I know I suck at this, but hey, here's an update! :P
It's November 13, and my baby turned two today! I can't believe its been two years since James came rushing into the world. In the past two years we've been through a wonderful year of having Daddy home after a year long deployment. James is such an amazing little boy who is both loving and smart while being loud and opinionated to a fault! (He is my son!) We had his birthday party this past Saturday and a couple of good friends came to celebrate with us with an Imagination Movers party. It was a blast and at 37 weeks pregnant not too much for me to handle!
Yup, I'm 37 and a half weeks pregnant. Friday will be the point that I made it to when I had Keirnan and I'll admit I am ready for little Mr. Owen to get here. I am ready to have my body back and be able to sit comfortably again, but mainly I'm just so excited to meet this third little blessing I have been given! Due to a loss suffered in Will's unit, I will also say I'm a bit more anxious than I was with either of the boys to have him and watch him grow into a healthy little boy. We have everything ready to go for Owen and it's now just a waiting game. (Ok well, I haven't packed my bag yet!!)
A couple weeks ago James took his turn at researching how hot HOT can really be. He touched the stove just after I turned it off, resulting in a trip to the ER followed by a longer trip to Kansas City to Children's Mercy to see the burn specialist. They said he received a bad second degree burn to the pad of his palm and has been sporting a "flipper" for the past couple weeks. We took it off a day and a half ago and its doing great. Though there will be a bit of a scar, the specialist said he shouldn't suffer any limitations from it. I, on the other hand, am pretty sure there is some grey hair now mixed into the blond highlights!
Keirnan is finally potty trained!! Ok, well mostly! He has the peeing thing down with very few accidents for about two months now. Unfortunately, he is suffering from that first almost dip into the big potty while we were out once and is afraid to sit on the toilet, which means I still have to wipe his bum every day! (He's pooped on the potty a handful of times, each time getting me excited that maybe this time he'll realize the toilet isn't going to eat him!) Its a work in progress, but we're much further than we were during the summer, and down to one in diapers for a bit! James likes to sit on the potty after Keirnan every so often and shows other signs here and there but none are consistent enough to take that on at this time! So for now James is Keirnan's biggest potty fan!
Will's been in and out of the field the past few months which means the boys keep going through that evil transition period where they are unbelievable beasts each time Daddy leaves for a few days. Its pretty trying, and makes me wish they would just go out for a month straight like they use to do in Germany! But we are coming to the end of that and have enjoyed having him home the past month!
This weekend (Saturday, the day I hit 38 weeks pregnant) we are going to be taking our concealed weapons class that Will has been wanting to do. I figure it should be very interesting as the second half of the day is spent out on the range! The guy running the class is being awesome about it though and the guys have worked out a plan to get me on and off the range with the least amount of noise possible! Hopefully it all works out, and who knows, maybe it'll send me into labor and I'll get to meet my little man before Thanksgiving!
Well, that's about it for now. I'll do a post about the holidays another time. Thanksgiving is up in the air right now and we'll be driving to Virginia for Christmas, so there is plenty of opportunity for adventure just in the drive alone! (Two adults, 3 year old, 2 year old, and 2-4 week old boys, and two chocolate labs! God help us!)
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Potty Training 3.0
Well, we've been here before, but this time I have the pleasure of saying Keirnan is finally getting it! Its not an easy 3 day process, but we are making progress none the less!
We started Monday and it was a very long day full of fights and some good points. The goal of the day was to get Keirnan to understand this is it and I am in charge! I think we both figured out I might pretend to be in charge, but his bladder really is what's controlling everything! lol I think we went through the entire pack of Super Hero underwear that day!
Tuesday Keirnan had preschool, so he went in that morning in underwear!! He did fabulous and stayed dry not only through school, but through lunch out with Daddy! We did have an accident that morning before leaving and a couple more in the afternoon. The big problem is he doesn't want to poop on the potty!
Wednesday we had a play date at a friend's house and again Keirnan went in underwear, went on the potty there, and stayed dry through lunch! The afternoon was much like Tuesday, a few accidents. The problem seems to be he doesn't want to tell me he needs to go, so if I don't catch him and get him to the potty, he'll just go in his pants. He doesn't like it, but is being stubborn in connecting the two!
Thursday was preschool day again and again he did great. At lunch he said he had to go, and then went in the potty!! I thought we'd finally hit our breakthrough moment. I was wrong. I knew I needed to get him on the potty again mid afternoon, but got distracted while we played outside during nap time and he had an accident. I'm not surprised as like I said, he doesn't tell me before he goes. He had another accident after dinner while was a straight out him not wanting to cooperate. The rest of us were all still eating when he said he was done and headed off to play. As he walked away I asked him if he needed to go and he said no. Not 5 minutes later (literally) he was coming back with wet pants! Needless to say, I wasn't happy and he knew it! He did go on the potty before bed, and he has stayed dry in underwear all night every night this week! Leave it to my kid to do this backwards!
The biggest thing I've figured out, but am still working out, is he doesn't need to go first thing in the morning. Usually about a half hour after he wakes up. But with our busy mornings we've had a miss each day! He will go on the potty a tiny bit each day, and then when I finally give and have to get in the shower so we're not late he goes in his pants! guess what that means, we've been late every day!
I think we are definitely making serious progress though, and diapers and pull ups are a thing of the past. Its just going to take some time to get my boy to give fully over and 'get it!' Oh, and pooping might take a bit longer too! Ewww!
As for James and how he's handling the potty, well he's just silly! He gets excited every time Keirnan gets on the potty because he gets an M&M! He has also tried himself a few times. No success there yet, but we'll see. He is only 22 months, so I'm not so worried yet. But could you imagine going from 2 in diapers with one of the way to 2 in underwear with a baby!?! How sweet that would be!
We started Monday and it was a very long day full of fights and some good points. The goal of the day was to get Keirnan to understand this is it and I am in charge! I think we both figured out I might pretend to be in charge, but his bladder really is what's controlling everything! lol I think we went through the entire pack of Super Hero underwear that day!
Tuesday Keirnan had preschool, so he went in that morning in underwear!! He did fabulous and stayed dry not only through school, but through lunch out with Daddy! We did have an accident that morning before leaving and a couple more in the afternoon. The big problem is he doesn't want to poop on the potty!
Wednesday we had a play date at a friend's house and again Keirnan went in underwear, went on the potty there, and stayed dry through lunch! The afternoon was much like Tuesday, a few accidents. The problem seems to be he doesn't want to tell me he needs to go, so if I don't catch him and get him to the potty, he'll just go in his pants. He doesn't like it, but is being stubborn in connecting the two!
Thursday was preschool day again and again he did great. At lunch he said he had to go, and then went in the potty!! I thought we'd finally hit our breakthrough moment. I was wrong. I knew I needed to get him on the potty again mid afternoon, but got distracted while we played outside during nap time and he had an accident. I'm not surprised as like I said, he doesn't tell me before he goes. He had another accident after dinner while was a straight out him not wanting to cooperate. The rest of us were all still eating when he said he was done and headed off to play. As he walked away I asked him if he needed to go and he said no. Not 5 minutes later (literally) he was coming back with wet pants! Needless to say, I wasn't happy and he knew it! He did go on the potty before bed, and he has stayed dry in underwear all night every night this week! Leave it to my kid to do this backwards!
The biggest thing I've figured out, but am still working out, is he doesn't need to go first thing in the morning. Usually about a half hour after he wakes up. But with our busy mornings we've had a miss each day! He will go on the potty a tiny bit each day, and then when I finally give and have to get in the shower so we're not late he goes in his pants! guess what that means, we've been late every day!
I think we are definitely making serious progress though, and diapers and pull ups are a thing of the past. Its just going to take some time to get my boy to give fully over and 'get it!' Oh, and pooping might take a bit longer too! Ewww!
As for James and how he's handling the potty, well he's just silly! He gets excited every time Keirnan gets on the potty because he gets an M&M! He has also tried himself a few times. No success there yet, but we'll see. He is only 22 months, so I'm not so worried yet. But could you imagine going from 2 in diapers with one of the way to 2 in underwear with a baby!?! How sweet that would be!
