All the idiots were out today

Some days I wish I had never left home because it seems like everyone that I come into contact with is some sort of idiot/moron/jerk.

We went to the ENT today and Junior definitely needs tubes. They think he has about a 10-15% hearing loss, and that tubes will correct it. They also recommended early intervention for speech therapy. I am waiting for a call on when they can schedule the surgery, and they will take out his adenoids at the same time. And when they checked his ears.....you guessed it.....another ear infection. Back on augmentin. My heart just breaks for him. One part of his ear had dimpled from fluid being on it constantly. Apparently not a good sign. Wish they had sent me to an ENT back in March/April when I requested it. At least he will hopefully be on the road to recovery.

I got the cutest onesies for my brother and SIL's baby. One says "Someone in Iraq loves me" and the other one says "My Uncle is a Soldier". A funny story about my SIL--over Christmas they were in St Louis with us, and had joined us for breakfast downstairs. Gunner wanted some butter or something and I was sick and didn't want to get up to get it--to my defense I was really sick!! My SIL offered to get it, and Gunner refused. She kept insisting and finally Gunner agreed that he needed the butter so she got up and got him some. My brother watched and then said "Hey, I don't get that kind of treatment!". My SIL said "When you go to war, to protect me, I will get you some butter." My brother could only say "Valid point."

After getting the shirts, we headed back to Darnell to go to the pharmacy since it wasn't open yet, and I needed to drop something off in Temple for a funeral. We got back there and it took two freaking hours to get one tiny bottle of antibiotic. At one point, I was ready to go postal on the girl that was smacking her gum behind the counter and kept calling up this one guy to flirt with him. She was so sad and pathetic. They just revamped the entire pharmacy in order to make it much faster to get through the line, but I think it has slowed down the entire process. There was no sense of urgency from anyone working there, and it wasn't until the line was out the door that they added additional people to process the orders. Of course that was just the line you stood in to get a number to be called on in order to wait for your prescription. So they got everyone seated and I guess felt a sense of relief because it looked like they were working harder.

I got my parking permit and id card updated for the summer terms, now I just have to continue looking for a job. Hopefully something soon so I have a little bit of stress off of my shoulders. Yeah right!

....I just bathed and put Junior to bed. He was so tired. He's also covered from head to toe in a rash. I don't know what to do anymore, and all the doctors do is give him creams that don't work. He takes zyrtec and benadryl on a daily basis, and that doesn't help at all. I feed him tons of yogurt and buttermilk to no avail. Guess I'll try to book him an appointment tomorrow since he's only gone twice this week. They should just give us a standing appointment.

My mom took Abs to Houston for the Pompeii exhibit. Abs was amusing herself by counting cornfields. I miss her already, but it is a welcome break as she is a full time job in herself. Em wants to go get pedicures tomorrow, so maybe in between doctor appointments we can get it in. I'm due for one anyway. I also need to schedule a microdermabrasian too!

Maybe I don't have time for a job?

On the bright side Gunner called. He also sent this picture.

Wordless Wednesday with a Twist--Uniform

American Mum picked the theme of uniform this week.

"I don't want my daddy to go back to Iraq, I just met him.:



That same boy 18 months later.

I.am.going.to.scream.

I finally get all the kids in bed last night and spend the remainder or the night picking up, cleaning, read a little, blogged a little, and watched a little tv. Eventually the girls went to sleep and I was headed that way. I'm walking back to check on everyone and make sure that they are covered up when I walked by Junior's room. His door was shut but I could smell a dirty diaper. I debated about whether or not I should change it since he was sound asleep, but decided that I better get it over with since it was already after 11. I open his door and am met with the foulest odor in the world.

Any mom knows that smell.

The boy has barfed. Knowing that I am oh-so-lucky because I have given birth to a child that can throw up and not wake up, I turn on the light. Yes people, there is my sweet, innocent, baby boy asleep in his own vomit. Not lying on the other end of the crib away from it, not lying next to it, the boy is lying right smack dab in the middle of it. He has even managed to wallow in it so that it is covering his entire face. So I do what any other not-so-good-mom does and cry.

I went back to the living room and put out a towel, got the wipes and a warm washcloth. I go back and grab my barf covered baby and he begins to scream. I change his diaper (because of course he had to have diarrhea and diaper rash), wipe him down and change his clothes. He screams the entire time and I just keep telling him over and over "If your sisters weren't asleep, I would scream with you."

I leave my screaming child on the floor and then go back to attack the crib. I put on a new sheet, a waterproof piece of material, a towel, and wipe it down. Junior is still screaming, but I found a non-barfy binky and tucked him back into bed. He snuggled up under his fuffy and fell right asleep.

And then I waited. I waited for the next round. I started barfy laundry. I got out towels for barf. I located barf buckets for the girls. I reminded myself how Junior stuck his binky in my mouth at swim lessons while I was not paying attention and he was feeding me goldfish. I start to feel barfy myself.

I wait a bit....no barfing so I get into bed. I lay there on the verge of tears. Gunner is the keeper of barfy children, I am not. Gunner could fall right back asleep and not worry about who was going to get sick next, I cannot.

I start hearing things and am up and down every few minutes for the next hour while I make sure no one is getting sick. I finally fall asleep.

No more barfing....yet. Junior is still asleep. The girls are still asleep. I'm scared to wake up anyone for fear that will change.

I got an email from Gunner this morning (about my post last night) that said "I couldn't stop laughing so hard. I could just imagine Emily standing there with that look on her face. oh, she is so priceless. She is going to have your feisty-ness (sp?), that I love so much. I am really homesick now. I love and miss you all so very much. I think you are doing a great job without me and I am thankful that I have a wonderful wife. Hang in there and this will be all over before we know it. I love you. Gunner."

And then I cried. I cried because I have a great husband who knows exactly when I need to hear that I am doing an okay job. I cried because he is missing out on so much. I cried because I am tired.

And now it's time to wipe those tears away, get the girls up for school, spend the day cuddling a sick baby while sanitizing the entire house, and hope that no one else gets sick.

And if they do....you'll probably hear me scream.

A few extras

I forgot to mention that I had two interviews on Saturday at the job fair. After the first one was over, I heard my friend call my name, and then she grabbed something from my hair. It was my nametag. My second interview they pointed out that my nametag was upside down. Hmmmm...and I wonder why I didn't get a job?

When we were in St. Louis for Christmas last year, Abs kept talking about wanting to go to the Black History Museum. We were only there for a few days and with the holiday hours, we weren't able to make it materialize for her. She hasn't mentioned it since. Last Thursday I took Abs to the doctor and she asked Abs what she wanted to do if she could do anything in the world. Without hesitating Abs replied "I really want to go to the Black History Museum in St. Louis".

I was talking to Gunner online today. Here's part of our conversation:
ABW: How was your day?
Gunner: Okay. We had to stand down and do safety classes.
Gunner: Some stupid kid shot a bullet in the floor of a hummer today.
Gunner: Stop the war, some kid shot the floor.
Gunner: We're just glad no one got hurt.

