Partyof6

2012-02-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

I decided for Valentines Day to repost our love story.

This is going to be a long post so get a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. and settle in.

It all started when my friend Reece called me from California. She just moved there and she told me that she had met the man that I was going to marry and she told me his name. I told her that I am not coming to California to meet some dumb guy... yes, those were my exact words. (Later I I found out that he saw a picture of Reece and I together and he told her that he was going to marry me!)

A few months later, my friend (and the guy coincidentally) moved to Hawaii. She called me and asked me if I would consider coming there for awhile. She was expecting her first child and wanted a friend. Hmmm, move to Hawaii...ahhh, yeah!

We met the day after I got there, late December 1993. We went to pick my friend's husband up for lunch and he and his friend came walking out of the building. She called his name and he came over to say hello. We shook hands and said nice to meet you and all that. He was pretty cute! I was like...so that's the one huh? She was certain!

A few days later at the New Year's Eve party we went to on base, he danced with everyone there but me. He said later he didn't purposely not pay attention to me...yeah right Mr. Hard to get!

So the next day a bunch of the guys came over to my friends house and we were playing cards and such, just hanging out. That's when he and I both started flirting terribly with each other. He started coming over almost every day after that to see me. We would hang out with my friends or go for long walks and sit at the park on the swings and just talk. He really wanted to know me.

Our first actual date was Magical!! It was Jan. 15th, 1994. He took me to Chi-Chi's, which was my favorite restaurant. He had a rose waiting at the table for me, we had a wonderful time! On the way home we were listening to the radio and 'I love the way you love me' by John Michael Montgomery came on. I was like..."oh I love this song!!!" He asked if I minded if we stopped at the NEX (a Navy store) real quick, I said it was fine. I waited in the car and he came out with the John Michael Montgomery CD with that song on it. He opened it up and put it in and we listened to it again. Of course later this became 'our song'.

For Valentine's Day that year, he bought 4 tickets (2 for us and 2 for my friends, how nice is that?!) to a dinner cruise in Waikiki. This should have been the most romantic date ever! Candle light, 7 course meal, dancing, a dinner show, the waves going up and down...yeah, I spent almost the entire night in the bathroom...I didn't get to eat anything! You'd think he would have run after that huh?! Nope, he just kept telling me it was ok to all my sorry's. I never knew I would get so sea sick!

We were practically inseperable after that! In March my friend went into the hospital to have her baby, then it was time for me to go home. Our time together was bittersweet. I felt like we were saying goodbye forever, I didn't see how this could ever work...long distance relationships don't work! He knew that I was the one. I pretty much cried the entire flight home. I even fell asleep at the airport in Chicago on my 2nd layover and missed my flight! My Mom and friend had to pick up my luggage in Milwaukee and then come pick me up in Chicago. I still haven't lived that one down!

The first time he called me, I was really surprised. Then we started spending hours on the phone...computers weren't that rampant back then! We spent a lot of money on those phone bills! We would talk for hours just like we used to when we would walk around housing in Hawaii. In May of 94, he came to visit me in Wisconsin as well as his parents and siblings from NY. He was planning a proposal! His first idea didn't work cause it invovled me being pulled over by the police and that day, I got into a terrible car accident. Then his next idea didn't work out either for various reasons. His family went back to NY and still no proposal...I didn't know all the details of why he hadn't proposed yet...I thought he changed his mind! Finally, he proposed when we were miniature golfing with some friends, it was really cute!

So he went back to Hawaii and I started planning our wedding! We were married in Wisconsin that October (1994). He came in from Hawaii and his family came in from NY and we had other family and friends from all over the place! After we were married I moved to Hawaii with him where we lived for 2 years. Some honeymoon huh?!

So 17 years, 4 kids and 8 duty stations later...we are still splendidly in love! Not that it's always been perfect. After all, you can't have a perfect marriage with two imperfect people! But we still love each other. I still get butterflies when he calls to tell me he's on his way home from work and I still miss him like crazy when he is away from us.

Today when I was looking for a wedding picture, I came across my wedding vows. When I read them, it's so great to know that I love him even more today then I did that wonderful day. I decided to share them with you. Before that though, here's a crazy picture! He's supposed to be helping me onto the bus but by the look on his face...you'd think he was kidnapping me! Too funny!

Here are my wedding vows!

When we first met, I certainly wasn't looking for love, but your friendship intrigued me. You took the time to get to know me, and on one occasion I read you a poem, I'd like to read that again now.

"I promise you my love...without any limits. To accept the things you believe in and to always try to understand you. To be near you whenever you need my presence. To trust in your love for me and pray that it grows stronger every day. To watch our love grow together through the years. I promise to soothe your mind and body. To plan with you, dream with you, to do my best to show you how much I love you. For you have become my world, my heart, my life, and my future for ever. "

I told you that one day I would feel that way about someone and then, I would marry that person. Little did I know that I was looking into that very person's baby-browns. Every day since then I have felt our love & friendship growing. People say when you fall in love it seems your whole world turns upside down. When we fell in love...my life turned right side up again. With each passing day, a piece of our puzzle falls into place. Every time we find something in common, every time our differences compliment each other, a puzzle piece is put gently into place to bring us together in God's great plan for our destiny. Now, today, the final piece of our puzzle is being placed.

I take you to be my husband, and these things I promise you: I will be faithful to you and honest with you; I will respect you as you have always shown me the greatest respect; I will trust you, help, and care for you. I will share every part of my life with you. I will forgive you as we have been forgiven. And I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world, and God: through the best and worst of what is to come as long as we both shall live. I love you!

It's funny to me now, reading those vows I wrote so many years ago, how I mentioned that the final piece of the puzzle was being placed. Little did I know that it was only the final piece of the frame work of the puzzle. Through out our lives we continue to place more puzzle pieces. With each child that was born, every sorrow, every joy, every time he came back to me safely from deployment, with every kiss...we place another piece.

Random Acts of Kindness

2011-12-07T20:36:00.004-08:00

For Thanksgiving, I was trying to find somewhere that my whole family could volunteer together. I was very discouraged that it seemed every idea I came up with and checked into...my kids were too little. Then a friend from church contacted me and asked if we would be interested in staying after the Thanksgiving service to help separate and organize the food donations that every one would be bringing that day. I was very excited about this and we decided we would. Scooter and Little Man only made it about 20 minutes carrying food to the different areas with me helping them and then they were done...but they did it!! The girls did it to the very end and we had a great time with our little family and with our new church family volunteering for Thanksgiving!

The last day of November, my sister-in-law emailed me and asked me what I thought of this. It reminded me of another blog I had seen here that I knew I wanted to do on my next birthday. My family just started reading a book about advent called Jotham's Journey and in the beginning of the book it talks about showing kindness to others during Advent. So I decided VERY last minute that we were going to do this too!

25 days of Random Acts of Kindness for Avent! Here is the list we initially started with.

1st (Thu) Fill up someone’s gas tank

2nd (Fri) Tape coins to vending machines

3rd (Sat) Give a gift bag of food/drink and a blanket to a homeless person

4th (Sun) Buy a hot cocoa or latte for Salvation Army bell ringers

5th (Mon) Purchase toys for kids in need

6th (Tue) Tape candy canes and happy holiday notes to ATMS

7th (Wed) Take a set of holiday books and leave at a mall play area

8th (Thu) Offer to buy a pack of gum or mints for checkout clerk at grocery store

9th (Fri) Hand out pretty Christmas flowers

10th (Sat) Bring Christmas cookies to all our neighbors

11th (Sun) Help someone put their groceries in their car

12th (Mon) Bake & deliver Christmas cupcakes to library employees

13th (Tue) Bake a deliver Christmas cookies & bread to the fire department

14th (Wed) Bake and deliver Christmas cookies & bread to the police department

15th (Thu) Collect canned goods for food pantry

16th (Fri) Pass out candy canes to folks mailing off their Christmas cards at the post office

17th (Sat) Take back shopping carts, hold open doors for rushed and weary shoppers…

18th (Sun) Leave small Christmas treats/gifts in shopping carts for folks to find

19th (Mon) Take presents to hard working post office employees

20th (Tue) Call animal shelter and find out what donations they need. Make a contribution & visit animals.

21th (Wed) Leave basket of Christmas gifts on doorstep of a family that needs it

22nd (Thu) Buy coffee for stranger at Starbucks

23rd (Fri) Leave present in mailbox for mail carrier

Christmas Eve: (Sat) Take all night drug store employee a Christmas surprise (because it’s no fun to work on Christmas Eve!)

Christmas Day: (Sun) Deliver something special to folks who are working and/or recovering at local hospital.

I am not letting this stress me out at all! We haven't done the 3rd one because there is a particular man we want to bless and it hasn't worked out yet. We also changed the 6th one. We had gone out to dinner that night and when we were leaving, we saw the lights on at the military recruiting office. I said, "We should give them the candy canes instead!" Every one was excited about it, so we did! We went into each of the offices for the Navy, Army, and Marines (the Air Force are at a different location) and gave them candy canes and told them that we appreciate what they are doing and we know how tough their job is since before we moved here my husband was recruiting. They were so nice and really appreciated us coming in and then showered my kids with gifts! Balls, bracelets, pencils, and stickers! It felt really great and it was REALLY random, since we decided to do it so last minute!

I read about others on my facebook or other blogs doing the same thing! To know that there are so many people all over the place doing random acts of kindness for others...it just makes me so happy! Today a friend pointed me to this blog and it was just another smile for my day!

I love being able to teach my kids about giving to others! As they say on Yo Gabba Gabba...try it, you'll like it!

Making Every Day Special

2011-11-08T10:44:00.003-08:00

Every thing we do, every day...I want to make special for my family. As Hubby and I celebrated our anniversary, I wanted it to be really special. When we celebrated Tink's birthday, I made sure that Daddy was a part of it and tried to make the best memories. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, I want us to just have super quality time...as a family. When hubby is home on the weekends, I try to make every thing we do really special. I'm sure most families do these things, but this year, I have a purpose. Next year, Daddy won't be here for these things. He will be deploying.

So I want to make memories for my kids...and for their Dad, so that when they are missing each other...they can remember all the awesome things they did. Is it going to make them any less sad when Daddy isn't here for their birthday, probably not, but I still want them to have those amazing memories to hold on to.

A couple of weeks ago, I was singing in church during praise and worship and God spoke to me. He showed me that He wants OUR time together to be special. He wants me to make everything count! He doesn't just want my best on Sunday mornings, he wants every moment of every day to be special for Him and I. Hubby and I love our children and love to spend time with them, God loves us even more and wants to spend time with us.

We don't have to be on our knees in prayer every moment of the day...but we are supposed to pray without ceasing! God wants to be at the for front of our minds at all times. He wants us to share things with Him that make us happy or sad. He wants us to turn to Him in everything and include Him in everything.

Imagine if you will, standing in a group of people and being totally ignored. Sitting down at a table with your family, and not one person talks to you. Holding someones hand while they are going through a trial, and they let go to turn to someone else. Giving someone the best gift they have ever gotten and they act like they got it for themselves. Is this how we treat God? He is right there beside us, yet we do not acknowledge Him.

I pray, Lord, that as I go throughout each day, that I make it a special day that I spend with you...every day. Amen.

Seasons in Him

2011-11-07T09:52:00.007-08:00

On the way to church yesterday morning, there was a frost on the ground and the leaves are changing beautifully this time of year. My husband said his favorite part of fall is watching the leaves fall and being someplace quiet where you can actually hear the leaves hitting the ground.

That is the one thing we both miss about our house in NJ, it was surrounded by nature! Tons of trees and a lot of animals. Hubby used to step outside with his morning coffee and listen to the leaves hitting the ground while watching the deer roam through our yard and the park across the street. It was so beautiful and peaceful.

So back to our drive to church. I told my hubby that when I think of the leaves falling from the trees, it makes me think of how God strips away our sins and imperfections. When we allow God to do this, it can really be a beautiful thing.

Then when all of our sins have been washed away, we feel bare and naked.

But then God covers us with his mercy and grace! He washes us white as snow!

And then after God covers you with his mercy and grace...he covers you with his beauty, splendor, and love. He gives us new growth in Him, we are born again!

I pray that God will strip away my sins and imperfections, cover me with his mercy and grace, wash me white as snow, and give me new growth in him!! I pray the same for you today.

Orthodontists and Dentists

2011-11-04T10:43:00.004-07:00

So this week I took Princess to the orthodontist. I had taken her 1.5 years ago in WI and they told me she would definitely need ortho care and that it would be extensive. We weren't in NJ long enough so as soon as we got here to WA, I knew I needed to get on the ball. So I found an orthodontist through a friend and set up an appointment. They said Princess had 4 different problems they would have to address. Some of her molars were stuck due to overcrowding so they needed to straighten the top teeth to help those come down, then they would put in a guard to help her stop sucking her thumb, then she has a cross bite, and finally, her lower jaw is very prominent so they want to try and bring her upper jaw forward. So we made an appointment for the very next day and they put on her upper braces. Everything happened SO fast! She looks really cute with them on! This has made brushing in our house quite the event. It's really hard to keep braces clean, but thankfully, Princess is very diligent!

After she got her braces on, that same afternoon, all 4 kids had the dentist. This is our new dentist, and while I really like him and the office, perhaps it was a bit much for one week. I got the big lecture on helping the kids brush their teeth. The girls were fine, but the boys really still need help...like I didn't know that. They are 5 and 2. No more grazing all day long on food...ummm, we have 3 meals and 2 set snack times...and we eat healthy snacks for the most part. And I have to ask...how many people have 2 year olds that cooperate with teeth brushing time? We started as soon as he had a tooth, yet now that he's 2...he doesn't want help! Yes, I know I still NEED to do it...but it's certainly not fun!

So I wonder then about all those people I know who give their kids soda, fruit snacks, sugar cereals, gum, etc...what does their dentist have to say to them?! Because I don't give my kids any of that stuff and I get quite the lecture at the dentist. I left their feeling like a pretty bad Mom. So now teeth brushing time has become quite the event at our house for everyone...not just Princess! I have to stand over Tink to make sure she isn't rushing and that she is getting along her gum line, I have to help Princess because of her new braces (3-4x a day!), I have to help Little Man cause he's only 5 but at least he cooperates, and I have to help Scooter cause he's only 2 and he's very stubborn. We spend most of the time with him biting on the toothbrush and I can't get it out of his mouth!!

And ALL of this is SO fun for someone who has anxiety about dentists...that would be me!

Getting Settled

2011-09-30T15:00:00.002-07:00

We are now in Washington! We love our house, our location, our church, everything! We are getting used to hubby's new schedule and are so happy that he doesn't have to be in CA.

Our church here is amazing!! We have met so many wonderful people and have just dove right in. Tink is doing Teen Bible Quiz (TBQ), a Sunday School class that is talking about creation vs evolution that she is really enjoying, a middle school small group, youth group, youth choir, and serving with me in the little kids choir. Princess is doing Junior Bible Quiz (JBQ), Kids Church, Impact (a Bible club), and kids choir. The boys have their little Sunday School classes and Little Man has Royal Rangers and kids choir too. So we are staying pretty busy!!

A couple weeks ago, a new friend was going over to the east side of WA for a fun weekend of homesteading type activities and one of those was getting some apples. So I bought some too and she brought them back for me! So over the last 2 weekends, Chris and I have made over 50 quarts of applesauce!! It is so yummy!!! Hopefully it will last us till next fall...but we'll see!

This Thursday I am going over to a friends house to learn how to make my own bread. Not like the type you get from a bread maker...blah! But homemade, whole wheat bread!! I am really excited to start making my own! Hubby and I have researched kitchen mixers and can't wait to get our Bosch Universal Mixer at 800 watt motor!

Next summer we are definitely making our own freezer jam again too! I know, I am sounding like a crazy homesteader right?! I hope so! Pretty soon I will be sewing all our own clothes!! Just kidding...not that there is anything wrong with that! Been there done that. I have made a few dresses for my girls and I have found it takes way too much time and money and I can buy things much, much cheaper!!

I am still trying to finish up unpacking. Downstairs is looking amazing! I hung up all the pictures and everything down there is unpacked and put away. So, now it's upstairs time. I feel like I never get to it cause I am always trying to keep up with cleaning the downstairs and doing laundry and doing school. But now I have a time limit...which always helps! This Friday is Tink's birthday party!!

Now I feel like saying blah, blah, blah...cause that is how I feel like I sound!! Lol. This is part of why I haven't blogged in so long!

Answered Prayers

2011-08-12T10:18:00.010-07:00

Wow, last night I finally had time to sit down and look at my blog after a very busy summer so far. In my latest blog I talked about having faith and being able to wait on the Lord. I was stressed about choosing the right church in WA and finding the right house and Chris having to go be in CA for 4 months. Reading it, I was almost giddy! Because God answered ALL of my prayers!!

I had been staying up late every night scouring the internet for rental houses out in Washington. I knew we were going to have to pick a place to live without going there first to see it. We've done this before, we actually bought our house in VA without ever having seen it in person. Sometimes this is just the way it works out with the military. I also have been in prayer. Knowing that I shouldn't worry about it cause God has ALWAYS provided the perfect place for us to live. So I kept praying and I kept looking!

Even though I knew it was too early to be calling about houses, there was one house that really caught my eye. So I decided to call the property manager for it. She told me it definitely would not still be available when we were looking to move. She asked me what I was looking for and I told her and I also told her we wanted to be south of Everett to be near the church we plan on going to. She asked which church and when I told her, she said that it's a great church and she grew up in the Assemblies of God churches. So she took my number and said she would let me know if anything came up. I was like, wow, what are the chances that of all the property managers I would call in all of WA, it would be someone from the Assemblies of God?!

The very next evening, she called us and said that one of her tenants gave notice that day to vacate August 31st and she thinks the house would be perfect for us! So she sent some pictures and I had to call her back cause I knew there was no way this house was going to be in our price range...but it is!! It's 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 story, 3 car garage, 2800 sqft!!! So Chris and I took the evening to talk about it and pray about it and definitely felt like God was saying, "Here you go, here's the house I have picked out for you."

When we talked to her the next day she said that this is "God's house" and it's for "God's people!" The people that are in it now are a Pastor and his family, and now us! She's never actually had to put it on the market since the owner moved out. Because of the distance and timing, we asked if there were any other applications in on it that we were going up against and she said that she has the house set aside for us! They would not be accepting other applications for it!

It is in the perfect location, 25 minutes to Chris' work, 15 minutes to church, 5 minutes to shopping and food, great neighborhood, and we are just super excited and feeling SO blessed!! We have been praying that God would direct our paths and show us the perfect house for us and He did!! Praise God!!

As far as the church, God has given us complete peace about that as well. With the wonderful people I have been emailing with from there and making contact via facebook, and watching their services online on Sundays...I know we are going to love this church!

The last part of my prayer was about Chris having to go to CA for 4 months, 2 weeks after our arrival in WA. He received word from the guy he is relieving that now it looks like he will only have to go to CA for a week or two and then he'll be working up in WA!!! I mean, seriously?! God, you are so awesome!! We would have gotten through it...but I am so thankful we won't have to! This will still mean some stress for Chris as the commute from Everett to Bremerton everyday is 2 hours each way. But I know God will bless us and even if he's not around much during the week...he'll be home on the weekends! There is SOME talk about a possible 3 or 4 day work week and that is what we are praying for right now.

I am simply amazed at God's love for us. At how He provides everything for us each and every time we move. His love for me is greater then the highest mountain!! And deeper then the deepest sea. Thank you Lord for answering my prayers in such an amazing way!!

Here are pics of our beautiful new home!

Having Faith

2011-05-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

I like to think of myself as an optimist...some would even say to a fault! I don't just think of the glass as half full...I think of it as completely full and running over!! I always want everyone to win! When I used to play on our church co-ed baseball league in Virginia Beach years ago, I used to cheer on the other team. The teams needed to have a certain number of females to play, so they begged me to play, even though I really can not play baseball! So the only place they could put me was as catcher, then the pitcher would run up and cover my spot if needed, lol, sad, I know! But when I would sit up there in my catcher gear, and the other teams girls would come up to bat, I knew that some of them, like me, were only playing to fellowship and to fill a spot on the team. So I would give them a word of encouragement. My team used to crack up at me! But they loved me for it too. That is just who I am, it's how God created me.

