It's a BOY!!!!

This is Kaden, my very first nephew. So far, I have been the only one in the family popping out babies, but my little sister bit the bullet and bore me a sweet little nephew. My oldest daughter Ashley is holding him for the first time. He is about 2 months old in this pic, but hey...she lives in Tx, and I don't. He is such a quiet little thing, almost never cries, and is pretty content in general. Lucky bitch. Of course it's those "quiet at first" ones that usually cause all the problems later on....bwahahahaha!!!

What a cutie!!

Well hubby has been home for about 3 weeks now, and the reunion has been amazing at times, stressful at times, but completely wonderful no less. I forgot how stubborn we both were, but he is pretty great about giving me my way. As for the kids, well, he came home to a bunch of girls, and in our effort to promote family togetherness, he agreed to play Pretty Princess. As you can see the girls delighted in it, and me and his mother could not resist the urge to capture this precious moment on film. This is great stuff. Anyway, all is well here, and we are adjusting to having him home again.

The Reunion Blog!!

Ok, here it is....me and hubby's reunion!
These pics are unfortunately not in order, but you get the idea. The ceremony for the soldiers was craziness. Soooo many people there! It was loud, and overflowing with energy. I asked my neighbor Amy if I would recognize him, and she assured me that I would. So, we hear American Soldier by Toby Keith, and see our guys walk in. Wow! What a rush. I am scanning the rows, looking for him. After about 5 minutes or so, the Colonel dismissed them. I go dragging the two girls with me, looking for him. Finally, I see him. He looks a little different, but I figured he would. I go running up to him, check for the red hair, glasses, and check his name tag...I see the first few letters...BLACK...I grabbed my man by his shirt, turned him around, closed my eyes and kissed him. After a minute I hear..."wait, wait....do I know you?" It took a minute to sink in. I just kissed the wrong guy. Ok, stop laughing. I swear on all that is holy, this man looked JUST like my hubby. His last name was different by 4 letters. I took a step back and nearly cried. I must have looked awful, cuz he kept asking me if I was ok. His friends were HOWLING with laughter. I couldn't even talk. I just walked away muttering I am so sorry. After another minute or two of looking, I saw my baby. This time I knew. The first words I said to my husband face to face in seven months were..."I just kissed some other guy!" Yah. He started laughing and he picked me up off the ground and kissed me. I honestly don't think anything else existed at that moment. He was home. As we were leaving, we saw the OTHER guy. I apologized again to him, and my hubby actually shook his hand and hugged him. Hubby also said every soldier deserved a good welcome home...hahaha. Anyway, as you can see in the dirt picture, that was sediment from his boots left in my nice shiny tub. And Conner is doing his best to bond with daddy as daddy is still suffering from a little jet lag. I love the face!!
But, all is well here now, my soldier is home safe, and I can actually sleep at night now. I did it, made it through the year, and my reward is my husband.

So Proud

Ok, is it me, or does it look like these two were just caught red handed? I love their little faces! I babysat for a friend of mine last night, and her kids were sooo well behaved and so sweet that I almost think that she black mailed them! Kidding. But her kids really are so much fun to watch. Conner, my little runt, is only a month younger than her little boy... I'm getting a little self conscious. Why won't he grow? (LMAO)

Ok, now here is why I am proud. Ashley has a sort of "I don't like boys" crush on this little boy. And he acts equally intrigued and disgusted by her. We were sitting at the table having dinner, and Ashley broke wind. There was a moment of silence as I looked over at her. The other kids were all looking at her. I watched in anguish as her face turned a little red....and then...she looks up and says "what? It's just a little gas. Wanna hear me burp now?" The kids were of course hysterical after that. I sighed a breath of relief. She pulled it off. 5 kids at the table having a burping contest. Katy would have been proud. Of course this strapping young lad, not to be out done, impressed my girls by eating a 7 inch stack of pickles in just 2 bites. I must say I dared him to. I didn't believe him. I stand corrected. What a fun day yesterday was though, the first I have had in a long time. Thank God for kids, pickles, and body noises!!!

