December 30, 2009

From the Backseat

On the way home from the ENT yesterday we were going through lunch options for Meg. She was "starving" (imagine the most dramatic 2 year old voice you can). Peanut butter bread? No. Ham soup? No. Ramen noodle with egg? No. Fish sticks? No. How about a grilled cheese sandwich? YES Mom. I want that. Then she turns to brother sitting next to her and says, "Do you want a boyed cheese sandwich?" I love kids. Especially mine.

Oh, the ENT said it was time to replace her tubes. They are coming out and with two ear infections since Thanksgiving, we need to do something. So we are going in for surgery again sometime early Janurary. Wish us luck, again.

December 27, 2009

It's been a while

I know it's been a while since I have been a faithful blogger. I was feeling kind of bad about it, making me not want to blog even more, until I started surfing my friend's blogs seeing what they were up to. It seems I am not the only one who doesn't keep up well all of the time. I feel better now, don't you? So, here's a quick recap....

I have LOVED taking new baby photos the past couple of months. It has nothing to do with wanting another baby and everything to do with their so sweet spirits and how moms love the pictures, no matter what they look like.

My kids are bigger, cuter and busier than ever before. Meg is a climber now and I have caught her climbing the pantry shelves quite a few times lately. Bug is obsessed with Mythbuster's. He can't seem to think about anything else lately and is starting to conduct his own experiments. Good for him, bad for the yard and garage. I have been sewing tons in preperation for Christmas. I hope all of our nieces and nephews love their warm jammies, pillowcases and sleep masks. They were cute. I decided about Dec 23rd when I was trying to get my kids sewing done that sewing is kind of like Tuna fish for me. I want to like it, it's good for me, I just don't really like it that much. Sad, isn't it?

Dad has been gone again for a while. He missed Halloween, Thanksgiving and almost Christmas, but made it home by the skin of his teeth. It was his very very last patrol in the Navy so from here on out, he should mostly be home, or at least accessible by phone or text when we need him. So happy about that.

We are gearing up for a move to Sunny San Diego very soon. I thought we would be gone by mid- Jan. but it looks like early February now. Packing, cleaning and purging. They say 3 Navy moves is equal to a house fire in expense and damage. I believe it. This is our 7th move. One or two left before we are done. Anyone need a cute little rental in a nice neighborhood with a fabulous yard? Let me know... PLEASE.

My Grandpa Duane is very ill. We are very sad about it. We really did enjoy a great Thanksgiving at his house with few interruptions and some great quality time. I especially loved that he didn't let the kids noise get to him, he just turned down his hearing aids and smiled. What a guy.

We managed to get some great family time over Christmas. Let the work really begin now. That's the mini recap. Take care blog friends. We will try and keep up in the midst of moving, driving, house hunting and everything else.

P.S. I was planning on uploading cute pictures to show you all what we've been up to, but the old PC isn't playing nice today. Maybe another time. It's all true, really.

A Great Find

A few months back I had a favorite blouse. One that I was complimented on every time I wore it. I loved it, it was silky and a great color and made me feel good. My husband, not so much. He waited to tell me this, of course, until we were out on location with my favorite Portland Photographer and very cool cousin, Sarah, getting our family pictures taken. Cute picture, isn't it?



So, I get out of the car, trekking kids across the field for photos, and he turns to me and tells me I look like Poison Ivy from Batman. Great. Thanks for that vote of confidence. He continued to harass me about it until we got home. Then, in some odd twist of Karma, when I went to change for bed I caught the blouse on my ring and snagged it and ruined it. I was sad. He wasn't.



Fast forward a few months.... I was out thrifting (one of my favorite past times) and found the exact shirt, minus the snag, in my size again. SOLD. I am wearing it to church today and don't really care what he thinks about it. I think this is A GREAT FIND!


December 5, 2009

Joyous Hearts

It's snowing. Just a little and it's not sticking and I don't think it will
last long. Even so, Meg was outside dancing and singing as loud as she could
"I like snow, I love the snow, snow is fun" over and over. Adam was right
out there with her having a great time. That is true joy. That is what makes my heart
happy.

November 21, 2009

It's Officially Official

We FINALLY have our marching orders, and they didn't somehow change to Guam while we were waiting. Not that we don't love our friends there, we just don't want to live there again. Now I can do small things like.... setting up our move. Getting on the housing waiting list. Requesting medical records. Notifying the school. You know, small stuff like that.
We leave for Sunny San Diego by Feb 10 and have 20 days to get there and report. Looking forward to new and different again.

