FRG Recipe Swap

Happy Wednesday, friends!

This week I am trying to be very intentional about uploading my pictures and actually blogging more than once a week. Some weeks, it's a breeze. Others, not so much. And I never want this to be a chore. That isn't what this blog is going to turn into for me!

Today, I'd like to let you in on a fun event that we had last Friday. Sometimes, I really believe that I was born in the wrong time era. I love old, traditional, southern as possible gatherings. I'd wear white gloves and a handkerchief to drive if I didn't look like a total looney driving down the street. So that being said, you know how excited I got about the FRG hosting a recipe swap!

There were some very yummy dishes at the swap. Guacamole dip, cookies, punch, chicken and dumplings..to name a few! We started at 10:00 and I didn't pack up my Lemon Blueberry Bread until after 12. I met some really great ladies at this one! Though is a Naval school we are at, I just haven't met many Navy WIVES. I could probably tell you more about the Army pipeline than I could about Navy ;). We ate and chatted about how we met our husbands. Always a popular topic among newly married military wives.

I love getting to know people from all over the States. I'm normally the most southern sounding lady in the group. Apparently the phrases "fixin to" and "ya'll" aren't dictionary words outside of MS, AL, GA, and LA. I'm learning that I describe things a little too much, as well. It takes me a while to get to the point...but it's only because I want you to see, smell, hear, and touch every detail of  what I am speaking about at the moment! I learned some Cali words as well on Friday...This is going to be a culture shock, ya'll!!

Here are som photos that I snapped on Friday morning!

So there it is! Another fun get together for the ladies around the Destin area. We would love to meet new ladies at the next event. I know the word "play date" makes you think it's only for mommies, but it's for us all! This group was made up of lots of ladies without kids. It's such a good mix! We had a lot of fun and friendships were formed. Please come join us for the next one!

Victoria

victoriabobo1012@gmail.com

What is our FRG about, you ask?

Hello Ladies! I have been so excited to finally get some pictures to start on this series of posts. The FRG is such a misunderstood group in the military community. Before I go any further, FRG stands for "Family Readiness Group". I have been listening to military wives and it is evident that it is different for each branch. For each branch, it holds a different meaning and actually has a different name. I honestly don't know enough to name each branch's FRG, so for now, I'll stick to what I know.....NAVSCOLEODFRG.
 
For this series of posts, I really want to get the true meaning of our FRG out there for wives in the EOD school community. This FRG is for EVERY branch, as long as her spouse is in the NAVSCOLEOD. I want to let you see what we do at play dates, that ladies WITHOUT children are very welcomed to attend. I want you to take a peek at what kind of things we go over in our meetings and what all you can get involved in and volunteer for. Mostly, I want you to know that the most important goal of our FRG is to connect wives who are new to the area and the mysterious world of EOD. The FRG is here to support you, to answer your questions. I know I had/have a LOT of questions. As a group, we can let you know where the hospital on base is, what the best Chinese restaurant is, or where the next play date will be held.

I know when I hear about something new and unfamiliar, pictures always help. They put a face on the situation. They help my anxious heart prepare for what I am about to walk into. This group is so important for military wives. Anyone else feel lonely being stuck at home all day long without knowing a soul? Most of us have moved here from hundreds, maybe thousands, of miles away from family and friends. Thank goodness for social media, but I know that I felt a little sad every time I logged on FB to see my friends just going on with their comfortable lives while I was just trying to make conversation with the check out lady at the grocery store. She has to talk to me!

The thing is, at least here at Eglin AFB, there is a community of wives waiting for you! There are ladies who need friendships just has much as you do! All you have to do is go. Go to the FRG meeting. Go to the playdate at the Destin Commons. The leaders are so great and so approachable! I have loved getting involved and making new friendships with different ladies! You will make a friend! I promise! And then you get to run home to your cute husband and say, "I made a friend today!!!" And he will think you are very cute yourself.

So, after giving you my spill on the importance of getting involved (Annoying? Maybe a little, but I really do believe it!), here are just a few pictures from our last "Play Date at the Destin Commons"!

We met up at 9:30 for coffee and convo! Starbucks and a splash pad are always a hit! We had a lot of fun and I saw a few new faces that I hope return!

 

 

The ladies below are our FRG leaders! They put so much thought into our activities. I hope the next set of leaders at our next duty station are as thoughtful as these ladies! They have "been there, done that" so please contact them for any questions!

