Protect and Support...

... the promises of our marriage.

Nic and I got married December 21st, 2011. It was a simple ceremony in Vegas. No we didn't get married by Elvis... This was the compromise I had to make so Nic wouldn't get his wish of the drive through wedding.

Any way, before the ceremony we were with the minister marrying us talking a bit about ourselves. Nic metioned he was in the Army and had just got back from Iraq early November. It was a quick ceremony, was video recorded... but sadly the sound didn't come through on the video... Not cool right! But thats ok bc there was a part that was in our vows that I will never forget were put there by the minister.

Protect and Support

This nailed what our marriage would become on the head. Nic's vow to protect me. My vow to support him.

Now don't get me wrong. We are human and had definantly had our ups and downs. We have been through alot though in our little over a year of marriage. They say the first few years are the hardest... Well I have a feeling it can only get better from where we have been.

Sorry... Writing ADHD (SQUIRREL!)

Back to Protect and Support.

Nic has protected me from day one in so many ways. From being a hero for this country that I admire to standing up for me when I've been put down. He will literally take a physical and metaphorical bullet for me.

Heck he tought me how to shoot a bullet even! He has held my hand through so much, kept me warm and comforted at night, and wiped my tears. He doesn't let my stubborness get in the way of bettering myself and our relationship. When I feel down about my appearance, we looks me in the eye, tells me I'm beautiful and makes me believe it. He kisses me on the forehead (which pretty much feels like the entire world doesn't exsist). He squishes me when we snuggle bc he wants to make sure nothing can get to me. He pretty much carries me everywhere if there is any sort of snow or anything on the ground to make sure I never fall. He doesn't let me carry heavy things (no matter how much I argue that I can handle it). Let's face it... he babies me a bit. I'm spoiled by him.

Support on my part I feel comes in all shapes. Now I can't talk a whole lot about it bc personally I dont know how he feels about my support for him. So I'll try to do my best of what he has told and/or showed me.

Our relationship began with support for him. He was in Iraq when we started dating. I was born a patriot and have always supported our military, but dating someone thousands of miles away in a war zone was definantly going to have it's challenges. We had been able to talk everyday. Then all of a sudden I come home from work to find a message from not even 5 minutes before on my computer from Nic saying "I wont be able to talk for a few days. Please don't worry about me Carrie. I love you."

Now let me set this up for you. He was in a war zone. We had talked EVERYDAY for few weeks now. Had never said I love you to each other. And here I am told by a soldier not to worry. When will they learn NEVER to say "Don't worry". It's equal to "Don't look down"

I literally broke down cryinng and couldn't stop for hours bc I was terrified. I was terrified when I read those words bc I knew I was madly in love with Nic. I was terrified that I couldn't do it. I was terrified that I would never get to talk to him again. I was terrified that I would never get to hold the man who I knew I could not live without.

The next several days I had no life in my soul. I would rush home from work everyday praying to have a message from him only to start crying again when there wasn't one. After those long, horrible, terrifying, draining days I got a phone call at 0437 (Yes I know the EXACT time). I groggily answered my phone with a grunt. I heard a small laugh on the line. "Hey beautiful." From that moment I knew we would spend our lives together.

Our first picture after he got home from Iraq

Everyday he was there I would send a prayer for his and every soldier's safety. When he came back I was there to greet him with the biggest hug and kiss of all time. When he had to leave for a month for school in GA, a month of helping train others in Cali, and another month in Cali, I was patiently waiting for him at home (Not easily patient... but still patient) and still greeted him everytime with the biggest hug and kiss and pure happieness. When he had to go to the field for a few days I always made snacks for him and the guys. (AKA my kids!)

Yes I have told him a few times that I really hate the Army (more so bc of how it's run), but I would support his career every single day. I would always be home waiting for him no matter how long or where he had to go. I knew from day one that it would be a stuggle in this life style, but bring it on!

Now I dont just support his career. I support his hobbies too (mostly his fishing habit!) LOL He loves to go fishing, but doesn't like going alone. Now I'm am NOT a fisher. It has never stopped me though from grabbing a chair, book, few snacks and going with him and sitting in the sun and keeping him company (and looking at his butt in those tight jeans. Yeah Buddy!). I never have a problem touching the bait, unhooking a fish, and even getting my boots muddy for him. (Well and rubber ducks) I think it is a great time!

We have had struggles like every relationship, but we fought through them together. He has protected me when needed and I have supported him when needed. It's something that we will always remember about our vows. The most important words in our vows to eachother.

