"A Mother Holds....

...her child's hand for a while, but holds their hearts forever."

This is my son Neil's (9) hand in mine, it seems so big, sometimes it makes me sad to see them grow but I love knowing that no matter what, they will always be my little boys.

"One, two, three, four..I declare thumb war...."

He is so strong, he always beats me

A Good Day!

Today was just a fun day. It didn't start off fun since the phone kept ringing and I didn't get to sleep in but it's all good. Since the kids were out of school for the day, the boys and I decided to have fun. So we got up and lazed around. Then we decided to run to Walmart and we picked out pumpkins. We came back and made a fun lunch. The boys helped me make pigs in a blanket and a layered bean dip. I think I may have some future chefs in the making. After that we invited a couple friends over and we made FLUBBER! A lot of parents might be scared of FLUBBER, but we love making it! The kids had a lot of fun making it. Then mom took a nap, lol, she was a little tired, the boys sat down to watch a movie while mommy slept for a bit. After my small nap, we headed over to our community Spook Fest, there was nothing spooky about it unless you consider the fact that it was pretty lame as a daunting experiences (oh, keeping it positive, sorry). We still managed to have fun, at least Michael and I, lol. We danced the Chicken Dance and the ChaCha Slide ohhhhh and the Hokey Pokey, lol. Gotta make our own fun, ya know!!! Daddy had to work but was able to join us for the little community party. That sums up our day!

Recipe for Flubber

Mixture 1 - 3/4 cup warm water
1 cup elmers glue (white)
Food coloring
Mixture 2 - 2 tsp Borax (found in the laundry detergent aisle)
1/2 cup warm water

Stir mixture 1 together in one bowl, mixture 2 together in another bowl. Make sure both are mixed well. Pour mixture 1 into mixture 2. No need to stir, just reach in and pull out a glob of flubber. Work it for a couple minutes and then play!!

Enjoy our slideshow!

I Will Count My Blessings

Do you ever just stop for a moment and reflect on your life and thank Heavenly Father for your blessings? Or do you just focus on what is going wrong at this particular time in your life? I know I'm guilty of the second question. This morning as I was annoyed for like the 4th or 5th time at my husband's phone ringing, I was so frustrated. This was my morning to sleep in since the boys don't have school today. I was going to enjoy not having to be up early. But the Army ruined that for me. So after many feeble attempts to go back to sleep, I just got up and came downstairs. A few minutes later, I heard the shower start to run, and I immediately felt guilty. I was annoyed that I was woken up. My husband had to go into work at midnight and didn't return until after 2 a.m. He then had to turn around and go back in around 7 a.m. Mind you, the many annoying phone calls all occured during this time frame of 0200-0700. I might be up now but I do have the option to lay down later if I wanted to. My husband doesn't have that option. He will go in to work tired. He will work a long day in the chilly weather, outdoors, loading equipment for his impending training out in the desert of CA. How selfish can I be? He doesn't complain, oh he gets frustrated, for he is human. But he still puts on his uniform and heads off to work. He does this for us, so that I can stay home and enjoy my children. Who am I to complain? I am blessed to have a husband who is so willing to get up day after day and go into work to provide for our family. I'm sure there are days he'd like to quit but he never brings that attitude home.
I am so blessed. I have three beautiful children, each coming with their own set of challenges but the rewards are far greater. There is nothing better then hearing your children tell you that your Pigs in a Blanket are the bestest! Or having another chid ask if you can make his favorite peppermint chocolate candy. Or have a child lean up against your shoulder and whisper...I love you mom. There is no better heart picture (that's what I call images that Kodak can never capture better then the imprint left on my heart) then looking at a tired Soldier Daddy and his 6 year old on the chair sleeping together.
I truly am blessed. There's a lot I could be complaining about, impending deployment, injustice of the world, cold weather, and so much more. But I am choosing to Count My Blessings, the ones I call my husband and my three sons. I am grateful for these special men in my life whom the Lord has deemed me special enough to call my family.
So to my husband Kevin, thank you. Thank you for loving us unconditionally to do things I know you don't always like but never complain. Thank you for being you. I love you. To my boys, thank you for your sweet spirits. Thank you for the giggles and the hugs, the smiles and your personalities that make me thankful to wake up for each and every day. And to my Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me the opportunity to be Kevin's wife, Michael, Neil and Daniel's mom and Your Daughter.

