Did you know there were dinosaurs in Texas.....well technically it is a dragon, but Will has called it a dinosaur this whole time. Livi wasn't sure if she was a fairy or a princess. Either way she was really cute....cranky but cute. These last couple of weeks she has decided she is done with her afternoon nap....which is all fine and dandy EXCEPT by 4:30 she is falling on the floor, melting into a little puddle crying over the smallest thing.
So today after an hour, I had to give in....they had gymnastics at 3:30.....
What am is getting around to saying is.....No naps + gymnastics + sugar high from ten thousand pieces of candy + trick or treating JUST our street = one tired little fairy princess. She couldn't hardly stay awake for her bath.
Happy Halloween! As of tomorrow, we are at 50 days. I am really moping around tonight....this is the second Halloween Mike has missed. I know, I know....we are on the home stretch. I can seriously see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Last week I started taking a new allergy medicine. I knew it had been messing with my sleep habits most of the weekend, but I didn't really realize how much. Finally last night after getting a tad drowsy around midnight, I decided to try to go to bed and hope to sweet Jesus I would fall asleep.
I kid you not, the kids get up at the a$$ crack of dawn. I get up at 6AM so I can have myself almost ready by the time they get up around 6:30-6:45 or so. I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON....so this kills me...but sleeping later is just not an option now.
1:00 AM- I look over at the clock that I have now covered with a wash cloth because those green numbers seem to flooding the room with light.. I am thinking...."okay, if I can just go to sleep now, I will get five hours of sleep!!" I can do that. My favorite sleep music is softly playing in the background. Still tossing, turning....getting comfortable but not feeling the least bit like sleep is coming anytime soon.
2:00 AM- Dude...say it isn't so....There is really no way I can function on four hours of sleep....I will now have to skip aerobics and come home and take a nap! It is too late to take a Tylenol PM....far be it I thought of that four hours ago!! Oh....well
a little after 2AM.....I must have gone to sleep a little after this. Thank you Mr. Sandman.
For some reason I woke up, threw the washcloth off my clock and looked at the time....OMG, that is LIGHT coming in my room. First, I sleep in a cave practically. We have this tint on our windows to lower our AC bill....and we have wooden blinds. At 6AM NO LIGHT should be coming in my window. That clock cannot be right, there is no way it is 7:47.....The kids have not slept late in ....well ever!! Why couldn't they have done this yesterday?
I jumped out of bed, I did not take a shower! But I did brush my teeth, threw on some tinted sunscreen and lip gloss. Thankfully I have pretty good hair that doesn't need to be washed everyday. I kind of fluffed it up a bit and hoped it didn't look like day old dirty!
Will woke up in the few minutes it took me to get dressed, as did Livi. Their clothes are already laid out, so the isn't the age old drama of "I don't want to wear that." While one was getting dressed, I brushed every one's teeth...made some sippy cups of milk, and threw some Cheerios in a bowl.
Just as we were headed out the door, I realized I didn't even have their lunches. But I pack their lunches the night before....I go so far as to even stick the whole lunchbox in the fridge. I grabbed a cold pack from the freezer and we headed out.
It is only an 11 minute drive to school (you know I have timed it!) Believe it or not, we made it there with one minute to spare.
As hectic as waking up late is, the kids were awesome....we just moved like clockwork. I do have to say I was impressed.
I got home, flipped on the coffee pot and took a long, hot shower! I did try to lay down. But no napping for me. Surprisingly I wasn't that tired all day.
Now it is almost bedtime and I am scared to take my medicine. As smoothly as the morning went, I don't want to do that often.
As for the picture up there, it is from Saturday at the parade field on post. Just kids, playing with sticks...it's a wonder they didn't start hitting each other with them!
not too long ago I wrote a post about "what not to say to a wife of a deployed soldier"....Tuesday Update....if this doesn't link it correctly, it is the July 5, 2007 post...
Tonight I got this email from my Husband's boss's wife.....I have to admit I broke down in tears. yes, I am WAY emotional this week....those of you being visited by aunt Flo know the feelings. But in total opposition to what NOT to say, this is what TO say to a wife who hasn't seen her husband in 15 months....(okay you totally cannot count the two weeks we had in March!!) I am adding my comments in crimson.....
