Busier than a bee?!?

17 days left until we can start moving into our new house. I say "start" because I have my doubts that we will move completely out and in within one day. One day because my husband has to be into work the following day. No time off from training to move and no leave given for a PCA. 

My plan: get a majority/all of the "oh my gawd my back is breaking" heavy stuff loaded up on Saturday and haul it over and unload Sunday. 

While this may seem weird to not just move it ALL at once, the kiddos and I are going to still be at our current home for a little while longer. I'll need to go through the house and make sure everything on the list/lists (yes, I keep finding more that needs to be done and piling up stacks of paper with lists on them to make our house rental ready) has been completed, get all of the utilities turned off, have a cleaning service come through, and tie up any other loose ends that Murphy might like to throw my way at the last minute... 

I don't want to move, but I want to be closer to my husband, and we NEED more room!! I started packing last week... Our house started looking so empty, now it looks like a cardboard factory blew up, tied in with children's toys and random crap that needs to be gone through! 

I received estimates on our back patio extension (this will be done next week) and repainting our man-child's 1 red & 1 blue "Star Wars" walls, our small hallway, baseboards in the dining & living room, and the chair rail in the master... $650!!! WITH us providing the paint!!! WTF?!? Again, our house is not huge, so that price for doing nothing but taping off areas and rolling on some paint (not even primer) was a shocker to me! Looks like we'll be throwing our painting clothes on soon and sending the kids to the neighbors! :-/

Fence/Gate guy came out on Tuesday, was told I would have an estimate that night, it is now Thursday, and 1 voicemail and an email later, no response. A. I'm hoping nothing bad happened. B. If nothing bad happened why the hell have I not received any word? Obviously you do not want our business and are wasting what little damn time I have, next!

Between packing and preparing the house I find myself trying to remember the last diaper change time, the last snack, how long did he nap for, oh CRAP, the man-child needs to be picked up from school!!! This is while the husband is waking at 0400 to drive to work at 0500 or going in at 2000 to 0200 (with an hour drive to and from).

I write things down to remember, only to turn around looking for what I wrote and finding it under a pile of things getting packed or tossed out... Baby decides he's going to freak out because he's bored of watching me run around and wants to help (by tearing into everything) or be held WHILE I do everything.... Eeemmmm no. So he starts crying and as entertainment to myself I start imitating him and he starts laughing at me until I stop then he starts crying again... Really?!? Go play with your football dude. 

The man-child has been a big help about 92% of the time... The other 8% is the fact that he's grown tired of it all and is bored, needs a nap, or needs food... He is responsible for his room and has decided to pack up a large majority of his toys this week... I think that has a lot to do with the above ground pool we got for him and his friends to enjoy. 

While the point of the pool is to use it as a distraction/decoy to get them to stay outside so I can pack up more, check things off the list and continue feeling like I need to get the hell out of this chaotic moving mess and the children mess/living mess that still requires tending all while being slowly buried alive in bins and boxes! 

The organization I did have of everything has slowly become a can of silly string let loose... Somehow this will all fall in line together, right?!? If not I may have to hit up Hot Topic for a straightjacket and ask directions to the nearest ROUNDED padded room because boxed shaped anything will have become my conscience nightmare.... 

Something I MUST remember.... DO NOT wear flip flops while moving anything!!! Every damn time I do wear them when moving I drop something, trip, slip, get my feet and toes cut up, banged up and smashed! It never fails.... My husband looked at my legs the other day, when I decided to wear shorts since we were going out, he couldn't believe the amount of bruises on my legs. Some I know were caused by Baby B getting under my feet and rather than dropping a 50lbs+ bin on him I found ways to swing it around while landing in ways I'm sure would hurt more if not for the adrenalin rush of almost crushing the Baby. Who if course has now taken off laughing and looking back smiling with a look of "tag you're it, come and chase me now!" Yes, many bruises from that little monster as well as... Well, crud, I don't know. Everyone gets injured in different ways while moving right?!? Some just more than others... Especially someone who seems to have Murphy making my body his own puppet during moves... If I walk away from this with only minor cuts and bruises I will be lucky! If I actually WALK away without screwing up my already f'd up back I will be ecstatic!!! 

All Gave Some but Some Gave ALL

Memorial Day is a National Holiday dedicated to remember those that gave their lives selflessly to protect millions of American's they had never met. To allow us and future generations enjoy the freedoms that we are lucky to have.