If you are my friend, then you already know this about me. If you have ever been through a trial, then you know that not only am I on my knees before God, but I am in your corner. Encouragement is one of my spiritual gifts. A gift that is from the Lord and I try to use it to glorify Him!

Another spiritual gift that I have, not quite as high, but it's still right up there...is faith. I have little faith...like that God is going to help the time go slower when I am running late for piano practice with my kids so that we won't be late! Or that I will find a close parking spot so that I won't have to walk through a busy parking lot with 4 children in tow. I also have BIG faith! The kind that made me know that my husband was going to come home safely from Iraq, or that a friend is going to be healed from cancer. And REAL faith, that when God doesn't answer my prayers the way I wanted Him too...that I still know that He knows what is best and that He has bigger and better plans...or just different plans.

Sometimes I think it's easy for me to have faith cause I have never had to deal with anything tragic or terrible happen to me like being abused as a child, or to go through a divorce or the loss of a loved one, or a miscarriage or the loss of a child. So maybe it's easy to sit in my naive little world and have my faith cause everything always works out for me in the end. Well, not everything, my husband and I have been apart A LOT in our marriage due to the Navy and I certainly didn't want him to go to Iraq...but again, he always comes home safely to me.

So the area where I struggle the most with faith...is waiting. Trusting in God that HE WILL PROVIDE! So, now we know we are moving to Everett...but where? Have I chosen the right church? I haven't even been there...how do I know this is where God wants us? What if we find a house close to the church and then we don't fit? It seems that most Navy families live north of Everett but the church is south so I want to live somewhere in between, is that the right decision? Now Chris may have to live in California from September to January while we are in WA...how is that going to work during the move? Will I have to unpack and settle us once again by myself and with 4 kids this time and no one to lean on for help? How are we going to take a long trip across the entire country and then find a house to move into before Chris has to report to his new command? What if we can't find a house in the 10 days we have for house hunting leave? Should we spend the $500 on a ticket for Chris to go out there early to look for a house? Should we move right at the begining of September or more mid-September? Will I make good friends? Will we be apart for Christmas?

My mind is reeling this evening and I can't sleep. Why is this so hard for me? God always provides the perfect house for us, He always takes care of us, and He always gives me the strength that I need to carry on in whatever task lies ahead.

On Sunday my Pastor was talking about some missionaries that live in an area where they are under constant persecution and their words really hit me, "Do not pray that God would take this away, pray that God would help us to withstand it". Wow! Now that is faith!! BIG faith!!

So, Lord, help me to withstand this move once again. You always give us what we need. You especially always provide for me to be able to get through whatever I need to get through. Give me rest Lord. Help me to know what decisions to make and help me to be submissive to my husband and trust him in the decisions that he needs to make for our family. Help us to really enjoy these last few months we have here in New Jersey. Amen

I found my JOY!!!

2011-03-26T15:11:00.004-07:00

So, I took a day to mourn the loss of my care free days, sun kissed skin, and palm tree hugs, lol. Then I wanted to find the JOY in my circumstances!! I was having a tough time though. The only negative I can even find about Everett is the rain...the constant rain.

Today I talked to someone at a church out there and it was a great conversation! I sent her an email afterward and thanked her for her time and I posted a link to this blog. Then I went to look at my blog to make sure I didn't say anything bad about Washington, lol. A few posts down, I reread a post I wrote about my name. It reminded me that God is taking care of me and that He has called me for a purpose and that He has given me everything I need! I have found joy in my circumstances!! I wrote that blog before I knew I was going to Washington. God is amazing!!

Now today I am feeling really great about the move! I am excited about the church out there and the fact that they have a large homeschooling community, I am excited that Olivia already has a pen pal out there and that I have a friend, and I am excited because God reminded me to have joy in my circumstances through my own words that He gave me to write. Words that reminded me that God has called me to this military life and that even in the rain...he will help me to grow!!

Answer #1

2011-03-25T06:17:00.002-07:00

We got one of our answers yesterday. We are moving to Everett, Washington. Wow. I'm very glad to have our answer but it wasn't what I was hoping for. My husband even told me it was most likely going to be Everett. The funniest thing is that when he was picking orders, there was 1 job that he wanted and there were 2 places he could go. California or Washington. We, OF COURSE, chose California because I didn't want to go back to Washington. Lol. Well, God obviously wanted something different for us!

Yesterday I mourned my palm trees and sunshine. Today I am still a little in shock and I WANT to be excited about Washington but there just isn't as much to be excited about. I just checked the weather and for the next 10 days, it's nothing but rain. *sigh*

We most likely will not be able to get into that housing I liked, it's a long wait, but there are a lot of nice houses for rent in the area and the cost of living up there is a lot less then CA or NJ! It looks like there are some decent churches in the area and they do have JBQ up there.

We also found out that there is a chance that Hubby might have to be in CA for a few months while we are in WA. NOT happy about that at all. Praying against that!

So, I got my answer. Now, today, I have to find my strength to be joyful in my circumstances!!

My Crazy Life...

2011-03-21T11:16:00.002-07:00

I think this could be my blog post every day! Maybe I should rename my blog this! As usual we have been extremely busy, so computer time has taken a back seat, which is a good thing I suppose. There are 3 things that have been weighing on my mind lately.

#1.) JBQ. Junior Bible Quiz is a wonderful program for kids 3rd - 6th grade where they memorize questions and answers and quotations from the Bible. Princess and Tink are both in it this year. For the State competition, they were on separate teams and Princess's team did really great and I am so proud of how she has totally stepped up this year as a leader her first year. This is Tink's 3rd and last year in the program. She is very gifted in this area! Her team had an "off" day on the day of competition and they ended up in 5th place. Not bad at all, but there are only 4 spots for regionals. The teams that beat them are teams they have beat before and even teams that beat them earlier in the day, they beat later during the playoffs. It was just a series of unfortunate events that day. Her one teammate actually came in 1st place in the whole state of NJ!! There was still a chance that they might take a 5th team but it wasn't looking good.

Well, we heard last night that things are changing and that we don't know for sure yet but we should make arrangements to go! I am still praying really hard! I really want Tink's team to have this opportunity! It's almost like we are the wildcard...like the Packers!! And we are going to get in and take it all! Lol! Well, I don't know about that...but it would be great for them to have this experience!

#2.) Our house in Virginia. Our tenants moved out, and I won't even go into all the drama with that in itself! Our Property Manager went to do the walk through and the house is extremely filthy. The tenants said they hired a professional cleaning company but there is just NO WAY! the floors are filthy, the drawers are filthy, the appliances are filthy...I can't believe ANY cleaning company would leave a house looking like that! So now my PM is having to call the company and make them come back out and do it right. There is damage to window screens, the screen door, the garage door openers, the blinds for the sliding glass door, and a few walls. Now, all of this will come out of the security deposit but it's still stressful! In the mean time, the new tenants are coming to see the house again tomorrow and the house is filthy and they wanted permission to paint. On one hand, they are saving US money by painting it instead of us having to paint. But on the other hand, I am not comfortable with them doing anything until the process is finished with the previous tenants. Plus I don't really want them having a key and such till they start paying rent. I sure hope they understand!

#3.) Our move. We found out back in January I think that we were moving before the end of the year, probably November. Hubby has the opportunity to go to a new job and it's in San Diego!! This is the job he wanted when we left Great Lakes but it wasn't available. We were so excited! His CO here did not sign the paperwork to release him cause she wanted a person to replace him first. So WE PRAYED!! God provided and a person took the orders and is coming in August!! That means we are leaving in September now, even earlier then expected! I really like this time frame better, easier on the kids for programs and such. The kids and I have gotten SO excited about moving to San Diego!! Disneyland, the zoo, Sea World, Lego Land, military hopper flights to Hawaii!! We started researching churches there too. NO JBQ in San Diego. Wow. Princess would be the only one in it next year but it's such an amazing program we are just shocked about having to possibly give it up.

Then hubby got a phone call from the guy who he's relieving. They might be moving the job to Everett, Washington!! WHAT?!?! Washington?!?! I don't want to live in Washington again! I want to move to San Diego! I want the sunshine and palm trees! *sigh* Okay God. I know that we are in the center of your will right now. I know that these orders are a reward from you for our family. So I KNOW that I need to TRUST in you. So now we are researching Everett as well. It's different then where I lived there before. The housing is NICE if we can get in it. They do have JBQ there. It IS beautiful, there is no denying that. But there definitely aren't any palm trees.

I just want to know! Is it San Diego? Is it Everett? Are they going to move us to San Diego and then to Everett? Hmmm, I just realized this sounds very familiar. Back in Great Lakes we thought we were going to be moving to Long Island, NY. Then it is was either going to be there or Manhattan, NY or Colts Neck, NJ. All I wanted was to know!! Now here I am again just wanting to know. The Lord blessed us in it being Colts Neck, it is the perfect place for us. I know He will pick the perfect place for us again. I just wish He would tell me which one it was going to be! :o)

I fell off the bandwagon!

2011-02-09T09:16:00.003-08:00

Today is day 31 in my reading program! I am 1/3 of the way through the Bible! I can't believe it! This past week I had gotten REALLY behind in my reading. Not a big deal when you are doing a 365 day program...you just read a little bit more. But when you are doing a 90 day program...it was a little overwhelming! Yesterday was day 30 and there was no assigned reading...that REALLY helped! I am caught up!! It felt really good and hopefully that will help me to not get behind again!

I haven't worked out in a week. First it was my back, then this past weekend was really busy with MOPS, iMpact, JBQ, church, and the superbowl (GO PACKERS!!! WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!). I also haven't been counting my calories or even caring about what I've been eating! Sigh. Hopefully today I will be able to get back up on the wagon and get moving!!

What's in a Name?

2011-01-18T10:36:00.006-08:00

About a year ago, my husband and I were in a small group with some other couples and in the book study we were doing, we were asked to research our name and find the meaning of it, Biblical or otherwise, and find a scripture verse for it. I knew right away that this was going to be a challenge. Let me start off by saying I LOVE my name! It is me and I have never not liked my name.

My name is Heather. In baby name books the meaning says: an evergreen flowering plant that thrives on peaty, barren lands. Wow. Exciting. When I was a young adult, I would meet a man and when I would tell him my name was Heather, the response was ridiculous. You could see the excitement in their eyes and hear it in their voice with their response, "oh Heeeaaaattther", they would say all saucy as their eyebrows went up and down. Like they were conjuring up pictures in their head of Heather Locklear that very moment! Then there was Hollywood...with the movie Heather's and pretty much any voluptuous, man-stealing, bimbo...was named Heather!! I always knew that as soon as a bad girl came into a movie scene...her name would be Heather!

Heather in the Bible? Not so much! So I scoured the web for SOMETHING! Anything other then it being a flowering plant that grows on barren lands! I came across a little story that I absolutely loved! Remember, it's just a story! But it really made me think about my name in a whole new light.

When God first made the world, He looked at the bare and barren hillsides and thought how nice it would be to cover them with some kind of beautiful tree or flower. So he turned to the Giant Oak, the biggest and strongest of all of the trees he had made, and asked him if he would be willing to go up to the bare hills to help make them look more attractive. But the oak explained that he needed a good depth of soil in order to grow and that the hillsides would be far too rocky for him to take root.

So God left the oak tree and turned to the honeysuckle with its lovely yellow flower and beautiful sweet fragrance. He asked the honeysuckle if she would care to grow on the hillsides and spread her beauty and fragrance amongst the barren slopes. But the honeysuckle explained that she needed a wall or a fence or even another plant to grow against, and for that reason, it would be quite impossible for her to grow in the hills.

So God then turned to one of the sweetest and most beautiful of all the flowers - the rose. God asked the rose if she would care to grace the rugged highlands with her splendor. But the rose explained that the wind and the rain and the cold on the hills would destroy her, and so she would not be able to grow on the hills.

Disappointed with the oak, the honeysuckle and the rose, God turned away. At length, he came across a small, low lying, green shrub with a flower of tiny petals -some purple and some white. It was a heather.

God asked the heather the same question that he’d asked the others. "Will you go and grow upon the hillsides to make them more beautiful?"

The heather thought about the poor soil, the wind and the rain - and wasn’t very sure that she could do a good job. But turning to God she replied that if he wanted her to do it, she would certainly give it a try.

God was very pleased.

He was so pleased in fact that he decided to give the heather some gifts as a reward for her willingness to do as he had asked.

Firstly he gave her the strength of the oak tree - the bark of the heather is the strongest of any tree or shrub in the whole world.

Next he gave her the fragrance of the honeysuckle - a fragrance which is frequently used to gently perfume soaps and potpourris.

Finally he gave her the sweetness of the rose - so much so that heather is one of the bees favorite flowers. And to this day, heather is renowned especially for these three God given gifts.

This reminds me of how God has asked me to go and be a military wife. I can not put in deep roots like the oak tree, we never live anywhere long enough, so the heather's roots have to be quick and strong.

The honeysuckle needs something else to grow against, to support it...I don't have that here with me. Every time I move some place new...I am on my own. I don't get to have my best friends surrounding me with love and support to help me grow...yet the heather will grow.

The wind and the rain and the cold would destroy the rose...but not me. I can take anything that life throws at me. 7 month ship deployments, year long deployments to Iraq, just getting settled one place and being told it's time to move again, raising children and being their strength when Daddy is gone...the heather will not be destroyed.

God asked the heather "Will you go and grow where I send you, and make my world more beautiful?"

The heather thought about the poor soil, the wind and the rain - and wasn’t very sure that she could do a good job. But turning to God she replied that if he wanted her to do it, she would certainly give it a try.

So then God gave me what I needed. The strength of the oak tree, the sweet fragrance of Jesus Christ which is His salvation, and the beauty of the rose which is the light of Christ shining through me that attracts new friends in new places and hopefully hurting people that I may encourage them and be a light in this dark world. Some days I am definitely not sure I can do it, but I will try...every day.

So...what does your name mean? :)

The Journey Begins...

2011-01-10T07:57:00.002-08:00

My goals for 2011; 1. Spend more time in God's word, 2. Serve others more, 3. Lose 20lbs. So, more of God, more of others, and LESS of me!!

Last week at church, our Pastor challenged us to spend MORE time in God's word!! I will fully admit that I have been severely failing in this area. So I decided I am going to take that challenge! I decided I will read my Bible before I do anything else for myself in the morning. No computer time until I read the Bible. It went great for a week! I was doing Our Daily Bread, and some extra reading. Then this Sunday, our Pastor mentioned a program where you read the Bible in 90 days. 90 days?!?!? Are you serious?! I have tried numerous times to do the Bible in 1 year programs and I always end up not finishing, not even close, I never make it to the New Testament! I am intrigued!

So I did some research today and while I still think it's going to be a struggle to get through the Old Testament parts that I have read numerous times, I think this plan is a great idea!! 365 days is a big commitment! You never know what life has for you! But 90 days? I can do 90 days!! My Pastor said, "Which sounds better? A diet that will last 365 days, or a diet that will last 90 days?" I am so IN!!!

Starting today...I am doing the 90 day challenge!!

Also, this week our Pastor challenged us to memorize God's word. UGH!!! It's not just about reading the Bible in a certain amount of time...it's about GOD'S WORD!!! He said the biggest excuse people use is, "I have a bad memory". Yup, that would be me! My 8 year old daughter, Princess, was asked to go up on the platform on Sunday and recite Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amazing!! Tink taught it to her on Friday, she also taught her 3 other versus on the way to church on Sunday! My girls are amazing!! The way they memorize their JBQ questions amazes me!! These are MY children!! I need to stop making up excuses and just do it!

So, it may take me a little longer, but I am going to start memorizing God's word!! Of course I do know a lot already that I purposely memorized...but why not more?! How can I know how to walk with the Lord if I don't know His word? How will I depend on His word when I am in the dark if I don't have it in my heart? When someone asks me to pray for them, I don't want to pray flowery words or on my own authority...I want to pray God's word into them...the breath of life!!

Lord, help me! Help me to stick to this reading plan! I have read many unimportant books from cover to cover. Help me to love every page of your word! Help me to make this important above any time wasters in my life! Help me to witness to others through this. Also, please help me to memorize Your word! Amen!

My first verse: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

The Journey begins...

A Year in Pictures 2010

2011-01-06T08:53:00.003-08:00

Homeschooling Little Man

2011-01-05T12:11:00.004-08:00

Homeschooling has been an interesting journey for me so far. We started 6 years ago for Tink, it definitely was the best thing for her! Princess has also flourished in our little homeschool, she is gifted in a completely different way then Tink. Last year, Tink started doing the video through ABeka. She LOVES it!! And it showed in her work and attitude. This year both girls are doing it and Princess loves it too. They watch their lessons on DVD on their laptops and then they do their work. I still do all the grading and helping with questions and studying. This year I also added Little Man to our classroom. So the girls having independant lesson times are great so I can focus on the boys more.

Little Man is only on lesson 33 today. When I think about that, it puts panic into my heart!! The girls are already on lesson 63!!! There are many reasons why Little Man is "behind". There have been a couple of days that I have kicked my 4 year old out of my classroom. That sounds terrible but he has to learn what the classroom is for and what it ISN'T for...like being disrespectful to his teacher.

Every day he begs and whines to do school...and then as soon as we start, he begs and whines to be done. He likes the IDEA of doing school. Also, I have to give up things I want to do to do school with him. Like shower, workout, clean the house...which I am happy to do...if he was happy to do school. I wait to do school with him when Scooter goes down for a nap so that we can focus. So when he doesn't act like he wants to do it, I'm like...fine! Then I'll go take a shower!

Then the holidays hit. I did a lot of online shopping and bargain hunting and baking and, well, not a whole lot of schooling. Luckily the girls can do their work without me having to sit right there the whole time. Although even they took more days off then I was anticipating.

So that brings us to today. January 5th. I decided I HAD to get back to schooling Little Man. I mean technically I don't HAVE to do school with him at all. He's only 4, and it's just preschool...but I realized over Christmas break that my son could not count to 10 while playing hide and seek with his sisters. That...I am not okay with! I really wanted him to at least be able to count to 10!! Not for anyone else, not because I care what anyone else thinks, cause I don't. But just so he can play hide and seek with his sisters!!

So this afternoon when Scooter laid down for his nap...we did school. Not just one lesson, but 3 lessons!! He can count to 10...appatantly he just didn't feel like it when he was playing. He also can recognize all 10 numbers and put them in order. He can also sing his ABC's, which he used to be able to do, and then I thought I couldn't anymore. He knows all his colors of course. He knows what sounds all the vowels and quite a few letters make. He can also write his name, all by himself, in capital or little letters.

Apparantly, when playing, he wants to do things his own way. Why do the numbers have to go in order all the time and why can't X be in the alphabet 4 or 5 times...it's a fun letter to say!! And so what if we are only on lesson 33!! It's preschool!! He's gonna learn all the same stuff in Kindergarten anyway!! We need to have a little more fun and a little less seriousness I think. Boys sure are different to teach then girls!

Lord, give me what I need each day to give to my children. Help me to remember that they are individuals. Help me to be a good teacher and a great Mom and a loving wife. Amen.

Christmas in NYC!

2011-01-04T12:12:00.004-08:00

Five days before Christmas, we took the train into NYC to see all the lights and sights of the city at Christmas! It was amazing!!! It definitely surpassed our expectations!

The train took us into Penn Station which is quite the hubbub of activity and this is where we saw our first NYC Christmas tree. It was so big they had to hang the star from the ceiling! We went out into the city and headed straight for Macy's. We waited in line to see Santa at Macy's about 45 minutes, but the stuff you see in the line was so cool that the time went really fast. One thing I didn't get a picture of was along the walls there were blown up lists from children to Santa and they were really cute to read!

