Retreat

No... Not the vacation kind... The song played at the end of the day!
Tonight I was privileged to be on Post when they played it. EVERYTHING stops! Cars pull over, soldiers get out and face the flag as it is lowered. The whole place just stops until the flag has been completely lowered and retired for the day. Even the kids stop and pause mid play.This is the way of military life.

I filled up with pride and I cried afterwards. I just think our service members are wonderful!!! And of course their family members are phenomenal too!!! If you get a chance... Stop by a military site and pay your respects, and listen... You are bound to hear retreat! :)

Random Dozen

I love this blog. I've done this a few times before. I hope you enjoy the questions and my response, please visit Linda's Blog and enjoy a 2nd cup!

1. Do you find it gross to share drinks with family? Friends?
Umm... Yes, being a nursing in training teaches me NOT to share drinks with ANYONE! Bleck!

2. What have you learned this year? (You didn't see a question of that weight coming, did you? At least not for #2.)
STRENGTH! I have been through hell and back this year and I made it! AMEN! And I'm ready to have my life partner back! Yippeee!!!

3. When do you dismantle the Christmas decorations? Usually New Year's Day, but this year it is coming down in pieces as we prepare for a HOMECOMING!

4. Something you wish to accomplish before the end of 2009 is:Get the house under control... LOL. We are still digging out of out the Christmas mess! :)

5. How do you feel about winter (after Christmas)? It isn't so bad... I celebrate an anniversary, Happy Hearts Day, and it leads to the birthdays of two special little boys! :)

6. Have you participated in after-Christmas sales? YES!!! Just this year we bought a 55" TV and TV stand. YIKES!

7. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve? It think it will be quiet and reflective! :)

8. Is there anything special awaiting you in January?YOU BET!!! I cannot wait to welcome home the love of my life!!! A thousand Yellow Ribbons around the old oak tree!!!!

9. If your life this year was a movie, what category or genre would it be? (Romance, Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Farcical, etc.) Oh... It would be a whole lotta mix... Ha Ha Ha...

10. How much time per day do you spend blogging? Please do not lie. I will know. Not enough... Being in school full time, having two little boys and being an dutiful Army wife... I have too little time. I know... Sad. :( I hope to be better in 2010!

11. Who runs your household? The kids... No kidding. I think I do, with a little help from my friends these days. :) And hopefully my handsome man!

12. Share one hope/dream for 2010. I hope that Americans realize that we need to make a change. It isn't all about me or you or anyone else... It's about pulling together and helping each other out. It's about recognizing our blessings, because everyday is just that full of little miracles. I pray for the safety of our military and their families. The military life takes a toll on both the soldier and his/ her family. Many get so wrapped up they forget about that. I hope that 2010 is full of smiles and MANY of them! I hope it offers it's challenges, but that they are minimal and manageable. I hope that I finish my Nursing Pre-Req's with all A's again! (I had to put a selfish one in).

Reflection...

So here is my reflection of 2009. The most wonderful moments or pivitol moments picture style:


Houston! :)



Making Rank!



Teaching!



Playing!





Plays!




Zoo Visits!





Birthday Parties!



Strawberry Picking!



First Tooth Losing...



Visiting good friends... and making new ones!



Beach Stays...



Poolside Retreats!



Cubscout Camps!



New School Years!



Pumpkin Patches!



Christmas Day fun!


From our house to yours... May you Receive Many BLESSINGS in your New Year!

Dear Mom,

It's been a year, Mom. Almost to the day 1 year since I said good bye. I miss you! I have searched for a year now to find some to fill your shoes. Ha Ha Ha... No one can. I miss our silly conversations the most. You know the "I just had to tell you, okay bye." conversations. I miss your reassurance that everything will be okay over silly things. I miss your strength, and sometimes I close my eyes and wish I could rewind to certain times and freeze it just right at that spot. Is it weird to feel that way?

I hope you have not had a chance to look at the craziness in my life over the last year. I really hope that you and Dad and the rest of our family have been living it up! That is the one thing I wish I knew... I wish I could be assured that the afterlife was as splendid as you hear. How does anyone actually know? I mean if you make it there, you can't just come back here to the rest of us... I believe those that "die" and then come back are in the in between life. Not really the same... I just hope it is peaceful and fun. Nothing like the nuttiness and chaos of down here, but we are all still learning so we can go forward and be ina the wonderful place.

IT's been a crazy year, Mom. Those boys are giants now. Growing up so fast I feel like I blinked and they are old. The baby is in school, and that makes me long for one more... Shh... That is between you and me, so don't let M hear that. :)

You know I'm angry with you! Angry that you didn't fight! But, I also know that it would have been a tough fight and I couldn't promise I would be there. I guess that is my fault... I married into the world of travel. Ha Ha Ha.... The military life is a lonely life sometimes. I know you told me that and I never listened. I love M though, so I'm gonna stick it out. Just a lot of sacrifices. It's funny. So many think that the military members suffer... Well, that is not always true. I think the family suffers too. I'm sorry I couldn't be there... I'm sorry I wasn't there when you passed either. I don't know if that is good or bad either?! I guess life is like that... Never really knowing if you are right or wrong. Just kinda going with it.

I do know one thing... You were a pretty awesome Mom! How you managed everything without being bitter is amazing. I've learned about sacrifice in the last year, and boy YOU really sacrificed! I've tried to follow in your footsteps and go forward and not be afraid even when I was terrified. Pretty scary stuff, and I KNOW you did it! Wow! I wish I could have and should told you how proud I was of you!!! I'm just glad you instilled some of that strength in me! :) Thank you!

Sigh... I need to go put my little ones in bed and fold the mountain of laundry sitting next to me. I miss you! I love you! I wish you could read this. I wish I could read it to you. I'm proud of you, Mom, and I MISS YOU so much!!!

Love, Me

I Got ALL A's!

OH Yeah!!! Enough blogged! :)

Christmas Cards...

When did we all get so impersonal? I know photo cards are my favorite! This gives me a chance to send pictures of the family all over at one time and I don't have to worry about if I sent them to so and so, etc. And let's face it... Holiday cards are my route to get that out. But have we as a society gotten a little overly detached with photo cards? It does everything for you... Puts "Happy Holidays!" or "Merry Christmas" or any other catch phrase you want to choose, signs you names and ta da... You are done!

