Wild Card Wednesday....Wild Animals

Not sure if The Kept Woman is playing this week....but when I get stuck in a routine....well, we all know someone with a little bit of an OCD....so let's just leave it at that.

We are lucky enough to have a few trees in our yard. This is a new neighborhood, so not many do. It is nice because it does provide some shade in this Texas heat.

We have this little bird feeder an old boyfriend's parents gave us long ago. That is a whole other story,....okay where was I?? Oh yeah...bird feeder....well, I fill it usually on the weekend. We are out in front washing cars and playing with the neighbor kids. So it gets done then. All the birds flock to the house because apparently the flavor I buy at the commissary rocks!

I got it filled....all the birds in the neighborhood come out for a party. Seed is flying everywhere. The little birds are picking up the leftovers from the grass below. The big blue Jays are hogging it from everyone. When they get their fill, the cardinals come. yada yada yada, Come Tuesday, I notice the thing is empty! EMPTY....it is a good sized feeder.

Seems like the furry tailed little rat in the neighborhood likes the seed as well. Not only does he like it, he tells his friends as well...."Hey guys, easy feedings over at 1234 Easy Street".....because in less than the 2 hours I was gone this morning to drop Will off, go to Livi's music class, and come home....it was all gone. They had cleaned it out.

Apparently the bird seed wasn't enough. This one proceeded to try to chew through the string holding it to the tree.

When Livi saw him out there, she growled at him. It did not even faze the little rodent! Then she was mad because it wasn't afraid of her. She thought it was going to get her. Great ...now I can add squrril to her list of things she is afaid of....Batman being the first!

He even gave her the evil red eye look! Little beast....I guess I better go back to filling the seed, or my pour little feeder will be on the ground after he chews through it.

happy Wednesday y'all

Swimming is over! Whew hoo.....and a nomination

I was kind of surprised I was nominated for the RFS Blog Awards but I was not surprised by the category! Thank you , thank you…I am nominated in the category of: 2) Do you talk about anything else?? Mono-Blogger. I feel like my goal has been accomplished since the kids are pretty much all I talk about. There are those few days of the month I get sappy, but for the most part...yep, it's the kids.

What cracks me up is in the category that I am in, there is a guy who only talks about his manparts....I clicked on his site, and oh my poor little eyes. I must be turning into a prude in my old age.

The other chick was something about perfume....I just skipped right on by it....sad to say I only have a limited amount of fluff time in my day.

Speaking of the little rug rats....we are finally finished with swimming lessons. We were driving about 30 minutes each way for a 45 minute lesson. But the kids pretty much had 1:1 teachers, so it was well worth it.

Whew hoo, give me a high five!....no more driving back and forth to the pool. On the last day, as we were loading up, I plugged in their DVD players. The little thingy that goes in the cigarette lighter came loose. Some magical part that is about a 1/4" long fell under the seat. I looked for 20 minutes and could not find that teeny tiny part!! Made for a long drive back with no easy entertainment in the back, but they were pretty good. Good thing I had some kid music ....

Will never did jump off the diving board, but this is his first year in lessons. By the end of the two weeks, he could float, kick on a kick board, and do some pretty good arm strokes. He would jump off the side, but not the board.

This is the little holding tank they kept the her class in when they didn't have a teacher with them. There were 5 kids and 4 teachers in her class....so most of the time, they were with a teacher doing something. The little cage thing had a bunch of toys they could play with. Livi's favorite was this little pink bunny that squirted water out of its mouth.

It was really nice today to pick Will up from preschool and not be changing into swim gear to get on the road.

happy Monday y'all

Hectic kind of day....

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!

happy Saturday y'all

Friday fill in #4

If you play, please link back to me and leave me a comment letting me know you played, so I can come visit!

1. _____ makes me remember my childhood.

2. I like to use _____ when I cook.

3. _____ really makes me mad.

4. I've been thinking about _____ lately.

5. The last song I heard that I liked was _____.

6. _____ by starlight.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!

1. Seeing the kids playing in the front yard with all the neighbors makes me remember my childhood. I grew up with a lot of cousins!