Dear Military Wife, I am an American woman that has no idea what is going on in the military other than what I hear on the news. ***I don't watch the news, so I don't know much either, welcome to my world.***
I have never had to let go of someone so that they could go fight for people that they didn't know, people that sometimes do not appreciate or understand what they are fighting for. ***i think this is the hardest part of being me***
I have never had a sleepless night of worry because of a report that another bomb has exploded and I still haven't heard from my husband. ***again, I DO NOT read the paper, it is way to worrisome when I see Husband's division mentioned***
I have never had to wait for months on end to hold the one that I loved so. ***15 months is way too long***
I have never had to tell my children that daddy wasn't coming home tonight because he was so far away fighting for something that they aren't yet old enough to understand. ***It is hard to admit that my babies even know where Iraq is on a globe.***
I have never had to hold my head high and suppress the tears as I hear that it will be at least another six months of separation before my loved one gets to come home. ***when I got news of the extra three month extension, I had to go take a shower so the kids wouldn't see me cry***
I have never had to deal with a holiday away from the one that I thought I would share every day of my life with. ***I almost think a week long field exercise is nice every once in a while....makes you appreciate what you have***
And I have never had to feel the panic rising in my heart at the sound of a ringing phone or knock at the door for fear that it is the newsthat everyone is terrified of getting. ***Okay, I am getting way too real here,....I get dressed: makeup and shoes every single day because I am paranoid someone in dress greens will come knocking on my door, and I will be the wife standing there in her jammies at 2 in the afternoon.***
For the reasons listed above, I can not tell you that I understand how you feel.
I can not tell you that you must be strong. ***I am not, I am just doing what has to be done.***
I can not say that you shouldn't be angry, because you "knew what you were getting into when you married a military man". ***Yes, I did, but in 1997, I didn't even think about it, I just wanted to be with him.***
I can not say these things because I have never had to walk in your shoes.
What I can say for certain is that because of your unselfish acts of bravery and your husbands willingness to stand up for those who see him as "just another soldier" - -I will never have to walk in your shoes.
I do understand that as a military wife you are expected to uphold a certain amount of control, but I never understood how you could do it,until now.
I have figured out that you are not like other women.
You are of a special breed. ***I do agree with this wholeheartedly!!***
You have a strength within you that holds life together in the darkest of hours, a strength of which I will never possess.
The faith you have is what makes you stand out in a crowd; it makes you glow with emotion and swell with pride at the mention of The United States of America. ***I do cry when I hear the National Anthem***
You are a special lady, a wonderful partner and a glorious American. ****thank you****
I have more respect for your husband than I could ever tell you, but until recently I never thought much about those that the soldier leaves at home during deployment. ***not many people do***
Until this moment I could never put into words exactly what America meant to me.
Until this moment, I had no real reason to.... Until I heard of you.
Your husband and his military family hold this nation close, safe from those who wish to hurt us...but you and those like you are the backbone of the American family.
You keep the wheels in motion and the hearts alive while most would just break completely down.
Military families make this nation what it is today.
You give us all hope and you emit a warming light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
Because of you and your family...I am able to be me.
I am able to have my family.
I am able to walk free in this great land.
Because of you and your family, I can look ahead to the future with the knowledge that life is going to be okay.
Because of you and your family, I can awake to a new day, everyday.
I realize that you are a stronger person than I will ever be because of these things and I just wanted to take the time today to say thank you to you and your family for allowing me that freedom.
I will never be able to repay this debt to you, as it is unmatchable.
However, I hope that you know that no matter where you are...what you are doing...what has happened today...or what will happen tomorrow...Your husband will NEVER be "just another soldier" to me....And you, dear sweet lady, will never be forgotten.
You are all in my prayer's everyday and I pray that God will bring you back together with your loved one safely.May God Bless You
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE
i think as a wife of a career soldier this is all that I could ever want to hear from someone. I know many people don't agree with all that is going on.....but I will be here supporting my Husband's choice he made long before he met me. I think as a wife I would love to be acknowledged and appreciated. This last year has been the hardest thing I have ever done!
Now, if you have read this far, send me your name and address. I will personally send you a thank you note......
We haven't done one of these in awhile, so it was good to actually see Husband rather than just talking on the phone. We actually got to visit for thirty minutes. The kids were wild and crazy, which drives me batty.....but I guess I can't sit still for 30 minutes, so how can I expect them to? See that little camera in the lower left corner....that is pointing at us so that he can see us. There are three tables shaped like a U in the room. at one point Livi was walking down one table like it was a runway.
Will was quite surprised to really see him....He just kind of acted goofy. Neither kid wanted to wear their Halloween costumes. Will wanted to wear his dinosaur shirt that he wore on his birthday though.
Livi was so excited to see him. She took her "Baa Baa Black Sheep" book and read it too him. She is such the performer, always wanting to be the center of attention.
After the VTC was over, I let the kids run around the parade field. See those bleachers? In 54 days we will be having our welcome home ceremony there. Whew hoo!!! I can't wait to be sitting here, probably freezing because it will be late December.....but it will be before Christmas. What more can one want but to be home with their family after being gone for 15 long months!
