Our Grand Arrival

Let me just say that the car ride in was less than enjoyable. I packed a good attitude and all, but it was misplaced between the dogs, cat, and kids. I can not believe I was stubborn enough to think I could do this on my own. Let this be a warning for next time the opportunity arises - I WILL NEED HELP, LOTS OF HELP!

That's where Ashley comes into play. Sweet Ashley. She is the greatest among great friends. If this car trip didn't run her off, I don't know what will.

I tell her to be up and at em' before the sun rises, and she was. We load the animals, but the cat's drugs don't take effect. Marty Cat moaned (notice: not just meowed) the first 1 hour and 45 minutes straight. She slightly got use to the car, but would throw in the moan just when the ringing in our ears stopped. The boys yelled, whined, and fought 20 minutes after getting into the car. That continued for the next 36 hours. Merlin started panting. I like to call it panthering for no reason at all, but he was pantering. A movie got jammed in the DVD player. To those who rely on this great feature, you know the kind of disaster that brings. I come up with the brilliant idea of stopping at a Honda Dealership during our next pit stop (kill two birds with one stone kind of thing) Wrong. We show up with our posse of 1 slightly medicated, still moaning cat, 2 kids that have been tied down for 5 hours straight, 3 dogs, and 2 adults. We crammed in that little waiting area INSIDE! I even had to change a poopy diaper on their floor - so embarrassing. Let me tell you, they got our car fixed ASAP! Actually the people could not have been nicer. It was closing time and they fixed it for free. They even helped load the car up with pets and kids when it was time to go. I must write them a thank you note.

WAIT - I forgot to add that I got sick. A migraine took over and sweet Ashley was driving my crazy caravan and pulling over so I could puke. Along with the dog breath, cat litter, and fast food smells of Mike Victor was my lovely half processed Taco Bell. Tell me - would you have gotten out in the middle of Wyoming and headed for the hills???? I know I would have! And that was only the first day!

Ashley, I slightly fear the repayment I owe you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You took care of me and the boys like any family member would have, handing me a fresh bottle of water and wipe when I got back in the car. She bought my children food when I was still out of commission, drove half way, and even offered to buy gas. You're one of a kind. I think you make a fine military wife and friend. You've got a better grasp at this than you think. I hope you have the time of your life visiting your husband. You deserve it. Keep this thought out of your mind while you're relaxing on the beaches: you have to get back the same way you came ;-)

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

More Cornstarch

It just ain't for cookin! Poor Mickey Lee. It seems Brad found a small bowl of cornstarch and then found my dog. I was looking everywhere for the bowl of cornstarch too. I just wasn't fast enough to keep Brad from paybacks. Did I say payback? Sure did. However, he directed his revenge on Mickey instead of his big brother. See below:

Nighttime Prayer

We say this prayer every night. Cole can say it with me, and Brad is learning.

Dear God, Thank you for today and all of our blessings. Thank you for Daddy, thank you for Cole, thank you for Brad, and for all of our family and friends. Please keep us safe through the night. Amen.

Cole will add in "thank you for mommy" every now and then. I use to think it's because we had a fun day together. Wouldn't you know, he throws it in on my worst mommy days too. I also ask him if there is anything else he wants to tell God. Sometimes he will say thank you for my toys, watch over the man he saw with one leg, or ask for something I told him he couldn't have. Ever since Keith left, he's been praying for daddy to fly safely. Amen.

30 Days Out

Happy Family Separation Pay!


Not worth it. :-(

The Giving Tree

Who'da thunk that I would be having growing lessons in my thirties? Sure enough another light bulb moment yesterday at Borders Bookstore.

We were wasting time at the mall and I thought I would be the fun mom and take the boys in to read a book to them. We made our way to the back of the store and I scanned the shelves for a book the boys might enjoy. It's painfully sad when we have almost every book Border's carries. And there it was - The Giving Tree. It takes me back to 5th grade. Our class performed The Giving Tree. I was the voice of the Tree (since I read with such great inflection - some compliments stick with you forever). I remember loving the book about the tree even though it's kinda sad.

Naturally, I think the boys would love the book about a tree - simple pictures, not a lot of words on each page..... So I start reading to them - with great inflection - and then it happens. I wasn't expecting this at all - I started crying. Can you believe it? Reading The Giving Tree??? It dawns on me that it's not really about a tree at all. DUH! It about loving someone so much and giving everything you have for their happiness = a parent.

The past few weeks without Keith has been hard. Being the single parent takes all your effort and then some. I've felt like the tree. I just hope the boys will want to come back to sit with me one day. I should go sit with my parents too.

Isn't She Lovely

Here she is - I fell in love. I had to have it, but I'm not quite sure what to do with her. I imagined she would fit perfectly in the living room, but I'm not sure I like the look of it. Everything is very dark in contrast to the light floor and walls. Bummer. I will leave her in there to see if it grows on me. If not - I think it would be a PERFECT piece to put in our daughter's room. (calm down - not pregnant, but just thinking into the future) Carrie's trunk - to hold her toys and blankets, to hide in from her brothers, to place her journals, yearbooks and mums in, and to store her wedding dress. See - PERFECT



ps - how cute is that teny tiny MerMer?

I'm Such a Boring Mom

Since Keith has left, I guess Cole has found some time to catch up on his sleep. Here are a few interesting poses from the little man. Don't be fooled. All this sleep isn't keeping him out of less trouble.



I found him in our bed a few times (notice the clothes... CLEAN, I so wish Keith were here to put them up for me)


I know - I can't flip it yet. This is straight from the stick, I haven't downloaded to Picassa yet. Cole fell asleep waiting for Daddy to call back.

I love Brad in this one. He brought Cole the stick toy to sleep with.


He was so hungry he helped himself to a snack of peanuts, but somehow collapsed to the floor before he ate any.


He literally just demanded for me to bring him a snack. Before I got back to the living room this is how I found him. He looks relaxed enough to be shouting demands.


As I was uploading pictures I hear talking coming from upstairs. I sneak up the stairs and Cole is in Brad's crib. He says "do you want me to go ask your mommy if you can sleep with me?" "don't be scared, I will be right back" "we can eat cinnamon rolls and eggs in the morning, would you like that?" After each question Brad says "ya". They are sweet. They didn't know I was listening in. I will surprise them with cinnamon rolls in the morning. Thank you God for letting me hear that. I needed sweetness.