I can say that as far as my memory serves me I've never know anyone personally who's been murdered, I can sadly no longer say that. I wasn't good friends with her, just an acquaintance. Chad went through a mandatory class with her (and many others) when he first got here. There was about 15 in the class. The last day of the class they go downtown, walk around touring, as well as ordering food (the soldiers have to), etc. Megan carried Jackson for us some, held Jacob's hand, and we all talked quite a bit. Back then she was still married, was looking forward to one day having a baby, but wasn't in a huge rush (3 yrs ago). Megan Touma Letter, Soldier Probed in GI's Death - AOL News. I just saw and talked to her a few weeks ago and when I saw her face on the internet my heart stopped. It's truly unreal. It's heart breaking to think that someone so young who was so close to bringing a baby into this world is gone.

I pray they catch the person who killed her and he serves his time. We all need to be in prayer for Megan's family as they grieve not only Megan but her baby as well.

Stupid is as Stupid Does

I am unapologetically a Conservative Christian. I am unapologetically a Republican and I am voting for Senator John McCain, not because I agree with everything he stands for or supports, but he's by and far better than and less dangerous than Obama. Yes less dangerous. If you're a Christian, you need to get into your bible and read Revelations and see what it says about The Anti Christ. My friends, this is something I truly believe we're facing and he's coming to power, we need to ARM ourselves in Christ's Armor. We need to be standing up and fighting for our Lord and our Souls. Don't stand by with a blind eye. I also URGE you to click on this link and take a listen. You want to know where Obama stands on Christianity, where he stands on Jesus...this is VERY imformative.

CitizenLink: Dr. Dobson's Take on Obama

 

I got this from Kelly's Green Olives & Pickle Juice:

 

To ensure we Americans never offend anyone, particularly fanatics intent on killing us,
airport security screeners will no longer be allowed to profile certain people...
Absolutely No Profiling!

They must conduct random searches of 80-year-old women, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification, secret agents who are members of the President's security detail, 85-year old Congressmen with metal hips, and
Medal of Honor winner and former Governor Joe Foss,
but leave
Muslim Males between the ages 17 and 40
alone lest they be guilty of profiling.

According to The Book of Revelation:

The Anti-Christ will be a man, in his 40s, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal....the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power,
he will destroy everything.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

A lot of Americans have become so insulated from reality that they imagine that <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />America can suffer defeat without any inconvenience to themselves. Pause a moment, reflect back. These events are actual events from history. They really happened!!! Do you remember?   1.       1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40. 2. In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. 3. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. 4. During the 1980's a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. 5. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. 6. In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. 7. In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a US Navy diver trying to rescue passengers was murdered by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. 8. In 1988 , Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. 9. In 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. 10. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. 11. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take down the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashed into the US Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers. Thousands of people were killed by Muslim male extremists between the of 17 and 40. 12. In 2002 the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. 13. In 2002 reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by-- you guessed it-- Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40. No, I really don't see a pattern here to justify profiling, do you? And Now: For the award winning Act of Stupidity Of all times the People of America want to elect, to the most Powerful position on the face of the Planet -- The Presidency of the United states of America A Muslim (proclaimed Christian) Male Extremist Between the ages of 17 and 40. Have the American People completely lost their Minds, or just their Power of Reason ??? I'm sorry but I refuse to take a chance on the 'unknown' candidate. Let's send this to as many people as we can so that the Gloria Aldreds and other stupid attorneys along with Federal Justices that want to thwart common sense, feel ashamed of themselves -- if they have any such sense. As the writer of the award winning story 'Forrest Gump' so aptly put it, 'Stupid Is As Stupid Does

Update on Jacob

Well  and that was normal. Jacob thought it was cool to have all the sticky things all over him!  Then they did the ultrasound. It was very obvious immediately where the dr was hearing the murmur from! The "wafe" (it's what the dr called it) is loosely attached so he does need to be rechecked in 2-3 years.

 

Thank you for the prayers. God is so good!