Ask and you shall receive....here is a picture of my closet....I couldn't get in there to take a picture of the entire length, but pants are off to the left. If you click on the picture, it will take you to Flickr to see the notes on it. There is also another picture there of the sweaters that are on the shelf above. They are separated by these silver dividers. It is finally starting to be in the 70's, so soon I will weed out those sleeveless tops and put more 3/4 and long sleeved shirts in the closet. Anything of the sleeveless that didn't get worn this summer will go into a Goodwill pile. I will make note of anything I need to replace. I usually stock up on summer sales of basics like white t's and stuff I know I will wear next year.
Don't forget ... the Friday Fill-Ins are over here now!
1. The last good thing that came in the mail was _______ .
2. This week I'm grateful for _______.
3. _____ is the most delicious thing ever.
4. _____ inspires me.
5. I'm most happy when I _____ .
6. And all the roads we have to walk along are _____ .
7. As for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____ , tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____
1. The last good thing that came in the mail was a letter from Husband.
2. This week I'm grateful for the seven more days crossed off the calendar of a fifteen month deployment.
3. A glass of wine, a plate of cheese, crackers and olives is the most delicious thing ever.
4. As sappy as it may sound, my kids inspires me to be the best mom that I can with what I know and can be right now.
5. I'm most happy when I feel in control of my life.
6. And all the roads we have to walk along are full of adventure if we look around for it.
7. As for the weekend, tonight **(which was really last night) I'm looking forward to taking the kids to a birthday party at an indoor rock climbing place, tomorrow my plans include going to a VTC (video teleconference) with Husband and Sunday, I want to sleep in.....I swear it will happen one day....but most likely it won't until Husband is home in 56 days!!
Since I am clueless as to what to write about this evening, I think it will be a world record that I did this tag the same day it was issued/given/whatever you call it.
Seems like somebody out there (Cheeky) wants to know some random info....so here goes. She keeps me laughing so I will do it....the Tag is that I have to post 6 things about me and of course tag others at the end.
1. I have used an outhouse at the Arctic Circle. I had to trudge through thigh high snow just to get to it. Fun times when the in-laws come to visit us and want to drive to the Arctic Circle. I do have a picture, but I don't have a scanner, and it was before digital. I could take a picture of the picture, but I am really feeling lazy tonight.
2. I could eat frosted mini wheats for breakfast every single day of my life. Here is the part of that is probably TMI......if I eat them past nine o'clock I get the toots....and I can't like toots. My kids already like way too many body function noises.
3. I have never gone on a blind date. I really need to control my environment and that might have sent me over the edge! Good thing I met Mike when I did.
4. Speaking of Mike, I met my husband at a New Year's party when I was cleaning up empties.....I was housesitting for his Colonel at the time. They had two neurotic dogs that needed watching. They got back after Christmas and asked me to stay for a New Year's party. It was all she wrote after that. We were married 11 months and 29 days after that. That was ten years ago next month!
5. My clothes are hung in order of the color wheel, sleeve length...with white on the left and black on the right. .....Pants are short to long by degree of darkness....lightest on the left. I am a firm believer of one shirt out for every shirt in. For example I got the cutest apple green cable pullover yesterday. I have already pulled two shirts out that I didn't wear at all last fall/winter. (PS, I did two because they were right besides each other and I couldn't decide which one to pick.)
6. Keeping with the TAG theme, If I ever win the lottery, this would be on my short list of things I would blow money on first. It's pink, sparkly, and shiny....what is not to love? Husband, don't get any ideas, it is just a wish!!!
Just a brief look into my little world....or madness as I prefer to call it.....
Not a good tagger,.....do it if you haven't done it....sounds like blog pressure when I say it that way...
I know I am all about sharing ...but Will, did you have to share your barfing-ick-thing you had last week with Sister?
So, for Part Two.....Livi's preschool teacher called about 30 minutes before I was to pick her up.....second verse same as the first BUT....she barfed in the car.....while strapped in her carseat. In all my big long four years of parenting, I have NEVER had a kid barf in the car...
so in honor of that, I have my Thursday 13 of "I Have NEVER"
1. I have never had to clean barf off of a carseat.....and can I just say it was a pain getting the cover off so I could wash it!
