The time is near

WOW!! It is hard to believe it has been 2 years since Daddy got back from his last Deployment. We have done and accomplished a lot in 2 years, the biggest being Logan:)

We have also really enjoyed the last 2 years. We have had the pleasure of having visitors and taking a lot of trips and mini vacations.

The next year will go by fast. With God beside us we will get through each holiday, birthday, milestone, as well as the many memories I will hold onto.

As I sit here and ponder about the year ahead there is only one thing I can think to ask for, prayers. Please pray for Matt, to give him the strength and wisdom to complete his mission and come home safe to us. Please pray for Emma, Logan, and myself. That we may get through this next year with few bumps and that the kids stop growing (just kidding)

Christmas day

We had awesome Wonderful Celebration today. The day was great and very relaxing. The kids got plently of fun cool toys and goodies, Daddy got a new cigar case, and Mommy got her marbles back:)

I've been tagged

1.How long have you been together? October 2001- 7 years 2 months

2.How long did we date? We were married August 16, 2002 6 years 4 months

3. How old is he?30

4. Who eats more? Really I think we eat about the same. I have more of a sweet tooth and will usually eat all the sweats before he can get to them

5. Who said, "I love you," first? Matt

6. Who is taller? Matt

7. Who does the laundry? Matt does his own and I do the kids, mine, and household laundry.

8. Who does the dishes? Matt always does the dinner dishes while I get the kids in the bath or in bed.

9. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

10. Who pays the bills? I pay the bills but it is him who works the LONG hard hours day in day out.

11. Who mows the lawn?I did for the first time this last summer and loved it. With his upcoming deployment it will be my responsibility.

12. Who cooks dinner? I do.

13. Who is more stubborn? I am, Matt gives in or just does in hopes to not get me upset.

14. Who kissed who first? I think Matt did

15. Who asked who out? I had a friend talk to him for me, silly.

16. Who proposed? After we started planning the wedding Matt officially proposed 2 days before the big day. Isn't that how Army weddings go, rushed!!

17. Who is more sensitive? I am. I take things very seriously and tend to get my feelings hurt very easily. Matt just lets things roll off his shoulders.

18. Who has more siblings? Matt- 2 biological brothers, 2 adopted siblings. I have 2 siblings.

19. What were you doing ten years ago? A senior in HS. Getting ready to move out on my own. Already working full time as a nurses assistance at night.

20. Five things on my to-do list: read, have another glass of wine, spend time with the hubby, organize tomorrow, and probably have another glass of wine.

21. Things you would do if you suddenly became a billionaire- pay off debt and take a awesome vacation with no kids.

22. Three of my bad habits: being too busy, facebook, stressing out on the little things

23. Five places I have lived:Auburn, Nebraska. Springfield, Oregon. Butzbach, Germany. Columbus, Georgia. Carthage, New York.

24. Five jobs I have had: Ice cream scooper, Nurses Assistant, FRG Leader, Mom and wife, FRG Leader

25. Things people don't know about me: hmmmm, I having a really hard time handling the current situation,(I stresssssss tooooo much) but most of my close friends and family do know this, love to you all:)

I tag Deborah and My Mom

No School AGAIN

I totally live for Emma's 3 hour a day pre-school. It is a little rough in the morning. I have to wake her by 7 and usually she is crabby saying "I'm just tired". After I shu her onto the bus I enjoy 3 hours of exercise, Logan time, cleaning, really whatever, and I just get stuff done. BUT when the school around her have a 2 hour delay she does not have school:( And that is again today.

Looks like we only have a couple of inches of snow but the temps rose the other day and fell yesterday so I am sure the roads are a little slick and slow moving. We will see how the day goes.

Today we only have a few things going!! Mom's Club Holiday Party followed by Stocking Stuffing at 1 PM and than onto a Parent's meeting for the hourly day care that the kids use. All these "commitments" are optional and we just might have an easy day ahead:)

Proud Sad Moments

This last Friday we had our Deployment Ceremony and the casing of the colors. It is one of those really sad proud moments. As we sat there in a room full of Soldiers and there families it hit home how real this is. And how proud I am to be part of such a great Army.

Too much going on

It is one of the mornings for me. One of those really busy days with too much to do. So as I sit here at 6 AM I know what I am supposed to be doing but I really want to update this blog quickly, update photos, and sit around on the web for a few.