The kids are supposed to be sleeping, but Abs is engrossed in A Tale of Two Cities. How can I argue with that?

Today was the last swimming lesson.
10 weeks of swimming lessons $400
10 weeks of gas $399
40 red bulls so I didn't fall asleep on the way to and from lessons $80
3 free taco coupons from the pool people, Priceless because I didn't have to cook dinner tonight. My life is sad.

I JUST had this conversation with Em:
Em: I need to write my story.
ABW: What story?
Em: The one I have to do.
ABW: I asked you if you had homework and you said you didn't.
Em: Well I have to write two stories and I have only done one.
ABW: Ummm...you watched tv after school today, so I'm sorry you don't have time to do it.
Em: I can do it now.
ABW: I think you need to go to sleep.
Em: But I'm not tired and I need to write my story.
ABW: Well you should of done it instead of watching tv.
Em: You never let us watch tv.
ABW: Sounds like you think you never get to watch tv.
Em: Do you read books on this stuff?
ABW: What stuff?
Em: Stupid parenting things to say to us when we don't do what we are supposed to.

Weekend

Saturday I went to a teaching job fair. Still no job. Long story, and goodness knows I have lots of opinions on it, but I will keep my mouth shut for now. (Don't die from shock mom!) Before I left for the job fair, I managed to lose my hair thingy, have a button fall off, the camisole was too lowcut and the socks I bought were XXXXXXXXL and could have stretched up to my thighs. Never a dull moment.

After that fiasco, I went to San Antonio for my SIL's baby shower. It was a lot of fun, and I love to see baby stuff! Just from the time Em was born, everything has changed. Junior is almost two and there are new things out since he came along. I need to come up with some trendy baby item so that I can retire and not have to worry about job fairs.

Sunday Erin and I did the Run for the Rovers 5k. I ran a lot of it, but I need to practice running outside more than running in the cool air conditioning at the gym. Pictures and the story can be found here.

Abs was up at 3:15 this morning watching Tom and Jerry on tv. I got her put back in bed and hid the remotes. Then her light was on and she was reading. I turned the light off and by the time I was back in bed and settled, I noticed it was back on. I unscrewed her lightbulbs and burned the crap out of my finger.

I was really looking forward to getting the kids to school today. Before school even started the nurse called me to let me know that Abs had tripped over her shoelace and landed head first on a desk. I raced up there and she had a massive lump on her head. They asked me if I was taking her home with me--she didn't look like she had a head injury. I told her if she came home that she would have to sit in her bed, not sleeping, no tv and she would have to help me scrub the kitchen floors. She opted to stay at school. If I thought she was really injured I would have brought her home, but she would have enjoyed that too much. I'm turning into my mother. We could be hemmoraghing to death and we would have still had to go to school!

So a whole day to myself to clean, organize and get some job related things done. Time is flying by too fast already.....

Gunner

My husband has one of the biggest hearts. A few years ago when my dad was sick, my mom joined the horticulture club in her retirement community. They were making plans to build an organic garden so that they could reap the benefits of fresh veggies year round. With time, the plan grew and grew. My mom wanted to help, but she was often busy helping my dad, and didn't feel like there was much she could do. Enter Gunner.

Gunner has the strength of 20 men. (Once I bought a freezer and the lady told me that I was going to need several guys to move it. I assured her that Gunner could do it, and when he came and moved it, she changed her tune. He makes it all look easy!) Gunner wanted to help out my mom so he participated in the building of the garden every saturday for a year. He had just returned from his first tour in Iraq, and many of the veterans loved to "talk shop" with him. Even those that were unable to serve, still had a great respect for him. Gunner moved huge cinder blocks, dug trenches, moved mulch, built, tore down, moved some more stuff, carried more bricks, built more beds, the list went on. He absolutely loved every minute of it, and felt like he was really helping. (I'm sure the 3 hours of being child free was somewhat enticing too!)

When Gunner left for his second tour in Iraq, the club decided to have a yellow ribbon tied to the biggest oak tree in the garden. They had a ceremony, sent him pictures, and faithfully waited for his return at which time they promised a celebration. After a year, Gunner returned and true to their word, the horticulture club reserved a pavilion, catered BBQ, and even though there was a torrential downpour, the club showed up to welcome him home. We were even invited to their Christmas party as guests.

This past year while Gunner was home, he was unable to work in the garden every Saturday due to commitments that we both had (many of which I am sure were probably me saying "You take them to the garden or you stay here with them , I need a break!"). Before he left for Iraq this time, he stopped by and was greeted warmly by all the members of the club. Some of them write, some email, a ton of them ask about him.

Fast forward again to today. The residents of Sun City held a "Thanks to the Troops" golf tournament in Georgetown today. Different community organizations were able to sponsor a "hole" with a message. The horticulture club sponsored one in Gunner's name. (These things were not cheap!)

While we were waiting for the Soldiers to arrive, I chased Junior around. Of course all of these retired grandparents fell in love with the little guy. Can anyone tell me who this guy is? (The one wearing the hat with the flag and the white shirt--I didn't want to look too obvious about taking his picture (hint: he was inducted into the football hall of fame, and was an extremely nice guy who gave us directions to hole 5 and rescued Junior's binky and held on to it till he saw us again!) (Oh and I only know who it is because I stared at the Hall of fame ring for a while and then asked my mom)

Anyway, in the heat of the day, Sun City residents lined the roads, dressed in patriotic colors, waving flags, and cheering for the Soldiers that arrived. These Soldiers looked shocked at the warm reception that they received. They were fed lunch and then paired up with a Sun City resident that had served in the military. They were loaded on to golf carts and then taken to play Shotgun Golf or something like that--I am in no way a golfer! After the festivities were done, they would be treated to dinner.

After the Soldiers arrived my mom and I decided we should go find Gunner's "hole". After getting more directions and stumbling around, we finally found it (and I managed to walk through tons of poison ivy, not just once, not twice, but three times--score one for ABW). I walked back and there was a sign for Gunner and two people from the horticulture club waiting for us in case we stopped by. They asked about Gunner and I gave our thanks for them thinking of Gunner and honoring him in this way. The local Sun City news lady came out and shot some video and asked some questions about Gunner too. Junior saw "flat daddy" and was all over him.

After all the festivities, we headed out for mexican food and Junior passed out. Thanks to Sun City for honoring the Troops from Fort Hood and for the Horticulture club for honoring my hero!

Need your help!

A few weeks ago I submitted a picture of Gunner and Junior to an online photo contest. The picture was selected as one of 20 finalists, and now the winner is determined by votes by the public. So I need you to go here. Once there, you can choose to vote, and look for the only military related photo! Gunner is in ACU's and Junior grabbed his beret and put it on while I was trying to take photos. It's a cute picture! Thanks so much and please refer everyone you know to vote!

