dixi

I can only speak from experience. My husband and I knew each other as acquaintances for about a year and dated for only six weeks before he proposed. We have been married now going on seventeen years. I have heard of people dating for years and I have heard of other similar stories to mine. We also had a lot of people doubting how long we'd stay together, and we're pretty proud of ourselves to be together this long, especially when all the doubters marriages have crashed and burned. It sounds mean to have this satisfaction, however, they were VERY vocal in how they felt about us "getting together suddenly" and that "we'd never last long". I never thought this was up for discussion between anybody but my husband and I. What are your thoughts and tell me some of your stories on how you met your significant other...and how long...or short you waited before tying the knot.

My husband and I are stationed overseas (Air Force) in Germany. We are looking to purchase a used SUV from another government worker here. We put in for a loan from our bank and they said that they need a copy of the original title. Come to find out, the owner has "lost" the title. We do have a copy of the registration/title/insurance that the owner has given us but the bank wants a copy of the Original title. The registration paperwork should suffice since it's an official document of the military, however, our bank doesn't seem to think it is. What can we do?

Hello. I am wanting to find out information on how we could possibly become guardians (my husband I) for my landlords wife's daughter. (We live in Germany because we are stationed here, she is not German though she was born in Thailand and her German step father has not adopted her) She and her mother do not get along (she has been kicked out of her house) and now, as of recently, she (the daughter) has been sent away to boarding school an hour away. We are a military family and she spends her vacation days with us (we treat her like our own child and pay for her, etc) We are leaving in the summer of 2012 and would like to take her with us if possible. I know she will not be able to be a US citizen but she would eventually like to join the Air Force and then maybe down the line become a US Citizen. I know we would have to talk to her mother and get permission, but I would also like to know how we can legally claim her as one of ours (not adoption). I was thinking through "guardianship"? Does anyone have a clue how this might work internationally? Could she come to the US on a student visa? She would live with us and continue to go to school. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. ~Amy

I was thinking about ways that my family and I could bless Airmen and Soldiers that pass through on their way to deployments this summer. I was hoping to be able to find those small bibles to hand out and perhaps some candy (or a snack) and an encouraging message with each. Can anybody help me find resources or websites on where I might be able to get my hands on some of these bibles for a low cost? I have already thought about talking to a Chaplain on base, however any information or ideas are very welcome! TIA!

I don't have a very good relationship with my MIL. We don't live close either, she's in Florida and we're in Va. My husband doesn't even have a good relationship with his mom, they talk maybe once every few months to "check in" with eachother but have no real relationship. Guess it's not suprising I don't have a good relationship with her either. My husband and I are best friends though, guess that's all that matters.

I just notice that not alot of MIL and DIL's get along. I have three daughters and I wouldn't think bad of my future SIL's as long as they loved my daughters and treated them well, and supported their family. Why get all up in their business? Just wondering what others think and feel about this. Thanks!

What is it and how is it made? What's the history behind it?

I consider myself very successful. No, I am not rich, by far. My husband and I are comfortable financially. I am mom to three children, and I wanted to have them all by the time I was 30. I am now 33. I am a military spouse and have also served a term in the Airforce. I didn't know what I wanted "to be when I grew up" until about a year and a half ago and I have just started taking classes to become a christian based marriage counselor eventually. I consider myself highly successful and really am enjoying my life. Now, how do you define success?

I don't know much about them except the seasonal allergies but I have noticed that ALOT more kids are experienceing allergies to milk and peanuts (molds). I know there are others but I guess the above stands out ot me the most.

I honestly believe that alot of the allergies today are probably caused by all the books read about what you can and cannot have during pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my first daughter it was "You shouldn't eat tuna". I ate tuna at least twice a week, love the stuff. Most of the people I have questioned about their childs allergies said that they had little or NO exposure to the foods during pregnancy. Hrmmmmmm.

I think I ready "What to expect when you are expecting" with all three of my kids, but have never really touched any other books or parenting mags. I end up rolling my eyes at most of the "experts" out there because they just seem to lack common sense. Anyone else agree? Disagree?

My friends Shitzu (sp??) eat's the crap out of her cat's litter box all the time. That can't be healthy! Does anyone know?

Anyone else out there trying to not become another statistic? My husband and I have been through alot in our 12 years of marriage. He's come out of an addiction, and I am recovering from anger issues. We are going to renew our vows this summer as a way of saying we love eachother, and will be committed to eachother until the day the Lord takes us home, still. I just wanted to know how many other married couples out there are going to choose to love and stay together no matter what and beat becoming just another statistic. Anyone have a great encouraging story to share about enduring and choosing to love eachother through it all?

I am 32 years old and I married at 21. It just amazes me today how many people shirk the thought of getting married but jump at the chance to live with somebody. If my husband had asked me to just move in with him at 21, my feelings would have been hurt, I would have been offended and my question to him would have been "Why am I good enough to live with and have sex with but not marry?". Luckily I never had to pose that question, he was more than enthusiastic about marrying me and vice versa. We had no idea about the years to come or the obstacles ahead, we just knew we were supposed to be together no matter what. Granted it hasn't been easy in the past 12 years(this fall) but we are commited and take our vows very seriously and for that we believe God has blessed us. I undersand divorce is high today, I am a child of divorced parents, but I believe if two people are willing to go the distance they will make it. Just wondering.

