My First PCS

So needless to say my life has changed drastically..actually even that is an understatement. I was not raised in a military family and I honestly didn't even realize my Father's Army background until I was well into High School because he never talked about it.

We found out we would be moving to Virginia Beach, VA in February of 2017. I was super excited that I would finally get to be with my amazing husband! We immediately started looking at houses, school districts, and daycare. You would not believe how fast these houses go! By the time I would send it to my Husband to look at and him reply, it would have been rented and off the market. I spent months looking and looking because I literally had it pinned down to a neighborhood! My Property Management side got a little carried away and I was not only looking for location but for commute time as well. (yes, Nashville ruined my love of driving for forever!)

Fast forward till November, at this point Mr. Husband is completely freaking out because we still didn't have a house and I was getting extremely nervous that we were going to end up in a bad area so I held on tight to the neighborhood I wanted and just crossed my fingers. FINALLY a house got posted that was everything I could have asked for! It was in our budget, not renovated but not falling apart and enough room for the family. I think I probably called that guy at least five times until he answered. Still to this day I think our landlord is a tad bit creepy but we have had zeros problems with him thus far! Only one problem we would have to move in during the month of December..... Husband wasn't going to be here until March. I was extremely nervous but still very excited & hopeful. Keep in mind this is my first PCS & my first move more than 2 hours away from home.

• Turned in two week notice 
• Scheduled pack out & movers
• Put together my first PCS binder (seriously this thing saved my life) 
• Tried to clean up all the kids randomness as much as possible
• Spend as much time as I possibly could with my friends and family

We set our move date for the first week in December and the plan was to drive up with my Mom, meet the movers the next day, get everything situated while I still had her help, and take her back and spend Christmas at home. Let me just say that so many of the horror stories are true they may not be life or death but you can be sure to go into culture shock. We originally were supposed to arrive the day before the movers, come to find out they got delayed not once, not twice, but three times. We had two kids with only a back pack full of toys and us with a suitcase for a weekend. My first memory of Virginia Beach was that it was cold and windy. We stayed in a hotel for the first week and a half, both children were sick and my mom and I were dying from allergies. It was a disaster! The only good part was that it was the beach, who doesn't love the beach?!

I had finally came to the conclusion that I was going to have to take the chance and move without having a job. This drove me absolutely crazy as I have always been the head of house hold and the fact I would be at the mercy of my Husband giving me an allowance to live scared the hell out of me. I found a job withing two weeks but I was beyond nervous for a good minute with our Son's daycare being $299 a week and after school for my Daughter being $96 every two weeks I needed every single bit of that raise! FYI I found out the hard way coming from TN where there are no state taxes to VA where taxes are high....OMG I got almost a $3 an hour raise and I am bringing home less. I about fell to the floor the first pay check I received. 

After we dropped my Mother back off in Alabama and said the hardest good-bye ever, we were on our own. Me, a soon to be 7 year old and a 7 month old. Lord help me! Remember how your parents told you all bad comes in threes? Well its completely true, first the movers but now this Alabama girl had to deal with snow! I had never driven in snow let along driven with kids in the snow. Here I was starting a new job and schools were cancelled, roads were closed, and I was stuck having to learn to drive and find a baby sitter for the first time ever. There were a lot of tears that were shed!! ALOT!! The Diva liked it for a total of five minutes before she came in saying it was way to cold for her and then pretty much refused to go out in it again. It was pretty but I still hate it. 

On a funny note: You know what you can't do with two kids? Go to the liquor store!! I mean I don't think anyone would have kicked me out for taking the two of them in with me but I was just too scared to chance it. When I needed it the most my Mommy juice was no where to be found! 

Here are some truths!

