tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890236950265226832024-02-19T02:03:48.790-08:00Jhen & CompanyA Lifestyle BlogJhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.comBlogger493125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-16669206999347213492021-10-31T14:30:00.001-07:002021-10-31T14:30:08.754-07:00Messy, But Oh So Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrylXD3LhIj2w6OUQTQt8xbK_sAKaV6YEWgpl9nLlK18xi5S8Peq7kFpjCsasJM9fQwTsVO67bLYRV7zZV5iW0cEbl3igYBFOzlRp659XfwqQTRN9NMpdmIE7i78iu7wixboPGfT37DE/s2048/Sisters-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrylXD3LhIj2w6OUQTQt8xbK_sAKaV6YEWgpl9nLlK18xi5S8Peq7kFpjCsasJM9fQwTsVO67bLYRV7zZV5iW0cEbl3igYBFOzlRp659XfwqQTRN9NMpdmIE7i78iu7wixboPGfT37DE/s320/Sisters-19.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>(<i>Originally written as a guest post for Union28 Marriage Blog in 2018</i>)</div><div><br /></div>My long legs lay stretched out across his as his face was buried deep into a game on his phone, his fingers clicking diligently on the screen. He was unaware that I was staring directly at him, watching his lips clench and twist mimicking the movement of the digital player he controlled.<div><br /></div><div>His face was fuller and worn with the years of being out in the sun. His hair a lot shorter keeping in line with the Air Force standards of dress and appearance. He was no longer the sixteen-year-old boy that gave me the butterflies when he would strut by with his baggy black dickies and white t-shirts. At thirty-two, with a first deployment under his belt, he changed more than I imagined he ever would. But as that sank in a little further, I realized so did I. </div><div><br /></div><div>We thought we had this marriage thing down pat. In fact, my confident personality felt that marriage was something I was an expert on. Friends would ask me how Jon and I managed all these years and could still be so in love. I was assured that marriage came to us naturally. That was until I discovered how easy living apart from each other came. </div><div><br /></div><div> As a military family, the luxury of being a team at home comes few and far between. We had spent the past ten years of our marriage working together, sharing all aspects of our lives daily. In October of last year, he left for the first time leaving me to wonder how I could ever manage to live solo. Yet, after six months, I discovered that I could do it, and I could do it well. I didn’t need him as much as I thought I did. I really could carry on with life without him carrying me through it. It wasn’t because I wanted to, but because I had to. Choosing wasn’t an option. He was gone, and I had to own it. Life had to keep going for us back home, which, as expected, didn’t sit too well for him.</div><div><br /></div><div>For him, life paused. He moved to a place that he knew was temporary. Six months he would have to manage to live in a dorm and the thought of home carried him through. In his mind, he would return home and life would pick up right where it left off, but what he wasn’t prepared for was that he’d return to a place that had figured out how to go on without him. </div><div><br /></div><div> Things were rough in the first few weeks. It was like we had to learn new things about each other, which seemed foreign and even a bit unacceptable for a couple that had been together since sophomore year of high school. Deep down, each of us wondered if the spark that was once a roaring flame, would ever ignite a passion again. </div><div><br /></div><div> It has been two months since he returned home and we still find ourselves entangled in the mess of navigating new waters in our marriage, but we have found that change can be good. With a few good melt downs and all out yelling matches, we’ve allowed each other to get to know the new sides to who we had become, and in all of it, we’re learning that marriage isn’t a trophy or badge we wear like we once thought, but rather a constant choice to walk in the mess of life with someone. Marriage isn’t a theme so easily nailed down in books or blogs, but rather an experience every day between two people going through life this side of Eternity. So if earth isn’t our final destination, then marriage doesn’t have to be as perfected as I once strived so hard to attain. It’s merely a tool God has given us as a way to survive on this journey.
In our world, deployments will become a norm, life will throw its curve balls and our hearts will break more than we probably care to admit, but it is incredibly freeing when you allow your partner to grow, experience and change with the seasons of life knowing that you will too. Full of really romantic moments, terribly painful experiences, and even some really good intimacy, marriage is messy but oh so good.
</div>Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-71830490535815020882020-01-18T18:38:00.000-08:002020-01-18T18:40:37.476-08:00Navigating the Digital Waters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every year I find myself torn on how involved I want to be with the digital web. For one thing, there is a pretty decent income when I do invest. Those mommy blogger years when Joss was first born definitely helped bring in some cash. </center>
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Now, with social media influencers, there is a whole new outlet for income. But with sharing, comes the invitation into an area of one's life that I teeter with whether or not I want to share. I struggle with feeling the need to justify, or the desire to just hide away. </center>
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But I realized that I have allowed imaginary conversations full of assumptions of how people can or do think about me dictate the choices I had been making. And I really don't want to live that way. </center>
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So, I'm freeing myself to share when I want. When I find a good find that I think you would enjoy, I'll share. When I discover tips on navigating this military world, I'll share. And I'll free myself from how people can view me. </center>
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So thank you for sticking by my flaky digital presence. You are my (<i>digital</i>) people. </center>
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-32035078803938006182019-12-27T15:08:00.000-08:002019-12-27T15:08:19.024-08:00Ending 2019 The Way I Normally Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It seems fitting that as 2019 comes to a close, I finally open up this blog and write a little. </center>
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We didn't send out Christmas cards (or the year before that, the year before that, and the year before that). I have all these grand plans to take a special photo, design some fancy cards and hand write each individual address, but I guess I'll have to try again next year, or the year after that.</center>
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This year came with so many changes. We added a third little girl, moved to a new state, and started homeschooling a few months into the new school year. </center>
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Jennavieve took our world for a new ride when she graced us with her presence. On May 9th, I woke up feeling like something just wasn't right. Unlike my pregnancies with her sisters, I paid attention to all her kick counts and I had noticed her activity had drastically changed the days prior. That morning, however, I hadn't felt a single movement, but was hesitant to go to L&D triage since I frequented that place and each time was sent home with normal fetal movement. Jon wasn't feeling too confident about the lack of movement and my mother, who had recently arrived for birth support, suggested I drive the 45 minutes to the hospital. After about an hour and a half of a good heart beat but little to no movement, Jennavieve gave me three of the strongest kicks then her heart silenced. She was delivered via emergency c-section lacking all color but still alive. She was rushed to a hospital across town to a NICU where she underwent a double blood transfusion. She was diagnosed with Chronic Fetal Maternal Hemorrhage, most commonly found in stillbirths. </center>
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Although those days were some of the hardest emotionally, they were also incredibly special to me because of the medical care I received. In a world where I constantly see the medical world get a bad wrap, I can't help but sing from the mountaintops the wonder of the love, support, straight-forward advice, and care from my medical team. They instantly became some of my favorite people on the planet, and I'll forever be grateful for the way they saved my baby girl's life and the healing for me so I can get to her as soon as possible. </center>
