We Lost a Member of our Family Yesterday

This is a picture of my Aunt and our late family member, Suzy. She has always technically belonged to our Aunt. However, Our family took care of Suzy for a few years of her life and she always took care of us. She passed away yesterday living to be almost 17 years old!! She always had spunk and love for those around her - even in her last years. She suffered from blindness, and hearing loss before she passed away. I won't forget how she would run into the bathroom during thunderstorms and jump in the tub and shake because she was so scared, or how she would scratch up grass all over the yard after she went potty. Jeremiah knew her while he was on his mission and I'm sure will think, "Well, she smelled anyway." We love her though and she has made our lives a little more cheerful by being in it. I know she is watching over those who loved her now in Heaven with Our Heavenly Father. Since we stopped taking care of her, I have missed having her curled up at the foot of my bed keeping me company at night.

Here's to Susan - 10/2/1991 - 08/04/2008!

I got them!!!!

Yay! I finally received this month and next month's books in the mail today!! I was hoping to get them in time for vacation so I can read them. I am so excited to read next month's book (sort of because it's the book I picked) because I have heard so many good things about the author. The other thing we got today was Jeremiah's computer screen. I learned a few things and switched out the cracked one with the new. Sorry my posts haven't been as exciting as most of yours, I am trying to keep a journal and remind myself what I have been through and measure my growth. I hope you all are doing well!!

Ft. Monroe's Kid's Day

We traveled over to Ft. Monroe today to participate in the Kid's Day festivities. I brought my camera, only to realize once we got there that I had forgotten to put the memory card back in! So, I unfortunately do not have any pictures. The girls had fun and we have LOTS of information from different organizations in the area. Melanie and Julia jumped around in one of those inflatable jumping pits. After a little bit, Julia got a little spooked out. Melanie wanted to try everything, but due to the heat, was unable to bear the hot plastic on her feet. She ended her day by playing in the tent that the gymnastics program put together for children to "tumble" in. She had a blast! Maybe we have a gymnast in the family?! We got some snow cones and free lunch too! It was great fun!

Isn't he handsome? I'm sure you all feel that way about your husbands. He really does have some pretty cool powers though. A few of them are: making me mad in less than a nanosecond, making me melt in just as much time, making me feel safer than a bank vault, and getting me to laugh. It's been awhile since I wrote something for my dear husband. I love military life because we are never together long enough to get too terribly comfortable before they have to leave for a bit (be it a week or months). I hate military life for the same reason. However, I do find blessings in the times we are apart. I find that the longer they are gone, the more time I have to think about what he really does do for me. Well, for those of you who are wondering, he does quite a lot for our family. I like to feel as though he doesn't do anything because I have to deal with the girls all day or have to do most of the housework. The song I have on my playlist called "The Way I am" is a pretty good interpretation of us. Jeremiah shrugs it off when I get frustrated and mean because my house isn't clean and I have company coming. He is a wonderful father and they definitely know he's the patriarch! One look from him and they go running to their beds!! I wish I had that talent! He works hard each and everyday (sometimes even the weekends) for us. The boy has awesome work ethic!! I complain because I don't necessarily see that at home - but I suppose he should get a break sometimes. No one wants to work hard ALL the time!! (even though I would argue till I was blue in face that I work hard all the time) Everyone here that is married knows that there a million little things that can bother us and make us all too eager to punish them in some way. I'm just amazed how little those things are sometimes! He likes to let me go out and shop or be with some friends if I get the opportunity to give me a break when he can. But, the adversary is truly good at what they do - if a messy house will really turn my world upside down and ruin anyone's chances at seeing a smile on my face, that is usually what I get to come home to! Thus killing the good mood I might have been in from having a chance to go somewhere without my children. Time allows for perspective. I am grateful that I get that perspective often so that I don't continue to let the "little things" blind me.

Blessings

I have started this post probably three times already, maybe this one will be the "final draft". I've had chances for service this week and I've struggled with the load or hardship that comes along with brining my children with me. To keep this post short, I found out why one of these people needed my help. I felt so blessed to be available to help her and serve her today. I hope that I am not alone in thinking that sometimes doing the service is near to impossible with my children in tow! I find great joy in helping others, I've just realized that I am not supermom. I'm not like my church friends that seem to be able to do it all without the slightest bit of difficulty. I had to post this because I feel like it was something that helped to strengthen me and make me a better person. Does anyone out there understand what I am trying to say?

