Views from Our House

I love the location of our house.  

Junior and I spent the afternoon outside because the Thunderbirds were practicing.  He dressed himself today, who really cares if its backwards.  

A view of Pikes Peak from our yard.

Thunderbirds over our roof.

Another Thunderbirds practice run.  They have been practicing since Sunday, and perform tomorrow for the Academy's graduation.

Deployment Question #23--Inlaws

It's Monday, and I am finally watching Army Wives.

Who really calls is maneuvers?

Anyway, the part about Jeremy telling his mother that he wants to reenlist, but he won't do it unless his mother says it's okay...

Does your MIL have anything to do with your husband reenlisting?

Mine doesn't, plain and simple.  She would never even offer her advice, but that's a whole other long story...

Does yours?  Did she when he was single?

Does the war make your inlaws want their son home all the time?  Every leave or R&R?  It also brings up the question of reenlistment ceremonies.  I think I was involved in Germany, once, but other than that, I don't think I ever attended.

One thing I was surprised of when I was in Germany, was the number of people that sent money home to their family to live.  I guess I was too sheltered, but I never even imagined that was a possibility.  Did I mention my parents kept me sheltered?

Anyway, back to my question(s).  How much interaction do you have with the outlaws when your Soldier is gone?  Are they in on the homecoming and the departure?

I have a strange relationship with my outlaws.  They did something totally unimaginable a few years ago.  It was horrible.  They have been forgiven, but it has not been forgotten.

When they moved to Killeen, I tried to be open-minded.  They did step up to the plate and went above and beyond in helping me while Gunner was gone.  My MIL arranged her schedule around my teaching schedule so that she could pick up the kids if they were sick.  When Junior cracked his head open, they were there.  If the kids were sick, they would deliver groceries.  Right after Junior was born, they asked for my grocery list every Sunday and would deliver groceries.  I was reluctant at first, but finally realized with three kids, I needed help.

I did notice that my inlaws supply me with a lot of wine when we see them.... coincidence?

I have found that it is best for us to communicate via text messages.  I'm not one to ask for help, but a quick text message when I am stressed out resulted in inlaws at my door within an hour taking my kids bowling, feeding them, and returning them home exhausted (the kids too).

This deployment will be different because my inlaws aren't here, and they haven't texted me but maybe once about 6 months ago.  I wonder if it is out of sight-out of mind?  Guess we will find out!

Let me know how you deal with the outlaws while your Soldier is gone, I will probably need the advice!

I've been cooking...

Hard to believe, I know!

First Em had a friend over for dinner and instead of running out for dinner, I made this.  (Mrs. Hub's pizza dough)

The kids LOVED it.  I used the breadmaker so I didn't have to mess with anything more than throwing it together.  The dough came out perfectly.  Maybe grilled pizza is next?

After throwing in another batch of pizza dough, I made this vegan pizza.  I loved it!  Gunner, he had a hard time getting over the fact that there was no cheese on the pizza.  I bought pine nuts to add, but I forgot about them.

For breakfast yesterday I made Mrs. Hub's Morning Glory Muffins.  She said that they were moist and incredible.  She wasn't kidding.  My kids DEVOURED them.  I made 18, and Abs finished off the last 3 this morning!  If Abs gives her seal of approval, then you know they must be good.  I did substitute flax seed and water for the eggs--my new favorite substitute so that Junior can lick the batter since he's my sidekick.

Yesterday I got Abs packed for camp.  No easy feat if you had seen her room.  Em told me that she had all the clothes she needed, so I asked her to lay them out, and she has 5 pairs of shorts that fit.  I'm so glad that we leave in just a few days and will now have to run around like a crazy person trying to get her stuff to pack.

We live in housing, and while I love the house, our kitchen is the smallest tiniest that we have ever had.  There is no pantry, but there are two cabinets that are deep, that I suppose we are supposed to use.  The problem is that once something is in there, it gets pushed to the back and never found again.

I finally broke down and sent Gunner to Target (so I didn't shop there for hours) and he bought two pantries to put up.

The difference is amazing.  I can see my food duplicates of everything that I have bought over the last 10 months.

There's a deployment fair up at Gunner's work today, so Junior and I will head out there later this morning. They are supposed to have great resources.  I'm looking for one titled "How to keep your sanity on your 5th deployment with three kids, one of which is Abs, one who is a tween, and one who refuses to poop on the potty".

When you give a mom a magic eraser...

I received this not too long ago.  

I finally had a chance to break it out when Junior colored all over himself....and his wall.

