What a Week!

I still have two days left but it's been a week thus far! It's been nine months of this deployment and four months to go. At least we are 2/3s of the way there with only 1/3 left. I wouldn't mind some help in the parenting part here. Thankfully I have a great support system and some wonderful friends that are good listeners. My computer has a virus on top of things so thankfully I have a back up one but it's just so frustrating to have to deal with all these issues.

Back to Work and School

   This Thanksgiving break was nice and refreshing. Now it's time to go back to work and school for about three and a half weeks. Then I'll have off for Christmas break. Thankful to have this time off and hoping the next three weeks go well and are productive at the same time.

Night Out with the Army Wives

   One of my favorite things about this deployment has been my monthly outing with the other army wives. Tonight we went out to Olive Garden, then shopping at the mall, and finished out with some conversation and coffee at Starbucks. There is just something about getting to talk with others that get it and you don't have to explain things. And so nice to get a kid free evening.

Shop Til You Drop and Putting Up the Tree

   So last night I went shopping with a friend for black Friday. This is only the second time I've gone, the last being when I was in high school. It was a bit crazy, crowded, but also fun. I found some great deals. I got a lot of the boys Christmas shopping done and even some for me :)
   Then today after recouping for a little bit the boys and I sat up our Christmas tree with another one of our friends. It's a red, white, and blue tree for Daddy to be part of our celebration this year from afar. Tonight we are all going to get a good night sleep.

Thanksgiving, Things I'm Thankful for :)

   Okay so everyone has been doing thankful lists on fb for the month of November. I have some relaxing time on my hand so I thought I'd do mine all at once. I'm having a relaxing day at home with my little helpful cookers. We wish Adam could be here but know he's doing his job. This morning started out with brunch with my mother-in-law. Then we cleaned up and Jacob helped me make some pumpkin whoopie pies. We taste tested them for a snack to hold us until dinner. I've got a turkey and veggies in the crock pot and my friend cooked up some other things that we'll enjoy for dinner. So here's my list.
24. My relationship with God - He's gotten me through the good and the bad.

23. My hubby - Adam's the love of my life. Deployments are difficult due to the distance and so many other things but my life wouldn't be what it is without him.

22. Nathan - He's my first born, a social butterfly, and has unending energy supplies. He's got lots of love and hugs to give.

21. Jacob - He's my baby, slow to warm up, but quick to give hugs and kisses when it's his idea. He's got his own ideas of what he wants to do and he's a great helper. He loves to help me in the kitchen.

20. Cindy - My mother-in-law. I'm beyond grateful for my relationship with her. She's kind of like a second Mom to me and we get along great. We've gone on vacations with just her, me, and
the boys. And she takes the boys for me one night a month so I can get some girl time.

19. My friends and family - I have some great friends that are like family both here in Ok and in Pa. I also have a wonderful family that supports me from afar and near. They've done so many things to help me out. I talk with my mom or sister almost every morning. My husband's best friend has been available countless times to help me out of a bind. There are so many people that have stepped up to help me while Adam's been gone and even though this military life still feels isolating sometimes the people that are in my life have made it more bearable.

18. Army support group - I've met some great ladies throughout this deployment and prior deployments. There is just something about others that are going through the same thing and get it.

17. Oklahoma in and of itself - I often refer to Ok as the bi-polar state (due to the weather not seeming to be able to make its mind up). However, I've had some meaningful milestones here. I've gone through college, gotten married, had both of my sons here, we bought our first house, and I learned Spanish and continued to use it throughout my career.

16. Memories and my heritage - Being away from home makes me even more thankful for the memories of my family holiday get togethers. I'm also thankful for my hertiage.

15. My career - I've always considered myself a positive individual, maybe that helps me in what I do. However, I think I'm a little naive also. My career has opened up my eyes to things I would not think about if it wasn't for that.

14. My education - I always wanted to go to college since I can remember. I'm thankful I completed that goal and also thankful that I have the opportunity to continue my supervision towards my license. It gives me something to focus on while Adam is out of country. I'm also thankful to have an amazing supervisor to do my supervision towards my licensing.

13. This deployment - This deployment has been hard, no questions about that. We've lost fourteen soldiers. My ac stopped working, my car transmission was giving me problems, and I had endless problems with a new water heater that I bought. However, with all that said I've realized just how much my hubby does for our family, I realized that he helps keep me balanced out, and I'm thankful that I have my sons to keep me focused on being thankful for the simple moments with them even when Daddy can't be here.