This week has gone by so fast!

I can't believe that it is already Friday! (well, almost) This week started out like most others, just minus the husband. Now, I know that that isn't something new for me, but it usually brings out bad behavior from my children. Kind of like how the full moon brings out the crazy people. On Tuesday, Julia decided to decorate my couch (and her face and clothes of course) with sour cream!! She managed to push over the gate that we use to block the kitchen and got right into that sour cream. Then, she did it again on WEDNESDAY!! For those of you that are thinking, "wow, she must really be a terrible mom" it's true. I was distracted with Melanie while the second crime took place - thankfully the damage wasn't as extensive as Tuesday's. Momma was pretty upset though and definitely tired of scrubbing her couch! I am very relieved and happy to say that today went pretty wonderfully. I didn't have any major problems with my children, and even was able to get some cleaning done!! (imagine that!) Plus take care of a few matters of family business (book order, ordering the screen for Jeremiah's broken laptop). I feel as though I have accomplished things, and that is usually half the battle when you're a mom (or at least I think so). I finally got the book Three Cups of Tea from the library (I've had it on my hold list forever it seems), I am excited to read it. I apologize that my posts are always a jumble of thoughts and lots of parentheses. It kind of gives you an idea of how my brain functions these days! I definitely need more adult interaction and visit time!!

In Honor of The Cheesecake Factory's 30th

While at playgroup on Wednesday, I heard about the Cheesecake Factory's $1.50 piece of cheesecake. I was unable to attend (military life) but decided I would go ahead and make my own!! Thank heavens for the Jello Cheesecakes! My heart was with you for those of you who took advantage of the birthday treat. This picture doesn't look like much, but it was still a treat for me.

Wyatt and Melanie's Birthday Celebration!!

Sunday July 13th was the day we celebrated both Wyatt's (July 12th) and Melanie's (July 17th) birthdays! So, I of course felt terrible that I was feeling sick. I took the pictures and tried to stay away from the fun. I didn't even eat the dinner! All I had was rice and mashed potatoes. Anyway... all we had was Christmas wrapping paper, so we had a bit of "Christmas in July". Here are a few photos of them throughout the day.

Wyatt's gift from us

Melanie's Dora sprinkler

New Clothes!!

Twirling with her new dress. She loves to twirl!

Gifts from Nana

Nana even got a gift for Julia so she wouldn't feel left out!

She loves dora! Excuse daddy's blink, it's the only pic I had!

The big present

Wyatt's cake - the candle fell off as soon as we put it on the table and blew itself out! So, Wyatt had no chance to blow it out on his own.

Melanie's cake - I bought it this year. I can't make really small cakes and I tried to find a small one. Plus, I can't make the words look all pretty either. Jenn is great with decorating cakes though - I should take lessons!

Melanie blew out the candle before we could finish singing! She loves "happy days".

Already the seasoned pro (he had a birthday party the day before too) digging in.

Catching up on the past few weeks....

Well, to usher in my sickness a few weeks back I had an unexpected thing happen to me. I was asked to talk at one of my Primary "students" baptism. (July 12th)I'm the kind of person that gets very nervous about these things and of course worried about what to say, let alone why this person chose me to speak! So, I think the reason will remain unknown for the rest of my life, but I hope that I was able to share some things that touched both she and her sister. (They were baptized on the same day). I also feel very blessed to have been a witness to their very special day. Here is a picture of them.

Sonja and Amore

Under the Weather

So, our family has been under the weather for quite a bit. The girls have had "digestion" problems during last week. Then I got sick Saturday evening and have been sick since! I'm slowly getting my strength back and getting back into things I normally do. By the way, thanks to Heidi for taking over my class (I didn't call the Primary Presidency in time to let them know I was sick and unable to be there). Heidi - you're so great for helping out, thank you so much!! I thought I would just send out a quick note, so you all know why I haven't been updating my blog. Hopefully more will come later, but for now I am taking it easy! Hopefully I might even get the chance to scrapbook (Oh, I really hope so!).