We have been really busy last week and will continue to be this week. After this week is over I think it calms down a lot with the exception of a meeting or two next week.

Yesterday we decorating cupcakes with the Mom's Club. Emma had a blast even though she ran right into a chair and gave herself a pretty little black eye:( Logan enjoyed running around the ladies house trying to get into all her cupboards and run upstairs. I made it about an hour before I asked Emma if we could leave. She was having such a blast playing with the other kids.

This morning after Emma's school the kids are off to hourly day care for the 1st of their two reservations today. Than we will come home for a couple hours before we head back onto Post for our 2nd meeting.

It is bitterly cold. Actually, it warmed up. It was 2 when I went to bed and now is is around 20. The snow is now packed and frozen, we are in for a long winter. Of course, the Jeep is in the shop for the week. The Honda does okay it is just slow and doesn't like to go up little hills and stop.

Ice Skating

Emma and I had a chance to join the MOMS Club for Ice Skating. We dropped Logan off at Hourly and headed to the rink. It was all too cute. Emma did very well despite the fact she was wearing skates that were 2 sizes to small. After we got her all squared away we went round and round, she kept saying only 4 more circles Mom. We had a Blast.

Christmas Tree Day

Yesterday we set out to the Tree Farm to find, cut, and drag our tree back to the Jeep. I have always enjoyed this and am always excited to go. This year Emma is sooo into Christmas and Santa and she kept saying "It's Christmas Day". On our way back home we stopped at the grocery store and Emma came in with us announcing to everyone that passed that is was "Christmas Day". It was too sweet but I did stop and let her know it was actually Christmas Tree Day and so she went along announcing to the customers at the P & C it was Christmas Tree Day.

Yesterday we drug out all Christmas decoration and got started a little bit. Matt put up the lighted Candy Canes and Tree nets while I put up my Santa collection and a few misc. wall hangings. It was the big Oregon VS Oregon State Civil War game so neither of us really wanted to get to much into the decorating thing. We will do that today and I will post a couple pictures tomorrow.

Kisses

While a physical kiss will not last 12 months the endless pictures that we have will last me 12 months of memories.

I am so stoked to know our photos with Bugaboo are ALMOST complete. There are over 76 fun cool pictures that I will have planted through out the entire house. We did 2 photo shoots, 1 inside and 1 outside in the snow. Once I get rights to the pictures I will slowly post my favorites.

Tonight, Matt and I are taking it easy enjoying the night. Actually.. I am upstairs on the laptop and he is watching TV downstairs. We packed up the Jeep tonight. 2 joggers, a bag for each of us, a pumpkin pie, beer bread, and drinks. We are ready for our 5K in the foot of snow and then onto Thanksgiving with with Sunderman's, Horrigan's, Adlers, and another couple.

We have so much to be thankful this year. Not only were we together but we had great health (and our families too) . The kids are happy energetic bundles of energy, and we have continued to learn positive things about each other. The next year may have it's trials but I will hold onto these memories until our next Thanksgiving together.

My love, prayers, and support go out to all my dear friends and family.

A nice easy night

This does not happen all that much, nice easy night's that is. Usually I am busy doing something or other. Tonight Matt and I are watch DVR and enjoying QUIET!!!!

It has been a very low key yet busy couple of days. I look forward to the next couple of days and the weekend. We don't have anything major on our calender except spending quality time together.

We will start Thanksgiving morning by doing a 5K in Watertown with another family and friend. It will be a chilly 3.1 miles (35 is the high) but we will bundle the kids and head out as a fam. We will than head over to the Horrigan's and enjoy a day full of food and fun with the Sunderman's as well. I soo look forward to some good food and fun. AND than getting up early on Black Friday and SHOPPING.

Not much else going on in the awfully exciting life of mine. Things seem to be settling down a bit. It is the rain before the storm, I suppose. This is a horribly hard time for me right now. I will hold on and enjoy all the extra time I get with my love but I am ready for him to get this show on the road. It is high time I get Emma on a disciplined routine. Logan will be fine, we have ordered him his Daddy Doll and will get the YMCA blanket as soon as it is available.

Getting caught up

This week I have been slowly getting caught up. Slowly getting caught up with the Emails, slowly getting caught up with the misc. chores that need to be done, slowly getting caught up with the pictures that need to be organized, and slowly getting caught up with the DVR. So tonight I am watching ER and uploading new pictures on both the baby-sites and facebook.

