Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Tomorrow
So tomorrow morning is the big day! The day we get to bring Kevin home for good. Other than seeing him for an hour Tuesday night, and for a few minutes Thursday night (I brought the guys a HUGE stash of white castle because they missed lunch) we haven't seen much of him. But we've talked on the phone, and are counting down the hours.
I still have cleaning to do, decorating, and I have a chocolate chip cookie cake recipe I'm going to try.
But it's almost here, the day we've been waiting for, the day I've been dreaming about.
Tuesday night was really amazing - when hearing the news that their plane had landed the large group of family and friends started cheering. And almost an hour later, when the troops *knocked* on the hanger door to be let inside, the crowd just went nuts. Of course I was overwhelmed, watching them march through the door, knowing that Kevin was among them. That he was finally home, away from Iraq, safe and sound.
I have a little video from the point and shoot of the crowd as the troops marched in. Every time I watch it I get choked up, even though you can't even see Kevin on the video. I'm getting teary right now, just so overwhelmed and still not believing that it's almost over. That he's almost here.
I know we'll have a long road ahead of us. I've been told that our marriage will never be the same. But being the optimist - I'm hoping that if anything, it will be even better. We have the love to make it, and without love, we never would have made it through. I know of a particular young couple with a new baby who didn't survive the long separation. When he got home, she didn't even go to see him.
Though Kevin told me not to go Tuesday night (because he would only have to leave again) - it was worth it. Seeing for myself that he was okay, was worth it. Gwen picked out a dress to wear for her daddy, sure that he would think she was so pretty. When I whispered to him to tell her that and he did, she just blushed and said, "No, I'm not!" though it was obvious how happy she was that he said that. And it was so worth it to see the proud look on her face.
He was tired from being on a plane for hours on end, but so happy to see the kids. He can't wait to come home.
And we can't wait to have him here!!
I still have cleaning to do, decorating, and I have a chocolate chip cookie cake recipe I'm going to try.
But it's almost here, the day we've been waiting for, the day I've been dreaming about.
Tuesday night was really amazing - when hearing the news that their plane had landed the large group of family and friends started cheering. And almost an hour later, when the troops *knocked* on the hanger door to be let inside, the crowd just went nuts. Of course I was overwhelmed, watching them march through the door, knowing that Kevin was among them. That he was finally home, away from Iraq, safe and sound.
I have a little video from the point and shoot of the crowd as the troops marched in. Every time I watch it I get choked up, even though you can't even see Kevin on the video. I'm getting teary right now, just so overwhelmed and still not believing that it's almost over. That he's almost here.
I know we'll have a long road ahead of us. I've been told that our marriage will never be the same. But being the optimist - I'm hoping that if anything, it will be even better. We have the love to make it, and without love, we never would have made it through. I know of a particular young couple with a new baby who didn't survive the long separation. When he got home, she didn't even go to see him.
Though Kevin told me not to go Tuesday night (because he would only have to leave again) - it was worth it. Seeing for myself that he was okay, was worth it. Gwen picked out a dress to wear for her daddy, sure that he would think she was so pretty. When I whispered to him to tell her that and he did, she just blushed and said, "No, I'm not!" though it was obvious how happy she was that he said that. And it was so worth it to see the proud look on her face.
He was tired from being on a plane for hours on end, but so happy to see the kids. He can't wait to come home.
And we can't wait to have him here!!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
It's not over . . .
until it's truly over. The heater quit working this afternoon. Remember the three inch thick ice outside??? It's not exactly summertime around here. And being Sunday, the repair guys are going to hit me for everything they have. GREAT.
And Lex has a lovely fever and the attitude to go with it.
C'mon deployment, BE OVER!!!!!
And Lex has a lovely fever and the attitude to go with it.
C'mon deployment, BE OVER!!!!!
I'm 32
Okay, so I'm officially 32. Since yesterday. Ouch. It doesn't seem that way, it seems as though I should be 25 at the oldest. But that was when I started the journey to having children, and we all know how fast the years fly once your oldest is born.
I was lucky enough to have a friend visit for my birthday and bring lunch, along with a sinfully delicious chocolate cake. My mouth is watering just thinking about that cake, and it is beckoning me from the kitchen. What is left of it, anyway.
I started the morning off fairly grumpy, Kevin's flight to Kuwait had been bumped, Lex had me up before dawn, and Brandi's water trough froze over. Three inches thick to be exact. You can bet I ran out and added her de-icer so that doesn't happen again, though of course I had to break through the ice with a crowbar first.
Plus, the cleaning I did. Four hours worth. I'm at least getting somewhere, after three weekends of making a real attempt at cleaning. One more weekend and Kevin will be home for good.
That's all I think about anymore, that's all that matters right now. Thanksgiving will simply be a day off work, nothing more. Unless it's the day we meet Kevin for the first time in months - that remains to be seen.
Unfortunately, we only get an hour with him before he's shipped off for 5 days of debriefing, counseling, physicals, etc. At least he'll only be about 45 minutes from the house. That's a bit better than half a world away.