A couple of years ago we were Honored to be in the presence of many of these Heroes on this day. Arlington National Cememtery is a sombering reminder of the sacrifices so many have made/will continue to make to give hope and a protection to our country. While many enjoy the day off with BBQ's, pool side, beach trips and travels, I find this to be a way that we also celebrate those that gave us the opportunity to be here. 

They have given their lives so we as a Nation can live our own knowing and appreciating the moments that we have together. While this is just one day out of the year, our Heroes sacrifices are lived through us all daily. The birth of a child in a Nation of freedom and unity, the right to fall in love and marry who we please, the moments we wake without the fear of losing our lives or our loved ones when we step out the door, our right to vote and so much more.... Our lives and happiness are because of these amazing men and women that have and continue to allow us to live them without fear of others taking away the wonderful freedoms we do have. 

I am grateful every day of my life, of my children's lives for the sacrifices these men, women and families have made. Thank you to all of our Military Members and families that have lost their loved ones so that we all may enjoy the time we have with our own. God Bless and Semper Fi! 

Our Saturday Night~ VBlog ;)

To Move or Not To Move? My back and forth dilemma...

For hours.... Possibly even days I have been scouring over various rental websites... My sweet husband has dealt with me (put up with/ignored) for over a year now complaining (nagging/throwing a fit/refusing to clean up after anyone but baby and I for days) about our small house. 1,000 sq ft. 2bdr, 2bath. Of course it took me having another kiddo and becoming a stay-at-home mom to truly SEE and FEEL how small it is...

I bought the home for my oldest and I three years ago. It was PERFECT for just he and I. A year later, my now husband, then BF, moved in with all his "stuff". Forcing me to reevaluate the furniture layout/sell off furniture/almost reconsider our entire relationship just to have MY home back!!! But through many glasses of wine and deep breaths I managed to adjust to having him and his "stuff" in and throughout the house... Marriage a few months later and a year after him moving in... Baby joined us... A two bedroom with a school age child and a baby... Unable to move for another year (unless orders came) because I had taken advantage of the first time home buyers tax credit, 3 years in residence or pay $8k back to the IRS... We've stayed. With baby 2ft away from us every night for the past 13 months...

Now he has been PCA'd to Lejeune. 50 miles/hour away. But with this comes work ups for a lengthy deployment later this year. 

My dilemma is this: 

Moving:

1. Move to a much more roomy home in a wonderful community, with a great school, easy access to so much more than is around Cherry Point.

2. Be closer so we can actually spend time together as family and not have him put in 100+ miles a day or stay overnight during late nights/early mornings.

3. Take a big cut on our after bills paid money that goes toward paying off the mortgage and truck faster/savings. 

4. Still able to pay everything off within the 5yr plan I have set up.

5. Not actually knowing anyone out there. (Support system/friends we've known for years are here).

6. Baby will have his OWN room and not sleeping within 2ft of us! 

7. Sucking it up a pushing forward with the moving process/getting the house ready/finding a renter.

8. Not delaying the inevitable and having to try and find a place that will accept our German Shepherd during a "non-prime" PCS season next year.

9. Longer summer for the man-child which will give us more time to do more and possibly go out to Cali to see family and friends.

OR

Staying Put:

1. Stay here in our bursting from the seams home and finish the work that I've wanted done to it for awhile now.

2. Not being able to see my husband and spend time together as a family daily, mostly on weekends if a training permits.

3. Being close to friends that have become family over the years.

4. Continue to bitch and complain about the lack of room.

5. Ability to pay off everything within 2-2.5yrs.

6. Not having to suck it up and deal with the moving process/getting the house ready to be rented/finding a renter just yet.

Yes, I wrote out a much longer, more in depth Pro's and Con's list to us moving or staying. Ran numbers for current pay, deployment pay and when he gets back for all of our bills renting or staying and the possibility of us not finding a renter. Financially we're good all around, but I always factor in the what if's and Murphy's Law... My husband calls me a negative Nancy when I do this, but his ass will be half a world away when Murphy likes to pay his "Husband's Deployed Time to Reek Havoc" visits that I am left to handle.

He's dead set on the house we looked at this weekend. I love it as well too, buuuut then I find myself going through the list of what needs to be done and all I want to do is curl up in a corner with a bottle of wine and a book and pretend that list doesn't exist.

What to do, what to do???

Wordless Wednesday: Pics & Video Hubby's Change of Command & Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Award

May is for Moms: An Interview With My Mother

1. How did you feel the moment you found out you were pregnant with me?

Scared to death because I was I was so young, a mere child myself. But frankly once I felt you growing inside me I was truly excited.