2. I have never changed a tire.....that is why Roadside Assistance is for!
3. I have never been arrested- I was the good child!
4. I have never been to France.
5. I have never done drugs....oh wait, is alcohol a drug....you all know how I like my wine!
6. I have never sky-dived....way too chicken.
7. I have never been fired from a job.
8. I have never driven a motorcycle.
9. I have never been to the Grand Canyon.
10. I have never see any of the Harry Potter movies or read them.
11. I have never watched a show that requires me to vote....like American Idol.
12. I have never been to Disneyland.
13. I have never worn the same underwear two days in a row....at least I don't think I have!!
ps....the last time I played this, it was a drinking game at a wives' sleepover when the guys were in the field. It was sooooo funny!! This straight-laced Mary Poppins wife of a 2LT admitted she was into porn, liked to be tied up and used handcuffs! Every time I looked at her after that I had to giggle.....who would have thought...
When ever I saw this I had to laugh. After a day like today, I really needed to laugh. I don't usually curse but it is very fitting! Okay, after a glass of wine, my tongue might be a tad loose, after several I might drop the f-bomb....but in general, I am too scared Livi will repeat something at school....so it is a good reminder to use G-rated language around here.
Back to my craptastic day.....I seriously should chart my girl-thing because I am a huge bundle of emotions. It has been 380 days since Mike left. You would think I would have a hang of this by now. But lack of sleep has magnified all these emotions.
I am physically exhausted from trying to do it all. Then I get frustrated that not all is going as smoothly as I would like. For instance I get up an hour before the kids normally wake up so I can have myself ready, coffee in hand, and ready to start the day. But this morning Will woke up while I was in the shower. Not a good sign....I was so tired by the time we were ready to walk out the door to go to school.
Five minutes after our warning timer had gone off, not one but two kids had to go to the bathroom. Will is an "I-have-to-take-all-my-clothes-off-from-waist-down" kid. What is it with boys and stripping? Livi said she had to go as well. Since she is barely potty-trained, I dare not let her go if she says she has too! I was not the most positive mom in all of this. Let it even be noted that I might have lost it!
After I finally got Will's clothes, socks (Yes, even the socks have to come off.) and shoes off, he says, "Mommy, why are being so mean?" Oh crap! The floodgates opened.
I had to step back and realize the worst thing that would happen is we would be late. Will's favorite thing to say when things aren't going right is, "Let's start all over okay?" So it was my turn to say, "I am sorry buddy! Let's start all over."
I think the little things are starting to really add up...the stupid woman at AutoZone who laughed at me about the coolant, the morons at Garlyn Shelton Volvo, just all the little things that normally roll off my back..suddenly backed up and I barked at my kid!
I need to remember I have no control over this extension....but I can control how I react to it. One major positive thing is I clean in response to stress. I am guessing that I can't control when the army will send Mike home, but I can control my surroundings. I cleaned out the garage today. A few things that needed to go up to the attic went up there. All the summer stuff is cleaned and put away.
So, I guess all in all, a little cleaning, a little laughter and a sense of humor got me through today. Tomorrow I can only try to have a little more patience and hope that I control how I react to whatever it is that will stress me out tomorrow.
On a side note, I really try not to whine about this...so if you have read this far....thanks!
Just because I need one more laugh....these are from this weekend's visit to the pumpkin patch. See how red his cheeks were...it was in the high 80s. It has been in the 50s this week so far!
Livi would strike a pose and say, "Cheese me!" That my friends, made me laugh!
4 places I'd love to be right now 1- with husband 2- with husband 3- with husband 4- okay if I must say something different....then Lake Austin Spa and Resort
4 names I love but could/would not use for my children 1- after being a teacher, there were few I would use....these were some of the most usual 2- Sir 3- Princess 4- Slade
I found this picture while going through some old files on my computer. It was taken a couple of weeks before Mike left. We were in OH visiting his mom and dad and his sisters. We are down to 57 days.....whew hoo!
This weekend we went to a pumpkin patch. There were all kind of activities....a hay ride, a story time, pumpkin painting. Of course I put the kids in white shirts and jeans. As fun as painting mini pumpkins would have been fun. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. SO being the practical mom that I am, I steered them towards the hay bale maze....Oh yeah...go run around and burn some energy off!
We each picked a pumpkin to take home. I took this one of Will in front of our house. Right after this picture, he pitched the pumpkin like it was an orange shot put. I wonder how long it will take until the insides get all gross after that!
Not sure if you can see it but Livi is holding a little piece of straw. She would pick it up and say, "Hay"...."Hey, Mom, I said hey!" I guess the thing that made it so funny is that Mike does the same thing. We will see those round bales of hay on the side of the road and he does the "hay" every single time!
Overall it was a great weekend. The kids kept busy enough to not get bored. We got the cars washed, even the tires...a job I HATE to do. I cleaned out two bags of stuff from my closet, the office/craft room, and the kitchen. I spent some time organizing some scrapping supplies with the intention that maybe one day I will work on some pages.