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About a month after her birth, we had all our belongings packed and drove across a few states to get to our new home in Nevada. With only four months of emotional and physical prep from the moment we first learned of Jon's new assignment, I was not ready to move, let alone to a place I <i>REALLY</i> didn't want to go to. But six months in, I fell in love with this town, its people and the opportunities we have to make some valuable memories. Jon loves his assignment, the girls are adjusting to the warmer weather and new friends, and I'm learning that we are truly blessed to have been given all that we have in the four years Jon has been in, serving in the USAF. </center>
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To our friends that have been with us for years and our new friends we are making along the way, THANK YOU for the treasures given in our time with you. Although I look back at this year wishing I had made other choices for a lot of things, I'm incredibly grateful for the way we have been loved on. Ya'll have made our 2019 amazing and we can't wait to return the favor in 2020 - Cheers friends! </center>
Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-79884359690508916022019-08-04T20:01:00.000-07:002019-08-04T20:01:03.403-07:00The Amazon Jumpsuit<br />
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I had seen this jumpsuit floating around Amazon ads and had it in my wish list for a little while now. I recently decided to order it to try it on and it is exactly what it says it is. This jumpsuit is so comfortable. It's made with a thicker cotton material making it sturdy but comfortable. </center>
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I was nervous to buy it thinking it wouldn't work with my curves that sit mostly around the waistline, but it fit perfectly and the drawstring waist helps shape the stomach area. </center>
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Also, it's nursing friendly with a button in the chest area to allow for the top to stay closed and easily open for feeding.</center>
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It comes in five colors and in a shorts style too. It's definitely a must-have with a five start rating from me. </center>
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-26154069903709652602019-07-29T06:51:00.003-07:002019-07-29T06:51:41.855-07:00The Nursery - Peel & Stick WallpaperIt's been a little while since I last posted. Mainly because our sweet baby girl arrived in a whirl wind (more on that later) and then we trekked a few miles and moved to Las Vegas, NV. <div>
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It's been both challenging and fun decorating and setting up our home in base housing. I do love a decorating challenge, especially when it comes in the blank canvas of white walls. Recently, we finished the nursery and although most of it is similar to our set up in our last base housing, we tweaked it a bit with some peel & stick wallpaper. </div>
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Being in base housing means that I can't make permanent changes, so I took a risk and ordered this pattern from Amazon.</div>
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The wall paper is incredibly easy to install. Although it suggests special tools to apply, we only used a baby book to rub the wall paper onto the wall and regular scissors to cut and trim out the pieces. </div>
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We've already started to transition our little one to her room during nap times and being in her room is one of my favorite places to be. </div>
Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-8287594313545955022019-02-12T21:15:00.000-08:002019-02-12T21:24:52.729-08:00When 2019 Gets Warmer<div>
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Twenty eighteen was an absolute whirlwind. We entered the year halfway through our Airman's first deployment and four months later and just two days before his return, I quit my job which started a five month investigation into the work environment I was subjected to (which eventually ruled in my favor). I stayed home with my two girls during Summer break then got a part-time job at a non-profit and that September found out that we were expecting baby number three. </div>
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Unlike my previous pregnancies, this pregnancy kept me bedridden with Hyperemesis Gravidarum and in December, I quit my job to stay home full time to cope with the HG and be available again for my children. So with all of that positively behind me, and my HG subsiding, I happily started planning the nursery, finishing my book, and started sewing again. We thought we had everything falling into place and planned out, until my phone rang this last Friday morning and the voice on the other end immediately asked if I was sitting down.<br />
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I was just finishing applying my make-up when the familiar ringtone song, "In case you didn't know" played from my phone. Jon's voice immediately sounded anxious. <br />
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"We got orders." <br />
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These were the words I wasn't anywhere near believing we would hear anytime soon. We have only been at our first duty station for about two and a half years, and we had cleared our dream sheet awaiting the chance for overseas orders. Instead, we found out that not only are we moving, but we are set to move a month after our baby girl is born! <br />
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So throw out those plans to set up a nursery because it's about to be packed up and relocated to the warm State of Nevada. Yup, we're trading in cool Colorado for warm Nevada in just about four months. <br />
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With all that setting in, I've got a few blog posts lined up to share, including PCS Binder Free Downloads and all things moving with the military. So whether you're reading along to see what we've been up to, or joining for the military insight, I've got you covered. Here's to another fun adventure!</div>
Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-41942050085307090192018-08-26T18:35:00.001-07:002018-08-26T18:35:31.218-07:00Embracing the White Walls - Base Housing Post 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've been living in base housing for a little over a year now and since then, I've learned a few things about making base housing a home. <br />
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My Airman's JNCO rank meant that we qualified for the most basic house, which means on most bases, a joined home (like a town home). However, where we're stationed, there are four military bases we had access to living on, so we were given the luxury of deciding which base to live on and so we chose the base that I was working on, at the time, but is about 15 minute drive to the base my husband is currently stationed at. <br />
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Base housing, for those of you who aren't familiar with it, creates their neighborhoods and homes for the rankings of their military members, and then takes their entire Basic Housing Allowance which every military member gets, as "rent". For our particular location, it is a GREAT deal, because we cannot get the housing size we have in the neighborhood in town that we want for the price we are currently paying. So we're a little spoiled with base housing, however, not every duty location provides that same living opportunity. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYKZ8r4wpKSNFAvaejaP53AF2cJXGul0hAppGTQW2IXak8mytSu4huN6dwHVkxwbrWTCbUeD_KQbnCSglPdYFBP7xxvKJO3eK6uW8IlB9nK0Y7NFjGHvb6kGZ6rmg7T-MJfPbhol3QFg/s1600/2018-08-25+02.47.24+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYKZ8r4wpKSNFAvaejaP53AF2cJXGul0hAppGTQW2IXak8mytSu4huN6dwHVkxwbrWTCbUeD_KQbnCSglPdYFBP7xxvKJO3eK6uW8IlB9nK0Y7NFjGHvb6kGZ6rmg7T-MJfPbhol3QFg/s1600/2018-08-25+02.47.24+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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With that being said, it did take a while for me to grasp the full opportunity I had to create this blank space into a cozy home we love being in. So, after trying a few different layouts, we've settled with a style we love and I'm sharing with you all, how this JNCO family embraced the white walls.<br />
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<b>1. Minimal Is Key</b>:<br />
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I am a huge fan of pink. You already know that. So I decided to incorporate it into my kitchen since the color is light, but with a smaller size kitchen the less out and cluttered, the larger it feels. And a clean kitchen means a happy mama. And a happy mama, means a stress free home. ;)</div>
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<b>2. Go With Lighter Colors</b>:</div>
