Found!!!!!!!! The keys have been found!!!!

YES that's right, the keys have been found, by MEEEEEE! LOL

Ok, so come to find out, it was not either people in this house that are under the voting age...oh no it was both Chad and I! Chad's fault for having some bizarre memory of something he never did, and me for forgetting! LOL

I found them in our NEW diaper bag. Wednesday I had bible study, took the keys because I locked the place up, after bible study walked over to see Chad at work, and we all walked home together since when we got there he was leaving for lunch. When we got home, he used his keys to unlock the door and my keys stayed in the side pocket of the diaper bag!

Well today when Chad came home I thought "what about the new diaper bag...it can't hurt to look. Chad had looked in the "old" diaper bag, so last night it didn't cross my mind to look since I'd asked him if he looked in the diaper bag!

We were good parents and apologized to both the boys, yet explaining to Jacob (4) that if he DOES see Jack with something he knows he's not supposed to have, he's to come to me or Daddy IMMEDIATELY!

 

Alls well that ends well! Now we can go out and about tomorrow like I have been wanting to do for the past week. I have been wanting to go down town and take pictures of the many church's and the castle that's here, etc. And, next Thursday we're planning on going to Edelweiss (now for those who don't know, in German when you have a word with a "w" in it, it's pronounced with a "V" sound! So the word sounds like "ADE-EL-VICE) It's a new resort for military, down by Garmish! I'm so excited, everyone that's been there has raved about it. It's close to the Neuschweinstein castle...for those who don't know what that is...it's the Castle that Walt Disney was inspired by for Sleeping Beauty's castle! It's one of, if not the most popular castle in Germany and definately one of the most beautiful!!

To take a look at the place we'll be staying go here: Edelweiss Lodge and Resort - Garmisch, Germany

 

Ok so it's time to relax a little now in the home of madness!

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers....life is funny isn't it!

 

Lost Keys

Yes that's right, my van keys are MIA. Chad left them on his dresser (which is 5 feet high), and they fell this morning. Jack had been up around 6 (AM..I know the insanity) and kept wanting to play, I told him no to get back in bed. He was running around the room, but I didn't think anything of it since I was in and out of conscienceness. Well, low and behold Jacob who had moved into our bed after Daddy had left this morning, saw Jack grab the keys and he didn't say anything!

Chad and I did not discover this until about 1 pm today, when I wanted to take the van since it was raining to go get my fitness program book that our battalion spouces are going to be doing. Chad searched the half hour I was gone, and couldn't find them. I came home searched, Chad was home at 3 and the search continued. Finally at 7 the search is over for now, we've searched everywhere. Our FEAR is the went into the toilet and possibly got flushed?? CAN keys WITH an alarm gadget go down? I'm frustrated, a little angry, and just plain mystified as to where these keys could be. Chad's going to find the phone number to the local Ford Dealership and we're going to PRAY,PRAY,PRAY that we can get another key and a dobber would be nice too, but I can live without it if I must.

Oh man, 2 yr olds are so much fun! LOL And seriously WHY can't a little  4 yr old brother who will come running to tell me that a little 2 yr old brother is doing something that's really no biggie, yet can't tell me when he SEE's him WITH the keys????? Ah, nothing like NOT understanding toddler's minds! LOL

Say some prayers please...that we find these keys! We're supposed to be going out of town NEXT Week for a fun mini vacation. Well here's to a FUN weekend! LOL

Feeling a little better

Well, I'm not fully recovered, but I'm not feeling the need to be in the bathroom all the time or just laying on the couch feeling like my stomach was going to explode. The boys definately watched too much tv yesterday morning, that's a definate perk for them when Mommy's sick and just too exhausted to do anything with them. Thankfully Chad was home by 1 yesterday afternoon. I did have to make them lunch, which I went above and beyond on...ravioli's rofl!! yeah..open the can, dump, heat up, serve...lol....I got them put in bed for their nap, spent some quality time in my bathroom, Chad came home and got the boys to stop rough-housing (imagine a 2 and 4 yr old rough-housing knowing full and well Mommy was ummm busy! LOL)

Ok, so my real purpose of writing this...how much fun my boys are, especially Jack at this moment. His imagination is really exploding onto the scene you could say! Like I said he's 2 and this is when it really hits. Last night he found the blocks, and made something...well it was a train! :) He started walking around saying "choo-choo" he did this for at least a half-hour! It was so fun watching his imagination really going. This morning the boys were playing, Jacob went and got his Bob the Builder blanket that my mom had made him, got the couch pillows, put everything on the floor, Jacob layed under his blanket, layed on one of the pillows and said "come here puppy", Jack came over barking, tongue hanging out, being a puppy! ROFL! They were playing and giggling. It's so much fun to watch 1. my children play together. 2. love one another, 3 to see their imagination growing and constantly expanding.