 

This Friday, we are having a recipe swap! I am so excited about this. I hope we have a lot of ladies attend because I am hungry already just thinking about it! We are all bringing a dish and a few copies of the recipe. Should be so much fun!

Please email me at victoriabobo1012@gmail.com if you have any questions, or just need a friend around the area! I also have a bible study that meets once a week at my house and we always love meeting new ladies. There is lots to get involved in, just have to get out there and find it.  So scary, but so worth it!

There will be a section at the top of my blog called "FRG Events" for this series so wives can see what kinds of things we do as a group. I will only post about play dates and events we go to, no names or anything personal like that!

Have a great day!

Victoria

God is Big

Happy Wednesday, ladies! This week is flying by and after yesterday, I'm thankful for that! Just a flat tire in town. But when your husband is in training, that's not really reason enough to get a hold of him. Roadside and a new tire made it an all day event, but thankfully I have a friend here who could take me home while I waited on the old tire to be replaced. And might I say.....it's really, really hot in Florida.

Today, I wanted to tell you a little bit about my struggle when I first moved to Destin, and how God has completely blessed me. Like I have said before, I really knew no one. I joined a fb group that included wives of husbands that are in the naval school here at Eglin AFB. I have figured out tons because of this group. It is such a blessing for wives who move here from all over the country. The information ranges from "Where do I take my child to the ER?" to "What's the best place to get ice cream?". Ice cream is an important thing in Florida.......IT'S HOT.

So there I was, newly married and alone all day with only my GPS to guide me through the town. From October- January, I didn't make a friend. Not one. I was lonely and thinking, "There has to be a system to this military wife thing. This can't be normal". Most of my days were spent on the phone with my best friend talking about the situation. Funny thing with this friend, we always seem to be in the same situation. It always seems like common ground to encourage each other through. Something about someone knowing where you are coming from just helps the heart. We cried together, brainstormed on ways to meet other wives, and called each other excitedly every time we met a potential friend.

Those few months, we dug into the Word together and each on our own. I see now how God used the time I had no friends and no family around to draw me to Him. Socially, it was the quiestest time in my life. Spiritually, I heard God loud and clear. He wanted me to depend on Him completely. What better time to learn that He never leaves me than when I have nothing else to distract me. Babies haven't come. Husband is in training 12 hours a day. I am a housewife with hours to fill with dishes to clean, toilets to scrub, and food to cook (bad order, I know).

So January came. The end of Christmas break. I cried on the way back to Florida. Crocodile tears. But that first week back in Florida I decided I was going to be intentional. It wasn't very long before I learned about the new FRG that was starting. It was new leaders and looked like something I could really get involved in. One day, as I checked my email, I saw a newsletter from the FRG. They were planning their first meeting. Something about a new group doesn't seem as intimidating as a group that's been going for years. That decision led me to meeting a very sweet friend and my involvement in the FRG now. What a blessing it has been. I have gotten to know the leaders and really enjoy helping them out with all the events. They are so welcoming and ready to help with any questions they have. I now believe I know more about what's going on in the EOD school community than my husband does. Ok, that might be stretching it, but I know more about the cook-outs than he does!! :) This group is so important for new comers. It's such an easy way to meet friends who are going through exactly what you are going through!

The other blessing that has multiplied over the last 6 months was the bible study I joined in January. I literally looked up "bible studies in Niceville, FL" on google and went to the first one I found. It was being held at First Baptist and they were going to start "Discerning The Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer. I highly reccomend that study by the way. I met Lauren and Krista that first meeting and we three hit it off instantly. Weekly beach trips and coffee talk were musts after that. I said my first "military wife goodbye" to Krista as her and her blooming family moved to Ft. Polk. It's been so fun to look back on how God placed us together for support and just good, healthy friendships.

As we were finishing the study at First Baptist, God really put it on our hearts to start up a bible study in my home for military wives. Lauren and I posted our idea on the FB page and the feedback we instantly got was amazing! I was so excited to see other military wives want to study God's word together. I have watched friendships bloom over the past six weeks of doing Beth Moore's Esther study. We have found support and life long friendships because of Jesus. This week, we are adding seven NEW members to the group. YES. I said seven!! How faithful is our God? How BIG is our God? He delivers more than I could ever dream up myself. Oh, the joy that I feel when I think of how he is blessing this study. I can't wait to see how God works in the last 4 weeks of Esther. He is showing me things in my life that need HIM. He is showing me how much I need HIM. I am thankful to be passed these first set of growing pains. Yes, they will come again. But I learned so, so much through them. God is patient and consistent. He drew me in and won't let me go.