Wordless Wednesday (sort of)

These were taken in Baghdad, Iraq, on the street where Sadaam held all of his parades, etc. Glad to see that Gunner hasn't lost his sense of humor!

Daily Life

I got a citation today for my lawn, how about you? Em started mowing it the other day, and we ended up taking Junior into the doctor so we never finished. I paid someone $5 to weedeat it, I should have splurged and had him mow. Usually I get a pre-citation notification. Oh well, I think the whole street got them.

I called ENT today and Junior has an appointment next Thursday. Maybe we can make it that long?

The hardest thing about having three children is coordinating them. I have a master calendar that I print out and post on the doors of my computer armoire. I haven't started color coordinating things yet, but I can see where I will have to in a few years!

For some reason coordinating two children was much, much easier. My friend has one daughter and she is constantly stressed out about not having enough time in the day to cart her places. It reminds me of when we just had Em. Gunner and I thought it was a huge ordeal to take just Em to the store. Then Abs came along and Em was super easy. Then Junior came along and Abs and Em were easy. But then I see someone with an infant and I realize how good I have it since Junior can walk, etc. One of these days they will be all grown up and I will wish it was back to the days of carting, talking, reading to them and cooking for them, even if they do want mac and cheese every night!

Soldier needs mail

I was talking to Gunner online today and he mentioned that there was a Solider with him (a medic) that is not getting any mail. Gunner asked the Soldier if he needed anything, but he insisted he was fine. If anyone is interested in adopting this Soldier, please email me at armybloggerwife@gmail.com ! Thanks!

President's Speech

Gunner gave me the head's up that the President mentioned SPC Tucker in his speech today. SPC Tucker was in my husband's company and was killed in April along with Gunner's CO, CPT Pearson. You can read the speech here.

Memorial Day - Arlington (Trace Adkins)

Thank you.

Ugh

Pig roast on Saturday. I left once my MIL showed up and told the neighbor that we won't come visit her because they don't have a pool and started sulking. Ummmm...no......we don't come to visit because you have 6 dogs and your house is a disaster, smells, and is unsanitary! They are always welcome to come to my house!

Sunday we saw my brother and SIL. Abs hung on my brother's every word and she and Em loved spending time with him. They told me on the way home "Uncle Dave is like Daddy, he likes to spend time with us and he's funny."

Got the car tuned up today--Toyota will deliver your car to you, so we opted to go that route. I'll definitely buy a toyota again! They will even pick it up, service it, and return it to your office before the end of the day. Can't beat that!!!

On a whim, since Junior has had a rash since Friday night, I thought I would take him to the doctor. He pulled at his ears a little, but nothing major. He just finished his augmentin this morning, so I wasn't too worried......but instead, he has another ear infection. He's on a different antibiotic this time. I will call ENT on Tuesday, since we need to get this squared away, and fast!!!

Last week of swimming lessons.....I see the light at the end of the 10 week long tunnel.....

Buying Tires

As in everything I do, it couldn't be easy.

Saturday morning since I was down a kid, I decided we would get up early and head over to Discount Tires to get a new set of wheels. Gunner told me what kind to get, and the general population agreed. We head over there, and Rick at Discount Tires tells me that they don't have those in stock, but they can have them within an hour from the warehouse. Sounds good. I pay a whopping $864 and give Rick my cell phone number to call while we walk across the parking lot to wander around the one store that was open--Home Depot. Rick assures me that once the tires are there, that it won't take very long to get them mounted and put my spare back, etc.

With Junior in the stroller, Abs and I set off for Home Depot. We walked around the entire floor. We checked out tile samples, carpet samples, and Junior ate a mickey mouse paint card. We looked at flowers..

Then Abs met the Maytag repair man...

It was still early and no phone call, so we wandered around Staples. Still no phone call so we waited outside for Ross to open up. Wandered around there for a while and still no response. By this time we are getting close to an hour and 45 minutes of waiting. We head back over, get there, and our car has not moved. I waited and tried to entertain Junior. (Abs was a dream) Finally the manager noticed that my car had not been worked on when he came back from his lunch. He eventually got it pulled back there and they started work. By this time Junior is screaming. Customers are moving away from us, but only one man glared at me. I finally gave up trying to get Junior to stop screaming, it was hopeless. I moved closer to the counter thinking they would get tired of the screaming. Once we moved up there, they started hopping around trying to find my car, getting us water, etc. Finally our car was done.

I went to the car, put Junior and Abs in, and started to load up the stroller and diaper bag. I checked the trunk for the star key that opens my rims, and it wasn't there. I stopped someone who said he would go find it. Then I notice that part of my spare is not put on (you have to go through the trunk to unscrew it, but it's under the trunk if that makes any sense). So when tire guy comes back with the star key, I ask him what the extra part is for, and he says he will fix it. So he's trying to get my car back together, the manager is helping, and I am stewing in the car because Junior is still screaming and we have been there for three hours. Finally the manager comes over and apologizes profusely for taking so long, for not putting my car in the queue where it should have been, for not putting it back together correctly, for not calling (later found out that tire guy left a message at the house), the list went on and on. He then slipped me $100 and told me to have a nice dinner on the store. I think I'll put it towards my new tires.

Friday Night

Em had her sleepover last night and Abs and Junior and I headed over to a friend's house to swim and have a BBQ. It was so nice to relax and just talk with friends. I was surprised that Junior didn't try to get in the water. He got in a few times with an adult, and that was enough for him. He loved throwing all the stuff in the pool and drinking the saltwater. Abs had a great time playing with her little friend too. I really need to get a haircut for Junior.


Some pictures from last night:




He was eating a carrot.

Yes, after hundreds of dollars worth of swim lessons Abs was wearing floaties. She can swim though!

AAA

Went to the doctor to find out I am not dying, even if I do feel like I am. That's reassuring.

I've needed an oil change for a week or two, but never had the time. So today I am driving home and the check tire light came on. I get home and the tire is almost flat. I call AAA and they are sending someone to change it. Could I change it? Yes. Do I want to? Heck no!

So I called Toyota and told them I needed to take my car in on Monday if they were open. They are. Good. So I asked about the 60K checkup and he gave me a price. Ouch, but needs to be done. He then tells me it takes 4 1/2 hours and I need to be there at 7:30 am. We are going in our pajamas. I told him that I hope he liked kids cause I had three of them coming along with me. He told me that they have a shuttle that will take us home and then pick us up when the car is ready. That's nice. Whew.

That huge basket of snacks that they have in the waiting room would have been eaten in the first hour by Junior.

Now to search online for what kind of tires to buy. Any suggestions? (and NOT goodyear!)

Renaming my blog

I think I should rename my blog to something like "The Adventures of Gunner's Children--Three cute kids whose dad is serving his third tour in Iraq and whose mother is trying to raise them up to be productive members of society. Read our story as we try to give our mom a run for her money and make our dad laugh while he is gone."

So after a day of changing diapers--BTW, Huggies overnight diapers work great when your kid has diarrhea--Junior seemed to be doing much better.