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This particular living room changed a lot in the year we've lived on base, but it actually get's the least amount of natural light in the home and has minimal lighting for when the sun goes down. So it's technically the darkest room in our home. So to compensate for that we went with lighter furniture. This also makes our white walls feel like they are on purpose. This is also my favorite room in the entire house. </div>
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Pretty much every piece of furniture you see in this room was purchased at America's Furniture Warehouse and the rug is a 7 x 10 ft find for $100 at AtHome Decor Superstore. </div>
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<b>3. Shift Furniture</b>:</div>
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As a military family, moving is a guarantee. Which means that the furniture you bought for one house might not fit the new house. People will often sell their furniture before a PCS already anticipating the fact that their current furniture wont fit their new place. And there's nothing like moving furniture you wont end up keeping anyway. However, sometimes a furniture piece might just be worth keeping, even if it doesn't fit the small spaces. Our long sectional didn't fit any of the rooms in our home so we had to break it up and act like we meant to... meaning, we're faking it until we make it. </div>
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<b>5. Go Ahead and Paint A Wall (or two)</b>:</div>
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In our home, I went ahead and painted two walls, and painting this dining room wall was key to making the room feel like it's own. </div>
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Our base housing allowed us to paint as long as we primered the wall before move-out. Simple enough for me. So while my husband was deployed, I spent super bowl Sunday painting this room. Sometimes you just have to paint a wall to make it feel like home. </div>
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Also, our dining table was a $20 find from a local Facebook buy, sale, trade page that I chalk painted and then we bought modern style chairs from Target to marry the modern and vintage styles together. </div>
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It was our goal that our home would be a place we want to be in, as well as a place that other's felt welcome in. So we kept that goal in mind with every way we laid out a room. Being on base means that we're smack dab in the tight-nit military community and we want to embrace that too, so having our home feel inviting was key! </div>
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What tricks, style, or design advice have you discovered in making a base house as home? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on our <a href="http://www.instagram.com/jhenandco" target="_blank">IG</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jhenandco" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>! </div>
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-50359738503501222252018-07-24T07:20:00.000-07:002018-07-24T07:20:04.228-07:00Creating A Workspace in Base Housing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The sun rises directly within view of my desk window and beams under the door way. My favorite part of my mornings right now is grabbing my cup of coffee and opening the door to my "office", greeted by the sun and a clean crisp pink room. </center>
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Living in base housing, we have minimal design stimulation, and just about every house is exactly the same. When they say white walls, they mean it. So it has taken me a while to really get this room the way that makes me happy, and I'm here to share how to transform a base housing room, into a place that makes you tick. </center>
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We lucked out and got a 4 bedroom home (spoiled on our first assignment), so this fourth bedroom predominantly worked as a guest room, until I started working at home. I needed a place where I can hide away but be invigorated by the aesthetics. I'm a visual person, so I need a place that speaks to me and allows me to <i>get in my zone</i>. </center>
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Most base housing communities will let you paint with permission. Our particular community only requests a primer over the paint on move out so I decided that extra work is worth creating personal spaces in this blank canvas. I'll give a full base housing tour later, but since much of my time recently is spent in this room, I decided to give the tour of my most intimate space; this is where I process and pour out my heart in both the book I'm working on and my blog. </center>
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For me, minimal speaks just enough to awaken my creativity and entice my imagination. And as always, pink just brings my heart to life. </center>
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For a virtual tour of the space, check out my insta stories at my instagram, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jhenandco/" target="_blank">Jhenandco</a></center>
Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-60299441218257512062018-07-23T08:50:00.001-07:002018-07-23T09:48:23.559-07:00The Homecoming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I straightened down the wrinkles on my black lace tank top and adjusted the straps on my shoulders. I questioned whether I should grab my coat, but I knew I didn't want to be holding anything when I saw him. </center>
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I tried on a few different outfits that night. The first two were snug dresses that revealed every curve on my body, but I 'aint no size two, so I opted for skinny jeans and a spaghetti strap tank that bordered on lingerie. It was far more revealing that what I was familiar with, but far more conservative than the first two. He would be coming home after 6 months, and I wanted to rock his world at first glance, so I took a risk, and boy would I regret it.</center>
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Days before his arrival, I googled homecomings, asked my experienced <i>milspouse</i> friends, and read up on everything I could to make sure we'd have an amazing first homecoming. His flight would be arriving late at night, so I decided to pretend I was going out with friends and had my girls do a sleep over at a friends house. They had no idea their dad would be coming home, and I wanted to surprise them later. With everything I read and heard, I was pretty certain I was fully prepared for an all out amazing homecoming, however none of it would prepare me for how it would really go down. </center>
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It was 40 degrees outside and I opted to forgo the jacket. Surely, I could make the walk from my car to the airport just fine, it was late and I could only imagine the small airport would be mostly empty. I should have assumed otherwise when I pulled into the parking lot to find very little parking spaces available, and the ones that were were the farthest away from the entrance. I parked and grabbed my little clutch and started speed walking through the parking lot. It was extremely cold and I quickly regretted the tank that left very little to the imagination. </center>
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When I made it inside I was surprised to see our city's tiny airport packed with guests. I immediately felt scantly clad and wrapped my arms across my chest trying to appear as natural as possible. I made it up the walkway, unsure where he would be arriving from, when I received a text that his plane landed but they were stuck on the tarmac for a bit. I was partly relieved because my nerves of seeing him were making my stomach turn, but also a bit bummed because I wasn't comfortable in my outfit among the crowd. </center>
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When I arrived to the top of the escalator I saw a familiar face and my stomach dropped. His shop's NCOIC (or overall supervisor) was standing there. He saw me immediately and smiled. </center>
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<i>Oh frick.</i> <i>He's the last person I wanted to see me so exposed. </i></center>
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As I walked up to him, my arms crossed over my chest, he introduced his Squadron Commander to me<i>. </i>I extended my arm to shake his hand. I felt humiliated at my exposure. He was kind, appropriate, and quickly turned an walked away and stood on the other side of the group. </center>
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<i>Wrong! He's the last one I wanted to see me so exposed. </i><i>Get me out of here.</i></center>
