Life as a military wife

So today is an exciting day. First off Jim and I are going on a date. We had one scheduled last week but when Brayden got sick we didn't feel good about leaving him. Even if it was with my sister and mom is around the corner. So, we stayed home. So, we are going to dinner, shopping for Brayden's birthday and maybe a movie. I think that is dependant on if Brayden spends the night with Grandma or not. We also scheduled a day at the zoo. We have been wanting to take Brayden for a long time and just haven't gotten there. So we scheduled a week day where Jim would skip the office. (it is nice being self employed) Well, all was good as Brayden and I got to the library for story time, then I got the call. Okay you must all understand. Ever since Jim was gone overseas I get nervous when the words Battalion called or I have some bad news are told to me. So, the first thing he says I have some bad news, Battalion called. My heart always stops and I hold my breath. But all it was is that he has to go out of town for a few days and won't be able to do the zoo. He will still be here for camping and Brayden's birthday and he will be in our time zone and all that so it is fine. So, anyway tonight we will be discussing his wording on when he has to leave. He cracks me up. As long as he isn't going overseas to a dangerous local I am fine. I mean yes it isn't the most fun but he is safe and sound.

Sad, Please Pray

Yesterday was a sad day. I mean it didn't start out sad. My friend from Portland came down to visit and we had a nice time. Brayden had been having bad dreams I think cause he was crying out in his sleep and he fell asleep on the floor while we were visiting. Not at all like him. He usually doesn't stop moving. So, he didn't have a long enough nap but held up pretty well. We were able to enjoy playing outside in the sand box and little swimming pool as it wasn't as hot. Jim was working late so we were invited to my parents for dinner. Mom bathed Brayden and I cleaned up dinner. A nice change every once in awhile. Then we came home. Thats when I got the call. I checked the messages and there was one from my dear friend Miranda. We have been friends for oh probably 15 years. We used to be inseperable but life has changed that some. We are still friends just not like we used to. But, she sounded upset and she asked if I could call her cause I would understand. Something had happened in her family. So, I said hi to Jim and put Brayden to bed. I called her and Roger her brother is getting divorced. It is so sad. His wife has just decided they have to many problems and she doesn't want counseling and doesn't want to forgive and move forward. They have been married almost 5 years and no one has cheated or anything. So, please pray for restoration of their marriage. I am praying and since they live around the corner I am going to offer prayer. Please pray that I also say the right things. Open her heart to counseling and restoration. The more prayer we can get the better. She has already moved out and her parents don't want her to talk to him because, get this, THEY don't want the emotional rollercoaster. We have to cover them in prayer. We need to fight for there marriage especially if they have given up. Marriage is such a disposable thing these days and as christians we have to do what we can to help our fellow believers when they are down and unable to hear God talking to them. Thanks for your prayers.

April 28, 2006 Brayden's first offical Beach Trip

We decided to venture out from the norm. We usually go to Lincoln City because it is close and we know what is there. But this time Jim said let's head to Cannon Beach. As I had never been there I thought it was a great idea. So, we arrived Friday afternoon and it was beautiful. Sunny and clear a little windy but all of us who live in Oregon know that is just what going to the beach is all about. We checked into our inn. WOW. It was so cool. It was very cozy and just beautiful. They gave Brayden a shovel and pail and we set off to the beach. He loved it. He was digging and dumping like crazy. He thought is was great. After walking and playing for awhile we headed off to a neat resturant, where we discovered Brayden likes Asparagus. Yeah. Once more our little one surprises us with how much he likes veggies. After dinner we headed back to the hotel and walked on some of the trails. Nothing exciting really just beautiful trails in the center of all the rooms. They lead up to a man made waterfall and pond. There were some fish in there and Brayden thought they were cool. Lots of people also brought their dogs which Brayden also thinks is great. We spent most of the weekend hearing "ease, ease" as we have taught him to ask before petting peoples dogs. At bedtime Brayden slept in the 2nd Queen bed. It took him a little longer to fall asleep but he did great. I didn't sleep well because I worried that he would fall out. Which he did not.
Saturday we woke up early to a beautiful morning. It wasn't even windy. After we did the continental breakfast thing we headed down to the beach. Brayden once again loved it and I took him in the water and also found some starfish and sea things. He was gentle and thought it was cool. He had no fear poking them. We came back to the hotel wet, cold and very happy. After we got cleaned up we headed into town. We got Brayden a kite and then it started to rain. So we ate an early lunch and headed back to the hotel to watch movies and take a nap. It rained the rest of the day so we just ate dinner and played in the hotel.
Sunday we went out to breakfast and down to the beach again for awhile. No wind again. We tried to fly Bryden's kite. Or I should say Jim tried, bless his heart. It did not work. So, after awhile we went and packed up and headed home to a beautiful warm day and a bbq with some friends.