12. My Canadian family - Adam's from Canada. I enjoyed getting to visit my Canadian family this past July. Family is important to me and it's bittersweet being spread out over the globe. However, it gives us reason to travel. And I'm thankful for the times that the boys get to spend with their cousins.

11. Traditions - Hmm where to start, my Grandma Sauder was great about get togethers for the Holidays, another tradition that I loved was the yearly girl cousin sleepover at her house. What awesome memories from that time. My Grandma Martin makes these awesome chocolate peanut butter cookies that the Aunts would always get together and make around Christmas time and exchange other homemade cookies. My Mom and Dad have always been very involved in our church and in our school throughout my childhood. I hope to keep many of these things going with my boys with some twists and tweaks as we go throughout this journey of life.

10.  Board Games, Books, and my kindle - Oh the simple times. I've got a closet full of games for the boys now. We've started playing candy land and hungry hippos, along with memory and Chutes and Ladders. I even found a marble game that I used to play with my Grandma Sauder. Books are my get away and now I've got the opportunity to teach my boys the treasure of reading. And for the newest addition my hubby bought me the kindle for Christmas last year. Ever the multitasker I love to read from it while I walk on the treadmill or run on the elicpitical at the gym.

9.   Technology - Skype is a wonderful thing to our family. I love getting to see my hubby's face and getting to talk to him all at the same time. I love that my boys face light up when they hear him video calling us on the computer. I also love getting emails from my man. They don't come often enough but I'll take what I can get. I know we have more than the military families that have gone before us. Skype is also great for when I'm scrapbooking with my sister.

8.   Scrapbooking - I'm a memory girl. My hubby has told me mutiple times to live in the present instead of trying to create so many memories. I believe there is balance. I enjoy scrapbooking and since I'm about two years behind it helps me relive the good times.

7.   Imperfections and hurts - This may seem odd but deployments make everything seem so much more personal. I've experienced some hurt at people's words or their actions or lack of throughout this deployment. I know I have my own imperfections and I think the reason I'm thankful for this is because it reminds me of grace. God's grace for me, and also that I need to offer others grace.

6.   My church family and small group - Church is the solace to my heart as well as socialization with a smaller part of my church family.

5.   Chocolate, snacks, and alcohol :) - These are the things that make my evenings more bearable and relaxing after the kiddos are in bed. These are my vices when I've had a long day and need to prop my feet up for a little bit.
4.   The gym - It is my stress relief. I go three times a week and right between my job and going home.

3. My co-workers - I'm thankful for having understanding and supportive co-workers, that I also consider friends.

2. The boys teachers and everybody that speaks into their lives - So thankful for the amazing teachers that my boys have had. I'm thankful that they take the time to communicate with me and also be supportive about our military lifestyle.

1. My crockpot and freezer meals - It's helped simplify my hectic life this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

  Today I cleaned up the house and did the laundry to prepare to relax and enjoy my thanksgiving with friends and family tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving! Nathan, Jacob, and I are thankful to have off five days to spend some quality time together.

Thanksgiving Break

   Thankfully, my work week is done. Now to relax with my boys. I'm thankful my hubby is safe and I'm thankful I get to hang out with the boys these next few days.

Busy Work Day

   Today was a busy day at work. I'm only working two days this week so that's nice but I'm trying to get as much done in two days as possible so that's a little bit tiring. Then I hit the gym and went for groceries with the boys this evening. Time to call it a night.

Taking the Afternoon Off

   This afternoon I had a girl's day with my mother-in-law. We did a little bit of Christmas shopping and then went and saw Breaking Dawn Part One. It was a great movie and it was nice to get away for a little bit. I'm thankful to have a good relationship with my mother-in-law. She's been a great support to me and the boys while our family's been going through this deployment. So thankful to have her as family.

Cleaning Out the Clutter

   Thankfully today the boys and I took the day to get things done around the house. We went through their desk and cleaned it. Next was the little boxes under the end tables in my living room which has a bunch of the boys toys in them. And lastly, we cleaned out the closet with all our winter coats. It's amazing how long it takes to go through these things and decide what to keep and what to get rid of and how to reorganize. Now I have piles of laundry awaiting me tomorrow.
   This evening we were invited to a friend's house for dinner. It was nice to have a home cooked meal. I had leftovers planned for us. Plus, they didn't know it, but it was thanksgiving for my family in Pennsylvania. So it was nice to have some fellowship and good food this evening.

