read someone's blog that you don't know and tell yourself, "I KNOW that if we knew eachother in real life we'd be best friends."?? Does that ever happen to you? Happens to me all the time.
**post edit- as long as we're talking about people who I blog-stalk....if you happened to decide to make your blog private...GO YOU! But if you happened to decide to make your blog private and didn't invite me to read it...SHAME on you! :) My email adress is in the upper right hand corner here. Add me, and all offense will be forgotten, bless your heart.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Matt is sooooo happy he's home because he missed me sooooo much!
I can't help but feel so bad for my poor poor husband. He had to go to Norway for two weeks to "work". He was fortunate enough to be able to squeeze in a few leasure activities during these labor intense weeks....(in case you can't tell this post is seething with jealously and sarcasm).
Matt had a very hard time being able to enjoy the beauty all around him in Norway knowing that his poor wife was home all alone in Germany. He snapped a picture just so he could show me it wasn't THAT great. :)
Matt found it very hard to put a smile on his face for this picture (because he spent his entire two weeks crying to himself in his room and writing me love letters). He practically had to drag his limp, emotionally exhausted body onto this boat for a day of fishing with the boys.
He got so lonely in fact that he considered seeking out the companionship of this huge fish they caught. He said it wasn't as warm and curvatious as I am and felt like there might be some jealousy between me and the fish.
So he ate it instead.
Since he couldn't stop thinking about me, even on his weekend trip into the city with all the guys, he took a picture of this house because he knew I would love it and want it to be OUR future home. Now he's home again and he's SO relieved. He feels that vacationing without his wife just isn't for him and will try to avoid doing so again in the future. He's at peace now doing the things that he loves, like.....
Matt had a very hard time being able to enjoy the beauty all around him in Norway knowing that his poor wife was home all alone in Germany. He snapped a picture just so he could show me it wasn't THAT great. :)
Matt found it very hard to put a smile on his face for this picture (because he spent his entire two weeks crying to himself in his room and writing me love letters). He practically had to drag his limp, emotionally exhausted body onto this boat for a day of fishing with the boys.
He got so lonely in fact that he considered seeking out the companionship of this huge fish they caught. He said it wasn't as warm and curvatious as I am and felt like there might be some jealousy between me and the fish.
So he ate it instead.
Since he couldn't stop thinking about me, even on his weekend trip into the city with all the guys, he took a picture of this house because he knew I would love it and want it to be OUR future home. Now he's home again and he's SO relieved. He feels that vacationing without his wife just isn't for him and will try to avoid doing so again in the future. He's at peace now doing the things that he loves, like.....
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Photo Shoot....
A friend of mine out here is taking a photography class and had to do a portrait. She asked if I would be her model...and of course I never pass up a chance to blow dry my hair and put on a little make up. Cailin did a really good job, but there was one thing I noticed when I looked at these pictures. I look old. I know everyone is going to post a comment say "No! You don't look old!" (and of course I'll graciously accept all the compliments, hehe) but it's the first time that I've really looked at a picture of myself and gone, Wow, I look like I have two kids and clean house and go to soccer practice and the grocery store everyday. I guess I'm saying for the first time I looked at myself and felt like I looked the part of Mom. It's not a bad thing....just a change.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Kind of feel like I'm drowning.
So maybe I'm not cut out to be a military wife?? I'm not considering bailing out on my marriage or anything (I like Matt WAAAAY to much to do that) but this whole "your husband will gone to Norway for two weeks, then home for 8 days, then he'll be gone for another two weeks (this time to Greece), we'll send him back to you for a week and a half during which time he will be taking another class towards his masters degree and be gone to school constantly, then we're sending to Greece again for 4 days, and you'll be stuck at home having a Mommy melt down alone with your two kids and constantly being reminded why it would be a bad idea to have another baby anytime soon".....well it really sucks. Do I sound like I'm complaining? That's because I am. I know I should consider myself lucky that he's not deployed for a year or anything crazy like that (and trust me...I am grateful) but that doesn't make the time apart any easier knowing that someone else has it worse off than me.