• I never realized how hard it would be picking up two kids from two separate daycare's. ( My Mom has always been the babysitter for my kids) 
• I think in my first month of work I have had one week were I didn't get a call from my Daughter's school about her having a fever or her eye swelling shut that I had to leave work immediately to go pick her up. 
• Teething baby = zero sleep and no one to let you tap out.
• I have had enough Dr's visits to last me a small lifetime. 
• I might have said "I am moving back to Bama" about 397,268,000 times! 
• I did not win the military wife of the year award. I called him crying and couldn't hide my emotions. Felt extremely resentful especially when he was in school and got to go out to bars and casinos. I pretend killed him in my mind at least a 1000 times! 
• I have realized that this whole PCS thing is not for the faint of heart especially with children and I will know better next time. 
• Lastly clicklist and grocery pick up is the best invention ever!!!!! One trip and two melt downs later I am never taking my children in a grocery store ever again! 

Boo at The Zoo - Nashville

Since we are trying to complete my Nashville experience with the time I still have left here we decided to take the kids the Boo at The Zoo. My Mother has been talking about this for a full year! She researched and heard all the reviews and was so excited. We loaded everyone up last Saturday and decided to go have fun but it was a lot different than we imagined. 

The tickets were $17 per person and only children 2 and under got in free. We expected it to be heavily decorated and it be like a trunk or treat set up around the zoo. 

It was extremely crowed so pushing a stroller around was a little difficult but that is to be expected since it is Nashville. (There is literally nothing that isn't crowded here!) Our biggest disappointment was the candy stations, we expected them to be all over the zoo at every stop and all they had was one section with less than ten candy stations set up around it. Since that was the only place that had candy it was extremely packed. 

They did have a picture area set up with all types of different princesses and super heroes so that was nice but looking back it wasn't worth paying $17 bucks for. 

Overall it wasn't thing we have ever went to but it was definitely a bust for us. We can mark that off our Nashville bucket list. If you have the money and want the experience I would say go but I am sure there are a ton of better things for kids that will be a lot less expensive. 

Here are some of our pictures. 

Humira Update

So I am ten days in right now and all of my spots have cleared up and for the first time in 7 years I am able to walk around in a swim suit without being in pain.

On the 5th I took my first four shots and I won't take  my second dose until the 20th but for the first time I have hope that my HS can get better!!

I can honestly say that I can already tell a huge difference and I can wait to see what that 3 month mark will hold!

The First Dose! Treating HS with Humira!

So I finally got to start my Humira injections! Lets just say it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! The needles them selves are painless, these things are dummy proof and all you have to do is put it to your skin and press down with your thumb. These pins are kinda cool and its basically like an epi pen.

Be warned, while the needle doesn't hurt at all the medicine itself burns like all hell! For the first dose I had to take 4 pens two in each leg. Then I have to take 2 more in 15 days then once a week after that.

No reactions or any problems so far and I haven't been able to tell a huge difference other than my HS is no longer opening up and bleeding so that's a plus! I will take what I can get at this point! So my fingers are crossed that everything works the way it is supposed to but I will keep you guys updated. 

Click here to read my post on HS and what it is. 

My First Relocation Job Hunting Experience!

Long Time No Talk! So the past few weeks have a been a little insane in the Russell household!

We finally received official orders that we are moving to Virginia Beach! Wooo-hooo! Go Navy Go!

First off, if you ever wanted to kill your career ego just start applying for jobs out of state!!! I have six years in Property Management and I have gotten 2 phones calls out of probably 40 resumes. They have all been super nice but either want someone familiar with the area or someone who can start like tomorrow! So needless to say I feel a little defeated at the moment.

On the other hand I have it narrowed down to a new area, and few select houses, and found daycare for both kids! (See why I haven't had time to sleep? ) Even researched the local elementary schools for the Diva Monster!

So far I have signed up for a few hiring sites but is it just me or do they just spam your mail box with the same aids over and over and over again?

• Indeed.com
• Ziprecruiter
• LinkedIn

These are all amazing internet job sourcing tools but user before your will have more emails than you ever thought possible and not from the people looking to hire you! 