Then you add the famous Christmas news letter... Oh, yes I too include one of these fabulous letters every year. Again, this gives me a chance to get out everything we have been up to all year in a one time shot. I send over 100 Christmas cards a year to family, friends, etc. And I LOVE IT!

BUT... I try to, on each card put something personal, like thinking of you which is the truth I honestly do think about many people... Like how nice it must be to have snow or that their husband is home or that they went on a tropical vacation... Did they remember me... You know... The typical things we think about during "thinking of you moments." Or I note that I miss them... Which again I DO... More than many of you know! I really do try to put a personal touch on my cards. To me it takes away from the sterile-ness of a photo Christmas card with a photocopied newsletter. I hope people feel my personal touch... And I might add... I hand address each and every card I mail. :) This often stirs up fond memories of each person too. Like Wow... I miss The Netherlands, or hmmm... Maybe Hawaii would be a great place to visit this Spring... Or remember that road trip Senior year... Oh wait, yeah let's not go there... Ha Ha Ha...

But lately, I've noticed that most of the cards I receive are just that... Signed cards or sterile photo cards with newsletters. Have we become so detached or busy that we don't have time to tell our loved ones or friends that we really do miss them/ love them/ wish they were closer? This saddens me because I've been seeing society head in this direction for awhile now, but I never thought it would hit so close to home. I love that people thought of me during Christmas which is a very busy time. But I want you to remember me because you want to, not because I sent you a card or because you have to write Christmas cards or whatever other reason. Send me an Easter card or a card because it's summer and you wish I was at the beach with you. :)

This Christmas... Send REAL cards to people! Even if you only send 5... Tell those people how you really feel. Break the impersonal cycle!!!

Life is good! :)

God has taken me to a different place

I think I told you guys on several occasions I wondered what my purpose was here, and I didn't know... But I think I do know... Or maybe I'm getting the message.

Did I tell you about how I became a real Christian??? I'm not a Bible thumper, so I won't completely blow you mind and throw and incredible amount of scripture at you. To be honest that does no good if you don't have a relationship with God.

When my husband deployed in 2003, I learned to pray... I was a new Mom, and I prayed every single night for God to look out for us and for M. I prayed for safety and all good things. I went to church and listened to the scriptures, but I wasn't really listening. I was the good christian, but I was listening to what God was saying or what he really wanted me to hear. But I might not have been ready???

When I started working in Army Headquarters, I met a lady who taught me more about God and life than any one I've ever met. At the time, I didn't attend church. I was so busy with work and raising 2 little ones now that I had no time on Sunday to add one more thing. She was okay with that, and told me to have a relationship with God, you don't need a formal church or place of worship. A place of worship can be anywhere you find a peaceful minute to just have peace and are able to communicate with Him and really listen. Ha Ha Ha.... I kept thinking God better scream at me because M was gone (again) and I had two little people to raise and a VERY demanding job. Every day, I would sit and have a moment with W. She was secure in everything... work, family, friends. She seemed so at peace with everything. I admired that. I wasn't the only one who thought that. Two other ladies sought advice from W on a daily basis. Together, the three of us would meet and encourage one another. We became our own Yada Yada sisterhood. :)

Leaving them has been hard, but W has given me so many things... She really showed me about God and what God has planned for me. I asked her about coming here to this place. I have to admit leaving DC was hard. I was good at my job, and loved by many... Getting here it hasn't been so easy. I've emailed my sorrows on so many occasions, and like all others she patiently read them and asked me if I had prayed on it and was I listening? Until lately, I have been in the same mode: God, please yell really really loudly because there is too much noise for me to hear Your word. BUT within the last two weeks He has shown me all those who are lost around me. He has shown me that I'm not lost. I'm where I need to be. I'm not crazy... I'm not mean, evil, hurtful... Many around me are conflicted... Scared... Flustered... So many who just aren't there yet when it comes to faith. They believe in God, but they just don't whole heartedly feel it. Really get it! I'm saddened by this. I want to yell at God and yell at them... But they are works in progress just as I was when I found God, and like I am today. You have to be ready to accept God though. It's more than motions that you go through. Going to church is okay, but you can be totally disconnected and still go to church. You have to listen to the words and say to yourself... Wow! I'm like that or I need to change that, and let go, and let God. I'm getting better at that. Slowly... And with a little help from my friends.

I am feeling good about what God is teaching me. It's frustrating at times, but He is good, and I'm glad He has taken me to a different place! What a great sense of peace I have because I understand, and I let go and let God!!

You know... Sometimes It's Just Not About You

Here lately I have a been amazed at the selfishness of people. Yes, I have found myself wrapped up in the craziness at times too. Seriously, ask yourself this: Have I thought about someone other than myself or immediate family lately especially in my daily actions and have I thought about it outside of how it impacts me?

I bet many of us haven't even thought about what is outside the box. Here lately I have heard so many make it all about themselves! I bought for myself... My family is doing this after/ during Christmas... My husband is coming home... PTO... Did you talk to Blah blah blah... None of these have looked beyond the little circle that encompasses themselves. I have been watching this, and really trying to be an active listener, and I wonder when it became all about "You?" Life revolves around so much more... What about those in need? What about the widow? The lonely man/ woman at the Nursing home? What about the person grieving over a separation? Sure YOU are blessed! These people put themselves in these situations, but have you thought about them? Have you looked at yourself and asked, not how does this impact me, but how do we make this better together? I can surely tell you, in my life right now I do not see this. I hear endless chatter about how bad this person is, and how great this is, but I never hear ANYONE step up and help out. I feel bad, because I have been one of these people too, but I have made a conscious effort to stand down. IT isn't all about you and me. It's bigger than that! I think I am amazed at my God and how He manages to balance everything, and he doesn't have a nasty tongue. He manages to take care of you, me, the neighbor, the homeless, those that suffer pain/ addictions... He has the whole thing pretty much balanced. And He never talks about Himself other than to say, "How can I help you?" That is AMAZING!

I can't own you... I can't say your opinion or your self centerness is good or bad. I don't own it, but just for one second... Think outside of the BOX... Look at yourself and ask, "Is it really all about me?" The answer is... Probably not!

Random Dozen

Procrastination Really... No, I mean really!!!



