Hello Monday...

Well, I said some prayers last night to the tune of "please help me to find motivation each day to keep myself & the kids happy" -- sounds pretty simple right?  Well, not if you're dealing with the IRS...since January...and they're withholding your tax return because of their error!! But after holding for a mere 30 mins I was kindly told my refund would be available in as little as 6 to 8 weeks...are you kidding me??!?!? So, I went for a walk...the boys (Jake, Will & Ty) and I walked to Cassidy's school to pick her up.  Surprisingly, they all did really well there and back -- but poor Ty hasn't walked that long in a long while -- he slept most of the afternoon :)  But it definitely got the grumpies out for sure!  We had a nice afternoon just  hanging out -- I'm glad we went to the park at 10:30 a.m. because the high today (per my thermometer) was 101F!! But the humidity was only in the 30% range so it wasn't too bad really -- now, August it WILL be a different heat!  The baby has been fussy - he's just milimeters from cutting those two bottom teeth (that'll make 8 total!) -- he pretty much only wanted to eat cantaloupe all day!

The one thing I found to be really thankful for today was how well the kids are starting to play together.  They have rediscovered the plastic cupboard...they all three try to fit in there at times...and today we used kitchen ware as drums, safari hats & of course, weapons :)  All in all, I didn't find myself loosing energy or patience until the game of Princess Memory after bath time went a bit long and everyone was determined to finish no matter how tired they were... so, yet again, He does listen!! My motivation pushed me through to the end of the night and I think everyone had a nice Monday. 

Day 365-ish - "So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good-bye"

Today was bittersweet -- we drove Michael to the airport a sad task, but hopeful at the same time.  This journey has begun - thank the Lord! The build up to this deployment has been gracious.  We've been able to see Michael for 5 weeks out of the 6 months we lived apart - we were also able to Skype and talk on the phone regularly; making the time spent apart a little easier. 

Now, the hard part begins.  Unsure of where he will be, what kind of "issues" (safety, technical, logistical) he will face, what kind of issues WE will face (hey I haven't locked myself out of the house or car yet & we haven't had any ER visits -- total score!!) -- but so far, he's safely landed in Ohio (completing his deployment outprocessing -- again) and the kids are all tucked in bed asleep.  I am so thankful to have finally started to make progress towards his return...I keep reminding Cassidy, "the sooner he leaves, the sooner he returns" - it seems to help her not feel so sad and in turn reassures me too!  

He leaves the country in one week -- but the countdown for us began today.  We'll see how well I can keep up with my "remember Daddy" initiative -- countdown calendars, special dates planned, reading books about Daddy, the list goes on and on.  One thing that I'd like to master is updating this blog more often.  So when we can't speak with Michael, he can check in on our blossoming family to see what crazy things we're up to! 

I updated my status on Facebook and a friend said that she saw a devotion that was very appropriate for a military wife -- and I agree!

"I am called to be a military wife. God knew I could do it when He gave me the assignment."

And I'm taking a cue from another friend, it's called "Project 365" -- a photo journaling of your daily life -- one picture to sum up the day or a special event that day.  Today, I am starting my Project 365 --

Day 1:

I'm a soccer Mom!!

Cassidy had her first ever soccer practice last Thursday night! She is on a YMCA team with 3 boys & 6 girls. When asked what their favorite cartoon characters were (when trying to decide a team name) all the girls (except Cassidy) said that they liked "princesses"; Cassidy chose "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" :)

She is the oldest player on her team; I hope that soccer helps to build her confidence and get her active!  It was hysterical because the kids took everything that "Coach Joe" said literally.  Wish I had taken more video -- maybe I could've made some $$ on AFV! Overall, it was a great first practice -- but it ended with a double plastered Barbie band-aid and a few tears from a fall into the cold, scratchy grass.

Jake thoroughly loved going to soccer practice -- he can already dribble the ball with both feet; he's such a little sports star!  And probably too much for me to handle at games/practice :)

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Here is Will -- eating his first (and probably not the last) bite of cotton candy!

Too funny!

This is a photo montage of Jake's unwillingness to pose for a photo with his siblings...Cassidy decided to make funny faces and the baby (as you can see in some of the photos) is trying to figure out what these crazy kids are doing! Oh well, the pumpkin patch was still moderately fun...Jake's mood was less than stellar the whole night -- he was even afraid of the tractors!

Today’s Highlight reel

Today’s moments are brought to you by the letter J!

Jake went to bed last night with terrible congestion…he woke up this morning with lots of drainage…the green gooey kind.  So needless to say, it’s been comical – I’ve found dried booger on my elbow, Jake actually sneezed a GIANT snot rocket onto my hand as I was buckling his car seat and I found a large pile of goo on his t-shirt as I was unbuckling his seat. And he’s had a crusty nose all day sometimes with two little green caterpillars inching down his face…but mostly not – thank goodness!  Can I just say -- GROSS!

Jake has bitten He also showed some new interest in the Duplo blocks…exciting!  He has been stacking regular blocks for a while but the legos are a new thing – yay Jake!  Although where he chooses to put them is a different story – while I try to tell him these aren’t pockets – he seems to think it’s a good hiding place! He also used his play screwdriver to screw his belly button…looked like a good fit I guess!?! Oh this child keeps me laughing!

I have loved cuddling with the baby today…he is so darn cute!  But how is it that the instant I put him in a fresh outfit, spit up comes barreling down his chest and usually all over the shorts below?  Is there some kind of baby instinct that says “I must prove that I can create the MOST laundry even though I’m the smallest person”?  He is already wearing 6-9 month clothes…he is definitely not deprived from the calories he spews – maybe it’s self preservation from baby obesity :) LOL!

Cassidy has been her sassy self…it’s truly amazing how much like me she is…scary really! Her constant ‘Mom, what can we do now’ is really getting frustrating but I know that she craves routine…it just hasn’t happened yet.  We started to get into some kind of groove last week but with a four day break from school, it kind of got out of whack!  Through the process of moving this child has become even further addicted to television…she constantly asks to watch and if it’s a show that she isn’t allowed to see then she tells me that it’s “okay if you turn the channel” – “gee thanks Dear!”  I know that this phase will pass…when she’s like 30 right?  Sometimes I think we should adopt another 4 y.o. girl so that she has a constant playmate!

We talked to Mike today (love bluetooth in the car)– which is always wonderful! Now off to tuck the kids into bed and have some ME time :) 

If only….

All the things that run through my head on a daily basis would just magically appear on this blog…

I could tame my temper just a little more each day – the kids would stop giving it back to me and learn that anger is a fo not a friend

I could finish getting this house sorted…I think it’s depressing me!

I could make the commitment to start exercising on a regular basis and stop using excuses…I WILL start…SOOON!!!

this plugged duct would stop radiating pain on my chest…hugs should NOT hurt THIS bad!!

I were as productive in real life as I am in my head – my ‘to do’ list doesn’t seem too daunting until I actually start trying to DO it!

I were independently wealthy so that I could buy all of my hearts desires…oh come on, how fun would that be anyway!  I’m already hard to shop for – that would make it even harder :)

I could wrap my arms around my best friend and let her know how excited I am she’s finally having a baby girl xxxOxxx

I could kiss my handsome husband goodnight tonight and every night from now until eternity…I do it in spirit, but I wish it were in person.  mmmmwwwwaaaa!