time....

Sitting in the kitchen while the kids watch movies, I got to thinking.........

Thinking about time.....we have all complained about it....time moves to fast, time goes by so slow....Instead of complaining about how fast or slow it moves...we should take advantage of it. We should give it away freely and spend it like we spend money, whether we have it or not. We all should stop and look at what is in front of us. We should take the time to laugh, to love, to live. My hope for next year is to be able to make time for all of those that love me and that I love. To enjoy them for who they are and what they mean to me. To let them know that I love them and they are important to me. To show them that I value them enough to make time for them in my life..........

That's just mean....

Continuing on the topic of bullying.......


As most of you know both girls are in school now. The school has an "anti bullying" program. After watching a few vblogs about military wives bullying other military wives on various facebook sites, I decided to get some perspective. Our question and answer series.


Me: Girls, what is a bully?
Girl 1: someone that wants something that you have.
Girl 2: Yeah they punch you and yell at you until you give it to them.
Me: oh are they awful people?
Girl 1: yes, if they don't learn that if they ask we will share with them.
Girl 2: no, they just need a hug and someone to love them.


Me: Girl 1, do you remember when you lost your tooth and I wanted to send a picture to auntie and grammy so we could laugh.....
Girl 1: yeah.
Girl 2: she still doesn't have those teeth.
Me: Since you looked silly and we laughed at you, does that make me and Grammy and Auntie bullies?
Girl 1: no.
Girl 2: it might make you mean, but not a bully.


Me: If I think your clothes are silly or that they don't fit, and I laugh at you when I see you in silly clothes does that make me a bully?
Girl 1: no, but you have no fashion sense.
Girl 2: Well I always dress nice, so people won't laugh at me.
(they wear uniforms to school.)


Me: If I was your friend and you think that everything I tell you is mean, would you still be my friend?
Girl 1: No, unless you apologized to me. But if you were mean again, I would not be your friend.
Girl 2: No, I would tell you that you were mean and I would not talk to you anymore. I don't like mean people.


Me: What do you do if you see or hear something you don't like?
Girl 1: Walk away. Sometimes the bigger kids say mean things, so my friends and I stay away from them...then we don't have to hear what they think.
Girl 2 did not respond to this question.


I gave them a situation...Girl 1 likes chocolate ice cream, Girl 2 likes strawberry.
Me: Since you like chocolate and she likes strawberry does that make you better or her better?
Girl 1: I'm not better, just different.
Girl 2: Why would it make her better?
Me: I didn't say she was better I said, because she likes chocolate and you like strawberry is she better?
Girl 2: No. That's like saying the Boy is better because he likes vanilla...that is silly.


For the record my girls are 7 and 5. They are in Kindergarten and 1st grade. If they can grasp the concept of removing themselves from situations that they do not agree with, why can't adults get it?
If you see something that offends you, don't look. If you don't like what I have to say or how I say it, don't associate with me.
**these were not prompted, nor were they made up. They may not be verbatim but they are pretty close. We were in the car when this conversation took place.**

Did I grow up to be a bully?

Bully: n. a tormentor of someone smaller or weaker.

Lots of talk about being a bully on the net today. It got me thinking....which is a very dangerous thing. I was going to make a video but, I have a horrible habit of throwing in the f bomb when I get really heated....at least if I type it, delete handles is much more efficiently. Any how... I have a few opinions on a few things

People that wander around the world in their pajamas, it is tacky. It shows a lack of self respect. I am not talking about being at the ER at 3 am with a sick child. I am talking about cruising the mall with your BFF in your scooby jammies and fluffy slippers. 

Individuals that wear clothes that don't fit them...whether to big or to small. Again to me it lacks self respect. 

Parents that do not take the time to make sure their children are presentable. Children can't learn what you do not teach. 

Individuals who feel they are entitled to something just by virtue of who they are or who they married. Everything I have I earned. Freebies are great and they come well appreciated.

In regards to jammies in public I have often been told to be considerate of their situation. What situation excuses you from being a presentable individual? Depression? Having small children?? Having a deployed spouse?? I am not talking about the random woman standing at the pharmacy pick up window. I am talking about the individuals that are constantly looking like slobs. You know that mom you avoid because she smells bad or the woman you avoid talking to because she is wearing bright pink pajama pants. 