I know how lucky I am, when I talk to some friends who's kids are about the same age gap and they don't play as well together. People always seem a little shocked that they get along so well with each other. They are truly best friends. If Jacob is out of Jack's sight and he doesn't know where he is, he comes to ask where "baabup" (that's how he says Jacob) is and will then proceed to walk through the apt calling his name! LOL If Jack's somewhere unknown to Jacob, he's searching for him. Now don't get me wrong, the argue and have little tiff's, but normally with in 1 minute they are back to playing like nothing again!

I love watching my boys play together, I think it's one of GOD's greatest gift to give your child a sibling. It was wonderful when it was JUST Jordyn (ok so it was wonderful just having Jordyn alive...) and it was wonderful when it was JUST Jacob. I had no idea how wonderful it would be to see Jacob be a big brother. He was meant to have siblings. Last night he came up to me and said "mommy, I miss Jordyn". Now for those new here or just don't know, I found out I was pregnant with Jacob 8 days AFTER Jordyn died. He was NOT planned by any means and the pregnancy was emotionally hard, well it was awful. I'd NEVER and I mean NEVER suggest anyone get pregnant in the first year after losing a child. You NEED time to grieve. Letting yourself be selfish, etc. That was not the case for me, there I was pregnant. My husband and I were shocked to say the least. I wanted my little girl, wasn't ready for another child. The whole pregnancy I was scared out of my mind that I wouldn't be able to love him. When he was born and I heard that cry, all those fears left, because it was immediate, I loved that child! Anyways, I believe with all my heart that Jacob has a bond with his sister, it's unexplainable really, but so many times he's talked about Jordyn, misses her, wants her here with him, and genuinely loves her. I know they knew each other in Heaven while he was growing in me. Jack is starting to learn and recognize Jordyn, most the time when he see's her picture he calls her Jacob (of course when he see's himself in the mirror or a picture of himself he calls himself Jacob too! LOL)...but when I correct him and tell him "No, that's Jordyn not Jacob" he will say "oh! Jordyn" and normally gives the picture a kiss! :) I'm thankful that God's given me the opportunity to show and share Jordyn with the boys and that although they won't get to grow up with her, they will and do feel her in their life.

 

Ok....rofl my boys are just trotted into the living room, being horses! LOL The cheerio's are "oats" Jacob just told me! LOL Time to go play with them!!! Bye

 

Sickness has hit

Well, this will most likely be my only time online today, I'm sick. I am not sure if it's the flu or just a 24 hr thing. My head is starting to spin the longer I sit up, my stomach is killing me, I've already spent more time in the bathroom today than I care to share and it's only 10:34 am in Germany. I just over all feel awful.

I want to thank Kelly for picking my journal as an Editor's pick, I've already had so many wonderful people come by, leave entries, and email me. It's fun to go and explore their journals when they leave their links....btw LEAVE your journal links I LOVE exploring new journals to me, and I'm always pleasantly surprised when I find a journal that I've read before but lost somehow.

I hope you all have a wonderful day, I'll be on the couch hoping my body will return to being "good"....if I start feeling human again I'll be back!

 

The Soldier and GOD...and a little more

 www.yessy.com/susanalden9/

This picture has been used with PERMISSION...please do not "take" without  permission by this VERY talented artitist.

 

The soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.





"Step forward now, you soldier,

How shall I deal with you ?

Have you always turned the other cheek ?

To My Church have you been true?"



The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.


I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.


But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.


And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.


I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.


If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.


There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.


"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."




~Author Unknown~  

**********CHANGE**************** From a link in the guestbook, it looks like the author has been found and I 100 % will give credit where credit is due!!!!!! I LOVE it when unknown author's are found!

 

Sgt Joshua Helterbran, 224th Engineer Battalion.

I have to say it makes me smile since this guy in an Engineer, so is my Chad!!!! Thank you for allowing me to give credit where it's due!