2. I like to use fresh ingredients when I cook.....I might be considered a food snob.

3. People who drive pokey in the fast lane really makes me mad.

4. I've been thinking about getting a pedicure lately.

5. The last song I heard that I liked was Solace by Sarah McLachlan...an oldie one of hers, but I pretty much like anything of hers. If you have never gone to Pandora.com...it is awesome...You put in a song you like and it will pick others similar to it...I usually have it on while blogging.


6. Having a glass of vino and chatting with the husband by starlight on the porch with the twinkle lights on after the kids have gone to bed.....<-----one of the things I miss the most! 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching the Beckam Comes to America that I DVRd, tomorrow my plans include playing with the kids and vegging out (no more swim lessons!!!) and Sunday, I want to sleep in! ( I know I said that last week....but I can still dream!) A dream is simply a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep! Or at least that is what some wishy washy Cinderella was singing this afternoon!


Don't forget...have fun!

Stuff Portrait Friday -silverware drawer

Kristine choose a truly random and odd picture.....we get this assignment: "Show me your silverware drawer. No cheating and cleaning it out either. "

So here it is. I can't even remember the last time I had anything green in the kitchen, but I have managed to hang onto this little sorter. Several times I have found great bamboo or stainless ones...but I never can remember to take the measurements of that drawer. Even though I am the queen of returning things, I haven't gotten a new one. The drawer is lined with that shelf liner stuff so it doesn't slip around. Livi is finally old enough to sort the silverware from the dishwasher. Sometimes the salad forks are with the dinner forks, but at least it is in the drawer.

Happy Friday y'all......Go let Kristine know if you played.

Thursday 13....number ten.....my hopes

Last week I did fears, so this week I will do thirteen hopes I have: Formally defined, hope is: To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment, even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

I think military wives as a whole, well, even women as a whole are hopeful people. I try to find hope in the everyday things, from permanent change of stations (PCS) to this deployment, the silly things, and the serious things.

1. I hope we can complete the next PCS without the cat jumping out the window....yes, dear friends that happened on the move to Alaska from Oklahoma!

2. I hope we can fit all my furniture into the next house and make it our home.

3. I hope the curtains from the old housing fit the windows of the newer one. Yeah, this didn't happen in the living areas here.....it did in the bedrooms though.

4. I hope that the Army will actually pay attention to our wish list of duty stations.

5. I hope that last year’s military ball dress still fits because we’ve PCS’d and it can be “new” again.

6. I hope that husband loves his care package even if it is the tenth box that he has received of pistachios and store bought cookies.

7. I hope we don’t run out of fruit and milk on the 14th or 15th so I won’t have to brave the commissary on pay day.

8. I hope that I don't have to go to the emergency room.

9. I hope that I never forget my ID card.

10. I hope I find a great babysitter.....the kids love big girl Agabell, but she is going to A & M in the fall.

To the serious…

11. I hope that the knock at the door is not a man in uniform.

12. I hope our children will grow up “well-adjusted” despite this crazy life. I hope that we are giving them roots to bloom wherever they are.

13. Last but not least, I hope my husband returns home safely.

The kids had to do a silly face....just because it is their favorite thing to do. I hope they always keep this spirit of wanting to make others laugh!

happy Thursday y'all

Wild Card Wednesday: P: Princess in Pink

From The Kept Woman who is finally loving the Land of Snow and Cheese.

Since I am feeling kind of bossy, I am going to pick my own letter for wild card Wednesday..... because these are the pictures I have on my camera.

This last weekend Livi was invited to a big girl party for my friend J's daughter, for blogging sake, let's call the birthday girl Princess. Princess had several friends her age, then Livi and another toddler girl. We went to a place called Justice for Girls. They got the royal treatment with the movie star party. Each girl got to have their hair done in an updo with a little sparkle headband.

Note to self and anyone else going to one of these parties: SKIP the glitter in the hair....she still has glitter on her scalp. I cannot get it out. We are still in swim lessons, so I am washing it every night.....sparkles are still in there. I guess we will be sparkly for some time!

They got a pink boa that keeps on giving.....I am still finding pink feathers all over the house. Livi already is a diva in the making....the boa only reinforces that.

They got a makeup kit but I just let her do the lip gloss. She is barely 2 (and a half)....Heaven forbid I forget the half...but she has plenty of time to do that. I just want her to enjoy being a little girl for now. When she wasn't looking, I tossed her little makeup palette into Princess's birthday favor bag. I really don't need to be cleaning kid makeup out of berber carpet.

