Face Your Fears

Even a baby bunny can be scary.

I just read this post at SpouseBuzz.com, a military spouse website regarding facing your fears.

The post made me laugh, but also made me so grateful for the other military spouses who take on military life with a sense of humor.

I often feel instantly connected with other military spouses I meet. In this instance, I realize that many of the same "fears" we face like palmetto bugs, spiders or bunnies with fleas, other civilian wives face too.

What makes a military wife different is that we know that at some point in time, usually sooner than later, we are going to have to face that fear head on, and it's always going to be when your husband is gone!

We can laugh about insignificant fears together because we understand that there are more serious fears to face. It's the deeper level of life that we live allows me to draw nearer to a military spouse.

Rather than shy away from those fears, I'm grateful for them because they allow me to live a fuller, more purposeful life. The fears also cause me to draw nearer to God.

2 Timothy 1:7 it says "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

Military life gives me the opportunity to push away the timidity that easily controls me and gives me a spirit of power. It's not power from my abilities, but God's. He gives me the strength to face my fears no matter how big or small.

When Pinterest Goes Too Far.

I love Pinterest.

The Man would consider me an addict.

I am not an addict. I swear I could stop using it anytime. But why should I?

THIS is why:

I clicked through because I thought there was some mistake.

Sure enough, it is a mesh bag to wear over your face to protect your makeup.

I thought bags were for covering your face when you weren't wearing makeup. I'd like to know how many of these sell.

Then I thought about a demo video so over to YouTube I went. Sure enough! I found two! The first was demonstrated with great commentary. Here's a much shorter video of another similar product.

I also checked the date, thinking that maybe I got an old pin from April Fool's Day. Nope, 7/6. Three days ago.

I am starting to keep a board just for some of the unique items I stumble upon through Pinterest feel free to follow along! It keeps me grounded when my addiction starts to get out of hand. And also provides a good laugh!

Gone Fishing.

Let me tell you about The Man. He's and outdoors man. He likes nice, fluffy things, but at the end of the day he'd rather be outside chasing some animal and cooking it over a fire. Since we started our dating and eventual married life together, I've know he likes to hunt. He's hunted antelope, elk, deer, and even tried moose hunting last fall without luck. I've learned how to cook wild food (sometimes over a fire) getting the "wild" flavor at least mellowed. I've come to terms with knowing he'll be gone for a week or two each year tromping around with a gun looking for animals and probably not showering. It's cool.

I'd never thought about him fishing, though. He had some fishing poles and a tackle box and once or twice a year he'd go out with his uncle or on a big fishing trip with the guys. Honestly, fishing was not on my radar. And I should have seen it coming.

This year he is obsessed with fishing. I don't know how, or when, or why it happened, but it did. And I can't get him away from the water.

So, a few weeks ago, The Man suggested I go fishing with him on "Give Fishing a Try Day" aka no fishing license needed day. I thought to myself, "I'm dying to get out of the house and get some fresh air, fishing can't be that bad." So I told him, "Sure!" and I brought a book along for good measure.

I caught a fish or two, but I was so frustrated with fishing that I gave up and read my book. I decided that going fishing was my thing, as long as I don't have to fish.

Fast forward a week or so, we're on vacation and we're tagging along fishing. I didn't have the desire to do a thing but read my book or throw some stones in the water with The Boy. Ehh. Fishing.

Rainbow Trout from the Flaming Gorge.

And then BAM. I decided to get a fishing license and try it again this week. We went out last night and I only caught three little fish, but I can't think of anything I'd rather do this week than get back out on the boat and try to catch some more. I think it's because it's like a mini vacation. When you're out there, you can't do anything but toss out a line (or read a book, I still plan to bring a book along!). We went near sunset and it was so peaceful and relaxing and I can't wait to do it again.

Plus it affords some much needed quality time with The Man. Our crazy mixed up military life schedule doesn't allow us normal days, or normal weeks. So if it means we spend time fishing, then I'm taking advantage of it. Who knows what you might catch!

Western Frontier: Part 3

Last photos, I swear!

These are all Utah photos. I can't believe everything we saw in those last two days! I can't wait to go back!



Driving through a mountain pass, we spotted this little moose eating some lunch from a pond on the side of the road!

Bridal Veil Falls

We climbed up a pretty steep little trail. It was worth my freaking out over it, because the view was beautiful and the cool mist from the icy falls felt great on the hot day.

Saw this in the parking lot on our way back from seeing the waterfall. I love it. And now I want one!

More fishing! The Man with a kokanee salmon in Strawberry Resevoir.