Halloween Manners

I love Halloween. I love dressing up and the fun decorations and the colors. What I do not like about Halloween is the greediness and bad manners that comes along with it. It simply infuriates me if you want to know the truth. I have already been to 3 or 4 different events preceding the big Scary Day. And it never ceases to amaze me at how greedy and rude children can be. I work very hard all year long to get my kids to say please and thank you. I reprimand them when they approach anyone with any type of attitude. That does not stop on Halloween. It irks me that so many people forget their manners. Now this is not all kids, I had the privilege of attending a fun event tonight and the majority were very respectful and nice (there's always a few who aren't).

I was going to go on and write a really long vent but I've decided against it, what I am going to say is this... Please encourage your kids to remember their manners. Please and thank you go a long way. Now...just so I don't sound completely cranky, it's completely understandable if an infant to a toddler struggles to say the words, but then they can just look cute and that works for me. But if you are old enough to have manners, USE them. I won't give candy to rude kids, so if you knock on my door and are rude, hope you don't expect the goodies in return. Trick or Treat? Your treat will be a lesson on how to use the words please and thank you!

Happy Halloween!

A wonderful day (October 20)

We had a great day! I was a little nervous about our FRG function but it was a lot of fun.

We started off with Cub Scouts and I had a great little den meeting with my little Cubs. We made Thank You cards for our Cubmaster since he's leaving to Iraq soon. He loved them and the kids really had fun making them.

Then we went straight to the park our "Fall Festival" was being held. We really did have a lot of fun. I helped with the games and it was nice meeting the Soldiers and their families. Good times. The kids had a blast and came home with way too much candy and Michael won the kid's raffle.

We came home and rested for just a little bit then Kevin and I headed out to dinner. I met the Instructor Challenge for AFTB for this quarter and was invited to a small dinner party. The theme was Oktoberfest and the food was GREAT! The company was awesome also. They made a wonderful toast that almost had me in tears. The Installation Commander was there and he gave a great talk and presented us all with his coin (HUGE for me and Kevin, cuz it's a silly competition between us, lol). It was nice, there were less then 10 people there so it was a really neat night.

Anyway, just wanted to share our day. And of course, you all didn't think you'd get away without any pics, did ya??

These first 3 are really neat angles that Kev took of the boys on the playground equipment...

I LOVE this pic of Daniel

Some action shots of Neil and Michael...Neil on the slide and Michael showing his move with the Hula Hoop, lol

This is a shot of Kevin and I someone else caught with our camera...we were hugging over some railing

The Pinata, lol..my kids almost beat everyone around them instead of the Pinata, lol

Kevin and I being silly with fake gross teeth...I could barely get this pic I was laughing so hard, which is why I look retarded, lol

Posing with the coin and laughing with the hubby.

This is really significant, so often during his career I attend as his guest...tonight it was about me and he was my guest so I had to point out the nametag.

Just an update

Well things in our home are trucking along. We had our pre-NTC brief, they kept using that naughty word we don't like in our home (deployment). You know what I find interesting, it's still 9 months away and that seems like a long time (ask anyone who's been pregnant, lol). But when you are anticipating, 9 months isn't long enough..but when they are gone, it's way too long. Well this time around, they will be gone for 15 months! Nothing like hearing dates...fun stuff! As a special treat to the families...the boys will be headed out before Halloween! Trick or Treat Army Families...definately a lame trick indeed.

Well let's see what is new with us...oh yes, the exciting news around these parts is that Daniel finally lost his first tooth...it was excitement indeed. I thought he was stalling going to bed but no, he was losing his first tooth, quite a dramatic event for mama because it shows that her baby really is growing up whether I want him to or not. The following morning he was so sweet, he came up to me and asked if I could please brush his teeth softly, lol. So cute!!!

Ok, Neil is doing very well. We've had a few meltdowns this year but overall he is doing great and the news with Neil is that he made the Robotics Competition Team! Yay Neil! I am so happy for him, he wanted this so badly and was so nervous when it came to the interview. Neil doesn't show a lot of emotion but I knew when he walked out of the double doors yesterday that he had made it...he had the little embarrassed silent excitement. I am soooooo happy for him and so proud of him. What is Robotics? http://mindstorms.lego.com/default.aspx?domainredir=www.legomindstorms.com, check out that site for a bit more info.

He is also almost done with his Bear requirements for Cub Scouts and is working hard on earning the special Texas Badge!