Abs had an appointment at 2 yesterday so I picked her up after Junior's nap, came prepared to entertain Junior for an hour, and showed up at the clinic. I was an hour late. The receptionist was not nice at all. "I know it is a free appointment but you should call if you aren't going to come." I didn't traipse out to this place with all this crap and all these children to have a rousing good time hanging out for an appointment and not being seen. Geez. Abs started to cry.

So we load everything back up and head home. We get back and even though Junior had just had a snack (the boy could eat a bear most nights for dinner, but Tuesday night he settled for 4 hotdogs with buns, a banana, and the spoiled milk), and was still crying hungry. We were playing in the living room and then I heard a crash and saw Junior rooting around in the pantry. I went over to the gate and Junior had pushed on it so hard that it punched a hole in the drywall and that caused the gate to lose its pressure and swing wide open. Add calling housing to my list of things to do.

Em comes home from Poetry Club and we all hang out for a while, and I talk to Gunner online. He looks good, but is extremely tired. He's having a hard time sleeping more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. I told him "Welcome to my world!". He at least found it somewhat amusing. We miss him.

I spent swim lessons last night chasing Junior. I took his ball, threw it to the top of the ramp (which winds around) and he would run all the way up the ramp to get it, then run all the way back down. This happened a few times and he started to get tired. I did it again, and he looked at it, thought about it, stood in front of the stairs for a bit, then took off. He climbed up the stairs (which was a much much much shorter route), grabbed the ball, and ran down the ramp. He handed me the ball and said "Junior no play". He slept well last night.

Haircut at 9:30. I needed to do something since every time we walk outside the door now, my children see the plant, look at it, and say "Bye Mommy". They think they are funny.

Sour Milk

Tuesday night at dinner, Abs didn't finish all of her milk. Not a big deal, but she forgot to put it in the sink. I didn't notice till the next day while I was running around trying to get things done, so I made a mental note to get Abs to put it in the sink when she got home.

Best laid plans of mice and men. I forgot. Fast forward to dinner last night and I told the kids to sit down so I could serve dinner. I hear Junior gulping and look over and he is going to town on the milk. I screamed. Junior stopped. His bottom lip came out. He started to get huge tears.

This morning I dropped him off at daycare and told them what happened, but let them know that so far nothing had happened. I went to the gym to workout (ran 2.5 miles!), showered and the phone rang. I guess the spoiled milk kicked in and Junior was going all over the place.

This will be a fun day.

On the bright side, at least I got my workout in and I will have plenty of time to finish up my resume, etc. Maybe I will take Junior for a haircut or something.

I need a vacation!

What does this resemble?

My mom told me on the phone about all the super cheap dead plants that she rescued from Lowe's. This morning when I showed up to work I saw this plant on her front doorstep and immediately thought of.....

When the girls came home from school, they saw the plant and said exactly what I thought. "Mommy, that plant looks like your hair!" Oh the joy of having such wild, curly hair!

Learning a lesson

Em was excited about a field trip to the Bob Bullock museum that her grade was taking. Unfortunately she won't be able to attend. Permission slips were sent home and Em didn't get hers signed. They weren't even due yet, but in a panic she thought it was better to sign the permission slip herself and try to pass it off. It didn't work. Her teacher was nice enough to not write her up, but now Em is not allowed to go on the field trip and will spend the day doing extra work while sitting in another classroom. I can tell she is bothered by it, which she should be. Oh the joys of living with a pre-teen hormonal girl. Did Gunner plan this deployment any better?

I was talking to Ab's teacher about getting some OT help from the school district. She had communicated with the assistant principal about it, and was relaying the information back to me. Her teacher mentioned the PT because of the arm Abs broke in Kindergarten. Ummm....what broken arm??? I looked at Abs and she said "Well my sister almost broke her arm when I was in Kindergarten."

Junior seems to be doing better and the endless stream of snot has tapered off ever-so-slightly.

And just for the record....some people make me want to scream! Ugh. More on that later.

On a side note, they are having a blood drive at the girls' school. I would donate if I could, but since we were in Germany before 1996, it's a no go. Does that apply for the rest of our lives? Seems like that would limit a lot of people in this area from donating. Well that and I think the flyer stated if you had been to Iraq or Afghanistan in the last 12 months. There's the other half of our population....

Things I learned on Sunday...

1. Never try to cut the toenails of a baby you just doused in aquaphor. He will win.



2. While cleaning the garage with a 23 month old, always have a clear path to chase him. (Junior rounded the corner before I got to the door of the garage and I couldn't find him anywhere. I ran inside to grab the phone (he had a 10 second head start at most) and found him playing with his toys. Whole incident lasted about 120 seconds, but a few new gray hairs were added to the lot.)



3. If you have just scrubbed the dining room, don't serve pizza as one piece will land upside down on the floor.



4. When Abs says she is going to take a shower, hide the brand new bottle of shampoo. She will opt for a shampoo bubble bath instead.



5. If your husband every says he needs something from clothing and sales, don't believe him! Gunner took duffle bags full of stuff to Iraq, and I filled a dresser, two huge rubbermaid trunks, 5 duffle bags and still didn't get everything put away. In case of emergency, my garage is the place to be. We can have our own army.



6. A mother's instinct is right 99.9% of the time, even if you don't have a medical degree.



7. When you stuff the freezer and it accidentally pops open, it will be your ice cream that falls out and melts because it will make the biggest mess.



8. It is possible to do laundry all day long and still not be done.



9. In order to make banana bread, you need to buy 4 bunches of bananas so that your crew can't eat them all before they get brown (and since they were from the commissary that takes all of 3 days).



10. When your son is small, but stocky, he may not be able to climb over the gates, but he will learn to bulldoze them down. Great.

Amazon

I love Amazon. After thinking about Cheaper by the Dozen, and the sequel I placed an order for them.
I have never read Belles on their Toes, so I am excited about getting it! While I have never read it, I do remember that Tina B was in my 7th grade reading class and she did it for her book report. My mind is a wealth of useless information.


Knowing my kids, they will probably start taping foreign languages on the bathroom walls.

Diaper head, spidergirl & Em

He did have a diaper on his bottom too.

What better way to be dressed to watch Cheaper by the Dozen. (The original one--I absolutely loved the book when I was younger! I think I need to find a copy and read it to the kids.)

Not to be...

I mentioned that I hoped with the girls on antibiotics and Junior just coming off (finished 20 days of amoxicillian on Friday) that we would be in the clear.

Not going to happen. We just got home from the weekend clinic (which for all you Fort Hood people is now walk in only so get there early, but they said Sunday is always super slow). Junior has a double ear infection with huge amounts of pus, strep throat (probably), and pink eye. All this and he was in there singing the ABC's for everyone. Poor little guy just can't win! He's playing nicely, and if it wasn't for the fact that he ALWAYS has an ear infection, I wouldn't have known to take him in since he is pretty good natured (which he gets from me!).

