Happy Birthday, Husband! Month's ago we put Mike's picture on his chair at the dining room table. Tonight, we decorated his chair, sang happy birthday, and blew out candles. I had the tall blue ones, and Livi insisted we put the chunky number one on there. Anyhow, happy birthday, Husband.....I love you!
Thank you.....
for making me laugh when no one else can.
for being confident in who I am as a wife, mother, and friend.
for knowing good manners and expecting them from the kids...even when they were just 2 and three...
for being respectful.
for standing up for what you believe in....
for being sensitive to my feelings and needs
for asking what I want and like even though you think I might return them!
for not only telling me you trust me, but believing it and putting your trust in me.
for sharing your life with me.
Hurry home husband, I can't wait to start being with you again! Hope you can have a happy birthday.....
I was tagged by Carrieb, so I thought this would be a good time to fill it in....
1. . My Love Language is Acts of Service. I've would love for it to be physical touch or even receiving gifts. But no, take out the trash and give the kids a bath...and I am good! So today when I got these.......
Oh wait that is the pic of the ftd.com flowers from their website.
The ones I received looked like this! Granted Mike ordered them from Iraq....maybe half fell out by the time they got here. All joking aside....I burst into tears when I opened the box. I am so NOT a flower person....but after the week I have had.......I knew my husband was showing me the only act of service he could. He can't be here physically, but he can bring a smile to my face even from the other side of the world.
PS....I was totally impressed with FTDs customer service. When i called to tell her the flowers were a poor interpretation of the picture on the website...she offered to 1. send out another bouquet or 2. refund my money ....I told her I didn't know how Husband paid for them (because you know I checked the only credit card statement that he has with him.) She said she had to email him about it....but she was really nice and didn't even want pics.
Okay, back to the tag....
2. One of the reasons my week has been horrid is Husband's granddad passed away yesterday. He has been very sick with cancer for a while. He is finally at peace.
3. Will is named after both of Mike's granddads. When we had Will, Mike got to name him and I named Livi....
4. We are at 50 days and they can't come fast enough.
5. This week I felt like I needed to just tie a knot in the rope and hang on.
6. I know I am hyper emotional because I am being a woman, but dang! This is getting old. I am way to old to be using BC pills. Any of you knocking on 40s door have any recommendations?
7....Yikes, that hurt to type 4-0....can it be that in 2008 I will really be the big 4-0....??? I certainly don't feel it.
You know how I feel about tags....steal it if you are post lacking anytime...
happy Thursday y'all
ETA: I joined the NaBloPoMo-- Short for National Blog Posting Month. .....so this totally counts as the first post for November!!!
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......
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!
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
After thinking about this award for almost a month from Natalie of Tulip Mom....I finally got around to it.
I don't remember when I started reading her blog. I think it was back in the summer. She has a son with Asperger's. She is also pregnant again after many tries. I love her little letters she writes to Sweet Boy. So thanks, I do appreciate this award (even if it took me almost a month to bestow it on a few more bloggers.)
Anyway, according to the rules,
This award should make you reflect on five bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way...
I am grateful for the following 5 bloggers who encourage and inspire me:
Libby -- from A Study of Schoolbooks and Shoes....Libby's is another one of my favorite blogs. I am way impressed with her cooking skills amongst other things. We tried her banana bread and it was to die for! Sometimes banana bread can be dense, but hers was fluffy almost!
Lisa-- from Fleur de Lisa -- She has an amazing eye for photography. The pictures she captures on a daily basis inspire me to play around more with my new camera.
Works for Mom from What Works for Us-- I think I found her blog during a Thursday 13 post. She has a great attitude...Go help her decide what to do with her mom jeans...I was seriously cracking up about that one.
Carrieb -- from Blah, blah, blog....She throws amazing parties, does amazing scrapbook projects, and is all around fun.
Lisagh - from Grosgrain Garage- Lisagh first started reading my blog some time back. I quickly became a fan and friend. She shows many sides to herself. The fun zanny side you can imagine going out and having a fun time with...to the serious side during a break up. Her honesty is amazing.
