No Way!

No way, has it really been three years since I've posted?!! I am shocked! Since I posted last, we moved to New Jersey (not Japan), we added a new puppy to our family, Bri came to live with us for good, we moved back to our home in Oregon from New Jersey, and we retired from the military!! Yes, we did it! Or he did it...20 years! Hopefully civilian life will allot me more time to blog...cause quite frankly, I enjoy it! Stay tuned....

I still haven't....

Do you think if you only post on your blog....oh, say once a month...you can still be considered "a blogger"?

I know time is going by very very fast because I still haven't...

Gotten serious about my "diet". My hubby has been on deployment for 5 1/2 months and I've just now decided to track what I'm eating.

I still haven't...

Visited everyone before I move to Japan in 2 months!! Flying to Sacramento in March, Illinois in April, and a trip to Bend in April to visit more friends!!!

I still haven't...

Decided on the major details. A little anxiety butterfly headrush all mixed up in one when I think of my honey coming home. I mean, what am I gonna wear, how am I gonna do my hair (because there is a BIG variation between pulled back and down), what shoes do I wear, do I need new undergarments?!!! Not to mention, I also think about these things with the kids!! What are THEY going to wear, are they going to behave, nap before or after he gets home?!! Ahhhhhh.

I still haven't...

Accomplished all the little projects around the house I thought I would in 7 months! And yet, here I am blogging.

I'm done! Just wanted to give all my faithful fans an idea of what I've been mulling over this morning!

Before I Was a Mom...

1. I got a full night's rest. And if I didn't, it was my choice to stay up late.
2. I ate the food on my plate. Now, little hands creep up from under the table and...
3. I never ate fast food. Now, it's a necessity.
4. I wore a size 5 jeans.
5. I took a shower everyday and usually by myself. Now, it's hit or miss and I always have someone right there.
6. I didn't need cookies or candy around for bribery.
7. I was the perfect parent.
8. My checkbook and the money in it...was mine.
9. My house was clean. Now, I can't walk 3 steps without twisting my ankle on a toy.
10. It took me 3o seconds to leave the house. Now it takes me 20 minutes to get shoes on, coats on, and kids buckled.
11. I didn't like silence and quiet time.

12. I never knew love like I know it now.

And Thank You honey for making all this possible. I love you. And making me a mom was the best gift you've ever given me.

My Little Ones

Zoe playing with Grandpa's coffee and glasses...doesn't she look like the next Harry Potter?!


Jaxon is the banana monster! Looks like I won't be making banana muffins anytime soon...the bananas aren't lasting that long anymore!

Zoe says...

As I'm trying to attempt my weekly (ok maybe daily) shower, Zoe yells from downstairs...

Zoe: Mom, can Jaxon and I go outside?
Mom: No, its cold outside honey.
Zoe: It's ok Mom, we'll put a sweater on.
Mom: Zoe, I said no. Mommy needs to get in the shower.
Zoe: But we want to play outside.
Mom: Zoe, its too cold outside and I'm getting in the shower so I won't be able to watch you out there.
Zoe: Mom, it's ok. We can watch ourselves.

*sigh*

Mom: Uh, No.

Zoe says...

The Love of my Life: Jason Fair

I was proudly posting this picture on my FB page when Zoe saw it. She always has something to say...

Zoe: Mom, is that my dada with that brown thing on his face?
Mom: Yes.
Zoe: On the beach when I was a baby?
Mom: Well honey he is on his ship right here.
Zoe: He is gorgeous Momma.
Mom: Oh yes Zoe, he is so handsome.

Conversations with Zoe

My sweet little Mini-Me says...

Zoe: Mom, Kitt is being mean again.
Mom: Zoe, what are you doing to Kitt to make him be mean?

Zoe: Mommy (with a giggle), you know all my tricks.



Breath in, breath out.

