Look out!

He'll take out a toe if you're in his way!! LOL I still can't believe how big he's getting! :(

(PS> Not sure why it's blurry...sorry!)

Some video's of the kids!

Falyn at the water squirter at the Aquarium




Faith and the "dangerous, killer" pit bull! Ha!!




Box Head Chandler-man!

8 Years Ago Today

I married the man of my dreams and my best friend in the world!! Today I celebrate this day, with him halfway around the world. It's not the first time we've been apart for it, and I am sure that for the rest of his time in the Navy, it won't be our last.

Sitting here with our three beautiful children, I think back to that day and I have wonderful memories. The one thing that I remeber the most is how happy and safe I felt. Being a wedding photographer, I see all kinds of emotions from people on their wedding days. I felt calm and relaxed, not scared or jittery, and just KNEW that this is who I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. We're not perfect...we have our moments...but we both know that there is nothing or no one in this world that could ever come between the life and the family that we have built.

Here are some photos of us that day (I miss that body I had!). Yep...nothing fancy, just a Justice of the Peace....and Justin flew back to Pensacola the very next day! LOL We hope that for our 10th anniversary to have "our wedding" and include the kids and our families!




I love you babe! I miss you terribly! Happy Anniversary!!

I love you.
me

Last week was Spring Break

We went to the Children's Museum, Downtown Aquarium, spent two rainy (STORMY) days at home doing arts & craftsy things, and then to the Zoo!! The girls had a blast and it was nice to be able to sleep in for a change!!

Back to the grindstone this week!! Here's some memories!

Aquarium:

The "baby" gator

On the train

Children's Museum - I thought I took more, but I guess I was too busy playing too!! LOL

This is the "under 2 room". Chandler LOVED it!!

I left my camera in the truck when we got to the zoo...but Nicole had hers, so I'll get them from her soon! :)

Ok, so....having a moment

Yes, a cry baby moment. I just finished reading a post on Angie's mom's blog, and how sad she was, and how sucky it is that something she said is true about me (not giving out details sorry!)...... and it just got all my emotions up and.....dangit! I HATE THIS! I hate this total feeling of emptiness. A year? Really? How do I do this? You know all those thoughts you think when you get one of those "life changing" curve balls thrown at you? Well, batter up.....I'm thinking them all! But the hardest part is sitting here not knowing when I will get to even hold Justin's hand again, or look into his eyes and see his heart. There are about 3 people in this world (aside from my children) that give me comfort and make me feel "safe & warm"....and while two of them are in the same city as me right now....I just want my Justin. Everyone of you that's married knows what I am talking about. No matter where you go, what you do, what you say, how you act....he loves you. You are free to be completely you, and know that no matter what he still loves you. That's my Justin. I feel like I am holding my breath, and I'm not sure when I can breathe again.

Woooo....cry baby rant huh? LOL I guess it's just hitting me, that I DON'T know when I am going to see him again. At least before he left I had a "date" in mind. My brother is getting married August 18th....he was going to be here for it. :( Not that I don't want him to make Chief, but dangit! Do you know how much a plane ticket is for him to come home?? $1300!!! Yea....pick your chin up off the floor....I KNOW!! So, the choice between after initiation (6 months) or Christmas (9 months) comes into play.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so over this!!!!!!!!

I love you babe! Miss you!
xoxox

Justin made the Chief's board!

For all of my military challenged readers out there....bascially, it means that he passed the test to advance from E6 to E7 (E9 is the highest enlisted rank). He will now submit a package to the "Chief's Board" (think board of directors) and will face them and answer a bunch of questions....politics, yes. He then basically sits and waits to hear back. They base this advancement on a number of things including but not limited to, past evaluations, recommendations, and his service record. This is the "big jump" in the enlisted sector. It's I guess the most prestigious jump where they go from "blues" to "kackis". So, while it's not a "we'll die if he doesn't make it" situation, a few good thoughts sent his way would be nice. Most enlisted don't make chief till between 11-15 years, so the fact that he's up for it and passed board at 8 years is great! He took the test last year but didn't make board. I'm proud of him regardless! He's my sailor man! ;)

Bad side to all of this....if he DOES make Chief, he won't come home in August for BJ's wedding. That will be when he is going through initiation. :(

xoxox

Update

Ok, so I haven't had a chance to update in a while. It's been a whirlwind around here. Justin came home for 9 days after his six week school in Virginia. He left on Wednesday for his year in the Middle East. That was HARD!! http://www.ginasphotos.com/slides/geigley1

The kids seem to be ok so far. I guess it was good that he came home, so now they understand that just because he leaves, he does come back. Sucks! I have my "cry baby" days. Obviously the first few were the most, but I am getting better.

I have joined an organization called Operation: Love ReUnited. Basically, it's an organization of professional photographers that agree to offer free sessions to deploying, deployed and returning military members & their families. I don't think I fully appreciated what we do until now. Here is the website: www.oplove.org and here is our personal OpLove session: http://www.evolutionfotos.com/galleries/geigleysamples/

So, if you know of anyone who is deployed, getting ready to deploy or who will be returning soon, send them to our website so that a photographer can assist them in capturing those memories!

Can you tell it's helping me keep my mind busy!? I have become a "partner" in the organization along with Tonee who started it. I do what I can for her and the org, and it helps me stay busy, along with my photography work as well.

xoxox