**yes most of my examples are women....I haven't seen to many men out in bright pink pj pants. I am sure they exist but let's stay on topic**

When it comes to consideration where do we draw the line? Would you be comfortable is your physician walked into the exam room wearing obviously dirty clothes/scrubs? Would you allow them to exam you? I know I wouldn't. I expect people to have a level of self respect for themselves and those around them. That goes for children as well. If people see my children consistently dirty, uncombed and in clothes that is ill fitting. That is a direct reflection on me as a parent. I do not want to be seen as a mother who doesn't take the time her children need. 

I am a married mother of three, my husband has been deployed 3 times....excuses only go so far. Stop being a slob, show you have respect for yourself and for those you represent.

Ill fitting clothes size 14 does not translate to size 5. If your pants don't stay at your waist, buy a belt! I don't need to say any more about that!

I don't think having these opinions makes me a bully. They may make me judgmental, but I hold myself to these same standards. I may not look like a million dollars at all times....but you won't catch me out with my shopping in my sweat pants!

The overall topic of bullying has gotten a bit out of control as well. Kids have disagreements. If people would teach their children how to stand up for themselves. I was the nerd kid in school, I wore glasses, I had braces and I could tear through a book when given the chance. Was I bullied?? I am sure I was at some point. However, my mother taught us that bullies don't know pick on kids that stand up for themselves. Make your kids feel important at home so they know they can defend themselves.

can I get a sign??

Oh look it's November....great which means we are that much closer to Christmas....(eeek) I considered crawling under the blankets and hanging out there until spring gets back to Colorado. However, I am not a real big fan of dark, hot, kind of stinky, places. So I will put my big girl britches on and handle it. Anyhow....where are we?? Awe yes, 4 months into deployment #3 and it blows. Probably more than 1 and 2 and hopefully we won't have a 4th to compare it to.
I find myself continually amused by people. I recently posted on my facebook "the more I get to know people, the more I like my dog." Not to say that all people are bad. I just seem to attract the ones that are nuttier than a Christmas fruitcake. I wish we all had a sign that described us and not the way we describe ourselves to others...but what we really are. Mine would probably read....can be crazy, especially about her family, does not lie (unless asked about how fat your ass is. If you ask a friend about your ass, you know it needs some work in the gym.), enjoys a good laugh, does not have a personal agenda (unless you can get me on Oprah, Ellen or any other talk show program....except Maury - I know who my baby daddy be!). ok ok back on track....My sign would also say....has the mouth of a Sailor, but knows how pray. Quick tempered and has absolutely NO filter.....yes we should all have signs....an example of an individual I know....it would read. I will make friends with whoever I think will do my bidding, I really have no idea what comes out of my mouth, I won't remember that we had an appt. I won't call when I am running late, I will use my position to screw you over and I really have a BIG mouth so please do NOT tell me any secrets. That is why I really like my animals....at least they keep your secrets....
Speaking of animals...our lovely family will be welcoming a new furry friend in to our home. Yes, Number 1 has finally convinced her daddy to let her have a cat. Bites when the kid out smarts you!! Grasshopper, knows how to use her brain!! She has decided to take her birthday money and get herself a cat. Not much you can say about that. While I am not particularly fond of getting another animal at this point in our lives I really can not deny her anymore.
We shall see how it all works out.....I think it will be all good.

10 years ago......

As the tenth anniversary of 9/11 comes to a close I reflect.....not on where I was or what I was doing. I can remember it as if I were still there. The fear, the shock, and the knowledge that life would never be the same.......
I reflect on the why we were attacked.....We were attacked because of our way of life, because of our freedoms.....two things that most of us take for granted every day. I remember being in high school and being asked what freedom meant to me......at 18 years old it meant being able to do what I wanted to, when I wanted to, how I wanted to.....As Americans we see freedom as an idea something we can not hold it in our hands. As a mother I hold freedom in my arms everyday!! When my little girls talk about being Doctors or nurses, when they ask how long it takes to work through college. When my son talks about being a fire guy (he is 4) or when he says he is going to be an Army man. When I hold those babies in my arms at night as they drift off to sleep, when they sit with me as they read their favorite book, I hold freedom, I see freedom and I believe in freedom a little bit more everyday.
Let's not forget the innocent lives that were cut short by those that fear the freedom we love. Let's not forget those that stood up and said NOT again! Let's pray for those that stand guard so that the same tragedy doesn't happen again.

reputation........

