Saturday, May 30, 2009

Into the Wild

Well, I finally got the time (though I should have been cleaning the house) to watch Into The Wild last night.

Didn't like it. The book is about 4000 times better (which is very typical, I know). My problem is that the movie glorifies this guy's stupidity where the book is a bit more straightforward and doesn't put emotion to his story. There is SO much more that the movie doesn't explain -- like the fact that his refusal to take a map cost him his life. There was a ranger crossing (of the river) only 1/2 mile away -- clearly marked on local maps.

Plus, it creeped me out. So, if you have seen the movie but not read the book -- I encourage you to read it! It is only around 100 pages. Analee... I'm talking to you.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Just pictures tonight...

Lots to be thankful for -- but tonight I'm just leaving pictures and going to bed :-)


Josh at the Leaders' Club --


Kids at Leaders' Club for Al's promotion to CPT -- is Grace a giant, or what?!?



The girls were SO interested in the promotion ceremony -- NOT!


Faith's last day of Pre-K; they hosted an ice cream social


Sam had his first ice cream cone -- just the cone -- no ice cream. Couldn't you just eat him?!?


Lord help me -- he is climbing



Sam has learned how to crawl and not hurt his knees -- he bear crawls when we are outside!


Josh trying to figure out the new hose nozzle -- I could just eat him too!


Pretty girls playing in the sprinklers

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tuesday's Thanks

Sorry I missed a few days, but the kids and I really did have a good -- uneventful -- weekend. And I went to bed early every night :-)

1- Today was Faith's last day of Pre-K. I can't believe she will start Kindergarten in the fall! Her class hosted all of the younger siblings and parents for an ice cream social. So fun :-) I have pictures, but my card reader isn't working :-@

2- Whatever weather front has been pushing through this weekend has finally passed. Finally, my head doesn't feel like there is a balloon inside of it -- inflating! Such pressure :-(

3- Have a great friend who is willing to brave watching all four of my kids while I have a tooth pulled tomorrow -- she doesn't have kids yet, so I am not to scare her away

4- Faith's soccer game tonight was postponed until tomorrow night. This is a thankful in that I had a bit more time to get the gift (got it this afternoon) but not a thankful in that now she has to decide whether to go to a birthday party (at 5pm) or her LAST soccer game (at 6pm). I am pushing hard for soccer -- but told her that we could try to do both. At least go and give the little guy his present then head to soccer. Only problem is that it is at Blazers Fun Zone (one of those inflatable, bouncy places) and she REALLY wants to do that. Maybe I'll take her this weekend... if she chooses the right...

5- Didn't get to talk with Rob today, but did get two very sweet voice mail messages. I hate that I missed him, but am okay knowing that he is safe and sleeping :-)

Friday, May 22, 2009

Friday's Thanks

So I didn't write anything last night because Rob called as I sat down to write. Sorry, folks, he takes priority :-) and I didn't get up again to write!

1- Rob is safely at his final destination of the deployment

2- Kids played in the sprinklers this afternoon and I got Sam a baby pool to sit in -- with a shade on one side so he doesn't sit in the sun :-)

3- Made mom's famous slush today ^_^ and it is just slushy enough to have a drink tonight

4- Three day weekend -- though I am not sure that is a thankful yet...

5- stayed out until 2200 tonight talking with some other ladies in the neighborhood. The kids were playing until the lightning bugs came out. Hmm.... preview of the summer to come :-)

6- got to see the first lightning bugs of the season -- I love lightning bugs

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Wednesday Night Thanks

1- Sam went right to sleep tonight -- no fussing at all!

2- I got a snuggle nap with Josh today! I miss snuggling with him :-) Though he has been finding his way to my bed during the night...

3- American Idol will be over soon... I love watching it, but I don't like the 2 hour finale that seems to drag on and on and on and on...

4- I am so excited that Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will be coming out in July! I just saw a commercial :-) Mom -- are you going to be here so I can see it on opening day?

5- Got to talk with Rob today after he came back from his trip. Now I can sleep knowing he is safely back where he should be -- well, he SHOULD be here, but you know what I mean

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Tuesday's Thanks

1- No obligations tonight meant that we could stay outside this afternoon, enjoying the nice weather, without having to rush to soccer or a meeting

2- Turkey kielbasa with peppers and onions for dinner -- cooking it makes me think of the NC State Fair

3- American Idol finales tonight -- I have liked Adam throughout the season, but I have really started liking Kris. Reminds me of Dave Matthews.

4- went to the gym again this morning. I even took the boys with me -- they have free childcare there. I went to a step aerobics class -- it has been a very long time since I did cardio at the gym. I usually like weights much better.