November 16, 2009

A Turning Over

It's time for turn over. In the Submarine world that means you give up control of the boat to the other crew and let them get her ready for sea. (Nope, he's not home yet.)
In my world, it means I get to pass the Primary President baton to someone else. She's highly capable, very darling and patient beyond belief. She likes to work her way through hard things and has conquered her fears and come out better for it. I am so excited for her to be able to lead our little primary into new and great things.
I am sad to let go. It's been a work of the heart for the past few years. I have learned so much through failure and success. I am just so glad I had people and prayer to pick me back up again and set me on my feet. What amazing little people we have in this ward. I have faith in the plans for me and my family and know there are amazing things ahead for all of us. So, it's turn over time. It's a good thing for everyone.

November 2, 2009

Meg's top 10 quotes


Meggy's quotes this week:


  1. Those are NOT my favorite clothes.

  2. But I NEED the chocolate.

  3. I am walking fast mom (as she pokes along at a snails pace), see? The kitty is slow. (who is sitting in the middle of the road watching us.)

  4. I need a dandelion flower to make me happy.

  5. I will be happy mom, I am not naughty now. I need a little girl show.

  6. I will get a granola bar and you will open it for me, right?

  7. Flowers is my new favorite game. (Thanks Annie, for that one. She loves it!)

  8. (watching Scooby Doo) I will not be scared this time. It's not scary, not scary.

  9. Will you be a nice Mama and get me a Scooby Snack now?

  10. Brother is not being nice. He's naughty. He doesn't get a little girl show.


I love my Meggy. She's such a delight and she makes us smile every single day.

November 1, 2009

October 30, 2009

The Indoor Pic-Nic


We can't go outside
It's too wet, cold and hazy
We've been stuck inside this house
And we're driving Mom crazy.

Mom lays on the couch
Coughing and sneezing
So Adam made lunch
His sister he's pleasing.

A pic-nic inside
With peanut butter and honey
Some apples and crackers
And jokes, so it's funny.



They sat on the blanket
And they munched away
They did something fun,
On this cold windy day.


October 27, 2009

What Pumpkins?

Mom: Did you have fun at the Pumpkin patch with our friends?

Meg: No Pumpkins, Mom. The mud was squishy.


Bug: I liked the hay maze and the slide. Oh, and the tractor ride. And I liked how Pickle was such a good pumpkin pusher. He must have really wanted that pumpkin.


Dad: You didn't sneak one of those muddy pumpkins into our trunk while I wasn't looking, did you?


Mom: Happy last day home, honey.



October 13, 2009

My new favorite food



We had grand illusions of getting a lot done yesterday, on Justin's last day off. Instead, we snuck off to Olive Garden for lunch. It was really nice, and the perfect day for it. He'll be gone by the end of the week and it was so good to have him home for one whole day. While it's not on my list, this is my new favorite dessert. Heavenly, really. Justin was "too full" to eat dessert until it arrived, hot and sweet smelling. Perfect. He did manage a few bites. Meg skipped the donought bread all together and just ate the chocolate dipping sauce with a spoon. Her eyes lit up when the chocolate showed up, it made her day. In case you deserve a real treat, Zeppoli is a REALLY good thing. Yum.

October 7, 2009

On a Navy Note....

WHERE IN THE HECK ARE THE PAPER ORDERS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE "OFFICIAL" SO I CAN GET THIS MOVE GOING FOR REALS???? And, do the "POWERS THAT BE in the NAVY" know how much they mess with people's lives? Really????

I've been Boo'd

How much fun is this? We were Boo'd sometime last night or early this morning and Bug spent the entire walk to the bus stop thinking of people we could Pay it Forward to. If you want to Boo someone, this website might help. Get some Boo's started in your neighborhood, church community or group of favorite people.

September 30, 2009

September 29, 2009

They Huffed and They Puffed

I love Boy Scouts. I love what it does for my kiddo and I love, love, love our pack leader. She's awesome and absolutely perfect for this group of kids.

The Raingutter Regatta was a few days ago and the kids had a blast. They huffed and puffed and blew those boats across the finish line.
It was so fun to watch. They were all excited about their boats and the prizes they walked away with. I think they were pretty excited about the cake too, thanks to Grandma Cleo and Aunt Wendy who made a sail boat cake in honor of the occasion. Even Dad ducked out of a meeting early so he could make it. It was so good to have family attend and great to have fun, wholesome recreational activities to participate in. Did I say I love Boy Scouts?


September 16, 2009

More time, please???

Could I just have a little more time please??? Could I ask for that for my birthday? I am not sure that will work for me, but I really want it too.

