I've been putting off the passports for a while now. I am NOT one of those adventurous people who have a passport, dreaming of filling it with stamps. I'm more of a "I'm not going anywhere" kind of girl, so why bother?
Please, take my advice.......................
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE 3COPIES OF YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE BEFORE YOU LEAVE THAT STATE!
That my friends, just saved you $150. You're welcome. Another little FYI, the hospital's like to trick you into giving you this official looking paper that says Birth Certificate on it, with all the information.... those, my friends, are not the real deal. Don't be tricked.
And, in little ole' Mountain Home, you have to make an appointment at the Courthouse to get a passport. Next available time : in about 3 weeks!
Of course, my friends are much smarter than I am, so this information is probably just stating the obvious: I'm a dork who thought the neat slip from the hospital was the real deal for Cole. However, I did get a real one for Brad. I just lost it. $150 later, I should have them in hand to take to the courthouse in 3 weeks. That pushes us to our 6 week deadline of leaving. I love the rush of stress!!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Little Nudist
Brad refused to put his underwear on today. He stormed off into his room, slammed the door, and locked it! Eyecarumba
Seriously, he's a toot!
I can safely report that he is FULLY dress today, finally.
Seriously, he's a toot!
I can safely report that he is FULLY dress today, finally.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Wonders of The Internet
Ok, it's no secret. I am on the computer way too much. Cole actually thinks it's part of my "work" as a stay at home mom. I check up on a list of blogs, stories, and websites. One of them being Pioneer Woman. What was life like before her? What did I do with all the extra time I now spend on her website daily? How did I live without her brisket and chocolate cake recipe all these years?
So, as I was perusing her site yesterday she added a link about Wild Olive Tees. Thank you Pioneer Woman! I love these shirts. They are so cute - and meaningful! While I do not own one (yet), I thought I would share them with my friends who check this blog. And if you check out their website/blog, you can also enter to win $75 in merchandise there!!
And as soon as my non-techie self can learn to add a button, I'll have one for you to click and check out their tees too!
updated: Look at me go! Added buttons and changed it all up, pat on my back
So, as I was perusing her site yesterday she added a link about Wild Olive Tees. Thank you Pioneer Woman! I love these shirts. They are so cute - and meaningful! While I do not own one (yet), I thought I would share them with my friends who check this blog. And if you check out their website/blog, you can also enter to win $75 in merchandise there!!
And as soon as my non-techie self can learn to add a button, I'll have one for you to click and check out their tees too!
updated: Look at me go! Added buttons and changed it all up, pat on my back
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
I got nothin
I keep thinking that it's been a while since I've posted, I should update it. Then I think... I've got nothing to say.
So, I'll start with Brad. Goodness. What happened? He's adament about wearing those pj's everywhere for days on end. I can only get them off when I talk him into taking a bath. Then he freaks out that I move them out of his sight and down to the laundry room. He's really learned "my buttons". He's developed toddler colic. He cries and whines for hours on end for no apparent reason. He only does this for me, so I guess I should crack the whip on my sweet little innocent newborn.
Cole is doing so great. He's loving school. I went to his school one day and he got to show me his routine. He walks in and finds his shelf work, lays a towel down and does his work. When Mrs. Ray says it's ellipse time, he cleans up his shelf work and...... FOLDS THE TOWEL!!!! I was more amazed at this than the academic work! Seriously, I love that school. They talk about the weather, the days of the week, sing in German, the Pledge, and sing Flag of America. He's learning sight words, to read recipes, and following directions. Mrs. Ray comments all the time about how happy he always is!
Keith is TDY for 3 weeks to Red Flag. I honestly don't know how we surivived a deployment. This 3 weeks seems like 10. I'm ready for him to be home. To break up the routine Ashley and I headed down to Salt Lake City. First stop: Chick-fil-a. To all those who think that's silly... just spend 2 years away from the yummy goodness. We hit up the world's smallest aquarium, shopping, and stayed in a horrible hotel! Man, I have a gift of finding bad hotels. I search all over for the "best deal" and then am grossed out. We've been seriously spoiled with that Marriott discount. Kinda like after flying for free all those years, buying a plane ticket seems rediculous. You want me to pay how much? We went to a bird avery, to the outlet malls in Park City, and then home. It was a busy 2 days, but I'm so happy we got to get out of town for a bit.
We also threw Ashley a baby shower. She's so cute - and so loved. It was a great time and she was blessed with lots of gifts. Erin coined the nickname "puffin" for the baby. Now that she's officially going to be a Brooke, I can't help but want to still call her puffin.
And then.... we got orders. Keith volunteered for a one year remote to Korea. For so many reasons, this is a great move for Keith's career, and it's a great move for our family. I am happy to support my husband and I love hearing how excited he is about the experience. I don't want to go. I just envisioned moving to our next base with Ashley and Erin, and living happily ever after. I know all too well, that this is part of military life. But my heart isn't ready. I should have another year with my friends. I just want to push the goodbyes back another year. I don't know how I'm going to look at sweet precious Brooke, fall completely in love with her, and then leave. Military life adjusts you to change, and prepares you to separate from your family. They just don't prepare you to leave the rocks you lean on.