When I started this blog, it was to keep in touch with Mike and family far away. But what I have found is so many great bloggers. I do enjoy my time in the evenings once the house is picked up and the kids are in bed....I can sit down with a few friends and get a few laughs. Some days those laughs go far when I am feeling all sappy.
I have another award....The Egel Nest Blog Award to give out as well. So start pimping....just kidding, I'll get to that one some time this week.
I was feeling just a bit weepy today......In just a few short days I will celebrate an anniversary I could care less about.....365 days ago, my best friend loaded up a few duffel bags into my cool mom mobile, kissed the kids goodnight just like every other night. But then I dropped him off at a gym on post in the middle of the night under the stars. .....I didn't linger like some wives. I just couldn't. I gave him a hug and a kiss and said goodbye. Not knowing if I would ever see him again.
I dropped his parents off at the airport today. I don't know if it set off a flow of emotions, but I was strung as high as a kite all day.
So when my neighbor called about a jewelry and candle party I was all over it! When we lived in KS, a military wife made these super fun necklaces. I started with the basic black, brown, turquoise....you can mix and match these on different necklaces. So now I at the point of getting just some fun ones. Anyone who knows me in real life knows I am a black, khaki, white and denim sort of girl....throw in a slash of color and that is me.
Since so many wives have moved down here, they both have 'consultants' here.....AND they have parties!!!
This was the perfect retail therapy for me....I ended up with a necklace. It is kind of a coral red color. I wear this color a lot in the fall. It is on a thin brown leather cord. I have a black cord if I need to mix it up. Whew hoo, call me a wild child!
I also got this bracelet. Kind of a fun little colorful number....you might even consider it a happy little bracelet....hopefully I will improve my mood when I wear it.
I got a few candles from the Candle Queen. Flavors like Juicy Grapefruit, Red Hot Mama, Pumpkin Spice, and Mulled Cider. I absolutely love spicy warm fall flavors. I really wanted one called Angel Wings, despite the fruity name I thought it would smell like roses or something. But it smelled like a cabin in the winter with warm spicy scents of cardamon and nutmeg...just up my alley....but after my deal of buy three get one half off, I couldn't justify getting any more....
even if it was for some much needed retail therapy!
I had to take my car into the dealer today to have that wire fixed.....the one that Will cut. They had told me that it would be more than a day....sooo....I had specifically told them when I made the appointment, "I will need a loaner car that two car seats can fit in!"
I get to the Volvo dealer and they call someone from Enterprise to bring a car. ....
Wait....Enterprise???? Not to sound like a spoiled little stay at home mom....but I have been driving my cool mom-mobile for almost a year. You expect me to drive this uuhhmmmm little plastic car that sounds like a windup toy with a tick-tock clock turn signal???
I thought I would get like the XC90 or an S80....something to entice me into wanting another new car.....oh no....I get the windup car.
So after switching out the carseats.....I try to hook up her DVD player. It is a good 45 minute drive home. You have GOT to be kidding me....their freaking cigarette lighter is plugged and I can't play her a movie....!!! So we head back home. Only to get called at 3:30....the car is ready.
Again, go to the dealer....oh no...you have got to be kidding me....I have to take the freaking wind up car back to Enterprise (which was right by the gas station I had to top the gas tank off at!!!) ....okay, circle back around on backed up I-35....back to the Volvo dealer.
Finally get the car seats switched.....I look under the seat to see the wire....Take a deep breath I tell myself. It is taped up with electrical tape. At this point in my life, I am so honked I can't even think straight. I head home and will deal with this tomorrow. I am so disappointed with this Volvo dealership right now. I was so ready to cry....but I try not to cry in front of the kids. If I can't handle my emotions, how can I expect them to??
Now remind me, after ten and a half months of deployment, shouldn't the days be getting easier???
edited to add: I talked to the technician at the dealership first thing this morning.....they soldered the wire together, then wrapped it with 'heat tape'.....this is the standard to the Volvo warranty. If I want the wire replaced, I will have to pay for it. I sat Will in the seat. He only weighs 36 pounds. The airbag won't deploy if someone less than 40 pounds is sitting in the seat. The little light did come on that said "air bag off"...so it was fixed. The entire experience was awful. I haven't gotten to talk to the service manager yet.