10 Things I Ask Myself Often

1. Am I normal?
2. Will the baby fat ever go away?
3. Will I survive this deployment? I answer this one all the time, "yes."
4. But then I ask myself, "will I be sane?"
5. Are my kids listening to me?
6. Am I a good mother? (I've accepted that I'll know for sure in 16 years, 3 months, and 9 days)
7. Am I doing what God put me here to do?
8. Am I doing my part?
9. Am I normal?
10. Is that my cell phone ringing?

Zoe says...

Since her Daddy left for Deployment Zoe has been having a hard time going to bed at night. Here is how I try to put life into a 3-year-olds perspective.

Zoe: Mom, I need a drink of water.
Mom: You need to go to bed. You are stalling.
Zoe: I have a tummy ache because I'm hungry.
Mom: And why are you hungry?
Zoe: Because I didn't eat my dinner.
Mom: Ok, its time for bed.
Zoe: Nooooo. I don't want to go to bed.
Mom: Zoe, do not argue with Mommy. Its bedtime. And Mommy needs Mommy time.
Zoe: Not Zoe time?
Mom: Not right now honey. Mommy needs a timeout.
Zoe: But Mom, you only get a timeout when you are bad.
Mom: Well Mommy is going to be bad if you don't go to bed.
Zoe: Ok Mom.

Deep breath.

I've learned...

1. There are clothes I can find in my size that I am happy with.
2. That my daughters questions about death are tough to answer.
3. That I love hearing Zoe talk about Jesus.
4. If I take a shower everyday, get dressed, and put on make-up...I feel pretty good.
5. That I avoid people in public because I'm afraid they won't remember me.
6. That many other people have that same fear.
7. That my daughters questions about her daddy being gone are getting easier to answer. Its been 36 days since he left and we have 170 to go.
8. Just now, that it feels longer than 36 days.

Good eating habits

Conversation with Zoe...

Zoe: Mom, I want ice cream.
Mom: Zoe, we need to eat dinner first.
Zoe: Daddy and Grandpa don't make me eat first.

Deep breath.

Zoe says...

Zoe and I were at the kitchen sink "working" together when brother wanted some fruit snacks he snagged out of the pantry. My hands were elbow deep in dish water so I asked Zoe to help Mommy by helping brother. She was ecstatic to help!

Jaxon: Eh, eh, eh? (holding fruit snacks up to me)
Mommy: Zoe, can you help Mommy and open the fruit snacks for brother.
Zoe: Of course! Here brother, sissy will help you. (and she walks them over to the table at Jaxon's snack spot)
Mommy: Oh thank you Zoe! Brother tell sissy Thank you.
Jaxon: Welcome.
Zoe: You're welcome Jaxon.
Mommy: Zoe that was so nice of you to help Mommy. Thank you for being a good big sister.
Zoe: You're welcome Mom. Thank you for asking for my help!

And today, this crazy everyday life is my dream come true.

Sweet Girl Makes Mommy's Day!

My sweet baby girl is in the stage of wanting to help Mommy cook. I love having her right there by my side (on a kitchen chair, of course) so I can pass on all my delicious meals! I don't use recipes so its definitely something she'll have to learn over time.

Her only chore is tapping out the soda cans that accumulate on the counter and she does quite well with it too! However, sometimes she gets side-tracked and loves to do the dishes too...although its not required!!

Putting my life into perspective

I complain I have to repeat myself to the kids.
He tells me he has to repeat himself to grown men, for the next 6 months.

I wince every morning when I crawl out from under my covers and my house feels cold.
He tells me his berthing (where he tries to sleep) is 85 degrees at night and humid.

I dislike going grocery shopping.
He tells me the ship is running out of food and has been eating Navy beans for a few days and food supply is still a week away.

I get frustrated when my internet connection is sometimes slow.
He tells me they haven't had internet connection all day.

I feel sorry for myself that I'm taking care of the house and kids by myself.
He tells me how bad he just wants to be with the kids.

I wish that I had 5 minutes to myself without the kids.
He tells me he is by himself.

I get disgusted that my sheets are loose on my bed.
He tells me his bed is 6' L x 3.5' W x 18" D. And he shares his room with 86 other stinky men.