5- Dentist in the morning. Why in the world is that a thankful?!? I am PETRIFIED! But I really need my tooth to STOP hurting!!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Monday night thanks

Well, I skipped last night's thanks due to a toothache/headache/sinus ache/general didn't feel good kind of night. So, I may have more than five tonight -- forgive me :-)



1- Went to church again yesterday and liked it even better than I did the first week. The regular pastor had been at his son's graduation in Oklahoma last week so there was a stand in. This week, though... this guy was awesome! And he preached one of those sermons that hit you pretty hard -- like he was talking directly TO me, ABOUT me. I will probably blog about the sermon later -- I did that during the first deployment, so that Rob could participate in our church life back here.


2- Cool weather is nice

3- Woke up this morning with 3 of my 4 kids in the room with me. Josh was the only one to stay in his bed all night :-) Though this isn't always something I am thankful for, it is nice that they just come find a spot instead of waking me!

4- Girls got on the bus with very little fussing this morning. There really is something to be said about having them very close to bed by 8pm.

5- Tried out a new gym this morning -- for free :-) It was quite nice and offers free childcare on site which will be AWESOME for the summer! Haven't joined yet, but it may be something to consider. I am going again tomorrow -- and am taking the boys to make sure they like going too!


6- Because of my toothache, I called a dentist. I am SO scared of the dentist. I have an appointment on Wednesday morning. While I was on the phone, the lady said that she could hear my kids and asked if I wanted them to be seen too. I said sure and she said to bring them in this afternoon -- and they loved it! Had a blast! No cavities :-) and they got stickers. Let's hope that I do half as well on Wednesday...


7- Had a nice walk this afternoon

8- Cut Josh's hair this evening. He hadn't had a hair cut since the weekend before Rob left (so 4 weeks...). He really needed it!

9- There is a beautiful sunset outside right now. Blues and pinks and oranges all across the Western sky. Beautiful

10- We got a new digital thermostat today. Now I can tell exactly the temp inside. Plus it does this schedule thing where it will change the temp at any time -- so I have it scheduled to get cooler at night. I really love sleeping under covers ;-)

11- I am SO not a fan of Hamburger Helper, but tonight I made the Cheesy Enchilada and the kids ate every bit! Now I know what I can do in a time crunch!

12- When life gives your browning bananas... make banana bread! Josh and I made mini-loaves tonight. Yummo! Plus we have breakfast ready for us in the morning :-)




Miles to date... 17.5
Miles to go... approx 800 :-p

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Saturday night Thanks

Wasn't a very good day. Cold front coming through made my head ache and my temper pretty short. AND the kids didn't help, but that's okay. They all went to bed early so that we can start tomorrow fresh and happy together again. So... here are the happy points
1- Faith's soccer game was cancelled this morning because of some storms going through the area. This let me be at Josh's last Smart Start Soccer practice. I didn't know they were going to get trophies and certificates. I would have been devastated if I had missed that!

This is not his coach, but this is the guy who usually ended up doing the coaching. His coach didn't show up today :-(



2- I went into Movie Gallery tonight to rent a movie and ended up buying four. They had a buy two get two free on previewed movies. Since we ALWAYS turn our movies in late, $7.50 is what we usually end up paying for four days so I thought 'what the heck'. I bought Meet the Robinsons (one of Josh's favorites), Bedtime Stories (we rented this movie last... very cute), The Tale of Desperaux (we haven't seen this one) and Twilight (haven't seen this one either, but I knew it would be my guilty pleasure).


3- Got the kids showered and to bed about 45 minutes before normal. That meant I could watch Twilight all by myself :-) PS -- Robert Pattinson is hot -- even if he is younger than Katelyn :-) AND he played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire



4- Storms brought in some not so muggy weather. It meant a yucky morning, but the afternoon was awesome! Nice breeze and the temp dropped to the mid-60s.

5- Found my calendar/planner today. I hadn't been able to find it for about a week and was LOST without it!



**Look at that face! Go ahead, click on the picture so you can see it close up. I was looking through the pictures once I got home and I said "Josh look at your face. You look so sad" and he said (get ready -- this will get you) "yeah... I was missing daddy right then"**

Friday, May 15, 2009

Friday night Thanks



1- The marble finally passed :-)

2- Battalion Coffee tonight. Fun, fun! The theme was tacky clothes. It was HILARIOUS! I will upload pictures, but don't have many of me -- I didn't win :-p
3- Thunderstorms this afternoon. I love thunderstorms, especially when all my kids were home and safe with me.
4- You've Got Mail -- Tom Hanks and cute Meg Ryan, need I say more? It is one of those movies that I watch everytime it is on. Such a predictable, sweetsie movie, but it is so great.
**On a completely side note, have you seen her recently? Please don't let me ever inject collagen...
cute Meg:
not so cute Meg:


5- Got to talk to my Rob more than once today :-) I love the surprise phone calls the most!
6- My legs are SMOKED from the gym this morning.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Thursday's Thankfuls

1- Volunteered this morning at VVES. Though I thought we were going to make popcorn, instead we made cotton candy bags for tomorrow's field day. I am not really a fan of making cotton candy, but I had a great time chatting with such a great group of ladies!