I guess I should be thankful I get to drive my cushy mom car....and forget about it. There is another Volvo dealer a bit farther. It is the one we actually bought the car from. I wonder if the service is any better there?? Who knows??
uugghh....did you hear that? That would be a huge sigh of relief. The kids are finally in bed....
Let's do a little "If you give a kid a cup of chocolate milk story"
If....you give a kid (and just for grins and giggles, let's give two kids) a cup of chocolate milk in the morning, they will bounce off the walls starting at 8AM.
If they bounce off the walls at 8 AM, they will be tossed out into the yard to play on the mongo play structure back there.
If they play on the mongo play structure out there, they will get wet from the rain pooled at the top and bottom of the slide.
If they get wet from the rain pooled at the top and bottom of the slide, they will strip their clothes off down to their skivvies.
If they strip their clothes off down to their skivvies, they will think it is okay to play in the sand box....the rain soaked sand box, better known as wet sand.
If they play in the sand box, they will want to rinse off at the faucet.
If they rinse off at the faucet, they will just get the sand in more places like their hair.
If they get sand in their hair, the little girl will remember her mommy one time put baby powder on her hands to get it off.....so she will think it is a FABULOUS idea to put it in their hair.
If they put it in their hair, it will just make a huge wet powder mess (little side note to the story, she couldn't find baby powder, so she got Husband's Gold Bond Medicated Powder from under his sink)...
If it just makes a huge man-powder smelling mess, they will want a bath.
If they want a bath, they will change need a change of clothes.
If they need a change of clothes, they will think it is okay to have a snack.
If you give them a snack, they will want chocolate milk.
Yep, this was my morning, all before nine o'clock. After Livi didn't take a nap, I knew it was going to be a rough evening. Someone should have handed me a sign that said, "Breakdown ahead..." It might have been easier. I know they are just 2 (and don't forget the half) and 4, but after today I am drained.
We are down to five months left of this deployment and it can't go by fast enough. Some days I feel like I am wishing away 15 months of our lives. I know other people have done this and lived though it...but days like today make it all that much to just wish for Jan 2008.
A little TMI alert: ***
I started charting my cycle to see if Aunt Flo were the root of all these tears and short temper I have certain times of the month, and I will danged if it isn't when I am ovulating.
How that one lame ovary I have left is causing all this is beyond me, but it is. It is precisely the 2-3 days smack in the center of my cycle. So, I guess I should just grab my bootstraps and drive on!
There is a rooster in the house...Isn't he the cutest thing you have ever seen?? My friend J asked me if I wanted to go to this sale out in the pawpaw patch of a bunch of rusty old stuff. J has this rooster in the next size....38 or 39 inches to be exact.....of course this spot will only accommodate a 36" inch piece. So unless my little rooster was going to lose his legs, I had to get this baby one. He is made of metal and has rebar legs. I saw this at an arts and crafts festival in the fall. I hesitated and decided not to buy it. (mainly because I wasn't sure the medium sized one would fit there). Every since no other rooster has compared. I always kept telling myself I should have gotten this one. So when she asked if I wanted to go, I jumped at it.
I also got this little plant thing. My snap dragon that is just to the right of it is just about crushed from all the rain we have had, so I think I will get some ivy that will climb this stand.
Friend J got this adorable little red pig and a cross with a Texas star on it.
**Thanks to nice friend R who I call for random directions to get around this area!!** It did save us some time.
When we got home from our little adventure I was quite surprised to get these little things in my mailbox.
A few weeks ago Sisters with Style held a celebration in honor of their 100th post. They had a random giveaway to anyone who left a comment. Well, my old Alaska Bunco winning spirit** must have been with me because today when I got home from getting the rooster this was in the mail. I am not sure if it is because I am "being a woman" and am overly emotional or what, but the little monogrammed note cards* really brought tears to my eyes. I started reading their blog from a link on lost in surburbia a while back. So, many thanks, Sisters for your little act of thoughtfulness. These note cards will write letters of love to the man who rocks my world even though he is halfway across the planet!