I fuss at the kids when the house is littered with toys.
He tells me his entire ship stinks from the smell of dirty men creepy up through ventilation from berthing.

I wish I could get a full nights rest without a kid waking me up for 5 minutes.
He tells me he stands a 5 hour watch from 2 AM to 7 AM, then works a full day before he can go to bed.

I wish someone else was around to clean up the litter box. The smell is yucky.
He tells me he's been sorting through rotting debris looking for survivors.

I wish I would take each day, one at a time. And remember to be thankful for everything I have because really, its not all that bad.

He is thankful.

I Got Your Back

Although I wish I could give credit to the person who wrote this...the Author is unknown.

I am a small and precious child,
my dad's been sent to fight…
The only place I'll see his face,
is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone too many days
For my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad, but I am proud.
My daddy's got your back.

I am a caring mother.
My son has gone to war…
My mind is filled with worries
that I have never known before
Everyday I try to keep
my thoughts from turning black.
I may be scared, but I am proud.
My son has got your back.

I am a loving sister.
My brother has gone to war.
My mind is full of thoughts
I never worried about before.
I pray and ask God every night,
to keep him safe from harm.
I am worried, but I am proud.
My brother has your back.

I am a strong and loving wife,
with a husband soon to go.
There are times I'm terrified
in a way most never know.
I bite my lip, and force a smile
as I watch my husband pack…
My heart may break, but I am proud.
My husband's got your back.

I am a soldier…
Serving proudly, standing tall.
I fight for freedom,
yours and mine by answering this call.
I do my job while knowing,
the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I'll come home.
It's me who's got your back.

Facebook | Surface Force Ombudsman's Notes

Facebook Surface Force Ombudsman's Notes: "The Silent Ranks
By Robin Jones

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.
I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get
But my spouse is the one who does, this I cannot forget.
I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line
But my job is just as tough, I'm the one that's left behind.
My spouse is a patriot, a brave and pride filled person
And the call to serve our country not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free
My spouse makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.
I love the person I married. Soldiering is our life.
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Military spouse."

Zoe says...

I was heading out the door to take Zoe to school and I couldn't find my keys. I realized I had left them in the backyard the night before when I mowed the lawn. On the way to school, this is the conversation Zoe and I had.

Zoe: Mom, why were your keys in the backyard?
Mom: They were back there from yesterday when I was mowing.
Zoe: But, why were they back there?
Mom: Because I put them back there.
Zoe: No, Mom, WHY?!!
Mom: Zoe, I don't know!

Pause.

Zoe: Mom, you really need to tell me the truth.

Zoe's Family Portrait

My sweet baby girl is into drawing me pictures lately. I am so proud of what she comes up with. I save everything! I think I need a storage room for everything I save...

*wink-wink* I know my husband is cringing right now!! I love you honey!

What is that?!

Since JT left for deployment I've done a very good job at keeping myself busy. After the kids go to bed, I moonlight out in the garage creating all sorts of goodies!!

My brother and his wife are getting their house re-decorated this deployment. Oh I sure hope they don't tell me to stop! I'm having too much fun!!

Here is my masterpiece. It's an old Ethan Allen hutch that has long been overdue for a makeover. Ethan would be so upset if he saw how it looked.

Note: Its really not blue inside the hutch...its all black. And its nicely distressed courtesy of my very dull hand planer.

Here my friends is a set of closet doors/shutters we slapped a little bit of paint on and added some hooks...walllaa! Now they hide the big gaping hole my brother and I cut in his armoire to get his TV to fit. Shhhh! No one has to know!!

This lovely milk can here had more bondo than a 1977 Station Wagon. My flat black spray can and I had a date night in the garage and this is how it turned out! It now works as a great filler in the corner!

Piece of scrap barn wood laying around the garage + craft paint + a set of stencils = A really cute sign for their great room!

Here is another THING laying around my garage. Its an old cabinet door turned chalkboard. Look closely...I even added a few square nails below for them to hang their keys on!!