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I looked around at the crowed and noticed EVERYONE wearing sweatpants and big baggy jackets. To be fair it was cold outside, but had I missed a memo somewhere when reading up on homecomings? I was the only one dressed up. Other spouses were even dressed comfortable and warm. I stood out horribly among what felt like his entire CE Squadron in the airport that evening. I slowly walked over to the corner and attempted to hide behind a pole as I waited. The anticipation was torture. Not only was I desperate to get the heck out of dodge, but I also wanted to see him so bad. </center>
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Then he walked out. He was wearing light grey shorts and a t shirt. Great. Even he was dressed down. He looked exhausted but happy to see me. He shook the hand of his NCOIC but his eyes never left mine. He walked up, wrapped his arms around me tight, and kissed me. We opted against having any photos taken. I wanted to take in the moment purely for my memory, instead of feeling like I had to perform for pictures (although in hindsight, I would have photos taken, because it was going to be the least intimate moment I could have imagined). </center>
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As he hugged me, I whispered in his ear, "I'm not wearing much, you need to get me out of here." He hadn't even noticed my outfit (<i>ugh, he didn't even notice!</i>), so he looked down, gave me a smirk, then grabbed my hand and led me to the baggage terminal. Giddy, I was ready to both be alone with him as well as be far away from the crowd, but if my night could get any better, it wasn't going to just yet. The bags were delayed and the crowds formed around us again as we waited. His friends came up, tried chatting and I continued to try and hide away, pretending my arms provided a shell that could make me invisible. </center>
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We finally got his bags, and he promised to whisk me away, finally getting me far out of reach of anyone's sight and alone with him.</center>
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So, if you're reading this and wondering how you should prepare for your spouse's homecoming, keep in mind that people most likely will be there. Maybe save that lingerie top for when you two are finally alone. </center>
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-27882088257284231172018-07-17T18:55:00.000-07:002018-07-17T18:55:35.360-07:00Struggles of a Military Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was recently asked a question over social media that I instantly knew would produce a loaded answer. I gave a quick simple response at the time with the intent to answer it in depth here. </center>
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The question sparked a lengthy discussion among my friends and I learned that this question would evoke answers that really can only be defined uniquely. There isn't a simple obvious answer to such a question, or at least I haven't found one yet. </center>
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She wrote, "What's the hardest part about being a mil fam? It will be us soon with kids and I'm sure it's tough."</center>
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See what I mean... it's a loaded question with a loaded answer. So here I go...</center>
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Being a military family means that your spouse commits his or her life to the United States of America. That means that the rules and regulations, the mission, and the government comes first. Understanding that part and then accepting it, means that any challenges in dealing with your time as a military family, is basically rooted in that foundation. </center>
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When my husband first left for training, it took some rough adjusting to the realization that we couldn't just do whatever we wanted. Every decision we made had to go through a series of processes. That caused a few meltdowns in the beginning. I remember crying one day, curled in a ball on the floor on the side of my bed, because we couldn't take him home with us one weekend because someone had broken a dorm rule and it meant all the trainees were to remain on base. But as time went on, you learn to adjust and find a new way of living. Because one thing every military family knows is that... <i>plans change. And they change all the time</i>. Adapting to broken schedules, dates constantly changing, and the every obvious, <i>hurry up and wait</i>, will be a staple in learning how to survive. </center>
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Being far away from family and friends, is also a major challenge for many. This part is different for so many. For some, being away from their support system can be a great culture shock and one of the biggest challenges they face. Learning to form new support systems can be almost debilitating for some, but for other's it can be exciting. I'll dive into ways I, awkwardly but successfully, made a new community of support that formed deeper relationships than I had ever known, but for now, just know that for each person this struggle differs. </center>
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But forming new relationships in the military means that it will lead to goodbyes, and goodbyes are often a challenge. In fact, they are hard. They are really, really hard. Whether you have to say goodbye again to family after a nice long visit, or goodbye to a new friend that has just been given a new assignment and moving far away, goodbyes just aren't easy. </center>
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And then there is the dreaded deployment. I have yet to meet a military family that loves deployments. I have met many who know how to handle them with grace and ease, but they don't love them, that's for sure. I've written a post for another blog that I'll be sharing on my own soon regarding marriage and the deployment return, but really deployments fall as probably one of the hardest parts of being a military family. </center>
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Lastly, for me, finding and developing my own career is almost like a crapshoot. Knowing my time is limited in one location means finding a job in your career field is a challenge, and darn near impossible for many. Military spouses put much of their career on hold, or on a long term development plan, while their active duty spouse moves up in rank and constant moves around the country. </center>
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With all these challenges, I can say that joining the military was not only the best thing for my husband, but it was also the greatest passion our family has ever found. Every sacrifice, every challenge, and every struggle we face as a military family is worth it, not because we found some greater call in the military, but because we found OUR call. When you, as a family unit, believe in the heart and mission behind your service members role in the United States Military, everything you have and will face will be worth it. </center>
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<i>I know I haven't listed every challenge to being a military family, and maybe I haven't listed what was the hardest for you, so if you have a different answer, feel free to leave it in the comments below! </i></center>
Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-64693710606899006862018-07-11T07:27:00.000-07:002018-07-11T07:29:07.034-07:00Cheers to Water Coolers & Community<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeHzAf4A848T-ff2eZG6PtXJ4oc7A0xtX3ZT-unrlbDqiI-TQLKQrZSo8EFULx90MsPF1cG7cD54_i5gKte0bZqE-d374DncTVHdBMtqg6XAlCePWGLkbb9HLHiZShyphenhyphenV3v8nhKL_SBx0/s1600/arrangement-botanical-botany-1030975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeHzAf4A848T-ff2eZG6PtXJ4oc7A0xtX3ZT-unrlbDqiI-TQLKQrZSo8EFULx90MsPF1cG7cD54_i5gKte0bZqE-d374DncTVHdBMtqg6XAlCePWGLkbb9HLHiZShyphenhyphenV3v8nhKL_SBx0/s1600/arrangement-botanical-botany-1030975.jpg" /></a></div>
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My biggest hope for this space is to create a sense of community among spouses, just like me, trying to navigate the rough waters of military life and embracing the mess of it all. </center>
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So how do we do that? </center>
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Well, let me start with telling you a little story...</center>
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I stared out the window of our tiny little apartment on the first floor. New spouses were constantly moving in and I was previously one of them, so you can imagine just how nosy I would be every time I saw vehicles packed to the brim pull up and a young lady would step out and struggle to unload the contents of her vehicle alone. We were all brand new Air Force spouses and we had found a little apartment community for people just like us. Except here I was, 30 years old with two older children. Everyone else appeared under 20 with maybe an infant. This was going to be a challenge. </center>