   I've read this before and loved it, but somehow "lost" it...now I've saved it and hopefully will not lose it again. I hope when we get a new printer I can print it off and frame it for Chad or at the very least scrapbook it in Chad's military scrapbook. I talk to other military wives and read other military wives journals, I read non-military wives journals, etc and think how much God has given me when it comes to Chad. I take this man for granted a lot. He loves me, truly loves me. Even when I was at my heaviest, he still thought I was beautiful. He doesn't make a habit of telling me how much harder "his job" is in the Army or how much stress he has and that my life is a piece of cake, he knows better. He's been left at home many times with our children and gets that there's a lot of work in raising children and keeping a home, etc. Before he was deployed to Iraq the first time, he was on rear-dettachment. He saw how the spouces have life that continues even though their husband (and in some cases wives, but for the most part with his job/MOS it's husbands) are deployed. The bills keep coming, the van oil still needs changed, the lights that are up 10 feet high still need changing, the grass needs mowing, kids need chasing, bathed, fed, taken to the park everyday, read to, hugged, kissed, disiplined. We still have family and friends who still "need" or ask things of us, even when our stomach's in a knot constantly. We still have obligations to handle. We take on a 2 parenting job, as 1 person. We go from being "mom and wife" to being "mom, dad, wife, husband". We get phone calls from the mil, complaining that she hasn't heard from her son, and when was the last time "I" have and then try to be gentle when explaining that he only gets a certain amount of time on the phone and he choses to call his WIFE and CHILDREN.... Chad saw those things, helped out wives by mowing their hards, moving furniture, changing those out of reach burnt out lightbulbs (I still laugh as  he balanced on the back of our friends couch trying to change that stinking hall light which he DID!! LOL). He dealt with the guilt of being on rear-d, yet working a 24 hr shift (although most days it was more like 26 hrs), taking phone calls from spouces asking good and stupid questions, taking calls from worried parents, friends, wanting info that he just couldn't give quite often. Having to call me to let me know that the phones were down in Iraq because of injuries and that he couldn't leave yet until the family had been personally notified (one of HIS soldiers lost, physcially lost an eye, blind in the other, lost his arms from the elbow down, and major injury to his legs...all out of stupidity and something that could have been avoided)...but he had to stay at work while the Commander and Chaplain went and found his 19 yr old wife, mother of 2, expecting their 3rd. At that point we thought this soldier was going to die, and it killed Chad. Through it all though, Chad got that it's hard for the wives. Yes it's not an easy road to be a soldier, not at all and I don't know how he does it. Yet he gets that it's not easy for me either. I am left home to comfort our children when they cry because they miss Daddy. I am the one here to do all the bills and everyday stuff, and at some point take care of myself, yeah right. I am thankful I have a guy who doesn't tell me how to feel or that he's got it "worse" than me. Until we walk in the other's shoes we can never know. I have a husband who loves me and feels bad that he's leaving his family again, yet this is his job and he loves it, he believes in what his country is fighting for. I believe in his job and I believe in him. God will see us through this. We will God-willingly pray our way through this seperation and when we're reunited be stronger than ever.    

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Ok so Kelly asks....

 

Easy - Week # 25

EASY - like Sunday Morning!

Here's my question of the week.  Answer it in your journal and come back here and leave me a link in the comments.  I'll post your links next weekend and we'll start over again next Sunday :-)

Tell me.....

"....about one of your favorite journals.  And don't be suprised when all your friends e-mail you asking why you didn't pick them!"

I, of course, (Miss Guest Editor, yup that's me) already did mine (click here).

Go ahead, try and pick one I don't already know about :-)

 

Well I have a lot of journals in my favorites so I'm going to name a few, if I read yours and didn't post it on here, it's because I know Kelly already knows about your journal! :)

A 'Pickle' For Your Thoughts... I love reading this one..I "think" Kelly may have read Jen before, but if not you'll enjoy this!

Everything Laura-Laura is an Army wife, mommy, and college student doing her best to keep her sanity while her dh is fighting for our country.

 

Seventh Heaven???? Mom of 5, wife of a truck driver...need I say more?

Green Olives & Pickle Juice...she's a wacky mom of 2, wife, living in her inlaws house...she's just asking for punishment! LOL

 

A couple funnies! :)

I came across these and thought they were cute...enjoy! :) LOL

MAN OF THE HOUSE


The husband had just finished reading the book, 'MAN OF THE HOUSE'.

He stormed into the kitchen and walked directly up to his
wife. Pointing a finger in her face, he said, "From now on, I want you to know that I am the man of this house, and my word is law! I want you to prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I'm finished eating my meal, I expect a sumptuous dessert afterward. Then, after dinner, you are going to draw me my bath so I can relax. And when I'm finished with my bath, guess who's going to dress me and comb my hair?"

His wife replied, "The funeral director would be
my guess
 

A life-long city man, tired of the rat race, decided he was going to give up the city life, move to the country, and become a chicken farmer. He bought a nice, used chicken farm and moved in. As it turned out, his next door neighbor was also a chicken farmer. The neighbor came for a visit one day and said, "Chicken farming isn’t easy. Tell you what. To help you get started, I’ll give you 100 chickens."
The new chicken farmer was thrilled. Two weeks later the neighbor dropped by to see how things were going. The new farmer said, "Not too well. All 100 chickens died." The neighbor said, "Oh, I can’t believe that. I’ve never had any trouble with my chickens. I’ll give you 100 more." Another two weeks went by and the neighbor stopped by again. The new farmer said, "You’re not going to believe this, but the second 100 chickens died too." Astounded, the neighbor asked, "What went wrong?"
The new farmer said, "Well, I’m not sure whether I’m planting them too deep or too close together."

Blessed Beyond Worth

I am blessed beyond my worth. I'm a believer in Christ, there for know that I will spend eternity in Heaven. I am unworthy of his love, and I can't even describe the feelings when I think that he died for me.

Then I think of the blessing's he's given me. My husband. What can I say about him? He loves me so much more than I deserve most of the time. He's an amazing father. I truly could not have asked for a better man to be the father of my children. He's a hero! He's in the Army and loves his job. He believes in helping the Iraqi people to have the freedom they want. Most importantly, he loves Christ!