Last night was our first Girl Scout meeting....I am now the new leader of the Kindergarten troop (this should be interesting!) Seeing how I have not a crafty bone in my body! It looks like I will have great assistants. The mommies are conversing amongst ourselves and I happened to make a comment about being busier than I needed to be. Since my husband is deployed and I have three small children and I am trying to get my Avon business up and running. Well another mother makes the comment, "well now that you are busier, your husband can be reassured that you won't have time to be out there messing around." REALLY??? So that is the reputation us Army wives have....sadly there is so much truth to that. How sad is that? When I tell people that my husband is deployed people don't wonder if I am sad that my husband is gone, they assume that I am probably having an affair while he is off fighting in a foreign country. While I know it happens, I have seen it happen to both Soldiers deployed and in Garrison, it is still sad that that is the conclusion strangers come to. It is offending to say the least.
(sn: would anyone like to adopt my dogs??? LOL)
I want to interview the next woman that finds herself in a torrid affair.....The main question is: How do you have time to have an affair, while your spouse is deployed?? There are days that I brush my teeth at 11 am because I can't remember if I brushed them when I got out of bed!!!!! My day starts at 6 am. Kids have to be woken up, breakfast served, lunches made, hair to be combed, then it is everyone in the car, a drive to school, back home to clean up the kitchen, fix lunch, laundry, vacuuming, scrub bathrooms, more laundry, toys to be picked up, Avon to be delivered, fold some laundry, iron, and in all that mess there is a small boy to tend to. That is not counting volunteer hours spent out of the home or outings with friends or the yard work that has to be done. Do people that have affairs have better time management or do they just have skewed priorities??
Unfortunately this reputation will continue until Army Wives themselves step up and show the world that they are better than that!! Alas....guess I will chalk it up to getting to know the mommies in my Girl Scout troop!!!

....a broken heart

My poor baby. It is one thing to not understand why Daddy has to go away. It is much harder to soothe the worry away when your child has a grasp of what is really going on when Daddy goes away like this. The first time both girls were so little that it was just a blip on the radar that Daddy was gone. Yes, Allyson asked for him daily but there was no fear and no worry about what Daddy was doing. The second time, there was some worry but not really any fear. It was understood that Daddy was going to be ok. This time Allyson is having a much harder time dealing with Daddy being gone.
My theory is, she realizes that this "work" is not the same as what he does when he is home. Allyson knows so much more than we give her credit for. She is perceptive and smart as a whip! She hears what adults talk about, even when we think she can't hear us. She has watched the news and she knows that Soldiers die in Afghanistan. She knows that the reality is: that her father could be injured or heaven forbid, killed doing this "job."
As an adult I understand that these fears are rational and pretty normal. My heart just can't wrap around the fact that my baby has to deal with these fears. How do I comfort her when I have the same fears? How do I reassure her that regardless of what happens, we will be ok? How do I reassure her that he will be as safe as possible? I can't and neither can anyone else. All I can do is hold her in my arms, as she cries for her the greatest man in her life. Which he is. He is her Knight in Shining Armor! He makes all the scary stuff go away and he can throw her high in the air!!

Another good day

Wow! What a Monday! They are busier since the girls get out of school early. Accomplished quite a bit today though. Got a work out in, hung out with the little man, and made it to a softball game! Add it all up and it makes for one exhausting day!!
But it is so awesome to be surrounded by family. Not biological family, the family that is created out of necessity! You bond with those around you because they are experiencing or have experienced the same things! Our Army family is amazing and it continues to grow with every passing day!
Growing up in a small town, there are few places that you feel unwelcome at. Having that feeling everywhere we have been is phenomenal! Leavenworth and Texas well I would run out of days of the week before I ran out of family either place. Ft Carson has been a learning experience to say the least. However, after two years it looks like we have found our groove!
The kids and I went to the championship softball game (759th Military Police vs The DFMWR guys). Well it was storming when we left the house. I half expected them to cancel the game, we would have been very upset! We took a detour and said hello to one of our other great families (the Wards). We got to the game late, but it was like we had been there all along! Snacks were passed around, seats were shuffled and we were caught up on all the big plays.....It was great to feel at home!!
Overall it has been a great Monday! Got to hear his voice, even though it makes me sad it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to know he is ok! We opened an email account for the oldest, we hope it will help with her coping skills. As hard as it is on us grown ups, we have no idea how hard it is on our little people. Right now we are focusing on lots of good rest, healthy meals and plenty of safe places as an outlet! The staff at Soaring Eagles Elementary has been phenomenal! I am looking forward to volunteering at the school this year!