After seeing Santa we headed down the street and went to McDonalds for lunch. We would have loved to eat someplace more "New York" but the kids really wanted McDonalds and we hardly ever eat there...and we were really hungry!

After that we headed out into the cold again (it was really cold that day!) to look for a subway that was heading uptown. We couldn't go the route we wanted cause there were police everywhere blocking off the streets and sidewalks. Apparently there was a bomb threat!! The New Yorkers didn't seem scared at all...just annoyed! So we had to go a much longer way to get to the subway station we needed. There probably was another station we could have gone to but hey, we're tourists!!

The subway was fun! Family with 4 kids gets on the subway...no seats...no one cares!! After a young lady watched Little Man for awhile, she stood up and offered her seat to him, he was happy to sit down! We went uptown to go to a special place to get Scooter's first haircut!! He was so cute and when he was all done he was not happy about having to get out of the race car! He looks so big with his new haircut!!

We decided to walk back down 5th Avenue to go to Rockefeller Center. It was a long walk and it was really cold. We saw a lot of neat stuff though! Rockefeller Center (or RC) was really cool! Seeing the NYC Christmas tree and the lighted angels and the skating rink...beautiful! The girls really wanted to go ice skating but the wait was SOOOO long, so we decided not to. We did go to the Starbucks on the bottom floor of the RC and have some hot chocolate!!

After warming up and walking around some more, we went to the top of the RC! What a great view!! We could see the Empire State building and all of the city! After that we stopped and got some pretzels and then headed for the American Girl store. I now have been to 3 and I still think the one in Chicago is the best! It was a lot of fun!

On our way back to Penn station we went to Times Square...they didn't need any Christmas lights added to their display!! WOW!!! The train ride back to NJ was pretty quiet. I think we all really enjoyed our big trip to the city and look forward to going back in the spring to see completely different things!

Enjoy the pics!

Mom

2010-12-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Mom,

As a little girl one of my fondest memories was on Sunday nights, watching you and Dad getting ready for Square Dancing. I can still smell Dad’s aftershave, lol. I would be watching the Mandrel Sisters on tv and you would be walking around in your square dance skirt…I thought you were SO beautiful! I loved how you and Dad always had matching outfits. It was the best thing ever when us kids were allowed to come and start taking lessons and I got to dress up just like my Mom!

I loved camping too. I remember it seeming like we were going so far away…yet we had just gone to the Jellystone in Racine, and I couldn’t wait for you to get there after work. You always made sure that we had so much fun and later after Toni was gone and it was just me, you always let me bring Jill along too. Even to Disney World!! How lucky of a girl I was to go to the most magical place on earth with my Mom, Dad, AND my best friend!!

Another great memory happened every Christmas Eve. The lights were on, it was dark outside already, and sometimes it would be snowing. The anticipation of you getting home from work so we could open presents was almost unbearable! But the feeling of excitement was so great and it was all because you gave me such a love for ALL things Christmas! I remember I used to call you at work and beg to open just one present!! You always laughed at me and told me I had to wait!

I remember that when Grandma died, you held your grief in for my sake so I could go to my formal at school; you let me have just one more day. We traveled to MN the next day and I remember that I went to the funeral home with you to take care of things. For some reason, I felt really close to you that day. I miss Grandma a lot. I think of how much she would love my kids and how much she would just adore Christopher! I know you must miss her a lot too!

In this military life that we live, I could not imagine being able to do it without your support Mom. God is what gets me through…but He gave YOU to me to be his listening ear and loving heart right here on earth. I know that no matter where I am or what I am facing…you will be there for me. I remember the feeling of total fear that I had when Chris told me he was going to Iraq. After he held me and I cried, I looked at him and said, “Can I call my Mom?” He said, “I was wondering when you would.” He knows that I still need my Mommy to make the boogie man go away.

So this year on your birthday, even though I can’t be with you, I want you to know that I love you Mom. I love the relationship that we have! I know that I can tell you ANYTHING and you will still love me. I feel proud of you, protective of you, and I am so happy that God chose YOU to be my Mom…I wouldn’t have picked anyone else!

Love with all of my heart,
Heather

Halloween

2010-11-01T16:06:00.004-07:00

As a child I celebrated Halloween. Dressed up in cute costumes and went trick or treating. I grew up in the same neighborhood my whole childhood so we knew everyone and went with all our friends! It was great fun! As I became a teenager I started going to haunted houses and watching scary movies (against my parents wishes!). I also used to mess around with seances and ouija boards...I mean, it was just for fun!

Then when my kids started getting old enough for trick or treating, we participated. My husband did not ever participate in Halloween as a kid so he wasn't real thrilled with the whole thing, but I LOVED Halloween! We went to all the same neighbors that I had gone to as a child and all my friends brought their kids over to our parents neighborhood, it was so much fun!!

Then we moved away, all the way to Washington state. As Halloween grew closer, Chris and I both started feeling some conviction about participating. There were scary graveyards all over the neighborhood. Children were talking about the costumes they were going to wear: witches, zombies, characters from movies they shouldn't even know about. Dad's were talking about dressing up like Freddy Kruger from Nightmare on Elmstreet and scaring the kids! This wasn't sounding like too much fun anymore. What are we doing to our kids? What are we teaching them? Do I want my kids to think that all this is fun and games and be lead into the same activities that I played around with? Thank the Lord I was protected from the evil that I messed around with, but did I want to put my children in the fire as well?

We chose to hand out candy that year. As I watched these kids coming to my house, I had another thought...any other time of the year we tell kids "Don't talk to strangers!" "Don't ever take candy from strangers!" "Don't ever go to someone's house you don't know!" OH, except this one day! When everyone is dressed up really creepy and you don't know who might possibly be a pedophile!! Yikes!

Then we moved to Virginia. We handed out candy again. This time we had a pumpkin carved with the name Jesus in it and Christian music playing on our porch. No one cared about either. It wasn't a witness. People aren't stopping to have conversations, half the kids were out without an adult anyway! They were with older siblings who weren't even dressed up and wanting candy! That year, Princess had nightmares. We decided that was it. No more Halloween for us.

Since then we have had many wonderful times on October 31st!! Our favorite thing to do though is to have Family Movie Night! We close the curtains, turn off the lights, and don't answer the doorbell when someone doesn't realize our light isn't on. We have popcorn and candy and watch a family friendly movie...it's the best!

Most people aren't bothered at all by the fact that we don't celebrate Halloween...the world that is. Now Christians on the other hand, that's a whole 'nother story! Somehow, us not celebrating is very offensive to other Christians who do. We've been told how legalistic we are. I didn't realize that following God's will for OUR family was legalistic. Who knew?!

Now, I also don't think that we would ever hand out tracks on Halloween or use that day to try to witness to others and tell them how "evil" it is. That's really going to win them over to Jesus!

Here is what I believe, I believe that Jesus is the light! I believe that Halloween celebrates the darkness and death. Jesus overcame death!! So do I want to celebrate the opposite of what Jesus represents? No thanks!

I also don't feel this hurts my testimony at all! People see that I live my faith, yes I make mistakes, but I ask for forgiveness daily! Just cause I don't take part in Halloween isn't going to drive a wedge between myself and my neighbors. In fact, if you are a Christian and Halloween is the only day of the year that your neighbors darken your doorstep...then you've got bigger problems.

A few years ago for Christmas, my oldest daughter decided she wanted us to do a manger scene in our front yard. I really didn't want to do it, it seemed like a lot of work on my part and it seemed kind of silly. But she was so persistent! So we did. I made up flyers and she went to every single house in our subdivision and invited people to come and see our "live" nativity and sing some Christmas songs with us. People actually came!! Even someone from the local paper! She reached thousands of people that Sunday when her story and pictures and why she did it were in there! We met so many people in our neighborhood and people thought that it was such a neat thing. You can choose any day of the year to witness to the lost...it doesn't have to be on Halloween.

For our family, we can't argue with scripture!

1 Thessalonians 5:20-22
Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

3 John 1:11
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

1 Corinthians 10:21
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

PACKER TIME!!!

2010-09-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night football. We did lose, it was a terrible game! The Packers were giving away yardage left and right! Anyway, before the game my family made a little video that I wanted to share!

Time is Flying!

2010-09-20T10:27:00.004-07:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I blogged! We have moved to NJ!! We are living in housing on NWS Earle and we love it here! We call our neighborhood Sleepy Hollow, it is so quiet! I've made a few new friends and we are getting plugged in at our new church. We still aren't unpacked yet but it's livable and we are getting it done slowly but surely.

Yesterday was a hard day for me. My new church is great! Full of friendly people, spirit filled, just wonderful. But they don't know me yet. I miss being loved by my church family. I miss walking into church and having people who know my heart, welcome me into the fold. I miss people cherishing me and how I can serve in the church. I know that will all come in time here, but in the mean time, it's hard. I feel like a wall flower. The kids and Chris all LOVE it! I do too, I'm just having a harder time I guess.

Today we started school! Tink is in 6th grade, Princess is in 3rd, and Little Man is PK-4. We started the day by going to watch colors at the flag pole. That was really patriotic and brought tears to my eyes. Two guys bring out the flag and attatch it to the pole, the Star Spangled Banner is played across the whole base, one guy salutes the flag as the other guy raises it up. We are so blessed to live in such an amazing country! I feel very priviledged to be able to homeschool my children.

So we came home and ate breakfast and then the kids were ready to go! Unfortunately, Princess's computer was not. It took me 30 minutes and a reboot to get it going. (I also realized last night that somehow I forgot to order her math book!) So then we were off and running. Scooter went down for a nap and I did Little Man's lesson with him, luckily it wasn't too long cause he was losing attention quick! We had a nice lunch around noon and Tink finished at 1:30 and took Little Man across the street to the park to play. Princess is finishing up her last two lessons. All in all, it was a great homeschool day!

Hubby started his first day of work today and he had to go to Long Island. It took him 4 hours to get to work!! I couldn't believe it! I knew it was going to bad if there was traffic but wow! Hopefully he will only be there a couple of days and then he'll be here in New Jersey. I told him he should have just spent the night at a hotel there tonite and come home tomorrow!

We really like it here in NJ, it's a beautiful state! I miss my Mom and Dad. I miss my friends. I miss my church. But I know that I will get used to it here in time. I can't wait for people to come visit!!

Spring Fever and Scarlet Fever

2010-04-08T11:52:00.005-07:00

What a wonderful Easter we had! We started a new tradition a few years ago of celebrating the spring stuff (ie: baskets, eggs, dinner) on Saturday. So we colored eggs on Friday night, then went to a friends house to play cards. Saturday morning the kids woke up to a great egg hunt! We let Little Man go first and he found some of his and some of the girls eggs that were hidden better. I guess he's not as much of my baby as I thought he was! Next the girls went together and they had a lot of fun finding theirs. No lost eggs this year so that's a good thing!

Next we had the big basket hunt! We had hid their baskets, tied one end of yarn to each basket and then wove the yarn all over the house and outside. Upstairs, downstairs, in the basement, up and down the slide, through the garage...all over the place! The kids loved it!

Scooter's basket we had just put right in front of the fireplace and as soon as he saw it he scooted right over to it. He loved his star shape toy and his wubanub...which is a pacifier with a little monkey attached to it.

We had family over for Easter dinner and everything went very smoothly for the cooking, hubby did most of it! :o) My Mom wasn't feeling well so she wasn't able to join us. Later that evening we went to church. It was a great service!

The next day, Easter Sunday, we all went to church again...this time to serve. It was a wonderful Sunday and we stayed for both services in children's ministries.

After church we went out to my friend's parents house to celebrate with them. We had a nice dinner and then they do an egg hunt for the kids outside. The hit of the afternoon though was the new rope swing that Grandpa Joe hung up in one of the trees, the kids had a blast! So much so that I finally had to call them in well after dark, it was raining, and I saw lightening in the distance! What a great weekend!!

Monday was pretty uneventful, Little Man was kind of crabby all day. He fell asleep on the couch right before supper and then wouldn't eat dinner and just cried for quite awhile. We finally put him to bed and he seemed pretty hot. I gave him some Tylenol and then of course he ended up in our bed. It was a good thing cause he ended up throwing up during the night and since we were right there and just happened to have a bowl in our room...no sheet changing for me!

He was very sick all day Tuesday, high fever, throwing up, very lethargic. That night we noticed a rash on his body. I thought maybe it was heat rash. Hubby thought strep throat and scarlet fever. The next day the rash was worse even though he seemed to be better. So I made a Dr. appt. for him and sure enough...strep throat with scarlet fever. Who knew?! Oh...that's right... hubby did. :oP

So now he's on meds and feeling much better, although I understand this rash might last a couple weeks...and then he's gonna peel...great! I didn't even know scarlet fever was still around!

Bald is Beautiful!

2010-03-24T05:41:00.013-07:00

My beautiful Tinkerbell!

We got our shirt and we are ready to go!

Co-shavees!

Waving at the crowd...ready to go!

The first shave...

Still smiling!

Almost done now!

So much love!

Sisters!

We did it!

My beautiful Tinkerbell!

Kenosha News

Tink started Saturday with a head of hair — long brown locks that flowed to her shoulders and neatly framed her round face.

By 4:15 p.m., the buzz was on, but not just from the electric shaver.

Tink wanted her head shaved. And, the crowd of some 200 people who watched the 11-year-old Kenosha girl lose her mane during the fourth annual St. Baldrick’s fundraiser for children’s cancer research at the Brat Stop, cheered her on.

With one section of hair remaining to be shaved, many standing began applauding vigorously.

“Way to go Tink!” one man called out.

Among her biggest fans, her father sat in the chair next to her and received a similar cut. He hugged her immediately after the last lock fell.

With just the peach fuzz that remained, she then climbed out of her chair, smiling.

Inspired by Garrett

She said her inspiration, a little boy named Garrett, had lost his life to cancer and she wanted to do something to help other children who have the disease.

Just 10 days ago, she started raising awareness in person and on Facebook. With the help of her parents, friends, her church and the community, she garnered more than $2,700. Her donation goal was $500.

Her mother said Tink had just planned to donate some money to a young man who was also going to have his head shaved. Then, she told her parents something they never expected.

“Mom, I have to do that,” she told her mother.

Herparents talked it over, and when Tink explained why she was making the sacrifice, Dad was soon compelled to join her.

“Her heart was totally in the right place,” he said.

Tears, locks fall

Mom said she was crying as her daughter’s hair fell onto the stage. Before the event, Tink tried to reassure her mother it was just hair and it would grow back.

The bigger picture was that kids could help kids in need.

“When I knew I could do something like this, I thought, why not?” Tink said.

BY TERRY FLORES (names changed to nicknames)

St. Baldrick's Day

2010-03-09T14:48:00.002-08:00

This Saturday my 11 year old daughter, Tink, is shaving her head in solidarity with children who have cancer and typically lose their hair during treatment, while raising critical funds for childhood cancer research!

I was telling her about a boy at our church who was doing this and she knew the moment I told her that she had to do it too. At first, I tried to talk her out of it! I didn't want my little girl to be bald! But after listening to her heart...we couldn't say no.

Tink had a friend when they were younger and when we had lived away from here he died of cancer. It really touched her. We had been praying for him every night and then he had started to get better it seemed. Then we found out that he wasn't doing well at all. Olivia prayed so hard for her friend. Then we found out he had gone to be with Jesus. God healed him, by taking him home. This is a hard lesson for a little girl to understand.

So when she heard about what St. Baldrick's does, she immediately brought up her friend that had died and said she wanted to help so that no more kids will die.

She has such a huge heart and God lays big things on her heart! She has been raising money and is already over $1700!! People have just been amazing in their outporing of love and support!

Before any of this came about, I heard the story about a little girl named Layla Grace on Rufflebutts. Layla Grace is 2.5 and was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She passed away today. This makes this whole thing so much more real to me. While it may be hard for me to let my little girl shave her head...at least it will grow back. How hard must it be for Mom's whose little girls lose their hair because of cancer treatment. How hard must it be for Mom's whose little girls hair never grows back.

One in five kids who have cancer will die.

I am so proud of my little girl for her great big heart and for doing what God has called her to do.

If you would like to donate: http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/participantid/387838

2010

2010-01-22T07:17:00.003-08:00

Well, it's a whole new year! I can't believe I didn't blog at all through the whole Christmas season...I guess that shows how busy I was! It was just wonderful being here in Wisconsin near my family and friends. December was full of ups...going to see my new niece and her big brother and Mommy; and downs with both Mom & Dad being in the hospital and my boys both getting lung infections. But all in all it was a time spent surrounded by the ones we love.

New Years Eve was the best! We had great friends over and I made my parents come over to eat and they ended up staying for the whole celebration! It was a fun night of food, fellowship, and games. We ended up keeping a few extra girls for the night too...which my girls LOVED!!

So this year we will be moving again. This summer some time (hopefully toward the end) to Long Island, NY. Wow! We thought we were heading back to Virginia and Hubby back to a ship. God had other plans though! 3 more years of shore duty...of hubby coming home every night to us! Who could ask for more?!

I am trying not to go into check out mode yet. When the time gets closer to move I start shutting myself off from everyone and everything and start finding faults with everything about where we live. I guess it makes it easier for me to say goodbye then. Well, I don't want to do that here! This is my family and my hometown and friends that I have had forever...and great new friends too. I do not want to burn my bridges here! It will be so hard to say goodbye! So I just won't think about any of that yet. I will live in the here and now! Not that I won't think about NY or plan for it or talk about it...but I will not check out just yet!!!

Colorado

2009-11-30T11:27:00.021-08:00

For our 15th anniversary, hubby and I flew out to Colorado. We are thinking of settling there post Navy yet neither of us have been there so it was time to check it out! Monkey came with us cause he still needs his Mommy, but the other 3 stayed at home with Nana. It was fun traveling with just the 3 of us and the flight went really well. We rented a neat little car, I have no idea what it was, hubby could tell you, I just thought it was fun to have a small SUV...can't do that anymore with 4 kids!

We had so much fun and we absolutely LOVE Colorado!! We put over 700 miles on the rental car and we were only there for 4 days! On our first day there we went north to the Rocky Mountain National Park. WOW!! It was gorgeous!! We went on a little hike to see an area where there had been a flood and then we went on another short one to Bear Lake...where it started snowing! We also were driving around and came upon a herd of elk!

The first day was also our actual anniversary so we decided to stay in a chalet right outside the park. It was so neat! All the furniture was log and we had our own private backyard with a hot tub! For our anniversary dinner we went out to a very nice restaurant and ate some of that elk!! We also both tried duck for the first time, we enjoyed both! It was a very cozy restaurant and we got to meet the people sitting next to us, he was a WWII Vet, what an honor it was!

This next pic was the view when we left the chalet the next morning and the one after that was a herd of mountain goats that were just hanging out on the side of the highway!

Day 2 we headed south to Colorado Springs to take the COG railway up to Pikes Peak. What an adventure! That elevation stuff is no joke, at the top I started to become short of breath and a little dizzy! But I drank some water and I felt much better. It was also VERY cold and very beautiful! The views on that trip are what inspired the song America the Beautiful. There was a little house about half way up and there was once a family who lived there and the woman had a baby there! Crazy! One of the men who built/funded the COG railway was from my hometown!

That took up most of the day but we did go to Garden of the Gods as the sun was setting, that was gorgeous as well! We were only able to get a few shots before it got too dark.

On Saturday we started out our day by going to Manitou Springs. It was a quaint little town at the bottom of Pikes Peak and it was neat to walk around and look at the little shops. We almost bought an antique toy box for Little Man's room, but then decided it would be really hard to get it back home! Later in the afternoon we went back north to Denver to go to my cousins baby shower. He and his wife were expecting their first baby...a boy. She just had the baby last week and he is so stinkin' cute! Below is a pic of them with our little monkey who shares the same name as their new precious little boy!