(Well, the magic eraser was not for Junior, but if you can see what he looks like, you can imagine what his wall looked like.)

I ran off to get my magic eraser, and scrubbed his wall.  Super easy, get it wet, wring it out, and scrub.  All the marker came off the wall.  I cannot say the thing about Junior.

Of course after I had opened the package, I was a mom on a mission.

I stopped off in the bathroom and removed the lipstick lines that Abs had drawn.  This led to me scrubbing the tub after bathing dirty kids that night.  (Have you read the book If you give a mouse a cookie?)

The dirty tub led to me checking out the baseboards, which reminded me that I needed to get the backdoor where Sammy had put his muddy paws on the door frame when he was a mess.

While doing the back door, I noticed that Gunner had not cleaned up dinner (homemade pizza, yum!), so I ran over there and scrubbed down the stove with the magic eraser.

By this time, my magic eraser is half gone.  I decide to use it on the front door, a couple of wall spots, and then I was tired and done cleaning.

My complaint about the magic eraser?  (Cause there has to be one!)  I don't like all the little pieces of the eraser that come off the product, that I then have to clean up.  

I was also sent disinfecting bathroom cleaner, which when used with the magic eraser took off all the mud left behind after this fiasco.  

It came in a lavender scent, which is the new scent that I try to be in everything.  (Did you know lavender relaxes you?  They have me bathe Abs in lavender essential oils, so maybe I am secretly hoping that she will sleep longer if I clean with lavender scents?  Hey, I have not slept well in 9 years, I am willing to try anything!)

Another product that I was sent, was Mr. Clean with febreze (citrus & light).  Did I mention I am germaphobic?  I use this to clean the trashcan since it makes it smell good, also because Junior thinks that it is necessary to put his hands all over the trashcan and I get grossed out.  Is it a boy thing?

MS&L provided these products to me free of charge, for review, and would now like to send you a set of magic erasers.  Seriously, these things are the bomb.  I am hoping it keeps me (and now you!) off this website!  

So, just leave a comment and tell me about your messiest of messes if you want!  (Trust me, I'll understand!)

The winner will be chosen Wednesday, before I head out to Texas!

Run to the Shrine 10K

The Displaced Duthican asked me if I wanted to do the Run to the Shrine with her a few weeks ago.  I'm never one to pass up a race, so I agreed, and then told her that we should do the 10K.

Ummm.....what was I thinking?

I thought that there would be a hill to climb, but couldn't imagine that it would be that large.  Maybe I need to spend more time at the zoo.  Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only zoo that is built into the side of a mountain.  Where did I get the idea of running up a hill?  Let me assure you, it's a mountain.

We arrived bright and early at the zoo this morning and luckily the Dutchican knew the history of the shrine, which is pretty interesting, so I think we'll plan a trip up (in a car) before Gunner leaves.

The views were spectacular, and since there was an 8.5% grade increase and the altitude increased almost 1000 feet, I should have brought a camera because I could have taken pictures at the rate that I was speeding struggling to get up that hill.

I did finish the race, where the Dutchican was waiting at the finish line.  (I'm telling you, she's a machine!)

I'm glad I did it, but I think that the Pikes Peak Ascent is off the race schedule for a few years.  I've got a long way to go before I can hike up an incline like that at an efficient speed.  All in all, I would do it again, even the 10K (as I thought the 5K had a wimpy finish line), but I would have to get outside and run more, train with hills, and do the mini-incline by my house on a regular basis.

I love her

Abbie started LENS treatment a few months ago.

The results were not exactly what we had hoped for.  It was devastating.  During this time she learned all the parts of the brain, all the locations that they used, and understood LENS better than I did.  The doctor in charge didn't know what hit him when he started.  

During one of her treatments, they noticed some characteristics of a seizure.  They called me in immediately (because of course Gunner is gone) and they gave me the news.

We waited months for an appointment with a pediatric neurologist.  We had the appointment yesterday, and since Gunner got pulled for a class, I had to take Junior with me.  Big mistake.  I don't think that doctor knew what hit him.  Abs was full of questions about anything and everything related to his position.  He had the patience of a saint, even when Junior (who was napless) was a handful.

Basically all the neurological tests that they (her amazing pediatrician and the neurologist) have done indicate that she is okay for the most part (meaning they don't think there are any brain tumors or anything).  They will start with an EEG which we will have done in July.  From there, we will decide what needs to be done next.  (They told me that they need her to get no more than 5 hours of sleep before the test--like that's a problem!  Most parents will have to stay awake to keep their child awake, but we can just turn her loose on the wii and provide pizza, since she is up all night anyway).  

