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! 

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

Month of the Military Child ♥ Honoring Our Military Children~Last Week

A big thanks to many friends from my Blog Facebook Page that shared your pictures and stories of your Military Children during Month of the Military Child! The turnout was beyond amazing, over 100 little ones have had their photo shared and loved by all. There are so many more Military Children in the world, and I thank each and every single one of them for all that they take on as a child with a parent/parents serving our Nation. You are all stronger than you know. Keep your heads up and those sweet smiles upon your face! Bless each and every one of you. Thank you.

Luevano ♥ My husband and our babies after a Patriotic themed parade her school put together.

Heath ♥ These are our babies Brenton 3 and Alexa 2 and we are in our second deployment in 2 years :'( cannot wait to have daddy home safely!

McKerchie ♥ My husband and our 5 month old son Oakley.

Carolus ♥ My hubby the day our son was born he is a marine vet

Pyle ♥ Austin 5 years old & Zoe 3 weeks old

Sant ♥ Hey everyone I wanted to share my story. I am currently 21 and in this picture I was seven and my dad was a Staff Sgt I have been a Marine brat for as long as I know. I have endured deployments , moves and so many changes but no matter what I couldn't have a better bond with my now Two Star General Daddy. I love him and I couldn't be prouder to be a military child. I thought I would share my story since I see all the pride on here with there babies. May God Bless you all.

Lopez Lopez ♥ This is our son Jaden Bryant, hes 2 and just went through his first deployment daddy just got home this past weekend

Nelson ♥ This is my little boy! He loves his stepdaddy Sgt. Benjamin Nelson!

Phillips ♥ This is our daughter Audrey Louise with her daddy Sgt Phillips. She was born while he was on recruiting duty so she hasn't had to do deployments yet but she has been incredible with all the strains that come with recruiting duty (daddy's long work hours, and constant overnight trips to MEPS). Best of all, she loves to walk around yelling "oo rah!" She's definitely her daddy's little girl :)

Miranda ♥ These are my children Alexandria who will be 16 yrs next week and my son DeMarco, 11yrs. Their daddy is a GySgt who has been serving proudly in the Marine Corps for 20 yrs. My children had to endure with moving, new schools and making new friends. There were many times when daddy had to miss birthdays, holidays, games, and was on a six month deployment when Alexandria was born. My kids had to endure military life but they learned to be brave and strong. My husband is retiring next year and the kids are looking forward to be spending more quality time with their daddy. : )

Meyer ♥ These are my marine babies! My oldest, Zaiah, is 5. The twins, Payson and Gunner, are 2. And the baby of the family is Hattie and she is 2 months old! My husband was deployed for the birth of our oldest, and luckily made it back from his 3rd deployment 3 weeks before the twins were born.

McKean ♥ Our daughters Madilyn, 9, and Alexis, 7. We are a dual military family. My husband is in the Army and I'm a Marine.

Perkins ♥ My 2 little blessings :) Kassie is 3 & baby Michael is 1! Their daddy is a U.S Marine, Semper Fi ♥

Bagwell ♥ My daughter's newborn photos. The boots in the picture have been with my husband to two tours in Iraq.

Clark ♥ This is my daughter Lily, born October 1st 2012. This pic was taken when she was about 3 weeks old. She was being daddys drill instructor ;) haha

Benson ♥ My sweet little girl cannot wait to have her Daddy back from Deployment! Aislynn, 12 weeks

Maynard ♥ They love their Marine ♥

Marley ♥ Jace Marley & Rylee and Eden (Jace's big sisters) daddy is a Marine.

Sosebee ♥ This is my son, Konnor, who turns one on April 12 :) my husband left for Afghanistan a few weeks after we found out I was expecting. Konnor was overdue by four days, and his daddy happened to come home only five hours before I went into labor. I thank God everyday he was able to be home to celebrate the birth of our little miracle

Vilano ♥ Daddy left when our son was a week born for a deployment in Afghanistan. After 7 months they're going to re-unite ♥

Miles ♥ Our son Jace with his daddy, John ♥ John is an infantryman in the Army ♥

Riddle ♥ This is my husband SSgt Riddle and our kids Nicholas, Julian, and Ellie.....and baby Sophie is on the way! These are the loves of my life and I'm honored to have my Marine as my husband!