That was a long one. I just know there are women who feel like I felt when I moved to a new place. Loneliness occurs. Desperation to make a friend happens. I want you to know that it will pass. God is there. Maybe it's just time to be still. To put all your effort into your relationship with God. When my eyes are on Him, nothing seems as terrible as I thought.

Have a wonderful Wednesday...I'm off to the gym for my class!

Victoria

Remember

I'm going to be that wife today. That military wife. I'm watching my husband clean off our back patio. The one that I have just shut the shades on so I don't have to see the thousands of leaves that have piled up (Sorry Nick!!). But I am thankful I get to watch him take care of our home today.

A few weeks back, I volunteered to help with childcare during the EOD Memorial. Just to fill you in on what this organization does, here is their description from their website.

"The EOD Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the legacy of our fallen EOD Warriors by providing for maintenance and upkeep of the physical memorial at Eglin, AFB, FL, funding and facilitating the annual EOD Memorial Ceremony & Ball, and providing scholarships to family members of active duty, former, retired, and fallen members of the EOD Community."

 (You can view the Memorial Wall and all about this organization here)

That rainy morning, as I sat inside the room filled with children and wives of fallen EOD techs, it completely rocked my world. I think the world sees the romantic part of military life. They see YouTube videos of homecomings. They hear the music behind the videos. (All well and good, I'm so guilty of watching and boo hooing over the sweet moments of a soldier seeing his baby for the first time). But what the world doesn't see is that mom making the cross country trip to the Memorial with 3 babies in tow. Having to bring a friend to help with the kids while she holds it together as they call out her sweet husbands name during the ceremony. They don't see her having to go back home to a world of melt downs in the kitchen, of getting those children to school on time, of laying down at night just hoping she doesn't fall asleep too quickly, because that means another day of chaos is about to start. 

This morning, during the first moments of church, a Memorial Day video played. Afterwards, the lady with announcements asked all that had lost a loved one in war to stand. I thought I was going to make it through the day holding it together until that moment. Young and old stood. Fathers, mothers, children, sisters, and brothers have been lost. How blessed have I been to never have lost a loved one in war? I sit today and pray for my husband's safety. For protection over his life and his heart now and in the future.

This weekend, I pray you take time out of your day to remember these men and women who have fallen for your freedom. Especially for the families who don't have mommy or daddy coming home. I wanted to squeeze those babies at the Memorial. To take the future pain away from their innocent hearts. One day, the pain will be taken away. Our Savior will take us home. No more tears. As my favorite song says, "O Glorious Day!"

I'm thankful to be around men and women who serve our country this weekend. Tonight, we will be cooking out and have light conversations. But there is respect in all of it. Respect for the fallen ones and their families.

There is no greater love than to lay down ones life for ones friends.

 John 15:13 

Victoria

Home Is Where The Navy Sends Us

"Home is where the Navy sends us."

 

 Such a true quote and it is one of the many reasons we chose "Home" by Phillip Phillips to exit our wedding ceremony. It just fits us. No matter where the God chooses to send us, we are home because we are together. 

**Sidenote- This will be a page at the top of my blog but I wanted to get this post out there in cyber world for ladies like me who was looking for any and everything I could find out about where I was moving. I will update it through the tab named "Home is where the Navy sends us."

I hope you can use this as a little fun, informational guide if you are stationed (or vacationing!!) in the places we have been stationed! I want you to know my favorite things to do, places to eat, and places to maybe make a lifelong friend or two! Please email me if you have any questions about the areas I talk about, or Navy/Military in general. If I can't answer a question, you can be sure I will point you in the right direction to find out the best solution! I will continue to add to this page through out the year so it can be as updated and accurate as possible! Work in progress here, ladies!

1. Fort Walton, FL- Eglin AFB. ( We live in Niceville, FL)

-Surrounding areas you will hear about because this is SUCH a big base:

Destin, Niceville, Blue Water Bay, Valparaiso, Shalimar, Crestview.