My week

Okay so my week has been so wonderful. Nothing spectacular has happened, except that today Jim told me he respects what I do, I got a pedicure, and Brayden is offically sick.
So earlier in the week we went to look at a few houses on the HBA tour of homes. It was fun to look at extravigant houses and go wow that would be cool, but then I came home and was just overwhelmed with thankfulness. I love my home. It isn't fancy or extravagant but it is home and my 2 favorite boys live here. Who could ask for more. Then last night we watched a movie called "End of the Spear" It was so good. It really made me stop and think of my life and if I could or would do what those women did. And am I that devoted to Christ and what he calls us to do? It really has made me ponder that.
While we were watching the movie Brayden started coughing and woke himself up. That continued and so we ended up having him sleep in our bed with me and Jim slept on the couch. (Don't feel bad for him. He loves our couch it is very comfotable) We had a rough night but he seemed okay this morning. So, off to work he went with Daddy and I went in search of a swimsuit, which I didn't find, and a pedicure. It was wonderful. They had a massage chair and I almost fell asleep. After I met my men at Old Navy where Brayden was really running low. So, I brought him home and took his Temp. Sure enough he had a fever. So, we are monitoring that and just doing a lot of cuddling. He is watching baseball with daddy right now. So, we are hopping he feels better soon. It is so hard watching your child feel yuck.
Good Night.

Park Etiquette

Okay so I need to vent. As I have said before Tuesday nights is softball nights. Jim plays double headers and Brayden and I try to make it to at least the first game. Well, tonight I was watching a friends little girl as well. So, Brayden and Lilli were over on the play toys and first off it looked like some kids were going to get into a fight. These kids wouldn't get off the swings. So, the little kids went and got bigger kids and the bigger kids went and got even bigger ones. Now you must understand. I am the only adult around. So, I stepped in and asked nicely if the kids could please get off so the other kids could have a turn. After some aguement as to why they shouldn't they did get off and peace once again prevailed. However not for long. These little boys were running around with there toy guns. Now I have read Bringing up boys and Wild at Heart. I also have a husband who is in the military. So, I understand boys and guns. I just have a problem when they are shooting each other. Now please tell me if I am wrong here. But why do they have to shoot them at real people. Why not go hunting for animals and pretend bad guys. Anyway, this group of boys kept pretending to shoot Brayden. So, I said hey please don't do that. We don't shoot people. This little boy was probably 6 or 8 and argued with me as to why it didn't matter because they weren't really guns. I again said please don't shoot at him. He isn't playing with you anyway. So, that happened several times, with the same group of boys. Again no parents around but me. Then the little girl Lilli I was watching was playing on the slide. She was watching 3 big girls playing tag and thought it looked fun. They said hey you want to play and of course Lilli did. I was wondering how it was going to work as this game of tag was on the play set and if you were on the play set you were safe. Well, Lilli is 3 and there was no way she was going to be able to reach through the floor to touch them. But I let it go. I mean what do you say when someone wants to play that badly and is being included. But as fast as they offered they recinded. And I don't mean kindly or anything. They were just plain cruel. "You can't play with us" snotty like. And they didn't stop there they said it again 3 times. Lilli said that isn't nice. Now tell me. How come a 3 year old gets it and grade schoolers don't? So, Lilli got off the slide and came over by me. I knelt to hug her. Which she declined. I then proceeded to try and get her and Brayden to come over to the bleechers and watch their daddies play. Which neither wanted to do. What gets me is that through all this I am the only adult at the park there, watching kids. It also makes me pray even harder that I will raise a kind boy. Now don't get me wrong there were nice kids there too. A 4 year old girl gave up her swing and her older sister helped Lilli onto it and the little one pushed Lilli very nicely. There were some young boys who let Brayden go first down the slide. I think what is even worse was that the most disrespectful kids were kids from our team. I just pray that we teach Brayden correctly and that he always has as sensitive heart as he has now. Yes, I do want him to be a MAN, but a man who loves God first and in so doing he treats others as Jesus would treat them.
Well, off to bed. I am done venting.

Boise

Praise God!! The trip was wonderful. Brayden did wonderful on the trip. The drive was great. Everytime we stopped he would say "NEE". He calls my grandma Nanny. But most often it comes out as NEE. He couldn't have remembered her, it has been a year since we had seen them, but we have been talking about the trip and the long ride in daddy's truck and that he would get to see his great grandma and grandpa. Well needless to say as soon as we got there he couldn't wait to see them. When we saw them he hugged both of them and couldn't get enough of Nanny. She is a wonderful grandma and is the kind that gets down on the floor and plays with you. It probably helps that she is only 4'10. So, she isn't very intimidating to a child. She has a kind face and it just shows how much she enjoys kids. We went to dinner with them and Aunt Myrna whom Brayden thought was so funny. He would drive his new tractor on the table and she would make a face and he was laughing so hard I thought he was going to cry. It made Auntie Myrna's day. The rest of the trip anytime he saw her he would smile and do a little laugh.
So, for the wedding. The reason for the trip. My brother and sister watched Brayden in the hotel and we were off. It is so nice having reliable people whom you completely trust to watch you child. I knew they would call if they had any problems and they never do because Brayden adores them. The wedding was beautiful. Maureen looked stunning and the building alone was amazing. We had fun catching up with family I hadn't seen in a long time and finally called it a night at 11.
Saturday was fun because we didn't have anywhere to be until afternoon. And Boise is a great walking city. So, the boys headed off to Costco (boys being my brothers,dad and husband) and Brayden, Jodi and I headed off to Saturday market. They have a really cool fountain in the middle and Brayden had fun walking around and getting close to the water but not going in. I eventually hooked up with the boys and Jodi went off shopping with the women. I am not as girly as she is so shopping isn't as fun for me as it is her. (more on that another time)
In the afternoon we drove down to Mt. Home for a BBQ at my Aunt and Uncles place and had a great time. Brayden wanted to spend all his time on the Tractors and playing with the kittens. I hope someday we can afford property. I love being out in the wide open space. It was beautiful there. I never really thought of Idaho as a beautiful place, because where we live is so lush and green. But, it really is nice. The BBQ was great and we got to know Maureen's husband better. Bryce is a wonderful guy and we are so glad to have him be apart of our family.
We headed home Sunday and all went well. Brayden cried and was upset leaving Nanny. But, I tried to reassure him that we will see her soon and she got to go on an airplane. I was nice for Brayden to get to know my Aunts and some of my cousins. I look forward to seeing them again soon.