It isn't any easier this time around. I am still sad that he is so far away. I am sad that another year will go by that he will miss. But we will get through it. We have faith in God and faith in each other. We have amazing people in our lives both near and far. Above all, we love each other and our family.

Sunday

The best thing about Sundays....not having anything to do. We are not church goers, not because we don't believe in God, but we haven't found a church that fits. So we enjoy a big breakfast, time on the couch, maybe a movie with a snack. Nothing like being surrounded by the people you love. If we could only get the minions to sleep past 0630......Really is it to much to ask to stay in bed until 0800?? I prefer 1000, but I will take 0800! They are the funnest people around, but I do not like to be up early!!

Monday will be filled with chaos...The first day of the week and an early day for the girls. I am so glad that they both enjoy school. They have some pretty awesome teachers and the rest of the staff is pretty amazing as well. Knowing that they are surrounded by amazing people makes the hard days a walk in the park!

Another day closer to the day he gets home..... :)

Class of 2011

My baby is a graduate!!! She completed Kindergarten with flying colors!! How cute she looked in her little uniform and oversize tshirt! haha!! I am amazed at how fast time seems to travel. It seems like it was yesterday that she said her first word. Now here we are crossing Kindergarten off of her list of things to do.
We often think of Graduation as an ending. I believe it is a begining. For some it is the begining of a new chapter in childhood, for others a new beginging of adulthood, and for those college graduates a new chapter in the adult book of life. Graduation is the completion of hard work and hopefully the end of cram studying and test day jitters.

where has the time run off to?

Seven years ago today I committed my life to my best friend!!! I am so happy that the good times out number the bad times!! We have built a beautiful life and I look forward to the rest of our lives together.

..........

Almost 36 hours into this and it feels, I don't know what it feels like. I just know I hate it. I have said this before, I hate how everything is just waiting for him. From his shoes to his dog. Everything is in the place he left it. Most things will be moved either to be put away or because I find a new place for whatever it is. Last deployment there was a granola bar and a dr pepper that sat where he left it for 9 months. I couldn't move them. It looks like his shoes have taken residence on the side of the bed this time. The laundry is done so all remnants of him coming home from work have been set aside. I don't even get to move his razor....since he took it with him.
Back to hearing the phone ring when it really doesn't. Back to taking a deep breath before opening the door when someone rings the bell.

....and away he goes

Well he is on his way. Much to our disbelief time has passed and this journey has begun. What amazes me are those around me. People very rarely surprise me. Today they have. My friends have put aside their own burdens to assure me that they will be there to help me get through this.
I already have a list of things to put in the mail for him, imagine that! HAHAHA I wouldn't have it any other way.
Little miss is going to have a hard time with this. I am amazed how much she remembers from the previous two deployments. Her daddy is her guy and it is very hard for her to be away from him. I don't think the other two remember quite as much. I do know I need to find some friends for my little guy, or he is going to drive me batty!