Friday, September 14, 2012
Dear Drama Queen
Dear Drama Queen,
I just need to get out this absolute need to laugh at you and your amazing ability to be such a drama queen at about 30 years old. I find it hilarious that, though I have done nothing to hurt you, I did apparently offend you. Apparently we're in grade school again and you can't just talk to me, rather you have to go behind my back and tell all our friends. Whatever, such is life.
But, your need to not just unfriend me on FB, rather to block me so I can't see what you put on your FB, really? That's just childish. Oh you weren't done, you mean you have to go further and when I finally see you, you ignore me completely but do make a comment about how you have to block people on FB because you don't want them to know what you're doing. Wow, just wow.
I always knew you were a bit of a drama magnet, but ignored it because you were a good friend to me, but really you're not actually that important to me at this moment for me to care to deal with your pettiness. Its time for me to move on because I don't play these games.
I wish you them best in life, and hope you learn to find joy and happiness again for the sake of yourself and your family. I also thank you for all you have done for me and my family over the past years. You were a good friend while it lasted.
Sincerely,
Me
I just need to get out this absolute need to laugh at you and your amazing ability to be such a drama queen at about 30 years old. I find it hilarious that, though I have done nothing to hurt you, I did apparently offend you. Apparently we're in grade school again and you can't just talk to me, rather you have to go behind my back and tell all our friends. Whatever, such is life.
But, your need to not just unfriend me on FB, rather to block me so I can't see what you put on your FB, really? That's just childish. Oh you weren't done, you mean you have to go further and when I finally see you, you ignore me completely but do make a comment about how you have to block people on FB because you don't want them to know what you're doing. Wow, just wow.
I always knew you were a bit of a drama magnet, but ignored it because you were a good friend to me, but really you're not actually that important to me at this moment for me to care to deal with your pettiness. Its time for me to move on because I don't play these games.
I wish you them best in life, and hope you learn to find joy and happiness again for the sake of yourself and your family. I also thank you for all you have done for me and my family over the past years. You were a good friend while it lasted.
Sincerely,
Me
Friday, August 31, 2012
HouseHold 6's Rules for the Soldiers
You know you've been an NCO wife too long when you have a quickly growing list of rules for your husband's soldiers. Here is the start to my list, I'm sure as the years continue to roll by, there will be more!
1. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! This may be a duh rule but it has to be said. I would rather my husband get a call in the middle of the night to come pick your drunk butt up than lose him to days of paperwork at the other sad alternatives you might end up in!
2. DON'T DRINK UNDER AGE!! OK, again duh. I know you are soldiers and while I agree its not right that you should be allowed to fight and die for our country, but not be able to legally drink alcohol, it is still against the law! So, do yourself a favor, and stay in your room or at a buddy's house to do it! Don't go out and be drunk in public when you are obviously only 19 years old!! I'm not saying breaking the law is right, but I'm realistic enough to know you're going to do it anyway, so be responsible!!
3. ENCOURAGE YOUR WIVES TO LEARN ABOUT THE ARMY! I am so sick of young wives who know nothing about their husband's job, or the benefits the entire family receives as an incentive for said job. There are literally tons of resources for you to learn about being a part of the military, whether soldier or spouse- use them!!
4. DON'T LET YOUR WIFE SCREW YOUR CAREER! Again, this involves knowing the benefits. If you and your spouse get in a fight and she becomes vindictive and crazy enough to call the cops, its your career on the line. Make sure she understands that if she gets you kicked out of the Army, she receives NOTHING!!!
5. USE YOUR EDUCATION BENEFITS! Even when you are deployed you can be taking FREE college classes. Do you know how stupid you sound when you say, "no, I want to wait and use my GI Bill." You don't lose your GI Bill by taking classes while still in the service. There are plenty of opportunities out there, even for those who haven't decided what to do when they 'grow up.' Don't let these go to waste!
6. DON'T TREAT THE DEPENDANTS AT THE PX LIKE CRAP! If you see a mom (or dad) struggling with her two kids while trying to pick up a mess the 3 year old just accidentally made, don't just sit there and watch. Chances are her husband is deployed and how would you feel if it were your wife and children being ignored when you could easily help. Use your manners and some common sense!
7. TEACH YOUR SPOUSE THAT THEY DO NOT WEAR YOUR RANK. Fraternization happens between the ranks, not the spouses. Your spouse can, and in the modern world of computers, will make friends with other spouses outside your immediate rank. This is actually OK, as long as its not with your immediate Chain of Command. The likelihood that your spouses new playgroup buddy happens to be the spouse of your CO is minuscule on most posts. Even if it happens, their playground friendship isn't likely to expand to the soldiers!
8. IF YOU DON'T LOVE YOUR JOB, FIND A NEW ONE! The military is not the place for disgruntled employees. My husband's life may depend on how well you know and do your job. Unhappy employees usually don't do very good on the job! I would prefer him not be killed because you were too busy hating the Army to watch his back!
9. TALK TO YOUR COC IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM! By not telling your CoC you have a problem at home, you are inviting them to not care. Many good soldiers 'go bad' because they think their Command doesn't care. That isn't always true! If you have an issue tell someone, it might save your career!
10. BE PROUD OF YOUR JOB! It is often a monotonous and thankless job, but it is an important one. Be proud of it, I am!
1. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! This may be a duh rule but it has to be said. I would rather my husband get a call in the middle of the night to come pick your drunk butt up than lose him to days of paperwork at the other sad alternatives you might end up in!
2. DON'T DRINK UNDER AGE!! OK, again duh. I know you are soldiers and while I agree its not right that you should be allowed to fight and die for our country, but not be able to legally drink alcohol, it is still against the law! So, do yourself a favor, and stay in your room or at a buddy's house to do it! Don't go out and be drunk in public when you are obviously only 19 years old!! I'm not saying breaking the law is right, but I'm realistic enough to know you're going to do it anyway, so be responsible!!
3. ENCOURAGE YOUR WIVES TO LEARN ABOUT THE ARMY! I am so sick of young wives who know nothing about their husband's job, or the benefits the entire family receives as an incentive for said job. There are literally tons of resources for you to learn about being a part of the military, whether soldier or spouse- use them!!
4. DON'T LET YOUR WIFE SCREW YOUR CAREER! Again, this involves knowing the benefits. If you and your spouse get in a fight and she becomes vindictive and crazy enough to call the cops, its your career on the line. Make sure she understands that if she gets you kicked out of the Army, she receives NOTHING!!!
5. USE YOUR EDUCATION BENEFITS! Even when you are deployed you can be taking FREE college classes. Do you know how stupid you sound when you say, "no, I want to wait and use my GI Bill." You don't lose your GI Bill by taking classes while still in the service. There are plenty of opportunities out there, even for those who haven't decided what to do when they 'grow up.' Don't let these go to waste!
6. DON'T TREAT THE DEPENDANTS AT THE PX LIKE CRAP! If you see a mom (or dad) struggling with her two kids while trying to pick up a mess the 3 year old just accidentally made, don't just sit there and watch. Chances are her husband is deployed and how would you feel if it were your wife and children being ignored when you could easily help. Use your manners and some common sense!
7. TEACH YOUR SPOUSE THAT THEY DO NOT WEAR YOUR RANK. Fraternization happens between the ranks, not the spouses. Your spouse can, and in the modern world of computers, will make friends with other spouses outside your immediate rank. This is actually OK, as long as its not with your immediate Chain of Command. The likelihood that your spouses new playgroup buddy happens to be the spouse of your CO is minuscule on most posts. Even if it happens, their playground friendship isn't likely to expand to the soldiers!
8. IF YOU DON'T LOVE YOUR JOB, FIND A NEW ONE! The military is not the place for disgruntled employees. My husband's life may depend on how well you know and do your job. Unhappy employees usually don't do very good on the job! I would prefer him not be killed because you were too busy hating the Army to watch his back!
9. TALK TO YOUR COC IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM! By not telling your CoC you have a problem at home, you are inviting them to not care. Many good soldiers 'go bad' because they think their Command doesn't care. That isn't always true! If you have an issue tell someone, it might save your career!
10. BE PROUD OF YOUR JOB! It is often a monotonous and thankless job, but it is an important one. Be proud of it, I am!
Monday, August 20, 2012
I'm Back... with a gun post!