After that we drove around and just looked at different towns and then came back to Denver to spend the night. On Sunday we went to the church where an old friend of mine is the worship pastor. It was so great to see him and his wife again and to be led in worship by him again. After church we headed back down to Colorado Springs to go to Seven Falls. I am so glad we went, it was amazing! We climbed 224 steps to the top of Seven Falls! Then when you get to the top they tell you there is another 20 minute hike to go see another waterfall which was Midnight Falls. When we first got there I told hubby there was no way I could do it, but of course I did. Here are the pics from Seven Falls.

Colorado was so great, there wasn't anywhere there that wasn't beautiful...I can't wait to go back!

September

2009-10-19T07:08:00.035-07:00

We had a wonderful September that was full of activity! On September 2nd, Monkey turned 4 months old. He is getting bigger every day! He went in his highchair for the first time, not just for eating his cereal but also to hang out with us by the table when we are eating dinner. He seems to like it! He also thought it was really fun when Daddy put him in his big brother's boots, he laughed out loud for that one!

Over Labor Day weekend we went camping at Lake Lenwood. We really like this campground and the kids always have a blast! Canoeing, hiking, fishing, riding bikes, making new friends, and most of all catching frogs! Princess brought her frog home, much to the dismay of Mommy! We talked her into letting it go in our local pond.

September brings cooler fall days and the beginning of school. The girls had their first day and we went with some other homeschool friends on a progressive breakfast. That was a lot of fun, although I think next year we should just stay at one house and have everyone bring food. The getting in and out of the car with all the kids was a little hectic!

Little Man also had his first day of preschool! He is going to the same preschool that Tinkerbell went to when she was 4. He goes 2 days a week and he really loves it! It gives him some time away from his sisters and a chance to do something on his own without Mommy. He is getting better and better at not getting upset when I leave. He loves his teacher! The only bad thing is his exposure to more germs! He catches everything and it seems like he has a perpetual cold!

September also brings shopping! All the kids are growing so much and it seems they all need something! The big thing this month was pajamas. Princess got all Tinkerbell's that she outgrew so was very happy and Monkey got all Little Man's old stuff. So Tink and Little Man were in big need of some new jammies! This was Little Man's favorite pair! It even has a cape!

I had a garage sale one weekend and it went very well, we made around $600!!! Half of the proceeds went to a friend who is going on a missions trip to Africa in January...I mean, half the clothes came from her girls as hand me downs anyway!!! It was so fun spending time with her that weekend and reminiscing over the clothes and the memories that come with them!

While we were having our garage sale, Hubby was busy as a bee canning our own homemade applesauce. He got some apples from a coworker and just went to town! The kids helped too, when they weren't outside enjoying the gorgeous weather. This was our first adventure into canning applesauce and while it was time consuming, it is SO worth it!

This was only about half of what he made!

So we had another big adventure this month...we went to Disney World!!! It was so fun! We drove down there, which took 2 days. Our kids are such good travelers! We stayed at the Shades of Green hotel which is a hotel on Disney Property that is just for military, it is SO nice! We had a 5 day park pass and we stayed 6 days. It was SO HOT while we were there, hotter then usual for this time of year, but of course we still had tons of Disney fun!

On our first day we had a scary thing happen at the Animal Kingdom! I took Monkey, Little Man, and Princess on the Triceratop Spin. It's just like Dumbo but has dinosaurs. When we were exiting the ride, Princess fell underneath the ride! It was very scary and praise the Lord she wasn't hurt very badly!! I had Monkey in my arms, I was holding Little Man's hand, and Princess was walking behind me so I didn't even see it happen. Thankfully there was a Dad walking behind me and he saw it, yelled out, then jumped down and got her out. Hubby had taken Tinkerbell on another ride so he was quite surprised about all the ruckus when he got back. There was medical, security, managers and all that that came by. You'd think they would have at least put us in the parade or something!! Lol! Other then that, we did have a great time at Animal Kingdom!

Tinkerbell had a funny adventure at Magic Kingdom. We went on the River Adventure ride (I forget the name of it!) and the driver asked for a volunteer to drive the boat. Of course Tinkerbell immediately raised her hand and he picked her! So she is driving along while he's telling his corny jokes and Hubby and I are just dieing! She actually thinks she is driving the boat when in reality it is on a track under the water. She was doing a great job, turing the wheel when she was supposed to and everything! At one point the guide told everyone to get down cause there were spear hunters coming up and when she tried to duck down, he told her, "not you, you have to drive the boat!" It was funny! Then we were coming up to a spot where the boat goes under this cliff where there is a waterfall on the right side of the boat. Tinkerbell starts telling the guide that she is going to drive us into the waterfall. He is telling his corny jokes and totally ignoring her. She told him 3 times and he didn't tell her no so away she went! She starts turning the wheel...and turning it...and turning it...until...she finally realizes she's not actually driving the boat. She says, "awwwww man!" And the look on her face was priceless! Good thing for all those people she wasn't really driving...or we would have all gotten VERY WET!

Monkey's first Dumbo ride!

I guess we should have told him it doesn't really come out!

Such a ladies man!

Little Man had quite the time in Disney as well. When we were at Epcot, we went to see Turtle Talk with Crush. If you are planning a trip to Disney this is a must see! After riding the Neo ride you go into this room where all the kids sit down in front and you sit on these benches in front of this huge screen. Then there is an animated Crush (the turtle from Nemo) that comes out and talks to the kids, it's so cool! He answers questions and picks kids to talk to. He picked Little Man first. Crush, "What's your name little dude?" Little Man says his name. Crush, "How old are you?" Little Man, "Three." Crush, "Where you from?" Little Man, "Disney World." Apparently he thinks he lives here now!

We had such a great time! As if we didn't have enough Disney fun, we decided to stop and have a field trip on the way home! We stopped in Kentucky at Mammoth Caves. My favorite part? The coolness of the cave! It felt so good! It was a great educational experience too.

So that STILL wasn't enough fun! On the day after we got home, we had a homeschool fieldtrip to the apple farm! It's a neat place with a play area, petting zoo, hay ride, and you get to pick 5 apples and watch an educational video about bees. We always have lots of fun there and the company was great! Our homeschool group at church is growing and growing!

So September was a great month and I know that we have lots of fun stuff planned for October too! I sure do love shore duty!!

Our Summer in Pictures

2009-10-13T13:08:00.048-07:00

JUNE

My niece Katrina's graduation

Monkey's 1st camping trip

What a great Father's Day!

Fisher #1

Fisher #2

Mmmmmmm...mud pies

Swimmer in training

She finally made it up the green slide

Happy 3rd Birthday Little Man!

Proud Birthday boy

JULY

Produce from our garden

The Mighty Mississippi

Camping again

Papa & Monkey

Hiking...I think we will rename him Moose

Strawberry Picking
Cutting strawberries
Getting ready to make strawberry jam
Making strawberry jam
Princesses 7th Birthday Party

AUGUST

My how we've grown!

More produce!

the waterpark

more flags...more fun! 6 Flags!

Silver Lake

I wanna go with Papa!

Fisher #3

Look! I got one!

Fishin' with our Dad!

Are you talkin' to me?!

Chicago
American Girl Store

Children's Museum

So that's our summer! It seems like we did a lot more then that but I guess we just didn't take a lot of pics! It was a wonderful summer and the kids are just growing leaps and bounds. Our fall so far has been just as busy and hopefully I'll post about that before Winter gets here!

New Post

2009-09-13T21:01:00.002-07:00

I am titling this "New Post" because that's all it is! Just saying hi! Sorry I haven't blogged in forever but I don't have time lately with the baby, homeschooling, church, teaching Prims, and family camping! Now the girls are starting swim lessons and Tuesday we are going to Disney World! Hopefully I will post about our trip when we get back!

Family Reunion

2009-07-08T18:37:00.027-07:00

We went down to Missouri for a family reunion on my Dad's side this weekend and it was so fun! I haven't seen my brother in at least 5 years and some of my cousins even longer then that! We stayed at a state campground there that was just beautiful! The reunion was at one of my Aunt's houses and hubby and I and the kids all just loved her homestead!

They have cows, chickens, a donkey, goats, emus, guineas, dogs, cats, and probably some other animals I am forgetting. I drank cow's milk (non store bought) for the first time and I LOVED it!! For some reason I thought it would be gross, but it was really good! She has her own pasteurizer. She also makes her own cheese, butter, and cottage cheese. She has a huge garden and cans her own vegetables. It was amazing!
Her house was amazing too. It's an actual log cabin out in the country, it was so peaceful!!

We loved seeing everyone and just had such a great time, here are some pics of our visit.

Papa talking to our little monkey

Cousins

Little Man washing all his animals after the rain

Little Man with a VERY dirty camping face!

My brother and his family

the cousins

the girls hanging out in the camper playing games

Little Man getting very wet in the rain

my cousin and her hubby

hubby and my aunt

my cousin holding monkey and his wife and SIL

cousins in the tea house

Nana & Papa (my Mom & Dad)

the birthday boy & girl (my cousin and my uncle)

our happy little farm girl (princess)

my aunt & uncle - the homesteaders

the cabin

side porch

front porch

fireplace with woodstove insert for heat

future homesteader

putting their feet in the muddy Mississippi

Even monkey did it!

a good time was had by all!

Announcing Baby May!

2009-05-12T10:40:00.005-07:00

Born May 2, 2009 @ 1:31pm

7lbs 11oz - 20” long

Original due date 5/9/09

On Saturday morning I woke up around 2am with what I thought to be Braxton Hicks contractions. I was really annoyed because I knew it was going to be a long night and we had a volunteer training at church at 8:30am. Around 5am I went back up to bed, I woke hubby up at 6am. I said, “Hey honey, do you want to go to the volunteer training today or to the hospital to have a baby?” He woke up pretty quick!

We discussed it and thought maybe we would stick with our plans of going to church since it would probably be awhile before we headed to the hospital. Almost as soon as we said that, the pain set in! My contractions were varying from 5-9 minutes apart but were lasting longer than a minute. We called my Mom and Dad and I texted my niece who was coming to stay with the kids. She got over pretty quick and sat with me through my contractions helping us time them. We decided we should head over to the hospital.

We got there around 9am and they made me go in a wheel chair up to L&D. They put me right into a room and decided to check me before they did anything. I was nervous because my Dr. just checked me on Thursday afternoon and I was not dilated at all and was still very thick. Plus this is usually where they tell me I need to go walk because I am not dilating. I had made a deal with my Dr. that she was going to let me get my epidural right away if I was in a lot of pain…but she was not on call this weekend. They checked me and I was 3 CM!!!! I couldn’t believe it! The nurse wasn’t too impressed until I told her that my Dr. checked me on Thursday and I was at 0. Plus I gave her a brief history of my previous labor experiences. They decided to let me get my epidural right away! I had to get an IV to get fluids first and they needed to put me on antibiotics since I was GBS+.

After my epidural kicked in, I was a happy camper! Hubby calls it ‘better living through chemistry’. I could tell I was having contractions but they were not painful. When they checked me after the epidural was all set, I was already at 5cm. Things are moving pretty quickly! I have to say the funniest thing that happened during this delivery was that my bottom kept shaking. It was like my butt was doing the jig and I couldn’t control it! The nurse said that is usually a sign that things are going to happen pretty quickly. She checked me again and I was at 7cm!

At this point I knew the Dr. was in the middle of a c-section, which made me a little nervous. I usually go pretty fast at the end and have nearly delivered on the so-called ‘practice pushes’. I told the nurse I really wanted to wait for the Dr. to come in so she just started getting everything ready. The Dr. came out of the c-sec and into my room and I was at 10cm and it was time to push. The first push nothing really happened but I wasn’t in the position I wanted to be in so I asked if I could move my legs and they were of course all for whatever I needed to do.

I pushed again and the head came out, at which point they made me stop so they could suction out his mouth and nose. That’s when they tell you to stop pushing…which is VERY uncomfortable! He said to go ahead with 1 more push and the baby was out. They all announced it was a boy!!! I clapped, I was so happy! Now we have 2 girls and 2 boys! I got a good look at him at this point and I thought he looked much smaller then my other baby’s. When they finally weighed him in at 7lbs 11oz I knew why! That is smaller than the 9lbers I am used to having! I haven’t seen 7lbs since my first born. He is absolutely gorgeous, not that I am biased or anything, and just as sweet as can be! He looks a lot like his brother did. We are home now and everyone is doing well, although very tired!

Easter weekend!

2009-04-13T11:38:00.006-07:00

Good Friday started out wonderful! I had an ultrasound scheduled for the morning and we finally were able to get a great shot of the baby's face!! Can you believe them cheeks?! I was so happy to finally be able to see this baby! At the end, the nurse said we were now going to see how much the baby weighs. I was kind of joking and said, "oh please don't let it be 7lbs yet." She said, "nooooo, it wouldn't be that big yet...we have...6lbs 11oz." I sat straight up and looked at her, "are you serious?! I still have 4 weeks!!' Later my Mom asked me how much more weight the baby will gain. I told her it's an estimate of about a pound a week...she started cracking up laughing...I told her it's not funny!!!! In all seriousness, I am not freaking out for real...the same thing happened with my son and he was 9lbs 4oz and I pushed him out just fine...but I do hope this one isn't much bigger! My precious baby's face!!
This is me on Easter Sunday, I am 36 weeks (and 1 day)!
So we have been doing our Easter a little different the last couple of years and we really like it! We do our Easter egg hunt and baskets on Saturday instead of Sunday. I always felt so stressed and rushed cause we needed to get to church. Now it's very relaxing and fun! On Good Friday my hubby ended up having the day off so we colored Easter eggs and cookies. It was so much fun and Little Man was so patient this year!! Usually it's a little stressful helping him but he was so good!

On Saturday morning we had our egg hunt which the kids really enjoyed. First they came down and saw their baskets and Little Man's face was just priceless! Then we let Little Man start out with the hunt. We hide his pretty visible and easy...he actually was so good he found some of Princesses eggs! Next it was Princesses turn and she had a lot of fun too, she even found a couple of Tinkerbell's. Then it was Tinkerbell's turn. She wanted us to hide them really well...and we did. After she found about 4 of her 12 she told us that we hid them too hard!! We had to laugh at that. She did end up finding them all and we didn't even have the long last egg like we usually do.

For lunch we made a big ham dinner and had my family over. It was a very relaxing day and that afternoon while hubby laid down with Little Man for a nap, my parents and I played Tinkerbell's new game called Sequence. It was a lot of fun and so nice to have some time with just my parents and I. After 2 games the girls realized we were playing and had to play too so Mom started cleaning up and we played one game with the girls. Then it was time to go to church! Our church had a Saturday night service this year and since we were going to be serving at both services on Sunday, we decided to go. WOW! There was over 1000 people at this service! It was great and what an awesome service as well!

So on Sunday morning my Mom & Dad picked me up for church since hubby didn't have to be there early. We went and got all set up for check in for 1st - 5th graders. I got the girls all ready before I left and hubby just had to get Little Man ready. I am so happy I got their outfits this year!! They looked just precious!!
So our church decided to do an outdoor Easter egg hunt this year! Hubby brought the kids to that and I think they all had a great time!

For 2nd service my parents and I served again in the check in area for 1st - 5th grades and hubby served in the actual service part of it. I love serving at my church and it's so nice doing it all together as a family! I sure do appreciate my parents!!

After church was over we came home and had lunch and then Little Man, Princess, and I all took naps! I was hoping it would help my feet some and give me some much needed rest. Hubby tried to take a nap but I was too noisy so he went down and hung out with Tinkerbell. Later in the afternoon we went out to my friend's parents house. I am very close with her family and they invited us out to their annual family egg hunt. We got some great shots of the kids and as any time we spend with them...it was great!!

By the time we got home last night my feet and ankles were HUGE!! You could even push the liquid around under my skin! When I woke up this morning they were a little better but now already they are not doing well again.

It was such a great Easter weekend and I am so thankful to the Lord for not only what He did for you and I; but also for giving me such a wonderful church, a marvelous family, and great friends that I am surrounded with. I love you all!!!

Introducing...

2009-04-01T05:34:00.002-07:00

My new blog background! You didn't really think I had the baby or something did you? Or that I was going to play an April Fools Day joke on you? Yeah, I don't do the whole April Fools Day thing. Although a good friend of mine did something funny to her kids and I can't wait to hear how it turned out! In the middle of the night, she switched her kids around from what bedroom they were sleeping in so they will wake up in their siblings beds. I could never do that as my kids are incredibly light sleepers...but I can't wait to hear how it went!

Another joke I heard about was on my baby center board for women due in May. Some of them are going to call their hubby's today and tell them it's time to have the baby...I just don't think my hubby would find that very funny! I also don't think I would get a chance to tell him it was only a joke before he left work and came home. So I don't think I'll be doing that one today either!

I did have my doctors appt yesterday and that went really well! The baby is now head down and I really hope he/she stays that way! Heartbeat is strong and I am measuring right on. We also got to tour Labor and Delivery! It was so nice and I am very excited about delivering there! One of our Pastors and their wives just had a baby and they were still there so we got to stop in and say hi and see their ADORABLE baby girl, how precious! I can not wait to be on that end of this whole journey and to be holding my baby in my arms!!

So next Friday I have another ultrasound and then the following Thursday is my next doctor appt and we start every week at that point!! I can not believe it!! 38 days from today is my EDD! It has been a long journey and I am starting to see the dim light at the end of the tunnel!!

Come in like a lion...go out like a lamb?

2009-03-31T09:35:00.005-07:00

Ok, so most of you have heard the old saying If March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb. Well the beginning of March was yucky! Very cold...it was a high of 21!! Here are some pics from Sunday afternoon (3/29).
So when exactly does the lamb part come in??! I mean, it is 46 today...but rainy, really rainy! Hopefully it will be enough rain to melt all the snow! Hubby only shoveled a path for us to get to the car for church on Sunday and for the car to get out of the driveway.

Next week...which will be April...we have a possibility of more snow. I mean, seriously? Our church is planning an outdoor Easter egg hunt for the kids. I think I might go buy some fleece material this week and make some leggings for the girls. Cause even if it's not snowing...I think it might still be cold. And they are wearing dresses!

I wonder if we will even have Spring here...or will we just go right for Summer?

My Birthday!

2009-03-24T08:37:00.002-07:00

Wow! What a great birthday I had! Yesterday was my 35th birthday! Last Thursday, hubby planned a whole date for us, including babysitting. We went to a Fish Market restaurant for dinner and I got the best crab cakes! Then we went to Rosemont Theater...I did not know what was playing. As we were walking from the parking lot to the front of the building, I saw a big semi that said 'Riverdance'! I was so excited!!! It definitely lived up to my expectations of wanting to see it all these years! It was a great night and it was really nice to be able to celebrate my birthday with hubby since we can't even remember the last time he was home for my birthday.

Then on Saturday my parents and neice came over and my Mom made me my favorite meal, her chicken and dumplings. Mmmmmm mmmmmmmm were they good!! My neice got me the most beautiful flowers, they were so exotic looking, I have no idea what they are but they are really pretty! My parents got me a new Boppy pillow! It's a pillow to help when I nurse the baby and I really wanted a new one but just couldn't see buying one since this is our last baby. It's so awesome and it has a removable, washable cover!! That's how I ruined our other one, I washed the whole thing and it got all messed up. I can't WAIT to use it!!!

Yesterday which was my actual birthday, we finally had some cake! Hubby stopped on his way home and got me an ice cream cake from Coldstone Creamery, it was pretty good! It's a good thing he got one too cause Little Man kept saying all weekend, "Mommy birthday? Cake?!" We all thoroughly enjoyed it!!