2- Got two loads of clothes done today -- and when I say done, I mean done... washed, dried, folded AND put away! I know, I know... slow down, Melissa!


3- Took a stupid Facebook quiz today and it said I was more geeky than my dear BIL -- by 20%! Sorry, N, but I don't think so :-) GEEKS UNITE!


4- Hurricanes WIN Game 7 in overtime! WOOOOO!






**once again, I wanted to add a video here but am stupid when it comes to embedding from youtube **


5- Grey's Anatomy Season finale took my breath tonight! I can't believe that George joined the ARMY! I almost lost it when the elevator door opened and he was in uniform. Who is going to make it?!? Or is anybody? I really have to wait!?!?!? {{sigh}}
PS -- I really like Hunt. He is my new favorite character

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Back to daily Thankfuls

In an effort to keep myself sane :-) I am going to restart my daily thankful lists...


1- As of now, I have been able to talk with Rob almost daily. I know that it will change soon, but I am enjoying that I get to hear his voice -- even if it is a semi-robotic sounding voice half the time

2- Walked 2 miles on the treadmill this morning, another mile after dinner (though I think this mile should count double since I was dragging the boys in the wagon) and am going downstairs for another 2 before bed. I have a lot of miles to walk...

3- Watched Enchanted with the kids today when Grace got home from school -- snuggling with Sam while he napped

4- Made a dinner that everybody wanted seconds! Even Faith!!

5- 2 weeks down -- I won't think about the 50 to go :-p 50 is better than 51 and much better than 52!! I love you, Rob!

Monday, May 11, 2009

My silly boys

Josh has an imaginary friend. His name is Jay and he is in "Grade 5". He talks about him constantly.



We are on day 4 of no pacifier for Sam. He seems to be doing great. He found one yesterday but didn't put it in his mouth. He just played with it and chewed on the backside -- teething.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope everybody has a great day!!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Our Poultry dinner

So, my friend Rebecca gave me a great recipe for an Italian salad. We love it in our house. It has chick peas, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomoatoes, cauliflower, green beans and green olives marinated in Italian dressing. Delicious. Well, I made it the other night -- along with some couscous for me. I didn't think the kids would like the couscous, so they had something different.

When we were in Disney, we ate at one of the character lunches. It was a buffet (which I am normally NOT a fan of) and I ate my fill of one of their dishes -- a couscous salad. It was served at room temperature and had tomatoes, cucumber, and Italian herbs in the couscous. Delicious.

Back to our house -- I decided I wanted to try putting my two things together. I put some of the Italian salad in my couscous. Delicious.

I never thought the kids would want some, but they did! Josh couldn't get enough. This is how our conversation went:

Josh: Mama, can I have some more?

Me: Sure. What do you want?

Josh: Some of that {{Pointing}}

Me: What is it?

Josh: Mama {showing frustrations}-- I want some chicken peas. Some chicken peas and some goose goose.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Clarification and Bubbaism

The home phone issue... it isn't that I am going to need it so I can to talk with Rob. He will ALWAYS call my cell phone, just in case I am not home. I need something to talk with the spouses through the deployment. There are times when I talk for over an hour with some people. It is only a week into the deployment and we already are hungry for adult conversation :-) I wish that I could look forward to long conversations with Rob. I am happy to get the 3-5 minutes that I do get! And all that will change when they leave their current location! There is no telling how long we will go between phone calls -- ugh -- I don't want to think about that now :-)
I think I may just change from my T-mobile to AT&T when our contract runs up in September. AT&T has an unlimited calls, texts, etc for only $99.99 a month. What about the MagicJack... anybody use that?



Bubbaism --


Tonight, I told Josh that he couldn't have a cup of water in the living room.

Me: Josh, come back. You can have your water in the kitchen or the dining room.

Josh: Oh. Here (hands the cup to me, standing in the kitchen. I turn to walk further into the kitchen and he says) Where are you putting it? In the diamond room?


He thought I said diamond room, not dining room :-) Tonight when he was going to bed, he wanted to take a cup of water to his room. I took it back out as I left his room and told him it would be in the diamond room when he needed it.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Home Phone

So, I am thinking of getting Vonage for the house. This will maybe help with the long phone calls I am expecting to have during this deployment.

Anybody have it? I do know that the 911 issues of the past are gone. You can call now and get your local emergency center. That was the only thing that I was hesitant about. What do you think?!

Friday, May 1, 2009

randomness...

I finally remembered -- the Yellow song is to the tune of .... If You're Happy and You Know It!

Ah... now I feel better.

Well, we are two days in... we are all doing well. We went to eat dinner with a family of friends tonight. Then we went to their neighborhood playground and let the kids play a bit longer. On our way to the playground from the restaurant, Grace said it wasn't fair that her daddy wasn't here when other kids' dads are. Break a mama's heart!

Got to talk with Rob tonight (his morning). Always makes my nights better to talk with him before bed -- whether he is here or not :-)