About to become an Military Mom

While I've been dealing with preparing myself on becoming a Marine Mom, my other son has decided to become a soldier. 

As I write this, he is finishing up his breakfast at a hotel, about to be shuttled to MEPS for his physical and processing, and swearing in to the future soldiers program for the US Army. He will pick his MOS and get his leave date for Basic.

I'm very proud of both my sons for making such a noble decisions.

So from now on, I'm not an army mom, I'm not a marine mom, I'm a Military Mom. I will stand behind both my sons wherever this life will lead them. 

Clayton's Start to Becoming a Marine

August 31, 2013 will be a day I will remember. It was the day I drove my 17 yr old son (youngest of 3 sons) to the Marine Corp Recruiting office. There we spoke with a Staff Sargent about signing Clayton up for the Marines. His recruiting officer will be someone else. Clayton was asked some questions about if he has ever been in any trouble, if he's ever done/still does drugs, etc..... After about 30 minutes of questions, which will no doubt be repeated when we meet with the recruiting officer, he asked if Clayton wanted to join the Poolee's in a game of kickball out back of the office. He said sure. We walked back there and there were probably 30 or so kids playing the game. On this day I learned that soon, after we meet with the official recruiting officer and sign some papers and so on, that my son will soon become a Poolee (a person joined into the DEP, Delayed Entry Program). This is what Clayton wants. This is what Clayton is set on doing.
I'm very proud of my son. As his mother, I'm also very scared, concerned, and kinda sad that I won't see him for 3 months straight come next summer (2014).
I'm preparing myself to let a life that I created and raised for 18 yrs be turned over to the U.S. Marine Corp to shape, mold, and make into a Marine.
Though I'm a Marine Brat, I do not remember my father being in the service. He was out when I was little. I believe he served his 8 yrs and was done. Clayton is wanting to stay in the Marines for career. Which is 20 yrs, I think.
So much to think about. I've researched everything I can research to prepare myself and him. I've watched videos about the Recruit Depots. I SEE him doing this. I envision him moving forward in this path he has chosen. It's just a matter of time till he departs.
I'm very proud of ALL my children. But let it be known, what Clayton is about to embark upon is the most selfless act any one of my sons have done. I support his decision 120% and beyond. I stand behind him as a proud mother of any service person should.

Feeling at home in my Filofax

Leontes A5 Chameleon in brown

Yesterday I finally received my very first stash of Washi Tape. :) I'm pretty jazzed! 

New Washi!!!

One design of dividers I made and a souvenier from my Aunts wedding, a Calla Lilly bookmark

My first attempt at decorating my Filofax:

My week was already in place before I added the deco. I'm learning!

Next week. I love butterflies!!

The other  homemade divider design 

What I see when I first open up Leontes

Yeah, I'm loving my Leontes

Xingfu and Blessings

"Xingfu (Chinese) - a sort of happiness or contentedness felt through having everything you want in life and/or not having any looming worries. It describes a long-term feeling about one’s life situation rather than a happiness achieved through a singular outcome or situation."

I an very "xingfu" in my life. Everything I have shrived for has come to me. No, I'm not rich in a monetary sense. But I'm rich in family and friends. I'm so content with everything that anything else that comes my way would be extra blessings.

After so long of a struggle, my 2 sons are finally living with me full time, I'm comfortable with my finances, and I'm just comfortable in my own skin. I feel successful in the fact that I've made it to 40 yrs of age. I'm very blessed with all that God has given me over the years. And by that I don't mean material things. While I love my laptop and TV, this isn't what I consider a blessing. The fact that God has given me the ability to provide for my children, own my home and keep it up.... My mother is healthier than most at 60 yrs of age. He brought 3 beautiful doggies into my life as happy companions. My small group of friends that I can chat with and have their support. Those are my blessings. And I hope that God continues to bless me in this manner.

Organizing Myself and My World Around Me

Now that I'm at a computer (ie not using my phone) I can post links to the people and places that have been a wonderful help for my Filofax ideas and start of an addiction.

1. Alejandra Costello's YouTube videos http://www.youtube.com/user/HomeOrganizing  This girl is Ah Maze Ing. She kicked off my desire fire for organizing. Is she a little over the top? Maybe, but she spoke VOLUMES to me. Volumes, I tell you!

2. Jennifer @ My Purpley Life  http://www.mypurpleylife.com/ Blog and http://www.youtube.com/user/mypurpleylife?feature=watch YouTube channel. Awesome reads and watches. For one, I love the color purple. And for two, she's just an awesome presenter on YouTube. I love her weekly decorations. Side-note, I can't wait till I get my Washi Tape so I can give mine a proper decoration or two!

3. Philofaxy for Filofax fans the blog http://philofaxy.blogspot.com/  and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/filofaxusers/  Anything you'll ever want to know or need for the way of the Filofax (or any agenda/planner). There are printables on the blog site along with instruction on how to properly use and print them, and the FB community is THE BEST!! (PS. I think I got the name backwards, but the links are right ;) )

4. And last but certainly not least another FB group for Filofax users who love to decorate with Washi Tape and what not.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/557497427603779/ This group is so wonderful. The dividers and decorations they post are just phenomenal!!

These are but a few places one can go to get help with the organization bug. The most important thing to remember is: It doesn't have to be perfect, or done all in one day. Just do SOMETHING for 15 - 30 per day and you will see a HUGE difference within 2 weeks. I have done this. It's been a challenge, and I'm still so new to it all. Even though my house still has A LOT of organization to go, everyone who visits me sees the huge change already. So if getting yourself and your world around you organized has been a challenge, start with these folks. You won't go wrong in doing so!!!

FILO fail??

Good Lord I hope not! Am I so forgetful that I can't even look in a binder every morning for just a split minute? So far, not EVERY morning. I'm trying though, I really am! 

Honestly, I've been looking in my Filofax, Leontes, from time to time. But... I'm also on vacation. I'm on a work-cation as I call it. I have time to drink my coffee and jot down the days to-do's. He's getting there. 

The groups on FB have been fantabulous for learning the ways of the Filofax and getting myself organized! They are keeping me on track! Thank goodness because I for sure would have already been a Filo fail.... And it's only been a couple of weeks. I am THAT absent minded person. I have a great interest in so many things! Then I get scattered and move on to the next big thing I've come across. Leontes will stop me from being this way. I WILL FILO through! ;) 

Birthday.... #40

So, today was my 40th birthday. I've found that as I get older, these birthdays aren't all they're cracked up to be. My hips have been hurting, I've been grumpy, and kinda tired.

But I'm very blessed to have spent it with my sons and my mom. We had a pretty good dinner. It's tradition to pick a nice place for a birthday dinner. My choice this year was Carrabba's. it was ok. I wasn't too crazy over their Pomodoro sauce. But the chicken Parmesan was alright. Eddie, my middle son, went to the moon and back over his sirloin steak in a Marsala sauce. Clay, my youngest, was his usual self over his pizza. I actually prefer Olive Garden.... LOL. Their salad is waaaaaaay better. Just sayin. 

It's been a pretty relaxing day. I got to mow the lawn. Yay. Eddie cleaned up the dishes for me. The doggies were awesome as usual. Always lovey, always putting a smile on my face. Yep, pretty much a normal day. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way! So bring on the next decade/phase of my life!