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It was a beautiful Texas day when I saw her; a young mom carrying her baby in a back pack carrier and she lugged a large suitcase across the long stretch of side walk and walked far beyond where I could see. She intrigued me, mostly because she looked close to my age, but also because I was curious what she was doing. I walked away and a little bit later I watched her walk back across the window lugging the suitcase again. I contemplated asking her if she needed help, but my nerves kicked in opted to just watch her instead. Eventually she disappeared into one of the doors. About an hour later, I saw her walk across again, baby and luggage in tow. I could not figure out for the life of me what she was doing and who was this lady walking back and forth with a baby on her back and a luggage dragging behind. </center>
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Fast forward a few weeks, I was still curious to get to know this lady. I really wanted to be her friend. Ever do that? Do you ever spot someone and want to be there friend? It's ok, you can admit it, because I do. I do that all the time. Anyway...</center>
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I sat down at my computer desk one day after putting my two year old down for a nap and saw her sitting on a blanket with her baby right outside my window. Her apartment was a few doors down so I was really curious why she was sitting in front of my window. I was too scared (and lame) to just go right out there and introduce my self, so I scanned the apartment looking for a reason to go outside. I caught a glimpse of my van parked outside and remembered I had a cooler in the trunk so I staged a plan to casually grab my cooler and walk back and pull an <i>oh I didn't notice you there </i>kind of move. Seemed brilliant at the time. </center>
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As I walked out, I kept my head down and carried on with a mission to go get my cooler. I walked back and...</center>
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"Oh, hello! I didn't notice you there! My name is Jhen." My cooler swang in my arms as I peppily walked towards her.</center>
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"Hi! I'm Elise."</center>
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A few weeks later, Elise and I were on our usual stroller walks, when I humbly confessed the day I went to get a cooler. She laughed and said she knew because she was sitting outside my window hoping I'd come out and say hello. She was my very first military spouse friend and we are still friends to this day, although we're countries away (her cool pilot hubby got overseas orders while we ended up stateside, as expected). </center>
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So what does all this mean for us? What does all this mean for this space? </center>
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Much like my lame excuse of "grabbing a cooler", building community is all about taking risks, often feeling like a fool. When we go out of our comfort zones, embarrassing or not, we're building a foundation of community. Relationships take work. Lots of work, and most of it requires you stepping out of your comfort zone. </center>
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So to start this space, I'm taking the plunge to risk so much, but there isn't a fear greater than the belief I have for what this space will become. So cheers to water coolers and community!</center>
Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-7741907032646479362018-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:002018-01-10T07:00:45.728-08:00Healthier Year<br />
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I've got some serious mom baggage just lingering around the waist line! It makes for outfit shopping rather difficult. Larger waists usually mean baggier pants #thestruggle.</div>
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But we're committed to a healthier year. In fact, I've got 12-15 weeks (military time is not one I can every truly calculate) until my husband returns, and while he's been spending his down time working on those gains, I've been gaining in the not-so-pleasant areas. Cue the classic new year mantra - <i>work out. </i></div>
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Fitness Centers on based aren't only for those that need to be "fit to fight." They're an awesome resource available to the entire family- and completely FREE! I remember as a new spouse visiting the first gym on base. I was terrified and I was so afraid I was doing something wrong, like as if I wasn't supposed to be there, but I put on my big girl pants and started asking the staff questions and next thing I knew, the gym felt like home. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEGoHf_g09Tp9lMgS1rnuF0F0nDIC72EBpkf9HwRdJvHp06-mcdjPI8oPivYmEiaW6FTwD3gu3Qex4MndpRUQBT_fKg4c1u1-UFykfkXepVPKts0FRxmcFiGJdOGEynl6v5PDBKYeMow/s1600/JhenRunning-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEGoHf_g09Tp9lMgS1rnuF0F0nDIC72EBpkf9HwRdJvHp06-mcdjPI8oPivYmEiaW6FTwD3gu3Qex4MndpRUQBT_fKg4c1u1-UFykfkXepVPKts0FRxmcFiGJdOGEynl6v5PDBKYeMow/s1600/JhenRunning-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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In Colorado, you can never fully predict the weather, so flexible outfits are a must. <a href="http://www.rue21.com/store/jump/product/Purple-Mesh-Moto-High-Rise-Leggings/0079-001110-0008316-0050http://www.rue21.com/store/jump/product/Purple-Mesh-Moto-High-Rise-Leggings/0079-001110-0008316-0050" target="_blank">These leggings</a> are thin and super comfortable. They move with you effortlessly! I also broke my rule and ran in my new<a href="https://www.macys.com/shop/product/nike-girls-air-max-vision-running-sneakers-from-finish-line?ID=5395044&CategoryID=63270#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D3%26ruleId%3D84%26kws%3Dnike%20air%20max%20vision%26searchPass%3DallMultiMatchWithSpelling%26slotId%3D1" target="_blank"> Nike's</a> that I got from Macy's. They are a youth size, and although I wear an 8.5 in women's, in youth I wear a 7. They are my favorite athleisure shoe, but they were amazingly comfortable to run in. I can't forget the lightweight <a href="https://www.columbia.com/womens-glacial-fleece-iii-1-2-zip-AL6389.html?dwvar_AL6389_variationColor=125#start=0" target="_blank">Columbia fleece pull over</a>. It's light enough to let you move freely, but soft enough to keep the Colorado chill out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-l1nV7P2qdGzatPRLFJN9Fo7OnUVlx0IeLbTP1FjRyqMYU-3u6ZxDJ6YrMfZYgorI8sV4WQyK5teCrXlUOi0kdi4wnUmz22y4qR_zNDovUwEF-1nNjU0Y0BGXA7Hdyc-GNK7PIrTmzY/s1600/2018-01-09+12.37.59+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-l1nV7P2qdGzatPRLFJN9Fo7OnUVlx0IeLbTP1FjRyqMYU-3u6ZxDJ6YrMfZYgorI8sV4WQyK5teCrXlUOi0kdi4wnUmz22y4qR_zNDovUwEF-1nNjU0Y0BGXA7Hdyc-GNK7PIrTmzY/s1600/2018-01-09+12.37.59+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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And... I cannot start a healthy work out regimen, without <a href="https://www.advocare.com/store/product/A7091-spark-canister" target="_blank">Spark</a>. It's my go to for energy and replaces........ coffee. </div>
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-26370593781351055922018-01-09T20:54:00.001-08:002022-07-30T17:23:34.642-07:00A New Day<br />
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In 2017 I wrote one post. That was it. One blog post. </div>
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I struggled to find words worth sharing with the unknown. My thoughts were delicate and the idea of putting them out there for people to dissect terrified me, but this last year has stretched my confidence farther than it has ever known.</div>
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This year, with a community of friends that leave me confident in who I am, in all my silliness and messiness, I'm taking back what I enjoy. </div>
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We have some fun plans for this year. Military life is a difficult one, but we love it so much, so this blog is going to focus on just what our life is, a military lifestyle blog. You'll see me chat about our silly adventures, my love for fashion, base housing décor, and tips and tricks on surviving the military life. </div>
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So for 2018, I'm entering this new year ready for risks. So, here goes...</div>
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-13270779040995871992017-01-29T18:56:00.000-08:002017-01-29T18:56:14.370-08:00Looking Fresh in 2017<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacey Caldwell Photography</td></tr>
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We've been in colorful Colorado now for about 7 months. The first two months I went kicking and screaming but I've slowly found a groove settling into my new reality that actually has me really missing the Southern California sunny coastline. </div>