Cookies

   I'm so glad tonight is Friday. I got to make cookies tonight with some other ladies for the troops. So proud of my soldier and so ready to know when he is coming home for good.

Some Thoughts for the Day

   The boys and I went shopping this evening for some things for Adam. We are getting a care package together to send him. It was kind of fun. On the way we stopped at Taco Bell to get dinner. The boys did pretty good until the end of dinner. Jacob was done and ready to go and was playing jungle gym on the railing where you order. There was just a few other couples in the restaurant but I just started counting. We do the 1,2,3 magic here and think what you will but it works for us. In this instance he wanted to push to see how far he could get so I got him and put him in his seat and took his soda. Then at Walmart the boys were looking over the coupon and deals while I was doing some shopping. They were fighting over which ads to look at, oh so exciting! Nathan had a meltdown because Jacob wouldn't let him look at what he wanted too. I did a typical Mom thing and stopped in the middle of the aisle and said, "That's it, no tv and no wii if you don't stop crying for the whole weekend," (I'd had enough!) and started the count again. There was an older couple right in front of us that just looked at us. He pulled it together, because he knows I'm not making idle threats, we've been there, done that. These are the moments that make me want to take the night off and switch with Daddy, although I don't get that, but when I get the looks I simply want to say, "If you only knew......," or, "Do you want to help out?" I know these are normal Mom moments, just amped up being a military wife with a husband deployed.
   The other night my sister and I were scrapbooking together via skype. She was working on her son's baby pictures who is almost one. We were talking and she told me that so much happens in that first year it's hard to believe he's almost one. I stopped and said yeah, that's the same amount of time that Adam and our family will be apart by the time this deployment is over, it's kind of crazy. People forget as they are going through their daily lives how much time passes and military families spend apart. A lady at work asked me the other day how long Adam's been gone? My immediate response was eight and a half months, I kind of surprised myself how fast my answer was. It's not like I was thinking about it off the top of my head (it's just our daily life that we live). Anyways, then this evening I was getting the boys ready for bed and my phone rings. It was someone with the army calling me at eight thirty on a week night. I screen my calls so I didn't answer. I figured if it was important they would leave a message, which they didn't. But really calling me at that time on a week night? Ugh, now I've got to not think about that and go to bed so I can finish my work week out tomorrow. Just another day in our militray life.

No is Okay

   Tonight I really wanted to go to church and get back into the routine of Wednesday nights now that Nathan's football season is over and we are over our little sickness epidemic. However, I could tell we all just needed a down night so we stayed at home and took it easy. We got to skype with Daddy too so that was nice. It was kind of funny when Adam got onto the boys for being silly and poking each other. If he really thinks they are going to be like oh okay Daddy and stop when he's half way across the world, well it's just not happening. I love all my boys! Now time for some sleep before another full day tomorrow.

Another Day Down

   Well we had another good day here. Staying busy but also on top of things. Can't complain and I'm thankful to be feeling better.

Mondays

   Today was actually a nice Monday, to get back into a "normal" routine. Nothing exciting happening here but  we all had a smooth Monday so no complaining either.

Back to Work

   This week is all about getting back into our routine around here. Even though I've been working it's been a different schedule. Things go back to normal this week. The routine keeps us busy and everyone knows what to expect. With the holidays coming up it won't be much longer until my hubby's back. I'm actually getting kind of excited!

Feeling Better

   Thankfully, I'm feeling better. Today the boys and I got a lot of house cleaning and errands done. We wrapped up Nathan's football season by going to his team party this afternoon.We even went to the library. I love that my boys enjoy reading. Then we took some time to play with some of Jacob's birthday toys. I also made a nice breakfast and dinner which doesn't happen often these days. Finally, we sat down and relaxed for this evening. There is only so much you can get done in one day before you just need some relaxing time.

Happy Veteran's Day!

   So proud of my hubby today. My oldest son had an a school assembly for Veteran's Day this afternoon. He was so proud to show a picture of his Daddy to his classmates and tell him what he does. This deployment has been hard on all of us. But I'll always be proud of my man. Thanks babe for your service to our country.

Wiped Out!

  Whatever this thing is it isn't letting up! I'm so thankful for my health. I'm not sure if it's the flu or what but it just keeps on hanging on. I powered up and went into work today just to get sent back home since my co-worker didn't want to get sick. Ugh! I'm trying to take it easy but I'm not very good at it and feeling icky doesn't make the resting that pleasant either. My hubby skyped with me today and said "well it doesn't look like you have the flu", umm okay. What am I suppose to say to that?!