There are so many different types of seizures, and so many different treatments.  It could be that we are dealing with nothing, but it is better to be safe than sorry.  I am nervous, but then if this is what is happening, it could be the reason that Abs doesn't sleep, or explain even more of her behavior "episodes".

I've only noticed on "episode" that concerned me, but then I wasn't sure what to look for before.  

If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know, I'd love to hear all outcomes, you can email me.

I love this kid, and I would do anything for her, so until we have answers, I'll be sitting at home, volunteering at her school, and trying to figure out the best way to help her.  There have been so many stories here in Colorado lately of people that have killed children, and I am so thankful that Abs was given to me.  She might give me gray hair, give me a run for my money, keep me trying to stay one step ahead, but she knows she is loved unconditionally.  

Junior

Remember how Junior thinks that the dandelions are his Grandpa?  Well today I was washing the dishes (miracle) and Junior went outside on the patio, like he always does.  He ALWAYS stays out there and never wanders away.

I still go out there with him though, and I turned off the water, dried my hands, and went outside.  The gate was open and Junior and Sammy the dog were gone.  I look over in the above field of dandelions as I am running out of the yard and see Junior rolling on the ground and Sammy dancing around him.

I got everyone back in the yard and asked him what he was doing outside the fence.  He told me "I wanted to be close to my Grandpa".  He's obsessed with the man he never met.

Em "knows" fashion

Abs had a 3rd grade show yesterday.  Em decided to help her get dressed.  Apparently I don't know anything and you have to be "beeeeyooootiful" in order to go to one of these shows.  It was a cute show, but I did make her remove the lipstick gloss.  I thought maybe she needed a crystal ball

After it was over, I came home with Abs while Gunner and the other two kiddos went to get dinner.  Abs proceeded to tell me that the way she was dressed made her move from the "outer circle" of Jordie's friends, to the "inner circle of the outer circle" of friends.

I had to take a deep breath.  We had a long conversation about how people should like you for what is inside of you, and not what you wear or anything else.  Where did I go wrong?

Abs has a really hard time making friends, because they don't exactly think like she does, so she really wanted the other kids to like her.  But just the thought of inner circles of outer circles, makes my skin crawl.

My grubby son, who was a Soldier that night.  He got kicked out of the Y daycare for stomping on other children's feet because they "won't be my bestest friend".  Apparently my children need a lesson in friendship.

Whose idea was it to get a dog?

Recipe Blog Hop

So I am not much of a cook.

I couldn't think of anything.

I have been craving pasta salad, so I found this recipe on recipezaar, which is my go to for almost everything.

I made it.

I tasted it.

It's really good.

Be forewarned, it makes a lot, but then, I can eat a lot, so it works out.

Perfect Pasta Salad

1 lb box of tri-colored pasta (so fancy)

2 cups green peppers (I used red)

2 cups diced tomatoes

1 1/2 cups chopped red onions (I did about 3/4 of a cup, and made them large--when in doubt, pick it out--     for the kids)

1/2 lb cubed provolone cheese ( I even went to the commissary with a hungry Junior to get this)

1/2 lb slice pepperoni

1/2 cup black olives

Dressing:

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (I used less)

3/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup sugar (I used splenda and used less)

1 tablespoon oregano (oops, I forgot this)

1 tsp sale

1/2 tsp pepper

1.  Mix together dressing first and set aside until sugar is dissolved completely.

2.  Cook pasta.

3.  Cube the pepperoni.

4.  Mix everything but the cheese.  (I forgot and added the cheese)

5.  Pour dressing over it and mix well.

6.  Chill well--ummmm....it's in the freezer because I forgot to cool the noodles first and it started to melt my cheese.  Did I mention I am not a cook?

Trust me, it is excellent.

This led to me making the kids carrot cake for dessert.  Next stop, I'm making hummus.  I've got some carrots to eat.  

Wordless Wednesday

Colorado isn't so bad

I was in a slump and hating Colorado, but I am beginning to turn it around.

I think it was my lack of activity.  A big part of my life in Texas was training and racing with fellow teachers and friends.

I have a race with a friend scheduled this next weekend.  Today was the half marathon with Gunner.

I joined a running group, and there are plenty of opportunities for me to run, if I just had the time!

The girls will start a new school that I am really excited about, and they are too.