1. If you could master one sport, what would it be? Oh geez... Probably running or maybe swimming. I don't know one of the two.

2. When you make a major purchase, do you go with your gut instinct, or do you do research to make an informed decision? I am the worse... I grovel, look, look again, research, talk to others, convince myself to buy it, back out and then do it. Yep... Those big purchases are tough cookies!!!

3. There is an old kids' game that says you can find out what your movie star name would be by using your middle name as your first name and the name of the street you grew up on as your last. What is your movie star name? Everett Sherry. Not really a bad name. Hmmm...

4. Would you rather give up your favorite music or your favorite food? I could stand to give up my favorite food, so we will go with that.

5. There are two types of banana preferences. One is pristine yellow, almost to the point of being green; the other is spotty and more ripe. Which is your preference? Well since I buy my bananas at the commissary it seems I prefer my bananas green... Not yellow, but flipping GREEN. So I guess my preference is firm, not green or too many spot.

6. Your favorite tree is? Dutch Roobois tea! Good for the nerves!!!

7. On a scale of 1-10, how tech savvy are you? Is there a negative... No seriously, probably a 3

8. Has H1N1 touched your family? Yes.

9. Are you an analytical person, or do you just accept things the way they are without questioning or scrutinizing? M, are you reading this??? Do I analyze???? Ha Ha Ha... I OVER analyze, but mostly it's because I refuse to accept things as just they way they are. I beleive people have the power. We make up our minds every day... Listen to the Kutless song "What Faith Can Do" You will truly have an uplifting experience and you will understand just how much control you have with an every day choice.

10. Is your personality more like that of a dog, cat, or Koala? Oh good grieve... I have no idea! People???

11. Do you keep in touch with friends you made years ago? Yes I do!!! I beleive strongly in keeping in touch! Just ask M who thinks I'm insane for sending out more than 100 Christmas card every year. I just think people should know I think about them.

12. You are checking out at a grocery store. In the express lane, there are more people than the regular lanes, but of course, their load is less than those in the regular lanes. Which lane do you choose (assuming you qualify for the express lane) and why? Express lane. You said it in your question... More people, less items. Of course I prefer the comissary, so long lines no matter what here I come! LOL

So there is my daily dozen... Procrastination OVER. Let the studying BEGIN!

I have a lot to be thankful for!

Often in our lives we look at the negatives around us. I'm guilty of this just as much as anyone else. I get made when I don't get my way or feel pity if my work of life isn't the best, biggest or greatest, but there comes a time when you just have to stand up and say, "Wow! My life is incredibly blessed!" I am there! Today I took C to a birthday party, and I really began to realize how blessed I am, and hopefully I have taught my boys that diversity is okay and that their hearts do no see color, money or difference, but true love and compassion. Okay, compassion might be stretching it a little; they are a bit young to really understand that.

Seriously though, I do want more for my children, but does this mean the biggest house, with the most toys, the best clothes, the latest and greatest cars, or lavish vacations, or Insert whatever you want here??? I don't think so! I think it means that I teach my childen to work hard, love with your heart (even if it means it might hurt sometimes), never stop learning (not just about math, science, reading, but learn about people, places, and life lessons). It doesn't mean buying or giving things... Those are just things. It means saying thank you, please, giving a smile, helping someone out.... These are the tings we can be rich in and all of them are FREE.

I look at my life, and Lord, I am incredibly blessed and then some!!! I have great children, a loving husband, a roof over my head, food to eat, medical care to take care of illness and wellness, and not just one car, but two cars that get me from here to there. I have lavish items that are definiatley NOT necesssities, but I enjoy them dearly. I also have a few friends that love me even when they have seen me at my worst or at my best. I don't just think about these things during November, but every single day of my life. And when people give me a sad story, I pray. I pray that God will show them the true blessings in their life. It's about so much more than "stuff." Stuff is expendable... Life is not. Life is a better place to be when you let go of the material things and reflect on the important things you hold dear.

I have a lot to be thankful for!!!

Blessings

November is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving, but why do we celebrate our blessings only one day out of the year??? I think we get so wrapped up in our busy lives that we forget about the "Ordinary Miracles" of every day. A few weeks ago, I felt like I was at the bottom of the barrel and felt very sad. This wave came over me... I have so many blessings. While I may not have gotten what I wanted, God had blessed me with dozens of other miracles for the day!! What about those? Were they just blah? NO!

So here are a few of my ordinary miracles...

My boys!! :) What a wonderful every day gift that reminds me to be young, to have an open heart and mind, to love unconditionally, to smile, to laugh. That even if my family is far away, they are always close to my heart and live through my boys. :)

My incredible friends both near and far. God has shown me that 28 year later I can still have a wonderful friend to lean on no matter what!!! He's also shown me that good people stick by you! Love you for who you are and remember you often. He has shown me that although some of these great people only touch your life for one minute that I had that one minute, and that is more than some people ever get. And friends that stop at Walmart in evening in the rush of trying to get home to their families because I asked for something that I didn't have, and she wasn't sure if she could help me. AMAZING people!!!!

My husband! I love him!! He has been there in thick and thin. It hasn't been easy, but they we are when the smoke clears. And whether we are near or far, we are always together and that is an amazing feeling!!!

I am blessed to know God, and to have found him. He has been an amazing STRENGTH! And I know He is teacing me! I wish I had His patience! And He accepts me and all of my flaws, and he is NEVER angry.

So here are my blessings. A sample of the few I count every day! Take time to appreciate your blessings!!! Life is too short not to recognize the "Ordinary Miracles!"

Letting Go...

I don't think I ever quite gave myself time to grieve entirely for my Mom. We were so busy with the holidays and then getting M ready for his trip... I kinda let it go, cried and then picked up and moved forward. It's worked so far, but we are approaching the last time I last saw my Mom. And lately I have found myself really hurting and missing her. It's mainly been when others tell me about their parents, and not to brag, my Mom was the most awesome person to turn to. So it hurts to hear when others are enjoying their family.

Anyway... My cousin sent me this last night in an e-mail. It's ironic because I had just whispered to myself how much I loved and missed my Mom. It was ALMOST like she heard me and was whispering back... Here is what the e-mail said:

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, 'I love you, and I pray you enough.'
The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough... Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom.'
They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'
Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'
'Well...I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.
'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I pray you enough.' May I ask what that means?'
She began to smile.. 'That's a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.' She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I pray you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'
Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.
I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye..
Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

They say, it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them.