Then there's my children. God gave me Jordyn for 2 yrs 1 month and 8 precious days. There are so few words in the English language to describe how much I love this child and miss her, long for her in my arms, and thank GOD that he gave her to me for even 1 day. What GOD gave me, cancer will never be able to truly touch, because one day I'll be with her again. My boys are so precious to me. They are truly BOYS! If you have a boy, you know what I mean. Full of energy, orniness, rough-housing, playing in the dirt, sand, finding mud puddles and becoming as dirty as possible. If there's messy food to eat, it's the first thing they want! Just as boys should! LOL Jacob knows Jesus and loves him, he knows his sister and loves her, he adores his Daddy and they have a bond that I sit in awe of. Jackson's my "baby", at just 2 he's so smart, sweet, ornery, and wonderful. He's "MY BOY", yet loves that Daddy of his!

One of the sweetest sounds I hear everyday is "Daddy" when Chad comes home from work!

What did I do to deserve these amazing people? Why did GOD allow ME to find this man, have these children? I shouldn't question. I should just be thankful, even for the tense and stressful moments. I need to look at the good times and lock them in my heart and hold onto them and remind myself of eating ice cream in a German Ice Cream Shoppe, then going across the street to the little park with the fountain pond, running around, chasing each other. I love to hear my boys giggle...you know the giggle I'm talking about. It's those giggles of pure joy, of being carefree, fully loved, and truly happy. Running around, out of breath, looking at the pond, smelling the flowers. It's a good day, a good moment in time that I want and need to lock into my heart and never forget.

My dear friend, Emily talks about "Really living"...tonight I really lived with my boys and my blessings are too great to count. I am learning to "really live" from my children.

 

Feeling a little sad

I am sitting here just missing my daughter tonight. Wondering how someone I love so much was able to leave my arms. I am just aching right now. I hear so many other mom's talking about their daughter's, the pinks, purples, ribbons, long hair, painted fingernails..I miss those things, most of all though I just miss Jordyn.

All too often people think that tomorrow is somehow guarenteed. I find myself falling into that at times, but I know all too well it's not promised. I know that life's not always easy and gentle. I know that even little innocent children suffer from horrible diseases, that they truly do not deserve. I know that one of, if not the most evil word I know is cancer. I know it killed this beautiful child. It robbed her of growing up to become what ever she was supposed to be. It robbed me, yes selfish me, of being her Mommy and guiding her through out her life. It robbed my husband of his little girl, his princess. It robbed my boys of having a big sister.

I hate cancer. I miss that smile, her laughter, that light in her eyes. I've never seen another human that had a light in their eyes like Jordyn did.

The Penny

The Penny 
 
 You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the 
sidewalk being good 
luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time 
I've ever heard 
this twist on the story. Gives you something to 
think about.   
 
 
Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband 
  were invited to 
spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. 
My friend, Arlene, 
was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very 
wealthy, with a fine 
home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her 
house. 
 
The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was 
delighted to have 
this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. 
The husband's employer 
was quite generous as a host, and took them to the 
finest restaurants.
Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to 
indulge in this kind 
of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself 
immensely.
As the three of them were about to enter an 
exclusive restaurant that
evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of 
Arlene and her husband. 
He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement 
for a long, is lent 
moment. 
 
Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. 
There was nothing on 
the ground except a single darkened penny that 
someone had dropped, and 
a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached 
down and picked up 
the penny. 
 
He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket 
as if he had found a 
great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man 
have for a single 
penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and 
pick it up? 
 
Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. 
Finally, she could 
stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her 
daughter once had a 
coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found 
had been of some 
value. 

 A smile crept across the man's face as he reached 
into his pocket for
 the penny and held it out for her to see. She had 
seen many pennies 
before! What was the point of this? 
 
"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She read 
the words "United 
States of America." 
 
"No, not that; read further." 
 
 
"In God we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?" 
 
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, 
even on a coin. 
Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is 
written on every 
single United States coin, but we never seem to 
notice it! God drops a 
message right in front of me telling me to trust 
Him? Who am I to pass 
  it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if 
  my trust IS in God at 
that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to 
God; that I do trust in 
Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if 
it were gold. I 
think it is God's way of starting a conversation 
with me. Lucky for me, 
God is patient and pennies are plentiful! 
 
When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on 
the sidewalk. I 
stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had 
been worrying and 
fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I 
read the words, "In 
God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the 
message. 

What Bible Are You?

 

Which book of the Bible are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

 

Which book of the Bible are you?


You are Ephesians.

Kenny Chesney and Rene Zellweger...over

 

AOL News - Renee Zellweger and Kenny Chesney Split

Ok so anyone who knows me at all, understands my deep and undying LOVE for Kenny. That being said, I feel sad that his marriage is over. I KNOW! SHOCKING!! LOL I feel sad, because I hate to see any marriage end, well most the time.

