NYC

I got back on Monday night late from NYC. My mom came and stayed with our kids for 5 nights and I flew out and saw my husband for 4 days. What a city. It is great. So much to do and see. Lots of learning. Wow. I am so amazed that more pedestrians aren't ran over. The subway is great. Don't mind that at all. My favorite parts were Central park, Staten Island ferry at sunset, The chapel that stood at ground zero. Amazing. I could not live there and anymore than 3 days would drive me nuts. There are so many people and just the thought of living in an apartment where my kids couldn't be outside as much as they are now. I mean if they want to swing while I am making dinner that is great. I was showing Brayden some pictures and told him those kids can't just go outside. And he was like wow.
I am so glad to be home. I really missed my kids. I had so much fun with my husband. And am sad that he is heading out soon. It just seems so much more real when he is overseas. He travels so much stateside and so it wasn't that much different. We could call him every morning and text throughout the day. Now it is just emailing and waiting. I love you so much Jim. Be safe.

Kids and NYC

I leave tomorrow moring to go to see my husband one last time before he heads overseas. I am so excited to have 4 days with him alone. However, I have never left my kids before. I mean they have slept at my parents but other than one trip to the beach and one night in Portland. I have never been more than 5 minutes away. I know they will be well taken care of and all that and I am so blessed that my mom is coming to my house. (less to pack) but I am going to miss my kiddos and if something happens know that God and my parents are with them until I can get home to them. Brayden has mentioned several times today he doesn't want me to go. And I should stay with him forever. He is to young to understand all this. But he will be fine.
Another thing. Aren't kids just so cute with money. When we play store. Riley and even Brayden could care less about the paper money. They just want the coins. I love the innocense that my kids have. It is just so fun to hear Brayden say he is going to marry his babysitter who is 10 years older than him and Riley being such a mommy to her little dolly as she faithfully walks it around the neighborhood daily. And also keeps the little boy next door from pushing her. I mean he might hurt her dolly right?
I was cleaning the house earlier and it got me thinking What is my favorite room of the house. I have decided my bedroom. I love my soft cushy bed and I get to relax in here. Even if the kids are cuddling in bed with me. It is all good memories. What is your favorite room of the house? Do you love your kitchen? Bathroom because you love baths?

So, I leave in the morning. My friend Tami and I have a long day tomorrow. But we will enjoy talking, laughing and reading. So, it will be lots of fun. Then I get to see my hubby tomorrow night. YAY.

Cooking

For about the last week I have been watching parts of Rachel Ray. That woman makes me want to like to cook. I like to bake. I love the smell of baking and measuring the ingredients. I am a type A person. So anyway I have been watching Rachel Ray and she inspired me to go through my recipes. You know the ones that look good in magazines. So, i found several I thought looked good and took Riley shopping and we got all the ingredients. Well, last night was okay. Nothing exciting but it was devoured and all gone. And tonight was less exciting and I probably won't make it again. My kids hardly ate any of it. But here is the main thing I don't like about cooking. MY HOUSE STINKS. Tonight's recipe called for onions and garlic. Now I know Rachel loves garlic and cooks with it in like everything. But gross. As yummy as it is and good for you to. I just do not like my house smelling this bad two days in a row. So, I think tomorrow I will bake and right now I have a yummy candle burning. But we will take a break from the new recipes for awhile. I just can't take the smell. Oh and I think I will turn off Rachel. Love ya girl but I don't like how you make my house smell.