This is how my Mom and I said good bye on our last visit. When we said good bye we knew it would be our last time together. She prayed this for our family... I know that she heard me last night... My Mom has been hearing me every night!!! I miss you, Mom.

Not Perfect, but Good Enough! :)

This was THE weekend for the pumpkin patch!!! I have been waiting for this like a child waits for Christmas since mid September! Every weekend was sickness or wet weather. :( Well, we did it!! We made it!!! One and a half hours and we were in the land of the pumpkins!

I guess everyone else felt the same way. :( This was drastically disappointing. M, the boys and I LOVE the pumpkin patch, but this year we had to share our beautiful farm with others... Lots of others! The kids had fun though. B was able to race in the kids' maze which was lush and green from all of our rain. C was forced to paint pumpkins which he felt was "boring," but participated for the sake of his brother... Go C! I think part of the lack of flair was missing M this year. He wasn't able to join us, but we had fun!!!

So I'm sharing the pictures with you!! Enjoy!!







I'm off to shower I swear I smell like a horse... I wasn't even around a horse. Could it be the hay? Anyway... Happy Fall Ya'll! :)

Professors are NOT HOT!

I like my Biology teacher. He knows his stuff and he knows how to teach it! He cares about his students because he gives an outline at the beginning of the semester to help guide us through the course. It works! I don't spend the entire lecture trying to capture every single sentence he says or try to figure out what is important and what is not. If you have a question, he's never made anyone feel stupid... He just simply answers the question. I like this kind of teaching! It's a vast contrast to sitting in freshman Chemistry with over 300 students which is what I did in my first undergrad.

Anyway... Some of my friend in class told me about this website. It tells you about professors at different schools. I checked it out. I'm stuck with my professors this semester, but it is nice to know if they are thought highly of. So I checked out my professors and next to Biology teacher's name is a hot chili pepper. I was impressed... I actually picked a good teacher or so I thought....

It appears that the hot chili pepper does not mean that the teacher is in demand (or maybe it does?) It appears it means he is sexy... Or HOT! Errr... NOT what I would have thought!!! Don't get me wrong, the man isn't Igore. He's a man in his mid forties, and just imagine your favorite high school Science, Math or History teacher, and you have my Biology teacher.

So... This "new" image of my unseemingly knowing professor has had an impact on me. It's awefully hard to look someone in their eye when you KNOW that some students (that may be in your class, or even your lab partner) lust after this man. And OMG, what if he has had an affair with one of his students??? It isn't entirely off the beaten track... He isn't Igore and we have some pretty lusty girls, and we live near a base with deployed husbands?? Today my lab partner (who as far as I know doesn't lust after the professor) and I reverted back to HS and wondered if he knew that he was a hot ticket, or if we should let him in our new found piece of info. But alas, we acted like school girls and simply giggled if he came near out table... I'm sure we will answer for that in our next test, but oh well... Professors are NOT meant to be HOT!!!!

Ah now that is more like it...

I have overhauled the blog. I like it, but stay tuned because I'm still not completely happy with it! :)

I hope to post some pictures here of the boys in the their Halloween costumes... B freaks me out this year... He seriously looks like Anakin. It kinda gives me the heebie jeebies, but he is happy. C is a GI Joe... Well from the year 2100... Ha Ha Ha. Well stay tuned! :)

More Random Dozen :o)

1. On an average, how often do you splurge and buy something for yourself?
Oh these days I do it pretty liberally. YIKES! I admitted that and M will more than likely read this... I call it shop therapy and well it isn't like I'm buying a new car! :)

2. What is the last creative project you began/finished? Feel free to post a pic of it. OH... IDK... Let's see... Maybe this??? And this is only one itty bitty part of the masterpiece! BTW, we rented he beautiful house by the sea! :)



3. OK, Goldie Locks, do you consider your house too big, too little or juuuust right? I'm happy with it, so just right. :)

4. What is your favorite outdoor chore? Oh painful to say I like to plant flowers!!! And weed them too. I have a knack for it and really like it!

5. If you knew that cigarette smoking was not bad for your health but would be a weight loss tool, would you use it? Why or why not? Oh... This is a tough one! Yes. I mean you could substitute a straw for a cigarette... I believe in diet and exercise, but I really could use the help for the few extra pounds. This is not a nice question!

6. On a road trip, would you rather drive or ride? RIDE!!! I love to look around and explore!

7. What do you consider a trivial pursuit? Like the game? Oh no... I don't know really.

8. So ... how long do you watch a movie or read a book before giving up on it? I don't know really... Just depends on how bad it really got. I like to TRY to give the benefit of the doubt, but hey... You never know???

9. Is there a song that you really love but are embarrassed to admit because it's not cool or it's racy or because it's by Hall and Oates? Oh no here I go... I admit, I like the Wiggles. Okay it is out! I have been know it OCCASIONALLY listen to them without the kids in the car.:-O

10. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = extremely) how spontaneous are you? NOT VERY! Yeah, I'm a planner... Spontaneity is NOT really in my vocabulary!

11. Are you a food and/or beverage snob? I don't think so... I like most food and beverages! :)

12. Who/What are you trying to control in your life? Ha Ha Ha... What can I control??? No seriously.. I'm not really trying to control anything, but manage the balancing act of Life. Kids, husband, school, self, house, chores... Yep. I'm like everyone else... Not really trying to control, just manage!!!

OK OK... I'm addicted to the Random Dozen... I really need to get back to studying!!! Adios for now! :)

Random Dozen

OK, so sue me... I am stuck at home with a sick child and it's raining outside. I'm sleep deprived, hungry, and need to be studying for a test I have on Wednesday... So I was surfing the net for recipes and came across this! It looks like fun, so hey, why not try it!!! What a great blog too!!! Hope you are all well!!!

1. Tell me the absolute best way to watch a movie.
In my bedroom with the surround sound... Some how this reminds me of the movie theater, but I can be in my jammies! :)

2. Do you ever think about your own funeral? If so, do you have specific ideas about how you would like it to be? Oh course! I'm a planner. I want to make it as easy as possible for my family. My Mom did a really great job putting everything together, and it made it relatively easy for me to find everything and get everything together. I hope I never have to do this anytime soon though!!!!

