What Makes a Mom Happy?

When parents ask you on playdates and tell you they love their kid playing with yours! Awesome! :)

I've had this happen several times... And, it lights up my inner person! I am definiately doing something right! :) Woo Hoo!

A Good Day

For all the Mom's who ever feared their child would never potty train... There is light at the end of the tunnel! Today, B did it! All day long except for one accident that he admitted to just not making it he stayed dry and used the big boy underwear. When I brought him home I thought for sure he would wet himself. NOPE! He hopped up said he had to go potty and did it! All by himself! :) Can you feel the grin!!! I hope tomorrow is just as wonderful!!!! I asked him if he wanted to wear a pull up or underwear and he wanted underwear. Sigh... I hope this is it!!! I have been doing diapers for 1/6th of my life & I'd really like to stop it all together. :) Woo Hoo! You go B!

Are we there... YET?!

Our family has been in the pursuit of being an Officer for just shy of 11 months ( 11 months exactly next week), and I am tired! I don't want to complain, but it was HARD to put my loving husband back on the plane today! I have to admit, I had him all to myself after 9am, and we had a lovely day in DC. It still wasn't easy at the gate to say good bye though. I know he will be home soon, but still... This is NOT easy!

Sigh...

So alas, what did we do? We visited Scott and Ivika at Arlington this morning. I wish I could say it was good to see them, but I would have gladly wrapped my arms around them in a minute if we could turn back time. I was amazed at how the cemetray had filled up since our last visit. So many young lives... It truly took my breathe away, and I wonder how enlistments could possibly be up, but they are better than they were...

After visiting with "the boys" we headed out for lunch. I love DC when it comes to food. Most of all, I love going to lunch with my husband and wished in some ways we had gone more frequently together when we were in the same building? But atlas, our schedules were super full.

After a great lunch we walked around and just held hands. It was nice, and I miss it! I miss so many things... Like the laughter in a our bed after the kids are all dried from a bath... I miss story times and listening from around the corner as the boys asked a zillion questions, I miss the help I used to get in packing up to get out in the morning... I miss the little things.

Are we there yet???? How much farther must we go??? Time... I'd like to keep on foot on the gas and the other on the brake. Pictures from out wild weekend coming soon....

5 for Friday

It's Memorial Day Weekend! The kickoff to summer. For those of us in the mid-Atlantic region it doesn't feel like summer! With temperatures in the 60's and low 70's what are we in for in August... Here is a patriotic 5 for Friday...

1. Rolling Thunder~ If you even get a chance to visit DC during the Memorial Day weekend, checkout the ultimate Biker's Week! Men and women from miles around come to meeting and rally at the Vietnam Memorial. They make sure we Never forget! Join them as the remember our fallen and raise awareness for POW/ MIA.

2. Wounded Warrior~ I LOVE this foundation, and not just because they called me COL. (Actually I'm the CinC of Household 6, but they don't know that). Please remember those who have come back wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan. Families and soldiers need your prayers and encouragement.

3. America Supports You~ If you know a Veteran, soldier or spouse of an active duty soldier, please check out this site! I was very honored to be awarded a plaque from this organization for my support. It was quite a surprise from General Schoomaker.

4. Memorial Day info for Kids ~ This site has everything for kids to learn about Memorial Day!

5. We leave you with some of the people we are proud of this Memorial Day! May you rest in peace! You will always touch our lives and live within our hearts forever! We know you watch over our deployed forces, and our families! We miss you very much!

Scott Sather
Ivica Jerak
Bob Horrigan
Kelly Hornbeck
Andy Fernandez

What is Happiness?

I have thought about this... And after tonight, I know what happiness is. For my oldest, happiness is playing with your best friend ever! Using your imagination to discover new things, find treasures on the beach, and well.... Just be goofy!

Frightening...

This is my incredibly handsome husband.




This is my incredibly handsome youngest son. Who loves daddy very much!




The resemblance is SHOCKING!

5 For Friday!

I'm editting this as I think I want to take 5 for Fridays in a little different direction... So let's talk about the 5 big event happening in our household..

1. Next weekend will be the bst weekend EVER! All military wives know what I mean! I cannot believe I've made it to almost the one year mark! Oh my goodness! Phew. When we started out journey being an Officer, we knew things would be tough. We have some dynamic circumstances in our family, and we knew that getting through a year without a hiccup would be something huge, and so far we have been so blessed.