Ok, switching gears from whining to extreme excitement...I'M GOING TO GREECE!!! When Matt showed me the calendar for this month and next and pretty much made it clear that I was going to be sans husband for the next 2 months, a marvelous idea came into my mind. " Why should Matt get to go to Greece and not me?? Well, he shouldn't. I'm going to Greece too!" And that was it. I spent the next few days arranging care for the kids and finding a good airfare price and VIOLA! I'm going to with him to Greece. It will be fabulous. The military pays for Matt to stay in a (VERY nice) hotel, so we don't have to pay for that. We pretty much just have to cover the cost of my airfare and our food and whatever exciting things we do while we're there. Talk about a cheap trip to Greece. I'm ridiculously excited and can't wait for a week of peace and relaxation. It will be the longest I've ever been away from the kids and I feel a little anxious about it...but not anxious enough to keep me from passing up this opportunity!
So I guess my little life lesson of this week has been this: Everything has it's positives and negatives. We love being part of the Air Force and all the opportunities it has already brought our way. We are well provided for, have lived in two very cool places, have gotten to travel Europe, have amazing health care, and a tight knit community with lots of fast friends and people in our same boat. The negative?? Sometimes I'm going to have to be a single Mom. Is it worth the trade? I'll let you know in 18 more years.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Little Women.
Who can sit and watch this movie and not walk away at the end without red swollen eyes and a sniffly nose? Someone who has sisters certainly could not. I have been blessed in life to have a pleathora of sisters. Sisters who steal clothes from eachother. Try out new workout videos together. Sit in the Jacuzzi for hours and hours together. Call eachother with our joys and triumphs, and our sadness and failures. Sisters who love eachother and want nothing but the best for eachother.
I sat here and balled my eyes out with Joe March as she said her final goodbye's to Beth. I thought of my sisters, and how I love each and every one of them for their unique personalities. Each with their own goals and aspirations. I thought of them and I felt blessed. But there was one particular Sister I had on my mind.
I thought of Lara and I cried. I think of Lara and I cry now. She is my older sister by 4 years, but we have been bonded all our lives. We shared a room as long as I can remember, and she has always been my best friend. I feel peace when I am with her, very similar to the peace I saw Joe feel when she was comforted by Beth. Her gentle, calm demeanor cannot help but have a soothing effect on those around her, and yet you can always sense her quiet strength and moral conviction.
I remember nights as a child (and even a teenager) when the noises outside would scare me to death, and I would swing down from my top bunk into her bed. I knew the comfort I needed to be able to fall asleep at night lay just below me, however I would need to bring my own blanket because she wasn't the best at sharing hers. Sometimes I think she really liked the company too, because when I would sleep in my own bed she would wake we up in the middle of the night with an urgent whisper "Sara! Sara!! Did you hear that??" I would reply in my sleepy voice, "NO". Then Lara would always retort with the same line "I heard something outside our window!" and within seconds I was swinging down from my top bunk to join her in her bed...shaking like a leaf. We would cuddle up close and begin discussing if we should go and get Mom and Dad. Usually we decided not to, but on those rare nights when we were sure there was danger lurking outside our window we fought over who would have to walk in front through the dark hallway to get to our parent's door.
As we have all grown I've developed closer relationships with my younger sisters and love them so much, but Lara is the one sister with whom I share all of my childhood memories. We continue forward as family urging eachother to be better and laughing at all of our mistakes. We long to all be together and Christmas to come is an event that we all discuss year round.
I must head off to my cozy bed, but I'll end with a quote from Joe, "Don't be silly! I could never love anyone more than I love my sisters." Amen to that.
I sat here and balled my eyes out with Joe March as she said her final goodbye's to Beth. I thought of my sisters, and how I love each and every one of them for their unique personalities. Each with their own goals and aspirations. I thought of them and I felt blessed. But there was one particular Sister I had on my mind.
I thought of Lara and I cried. I think of Lara and I cry now. She is my older sister by 4 years, but we have been bonded all our lives. We shared a room as long as I can remember, and she has always been my best friend. I feel peace when I am with her, very similar to the peace I saw Joe feel when she was comforted by Beth. Her gentle, calm demeanor cannot help but have a soothing effect on those around her, and yet you can always sense her quiet strength and moral conviction.
