To Step Away or Not to Step Away from the Screen? That is the Question

It's sad that I'm even talking about this, but I think this problem should be addressed sooner or later. As Americans, we are so attached to the screen. Whether it's our phones, the television, video games, or the computer. Whatever happened to going outside just for the sake of being outside? Whatever happened to evening dinners with family? Whatever happened to pleasant conversations at the dinner table with those families? I think our generation is deteriorating away with technology. I mean, when was the last time others had Family Home Evening with each other without all the technology? When was the last time we had a meaningful discussion about anything without using our phones as the first resort?

I know I need to work on this too, obviously. Technology is as important to me as anyone else. I use the computer to do my schoolwork. I watch movies on the television. I use my phone for just about everything. I blog, for heaven's sake (that's the only way my pictures will work is if I use my phone to put them on the correct posts I want)! :)

Even though technology can be very useful (like using it for missionary work), I believe that there are a lot more important things than technology like spending quality time with our families, serving others, developing talents, reading tangible books (I personally like to feel the novel. That is why I say it like that), the list goes on and on.

Mr. George Feeny (a character from the 90's television show "Boy Meets World," which I am a little obsessed with, mind you) said it best: "Gutenberg's generation thirsted for a new book every six months! Your generation gets a new web page every six seconds, and how do you use this technology? To try and beat King Koopa and save the princess. Shame on you. You deserve what you get." I would much rather read a tangible book than be wasting my time away on my phone, the computer, etc. Though, it makes me wonder: are we using the technology we have been blessed with efficiently or do we use it as an excuse not to put effort into anything worth working for? 

We do deserve what we get if we don't use the technology wisely enough. I've always thought Mr. Feeny was wise. ;)

Last year, during a session of General Conference, Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated,“Be wise in how you embrace technology. Mark important scriptures on your device and refer back to them frequently. If you young people would review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scriptures memorized. Those passages would prove to be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance by the Holy Ghost in times of need.” Technology can be used for the better instead of the worse, yet it goes both ways. I love that we can use technology for missionary work. We can help others become closer to Christ using this wonderful technology Heavenly Father gave to us. We should be using it more efficiently to spread the gospel to all of God's children, ready and willing to listen to the message. We should use it to help us remember things that are going on in our lives (that's mostly why I use my phone, the laptop, etc.). We should use it to communicate better one with another.

I hope that whoever is reading this takes a step back and thinks of all the wonderful things they could be doing with all this technology that has been given to us and use it to their advantage. I hope they think twice on how technology is being used in the world today and become a positive influence others can follow.

Being a Military Wife

It is very bumpy road for all of us. For me, personally, it is difficult being a military wife. When Chris and I were dating, he didn't want to be in a serious relationship because he knew that he was going to join the Air Force really soon. He was going to break up with me. Just as soon as I started to really like Chris, he dropped the bomb on me telling me that he was going to join the Air Force. I took that as, "I can't be with you anymore because this is what I really want to do with my life." Unfortunately, you all know how well that worked out. ;) Still, it has been a bumpy ride.

The year 2012 was a year full of exhilaration, fright, and apprehension. We got married in July, Chris left in September for Basic Training, and I didn't see him until the end of March. One night before Chris left, I was bawling my eyes out because I knew he was leaving soon. We got in an argument and he went to sleep on the couch. I went to get him a few minutes later and I asked him, in tears, "What if you never come back?" Chris wrapped his arms around me and kept telling me, "I will always come back for you. You're my baby girl. You're my baby girl."

Basic Training was a challenging time for the both of us because we couldn't be together every day like most newlyweds usually are. When he left, it broke my heart that I couldn't be with him every single day. On the plus side, Chris had the opportunity to call one person once a week. He told me to always keep my phone on me (if you know me, sometimes, I don't answer my phone because I'm busy or I forget to make sure it's not on silent) because I knew that he would call me. Those phone calls were the highlight of my week. It was always nice to hear my sweetheart's voice on the other end of that line even if it was only for one day. We also have great families that helped us while we were away from each other. Since I was living with my parents again, sometimes I would forget that I needed to see Chris's family too. Luckily, I made it all work out. It's so convenient to have both of our families living in the same town. Chris's family lives right around the corner from my family (okay, maybe not right around the corner- I had to drive a ways- but close enough).

One of the happiest days of my life finally arrived.  I got to see my sweetheart again. In the middle of November, Denise, Chris's mom, and I had the opportunity to attend his graduation from Basic Training. We traveled from Shelley, Idaho to San Antonio, Texas for it. I remember seeing all the graduates in a long line. Chris told me that he wasn't supposed to move until I went and grabbed him. I gently touched his hand, and he turned around and, with tears in his sea blue eyes, gave me the biggest embrace he has ever given to me in his life. He whispered in my ear, "I did it, Baby Girl. I did it." and gave me a kiss on the cheek. It was so rewarding to see that he was as excited to see me as I was to see him.

At Chris's graduation from Basic Training- that was the first time I saw him in two months! What a happy day that was for both of us!