**cheers** to life and whatever it may bring in the next 10-12 mos!

life continues

I feel like I am standing still. Like the whole world is rushing by. Friends are having parties, getting their kids ready for school, starting new jobs etc., etc. What am I doing? Waiting on the day he flies to get here. Why? So we can get back to life. Right now he is home at all hours of the day. Since the Army has nothing for him to do. Yes, we will get used to him showing up for breakfast or lunch unannounced. We will get used to him being home to take a nap with all of us. As soon as we have adjusted to that, he will be gone and we will have to get used to the fact that he will not be home for dinner! It is so very frustrating. I am not excited about this deployment to say the least. I am angry and frustrated that he is deploying AGAIN! I know we are not the first family to do three deployments in less than 5 years. I am frustrated because of how it all came to be. How is it possible that the slot he is filling went vacant for almost 12 months? Two weeks before this unit deployed they realize they need ONE person to fill one slot and our lives are affected again. How with all the technology we have at our disposal does one spot go unnoticed? And is it me or do some service members put more into it than they get? What about all of those that are sitting at home while others rack up deployment after deployment? Is the Army not tracking any of this?? Yet they can see who has 13 months of dwell time. We all know no one can have that much time at home! Especially if you have the job he does. No, I am not just an Army wife that complains. I gave my country my time, I would have given even more but life happened. I have stayed involved as much as possible. I donate not only time but money and skills where I think I can contribute. In doing all of this, I see who busts their behinds and who uses others to get themselves ahead.
I think I am in the worst place an Army wife can be. Frustrated and unhappy with the Army. For me that is a bad place. I love the Army. I think it is a great place for those that have a lack of direction or lack the desire to go to college straight out of high school. I think it provides some of the greatest traveling opportunities in the world. We have a great lifestyle, thanks to the Army. The pay will not make you a millionaire but if you watch your nickels and dimes it will keep the wolves at bay. Right now, even all of that is not helping me get over my frustration with the Army and those that run things. The Army would be perfect, if it wasn't run by people.

Apocalypse.......

No, just my pantry. What is the first clue that DH is getting ready to deploy?? All the gear on my floor? Not seeing him for days, because he is in training? NOPE!
By how stocked my pantry is. The very first thing I learned was, when you need it, help usually comes AFTER you need it. So, in defense I stock up. I won't run out of cold medicine, soup, toilet paper, or paper towels! The best defense is a good offense....isn't that what they say?? I am not fond of learning lessons the hard way. Realizing that you are out of baby tylenol when you have a baby cutting teeth and a two - year old cutting molars is not fun at all. Been there done that. I have several t-shirts from that place too.
The thing I find the most interesting are the people that tell you, "oh, call me if you need anything." When you call, well they just can't help you at all. So I attempt to help myself before I ever really need anything. That way, when I do call, they know that I am in need of a legitimate helping hand!

...and reality packs a punch!

Preparing for a deployment is like...crap I can't think of anything that sucks as much! Everything that has gone on this week was to be expected! However, it is not any easier to deal with. DH picked up all of his multi cam crap today! A truck full of junk half of which will sit in my garage and gather dust until the next PCS!! Everything was ok, until he put on the uniform to make sure it fit! There I was standing in my closet in an almost uncontrollable fit of tears. The tears will come closer together and at weird times, kind of like when you are 4 months pregnant and you cry during dog food commercials!!
We told the kids on Sunday. They all reacted differently...the oldest fell over in tears, the middle one showed her indifference to the Army, and the youngest just got a sad face and went about his day.
The days won't be so bad as we get closer, it's the nights that get shorter! I guess since that is the time of day we have together as a family. As much as you want to get the show on the road, the more you want time to crawl by....oh what a crazy life we lead!!
So here is hoping to this shindig being canceled all together....since we have nothing on paper saying he is going anywhere.......**cheers to hoping**

A little over the top....

As most of you know, we are Rodeo fans. We try to catch at least one every summer. Well this summer we caught finals night at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. They do a small fireworks display between two to the events. Usually it is the highlight of the Rodeo, besides the bull riding of course. Well Saturday's fireworks were probably the worst part of the rodeo. Here is why....They reenacted a battle from Afghanistan!! As a proud Army Wife and mother to three Army brats, I was offended. We are surrounded by the goings on in Iraq and Afghanstan daily. Military families do not need another reminder of what happens in these countries. Our children especially do not need to be a part of that! I am not saying that we need to censor everything, I am saying that a little more thought should have been put into the fireworks display. I was very upset with it and so were a few others in the stands...

Check out Soldiers Angels - Soldiers Angels VALOUR-IT fundraiser July 2011 - Team Army

I want you to take a look at: Soldiers Angels - Soldiers Angels VALOUR-IT fundraiser July 2011 - Team Army 

bucket list cont'd

7) Finish the cross stitch blankets that were supposed to be for the second two minions!! LOL

8) Learn how to sew......I want to make my own "Scarlett O'Hara" dress someday!! Ok well maybe my own MP ball dress!!

My Deployment Bucket list

I have decided that instead of wallowing in the things I can not change, I will improve or change what I can. So I am making a list of goals to accomplish while we get through this.

1) learn how to swim. I know enough to probably save my own life or that of my child. Beyond that I am lost. So lost that I do not even know how to tread water...Guess that is what happens when you are a poor kid in New Mexico.