Tomorrow we have lunch bunch with MOMS Club. Emma has soo much fun, 4 of her friends are in the club too. Logan enjoys being around anyone that he can run after. Really anything that will keep his Mommy running after him.

Logan had his Well Baby the other day. The chunk weighed in at 22 pounds 14 ounces and 30 3/4 inches long. He had his shots and blood drawn and than was a crank the rest of the day and into the rest, I soooo dislike the shots the kids have to get.

A nice quite day close to home

Today is going to be a home day for the most part. It is the only day on the Calender we do not have to leave the village.

This AM I woke up around 6 and did not have the motivation to run. What I heard was quite and thinking to myself that I have most of the day I would relax a little on the computer. I organized my photos and uploaded a few new ones so I could post. (I will update baby-sites later)

Logan has his 12 month Well Baby today. I hope he does well with the shots. Other than that all I have to do is work on the FRG newsletter and organize Emma's craft cupboard. (Everything comes pouring out every time I open it)

We had a nice weekend. On Sunday we ran errands and came home in time to feed the kids and put them right to bed. Lately, they have been going to bed between 6:30 and 7:00. And I usually have to wake Emma at 7 for school. So we may be changing her bed time. Logan usually is up a little before 7. I have just a few more minute this AM and think I will Facebook:)

Where did the Week Go

I am not really sure what we did all week, seems to have gone by in a blur. So I will just do a week long run down. We had a good long weekend this last weekend. It was full of birthday parties and even some down time.

This week Emma and I got a day all to ourselves. I took Logan to Day Care first thing and than headed to Emma's school. It was so fun to be in the room and watch her. First the teacher had me sit in the reading area and read to the kids and than I got to step back and watch Emma interact with the other kids while she was supposed to be listening to the story. The teacher than asked me to be a customer in the restaurant and let the kids play around me. The kids served me food, waited on me, prepared by bill, and gave me play money. I really had a blast. Emma and I met up with another friend at McDonald's for some play and food. Emma and I finished our Day at Sam's Club. I have definitely decided I need to do more of these special one on one days.

Today Logan is being a bit of a pill. We went to Hannaford for a Grocery Store Tour with the Mom's Club. It was super cute and super fun. Emma has 3 kids from Pre-K that were there so she had a really good time. Logan was grumpy in the stroller but that is not out of the norm for now.

Logan is currently cutting too many teeth for me to count. I think he has 3 of his 12 month molars and is working on the teeth next to those. He is a BEAR!!

Matt and I are getting ready to head to the Hunting reception on post. The last 2 days have been post wide hunting here and at the end they celebrate with some food and drinks. Along with some nice door prizes. Another fun filled busy weekend awaits us:)

The Weekend is Here!!

This has been a crappy week!!! Not only did I have the FRG Drama to deal with but I had/have a horrible head cold. I spent the entire day on Wednesday hanging out and laying around because I had a horrible head ache and I could hardly talk my nose was so stuffed up. Thursday ended up being the same. We stayed in our jammies most of the day as I FINALLY got caught up on FRG stuff. Yesterday was a day out and about once again doing FRG stuff.

So Today starts a great day. Once again I spent most of the morning doing FRG stuff but it feels good to have been so productive and caught up. This afternoon we are waiting for Logan to wake up so we can go to our friend's kids birthday parties. It should be a nice day.

All in all, all is well. I am still not sure how I feel about the FRG mess/drama that was created by me on Tuesday but when it comes down to it it is really all about communication. I learned a little more about myself that night and the next day. I learned I need to ask for help, especially when my kids need my attention. Yesterday I learned I have an awesome Support Network in my companies FRG. We have awesome volunteers and it feels good to know I know longer have to take on all the responsibilities myself. Now, I just need to learn how to let go and not fret about it. Communication is really key. Not only in my professional responsibilities but in my personal ones as well.

REALLY????

Tonight my emotions got the best of me. I was given yet another task to add to my already full plate. All had to be completed at that minute in time, or at least that is what I told myself.

I have been a volunteer with my FRG for over 14 months now. I feel like I know what works and what does not work so well. I have been around long enough to know what is right and what is not. After voicing my opinion about the issue with our FRG I continue to feel horrible and really confused. I am wondering if maybe this is not the place to be right now.