So back on antibiotics we go, and of course augmentin means diarrhea. The doctor did put in a referral to ENT, and I know some people balk at tubes, but she said we are getting to the point where they are constant and severe and could start building up scar tissue and affecting his hearing. Not on my watch!

My mom had the girls overnight and they will pick berries after church today and then she will return them home to me. I'm off to sanitize the house, replace toothbrushes and clean out the fridge. Can't get much more fun than that!

Frantic Friday?

This morning I had a massage scheduled. I was tempted to call a friend and let her have it since I didn't feel like going. But, since she has been sick off and on, I wasn't sure she could use it so I went. Boy was I glad I did. I didn't really want to lie down for an hour and a half, but it was well worth it.

I came home, relaxed, talked to Gunner, then decided to make this for my lunch and dinner.

Best laid plans of mice and men. The school called and Abs had a fever. Turns out she has an ear infection and her throat was red, and it could have meant strep, but since they were treating the ear infection, the strep test didn't make much sense. So then I called the after school program, they said they would take Em, so I called the school and had a message passed on. Abs and I went to the doctor, then to Sam's to get her prescription filled. I needed toilet paper, but as usual came out with a whole lot of other "needs" too. Never fails.

I am home for a bit so I can finish cooking my lunch/dinner, then get the kids. Pizza Party at Girl Scouts tonight, but Abs will stay home with me.

My hope is that since Junior is on antibiotics for his ear and they just ended last night, that he will be okay. Em is on antibiotics for a UTI. I don't have time to be sick, I have a meeting on Monday and need to take a dessert and a salad. I sure hope they like store bought!

Things to Remember you by...

At school for Mother's Day, Abs was told to write 10 facts about me down. I'm a pretty interesting person, so it shouldn't be too hard of a thing to do, right? She even got a 100 on the list.

1. Frizy hare
2. Frecls
3. Funny
4. Fun
5. Sweet
6. Nice
7. Silly
8. Werd
9. Crasy
10. Cooks

The first fact is the fact that I have frizzy hair??? I inherited my dad's super curly hair. Can I help it if it rains a lot? And to make that be #1???? I've got so much crap in my hair to help tame the fro. I guess I need to pull out the big guns and look for something better.

I have no freckles.

All the rest apply, but I don't think I am THAT weird.

I asked Abs about the list and she told me that it was things to remember me by in case I die. Maybe I need to help with another list.

Be Prepared

So after stuffing the girls in the linen closet last night (actually Trying, Abs probably would hang out in cabinets with your kids!), we finally got some sleep. This morning I went in to give Abs her medicine and get her moving. I couldn't figure out what she was doing in her bed because she looked enormous. This is what I found:

The girl had stuffed every single animal and fuffy she owned down her pajamas. She wanted to make sure in case of a tornado all her "important stuff" was safe. Em had even given her one of those flashing light toys that you can wear around your neck--I knew Em had it in her to be nicer to her sister!. The slippers were my dad's. Abs has grown attached to them, although she rarely wears them. She wore them last night so that my dad would keep her safe. I'm sure he will Abs, I am sure he will.....

Thank goodness for small children...

So tonight we come home from swim lessons, eat dinner, and then I put Junior to bed. Then the sirens started going off several times. I went outside and discussed with my neighbors what we should be inside doing.

I went back inside, got Em out of the shower, cleaned out the linen closet and explained to the girls our plan. I put the girls in the linen closet and Em and I decided that there was enough room with her to put Junior there, since that would be the safest place for him. I planned to go to the front closet. The alarms went silent.

I left Junior asleep in his crib and then the girls wanted to sleep in the closet all night. I got them back in bed, and they are now fast asleep.

My mom is holed up in her bathroom. My sister has her laundry room filled with sleeping bags, candles and flashlights.

Why is it that I can't find our lantern, the wind up flashlight or any of the other flashlights when I need them? That's what I get for putting them somewhere "safe" after finding the kids with them--reading when they should have been sleeping!

55 weeks and counting

Tomorrow is trash day! One day I swear my life will be far more exciting than counting down how many more weeks I have of taking the trash out by myself.

It stormed last night...really stormed. I love a good Texas-sized thunderstorm, but it's more fun when Gunner is there so I will worry less. It was so windy and I was debating whether or not I needed to get out of bed and check for a tornado warning. I didn't hear the sirens, but I usually can't if I am inside. I started planning where I would stash the kids so we would be safe.

I contemplated the girls' bathroom (although Em says that she won't set foot in there because Abs uses it), but vetoed that idea because of the glass doors on the tub and it's an outside wall. Then I thought I would take everything out of the linen closet and put a kid on each shelf. Once the door was shut Junior wouldn't be able to fall out. It's on the inside hallway, so they would be safe, but I wouldn't fit. There's the front hall closet, but by the time I would unload it, we would have been whisked away to Oz. Not to mention that it would probably require Em to be near Abs and possibly touch her. I think I will stick them in the linen closet next time. Thankfully there were no tornadoes near us and I eventually fell asleep.

I guess the big news is that I was accepted into the teaching program that I wanted. They have such a long drawn out process, that I started to doubt myself. I registered for classes and now have to secure employment ASAP. I've started working on my resume, so all those people that offered to help, I will be taking you up on it! Just keep in mind the number of times we've moved before you see my sporadic work history. I can say that I have had interesting employment--from working at the Consulate, doing tours in Germany with the State Department (free trip so I could count people getting on and off the bus), international trade and development, buyer, mom/maid/cook/chauffeur to three cute kids. The list goes on....

Two weeks and two days left of swim lessons....they are doing such a great job that I am thinking of continuing to make the drive 4 times a week. Insane I tell you.

Pampered Chef

I want to order a new baker (the round one but I think I want a square one now) since I broke mine--that's what I get for cramming it in there while I was in a rush. I'd love to support a military spouse, so email me and let me know how I can get the best deal! Thanks!

For Gunner

Yes, I know, he needs a serious haircut! His cowlick is out of control Maybe the girls will cooperate and I'll post some pics of them later for you.

Pioneer Day & Mondays

This past Saturday we went to a Pioneer Day in Round Rock.

The story is here along with cute pics of the kids.

I went to the eye doctor today and I have old, tired eyes. They dilated them, and then I had to attend a meeting. Thank goodness for the GPS since I couldn't read one sign! I also lost my sunglasses, so I looked uber cool in the paper ones they hand out.

Three more weeks of swimming lessons till I get a break. The girls have made great progress though, and Junior is amused to sit underneath the lifeguard stand and smile at all the pretty girls.

Em got into the horse session of Girl Scout camp this summer. She's really excited, and I just hope it's a good experience. I remember going for two weeks and it was $240. Now I pay $250 for 6 days!

I got a message from my inlaws the other day and they invited us to their neighborhoods pig roast on the 24th. I'll be sure to take pictures if we go.

Our first Memorial Service is on Thursday for my husband's CO, and the CO's driver. No words.