2) Learn how to be a successful Avon Rep. Yes, this will include learning how to apply makeup and be girly....

3) Pay off as much debt as possible (hence the Avon thing). This will accomplish two things. One - no more credit cards, strictly a cash budget. Two - get us one step closer to retirement!

4) Take karate classes. More for self discipline and I think it will be fun. I think this will be a mommy and son thing. Which will make it even more fun!

5) Volunteer at the school at least twice a month. One day for each little person.


to be con't

A Date

Yes in fact we do have a date......which will change about 12 times between now and him actually getting on an airplane. Which makes it that much more difficult to prepare for it. By the time the day actually gets here, we will be so exhausted and ready for this stupid deployment to start.....just so we can get it over with.
Now for all the questions to begin! My all time favorite is: Oh will he be done with Army when he gets back?? Nope sorry sister, we are in this rodeo til the end. The big 2-0!!
A close second.....Oh how do you do it with three kids?? I guess the same way anyone does it with any amount of kids...One day at a time, sometimes two and three days at a time. You get up, you put a smile on your face, and you get through it.
 And the runner up is: Will he have to go back?? How in the world would I know that?? I find out all of my info about 10 mins before you know it!!

Sitting Around

Well after three weeks of leave DH is back at work. Unfortunately it is with a new group of people. Much to our dismay, he has PCS'd to a new place....OK OK a new unit. The Army has managed to disrupt our life yet again. Funny how they have a knack for that. We thought we would get at LEAST 3 years in one unit, the Army said haha, that is what you get for making plans. So here we are, waiting to see when D day will be.
Just thinking about him in a new unit makes me mad!!! This was not supposed to happen! We were supposed to stay in the MP BN for at least another year. That would have given us almost 24 months dwell time! We were prepared to do another deployment, just not so close to the last one. Well the Army has seen fit to send him to a highly deployable group. Which means we will probably be doing ANOTHER deployment before the end of the year! Oh joy! I am jumping out of my socks with excitement!! Another year alone! Really it is what I look forward to! Being awake at 3 am for weeks at a time because all you can do is worry!! Not to mention all the crap that goes wrong the minute they cross the Atlantic ocean!
I can barely contain myself. While we have not said anything to the Little People, enough has been said that I am sure they are aware something is going on. We will tell them just what is going on as soon as we know details. Until then there is no need to stress them out. They have enough going on in their little lives!
I am seriously contemplating an everyday blog.....not sure if I really have the commitment it would take.....how bout we push for once a week and see what happens??
I will post again when I have all the details............

REALLY?!?!?

Well folks it looks like we are going to do another round....yep another round of him being deployed. He is being reassigned to an Infantry Division. It is safe to assume he will deploy before the end of the year. I say this because being assigned to an infantry division and not deploying is like going in to Wal Mart and only buying what you need....it doesn't happen!! We are trying to stay positive about this whole situation but it has been difficult. Difficult in the fact that as a 31E we never thought we would see one deployment and now we are about to see our third. Yes, we chose Ft Carson. We chose it thinking he would remain in the MP Corp...apparently we thought wrong. The icing on the cake to this whole situation is the position he is going to has been vacant for almost 12 mos.........not to mention the other individuals that are just as capable of filling this same slot have managed to weasel their way out of it. It has been very difficult for me to keep my cool about this situation. Those that know my temper and my lack of tact and filter abilities would be so proud of me! I have had to bite my tongue a few times and delete a few facebook status' before they were posted, but I am attempting to be adult and not crazy Army Wife about this whole mess! So cheers to patriotism and all that other crap!! Let's get this party started...the sooner we get started, the sooner it will be over!!!

back to the norm...

Sadly our week in Hawaii is coming to an end.....7 days of alone time...just the two of us. It has been amazing. We got to spend days of adult time together. Something we haven't done in a very long time. We enjoyed the sights and the food at out leisure. Amazing how much fun it is to not have your time dictated by a little person's schedule!! While we have missed the minions it has been so much fun without them. I am looking forward to seeing them tomorrow! This week would have been a NO GO if it hadn't been for Grammy! Thank you so much to her for managing the little people so we could escape! Cheers to our last day here! I know someday we will return....so much on our bucket list left to do!! LOL I am looking forward to getting home, to Colorado Springs. Two weeks is a long time to be away from the comfort of your own space. I am thinking of trying to post daily to my lovely blog....it will be a commitment but I think it will be fun.....

dependability....................