Well, after all, I do have an excess amount of boys in my life! And as we found out last month that Baby #3 is another boy, I just better get use to it! So, with that in mind, and a 3 year old who has a definite love of guns, I thought I'd do the big gun post!!
The past couple weeks has been crazy with hubby at Gunnery, but we did have a couple family events that allowed us to go out and visit him. A week ago we had a family BBQ and the boys loved seeing Daddy, "Daddy's soldiers," and "real guns." They were especially thrilled that the guys let them see the real guns and both boys got to hold Daddy's sidearm.
This past Saturday was family Day for the squadron, and we got to go out and not only let the boys play on the vehicles, but my husband's platoon was out on the range that day, so we got to actually watch them do a live fire. Though the firing point was a little bit away from us, we were at the base of the range tower and had an up front seat as the vehicles went out and came back in. The boys really liked watching the Bradleys drive past! So, that was the boys' fun for the week.
I've been struggling to find a good reference about how to teach such little guys about gun safety. Everything seemed geared to older children, but I don't want to wait. With an arsenal in our family, I want them to start learning now. Finally, this weekend my Mom found the perfect site. I like that the mom who made the website is a mom of multiple boys herself and therefore has the knowledge and humor that I can connect with. So, we'll be working with the boys on this starting immediately.
Next week hubby has leave so we'll be buckling down on the potty training for Keirnan, and maybe a trip to the gun range will be just the incentive he needs to finally get this! He turned 3 in May and has no interest in using the potty at all. Tomorrow he starts a 2 day a week preschool program and while they allow diapers, I'd like to get him out of them as soon as possible! (Plus, with baby 3 coming in under 4 months, I really don't want 3 in diapers!!!) So, I still need to talk to Will about it, but I am thinking it sounds like just the thing to get him motivated!
Well, its been a pretty good summer, and hopefully, I'll get back to the blogging thing. I'll try to remember to give an update in a couple weeks on how the potty training goes! And maybe later this week, a quickie on how the first 25 weeks of this pregnancy have gone. Here's a heads up: Owen likes to tease the OBs and has a very powerful kick!
The past couple weeks has been crazy with hubby at Gunnery, but we did have a couple family events that allowed us to go out and visit him. A week ago we had a family BBQ and the boys loved seeing Daddy, "Daddy's soldiers," and "real guns." They were especially thrilled that the guys let them see the real guns and both boys got to hold Daddy's sidearm.
This past Saturday was family Day for the squadron, and we got to go out and not only let the boys play on the vehicles, but my husband's platoon was out on the range that day, so we got to actually watch them do a live fire. Though the firing point was a little bit away from us, we were at the base of the range tower and had an up front seat as the vehicles went out and came back in. The boys really liked watching the Bradleys drive past! So, that was the boys' fun for the week.
I've been struggling to find a good reference about how to teach such little guys about gun safety. Everything seemed geared to older children, but I don't want to wait. With an arsenal in our family, I want them to start learning now. Finally, this weekend my Mom found the perfect site. I like that the mom who made the website is a mom of multiple boys herself and therefore has the knowledge and humor that I can connect with. So, we'll be working with the boys on this starting immediately.
Next week hubby has leave so we'll be buckling down on the potty training for Keirnan, and maybe a trip to the gun range will be just the incentive he needs to finally get this! He turned 3 in May and has no interest in using the potty at all. Tomorrow he starts a 2 day a week preschool program and while they allow diapers, I'd like to get him out of them as soon as possible! (Plus, with baby 3 coming in under 4 months, I really don't want 3 in diapers!!!) So, I still need to talk to Will about it, but I am thinking it sounds like just the thing to get him motivated!
Well, its been a pretty good summer, and hopefully, I'll get back to the blogging thing. I'll try to remember to give an update in a couple weeks on how the potty training goes! And maybe later this week, a quickie on how the first 25 weeks of this pregnancy have gone. Here's a heads up: Owen likes to tease the OBs and has a very powerful kick!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Disneyland with family (pics)
The week before Memorial Day Will had a week of leave so we took a last minute trip to California! It was only 3 days (plus 2 travel), but just about the perfect length for toddlers! We flew out Tuesday and enjoyed the evening getting settled into our hotel.
Wednesday morning we were up and ready to hit California Adventure. Since the boys have so little they can do, it didn't take us very long at all. It would have been much longer if we'd done the shows but seriously, how many 3 year olds and 1 1/2 year olds do you know that can sit through a bunch of shows!?! So, we went straight to the back of the park where they have the Bugs Life area and the boys had a blast on all the kiddie rides! I did too for that matter! I was a bit sad we were a month early to see the new Cars Land, but the Radiator Springs rock formation is awesome!
After lunch at the highly over priced Mexican grill, (At least at Disney World the dishes are huge! I was expecting the same, so we ended up needing seconds! I fell for this multiple times!) we watched (and danced at) the Phineas and Ferb street party and then went on The Little Mermaid followed by Mickey's Fun Wheel. By the time we'd finished, had a snack and gone through a couple gift shops it was time to head back to the hotel to catch up with Will's parents who'd flown in earlier that day!
After a nice nap for James and some downtime for the rest of us, my MIL and I went to pick up my SIL and her family, then we all wandered off to Dave & Busters for dinner and some fun! It was my first time at a Dave & Busters and I had a pretty good time and a very good steak! lol
Thursday and Friday mornings we were all up early to be at Disneyland at park opening. There are some things about Disneyland I really liked over Disney World, like the rides are still much like they originally were. Read Space Mountain is still completely dark and Pirates still has drops and is long! BUT, I was very disappointed by the lack of "magic" in the park. A friends husband says he prefers Land to World because it doesn't have all the extra 'fluff' but I call this the magic of Disney. Maybe its because I was raised in Florida and went to World at least once a year. But Disneyland doesn't have the extra little touches. Another friend who was raised in California asked my incredulously, "you didn't like it because of a shrub!?!" lol And really, yes it comes down to the shrubs!! At Disney World, every single bush is perfectly tended and formed, if not into a Disney character, than into a classic work of tree art! At Disneyland, the bushes were like every other bush in the area! But this is just an example, another would be the lack of Mickey heads! They are everywhere in Orlando and I went all day without seeing one in Anaheim! I was a sad kiddo!! (And yes, a bit ridiculous!)
But I overall enjoyed the park immensely! I loved watching my boys charm Will's family, since we don't get to see them but every few years (They hadn't met James yet!) and enjoy the wonders that Disney offers. They loved Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Winnie the Pooh, and poor James slept through Toon Town, while Keirnan ran around Donald's Boat and Mickey's House and saw Mickey again! They both even loved the parade! (I also got to enjoy Space and Splash Mountains!)
Overall it was a great trip and I am so glad we were able to make it happen. Not only was this trip a dream of mine, but such a great experience for my boys!!
Wednesday morning we were up and ready to hit California Adventure. Since the boys have so little they can do, it didn't take us very long at all. It would have been much longer if we'd done the shows but seriously, how many 3 year olds and 1 1/2 year olds do you know that can sit through a bunch of shows!?! So, we went straight to the back of the park where they have the Bugs Life area and the boys had a blast on all the kiddie rides! I did too for that matter! I was a bit sad we were a month early to see the new Cars Land, but the Radiator Springs rock formation is awesome!
After lunch at the highly over priced Mexican grill, (At least at Disney World the dishes are huge! I was expecting the same, so we ended up needing seconds! I fell for this multiple times!) we watched (and danced at) the Phineas and Ferb street party and then went on The Little Mermaid followed by Mickey's Fun Wheel. By the time we'd finished, had a snack and gone through a couple gift shops it was time to head back to the hotel to catch up with Will's parents who'd flown in earlier that day!