3. Are you more of a giver or a taker? Some how I'd like to think I'm a balance of the two, but goodness knows balance is not always available... I think I'm a giver for the most part. I like to give. It makes me feel good. This often leads people to take advantage of me though and then my feelings get hurt especially if I'm unable to give in a way they want me to.

4. Vacations: planned activities and schedules, or play it by ear? I AM A PLANNER!!! Enough said!!! Right, M???

5. What is one often overlooked item in your home that needs to be cleaned regularly? Ohh... Good question... YIKES! These days many things have been overlooked b/c I have just been plain busy with school, kids and the computer... Let me see... One thing (without be gross. No, I'm kidding)... Hmmm... I'd say the refrigerator handles. Those handles should be cleaned REGULARLY, but I admit... I don't often clean the handles. Did I mention I have boys... Bleck!

6. Name a cause that means a lot to you. American Cancer Society, Fisher House, Wounded Warrior... Yes, that is 3, but these are causes that mean a lot to me

7. Do you eat a regular old peanut butter jelly sandwich, or do you customize it? And by the way, jelly or no jelly? Just plain... I love PB&J on the beach!!! What great memories!

8. If we were having a conversation in person, how would I know if you were nervous? Body language can tell you alot... Also, someone who smiles a lot is either thinking hurry up or yeah... this is uncomfortable.

9. Do you have an elaborate bedtime routine, or just the basics of tooth brushing and jammies? I have a routine... Whether it is elaborate or not is purely up to the reader... My routine usually consisted of, jammies, tooth brush, kiss kids and say a prayer for them, read my daily devotion (if I have enough time I will check out the recommended verses), say prayers and then lights out! Maybe that is elaborate... It seems like alot!

10. Have you ever regretted something you wrote on your blog? Ohh.. Yeah... Nope! I like to write my feelings out, but if I think it might really hurt someone, I usually keep it in drafts, but never publish it.

11. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a famous person or celebrity? Did you agree? Nope. I think I told my DH I looked like Alyssa Milano... Ha Ha Ha... Hey, I got my catch! :)

12. If you were going to dedicate a song to a loved one or friend, what would the song be and to whom would it be dedicated? This is tough... I'm not good with song titles, but dozens of songs remind me of various people. I think I'd dedicate, " Remember When" by Alan Jackson to my husband. "The Glory of Love" by Bette Midler to my friend Renee.


Okay, you are spared... not more blogging for now... I'm trying to make up for a whole month of nothing... LOL. May you all be having a wonderful day!!!

Now wait a miute... Where did September go?

Somehow I managed to not blog for an entire month! Wow! I have been on a whirl a wind since our return from Virgina. Wow! But I can't believe I haven't written at least some thoughts down... I think maybe I have, but then decided it might not be a good idea to post for whatever reason.

But here I am on October 2nd posting. :) I don't really have anything profound to talk about today so let's do a 5 for Friday... I haven't done one of those in awhile. :) Let's make the theme FALL:

Number 5: This is what I'd like to be seeing at this time of the year. I have to admit our house in VA used to sit up from the lake and we had a beautiful view of the glassy water and the leaves turning. I miss sitting at the computer and looking out to see this: Montclair

Number 4: I don't want to see this any more!!! LOL


or this for that matter:



Okay, so this is okay... I won't show others the yucky that I had to witness... Well it wasn't the brain... It was the sound the brain made when it was removed.

Number 3: I miss this, and wish time would go by faster so that summer would come and we could visit again...

Good friends last a life time! I miss you, Nay!

Number 2: How do you make a smell on a blog??? I love the smell of pumpkin muffins, bread and apple spice!!! Yum!!

Number 1: Life is good!! Of course we should have all be in long sleeves and jackets!!! Ha Ha HA....



HAPPY OCTOBER YA'LL!!! :)

Hmmm... Now That is a Good Question!

Well, it was posed to me by a non-military friend what happens after a deployment? I kinda gave the interesting look like where is this coming from and what do you mean? It seems that her sister who married into the military right before the deployment has become great friends with several ladies whose spouses are also deployed. She wanted to know if military wives still stayed close after the guys returned?

Not really knowing why this was a big deal or still why it was being asked, I wasn't really sure how to answer. I have to be honest... I'd like to think that the friends we make are just that friends and even when the men return we are still friends. BUT... A lot less time will probably be spent together. This will make it hard for those whose husbands will return last or later than others. But I don't know??? I don't have a clear answer of what might come? I wish I had an answer. :(

Dear God,

Let me first tell you thank you! Thank you for giving me a wonderful summer back at home. I have really missed "home" and think it did wonders to be surrounded by so many that love me. It was nice to reconnect with friends that I have known for over half my life. Thank you for keeping her (you know who you she is) in my life for 28 years. Thank you for allowing us to journey together just as we did as children. Thank you for letting us grow. Tomorrow she will start a new phase in her life. God, please bless her, walk with her and keep her safe as she starts her new journey. Please watch over her children and keep them safe as well. And look out for her husband too. Look out for my nephew too who is learning the ins and outs of being so far away from the ones he loves. Help him understand that he is never far from those he loves. Help guide him and keep him safe! Also look out for friends both near and far. You know who they are. :)

It's been a week since I returned home, God. Well duh, you know that, but thank you for giving me time while I drove to church today to count my blessings here as well. It's been a struggle finding my way here, but after this summer God, I see what Your plan was and where You were guiding me. I see that You have given me great people here too, and that at times I overlooked them and judged them and I was wrong for doing so. And while I work to fix that here, please forgive me for thinking they did not care for me. Thank you for giving me the few people here that love me. Thank you for bringing one in particular person into my life that NEVER would have come into my life with out Your guidance. She has been a BLESSING, and I am excited to see what lies ahead for her! Thank you!

And God, please bless my children. They both start school tomorrow. Walk with each of them, and guide them to do their best. Walk with them to make them better people. They both are growing up so fast, Lord. It seems that I blink and one year has passed again. I know this year will have it's stumbles. Bless us as we take each moment for what it is, and to solve each obstacle as it comes.