*I blurred the monogram because I am paranoid like that!!
**When I lived in Alaska, I was in a Bunco group with 24 people. Yep, it was that big because no one had anything to do up there!!. I won some prize every single time I played the entire two years I was there.
Okay, I will forewarn you here....I am getting ready to get sappy.... I personally think Moms deserve more credit than one day a year. They should have at least a week, which is barely enough compensation for the 9 months we've spent carrying the said kids inside our bellies. Those 9 months are only the precursor for the next 18+ years of life lessons, nourishment, love, fixing dinners, cleaning scrapes, and so many hugs/kisses.
I love my Mom and my mother-in-law...........
- they both are the reason who I am ....and who Mike is today. Both I would consider one of my friends and confidants. Color me sappy, but Mothers rock hardcore. I realize not all feel the love for their Moms (or like them for that matter), but every Mom deserves a pat on the back today. I owe a ton to my Mom - so I'm cutting this post short to dedicate the day to her since she's dedicated years to me. Be sure to tell your Moms how much they rock because I'm going to call my mom in the AM.
First and foremost, I love being a mother to Will
and Olivia....
I am so thankful that each day I get to spend it with them....One time when I was moping around about this deployment, Mike asked me, "would you rather spend this year away from your kids rather than with them 24/7??" It really made me realize how lucky I am to get to be here with them.
So even when I am going crazy by 8AM, I love being a mom!!
I am not normally one to get excited about flowers. But today when the doorbell rang, I was quite surprised. This has been a very hard week for me for some reason. I have been feeling very overwhelmed with all the sad news in the world...from the horrific murders in VA, to my husband's deployment most likely being extended...to just the hormones of being a woman.
I was talking to my mother-in-law yesterday and I guess she could hear it in my voice. Sadly I had to tell her that I didn't think I would be able to make it out there this summer.
One thing this deployment has taught me is.....I know my limitations. It is very hard for me to say no. I am a people pleaser. All I want to do in life is make life easier for those I love and those around me. I know how much they would love to see the kids...but I think traveling with two kids under the age of three might push me over the edge. People think all these military wives have it all together...but I can only take one day at a time. If I screw it all up one day, I can only hope I do better the next day....and for the past 180+ days that is how I have survived.
So when I opened the door and there was a lady holding this beautiful bouquet of flowers I really did get tears in my eyes! It was like my mother-in-law really heard how I had been feeling and wanted to brighten my day. I know we will get through this deployment ....there are good days and bad days. Well today was definitely a good day. Thanks, John and Meg, I love you and we all will get through this!
I don't usually watch tv, especially since it is usually something bad about Iraq....but today the tv has been on contantly. I went to go get a pedicure and the news was even on there.
The past day has been so utterly unbelievable. I don't even know what to think. First a foremost, my heart goes out to all the friends and family of those murdered. You think when you have finally sent your babies away to school that they are finally grown up. Now so many families are planning funerals, grieving in a way that just makes my heart ache to think about it.
Even when I gripe, moan and complain about Mike being deployed, at least he is alive. He will be coming home later rather than sooner. Yes, he is missing another birthday for Livi, Thanksgiving, our 10 year anniversary, and Christmas. But he will be home in early 2008. These families will live through these same holidays, only it will be a reminder that their child isn't ever going to have another celebration with them.
My little kids are just in preschool. It scares me to think that they might one day attend a school with someone like this. What brings a person to the point that it is okay to do this? It just scares me.
Love: these two crack me up....today was "Crazy Hat day" ....I was really surprised Will wore his hat. When I dropped him off at school, one mom and the secretary told me this was the last year I could buy the matching madras plaid hat and shorts from Gap.....i LOVE those shorts. He is almost four.....I think I can do it one more year!
Amusement: Right after we took took that pic, Will said, "Let's take a silly one....just for Dad...He is silly, he would like a silly one."