I remember nights as a child (and even a teenager) when the noises outside would scare me to death, and I would swing down from my top bunk into her bed. I knew the comfort I needed to be able to fall asleep at night lay just below me, however I would need to bring my own blanket because she wasn't the best at sharing hers. Sometimes I think she really liked the company too, because when I would sleep in my own bed she would wake we up in the middle of the night with an urgent whisper "Sara! Sara!! Did you hear that??" I would reply in my sleepy voice, "NO". Then Lara would always retort with the same line "I heard something outside our window!" and within seconds I was swinging down from my top bunk to join her in her bed...shaking like a leaf. We would cuddle up close and begin discussing if we should go and get Mom and Dad. Usually we decided not to, but on those rare nights when we were sure there was danger lurking outside our window we fought over who would have to walk in front through the dark hallway to get to our parent's door.
As we have all grown I've developed closer relationships with my younger sisters and love them so much, but Lara is the one sister with whom I share all of my childhood memories. We continue forward as family urging eachother to be better and laughing at all of our mistakes. We long to all be together and Christmas to come is an event that we all discuss year round.
I must head off to my cozy bed, but I'll end with a quote from Joe, "Don't be silly! I could never love anyone more than I love my sisters." Amen to that.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Meet David.
Also Known As: Nature Boy.
I'm pretty sure David's next adventure should be to become "part of the pride" or replace Steve Irwin or something. David is my little brother who:
- refuses to wear shoes
-spends all of his spare time surfing
-is a really good student
-is pretty funny
-is REALLY stubborn
-and is single.
His kind, caring, loving older sister (ahem, me) thinks it's time he got a little more serious about life (aka- get a girlfriend/start wearing shoes/take regular showers. Going surfing does not count as taking a shower david). Just let me know if you would like his number (or a phone call from him...I'm pretty sure I could get him to do that). If you are interested in dating my brother you must:
-have a lot of patience
-be a good Mormon girl (we're mormon...so we're hoping he sticks to his roots. I'm sure he will).
-be getting or have a good education (I know...I'm a hypocrite)
-wear shoes (and encourage David to do the same)
-be willing to convince David that most of society appreciates men who wear shirts in public places.
-be nice and tidy (he's REALLY messy and will be in need of some guidance)
-Like hanging out with all of his crazy/loud brothers and sister and nieces and nephews.
-Have a good sense of humor
-Like to play Settlers of Cattan (ok, that's really for my benefit when the family gets together).
-Love being in the water (be it ocean or pool)
-Be an advocate for sunscreen and convince David that one day he WILL have skin cancer if he doesn't start using it.
-Low maintenence. Lara, Alicia, Rebecca, Mary, Elizabeth, and myself (his sisters) will make fun of you behind your back if you're wound up too tight. And our Mom will tell us to stop gossiping.
-If you have a trade that benefits me in some way, that would be nice. You could be good at sewing, or a hairdresser (I need someone to do MY hair too, ok?), or work at some awesome retail store where you can get me REALLY good discounts, you know...something helpful. Like babysitting maybe?
He's going to kill me for writing this post.
-Did I mention he lives in Hawaii? So you would also have to be willing to commute.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
SKIN TO SKIN!!
I was taking myself on a little trip down memory lane this morning and came across some pictures that made me bust out laughing. This is probably not the reaction you would expect from a girl looking at the pictures from the day her son was born. But when I saw the look on my face in the picture below (try not to be distracted by all of my chins) the memory of what put that look there came to my mind. Chase's delivery was an easy one. When he came out, I'm pretty sure I said "that was it?" I could have done it again right then, no problem. We loved our doctor (he was a very devout Christian, he even prayed with us before I started pushing that the Lord would watch over me and our baby), and the hospital was amazing. One thing that we quickly learned about this hospital we were delivering in, was that they were WAY into having babies. Not just the medical end of things, but the "experience". I've never been that into the "experience". Call me cold hearted. I never took birthing classes (I really didn't want to hear about all the pain I was going to be in and how this baby was going to get out. I felt better left in ignorance). I just wanted the baby, the act of getting it out was a technicality in my opinion. I wanted NO pain, and deifnently NO mirror. Are you kidding me? Did they want me to pass out? There's a reason that my eyes and my birthing apparatus are at opposite ends. And I'm grateful for that. So here the point of the story:
Chase made his entrance, and I was happy. I watched as Matt cut the cord and was still happy. Just then, the nurse (she kinda came out of nowhere) pulls open the front of my gown exposing me to the room and practically yells "SKIN TO SKIN! SKIN TO SKIN!" grabs gooey, bloody, still kind blue Chase and plops him down right on my bare chest. I guess she was trying to make us bond. She wanted him to know who his mother was I'm guessing. Want to know what I wanted? Not to have gooey uterus juice and blood smeared all over my body. I wanted a nice, clean, weighed, swaddled baby to take into my arms.