       

Obviously since they got married it's been very low key and I have no idea what she means by FRAUD. Seriously what's fraud of being HOT, SEXY, GORGOUS, and just plain YUMMY. Ok so the secret must be out, he must have told her of his undying devotion and love for ME! Ok, I'm back to reality as my 4 yr old comes and kisses me from his waking up from his nap and I'm reminded that I am indeed married with children and happily at that! :) LOL

 

    

I like Renee as an actress, although she could seriously gain some weight, only because I think when she has some on her, she look so much  better, in their wedding photo's she just looked like she was truly sick. :( Hopefully they can both move on and be happy in their lives.

     

 

Someone should probably slap this huge grin I have off of my face...:)

 

 

Pure Exhaustion

Well we got our household goods and our home now looks like a jungle of boxes. It's insane the amount of things we have. Of course if the moving company would have done the claims while we were still in Kansas, we'd not have a broken desk to store until we do claims, and since they managed to brake and/or damage other items lets just say I could be happier. On a happy note we have already found quite a few things that we're either completely trashing or taking to the Thrift Shop (we get to pick our price and decide if we want to lower it when ever we want to...so I'm going to be making a call or running down there tomorrow or Thursday for an apt with them to drop things off).

Chad and I were horrified to see the amount of boxes of clothes for the two of us. Obviously there are clothes that just do not fit us, because neither of us have that many clothes that we can wear! LOL I am positive I have quite a few clothes that are 1 to 2 sizes too big, so I want to get rid of them. We're going to sale our coffee table too, it's  hand me down from my parents. It's heavy and I'm sick of it and if we ever want one we can find one that I like far more, that weighs about half as much as this one. 

We have the boys beds set up, it's a bunk bed. We debated putting Jacob on top, and have decided to let him try it out. I had Chad help me lay the carpet it out in their room and then I put pillows down on the floor "just in case" it has a safety slat on it, so he'd have to roll up and over it, so I truly don't think he will, but it makes Mommy feel better. Jack loves sleeping on the bottom! LOL He was in and out, in and out, in and out some more!

I have bible study in the morning, and I still need to finish my lesson tonight. I'm so exhausted I wish that the boys would sleep in tomorrow, but I know they'll be up bright and early at 7 am...I know that's not early for some, but it is for me. I am NOT a morning person at all...in my perfect world no one would be functional until about 10 am! LOL I said PERFECT Christy world!

Well, I see many days of going through boxes, so who knows if I'll get much time on here or not.

Kelly, I hope you have internet back soon! Love ya girl!

Bye-bye!

Driving

I took my test today and passed! LOL  There were only 5 of us who took the test and all of us but 1 passed, the 5th wasn't there this morning during the review, so that could have been her reasons, since nearly everything we reviewed was on the test.

Late this afternoon we went to Kaufland's, which is a little like Super WalMart, but definately more grocery's than anything else. We drove downtown to the Baumhof  (bus/train station) and went to the ECenter, which is a little mall. Walked around in there for a bit, and came home to make dinner and work on the house. I'm taking a break right now! :)

Tomorrow our household goods arrives! I'm excited. We need to get some more things finished and get most of the furniture out of the way. I'm anxious to get our things here, get them organized, etc. It's going to be so nice to have our belongings and have this place truly feel like HOME! For those who really know me, know that my favorite thing about "unpacking" is actually hanging the pictures and decorating our home and making it feel like home!

Have a great day today and tomorrow! :)

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I just got a call a few minutes ago and it was transportation saying our Household goods are here!! YEAH! They'll be delivering it on Tuesday! I'm so happy...our own furniture, kitchen appliances, the boys toys, everything will be here! Chad's picking up our van as I write this too! It's great!

God is good! We're wanting to go on a nice vacation and with everything arriving now, this will let that happen!!!  I can't wait to sleep on MY MATTRESS! To have our couch and chairs to lounge in! All my kitchen stuff will be great too. I have of course more than I want to weed through and get rid of,  I think we'll probably have a garage sale in a couple of weeks.

Monday when I get home from taking my driver's test, (say a prayer that I pass this on the first try!) Chad and I will be working to push all the borrowed furniture to the side so that as the movers bring in and unpack our items we'll be able to have things placed where we want them, to make things less of a hassle!

I'm hoping Chad will be home with me, it just makes things easier, especially since both the boys will be home.  I'm going to have the movers take as much of the boxes and packing as possible! There will be things we will want to go through later and the movers will come back and get the rest of the packing and boxes!

I'm so excited!! LOL

Ok, I'll stop now! :)

Weekend Assignment #76

I'm on a roll...3 posts in 1 day! So I actually got this from Kelly....but the real question comes from John Scalzi.... Weekend Assignment #76: I (Heart) The South  so here's this week's question:

The American South -- particularly Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama -- were hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. But the American South has also responded to the tragedy with strength and generosity as well, opening cities and homes to those displaced in Katrina's wake. So this week's Weekend Assignment travels below the Mason-Dixon line for its topic:

Weekend Assignment #76: Tell us something you love about or from the American South. From sweet tea to Lynyrd Skynyrd, William Faulkner to the French Quarter, whatever makes you heart long for southern skies belongs right here.