Sad: That little comment made me sad because it looks like it will be another nine months before Mike gets home! I can't believe he is being extended another three months. UGH!!!
Proud: the kids and I planted these and they are still alive....even after a snow over Easter weekend!! Worried: this one has yellow tips.....does that mean it is dying???
Amazed: this one looks like it will live but will be permanently leaning to the side from the ice storm this past winter!
Relief: I literally ran across the street tonight from a Pampered Chef party because we were in a tornado warning! UGH!!! The power went out several times, so I lit a few candles....turned all the stuff off and hoped the battery on the laptop would last for a bit until I was ready for bed!
Excited! the weekends tend to be easy...we start Friday evening with Papa John's pizza, sleep in on Saturdays and make pancakes on Sunday....generally a nice lazy weekend
Heartsick... I try not to think about Mike being gone for yet another birthday, another thanksgiving, our ten year anniversary, and another Christmas.....but I do....and it sucks!
Thankful: for my neighbors and friends and family....I couldn't do this without them.
I have a personal philosophy....if you can't change it, why gripe about it?? It just will make you a bitter unhappy person. But this deployment has changed this just a bit. I "allow" myself a bit of mopey-ness...for lack of a better word...after the kids go to bed every once in a while.
Today is one of those days.....we have officially hit the six month mark. That date is pivotal in that it means your days of being away from your hubby are half over. Well, today the rumor mill was going crazy...I heard that the guys are being extended three months. There is some big new conference in the morning to verify this, but in the meantime, I only have my glass of pinot grigio to console me...(btw, BIG BIG thanks to nice neighbor J for hitting up the Itchy B for a six pack of vino)...
which brings me to this fun little thing I have been wanting to use on here.....
Oh yeah, back to my 20 minutes of moping...
This deployment has taught me alot whether I wanted to learn anything or not.
*I love my husband with every little tiny cell in my body.
*I am much better with him than without him.
*I am utterly thankful his job allows me to be able to stay home with the kids. I don't know how moms that work do it.
* I can do this, but I don't WANT to.
* I love my little pampered life of sleeping late, shopping and lattes.
okay, moping officially over. I can deal with this, even if it is 90 more days.
Basically she says......"The six threads of abundant living, which when woven together produce a tapestry of contentment that wrap us in inner peace, well being, happiness & a sense of security. The first of these is gratitude. When we do a mental & spiritual inventory of all that we have, we realise that we are very rich indeed. Gratitude gives way to simplicity- the desire to pare down, clear out & realise the essentials of what we need to live truly well. Simplicity brings with it order, both internally & externally. A sense of order in our life brings us harmony. Harmony provides us withwith the inner peace we need to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day, & beauty opens us up to joy. "
Even though I usually stick to the lite little fluffy stuff on this blog, this really reached out and touched me today. I don't know if it is because I am feeling super emotional or what. But I have so much to be grateful for....first and foremost, my family, husband, and the many friends I have made no matter where the Army has sent us.
I love being as organized as I am...with it brings a simplicity in running my life day to day. Just today I had the opportunity to organize a craft closet at Bubba's. (Remember I have to do 20 volunteer service hours there!!) Anyway, this closet looked like Hobby Lobby exploded in it. With about $100 and a couple dozen Rubbermaid tubs, I could have that place looking spiffy...But I didn't, I had a few mismatched containers and some stackable containers. I made do, and they all loved when I got done.
At home, that simplicity has helped me only surround myself with the things I absolutely love. You can't organize clutter. Trust me, at this point in my life I need the simplest of lives!
I need that harmony to be able to get through the days when I about to lose it. I know so many other military wives have done this many times before, but this is our first deployment.
I want to have that joy in my life and not allow the daily stress impact that. I do want to live a simple, peaceful, and abundant life.
The ones I received looked like this! Granted Mike ordered them from Iraq....maybe half fell out by the time they got here. All joking aside....I burst into tears when I opened the box. I am so NOT a flower person....but after the week I have had.......I knew my husband was showing me the only act of service he could. He can't be here physically, but he can bring a smile to my face even from the other side of the world. 
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