What a great birthday it was! I know it bothers some people to get older, it doesn't bother me. I feel so blessed to have another year! People should look at birthdays like anniversarys. When you tell people you have been married for 35 years, they are in awe! They think what a wonderful thing, we should celebrate!! It should be the same thing with birthdays! What a wonderful thing to be 35!! Not everyone lives to be 35. How awesome that the Lord has given me another year to live for Him and to spend with my family and friends. Yes, I will still feel this way at 40, 50, 60, and beyond! I have a great example! My Mom!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-18T09:21:00.004-07:00

Wow, I can't believe I am a day late on this one! Yesterday wasn't such a great day for me. I have had a terrible head and chest cold. I had a Dr. appt. yesterday afternoon and thankfully she gave me an antibiotic. I am already feeling a bit better today but now I feel like I can't hear out of either ear! So it's a good thing I got the meds.

The pregnancy is going well. Baby's heartbeat sounds great and my belly is measuring right where it should be. I have no idea what position this baby is in since it keeps moving around so much but I know that it's up in my ribs now. Wow does this hurt!! I sure hope the baby moves again soon!

So today I am making our traditional corned beef and cabbage! We didn't have it last year since hubby wasn't home and I didn't remember to buy it this year. He went to the store yesterday to get some stuff for grilling out (since it was 70 here!!!) and he brought home corned beef and cabbage, so I am cooking it today! A day late but we are both really excited about it!!

With the beautiful weather we had the last few days I can not wait for spring...real spring! My friend who shares my birthday on March 23rd put on her facebook...how much will we pay for this nice weather and will it be in feet or inches? I keep telling my hubby that he shouldn't get too excited yet! I was born in an ice storm and I have had snow many a year on my birthday! We have also had snow many a year for Easter. So I'm not sitting comfortable just yet!

I need to get out and do some shopping! I need to get Easter outfits for the kids and Little Man really needs some new shoes for church. He has tennies and black dress shoes but most of his clothes call for brown shoes. He also has finally moved up to 3T for pants. They are still a little long but not nearly as bad as his highwater 2T's!! I wish I weren't in so much pain so I could just go do it! The other day Mom and I went to 2 stores at the outlet, she even moved the truck so I wouldn't have to walk, then Target, and Woodmans and I could barely walk by the time I got home. Something about the floors in those stores just kills my back right now!! I'm gonna have to rent one of those scooters next time! Lol.

We are getting very excited about planting our garden and building the kids a swingset! We will be spending a lot of time in our back yard this spring and summer! We also hope to go camping a bit! Our first trip is scheduled for Father's Day weekend...the baby will be 6 weeks if I go on time. Maybe I'll go early and the baby will be 8 weeks!! Wouldn't that be nice! We also have a trip planned for the 4th of July to go down to Missouri to see family, like a mini family reunion! It will be nice to see everyone. While hubby was deployed my Grandpa passed away, and 1 Aunt and 1 Uncle. I felt so horrible that I couldn't be there with everyone but I couldn't get from VA to MO with 3 kids, it was just too far. So I will be so happy to see everyone, and I'll get to see my Brother and his family whom I haven't seen in quite awhile!

I hope you all are enjoying the wonderful month of March so far! Only 3 more days till "Spring" and only 5 more days till my birthday! Mmmmm mmmmm, Mom's chicken and dumplin's! Can't wait!

In Memory of Aidan

2009-03-09T15:03:00.003-07:00

Keith & Jessica are old friends of ours from when we lived in Virginia Beach years ago. After we moved away they had a baby, a precious baby boy. He lived for 4 &1/2 hours. We had not been in contact with them at the time, but knew about it through mutual friends. We just recently got back in contact with each other which is such a blessing! Some good friends of theirs are running in the Shamrock Marathon on March 22nd in honor of little Aidan. Below is the information.

In December 2002, my friends Keith and Jessica’s little boy Aidan was born. Sadly, he only lived for 4 ½ hours. His life was shortened because of Trisomy 13, which is also called Patau Syndrome. A trisomy is a genetic disorder/syndrome, chromosome disorder or chromosomal anomaly. A trisomy means an extra chromosome is added to one of the normal pairs that are found in our body’s cells. This extra chromosome causes a pattern of birth defects and medical problems.

And now six years later, Aidan continues to impact my life. He was all I could think about when I started training for the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach, Virginia on March 22nd, 2009.

I decided that I wanted this marathon to mean something more. I have teamed up with Noah’s Never Ending Rainbow to raise money and awareness of Trisomy and chromosomal conditions as well as a way to honor Aidan.

As a little background, the mission of Noah's Never Ending Rainbow is to educate, advocate, raise public awareness, promote strategic alliances and assist families who have children with Trisomy and related chromosome disorders. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.

You are receiving this letter because I have a feeling that you, too, want to be a part of this effort. It is my hope that you will consider donating in honor of Aidan during this race to support Noah's Never Ending Rainbow as they help families just like my friends, Keith and Jessica.

You can easily donate in two ways. You can write a check to Noah's Never Ending Rainbow, with the words “Shamrock Marathon” in the memo line. You can also directly call their office at 262.605.3690 to make a donation by credit card.

If you write a check, it can be sent directly to the following address:

Noah's Never Ending Rainbow
7737 6th Avenue
Kenosha, Wisconsin 53143

Your donation to Noah's Never Ending Rainbow is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law and you will receive a letter of acknowledgment from them for your generous donation.

I am excited that I can honor Aidan and bring awareness when I run on March 22nd. I know that Keith and Jessica, along with the two healthy boys they have had since Aidan, will be there when I cross the finish line. I hope you too will be a part of our finish line celebration through your generous donation.

Thank you in advance for your support,

Jodi Brock

P.S. You can check out these websites for more information:

Run4aidan blog: http://run4aidan.blogspot.com/

Shamrock Marathon: www.shamrockmarathon.com

Noah's Never Ending Rainbow: www.noahsneverendingrainbow.org

Happy March!

2009-03-02T16:15:00.002-08:00

Happy March everyone! March is a great month! Of course, it is my birthday month, so I might be a little biased. Have you ever heard the saying 'March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb'? Well, it definitely came in like a lion this year! It was very cold yesterday and today we got more snow. There was a Nor'Easter on the East coast and they even got snow in NC where my sister-in-law is. So, I guess that means that March will go out like a lamb...which will be really great! We are really looking forward to warmer weather and planting a garden this year!

Of course March is St. Patrick's Day as well. I have some Irish in me and I certainly look Irish and I love St. Patrick's Day! So that is always fun to celebrate! Then on March 23rd I will be 35!!! I'm not one of those people who get all freaked about my age. I am thankful to the Lord for every year that I have and every birthday that I have. Plus, you are only as old as you feel...and although I am feeling kind of old these days with this pregnancy...in general, I still feel pretty young!

Speaking of my pregnancy, at almost every appointment I go to for OB, my Dr. somehow manages to mention my 'advanced maternal age'. Which is so lovely to hear! I mean really, I'm not THAT old!! But there is definitely a difference even in being pregnant with Little Man when I was 32 vs this.

So I am hoping that March is going to be a great month and bring some Spring weather our way. Happy birthday to all my other family and friends who are March babies too! March is the best!

Disappointment

2009-02-28T16:08:00.003-08:00

Today started out so great...actually it started yesterday. A good friend of mine had an in home party and while I didn't buy anything, we ended up staying really late and just chatting. It was so fun...and we ate chocolate fountain stuff! Yummy that was good.

I was up late with bad heartburn (due to said chocolate fountain) and from the excitement about what Saturday would bring. We were driving to Chicago to get a 3D ultrasound done!! I couldn't wait to see my sweet baby's little face!

My Mom & Dad came over in the morning to watch the kids for us cause we were going to the membership class at our church from 9-12. That was fun! It was a big class and although we already knew most of the information, it's always nice to see Pastor's Kevin and Dan! So as of tomorrow morning we will be members of KFA...I know, it's about time!

We came home and ate lunch, which was really yummy! Hubby made egg salad sandwich and he makes it so good! I only like it when he makes it! We printed out directions to the ultrasound place and off we went. Mom came with us too!

I was glad we left early cause the traffic was crazy and we ended up getting there with just enough time to use the bathroom and it was time! Hubby and I were both able to lay up on the bed, which was really cool, he was more a part of it that way. The tech came in and we told her we definitely did not want to know the gender of the baby. After a few minutes, she told us that the baby was in a really bad position. She was going to give us about 10 minutes to try and move around, drink some water, and eat a snack to try and get the baby moving. If the baby did not move we weren't going to be able to do the ultrasound today.

The baby is laying with it's back toward my stomach and the face toward my back. So we could see the back of the head and the spine great! We prayed, I drank water, I ate a snack, I layed on both sides and even got up on all 4's to try and get the baby to move. No such luck. We were not going to be able to do it today. We can reschedule.

When I got up to put my shoes on and get ready to go, I just lost it. I started balling. I know it seems silly to cry over something like this...I mean, really, I am having a healthy baby in 10 weeks, what's to cry about, right?! I guess it was just my excitement and hormones. I just really wanted to see my sweet baby's little face. Something to focus on for the next 10 weeks. I know when we got it done with Little Man, I watched our DVD every day till he was born!! I took all his pictures with to the hospital so I could focus on them during labor.

I don't know if we will reschedule or not. Hubby says we are. It's such a long drive. He wanted to reschedule for next week. We have no guarantee that the baby will move though. I am having an ultrasound at my OB on Thursday to check baby's growth and some other things so they will be able to tell me if the baby has moved, then maybe we will reschedule for the following week. I am getting to the point where the baby will start moving down soon and it's getting more crowded which can also make it difficult to get good pics. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

My New Blog!

2009-02-26T13:42:00.003-08:00

So what do you think of my new background? I found this place online where there are free backgrounds and very easy to use! It's called The cutest blog on the block and I really am having fun with it! I had a February one up for a few days but I just could not wait to do March! I love it and I finally figured out how to fix the kids pics on the side bar. I updated them and then it kept cutting them in half...but it's all fixed now! Plus I added a whole bunch of pics at the bottom of the side bar on the left, so scroll down and enjoy watching my kids grow!

March is going to be a busy month for us so hopefully that means lots of blogging, right?!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T10:49:00.002-08:00

There are so many Bible verses that talk about love.

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

Song of Solomon 2:16a
My lover is mine, and I am his.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 &13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Ephesians 5:33
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Love is so many different things. In the beginning of our marriage, we did have some tough times. I was a spoiled brat and have a bad temper. My dear hubby put up with a lot from me! He also had his own issues too.

When we got married, I don't know that we really knew what love was. We loved each other in what we thought was love...but it was more of an emotion. Over the 14 & 1/2 years that we have been married, we have made a choice to love each other. Through the good times and the bad. Through the times when all we wanted to do was give up. Through the times when it was so hard to forgive each other that it actually hurt. Through the times when we had no money and were eating ramen noodles for dinner. Through the birth and continual raising of 3...soon to be 4 kids.

Love is not an emotion, it's not the butterflies you get when you see your loved one (although that's a great thing too!), it's not having a perfect relationship where no one argues or hurts someone else's feelings. Love is a choice. You can choose to love...beyond faults. You can choose to love through forgiveness. You can choose to love by not keeping a record of wrongs...a lot of us women are really great at keeping records!

So on this Valentine's Day, when we celebrate love...I am celebrating the choices that my husband and I have made. To love one another. To stand by each other's side...come what may.

I love you honey and I am so thankful to the Lord for choosing you for my life long companion. I am so thankful for the husband and father that you are and that you strive to follow Jesus in everything you do. Today, and every day, I choose to love you.

Disney on Ice

2009-02-13T15:07:00.005-08:00

What a magical time we had!! Last weekend we went to see Disney on Ice: 100 years of Magic. It was so great! We went with some great friends of ours and we celebrated one of their daughters 7th birthday. Tinkerbell dressed up as Jasmine...although she wanted to dress up as Tinkerbell...the costume is just too small for her now! Princess dressed up as Ariel and we even curled her hair! My friends 2 younger little girls dressed up as Belle and Aurora. They were all so beautiful! It didn't work out for my friends oldest daughter to dress up as Snow White so she decided she would be the Princesses assistant...although I think she did a much better job at being the little princes assistant...and a great big help to me!

You know how we love Disney and while we all want to go to Disney World so bad right now...this definitely was really awesome! We almost thought we were going to be late since we weren't watching the clock during lunch...but we made it in perfect timing! We had seats in the 10th row and it was VERY close!!

There were so many different characters in this program! They did little mini stories from Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Finding Nemo, Pinocchio, Incredibles, Mulan, Lion King, and Toy Story. Plus most of the princesses were there with their princes! And of course we got to see lots and lots of Mickey and Minnie Mouse!!

I think the best part of the show though...was watching my kids enjoy the show! The girls were just in awe with smiles on their faces the whole time! Little Man was hilarious!! Every time Mickey would come out, he'd wave his little hand and yell, "Hi Mickey!!!" Then when he would go away Ethan would ask, "where's Mickey? Is he taking a nap?" And every time a beautiful princess would come out he would say, "Wook Mowwy!" Trying to get the attention of the birthday girl so she could see the princesses.

We had a wonderful, magical, Disney time and it really makes us want to go to Disney World even more right now!! Although I don't think I could handle our normal Disney routine being 7 months pregnant!!

So I had some camera issues that day of course. Just after the show started my battery died (we are going to buy an extra battery this weekend!). So I had to get out the old point and shoot, which is a pretty good little camera but just not great for shows like this with the lighting and all. Luckily my friend had her awesome camera and will be giving me copies of her pics. So enjoy some of the pics of mine that did turn out and have a magical day!!

New Computer!

2009-02-05T08:47:00.002-08:00

I'm so excited! That I just can't hide it! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!

Ahhhhhhhh....we finally got a new computer. No more waiting forever for sites to come up, no more only being able to have one window open at a time, no more frozen computer when I am trying to blog!!

Right now I am blogging and chatting with my sister in law on google at the same time! It's so amazing!

I am hoping this will greatly increase my blogging and adding pictures to my blog since it won't take me so long. That last post took me from Jan. 11th till Feb 2nd!

We just have to get all our stuff transferred over from the old computer which hubby is working on and then we will be all set!

Now if I could just get my new computer to clean my house......

Our year in pictures!

2009-01-11T12:58:00.031-08:00

Wow, it's February already! The post says January 11th...but really it took me till Feb. 2nd to post this! I know I haven't blogged since like, mid-December. Life is crazy! And I'm tired...pretty much all the time now. Hubby and I were looking back on 2008 and it is just amazing to see all the things that the Lord has brought us through and all the blessings that He has bestowed upon us!

In January, hubby was still in Iraq. The kids and I (and our cat) rang in the new year in Wisconsin. We had traveled there for the holidays and stayed for about a month! We left on the 3rd and ended up stopping at our good friends house in PA. We try to get together once a year to see each other and this would be our short visit. Whenever we get together we take a pic of all our kids. I had my 3 and she had 5! While I was there they shared with us that they were expecting #6! I was so happy for them and baby boy Nathan was born in September to this great family! Here is our 8!

On February 1st, hubby was promoted to a Lieutenant! It was very exciting and I was so proud of him. I wasn't able to be there with him since he was in Iraq, but he had a nice ceremony outside one of the palaces there and he sent me pics. Also in February we reached the halfway point for him being there! And the Packers ALMOST made it to the Superbowl!

March was a fun month! My Mom came to visit for my birthday which just happened to fall on Easter this year! So we had her there for both! We had such a great visit! The girls got American Girl Dolls for Easter which they love!

April was filled with lots to do! Doctor's and dentists appt's, we finished school, baseball started, there was a tornado, preparing for Daddy to come home, and we got to go to NC to visit my cute little nephew and celebrate his 1st birthday!

Finally May had come!! The month that dear hubby was coming home! We had some ups and downs (and delays) but at last...the day came! It was so wonoderful and joyous! Then of course the next day we drove to Florida and went to Disney World for 10 days! Ahhh, May was the best!

In June we spent a lot of time just being a family again! We went camping and we also celebrated Little Man's 2nd birthday on one camping trip!

July was very busy with Olivia's 1st time at camp (I went with as a counselor!), our packout (which Chris did by himself with Emily and Ethan in tow), and preparing our house to be rented. We also celebrated Princesses 6th birthday by going to Water Country with some friends! I can't find my pics from that since we were in transit, they may still be on the camera! But here is a really cute pic of our little princess!

August was the big move! We packed up all the stuff we had left and left Virginia. The day we were trying to leave their was a huge storm...it was almost as if Virginia didn't want to let us go! Hubby drove the van pulling the camper and I drove the car. It was a very long trip! We were so happy to get to Wisconsin! I have no pics from August, cause again, they are still on our old camera and I don't know where the cord is to download them and I don't want to put off this post ANY longer!!! But August was great getting settled at Mom & Dad's, camping, riding bikes, enjoying the weather, and going back to our old church!

September was bittersweet for me! We found out on Labor Day that we are expecting baby #4! This was a planned and prayed for pregnancy and we were ecstatic...then the morning sickness hit. It was a tough time, although not as bad as when I was pregnant with Ethan...but miserable none the less. We did manage to have some good times camping and Princess learned to ride her bike without training wheels!! We are so proud! Daddy also took the kids to the zoo and we got a family pass. Oh yeah ~ I also got my new camera!!

October we finally were able to move into our own place! It was so great of my parents to let us stay with them as long as we needed to...but we were pretty cramped! Our house in VA finally rented out and we rented a house here. It's a great house and a true blessing! We celebrated Tinkerbell's 10th birthday...her first double digit! She had some girlfriends over and they had a movie night, it was fun! We also celebrated our 14th anniversary! Wow! Of course we didn't do too much since I was still very sick.

November meant the begining of the holiday season and holiday baking! The kids had so much fun making pies with their Dad! Also right before Thanksgiving I finally started to feel better! We had a great Thanksgiving with my family...and way too much food as usual!

December brought more festivities, more baking, and more family! First, the girls were in a Christmas play at church with their Junior Bible Quiz program. Olivia was a shepherd and she got to sing a trio. Emily was an angel and she had a line in the play. They both were adorable and did a great job! Hubby's parents and sister all came to visit for Christmas and we had a great time decorating cookies, opening presents and just spending quality time with everyone. This was the first year that Little Man was really fun with opening presents! I gave hubby a special book that I made of pictures from our holiday's last year when he was in Iraq, he really loved it!

Oh yeah, we got lots...and lots...and LOTS of snow!!!
All in all, 2008 was a great year with many changes for our family! We are excited about all the changes coming up for 2009 as well! I am going to try and do better on my blogging so that my fans (HA!) can keep up with us!

18 DAYS?!?!?!

2008-12-07T20:19:00.002-08:00

Wow, has Christmas snuck up on me this year! I mean, all our lights are up and the tree and we have family coming to town and all that...but I haven't bought a single gift!! We have been getting simpler and simpler every year with our Christmas gift giving and party going. We really limit ourselves. We want our children to truly know what Christmas is about...and if we aren't showing them personally then how will they know?

A lot of people think we are mean cause we don't do the Santa thing. Obviously I disagree, I don't want to be mean to my kids! We still 'play' Santa. They get gifts from Santa...they just know the true history of santa and that Mommy and Daddy play santa. It's still lots of fun, we just choose for them to focus on Jesus. (not to say that if you 'do' Santa that you aren't!)

I want my children to remember going to church on Christmas Eve and the wonderful sound of all the voices singing Silent Night while candles are being lit across the sanctuary. I want them to remember their Daddy reading the Christmas story to them that night. I want them to remember the family all being together, if we are so blessed...or to be proud of their Daddy for the service he does for his country when he's unable to be there like last year. I want them to remember that Christmas is about the birth of the Savior of the world!

So while I am trying to make our Christmas simple...have I gone too far? Am I going to be running around like a crazy (pregnant) lady trying to find last minute gifts? I hope not. I will be sitting down in the next couple days and making my lists and then I will execute those lists. I hope that in the next few weeks, our home remains peaceful, loving, and non-chaotic. I really don't like shopping either, but I do love to wrap presents! So for all of you out there who hate wrapping presents....come over and do my laundry and I'll wrap your presents while you're here! Oh, did I mention I don't like laundry either? That's a whole other post!!

So here is to your Christmas being simple! Remember, it will be what you make it.