Happy Mother's Day!

My mom kept Em and Abs Saturday night. Junior was a dream and slept through the night--a relatively new trick.

I had lunch with my mom and she gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Junior gave me a slice of cake, a flower and a card with a poem and his handprints. Em made me flowers and a homemade pop-up card! Abs designed a card and included seeds so I could plant my own flowers. Gunner even joined in the festivities and sent a gift basket! Amanda & Jessica--thank you for the wonderful voicemails you left, they couldn't have come at a better time! Thanks so much for believing in me!

Flowers by Emily...yeah I forgot to flip them.

And then Gunner called. A perfect end...

I am fortunate to have three wonderful children and a husband that loves me, and friends that take the time out of their day to think of me. Thank you everyone!

Still around...

I'm waiting for a big thunderstorm to come. There's thunder and lightening and Abs just came out and said "Bet you wish you had a clean garage now, since I am almost positive that it will hail." Yep, I've given birth to a little me.

Talked to Gunner the other day and convinced him to get off of messenger and call me. He did and was complaining about no mail. We finished up our call and he went back to find 7 boxes on his bed waiting. He should call more often! Thanks so much for all the things that y'all have sent and the letters too. The guys in his room were very appreciative as well since he always shares. Everything will be put to good use.

Today was career day at school. Abs went as...surprise...a paleontologist. Em went as a pop star. I asked her if she really wanted to be a pop star and she told me "Don't worry mom, I already graduated from college and have a degree in business so no one will rip me off!". Maybe not everything I say falls on deaf ears.

Erin and I are registered for our next 5k. Run with the Rovers. As long as I beat our previous time, I'm good. I don't have a dog, but Junior can growl.

Run for the Fallen

I stumbled on this tonight.

Run for the Fallen.

This is their mission statement from their website:

Run for the Fallen is a collective of runners whose mission is clear and simple: To run one mile for every American service member killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On June 14, 2008, we run across America to raise awareness about the lives of those who fought, to activate their memories and keep their spirits alive, to support organizations that help wounded veterans and the families of those killed (Wounded Warrior Project, Yellow Ribbon Fund, HUGSS (Helping Unite Gold Star Survivors), and the 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary Memorial Fund), and to aid the healing process for those Americans whose lives have been affected by the war.

We refuse any political affiliation or agenda, but simply honor those who have fought, and those who have fallen under the American flag.

If they are going by near you, you can join in and run with them. They will run from Fort Irwin, CA, to Arlington National Cemetery.

UPDATE: You can go here and post your information if you are organizing a run on the 24th of August, running each day at your own location, etc. You can also say who you are running for.

Wordless Wednesday

 

The girls wanted their dad up for WW. This was taken in Hawaii. I miss this face.

Still laughing...

Abs with my trophy.

Just call us...

superstar.

What do I do????

It's 9:38 and Abs is in her room crying for her dad again. What the heck do I do? Nothing seems to make her feel better. I've tried pictures. Daddy dolls. Flat Daddies. He writes. He calls. He talks to them online. There's no way I can get him back here. She knows where he is, what he is doing and how someone else really needs his help right now, even more than we need him.

It's heartbreaking though. The tears keep coming. We are only 8 weeks into this, we still have 57 weeks to go. A countdown calendar right now would be daunting to her. She's only 7. She even suggested that I join the Army and take his place. How's that for love???

Sigh....any ideas?

Tomorrow

is the big day. Erin and I are going to WALK a 5K. I'm excited!

The excitement could also be from knowing that I didn't have to drive to swimming for two days?

My mom is keeping the girls tonight, but Junior will be with me. I'm sure he will love it and ask me to run, run, run!

A 5K today.....a muddy buddy in October. A triathalon next Spring?

Wordless Wednesday

Finding a job

The local school district has a job fair coming up and I need to get started on my resume. I've had several interesting jobs over the last decade--buyer, worked at the Consulate in Germany, International Trade and Investment, etc.

Somehow I am supposed to play all this up towards education. If they want to give me millions to spend, I can do it. If they want to import from Africa or invest in foreign countries, I can do it. If they need me to look over oil & gas logs, reconcile account discrepancies, coordinate trade between the US and other countries, work with classified documents and more, I am their girl.

Any teachers out there that can help me? Anyone that likes to proofread resumes? Help!

Did you know???

That a roll of toilet paper will hold up to half of a container of windex? Abs does now.

We called Gunner's laptop tonight and figured out how to use the telephone feature. Is Skype any better? It really wasn't a bad connection, and since the phones were locked up because people couldn't clean up after themselves, it was better than nothing. We spent the first two deployments with little to no contact, so we are enjoying all the communication this time.

I went to the gym this afternoon and I was glad to be back. It had been a while, but I am back on the bandwagon. I'll need to be in shape to keep up with all my plans!

Pizza for dinner tonight...Papa Murphy's.....yummmmmm......

Enablers

I found this very interesting! If you answer yes to two or more questions, you can be considered an enabler. Hopefully someone will recognize themselves in it and do something to correct the situation.

1. Do you find yourself worrying about a person in ways that consume your time, or do you find yourself trying to come up with solutions to his/ her problems rather than letting that person do the solving?
2. Do you find yourself afraid for this person, or convinced that he/she “cannot handle” a situation or relationship without “falling apart”?
3. Do you ever do something for a person which he/she could and even should be doing for him or herself?
4. Do you ever excuse this person’s behavior as being a result of “stress, misunderstanding, or difficulty coping,” even when the behavior hurts or inconveniences you?
5. Have you ever considered giving/given this person money, your car, or talked to someone for this person as a way of reducing this person’s pain?
6. Do you feel angry if this person does not follow through with something you have suggested - or do you worry that you may not be doing enough for this person?
7. Do you ever feel you have a unique and special relationship with this person, unlike anyone else they may know?
8. Do you feel protective of this person - even though he/she is an adult and is capable of taking care of his/her life?
9. Do you ever wish others in this person’s life would change their behavior or attitudes to make things easier for this person?
10. Do you feel responsible for getting this person help?
11. Do you feel reluctant to refer an individual to a source of help or assistance, uncertain if another person can understand or appreciate this person’s situation the way you do?
12. Do you ever feel manipulated by this person but ignore your feelings?
13. Do you ever feel that no one understands this person as you do?
14. Do you ever feel that you know best what another person needs to do or that you recognize his/her needs better than he/she does?
15. Do you sometimes feel alone in your attempts to help a person or do you feel you may be the only person to help this individual?
16. Do you ever want to make yourself more available to another person, at the expense of your own energy, time, or commitments?
17. Do you find yourself realizing that an individual may have more problems than you initially sensed and that you will need to give him/her your support or help for a long time?
18. Do you ever feel, as a result of getting to know this person, that you feel energized and can see yourself helping people like him/her to solve their problems?
19. Have you ever begun to “see yourself” in this person and his/her problems?
20. Has anyone ever suggested to you that you are “too close” to this person or this situation?