After a nice nap for James and some downtime for the rest of us, my MIL and I went to pick up my SIL and her family, then we all wandered off to Dave & Busters for dinner and some fun! It was my first time at a Dave & Busters and I had a pretty good time and a very good steak! lol
Thursday and Friday mornings we were all up early to be at Disneyland at park opening. There are some things about Disneyland I really liked over Disney World, like the rides are still much like they originally were. Read Space Mountain is still completely dark and Pirates still has drops and is long! BUT, I was very disappointed by the lack of "magic" in the park. A friends husband says he prefers Land to World because it doesn't have all the extra 'fluff' but I call this the magic of Disney. Maybe its because I was raised in Florida and went to World at least once a year. But Disneyland doesn't have the extra little touches. Another friend who was raised in California asked my incredulously, "you didn't like it because of a shrub!?!" lol And really, yes it comes down to the shrubs!! At Disney World, every single bush is perfectly tended and formed, if not into a Disney character, than into a classic work of tree art! At Disneyland, the bushes were like every other bush in the area! But this is just an example, another would be the lack of Mickey heads! They are everywhere in Orlando and I went all day without seeing one in Anaheim! I was a sad kiddo!! (And yes, a bit ridiculous!)
But I overall enjoyed the park immensely! I loved watching my boys charm Will's family, since we don't get to see them but every few years (They hadn't met James yet!) and enjoy the wonders that Disney offers. They loved Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Winnie the Pooh, and poor James slept through Toon Town, while Keirnan ran around Donald's Boat and Mickey's House and saw Mickey again! They both even loved the parade! (I also got to enjoy Space and Splash Mountains!)
Overall it was a great trip and I am so glad we were able to make it happen. Not only was this trip a dream of mine, but such a great experience for my boys!!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
So Long, Farewell, Auf Weidersein to you...
There are so many blog posts I have started in my mind and just haven't put to the computer yet! Maybe if I get time in the coming weeks I'll get on it! This one is a very important one though as the feeling are so raw.
As an Army Spouse of over 9 years, I have passed into the category of 'seasoned.' Hm, I feel like a steak now! lol Anyway, I have moved all over the world and said goodbye to so many people who have become important to me. With small children I do not have a need to look toward the summer in any way other than as military moving season. And the season is again upon us.
Our summer, like everyone else's begins with Memorial Day and BBQs and ceremonies honoring those we've lost along the way. This is an important time for me as over the years the lost persons who I've known list has grown. This year we added another name to that personal list. So, I would like to take a moment to mention three names that aren't just friends of friends, rather friends and the spouses of friends we have been blessed to meet along the way.
I salute you and thank you for your service Ed Dixon and Clint Sikorski, and much love to those they left behind, Jana, Oliver, and Brianna, and Mandy. Most of all I say thank you to a great friend, John Vaughan.
We have moments in society when everyone remembers where they were, the loss of the shuttles Challenger and Columbia, and Sept. 11, 2001. When you lose a person who is very special to you, you always remember that place and those feeling also. John was more than a friend in college, he was a brother, and I think of him every single day. And in honoring him, I honor every soldier who has ever died for our country through the centuries. Each man and woman who has made that sacrifice deserves to be remembered, not just at Memorial Day, but every day. Even if its just a quick thought or pray to say thank you, they each deserve it!
Now, being in the military community we experience another kind of loss more regularly, that of friends as they move away. I had to say goodbye to two very special families this weekend. Thanks to technology, we will keep in touch in a way that was not available to military families even thirty years ago. See, Facebook can be a blessing!! But, while we make fast friendships, we can sometimes lose them too. As the distance grows in miles it grows in differences also.
Don't get me wrong, the people who I was close with in Germany 5+ years ago still mean a lot to me, but the truth of the matter is, if it weren't for social media I would not still be in their lives or they in mine! We don't talk, but we "FB Stalk" each other, just to know how each other is doing. Today I saw a picture of a friends son enlisting. I can't believe he is already at that age! I haven't talked to her personally in a very long time, but through FB I have prayed for her through a recent hard time and am now celebrating with her on her son's enlistment.
This recent loss of friends I think might be hardest because I found a truly amazing group of women here in Kansas the likes of which I haven't had before. It seems with each base we end up at the dynamics of the group are so different. Here we have a close group of about 10-12 of us. In Washington I had two groups of 3-4 close friends. In Germany we each seemed to have 2-3 close friends inside a larger group. I attribute the dynamics in Germany due to living on a tiny base (about 400 soldiers) in the middle of the German countryside! It's all very interesting to me, but I digress... again!
Anyway, this time I also had to deal with my children saying bye to their friends. Keirnan was only barely one when we left Washington, so he didn't really understand what was going on, but now at three, he was devastated that his friends were leaving him. And this, of course, means my heart was breaking for him!! We sometimes forget or don't realize just how much our children understand at this age, but they really get it. I had only mentioned to Keirnan that the Nevins family was moving a couple times over the past month or two and not at all on the day we went to say bye. But when I told him it was time to go, he burst into tears and clung, and asked to move with them. These friends were the ones who were there for us through Will's deployment, it was a major growing point in Keirnan's life and James' first year! That is the way of the Army family though. People you've only known a matter of months become so important and trusted. By the end of a couple years, forget it, they are family!
We said goodbye to the Brennans this weekend also, another close friend whose son is one of Keirnan's best buddies. Talk about a hard summer for the kid, all of his closest friends are leaving! Our group has 4 boys about Keirnan's age, by the end of the summer Keirnan will be the last one! In the next month or two we'll lose the Knaptons and the Walkers as well. These ladies and their children have become very special to me, each in their own way. And while I wish the best for them in their travels, I can't help but be sad to see them go!
So, in true military fashion, its not Goodbye, just See you later!
As an Army Spouse of over 9 years, I have passed into the category of 'seasoned.' Hm, I feel like a steak now! lol Anyway, I have moved all over the world and said goodbye to so many people who have become important to me. With small children I do not have a need to look toward the summer in any way other than as military moving season. And the season is again upon us.
Our summer, like everyone else's begins with Memorial Day and BBQs and ceremonies honoring those we've lost along the way. This is an important time for me as over the years the lost persons who I've known list has grown. This year we added another name to that personal list. So, I would like to take a moment to mention three names that aren't just friends of friends, rather friends and the spouses of friends we have been blessed to meet along the way.
I salute you and thank you for your service Ed Dixon and Clint Sikorski, and much love to those they left behind, Jana, Oliver, and Brianna, and Mandy. Most of all I say thank you to a great friend, John Vaughan.
We have moments in society when everyone remembers where they were, the loss of the shuttles Challenger and Columbia, and Sept. 11, 2001. When you lose a person who is very special to you, you always remember that place and those feeling also. John was more than a friend in college, he was a brother, and I think of him every single day. And in honoring him, I honor every soldier who has ever died for our country through the centuries. Each man and woman who has made that sacrifice deserves to be remembered, not just at Memorial Day, but every day. Even if its just a quick thought or pray to say thank you, they each deserve it!
Now, being in the military community we experience another kind of loss more regularly, that of friends as they move away. I had to say goodbye to two very special families this weekend. Thanks to technology, we will keep in touch in a way that was not available to military families even thirty years ago. See, Facebook can be a blessing!! But, while we make fast friendships, we can sometimes lose them too. As the distance grows in miles it grows in differences also.
Don't get me wrong, the people who I was close with in Germany 5+ years ago still mean a lot to me, but the truth of the matter is, if it weren't for social media I would not still be in their lives or they in mine! We don't talk, but we "FB Stalk" each other, just to know how each other is doing. Today I saw a picture of a friends son enlisting. I can't believe he is already at that age! I haven't talked to her personally in a very long time, but through FB I have prayed for her through a recent hard time and am now celebrating with her on her son's enlistment.
This recent loss of friends I think might be hardest because I found a truly amazing group of women here in Kansas the likes of which I haven't had before. It seems with each base we end up at the dynamics of the group are so different. Here we have a close group of about 10-12 of us. In Washington I had two groups of 3-4 close friends. In Germany we each seemed to have 2-3 close friends inside a larger group. I attribute the dynamics in Germany due to living on a tiny base (about 400 soldiers) in the middle of the German countryside! It's all very interesting to me, but I digress... again!