And please bless M. Keep him safe and God, let him remember that while he does his job he must also consider Your job for him. Help him take each moment as it comes, and help him understand patience. Also take away frustrations and know that with Your help and Your wisdom he can accomplish all things. And let him know that no matter what we love him too. :)

God, one last thing... Please bless my enemies. I've prayed for a few them specifically, and I'm sure there are more that I don't know about. Help them and me to find peace amongst ourselves. To let trivial actions lie for we all are fighting our internal battles.

Thank you God for all that I have and for growing me! I love you! Amen

Sometimes in Life...

We are reminded that we need to slow down I guess. AND there are angels among us! So here is my story in a nut shell...

Left VA an hour later than planned. This is largely because I had to go pick up a prescription for one of our cats. (A whole story in itself). But then there was trying to fit the last minute things into the van and go through one last time with the contractor to get the step by step on what was left and a time line for each thing... Ugh!

So once on the road, we hit the VA/ NC border and were at stand still on the highway. Seriously the state of NC had a lane closed on a Friday for NO reason! Let me tell you this was tough not only because the kids were restless and the cats too, but I was sad to leave too. As soon as the traffic opened up, the rains came. Not little tiny drops; big FAT heavy can't see type rains. I thought it would burn through quickly as showers that are that intense usually burn out, but it didn't let up until halfway through SC.

Oh... Normally I like Columbia. I have many favorite memories there in my younger days. But it has RUSH HOUR just like any other major city... Sigh... Yet another delay in our trip... Did I mention I was getting the "Are we there yet?" from the kids a hour into our trip??? Tired+ Delayed+ Stress= Not so pleasant day of driving.

So as we crossed into Georgia I was thoroughly excited! This meant we were only 2.5 hours from our destination for day one. Woo Hoo! I watched the GPS count down every tenth of a mile and was proud that we were moving along... This trip seemed sad and lonely. I missed M more coming back then going. I guess it's because I knew what I was going back to as for going home was wide open for all kinds of things. It also seemed like everyone I talked to had their own thing going on and I felt a bit intrusive and a bit unloved. I know I know... Crazy...

It wasn't until I was just past Augusta that all hell broke lose. I have no idea what made me check the control panel, but there it was the check engine light was as bright as one can imagine! I panicked and pulled over to the side of the road. This isn't the first time the check engine light has come one, so I cut off the engine and sat for about 10 minutes to see if it would cool off. No dice! I PANICKED and burst into tears! This immediately panicked C so now two of us were crying. A quick regrouping and I called our motor assistance who I have to say was very nice, but a bit of a ding dong (I mean seriously... If you get a call from a sobbing woman who is obviously scared, do you really need to ask if you should call the police?)

The tow truck company called me back and need specifics like where was I exactly. Well, how int he world do I know??? There were no exits nearby, I hadn't passed any signs and there wasn't a mile marker. (Thank you VA for posting mile markers every 1 mile!) I did the best I could, but the driver only had room for 1 passenger. And he was insistent that we leaving the kids (hello I don't think so!) and the pets on the side of the road. So I broke down and called 911. Yep! I called the police!

The Sheriff shows up to an obviously upset woman and hot children and pets. He was very nice though and waited with me while the tow truck showed up... When the tow truck showed up the driver was insistent about leaving the kids... I was like with who??? And immediately burst into tears... The sheriff told the driver to put the kids and I in his vehicle and that he would put the kitties in his patrol car. (I could have hugged him). Meanwhile we have a debate on where to take the van... Heck if I know I have NEVER lived in GA and how the heck would I know what was around? So the tow driver finally recommends a dealership about 10 miles away. He towed me to the hotel which is right down the street from the dealership and tells me to get there at 7:30 and they will help me out. OH PLEASE LET'S HOPE SO is all I could think.

Meanwhile I arrive at the hotel with my entourage... a Huge Wrecker and the sheriff from the other county. I walk in in tears with my boys and the manager and staff were WONDERFUL! Put me up for 2 nights at a reduced rate and even waived the pet fee. The staff even fed the boys while I checked in! They were FANTASTIC!

So today, I took the van to the dealer and they replaced an emission valve. :) We are back in business for our trip tomorrow. :) So for the remainder of today, we spent it at the pool. :) A good night sleep and we should be back in business!

Oh, but to the locals... We are in the witness protection program.... Long story... Might blog about that one tomorrow! LOL

Random things....

So tonight as I'm driving in the pouring rain, my mind races with random things... Random things like my Mom, this summer, final good byes, anger, stupid people with no common sense, did I open my mouth too much, my feelings were hurt when, this is the last time I will be in this Walmart parking lot searching for a space to park my car, this will be the last time I see the billboard for the zoo, don't forget, why can't my kids put things away away, will Texas seem more settled now, 3 days in the car, just about everything I bought tonight is sugar.... AND THAT is a lot of thoughts to race through a mind. Sigh...

Why is Goodbye so hard?

Our summer vacation is coming to an end, and we will begin our journey home soon. As I drive around town I take in every little detail. Who lived in which house, the restaurant that has changed several times over the 20 years, the school where I attended my first dance. Each one of those things holds a smile. I have begun realizing this house that I grew up in will soon be transformed and ready for another family to grow in it, and for some reason that pains me.

Today, I went through the last drawer in the house that hasn't been shuffled or changed or dumped in the transformation since my Mom left to go to the hospital back in November. It was sad. I sat there alone (thank goodness), and touched every piece of misc. junk placing them gently in the Goodwill box or the trash box. Silly, I know. It was the "fix it" drawer, and there must have been stuff dating back to the early 80's or at least as long as I can remember... Labels, hooks, screw driver, hammer... It's silly to say good bye to a stupid junk drawer, but I realized it was more than that... I was saying goodbye to a life and remembering good times. It's hard to say goodbye. Hard to let go or familiar things. I keep thinking that now there is nothing to come home to... Someone will eventually move in, and this house will become theirs. I wonder if they will have kids (more than likely they will), and if their child will put their bed in the corner of the room so that they can look out and see the stars in the North West corner of the world. And gaze at the trees as they blow and change color in the Fall. The swing set is gone; so is the crab apple tree both victims of time and age but the cement footing is still there. I thought saying goodbye the first time was hard, but the second time is 10 times worse. It rushes you will all kinds of emotions and memories.