We SHOULD see him this week. I can't wait - the kids can't wait - now I just need time to grow some wings and fly a little.
It's almost over. The wait is almost over.
I was lucky enough to have a friend visit for my birthday and bring lunch, along with a sinfully delicious chocolate cake. My mouth is watering just thinking about that cake, and it is beckoning me from the kitchen. What is left of it, anyway.
I started the morning off fairly grumpy, Kevin's flight to Kuwait had been bumped, Lex had me up before dawn, and Brandi's water trough froze over. Three inches thick to be exact. You can bet I ran out and added her de-icer so that doesn't happen again, though of course I had to break through the ice with a crowbar first.
Plus, the cleaning I did. Four hours worth. I'm at least getting somewhere, after three weekends of making a real attempt at cleaning. One more weekend and Kevin will be home for good.
That's all I think about anymore, that's all that matters right now. Thanksgiving will simply be a day off work, nothing more. Unless it's the day we meet Kevin for the first time in months - that remains to be seen.
Unfortunately, we only get an hour with him before he's shipped off for 5 days of debriefing, counseling, physicals, etc. At least he'll only be about 45 minutes from the house. That's a bit better than half a world away.
We SHOULD see him this week. I can't wait - the kids can't wait - now I just need time to grow some wings and fly a little.
It's almost over. The wait is almost over.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Randomness
You know that little floating baby up in the corner? You can make it laugh. And every time I do that, Lex giggles. Speaking of the little monster he just backed into me, expecting to be put on my lap. SPOILED Rotten. They all are. He's also enthralled with my puppy on Facebook, Roc Jr. He loves to watch him eat and chase frisbees.
I still don't feel pregnant, though I finally got my appetite back - and am always hungry. I feel little movements every now and again, but nothing major, and I still think it's strange to say that I'm pregnant. Gwen thinks the baby is a girl, I think it's a boy, we'll see what Kevin says when he gets back since he's always right!!
Kevin leaves Iraq in less than a week, but after that it will be about a week before he's home for good. Maybe more. They have debriefing, etc to go through before coming home. We get to see him for an hour once he gets here, but then he leaves again for 5 days. THAT is going to be hard on the little guy for sure. But hey -
OOPS! The kids published this when it wasn't ready. They've learned the computer is a fun place to be.
Hunter is still wrestling, and he still likes it, which is a wonder to behold. And I've learned that the smell of a wrestling room after practice hasn't changed a bit in 28 years. Imagine that.
Two more trash days, two more grocery trips. Two more weeks until life gets a WHOLE lot easier!!!
I still don't feel pregnant, though I finally got my appetite back - and am always hungry. I feel little movements every now and again, but nothing major, and I still think it's strange to say that I'm pregnant. Gwen thinks the baby is a girl, I think it's a boy, we'll see what Kevin says when he gets back since he's always right!!
Kevin leaves Iraq in less than a week, but after that it will be about a week before he's home for good. Maybe more. They have debriefing, etc to go through before coming home. We get to see him for an hour once he gets here, but then he leaves again for 5 days. THAT is going to be hard on the little guy for sure. But hey -
OOPS! The kids published this when it wasn't ready. They've learned the computer is a fun place to be.
Hunter is still wrestling, and he still likes it, which is a wonder to behold. And I've learned that the smell of a wrestling room after practice hasn't changed a bit in 28 years. Imagine that.
Two more trash days, two more grocery trips. Two more weeks until life gets a WHOLE lot easier!!!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Can you see it?
13 weeks
Can you see the monstrous camera in my face , I mean the tiny baby belly?
I'm at the pregnancy stage where I look as though I'm eating too many donuts. Not noticeably pregnant at all, but over the weekend I realized I could no longer suck in my tummy all the way, even when I really tried.
I'm finally getting my appetite back, much to my chagrin, because now I'm hungry ALL THE TIME. Like now. I might have to go sneak some of that girl scout cookie thin mint ice-cream that's in the freezer.
MUST AVOID TEMPTATION.
But anyway, I have people from literally staring at my stomach. It's a tad embarrassing, but I'm not going to jump out and say, "By the way, I'm pregnant. Where are those drawings I need?"
They just think I'm getting fat. Must be the bag of funyuns on my desk or perhaps the stash of NERDS from Halloween. Gotta love the nerds.
So another week is almost over. And in another week (or so) - Kevin will be leaving Iraq. Can we say Happy Birthday to me?? I'll be turning 26 (again) on the 22nd. Because 32 is just getting too old to really celebrate. And my hubby will be starting the long process home . . .
Monday, November 10, 2008
Only One
One of my biggest fears of adding to our family is that there is only ONE of me to go around, and one just isn't enough. After over eleven months of doing this alone, I have not figured out how to split myself into three (or four actually, so I can cook dinner too).
