we'll wing it!" It is inspired by Mr. Bill O'Reilly - and one of his shows back in 2008. Here is the video, though, I warn you, its graphic and for "explanation of the saying" purposes only!

My point in mentioning this, is to talk about how the army, in unfailing ways, will almost always mess with whatever life plans you have, at least in some way! Whether you are meant to PCS(permanent change of station) or not, are trying to plan a wedding, a vacation, or a trip home, or are deciding when would be the optimal time to have a child, the Army, will almost always, step in and change your plans for you! Welcomed, or not - here it comes, and the only thing you can do is put on your big girl panties and deal with it. Go with the Flow. DO IT LIVE!

DH and I found out in late December that he would be deploying in May/June - instead of late fall as earlier planned. Surprise # 1.  We then found out in January, almost a year to the day that we said "I Do", that we would be welcoming our first child into the world in September! Yay! YaY! YAY! ...oh wait, DH wont be here...in fact, he will be very far away, and really busy, and I'll be left doing it alone!....great... Surprise #2.

Now of course we are both very excited about the arrival of Baby R, and are trying to make the most of the experience while he is still here, AND focus on the positive (like the fact that he will only miss the early, "non exciting" eat, sleep, poop phase of the babies life) but its still a little sad when we face the facts that he will still miss the birth. Miss those early teeny tiny days. Even miss things like ultra sounds and being able to feel the baby kick and watching my belly grow... once again, Thank you Army!

But then you think, is it really the Army's fault? I mean yes, because my DH is in the Army, we live an unpredictable life where the mission always comes first. But thats what I love about him! His unfailing commitment to do the Harder Right, instead of the easier wrong. To step up and fight, where others wont. The real problem lies within ourselves! Our attitudes and expectations. There is never going to be a perfect time to do anything while in the Army. No matter what, things are going to change, birthdays are going to be missed, and holidays are going to be lonely. Its what we signed up for! Is it easy? No. Are we strong enough to do it? Hell Yeah! Its what makes us Army wives! I came across this, and thought it was very fitting! Not only does it take a special person to choose to fight for and serve his country by being in the military, but it takes an equally strong and committed person to be married to someone in the military!


Although being pregnant while your husband is deployed is no stranger to the Army, it will still be hard and I am looking forward to sharing more tips, stories, and recipes to help us all get through the struggles of being in a relationship with the Army, struggles through deployments, and pregnancy ups and downs! (no matter where you might fit in that equation!)

After all, Such is the Life of the Army Wife!!


                                                       

Baked Cajun Whiskey Salmon

Dinner suggestion:

 In the season of Lent, I was experimenting with one of my favorite things to eat - Fish! Yum!

This is one of the easiest things to make, and is both healthy and satisfying! (even for my steak loving DH!)

I went to a GOOD grocery store. For me, the best one available is Publix. They had an excellent fish selection, and I was able to get some fresh, never frozen, salmon steaks. They were cut to size - a 7 oz. for me, and a 12 oz for DH! I was also specific to get them the same thickness, so they would bake evenly.

After I got home, I sprayed a baking dish with some pam, and put the salmon skin side down.

Meanwhile, I was preheating the oven to 350 degrees.

While the oven was preheating, I prepared the salmon by sprinkling a little cajun seasoning, a small amount of "Emerils original" seasoning, and a TINY bit of lemon pepper. I then added one cap full of Whiskey, we had Jack Daniels, to each piece of salmon - just slowly pouring on top of each piece. I baked using the following general guide for fish:

Oven 350 - Bake for 10 min per inch of thickness. For example, 1 inch fish should be about 10 min. 2 inch fish will be about 20. 1 1/2 inch fish will be only 15 min. and so on...

Now, this is only a general rule and I always double check my fish with a thermometer / flaky-ness test to make sure its done to my liking!

When the fish was a few min. shy of being done, I took about 1 T. of melted butter, and poured it on top of each piece of fish - tying all of the flavors together! It. Was. Perfect! All that was left was to add your favorite sides!

I dont mean to toot my own horn, but I have never had a Better salmon dinner - to include the many restaurants I've happily eaten at! This was fabulous and I insist you try it! Its much easier to make a yummy fish dinner than most people think!

- The Army Wife