Well what about Michael! Michael continues to enjoy middle school (although I don't enjoy saying I have a middle schooler, lol). He is doing very well. He was selected to be on the Counselor's Club which helps out with the 6th Grade Club, Student Council and the Counselor's Club which helps new students integrate into the school. He was pretty happy the day he got selected for that and of course, we are proud! He is doing really well on his Bassoon, we are pleasantly surprised that it's not torture, he sounds pretty good! He is also Patrol Leader for his Boy Scout Patrol, a role he takes quite seriously. He continues to move along and should be receiving his Tenderfoot at the next Court of Honor in December!

I already mentioned Kevin leaving soon for more training (is he ever home?!?!). He is also currently the 11 year old Assistant Scout Leader. He enjoys working with the boys and wishes that he had more time to dedicate to it. Work keeps him pretty busy and he comes home very tired.

And lastly, what have I been up to? Not a whole lot if you want to know the truth. I have really slowed down in my volunteering. I continue to teach AFTB Classes through ACS and really enjoy doing that. I was involved in the local AFAP conference in September, I LOVE doing that. I also recently volunteered to be the Secretary for our FRG. New unit, new adventure, I think it will be a good thing! Other then that it's just me and the boys hanging out. Homework time is more demanding this year as all three boys have lots of it at times so I just don't feel like I need to have a lot on my plate. I also continue to teach Sunday School and am a Cub Scout Bear Den leader.

Well that's our update, hopefully I didn't bore ya...but then if you wanted to, you could have stopped reading, LOL..until next time!!!

Crankiness and other rambling

I really have no idea what my problem is lately, I am soooooo cranky and my patience level is extremely low, perhaps even non-existant. I'm not so cranky with the family but with a lot of other people in the world. I'd like to think it's everyone else and not me but I don't think it's true.

Although....the people who are really irritating me lately are doing stupid things and that just adds to the crankiness. It seems that the people I have to deal with have the qualities that annoy the crap out of me. I admit that I can be someone kind of hard to deal with and I'm not the most social person out there, I wouldn't even go as far as to call myself friendly but I am a caring individual.

I cannot stand people who call themselves Christians, the ones who stand behind their Christianity as a way of being able to do and say what they want. Those are some of the people I have to deal with. They go off on you and then lay their Christian bit on you like that is supposed to redeem their previous actions.

I am a Christian, one who has many flaws (like crankiness). I'd much rather have my actions speak louder then any announcement of my beliefs would. I admit I'm not always the best example but I do try.

I don't understand people who feel the need to be rude. I know a lot of people don't understand my very standoffish, aggressive personality but I don't have to be rude to get my point across and there are so many people who feel that they have to be that way to get ahead in the world.

I really try hard to stress to my kids the importance of manners and courtesy. That is really a hard lesson to teach these days when most people don't care about them. There is no better confirmation that I'm doing my job as a mother then hearing compliments about how well behaved and well mannered my kids are. They may fight me on showers and eating vegetables but they know how to say please and thank you and how to hold a door open for others. I suppose it all evens out.

I have a doctor appointment tomorrow and I hope that she can help me figure out this mood I'm in. I don't really like feeling this way, I feel very off center and I hate that. I literally avoid people because I don't want to hurt people's feelings and I know I will because while I'm always honest and a little too blunt for my own good, it's at a point where I might hurt people with words and that's just not nice. I read a lesson once that said Charity is also not saying things at times when we think they need to be said...that's a lesson I have to work on daily!

So that's my crazy ramble for the day.

Here's Nadine's advice for today...don't ask for honest opinions if you don't really want to hear them!

Another one with new specs....

The second one with glasses...*sigh* kids are so expensive!

Combat Boots and Pedicures

Most of you know I'm slightly addicted to my camera, I have it everywhere I go and take pics of EVERYTHING, lol. Today I went with my friend LaNita to have a pedicure. When Kevin came home we were sitting on the chair together and I decided to take pics of what I saw...(sorry if you any of you have issues with feet...ok I'm really not sorry cuz this my blog and you don't have to read it, lol)

My Beautiful Son

I know boys should be handsome...but the word beautiful better describes how I view my son because I am so blessed to have him in my life and he truly makes the world a more beautiful place to wake up to everyday.

I took this picture of him today and he looks so much like his Daddy yet he is so much himself and when I look in his eyes I just see a beautiful place in the world.