Yuck!

   I'm still not feeling well. I'm going to bed early. I'm hoping to continue sleeping this off. Today seems like a fuzzy blur with the medication that I'm taking. Hoping tomorrow is better.

Blah!

   I got some mixed news last night but I'm not sure I'm aloud to share yet so I won't. I feel like a bit of a whiner these days. However, the fact of the matter is, I'm sick and I dislike being sick. I guess most likely no one likes being sick. It takes on a whole different meaning when you've got two kids to take care of and not a lot of people to help out. Anyways, thankfully in that department, it's just a sore throat so we had some quite time this evening. This to shall pass but it would be nice to have my hubby here to help with the boys, just saying....

Late Night Knocks

   I'm excited about getting back into a more relaxing routine during the evenings. I'm thankful that football is done so it frees up our evenings and our Saturdays. Last week was busy with trick or treating and Jacob's birthday. This week I'm making the most of our laid back evenings. However, about seven thirty I got a knock on my door and it about sent my heart into a panic attack. I didn't even open my door, my five year old did that for me. It was a sales person. I just told him that right now wasn't the best time. He said he understood and just left a pamphlet. Thankfully he took it kindly because I'm sure my face had something to say. Oh well, just another day in the life of an army wife.

Socialization

   This weekend was a fun and relaxing weekend. I spent some time with friends and the boys played with other kids their age. It was nice to have some down time. I didn't get much done on my to do list but it'll be there for the rest of the week. It's important to take some time for relationships. Being by myself with the boys can be quite lonely at times so it's nice to get time to chat and hang out with other adults.

Day Off

   Today was a fun day. I took the day off and went to a baby shower with some girlfriends. It was nice to just sit and visit, eat, and relax. After that I went shopping and met up with a friend for dinner and some quality friend time. The boys had a fun day playing with the babysitter and getting to play the Wii and watch some TV. Overall, a relaxing day for all of us.

And back to our Friday Night Routine

   Loving our Friday evenings again. I remember playing Nintendo and Super Nintendo at home with my brothers and sister. Sometimes my Dad even joined in and would play. He was hilarious he would scream and move with the controller like it would actually move Mario or Luigi. He was before his time. I've since let him try out our Wii and he's actually pretty good and doesn't holler at his players anymore because they don't do what he's doing.
   Anyways fast forward about fifteen years and here I am with my boys (six and five) playing Mario Kart, Super Mario Brothers, and now Mario Galaxy on the Wii. It's kind of a family tradition and it's a nice way to relax and unwind. Yea, for simple things and relaxing family time :)

Fun Night with My Boys

   Nathan's son had a fall carnival tonight. This is the second one we went to. The boys always have a lot of fun. They get to play games and win candy and different prizes. Tonight they also got their hair color sprayed and got their pictures taken at the photo booth. I remember going to this last year with my hubby and am looking forward to going with my hubby again next year when he is back in the states.

It's Been a Mixed Kind of Day

   I love my little man. He turned 5 today! I know a lot of people say it's bitter sweet having their kids grow up but I actually enjoy it. I try to cherish the moments and years as they go by. Each stage has it's blessings and it's difficulties. Jacob is a little mischeifous and is also a fun loving boy. Sometimes he'll give you big hugs (and if your not careful he'll take your nose out in the process) other times he doesn't even want to shake hands or talk. He's really into Super Mario these days so I found a cake on facebook. It's interesting how the little things really make a difference. I got to spend a evening with a few friends celebrating Jacob's birthday. Jacob also got to go out with our children's pastor to chucke cheese (something special they did since his Dad is overseas). He had a blast and took a short nap in between that and his party this evening at our house. His daycare teacher got him a little something too. He also has cupcakes to share with his classmates tomorrow. Overall, great day. And it started out with getting to skype with Daddy and open his remote control car so Daddy could share the moment with him :)
   With all that said I had my own crying spell over the fact that my hubby couldn't be here to share in Jacob's birthday. I think the reason it really bothered me was because he was suppose to have his leave now but it got changed at the last minute. For whatever reason, it just was the thing to set me on edge. We also found out that we lost two more Oklahoma soldiers today. It's difficult, this makes thirteen since July 29th. We just got to the colder months so I thought I could take a deep breath and relax. I guess not. My prayers go out to the families and friends of the fallen soldiers. I'm also praying for safety for the soldiers overseas.

My Baby Boy Turns 5

   My baby boy turns five tomorrow. We love you Jacob!