Extra credit: In your opinion, which Southern state has the best barbeque?

Tha accent is actually my favorite thing about the South. My maternal grandfather is from Arkansas, which brings me back to my 2nd favorite thing is...home made biscuits...oh I can still taste them even though only one of my Great Aunts is left alive and she's not the best of the cooks out of my 4 Great Aunts, but she can still cook...she is after all a Southern Lady!

 

As far as BBQ, well I'm a Kansas girl, and my grandpa lived in Kansas City for nearly all my childhood...so with Mo literally being next door..I'll go with Missouri being the best for BBQ! :)

Mmmm...I think we'll be BBQ'ing this weekend!!

Ok, Kelly brought me to reality...MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT THE SOUTH: KENNY CHESNEY! YUMMY GOOD TN COUNTRY BOY, who loves the Beach! We're meant to be, I'm telling you! LOL Country music in general too..lol...

 

 

Hair Removal 101 or as I like to call it: Lesson's Learned for all women

Robin shared this with me last night. I read this last yr I think so as soon as I started reading it I remembered..be prepared it's a gut buster! :) Feel free to share the laughter!

Hair removal 101... God love the woman who shared this.

All hair removal methods have tricked us with their promises of
easy, painless removal - The epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and
now...the wax.

My night began as any other normal weekday night. Come home fix
dinner,played with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring
painfully in my mind for the next few hours: Maybe I should pull the
wax
out of the medicine cabinet. So I headed to the site of my demise; the
bathroom. It was one of those cold wax kits. No melting a clump of hot
wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand and then they get
warm and you
peel them apart press it to your leg (or wherever else) and hair comes
right off. No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean I'm no girly,
girl but I am mechanically inclined enough that I can figure it out.
*YA THINK!!!*

So I pull one of the thin strips out. Its two strips facing each other
stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, I get out the hair
dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. Cold wax my rear end (Oh how this
phrase haunts me!)

I lay the strip across my thigh. Hold the skin around it tight and
pull. OK so it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can
do this! Hair removal no longer eludes me! I am She-ra, fighter of all
wayward body hair and smooth skin extraordinaire. With my next wax
strip
I move north. After checking on the kids I sneak back into the
bathroom, for the ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my
panties and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same procedure I
apply the was strip across the right side of bikini line, covering the
right half of my vagina and stretching down to the inside of my butt
cheek (Yes, it was a long strip) I inhale deeply and brace myself.
RRRRIIIPPP!!!!
I'm blind!!! Blinded from pain!!!!....OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!

Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half of
the strip. S&%T!!! Another deep breath and RRIIPP. Everything is swirly
and spotted. Do I hear crashing drums??? OK, back to normal. I want to
see my trophy - A wax covered strip with my
hairy pelt, that has caused me so much pain, sticking to it. I want to
revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the
strip!
There's no hair on it.

Where is the hair. WHERE IS THE WAX??? Slowly I ease my head down, foot
still perched on the toilet. I see the hair..The hair that should be on
the strip. I touch. I am touching wax. S&%T I run my fingers over the
most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and
matted hair. Then I make the next BIG
mistake...................remember
my foot is still propped up on the toilet. I know I need to do
something. So I put my foot down.

DAMN!!!!!!!! I hear the slamming of the cell door.
Vagina? Sealed shut. Butt?? Sealed shut.

I penguin walk around the bathroom trying to
figure out what to do and think to myself "Please don't let me get the
urge to poop. My head may pop off" Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!!
I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in,
immerse
the wax covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it
off right???

*WRONG!!!!!!!*

I get in the tub - the water is slightly hotter than then that used to
torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit. Now,
the only thing worse that having your nether businesses glued together
is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub.
In scalding hot water. Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax. So,
now
I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub!! God bless the man that convinced
me I should have a phone in the bathroom!!!!! I call my friend thinking
surely she's waxed before and has some secret of how to get me undone.

It's a very good conversation starter "So, my butt and who-ha are stuck
to the bottom of the tub!" There is a slight pause. She doesn't have a
secret trick but does try to hide the laughter from me. She wants to
know exactly where the wax is located on bottom "Are we talking cheeks
or hole or what?" She's laughing out loud by now...I can hear her. I
give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of
the box.

YEAH!!!!! Right!! I should be the joke of someone else's night. While
we go through various solutions. I resort to scraping the wax off with
a razor. Nothing feels better then to have your girlie goodies covered
in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in superhot water and then
dry
shaving the sticky wax off!! By now the brain is not working, dignity
has taken a major hike and I slip into glazed donut land. My friend is
still talking with me and my hand reaches towards the saving
grace....the lotion they give you to remove the excess wax. What do I
really have to lose at this point.

I rub some on and OH MY GOD!!!!!!! The scream probably woke the kids,
scared the dickens out of my friend, but I really don't care.