The FRG has always had a very negative vibe. It has been known to be a total gossipy negative atmosphere. It has taken A LOT to get people back into it and get them to realize that it is a place for information and support. I have always been one to tell the ladies all my stories about all the support I have been given and how many great friends I have met.

I am heart broken tonight. I hate feeling the way I do about something I am so passionate about. But I now have that bad negative taste in my mouth about the FRG. I should not be around people that need that positive encouraging person. Right now that is not me. I hate that!!

So as I sit here and type because I really need to talk but my nose is too stuffy to talk I and filling pity for myself. What am I to do. What I need is prayers. I need prayers that God will continue to guide me in the direction he wants me to be. Is this a sign that this too is too much for me? I pray that my GOD will show me my way (and clear my stuffy nose so I can talk)

I dislike it when time changes

So it was a little before 6 AM when I heard a crash in Emma's room. Matt had headed out early to go goose hunting so I just laid there thinking "please don't wake Logan" Of course, it did. So I get up to go to Emma's room to investigate and she informs me it was "her boys" that made the big crash of who know's what. I smiled and went to go get Logan.

Emma's imagination is something else. On Friday when she got off the school bus and we started to get ready for our 2nd photo shoot she told me "Ms. Sandra" would be joining us for pictures. She told me "Ms Sandra was 10 years old and is sitting on the ottoman". Again, I just smiled and shook my head. Unfortunately, "Ms. Sandra was taking a nap when we took our pictures" Too freakin cute!!

This morning the kids are I our off to church and than will come home to get ready for Logan's 1st Birthday Party. The birthday boy is currently tearing through the house hitting and throwing everything he can get his hands on. The boy is a little turkey who will probably destroy everything we own. He is so rough, Emma was never this way. People said boys were different, I never thought they would be this different.

Halloween

Bugaboo Photography Photos

We had a super super busy day today. We had our second photo shoot with Bugaboo photo's. This time we got some good one's inside and than got the kids in there snow suits and headed out back. I am confident we got some good one's!!

This evening we started trick or treating with the neighbors. They so spoil the kids. We than headed onto Fort Drum at one of the new housing areas and totally scored. We spent about 45 minutes walking around and chasing Logan. Trick or Treating is exhausting!! We ended the night at some friends house. We had not seen our good friends in awhile. Logan shares his birthday with little Evie and Emma is just a year older than Calvin. We stuck around for few but headed out to get the kids home in bed by 9!!

Logan's 1st Birthday and Snow Pics

Emma and Logan had a blast in the snow!! Logan really wanted to run and play but could not figure out how to walk in 12 inches of snow. Emma made snow angels and enjoyed being pulled around by Daddy. Daddy also enjoyed 2 plus hours of snow throwing, shoveling, and clearing the vehicles.

Logan enjoyed sitting on his big Birthday gift as he opened it. The toy made noise and he could not figure out how to get it open. Unfortunately, this is also about the time he lost his balance and landed against my brand new pink Sony Camera so we had to switch to the old Fuiji.

Logan enjoye Pizza Hut's Chocolate dunkers for his birthday treat. He will be having cake at his little party this Sunday.

What a Day

Today's has been a LONG day. My back pain continued yesterday and through out the night. I was feeling okay this morning but still the pain was dull. When I tried to pick Logan up I felt the shooting radiating pain run up the right side of my back and I could not move. Thankfully, Matt was home and was able to get Logan set up with Breakfast. After making a call to my doctor I decided to head to the ER in hope of some magic pills and some answers. (This has happened before) After waiting almost 5 hours the doctor prescribed ALEVE and recommended that I go to my doctor and ask for a MRI. It looks like I pulled a muscle but without a MRI we cannot rule our a slipped dish, ughhhh!!! Of course, my doc cannot see me until next Wednesday. Thank God Matt is home so I can totally take it easy and not lift Logan.

After debating it and popping my Motrin I decided I would go with the family to the Sesame Street Concert on Post as Part of the Talk, Listen, Learn Program. We inches our way through the snow (yes, snow in October) and had a good time. Logan enjoyed it more than Emma because Emma was hungry since she did not eat all her dinner.