She did really well despite the party running into her nap time. She did have to take a short Bunny snuggle break in the huge pink furry chair. She came home with a huge goody bag of stuff. While she was picking out her stuff for her goody bag, she threw in a glow in the dark bracelet thingy for Will, as well as some stuff that made blue bubbles in the tub. I was pleasantly surprised she thought of getting him something!

Last but not least, I would not have been able to take Livi to the party if sister-in-law M had not stayed with Will and another little boy. I really did appreciate it and I know Livi did too!

happy Wednesday y'all

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

My sister-in-law and my niece have been here this last week......so I give you, the

GOOD:

*one night after I had finished tucking in the kids into bed, she had a plate of cheese and olives and a glass of wine waiting......whew hoo!



*she made pancakes and sausage for the kids this morning....I kind of got to sleep in....Hasn't that been my wish for the last few weeks??



*she bathed the kids and got them ready yesterday, Livi and I had to go to a birthday party. I so would not have made it in time without her help!



*she stayed with Will and a little friend while Livi and I went to the party!


*She unloads the dishwasher in the morning.



*I haven't felt like I needed to 'entertain' her and baby E!





The Bad:

*Not too much bad, Baby E cries a little but not too much.





The Ugly:



*The poopy diapers....not that i have changed one ! But that smell of them fermenting in the garage in 90+ degree heat. Livi has not had poop diapers for long enough for me to forget that smell!

Since I am talking about Baby E, here is a pic of her in a bow. You know since she is in Texas we had to make her a bowhead. I gave her all of Livi's bowbands. So now baby E can now clip any bow to a color coordinating band of most outfits. Now, once she speaks if we can get her to say "y'all" life will be good!

random thoughts in the PM

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I say no, but I probably was

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? a couple nights ago

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, I was a teacher way back when....before kids

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? duh....the only thing I blog about

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so, I hope I wouldn't be a 'project' friend!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? sadly it is what gets me thru most days

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes


9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? … Not only no, but hell no!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? when I come to visit, make sure you have frosted mini wheats stocked!

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? don't usually wear tie shoes....so i would say no

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? damn straight....don't mess with me

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? Braum's cappachino chunky chocolatge chip

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? how they dress

15. RED OR PINK? …are we dressing a ababy

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? belly

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? husband

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Yes.

19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? orange jammies....but this is not an ivitation for all you OSU lovers to unite

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? olive and cheese platter sister in law M made

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Pandora Radio

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? crimson

23. FAVOURITE SMELLS? spicy

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Nicole

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? saw it on a blog I read

26. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? … uusshhhhmmm, is "what not to wear" a sport???

27. HAIR COLOUR? black

28. EYE COLOUR? brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I am practically perfect

30. FAVOURITE FOOD? a greek pasta salad

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Ending.


32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Veggie tales....sad I know!

33. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? crappy orange, didn't you see the smart a$$ OSU remark?

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer if it doesn't get above 90 degrees

35. HUGS OR KISSES? love them both

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? anyone who wants to

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? no one I hope :)

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? current Real Simple magazine.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mousepad!

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? trash tv

42. FAVOURITE SOUND? rain

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? The rolling stones

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Fairbanks Alaska

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? dude, it's me, I have lots of talents

. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? lawton, america

47. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE? to be invisible

Friday fill in #3

If you play, please link back to me and leave me a comment letting me know you played, so I can come visit!
1. _____ is the book I'm most looking forward to reading this summer





2. Dogs _____.





3. _____ is a town I'd like to explore.





4. Silly people _____.





5. I'm longing to _____.





6. _____ so scary!





7. What are you doing this weekend?





Tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!






Don't forget...have fun!



1. The current Real Simple magazine is the "book" I'm most looking forward to reading this summer.
2. Dogs live a cushy life, at least our does.
3. Salado is a town I'd like to explore.
4. Silly people know how to enjoy themselves.
5. I'm longing to sleep with my husband. oops, is that too much information.
6. Scorpians are so scary!
7. What are you doing this weekend? Entertaining family...birthday party,....vegging out.
Tonight I'm looking forward to a glass of wine, tomorrow my plans include birthday party and Sunday, I want to sleep in.! (Didn't I say that last weekend???

Just because I can't do a post without pictures......here are the kids waiting to go into swimming lessons. happy friday!