I have had my peers & superiors critiquing my resume but it doesn't seem to help. I miss the days where you had to go and apply in person! If any one has any helpful hints on relocation from out of state I would love to hear them!! 

Attitude Is Everything - 5 Things That Can Help Long Distance Relationships

The past few weeks have been rough! Like super, oh my god what is happening to us rough! There has been some pretty harsh bickering and some disagreements. We are working through them slowly but I wanted to get out there some tips that I have learned really work for long distance disagreements.

1. Misreading Messages. If you have been stewing all day on what you want to say or expecting a reply to a question from your SO chances are that you might work yourself up to mis-read the message. Take a breathe and pretend that they are face to face with you and think of them saying it to you. My Hubby has a kind of dry, very stern way of talking sometimes so I always over read and think he is being a jerk but in reality that is how he normally says everything and I might be a tad bit sensitive.

2. Attitude. Sometimes my attitude gets the best of me and I can be short or condescending. I have to remind myself that if these are the only messages I am going to get to send to him all day, do I really want to take out my day on him? No the answer is no, so I am working on realizing that he has no idea what I have been through that day but just wants to talk to the awesome amazing wife he knows he has! Hahaha (oh yea I am full of it today!) Seriously though, same thing goes for him its okay to know that they are in a bad mood and end the conversation early sometimes it is for the best.

3. Communication is key! If something is bothering you or you are upset. Get it out! It will only get worse if you hold it in. There have been a few times where I have gotten upset or mad and held it in for days or weeks only to completely blow up and him literally laugh in my face because if I would have just told him we could have fixed it immediately.

4. It is okay to have some down time. I have two kids and a dog that I have to take care of so there are sometimes not many that I know I have to put down my phone to be able to get everything done. He understands this and its not the end of the world! Just means I have even more things I can tell him about tomorrow.

5. Sometimes all it takes is a Hello! Just hearing his voice sometimes fixes everything and sometimes I just need a minute. You have no idea a simple one minute phone call can mean to some people. I have walked out of movies, diners, and family outings to just hear his voice for one minute to tell me good night! That minute is completely worth it!

I am still learning and working on what works for our long distance relationship. We are pushing two and a half years and I might have gotten to spend three months with him. Not everyone is the same but these are just some of my tips.

I would love to hear about what works for others! Comment below or send me a message.

Other Side of The World Problems.

So for the most part I hold everything together really well without my Husband. I can deal with sleeping alone (not really ever alone because the six year old and the 3 month old take over my bed) and I have completely gotten used to being the third or fifth wheel with my friends so that doesn't really bother me either. Sometimes the smallest things can get to you, especially when you are doing solo parenting.

These are just some of the things that just make me go absolutely insane. It is no ones fault and I actually encourage him to do these things but I am still a typical woman that has completely pointless meltdowns but sometimes just getting them out and expressing the butt hurtness makes it better.

"Hey babe I'm going to the movies I'll talk to you in a bit" just the fact that I would love to just go to the movies by myself is a huge thing. Just to sit there in quite and be able to actually listen to the movie without having to press pause. Don't get me wrong we both love going to the movies so I tell him all the time to go I just wish I was there to go too.

"We are going out I'll call you when you get home" I have tried numerous times to go out with friends for birthdays and holidays but in all honesty it just sucks. It actually makes you feel more lonely if that is even possible. Lucky for me I have one of the good ones that has never missed a phone call in over two years but I would love to have an adult night every once in awhile that included him!

Believe it or not just seeing him being able to lay in bed and watch Netflix just all over makes me sad. I should be there. Why can't I be there?

There are so many strange feelings you get when you are apart and it's very little hints that trigger the sadness and as a spouse we just have to learn how to deal with them.

I have learned that working out is an outlet (kickboxing mostly) because you can turn that sadness into energy and kick it's butt! Reading helps and also just being around friends. Even though some times being the odd person out makes me sad the majority of the time they cheer me up without even knowing I am sad.