The only down side to the weekend....when I was moving my car back into the garage the coolant light came on. Okay, I can do this....I pull out the manual, find out where to check it. Check, oh yeah, it is low.,....There is a little minimum and maximum line....got it, and yes, it is low. The little reservoir clearly says to use the car brand kind. The closest dealer is 30 minutes away ....they are the ones that pi$$ed me off about the wires under the seat. The dealer we bought the car from is about an hour from here. Can you drive 30-45 minutes in your car if the coolant is that low? It is not empty, just low. I called Auto Zone to see if they carry different car types of coolant. The girl just laughed at me. She said it is all the same. She said something about 50/50 , so I asked her if I had to mix it with water or if it came that way? She really got a laugh out of that. By the way, it is already mixed in the container. Nice to know this kind of stuff. <----these are the kind of things that I hate to deal with, this is a 'husband job'.
Hope your weekend went well.....happy Monday y'all.
1. October ______________. 2. _________ doesn't/don't scare me! 3. Haunted houses __________. 4. My favorite scary movie is _____________ because _____________. 5. _____________ me. 6. It was a dark and stormy night ________. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!
1. October begins my favorite time of year.
2. Spiders doesn't/don't scare me!
3. Haunted houses are a waste of money.
4. My favorite scary movie is Silence of the Lambs because you see something new every time it is on.
5. Oh me, Oh my, I am so glad this week is over.
6. It was a dark and stormy night the night we arrived at my mom's when we moved from Alaska.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to putting my feet up, tomorrow my plans include organizing the office/playroom and Sunday, I want to just veg! **Since the kids are finally in bed, asleep, I am putting my feet up and enjoying a glass of vino. Cheers! Check out my new scoots! Yes, those are flip flop tan lines...I wear them pretty much all spring and summer....which here is TX is 3/4 of the year!
Aren't these adorable? Myy neighbor brought them over this afternoon while both kids were taking a nap.
Because Will took a nap this aftern.oon, he is not sleeping now. I would much rather have both kids in bed sleep by 8 than a couple of free hours in the afternoon. Call me crazy, but I need some quiet time in the evening.
back to the acorns.....they are doughnut holes with chocolate frosting, dipped in crushed pecans, with a pretzel for the stems. I ate one. I don't normally eat doughnuts, so my mouth felt like it had a layer of slime in it. Will licked all the chocolate frosting off and spit the nuts back on his plate. I should have taken a picture of that. I can hear him now, "Blog this, Mommy!"
and just for grins and giggles.....another round of
barf bath load of laundry
This was my night from 10PM-5AM.
Really trying to see the positive side of this....I am sure things could be worse. only one Will is sick. Livi already has her three year well baby check this morning. uuhhmm, all that bedding really does look better after being washed....
but on an ick note....don't try to wash pillows. Toss those stinky things and replace.
Apparently this aired last week, after the OU/Texas game, but I don’t watch Jay Leno since I am never up that late. So I came across this late, on the internet. If you’ve seen it already, complaints can be mailed to whewhoo@oubeattx. It is so funny!!!
favorite lines:
what is better than fb and fried twinkies
I like your hair
This is fulfilling like eight fantasies at once.
When it comes to guys is it better to be a Sooner or a later?
shut up, he talks!
Howdy y'all its big Ross, hey down there, I love your shoes.
This is my breakfast, two Miller lights and a corney dog....welcome to TX
Is it better than fried sex?
Our team lost, but honey, you wanna do it?
ebonics baby, that is what I am talking about
Your RUF/NEK queen, like oh my congratulations
the scream when the NEKs shoot their guns
I saw a movie like this once.
when he mispells OKLAHOMA.....then says, gotta love a fight song that is a showtune!
On Sunday the last thing I wanted to do was to get out and do some fun activity. I really just wanted to veg in my pjs all day. BUT the kids next door told Will about some dinosaur exhibit here in town.....
Dang, my pj-lounging day was blown. Oh well....let's go have some fun.....it was kind of a cheesy little thing. The kids loved it though.
Livi was holding the little silver rail just a bit too tightly.....it knocked over a faux palm tree ....(Can you see where this is going??) which nearly knocked over a dinosaur. I saw it falling, so I kind if hit it to the right so it wouldn't hit it. Kind of freaked her out ...I finally got the palm tree upright, and we made a quick exit!
After naps we made made some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Livi needed them for her celebration at school. Here is the link: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Chip-Muffins Of all the things she could have taken, these are what she wanted. We first had these at a bake sale about two years ago. It is one of the many things I love about fall....all that cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin in the air.