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Many of our friends and family want to know what we've been up to since I slowly started going MIA when it came to social media. I'd post here and there, but our lives got real busy that I hadn't been in contact with many of you, so I decided to change that up and transform this blog into our life ramblings, updates, and probably a lot more wardrobe posts than what most of ya'll will care to read about.</div>
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Anyhoooo....</div>
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We're all happy and healthy. Jon starts every day putting on the Uniform and wouldn't have it any other way, and neither would I (cue the heart eyes). He's been bulking up on his free time and learning to adjust to coming home to an empty house since his wife and kiddos are still in transit from their own days. The girls and I drive out towards my base, where I work as the Marketing Director for the Force Support Squadron. I absolutely LOVE my job! I also start back at school this February finishing my degree I dropped over 10 years ago. The girls love their lives here, making friends, playing in the snow, and exploring all that Colorado has to offer.</div>
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I haven't picked up my camera in months, and after spending some time browsing through posts from years back, I realized just how valuable those images are. Jon and I laughed hard at the old memories ignited by random pictures I posted and so its time I continue on the mamarrazi status.</div>
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But as I closed this first post of 2017, I leave you with these shots from Jacey Caldwell Photography who captured us beautifully on a freezing wet day. We had to keep the newly ordered dresses hung in the closet and instead cling to sweaters and scarves for this one, but this. is. us.</div>
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-61271102836296634432016-08-19T09:32:00.000-07:002016-08-19T15:28:54.643-07:00I've Been Told I'm A MILSO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Acronyms. They slay me.<br />
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I entered a land that speaks a foreign language. One with so many freakin acronyms. Thankfully my phone has that google speak where I quickly look up these letter bunches and I can act like I'm fluent in military terms, but sometimes I don't get the luxury of such searches and therefore I have to wing it. <br />
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I sat across a lady who asked me how well I was familiar with "MWR", so candidly I spoke of how I hadn't much experience with the program but was confident I could get to know how to use it (go ahead you veteran MILSO's- smack your head now. Go ahead.) <br />
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For any of you reading this, like me, who have never heard of such a thing, MWR stands for Morale, Welfare and Recreation. It's not an object, tool or program like I assumed. <br />
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She looked at me blankly then proceeded to the next question. I was proud of my quick response, although I had no idea what she meant when she said MWR and carried on my conversation. It wasn't until I was home that I googled and slid down into my chair in utter embarrassment. What a NEWB!<br />
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In my new world I hear MPF, AFSC, MRE, DFAC, and the ever TOO often mutter of MILSO. What the heck is a MILSO? Apparently it stands for Military Significant Other. My new label. I like it a little better than "Civilian" which I am called in the most formal sense, but I'm not much of a fan. However, it's my new reality now. I'm a MILSO. Branded. Labled. <br />
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Yes. I pick up ABUs scattered all around the house.<br />
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Yes. I plan my calendars around TDY's and PCSing.<br />
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Yes. I study, filter, and know my OPSEC. <br />
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I am a MILSO, or at least that is what I've been told. <br />
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-6656878612018792052016-08-01T09:34:00.000-07:002016-08-01T09:34:03.104-07:00Colorful Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In case you missed anything on my social media pages, we moved to Colorado this summer, and it has been quite the transition! I can't say that I have done it with grace and ease. No, more like mental breakdowns, lots of crying and even a few fit rages in between.<br />
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Have you ever trolled through instagram or pinterest and wondered just how these gorgeous mama's set up their home so quickly and what appears to be peacefully in these moves? If you haven't, WELL I HAVE. First mistake. But I'm going to hope and tell myself, that if I met them in person, maybe they'd tell me that behind the phone taking the picture of their organized neatly displayed move, is a messy bun with a face spotted with stress zits, and oversize clothes dressed for comfort. Yes, that's what I am going to try to imagine because, <i>that is me</i>. </div>
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Besides my temper tantrums and mommy time outs, we have had some gorgeous interactions. We found a home, but in our current season, who knows how long this will last. I started unpacking, repacking crap- err I mean, household goods that no longer flowed with the new home vibe, and staging and re-staging, then staging again all the rooms. I'm just a hot mess I tell you!</div>
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We set up shop in the middle home, and just look at that view! Our home faces the Mountains and it truly is breathtaking. You might wonder how I can be such a hot mess with a home like that- because I wonder. I guess I am just a hot mess. So find comfort if you are too. You aren't alone. Let's work on that, shall we?</div>
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And in all my craziness, I found myself desperate for friendship. I'm learning that I am a here and now kind of thinker. It takes all strength to try to process things for the long run. It's just not a natural trait. And how I wish friendship was an easy<i> bing bang boom</i>- lifelong friends that will stop anything for each other when the going gets tough. But I'm seeing that ain't the case. Friendships are developed and invested in. It takes risk, trial and error, investment (sometimes without return), trying new things, and ultimately trust in waiting (which I genuinely suck at). Since being here, I've met some great kind ladies who I am praying turn into great friends, and I've had a decent share of ladies who wont even make eye contact with me (I once went to a meet and greet and not one person responded to my hello or even acknowledged I was there- TRUE STORY). </div>
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So here I am. Here we are. New in Colorado and learning to adjust and trying to do it better than the day before. </div>
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-48899982959270000582016-04-07T09:25:00.001-07:002016-04-07T23:23:17.729-07:00Zack & Emily // Part 1I recently took a break from my photo disappearance to photograph my sweet friends, Zack and Emily. You might remember their Engagement session, and their wedding was even more lovely than their engagement. These two. I guess there really are no words to describe just how amazing and perfect these two are. Well, I guess I can think of one: <em>Flawless</em>. // I failed at missing a massive shout out to my friend, Britney Jay, of <a href="http://www.relevantraw.com/" target="_blank">relevant+raw</a>, for the last minute awesomeness of second shooting for me and capturing some of my favorite shots that are also featured here.<br />
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-82548977687753451162015-11-28T21:13:00.000-08:002015-11-28T21:28:54.318-08:00This Choice and Her Pain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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She's so delicate. Her spirit so fragile. She's only five and the weight of our choices are heavy for her. </center>
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As a parent, we're constantly making choices that affect the whole. Some smart, some lacking wisdom. Some selfish. Some selfless. Some little. Some drastic. We carry the weight of the repercussion of our choices, but sometimes, it lingers onto the innocent hearts of the little ones we raise. </center>