Jacob

Tomorrow Jacob has his ultrasound with the cardiologist. I have no doubts that he will be fine, that it will show that it is indeed an innocent heart murmur, but none the less I'm asking for prayers. Jacob is 7 and worried. He has worries on his heart that go far beyond this u/s that I can't get into here, but please pray for peace for his sweet little soul. His "heart" is tender, loving, and so big. He carries so much on his little shoulders. Sometimes I put more on him than he should have and I sometimes forget that he's only 7, although I'm good at reminding him he's only 7. He's growing up, but he's not grown up yet and I want his childhood to be just that, a childhood. Full of laughter, full of being carefree, most of all full of loving JESUS. I don't want him to worry about things that are beyond his control, that he may end up with this or that, or that Daddy may not come home. He's seven. Please pray for him.

Pray for me to be a gentle, while firm mother. That I will stop the yelling and find a softer tone with my children.

I'll update once we're home on how the u/s looks. Pray that they tell me tomorrow!

Tomorrow

Marks 1 year since my best friend, Emily gave birth to a beautiful, precious, amazing little girl... Miller Grace (Miller Grace is her FIRST name it's not Miller being first name and Grace middle name, it's Miller Grace...kind of like one word, but it's not! Sorry some people seem to get confused about that). Anyways tomorrow Miller Grace is 1 yr old. Miller Grace was not meant to live in this world, but God graced us for 5 precious days. I wish I could say that I held her, touched her, seen her in person, but I was here in Germany praying that God would show us a miracle, he did it just wasn't the miracle so many of us had hoped for. The fact is, Miller Grace was MEANT to live 5 days and they are the most life changing days of Emily's life. I may have never held that beautiful little girl in my arms, but I love her just the same, and I love Emily. Please be in prayer for Emily tomorrow as they mark the day that Miller Grace was born, the day Emily saw the face of her beautiful daughter for the first time. Pray for her husband Matt and their other two little girls Hope and Matilyn. Pray for them throughout this week.

Emily, I love you and I am praying tomorrow is gentle for you. You know I love you and love Miller Grace and oh how I look forward to the day that you and I get to hold our girls in our arms again.

6 mile hike

We went for a Hike today with the Hospitality House and went to these cool slide things, I'll find a link for the slides tomorrow. Tonight I'm EXHAUSTED. The walk was great, we walked up a mountain to Castle Ruins, had a picnic, walked around, took pictures, played, and then back down, then drove to where the slides are...that was fun, went to the fish pond, a fish bit my friend B as she was giving them bread (yes the teeth baring mean thing jumped up and BIT her!). Then we came home. We actually stopped at a BAD place McD's. Emma had had it. She screamed while I was in line ordering our food, screamed when I sat to try and nurse her, took her outside she screamed. So we packed up everything and came home. She was over stimulated and just needed the comforts of home. She was very happy and content once she nursed, napped, and then woke up and played for a bit, nursed again and went to bed. Lets hope she and all the boys sleep in (B's son is having a sleepover). Tomorrow it's supposed to be in the high 80's so we're going to the pool. When we get home from the pool we're cleaning. I won't be home much on Monday so it has to be done tomorrow evening.

Ok, I'm exhausted I'm going to bed.

 

God Bless

BTW I've lost 11 lbs so far!

This and That

Sunday we got to talk to Chad. The boys were actually having a sleep over at my friend B's house, so Chad called there and talked to them then called here and talked to Emma and then we got to talk for about 15 minutes or so. I miss him so much it's hard to put it into words, I just know every day that passes means we're a day closer to being together. Please keep him in your prayers.