Anyway, this time I also had to deal with my children saying bye to their friends. Keirnan was only barely one when we left Washington, so he didn't really understand what was going on, but now at three, he was devastated that his friends were leaving him. And this, of course, means my heart was breaking for him!! We sometimes forget or don't realize just how much our children understand at this age, but they really get it. I had only mentioned to Keirnan that the Nevins family was moving a couple times over the past month or two and not at all on the day we went to say bye. But when I told him it was time to go, he burst into tears and clung, and asked to move with them. These friends were the ones who were there for us through Will's deployment, it was a major growing point in Keirnan's life and James' first year! That is the way of the Army family though. People you've only known a matter of months become so important and trusted. By the end of a couple years, forget it, they are family!
We said goodbye to the Brennans this weekend also, another close friend whose son is one of Keirnan's best buddies. Talk about a hard summer for the kid, all of his closest friends are leaving! Our group has 4 boys about Keirnan's age, by the end of the summer Keirnan will be the last one! In the next month or two we'll lose the Knaptons and the Walkers as well. These ladies and their children have become very special to me, each in their own way. And while I wish the best for them in their travels, I can't help but be sad to see them go!
So, in true military fashion, its not Goodbye, just See you later!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Keirnan's 3d Birthday Questions
I found this 20 questions to ask my kids at their birthday each year survey through Pinterest and really loved the idea. I have decided it was just meant to be seeing as Keirnan turned 3 last week! (I found this about a month or so ago, I'm only just getting to write this though!) This starts at 3 since before then its kind of hard to get these answers from a baby/ toddler!!
Keirnan: 3 years, May 10, 2012
1. What is your favorite color? Black
2. What is your favorite toy? Books
3. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries
4. What is your favorite tv show? Mickey (Mouse Clubhouse)
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? dinosaurs
6. What is your favorite outfit? clothes with bones
7. What is your favorite game? candypops game (Candyland)
8. What is your favorite snack? grapes
9. What is your favorite animal? monkey
10. What is your favorite song? spaceships (Theme song to StarTrek:Enterprise, he loves the YouTube video)
11. What is your favorite book? Spaceships (from Grandma and Grandpa)
12. Who is your best friend? Beckett
13. What is your favorite cereal? Colors (Fruit Loops)
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? shovel (play in the dirt)
15. What is your favorite drink? juice
16. What is your favorite holiday? Santa Clause (Christmas)
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Baby Bear and KitCat
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? bread
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Astronaut
Needless to say Keirnan has a great love of all things space, bones, and dinosaurs! His birthday party is space themed this year at his request. I will of course get pictures and such up after the event on Friday!! It just amazes me that he is already 3 years old. Though he still has no interest in potty training, he does and says so much that I can't explain just how proud of him I am. He routinely uses please and thank you, and has even started with you're welcome! He is usually very polite and though rambunctious, plays so well with others and his little brother! I can't wait to see what great things he does in life!
Keirnan: 3 years, May 10, 2012
1. What is your favorite color? Black
2. What is your favorite toy? Books
3. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries
4. What is your favorite tv show? Mickey (Mouse Clubhouse)
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? dinosaurs
6. What is your favorite outfit? clothes with bones
7. What is your favorite game? candypops game (Candyland)
8. What is your favorite snack? grapes
9. What is your favorite animal? monkey
10. What is your favorite song? spaceships (Theme song to StarTrek:Enterprise, he loves the YouTube video)
11. What is your favorite book? Spaceships (from Grandma and Grandpa)
12. Who is your best friend? Beckett
13. What is your favorite cereal? Colors (Fruit Loops)
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? shovel (play in the dirt)
15. What is your favorite drink? juice
16. What is your favorite holiday? Santa Clause (Christmas)
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Baby Bear and KitCat
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? bread
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Astronaut
Needless to say Keirnan has a great love of all things space, bones, and dinosaurs! His birthday party is space themed this year at his request. I will of course get pictures and such up after the event on Friday!! It just amazes me that he is already 3 years old. Though he still has no interest in potty training, he does and says so much that I can't explain just how proud of him I am. He routinely uses please and thank you, and has even started with you're welcome! He is usually very polite and though rambunctious, plays so well with others and his little brother! I can't wait to see what great things he does in life!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
All things Potty!
Well, we have some highly exciting news... We're having another baby!! Eek, what are we thinking having a third!?! The boys drive me nuts, especially with Will gone this month! I'll tell ya, I am glad he was deployed last year before James was mobile, because these boys have so much energy and never stop!
So with the advent of a third child into our family, I have decided we are switching James over to Cloth diapers and am going to fully cloth diaper the baby! I am having a blast getting all this fluff- its truly addicting! I am expecting the first 2 diapers today and am so stinkin' excited! I was really surprised at how willing to do it Will was, I figured it was going to be a hard sell, but he went over pretty quick! I did a lot of research, and thanks to friends' views and recommendations, and the wonderful series on YouTube, Cloth Diapering 101, I am pretty sure I have the basics down. Now its just finding what brand I like, and works best for us!
So, I am starting to stock up on pocket diapers for James and waiting until we know the sex before getting more for the baby! Yeah, when it gets older, it can wear James' since I think he'll be potty trained around 2! I swear James will be out of diapers before Keirnan!
As to that, Keirnan gets the point of the potty but just has no desire to go in the bathroom! I know he'll do it when he is ready, but its so frustrating! He loves sitting on the potty and jumping up saying all done! But he'll fight the minute I suggest we take his pants off! Oh well, all things come in time, and he has been slow in doing just about everything. Look at his walking, he didn't walk until he was 15+ months old, but when he did it, he did it right from the get go. Maybe that means one day he'll just run into the bathroom, do his business and diapers will be a thing of the past!! With my lack of patience, I really like that idea! ha!
So with the advent of a third child into our family, I have decided we are switching James over to Cloth diapers and am going to fully cloth diaper the baby! I am having a blast getting all this fluff- its truly addicting! I am expecting the first 2 diapers today and am so stinkin' excited! I was really surprised at how willing to do it Will was, I figured it was going to be a hard sell, but he went over pretty quick! I did a lot of research, and thanks to friends' views and recommendations, and the wonderful series on YouTube, Cloth Diapering 101, I am pretty sure I have the basics down. Now its just finding what brand I like, and works best for us!
So, I am starting to stock up on pocket diapers for James and waiting until we know the sex before getting more for the baby! Yeah, when it gets older, it can wear James' since I think he'll be potty trained around 2! I swear James will be out of diapers before Keirnan!
As to that, Keirnan gets the point of the potty but just has no desire to go in the bathroom! I know he'll do it when he is ready, but its so frustrating! He loves sitting on the potty and jumping up saying all done! But he'll fight the minute I suggest we take his pants off! Oh well, all things come in time, and he has been slow in doing just about everything. Look at his walking, he didn't walk until he was 15+ months old, but when he did it, he did it right from the get go. Maybe that means one day he'll just run into the bathroom, do his business and diapers will be a thing of the past!! With my lack of patience, I really like that idea! ha!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Trip to DC
I love DC with a passion. Its one of my favorite places, along with Disney World! Since my family lives in Northern Virginia its always a must place to visit whenever we go home. Last month my great aunt died and though I have very few memories of her, I felt I needed to go home to support my grandfather. So, I found a great deal for the dates I needed and off the boys and I flew to DC. It was James' first plane ride and both boys did a host of firsts while in VA! Will stayed home because he couldn't get off work and had a lot of homework for his classes he needed to get done!
I was nervous about how the plane ride would go, but both boys did great on the first flight. I love flights that have perfect timing between meals and such! The second flight was threw the afternoon and James refuses to take a nap anywhere but at home or in the car- there is just too much going on! So, I knew it might be interesting, but I thankfully had some amazing people on our flight and one guy was more than happy to play with the boys the entire way. He said it was his way of saying thank you for my husband's service! So we made it off the plane just in time for some dinner with Grandma at Taco Bell! The boys passed out on the way back to my parent's house.
Keirnan got to sleep in a regular twin bed with nothing on the sides and did great- he didn't fall out once! Such a big boy! James got his first experience out of a crib or pack and play and did fairly well also! Mom had put the other twin bed on the floor in a corner of 'my' room and he slept there. He didn't fall off the bed until the 3d night! (And thankfully it wasn't a big fall. That was the same day he took 2 tumbles down the stairs! Poor Kid had a really bad day!)