I will visit Texas in the next two weeks, get my fill of mexican food, take the girls to camp, see friends and family, and return home to Colorado.  Home.

Sometimes it takes me longer to settle into places than others, and while I won't say that I am ready to stay in Colorado the rest of my life (there is a state income tax mind you!), I can say that I will make the best of my time here.

There's plenty to see.  Plenty to do.  I need to get over my shyness and get out there and enjoy everything that this state has to offer.

This is the first time we have PCSed and the girls are old enough to remember me putting myself out there and making a new life for ourselves.  I need to show them that you can make every place that you are, a home.

Now if I could just teach them how to match socks and clean their rooms...

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Since we were just running through the museum briefly because we had packet pickup and I had a conference in the afternoon, I let Junior lead the way. Well that, and I forgot the stroller. (It was a mile each way to get the packets, and he was done by the time we had to head back.)

The museum is free to military families!  You do have to pay for the IMAX and the special exhibits, but I didn't have time for that this visit.  Here's Junior checking out a movie on dinosaurs.

There are huge exhibits of dinosaurs, which will be right up Abs alley.

We visited with the mummy.  The boy has watched too much Scooby Doo.

They have a discovery section for the kids, so Junior wanted to spend more of the time there.  

Puzzles to do.

They could become paleontologists.  

Take apart a human body.

There is definitely a lot to do, plus it is right next to City Park, so when I take all the kiddos we will pack a picnic lunch.  There are also water jets in the back of the museum that the kids can play in during the "heat" of the summer.  

We did have to swing by the gift shop on the way out and Junior picked out a space helmet.  He said he is using it to go visit his Grandpa.  Sigh.

Where did the time go?

I sure hope Gunner's deployment goes as fast as time as flying by right now!

Friday I took Junior to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  Pictures to come.

I picked up our packets for our half marathon on Friday as well.  They had a glitch with the database and so our bib numbers did not match out names.  Enter Stephanie and Cindy.  Gunner was lucky enough to be Cindy Frothingham.  (There was one guy who got stuck with the name Princess!)

The race was packed and it took us forever to get across the starting line, but the route was well manned and well marked with plenty of water.  There were tons of spectators and lots of cheering.  Once I hit mile 6 I decided I would take 100 steps when I hit mile 7.  Mile 6 lasted f-o-r-e-v-e-r.  The next sign I saw was mile 9, so I got rejuvenated and didn't take those 100 steps.

I coughed the entire way.  It was awful, but I just kept trucking.  We didn't train for this race, and I had never run this far before.  Wimpy I know!  In the end, we both finished and feasted on beer and BBQ.  I almost felt like I was back in Texas, except for the beautiful running weather!

The people there were amazing.  Everyone was encouraging, from the spectators to the police guards, so the race volunteers.  The spectators would read your names on your bib and should out encouragement, who cares if they called me Stephanie, they still told me I was doing a great job!

I am sore, my feet are covered in blisters, but I succeeded.  I love the distance and am already seeing when I can fit another one in!  I am trying to talk Gunner into a marathon in October 2011 when he gets home.  He won't shake my hand on that deal....yet.

I attended a Women's Military Spouse Conference this weekend on Friday and Saturday.  I met some great people, and even met the woman behind Cowgirl & Combat Boots and without knowing it met another blogger over breakfast, The "D" Word.

I hacked through the entire conference.  I should have gone to the doctor, but I am going to have to go this week.

I met some great people, received some great resources, and enjoyed some time talking to people that don't poop in their pants.  Always a bonus.

Mother's Day in Pictures

Deployment Question #21--What phone service does he use?

As we get things ready, I have some questions.

Do you use Skype?  Pros?  Cons?

Magic Jack?  Pros?  Cons?

Calling cards?

Cell phone?

What's the best route?  What are the costs associated with it?

Help!

You know a deployment is looming when....

You know a deployment is looming when...

--He returns home with two bags of gear that the Army decides he NEEDS.  Never mind that he has another 20,000 pounds of TA50 downstairs, and many of these items are duplicates.

--He has a date for the CONEX to be packed and it is too soon.

--They repaint the bottom of their bags.

--They get issued the new FRACU.

--Mountain boots have joined the pile of required gear and are being worn around the company in order to break them in.

--Block leave plans have been made, cemented, and are set in stone until the Army changes their mind.

--He drags out his hair clippers to pack so that he can keep his head shaved.  (His first deployment to Bosnia, half the guys got mange, so he goes bald every deployment)

--He makes an appointment to get new POA's.