Supporting my Protector
Carrie Linn

You look FABULOUS...

... EVERY one of you!!

So last night a close friend of mine and I were chatting and body image came up. I for one think she is beautiful. (You know in the "Girl you look good!" way.. not the "Hey I could kiss you" way... I like men!) Being women (well, really human) though we of course find something about ourselves that we don't like and we stick to that and completely ruin our self image.

I AM SICK OF THIS BULL SHIT!!!

Seriously ladies we focus so damn much on the negative on our bodies that we learn to hate the ENTIRE package! That's aweful. I can't say I haven't done the same. I have very often. Some of you that know me will pull the "Oh poor you. You're so skinny, what do you have to complain about?!" Being skinny! That's what I have to complain about! Try being asked so many times if I ever eat or if I have an eating disorder. It sucks. It's in my genes. My real dad is almost 6' 4" and skinny as a rail. But we are both HEALTHY! I have acne like an 8th grade basketball team. I'm pail. Weird feet. Bad teeth. Crappy looking hands. Splotchy all over skin. Ankles roll in. Small boobs and butt. The list goes on. I obsess over all these so much that I lose sight of the good I do have.

I tell my husband I dont like this or that constantly and I'm pretty sure he wants to shake me like you shouldn't shake a baby and tell me to cut it out. He looks at me like I'm a knock out! And that's when I wearing baggy PJ pants and a tshirt! When I put on everyday clothes (We're talking nice jeans, T-shirt that fits, just mascara, and hair not a mess) he doesn't keep his hands off me!!

When I go through FB pics of myself I see comments on random ones from friends and family saying how cute/pretty/beautiful I look.

These people are seeing things that I rarely do.

So what fuels this so much... Duh! Look on TV, news, internet, magazines, mall... EVERYWHERE! It's society. We are so obsessed with looking like so and so. Competing with so and so. Wanting to fit into this or that trend.

This is what ruins us. Seeing the model in a magazine fit into a fab dress that you know wont look right on you and hating your body for it. The flawless skin on the singer on TV. The perfect hair of the actress. All this does nothing but taint our image and our souls.

Let's get real here ladies!

There is no such thing as a perfect body ladies. There is not right color of skin, right height, right waist size, right boob size, right hair color, right clothing style... There is you and what works for your body to make you feel good about yourself.

THE REST OF THE WORLD CAN SHOVE IT!!

And tell that to your negative self image too! Tell it to go to hell! You may not be happy with your muffin top, but damn does your hair look awesome! Bad teeth are out wieghed by great looking legs. Small boobs... got nothing on your eyes babe!

These ladies are all OLYPIANS!

I really do want to challenge you to look in a mirror today and find one fab thing about your body. Focus on that this week. No negative! Then next week find something else you like and focus on those two things. Continue this for every week!

And if you can't find something... feel free to post a picture in the comments and I will find something for you! Seriously ladies! If you can't find something, I will.

I also challenge you to challege your girl firends to do the same. Focus on things they love about themselves and also compliment them too! There is so much competition and hate of other women bc they look a way you want to that you lose sight of yourself around them and begin to resent them.

Please ladies. For yourself and all women out there find your love for yourself. You deserve it. And if you say you don't, ask yourself WHY? WHY do you not deserve to feel good about yourself? WHY do you not deserve to feel beautiful? WHY?! There is NO reason in this world. None. I will prove every one of you wrong that think so too.

Love all you beauties!
Carrie Linn

P.S. I challenge you to comment below on what you want to focus on this week. Put it in words and make it offical. If that means I have to friend all of y'all on FB and remind you everyday how FAB you are I will be more than happy to! I love all y'all and want you to know that you're awesome!

Military Balls...

... Wear this... Do NOT wear that!

OK, So I have been seeing a hundred and one posts on FB asking about Military Balls and the protocal for attire. Honestly I didn't think it was hard at all to know what was formal and proper to wear, but I understand that not everyone understands the etiquette in such formal events.

First off this is an event for your military man (I say man because I'm sure only women read this blog... Well unless my husband is completely board then he might read it, but I won't get mad at him for not doing so. He knows what I talk about all the time anyway. But know that I am NOT at all sexist. But please men follow the rules and don't wear a SINGLE thing that I post on this blog. I'm sure some of y'all can pull off a strapless A-line better than me... but this is not the place to prove that!)