Thursday 13....number nine...my fears

In honor of Friday the 13th coming up.....I give you thirteen fears:



1. I am totally afraid of backing out in the car. I think I will back into the mailbox EVERY time.



2. I am afraid I will find a scorpion in my bed! ICK



3. I am afraid of the kids walking in the parking lot.



4. I am afraid a spider will get in my water glass at night so I keep a napkin over it....or use a water bottle.



5. I am afraid I will lose my debit card and be screwed.



6. I am afraid I will get in a car accident and my emergency contact won't be able to be reached.



7. I am afraid someone will ding my door of my cool mom-mobile.



8. I am afraid I will lock my keys in the car and my cell phone will be locked inside. The number to get it unlocked is on my cell phone.



9. I am afraid I will run out of milk, so I keep a half gallon frozen.



10. I am afraid I will run out of toilet paper, so I buy it in bulk. Nothing says I love you like a cabinet full of tp....the good stuff too, not that cheap-a single ply stuff!



11. I am afraid one of the kids will barf in the car and it will stink....I can't drive a stinky car.



12. I am afraid of tequila.....too much comanche in me to be friends with that devil water.



13. My biggest thing I am afraid of is that my husband won't come home and I will have to do this thing called life, alone for the rest of my life.

hurry home, husband, these six months can't go by quick enough.

happy thursday y'all

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Rock on, girlies!

I've been nominated by Wendy! Thanks, Wendy, you rock too! I am supposed to nominate 5 people so here goes...

Libby--Because...just started reading her blog...great food recipes!

Carrieb--Because she manages a family and to have fun with the girls as well!

Mrs. Fun--Because I love her outlook on life with four kids. She takes awecome photographs!

Lisagh--Because she has a great attitude about it all. She is in the same boat with a man out of the country.

tulipmom Because she has a way of putting it all out there, all the while you are nodding your head in agreement.

So here is my list. If you don't read any of these, check them out. You will get a laugh most days. In my little world, that is exactly what I need at the end of the day. So sorry if you have already been nominated. I guess that just means you really rock!

Rock on, girls!

An "S" kind of day.....

Can we say ssssssssssssssss..?????.....swimming, smiles and so many miles.

We started swimming lessons this week. Or I should say that Livi started "hold me for 40 of the 45 minutes" class this week. She does little more than be held....though today she did blow some bubbles and kick. Whew hoo! The main reason I drive as far as I do for their classes is the teacher/student ratio. In Livi's class it is 4 teachers to 5 kids.....and like I said she is getting held for most of the time. They are the ones in the pool. Parents have to watch from a little pavilion or a classroom. We cannot be by the pool.

....a little tangent on the pavilion. Yesterday we got there a tad early. Grabbed a little table IN the shade. I could see the kids through the little tinted window....nice spot. Kind of like when you are in junior high and all the groups have their tables marked out in the cafeteria.

So today we get there...even a little early, and some chickadee is in MY spot! UUahhh, didn't you see me there yesterday?? I guess I can share the cool spot in the shade. It was super hot today since we are finally drying out and not in the rain. Which brings me to another picture.....

Splashing.....Will is doing amazing in his class. He is having a great time kicking, floating, and blowing bubbles. I wondered how he would do today because he got his 4 year old shots this afternoon. He did fine and jumped right in. His class has 7 kids and 5 teachers. He gets so much one on one time in the water. Tonight when he was getting ready to take his bath, he asked for a straw. He said he needed to "practice" his bubble blowing. I am sure his teacher suggested this!

The final S.....lots of smiles.....we picked up Aunt M and cousin E at the airport this afternoon....(as if you are keeping track, we went to school, music, shots for Will, the airport, and swim lessons today!)

Oh yeah, back to the little cute E....these were just taken with her playing on the table in the air conditioned classroom (instead of the pavilion where I had no seat...or no seat in the shade).