What are some things that make you miss your SO more than normal or things that pull on your heart strings? I would love to hear them! Comment below or feel free to message me!

Beachbody Results - 2nd Month

So this is my 2nd month working as a Beachbody Coach and working with BOD. (Beachbody on Demand) I love it! Now, I am human and I break down and have a cheeseburger or a cheesecake break with my bestie, Whiskey is still my spirit animal but I am still seeing results. Not to mention dealing with a baby with reflux which in itself is the most exhausting workout I have ever been through.

Here are my results from my first 21DayFix. I took the black short picture on the day I started and I took this picture at the end.

You can tell a huge different in my back and sides but you can tell I have lost the bloating and puffiness from eating better. (My tattoo is actually going back to its original spot hahaha)

I have only lost 5lbs but I have gained back my muscle mass. (Muscle will always weight more than fat!) Now my Mother on the other hand is still down 20+ pounds and I will be working on her eating this week so I am gonna get some more results out of her if possible.

This is only the beginning and I am not stopping any time soon! I am changing my life style not just dieting and I am putting in the work not just drinking the shake.

If you would like to purchase your first Challenge pack click here:

Challenge Pack

This Challenge pack is still on special for the month of September and includes 1 year subscription to BOD (Beachbody on Demand), your 21dayfix meal plan, 21dayfix portion containers, and your first 30 day supply of Shakeology. Plus you would get me as your Coach! A real person how has struggles and cheat meals but I want to get better and put in the work so it is a learning experience for every one!

For more information on Shakelogy please check out my blog post on it!
Shakeology- The next best this to dessert. 

If you have any questions regarding Coaching or you want more info on Beachbody and what its about please comment below and let me know.

If you are a researcher like me check these out too.

How do I afford Shakeology?
What I Invested in My Beachbody Business. 

You Catch More Flies

My Grandmother used to tell me all the time "you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar." I never really cared to take it to heart until the last few years. Between working in Property Management & my current situation I just don't understand the need to be overly hateful to someone for no reason. Being passive aggressive and asinine will not get someone to do what you want no more than punching them square in the nose.

So since I have been steaming over certain situations for a few days I figured I would give some pointers on how to deal with such people.

1. Manners cost nothing but mean everything. You would be shocked at how far a simple please & thank you will take you in this world. Now some people might not be as sensitive about them as I might be but then again I am southern. There was this thing in my childhood called a switch. If you know what this is then chances are you were taught manners as well.

2. Don't look at me in that tone of voice. So everyone has heard of making a good first impression but there is also such a thing when it comes to your tone of voice that you use with others. If your first three words come out with a condescending tone my reply will also be based off of that tone. That is no way to start a conversation.

3. Walking away. Sometimes drama filled people just need that attention and they will get it in anyway possible. Even if it is negative attention. The best thing you can do is just walk away & ignore it. Kind of like the T-rex in Jurassic Park if you don't move it can't see you. Well, if you don't give them the attention they want they will move on to someone else who will. Do not stoop to their level.

4.Take responsibility for your actions. This is the lesson I am trying to get through my Daughter's head lately. Do not play the victim. If you messed up just admit it. 9 times out of 10 whatever happened was a mistake and can easily be fixed but just like I explain to her when she throws her hands up and says " I didn't do it." Um, Eva you are the only person in the room and I don't think Casper the friendly ghost lives with us. Blaming others for your problems will get you no where.

5. Keep calm & follow the golden rule. Treat others the way you expect to be treated. When I go into a business I treat people with respect because I want them to treat me with respect.

6. You have to give a little to get a little. Friendship and family are not one way dirt roads in Alabama. It is not the responsibility of someone else to keep you updated with current events. That is not a job description. When I want to know how my brother is I call him or when I want to know how big my best friends twins have gotten I text her. I don't burst into spontaneous flames or start crying blood it does not physically harm me in any way. Life is not a book report and you are not my teacher and if you want a life time play by play join me on twitter!