April--Month of the Military Child

And I just happen to have three.

Fort Hood had a celebration on post today, so I ventured out with all three of the kiddos. We started out by picking up their free shirts and then over to pick up their free prize. They were happy.

They jumped in a jump house. Junior didn't like it. Em velcroed herself to a wall.

We had hotdogs for lunch. Popsicles for dessert. Chips. More ice cream--hey we are in Blue Bell country, you never pass up Blue Bell!

The girls participated in a wheelchair rodeo and won shirts and prizes. They met Miss Texas Wheelchair 2008 and got her autograph.

They threw footballs.

Em & Junior met Wonder Woman and Superman. Abs decided that they didn't look like real superheroes so she would pass because they were "weird".

We then headed over to the fire engine display and stayed forever. I let Junior out of the stroller and he was in heaven. The firefighters were from Fort Hood, and were GREAT! They were so nice and patient with Abs and Junior. (Em didn't want to do this part)



The girls got their faces painted.

In between we had two visits to the ambulance. The first time was because when we arrived Em opened the car door and whacked herself. She has a huge knot on her forehead. They gave her an ice pack and checked her over to make sure she was okay. We returned an hour later when Abs fell and skinned her knee.

We didn't win any door prizes, got a little bit too much sun, and we had one tantrum, but other than that we had a great time!

Cost......$0.

Compound Eyes

The girls are constantly leaving the door open and flies get in the house. Tis the season of the fly right now. Blech. I was chasing one around the house with a flyswatter this evening and Junior was laughing hysterically. My sweet Abs stated matter of factly "He finds it hilarious that you are trying to catch something that has compound eyes. Don't you know anything about compound eyes mommy?"

I smushed the little sucker. Compound eyes and all.

Thank goodness for disappointments

The girls had swimming tonight, so we loaded up and drove the 1/2 hour to the pool. We got there and there was lightening everywhere. They cancelled the lessons, and I was kind of ticked after driving that far. I accepted it, moved on, and headed back home. By the time we got to Killeen, the area where we had just come from, had a tornado visible (hadn't hit the ground yet), hail, and of course a Texas size thunderstorm. Sure glad we weren't in that mess!

Guess

Can you guess where I went today?

Three hints: Junior, ears, prescription

Yes folks, for the third time in 4 weeks, Junior has gotten another ear infection. He was on antibiotics still when this one started. I don't get it. I did see the doctor that I really like and he agreed to let me try a low dose of antibiotics daily over the next three weeks. It's not usually done anymore, but it worked on Abs and this will hopefully buy us some time to get his allergies under control and the weather to remain warm and then we can be ear infection free. We have to go back in three weeks to reevaluate. Keep your fingers crossed that we see some progress!

This was the 5th time we have been to the doctor this week. I loathe going to the doctor. I'm already germaphobic and thankfully the clinic has hand sanitizer thingies everywhere. He wanted to play with one of the communal toys, which made my skin crawl. I did contemplate whipping out my mini bottle of lysol and spraying it down and then letting him, but I left my purse in the car. Maybe next time....

While we were in the office with the doctor my phone rings. I ignored it. They called back. It was Gunner. I answered.

Me: I have to call you back I am with the doctor.
Gunner: The doctor? Again?
Me: Yes, again.
Gunner: Fifth time is the charm right?

Kitchen Update

The IA admitted they wanted an officer's mess, so they are now paying for it all themselves.

A new kitchen

Gunner is in a location where they get one hot meal a day.

Not a big deal, he's used to it and he gets packages filled with things he can microwave. The Iraqis have a contract with a guy who cooks their meals and delivers them three times a day. The IA is not happy because they feel like the guy is serving them poor quality food and not enough of it. Fair enough.

So what's an Iraqi to do? They tell my husband that they want a kitchen. The command tells my husband that Santa Claus is dead and they need to go through their people.

So this morning my husband was IMing with me and working with the translator on getting things taken care of. Apparently the last team in there gave the IA everything that they wanted and now they expect that. The team Gunner is on, is supposed to cure them of that habit of expecting the Americans to pay for everything.

To make a point Gunner said that they had some of the IA come over for what they have been eating for "dinner". In the end, the outlook is not good and the IA will probably get a kitchen with the bare essentials. Maybe then they can serve hot meals to the Americans?

Junior

A story about Junior here. The boy cracks me up.

Grrrrrrr.....

Love from Iraq

Wednesday morning my outlook express cratered. I'm sure it had something to do with the 4,569 unread emails. Or maybe the over 15,000 deleted emails. (I keep everything, and often don't even click on the junk emails) Gunner called from Iraq to see if he could help fix it, to no avail. I told him the error codes, etc. and he asked when I would get online again. The girls had swim lessons, so I wasn't able to get on till almost 9 that night.

My dear, sweet Gunner said he would call me then. Unbeknownst to me, he went back to his room, googled instructions (my whole computer locked up), wrote them down, set his alarm, called me, explained the instructions, and went back to bed. He loves me.

My email works.

I'm off to email him.

One more thing...

One thing I don't like about Junior going to a clinic on post is that if come the afternoon he gets some ailment, our only choice is the ER. Daycare called today to tell me that he had pink eye. Great. I go pick him up at 3 and we head to the er while I try to get an appointment at the clinic. After giving them every bit of information on my husband they tell me they have a first available tomorrow at 1 p.m. I take it and continue on to the er.

We get to the er and it's pretty empty. Good thing since I have to get the girls before 6. We move through the er relatively fast--don't even get me started on the rude doctor. We get a prescription to have filled in the pharmacy downstairs. We race down there and wait in line so we can get a number and wait some more. Since family members are not first priority, we wait. They aren't even calling our classification of numbers. The lady next to me has been waiting 50 minutes and she is 10 numbers before me. The clock is creeping. The Soldier next to me told me to go get the kids and then come back and if I missed my number to tell them I was in the bathroom.

So Junior and I race down the hallway, through the er, to the car. We race over to the school, pickup the girls-Abs has decided her foot is broken and has to hop to the car. We head back to the er, run back to the pharmacy (Abs ran so I guess her foot was miraculously healed after I told her I was not going back to the er).....and we missed our number by 5 people. I saw an open counter and asked for the prescription and he luckily gave it to me.

So Junior will go to work with me tomorrow and hang out with my mom. Good thing he likes tortillas for our weekly mexican lunch.

Here's hoping that we can avoid the er for a while, but I better refill the sanitizer bottles in the meantime.

Making Progress

A while back I said that while Gunner was gone I was going to do three fun runs/walks/bike rides. My first one will be on the 4th of May! I'm excited, but also know that since I haven't been to the gym lately that I will be walking it.

If I can find care for the kids, I am doing a 25 mile bike ride on the 31st. Somehow the thought of pulling them in a trailer or trying to convince Em that riding 25 miles would be fun, is not appealing.

I tried to sub today but nothing was available so instead I am madly listing things on ebay.