I told her mom that she looks like Jack Nicholson....don't you think so?? She has this little furry bear skin rug thing that is her lovey. I am so going to pose her on a white blanket in just a diaper with this thing. Will is so attentive with her. BUT he thinks she is a boy. Not sure what Livi thinks...other than she is a big toy.

happy tuesday y'all.....note to husband: I took a deep breath every time I thought I was going to spaz today. We were finally at swim lessons, I told M to grab the stroller to take E up to the pavilion.....M: what stroller? Me: the one in the back, it is probably behind your luggage....M: I don't see a stroller. Me: WHAT?? My adorable Kate Spade Maclaren stroller....NOT THERE!! Yes, husband, I left it in the parking lot at the pediatrician!! I didn't have their phone number...finally found it through calling information. Someone turned it in! Yeah, my cute little stroller will once again be mine in the morning. I knew today went way too smoothly!

Act like it is Sunday when you read this......use your imagination

Today I turn 39. It’s an odd thing. I sure don’t feel 39. I live in a state I never thought I would be in....No, you crazies, not a state of chaos....the big Texas! I have two wonderful kids under the age of four. Who knew? In my life-plan...it so didn't include having a preschooler and a toddler when I was knockin' on 40's door. I have a wonderful husband...a deployed husband, but a wonderful one all the same. If he were here, I would get to sleep in. He would get up with the kiddos and go to Starbucks for my favorite mocha choca loca latte. It would be on the nightstand when I woke up. He would then make pancakes and sausage with the kids.

Today throughout the neighborhood, I will hear fireworks and still wonder if they are all for me...... I’ll enjoy it every time.

When I was 20, I wondered what it would be like to be nearly 40. None of my guesses were close. As I look at my 20s I can see what I learned from a great mistake.......My 30's brought husband and kids. No one told me that having more friends and a better body image would feel like a good tradeoff. And if you told me I could have my twenty-year old body again, but I had to take my twenty-year old brain with it, I’d pass.

I love my husband. I love my family. I love my job...damn straight staying home with two kids is a job. I love my life.....okay not the deployed part....but all the rest. And I love me too, even when I am grumpy. And I love being 39.

Here’s what I want you to do for my birthday. Send someone an e-mail and tell them how much you appreciate them, or love them. Do it right now. Then tell me about it in the comments. That’s what I want. It’s my birthday so you have to do it.

Go.

Friday fill in #2 I think....

Friday Fill In, #2
If you play, please link back to me and leave me a comment letting me know you played, so I can come visit!
All questions thanks to MB!
1. On a hot summer's day _____ is my favorite thing!

2. When I think of summertime fun, I think of _____.

3. _____ is my favorite flavor of ice cream.

4. My new favorite drink is _____.

5. One of my happiest summertime memories is _____.

6. The best place to watch fireworks (or submarine races) is _____!

7. What are you doing this weekend? Tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!

1. On a hot summer's day a glass of a light crisp white wine is my favorite thing!

2. When I think of summertime fun, I think of lounging on the porch with hubby while watching the kids play.

3. Cappuccino chocolate chip from Braums is my favorite flavor of ice cream.

4. My new favorite drink is didn't you read #1......??....I don't need slow people reading this blog....I have to deal with enough stupid people in real life.

5. One of my happiest summertime memories is having my little boy.

6. The best place to watch fireworks (or submarine races) is .....the boat parade we went to in OH.....kind of hokey, but fun! Definitely not Alaska....too much daylight in the evening!

7. What are you doing this weekend? Tonight I'm looking forward to vegging out, tomorrow my plans include cleaning and playing with the kids and Sunday, I want to sleep in, but that won't happen!

Rainy sick days..

I had two sick kids on my hands all day. Yesterday afternoon Will was feeling warm to the touch and took a little cat nap on the couch. I just knew it was going to be a power nap and he would be up all night. Nope, by 7:30 he was in bed asleep! So then I knew he was sick.

I got up like normal at 6AM....totally not realizing I snoozed my alarm and didn't really get out of bed! Oops, at 6:40 I jump into the shower and wonder if I have time to do the whole wash/dry/shave routine. I figured I am going to work out after I drop Will off, so I will shave but fore go the whole hair washing routine. Livi doesn't have a class on Thur so I can come home and shower then.

By 7:10 AM I am dressed in my workout clothes with my nicely fresh shaved legs. I get my coffee started. That is Livi's responsibility (she just clicks it on) but seems like she is sleeping in a bit. I even have time to roll the trash down to the curb for trash day. This is Will's responsibility but seems HE is sleeping in as well. These are the two children who never fail to be up by 7 AM at the latest.