Stuff and single parenting

I don't know if I have said this before but I am not a stuff person. I am not one that goes shopping looking for stuff for my house. I am one who goes through what she has and says how can I get rid of stuff. It weighs me down and I just get a heavy feeling if I feel like my house is cluttered. Now don't get me wrong. We have pictures on the walls and I have a book shelf with books and "stuff" and my kids have toys. Today I was doing some tidying up out in Jim's shop and I started to have that feeling. Like we don't use this why do we have it. Why can't I get rid of all this stuff. I Love Ipods and computers for the shear fact that I don't have to see stuff. I don't like buying many DVD's because I don't see the point. I would love to get rid of the baby stuff but I am to practical for that. We are done having kids. (God willing) but I worry that what if when Jim gets home. Now the one thing I haven't gone over board with is the kids pictures and art and stuff they get. I love all there art and things. That we may get overboard on. So I have a question for you all. If you could only take 3 things with you what would they be. Clothes, tolietries and bible (Your going in a really nice RV, fully loaded) what would you take.
Mine would be a laptop, camera and my special blanket. Of course with this my husband and kids are with me.
Now, the single parenting. How do you get 4 year old boys to not get so upset about such small stuff. Yesterday was horrible. Brayden was just out of control and no matter what happened or what we did we had a complete melt down. Now today was great until the end. Right as I got out of the shower he freaked out. I guess Riley wouldn't play with him while I showered and he was upset that I got out before she would play. I think part of the better part is the fact that during quiet time I did art with him and didn't do all my stuff. I got up at 4:30 to do all the banking and army stuff I had to get done. So we have done lots of time outs in his room. He does not like that. Tonight he lost his books and only got devotions and bible stories. That was of course devasting. Then he said sorry for not obeying. I had to explain he didn't disobey. He just can't act like that. It is okay to be mad, sad, angry and all that. He just can't scream and wail. That won't be allowed. So I guess we shall see what tomorrow brings.

First day of Preschool

Today was Brayden's first day of Preschool. He was so excited and was ready and waiting. He wants to go back everyday. I am glad we are starting with 3 days before he starts 5 days with Kindergarten. He had so much fun and loves his teacher. She is someone who will truly shape his heart.
Riley and I didn't quite know what to do after we dropped him off. We came home and went for a walk. And just hung out and played. I don't think Riley quite knew what to do. She was grumpy. Then when I said okay lets go get Brayden she started smiling and getting excited. This is going to be an adjustment for her. And me.
I am so glad that he likes it. The whole school has also decided to adopt our unit and send them packages for Christmas. They are going to love it.
There are so many caring people out there and people that love my kids. Thanks.

Heaven and a great sister

I did some yard work the other day and I don't know if it is because Jim is gone and I have more time to think, Or if I just really hate weeks. But, I was pulling a few weeds which turned into there are weeds in the grass and the flowers need to be dead headed. Anyway, it all got me thinking about heaven. A friend of mine said that in heaven she wants to be a master gardener. So, I thought about it and something I am looking forward to (I mean besides God) is no weeds. Beautiful grass for miles and great trees that don't sprout other trees in your grass or leave pine-cones or poking things. Beautiful flowers that when they are done blooming (because I still want the changing of the seasons) the dead heads just disappear. I think that is going to be great. I am a doer. I want to be Mary. Who really gets it. I want to sit at my lords feet and not get restless. I want to be with the people I love and not be thinking of things that I have to do. That leads into my sister. Okay so we are very similar. Sorry Jodi. We both have a deep passion to know Christ deeper. To have positive relationships. And we both really love my kids. She is amazing with them. Now we are also so different. But, I completely look up to her. She is amazing. She has such love. She has great friends. She desires to see all her friends follow Christ. She wants to serve Christ as her life. That is a major priority to her. We are different because all those things that I just mentioned to her come before the things that are important to me. I like to have things cleaned up and put away, before I go make a new mess and do stuff. Nothing like coming home to a clean house when you are tired. Jodi could live in a seriously dirty room. But her friends and family know how much we mean to her. Sometimes she seems a little spacy. But, seriously I am believing she just has a lot of people in her head she is thinking about and praying for at all times. So, Jodi. You are amazing. You are a wonderful woman of God. I am so very proud to call you my sister. I had a lot of fun being open and vulnerable with you tonight. Keep up the work girl. I love you.

Happy Anniversary

Today is mine and Jim's 9th anniversary. Very exciting time. I cried a little this morning and Brayden said, Mommy why are you crying. And I said well today is mommy and daddy's anniversary and daddy doesn't get to be here. He said well mommy, Jesus and Riley and I love you. Later after going to visit his class he picked me some flowers will we were outside. That makes it feel a lot better. We are also going to have pancakes for dinner since that is Jim's favorite and Brayden suggested that for dinner.
Jim is so busy I have hardly even gotten to speak to him. He thinks after today things should slow down a little. I am hoping so. Otherwise I am worried that our time out there either won't get to happen or he will have to work. Oh well I guess that is life in the military.
Here are some pictures of the last evening Jim spent with the kids and Jim and his good friend Dan. Dan just switched over from the Navy and his wife and I are very close. They live not far so we will be spending even more time together than before.
God is good to give us such a great support system. I am also the family group leader for our unit and it has opened my eyes to other people to serve that don't have the hope of Christ in this deployment. So my prayer life has gotten even longer.
If you think of it please say a prayer for our men and women serving. As well as those left behind.

