Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Day 2 News and Technology

Here we are  on this beautiful Wednesday, Day 2. You know, I like counting the days. It gives me something to show the passing of time.Each day feels like an accomplishment that way,probably because each day IS an accomplishment. I know other military spouses (and soldier too) who Don’t like to keep count.In fact my husband is one of those who doesn’t.He says counting makes his days seem to go by slower. Eh, to each there own right?

Anywho! Todays plan was fairly simple.Stay home and do some school and cleaning.We were successful in that attempt for the most part.Until I realized that I was out of trash bags..Grr! I get into the “stay home” mode and I don’t want to get out of it.Mostly because I don’t want to get out of my jammies!I have been looking into buying a new cell phone  though and figured if I had to go out for trash bags I may as well get my phone too. After a short time picking the phone I wanted (that’s the perk of doing your research ahead of time) and waiting what felt like a year to the kids(they told me so over and over and over again) I am the owner of a new phone.The only problem with this is that it took me FOREVER to figure out how to use my last phone! :0) I am not terribly technologically savvy. Tonight once the kids are in bed I will sit and play with my phone a bit and try to figure it out!

I think today I saw the beginnings of the emotional effects this deployment will have on the kids. The boys being older tend to handle things very well.We talk about missing dad.We pout together,cry together on occasion and keep on trucking.It’s the little kids who are the hardest to handle IMO.They know a major part of there life has changed and they DON’T understand why. Hannah (our 4 yr old) has had a rough day trying to listen to me. From screaming (she swears she was singing) in the cell phone store to poking her sister and making HER scream, its been a long day. I am trying to remember to be patient.I know what she is going through is hard. I am proud of myself today for keeping my cool with her.I am positive it has something to do with my prayers this morning because I specifically asked for patience!I knew I’d need it! I know there will be days that I don’t keep my temper.Days that I will feel overwhelmed and feel like I have failed. But today (thank you Heavenly Father) was a good day.

I got some disappointing news today from my sister.She is currently pregnant with my newest little nephew Mason.I have blogged before about the fact that he has Spina Bifida as well as clubbed feet.The biggest concern for him in utero is whether he will develop Hydrocephalus.Here is a brief definition “also known as "water in the brain," is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. This may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head, convulsion, tunnel vision, and mental disability. Hydrocephalus can also cause death.” There have been monthly ultrasounds checking for fluid build up in Masons brain.It’s a common condition for babies with Spina Bifida.The worry is if it develops early in utero the only way to fix it is to deliver the baby and do surgery.Then you not only have the heath issue that come with the SB but you also have premature issues as well.Todays appointment showed that the fluid is starting to build up in Masons brain.Now it is a balance act to see how long the doctors can let him stay in and keep growing and developing without waiting too long and having the hydrocephalus get bad. I am worried for my nephew, I’m worried for my sister and brother in law and I just don’t like knowing I am not there to help out and be a support to them right now.  My comfort is that in all things God is in charge.He knows what He is doing in Masons life and even if we cant understand Gods plan we CAN rest assured he is the author of it all.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Day 1

Its day 1 since the hubby left for Afghanistan and day 1 can be a hard day.I was prepared with a fun list of “to do’s” to help pass the day.

I was up and showered about 8am and started with a bit of cleaning we hadn't done over the weekend.Then on to breakfast and school with the kiddos.

Justin called about lunch time which brightened everyone's day.He was in Maine waiting to get on his flight to Germany.After that it was off to our favorite place THE LIBRARY!Everyone right down to the baby loves the library.I knew it would be a good place to go today.It was made doubly exciting because we found out they are doing another reading program!Read books and come in for prizes Yay!As well as having holiday themed crafts every Saturday.

Next was on to the boys haircuts.If you would guess this was the boring part of our day you would be wrong! The boys have a very traditional daddy who likes nice short military cuts on his boys.Mommy however is a bit more relaxed.So when daddy leaves the boys get Mohawks ;0) I know it seems silly but it’s a small thing that brightens their day.

003

Last on our list for today was the grocery store.This was definitely not the best part of the day BUT we all survived it and now have lots of goodies to eat in the house.

Aside from all of this today the thing that Surprised/Pleased me the most was how much seeing all the familiar military surroundings made me happy. I wasn’t sure if seeing the uniforms,the Chinooks (helicopter type air craft),strykers and humvee’s would make me miss my hubby even more.During both of Justins other deployments I had gone home to our very civilian home town.Instead of upsetting me today seeing all that made me feel very close to my soldier.Instead of “leaving it all behind” I can stay and feel that much closer to him by staying close to the military.

Now the kids are in bed and I can relax and mentally check off one day.Yay!

So It Starts

019

He packed his bags

032

He got his uniform on

046

050

052

He said his goodbyes.

12 Months seems SOO long…TOO long.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Parental Rights What Could Be More Important?

I wanted to share a link to a video by parentalrights.org . I think it is undeniable that our rights as parents are being infringed upon by the government.The extent to which it is happening is alarming. Please take the time to watch this video to educate yourself on whats going on and visit the website to see what you can do to help support our parental rights.

http://www.overruledmovie.com/


Christina

Friday, November 18, 2011

Yummy Vegetarian Dinner

I am not a vegetarian. I'd love to be one honestly.I ate vegetarian for about a month recently and didnt miss meat at all.The only hitch came along with my husbands stubborness ;0) He is a meat and potatoes guy with a BIG emphasis on the meat! I got really tired of taking my time and energy to make a dinner just to have him go to the kitchen and make himself something else.Granted I give him bonus points he never asked ME to make him something else.He's not dumb, he knows that woulda got him a wooden spoon upside the head! I also got tired of making a meat containing meal for my family just to have to figure out something else for myself.
We found a great compromise.When we sit down to plan our meals we plan half the meals vegetarian and half with meat.That way everyones happy.
Tonight I tried a new vegetarian meal and it was FANTASTIC!It would do great as a side dish too! Its a yummy veggie and grain filled casserole.
http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/recipes/whole-grains/grain-and-vegetable-casserole.aspx

Enjoy!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Curse You Dust Bunnies!

I wrote about our new home and the new chore charts we were trying out earlier this week.I thought today would be a good day for an update. Things didnt go so well.Not at all well if I am being completely honest :0)
The kids are always great about doing any chores I ask them to. Hannah loved her chart and kept asking me what she could do next just so she could color in the square when she was done.The downfall came I think because we have absolutely no schedule at all right now.With my husband off work for the past two weeks we have taken a break from school and schedules.Which has made finding time to work in those chores difficult.
The week wasnt a total loss though. I taught the kids how to do a few new chores. I also found that each child having their own chart to mark off is a good motivator for my littler dust busters!
Dad heads back to work this week and we get back to our schedule here around the house and I hope that will give us more success in the chore area!

Wish me luck!

Starting Christmas A Little Early






My husband has had the last two weeks off of work and we have enjoyed spending so much family time together.Here in Rainy Washington the fall weather tends to be dreary and wet.This fall though has been great!Tons of sunny dry days. Today wasnt one of those days though.So we decided it would be a perfect day to put up the Christmas tree. Since the hubs may be deployed for Christmas this year we decided to put the tree up before the turkeys even been cooked ;0) Here are some pictures!