Sorry, got off track there. Any way this is a FORMAL event celebrating your military man, the military branch he is in... and really you are just lucky to get to come. This is NOT an event about you. In saying that, don't try to make it revolve around you. I will talk about getting ready for the Ball... AKA WHAT DO I WEAR?! This seems to be the biggest dilema I have ever hear in the military wife world (Well second to deployments coming up... but it's not far behind it!) What is proper, can I wear this, I'm clueless on what to wear, how much is to much skin, is this to tight, and does this show too much leg/cleavage/stomach/back..... You get the idea. And don't laugh... this is literally questions I have taken off of blogs and FB wife pages.

It seems that a large majority of today's women don't understand the definition of elegance and class. I'm not being mean or picking on y'all really. We are all raised differently, in differently places, and well what today calls "class and elegant" is a pretty big joke when we have shows like Toddlers and Tiaras and Honey Boo Boo tainting our brains. (TLC you are becoming such a dissapointment to me!) When you look at a dress and really have to think "Is this classy or trashy? Will it be alright for a Ball or will that push the boundries?"

This is why I am posting this fun little piece. Now I have only been to one Army Ball. It was a blast! It IS a very formal event, but you still get to enjoy your time, meets lots of new people, and who doest like getting dolled up and seeing your man in his Dress Blues?! (MEOW!!) So below I'm going to have like 500 pics of what I feel are Dos and Don'ts of Mil Ball attire. Once again... this night is not about YOU, it is about your service member.

So let's start with the WTF?! DO NOT WEAR THIS!

Little skin can be tasteful and yet still elegant. THIS IS NOT! NO belly showing. NONE!

Ball gowns can be proper or too much. This is too much honey. It's a Mil Ball, not Cinderella's Ball.

Jesus! This is waiting for a nip to fall out of!

Short... No...

 

This is not the prom. You did not make prom queen nor are you a princess. I find these very juvenile.

The cut is a yes. The color... NO! I don't know when it came cool to wear every color in the crayon box on a formal dress but PLEASE do NOT do it! You will stick out... and the last thing you ever what to do at a ball is stick out. I say (depending on the dress of course) 2 color limit, one of those colors being white, black, or dark blue and the other color being an accent.

I know your man loves your girls, and you are probably very proud of them... But I dont want to see my husband admiring them all night. Keep the girls up until after you take that dress off at home with your man.

Slits... this is a mega pet peeve of mine! I have seen some BEAUTIFUL dresses, then I see the slit and your Woo Hoo and it's ruined. The rule of thump is the slit not be 3 inches above the knee. I prefer not above the knee cap.

Once again short dresses... NO NO NO!!!

You will hear a hundred arguements about floor length and tea length (right at bottom of knee) I will always wear a floor length gown. And dont start on the "I'm to tall/short for full length" I saw a gal who was under 5ft rocking a full length, I'm 5ft8in and rock a full length, and saw a gal over 6ft rocking a full length. Look harder. You may love the mermaid style but it doesn't look right on you. Doesn't mean every long gown wont look good on you. If you MUST go short... NEVER above the bottom of your knees.  

Don't laugh... I saw worse at the ball I went to. *shudder*

NO TO SHORT!

 

NO TO SHORT... Ok I think I put that once now, but dear lord ladies this is NOT appropriate! And if you think it is... *banging head against wall*

Once again the slit a no... Even though she has the shirt or whatever that is under it... it's way above the knee. The white one on the other hand is very pretty!

I don't feel platforms are proper foot attire for any formal event. Some do look FAB! Dont get me wrong, I just dont see them as formal at all. I see them as night out on the town in nicer clubs.

Ok this goes with the platform heels... But also NO clear shoes... Leave that for the stip club/bed room.

 

 

Also please stay away from the glitter. This is not prom, da club, and there will not be a pole there with strobe lights and singles being thrown at you. Have the proper undergarments. If you need a holder for the ladies... Get a good one! Keep the makeup classy. Accessories nice. Hair simple but elegant. And have nice nails! You will be shaking hands of VIPs. Get those toes looking good if you have open toed shoes and a nice manicure. Rule of thumb with finger nails... reds, french tips, or natural looking. Now is not the time to rock the new glitter orange you got or be moody and have the black going.

 

 

YAYs and OKs... Here are some general rules and few ideas of what I feel are completely acceptable dresses. Just giving you ideas. Do NOT though pick a YAY from this list and mix with a NO from above... the NOs are not cancelled out with a good. So dont do it please unless you want the stink eye and to be talked about.... negatively!