CLUBS

I have never been a clubber. I don't dance and am not a big drinker. I mean it is big for me to have one drink. But, last night a bunch of the soldiers and there significant others were going out. So we decided we would go to. Now to start it off. It was in Portland. An hour away. 2nd. They weren't going out until 9:30. Yep a half hour before I am sound asleep. And they were going to a very LOUD dance club. So, we went and am I ever glad that isn't the norm for us. First of all I totally see why people have relationship issues if they regularily go to those places. And what is the point of getting so drunk you don't remember what you said or did or how you got home. Why do stuff that will cause you to vomit. Jim isn't a big drinker either and we were talking about it on the way home and we just don't get it. I said I must be old and he said or we are just old fashioned. I don't enjoy the incredibly loud music or having to yell in peoples ears for us to have a converstation. I don't enjoy being pushed around or acosted by a woman who thinks the soldier I am standing by is my husband (which he wasn't, Jim had gone to the bathroom) and so she was in my face and clawing at me. I don't like having my space invaded.
So, overall I have once again come home and am so thankful for the simple life I lead and the fact that my life isn't that life. I never wanted that life and I am glad I am not living it now.

Crazy Times

Right now our life is up in turmoil. I am feeling on edge and I don't know if it is just rowdy boy or if Brayden is getting worked up about daddy leaving or what but Brayden and I are conflicting. He is such a great kid but lately he is so ornery with Riley and I feel like it is worse than normal. But then with all the stress in our life I don't know if it is just his way of getting attention or what. Riley is such a busy girl. She is a climber. She can get on the trampoline herself on the counters you name it that kid can get on it. I am so tired by the end of the day. But on to happier things.
We have had a fun summer. We went to the zoo, we are heading to the beach this weekend (Praise the Lord) We got a trampoline. If you have kids it is a wonderful way to use up energy. You can even put it in a small yard. We had family pictures done. They are wonderful. Thanks again Nancy. We went camping. And for the most part Jim has gotten to be with us. We are looking towards his leaving and he is full time Army now. So, we are heading to the beach this weekend for some much needed R and R and some quaility time before he leaves.
I am also excited about fall. We had a week or so of extremely hot weather. Which made me so thankful again that I have A.C. And we were watering for my parents, so not only were we glad to see the rain come and cool things down but also so that we didn't have to water so much. Something funny though is with a trampoline we used the sprinkler lots under it and the grass under the trampoline is so nice and green. We are glad that my family is back. They were missed. A month is just to long.
One thing okay two that I am not excited about with fall is extra clothing you have to wear and take with you. I love no socks and no sweatshirts and coats and all that. As much as I love being cuddly warm it just takes that much longer to get ready. And the fact that my husband is leaving (duh). Jim and I love Football and sweatshirts and just being cuddly in the fall. It will not be the same without him here. In so many ways. I am having a harder time this time. We talked about it the other day and we think it is because we know what to expect. And with the kiddos. Wow. Jim will miss them so much and they will miss Jim so much. Not to mention me. I have done enough single parenting over the month here and there to last. But, you do what you gotta do. We need men and women to keep us safe and my husband is proud to do that for us.
I also have gotten Brayden's school list. I can't believe he starts school so soon. Why do they grow up so fast????
Here are some pictures of our times and if you think of us please say a prayer that we do okay while Jim is gone and that Jim stays safe. Thanks.