Shelton ♥ This is my husband and our 2 kids Aiden (5) and Baylee (2) on Easter

Pitzen ♥ She is wearing a Warrior shirt

Pitzen ♥ Daddy and daughter at the Strawberry Festival. I wish you could see his Wounded Warrior tattoo

Puente ♥ Our family of three, 8 years in 12 More to go.

Duran ♥ Our little ones Kassandra (4 years old) and Joseph (2 years old) waiting for there daddy Sgt. Duran to come home from Iraq.

Fletcher ♥ Sean was sent on his second deployment to Iraq while I was pregnant with our first child, Damien was born in November, 3 months before Sean was to come home. They "talked" all the time on Skype, and it was amazing the first time that they met ♥

Fletcher ♥ When Sean met his son for the first time....I had left Maine for Havelock, NC a few weeks before Sean was scheduled to come home (hurry up and wait you know?) and we were hanging out in the hotel...Sean got home in the middle of the night, and Damien was wide awake and they just stared at each other ♥

LaPorto ♥ My son is in the USMC and is deployed. His son was born April 10th and he won't get to meet him until the end of September/beginning of October.

Sanders ♥ Alliana born 4/26/2013 with her daddy

West ♥ This is Jadrian Elijah West. Born April 5, 2013 at 0833 8.2 lbs and 20 inches long. Parents are dual military. Daddy left 3 weeks before he was born and won't meet him until at least November. Mommy thought this was the only way they could both be with their baby as a newborn so she got this picture of him in his daddy's blues and added their picture of them at the ball.

Becker ♥ This is Braxton Sage Becker! Born April 18,2013 at 23:30. 7lbs 15.8oz His Daddy was in 29 Palms the day he was born watching from Skype, we were told previously he would not be allowed home until after schooling was over but surprised us Saturday 1am pushing him into the room! Best day of our lives!

Craig ♥ 1st birthday, USMC, Daddy and Son ♥

Rest Easy Todd North (1973-2013)

Two weeks ago Todd North, a husband, father to a little boy who won't turn 2 until later this year and an older little girl, Retired SSgt. of the United States Marine Corps, and a friend to everyone who ever had the chance to meet him was shot and killed at a local bar here that he was a bouncer at..... North was shot 4 times and still returned fire wounding the boy who opened fire on the bar, he also blocked the entry door to keep the punk from entering to hurt more innocent people. THIS MAN IS A TRUE HERO. His wife is one of my husband's Marines. He is a man that I have known since I moved here in 2008. My friends and I would frequent different bars to shoot pool and every time he was there he was engaged in conversations, laugh joke and offer his silly, sometimes smart ass advice on things that were taking place in every one's life. 

He was a big scary looking man, but those who knew him knew he was nothing but a sweetheart. I honestly cannot imagine what his wife is going through... Loss, pain, anger.... A sense of pride knowing he saved a number of others that were there.... 

A Facebook page called Remembering SSgt Todd North was started that can be seen HERE.

Along with a petition to sign to award him with the Presidential Citizens Medal can be viewed and signed HERE.

 This is a photo that has gone around facebook of him and their little boy, shortly before he left for work that evening....

The video to the brawl that started the whole shooting was released by the bar.... Seeing Todd protect those around for the last time is heartbreaking.... Seeing many people that I know and shoot pool with take cover from the High School student who took his life is frightening.... The brawl on video and only part of the shooting was aired from the bars surveillance cameras and can be viewed HERE. I watched it so many times in tears, with anger raging hoping that the thug KID that did this and took him away from his family and so many that loved him will receive the death sentence. Life in prison is too good for him, he does not deserve to live. 911 Calls were released as well that can be listened to HERE. I can only hope and pray that justice will prevail in the end.... Though I know it will not fill the hole of him being gone, maybe it will help begin the healing process.

Today a Memorial was held locally for him. My husband was able to attend (while I wanted to go, there was no one available to watch our children). As I expected, he said that there were hundreds of people there to show their love and support for him and his family. Marines in dress blues, 21 gun salute, bikers from every and any club throughout several counties lined up..... This is only of those he has touched locally. There will be another Memorial Service for him in California where he is from. As is much deserved, Todd Asa North, will have his final resting place alongside many of his own comrades in Arlington National Cemetery.... Rest Easy Marine, God Speed.