I constantly have three children vying for my attention. Which means that when they are around, I don't get much of anything accomplished around the house. But I do get to read 'Mr Brown can Moo' and every Thomas book under the sun about three gazillion times. And play Diego checkers, and watch Gwen do her five millionth cartwheel or hand stand or what in the world is that thing where she kicks her legs?? And help with homework (Gwen and Hunter) and change diapers, and chase Lex around the house, and sit down to just laugh and talk.
But I am stretched so thin I fear I will burst. Adding another, very dependent human being, will make things that much harder.
Perhaps I just don't remember what it is like with Kevin here, how much help he can be, how wonderful it is to go grocery shopping alone (or with one or two children). I'm not really sure.
But those of you in cyberspace, with multiple children, how do you do it? How do you divide your attention so that your children (and spouse!) don't feel left out? Plus still manage laundry, and dishes, and dinner?
For every picture like this -
I get about three like THIS -
ANOTHER monkey see, monkey do -
WOA!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
It's getting close
HOMECOMING
These soldiers are a part of Kevin's group. They're starting to come home - it won't be long now.
I cried when I watched this video. Very soon we will be standing there in that fieldhouse holding our signs. Waiting for Kevin to come marching through the door. Cheering like mad when we finally see him.
It's been the longest and hardest year of my life.
But has it really been a year??
These soldiers are a part of Kevin's group. They're starting to come home - it won't be long now.
I cried when I watched this video. Very soon we will be standing there in that fieldhouse holding our signs. Waiting for Kevin to come marching through the door. Cheering like mad when we finally see him.
It's been the longest and hardest year of my life.
But has it really been a year??
Thursday, November 6, 2008
You were right . . .
I'm pregnant!
I still find the words somewhat hard to believe. With Lex, I hung onto every sweet baby moment as the last, because deep inside I was sure we would never have any more babies.
So am I happy?
Yes, I am very happy.
Scared?
Yep, that too.
But God really does know what He is doing. How can I trust Him with other aspects of my life, and not trust Him about this?
Still, other than horrific morning sickness that has caused me to shed so many pounds my pants are constantly being hiked up during the day, and the headaches that have me pounding my head against my desk, I don't feel pregnant.
I've even felt those first tiny flutters, which are unmistakeable, yet surreal at the same time.
Aren't there clothes and dishes to wash, children to feed, diabetic dogs to worry about? Horses to keep an eye on, and a certain soldier's homecoming leave to plan? There's too much to do for me to really think about the baby that will (God willing) be born in May.
Because of the weight loss, and my past history of showing late, there is not a baby belly to be found. Which makes it even easier to continue life as usual.
But when I do think about it, like now, I get excited and can't wait to see the little one that will join our family.
It helps that Kevin is thrilled. I was scared to tell him, considering this wasn't exactly on our current radar (at least not on my current radar!), but there was nothing to worry about. He laughed when I told him he needed to reserve some leave in May, and said, 'How about that'.
Yea, how about that.
Baby #4.
Still not used to it!!!!
I guess I have about 28 more weeks to GET used to it . . .
I still find the words somewhat hard to believe. With Lex, I hung onto every sweet baby moment as the last, because deep inside I was sure we would never have any more babies.
So am I happy?
Yes, I am very happy.
Scared?
Yep, that too.
But God really does know what He is doing. How can I trust Him with other aspects of my life, and not trust Him about this?
Still, other than horrific morning sickness that has caused me to shed so many pounds my pants are constantly being hiked up during the day, and the headaches that have me pounding my head against my desk, I don't feel pregnant.
I've even felt those first tiny flutters, which are unmistakeable, yet surreal at the same time.
Aren't there clothes and dishes to wash, children to feed, diabetic dogs to worry about? Horses to keep an eye on, and a certain soldier's homecoming leave to plan? There's too much to do for me to really think about the baby that will (God willing) be born in May.
Because of the weight loss, and my past history of showing late, there is not a baby belly to be found. Which makes it even easier to continue life as usual.
But when I do think about it, like now, I get excited and can't wait to see the little one that will join our family.
It helps that Kevin is thrilled. I was scared to tell him, considering this wasn't exactly on our current radar (at least not on my current radar!), but there was nothing to worry about. He laughed when I told him he needed to reserve some leave in May, and said, 'How about that'.
Yea, how about that.
Baby #4.
Still not used to it!!!!
I guess I have about 28 more weeks to GET used to it . . .
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I'm Back
Sorry I've been MIA - life has kind of taken over around here :) But I just got word today that Kevin is moving into a temporary tent - WAHOOOO!! You know that that means? It measn the replacements (at least some of them) have finally arrived. That makes it seem so much more final to me. And this journey, this long arduous journey, really is coming to an end. So the kids went trick-or-treating, and it was fun. I have to show off their costumes simply because everyone else is doing it (ha ha ha).
Spidey Shooting me with his web
C'MOn MOM, are you coming??
The teeth kind of make it hard to see . . .
Godzilla attacking Spiderman
And the best part of Lex's costume. The tail!
And I'm going to give a great big GOLD star to anyone who can guess what this is :D
The video is done - but it's sound only. Remember my secret? Well this will tell you what it is!
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