Prayer - better than a Psychic

As a member of the LDS church - I have to share my opinion on something I witnessed today. While I was "winding" down and shredding some paper in my room - I was listening to the radio. On Thursdays, there is aparently a Psychic on this particular station (never knew that - don't normally listen to the radio in the evening). People would call in and ask her the most outrageous, yet ordinary questions. She would share her advice gathered from whatever means she used, received a "thank you" and then move on to the next caller. In listening and laughing quite a bit I realized something. All of these questions that were being asked could be answered correctly, if they just knew who to ask! I am so glad that we know who we can ask to help us with our problems or our questions in life. The Lord will always give us the right answer for us at the right time. The answer might not be what we wanted to hear, but it is still the right answer for US. Who needs a pyschic when you have a wonderful Father upstairs that can give you answers that will improve your life and increase your happiness? I pick the happiness and better life. What would you choose?

Un-rabbid Squirrel

At the end of our outing to the Botanical Gardens, we stumbled across a squirrel. He was meandering around, mostly under my car, while I put the girls in the car and the stroller away. Then, I came around to get in the car, and the squirrel came out and followed me a bit. He stared me down and stayed just close enough to freak me out. I would move, the squirrel would follow. I COULDN'T GET IN MY CAR!!! Julia still needed to be buckled and I couldn't get close enough to the car without the little guy following me! So, I took some pictures!!

While this was happening to me, I tried to sneak behind his back (above picture), but couldn't get past him without him turning around and staring me down! He was a pretty cute little guy. Being a wild animal, I found myself continuing to think of two things: 1) What if he has rabies and bites me? - even though I saw none of the symptoms 2) What in the world will scare this little guy away? - I 'stomped' at him, shoo him, anything I could think of that would encourage him to leave.

Needless to say, we "danced" a bit before he walked off to visit another car, I looked behind me to make sure there weren't more. Guess what? There was one coming straight for me!! So, I jumped in the car, buckled Julia in her seat and left as quickly (and "humanely") as possible. To all the animal lovers out there - he and his friend are still alive.

Enjoying my Hobby

I know that this isn't a well known fact, but I really like to take pictures. I am not very good at it, so I take a lot in hopes that a few will turn out nicely. We went to the Botanical Gardens today (in the drizzle) and I took some pictures of plants that caught my eye. I thought that a few turned out very nice. My favorite one is this one though.....

Then, Melanie directed us towards the rose garden and I got a few of those as well. Just experimenting with some different ways of taking pictures of groups of flowers. It was great fun, I even let Melanie take a few pictures (they were out of focus so I deleted them upon uploading them). Here are some more pictures, enjoy!!!

The Artist

Melanie really likes to color and draw these days, and I am so thrilled when she wants to make a "pretty picture"!! She knows she is only supposed to color on PAPER too. When you are a mother of two small children, you find that you need to take advantage of the short times your children are occupied to take a shower unless you have the luxury of waking before them to take your shower and start your day. Today, her color of choice was Orange Sharpie. So, this morning, while I was taking my shower and getting dressed for the day, Melanie was doing this:









After a nice little "chat" she went ahead and started doing this:




That was the straw that broke the camels back, so I packed the girls in the car and headed to Walmart to get some Color Wonder things for them to color with. Thank heavens there are such things as Magic Erasers. In no way am I rewarding them for coloring on things they shouldn't, or eating things they shouldn't (in Julia's case, she eats crayons!). There wasn't even a sharpie in sight when I took a shower. Also as a mother, you learn to make sure there is nothing around that could potentially cause a premature death of one of your children while you are taking a shower. This marker has been banned from our "living area" and is jailed in a plastic box in the top of a closet right now.

Geneology..... I am doing it.....

I love having a best friend (aka husband) when they inspire you to do something great and worthwhile. So, Jeremiah got the "itch" today to look up some of his ancestors names on google. Then, it got me to thinking about some of my ancestors that I had been taught a little bit about. The snowball continued to grow until I was just so excited to see what I could find! I am on a "mission" now and hope to find some things and learn about how to do my family history. I have never taken any classes on it at church, nor do I have the convenience of having a family history center at my ward building - let alone having the babysitters to watch my girls so that I can go do it. Technology will have to be my friend (as well as foe and obstacle maker I'm sure) and lead me to some wonderful information about my family. I am extremely excited to learn about them. I guess that is my new goal for the summer. YAY!! If anyone knows a little bit about how to research your family online and would be willing to leave a little message to nudge me in the right direction, that would be WONDERFUL!! Thanks!