Monday we went with B and her kids and went to Palm Beach, an indoor water park. Since Monday's we go to the gym I had called our babysitters and made arrangements for a time change and so we went to the gym at 3:30 after 4 1/2 hrs swimming. Let me just say EXHAUSTED! When we got back from swimming it had started raining, by the time we went to the gym it was pouring. We had dinner together, we had turkey and ham wraps, they were good and light which is what I needed...something light. My throat had started hurting before dinner and by the time we were done eating I was really starting to feel gross, stuffed up, very sore throat, and so tired I was falling asleep on her couch. She offered to let the boys stay the night (again) at her place, so I jumped at the chance of getting extra rest. Emma who'd had a great time at the pool was very tired and was not feeling very good herself, we went home and napped on the couch. I woke up, nursed Emma, and laid her down. I then went and took a long, hot bath. Now Chad is the man who can literally fall asleep in the tub, the water turns cold, and he gets out. I normally can not stay in the bathtub for more than 15 minutes. Well I actually fell asleep in the tub, the water was still very warm when I woke up, but I was just so exhausted. I finished up in the tub and got out and the phone rang, it was Emily, and laid in bed. I was physically in bed by 10 pm. Emma and I slept cuddled up together until 8:50 this morning. I only woke up because B called to see if we were still on for our 10 am walk. There was no way, I could barely walk 10 steps without feeling all light headed. She said she'd drop the boys off on her way to run errands then, and Emma and I napped on the couch until she did, at about 10:30.

Jacob sweetly made lunch (sandwiches) and then Emma and I took another nap! Emma ended up taking 4 naps today, that's huge, because there are days all she takes is one nap. She has diarreah again and she got sick at dinner tonight, after one bite of some fruit. She doesn't have a fever and I think (GROSS alert) it's mostly because of the phlem she has built up in her throat and chest, which she pretty well got out. So lets hope that she feels better in the morning, so I can go to PWOC. If she's not feeling good I'll be staying home. If she is sick, I'm going to call Bobbie and see if she can take the boys, because they have a summer program starting tomorrow and they are so excited.  Please say a prayer that Emma gets better over night. She did get a nice warm bath and perked during her bath, so hopefully she'll feel better in the morning.

Well, I'm off to bed, should have went an hour ago and got "trapped" on here!

 

Weight Loss Update

Well I went and weighed myself tonight, and at 9 PM it showed a 2 lb weight loss, I'll weigh myself in the morning and see what it says. When we go to the gym on Monday I'll weigh myself there, it's the "official" scale I'm using, but I'm thinking I've probably lost about 3 lbs when looking at tonight's time! I'm thrilled. It's coming and will come off.

We will be going to the gym on Monday's and Friday's at 9:30 am and on Wed. at 1:30 pm. Monday's and Friday's will be our cardio and Wed will be our Weights day(s). Tuesday of this week, we'll start serious walking too. Just off post we have some nice walking paths we're going to start walking, we're also going to walk to downtown. I need to get a pedometer. A friend (thanks Cindy) sent me a website for some very nice pedometers, so I need to get one ordered from there, so we know just how far we're walking. I think we're planning at min. to walk at least an hour if not longer. I'm all for walking 2 hours, just not sure how much the kids legs will be able to go. It'll be great for them though, they can ride their bikes, run, and play, just walk as well and burn that energy (another plus for me! LOL). I plan to push Emma in the stroller as well as take my Baby Bjorn, I know she gets tired of being in the stroller and just wants to be close to me at times, I figure either way it's extra weight and that's good, makes me work harder. I bought me some new shoes just to work out in at the gym and while in Czech bought some KSwiss that I'll be using just for our walking.

I will ask for a paritcular prayer request. The heals of my feet have just been killing me. My right one is the one that hurts the most, but the left can and does often hurt quite a bit and quite often. It hurts normally when I've been up and on them for an extended amount of time (walking straight for a couple hours, doing housework, etc). I am going to get a drs apt and just make sure everything is ok. Since moving here I've had some issue's with my feet and have just not went and seen a dr for them. I don't want my feet getting in the way of me losing weight, so if you'd pray that if there is an issue/problem it can be an easy fix. Thank you!