Vacation

Today we are heading out to Idaho to see my family. My cousin is getting married tomorrow. I haven't seen most of my family for over a year. They are going to be so amazed at how big Brayden is and how smart and just all of it. I am excited for Brayden to get a chance to hang out with my grandparents. They are wonderful and I am so close to them. This is also the first long road trip with Brayden. We went up to Cannon beach a couple months ago and that was only a couple hours. So, this should be interesting. I have lots for him to do and we will just play lots of road games and whatnot. I hope he does well. I want to be able to do more traveling with him. I grew up going back and forth to Canada so have always tolerated the car. My mom said that I used to fall asleep before we even got out of the driveway at my grandparents. As nice as it would be to have Brayden sleep lots I also want him to sleep tonight. So, hopefully he is just taken with all the sights.
Well, it is early. I should go back and try and sleep some more. I am just so excited.

Softball

Tuesday nights is softball nights at our house. All in all it is a fun time. Last year was hard as Brayden was still crawling and so he couldn't keep up with the other kids and it was hard. This year he is running around and climbing on everything and he does actually sit and watch occasionally. Tonight was fun. Both games (it is a double header leaque) were early enough that we stayed for most of the night. Brayden comes home so exhausted that he sleeps great. Jim had a rough night. What I saw of the game, was a lot of fly balls. And the first game he was catcher, which he hates. It is fun for me because I get to talk with some other moms and I do meet new people. Tonight was another Kristin which I thought was cool. So, it is a lot of fun and I don't dread Tuesday nights like I used to.
We also found out that the appraiser is coming to do our house tomorrow which is great for the refi. So, that is going to be almost done.
Brayden also got a haircut today. Not his first but his first fade. So now he really looks like daddy and a big boy.

My Husband

So, my husband is wonderful. I love him so much. He has made my life wonderful. I mentioned before how he is a solider in the Army reserve. He is the acting first Sergent right now and doing a great job. This weekend we went to an Army dinner and it was wonderful. We had so much fun hanging out with the other guys and there wives/girlfriends. I always enjoy the things we do with the military.
But, my husband has given me the life I have always dreamt of. I am able to stay home with our son and we have a great house in a great neighborhood. I am just overwhelmed with how great life is. Thanks Jim for working so hard so I can have my dream.

Having fun

So, Have I ever mentioned how much fun my life is. I mean yes there are days of stress or frustration but I truly feel blessed for all I have and am able to do.
So yesterday our concrete was laid. We had a slab laid on the side of our house. It runs the length (when I figure out how to upload pics I will) It will be used as a dog run or Rv pad at some point but right now it will be great for swimming pools and sandboxes and bikes and just whatever sounds fun. Our grass is being sprayed on the 20th and then we will be done with the yard which will be nice. We are looking forward to no dirt. Although Brayden has thoroughly enjoyed being able to drive his dump trucks and excavators and having Babop come with the BopCat.
Today we are off to see my sister launch a rocket. It should be fun.

Cleaning

I clean a house every week. But, the last two weeks I have cleaned a rental for a lady. Today was terrible. The apartment wasn't bad but Brayden was not helpful. I think the problem was he was tired. He had a late night last night and then he woke up earlier than normal today. So, needless to say we were whinny and needed more than normal amount of timeouts. Not what I enjoy doing. I prayed that if I was being unreasonable I would mellow and that God could just help me get done and Brayden would stop whining. Thankfully we were done soon after.
Life is good here. Jim arrived home a week ago and we have already had our regular "coming home fight". They happen everytime. We are used to living separate lives and doing things our own way. Not a fun part of the job but it happens. We have started getting them out of the way right away. That way we can get back to normal faster.
Jim is 30 now. He is doing fine with it now. It was hard at first but I think he realized that he is still young at heart.
God is always revealing himself to me. Through Brayden,Jim and wonderful Christian and non that I meet or hear of.
God is good and oh so faithful. I love my son so much and just can't imagine having to knowingly put him through what my lord went through. Thank you God for loving me that much.
For Now,
Kristin