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!