Today, appreciate what is around you. Nothing is guaranteed tomorrow. But be warned, life does offer second chances, but sometimes to appreciate it, you have to walk through the pain and the memories. And while they are wonderful, you may have to say good bye. My recommendation... Go forward, one step at a time, hang on for the ride and enjoy it! Good byes are HARD, but life is for the living and the moment. I hope many memories are made here. That is what both my parents would want... Me too! So I'll hide a note behind the dry wall... Maybe one day the new family here will find it while they transform and realize that they aren't alone and that I too had to say goodbye. And change isn't always so bad...

Goodbyes are hard! I don't know why, but they are really hard!

Behind...

I know I know... I have been bad. Bear with me... I'm juggling two households of which one is undergoing MAJOR rennovations and I'm in school and the boys... and cubscout camp, and... You get the picture. Phew! I am thoroughly enjoying the beach though... I'm envious of those who are here permanently, and wish I could be here too for more than a few weeks. I think many of you have seen the pictures on FB. What a wonderful busy time we are having... My initial intention was to get the house back into shape and then me second agenda was to let the kids experience what it was like when I was growing up... Of course the neighborhood isn't bussling with kids like it used to. :( But the boys are enjoying romping the backyard and the beach... And of course all of the boats and sailing and the harbor... Yep the museums and the pool... OK, now do you see why I haven't had time to blog? LOL It's been bliss!!!!

I did manage to convince Mark that we need to come home here to retire. :) Well if we don't stay in this house, at least some place with a dock where we can drop a boat and have margaritas by the water. :) I feel free near the sea... Toss your cares to the waves and let the ocean absorb your worries. Lay in the warm sand dunes and stare at the stars... OK by the time Mark retires I really don't want either of my boys laying in any sand dunes... LOL ;-)

So... I can't promise I will write more frequently... I guess the best bet is to wait until we return to our life down South... :) Until then remember to let those you care about know how much you love them and enjoy the time God has given you!

Life is good!!!!

After the intermission

Well, if saying goodbye isn't enough the first time... Wow! The second time is WAY harder! Better yet... Throw in a holiday and then you have a real mess! Ugh! Don't get me wrong... I love love love it here, but it has really been wonderful to be at full capacity!!! Things just seem like they roll a little better. And now it's back to me.

Just to get a flavor for those who have never gone through it... It's kinda like eating icecream everyday and then you go to the freezer and you forgot to buy a new tub of that yummy delicious flavor... You aren't mad, but your are disappointed that today you will have to choose something else. Being married to the military is kinda like that... You aren't mad when your spouse has to leave, but it's just a change.

I think about how quiet it will be at night here, and how lonely the bed will be without my best friend there to recount the day with me. I also think about how much work still needs to be done here and how it would be nice to just sit and watch tv with M.

So here's to some lonely times... We'll rebound though... I know we will. And this too shall pass.

Day 3... It hasn't been longer?

Okay... So the trip and first arrival here were long and a bit emotional, but I'm slowly getting over that I think?! I feel a bit more acomplished now that I've talked with the contractor, met with the roofer, spoke with the lawn man about the overgrown back yard and last but not least... Got a well needed hair cut! :)

I just wish we could hurry up though. I know... I know... I just want to see the finished product before I have to leave and go back to Texas. I'm kinda envious as it will be all new and finished and I will leave. I remember the first remodel we did on this house... How much fun it was to play in the new rooms! Sigh...

On a side note, I know the contractor will be thrilled once my husband joins us for a few weeks... As I couldn't reach the hubby when the tub started filling up with a mucky dirty water so it warranted an 8:30 phone call to the contractor. He reassured me it is sediment and he would next week clean and drain the hot water heater. And that it wasn't much to worry about... Thank goodness! Bless him for being patient! :)

Stay tuned... Next week we have the electrician, plumber and the start the roofing work... Yippee!!!!

Take a Deep Breath

Why do some things just seem easier in our minds, but when it is time for things to play out it just doesn't go as planned? It started over Christmas the week after my Mom died... I started plotting and planning my return to VA. How wexciting it would be to spend the summer at the beach... SAnd between our toes and picnics. I convinced my husband that the cross country adventure would be fun and not a big deal. I even told my husband that I could take the kiddos with me and that there was no need for him to take time away from work to help me. PEACE of CAKE!

Ha Ha Ha...

I packed and planned, organized, and made calls, rearranged the van six or so times and finally it was time to go. The first day was a wreck! 9 hours in the car with two wound up kids just out of school coupled with the brilliant idea of bringing our beloved pets with us was no where near what I had planned. It was miserable and if my friends hadn't called me to check in I think I would have completely pulled my hair our or run screaming from the car. The highlight of the day was the hotel which was nice enough NOT to charge me for the pets, offered a free breakfast at their restaurant and had the most comfortable and wonderful bed ever!!! Of course I didn't sleep a wink because CAV out kitty was still under his "Happy drug" stooper and meowed throughout the night until he found B and I and curled up for the rest of the night.

Day two was a little more peaceful. I think I began to enjoy the trip a little more, opened my eyes to the things around me, and I traded white knuckle grip for a much more relaxing ride. Of course all peaceful and wonderful things must come to an end when we FINALLY arrived at out hotel. I was TRYING to be economica. Afterall the cross country drive was my idea b/c two $100 hotel rooms had to be cheaper than airline tickets! Unfortunately I picked the wrong hotel. As I checked in, I realized this might not be the place for a woman alone with two small helpless kiddos and two little kitties. I feared that in the morning we would be minus hubcaps and toys and what would I do with out the toys??? :-) Did I mention none of the lights worked??? Yes, the scary maintence guy had to come and fix them. He was very nice, but I have to admit, I was kinda scared. :) Anyway, we made it through the night and everything was still in it's spot when we loaded up the next morning.

It was day three when I realized you just have to take a deep breath. I began reflecting on the last few days... Yes, the first day was dealing with the crazy flipped out half drunk cat and rowdy kids, but we made it through Texas and Lousianna and almost through Mississippi. I had seen dry Texas begin to flourish and turn green opening up to beautiful Bayou waterways. I saw trees taller than telephone poles and hysterical billboards that promoted gambling, but had a gambling help hotline number at the bottom. It certainly gave me laughs, and I wasn't alone... I had my dear friends with me at all times through the entire journey. From Texas, my friends were encouraging from NC and VA they were welcoming. I was going to make it! This trip wasn't half bad!