Month of the Military Child ♥ Honoring Our Military Children~Week 3

So many friends from my Blog Facebook Page who are Military & Veteran's have shared pictures and stories of their Military Children to Celebrate their little ones during Month of the Military Child! I am Honored to share each of them here for the world to see how much our little ones endure, how much we love & adore them, and to show how sweet & brave they truly are. 

Singleton ♥ This is our son, Colt at 2 weeks old & our older son, Caden (age 5) on his 1st day of Pre-K. He said wearing his Daddy's cover made him feel brave to make new friends that day

Baehman ♥ These are my two military kiddos! 3 and 20 months. Our oldest says he wants to be in the Marine Corps just like daddy. We are all very proud of our hero!

Gray ♥ Surprising my little Sophia and picking her up early from daycare! I love to see that little smile! 15 months old♥

Littl ♥ Our son Calvin and daughter Cooper.
Their father is in the Marines :)

Kirkpatrick ♥ This is my little boy Kahne supporting and missing his step daddy who is a Marine, Sgt.Kirkpatrick ♥

Hall ♥ This is my military child! She is just under 1 year in this picture and is 15 months old now! Her daddy is a Marine!

Schaffner ♥ This is a picture of our oldest with her daddy when he came home from work. he is in the USMC

Schaffner ♥ This is our youngest with her daddy at his re enlistment ceremony :)

Stidham ♥ Riley in his daddy's dress blues. Sgt Stidham (Veteran)

Jones ♥ My beautiful daughter, Alaya & my wonder husband Henry. She has had to deal with moving away from her family & friends. Also get used to a new house & new school, & remaining brave while her step daddy is gone. She is such a big girl. ♥

Seyied ♥ This is Ameer. 4 years old. Daddy is a Sgt. in the Marines and currently in Morocco.

Seyied ♥ Both our boys. Ameer 4 yrs old. Aaryan 15 months old. Dad is a Sgt. in the Marines

Lyons ♥ This is my youngest son who was Ring Bearer for his oldest brother at his wedding this past Dec. He too one day wants to become a US Marine.

Frazier ♥ This is Hayven Faith & her father, PFC Frazier. Hayven is almost 4 months old. OORAH.

Rearden ♥ This is my son Carter. He is 2 years old and his handsome daddy is a Marine. Like any military kiddo he had a hard time being away from daddy, but were all finally together again living in Okinawa!

Isaacs ♥ William Gunner is our sweet new little devil pup! He's only two weeks old and already a daddy's boy!

Rivera-peralta ♥ David & Jeremiah proud to be military kids. :)

Knights ♥ Supporting her Daddy while he's gone. He deployed two weeks after she was born and he will be gone for 8 months.

Melton ♥ This is Aminah Jade, our beautiful, smart, and sassy 3 year old. She is the main reason my husband gets up every morning and does the thing's he does. Right now we are going threw daddy's first 6 week detachment, and then our first deployment in the summer. I love them both!

Hudson ♥ Kiley and Brody Hudson. Their daddy is a Seabee in the Navy

Scott ♥ Ellie Marie Scott.. born today! She is one years old, and going to be a big sister in June. She is a proud supporter of her daddy being a marine!!

Miscevich ♥ Hi this is our daughter Serenity Jaskarin Miscevich, she is 1 month old, her father is recruiter for the United States Marine Corps, she only sees her dad at night, but we are so proud of all his hard work. 8 years in and 12 more to go. Oorah!

Otey ♥ Our kiddies Constance 8, Kathlynn 3 and Dominic 3.5 months.. Daddy is a Marine :D

Ramirez ♥ These are our military brats Brayden and Isabella both daddy spoiled! They are both daddies babies haha getting so excited just looking at his picture lol

Owen ♥ We don't really have too many photos of all of our family together in one shot, but here's one from when my husband was deployed to Afghanistan. We sent him this picture of my daughter and I holding a photograph (Feb 2011) from the day he deployed (March 2010). We now have 2 children, and my husband tells me it's going to be the hardest thing he'll have to do, deploying again and leaving his little ones behind. However, we've done it before and we sure will make it through again when the time comes. For now, we cherish the time we do get to spend together on a near-daily basis :)