--I refuse to let him feed mac and cheese to the kids, so I know they will eat it while he is gone.

--He refuses to buy new clothes.

What else would you add to the list?

Wordless Wednesday

Taking a break from biking through Red Rock Canyon. It's hard riding in the trailer behind Daddy.

I'm ready for a vacation

without the children.

I remember my mom telling me that a kid will learn to not poop in their pants if they have to clean it up themselves, and sit in it till they are ready to clean themselves.  Whoever came up with that idea has not met Junior.

I took the girls for haircuts Saturday.  Abs cut her own hair again tonight with a razor, taking a chunk of skin out of her finger.  Her reasoning?  Who the heck knows anymore.

I was getting my workout in this morning and heard my name over the loudspeaker.  Junior apparently was stomping on other children's feet, so he was sent home.

My dog still has a pink head.

I have a half marathon on Sunday, and I am not prepared.  To be honest, that's how I roll.  I'd rather get out there and give it my best shot, then not participate because life got in the way and I didn't have time to train.  Maybe I am more like Gunner than I thought.

I had to bug The Mrs. today to find her recipe for feta spinach mushroom turkey burgers.  Ummmm.....they are excellent!  You have to try them.  Gunner is in love with them.  I am in love with them.  We made extras for tomorrow.

It was in the 70's yesterday, and is freezing today.  Snow is in the forecast.

I am drinking a glass of wine and I now know why I stay up till almost midnight every night.  I need the downtime without having to keep track of anyone!

Deployment Question #20--How has deployment changed you as a parent?

The last questions dealt with how deployment changed you as a person.  Now, how did it change you as a parent?  Let me explain...

Gunner and I had almost 6 years as parents before the deployments started.

During that time, he was almost always home, and we were busy raising the girls, taking them to activities, lots of family time.

I felt like I had it under control.  I felt like I was a good mom.

Since Gunner started deploying though, I feel like it has affected me as a mom.  I have less patience.  I am more overwhelmed.  I never have enough time in each day.

I do know that is is quality, not quantity.  I do know that I do everything in my power to make sure my kids will be okay.  I do know that I do more than the average person, and include my children in almost everything that we do.

I also know that it's not easy to do alone, especially when their dad is halfway around the world and you have a lot more questions to answer and a lot more worries.

I think that if all these repeated year long deployments had not occurred, that maybe I would be a better mom?  Don't get me wrong, I'm not a bad mom, but maybe I could have been better.  Or maybe everyone else is a perfect mom and deployments didn't make a lick of a difference?  Hopefully there is someone else out there...please?

Deployment Question #19--How has deployment changed you?

When Gunner left the first time for Iraq, I was 30, with two kids ages 5 & 2.

He had deployed for a year before, but we were in Germany and since we had no kids, I threw myself into work, graduate school, and learning German.  

We got married when I was 22 and he was 24.  We were young, but I had finished college and was pretty independent anyway.  

As we are about to embark on our 5th year long deployment, I have changed.  So has he.

I know when he leaves, I know that I can handle anything that comes my way.  I could the first time, but I still liked to talk it over with him.

I do a lot more things on my own.  I don't wait for him to travel or see new things.  

I plan trips adventures for when he gets home using some of the extra deployment money.

I make more lists.

I value our time together as a family more.

I don't take certain things for granted.

I maintain traditions for the kids, so they remember the holidays and don't just look at them as "that awful Christmas that daddy was gone".

How have you changed since he deployed?  Or if it has been multiple deployments, how have you changed each time?

A Blast from the Past

Did you ever have the old Fisher Price little people?

We used to play with them all the time. Even with the new ones, my kids still prefer the old ones.

Meet our family, little people style.
(Left to Right: Em, Abs, Daddy, Jr, ABW)
No idea why I am a Grandma and Em is a horse. I loved how he put the 4th ID magnet in there though.

They were having a family meeting.

There always has to be mail. Jr. said she was delivering packages from Iraq.

Can you name the girl in the middle? And if the boy on either side of her had an orange body, what would their names be? I used to think that we came up with the names until a friend saw them and said the same names. Guess we got them from somewhere!

Happy Mother's Day!

I did not get chocolates.

I did not get flowers.

I did not get breakfast in bed.

Instead, I got an all day mountain bike trip down Pikes Peak!  We'll pass through 5 different life zones.  There's lunch with wine at the end.

I can't wait!  We just have to arrange it around Gunner's schedule once the trails are opened up.

I'm thinking if I bike down it, I might need to run up it.