So for now I will keep the little bird with my Grandmother's voice on my shoulder and try my best. If you have any advice on dealing with toxic people I would love to hear it! Please comment below and follow me for more updates!

When You Find Out Your Husband Is Coming Home!

1. Shave all the things! (Well not all the things) Please tell me I am not the only one who slacks when he isn't home!

2. Clean all the things! It is like spring cleaning every time he comes home! Not a speck of dust is safe! (Insert evil laugh here) Even the dog gets scrubbed down! 

3. Hide all evidence that I drink way to much when he is gone! I always tell him Sailor Jerry is my 2nd favorite Sailor! 

4. I always attempt to try and plan fun things like trips & parties with friends. They fall through about 50% of the time. 

5. Get the emotional roller coaster over with. I am excited, impatient, annoyed because its taking so long, want time to slow down because I have so much to do, try on every freaking thing in my closet, cry because I am happy its over and then start the crash down because he will only be here for two weeks.  

Someone please tell me I am not the only one! Who else has a homecoming ritual? I need a list, list making makes me calm! 

The Gruesome Twosome When Daddy is Away!

When I was pregnant with my Son I knew my Husband was going to have to go back over seas and of course that freaked me out a little bit but I held it together pretty well. After all I basically had my Daughter by myself and she is still alive. Even when it came time for him to leave I held it together for a few days. We were a team, we actually played the tap out game with the baby when he was born. Since my diagnosis of PPD it has been a slippery slope but it has all been internal and hasn't effected the kiddos! 

Yesterday and last night was the first time the toll of having two really hit me. I can handle the morning commute with the 6 year old and the nightly feedings with the baby but yesterday just cracked me up! It made me miss my Husband like crazy. 

So I woke up in a fantastic mood because the 2 month old slept the ENTIRE night! Like start to alarm clock, not one peep! Got the 6 year old up and the complaining started, I am sleepy, I don't want to go to school, and I don't feel good. Got her breakfast made and was feeding the baby his and in the distance I heard her start coughing and then the dreading sound of gagging. Before I could even put the baby down she was running in to the room throwing up. 

I could have just sat down in the floor right there and cried. 

After getting her cleaned up and all the puke cleaned up I was able to get her some meds and back in bed. Thank goodness for my Mom because I don't know what I would do without her help! I now completely understand why most military wives don't work. The world is not made for single working moms! Hell I can't even figure out how to go to my Daughter's school events because apparently teachers don't realize that some parents might work until six o'clock every night and their 5pm event is almost impossible to get to and then I become the bad guy when I explain that we can't go! Off to work I go, the 6th of the month is the most important day of the month in my job so calling out was not an option. 

9 hours later I finally get to come home, my Mom is exhausted so I let her off the hook. Then it hits you like a ton of bricks all the things you have to do before bed. Again, I felt the over whelming urge to go crawl in the corner with my Husband's picture and cry. I put my big girl pants on and here is how the night went. 

  Between the two of them I was exhausted but as I look at my gruesome twosome all snuggled up and sleeping I wouldn't change a thing except to have my partner in crime back! 

There are so many nights I feel pulled in to many directions. Did i give my Daughter enough one on one time or did I not have enough time to let Gray have some tummy time? I feel like she spent all night on the Ipad and I listened to Grayson cry for about two hours. Worst of all when I am just so exhausted all I can come up with for dinner is pancakes. 

Shout out to all the working moms who kick butt and still manage to get everything done at the end of the day! I really did think I would be fine that I would have this completely under control. Truth is I do but I don't. They don't know any different but parenting guilt is a real thing and exhaustion is something serious. 

For any other Moms out there working to survive when the Daddy person is away I am right there with you! With any luck you have a glass of wine with your name on it just like I do! 

I would love to hear how other Mom's survive on a daily basis!