Today the kids and I walked down to the Commissary to pick up a few items for lunch and dinner. I am also proud to say that I skipped the desire to just go and get fast food today for lunch and ended up making it. It was definately not the "healthiest" thing I could have made, but it sounded good and I made it as healthy as I know how to. We had BLT's for lunch. I bought turkey bacon. It was my first time at trying it and it was really good! I had a GREAT tomato and cut them nice and thick and added a lot of lettuce, used whole wheat bread, so although the bacon was still fried, there was a SIGNIFICANTLY less amount of grease, I was honestly stunned at just how little grease there was. I made sure to dab off the grease as the bacon finished, so there wasn't any "extra" grease just sitting on it. I made chili for dinner. Had a medium size scoop of it, it was good and hit the spot. Drank a lot of water. I had 4 pepsi's today, definately my worst day with Pepsi. I found myself drinking 2 of them out of stress (just normal aggrevation with the boys cleaning up their room and me just grabbing the pepsi). I'd had a Pepsi with lunch and then one sitting here too. Tomorrow I'm back to my goal of 2. I did that already and can say I was very proud of myself for that and plan to get back to it. I can't fix what I did today, so I just have to do better tomorrow. I also have been up front with my friend who's working out with me on the Pepsi front, she's been very encouraging to me on the days I only had 2. I haven't talked to her today, but will see her at church tomorrow, so I'll tell her there.

Monday we actually have to make an adjustment to our gym time because we're going to an indoor water park and are supposed to leave post at 9 am. The group we'll be with their bus is heading back to post at 2 pm, so if that's the case we could go the gym at 3:30. I know this is completely uninteresting, it's more of me thinking outloud in my typing so I know what I need to do, etc.

Ok, so I'll let you know what my real weight is tomorrow! Oh I did eat breakfast today, and I'm planning on making breakfast in the morning for us before church. Breakfast has been something I've not done well with, and know how important it is. So I'm working and really making an effort to eat something at least for breakfast. I need to get some banana's, because at least on those mornings when I just simply don't feel like making breakfast and/or am short on time a banana is easy for me! I'm going to go to the Farmer's Market this week and get some more fresh fruits and veggies too, so we have plenty of foods to snack on.

Oh! Here's a big one too. We have a cabinet that's pretty well always been our "snack cabinet". It's always been FULL of various snacks. It's almost empty! I've made the effort to simply NOT refill it! I went through it and threw out a lot of stuff. I set stuff out to mail to Chad, then some things have just simply  been ate, but not replaced! I'm in no denial that we will have snacks here, moderation is absolutely key, but to not have 20 items to choose from and now have 3 or 4 things instead, is so awesome and just simply amazing to me! That's really been a big thing for me. At this point part of the cabinet has hot chocolate, popcorn (we do use the air popper, so it's not microwave junk) and there's also cake mixes and pudding mixes. The cake mixes are not ones I'd just make up, they're ones I have for special occasions so they're not ones I really "count" you could say. I do plan to make up pudding so when I  have a chocolate craving I can get a small bowl and satisfy it. When I go to the farmer's market, I plan to make up a fruit salad too, so I can just go the fridge and get a bowl of fruits and satisfy that sweet tooth in a much healthier way!

So, we're making changes!

Well I'm exhausted, it's time for bed.

 

Oh please keep Emma in your thoughts. She has a horrible rash down below. She's been dealing with diarreah today. She got her first two teeth in and I am sure the diarreah is from the excess drooling she's been doing. I let her nap today without a diaper and that helped a lot and I also used a natural remedy of breast milk (it really is a cure all!). I sprayed a little milk on her and with in 15 minutes there was a huge difference! But, she's still very red. Over all she has not been cranky consdiering, so I'm thankful for that. I just want HER to feel as good as she can!

Ok, I'm really off! Good night and GOD Bless

Tornado's, Flooding, and Shopping

I'm going to try to tackle all 3. For those who may or may not know, I'm from a small town in Kansas. Tornados are just something you get used to, well warnings and watches that is. I've heard tornado's and I am here to tell you they are absolutely frightening. Sadly the town where 3 of my cousins went to school and friends of mine live, a great deal of it was destroyed. Chapman, KS. Please be in prayer for the all who live there who've lost their homes, livelihood, and the one individual who was killed in this small Kansas town. Then even closer to my hometown, Soldier. It's not even on many maps, it's a blink of an eye kind of town. My dad's parents owned a farm outside of Soldier, so many friends who I grew up with live in or in the surrounding area of Soldier. One woman was killed in Soldier as well. Then my college, Kansas State. I saw the dorms I lived in on a website, tree's fallen all around. There were buildings damaged on the campus as well. The Kansas State University campus is one of the most beautiful, thankfully no one was killed. They were in another tornado watch or warning last night. It's Kansas, bad weather is just part of living there, but it doesn't mean it's any easier when you have to live through it, so please be in prayer for all who were effected in one way or another.

