Gourmet S'mores

Usually when we roast s'mores, I really just roast marshmallows. I really just don't care much for plain old chocolate on a graham cracker. If I'm going to do the entire s'more, it really needs to be more special. So I stick with my perfectly browned, evenly roasted marshmallows. 

Well, I shared the idea with a friend in passing and she made it a reality! So Sunday evening we went over to roast gourmet s'mores. She had Nutella and strawberries, chocolate chip cookies, and Reese's. We added some Ghirardelli caramel and mint chocolates to the mix and we were set. 

Most amazing s'mores ever in the history of the world. I checked. 

It was a fun night with an assortment of random Marine Corps friends who all knew each other from different parts of their careers. And a great time catching up or getting to know new people. Good food always brings people together. 

And it's a good thing we did this on Sunday, because boy did it get cold this week! 

Happy Birthday USMC

Last night was Adam's squadron's Marine Corps Ball. And though I was looking forward to it, it had been a hard week to be living the military life. Extra long hours for Adam and uncertainty and mixed messages of the future in the coming months. What kind of career path will he/should he take? When is the weather going to cooperate with the flight schedule so he can get his qualifications? Late night calls to take care of problems within the squadron and two particularly not fun experiences for me at the Naval Hospital for routine bloodwork. All this (and more) had me wondering, "Why are we doing this?"

And then during the birthday ceremony at the ball, I remembered. I cannot hear the Marine Corps Hymn without crying. As the band played the melody I heard the words in my head and I remembered.

For love of country.

I believe in it. Adam believes in it. Adam's tenacity and passion for it makes me believe in it even more. And despite all the junk that comes with it, it's worth it. I don't know where this country is going, or where this war is going. I don't know what our future looks like or if Adam will even make it home to eat dinner before 9pm. But I do know that God knows and that it is an opportunity for us to display our faithfulness and be thankful and content in our now.

So Happy Birthday Marines! We believe in you.

The Marine Corps Hymn:

"From the Halls of Montezuma

To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom 
And to keep our honor clean; 
We are proud to claim the title 
of United States Marine. 

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev'ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes; 
You will find us always on the job
The United States Marines. 

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve 
In many a strife we've fought for life 
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes; 
They will find the streets are guarded 
By United States Marines."