"IT WORKS!! It works!! I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and
she hangs up. I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then
notice to my grief and despair..................................

THE HAIR IS STILLTHERE.......................ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

So I shaved it off. Heck, I'm numb at this point.
Next week I'm going to try hair color......

 

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Well I've not done this for a while so I figured I better get back at it!!  :)

Kelly asks

EASY - like Sunday Morning!

Here's my question of the week.  Answer it in your journal and come back here and leave me a link in the comments.  I'll post your links on Saturday and we'll start over again next week :-)

Tell me.....

"Are you having nice weather for Labor Day Weekend?"

Here in Germany it was GORGOUS on Labor Day.  We got here it was hot, then got pretty chilly, and now it's back to just gorgous. We are able to go outside everyday and play at the park, go on walks, and just enjoy the day! The great thing is we've had a few days where the allergens have been high, but lately they have been low to non-existance, which is great for Jacob and me.

 

 

Growing Up Is Hard To Do

Today we got up and we were having an ok morning. Jackson took the new dvd that I bought 2 days ago, out of the case and stuck it into the VCR side (we have a combo vcr/dvd player), it doesn't seem to be scratched. I know it's just a dvd, but well they still cost money and there's no reason to ruin things. So that was how our morning started and it just seemed like every other moment one of the boys was doing something and it was not good. So at 9 am back to bed we all went (I admit freely I was happy to have an excuse to get to go lay back down). Jackson fell asleep fairly quickly, Jacob never did. So at 10:30 Jack woke up, Jacob and I were at this point dressed (we got out of bed at 10). I dressed Jackson and off we left for our ultimate arrival at church. We stopped by the shoppette and dropped off the movie I still had out "Faith of Our Father's" by John McCain (It was pretty good, I think I expected a little more though). After that off to church we went. Jackson went quietly to the nursery (I actually left him still sitting in his stroller, but huge accomplishment...NO TEARS! WHEW-HOO!! :)

Jacob and I headed to the sanctuary, which started off good. Now a little bit of info, we got to an on post Chaple and it's the ONLY chaple on post. So many different denominations have services there. Jewish, Catholic, Full Gospel, Luthern, and Protestant...we go to the Protestant. Jacob feels the need to pull down the "thing" ( sorry I can't think of the correct word) that during the Catholic service they kneel down and rest their knee's on while in prayer. The last 2 Sunday's I've told Jacob this is NOT a toy, it's a place for prayer, and to leave it alone. Last week, we had some minor attitude about it, but today it was 100 TIMES worse. It's amazing how your children can completely humiliate you. He had started trying to pull it down while we were singing. I told him no and to either stand beside me or have a seat, instead he stood by the wall to show his defiance for me. ( so nice to feel hatred from your child) Then we did the meet and greet, he got worse, I don't think I actually said hello to anyone, because he started stomping around acting just plain rediculous. Let me say that I was starting to get beyond feeling a minor upset to full blown angry with him. I took his hand and told him to have a seat, he let out a wail like I was beating him. That was the final straw. We have a quiet room, so I decided 1 more chance. I took him in there while he threw his fit, and he let out the loudest SCREECH/Scream. Imagine 4 yr old boy, screaming at the highest octave possible...I'm sure dogs from miles away heard him. People from the chaple turned around. I was 100% humiliated and pretty well FUMING! They dimissed for children's church and TADAAA Jacob was in a "much better mood". No way was I allowing him to go to Children's church, so he could watch Veggie Tales. (Summer months they just have the kids watch a short video, I guess because so many people move and take leave during the summer it's easier, but not really sure) Instead I told him we were going home. We headed back to the nursery to get Jack, he kept stopping and just standing there in defiance. A young man stopped (a kid about 12 or 13 who was helping with Children's church) to talk to him, Jacob wouldn't even look at him. (I think embarrassment had finally hit him). I went and got Jackson, who was THRILLED to see me. :) He was sitting in there playing with a farm! I got Jack and all his things and got him loaded into the stroller and had to drag Jacob out. Ahhhh!

So we started on our way home, and all the way Jacob keeps yelling "I WANT TO GO TO CHURCH". He was truly lucky we were outside in public viewing, because I had lost ALL patience and tolerance for him. Pure fury had taken hold of this Momma and it was good that I had a little bit of a walk still ahead of me. We got back to the apartment building, which the whole way Jacob had been crying all the way. I put the stroller up in the basement and told Jacob to get up to the apartment. He knew he was in trouble and didn't want to go! (LOL, defiant he is, but not stupid, he knew a spanking was waiting for him...yes I spank when the time calls for it) Jacob said he was going back to church, when we got up to the apartment. I had called Chad to see if he could talk to Jacob. Jacob opened up the door and took off downstairs. (He was NOT helping his situation). So here I was standing with Jackson who keeps asking "where Jacob?" and Jacob heading off to go back to church, or so he thinks. He was able to run away from TWO of our neighbors, and I had left Jack upstairs in our apt so I could run after Jacob. Let me tell you I DO NOT like that and other than the fact that I was afraid Jacob would do something foolish, and run into the street I WOULD NEVER leave my 2 yr old for a moment. My neighbor knew Jack was in the apt and said he'd get him for me and I was off. I ran as fast as my fat butt would allow and caught him at the road, the road is a decent distance away too. I was out of breath and just plain angry at Jacob. My downstairs neighbor had Jacob, while my upstairs neighbors were standing beside our other neighbor just watching...she's pregnant! ROFL! Ah...a possible glimpse of her future (for her sake I hope not!). So I CARRIED BOTH boys upstairs. Jacob got his spanking and put into his room for the rest of the day. He's sleeping now and will be allowed to come out at dinner time. (I did keep my wits about me btw when he got his spanking...I took a moment and prayed first and God calmed me down A LOT...prob. very lucky for Jacob). Jackson had lunch and he's down for a nap too. I sat down and had a good cry.