God is Good

This morning was one of those mornings. It started out great. Playing, singing, just having fun. Jim didn't have to leave until 7 so that was great. Then we loaded up into the van to go to the post office and to take care of all the peoples places we are watching. (It is a lot of work) The water was loaded (one of the families pump went out so I have to haul the water to water their plants and pets) the kids were loaded all the stuff was loaded. I get in and I can't get the key all the way in the ignition. Now my first thought is Riley. She had gotten into the van via her brother and without my knowledge. I thought great she has put something in there and now it is jammed. So, I keep trying and nothing. I was so frustrated. Almost in tears thinking great. So, we moved carseats and all that to the truck. (thank goodness Jim carpooled and it was there) and went to the post office. On the way I called the dealership who told me it would be almost $300 to fix. Plus I would have to tow it there. Then I stopped off at the mechanic we have always used Westgate Auto. The one guy was like well let me just hop in and run up to your house and see. Well, he fixed it!!! Just a little juggling of the key and in it went. Praise the Lord. He then helped me transition everyone back into the van and we took him back where he lubed the ignition and away we went. $25. Yep that's right. I was saying sorry over and over to the kiddos. Not that I was mean I just had gone from a great morning to frustrated and upset. So, needless to say even when things look the worst they aren't that bad.

Catch up

It has been awhile since I posted and lots has happened. Jim ended up having to be gone most of July. The joys of being in charge. We did get to go camping and go to the zoo. The last 2 things I had on my list are coming up. This weekend is family pictures and later in the month we are going to the beach for two nights. I am so excited. I am dreading Jim leaving. It is coming way to fast. We started talking about it last night and we both were getting sad so we changed the subject. We have done this 2 other times and yet it seems harder.
On to other things. We found out Brayden gets the preschool teacher we wanted for him. I am so excited for him. He is going to have so much fun. He starts the week after Jim leaves. That will be a nice distraction.
Have any of you noticed how people who are very against the war. No if's ands or buts tend to be rude. Now I am not saying all but most of the ones I have met are grumpy, rude people who say they support the troops and yet are so rude about it you feel like saying please don't we don't need your kind of support. I say a lady at the post office like that. She had an anti war sticker on her car and then was in front of us in line. She was so snappy and rude. I just don't understand.
On a good note. As my kids get older it is so cute watching and listening to them play together. Brayden explains to Riley what they are doing and she mm-hmms along and they both end up giggling and having fun. I just love that I am here to be with them and enjoy it all.

Pets

Most of you know that a year ago we were given a puppy for Brayden's birthday. I am still sad (at times) that we don't have Charlie. Especially when Brayden talks about him. It makes me sad that I couldn't cut it.
I also believe that most of you know I occasionally will clean houses. I have been cleaning for a realtor lately. Houses that her clients have moved out of and what not. So today I cleaned a house that reminded me why I am not ready for indoor pets. She wasn't so good at keeping the cats from peeing in the house or whatever else she had had in there.
Now, Brayden has a strong liking to fish. So for his birthday my parents got him a fish tank. It is really nice and my brother got him some fish. However, we have already lost one and another one is on the end. Why does it have to be so hard to have an easy pet that doesn't stink or shed. The fish are really great. Both kids enjoy the fish. I just hope we can get some more and have better luck.

Men

Yesterday I was incredibly grumpy and upset at my husband. Ask me what he did and all I would be able to say is he didn't call when he landed in Portland (yes that's right he deploys next month and the army keeps taking him away) like he said. So, I did what any wife would do. I texted him. He texted back and said I will call you soon. Okay so soon to me means I am just getting off the plane, getting to my truck I will get on the road and call you. An hour and a half went by and no call. Me: hum, I hope everything is okay. So, I call. No answer. I call again a little later, no answer. Anyway I take the kids and head to my moms. Try again. Still no answer. So, now I am really wondering what is going on. He finally calls and I guess I kind of snapped when I asked what had happened. Well, he got defensive and we ended up arguing for awhile. Needless to say. I adore my husband. I love how hard he works, how he loves me and the kids. I read this this morning and thought I would post it.

MOMSense, May/June 2008

What We Love About Men
Men have some endearing, if not downright loveable, qualities.
by April L. Estes

In this age of male bashing and battling sexes, we rarely hear anything positive about men. However infuriating we claim they can be at times, we have to admit—men have some endearing, if not downright loveable, qualities.

Macho Attitude (or the reason they're the house pest control). We complain when men strut around and brag about various accomplished feats. But it's that same macho attitude that dictates they are the designated bug killers in the house.