I think we have decided to sell our house. (Justin is still a little wishy washy.) That means I have to have it in SELL shape and on the market by Oct 15. So many worries go along with that, so many things to think about. I just keep thinking, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart..." Or from Dory "Just keep swimming..."

Refit is just beginning and Justin's time is short with us. We are looking forward to getting this last deployment out of the way and done. In theory, as of right now, this will be his last sea deployment ever. Things always change though. You never know what is coming next.

Bug is loving school. I am sad we are going to have to pull him out before the end of the year. He is doing well and loves his teacher. I asked him how his Greek root word test went the other day and he told me "I aced it, as usual." Too smart for his own pants I think. Cute, as always, though.

Meg is two. And getting into the terrible phase. Or the diva state, I can't decide which, depending on the moment. Last week, after not eating dinner, she comes to me in the most dramatic voice ever and says "Mom, I NEED chocolate." Meg, I said, you NEED to eat your dinner. Nope, just chocolate, Mom. She's two and has a chocolate addiction. No comment on whose to blame for that.

So much to do, catch up with us when you can!!!

September 11, 2009

Hope

September 8, 2009

So many choices....

I am truly grateful for the freedom to make so many choices in our lives. It seems sometimes in Navy life there are a lot of things you don't have a choice in, so when you do have choices it's a good thing, right? Such as, the Navy says you have to move, but you have a choice, NY or San Diego. (Wouldn't it make more sense and cost way less money to keep us where we are???) Not one of the choices. The Navy does give us a choice as to live in Navy housing or not, at a rent more than double the rents in town. There is something to be said for living in a military community. People look out for you, understand you and know where you are coming from. Is it worth the extra cash? Maybe. The Navy says they haven't yet decided where you will go after this move, so you have a choice to sell the house you are in or rent it out. Do you want to come back to this area? YES! (We say that about most area we live, excluding Guam.) Do we want to move back to this house? Maybe not. So many choices. Anyone in the market for a cute starter home? It's all remodeled, and newly landscaped. If not, do you know a good property manager? Looking for a good, long term rental?

September 5, 2009

The Military Wife

Each one may look different and each is wonderfully unique,
But this they have in common:

Lots of moving...Moving...Moving...
Moving far from home...
Moving two cars, three kids and one dog...
all riding with HER of course.
Moving sofas to basements because
they won't go in THIS house;
Moving curtains that won't fit;
Moving jobs and certifications and
professional development hours.
Moving away from friends;
Moving toward new friends;
Moving her most important luggage:
her trunk full of memories.

Often waiting...Waiting...Waiting...
Waiting for housing.
Waiting for orders.
Waiting for deployments.
Waiting for phone calls.
Waiting for reunions.
Waiting for the new curtains to arrive.
Waiting for him to come home,
For dinner...AGAIN!

They call her 'Military Dependent',
but she knows better:
She is fiercely In-Dependent.
She can balance a check book;
Handle the yard work;
Fix a noisy toilet;
Bury the family pet...

She is intimately familiar with
drywall anchors and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes;
Sell a house;
Buy a car;
Or set up a move........
all with ONE Power of Attorney.

She welcomes neighbours that don't welcome her.
She reinvents her career with every PCS;
Locates a house in the desert,
The Arctic, Or the deep south.
And learns to call them all 'home'.
She MAKES them all home.

Military Wives are somewhat hasty...
They leap into:
Decorating,Leadership,Volunteering,Career alternatives,
Churches,And friendships.
They don't have 15 years to get to know people.
Their roots are short but flexible.
They plant annuals for themselves
and perennials for those who come after them.

Military Wives quickly learn to value each other:
They connect over coffee,
Rely on the spouse network,
Accept offers of friendship and favors.
Record addresses in pencil...

Military Wives have a common bond:
The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands;
his commitment is unique.
He doesn't have a 'JOB'
He has a 'MISSION' that he can't just decide to quit...
He's on-call for his country 24/7.
But for her, he's the most unreliable guy in town!
His language is foreign
TDY
PCS
OPR
SOS
ACC
BDU
ACU
BAR
CIB
TAD
And so, a Military Wife is a translator
for her family and his.
She is the long- distance link to keep them informed;
the glue that holds them together.

A Military Wife has her moments:
She wants to wring his neck;
Dye his uniform pink;
Refuse to move to Siberia;
But she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days,
A travel brochure,
A long hot bath,
A pledge to the flag,
A wedding picture,
And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.
She follows.

Why?
What for?
How come?
You may think it is because
she has lost her mind.
But actually it is because
she has lost her heart .