 

This has some goods, oks, and possible no. I say no to any sort of trains. The color and cut is a major YES... The back is where it gets tricky. I love to show off my back. I think it is one of the best looking parts of my body. You can have the sexy we all like, but still elegant. Just make sure it isn't too low on the back... I dont want to see your lower back tattoo (and you prob dont want to see mine either) The spot this dress hits on the lower back I think is perfect. Any lower and I think it's too low.

Ok I think the tulle on the bottom is too prom like, but the back detailing I do like. Just a nice example I felt.

I LOVE the back of this! Extremely elegant and classy. Has the beautiful lady like cut out and still get to show off your back.

Boobs... good. Length... good. Color... good. She nailed this look from head to toe I think. Simple, elegant, dressy and beautiful feeling, but not too much.

I like both of these. I feel this should be the most you ever show of the ladies. They dont have huge knockers so they can pull of the lower look, but it is also enough fabric that I feel is your girls were bigger you could still cover them fully... just remember a good boulder holder.

The shape of this is a great example of being tight enough to show you are a woman, but covered enough to show you are a lady. Reminds me of Julia Robert's red dress in Pretty Woman... That was pure class!

If you want to wear a white dress what looks like it could be a wedding dress.. this is how you do it! Accent with color and detail. It's not too much. I also love how she accented it with the red shrug and gloves. FAB girl!

Let's talk fluff. LOL That's what I'm going to call it. The bottom of a ball gown style dress that is. This dress I feel is the MAX amount of fluff you should have on a dress for a Mil Ball. It's enough to give you the shape you want, but you wont look like you belong in a fairy tale I will read to a future daughter or you belong as the bride of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.

This I feel is the tallest you should go with the heel of your shoes (4 inches). I know I'm probably no fun bc you really want to wear those 12in stilettos. I dont think you should try to be as tall or taller than your husband though if you are naturally more than 6 inches shorter than him. I'm not quite 2 inches shorter than Nic, and I like to NOT be taller than him when I heels, but he did pick out my 3in heels for the ball. They were super cute and I can even wear them with a nice outfit out for an evening. Double bonus! As far a color goes... Try to stay neutral, match your dress, or even some metalics look great. Stay away from hooker shoes please. And also think COMFORT! You can/will be dancing at the end of the night and taking your shoes off... DO NOT DO IT! If you must wear the cute heels during the dinner bring some cute and comfy flats for the dance floor.

 

 

 

Alright so there is my basic Dos and Don'ts of Military Ball attire. I feel it's a pretty good guide to follow. Now don't get me wrong there are still some tricksters out there that make you think Yay or naw... just tap into your inner southern belle charm, kick out the drunk clubber for a moment and think "Would this really be ok?" I promise ladies it's not too hard to find class in a world full of hoochie! Have fun at your next ball!

 

Class, not trash

Carrie Linn

 

Here's what I wore to Nic's ball in Decmeber 2011

 

I know not the best bc it's super dark but this was me and the ladies of the night in our group having fun on the dance floor at the and of the night.

 

 

 

What not to wear...

... seriously, please stop wearing that!

So we all see this stuff. Some of you actually wear it. It doesnt look good no matter what type of buby and style you have, I promise.

Now dont get me wrong I am FAR from a fashionista! I wish I could own every item on my Pinterest 'My Style' list, but lets face it I live in jeans and a t-shirt 99% or the time* with either flip flops, tennis shoes, or cowboy boots. I atleast put in the effort to look like I belong in normal society though. The following, I can't say the same for them though....

I'll start with everyone's favorites.... UGGS!
What is it with these UGGly boots?! Ok they are super warm and comfy. Awesome. I, though, refuse to pay a small fortune for eskimo boots. They have their place though I guess... this is NOT the place for them...

There is NOTHING cool about winter boots with summer clothing... you look like a re-re.

 

 

Holy... JEANS. Why. Why do y'all go to the expensive stores, find the pair of jeans that have the least amount of fabric left, then pay $60+ for them?! I mean if you want to wear this stupid obsession then go to the thrift store and buy a pair there for $2.99! They have plenty! I dont get why y'all would want to wear a pair of pants that look like you got massacred by a chain saw and weed whacker anyway...

She's obviously covering up the whole in the crotch... even though she bought them that way!