The boys did pretty well at the funeral, I took them out into the hall for the second half of the service, but they sat still for about the first 10-15 minutes, what more can you ask from a 1 year old and a 2 year old!?! After the service, everyone went to my grandparents house. I feel bad saying we had a good time, but we did. I think the general consensus was that though Aunt Effie will be missed, her death brought the wider family together. As my second cousin said- she hadn't seen me since I was 3!! It was nice getting to meet and talk to members of my family I had essentially never met. And the boys had a wonderful time running around Nanny and PopPop's house, which meant so much to me as I want them to know all their great grandparents!
Friday evening we went to Rainbow (IORG) with my parents, for a pot luck and game night. Keirnan's friend Danial was there as well as my friend Erin and her 3 kids. Keirnan loved playing with Daniel, Noah, and Ryan, and James made a friend in Erin's little girl, Ella, who is a few month older than him!
Saturday Mom and I took the boys downtown to the Natural History Museum. It was interesting to say the least! lol James was grumpy on the Metro ride down, but cheered up when we got off the rail (Keirnan LOVED the 'train' ride!) and got some street vendor hot dogs for lunch! We walked the long way around the seriously too big USDA building and across the Mall to the museum in the very cold wind. When we got to the museum, it was all I could do to keep the boys from running off in excitement! We started with the mammals, which Jams loved, moved on to the Humans (Bones) which Keirnan was more than enthralled with, into the ocean and then dinosaurs areas. All of it was a success. Keirnan never stopped running trying to see everything at once. It was such a joy to watch my boys have such a great time in a museum! By the time we finished it was time to head home. James did much better on the Metro ride home, and both boys we're exhausted!
Sunday we all went to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum where the boys again ran round trying to everything! My boys love planes and spaceships, especially Keirnan. We even got lucky enough to be up in the tower when an AirFrance A380 came in to land on the runway right next to the museum. That was awesome to see, and made my day! After the museum we just had to make the drive to Fredricksberg for some ice cream. (Yes, we drove 2 hours each way for ice cream!) Carl's had opened for the season the weekend before we got there, so Grandpa had to introduce the boys to his favorite ice cream! They loved it, of course!
Monday evening the flights home were not bad. They weren't good, but they weren't bad! lol That's all I will allow myself to remember about the flights home! I might never get on another plan with my children if I remembered anymore! But we were all very excited to see Daddy waiting for us as we came out of the terminal!
So, that was our visit to DC. My boys got to experience so much, from meeting part of their family to seeing Bones, dinosaurs, and spaceships! And I'm so glad I got to see my family. I miss so much being away from them and hope that one day we'll be much closer and get to see them more! Now, I will eventually get pictures up!
I was nervous about how the plane ride would go, but both boys did great on the first flight. I love flights that have perfect timing between meals and such! The second flight was threw the afternoon and James refuses to take a nap anywhere but at home or in the car- there is just too much going on! So, I knew it might be interesting, but I thankfully had some amazing people on our flight and one guy was more than happy to play with the boys the entire way. He said it was his way of saying thank you for my husband's service! So we made it off the plane just in time for some dinner with Grandma at Taco Bell! The boys passed out on the way back to my parent's house.
Keirnan got to sleep in a regular twin bed with nothing on the sides and did great- he didn't fall out once! Such a big boy! James got his first experience out of a crib or pack and play and did fairly well also! Mom had put the other twin bed on the floor in a corner of 'my' room and he slept there. He didn't fall off the bed until the 3d night! (And thankfully it wasn't a big fall. That was the same day he took 2 tumbles down the stairs! Poor Kid had a really bad day!)
The boys did pretty well at the funeral, I took them out into the hall for the second half of the service, but they sat still for about the first 10-15 minutes, what more can you ask from a 1 year old and a 2 year old!?! After the service, everyone went to my grandparents house. I feel bad saying we had a good time, but we did. I think the general consensus was that though Aunt Effie will be missed, her death brought the wider family together. As my second cousin said- she hadn't seen me since I was 3!! It was nice getting to meet and talk to members of my family I had essentially never met. And the boys had a wonderful time running around Nanny and PopPop's house, which meant so much to me as I want them to know all their great grandparents!
Friday evening we went to Rainbow (IORG) with my parents, for a pot luck and game night. Keirnan's friend Danial was there as well as my friend Erin and her 3 kids. Keirnan loved playing with Daniel, Noah, and Ryan, and James made a friend in Erin's little girl, Ella, who is a few month older than him!
Saturday Mom and I took the boys downtown to the Natural History Museum. It was interesting to say the least! lol James was grumpy on the Metro ride down, but cheered up when we got off the rail (Keirnan LOVED the 'train' ride!) and got some street vendor hot dogs for lunch! We walked the long way around the seriously too big USDA building and across the Mall to the museum in the very cold wind. When we got to the museum, it was all I could do to keep the boys from running off in excitement! We started with the mammals, which Jams loved, moved on to the Humans (Bones) which Keirnan was more than enthralled with, into the ocean and then dinosaurs areas. All of it was a success. Keirnan never stopped running trying to see everything at once. It was such a joy to watch my boys have such a great time in a museum! By the time we finished it was time to head home. James did much better on the Metro ride home, and both boys we're exhausted!
Sunday we all went to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum where the boys again ran round trying to everything! My boys love planes and spaceships, especially Keirnan. We even got lucky enough to be up in the tower when an AirFrance A380 came in to land on the runway right next to the museum. That was awesome to see, and made my day! After the museum we just had to make the drive to Fredricksberg for some ice cream. (Yes, we drove 2 hours each way for ice cream!) Carl's had opened for the season the weekend before we got there, so Grandpa had to introduce the boys to his favorite ice cream! They loved it, of course!
Monday evening the flights home were not bad. They weren't good, but they weren't bad! lol That's all I will allow myself to remember about the flights home! I might never get on another plan with my children if I remembered anymore! But we were all very excited to see Daddy waiting for us as we came out of the terminal!
So, that was our visit to DC. My boys got to experience so much, from meeting part of their family to seeing Bones, dinosaurs, and spaceships! And I'm so glad I got to see my family. I miss so much being away from them and hope that one day we'll be much closer and get to see them more! Now, I will eventually get pictures up!
Monday, February 13, 2012
My Rockin' Body Journey
I am starting week 4 (The final week) of the Rockin' Body program and its been nuts! Ok, really its been a lot of fun, though a bit stressful trying to fit it in everyday. I have really come to love getting in my 45 minutes (give or take) of working out each evening after the boys are in bed! And when it ends this Sunday, I will probably keep at it on a modified level!
What is Rockin' Body? Its one of the many programs by BeachBody, the makers of P90X. And its done by Sean T, who also does the Insanity workouts. He is pretty goofy, but so motivating! Most of their programs are a bit expensive, but this one is only $28, after shipping! I took beginning pictures but forgot to get measurements until a week into it. So, I'm a bit bummed about that, but still can't believe the difference between just a week into it and 3 weeks into it, a couple days ago when I measured myself!
In 2 weeks I lost half an inch in my chest and an entire inch from my waist (read love handles!!!), which I am so stoked about! I am hoping to get rid of the rest of the little bit of chub on my back and thighs so if we do decide to try for kiddo #3 I am down to a good starting place and am already conditioned for working out so I can continue into the pregnancy!
So, how will I be modifying my workouts next week once the program is done you ask? Well, I'll be dropping the dance videos because I am just so white I can't dance to save my life! lol I'll be keeping the "Rock it Out" 45 min. workout 2 nights a week, and the other 3 nights on the week I'll do the 10 minute Abs and 30 minute Booty Buster workouts. Weekends will be my 'rest' days. (maybe I'll go for a run! OMG)
I thought about jumping into TurboFire or Insanity, but decided I am not going to jump into that at the same time we *may* be starting to try to get pregnant! So, I will wait and see what comes with that and keep on keeping with this for now!
The best part of doing this this past month is, I started out having to do the 'modified' moves with no jumping and smaller lunges, but have been able to slowly move off it and am now fully doing each of the moves! I never thought my knees would be able to handle this high intensity type workout again, but I have slowly built them up this month and am so happy about it! Maybe once its all said and done, I'll post the before and after photos. Will, and even I, can see the difference already! I love it!