I told the boys we are moving. They were excited. I told them they have to leave their friends, and they were ok. I told them they have to leave the dogs and cat in Texas and not see them for a really, really, really long time. They were ok. I told them that we can't take any of their toys. They were ok. I told them that we would have to fly in the plane. They were ok. A few days later, Cole mentioned something about Ashley being in Korea. I had to tell him that Mr. Steve and Ashley were not going. He was not ok. It's been the first and only thing to upset him about this whole move. I'm sorry honey, I know. I know.
So, I'll start with Brad. Goodness. What happened? He's adament about wearing those pj's everywhere for days on end. I can only get them off when I talk him into taking a bath. Then he freaks out that I move them out of his sight and down to the laundry room. He's really learned "my buttons". He's developed toddler colic. He cries and whines for hours on end for no apparent reason. He only does this for me, so I guess I should crack the whip on my sweet little innocent newborn.
Cole is doing so great. He's loving school. I went to his school one day and he got to show me his routine. He walks in and finds his shelf work, lays a towel down and does his work. When Mrs. Ray says it's ellipse time, he cleans up his shelf work and...... FOLDS THE TOWEL!!!! I was more amazed at this than the academic work! Seriously, I love that school. They talk about the weather, the days of the week, sing in German, the Pledge, and sing Flag of America. He's learning sight words, to read recipes, and following directions. Mrs. Ray comments all the time about how happy he always is!
Keith is TDY for 3 weeks to Red Flag. I honestly don't know how we surivived a deployment. This 3 weeks seems like 10. I'm ready for him to be home. To break up the routine Ashley and I headed down to Salt Lake City. First stop: Chick-fil-a. To all those who think that's silly... just spend 2 years away from the yummy goodness. We hit up the world's smallest aquarium, shopping, and stayed in a horrible hotel! Man, I have a gift of finding bad hotels. I search all over for the "best deal" and then am grossed out. We've been seriously spoiled with that Marriott discount. Kinda like after flying for free all those years, buying a plane ticket seems rediculous. You want me to pay how much? We went to a bird avery, to the outlet malls in Park City, and then home. It was a busy 2 days, but I'm so happy we got to get out of town for a bit.
We also threw Ashley a baby shower. She's so cute - and so loved. It was a great time and she was blessed with lots of gifts. Erin coined the nickname "puffin" for the baby. Now that she's officially going to be a Brooke, I can't help but want to still call her puffin.
And then.... we got orders. Keith volunteered for a one year remote to Korea. For so many reasons, this is a great move for Keith's career, and it's a great move for our family. I am happy to support my husband and I love hearing how excited he is about the experience. I don't want to go. I just envisioned moving to our next base with Ashley and Erin, and living happily ever after. I know all too well, that this is part of military life. But my heart isn't ready. I should have another year with my friends. I just want to push the goodbyes back another year. I don't know how I'm going to look at sweet precious Brooke, fall completely in love with her, and then leave. Military life adjusts you to change, and prepares you to separate from your family. They just don't prepare you to leave the rocks you lean on.
I told the boys we are moving. They were excited. I told them they have to leave their friends, and they were ok. I told them they have to leave the dogs and cat in Texas and not see them for a really, really, really long time. They were ok. I told them that we can't take any of their toys. They were ok. I told them that we would have to fly in the plane. They were ok. A few days later, Cole mentioned something about Ashley being in Korea. I had to tell him that Mr. Steve and Ashley were not going. He was not ok. It's been the first and only thing to upset him about this whole move. I'm sorry honey, I know. I know.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Battle of Wills
Houston, we have a problem. Well, I have a problem. Brad has not a care in the world - as long as he's wearing superman pajamas 24/7. He's finally grown into Cole's old Superman PJs. We dressed him in them on Sunday night - it's now Tuesday night. I tried to change his clothes this morning and we had a mother of all meltdowns. As soon as we got home, he promptly ran upstairs and fixed his situation. Currently he's in the bath and I've shuttled them off to the washer. What are the odds that he forgets about them and settles for fireman pjs?
On a side note: I was trying to play with him this afternoon and asked him how Superman flies. I demonstrated my finest lift off, but it didn't pass Brad's expectations. He told me how to do it and I tried again. This time my shirt came up a bit. To which he replied "Superman keeps his belly in, Superman does not show his baby"! Thanks son - that flabby "baby belly" is due to you my precious pet.
If you see my son around town (or in pictures) wearing his pajamas, just smile and wave. He's pretty strong willed and I am no longer fighting this battle.
On a side note: I was trying to play with him this afternoon and asked him how Superman flies. I demonstrated my finest lift off, but it didn't pass Brad's expectations. He told me how to do it and I tried again. This time my shirt came up a bit. To which he replied "Superman keeps his belly in, Superman does not show his baby"! Thanks son - that flabby "baby belly" is due to you my precious pet.