During the celebration, the teacher reads a life story, Livi got to walk around the circle to show everyone her picture that described each year of her life. I took the first two pictures from her baby book...so last night at almost ten o'clock, I had to make two more pages. Good thing I use the 7x7 albums!! **Little note: she is always so goofy, trying to make people laugh...but during her walk around the circle, she was so serious!!
The preschool they go to is multi-aged, so Will is in her class. He was on the other side of the circle. I was trying to take a picture of him without him really realizing it. As soon as I picked up the camera, I get this.
No, really, let me take just one picture. Okay, maybe not. Once I put the camera down, he did our secret gesture.....a little thumbs up with a kiss. I was like, you goofy nut!
See that little scrunched up nose?? She not only looks like a mini me, but I do that scrunchy nose thing too when I am really laughing at something. Mike calls it a squirell grin.
I flip on the laptop as the coffee is brewing first thing every morning. Husband sent Livi a movie of him singing Happy Birthday. She listened to it several times before she started talking to the screen...."I heard you the first time....Daddy!" I think she must think it is like the video teleconferences we have done.
Anyhow, I asked her what she wanted for breakfast since she was princess for the day. I fully expected her to say pancakes. But she surprised me. She wanted strawberries and bananas with yogurt. Normally she gets to pick just one fruit, so she really thought she was getting all kinds of special treatment since she could pick two. Whew hoo, easy breakfast!
We had the party mid morning....I love that time for a party. Order some cheap pizza, serve some cake...all done. I decided against doing a craft and went for the pinata. I found a princess one at Hobby Lobby. It was even one with the pull string ones...no wild kids swinging a stick around here! The kids lined up smallest to biggest.....sadly enough the second kid pulled the right string. Here is Livi examining her loot. ***Note the cute pink boots! She looked adorable in pink boots, with a little corduroy skirt, and a top with pink and green flowers. We had to stick with the color theme.***
I hope your birthday wish comes true, baby girl. Later that night while we were doing our bed time routine, she said, "Mommy, can I tell you my wish? " If you want to, baby girl. "I really want Daddy to come home." I know, baby girl, so do I. Only 66 more days. By now, I am really trying not to cry in front of her. Then she kind of groaned and said, "But Mommy, I only know how to count to 20!"
Like all great divas, there had to be an outfit change......just kidding. After the party, they were playing in the ice, and she got soaked.
All in all, it was a great party. Princess cupcakes, princess and crown cookies, great friends, what more can a three year old princess want? Except her daddy....hurry home, husband!
If you play, please link back to me and leave me a comment letting me know you played, so I can come visit! I get this from janet at Fond of Snape.
1. Once upon a time there was a girl, she married a boy and popped out two kids in two years.
2. Crying, screaming and whining is how I started my day.....the kids, not me.....though I did feel like doing all that as well.
3. I think I would like the smell of white tea and ginger.
4. Way down south, the little girls wear big bows made to match outfits.
5. The battery to my Keys remote fell out today; so the locks wouldn't open. (When I opened it with the key, the alarm went off.....loudly, in the parking lot to the bakery!! being crazy for dad, originally uploaded by tommiea1.
6. Have you seen the kids being crazy for Dad lately? They're so goofy! Will looks like he is mastering the "white man's overbite" along with his Billy Crystal moves. Livi is going to give Gene Simmons a run for his money with that tongue of hers!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the kids going to bed, tomorrow my plans include Livi's birthday party and Sunday, I want to take the kids to the dinosaur exhibit visiting a museum here!
Happy Friday!
1. Once upon a time ______________. 2. _________ screaming and _______________. 3. __________ white tea and ginger. 4. Way down _____________. 5. Keys _______; locks _______ 6. Have you seen ________? They're so _______! 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!
Just a sneak peak into the princess party happening tomorrow...
I have fallen off the wagon of being so organized. Since I think I am all that and a box of chocolates, I was brought down a peg or two recently about birthdays. My poor little nephew turned one and I didn't even realize it. For some reason his birthday didn't make it onto my calendar. So I thought I would give myself a little refresher in calendar know how. This is the calendar I use. To get an idea of how big it is, it is just about two inches from the top of my fridge and that is the counter just at the bottom of the pic.
I have my routines down, the kids and I are getting through this deployment. Being a pseudo single parent has been the hardest thing I have ever done. I called my sister-in-law and explained that I get a bye this year. She can hold me accountable next year....but I am playing this "deployment card" for all its worth.
I color code my entries....school stuff for both kids is in the same color as their school shirts, Livi's stuff is in purple, Will's in green. I do pencil in "me" time....whether it be just a quick cup of coffee, a pedicure, or lunch with a girlfriend. I guess since I blew it for quite a few birthdays this year, I can start over fresh in January. I have already received my 2008 calendar....those missed birthdays are going to be highlighted! Happy Friday, y'all.....