So Thankful

2008-11-26T09:35:00.002-08:00

This last Sunday when my Pastor gave us a sermon about being thankful, all I could do was cry. I mean, seriously, I cried through almost the whole thing and by the end I was sobbing. Part of it I'm sure was prenancy hormones! But as I sat there through that service, I just was SO thankful!

You see, last year this time, hubby was on his way to Iraq. He spent Thanksgiving day on a plane, eating plane food for his Thanksgiving meal. I remember being with his family that day and having to excuse myself to go cry. I remember my 5 year old saying to me, "but what if he dies?" I mean, seriously, how do you answer that?! So I was honest with her. I told her that we will pray every day that he won't, but that if he does, he will get to be in Heaven with Jesus. Not very comforting to a 5 year old, but I just could not promise her that he would come home. That was a hard day, followed by very many more hard days.

There were times I wouldn't hear from him for days. There were times when I would hear explosions in the background and then we would get disconnected. There were times when he would email me and just say 'pray for me today' and I would know that he was going on a mission. There were times were I would get so scared that I would lay in my bed at night and just cry myself to sleep. It wasn't that I was afraid of him dying...I knew that God already had the day that he went home to Heaven choosen, whether he was in Iraq or not. I was afraid of what my life was going to be like without him. I was afraid of raising 3 children by myself without their Daddy. I was afraid of never feeling his arms around me again.

In May 2008, he came home. It has been so wonderful having him home. I feel so blessed. That brings me back to today. I am so thankful to have hubby home with us. So many husbands, wives, sons and daughters have not made it back home again to their families. So as we sit around the Thanksgiving table this year and say what we are thankful for, I am sure I will be crying again. Because I am so thankful that my love will be sitting beside me, carving the turkey and smiling that wonderful smile of his. Thank you Lord, for bringing him home to us and for the wonderful baby growing in my womb.

Angels Watching Over Us

2008-11-26T09:14:00.002-08:00

So last week we had quite a scare at our house. Little Man pulled his dresser down on top of him. I was downstairs and heard a crash and then screaming, I went running! On my way up the stairs I heard Princess yell that Little Man was on the floor and his dresser was on top of him. The adrenaline was pumping! I got up there and it was aweful. He was laying on the floor on his back with the dresser totally on top of him. I started trying to pull the dresser up but realized that the drawers were falling out too and I didn't want them to fall out on top of him while I pulled it up so I yelled for Princess to grab him and get him out. It was so precious, she grabbed him under the arms like a fireman and pulled him out while I held up the drawers for dear life.

I scooped him up and ran downstairs. There was blood everywhere. He was bleeding from his mouth and his chin. I grabbed a wet paper towel and the phone. First I cleaned up his mouth and chin abit and checked his teeth and inside his mouth, there was so much blood but I couldn't figure out where it was coming from! Next I started feeling his whole body, checking for broken bones and movement...which was hard to do while he's clinging to me for dear life. I called hubby at work and left a message with one of his secratary's for him to call home immediately. It was hard to hear him with Little Man screaming so I assumed he said he would. Luckily he could tell there was a crisis and he called hubby's Sr. Chief and he tracked him down. He called and said he would meet me at the ER.

I finished checking little man over and we changed clothes since there was blood all over our other ones. He was already starting to bruise on his legs and feet, one foot was really bad. There was also a line across his chest where I assume a drawer had hit. I dropped the girls off at a neighbors and headed to the ER.

As soon as we got there it was like Little Man was totally fine. He played with the toys in the waiting room and ran around acting silly. When we saw the Dr., they were pretty amazed how well he was doing. They checked him over and he had no broken bones and they didn't think he needed a head scan either since he was acting totally normal (mind you we'd been there for like 3 hours at this point!). Because of the way the drawers opened when it fell on him, it kept the dresser off of his head. One of the drawers must have hit his mouth though, we figured out the bleeder was his frenulum (that little stringy thing under your upper lip), he cut it. His upper lip was also cut and then his chin was the worst. All are healing very nicely. So we were sent home with signs to watch for in case of concussion and such.

When we got home, all I could think of was how in the world did he not get more hurt?! God's angels must of been watching out for us that day. I thank the Lord for his protection of my son.

Back to School!

2008-11-10T17:51:00.002-08:00

So this morning Tinkerbell decided she was doing school with or without me! With being very sick from my pregnancy and moving, we kind of took a break...a big break! Because her assignment notebook was still up to date, she decided to do it on her own and today did a whole day of school. WOW! I am so proud of her!

I am also really sad. Sad that my kids are so being affected by Mommy being out of commission. Poor Princess could not do school today and really wanted to. Unfortunately I need to get her stuff in order for her to do anything. I am working on it. The classroom is clean and mostly organized...although we are still missing a box. Nothing that will keep us from doing school, just bulletin board stuff and hands on stuff and all the stuff for our calendar.

This week has been one of those weeks where I was thinking I should have just put them in school here. But then I'd have to be up early getting them ready for school, driving them to school, being involved at the school, and doing homework. So really it wouldn't be easier at all. I just need to get myself in gear. Hard to do when you aren't feeling well...but I am going to try. I mean, how often do your kids BEG you to do school...even Math!

Post Election

2008-11-05T08:42:00.002-08:00

So yesterday was voting day. I was SO nervous that I wasn't going to be able to vote. We haven't established residency here yet so I have no proof of my address. I went over to my polling location and waited in line for the non-registered voters. When it was my turn, all they wanted to see was my military ID and my social security card. I was kind of surprised but at the same time very happy! I got to vote!

Any of you who know me, probably know that my vote was for McCain/Palin. I'm not going to go into all the reason's at this point...since it's over already. I watched the election for awhile last night until McCain lost 2 of the must win states. I was really tired and not feeling well so I went to bed. I was really mad. I feel like a lot of people who voted for Obama (if this isn't you then please don't be offended!), voted uninformed. Young people who follow the crowd and only get their information from the WAY BIASED media. Or SOME people who only voted for him because of his race...and there are those out there. They showed them all over the news outlets last night saying exactly that. Or the people who voted for him simply to bring our troops home...who cares about the consequences.

Anyway, Barrack Obama is now the President Elect of the United States of America and come January will be my husbands new boss and we will support him 100% whether we agree with him or not. Congrats to all my friends who choose this candidate and who think that change is coming. I pray that you are right.

I met a new blogger today who stumbled across my blog from someone elses and when I went to check her's out, my spirit was lifted. She reminded me that God is still God! He is still on the throne and His word never changes. This wasn't a surprise to Him.

So today is a new day. I pray for Mr. Obama. First of all for his life and the safety of his family. I know that may seem dramatic but I also know that there are hateful people in this world. Second of all, for all the change that he said is coming. I pray that this is true and that it will be good change and not send us into a depression. Thirdly, I pray that he chooses good advisors and a good team of people to join him and that he listens to the military advisors and doesn't just make rash desicions where it comes to the military.

There is one thing I am so proud of today. Our first African American president...that is amazing. May God Bless America!!

Moving!

2008-10-28T10:51:00.004-07:00

Well, we have finally moved out of Mom & Dad's and into our own house!! It is such a testimony what happened! Our property manager called us on a Monday to go over some applications with us and we finally got a renter for our house in VA. We were so excited!!! I immediately went online to look at houses here for rent and made 2 appointments for that evening to go look.

The first one we looked at was nice. It was further in town but in a nice area. It was an older home and the master bedroom was downstairs with the other 2 bedrooms being upstairs. Having a 2 year old and a baby on the way, I wasn't thrilled with that set up. It had a woodburning fireplace and a nice yard.

The 2nd one we looked at was in our old neighborhood. It was out of our price range by about $100. We loved the house, 4 bedrooms, 3-1/2 baths, fenced in yard, finished basement, lots of storage, beautiful wood floors, updated everything! No fireplace...well, it has an electric fireplace which is so tiny we call it the 'easy bake fireplace'. When we left this house, I looked at hubby and asked him what he thought. He was like, "I love it." It's actually bigger then our house in VA and I thought it was kind of fancy, but he loved the basement and the very European kitchen with it's double wall oven and granite counter tops. However, could we afford the extra $100 a month? We went back to Mom & Dad's and sat down and talked about it. Of course we COULD...but do we want to? We have always said we didn't want to change our lifestyle with every raise he gets. Live at the same level and have more money to give to the church and to put away.

So the next day it was back to looking. We found a great house!! It's on 8 acres, 5 bedroom bi-level house, a pool, a playset, woodburning stove in the family room, huge kitchen...everything we need and right in our price range. As we started working with the realtor on this house, more and more questions began to arise. It has well water, the security deposit was outrageous and it has a holding tank. Not a septic system...a holding tank which we found out gets emptied every 4-6 weeks at $90. Not great...but we really love this house...well the property, the house is just ok, needs some TLC. On that Friday night, neither hubby or I slept a wink. We were both not feeling at peace about this house but we didn't want to admit it. The next morning we were going to go to the bank and then to sign the lease. When the realtor sent the lease over, it seemed strange that they would handwrite on the lease, 'tennant will empty holding tank as needed'. Well, obviously, it's a utility, it would be our responsibility. So hubby decided to call the company that serviced the property.

They informed us that #1...the owner owed them A LOT of money. #2 they have been having the holding tank emptied 4-5 times a month since April!!!! Can you say shadey?!?! They said if we were buying this property, they would highly reccomend getting the holding tank inspected. We were devastated. Yet, we were also thrilled that God had saved us from making this huge mistake! When we couldn't sleep that night we knew something wasn't right, thank the Lord that He revealed it to us quickly! We called the realtor and told her we would not be signing the lease due to the information that we found out and that we felt that it was very sneaky what they had tried to do.

So back to square one. I went back on the computer that day and back to the search. Low and behold that 2nd house we looked at that was out of our price range by $100?...the owners had lowered the price by $150!!! It was a military family and they were getting ready to PCS out of country and really needed someone in this house. We called him up, worked out all the details which were amazing!!!! We signed the lease Monday and moved in that Friday.

We have now been in our home for almost 2 weeks!! Praise the Lord for how He picked the perfect house for us and worked it all together for His good!! We are still slowly unpacking! It has been difficult for me since I am still very sick with this pregnancy but we are slowly picking away at the boxes! It has been so great though, the kids love having all their stuff again and all their beds...Little Man is now in a big boy bed!

It was so awesome to have my parents who were so willing to just let us practically take over their house and they made it a temporary home for us. It was tight quarters but we all made it work. What a blessing it was to us and we so apprecitae it. I'm sure they are missing us but also enjoying the quiet of the house again! Whenever they need a fix...they can just come on over!

I can't wait to put up our Christmas tree and decorate for the holidays! Oh yeah, I also did a really good job of saving $ while hubby was in Iraq and we were able to not only get a dining room set but also new couches!! We love our new furniture and we thank God for all of His blessings!!

I really wanted to put pictures with this post but I haven't learned how to download pics from my new camera yet...so that will be in my next post. That gives me more time to unpack and clean anyway!! I hope you all are having a very blessed day and enjoying the Fall weather wherever you are...unless you are in NY/PA...then I guess it's winter weather! (I'm so jealous!)

Happy Anniversary!

2008-10-15T10:34:00.002-07:00

Today is mine and hubby's 14th wedding anniversary! Woot woot! Sometimes it seems like just yesterday and others it seems like we've been together forever...in a good way! The other day I was watching a country music video on tv and it was about a girl who's fiance went away to war and didn't make it home. I was of course balling. It made me remember again how blessed I feel that hubby came home from Iraq. Even though it is October now, I don't think either of us have been able to move past this experience yet. In fact the other night I had a nightmare that he was told he had to go back again and he was going to miss the birth of our baby, I woke up so scared and sad. I find myself hugging him tight and not wanting to let go.

Today we aren't doing much as I am still pretty sick. Mom is going to take the kids up to church tonight for their programs so that we can have some alone time. We may try to go to the movies depending on how I am feeling later. It's just nice to be able to be together for our anniversary. I love my hubby so much! He is the best husband for me! I pray that I am just as good of a wife to him. God really knew what he was doing when he put us together.

I pray that we can celebrate many more anniversaries in years to come and that we continue to honor each other with our words and our actions. I pray that our marriage is a good example to our children so that when they grow up and are chosing their mates, they know what to look for. I pray that we are also a good example to others around us. I love my hubby with all my heart and soul and I know that he loves me too because he shows me and tells me every day. I will never take our love for granted.

Lord, I pray that you would bless Chris today. He is such a wonderful husband and father and I pray that you would just lift him up. Help him to know how much I love him and how much I appreciate him. Amen.

OH BABY!!

2008-09-27T11:56:00.002-07:00

I am happy to announce the upcoming arrival of May baby #4 due May 9th, 2009. We are very excited about our baby and thankful to the Lord for allowing us to shepard one more of His precious lambs.

We will not be finding out the gender of this baby just as we didn't with our other 3 pregnancies. We like that surprise at the end!

I am not enjoying my pregnancy right now as morning sickness has set in. Except it lasts all day from the moment I wake till the moment I go to bed. I am very naseous all the time and there is nothing I want to eat...except I have to eat because the emptier my stomach the more sick I feel. I am just praying that this will not last as long as it did with Little Man...18 weeks. I really hope that this will end with the first trimester.

I am very excited to have a Dr. right here in my town and I will be delivering right here as well. I've never been this close the hospital before! I had my first appt this week and everything is going well. I'll be seen again in 2 weeks.

The next 7 months is going to be fun!!

God's Timing

2008-09-25T09:48:00.002-07:00

Yes I know I haven't posted in quite awhile. It's been a crazy month! We are still at my parents house as our house in Virginia still hasn't rented out. The house that we wanted here in Wisconsin is now gone and we had found another one we liked this week and it's already gone.

So that makes me wonder, what in the heck is God doing?! I know He must have something even better planned for us...but what is it?! I don't need some grand house, in fact both houses we liked were smaller and cheaper. We would have been being very good stewards of God's money. It's not that we don't appreciate what my parents have done for us, opening up their home and letting us practically take over. But I do want a house of my own and I want our stuff. I want our own beds and all our clothes and just everything.

So we are waiting on God's timing for that.

On Tuesday this week, Little Man had a Dr. appt. up at the dermatology clinic in Children's Hospital in Milwaukee. His pediatrician thought they might want to biopsy his birthmark. I was a little nervous going there. Well they didn't do the biopsy, they decided they are going to remove the birthmark altogether. I was shocked to say the least. The Dr. said that the longer we wait, the bigger the birthmark gets because it grows with him and the higher his chances get of developing melenoma...skin cancer. So we decided that it would be best too. It's also great that we can have this done at Children's rather then be back at the military hospital. So come January, my little boy will be put under and have his birthmark cut out of his back. I am not happy about it but I do feel that this is the best decision and we feel it is God's timing.

I LOVE MY CHURCH!!!

2008-08-18T10:06:00.006-07:00

Ok, it's been 2 weeks since I have been back and I really didn't realize how much I missed my church! The first Sunday we dropped the kids off and went to service. Pastor Dan preached and of course it was great. It was so wonderful to see so many old friends! Being military we have moved plenty and have started over in new places where we don't know anyone. We have also visited too many churches to even count. Some once, some a few times...to find the one that God directs us too. It is so nice to be back at a church where we don't have to totally start over. Where people know who I am and love me...faults and all. Of course there are a lot of new faces too and I am sure I will add new friends to the old. It reminds me of an old Girlscout song. 'Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold.'

During worship that day, I just stood there in awe. I have to admit I wasn't in complete worship with the Lord. I was looking around at hundreds and hundreds of people...worshiping the Lord. People completely on fire for the Lord. I'm not trying to say that EVERYONE in the congregation was doing that...but there were so many. Then there are those that worship in complete abandonment, I just love them! To want to express yourself to God so openly...it's just a great thing.

The sermon was about how God is our great healer even today. At the end of the service they had an alter call to be prayed over for healing. We went up to stand in for Chris' sister who was currently awaiting test results from a bone marrow test. We asked for a complete healing and also that God would draw her closer to Him. Last week she called and her test results came in, she is fine. Praise the Lord!!

This week we decided we were going to hang out in Kids in the House, where both our girls are at on Sunday mornings. They just got a new children's Pastor and we wanted to be there for his first week and we want to see how they are running things back there. When we left KFA 4 years ago, Princess was in nursury and Tinkerbell was in Preschool so we didn't deal much with KITH. Now they are both in it! I have to say that we were very impressed. It was not a normal week, they met Pastor Bob and then they went to the cafeteria to stuff backpacks. The church is doing an outreach in the community and they are giving away backpacks and school supplies to families in need...and they had all our kids stuff the backpacks. It was so great! Watching the girls get excited about it and filling those backpacks! Princess did 4 and Tinkerbell did 6!! In all, our kids at 2nd service stuffed over 400 backpacks! I love it!! We also really liked the way Pastor Bob interacted with the kids. I hope that we can have he and his family over soon to get to know them better!

Again we got to see more friends and catch up with people that we hadn't seen yet. A lot of people didn't know we were even moved back here! I am excited to continue to reintergrate into our church, take some classes with Hubby, and continue to grow as a family in the Lord.

Home

2008-08-07T12:52:00.001-07:00

Home. Where is home? You always hear 'Home is where the heart is' or 'Home is where the Navy sends you' or even 'Bloom where you're planted'.

My heart is here, in Wisconsin, because my husband is here, my kids are here, my extended family is here and I have lots of great friends here. This is where the Navy sent us, we prayed for these orders and feel totally blessed that we got them and that it all worked out. So why do I feel so out of place right now?

We are staying with Mom and Dad, which is such a blessing! Not too many people have that option. We would be apart right now, with Hubby here and me and the kids still in VA if it weren't for my parents generosity.

Why do I miss my stuff? It's just stuff. It's not like we have super nice stuff either. Is it because that is what has always made whatever house we are living in our home? We still haven't rented out our house in VA, that's kind of stressful. We can't do anything here house wise until we rent that out.

I feel unsettled. I feel like everyone has a purpose every day except for me. Usually after a move I am unpacking and making our house a home. So I just feel kind of lost right now.

Lord, I pray that you would help me to feel settled. Bring me peace Lord. Help me to find my place and to be happy in my circumstances. I am so thankful that we are finally going to have a period of rest for our family Lord. Thank you so much for allowing us this time together and I just pray that you would bless this time and bring our family even closer together. Amen.

The Trip

2008-08-06T17:56:00.002-07:00

Oh where to even begin? I guess for me it really started Friday. Tinkerbell was complaining again that her ear was hurting. So hubby stayed at the house painting (yes we were still painting the day before we needed to leave!) with the 2 younger ones and I took Tinkerbell to the Dr. We were sure she had swimmers ear again since we have been doing all kinds of swimming (that's probably why we're still painting!). The Dr. Confirmed it, it was swimmers ear. This time they gave us extra medicine so that if it happens again we won't have to see the Dr.

So we went over to the pharmacy where the wait is always forever! When it was FINALLY my turn, I went up there and gave them my ID card and told them who the prescription was for. She looked at my ID and said, "Maam, this ID card is expired, it expired in February and we are going to have to confiscate it."

Uhhhhh....what?!?!?!?! "Can't you just give me the prescription? We are leaving in the morning for Great Lakes and I promise as soon as we get there I'll get it updated?" Yes, Miss rulefollower herself asked this question and yes the lady did look at me like I was crazy. She said, "they let you on this base?" "Yes, not only did they let me on today but they have been letting me on since February and I have had numerous presriptions filled here as well." I said now that I knew they would not be giving it back.

So I had to go downstairs and get a DEERS eligibility form and fill that out and have it stamped. Thankfully I was able to get the prescription for Tinkerbell with that. Ugh! What a day!

The next day, we were way behind in getting out of there. When we were finally ready to put the bikes on Hubby's car, it started raining. Now, I'm not just talking rain that we didn't want to get wet in. I'm talking torrential downpour, damaging winds, and nickle size hail. Virginia just didn't want me to leave!!