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Recently we've made a decision that is drastically changing the course of our family. Our lives from this point on will look nothing the same as it once did. And this girl, this five year old girl, is in the direct fire of the results of that choice. It's hard to watch her ride it through. </center>
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I know the pain will lead to a new season of goodness. There's so much her heart will learn and grow from this time of great heart ache. This choice of ours, we pray, shapes her into a woman who sees something greater than herself and her own world. In the meantime, I ache, I hurt, I question, whether our choice was necessary and right because the pain seems too much for her fragile heart to bear. </center>
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As she lays her little head on her pillow pouring her pain through tears as she weeps over the choice we made that has daddy leaving us for a long time, I know this is the perfect time to soak this in and write her a letter- so that when the day comes where this season is all over- we have this- this moment- to look back on.</center>
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<b>A Letter To You Joss:</b></center>
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<i>My sweet baby. I'm sorry this feels too hard to do. It hurts. I know, baby girl, it hurts. But we'll get through this. It will end. I promise. This moment isn't our forever. So let's do this. You and me and Joleen. Lets ride these long nights and these lonely days and lets seek adventure and make the most of what we've got. I know this is hard on you and its hard on me to know that you have to go through this in order for your dad and I to get to where we want to be as a family. </i></center>
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<i>Daughter of mine, we will fail you. We will mess this thing up. I wont always hold my strength. I wont always be what you need me. But baby girl, I will give everything I have left in me to help you make it out as best as I can. And with whatever you see, may you just see that what carries me through, is the same thing carrying you in the dark moments. </i></center>
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<i>Baby girl, may you see Jesus. May you see that no matter what comes from our new future, that you see we aimed our eyes at our God who loves you so deeply. I pray, my sweet Joss, that from this you come to find a strength deep within you that you were made to be. I pray that you rise from this with far more beauty in your soul that no pain could take away. I pray that you gain eyes for a purpose greater than yourself. </i></center>
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<i>Precious girl of mine, I pray you are brave and stay true. This time is just a part of your story growing you into who you are meant to be.</i></center>
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<i>I love you. To Jesus and back, my girl, I love you!</i></center>
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<i>Your mama. </i></center>
Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-480257847217969492015-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-20T07:00:00.675-07:00Relevant + RawMy friend Britney started a custom woodworking shop where she makes these amazing custom wood decor (and furniture pieces if you're local to the SoCal area). She recently launched her online shop and I couldn't be more amazed at how her hard work turned out. I already have a few of her pieces but as I've been visually (or more like pinterest) decorating our future home when we finally get one, I've been browsing her new pieces. <br />
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I'm a huge fan of her raw style within the collections, but you can also find these pieces come in custom stains. <br />
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You can check her online store at <a href="http://www.relevantraw.com/">www.relevantraw.com</a> and her <a href="https://instagram.com/relevantraw/" target="_blank">instagram</a> & <a href="http://relevant%20+%20raw/" target="_blank">facebook</a>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honeycomb collection via relevantraw.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sign collection via relevantraw.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">square collection via relevantraw.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9YBlCL8b8D-Z9jwuOxd_mJ1vZuwiHtoSn5wHvH7_o2XnLYhvsFZd6sLFRCF75VWVCOhtwdEwDQ3Twaza9eLEENLlLvfKXiKzksNEuaqn7UtW1iv75kjrswxELc698ZKMSYZjrf8ExOA/s1600/triangles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9YBlCL8b8D-Z9jwuOxd_mJ1vZuwiHtoSn5wHvH7_o2XnLYhvsFZd6sLFRCF75VWVCOhtwdEwDQ3Twaza9eLEENLlLvfKXiKzksNEuaqn7UtW1iv75kjrswxELc698ZKMSYZjrf8ExOA/s1600/triangles.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">triangle collection via relevantraw.com</td></tr>
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<br />Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-76292120010835321662015-10-19T18:20:00.001-07:002015-10-19T20:00:07.087-07:00SWEET TEA & COMPANY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZYJPBok1A7TBWSqSNLJdAw9gdpHls4gsR1Kr93uOqOCfmgf2SyTJ87kXEQzzpgjPbwsoZiXTuisLRnYFiv5MCaZNoITjUwprYsGezqU9wVOdYqcHDH-w9NAvgISy30f2T5IinbQV7rk/s1600/SweetTeaCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZYJPBok1A7TBWSqSNLJdAw9gdpHls4gsR1Kr93uOqOCfmgf2SyTJ87kXEQzzpgjPbwsoZiXTuisLRnYFiv5MCaZNoITjUwprYsGezqU9wVOdYqcHDH-w9NAvgISy30f2T5IinbQV7rk/s640/SweetTeaCover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have sort of been avoiding Sweet Tea & Co for a while. I delicately packed up each and every tea cup & saucer and placed them in a storage unit as we wait out this season of "waiting". Currently my husband is in the Air Force DEP program and leaves December 1st and we wait from now until the end of winter to know what is next for us in terms of location, home, lifestyle, etc. It's a season I have to really put my dreams in tissue paper and bubble wrap for a while. <script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
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But that's ok.<br />
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It's giving me time to really focus in on Sweet Tea & Co, finalize the details and work hard at launching it well (<i>at least I hope</i>). And I'm believing that in this time of waiting, God's working too. I've been praying for others who love what I love and live passionately for community to be a part of making Sweet Tea and Co really come to life.<br />
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So it may be a while before Sweet Tea & Co really gets to launch itself out there. It may be a while before all the hard work and late nights of investing in this baby come together. But I haven't given up on it. You'll see hints drop from time to time as I get this thing launched.<br />
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<br />Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-82895556859521659362015-10-07T23:07:00.001-07:002015-10-07T23:12:50.885-07:00Our Parking SpotOh how I have so much to share, but right now, it's late, I'm giddy, and this moment I want to remember. For all of my days.<script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
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This is us. Sitting on the hood of our car in the parking spot we'd always park in back in high school over 12 years ago. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlK37mdFuypSk_cfq36HDPZAlQwn9Jh2F9tUmrn976Uvvy_0Q_qmsOJdwZHy2K_Ya0627QwQ6kQ4Wfqjr_V0oS0AS2Hk1vEYvprLFTZvXPFRiHx6QnmBcp1eRf_3j8PfAFtJeBsjIMmI/s1600/IMG_2610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlK37mdFuypSk_cfq36HDPZAlQwn9Jh2F9tUmrn976Uvvy_0Q_qmsOJdwZHy2K_Ya0627QwQ6kQ4Wfqjr_V0oS0AS2Hk1vEYvprLFTZvXPFRiHx6QnmBcp1eRf_3j8PfAFtJeBsjIMmI/s640/IMG_2610.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Friends of ours offered to take the girls so we could watch one of our youth girls sing in the High School Choir. Walking on the school campus brought back a flood of memories of my skinny insecure days of chasing this guy around campus. <br />
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After the performance, we walked the campus sharing memories of where we'd sit in the lunch courtyard and the kind of thoughts we remembered having of the cute boy or girl that would walk by. Then I grabbed his hand and all the teeny bopper crush feelings flooded me over and I wanted to go make out in the back seat of my car, but alas, with both of us being 50lbs heavier than we used to be back in the days of sneaky car make out sessions, simple pecks and car hood selfies sufficed. <br />
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But it was almost just as good. Two kids later, 10 moves and 14years of calling each other "mine", really does get better with time. And boy, does this guy age WELL! <br />