2. Was I a wonderful surprise or carefully planned?

You were a wonderful surprise. I wouldn't have been scared had you been planned.

3. What was the most challenging time in my childhood? Why?

Teenage years were the most challenging. Because you were growing into a young woman, independent, and extremely hard headed at times. There were times I saw so much of me in you it scared me.

4. Did you worry more about me as a child or now that I am an adult?

As a child, I worried more because I was responsible for who you would become. I know I may have not always made the right choices but I see the wonderful woman you are today, and know I did something right. :)

5. What is one thing that you thought was deeply important when I was a baby that you now realize did not matter at all?

That when you became my age (19) you would take your time growing up, go to college, enjoy life, and travel the world before you settled down with a family.

Avoiding the dentist.....

Growing up I never minded going to the dentist... Straight teeth, no cavities.... When I was 19 I was told I had my first cavity... Not just 1, but 2!!! Pinpoint little things that were blamed on my soda consumption... Since then it has been a downhill battle! Between brushing, flossing, picking, and mouthwash twice, sometimes three times, a day they won't stop "breeding"!!!! Back then I had also been told that I was "special & lucky" and did not have a single wisdom tooth... That turned out to be a crock because I actually have 3.. That are sitting sideways toward the rear and one toward a tooth... UGGGG!

Last year I had to go in for a major toothache... While I was 7 months pregnant and on blood thinners. Low and behold my tooth had chipped and needed to be pulled.... Off the blood thinners for a few days and into oral surgery I went. Anything to get rid of the pain that quickly consumed my entire head. After several injections of the local numbing medication, the surgeon began the extraction of my far back, bottom, right molar... In midst of his pulling it happened... The electricity in HALF of the entire damn city went out!!! A yank, hard contact with my top teeth, and part of the tooth broke off leaving part of it still in place. If I could have walked out knowing it would not hurt even more the next day, I would have. Headgear light in place, he dove back into my mouth with the pliers and pulled the rest out. OMG that sucker was huge! Yes, I brought it home to show the husband and man-child, emphasizing his need to brush well daily or the pain and surgery would be what he would go through too. 

Then a phone call with mom happened... Come to find out her side of the family has BAD teeth, period. Grandma had den hers by 30, everyone else before 40 except for her, she only had few teeth removed... Not what I wanted to hear... 

In May, while munching away on some seafood at a local fair, another back tooth decided it need to break off too. Somehow I didn't even realize it until we were done eating (NOTHING crunchy inside ANY of the food). As we were walking and looking at crafts my tongue scapped across something sharp. WTF is that?!?! Husband took a look, ranted about my horrible teeth and I stood there confused trying to figure out how the hell that happened!!

Had I seen the dentist since it happened...? NO... My last experience has left me avoiding them more so than our oldest does with taking out a dirty diaper. Until this past week... PAIN!!!! I knew what would have to be done, there was no filling that could properly fill HALF a damn tooth missing... So I caved, made an appointment and my fear was confirmed... Far back, top left molar (#15) is scheduled to be taken out in 2 weeks... Until then if the pain comes, I can chew on some Vicodin.... But more than likely will just complain about it because I hate taking meds unless they are to fight off an infection or it is the only way I can function (i.e. pain meds after c-section were a must for a short period of time).... If you're lucky I may share a photo of #15 after she's pulled out... ;)
 

May is for Moms: An Interview with Myself

Sept 15th 2004

April 5th 2012

1. Before you ever even had children, how did you feel about being a mother?

Honestly, I had always said I'd never have children. That I would travel the world, meet new people, and do a million activities that I had always dreamed of doing.... I'm beyond happy that I have my boys though! World traveling will happen, just as the others have, together as a family! 

2. Since becoming a mother, what is something that has happened that you never thought would?

 I NEVER thought I would one day become a SAHM.... I had worked since I was allowed to with a student workers permit. Even with our oldest I had worked from home for a couple of years. Now I do again, with blogging and reviews, but this is definitely much more fun. It is on my own time/the children's time, and we are able to ENJOY our time together as a family.

3. Is being a mother less difficult, more difficult or exactly how difficult you imagined?

Oh, so much more! So many more worries, having to think of what you do say and how you act, because they WILL repeat and remember! 

4. What is your fondest memory of being a mother (so far)?

The fact that when I held my oldest for the first time I knew that God existed. i had been stuggling with His presence for 2 years at that point. But holding my little guy in my arms showed me He was there all along silently guiding me through all the difficult times to that very moment... And all of the hugs, I love you's (I hate you's), cuddles, milestones achieved, excitement over great grades.... There isn't just one really..