After that died down, we finally got on the road at 2pm. I had to drive hubby's car cause I've never pulled the camper before with the van. The car has no cruise control and the radio doesn't work. Amazingly the radio worked the entire trip!!

We started looking for a hotel room around 10-10:30pm...we didn't find a room until 1:30am. Every hotel in every town was booked. Why you ask? Because it's a Saturday night during the summer! We were so thankful to finally find a room...even though they were the most uncomfortable beds we have ever slept on. Little Man was of course up bright and early at 7am!

The trip on Sunday went great, other then getting hit in the face by my door! Have you ever opened your door and it doesn't get past that certain point so it comes back again? Yeah, that's what happened and I had turned around to grab my purse so I didn't see it coming...ouch. Right on my temple and cheekbone. Did I mention before we left that I dropped our biggest suitcase on my foot and I can't wear a shoe?

We finally made it into Wisconsin around 9pm. We were so happy to be here! So great to see everyone and finally be at our next duty station! Now we just need some sleep!

A REAL BED!!!

2008-07-29T18:56:00.003-07:00

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

We are FINALLY at a hotel! We (I) couldn't take it anymore and since my friend who lent us the air mattress was going on vacation today...I figured we better return it. So that "forced" us into getting a room. It is a one bedroom suite and the beds are SOOOOOO comfortable! Daddy and I layed down with Little man to get him to sleep and I thought we were going to fall asleep too. I wonder if Tinkerbell and Princess would have just stayed up all night watching tv (since we haven't had tv in over 2 weeks!) or if they would have woke us up to put them to bed?

We have 4 nights till we leave for Wisconsin!!! I am so excited and we have so much to do! We are still painting and we have all the blinds to put up. Then we'll do a final cleanup and be on our way! Things have been going pretty smoothly and I hope they continue to do so!

Air Mattresses and Painting

2008-07-22T09:00:00.003-07:00

So I kept thinking I was gonna post about all the stuff we have been doing and have great pics of; like Little Man's birthday, camping, the 4th of July, summer camp and the move...but it just isn't happening! I think most of the pics are on our desk top and I have a really hard time editing the pics on hubby's laptop since it is a totally different program. So anyway...I'm moving on! I have no idea when I will put pics on again!

We are living like nomads right now. Not settled and with very little material goods. We were going to live in our camper but it is so HOT here!! So the airconditioning drew us back indoors. We are sleeping on air mattresses and sleeping bags. We have 2 lap tops to be on the internet or to watch movies on and that's about it. We kept all our kitchen appliances but we moved our washer and dryer. The first time we had to do laundry we searched for a laundromat but found them only to be in not so great neighborhoods...so hubby did laundry and we stayed home. Yesterday a friend from up the street let me do laundry at her house which was such a blessing!

We are very busy painting the inside of the house. Some of these walls have NEVER been painted. We are the 2nd owners and apparantly the first never painted some of the rooms. We are also painting all the trim in the house, which is making a huge difference but is very tedious. My house is looking amazing!! We had a showing on Saturday...our first one since early May! They seemed really interested and took an application so we are praying very hard about that! We know that God has a plan and already knows what is going to happen...but we would feel so much better knowing that when we leave in 11 days that there is a renter coming in soon. We have the luxury of staying with my parents in Wisconsin but I really do want to get settled in our own place soon.

So on Saturday while we were frantically cleaning and getting ready for the showing, Little Man decided he wanted to help Daddy who was priming an area of the wall that he had repaired. He pulled a quart of primer off the kitchen counter. Hubby yelled for me and when I came running down the stairs I found Little Man with a paint brush in one hand and covered from head to toe in white primer. I would have loved to go grab the camera but he was screaming and the paint was very close to his eyes. So we wrapped him in a towel and got him in the bath tub where we stripped him down and started scrubbing him. I finally had to get in the tub with him cause he was so upset. We were probably in there for an hour trying to get all that primer off. He did finally settle down and then he thought it was fun to have Mommy in the tub too. It was quite an adventure!!

Disney World!

2008-07-03T18:54:00.014-07:00

I know, I know! It's been awhile! What can I say, we have just been having too much fun to stop and post!! So, after much poking and prodding from all my fans (haha), I will try to catch up with what we have been doing since hubby got home!

This post is, of course, about our trip to Disney World! Because of hubby's delay in Kuwait, we ended up having to leave the very next morning after his arrival to drive down to Florida. The kids had no idea we were going to Disney World! We woke them up and brought them down to the van and after we got them in the car, we told them we were going to Disney World!! I would post the video but there isn't much to show. They had NO reaction!! It was hilarious, they just sat there staring at us! It wasn't until about an hour later that Tinkerbell asked if we were really going to Disney World.

We stayed at Shades of Green, which is a military resort on Disney property. WOW was it nice!! We have always stayed at the All-Star resorts and loved it but this was just awesome! The room was huge, the property was huge, it is very similiar to the Polynesian Resort. On days when we went to Magic Kingdom or Epcot, we walked right across the street to the Polynesian and took the monorail! It was so great! And we paid less then we do at the All-Stars!!

We of course have a ton of pictures so I am going to post some of my favorites! This 1st picture is at Animal Kingdom, I think it's the only pic we got with Mickey and Minnie. Usually we see them a lot but it was much more crowded then when we usually go in September. They are in their safari gear!

This is a picture from the Princess Dining that we did. We had lunch in Epcot and we got to see Belle, Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora and Cinderella. Princess was dressed as Ariel (after she got legs!) and Tinkerbell was dressed as Snow White who we were very disappointed wasn't there...but we saw her moments after leaving the restaurant and were the first ones in line to get a pic. Snow White made a huge deal over her and Tinkerbell being dressed alike.

Here is Daddy with the girls on a family favorite...Splash Mountain! Princess was brave and rode it for her first time...but she didn't ride it again after that. The next pic is of them in front of the sign on another day.

Finally!!! The girls were able to ride the tea cups by themselves!!! We are so happy and proud and NOT sick to our stomach!!

We also did a Pooh and Friends breakfast...this was Little Man's favorite Day and he loved all over all of them!

At Epcot we saw Mulan and Mushu! Little Man loved his Princesses!

We went over to Sea World one day and got soaking wet from the rain and from Shamu! Little Man did not like that at all...so we had to buy him a little stuffed Shamu to make him feel better! Princess got a stuffed dolphin for being brave and riding a big water ride that even Tinkerbell wouldn't ride! Tinkerbell got a stuffed polar bear just to be fair!

I love this picture of Little Man at Hollywood Studios, it almost looks like he is wearing the hat!

The next few pics are at the luau we went to at the Polynesian resort. It brought back memories of going there as a teenager with my parents and my bestfriend!

Here is a great shot of the fireworks over Cinderella's castle.

At Hollywood Studios, Tinkerbell got hurt in a play area and got a huge goose egg on her noggin. She was absolutely positive that she looked rediculus in her bandage and ice pack. She would be so mad if she knew I posted this pic!

This is a great pic of Daddy and Princess waiting for a parade to start.

This is our last day in Disney World and Little Man just couldn't hang anymore! He fell asleep before we even got to the gate at Animal Kingdom that morning...poor little guy!

So while hubby was gone in Iraq, I promised I wouldn't cut Little Man's hair. We decided we would get it cut at the barber shop on Main Street. It was such an awesome experience! After the haircut they gave him a little certificate and Mickey Mouse ears that say 'My First Haircut'. He was such a good boy!! Chris was happy to get rid of the curls...I cried!

Pre-haircut...
During haircut...
Video of haircut (push the play arrow!)...

Post Haircut...
Post haircut...

So that was our wonderful trip to Disney World! We had so much fun and are already looking forward to our next trip! Hopefully September 2010! Have a magical day!!!

Ahhhh...Life is Good!

2008-05-29T07:22:00.013-07:00

Hubby is finally home! It was such a great homecoming! Before we left the house on the 13th to go up to MD to spend the night, we decorated the outside of the house. I know it's not the greatest picture but there are flags lining the yard and driveway, streamers coming down from each side of the house, ribbons on the pillars, and a big sign that says, "Welcome Home - Lt. Christopher A. May - We Missed You Daddy!"

We also put signs up all over the neighborhood that he would see when driving to our house when we got home.

We went up to the hotel and we had to be at the airport by 7:30am so we went to bed at a decent time...I hardly slept at all!!! I couldn't believe it was finally time! I was going to be able to hold my beloved in my arms! To see my children wrap their arms around his neck and hear them say, "we're so glad you're home!" This time of being refined by the Lord's fire was coming to an end and I feel so blessed. So many men and women have not made it home. Our family was going to be complete again!

I don't even remember now how we got ready that morning! I had butterflies in my stomach! We went down to breakfast at 6am, still in our PJ's. I was talking to a pilot about where he was flying to today and I told him why we were there as well. I went back to sit down and he came over and touched my shoulder and said, "thank you for what YOU do." I was so touched! SO many people tell me all the time to thank my husband for his service and I am proud to do so! But I don't think anyone has ever thanked me for what I do. I almost cried! Of course I was on the verge of tears all morning, I couldn't believe it was almost over!
It was very smooth getting to the airport, but I ended up parking really far from where I needed to be. When I got to the USO I called the ombudsman and her ring that I hear on the phone is the song 'Proud to Be An American'...which is Chris' favorite song! Don't cry, don't cry!! After we got all the way to the homecoming spot, I realized I forgot my cameras in the van! We had enough time so we walked all the way back and then this time we moved the van closer.
There were a lot of people there as hubby's unit has around 150 people in it. Everyone was telling me how cute the kids looked and they just loved Little Man's outfit! A lot of people took pics of us!

There was also a Navy band from the acadamy there, they were really good and Tinkerbell even got a chance to conduct!

Princess wouldn't go up there to conduct but she took her flag off the stick and conducted from her own spot in her own way!

Little Man had a lot of fun playing with his windmill thing.

When they announced that the plane had landed a big whoop went up and I almost cried again! We still had to wait another 30 minutes or so for them to clear customs. They did a big customs thing over in Kuwait so that this one wouldn't be as bad.

Finally, I saw his beautiful face! We were behind a glass partition so he stopped and grabbed a quick hug from the kids and then came down around and the kids ran to him! Even Little Man got in on the big hug. Everyone was snapping pictures! Finally I cried.

Why Am I Blogging?

2008-05-12T12:05:00.004-07:00

Praise the Lord!!!! So plans have changed again! They are still coming in on the 14th but now it is later in the morning so we are going up there now and puttin on the big Hero's Welcome!! God is so awesome! The girls are so confused at this point!

So, why am I blogging today?! I have a gazillion things to do and nothing really to say! I just wanted you all to know that my hubby is finally coming home!! After 4 months in TX and 6 months in Iraq and an extra 5 day delay in Kuwait...he is coming home!!

I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I have my list and I am checking it twice...I feel like Santa Claus! We leave tomorrow morning to drive 5 hours to pick him up and we are coming straight back home. Then on Thursday we are going to Disney World!!!

So I have to pack for an overnight trip to go get him, be all packed for our trip to Disney since we will be leaving the very next day, and also have the house cleaned for not only hubby but also in case there are any showings while we are in Florida!! (Our house is up for rent.) AHHHHHH!

Blessed Be His Name!

2008-05-06T05:45:00.004-07:00

We got word that Hubby is going to be delayed by 5 days. They are coming in in the middle of the night so there will not be a big Hero's Welcome, no Navy band, no Admiral, no news stations, nothin. We are no longer going up there either cause it just isn't feezible with the kids to have to stay up all night. So he will get on a follow on flight to Norfolk (all of them will have follow on flights) and we will pick him up there in the morning.

This, of course, is extremely disappointing. I feel so bad that we can't go up there now to pick him up but it just would not be good. I also have to change some things with a trip that we are planning. We were supposed to leave on the 14th for our trip...so now we will have to leave on the 15th. And I will have to change some things logistically for that.

So...Daddy will not be at the baseball games on Saturday, or church with us on Mother's Day, we will have to reschedule the girls piano recital on Monday, and then the trip stuff. It's all just very disappointing.

When I went into the classroom this morning to change our countdown from 3 days to 8 days, Princess was sad but then was positive about not having to drive up to MD. Tinkerbell was very sad. So we had a chance to talk about the way God answers prayers. Maybe God was keeping Daddy safe by making it that day...maybe God was testing us to see if we would praise Him even though this was a very difficult situation. I told her it was just like her song that she loved, Blessed Be Your Name. She asked me what I meant so I told her we should sing it. So we stood in the kitchen and sang it together...

Blessed Be Your Name, In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow, Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name, When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness, Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord, Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name, When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be, Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name, On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering, Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord, Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away, You give and take away
My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name

A Great Phone Call!

2008-05-05T06:58:00.002-07:00

Hubby called me at 4:40 this morning to tell me that he is no longer in Iraq! I was so excited to hear that! We only spoke for a minute but it was such a great phone call. As soon as I heard his voice I just melted...I haven't spoke to him in almost a week. He told me that he is now in Kuwait and is in his warrior transition classes. One more step closer to him being home!

He called again later to talk to the kids, they were so excited to talk to him too! Of course they bombarded him with all their big news (from my previous post). I forgot to forwarn him! So when I got back on the phone he was full of questions. The kids have changed a lot since he left, especially Little Man. I know it's going to be almost bittersweet when he see's him. It will be so awesome but it will also be sad for him to realize how big he has gotten and how much he missed.

While I was posting this, he called AGAIN!! I could get used to this! He just had a quick question for me about our leave dates so it was only a minute but I just love to hear his voice! I am SO excited!!! I feel like a scatterbrain! I can't keep my thoughts straight!

Now I will just be waiting for that phone call when he says he is on his way home!

3 reasons I feel old today!

2008-04-30T14:25:00.005-07:00

#1 - Look at these grays!!!

I have been planning on coloring but wanted to wait till closer to hubby coming home so it will not be faded...I didn't realize how bad it had gotten! Last night Tinkerbell told me I had sparkles in my hair, then she looked closer and said, "oh...I guess not."

#2 - Princess lost her first tooth!

She never even told me it was loose! Then today at lunch she was eating an apple and it just came out! I almost cried!

#3 - Tinkerbell got deoderant today!

I can deny it no longer, my little girl is growing up. So we got some today and she is quite excited about it...kids are strange! Luckily Degree has one called Degree Girl...so it made Mom feel a little better.

Today I went to the ER and I have bronchitis...I am glad I didn't wait any longer, they were concerned about pnuemonia. So now I am on the Z-pac, abuterall, and robutussin with codeine. I should be all better before hubby gets home!

Tornados & Countdowns!

2008-04-29T10:06:00.002-07:00

Yesterday afternoon a tornado touched down in Suffolk. It was about 4 miles from my house but our neighborhood is fine. We were in our van on the way to gymnastics and we reached the area where it hit about 5 - 10 minutes after it hit...thank the Lord I am usually running late! While I sat there in a parking lot on 58, I could see the exact damage path that the tornado took...cars crushed, trees broken, debri everywhere. At one point a whole bunch of rescue vehicles went by with sirens blaring and I saw that they were from the next town over and I almost cried...it was like, "The Calvary is here! They have come to help!" After I finally got home and turned on the news I saw the devastation that it caused. It was horrible! I will be praying for the families that have been affected by this.

On a happier note, we are now at 10 days!!! I can't even believe it! That means I am leaving in 9 to go up near the airport! I feel like I still have so much to do! That's good though cause it will keep me busy between now and then.

Princess is completely done with school, she took her achievement test today and did great! Tinkerbell is finishing up her last day of work and then we will do her test tomorrow. It feels so good to actually finish the curriculum for the year! We will be doing history over the summer though. We took so long on Science (and still saved some experiments for Daddy!) and I don't want to rush through History so we will be doing it over the summer and checking out the library and stuff to help with all of it. It still feels so good to have it done!

This week I need to get the oil changed on the van, vaccuum it out, make hotel reservations, get a pedicure, my eyebrows waxed, my hair colored...try to get a little sun on my legs so my freckles will darken (don't worry...I wear a 45spf when I do this!), get the house cleaned up which won't be hard at all since I have been keeping up with it, finish making our welcome home signs, get all of the welcome home stuff set up, and take care of some other details for after homecoming!

My adrenalin is going crazy and I have started all my crazy dreams! You see, when I am stressed or anxious or excited about something, I have CRAZY dreams. A recent one was that I thought Princess (my 5 yr old) was inside my mattress. So in a half dream state...I tried to look for her! As I start coming to full wakefullness...I realized what I am doing and why. Let's just say I was glad that hubby WASN'T here for that one! Also, I did go check on Princess to make sure she was safely in her bed and not in my mattress. Last night I had dream after dream of situations where I was not prepared. No matter what was going on in the dream...I was not prepared for it. I am a planner, so the thought of not being prepared for ANYTHING freaks me out. My friend just gave me a book for my birthday titled 'The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook'. It's AWESOME! Now I know how to escape from quicksand, wrestle an alligator, fend off a shark, escape from a sinking car (that's a very important one!), and survive many other dire situations! The book was funny but also totally matches my personality! Now if I could just figure out how to survive the next 10 days without exploding with excitement that would be great!!

Keep on praying for my hubby and his unit as they transition from over there to over here and please pray that they get home on their intended date! Thanks!

PRAYER!

2008-04-24T08:17:00.002-07:00

Our countdown is at 15 days! 15 more days till I can hold my hubby in my arms! We found out last week that our homecoming date is no longer firm. I was very depressed to hear this and it has taken me about a week to bounce back to my normal optimistic attitude.

I had everything planned out in my head. On that Thursday we were going to drive up there and spend the night in a hotel near the airport, it's about a 5 hour drive. Then on Friday there will be a lot going on and we will be at the airport most of the day, it's going to be a big shindig! Once we get him, we are driving home...no matter how late it is, so that he can sleep in his own bed. On Saturday he will be able to see the girls baseball/t-ball games, they are so excited! Sunday, of course, is Mother's Day and it would be so nice to be able to go to church as a whole family and it would be the best Mother's Day ever for me! On Monday, the girls have gymnastics. Daddy was not here when we started this so it will be great for him to see them do this as well. We have something else big happening on Wednesday but I can't talk about that just yet.

I really, really want all this wonderful stuff to happen! I know that maybe there will be a delay because God is keeping them safe from something or whatever and if that is the case then Praise God! But...I am asking you all to pray with me that it would be God's will for him to come home on his original date! I don't want to wait one more day! So please pray with us!

Rest in Peace Ricky

2008-04-22T06:04:00.004-07:00

CPL. Richard Nelson

1984 - 2008

Cpl. Richard "Ricky" Nelson, 23, of Kenosha, passed away on Monday, April 14th, 2008, in Al Anbar, Iraq. Born on September 4, 1984, he was the son of Lennie and Susan (Mercier) Nelson. Ricky was a lifelong Kenosha resident and graduated from Christian Life High School in 2003.
On April 21, 2007, he married Kristen Fedler in Winthrop Harbor, IL.

Ricky was enlisted in the U.S. Marines Reserves Fox Company on June 13, 2003. He was currently employed with the Cornerstone Construction Company in Kenosha. Ricky was a member of the First Assembly of God and was an active leader of the Royal Rangers children's program at the church. He was an outdoorsman enjoying fishing, hunting, and camping. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, but first and foremost was very family orientated.

When I first started going to First Assembly of God when I was 14, I remember seeing the Nelson family on Sunday mornings. I was amazed by Susan Nelson who had 7 children! I was in youth group with David and Scott. I did not know Ricky very well but every time I go home to visit I see Susan...working in the nursury at church as usual. She is always serving the Lord.

It made me very sad to hear of Ricky's death but then I watched his baptism video on the website his brother David set up http://richardjnelson.com/ and now I know that Ricky is dancing at the feet of Jesus! So Rest in Peace Ricky, you are a hero.