2. My best friend is coming into town in a few weeks! I am so excited! I get the hubby and then my best friend right behind it! WOO HOO! She hasn't been up here in forever and I canno wait. Well, we will more than likely be doing more waiting than not, if any of you know what DC traffic is like! I am so excited as out beach is open and the park and there are so many things to see!!! Yeah....

3.Our beach is open! I love when the beach opens, because you can hear the laughterof little people as they splash in the water. And of course it brings the teenagers making out on the picnic tables at night... LOL. It reminds me of younger days myself. And NO..... They aren't having sex or doing drugs! WEll, maybe the sex part... I'm NOT getting up personal for that one!

4. Our van will return to our house in less than 30 days. Okay, this is NOT my favorite upcoming event, but it's Brae's and he wanted his moment in the sun. He misses that van wit ha passion... So much room and his own seat that he doesn't have to share with big brother! Oh, and it opens wit ha push of the button. So, the Jetta is newer, but the van ROCKS!

5.I am going to driving range with my girlfriends! Okay, this kinda happens inbetween Mark's visit and the really cool best friend, Amber visit. There is a golf tournament. And the ladies want to rock... Everyone is in charge of something... I am incharge of practice practice practice... I don't understand why I wasn't put in charge of the really cool golf gear. I imagine it's because the boys would just HATE being asked whata do you think of this pink... LOL.

So there you have it... Our exciting next 3 weeks! Life is good!!!!

And they call her, “Mother Goose”

This is my new office code name. When you work with people who have “code names,” you have to have one yourself… Even Mark has a nickname. Murph, Scooby, The Intimidator, and these are only the ones I can share with you.

I first learned of my name today. Apparently I’ve had it for awhile just came out today. They call me… Mother Goose! Ack! I’m a wobbly old bonnet wearing duck! What in the ___? Apparently I received this name because I am somewhat of a peace keeper. You know I like to “just get along.” I’m not big on ganging up, and would rather have allies than enemies… Who wouldn’t? Don’t get me wrong… I like my say and winning it’s #1, but there are times when you should just be nice! So when I didn’t choose sides today in big debate (over golf teams no less), it came out… “See, you are Mother Goose!” Always trying to calm the waters making sure no one gets hurt.” I have to say, my sway to defend my co-worker was not necessarily to be right or wrong, but I have been the person that isn’t picked and it sucks! He’s not much of a team player, but he was powered up about this golf thing and then… Well, everyone created teams without him. I felt kinda bad in part because I think he thought I was going to be on his team. Anyway…

So now I know… My identity has been hidden. I just hope they don’t yell… “That Goose is cooked!”

Wilderness Discoveries

Since Mark has been gone we have had so many wilderness discoveries at our house. In the Fall we had our friend the flying squirrel return down out chimney. He was a real treat too! I always worry that the little squirrel will get stuck or die in the chimney. Lucky for me they find their way out... Phew.

This Spring we had a BIG box turtle. Connor toted that sucker everywhere for about 15 minutes before things were a little quiet and I notice what he was carrying. I've never seen two six year olds move faster until I told them turtles carry Samonella and they could get stomach bugs. Turtles are to be looked at NOT touched. He apparently didn't like the journey either as we left him in the back yard and when I came back he was out of there! :)

Oh, and there is the red fox that is pregnant that decided to make a nest under the neighbor's deck. Umm... Yeah. I left the basement door a jar and swore for the rest of the weekend it had made a home in our basement. I am NOT a fox fan!

And tonight... WE FINALLY saw a chipmunk. I have been wanting the boys to see one as I have had to explain them more than a dozen times & how they are NOT like squirrels. Well, they are, but they aren't. Phew... This was was sitting right outside our patio door and he was just too cute!

Wildlife in DC... Who would have guessed?

Mother's Day Weekend

We had a fantastic Mother's Day weekend! We spent it with my Mom down South which was a lot of fun for all. My favorite part all weekend was when we arrived at my Mom's, it was late and Braedan looks at my Mom and crawls up in her lap and says I'll hold you. Aww... It melted my heart. :)

There were a few hilarious times like Saturday night... Here is the conversation...

Simply Stated number 1

Shannon: I really am very lucky. My boys love each other very much. Braedan, do you love your brother?

Braedan: Yes.

Shannon: Would you trade him in for a new brother?