Pet Peeve time..............sticky floors, being late, and clicking noises...just a few things that bug me. What really gets to me is: the irresponsibility of others. I understand people forget things. But when it is a consistent occurrence it leads me to believe that, that person is completely unreliable! If you say you are going to be somewhere, then you should be there. If you are going to be late, CALL! If you are not going to show up, CALL!! It amazes me that in this day and age of text messages and IMing people are still inconsiderate and leave other people waiting on them. Makes me wonder how people can survive. **sigh** One of these days I will learn not to have expectations of people, until then....I will continue to be disappointed! :(

A new chapter...

I own a gun!! I bought my first gun last night.......
WHY??
Home defense and because I could.
Friday morning on our way to school, I realized that someone had been in my car. Not only had they gotten into my car, they stole my IPOD. Yes it is only monetary, my car was fine, no damage. But they invaded my space. As the economy continues to go up and down, petty crime will continue to rise. So in an effort to defend my home and ensure that my children are safe, I bought a SA-XD 9mm. A little bit scary having a loaded weapon in the house. Yes it is loaded! What is the point of home defense if you have an unloaded weapon?? Might as well put a box of rocks next to your bed, so you have something to throw at the intruder...just sayin....
Now it is time to teach the kids all about gun safety. Not so much for our safety but for their safety and the safety of others. We are not the only people in America that own a gun and have small children. Not everyone will agree with us even having a gun in the house, much less a loaded one. Once upon a time, you didn't cross a threshold without seeing a loaded gun. Guns are a means of protection, not the only means but a means none the less. At some point I will have a concealed permit and our gun will travel with us. While I do not need justification for owning a firearm, here is mine. With DH being active duty, the kids and I spend ALOT of time on our own. We do have a home security system, but all systems can fail. I am of the opinion that most people, even criminals, know that you don't mess with a person that has a gun. I know how to handle a 9mm, (thank you US Army), I am a proficient marksman (I am not an expert, YET), I know basic gun safety and I am a firm believer in education, the more you know the better you can make decisions. Just locking up a gun is not the only way to protect your children. Teaching them what to do when they come across a gun and how to handle themselves is the greatest protection we can give them. I have knives in my house, they are not kept under lock and key, yet the kids stay away from them and when they are found they alert one of us at once. They also know how to handle a knife, they might not cut their own steaks at this point, but they are being taught what to do with a knife. Knife, gun, spoon, fork, shovel, baseball bat all tools; with proper instruction all can be used effectively and safely.
At some point all of my children will learn how to fire a weapon. Another way to take the curiosity and mystery out of guns.
Stay tuned for updates on out efforts to teach the kids about guns and gun safety!!

Farewell to a hero

I bade final farewell today, to a man I had never met. Even though I didn't know him it was a sad goodbye. The hardest part of the whole ordeal, was watching the Soldiers that knew him try to hold back tears.
Saying goodbye to a Hero is always hard. It doesn't matter if you knew them or not it is an emotional experience. While SSG Daniels was not lost in combat, he fought a battle for his life. His life was ended by a terminal illness. Dr's gave him weeks to live and he defied them, repeatedly. My heart goes out to his wife and children, may they find peace knowing that their hero does not have to fight any longer. RIP SSG Daniels

huh?!?!?

WHEW!!! The day is ....over?? HA!! No it is over. I have decided that the laundry can wait another night before being put away. Although the only reason it is folded is because I had to root through it for a clean pair of jeans for the little (big) guy. By root, I mean, dump it all on the bed and spread it all out to find what I need. I hate laundry, it is not that I don't like clean clothe, it is that I do not like a never ending task. There is always something to be washed, dried, folded, or put away. I think that is why I hate washing dishes to (another endless task). I guess it wouldn't bother me if I enjoyed a messy house. I prefer for my house to be presentable. I am often worried that something in my house will utterly disgust one of my visitors! LOL Anyway!!
Another busy day under our belts. I have come to the conclusion that I have one of the greatest husband's in the world! He does so much that I take advantage of. His reliability is sometime compromised, thanks to the Army having to be his priority. However, when push comes to shove he is an awesome man! I think that is why having him away, for 8 weeks, wreaks havoc with my schedule. There are no breaks, there is no back up, and there is no second set of hands to get the job done.
oh....look.....I completely forgot where I was going with this.......I guess that means it is time to turn out the lights, crawl under the covers, and count some sheep!!!