We have about 2 or 3 inches of snow around here. It is truly beautiful just not what I want yet. Emma wants to get her shovel and move the snow off the grass??? Matt said he will start up the snow thrower in the morning. I kinda hope we have a late start to the day. I have a meeting on post at 9:30 AM:/

Tomorrow is Logan's 1st Birthday!! (where did the year go?)Not sure what we will do yet. I am thinking maybe we will head to Friendly's and treat him to a ice cream Sundae. He is having a little party this next Sunday.

It was a great weekend!!

We have had another great couple of days. It is so nice to have Matt home with nothing really concrete to do. Usually when he takes leave we go somewhere or have someone here. We have been able to sleep in, do special things with the kids, and have much needed time to ourselves.

The weekend started with a in home photo session with a lady from Fort Drum. Unfortunately, it was raining outside so we were not able to get any outdoor photos. She was able to get a few inside. Logan would not cooperate and I was not prepared with special props. She usually only does outside stuff so she has nothing but a black background. We will hope to get some outdoor photos done in the weeks to come. After pictures Logan and I took a nap together and Matt got misc. stuff done around the house. After the kids went to bed for the night Matt and I ate dinner in front of the TV (a real treat:)) and enjoyed a few drinks.

After church today we went to the Zoo boo at our local Zoo. Emma is a pink unicorn and Logan is a scarecrow. They had a really nice set-up. They had a scavenger hunt at different points around the zoo complete with candy stops. Emma had a blast and Logan enjoyed riding in the wagon holding onto his pumpkin. The only crappy thing that happened was I hurt my back somehow getting Emma out of her costume in the Jeep. I am going to sit on the heating pad and hope it goes away. I have plans to finally meet up with a friend at the gym tomorrow afternoon. Please pray a good night rest with ease the muscle.

Playing with My Blog

I am continuing to learn more about this bloggy thing. I found a website that I could download a background (I found it on another blogger's page) and I have uploaded a few pictures from our past. What fun!!

We had another WONDERFUL day today. I know we will have many many more days with Daddy before he heads out but I am making each day special all on it's own. Today Matt and I took Logan to Day care and than headed out to Breakfast. We went to the Golden Unicorn. Their speciality is pancakes the size of hub cabs:) Yummy!! After Emma got home from school we carved our pumpkins, Emma had a blast watching Mommy and Daddy have so much fun. Emma and I than went and shopped at the local Dollar Stores and than came home in time for her to paint her little pumpkin purple!!

After Daddy picked Logan up from Day Care Logan came home for a nap while Daddy got to work in the mud room. He got ALOT accomplished today. He replaced 2 small windows and caulked them. He laid the new carpet AND put in the base boards.

When Logan got up we went out back and played and played. The kids were too cute. Logan insisted on swinging with the broom handle in his hand and Emma felt it was necessary to wear a hat and "globes" in the 48 degree whether.

So here I am tonight. Matt is finishing up with the mud room and I am sitting here feeling so so blessed. So blessed to have a beautiful family and awesome husband. The house of my dreams and the job of my dreams (for right now)!! Life could not be better!!

Logan's 1st Haircut

The time finally came where I gave up and decided to get Logan's haircut. I had known for awhile that it needed to be done but knew as soon as it happened he would lose the "baby" look.

So we took him to this adorable little kids salon in Watertown. First Emma jumped in the Jeep and had her bangs cut and than we put Logan in the little yellow car. He totally was diggin it. He really never got upset. As soon as he did start to get a little uneasy the hair stylist took out the bubbles. Oh, he was in heaven. He thought that was the coolist thing. This hair stylist (the owner) was so cool too, she totally took her time and made him feel very comfortable. In the end he did great and I am super thrilled with the results.

Pumpkin Patch

It has been a busy but yet wonderful last couple of days. Matt is on his last long vacation time before he deploys in January. We are really taken it easy and spending a lot of fun quality time with the kids. I will try to update my posts over the next couple of days.

Last Saturday we made it out to the pumpkin patch. Emma had a blast walking through the huge patch trying to pick up every pumpkin and proudly say here is our pumpkin. In the end we picked out 2 large pumpkins and 2 small ones.

Last night Emma helped me scoop all the seeds and pumpkin guts out so we could get them ready to carve. Emma did such a great job. She "degutted" almost an entire pumpkin before she asked to do something else. She than sat at the counter separating the seeds from the pumpkin guts. She loves to say "I am such a good helper"

More pics to come once we actually carve them.