Sleepy girl!

I went upstairs a few days ago to wake Zoe up from her nap. This is what I found...

A beautiful sleeping princess.

And everytime the flash went off, I got a new look.

And this is when I knew she had enough.

I love you Zoe Marie. I miss you so bad when you are sleeping...I couldn't help it honey!

10 things I've realized today...

1. I'm stronger than I think I am.

2. My waistline is expanding quickly. Seriously, he's been gone 5 days and I've gained 7 lbs.

3. I need a walking buddy.

4. 3-year-old girls have a very hard time when their daddy's leave.

5. Mommy's dealing with that 3-year-old have it worse.

6. The yard is getting taller in between mowings.

7. Decorating my brother and sis-in-laws house is keeping me busy. I just hope they don't get tired of me!

8. I work more than 40 hours a week.

9. My work from home job has ruined my ability to ever have a job outside the home.

10. Just when I think I have it rough, someone else has it worse.

Um, where is the pop-tart?!

So this is a beautiful cabinet my husband bought me (off CL) to store the kids' scarves, hats, mittens, and snow gear for the winter. Its also a great antique piece to add to my decor! My plans were to paint it black however, when we got it home I really like the distressed look of it...so I'll leave it just the way it is...this week!
When I opened up the cabinet doors to take a picture to show everyone...there WAS a pop-tart right here. Smushed in between the drawer and the cabinet doors. I quickly ran to get my camera because I thought it was a perfect blog moment. I also wanted to send the picture to my husband (who is on deployment) to show him what the kids do while he is gone.

I thought for a second that my new cabinet came with a mouse. Until I realized that my toddler was just a few feet away with the remnants of a pop-tart still on his face!

The Culprit:

I maybe a little premature...

But I've come up with more reasons to love Fall...

SLIPPERS! My kids love their slippers!

P.S. Don't mind the littl girl in the background. She was just confused why I was so excited to take a picture of Jaxon's slippers!

Creative indoor activities! Zoe was painting this morning and didn't want to ruin her dress. However, I couldn't find her painting smock so she wore my painting apron!

And trust me, I'm not done with the "reasons to love Fall" posts!

I just have to show you this...

My lovely computer has been in our family for 5 years now. Its served its purpose well and has been used and abused by every kid in the family. I havebeenexperiencing major problems with the keyboard lately. You'll notice that occasionally the spacebar doesn't work and quite often random letters on the keyboard stick or just don't type at all. Ironically,they are all functioning just fine right now, except forthat silly spacebar!

Here is a test of the keyboard system at the Fair FamilyTimes. There goes the spacebar. Come on lettes, there goes he R and the T in the. Oh how amusing! I could type all day aughing t this thing. Do you see the L and the A missing?! I'm telling you...my 85 wpm makes it difficult to catch these mistakes! It takes a lot of backspacing to clear thoseerrors! See the spacebar showed its behavorial problems in that sentence! I swear, it really isn't user error There went the period. I am even making sue I hit all te buttons - the R and H messed up in that sentence And theregoes the period and the spacebar again! Does anyone feel bad enough to searh for a keyboard at the next garage sale?! Thanks for listening. I'm done now.

Rotten fruit?!

I have to say that I am SUPER DUPER excited for Fall! I love this time of year! I love decorating for fall, the changing of the trees, crisp dewy mornings, good food, coffee, and family and friends gathered around tables! Instead of the weekly banana nut bread my kids get from the rotted bananas on my counter...I tried Banana Muffins! My poor kids, right?! Nonetheless, the muffins were excellent!

Let me just say that I've baked over 3 batches of cookie in the past week. I can already feel my waistband expanding. I should have taken my summer diet a little more serious.

I love this stage!

Zoe and I were negotiating bath time. She really wanted to take a bath but I wanted to take a shower. So I ask her if she wants to take a bath in the jacuzzi tub while I'm in the shower. Zoe says, "Well that's a very good idea!"