You are a what?

I am a stay at home mom....not that I stay home all that often...but that is my "title." I don't get up and GO to work, my work never leaves.
Here is what has me in a mood...
Once upon a time I had a job, a good one. The money was good, the hours sucked but it was a job. If you really want to call the Army a job! Ha!
Then out of nowhere life hit and having a job and a baby didn't seem to go together for me. So I hung up my boots and my uniform and put on jeans and an apron. We had three babies in three years, not much time for a "real" job. I do have a degree...I obtained that while he was deployed. For the most part I was home with my babies. The beginning of 2011 brought on a few situations that were not conducive to another year of college. I have taken the year off and I am enjoying it! I am home with the little two while the oldest is in school. For the first time in a long time, I am truly a stay at home mom. I rely solely on my husband's income for survival. I contribute no money to our financial endeavors. The threat of "no pay due" to the Military, if congress doesn't snap out of their funk, would be detrimental to our house. I recently read a post referencing that stay at home moms should reconsider their no job status....so I want to clear up a misconception about us stay at home moms.
I have a job, it started the day our oldest child was born and will continue until the day I take my final breath. There is no time off in motherhood, there may be time away, but you never stop thinking about your babies. A typical day at my house starts at 0630 and might end at 2100 (9 pm). What do I do with all my time?? I wish I had time for one thing...In a day, there are meals to be made, a house to be cleaned, groceries to be bought, appointments, girl scout meetings, laundry to do, bills to be paid, beds to be made. I may not have a "paying job" but I work. My husband comes home to clean laundry, a home cooked meal, a clean house and three grubby children...despite my best efforts to keep them clean. My children are polite, well behaved and clean. Their clothes are decent and clean, not because they are handed off to a nanny or a daycare provider but because I am their mother and I am home to ensure that they are presentable. I am not saying you can not be a good mother and have a job. All I am saying is that I am not less of a person because I don't have a job. My job is to ensure my children are taken care of. To ensure that they know they have a safe place. My children are not perfect but they are mine and I take great pride in being able to be a stay at home mom. I am so blessed to have a husband that steps up to the plate and takes care of his family.

who has been slacking??

Well I dropped the ball on this thing...amazing how life has the ability to consume a person's day. I am sure there needs to be some sort of update in here. Well let's see....Our Soldier has been home almost 9 months....oh boy!! In those nine months there have been ups, downs, smiles and tears. Being a wife and mother are two of the hardest, lowest paying, most rewarding jobs there are in the world. Add being an Army wife, or a military wife in general, and the rewards and heartbreaks are tenfold. Birthdays and anniversaries are often celebrated months ahead or months after the event occurred. Vacations and travel plans are often juggled, rescheduled and juggled again, either to accommodate a PCS, TDY, FTX, or someone else's leave. The best thing about this Army life is that two stubborn people married each other. We refuse to fail and we refuse to leave each other behind. We choose to fight for our marriage and the life that we love. People get off track, I think it takes a powerful storm to get them back on track. I am thankful that we have weathered the storm and our marriage is back on track.
We have a crazy year ahead of us and we are both looking forward to this ride around the sun. As we adjust into this year we have Army schools, Kindergarten finishing, High School Graduations, a honeymoon (finally), and everything else that comes with married life.

Operation Fiber!

So my oldest child has an aversion to anything healthy! Like fruits and vegetables. This has led her to have lots of tummy troubles. I decided to go on a mission to get fiber in her system in any form. My first attempt was a smoothie that contained flax seed. It was an epic FAIL!!!! She took two drinks and was DONE!! The third drink ended with a gagging fit!! This child is all but impossible. However, my attempts have not stalled with our first fail. Today I am making home made spaghetti sauce, she usually laps it up. I will infuse it will ground flax seed....we shall see how it goes.
The little people thought they were GREAT and I enjoyed the smoothie as well....it must have smelled healthy........LOL

We are attempting to improve not only our diet but our finances as well. Which means I will be doing LOTS of cooking......If anyone has any easy kid and budget friendly recipes, I am open to all suggestions. :)