5. If your children only learn one life lesson from you, what do you hope it is?

That pursuing their dreams through hardwork, remaining honest with themselves and others, helping those that would normally be turned away, and slowing down to enjoy life will take them further than they ever imagined.

Throwback Thursday.... Baby Fever?!?!

So many bloggy friends are pregnant, just had a baby this month or have little ones under 3 months.... Am I crazy for thinking "I want another baby" when ours just turned ONE 2 weeks ago!?!?! And a few weeks ago I was telling my husband that I think I'm done.... Until he laid out his wants and thoughts on it all and suddenly I'm saying lets start trying now! ;) Well, at least the practice of trying.... But we have unofficially stated we'll see where he's at with his new command in 6 months, and go from there. :)

So, in the meantime, I'll just take in photos of all my friends baby bumps and little ones, and try to remind myself that I still need to catch up on the lack of sleep over the past year and half from our little monkey!

Pregnant with the Man-Child 4 days before he was born Sept. 2004

Pregnant with the Mini Marine 3 days before he was born April 2012

Baby's First "Walk" on the Beach

Last week my girlfriend invited me out for a walk on the beach. A MUCH needed walk on the beach!!! We took our pups and little man and headed beach bound! Baby B had a blast while I struggled to push the loaded down stroller and his chubby butt through the sand. There were over a dozen dolphins swimming within the shore and further out! We walked down to the pier and, a little more than half way back, we cut him loose. He didn't know what to make of the sand at first, then took off, stood at the edge of the water, ran away from it, ran back, and finally got the courage up to step in it. Turned around, lost his footing as his feet sunk in the sand and plopped right on his bum. Funniest thing that happened that entire day, his reaction was priceless! As we made our way back, a little crab wreaked havoc on me through my dog.... My arm was nearly pulled out of it's socket when Toby saw it and thought it was new chew toy... I still have the bruises on my arms from him wrapping around me and taking off... His face was touching the crab, I'm sure Mr. Crab snapped and got him, serves him right! ;)

Our Little Monkey's 1st Birthday Party!

On the Friday our Little Mikey Monkey turned 1!! 

On Sunday we had his 1st Birthday Party! The road to make this possible was beyond bumpy though! Between wanting to ring my husband's neck, wanting to consume more than a bottle of wine and wanting to just not do it all together, it turned out Perfect! Lesson learned: Start planning more than two weeks ahead of time and DO NOT wait until the day before to pick up decorations, food, etc...(It's so much easier for older kids! Still trying to get back into the swing of the everything with a little one).

I was able to find a bakery that made custom cakes & cupcakes! American Dream Cakes, Bakery. They are an hour away in Jacksonville, NC, but they have a store front that is only 30 minutes away and were able to bring the cupcakes and SMASH cake there for pick up! I LOVE how they all turned out!Perfect for the Monkey Themed Birthday Party that daddy chose!

Daddy decided to BBQ for the party which turned out to be great with the first day of amazing weather! Friends, the man-child's friends and even Baby B's buddy Baby R enjoyed the time outside!

 With it being a Monkey Party I HAD to find the perfect shirt for our Little Monkey/Mini Marine. After looking online and through Etsy, I came across several but fell in LOVE with this one! It is made by LittleGoodieTutus who also happens to be the wife of an Air Force Veteran! (MAJOR Bonus there! I love supporting Spouse owned and Veteran owned businesses!!!) She did an Amazing job and the shirt itself is so soft for baby's skin!

We took the party inside for snacks, play time and present time!

Then it was SMASH cake time! I'm not sure who was more excited, Baby, daddy or the kids...

 He didn't know what to do with it at first. Thought it was a toy, looked like he was trying to pick it's nose, tried turning it upside down. Then we took off a little piece for him and he went to town!

 Big Brother had been begging for a piece since we got it. We said he could have a bite but I don't think Mikey Monkey was too thrilled with it. ;)

  

Back off my cake man!

 Of course daddy wanted to help him along as he was enjoying the cake and taking slow small bites...

 From there it was ALL OVER... The Messy Monkey came to life and he dove in!

 Between our Little Monkey, Big brother and Daddy, that cake was destroyed!

Daddy took him in for a quick bath and then it was more outside play time to run off all that sugar!

Banana splits to wrap it up! A must for a Monkey Party!

Later that evening Big Brother and Little Man built a Castle together with his new blocks.

Then it was bed time for our Little Monkey as he enjoyed his new Sleepytime Monkey to sooth him to sleep. (We are still amazed that he went to sleep after all that sugar!)