The flooding in Cedar Rapids is heartbreaking as well. One of my best friends from my childhood/high school, went to Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. She now lives in Hawaii, but has so many, many friends who live there and a few of them have lost their homes because of the flooding. Let us be in prayer for all in Cedar Rapids.

Now onto "happier" things. We went to Czech today. We went to city of Czeb. It was fabulous! We managed to miss one of our exits, but still go there and once we did I started haggeling immediately! I got a pair of KSwiss tennis shoes for about $7.00! I bought 8 bags and 5 wallets, I paid no more than $35.00 for any, less than $20.00 for many, and almost all the wallets less than $5.00! I got 3 coach bags, 2 Louis Viottons, 1 Channel, 1 bag that I'll be using as a diaper bag, and one large over night bag (didn't take a picture of that one yet). I got one LV wallet and the rest were Coach. Coach was definately the most "common" bag there, they were honestly in all the booths that were selling bags. When I go back I'm going to get a Coach overnight bag, they were beautiful. We had a lot of fun. Lunch was great and CHEAP!!!!! We are looking forward to going back.

The kids had a great time with my friend. Just the boys and my friend B's son stayed with her, the girls went with us. The boys had so much fun. They walked about 5 miles today going to a farm, to a lake, down by the river, climbing the mountain, climbing dirt mounds, playing with her dogs, riding her dogs, etc. They just had a fabulous day and were very well behaved! (Thank you, Lord!!!) So it was truly a good day for all of us. Oh I also got my dad and my grandpa each a bird feeder, for the two of them total less than $40.00! They're really beautiful, so I'm excited for them to get them!!!

I'm adding pictures of the purses. We were not allowed to take pictures of the actual flea market, so no pictures of it but here's the link so go take a look! It was huge and we did not get to cover the whole market in the 3 hours we were there. But we were/are absolutely EXHAUSTED! I'm going to bed in a few minutes!!!

ASIA DRAGON BAZAR | Bargain Shopping Centre Cheb

 

God Bless

 

Czech here I come!!!

In the morning my friend B and I and our girls are going to Czech Republic to do some shopping!! It's about 1 1/2 hrs to Cheb (the city) that we're going to and will be hitting the Dragon Market! We're both so excited!!! I'm going to be buying purses and matching wallets for friends and a few family members and of course for myself! I can not wait!!!! Just 9 hours and we'll be leaving here, dropping our 3 boys off at another friends house, and then we're off for the day!

I had a good day. Founds some bargains at the thrift shop, Jacob got a new pair of jeans and jean shorts, I let the boys spend their allowance. Jack got a clay making machine, Jacob got a game, and I got Emma a Fisher Price toy that she can stand and play with or sit with, and I know I got a couple other things but I'm just drawing a blank right now. I also bought me some new tennis shoes, for me to work out in.

I'm definately feeling the results from the weight room today. Just a little soreness, I feel great though! Did good with the pepsi and snacking! I did have 3 pepsi's, so I went over by one, and hardly snacked at all. Had a healthy wrap for lunch today, and had a taco salad for dinner with B, it was home made.

The boys are spending the night with our downstairs neighbors again. It has been so quiet the last two nights. I do miss them and will miss them tomorrow. B's son wants Jacob to spend the night tomorrow, but it all depends on how they are tomorrow while at our friends. We'll just see.

Well, I'm off to bed once I update our deployment journal! (Link is on the left side).

I'll be taking my camera and taking pictures, will post them soon! :)

Update on Jacob

I'm so exhuasted, so I hope this makes sense, if not I'll edit it tomorrow. Jacob's knee is better. The swelling is completely gone and he's having no pain what so ever! God is good and gracious.

Today was a busy day. I had PWOC this morning, came home, fed the kids lunch, got my friends daughter down for a nap, who I have just one more day and then B is done working for the summer and if she returns to work, she'll be going to FCC.