By 8 I am wondering what he going on....of course I have gone in to check on them...Will is warm to the touch....Livi's nose is stopped up and breathing out of her mouth like a freight train coming into the station!

By 8:30 I call Will's school and tell them he won't be in today.

Livi finally wakes up...by now I am wishing I could have gotten the memo to sleep in....oh well...

Livi is what my brother calls a secret thumb sucker. She has to have Bunny in her hand to sick her thumb. She holds one ear and rubs the ear of Bunny. To have a stopped up dripping nose is the worst for her. She would take a little suck on her thumb, then have to stop to breathe out of her mouth.

But in true Livi style...she saw my camera and perked right up....."cheese me, mommy" <---Livi speak for "take my picture."

By 9, my little boy is still asleep, or so I thought. I sneak in to take a picture.....Dang, I forgot to turn off the flash. I hear him, "Mommy, did you picture me sleeping?" Oops!

So needless to stay, we just all snuggled on the couch a lot today, ate what little they could, and watched Lion King a couple of times. It was raining so we just chilled and snuggled all day.

Speaking of the rain, this is what part of the front flower bed looks like. Note, there are no cute flowers in this corner....We had gutters installed last week, but just a tad too late for those flowers. So I had to cut them back or pull them out because they were damaged too badly. But this little crop of mushrooms seems to be doing fine there.

This little visitor seems to have camped out on the porch as well. Can you see the cricket on the brick? I was hoping to catch him trying to eat it...but no such luck.

But the hanging basket looks amazing! I will say two positive things about all this rain....my electric bill is half of what it was last summer! Also, my grass looks amazing!

happy friday y'all

Thirteen things to not say to a wife with a deployed husband:

1. I don't know how you do it. **Me: I don't know either, but I just do. Anyways, do I really have a choice.

2. I could never deal with it if my husband were gone that long. **Me: Yes, you could. You would be surprised what you can do alone. It is almost empowering to know you can do it. But after nine months, I am empowered enough....get on home quickly now!

3. Are you scared that something may happen to him while he's there? **Me:This one is the one that really perplexes me the most. uugghh, let me see, he is in a combat zone....that would be yes!

4. Do you miss him? **Me: Every time I was asked this, I just wanted to respond "Oh, no, definitely not. I like it when he's gone. It gives me the chance to be all by myself 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a 2 (and don't forget the half) year old and a four year old. Who wouldn't want that?" Of course, I miss him. Wouldn't you miss your husband? If not, sister, you've got more issues than me. And I am all about issues!

5. I know just how you feel. My husband was on a business trip last month for three days and I just thought I would die. **Me: Are you kidding me? First, I barely notice now if my husband is only gone for three days. Second, unless his business trip was to a place where everyone is openly carrying a gun in the street trying to kill him and suicide bombers and roadside bombs are prevalent, its not remotely close to being the same. The only thing I may give you on this one is that you know what it's like to sleep in an empty bed.

6. Do you worry about him cheating on you? **Me: Well, people, it is a little thing called self control. That and a love for my husband and respect for my marriage. Do some people cheat? Sure they do. But people cheat in civilian marriages too. Being in the military has no bearing on that.

7. How can you sleep at night knowing your husband is a murderer? Won't you be afraid when he comes home? **Me: Personally no one has ever said this to me. This one sets me off more than any other. No soldier is a murderer. Have they had to kill someone? Quite possibly. But there are a great many soldiers who never have. It's not something they talk about in daily conversation. Regardless of what they do overseas, it does not make them a murderer. They are in a war zone and following orders. I have never once >ven had an inkling that I should be afraid of my husband because he is a soldier. If anything, I feel more protected and safe.

8. I'm so sorry your husband had to be deployed. Don't you just hate President Bush? **Me: My husband joined the military of his own free will knowing full well that there is a potential to be deployed. The President may be the one running the show, but I knew he was a soldier when I married him. I'm proud of him and his accomplishments. And I don't discuss politics or religion with anyone.

9. If you truly supported your husband, you would be protesting so...he wouldn't have to deploy again/could be brought home/the war would end. **Me: Really? My definition of support must be much different than the definition of support by these people. Supporting my husband means supporting him in what he does and what he believes in. It does not mean disrespecting the men and women who volunteered to defend our country and our rights. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have the right to protest in the first place. I'm certainly not putting myself in a position where it could be construed as anything other than 100% support for our troops and their families. I have blogged about this one before when I saw the Harley Davidson patriot guard. What they do is so much more worthy than any protestor standing on the road leading onto post.