Baseball

2008-04-11T06:15:00.002-07:00

Last year the girls played baseball for the first time on a team, well, Princess played t-ball. They play soccer on a homeschool sports league and we decided to try the baseball too. Things were going pretty well for both of them. Then one day, Tinkerbell overheard some kids on another team talking about how one of them got hit with a pitch (it's coach pitched). That was it for her. She never again swung at the ball that season. Everytime the ball was pitched, she would step backwards out of the batter's box. This is not a league where it's 3 strikes and you're out. At this age they pretty much pitch it to you till you get a hit. Eventually they would have to limit her # of tries. We tried everything with her last year. She even got hit in the stomach near 1st base with a ball that was hit. After I saw that she was ok I asked if it hurt, she said not too bad. I told her that getting hit with a pitch wouldn't hurt as bad as that just did! It still didn't help, it probably made it worse that she got hit at all.

So this year began a couple weeks ago and at practice, she did the same thing. I asked another Dad who coaches what he thought I could do to help her overcome her fear. He said, "put a heavy coat on her, a helmet with a mask, take her outside and throw balls at her. Let her see that it doesn't hurt to get hit." Wow, that's something we haven't tried. Of course Tinkerbell was standing right there and freaked out! She was begging me not to do it. I told her that I would never do anything to hurt her but if she didn't start swinging at the ball, we would try this because I KNOW it won't hurt.

Two days later at the clinic they have, a Dad was working with her. They were at the bunting station and they had a machine pitching the ball. On the last try, he let her do it herself and she swung at the ball!!! I was so happy! She ran over to me, jumped in my arms and said, "Mommy, I'm not afraid anymore!!" I almost cried!

We missed 2 practices due to the rain and then yesterday was our first practice back. I was over by Princess's team most of the time. At the end I was in the van with my two youngest and my friends' little boy and she went to get Tinkerbell and her daughter. Tinkerbell came running over to the van and said, "Mommy I swung at the ball and I hit it!!!" Wow, I'm blown away!! I think we have rounded the corner.

Last year during the season, every night before bed she prayed that God would help her to swing at the ball. She started the same prayer a couple weeks before this season started. Last night, her prayers were prayers of thanksgiving and praise! She thanked the Lord for helping her to overcome her fears and helping her to actually hit the ball too. My prayers were the same. I am so proud of her and I am so thankful to the Lord for answering our prayers. I just wish Daddy had been here to see it.

30 more days!!!

2008-04-09T08:30:00.003-07:00

Can you even believe it?! 30 more days until I see his face! Till I hold him in my arms. Till I can look him in his beautiful baby brown eyes and tell him how much I love him. Till his children can jump into his arms and wrap their little arms around his neck. Till I can share my daily walk with him. Till I can snuggle up with him at night and feel safe as he wraps me in his arms. Till my beloved is home.

Dear Lord, you have sustained us during these past 9 & 1/2 months. You have kept my husband safe and well. You have given me what I have needed each day to get through. You have given me joy in my circumstances even when it was so hard that I thought my heart would break! You have given my children joy and peace that they could also walk in the knowledge that You were caring for their Daddy while he was away. You have taught them and me about praying without ceasing! You have given me dear friends who have walked with me on this journey and sometimes have held me up when I couldn't stand on my own. You have given me a supportive family who has continued to support us through out this deployment with many prayers and encouragement. Lord I thank you for all that You have done and that You continue to do in my life. Please continue to keep my husband safe in this last few weeks of his deployment. Give the entire unit safe travels as they make their way home to their loved ones. Amen.

What a great day!

2008-04-05T18:59:00.004-07:00

Yes, I know it's April. Yes, I know I haven't posted since Easter. Time is FLYING!!!! And I'm so happy that it is! Today is my sister-in-laws birthday...Happy Birthday E!!! She finally hit the big 3-0! I barely remember 30...and I'm only 34!

We got to do video chat with hubby today. It was so great! I love being able to see his face! The girls got to show off their American Girl Dolls that they got for Easter and their new handmade dresses I got them from The King's Daughters. I'll post a pic of the dresses next time! We were able to be on for quite awhile, it was so nice. Our phone calls are limited to 30 minutes, which is not very long when you have 3 children wanting time with Daddy too. Lately all of our phone calls have been focused on 2 things; what we are doing when he gets home and our move to Wisconsin!

We are so excited about the move! I am on the computer every day looking at houses, which is so rediculous since we can't buy a house until this one is rented! But I do have a property manager coming this week to talk about all that.

I can't believe how close it is to him coming home...I've switched to day counting now...34 days!! That is so soon! I need to concentrate on cleaning the house and getting rid of stuff so that it doesn't look so cluttered and finishing up school with the girls! We are doing really well right now! If I can stay on track then we will definitely be done with school and the testing before hubby gets home.

Yesterday I had a babysitter come over for 4 hours! It was so great! I went shopping for my dress for when hubby comes home. It was so nice to be able to do that and to spend a little time by myself. Plus the kids all really liked the babysitter! Little Man cried when I left but he gave the sitter hugs when she left. I will definitely be using her again. Before hubby comes home I want to get a massage (to loosen up a little!), a pedicure, and an eyebrow waxing. I'll also need to color my hair! I'm really needing it now but if I do it now I won't be able to do it before he gets here so I'll just have to deal with the gray's for now!

My sis-in-law said I need to post more pics so I am going to try and get in the habit of doing that. Here are 2 cute ones!

The older teaching the younger

We start 'em young here!

Happy Easter!

2008-03-26T16:03:00.003-07:00

Belated it is!! We had a wonderful Easter and it was also my birthday on the 23rd! My Mom came to visit and we just had a wonderful weekend!

We started a new tradition this year called Easter Saturday, my friend does this with her family and she gave me the idea. I always find Easter Sunday a little overwhelming with all the activities that are to be done before going to church...especially when we need to leave at 8:30am! So now we are doing baskets and egg hunt on Saturday morning and we focus on the real Easter on Sunday. It worked out so great!! Both days were very relaxed.

On Easter Sunday morning, which (again) is also my birthday, hubby called me early in the morning to wish me happy everything and to tell me............(drum roll)...........we got our orders! Wooooohoooooooooooo!!! We are moving in August back to Wisconsin! He will be stationed at Great Lakes, IL right over the border. We are both so exstatic to receive these orders and what a great birthday present!

We had a great time with my Mom here and she left this afternoon. It was nice having an extra adult around for a week to help out. It's also not as sad that she left now that we know for sure that we will be there this summer!!

Time is really flying this month!! I feel like we just got into March and now it's almost over!! We are just over 6 weeks till Daddy comes home!!!! I can't believe it!

Mom is coming!!!!!

2008-03-19T07:03:00.002-07:00

I'm so excited!! We leave in exactly 2 hours and 41 minutes to go to the airport to pick up my Mom!!! She is staying for a whole week! She'll be here for my birthday...which is also Easter! It will be so fun to have her here!

Time has really been moving for me here on the homefront! I can't believe we are just over 7 weeks till Hubby comes home!

This is a short post but I have to go!! Lots to do before we go today! Have a wonderful beautiful day and in case I am not on here before Saturday...have a very blessed Easter!!

March really is the best!!

2008-03-12T18:35:00.002-07:00

I can not believe how fast March is flying! My Mom is coming to visit in 1 week!!! I have to apologize to my friends and relatives in the midwest (hehehe). I forget that while my trees are blooming and my birds are chirping...that your still buried in the snow! So I apologize...now quit bragging about all the Shamrock shakes you're all havin'!!!

This past Saturday we had a very exciting event happen...we got to chat with hubby on the computer and see him via a webcam!!! This is the first time we have been able to do this and it was so great! To see his handsome face and his smile and watch him interacting with the kids...it was just awesome. When we first brought it up...Little Man got all excited and was saying, "dada dada" and trying to touch the computer screen. It was just precious and it made me so happy that he recognized him since he hasn't 'seen' him since November. I hope he does the same when we see Daddy in person! The girls just wanted to sit and tell jokes with Daddy, they thought it was really great being able to see him. We weren't able to stay on very long and it was really hard to say goodbye but I have that image ingrained in my head and it will help me to make it through the next 8 weeks...I can't believe it's only 8 more weeks.

I hope you all are enjoying this wonderful month whether it's with the sounds and sites of spring or with a shamrock shake in the snow!

Happy March!!!

2008-03-01T11:18:00.006-08:00

Yeah, I'm so excited March is here! March is a fun month, especially this year! We have St. Patricks Day, the 1st day of spring, my birthday and this year we have Easter too! Plus tons of other friends & family March birthdays.

I love St. Patricks Day simply because I'm Irish. I'm a lot of other stuff too, but I really LOOK Irish with my red hair, freckles and my name being Heather and all. If I were in Wisconsin I'd be getting a Shamrock shake today at McDonalds...but we don't have those here in Virginia.

I love springtime, especially here in Virginia! In Wisconsin it could still be snowing in March! So I love seeing my daffodils peeking out already and looking forward to some warmer weather. Spring brings rebirth. The trees will be blooming and flowers will be budding and birds will be singing.

I am turning 34 this year and am completely happy about it! Every new year is a blessing from the Lord! I will never be embarrassed about my age! Yes I do color away those grays...but I've been doing that since I was 17 (we go gray early in my family)! Even though the love of my life will not be here this year to celebrate my birthday with me (I'm used to it!), it will be a very special day. My children think my birthday is a pretty big deal and I am sure that I am going to get a lot of special treatment.

Plus my Mom is coming for my birthday!!!! I am so excited! I am the baby of the family and my Mom and I are very close, so this is the best birthday present ever! Although I did like my new black wool coat that she already gave me as my present too! So not only will she be here for my birthday...but she will be here for Easter!

This year, my birthday falls on Easter. Now, the story of my birth includes an icestorm and ever since then, I have had very few birthdays with nice weather...even when I lived in Hawaii! So when you are buying your little girls Easter dresses this year...remember to get a sweater, just in case! So this is a really big deal that Easter is on my birthday! I decided to figure out the data of how often this has happened. The last time Easter was on March 23rd was in 1913, which was obviously long before I was ever born. The chart goes to 2124 and it will not happen again between now and then. So this is the one and only time in my whole life that Easter will be on my birthday. Isn't that cool?! How amazing to share my birthday with the celebration of my Lord raising from the dead! He is alive!!

So I hope that March goes really fast with all of these exciting events! After my Mom's visit, it will only be 6 more weeks until my beloved comes home!!! Can you even believe it?! I decided this past week that it sounds better in week format. For instance, this past Thursday we have two and a half months left...sounds like a long time right? But when I say, we only have 10 weeks left...it sounds so much better!!! So here's to 9&1/2 weeks!!! Happy March!!!

We're half way there - Livin' on a prayer

2008-02-22T18:16:00.003-08:00

Yes I admit it! I was a HUGE Bon Jovi fan back in the day. What's really scary is that when I was at home for Christmas I found a Bon Jovi cd...which obviously wasn't mine since we had tapes back then! I asked my 17 year old niece if it was hers...it was!! How funny is that?!?!

So anyway! We are half way through deployment!! I can't believe it! We went out to dinner tonite to a Chinese buffet with another friend who is half way through their deployment as well! Of course, Tinkerbell pointed out to me after prayers tonite that really it's more than half way. She said that Daddy has been gone for 7 months and we only have 3 to go. (She's including the 4 months of training.) Such a glass half full kind of girl!

I really thought I was going to be much more excited when we hit this day, but I think my cold kind of took it out of me. I wanted to get balloons and really make it special for the kids. I'm lucky I got out of bed this morning! Now I think Princess and Little Man are getting sick too. I am so happy that this day has passed though.

To encourage me, my Father-in-law sent me back an e-mail that I had sent out when this journey began. There is a story in it that I'd like to share.

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. God is watching over you. And, whatever you're going through, you'll be a better person in the end.

Hubby is okay!

2008-02-19T20:10:00.004-08:00

So, I received an e-mail from hubby's CO yesterday that said this:

'All, I just saw a clip on CNN regarding mortar & rocket attacks here in Iraq that may have some of you back home concerned. I just want to let you know that ALL our Sailors & Soldiers are well. They continue to do America proud. Please refrain from replying to this email unless it is an emergency. I will have everyone in the Battery contact their loved ones as soon as they can.'

That was pretty great of him to do that in the midst of all the craziness. Later that day, I received three e-mails from hubby. The first just said 'I LOVE YOU!!!!!' in the subject line, no message. The second said 'CHECKING IN I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!' again in the subject line with no message. The third finally had a message:

'I am just checking in. Had ALOT of "rain" today. I love you and am OK. Do not respond to GMAIL just normal account. Just used this to make sure this got out.

"Rain" of course means rockets/artillery/mortar. I found a news article about what happened:

BAGHDAD — Five Iraqi civilians were killed when a barrage of rockets struck the large American military base near Baghdad International Airport and a nearby neighborhood late Monday afternoon, according to American and Iraqi officials.
Though mortar and rocket attacks are still common, the volley was unusually intense. At least 2 American soldiers and 14 Iraqi civilians, including 6 children, were wounded.
American and Iraqi forces arrested six suspects at the launching site, which an Interior Ministry official said was in the Amel section of western Baghdad, an area with a heavy presence of Mahdi Army militiamen loyal to the anti-American Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr.
The ministry official said at least 11 rockets had been fired, and the military said one unexploded rocket had been found. Some rockets struck Camp Victory, the American military’s sprawling complex on the outskirts of western Baghdad.

I am so thankful that I got the e-mail from his CO before I had seen anything on the news. Quite a reminder of where he is and what he is doing. I haven't been able to talk to him yet but he did e-mail again to let me know that he hasn't been able to get a line out yet and that he is VERY busy.

It makes me sick to my stomache thinking about this. It's so hard just going about every day life sometimes, knowing that your husband is in danger every day. It is only the grace of the Lord that covers me that gets me through each day. I take it one day at a time. I don't know if I can make it through tomorrow...but I know I can make it through today. God gives me what I need each morning to make it through that day. He walks with me through the midst of my storm. He is with my husband. Just yesterday I found a blogger through another blogger and she had written a letter to her encouraging her while her husband is deployed. That letter touched my very soul. Here it is if you want to read it. Thank you fallinglikerain for being such an encourager!! Tomorrow is a brand new day! We will go on!!

I CAN'T OPEN THE JUICE!!!

2008-02-18T07:53:00.004-08:00

How is it that something so simple can turn into something so big? It all started Saturday afternoon I guess. I was talking to hubby, he had already talked to the girls, and there was a loud noise on his end. It was an expolsion of some sort and it shook his whole building. We moved on in the conversation and about 5 minutes later we got disconnected. Usually he calls back if we get cut off but this time he didn't.

That evening all the kids got baths and I layed out their clothes for church. We had a good night and they all got to bed at a decent time. When I was laying in bed...I started thinking about the fact that we got cut off on the phone. I'm sure everything's fine. He hears stuff like that every day so it probably didn't even register in his brain that we got cut off shortly after.

The next morning Tinkerbell woke me up, "Mommy, it's 7:30 and it's Sunday." Great, now we are a half hour behind schedule! We never wake up late so I don't use an alarm clock. My kids ARE my alarm clock! So now we were rushed getting ready. I was doing pretty good on time...and then it happened. One of those little things that turns into a big thing and turns this normally 'I got it all together, non-crying Mom' into a weepy mess.

We are ready to walk out the door...the only thing I have left to do is get a cup of juice for Little Man. I took out the 3 quart, brand new juice, lugged it up onto the counter, and tried to open it. Hmmm, it won't open. I tried harder. I used a towel to try and get some friction, plus my hand was starting to hurt. I used a knife to seperate the lid from the connector when it's new. I tried again...nothing. Tinkerbell came in and offered to open it for me. I told her to go ahead and try, of course she couldn't. I asked her to go and wait by the door. I tried again. My hand was really starting to hurt. I looked at it and saw that the palm of my hand was red and the side of my middle finger was cut and bleeding. I closed my eyes and prayed, "Please Lord, I can not open this juice. I need you to open it for me." I tried again. Nothing. "Please Lord!" Nothing. At this point we are now going to be late. I picked up the juice and the diaper bag and we went out the door.

When I got to church, I couldn't find a parking space back near the children's wing, so I had to park way in the front of the church...like I wasn't late enough already. I put the juice in the back of Little Man's stroller and we went in. I stopped at the info booth and asked the gentleman handing out the bulletins if he could open the juice. He did. I went back to the children's wing and checked in the kids. I sent Tinkerbell to her class and took Princess to her class. Then I saw my friend and I just lost it. I started crying, "I couldn't open the stupid bottle of juice." She and another friend talked with me and prayed with me. I was weepy for awhile but I got better throughout the day.

I know it wasn't really about the juice...well some of it was. When hubby open's things for me, it is very intimate. I can't open something, so I bring it to him. He is my provider and my protector, he takes care of me. He opens it and hands it back with a smile and I say, "thank you honey." I didn't want to ask someone elses husband to open my juice for me.

I know that God was trying to teach me something since he didn't open it for me when I prayed. Perhaps it was what one of my friends said after she prayed for me. She said, "I am glad that I am getting to see you like this today. I always think of you as this superwoman who has it all together and is doing just fine. Now I know that I need to be praying for you." I don't mean to portray some superwoman. I am not doing any of this on my own strength! The Lord gets me through every single day! But I have to do what I have to do. No one else is going to do it for me. When people ask me how I am, I smile and I say great! Because I am great! Even if I am having a hard day, there isn't anything anyone can do to fix that...I just need my husband. But the Lord gives me joy every day. So I say I am great. Yes I am still hurting inside sometimes but God will take care of that. I guess on Sunday, he wanted me to reach out and be vulnerable. That I would HAVE to ask for help because I couldn't do it on my own. Maybe he was teaching me something and maybe he was teaching others something too.

So later Sunday afternoon, while Little Man sat drinking his juice, hubby called. He hadn't even thought about the explosion...he hears them every day. I cried again when I told him about my juice. He understood when I told him that I didn't want someone else to open my juice. And he said he wished he were here so he could have done it for me. I love him so much.

Today, as I sit here with a bandaid on my finger and a sore hand, listening to the rain that is matching my mood today, I am thankful. I am thankful that the Lord is with me every step of this journey that we are on right now. I am thankful that I have a husband who loves me and understands me. I am thankful that I have kids who want to help me and who are forgiving when I am crabby. I am thankful to have friends that care about me. I am thankful that I have a church full of people who will step in and help if I ask for it...even if it's just to open my juice.

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T05:47:00.006-08:00

Look at what my husband sent me for Valentines Day! Aren't they lovely?! He got them through Hallmark and they came yesterday. He called and kept waiting for me to say something since he got the delivery confirmation. I didn't and we got off the phone. He called back about 5 minutes later. I was surprised. He said, "is there anything outside on the porch?" So I opened the door and there they were. I probably would have had them earlier but our doorbell is broken so I didn't hear it. It was nice to be able to open it while we were on the phone though so he could hear my reaction and I could tell him thank you.

It does seem some what strange not having him here for Valentines. Not that we ever do anything super special. We aren't huge fans of Valentines Day. But we do always love spending time as a family on anyday! So on this day that is made especially for celebrating love, I'm feeling a little dreamy and wishing he were here so I could give him a hug.

This morning Princess came in my room and whispered, "Mommy?" I answered groggigly (not sure if that's a word but you get my point!) without opening my eyes, "what?" "Happy Valentines Day." I opened my eyes and gave her a big ol' hug and wished her a Happy Valentines Day too.

I am so thankful for my girls. They have the sweetest hearts. They are kind and loving and thoughtful. They are always making me cards and pictures. Little Man is a sweetie too and I know that he will grow up to be a kind and thoughtful man because of the example he has in his Dad. The girls have a good example of the way they should be treated by a man.

I am so blessed that God choose him for me. That he brought us together in spite of my stubbornness. That he has blessed our marriage so abundantly. I really can't wait for him to come home so our family can be complete!

So on this Valentines Day, hold your loved ones a little bit closer. Tell them how much you love them. Make it a special day for your kids. And remember the greatest love of all. God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son. That whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16