Why are parents so afraid to put their foots down with little Festus or Festina today? I see so many little kids out there spitting, smacking, screaming and acting like they are demon posessed wherever we go, it amazes me. Maybe I'm old school or something but even as kids if we thought to act a fool in public my parents would take us to the restroom and give us what we had coming to us. My dad used to say "If you want to embarrass me I can return the favor" and we knew if we didn't stop we'd get a whack on the behind in front of everyone. God forbid our actions made them leave the store or wherever we were, we knew we'd get it when we got home. I'm the same way myself today, I'm not afraid to correct my child if they are acting up no matter who is around. They're my kids and my responsibility. I'm responsible for them growing up and becoming decent citizens and not juvenile delinquents. Thoughts?

I find it pretty irritating when you bring out a plate to somebody and they realize that there is something on the plate that they don't want, like a pickle or tomato or lettuce and instead of just picking it off they act like it's the end of the world and want you to take the food back and get them a new dinner. Sometimes I just don't realize that the cook misread my ticket or I'd just take it off myself, but seriously some people have a cow over such minor things that it amazes me. I'm just stunned at their reactions over the lettuce they didn't want on their hamburger bun. Pick it off! lmao! Anyone else who serves run into this type? What do you do? Nothing like a major production over something so miniscule!

to just make a baby, before any real commitment? It's not a second thought or unheard of to hear a couple talking about having a baby...and they are both still living at home with mom and dad. It doesn't make any sense to me, and most of the time they end up splitting before that poor kid is born anyhow. Sure are alot of "baby mamas" out there. Is it me or do the women today just not think or do they just not care who the father of their kid is going to be as long as he's "hot" and good in bed? I mean seriously...making a baby with a man who can't even hold a job or take care of himself, what makes them think that they can take care of another human being? I can only hope as a mother of three beautiful intelligent girls that they have higher standards for their husbands, and future "baby daddy". *sigh*

Used to be when you joined the military you looked forward to making rank because of better pay, housing, and other perks...seems now all ya have to look forward to is retirement. My husband and I joined back in 92, and although I'm not active duty anymore he is still in. Seems you get all the breaks today if you are an airmen. You get these huge bonus's for enlisting and reenlisting, and base of preference, amongst other things. When we joined up the only perk was being able to say "I'm serving my country...and a paycheck the first and the fifteenth. Also when we joined up we knew it wasn't just for the college and there might be a darn good chance we could have to deal with a war at one time or another. Why do all these young kids think that the military is just another way to finance college today? It's the military and it is wartime, last glance I took. I remember someone saying "What do you mean I have to go to Iraq? I've got to finish my colllege classes first".

We were sitting at the baby pool during "break". I saw this young lady about 10 years old shove her younger brother into the wading pool. He fell backwards, and when he got up you could tell he was upset and then started to cry. She then proceeded to grap him by his life jacket and drag him out of the pool, once she did that she started dragging him towards a picnic table behind me. When I turned around I saw her slapping him in the head, and he was protesting and you could tell he was upset. I had to speak up. I told her she needed to stop what she was doing and that it wasn't acceptable behavior. SHe told me "He's my brother!" and I told her that I really didn't care who he was to her, that it was not acceptable behavior no matter what. She just glared at me. All this time I was wondering where the parent(s) was/were. After break I took my kids back to the pool where I saw the mom on her cell phone. Would you have done the same?

I live in Virginia and have had sweet tea at the local restaraunts here and I really like the way it tastes, but have tried to make it at home and it's just not the same. What's the secret? Is there a special tea bag they use? Can anyone clue me in? Thanks!

I have three daughters. They are not old enough to have computers of their own yet, but I was wondering how many of you have kids with computers in their rooms. Had any problems? I'm thinking about just keeping one computer in a very public area of the house so we can monitor what they are doing. You just can't be too careful today, especially with girls! Of course I'll have a laptop eventually so that I won't have to share with three teen girls, lol. What have you all (with older children) done as far as the computer goes? Thanks!

Just wondering. Have ya'll watched the movie "Waitinng"? Do you think that kind of thing really happens? I'm a server and have put up with some very unbelievable characters while doing my job. It's amazing how people act and what they do while they are out dining. I won't lie, Iv'e been tempted to lick somebody's steak or put some dishwater in their refill just to get revenge on unnecassary rudeness, but I have too much class. What gives? I can honestly say that most people I have served are wonderful and very generous, but for those few people that thinks the world owes them something, lol...have you ever heard of this saying "What goes around comes around"?

They go out to eat and let the kids make a huge mess, act nuts, boss the server around or try to and then leave a really crappy tip? I mean I have three children (ages 8,5 and 3) and they are not allowed to do this, we've taught them from the time they were able to sit up and eat in public what is and what is not acceptable. If they make a mess we help clean it up or leave a more than generous tip, depends on the time frame. What gives?