And so the fact that my sister caught this expression on my face caused me to bust into fits of laughter sitting here this morning. You can just see how grossed out I am. I'm supposed to be happy right now, but really, all I want at that moment is a shower. I quickly asked the nurse to take him away and clean him up, then bring him back. I could tell she was dissapointed in my lack of enthusiasm about my little goo-meister. So in a motherly way (a way which I'm sure she thought I was lacking in what was supposed to be a very happy moment) she wrapped him up and took him to the sink to wash him. Thank goodness. There were also a few more pictures similar to this one, but I was flashing the camera...so I had to pick the most modest ones.
Here's me trying to put on a happier face for the camera, after the initial shock had worn off. I also had to put up this picture to prove that I really only have 1 chin. (usually).
So what did I learn from this experience? When a nurse comes at you and tries to rip your clothes off in the birthing room...get ready...cause something wet and gooey and warm is coming your way!
Chase made his entrance, and I was happy. I watched as Matt cut the cord and was still happy. Just then, the nurse (she kinda came out of nowhere) pulls open the front of my gown exposing me to the room and practically yells "SKIN TO SKIN! SKIN TO SKIN!" grabs gooey, bloody, still kind blue Chase and plops him down right on my bare chest. I guess she was trying to make us bond. She wanted him to know who his mother was I'm guessing. Want to know what I wanted? Not to have gooey uterus juice and blood smeared all over my body. I wanted a nice, clean, weighed, swaddled baby to take into my arms.
And so the fact that my sister caught this expression on my face caused me to bust into fits of laughter sitting here this morning. You can just see how grossed out I am. I'm supposed to be happy right now, but really, all I want at that moment is a shower. I quickly asked the nurse to take him away and clean him up, then bring him back. I could tell she was dissapointed in my lack of enthusiasm about my little goo-meister. So in a motherly way (a way which I'm sure she thought I was lacking in what was supposed to be a very happy moment) she wrapped him up and took him to the sink to wash him. Thank goodness. There were also a few more pictures similar to this one, but I was flashing the camera...so I had to pick the most modest ones.
Here's me trying to put on a happier face for the camera, after the initial shock had worn off. I also had to put up this picture to prove that I really only have 1 chin. (usually).
So what did I learn from this experience? When a nurse comes at you and tries to rip your clothes off in the birthing room...get ready...cause something wet and gooey and warm is coming your way!
Monday, September 07, 2009
VACATION.
Our friends Matt and Sara (I know...ALL our friends names are Matt and Sara) stopped in at our house for a few days on their European vacation and we gladly took on the task of showing them the cool things to see in our area. We had a busy busy three days. Saw the dome in Cologne, two castles, Brugge, and Amsterdam. Matt and I had been to most of these places before, so it was nice to get to take them in a second time. The Belgian waffles we had in Brugge were so good that I know I will be dreaming about them for months and years to come. We called in a favor and were also kids free for the entire three days. It was amazing. Here is our photo documentation:
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
See the connection??
Probably not. Want to know what this USPS box with a picture of an iphone on top of it and a can of Cola light (european version of diet coke...not nearly as good) have in common? Well let me tell you.....
Matt REALLY wants an iphone, but he's super financially responsible and just CAN'T justify outright buying one. So he got this box out of the basement, and printed out a picture of an iphone and taped it to the top of the box. Strange behavior, right? Well here's where the "cola light" comes in to play.