Being parents is not easy, then add into that equation of being a military family, and the fact that we're going to soon be facing another deployment, I truly am starting to dread this deployment. I know GOD will take care of Chad. I know he will take care of the boys and me, yet it's still hard for little boys to understand why Daddy isn't coming home every night. Heck it's hard for me to get the grasp at times.

So it's now 1:23 pm and that's been my day so far! So much for going to the park again today. :( Chad and I talked and he doesn't feel that I should take Jacob to the park, which in reality punish's me and Jack (since the park wears the boys out), but I do agree at the same time he shouldn't get a treat of the park.

So, if you are reading this, please say a pray for Jacob. I know he's really missing Daddy right now, who's just gone for some training and will be back soon. Pray for Jackson that he doesn't see this bad behavior and think he can do it too, and for me to parent in a Godly manner. I am tired and frustrated, and the day in a lot of ways has just begun!

Somewhere I'm failing my children and I'm not sure how to fix this. I'm about to start a bible study and have been in prayer over which one to do and am pretty sure that I need to do the parenting one. It was my initial thought to do, but as the week went on, I thought maybe I should do something else that made me focus more on me as a woman, vs just as a mother...but today has pretty well made me see I need to hone in on parenting and see if there's something different I can do with these boys. Our lives are hard enough being a military family, they don't need anymore knocks against them from a mom who can't keep things going as smoothly as possible.

 

I hope everyone else's day goes MUCH better than mine.

Putting things in perspective

I've had the tv on at different times today, right now The Today Show is on and a bit ago they showed families searching for loved ones. I sat her weeping. Weeping knowing that a good deal of these people are dead or dying. I weep for the daughter who tried her best to hold it together while urging her dad if he was watching to contact SOMEONE, anyone just so they'd know he was alright.

Last night I was all upset over something that in the realm of life, doesn't matter. I've read over and over people talking and yes just right out complaining about the gas prices (which yes they're high and going up), but they are not just complaining about the gas price today, but what it's possibly going to be and forgetting that as much as it stinks, there are people right now living in indoor football fields, because their homes are gone, much less their cars that are floating away. I'm going out on a limb to think they'd do anything right now to pay $4.00 a gallon for gas, because then they'd be safe and away from all this madness.

I read on another place of someone asking for prayers for all the people being bussed to Houston, and another responded "hey now you guys will have all the looters, they're all addicts looking for their next hit". I was stunned. This is a normally very wonderful Christian lady, yet in all of us there's ugliness, I know I definately have it, we all do, yet that just really took me off guard. Now I'm not saying people should be looting, it's stealing and we shouldn't steal..saying that IS very simple. I truly get that some people couldn't afford to get a hotel, and horrifyingly had to "ride it out". I watched the news as a woman talked about how she wished she could somehow give someone money for the food and necessities she was taking, but of course there was no one. I also know there are just some out there stealing, to steal, not because they NEED the things (no ONE needs tvs, dvd players, stereo's ) especially when there's no electricity. To see people though who are just trying to feed their families and diaper their babies, I can't say I blame them. I ache for them. I pray for them. I hope most of all they get out of there, because it's just not safe in New Orleans or Gulf Port or the many other area's that got hit.

I know I'm quite self-centered and it's hard when we get slapped in the face at just how self-centered we are. I hope that everyday I can learn something and better myself to be more like Christ. Everyday someone is suffereing a tragedy that for them is "Katrina", I know I've faced mine, and I ache for those who are hurting and suffering because of things out of their control.

I have the Today show back on again, and they have a family on here not only has their house literally been flattened, but the husband had lost his job recently and the new job he was supposed to start next Monday, was in New Orleans. People have lost their homes, vehicles, and jobs. Those things are material, and the important thing is their family is together and safe...yet now what. They have no home and job (this particular family has their vehicle). It's just astounding and terrifying to me as I am able to sit here on my computer with the tv on. How blessed am I and so many others who are sitting here horrified, but for a large part not effected, I hope everyone is praying for everyone who's effected and realizes that so many things we get worked up about really just don't matter so much.