HOUSING:

We like living off base, but I have friends who are die hard on-base housing fans! It's all about your personal preferences! We love Niceville. It's safe. Its close to his schoolhouse and its close to the gym I love. It take me 15-20 to get on base ( I go through the East Gate in Valparaiso). I know this makes zero sense if you have not lived here, but once you see it, it clicks! 

E.O.D. school house wives- Blue Water Bay/Niceville is the closest you will be to your hubby's school house. This is what I suggest if you want to be within 15 minutes of the schoolhouse.. Note that the schoolhouse is at a different location than the main base. Confusing, I know. My list from closest to furthest away from the EOD school house is Blue Water Bay, Niceville, Valparaiso, Shalimar, Crestview, and Fort Walton. Destin is the odd ball. It is SUPER close but you will pay a toll to and from school and the traffic in the spring/summer is not fun when your husband is ready to be home from school in the afternoons! Please email me and I can find out different places for you to call about houses for rent. We used Craigslist.com and it worked out GREAT for us. Others use ahrn.com. Unfortunately, we dont have a military email until he graduates training, so I can't wait to get on that website! There are tons more housing topics I can talk about so contact me if you need any help, seriously!

If your husband works on base, most all the towns are close to base because of all the different entrance gates. There are SO many options of places to live. I wish I was more familiar with on-base housing. You would never have to leave the base with the commissary, BX, beach, camping site and much, much more!

THINGS TO DO:

The beach...hellloooo?? Who moves to Destin, FL and doesn't go to the beach? Take advantage of this weather! Mild winters and hot summers. Take a towel and a book..you will be set!

Seaside, FL- Our favorite day trip town! 35 minutes down HWY 98! Our wedding photographer found this little nugget when we came to Destin for our engagements last summer! Amphitheater, cute shops, beautiful beach, seaside restaurants, and a farmer's market in the summer! I'm holding back from jumping in my car right now!

AMC Theater- Destin Commons Mall

Harborwalk Village (Destin)- Concerts and fireworks in the summer and a festival for almost every holiday. Very Family Friendly! Like them on FB for updates on activites!

Baytowne (San Destin)- One of the neatest places we have explored so far. Shops, a pond, ice skating in the winter, restaurants, and yes...a zipline.

Turkey Creek(Val-P)- A nature walk that runs about 3/4 of a mile. You can jump in the little creek and go swimming in the summer time!

Niceville Dog Park- Literally the only place where dogs are allowed. They can run free (bring a clean up bag!) and play with their furry friends. It is a huge fenced in area so you don't even have to watch them!!....just kidding. Watch your dogs.

Boggy Bayou Mullet Fest- I haven't been yet, but I have heard it's the bomb. No it's not to honor the coolest haircut ever worn. Mullet is a fish that is apparently cool enough to have a festival about. Just your not so average concert festival with tons of people! Hope I'm here for the next one!

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS (so far):

Pepito's Restaurant (BWB)

The Crab Trap (Destin)

The Back Porch (Destin)

Marina Cafe (Destin)

Tucker Duke's(VAL-P) Get the maple syrup and bacon popcorn. Don't ask, just thank me later.

Hog Heaven(Niceville)

Dockside Grille (Niceville)

Red Ginger (Niceville)

CHURCHES:

This is an area we struggled with at first. We absolutely love our church back home in Mississippi. There are some great churches here who have people who love Jesus. That is what matters, not if they take offering before or after the service, or even if they raise their hands to worship!  Get somewhere. Get involved. Serve. Don't judge it by the first service. We have visited Cinco Baptist in Shalimar, First Baptist in Nicevillle, and Village Baptist in Destin. All great churches and there are tons more! Go check some out online and then go visit! We have less than 6 months left. I know that can be an excuse to just "wait for where we will be stationed", but it's not a very good excuse. Bloom where you are planted!

My biggest piece of advice has to be get involved in something. I have made some amazing friends in the short time I have lived here by getting involved in the FRG and joining bible studies in town. I joined a bible study at FBC in Niceville and have been so blessed by it. They have classes going on all of the time for ladies. The one I have done so far was on Monday mornings, but they have studies during Wednesay night schedule also! There are free classes on base that can help with money, relationships, career paths and more. Let people help you! The staff in the Family Readiness building wants to help you. They want you to make friends. They want you to love where you live! 

Hope this is helpful! Seriously, contact me about anything or if you just want someone praying for you as you move away from family and friends into the unknown. It's scary but I promise you will have fun!

Victoria