B and I then went to the gym. We went to the weight room today. That was great. I LOVE the weight room. Years ago when I was in high school, one of the classes offered was weights. I was very althletic so it was really a great class for me in that deparment, plus kept me very fit. It felt so good to be in there and truly feeling like I was doing something for my body. Cardio just doesn't make me feel that way, well not the same way anyways. Monday we did the eliptical. The plan right now is this: Monday's and Friday's we do cardio and Wed. we do weights. To increase your metabolism and build muscle you have to lift weights, cardio will not cut it. I think this will really make a huge difference for both of us. I've done really well on my snacking the last few days. Today I've had 3 Pepsi's, that's a lot better than normal. Tomorrow my goal is 2.

Tonight B and her kids came over for dinner and she helped me with working on the boys room. It's a mess, so ALL of us cleaned. B noticed a little, inexpensive entertainment center just sitting out, so I went and checked it out, it was in decent shape so we grabbed it and I put it in the boys room. They were given a little tv with a built in dvd player, although I have yet to get movies to actually play on it, so I'm not sure if it'll play American dvd's or not. Anyways, the boys will be allowed to watch ONE movie in there when they have company. I'm actually very anti tv in my kids room, but since we only have the tv in the living room and we're in an apartment we're limited when friends are here and the kids are all friends and want to watch a movie, so this will be nice. It's also just a 13 inch tv, so it's VERY easy for me to remove it. I've told them they will not be allowed to keep the dvd's in their room. Tomorrow I'm planning on cleaning the boys room the rest of the way, so that'll be a nice change.

Ok, well I can't keep my eyes open any longer.

 

God Bless, thank you for the prayers for Jacob, and good night

Oh What a Day!

The day was going along, then came lunch and I determined that without a doubt the dishwasher was down for the count. I called and got a work order. Of course because the works must have a 5 hr window to come and I already have things planned for tomorrow, they can't come until Thursday. I now have to empty the stinky dishes, wash them, and wait.

Then we're off with my friend B to walk up to the school and pick up her son. We were just about to cross the street (about a half a block from home) when I see a running Jacob drop. He manages to cross the street and tells me that it hurts with every step. I ask him how bad it hurts and he says "it's the worst pain I've EVER felt". So I tell B I'm taking Jacob to the clinic, she keeps Jack with her and off Jacob, Emma, and I go to the clinic. We amazing were able to get in, and Jacob sprained his knee. It was very swollen (twice the size at least). He wrapped it, put ice on it, and told him to stay off of it and keep it elevated...not an easy task for an ACTIVE 7 yr old boy or his Mom! It was accomplished though. While in the room with the NP, he says "so you know Jacob has a heart murmur, right". I said "no". (When he was born he had a slight one, did the normal tests and came back that it'd closed). He feels it's an innocent murmur and I personally can say I have complete peace about it. He did say that he does want to make SURE it's innocent and since no one has ever said anything in the last 7 yrs, we got a referral to a Pediatric Cardiologists and Jacob will have an ultrasound done on his heart to check things out and make sure all is ok.

While in there he asked if he had any issue's with his allergies and I told him he was, so he changed his allergy medicine and we're hoping this works. His teeth/gums had started hurting even with the meds he'd been on, so a change was necessary. One of his meds is a nasal spray, the other is a pill, and he said if they're really bothering him I can give him sudafed and also benedryl at night if necessary. I don't see me needing those last two, but knowing it's ok with the meds he's on to give him the others is nice to know we have more options in keeping him comfortable and pain free.

Oh and....Emma got her first tooth! It popped through. Top right (if looking at her) finally popped through. I'm trying to get as many gummy pictures in as possible since I know in the next few days that tooth will be shining through and more will come to follow. She's almost 10 1/2 months old, she is my oldest to get a tooth through. I will say she's not been that cranky and I'm VERY thankful for that for her most of all as well as me and well everyone else who has to be around her!

Jack's doing good. He's definately having the hardest time with Chad being gone. He's almost 5, understands just enough that his sweet little world has turned upside down and there's nothing he can do about it,  but cry and get mad and whine, pout, through temper tantrums that he isn't allowed to get away with (no matter what).