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I wish I could capture this moment and hold it deep within so that when the lonely nights of his BMT creep up on me, I can pull this out and remember all we had and all we still have yet to have. <br />
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He dated me the rest of this night; taking me to ice cream and talking deep theological talks. He held my hand and turned down the music when I started to cry at the thought of him leaving. He's really good to me. He really, really is! Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-41718666418431456122015-09-22T23:21:00.000-07:002015-09-22T23:43:37.260-07:00Signature of Divine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyF7Y4zBrG0I4lzYeKIi7PJ8Je16NqibfmAsOtgz84TONbMl7FAoYfEsqiYaB8YjaOmcXdQ3WQVhRzc9I2gXGN6AOSlg7YvMHKbKGoGVuDeoyhUaAIha4usYBQ6kFQF5PNq6VsNysyZnM/s1600/Jhen-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyF7Y4zBrG0I4lzYeKIi7PJ8Je16NqibfmAsOtgz84TONbMl7FAoYfEsqiYaB8YjaOmcXdQ3WQVhRzc9I2gXGN6AOSlg7YvMHKbKGoGVuDeoyhUaAIha4usYBQ6kFQF5PNq6VsNysyZnM/s1600/Jhen-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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"Cathedrals have tried in vain, to show the image of your face. But we are, by your design, signature of divine. We'll always sing your praise. We'll always sing your name." -Needtobreathe</blockquote>
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I have this thing where I care a little too much about what people think or believe about me. It's fueled a lot of what I have or haven't posted here. And maybe some of that is ok, because there is a lot I'm learning to treasure in the moment and not share for all to get involved in, but then there comes this deep realization that I've let so much of what I want other's to think of me pave the path for a lot of my choices.<br />
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I would really love to see my name plastered big somewhere to draw people in. Really. I would. I always dreamed of being some great well known public speaker, and the thought of being the one people line up to take a picture with sounds freakin' awesome.<br />
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But I would also love to hear "well done, my good and faithful servant." <br />
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Good and faithful.<br />
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Words that tend to fall to the wayside when I'm out pursuing a greater name for myself- or more likes on a photo, or the number rise on my followers. I get so easily caught up in trying to figure out the system, the game, the strategy to playing myself that makes my story look greater, because I really do believe that my story is worth being told, but I get trapped in trying to sell it. <br />
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Let's just break it down and remove the fluff.........<br />
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I thought I needed social media to communicate and grow the "brand" that is me, my testimony, my worth, and my signature. Like, if I just had enough IG followers, I'd become something. If I could style or stage my visuals that would make people want to be more like me, or want a piece of what I have to offer, then maybe I'll become just worthy of what I want to become.<br />
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It sounds ridiculous. <br />
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But its true. So painfully and honestly true.<br />
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Yet I've come to realize, my worth isn't in social media. My worth is not in a void designed by distance, filers, and creative captions. My worth is fully founded in the fact that the God of this UNIVERSE died on the cross, carrying everything I have ever done wrong and will ever do, to his death, and then conquered it all in forgiveness through coming BACK TO LIFE. That is my worth. The worth of eternally being called "HIS". It is enough, and I'm striving to believe it wholly.<br />
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My blog, my photos, and my story may never make it out to the masses. Or it may. I honestly don't know. But I'm choosing to live good and faithful to Christ, who is good and faithful to make all things work together for good, and trust that what He has in store for me is far greater than what I could ever try to muster up on my own.<br />
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So it's time I take a break. An undetermined amount of time away from Facebook & IG.<br />
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Our family's adventures and my random thought process can be found here on my blog, so if you want to follow along, first and foremost invite me to tea and coffee and lets start there! Then, subscribe to the blog for posts and updates to stay in the know. <br />
<script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-58145042664583618532015-09-04T09:45:00.000-07:002015-10-19T22:12:39.741-07:00Out GlampingThis past June, our family joined great friends of ours on a fun trip.... <i>glamping</i>. <br />
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Urban Dictionary defines <i>glamping</i> as "glamorous camping". Sounds like an off the wall idea, that maybe you've seen pins of, but in our case, we chose to take the camping route and glam it up with some of our favorite decor. <br />
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Diana, from <a href="http://anyonecandecorate.com/">anyonecandecorate.com</a>, is an experienced glamper with quite a bit of creative ideas and gorgeous decor. She invited our family along for the trip and I brought some of my favorite things as well to add to our "environment". <br />
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<i>To see more photos, and a detailed blog post of our experience and how you can recreate your own similar glamping trip, visit <a href="http://www.anyonecandecorate.blogspot.com/2015/09/gone-glamping-diy-glamorous-camping-trip.html" target="_blank"><b>Diana's blog post on our trip</b></a>.</i><br />
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Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-40122879676473701572015-09-01T15:07:00.003-07:002015-10-19T22:11:54.414-07:00WEEKLY FREEBIES // Stock Photos<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
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As a graphic designer, stock photos are some of my greatest friends, and finding stock photos can be challenging. So for a recent project, I decided to make some of my own, and give a few of them away for free (and ROYALTY FREE- meaning personal and commercial use). All yours to do how you do. <br />
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To download, click the photo for High Resolution Image. <br />
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<br />Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-389023695026522683.post-21172317756342217862015-08-18T12:22:00.000-07:002015-08-18T12:57:59.887-07:00Wait no longer... but then wait some more. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a few long silent months, but after lots of waiting, then waiting some more, then waiting even more, and even now waiting again, we begin the journey of a military family.</div>
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For years, Jon has asked me time and time again to support him in enlisting in the US Military, and every time I, with a very hardy and confident NO, rejected his request and carried on pursuing a vision for our lives I thought was laid out so perfectly. <br />
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But after my most desperate moment where I stayed up an entire evening alone wrestling with God and my fear of failing all I set out to pursue, I sat across my husband and begged him to figure his life out cause I was to exhausted to carry our family any further. <br />
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Weeks earlier, we were sitting across from a friend who was helping me write out a business plan for Sweet Tea & Co and our personal family goals. I heard Jon share our life story and as he did, I noticed how with each major decision our family has ever made, it usually began with "because Jenny..." And it hit me, that I have really, well being painfully honest, controlled a lot of our lives. <br />
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So as I sat there across from him pouring my heart out, I asked him, "if he could do anything in his life, anything, where money and family weren't a factor, what would he do?" And with a very quick and confident answer, he said, "join the military." And without a hesitation, I responded, "OK."<br />
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After lots of waiting, we wait no longer. On July 17th, 2015, our favorite man swore his oath to the United States Air Force. And now.... we wait some more.<br />
<br />Jhen.Starkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731079023004004203noreply@blogger.com0