I even stopped in NC to visit "home." Sigh... I miss my house in NC. And I was so impressed with how wonderfully big our little town had gotten. It used to be a military base with a town around it. Now it is town with a military base next to it. Still the same yummy restaurants (can you tell me stopped around lunch time?) The same swimming hole... The same crazy land marks (minus the swingers love hotel... LOL). And again, I realized that sometimes you have to take a breathe and realize life is about growing and not going as planned. It's about experiencing and opening your eyes to let something "different" float through. It isn't easy... Nope, I can attest to that, but life doesn't fit squarely in a nice little box... It spills over and gets mixed up.

So my trip cross country... Well, it wasn't too bad over all. It prepared me for what is to come and it reminds me to take a step back re-evaluate and adjust course. And I know the same out reached arms that encouraged me to go forward and the welcoming hands on the other side will be there for me. Like a hug holding me ready to catch me in case I stumble. I am blessed. I thank God for these ordinary miracles, and I know life is good as long as you take a deep breathe.

Temporary Hiatus

I know I know... I have been hit or miss here alot lately... Right now we are getting ready for school to be out and begin our adventures back East. Stay tuned...

I'm leaving you with some pictures of the last few weeks, and then you'll understand why it has been a little difficult to try to squeeze in a blog. :)

S'mores... For out camping night in





Cubscouts







Awards Assembly C received the highest award in the school district! WE were so suprised and so very proud of our little( ahem... Big Man!)





And of course enjoying a little bit of sunshine :)





Bear with me... I'm hoping to settle into thing in the next few weeks... Stay tuned for my updates on going back to school. I'm so incredibly excited and scared... So check back often. :) And have a fantastic summer!!!!

What do you do????

So, this happened a few days ago, but I thought I'd share with you all and look for some much needed insight...

The other night, B and C were inside watching tv when I stepped out back to water the plants on the back patio. I was out there about 5 minutes when C starts shreaking for me. Obviously, I stop what I'm doing and walk back in to find a FRANTIC C and a naked B. This is how it played out:

Me: What is going on in here?

C: B answered the door and talked to your blond haired friend?

Me: What blonde headed friends? What are you talking about? What were you guys doing answering the door? It could have be a child stealer and what in the world are you doing with no clothes on B? Did you answer the door naked?

B: Yes.

C: B answered the door cause the blonde lady rang it and you were out side. And she looked at B, than turned her head and asked him was his parents home. B said no, so she asked who were we with? And B answered no one it's just me. And the lady was like okay and just walked away. I don't know Mommy, she wouldn't look at us... She just kinda looked away the whole time.

Me: What are you doing with no clothes on B? Go put your clothes back on!!!!

I walk outside and the lady is 2 houses down. I call to her... She kept going. I really didn't want to hear her speal, but I did want her to know I was home... I guess she was embarassed.

I just want you all to know that the front door was TRIPLE bolted, and that I do tell my kids DO NOT ANSWER THE DOOR. We've been through what can happen if we don't know who is on the other side of the door. I guess for our sake, the lady got more than SHE bargained for, but how do you drill into your child's head the safety of letting an adult answer the door??? ACK! This scare the daylights out of me!!!

5 for Friday

It's Memorial Day Weekend! Ah... The pool is finally open and the end of the school year is near... 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

Identity Theft

I wasn't sure how I felt, until today when I felt like a total failure to my family and friends, and looked like a complete idiot at ant place that required payment. So here is my letter to the hateful, disgusting, horrible identity thief that violated me!

Dear Identity Thief,

I HATE you!!! Yes, you charged something to my account and it was a measly amount, but I caught it. Now I am doing a complete credit check, so thanks in advance for allowing me to do something that probably should have been done awhile ago. I have to admit, you made me hit a pretty low point. Not having a debt card is a bit of a pain, but I've educated others by writing checks. I checked the company that you apparently paid... It's a nice cover company I suppose as it has VERY poor customer service. Don't worry, I reported the company too for investigation... You see, I'm not very patient with people who add more work to my life. It simply isn't me! I'm a defender and I don't think you need to try your little antics with others and that company either.

So I've said my peace... Go back to your lowly life where you have to use others to make yourself stronger. And while you think you got me... Think twice. I'm a penny pincher... Besides if I don't have money to spend on me... Why in the world should you have it? So I HATE YOU, and you'll answer to a person higher than me on day... So I hope the money you took was worth it.

Disgusted,
S.


To all of you who follow my blog, please watch your finances closely. People who are stealing identities often do things sneaky and start off rather slow to see if you are watching... That $2.00 purchase of the $7.85 purchase is worth investigating. Please protect yourself. Shred documents even unwanted credit card applications. Find out what your credit score is... Your bank, mortgage company, or even your credit card company can run FREE reports for you. Protect yourself!

Growing Up...

I'm NOT ready for my kids to grow up. :( If I had it my way they'd stay sweet and little and innocent forever. BUT, life doesn't let us freeze time. It gives us what we are dealt for the day, week, month, and we are left with the photographs, the videos and the etched mental images of our children. :)

Here is what life dealt me this week... Ready or not.

Yep, that is his first missing tooth.

And just so I know he is grown up...


And yes... that is a Mohawk.

I love my children and watching them grow, but sometimes I wish I could freeze time. Like right before he got the Mohawk... Ha Ha Ha...

5 of my favorite things this week!!!!

5. HORSEBACK RIDING! This was amazing... If you know me, you know I have never done this... EVER!!! I was scared to death after watching a kid get kicked by a bull as a small child. I think I will do this most definitely again!!!



4. Get flowers. Oh, this was awesome... My hubby knows me soooooo well, and my in laws were amazing!!! I love you guys so much! MUAH!




3. Celebrate Birthdays at the Bowl O' Rama!!! Amazingly fun with little people!!! Fun was had by all, and I managed to feed, pay shoe rentals, play a game of bowling, eat cake and ice cream all for $30.75.... Oh, that was the total for 7 children!!! Woot Woot!!!




2. Pick strawberries!!! Yummy!!!!




1. Catch up and hang out with some great friends! You know who you are. :) 1<3 my friends!