10. I can't believe your husband did this to you. Aren't you mad at him? **Me: Um, what?! My husband didn't do anything to me. He honors his agreements and he follows the orders of his superiors. There's certainly nothing sad or maddening about having a husband who fulfills his commitments. Don't feel sorry for me. I'm proud of my husband and I completely support him.

Since I can't think of any more things...I give you three hopes that I have. I think most military wives are hopeful. Formally defined, hope is belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life and implies that the outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

11. I hope that civilians realize the sacrifices we make and appreciate what we give.

12. More than anything, we hope that our children know what their family’s service means and the pride they should feel, and we hope our soldier knows how much we love him.

13. Dear Lord, honestly, we just hope we can hold it all together.

Just another silly Tuesday

Since Mike has left, I have tried to get the pics to take pictures in front of this pantry door. It gives him a perspective of how tall they are. BUT every time I tell them to stand there, they automatically think we have to do silly pics. The first time we did this was on Crazy Hat day at his school, so we have to be crazy all the time. So here is out little adventure into pictures today.

Me: "Hey guys, let's take a picture to wish Daddy a happy Fourth of July.....

Them: (lining up)....Livi: Let's be goofy! But I wanna hold your hand."

Will: "No, let's make funny lips.

Livi: (doing some funky 70's dance moves) "oh yeah, that looks fun!"

Both: "No, pull your lips. That is always funny." Where do they get that pulling lips is funny? Somewhere in my head I hear some old woman, probably my grandma saying, "Quit doing that, your lips will stay that way!"

Will: "Take a bow, we are almost done." I must have gotten that look that today is not the day to get a cute picture. Also I think they heard the timer go off. Mike set a timer to go off at 8AM.....the time we have to be heading out the door for Will to get to school on time.

Both: Yeah we are done!

I was going to get all sappy on this because yes, Mike is gone for another holiday. But I am not all that hormonal. So I will save it for another one!

On the sleeping issues with Liv: tonight it was only two times in 42 minutes until she was sleep!!! I did take her nightlight out of her room. I have not ordered blackout blinds, but I have ghettoed up her room with a wool blanket over the window. Because it is so heavy, it is putting a hole in the drywall. But DUDE, she is sleeping!!!

I was going to make it a drinking game and take a sip of a wine every time she came out of her room. I camp out on a chair in front of her door...BUT she came out 22 times in about a 2 hour period the other night. I would be lit by 9PM on that schedule. So I will stick to catching up on the magazines.

after the VTC....the after party I guess...

After the VTC yesterday, the kids spotted a helicopter and tank on the parade grounds in front of the building we were in to do the teleconference. Since there was actually a breeze blowing, it was cooler outside than it was in there.

Can you see she is still talking to herself as she is walking along? It is kind of like old people when they are driving down the street...they describe everything. Well, here is a bit of what she is saying: "The grass is green today, I wonder if it is green every day? It looks like the lawn boys have been here. I bet they have fun when they get to ride real fast. (note: our lawn boys have this huge riding thing that they hover on the back of the mower....they fly through the backyard! ) Oh, look at that little bird, I can be a bird...(starts flapping arms like wings and squawking more like a bird that needs to be put out of its misery)....oh neat, a little flower (which is really a weed)...Mommy, mommy?? Where are you?? Oh (kind of laughs) there you are, take a picture of my flower."

This goes on ALL DAY LONG!!! She even talks in her sleep. I am paranoid so I still use a baby monitor, but the mumbling just might break me of this habit!

I love pictures of the kids from behind. I wonder where he will go and what he will do.

Then of course, we had to do silly faces. When Livi saw this one in the display, she said, "It looks like I am thinking real hard." I was just surprised she wasn't stretching her mouth out like she normally does.

Not sure what is up with this one either, but they both want to take "silly pictures for dad since it will make him laugh"...so, husband, I hope you are laughing!

I am proud to announce that Will is no longer in a car seat and is using the big boy booster! I am kind of paranoid in thinking I should have left the car seat in and just taken the straps off, but he is way within the weight and height limits for the one built into the car. He already has been warned the moment he unbuckles in mid drive, the car seat is coming back!