The Next Deployment Rotation

I've known it was coming and even thought I was prepared but I guess nothing truly prepares you. DoD announced today... our next rotation to Iraq. Somehow it just deflates your spirit. I liked it much better when it was hearsay and not black and white.


4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div. prepares for pending deployment in 2008
‘Cobra Brigade’ slated to join 1st Cav. Div.
The Department of Defense announced Tuesday (9 Oct) that the 4th Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team will deploy in the summer of 2008 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom
Prior to its deployment, the brigade will be re-designated as the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division
Known as the “Cobra” Brigade, the deployment will be the unit’s second rotation to Iraq. The brigade officially activated in December 2004 as part of Army restructuring and deployed to Baghdad Iraq from December 2005 through December 2006.
“This brigade has trained extremely hard and will continue to do so in order to prepare our Soldiers for success in Iraq.” said Col. Philip Battaglia, the brigade’s commander. “In preparation for deployment, we will focus on our expected missions, train our Soldiers, take care of Families and strengthen our team,” he said.
The brigade will conduct rigorous pre-deployment training, which will include a rotation at the Training Center Fort Irwin, Calif, in November, and a spring rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, LA.
Consistent with Department of Defense interim policy, the deployment is scheduled to last up to 15 months. The brigade consists of approximately 3,500 Soldiers and will deploy as a replacement unit for a brigade-sized element currently operating in Iraq.
In Sept., Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of Multi-National Force – Iraq, recommended a plan to Congress that would reduce forces in Iraq as long as it would not jeopardize security gains made in Iraq. The plan applies to a timeframe between now and July 2008. The 4th BCT’s deployment is planned for beyond that timeframe.
The “Cobra” brigade’s re-flagging to 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div., is expected to occur in early 2008. The existing 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div., which is based at Fort Bliss, is currently deployed to Iraq and will re-deploy in the coming months. After its return stateside, the brigade will re-designate as part of the 1st Armored Division.

Daniel & the Power Rangers

Anyone who knows our Daniel, knows that he is like the biggest Power Rangers fan. I thought he might outgrow his fascination like his older brothers but nope, here we are 4 years later still going strong. When Kevin found out that they were going to be here, he wanted to take him. So today off they went to meet the Power Rangers (yes..we're evil going out on Sunday but I'm sure there are worse crimes out there).

Kevin said he didn't seem overly excited but when he got up there he was pretty excited and he had fun telling me about it.

Here are a couple pics of our Power Ranger fan.

A great day at the Expo in Austin

We had a great time today. We attended the Texas Wildlife and Fishing Expo in Austin. It's a 2 day event and you really need both days to get through all the great activities. We spent most of the day there and had a lot of fun. It's a free event and it's awesome the work put into it and the great people who came out to volunteer their time. We got to meet cool people and experience fun activities. Below is a slideshow of some pics. A couple things I want to mention that really made today great had to do with military. We went to the Living History of Texas exhibit and they were teaching about Buffalo Soldiers. Buffalo soldiers hold a special place in our heart because of the unit Kevin went to Iraq with. They have such a rich and wonderful history anytime I get to learn more about them I do. Today we spoke with a woman who talked to us about the only female Buffalo Soldier. Kevin chatted with some of the actors for a bit and mentioned his connection with the unit and one of the men stood up came around and gripped his hand and thanked him for his service. It was awesome. Kevin certainly doesn't serve to get that type of recognition but it is truly appreciated and it made my heart smile. Later as we were going through some of the exhibition tents, we came across one booth that caught my eye. It was the Lone Star Charter Paralyzed Veterans of America. They are the only paralyzed Honor Guard and it was really neat to talk to them. We were in awe of them and they turned around and thanked Kevin for his service. I can't really explain it but it makes me even prouder of Kevin and his service and to know people appreciate his service. Those weren't the only instances but the ones that really stood out to me today.

The boys had a great time and so did we and it was nice to just go out and have a good day.

New Rims

So last Friday I took the boys in to get their eyes checked. The results...one needs glasses, one might need glasses, and one will probably need them within the year. Oh joy! Not that this is a shock considering the fact that Kevin and I both wear/wore glasses. (Not Kevin anymore since he had the lovely PRK surgery.)

Neil is the lucky child who gets to wear glasses. Daniel was very upset that he doesn't have to and kept telling me over and over that he wanted glasses, lol. Michael has to go back in a couple weeks for a more extensive exam to find out what he needs.

Here is our handsome boy with his new rims..