As I am lying in bed with a little one who decided she isn’t ready for sleep, kicking me gently in my ribs and making all sorts of sweet baby sounds…I realized,  oh how much my life has changed just in the past couple of years. I was scrolling through facebook tonight when I came across a video of a bootcamp company that one of my old company commanders from basic training shared. As I watched this video and remembered those first couple of days at bootcamp and then listened to my daughter cooing next to me, I found myself awestruck at  just how quickly life changes.

March 2010 I left for my eight weeks away at bootcamp for the US Coast Guard. One of the most challenging times in my life. Not only was it 8 weeks of intense physical training, classes, seamanship, and lots of hollering; but I also came down with mono about halfway through. I was miserable and sick, at one point they kept me overnight in the ward to do breathing treatments and doses of narcotics because I was so ill. I fought through it and graduated with my company on time with the award of Honor Graduate. Only one person from each company can be awarded this, and it means you excelled in all areas of your training.

Just a week later I reported to my first unit and met the man that 3 years later I would marry. I was in the Coast Guard for just over 3 years, those years while challenging for many reasons, were also rewarding and taught me a lot about myself, honor and respect. In June 2013 I was medically and honorably discharged for chronic chest pain that was diagnosed by the name of Teitz’s syndrome (chronic inflammation of the cartilage in my sternum). I was provided a decent severance check and I receive a disability check from the VA every month as well for the rest of my life.

No, that is not how I had imagined my time in the Coast Guard, but I tried my hardest to make the best of my time in as I could, all things considered. Two months before I was discharged Ryan and I were married, and three months after my discharge we found out we were expecting. Fast forward, now we have this amazing little 4 month old girl and I am a stay at home mom.

Life might not always be just what we planned. Sometimes when we make our own plans I truly believe God laughs at us and says, “your plans huh?” And then he hits us with his plan and gets us back on track. Needless to say, we are truly blessed and I feel that I am right where I am supposed to be. I have many life lessons I want to teach to my daughter and I pray that the experiences I have had will help me to be the encouragement she needs to help grow her into a well rounded woman one day.

On that note, those little legs have quit kicking and the sweet noises have hushed. This baby is sleeping so now I bid you goodnight.