Which Disney Princess are You?

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Saying Goodbye to an old friend

People get really attached to their cars. Sentimental, nostalgic, even a little fanatical. It's a feeling I have never really had an inkling of, until now. This was my hubby's first car. He got it when he was 15 from his Grandmother. All through high school he drove it, even when it was olive green. He worked on it, played in it and learned about life in it.
One of my favorite memories of this car is when we were in high school and I was on the track team, and so was his brother. We lived about a mile apart, but it was a few miles from the school. He had to come back after track practice to pick his brother up and take him home, and he charged gas money. (It's a gas guzzler and gas money was always needed.) When I started asking for rides home too, Matt ended up in the back seat, still paying his way and I was in the front, getting a free ride. Still makes me smile. Guess I should finally thank Matt, after all this time.
My other car related memory is our first kiss. We were leaned up against the car on a starry summer night a million years ago I think. So sweet. So long ago. When we were newly married and trying to just get by, we had a lot of work done to this car. Then we drove and drove and drove it. When I was 9 months pregnant with my son, I couldn't fit behind the wheel and reach the pedals anymore so I decided I was done with it and I hardly ever drove it after that. I did love to hear the rumble coming down the street letting me know hubby was home from work though. No sneaking around in this baby.
We have been hanging onto this car for a long time. It doesn't run anymore, the engine seized up sometime when we had it is storage while we lived in HI. Some mice found a great home in the trunk and back seat. It had some mold issues after being covered in the Pacific NW for a long time. It would take a lot of money and time to get it running again. Hubby decided yesterday to send it on its way. He made a quick decision and didn't look back. Within a couple of hours we had posted it on Craigslist and within half an hour it was sold. Timing is everything so they say. I guess the time was right for moving forward.

CPRolf

Been thinking of my friend a lot lately. Her DH is deploying this week to overseas. I have done a few deployments myself, but none where I knew my husband was directly in the middle of everything. Most of the time I have no clue where he is, and I guess I like that a little bit. Ignorance is bliss. I know that we have different circumstances, but I wanted to pass on to you what I have learned. Hope it helps a little.

1. Your kids are going to push you hard that first month. Be aware, gentle and careful of your tone of voice (that's my weakness totally, not yours at all). Also, stand firm or it's all over and find lots of things to say yes too.
2. Get as much adult face time as you can. Over the phone, or in person. Talking to grown ups is important. Watch the complaining though, although people say they support you most don't have a clue what it is you really need and aren't able to provide it. Email me. I'll let you vent anytime.
3. Just because he's gone doesn't mean you shouldn't shave your legs. Just keep going, keep swimming, keep moving forward. Besides, anything can happen and one or two guys have come home to surprise their families from time to time.
4. Pancakes for dinner are a great idea. Cold cereal flies too. Take it easy on yourself if the dinner dishes don't get done or stuff slides from time to time, especially the first month. Make life easy on yourself when you can.
5. Keep the YW in babysitting business. Get those girls busy helping you with chores, babysitting, errands, whatever. Get someone in there when you need it and don't feel guilty about it at all. It's well worth the money spent.
6. Just because your inbox is empty for days at a time doesn't mean something is the matter or that he's forgotten you. It's not cause to get angry either, although I have lost my temper on this a few times. He is doing the very best he can and he knows you are waiting to hear from him. Have faith and patience. (good luck with that, and if you figure it out, let me know how to do it.)

That's all I have. Hope it helps some. I also found some blinkies and avatars for you to adopt and use if you would like. Take good care of yourself!

Welcome to the World Isabella

Welcome to the world Isabella. We are so glad you are here safe and sound and healthy. Your new cousins Adam and Megan can't wait to get well so they can make the trip across the mountains to come and see you. We love you!

To the proud parents: Congratulations! I looked for some blinkies to let you know how happy we are, but I couldn't decide which one to post, so here goes. Oh, send pictures soon!

Shout Out

Happy Birthday!!!!

I just wanted to wish a very happy birthday to my favorite Deli Sandwich ingredient. Great things are coming your way this year. Change is good. My favorite thing about you is your ability to see the good in all things. Thanks for the example. Have a great day and an even better year!

~From all of us at the H House

Happy Birthday Mom Bread!!

My new favorite time wasting, help the world activity

So my new favorite time-wasting, help the world activity is http://www.freerice.com/. I actually saw a spot about it on the Today Show a while back and decided to go give it a try. It's unusual, interesting, challenging and good for the starving people who need rice. It works like this: You play a vocabulary game and for each word you get correct, the site donates 20 grains of rice.

Quoted from the site:
"Who distributes the donated rice?
The rice is distributed by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). The World Food Program is the world’s largest food aid agency, working with over 1,000 other organizations in over 75 countries. In addition to providing food, the World Food Program helps hungry people to become self-reliant so that they escape hunger for good. Wherever possible, the World Food Program buys food locally to support local farmers and the local economy. We encourage you to visit the United Nations World Food Program to learn more about their successful approach to ending hunger."

Sounds like a win-win, doesn't it? You should give it a try, it's good for your brain and someone's empty tummy.

Has it been a year?

Where does time go when we are not paying attention? I was thinking back today to where I was a year ago. So much emotion, so much turmoil, so much waiting. A year ago I didn't think time could move fast enough and I was sure some days it was running backwards. I thought I wouldn't make it through another week, let alone another day.

A year ago I was on bedrest in the middle of a complicated pregnancy. I had gestational diabetes and by 29 weeks along I was in preterm labor. I had to carefully count contractions, because they came often and get checked out twice a week. I had already spent 5 days in the hospital and was released to my couch. I was told to stay on the couch and not get up. I had 10 minutes an hour to care for myself and my family. Time went slowly.....

I am so grateful for all of the people who helped to fill my hours. Who came to my "Bedrest baby shower" and made make ahead meals for me so that I wouldn't have to cook. For people who showed up on my doorstep to clean my floors, help with laundry and drive me to endless doctor's appointments. I am grateful for all of the phone calls, for one friend who sent email jokes every day so that I could laugh. For family who came when they were needed most to fill the need in my home. For all of the prayers and love on my behalf that helped me along the way. There is so much to be grateful for.

I would like to say that now that I look back it wasn't that bad and time didn't go that slowly, but it really did and I wouldn't wish bedrest on anybody. It's not fun, but it was time well spent. A year later I have an almost 11 month old beautiful daughter who smiles with her whole soul, whose laughter fills your heart and whose determination was made known long ago. I am feeling blessed today, not just for my amazing daughter, but for the ablility to look on the past and learn from it and look forward to the future. As my husband tells my kids every day, "Anything is possible."