Good 'Nuff Attitude Despite the times I point out my husband's untucked shirt or dirty nails, it's reassuring to know if I forget the vacuuming, my best friend might notice, but my husband won't. The day I was in labor with our daughter, I vowed I wasn't going to the hospital until my house was clean! So my husband began vacuuming the rug. When my contractions were three and a half minutes apart, he said, "That's good enough!" We drove to the hospital.

Muscles (need I say more)?

Math Skills Since I married a chemical engineer, I've found shopping is a lot easier. My husband likes to think I ask him to shop with me for his companionship. While that's an added bonus, it's really his math ability I need. Show him the price of two items and he can tell me the better value faster than I can whip out my calculator!

Logical Natures (why men sometimes lack fashion sense or style). Why can a mother always tell when a father has dressed the children?Could it be the corduroy pants in July? To men, clothes are clothes! (For more on this phenomenon, see #2 Good 'Nuff Attitude.)

Their Passions (not that fishing/hunting/ NASCAR/paintball/motorcycle again). Men normally have an all-consuming hobby that seems to take them away just as it's time to clean the house. Let's face it—these hobbies also provide us with some much-needed "alone time" for ourselves once in a while!

Frail Natures (watch out for his ego). Sometimes we have to walk on eggshells. But there are those rare times when men let down their guard and we get a quick glimpse of the little boy inside. During those moments we're reminded how much they still truly need us.

Ability to Focus (why dads can't watch the baby, fix dinner and check homework all at once). Since having children, my husband and I know where each other excels in our differing abilities. But I'm still envious of the way men seem to catch every word of their favorite show, despite the yelling toddler, crying baby, beeping oven and ringing telephone.

Making a Woman Feel Like a Woman Only a husband in his specifically manly way can make a wife forget about her cellulite legs and wrinkles and feel like the most beautiful, desirable woman on earth. With a look, a wink, a touch, they somehow make our "to do" list fade away into oblivion. How do they do that?!

Fun Spirits (if it weren't for men's fun antics, life would be pretty mundane). Perhaps that's why my kids scream for Daddy when he comes home. Hurray! The party's finally here!

Let's face it: We love men for simply being men. We love the way they don't know the difference between fuchsia and purple. We love the way they can live off the land for a week with only a cup, duct tape and a Swiss Army knife. And we love men for making women feel like women. Three cheers for men and all they mean to us!

April Estes lives in Georgia, with her husband, Jay, and three children Savannah, 7, Alyssa, 5 and Jace, 8 months.

This article first appeared in June 08 issue of MOMSense. Used by permission of MOPS International, Denver, Colorado 80231.

My Little man turns 4

So, 4 years ago right now I had delivered my boy but had yet to hold him. He had been taken to be observed because the cord was wraped around his neck and they wanted to make sure he was okay. Jim had called 5 min after he was born and was able to at least hear him crying. What an amazing 4 years it has been. I just adore that little guy. He is so fun. We have so much fun learning and teaching together. I am sad that he will start preschool in the fall. I don't like the idea of already being tied down by school. And it is just the start. I totally get why people homeschool. They get to have there kids home with them more.
So here are some pictures of my little man. Happy Birthday little man!!



This is 6 days after Brayden was born. We were still at the hospital and Jim just got in and was holding his son for the first time.

This ones for you mom!

So, my mom checks my blog regularily and I haven't posted in awhile. Like I told her I have been thinking about it but don't quite know what to post. We have been having lots of summer fun. However, we always have the looming deployment over our head. We just last week found out Jim will be leaving for about 2 weeks in July. Oh yes. 2 more weeks. Not all consecutive but it doesn't change the fact that he has to be gone and so close to the year deployment. I am upset. I am not upset at him but at our commander who knew for a month and a half. So, just as becoming the trend at our house this year. I am moving Brayden's party. (We had to move Riley's because of Jim's grandma's dying, yep plural) So, other than that we have gone to the blueberry fields. The gilbert house and my brother Ryan's for a fun morning of watching and feeding the fish. He has a salt water tank and the shrimp cleaned Brayden's hand. Brayden also hand fed the fish. He loves them. He doesn't know this but he is getting a tank for his birthday. He will love it.
So, here are some random pictures.

Riley keeping up with her big brother!