If you see my son around town (or in pictures) wearing his pajamas, just smile and wave. He's pretty strong willed and I am no longer fighting this battle.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Bonds
It's a lazy Saturday and we're trying something different - staying in! Not going anywhere! Not spending any money! We're getting caught up on-around-the-house stuff. We watched a movie together, cleaned the boys rooms, started laundry. Sidebar: Can you really start laundry when it never actually ended in the first place? My darling husband started doing our taxes. He pulls out our safe to find the boys social security numbers and pulls out a stack full of savings bonds.
Papa and Florence would give us savings bonds every year. $100 for our birthdays and $200 for Christmas. As a young child, while appreciative, they were never that exciting. We would stash them away and wait. And then wait some more. It was not until my teen years did those little bonds start reaching maturity. Along comes Keith. College pulled us in separate directions and Papa's gifts from long ago came in quite handy. At the time, I'm sure he did not envision his granddaughter cashing them in to go see a boy. He did not plan on them being spent to skip school and fly to Colorado. He did not know that they would one day help foster our relationship developing into marriage. I cashed in quite a few, but they've all gone towards traveling to see Keith.
So, Keith pulls out the savings bonds and starts looking up their value on the computer. I sat staring at them. All of them. And it hit me, those are it. I will never receive another one. I'll never get another non-exciting bond for Christmas or my birthday. And I won't see him again this side of heaven. It's so weird how grief can come and go. A few of them have not reached their face value, but to me they are priceless.
I now have to figure out what to do with them. I'm fairly certain I'll keep rolling them over in some kind of cd for the boys. I'm also fairly certain they will NOT be using that money to travel around the country with some girl either. Famous last words, huh?
Papa and Florence would give us savings bonds every year. $100 for our birthdays and $200 for Christmas. As a young child, while appreciative, they were never that exciting. We would stash them away and wait. And then wait some more. It was not until my teen years did those little bonds start reaching maturity. Along comes Keith. College pulled us in separate directions and Papa's gifts from long ago came in quite handy. At the time, I'm sure he did not envision his granddaughter cashing them in to go see a boy. He did not plan on them being spent to skip school and fly to Colorado. He did not know that they would one day help foster our relationship developing into marriage. I cashed in quite a few, but they've all gone towards traveling to see Keith.
So, Keith pulls out the savings bonds and starts looking up their value on the computer. I sat staring at them. All of them. And it hit me, those are it. I will never receive another one. I'll never get another non-exciting bond for Christmas or my birthday. And I won't see him again this side of heaven. It's so weird how grief can come and go. A few of them have not reached their face value, but to me they are priceless.
I now have to figure out what to do with them. I'm fairly certain I'll keep rolling them over in some kind of cd for the boys. I'm also fairly certain they will NOT be using that money to travel around the country with some girl either. Famous last words, huh?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Waiting... waiting... waiting.... still
If women ran the Air Force.... I know that might sound sexist. What am I trying to say? Basically, if women ran the world, things would be different. Not better, not worse, just different. There are a thousand different ways to accomplish a goal and I'm just sayin' if I were in charge we would already have an answer to the PCS question.
We have no news. Keith volunteered for a remote forever ago. Actually more like 2 weeks ago, but it seems like forever when your future hangs in the balance. Are we leaving dear friends? Are we packing a years worth of possessions in a 1,000lb shipment? Am I going to homeschool my boys next year? Do I need to start getting shots and passports? How am I going to control 2 kids in an airplane for 19 hours? Do we sell a car, sell the 4 wheelers, sell the trailers? When do I start pricing storage units in Texas for the van and motorcycle? What am I going to do to insure that pictures won't be damaged in storage for over a year? Do we seriously have to make that drive to Texas again so soon? Am I suppose to ignore Pottery Barn's ridiculous sale because we're moving anyway?
So, I wait and think of a million other questions that send a mother into a stress tornado. The only thing that brings me peace is knowing that I don't run the Air Force, or world for that matter.
We have no news. Keith volunteered for a remote forever ago. Actually more like 2 weeks ago, but it seems like forever when your future hangs in the balance. Are we leaving dear friends? Are we packing a years worth of possessions in a 1,000lb shipment? Am I going to homeschool my boys next year? Do I need to start getting shots and passports? How am I going to control 2 kids in an airplane for 19 hours? Do we sell a car, sell the 4 wheelers, sell the trailers? When do I start pricing storage units in Texas for the van and motorcycle? What am I going to do to insure that pictures won't be damaged in storage for over a year? Do we seriously have to make that drive to Texas again so soon? Am I suppose to ignore Pottery Barn's ridiculous sale because we're moving anyway?
So, I wait and think of a million other questions that send a mother into a stress tornado. The only thing that brings me peace is knowing that I don't run the Air Force, or world for that matter.
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