I'm a "diet coke-aholic". I know it. I love it. Matt dissaproves. He thinks I'm killing myself one can of aspertame at a time. He has requested that I quit. And because I love him...I did. In Europe you can only buy "Cola light" (aka "i taste like watered down REAL diet coke-light"). However, if I go to the commisary (military grocery store) I can buy the real stuff in mass quantities and keep it at my house. Only having to resort to Cola Light in a real emergency. Well, because I told Matt I would stop drinking it...I stopped buying it at the commissary. Tragic, but I love my hubby and don't want to dissapoint him. Around this same time that I stopped buying Diet Coke, Matt made a discovery. (I'll convert this into US dollars to avoid confusion.) When you buy a can of Cola Light here, it costs about 50 cents. When you recycle the can, you back 25 cents. That's a pretty big pay back. Well when Matt flies everyday he gets FOUR cans of soda in his flight lunch, at the cost of your tax dollars (how do they expect these guys to stay healthy? They also put in TWO candy bars.) Matt had a lightbulb over his head moment. Lets dip into his brain for a minute shall we? I'm pretty sure (because I know him REALLY well) that this is how the thought process went:
"I can't afford and iphone, but I REALLY want one. How can I earn the money to get one WITHOUT dipping into my regular pay? I KNOW!! I'll recycle soda cans because I get back 1 dollar for every 4 cans I turn in. But where will I get 2,400 cans to recycle to pay for this iphone? I KNOW!! Sara will drink them!! I'll keep bringing her home Cola Light (only European cans get the 25 cents) and since she's not drinking Diet Coke anymore the temptation will be too much for her to handle. Since there will be Cola Light in the fridge, she will drink them and eventually convert over to the watered down taste. SHE WILL DRINK HER WAY TO MY IPHONE!!!"
Matt has been bringing home Cola Lights for me everyday for the past month. Even if he didn't fly that day, he stops at the store and picks some up for me. Then, he recycles the cans and puts the money in the above box. Sealed off so I can't steal out of it without him knowing. I'm sure once he gets his iphone he'll ask me to quit again. But for now, the end justifies the means. Bless his heart.
Matt REALLY wants an iphone, but he's super financially responsible and just CAN'T justify outright buying one. So he got this box out of the basement, and printed out a picture of an iphone and taped it to the top of the box. Strange behavior, right? Well here's where the "cola light" comes in to play.
I'm a "diet coke-aholic". I know it. I love it. Matt dissaproves. He thinks I'm killing myself one can of aspertame at a time. He has requested that I quit. And because I love him...I did. In Europe you can only buy "Cola light" (aka "i taste like watered down REAL diet coke-light"). However, if I go to the commisary (military grocery store) I can buy the real stuff in mass quantities and keep it at my house. Only having to resort to Cola Light in a real emergency. Well, because I told Matt I would stop drinking it...I stopped buying it at the commissary. Tragic, but I love my hubby and don't want to dissapoint him. Around this same time that I stopped buying Diet Coke, Matt made a discovery. (I'll convert this into US dollars to avoid confusion.) When you buy a can of Cola Light here, it costs about 50 cents. When you recycle the can, you back 25 cents. That's a pretty big pay back. Well when Matt flies everyday he gets FOUR cans of soda in his flight lunch, at the cost of your tax dollars (how do they expect these guys to stay healthy? They also put in TWO candy bars.) Matt had a lightbulb over his head moment. Lets dip into his brain for a minute shall we? I'm pretty sure (because I know him REALLY well) that this is how the thought process went:
"I can't afford and iphone, but I REALLY want one. How can I earn the money to get one WITHOUT dipping into my regular pay? I KNOW!! I'll recycle soda cans because I get back 1 dollar for every 4 cans I turn in. But where will I get 2,400 cans to recycle to pay for this iphone? I KNOW!! Sara will drink them!! I'll keep bringing her home Cola Light (only European cans get the 25 cents) and since she's not drinking Diet Coke anymore the temptation will be too much for her to handle. Since there will be Cola Light in the fridge, she will drink them and eventually convert over to the watered down taste. SHE WILL DRINK HER WAY TO MY IPHONE!!!"
Matt has been bringing home Cola Lights for me everyday for the past month. Even if he didn't fly that day, he stops at the store and picks some up for me. Then, he recycles the cans and puts the money in the above box. Sealed off so I can't steal out of it without him knowing. I'm sure once he gets his iphone he'll ask me to quit again. But for now, the end justifies the means. Bless his heart.
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