My brother Ryan

Today my brother Ryan is 23. He is my closest in age sibling. I like to think we are really close. And for his birthday our friend who plays with Rihanna was in town and because he is my friend too (more my husbands) I was invited. Rihanna is a very nice girl. Very friendly and all that. Kevin is a kick. We had great seats and because of the changes in the set we could see him very well. It was fun to hang out on his bus and with the dancers and back up singers. And while we were chatting with Rihanna we also met Greg Oden. Can I just say I have never felt so small in my life. It was a very fun evening/afternoon. My children were well cared for by my mother. THANKS AGAIN MOM!! And I am still incredibly tired. My ears aren't ringing anymore which is great. I am not really into that kind of music. I like Rihanna but only know a couple of her songs. So, the other bands that played were just a lot of thumping and noise to me. Anyway, here are some pictures of our time.
This is Kevin, Me, Ryan and Meggan (Ryan's girlfriend) at red robin

Kevin and I before the concert

Ryan,Me, Rihanna, Meggan and Kevin before the concert
Well, I am off to bed and praying my kids sleep so good. I need it. This mommy is getting to old for nights like last night.

Birds

I go back and forth on having bird feeders. With this time of year I love waking up early with the window open and hearing the birds singing. So I have been having my bird feeders out and doing really well with keeping them full. But after yesterday I have decided we are taking a break. I haven't ever seen the movie BIRDs but Jim told me there are birds after people. Well the kids and I were playing in the back yard and the birds don't leave. Now it would be okay if they were nice little pretty birds but they aren't. They are black birds and blue Jays. Now again. I am all for nature. But I mean seriously. If we are out please leave. So, I am on a brake with feeding the birds.

Why?

I have been reading a series of books that are fiction and placed in the 1800s. The girl in the book has been struggling with having enough time to spend with God. I mean she has 4 kids. A ranch and just all that stuff to do. It made me say yeah why doesn't she have the time. I mean back in the day there wasn't anything to do in the evening and what not. But then I went wait. We say we are busier now than ever. So, I thought I would evaluate my life. I have so many luxuries. I mean I don't have to grow a garden, wash my clothes, dishes and all that by hand. I don't have animals and a ranch. and for me. I don't have any hobbies really. And yet why isn't my time with God more regular? It seems like the more convient my life is the less time I spend with God. Is it just me or shouldn't it be easier to spend time with God?

In my head

I don't know how many of you out there do this but I blog in my head. I know you don't see all these wonderful posts but all day I think I need to blog about this or that.
Here are some things I already thought about today.
Green living, composting, playing in the sun, sunscreen, john deere, my precious children, my wonderful husband.
So, first I would love to know your takes on green living. I am for it. I just don't know how far. I want to do my part for the environment and all but then I think about all my conviences and I don't want to give them all up. So, some things I thought of today were finding alternative for the yard other than chemicals. I don't use many anyway but when I see some mysterious bug eating my roses I want them to leave. And when there is clover in my grass I want it to leave. But then I think about my precious children and don't want them touching the grass that was sprayed with chemicals and putting there fingers in there mouths. We also played outside this morning and I didn't put sunscreen on them. I thought they were just going to play in the sandbox which is in the shade, but of course being kids they didn't. So, I was stressed the entire time trying to get them to the shade. Yes, I know I should have just gotten the sunscreen. I am thinking now with the wonderful weather sunscreen will just be apart of our morning routine.
Here are some fun pictures of us in the sun the last couple of days.

Black eyes, fun and mothers day

So, this was taken the day after Riley got her first black eye. I am just sure this is where she will get her second one. She is a climber. Brayden wasn't. I think she is watching him though. She can get in the rocking chair and on the couch. She is a go getter. Her eye is already healed. It only took a week. It is still a tiny bit bruised but at least now I don't get stopped everywhere I go.



Brayden is in a new phase where he likes to take pictures. It is very fun to check out my camera later and see what I have. I have lots of pictues of the floor or side of my head or teddy bears. Also, my kids love to play in the tub. I have found that if I let Riley climb into the bathtub it is a great way to clean the bathrooms. She takes her dolly in with her and has started washing her. So fun.
Mother's day was great here. The kids and Jim gave me a gift card to JCPenny's and I got some cute clothes. And we had fun at church and we all napped. Can't ask for more than that. Oh and my mom helped my son make me a very sweet mother's day card. IT was great.