It was stolen from her by a man,
Who puts duty first,
Who longs to deploy,
Who salutes the flag,
And whose boots in the doorway
remind her that as long as he is her Military Husband,
She will remain his military wife.
And would have it no other way.

--Author UnknownThanks for passing it along Melissa!

If anyone knows anything more about this poem, please let me know.

September 3, 2009

Bag of Tricks

I am not an overachiever, let's just clear that up before I start. I did a comment the other day while browsing someone's blog about beginning of the year teacher gifts. What? I am lucky to say thank you at the end of the year for all of the drama she put up with. This year is different though. We are moving sometime during the year and I just wanted to say thanks ahead of time. So when I found a tutorial for these really cute pillowcase bags, I had to give them a try. Even a novice like me can whip these out in no time flat. Seriously, 30 minutes or less start to finish. And how cute are these? I put notes on them for the teachers saying "This is for your 'bag of tricks' this year. Have a great first day". Fun, huh?

September 2, 2009

1st Day of school

My over-excited (not)3rd grader getting ready for school on his first day. Of course, Sis couldn't resist getting in on the picture action. She also insisted rather loudly on a love before he got on the bus. At least it wasn't me embarrassing him this time.





August 25, 2009

Check, check, and almost check



I am slowly accomplishing things I had on my list this week. The tomatoes are now salsa, with a few jars of canned tomatoes at the end. I had a great time working with two great ladies getting that done. And the best part was my kids ran wild at someone elses house and it was OK. I got the birthday gift made, although not mailed, so no picture of that yet. (I want her to see it first.) Pack meeting is tonight, so I can cross that off the list, and 3 loads of laundry got done and almost put away today. I also got sweet little Sprout's 1 year pictures taken, and she is such a cutie. Can't wait to process and post a couple if it's okay with her Deli Mama. It's only Tuesday, but things are looking up, thanks to friends and family. Grandma Cozette is coming tomorrow and instead of mad cleaning ahead of time, she said she didn't care and didn't want to hang out in the house much anyway. Good to know. She cooks and does dishes when she comes and I love her for it. Will check back in at the end of the week and see how my sanity is then...



August 24, 2009

High Hopes

I have high hopes for this week. Or rather, a long list of things I would like to accomplish. So much to do, so little time. Story of my life. In my quest for simplifying, I really would like to let go some of these self-imposed obligations and not feel that badly about it, but I don't know what to cut out. Friends? Chores? Church obligations? None of those can go. My dishes can probably sit a while, but dinner has to be cooked and kids need tending. Big sigh. I guess I really don't know how to slow down. That's what makes life full, interesting, and fun though, right?
So what's on my list this week? In one big breath.... Canning salsa, park days with Dawn, return library books, laundry, paint the garage door, laundry, Pack meeting, prepare for Sunday, return trade for babysitting, vacuum for a friend who can't, laundry, photo shoot, edit said photos, finish a birthday present on the sewing machine, get the serger working, household chores other than laundry, grocery shopping, piano lessons, voice lessons and more laundry. That about sums it up, but I am sure something else will pop up some time this week. Am I really overbooked, or do other people just handle life better than I do? That is the question to ponder this week.

August 20, 2009

You know you're in trouble when...

As a mom, there are certain things you look forward to in life. When you child starts walking, starts talking so you can understand them, school, college, mission. Those kinds of things. There are also moments when you know that life as you know it is over, and something new is beginning. You know you are in trouble when....

1. Your daughter learns to open both the fridge and the sliding door in the same week. Now there's no keeping her out of anything.
2. Said daughter decides to take after her Uncle Josh and use markers on the sliding glass door, often.
3. Your son leaves for a week to visit his grandma and the last thing he says is "Just come and get me in a week", as in, quit telling me goodbye, don't hug me again and let's get this show on the road already.
4. When your husband gets verbal orders out of the area and a month later still has no "official" orders. That means change is coming. Change to what, no one knows. I love uncertainty.
5. Said husband brings up a conversation about re-doing some of the very labor intensive, very expensive landscaping you have just finished together, because it would make things better in the long run.
6. You realize the summer has passed too quickly and despite your best efforts, things still aren't caught up. Maybe when school starts again. Maybe you will just live in a state of "behind" forever.
7. You know leaving your make-up down is a bad idea, so you don't. You tuck it up on the shelf, out of the way, so you think. Then one random day your darling daughter comes out with mascara on her lips, and all over her face and lipstick on her forehead. You know she's a climber, and you know you're in trouble.