Conner's New Friend

I came home from Ashley's appointment today and saw a firetruck sitting outside my house. Men were running toward my building. I was panicking. Turns out my neighbor's carbon monoxide detector was alarming, and they sent out the firemen. My kids were looking out the window, and after 5 minutes of Conner crying "twuck, twuck!!" I gave in and went outside. The fireman was awesome! He let Ashley and Emma go inside the truck and even try his hat on. Conner kept reaching toward him, so the man held him for a few minutes. Conner normally hates guys, but he really liked this one. So, not only are these men heroes, but they are great with kids too! By the way, after our accident in December, it was firemen who stayed in the waiting room in the hospital, waiting for word on Ashley. And when Conner got locked in the rental car a few days later....yep...firemen who got him out safely. I think this guy said it best when he mentioned that they could all multi-task. Soooo, thank you to all the men and women who also risk their lives on a daily basis for us! And thanks for not making me feel stupid for the baby being locked in the car!

The Count Down

Well I got a call from my hubby yesterday...yes he's STILL in Iraq.
I know when he is coming home, within a 3 day time frame. It occured to me last night how fast that time will go until he returns home. Am I excited? Hell yah! Am I scared...ummm....a LOT! He has been gone a year. I haven't so much as seen a pic in 7 months. I am so set in my routine, and so used to being alone, that I am scared to death. What if he doesn't like me anymore? What if he thinks I'm ugly? What if we have nothing in common? What am I in high school? Hahahaha! I am trying to prep the kids for his return, and they are a bit nervous too. Can you see the anxiety on Conner's face? Hehehe. He was only 6 months old when daddy left. He understands that daddy is the man on the phone and in the pictures. This morning he called my grumpy bear daddy. I have a long way to go! Anyway, my nerves are shot, and I am exhausted. My 4 year old has been a little difficult to deal with lately, and I haven't slept much. Plus, I have a LOT of organizing to do. Happy blogging!

Any Ideas??

Ok, I am writing a book. Again. It occupies my mind during this never ending deployment. So far I have written a LOT of poetry, a few children's stories, a couple of commentaries, and I started on a novel about 2 years ago. This newest one will feature a few of my first REAL girlfriends...never really had any before. I need ideas for names for the book though. There is just so much to say. We have had tons of conversations about parenting, sex, death, fears, God, government....all usually outside while smoking. (Or not smoking) Summers were spent with about 12 kids all playing together, swimming in baby pools, barbeques, late nights with glow sticks...you get the idea. Plus there have been deployments involved, promotions, R&R in there...did I mention we were all military spouses? Ok, I have a general outline going on in my head, but I need a title that grabs attention. I don't suppose anyonw would buy a book called "Ghetto Suburbia" huh? Hahaha. Oh well. I don't normally have trouble naming things, but this time, it is a challenge. Oh well. Any suggestions would be great! I am so greatful that God put me here in CO, on this street with all of these women. I think I would have gone crazy otherwise. Ok, so when I am a famous writer, with a couple books on the NY Times Best Seller list, and a candidate for the Pulitzer Prize, and the Nobel Prize for writing, this blog will be famous as well...so be sure to leave a comment so I can mention my thanks to you! Hahaha. Did I mention I have a tendancy to think big and daydream a LOT? Hahahahahaha. Ok, leave me a comment.

There's one in every family...in this one, there's 3

This is just too funny not to share. My brother has been overseas for the past 4 and a half years. 3 and 1/2 in Germany and 1 in Iraq. We haven't seen him since he came back stateside in June. Here we are, my little brother, little sister and I all together again for the first time in ages. This is Christmas day, which we spent with our parents, step siblings, children and significant others. Did I mention that we were all in a tiny 450 square ft RV? (Not the whole time, just for gatherings.) Yep, all 12 of us.
Anyway, my brother's poor girlfriend wanted pics of the 3 of us together. Now, mom says that "us kids" can't take pictures very well, that we're morbid looking, and has compared us to the Addams Family. That is a direct quote. After several threats by unamed people, we finally got one good picture. But I think this one is the best!! My sister is 8 months pregnant, I was the ONLY one with kids, and my brother was doing his best to get drunk. We realized long ago that the best way to get through the holidays with family is by letting the wine flow. And the whisky, and the brandy, and the....need I go on? All things considered it was fun. And I even got to go see a movie. I'll tell you all about my trip down there another day.