Slight pause. Connor: Braedan! You're supposed to say NO! You love me remember?

Braedan: Umm... No, I guess I'll keep you.


Simply Stated number 2:

Sunday as we are leaving....

My Mom is sitting in a chair by the door, and Braedan is looking at her with his head cocked funny (like he was looking underneath something).

Mom: What are you looking at Braedan?

Braedan: I'm looking up your nose to see if you have boogers.

Mom: Well, do I?

Braedan: No, but I was just checking.

Braedan exits stage right, and Mom is asking Connor and I if she has boogers... It was hilarious.

So there you have it... Out of the mouths of babes....

Hope you all had a great Mother's Day!

5 for Friday

Okay... Here is what's on my mind for this week...

1. I HATE DC traffic. It's this mash of cars that ooze into and out of the city usually between 5 am and 9 am. Grr...

2. I am incredibly blessed! I am surrounded by the best people around! Thank you guys so much for helping me, lending your shoulder and just letting my sit and talk with you. You have NO idea how much it means to me! I pray for you every day, because you all are such a wonderful gift to me! I love you!!!!

3. Good Moms are great things! I am privileged to know far too many women both with an without kids that are fantastic mothers! Celebrate your Mom this weekend!

4. I am dreading Hampton Roads traffic... It's long and blah...

5. I'm hungry, and I can't think of anything I really want that's' yummy... Any ideas? :)

Until next week....

May 7th

2 boxes of cake mix $2.00
6 cups of butter cream icing $4.00
24 tiny hand made webs Too much Labor & Love

1 VERY happy little boy!



PRICELESS!!!!!



Happy Birthday Little Man! You know you will ALWAYS be Mommy's little boy! :)

And I say... Let them eat cupcakes!

Okay, this is my newest and greatest thing! Cupcakes! Carrot cupcakes, margarita cupcakes, yellow cupcakes with cool Spiderman topping. Woo Hoo! I love cupcakes!So do the boys and I've found my neighbors, teachers and co-workers do too. And I'm pretty sure my husband would love them too... (I promise to make you some when you get home in 3 WEEKS! WOO HOO!) As a mobile Mom, I wonder if I could make a living as a cupcake road show?? Hmmm... Mmmm... Maybe I need to stick to my day job. :)




I love this video! I hope it makes you smile! :)

Five for Friday

I've decided that each Friday I will leave the Five things that are on my mind. Feel free to post...

1. I think my husband is pretty awesome.



2. I need to let things go, and be at peace about it.



3. I think the Memory game and Legos are pretty cool.





4. I want healthy kids! 'Cause a sick child is more stress than the biggest brief to the Boss!

5. I wonder if anyone is reading this???

No I am not insane...

I am a Mom trying to balance work and two sick (now well) children.

Connor and Braedan have been VERY sick the last three days. VERY high temperatures and just plain yucky. Anyway, the daycare wouldn't take Connor this morning because he was not fever free for 24 hours... Okay. So, after being out for 2 days and what looked like a third, I had to check in at work. Besides, the BIG ceremony was last night and I HAD to get the scoop. Anyway... I loaded up the boys, dropped Brae at daycare and head off with Connor to work. You all know where I work, and we are not on the metro line, so I told Connor we were picking up a "slug." He gave me the weirdest look like why does a slimy worm thing have to do with going into the office, but accept it and we were off. So we arrive at a commuter lot and we are in a line of cars... This is how our conversation goes:

Connor: What are we doing here?!
Mom: We are picking up a "slug"
Connor: What is a slug?
Mom: It's person going to DC
Connor: A stranger? Do you know this "slug?"
Mom: No. But the person is looking to get a ride into DC
Connor: This is NOT safe! We do not let strangers in this car!
Mom: Youre right it isn't 100% safe, but we need another person to get in the car so we can get to the office.
Connor: Well, don't talk to this strnager. We do not talk to stangers!


The ride is silent other than the radio. WE arrive at our drop off point, the man gets out and says thank you.

Connor: See. I did NOT say anything to THAT stranger. It isn't safe. Do you hear me, Mom! It is NOT safe.
Mom: I hear you, and you are right it isn't safe.
Connor: Mom, what do you do if a stranger approaches you? You run... You run and tell your Mom or dad... Or Ms Jessica. Mom, you DO NOT talk to strangers!

End of conversation! I guess I taught him well... Now how do I get to work?????