What is Rockin' Body? Its one of the many programs by BeachBody, the makers of P90X. And its done by Sean T, who also does the Insanity workouts. He is pretty goofy, but so motivating! Most of their programs are a bit expensive, but this one is only $28, after shipping! I took beginning pictures but forgot to get measurements until a week into it. So, I'm a bit bummed about that, but still can't believe the difference between just a week into it and 3 weeks into it, a couple days ago when I measured myself!
In 2 weeks I lost half an inch in my chest and an entire inch from my waist (read love handles!!!), which I am so stoked about! I am hoping to get rid of the rest of the little bit of chub on my back and thighs so if we do decide to try for kiddo #3 I am down to a good starting place and am already conditioned for working out so I can continue into the pregnancy!
So, how will I be modifying my workouts next week once the program is done you ask? Well, I'll be dropping the dance videos because I am just so white I can't dance to save my life! lol I'll be keeping the "Rock it Out" 45 min. workout 2 nights a week, and the other 3 nights on the week I'll do the 10 minute Abs and 30 minute Booty Buster workouts. Weekends will be my 'rest' days. (maybe I'll go for a run! OMG)
I thought about jumping into TurboFire or Insanity, but decided I am not going to jump into that at the same time we *may* be starting to try to get pregnant! So, I will wait and see what comes with that and keep on keeping with this for now!
The best part of doing this this past month is, I started out having to do the 'modified' moves with no jumping and smaller lunges, but have been able to slowly move off it and am now fully doing each of the moves! I never thought my knees would be able to handle this high intensity type workout again, but I have slowly built them up this month and am so happy about it! Maybe once its all said and done, I'll post the before and after photos. Will, and even I, can see the difference already! I love it!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Recent Readings
I have actually gotten some reading done in the past couple weeks. And have really enjoyed all my choices. Talk about eclectic though, a historical romance, classic remake, and adventure!
The first was the romance. I am very particular about what romance novels I read. I usually skip most of the steamy parts and just enjoy the main story. Needless to say, its often hard to find good stories in the romance section. I have a few authors I just love. Johanna Lindsey's Mallory series was my first. I love those Malory's! I also love Jo Beverley and Stephanie Laurens. Between the two The Bastion Club and Company of Rogues are my favorites. My favorite quote is out of a Jo Beverley book! (And I have it quoted in the signature block of my military wives forum, as well as on my Facebook, and Myspace before that!) She even emailed me once to say how much it meant to her that I chose something she wrote as a favorite quote! How cool is that?!?! Anyway, I am currently in love with Stephanie Laurens' Cynister family. I have been rereading the entire series and finally got around to buying the ebook of their protege Giles Chillingworth! It was great seeing him fall!
Next was a book that has been on my shelf for as long as I can remember, though I'd never read it. My parents bought me the book when I was a teenager. Its called "Return to Oz." Its about Dorothy trying to go back to Oz when they need her again, but her granddaughter goes in her place. Its a very interesting story and I wish I had gotten around to it years ago. My favorite part has to be the names of the wizard's son (Ura Wizard) and the wicked witch's daughter (Ima Witch), oh and Itsa, her pet dragon! My sense of the ridiculous was peeked!
The most recent was a Clive Cussler. I have to say the man is a genius when it comes to the sea and adventure on it! I love his 'Oregon Files' books. Juan Cabrillo and his crew are such a dynamic cast of characters! (I love his NUMA Files series also.) This book was about a fanatical environmentalist who tried to create a hurricane and cause a major toxic oil spill to get the world to pay attention to global warming. Its a fast paced chase around the western countries of Africa that does not stop until the very last page!
So, if you are looking for something new and different to read, here are some great authors to check out, wherever your interest lies! As part of my Project 365 is to read every book on my shelves, I know I'll have more to share with you in the future!
The first was the romance. I am very particular about what romance novels I read. I usually skip most of the steamy parts and just enjoy the main story. Needless to say, its often hard to find good stories in the romance section. I have a few authors I just love. Johanna Lindsey's Mallory series was my first. I love those Malory's! I also love Jo Beverley and Stephanie Laurens. Between the two The Bastion Club and Company of Rogues are my favorites. My favorite quote is out of a Jo Beverley book! (And I have it quoted in the signature block of my military wives forum, as well as on my Facebook, and Myspace before that!) She even emailed me once to say how much it meant to her that I chose something she wrote as a favorite quote! How cool is that?!?! Anyway, I am currently in love with Stephanie Laurens' Cynister family. I have been rereading the entire series and finally got around to buying the ebook of their protege Giles Chillingworth! It was great seeing him fall!
Next was a book that has been on my shelf for as long as I can remember, though I'd never read it. My parents bought me the book when I was a teenager. Its called "Return to Oz." Its about Dorothy trying to go back to Oz when they need her again, but her granddaughter goes in her place. Its a very interesting story and I wish I had gotten around to it years ago. My favorite part has to be the names of the wizard's son (Ura Wizard) and the wicked witch's daughter (Ima Witch), oh and Itsa, her pet dragon! My sense of the ridiculous was peeked!
The most recent was a Clive Cussler. I have to say the man is a genius when it comes to the sea and adventure on it! I love his 'Oregon Files' books. Juan Cabrillo and his crew are such a dynamic cast of characters! (I love his NUMA Files series also.) This book was about a fanatical environmentalist who tried to create a hurricane and cause a major toxic oil spill to get the world to pay attention to global warming. Its a fast paced chase around the western countries of Africa that does not stop until the very last page!
So, if you are looking for something new and different to read, here are some great authors to check out, wherever your interest lies! As part of my Project 365 is to read every book on my shelves, I know I'll have more to share with you in the future!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Ours
Taylor Swift is such an amazing artist. She is too cute for wards, has a beautiful voice, and her songs always touch me! Her latest song "Ours" is one of those songs that I feel describes a part of me so well! In this case its my relationship with my husband. So many people over the years have thrown doubt our way, but while its not a perfect love, its ours and perfect for us!
Elevator buttons and morning air
Stranger's silence makes me wanna take the stairs
If you were here, we'd laugh about their vacant stares
But right now, my time is theirs
Seems like there's always someone who disapproves
They'll judge it like they know about me and you
And the verdict comes from those with nothing else to do
The jury's out, but my choice is you
So don't you worry your pretty little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
And life makes love look hard
The stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours
You never know what people have up their sleeves
Ghosts from your past gonna jump out at me
Lurking in the shadows with their lip gloss smiles
But I don't care 'cause right now you're mine
And you'll say don't you worry your pretty little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/t/taylor-swift-lyrics/ours-lyrics.html ]
And life makes love look hard
The stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours
And it's not theirs to speculate if it's wrong and
Your hands are tough but they are where mine belong in
I'll fight their doubt and give you faith with this song for you
'Cause I love the gap between your teeth
And I love the riddles that you speak
And any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos will be ignored
'Cause my heart is yours
So don't you worry your pretty little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
And life makes love look hard
And don't you worry your pretty little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
But they can't take what's ours, they can't take what's ours
The stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours
Elevator buttons and morning air
Stranger's silence makes me wanna take the stairs
If you were here, we'd laugh about their vacant stares
But right now, my time is theirs
Seems like there's always someone who disapproves
They'll judge it like they know about me and you
And the verdict comes from those with nothing else to do
The jury's out, but my choice is you
So don't you worry your pretty little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
And life makes love look hard
The stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours
You never know what people have up their sleeves
Ghosts from your past gonna jump out at me
Lurking in the shadows with their lip gloss smiles
But I don't care 'cause right now you're mine
And you'll say don't you worry your pretty little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/t/taylor-swift-lyrics/ours-lyrics.html ]
And life makes love look hard
The stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours
And it's not theirs to speculate if it's wrong and
Your hands are tough but they are where mine belong in
I'll fight their doubt and give you faith with this song for you
'Cause I love the gap between your teeth
And I love the riddles that you speak
And any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos will be ignored
'Cause my heart is yours
So don't you worry your pretty little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
And life makes love look hard
And don't you worry your pretty little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
But they can't take what's ours, they can't take what's ours
The stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours
Friday, January 6, 2012
Keep Your Enemies Closer
I've been thinking about this topic for awhile now, but haven't actually written it because I didn't want it to be a complaint, or construed as whining! Because some of my closest friends seem to think I'm the world's biggest complainer and are regularly telling me to stop whining. The funny thing is its usually while I'm stating a fact, not even an opinion, none the less a complaint! So, this is my attempt to write this without it coming off as a complaint!