Family Events: Take the time to sit down and fill in birthdays and general information that is consistent for your family; this will save you from ever forgetting a birthday or anniversary again! This is where you look at your calendar on desk day to see if there any cards or packages that you need to buy and or mail.
Schedules: When you receive a schedule of events from anything that a family member participates in FILL IT IN ON YOUR CALENDAR IMMEDIATELY!! Examples are : school calendars, sports schedules, boy scouts, dance classes, church schedules, etc. When you get them write them down! Don't leave those schedules in a hotspot or the car! If you absolutely can't write them down that minute than take a paper clip and clip it to your calendar or put it in the pocket of your calendar to pull out and enter the information on the calendar when desk day comes around. This will allow you to know what events you can and cannot attend because you will be able to see if you have a schedule issue.
Invitations: When you receive an invitation in the mail DON'T throw it in a hotspot or a pile of mail. First ask yourself if you want to go to the event, if you do than go to your calendar and see if the date is a good one for you or the person that has been invited. If you have looked at your calendar and know that you can attend, you write it down immediately! If the invitation requires an RSVP than take care of that right away. (By the way if you don't want to go to the event or it is something that doesn't work into your schedule then RSVP if required or throw the invitation away!)
Appointments: When you schedule an appointment for Doctors, dentists, barbers, whatever, look at your calendar FIRST! Then after you have scheduled them WRITE the appointment down so that you will not schedule yourself into a conflict. When you are using a basic weekly you will have a day that is more convenient for running around. Try to set up most of your appointments on your errand day, you can make this decision.
After the three day weekend, the kids were ready to go to school. No poking and prodding to get them moving along. Both kids were lined up, lunch boxes in hand, waiting for me to grab my coffee.
Speaking of coffee, if you like flavored creamer, International Delight has a Pumpkin Spice flavor that is to die for!! So I was making a to go mug of my spicy little delight.
We finally get out to the car, get the kids strapped in and Will says, "Let's see what this baby can do!"
Uugghh, what did my little four year old just say?? Least he forget I drive a cool mom wagon mobile....not some monster truck. Did he sneak out and go to some racetrack this weekend?? I mean we are in Texas. We see these mongo trucks with wheels as big as a small house. Here he is talking to me like he needs to strap on some extra gear while in an off-road monster truck.
I swirled my head around and just cracked up laughing. I asked him where he heard that.....he said oh so nonchalantly, "At school! It's my new favorite book"
Nice....the foofoo preschool we are sending, not one but both of the kids too is teaching them this. I could only begin to wonder what kind of Texas etiquette they were teaching....Is there such a thing as a redneck curriculum?? Do you get to learn how to eat pork rinds and burp as well?? Is this one of the after school classes I forgot to check off that we didn't want them to do??
Once we got to school I asked one of the teachers what book is "let's see what this baby can do!" is in......who knew? It is The School Bus Driver from the Black Lagoon.
Oh yeah, no redneck curriculum.....just a silly Scholastic book.
Whew hoo!! My desk is cleaned off. Since it is in the office/playroom, a room that is closed off with French doors, it became a dumping ground. Anything that didn't have a home or I didn't have time to get to, ended up just thrown on it. So today is my House Blessing day.....I do ten minutes each of these chores: dusting, Swiffering, Swiffer mom the tiled areas, vacuuming, change the sheets, purge magazines. I would do one House Blessing and then spend fifteen minutes on my desk. I shredded alot of stuff, filed some stuff, and finally put things away.
Now how long will it stay this way??
If you click on the picture it will take you to Flickr to see the notes.
With a pit in my stomach, I started to write this post. I poured myself a glass of vino and was boohooing. For some reason Nickelback's song "Far Away" popped into my mind....Keep in mind it is almost 10:30PM here. I'll skip the details but the kids (and myself included) took a late nap until almost 5PM. So now finally at 10ish the kids are in bed, the kitchen is cleaned, my evening routine checklist is checked off....and I get all mopey.
I started thinking back. October 8 is the day I drove Mike to post to drop him off. One year ago tonight (well really Monday night but you get the idea.) We only have about 70 days or so to go. While I was searching YouTube for this song, the phone rings.
My first thought was "Who in the he!! is calling this late?" Since most of my street is deployed I assumed it was a neighbor needing something. I kid about my only goal through this deployment is to make it through without going to the emergency room. I guess the epitome of the worst is waiting in a tiny waiting room with two preschool age children.....anyway where was I??