Prayer of a Soldier's Wife

Lord I pray to you above, guard my husband with your love.
Keep him safe from those who fight to take away his precious life.
Give him hope when the days won't end, to know he'll be coming home again.
And when he loses those held dear, help him Lord to shed a tear.
Don't let him keep it all inside, let him mourn the friends who've died.
Give him strength to carry on, while honoring those who've gone beyond.
Please I beg, don't take his life.
Just one year I've been his wife.
But Lord if you call him back to you....
please remember I'll need you too.

Crap

So I went to the doctor today, to discuss my pending hysterectomy...then a funny thing happened. He told me I was going to get a shot called Lupron to put me into menopause. Within 6 months it will totally fry my ovaries. In which time I will get a hysterectomy. Does anyone see the sense in this one? Since I have endometriosis, he told me that I will lose both ovaries anyway. I didn't wake up thinking I would begin menopause today. Did I mention I'm 28? Originally the plan was for a partial hysterectomy, in which case I would keep my ovaries, and NOT go through menopause. I'm a little bummed. They've got me on Premarin for my estrogen replacement. Did I mention that I don't tolerate estrogen very well? Does my doctor know this you ask? Yes. Soooooo, Amy, Katy, Jennifer...if you don't see me or hear from me for a while...stop by, call...make sure I didn't develop a blood clot that traveled to my heart and killed me. Hahahahahaha....sorta. I'm a little freaked about it, but, if it means no more pain, then cool. But look...2 posts in a week! Go me, go me!! Ok, so if any one has had any experience with Lupron or Premarin....fill me in. Thanks all!!! Is it hot in here? Oh wait...maybe I'm cold now....bwahahahahahahahahaha......

What really bugs me..

Ok, so here is something that REALLY irritates me....
I am new (again) to being a Christian. I am studying the bible and various other books to make sure I am doing everything the right way this time. I got an email tonight about a lady who is trying to get all Christian programming taken off the air. So, none on radio, none on television...You get the idea. It would even take away Christmas programs. Now, first of all, aren't we a nation built by God? Don't we boast the right to live in harmony and allow everyone to believe what they chose? Don't we say we are a great nation because of the fact that we have such a diverse culture? Second of all, this lady can chose NOT to listen to radio with religious messages. She can ignore the Holiday programming. Most non Christians I know still celebrate the Holidays, and enjoy the various programs on this time of year. It is really frustrating that we (as Christians) are told not to force our views on people. That we should not spread the word, but worship silently so we don't offend anyone. Tell me where I'm wrong here, but isn't this lady forcing her own personal views on everyone else? She is doing the very thing that she is condemning us for. I just think that the anti-Christian campaign has gone on long enough. The one common denominator for ALL of the religions that I have studied so far is love. Love one another. Love thy neighbor. Love thy parents and children and spouses. Does she want to do away with love? What is a world without love anyway? What I am learning so far? Bad things happen, so have faith that God will pull you through. Remember the poor and the sick and help them anyway you can. Honor your parents...And yes, they mess up too. Raise your children to be kind and loving and charitable. Live in peace with those around you. Try to make the world a better place. I just can't understand why anyone would be against those kind of values. Someone, please tell me why a world of anger and hate and moral corruption is better? I just don't get it.

Just for you Katy!!

Ok girly,
Here is my 1st post in over a month! Just for Katy!!! LOL...not really....
So much has happened in the past 4 or 5 weeks, and I don't really know where to start. So I won't...Conner is screaming. Post more later!!