 

Leggings... Oh yes.. You know where I'm going with this! But I have a few favorites. First off I have chicken legs so I was scared to even own a pair of skinny jeans. I own one pair that I think look good on me and now that I'm prego I have invested in 2 pairs of neutral colored leggings and 2 pairs of Jeggings. The Jeggings are great bc they still look like nice skinny jeans but have the stretch for the ever growing bump. The leggins I wear with LONG shirts or dresses. That is what leggings were ment for in the adult world. Not ment for this...



You are not 7... you look like a crazy cat lady in these no matter your age after you hit puberty.

That is not the person going around nude... no that is nude leggings. Please save me!

 

 

Over and under dressing... I'm not talking over dressing like too many layers. No more like too big! And under dressing. You have the right number of clothes on... just not enough fabric. Like this...

It's not bikini season yet sweetie... Oh that's a shirt?! Where is the rest of it?

Hobo up top, chicken legs below. This is how every girl wants to feel!

This sweater can also be used in Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.... I think the only time it IS ok to wear!

THIS IS NOT A DRESS! This is the body shaper/slip you wear UNDER a dress!

I dont want to see your goodies and hams everytime you move an inch... Look she is even trying to pull it down past her Woo Hoo!

 

 

Size... Alright we all want to be model skinny. Whatever. Doesn't mean that bc you want to be that small you should dress like you ARE that small. This goes for EVERY SIZE out there. I know larger people are picked on this the most and I feel that is aweful bc smaller chicks obviously think a small bit of muffin top is "hott" (que Paris Hilton 'That's hot' voice). No. You look rediculous. Dont put on a size 3 when you are a 7...

That has GOT to hurt her hips! It's hurting mine!!

 

 

Ladies... That's what I call them atleast. You know the boobs! Get a good bra! Please! One that fits (I promise EVERY set of twins has a bra out there that fits.) Nothing is worse that sqeezing the crap out of those gals and forming 4 boobs or having them tucked into your waist line. What's worse than an ill fitting bra though...

Looks little cold to be wearing that tank top.

 

 

Matching head to toe... AKA the Track Suit! Unless you are a little kid, on a team, or sorority girl (that one still pushes the line) You do not belong in a track suit...we're talking matching top and bottom. Cotton, wind breaker, velore... none of it. No. Dont do it...

Go team go...ing to the mall them getting groceries.

 

 

Sag... You really think I would leave this one out?! This drives me bat shit crazy! Girls dont do it bc I dont want to see the floss up your crack. Guys... you do know why that started right? No?! Oh let me tell you something!! Guys sag their pants in prison to let the others know they are down for a little lovin. You know what I mean! Dont believe me! Ask Big Bubba next door who keeps looking you up and down and blowing you kisses!...

Victoria has no more secrets... oh and your tag is hanging out.

HHHEEYYYY!!!!! (This one gets me even more bc he HAS A BELT ON!)

 

 

Don't think I'm done yet! You cant forget accessorizing!!!

When the heck did BCGs become fashionable?! I guess I have to go through Nic's stuff and find his old glasses so I can be hip.

These are ment for party favors... for 5 year olds!

I honestly don't know what to say about these...

Ok. SOME (very few) platform heels are cute... Most make you unable to walk normal and you look like you have clubbed feet with that elephantitis desease that makes random limbs grow non-stop. Y'all KNOW what I'm talking about!

"But they are so comfortable!" For health care professionals I find these absolutely acceptable. That's about it. And for those of you that wear them without socks. EEWWW!!!!! They are rubber/plastic/foam and even though they have those holes they don't breathe THAT well! I dont want to be near them or your feet when they come off!

 

 

Over board is all I can say about this last part...

She actually things this looks good...

This was her inspiration!

This is what she will look like by the end of the night if she keeps up on the shots she's drinking.

 

 

Women actually function with these types of nails!!! And most of them work with computers all day! Don't believe me... go to the DMV and look!

There is such a thing a too much tanning... This is what happens! Leave the tanning bed for longer than an hour a day and please use SPF 5,000,000 honey! Even the kid is freaking out!

Spray tanning isn't for everyone.... Spray tanning instead of your daily shower is NOT ment for you!

 

 

I love all of y'all... so please don't make me point it out when y'all are sporting these looks!

 

Keep it covered, clean, and SANE

Carrie Linn

 

*Right now jeans and tshirts are far from my style being I got this bump going on around the mid-section. I pretty much live in sweats or my husbands PJ pants and his tshirts. I do however wear real and acceptable clothes when I go out in public. If you come over though I can't make any promises that I won't be wearing what my husband wears on Sundays when he is hungover from the night before.