Oh yeah, the phone, by the time I sprint to the kitchen and look at the caller ID...I was shocked!!! It was Mike. He NEVER calls this late. He usually calls first thing in the morning or the afternoon so he can talk to the kids. I quickly do the math and figure out it is 7:30 in the morning there. He must have had to go in early. Whew hoo!! I get fifteen minutes of uninterrupted time to just talk. I tried not to get all sappy. So how is that for timing?? Kind of like some magic karma reaching across all the times zones.....did he somehow know I was really needing him??? Makes me get chill bumps just thinking about it!
Indeed it has been way too long...I know I can do this, many other wives before me have. I have found through this deployment, I am a much better wife, mom, and person with Mike than I am without him. I love you husband, hurry home!
Anyway, here are the words to this Nickelback song:
This time,
This place
Misused,
Mistakes
Too long,
Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
Cause you know, you know, you know
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go
Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore
On my knees,
I'll askLast chance for one last dance
ause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
Cause you know, you know, you know
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go
Being Sooner born and Sooner bred...sometimes it is hard to admit I live in Texas.....not much longer though. So glad we won today. The neighbors are hard to be around when we lose!
If you play, please link back to me and leave me a comment letting me know you played, so I can come visit! I get this from janet
Questions this week are courtesy of Amy; thanks Amy!!!
1. If I were a tree I would be_____ because_____
2. If I were a bird I would fly over __________
3. If I were a book I hope I would be ________
4. If I were a car _______________________.
5. If I could get rid of one piece of technology it would definitely be ______ because______.
6. If I could get rid of one bad habit at a snap of the fingers it would be _______________7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!
Tonight we did our pizza Friday with the neighbors.....the babies are in bed....all is quiet in the house except Grey's Anatomy that is DVR'd from yesterday....all is well.
1. If I were a tree I would be a Japanese Maple because I love the way they change colors during the seasons. 2. If I were a bird I would fly over the plains of the Midwest. 3. If I were a book I hope I would be a cookbook of yummy comfort food. 4. If I were a car I would be my fun mom-mobile....a cross-country Volvo....a limited edition of only 500 made. 5. If I could get rid of one piece of technology it would definitely be those ear pieces for cell phones..... 6. If I could get rid of one bad habit at a snap of the fingers it would be eating after the kids go to bed.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to an adult beverage once the babies are in bed, tomorrow my plans include playing with the kids and Sunday, I want to sleep in! One day it will happen.....I know...it will!
just because it is against my nature to post without pics....here is a flower I took the day we took pics at the park.......
Whew hoo!! Is it bad that I feel this way? Who knew kickball for three and four year old's was so demanding? We are finally done with kickball. Last night we played a game, then had a pizza party for the kids to get their medals. We actually went to the same park we took the duck pond pictures at. Will was so proud of his 'golden medal'. He wore it so proudly. He even wanted to sleep with it. I had to draw the line on that one. I can hear my mom's voice in the back of my head , "You're going to strangle yourself." Now, I don't know if she ever said that to me..but it sounds like something a mom would say!
Finally, Livi had to get some 'cheese' action in as well.....
Thirteen things I need to do for her party next weekend......
1. Order cake....princess theme please, she says so commandingly.
2. Print out chart for thank you notes.
3. But cute thank you notes I saw at Target. 4. Assemble these invitations...these have a little sparkly jewels that go on the crown, piece of tulle for a skirt, and a ribbon at the waist.
5. Get helium tank for balloon to tie on favors.
6. Assemble favors.
7. Order cookies from wedding cookie.com ...she did Will's dinosaur cookies.
8. Decide if I am going to do a craft activity.
9. Buy yards and yards of tulle for entryway.
10. Buy paper lanterns in pink and green.
11. Buy plastic ware and paper goods.
12. Buy ice cream and pick up cake day of party.
13. Decide on outfit for birthday girl....do I go pink and green to match decor or let her wear whatever she wants!
I think I can get most of this done over the next week. I can't believe my baby is going to be three!
This is what she wore when we delivered Muffin Monday muffins this week...Who knew unicorns were alive and well in Texas.
Did you know there were dinosaurs in Texas.....well technically it is a dragon, but Will has called it a dinosaur this whole time. 
Livi wasn't sure if she was a fairy or a princess. Either way she was really cute....cranky but cute. These last couple of weeks she has decided she is done with her afternoon nap....which is all fine and dandy EXCEPT by 4:30 she is falling on the floor, melting into a little puddle crying over the smallest thing. 
We haven't done one of these in awhile, so it was good to actually see Husband rather than just talking on the phone. We actually got to visit for thirty minutes. The kids were wild and crazy, which drives me batty.....but I guess I can't sit still for 30 m
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