Mona-ME-sa

Drawn by Abs. Another self portrait....

A miracle on Sunday....

Took Junior to the ER this morning--he is fine--and we were in and out, including xrays in less than an hour. We even went to Darnell. There was absolutely no one there.

There is basically nothing they can do about him coughing all night long till he starts to barf. Lovely. They did say that his xray looks better than it did Thursday, so at least it is headed in the right direction. He has an appt with the allergist on Thursday.

And Gunner's son thought having his temperature taken rectally was hilarious and giggled the whole time.

On the homefront--every once in a while the sound goes out and we have to reboot the cable box. This morning it went out and Abs said "Where's Daddy when you need him?". Come on, I could move mountains if I had to! So with her lack of confidence I have chosen to not fix it till much later tonight. It's so peaceful....

Friday Part II

Our nails are done.Abs in a bright blue and Em in a bright purple. I of course stuck with conservative red. Boring.

We shopped. We ate. We talked. They declared it a great day.

We were on our way to daycare to get Junior and I said something about the powder all over the bathroom.

Em: There was powder all over the shower last night.
Me: There was?
Em: I mean all over, I wondered what you were doing mommy.
Me: Abs? I thought you confined it to half the bathroom.
Abs: Well it said shower to bath.

Friday!!!

The girls are off of school today and Junior is feeling better. I took Junior to daycare and the girls and I are doing a mad dash of cleaning the house. I told them if they would clean their rooms that we would have times to go get our nails and toenails done. What girl doesn't like that? Em is working and Abs is......well being Abs. I figured after our nails we could go get ice cream, pick up Papa Murphy's for dinner and pick up Junior and have a nice evening.

Then I went to the bathroom. Abs is not allowed to use my bathroom AT ALL! Apparently she "forgot" that rule. My bathroom is now decorated in powder. To be fair, most of it did make it in the trash can and was absorbed by the soaking wet roll of toilet paper that she dunked in the toilet. I know I should make her clean it, but the thought of Abs with water and powder....it is a recipe for disaster.

I better run since Abs just informed me that Em was holding her in slavery. Never a dull moment....

UPDATE: I went to clean the girls' bathroom and made Abbie stick her hand in the toilet to fish out the approximate three pounds of toilet paper that she had stuffed in it. She was crying and told me that she just wiped her nose. I don't know what possesses her sometimes. She has clean hands now, the toilet is unstopped and I am considering locking up the toilet paper and rationing it out.

More

Lunch with the Iraqi Army.

Mutton anyone?

Pictures from the Front

Mud hut with trash fence. My Soldier.

Gunner actually sent more pictures but blogger is fighting with me and we have swim lessons in a bit, so it wins.

59 trash days

Still making progress in the trash front.

Junior is still sick. He's been running a fever since Tuesday and has been on antibiotics for an ear infection just as long. No change. Can't wait till the appointment line opens up and I can get him in there again. It's no fun watching him being miserable.

Abs should be up but instead she is crying for her daddy. When will she learn that if she goes to bed when I put her there that she will not be so tired and cranky in the morning? Instead I spend almost every evening chasing her out of the window, the hallway or my room, where she is reading.

Em is already dressed and playing with Junior.

My friend Peggy is having a problem with her roommate not using soap to wash the dishes. She's looking for ways to talk to her without hurting her feelings. My suggestion was that she should talk to her while she washed her own dishes and lick the fork and put it in the drawer. It sounds like a sure fire way to make a point if you don't want to address it head on!

I got Junior an appointment this morning and I am hoping he doesn't have pneumonia. Poor little guy is watching Barney and hanging out. I never knew one small body could produce so much snot.

I'm done

I finished my observation journal tonight. About 50 pages of my ramblings.

I'm done and it is going in tomorrow morning so I don't have time to lose it.

Maybe I am too old for school.....

Wordless Wednesday

The first picture my mom took and the second one was from my el cheapo digital camera.

More pics here.

Round Rock Express

The RR Express had their opening night on Friday, April 11th. They usually let the military in free, but they made the first night 4th ID night, so I picked up tickets to go. The girls got out of school early for the 1st CAV welcome home party (useless fact about Gunner--he was in 1st CAV when we met a hundred years ago). We didn't attend the welcome home party and instead got ready to leave the next morning for Dallas.

Anyway, the girls and I picked up Junior and went to my mom's house since she was going to go along with me. I can take three children out in public, but it is easier to have an extra set of eyes on them--especially on Junior and Abs.

All 4th ID Soldiers and families were supposed to go on the field before the game started, but we of course were late and got there after they were already out there. Not a big deal, but the kids thought it would be cool. If you were over 21 and had an ID card you could have one free beer and peanuts. Ahhhhh......it hit the spot.

Earlier in the day when I got the girls from school, Em swung open the front screen door and bopped her sister in the head. It left a mark and a huge bump (which is now a huge bruise). While sitting in the grass Abs somehow managed to fall over and hit her head on the concrete wall. She cried and cried. We weren't off to a good start. She unfortunately wasn't wearing the green colander on her head at that point. The green colander was a gift from my uncle to my mom years ago. Somehow the kids latched on to all of them--yes, she received more than one--and they use them to carry things, as helmets to play soldiers, and Abs wore it to the game so she could use it to catch a baseball.

Junior wanted peanuts but because of his allergy to eggs we were supposed to hold off. Luckily I had granola bars in my purse. Although he had just eaten an entire happy meal, he scarfed down three granola bars.

Then there was a ball....high in the air.....coming our way.....luckily the right fielder caught it. With the way things were going it probably would have hit Abs in the head.

The kids were hungry. They wanted everything that anyone was selling. I finally agreed to get them a sno-cone thinking that it would take a while to eat and there would be enough for everyone. Well Em didn't want to share with her sister. Abs and Junior didn't have a problem sharing though. Once Em realized she was going to go without she agreed to share. They finished the sno-cone and then wanted cotton candy. Lemonade sounded good. They could really use a funnel cake. Why was I starving them? Why couldn't they eat anything? The whining continued. Never mind that I had just dropped $18 on Mickey D's for the kiddos and I knew they had full bellies. I just have a hard time dropping $4.50 on a bag of cotton candy or $3 on a lemonade.

Finally after an hour of the kids wanting to eat the entire time, watching very little baseball and Junior running off in every direction, we called it a night. The kids did have fun though, and that's all that matters right?

Monster in Law

Hopefully this is the last post on this. Yea right!

She emailed me last week and asked us to go to dinner on Friday night. We already had plans so I emailed her back to tell her no. I also addressed the problems we had at our previous dinner in a nice way. I asked her to be more supportive of me as a mother and not undermine me.

She wrote back and explained everything off on someone else, never addressed me asking her not to undermine her and ended with " I am sorry I had to open my big mouth. I will never ever do it again. we can go to TG Fridays at 6, and you can bring your friend to. "

I respectfully declined. I hate drama and this makes me feel like I am back in 6th grade again.