I will never forget the day Chris came home. It was the day of my birthday. At about midnight, I felt someone come onto my bed. At first, I thought it was my sister and I was just about to tell her, "Get back in your bed!" Finally. I decided to look over to see who it was, trying to open my eyes because I was still half asleep, turn over and I fall back asleep. Then, my brain finally kicked in, screaming at me, "It's Chris, you goober! Wake up, woman!" I turn over again and give him a hug. I remember telling him that I missed him and I was almost on the verge of tears. That was the best birthday present I have ever received. To sum it all up, it is hard being a military wife.

While he was in tech school, Chris sent this to me with the message, "I love you." This pretty much sums up on what being a military wife is really all about. 

I don't know what I'm going to do if Chris ever gets deployed (it is nice to know that he will be in the medical field since he's a surgical technologist. When he first told me he was going to join the Air Force, I was worried because he likes guns and hunting. I assumed he'd be out there fighting, but he will be in a hospital the entire time which make me feel so relieved!). I might blow a fuse, but I don't have to worry about that right now. I'm just so happy to be with My Christian again. I figured I'll cross that bridge when it gets here. I think it might be a little easier if we have children soon or if we still have Buddy and Bella around so it won't be so lonely.

It's so difficult to say goodbye to someone you love so much, but it is so rewarding to know that Chris is doing what he loves, what he really wants to be doing for me, for us, and for our life together.

At Chris's promotion ceremony last week. He's a Senior Airman now! I'm so proud of this studly hubby of mine!

Interesting Facts About Bella

Since I wrote about some fun facts about Buddy in the past and since we will have Bella for a period of time, I thought I'd write some facts about Bella to get to know her a little better.

1. If you hold her like this, she won't go to the bathroom in the apartment. 

She hasn't had too many accidents, thankfully. Chris said that whenever we get a new puppy (like getting Bella), we have to start all over again. We have to potty train her and make sure she goes to the door when she has to go to the bathroom like Buddy does. Buddy has been a good example for Bella to follow. Let's hope she learns quickly.

2. You have to brush her furry coat twice a day since she's so fluffy. I personally enjoy brushing her. It helps me relax and I think Bella likes being brushed as much as I like brushing her. Then again, I've always loved playing with hair and having others play with my hair so I think that could be part of why I love brushing Bella so much. Chris, on the other hand, could care less.

3. Bella is a glorified lap dog. She could sit with you forever. I like her sitting with me because she's tiny which also means she weighs a lot less than Buddy does. Buddy was okay sitting with me until he got bigger. Let's hope Bella doesn't get too much bigger.

4. She's a beggar. Bella loves to always have whatever you are cooking up or fixing for yourself. I would assume her previous owner fed her human food and that might be why.

How cute is that? 

5. She sheds fur like no other. It only gets annoying when you wear black around her. Goodness! She sheds more than I do! That's just sad because I shed quite a bit. ;)

6. Bella loves spending time just relaxing in her kennel. It's nice for me because I don't have to force her to go into the kennel like I have to do with Buddy. He doesn't like the kennel very much. Maybe he will take after Bella.

7. She likes picking fights with Buddy. Awww! They have a brother sister relationship! ;)

8. She loves being on the couch. 

It's so funny how two dogs can be so different from each other. I'm so grateful Chris and I have these two pooches to look after! :)

Long-Term Puppy Sitting

Chris and I temporarily own another puppy! Her name is Bella and she is so adorable. She's an American husky chow chow mix and one of the prettiest puppies I've ever seen. Her owner, Tiffany, is moving back to her hometown, Oregon, for about a month sometime this week. Some people would think that getting two dogs is crazy (mostly my family), but it's actually a lot easier because Buddy and Bella play together all day long. They entertain themselves and wear each other out, which is very nice. I just need to walk, feed, and clean up after them which isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Who would've thought that I'd become a dog person? If someone really close to me told me that I would have two dogs in the future and love them both to pieces, I would not have believed them! ;)

Bella is kind of a handful. She went to the bathroom a few times in our apartment. I wasn't very happy about that. Chris said it was just like starting over. We have to potty train her which means we have to walk her outside frequently (I say "we", but that usually means I will be doing all of it). We have to make sure she knows that Chris and I love her and that we are in charge.

I am curious if Buddy and Bella will get sick of each other really soon. Every time I'd see Tiffany and Bella walking outside, Buddy would get so excited and start whining until the two puppies would get tangled in their leashes (and sometimes tangle their owners too!). It was so cute seeing them play every day (well, almost every day).

I don't know what I am going to do with two dogs all day, every day, for a period of time. That's a huge responsibility, but I know I can do it. Chris and I were talking about trying to start a family a few months ago because we both really want to be parents, but having Buddy is how we started our family. I am such a dog person now, it's almost sad and scary at the same time because I was so afraid of dogs for a very long time, since probably before I was born. I remember when I was younger, I loved riding my bike around the block in our neighborhood. For a few days, this dog came out of nowhere and started chasing me every day I'd go through there. I thought it would scar me for life. I guess I was wrong. ;)

If someone would've told me when I was a little girl how everything would turn out in my life, I would've never believed them. I never thought I'd marry one of my good friend's brother. I never thought we'd be living in Texas, far away from my family. I never thought I'd grow up to be a responsible, mature adult (who are we kidding...I'm not mature! Being mature's BORING! ;)).