I did get to chat with Chad this evening, so he's all caught up in our family drama! Poor guy is over in Iraq sweating buckets and I know he feels totally helpless.

Any and all prayers are appreciated.

 

God Bless

Here I go!

Well my friend and I went to the gym today! We hired two sisters to watch between the two of us our 5 children and off to the gym we went! We worked out on the eliptical machine for 20 minutes with an additional 5 minutes of cool down, then went and did crunches, leg lifts, and various stretches. Then we walked home. We felt great, a little tired, really sweaty, but great because we both did it and together which was soooo much better than alone! We'll be going to the gym Monday's, Wednesday's, and Friday's for an  hour and then the other days we'll be going for at least 1 hour walks, if not longer! We're also going to be eating together a few times a week to help keep us on track.

I'm here to say that I'm a Pepsi drinker and it is absolutely my vice. I'm working on cutting back to eventually not be drinking it at all except on the RARE occasions we go out to eat. That's the goal, I'm not there yet, but will be hopefully by the time I go back to KS! So please pray for that one right now, it IS a struggle and a strong hold for me.

So here I go. I'm on the way to lose weight. I'm on the way to get healthy again. I had thought about writing about this in my old weight loss journal, but I just don't have it in me to keep track of another journal, so it'll be written here!

 

Goodbye Aunt Shirley

On Sunday Heaven gained one of the most precious women in my life. A woman who told me stories of a Grandmother I never was able to know, who loved me as much as she possibly could, who was a devoting wife, mother, and grandmother to her own. Who until the end came in every Friday and took care of her own mother until her passing. She praised GOD on the day of her husband's funeral as she knew he was with our Lord that day and that one day she'd join him. She gave some of the best hugs I've ever had. She also introduced me to "The Sound of Music"! (The movie).

I had planned to spend a couple days with her when the kids and I went back to the states, I wish so much she could have met Emma. I know she's in Heaven though, with my Great Grandma and Grandpa, her sister and 3 brother's who died before her, and most of all her adoring husband. Please keep her 3 children and her grandchildren and great grandchildren in your prayers, as well as the rest of our family. She has 3 siblings left alive...Uncle Raymond, Aunt Phylis, and Uncle Tom.

 

Computer stuff

There's no secret website, we have a HP Compaq Presario computer and I just went there, if you have issue's with your computer  you should go to the maker first, follow their instructions and it "SHOULD" (may not) work, it worked for me. I just followed directions that is all.

I did it!!!

My sound hasn't been working for a few days. I made sure the speakers were ok and then well I was scared. The "technical" stuff is Chad's thing, I do internet stuff, he does everything else. So he told me the website to go to but that was it. I followed the directions which were well stupid proof, uninstalled what was corrupted, installed a new program and tadaaaa... I have sound again! Wahoo!! I'm so excited none of you have any idea! Plus I just pushed the button for my burner which has not worked/opened for quite some time and it opened! Wahoo! It's my night!!!!

 

Well, I'm off to bed soon!

Emma Grace is 10 months

So here she is...all in her 10 month old glory. I can't believe my baby is already 10 months old. The time has just truly flown by since she entered our world and graced us with her smile. How blessed we are! She was being silly on the couch today when I snapped the majority of them. She gave me a few serious looks and then decided she'd had enough of sitting and stood, crawled away, etc. I also made spaghetti for dinner tonight and the girl loved it. I'm not one who takes a lot of pictures of my babies with food, because well it's rather gross, but you have to have a couple. She of course got a bath after dinner since she was so covered in sauce! LOL

 

Lil' Update

Wow it's been over a week since I last wrote. Life is just going along, busy to a degree. We finished up baseball with the end of the season party, last Wednesday. We've been going on walks almost everyday and trying to suffer through the heat and humidity that took over at least our area of Germany the past week. On Sunday we went to the pool off post and the kids had a great time. They have a great kiddy pool that Jack and Emma both love. Jacob prefers the bigger pools, the wave pool and another that's connected to the wave pool. He was thrilled to discover that he now can walk flat footed in the other pool, where last year he was going under if flat footed! Starting today it's cooling back down to the 70's and when I looked the other day it's supposed to stay in the 70's for the next week or so, so we are definately going to enjoy the cooler temps!! Lots of time outside walking, going to the parks, etc.