I recently was talking to a friend and she said she never saw me as the one to be a stay at home mom while we were growing up. The way she said it was almost scornful, like she expected more from me and I made a bad choice in how I chose to live my life. The funny thing is, I didn't see my life this way either. I always knew I would marry a military man, and I always wanted a family, but I ALWAYS thought I would have a career also. God had a different plan for me and I struggled for a few years trying to figure out what that plan was after college.
He has blessed me by finding a way for me to stay home with my children in their early years. I know if I had a choice, I would be at work full time and my boys would be in day care. I still struggle some days to remember that I am envied by so many because I get to stay home with my boys. We are blessed enough to be able to live comfortably on just my husband's salery. (Though I'll admit we'd be a lot more comfortable if we didn't have the credit card debt, but that is for another day, and I don't regret $1 put onto those cards!)
Needless to say, after that conversation I really looked at our relationship. I didn't like where it had gone over the past 10 years, and as a result I decided it was time to move on. I deleted her from my Facebook friend list! I wondered if she would say anything, or even notice, but I guess I wasn't that important to her since I haven't heard from her in the couple months since doing so!
The conversation was with another long standing friend present, she agreed, and went on to make a few comments that bothered me, so at the same time I signed off the first friendship, I signed off this one too. The only response I got from her was a quick note saying she would get a book of mine she had back to me asap. That really hurt.
These two friends were two of my oldest friendships, they were the girls I grew up with, but things first started going south with our friendships almost 10 years ago. It became noticeable at my wedding, since they were my Maid of Honor and my Bridesmaid. You know there is a problem when you are saying by the day of the wedding, I should have chosen different attendants! Well, being my stubborn self, I didn't! Such is life, and we learn. So 8.5 years later I have learned that they are my past, and just as my adulthood is something very different from what I imagined, so are my friends!
Its beyond hard to let go of your oldest friends, especially two at the same time, but life changes, we change, and we can't dwell in the past. So, after a good cry over lost friends, I moved on. It took some time, but now 5 months after starting this, I have become accustomed to it and have found I can enjoy memories and finally let go completely!
As I start this new year, its with a great many good friends who may not have known me as a child, but know me now, and are happy to be friends with who I am. For that I am eternally thankful. Because while I have an amazing husband, two beautiful and smart little boys, and a bevy of friends who care about me, they are still trying to find their way. I pray they will find it and find the kind of happiness I have!
I recently was talking to a friend and she said she never saw me as the one to be a stay at home mom while we were growing up. The way she said it was almost scornful, like she expected more from me and I made a bad choice in how I chose to live my life. The funny thing is, I didn't see my life this way either. I always knew I would marry a military man, and I always wanted a family, but I ALWAYS thought I would have a career also. God had a different plan for me and I struggled for a few years trying to figure out what that plan was after college.
He has blessed me by finding a way for me to stay home with my children in their early years. I know if I had a choice, I would be at work full time and my boys would be in day care. I still struggle some days to remember that I am envied by so many because I get to stay home with my boys. We are blessed enough to be able to live comfortably on just my husband's salery. (Though I'll admit we'd be a lot more comfortable if we didn't have the credit card debt, but that is for another day, and I don't regret $1 put onto those cards!)
Needless to say, after that conversation I really looked at our relationship. I didn't like where it had gone over the past 10 years, and as a result I decided it was time to move on. I deleted her from my Facebook friend list! I wondered if she would say anything, or even notice, but I guess I wasn't that important to her since I haven't heard from her in the couple months since doing so!
The conversation was with another long standing friend present, she agreed, and went on to make a few comments that bothered me, so at the same time I signed off the first friendship, I signed off this one too. The only response I got from her was a quick note saying she would get a book of mine she had back to me asap. That really hurt.
These two friends were two of my oldest friendships, they were the girls I grew up with, but things first started going south with our friendships almost 10 years ago. It became noticeable at my wedding, since they were my Maid of Honor and my Bridesmaid. You know there is a problem when you are saying by the day of the wedding, I should have chosen different attendants! Well, being my stubborn self, I didn't! Such is life, and we learn. So 8.5 years later I have learned that they are my past, and just as my adulthood is something very different from what I imagined, so are my friends!
Its beyond hard to let go of your oldest friends, especially two at the same time, but life changes, we change, and we can't dwell in the past. So, after a good cry over lost friends, I moved on. It took some time, but now 5 months after starting this, I have become accustomed to it and have found I can enjoy memories and finally let go completely!
As I start this new year, its with a great many good friends who may not have known me as a child, but know me now, and are happy to be friends with who I am. For that I am eternally thankful. Because while I have an amazing husband, two beautiful and smart little boys, and a bevy of friends who care about me, they are still trying to find their way. I pray they will find it and find the kind of happiness I have!
Monday, January 2, 2012
I Don't do Resolutions, so Here are my 2012 Goals!
I know I'm 2 days late, but we were still on vacation and I barely got my Goodbye to 2011 out, and haven't gotten to my great (and lengthy) blog about everything Disney in the eyes of my 2.5 and 1 year olds done yet! So here goes my list of Goals to accomplish in 2012!
1. I know this one is on my list every year, but this time I actually have a plan to finish my MAS! I finished my last class the week after Keirnan was born but between having him, having James, moving to KS, and getting through a deployment, it got put on the back burner! So this will be the year that I finish my final requirement for graduation! I have to finish or else Will might get his MS before me!! (That's a definite no go!!)
2. Get my butt in shape!! If you look back to last spring you can find my post about how I'm a skinny fat person. (I really think I should patent that by the way!) Anyway, while I am the skinniest I've been since I started college, I am not in shape and have some definite problem areas. So, I will be working on that this year. I am not looking to lose weight, or look good, just be a healthier and more active me! I am starting this with a friend, who is a beachbody coach, and the support group she is starting for one of the beachbody workouts. Beachbody is the company that does P90X and TurboFire. I am hoping to get some more use out of my way awesome Cadillac of a stroller this summer too!!
3. Now that both boys are going to the CDC for a few hours a couple days a week, I want to start volunteering somewhere on post. I need something to keep me busy, but more importantly, to help me feel like I am doing something with my life. I love being a stay at home mom and I have an amazing group of friends, but I need/ want something that is just for me. And with the CDC thing not being a set thing, just hourly care, I can't really get even a part time job!
That's about it! They are pretty common things, but I think I can actually get them done and not just be the normal person who throws out their resolutions by March 1! So, here's to a new year that will hopefully make me a better wife, mom, and person!!
1. I know this one is on my list every year, but this time I actually have a plan to finish my MAS! I finished my last class the week after Keirnan was born but between having him, having James, moving to KS, and getting through a deployment, it got put on the back burner! So this will be the year that I finish my final requirement for graduation! I have to finish or else Will might get his MS before me!! (That's a definite no go!!)
2. Get my butt in shape!! If you look back to last spring you can find my post about how I'm a skinny fat person. (I really think I should patent that by the way!) Anyway, while I am the skinniest I've been since I started college, I am not in shape and have some definite problem areas. So, I will be working on that this year. I am not looking to lose weight, or look good, just be a healthier and more active me! I am starting this with a friend, who is a beachbody coach, and the support group she is starting for one of the beachbody workouts. Beachbody is the company that does P90X and TurboFire. I am hoping to get some more use out of my way awesome Cadillac of a stroller this summer too!!
3. Now that both boys are going to the CDC for a few hours a couple days a week, I want to start volunteering somewhere on post. I need something to keep me busy, but more importantly, to help me feel like I am doing something with my life. I love being a stay at home mom and I have an amazing group of friends, but I need/ want something that is just for me. And with the CDC thing not being a set thing, just hourly care, I can't really get even a part time job!
That's about it! They are pretty common things, but I think I can actually get them done and not just be the normal person who throws out their resolutions by March 1! So, here's to a new year that will hopefully make me a better wife, mom, and person!!
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