My friend and I are going to hire sisters to watch the kids while we go to the gym 3 days a week. We're going to have them watch the kids at the park so they can burn energy. If it's raining they'll obviously been either here at my place or at hers, but hopefully it'll be nice so the kids can all burn their energy off at the park!!! :) :)

My goal is to have 20 lbs off by the time I go home and I can do it, I figure the 3 days at the gym, plus walking 2 miles a day at least the days in between, and watching what I'm eating I should be able to obtain that goal or very close to it!! My hope is that by Christmas I'll be inching closer to another 30 lbs off if I keep up the diet and excercise. We don't know if Chad will be home over Christmas for R&R, if so I think he'll be very happy with the wife that he comes home to! I'm absolutely determined to get this weight off, get healthy and most importantly STAY HEALTHY.  I'll take any and all prayers and encouragement you have to give!

The boys are doing well. Jacob's school works has went down to about 20 - 30 minutes a day at this point. We're just keeping him sharp on math and reading. I have to make a final decision on the curriculum for next year and get it ordered soon. I want it here before by the time we leave for the states so that when we return once we've recovered from jet lag, we can get a jump on it for both boys and get a schedule going for all of us, including Emma.

Speaking of Miss Emma, she's 10 months old TODAY! I will get a picture taken of her in alittle bit (she's having a late nap) and put it up later. I can't believe she's 10 months old already. It seems like she was just born, yet I can't imagine our lives without her! She's talking more and more, says bubba for the boys (mostly Jacob though), bye-bye, she waves hi and bye, mamma, dadda, meow (for our cat Whiskers). She's cruising the furniture and has been letting go here and there and on Sunday decided to try and take a step, as she stepped she went down, so I do not count it, but I know it's only a matter of time!

I've talked to Chad a few times via phone and IM, hoping he gets to call today or else tomorrow. It's hot there for sure! They've been dealing with 115 degree's give or take a few degree's since arriviving and it's only going to get hotter! They're still not where they will end up for the duration of their deployment, they're doing some training and then will head North, which should be soon. Thank you for the prayers. I am writing on our deployment journal (links on the left) so stop in and read. Hopefully once Chad's up there and in his room, we're hoping they have internet in their rooms and hopefully he can journal some too while deployed and share his thoughts on things.

Oh one thing I've started doing since Chad has left. Cooking breakfast. That's always been Chad's thing. I'm the cereal mom, sometimes toast, etc...but all but 2 mornings since he's left I've made breakfast! I found a wonderful recipe for oatmeal and the boys and I all loved it! Pancakes, Bacon, French Toast and Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, life's been very enjoyable for the kids! I have to say that I've actually enjoyed making it for them too! So I'm now on the search for various breakfast idea's. I am also going to get me a waffle maker. I LOVE homemade waffles, I detest frozen ones. The boys honestly only know frozen, so I want to let them know what TRUE waffles taste like! So I'll be searching for a good waffle maker!!

I'm also in the process of decluttering. That's a much slower process and laziness wins out more than it should. I have Emma's room pretty well done. I still have a couple things to do, but for the most partit's done. My room is my biggest challenge, but the oneI want done the most. The kitchen is the 2nd room I want done the most. I'm going to the PX tomorrow to buy new rubbermaid bowls, a small set and I'm getting rid of all the ones I have right now. That mess will be gone!! I'm going to get rid of a few other pots that I don't use (I have a nice pampered chef set now that I use and LOVE!!). Go through the rest of our small appliances and get rid of what we simply NEVER use. I also am going to go through all the mugs (coffee mugs) and get rid of most of those. We're not coffee drinkers so we just need a few for Hot chocolate and hot tea and the rare occassions we do have a coffee drinker here. I don't need 30 coffee mugs!

I set up a chore chart for the boys and that's going well. Some chores they do because they're part of this family and that's just simply what they do. Some chores they earn an allowance for, some they earn an award (movie and choice of dinner, game night/snacks,etc).

 

 

***The pictures are from the the night/morning Chad left as well as the days after.