WIPEOUT

"Wipeout" Sneak: Iris - The best free videos are right here">

If you click the part of the link above that says Wipeout - you will see a preview of the show Jeremiah and I watch on Tuesday nights if we are still awake and downstairs. I have always had a problem with laughing at people when they fell. I don't like to see people get hurt, but there is something funny about the act of falling. Maybe it is because I did so much of it growing up! I also think that it is hereditary. So, anyway, there is a lot of falling going on in this show. Thus, the reason I enjoy it. Check out the link if you would like - I was hoping to have it show up with the picture and all on the blog - but I haven't learned that just yet.

Long Walks

So, we've recently been taking 3 1/2 mile walks around the area since Jeremiah has been taking the car to work. So, Monday and today, we went out in the heat to get momma some exercise. We cover the distance in about an hour and a half. I push the girls in the double stroller. By the end of the "course" I'm am definitely sweating from the heat of the sun. So, I feel as though I accomplish quite a bit! It is definitely not what I do at the gym - so it's nice to get a little bit of change in there. I'm still doing pretty well with watching what I am eating and making sure I get exercise during the week. I hope to find the numbers on that scale a little smaller the next time I "weigh in". For anyone out there - I am trying to find some fun, tasty vegetable dishes (without meat) to spice up my snack options. Please feel free to send them my way.

There is a story behind our walks however. Melanie LOVES to collect things while we are outside. Mostly rocks. However, today was a little different. She first collected her favorite of Heavenly Father's creations - the rock, followed by a feather, a flower, a baby pinecone, large pinecone, and some leaves. I was hoping to get some pictures of the "collection", but most were thrown overboard (no doubt to help mom get home quicker by decreasing the weight of the load!) and only the rock remained.

So, I've been Tagged!

So, I was reading friends blogs and thinking I was so lucky that I hadn't been tagged, and then I get tagged! YIKES! I'm not sure I have enough people to tag, but I'll try!!

3 Joys
- Being able to cuddle with my girls anytime they let me
- Watching my husband play with our children
- Taking pictures of my family and friends (I'm practicing so that maybe one day I'll actually be good at it!)


3 Fears
- Losing Jeremiah to war
- One of my girls running away from me and not being able to find them
- Sleeping alone

3 Goals
- To lose 15 lbs in the next 7 weeks
- Catch up with the book club by reading the books I missed
- Continue meeting new people and become more social

3 Obsessions
- Cleaning my house (I have learned to let go a little bit -I have two young girls, but I still don't like it)
- Working out
- Finding the lowest price (still practicing that one to get perfection too!)

3 Random Facts
- I am 23 (that seems to always shock people, so I am listing it)
- I hold high school records for shot put
- I love the smell of burning wood (i.e campfire)

Now I get to tag 5 Lucky Winners!!
- Angela
- Jamie
- Cheryl
- Tami
- Tara

Flag Cake

Growing up, my mom liked to make a Flag Cake for the 4th of July. I have a picture of me as a child holding the first Flag Cake. So, in order to fulfill the tradition and ensure that it would get eaten wihout there being much left, I made it for the Picnic we went to on Friday. There was just enough left over for us to have some for dessert on Sunday. So, a perfect end to the 4th of July weekend.

If your family would appreciate this wonderful cake for a patriotic holiday - here is how I made it. The cake is white cake mix. Bake it according to the directions on the box (greasing the dish and lightly flouring it). Let it cool. Poke holes 1/2 inch apart across the whole cake (I used a 2 prong fork from my knife set). Take any flavor jello (as long as it is red) and mix it with 1 cup of boiling water until dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water and mix well. Then, pour it over the cake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. After refrigerating, dip bottom of dish in hot water briefly to loosen the cake from the bottom of pan and flip the cake over on a flat surface - you then return it to the pan or whatever dish you wish to use to serve it on. (I was unsuccessful in this endeavor - so I just kept it in the pan) Thaw an 8 oz container of whip cream and "ice" the cake with it after flipping. Then, decorate with blueberries and strawberries. I used about a cup of strawberries and about 2 ounces of blueberries. Then refrigerate until ready to serve. It's WONDERFUL!!!

Here are some pictures from our 4th of July. We went to Busch Gardens with the Gaines (I don't have many pictures of that because I was the one riding most of the rides) and then had some fun with some friends (I don't have pictures of the kids playing in their backyard because I didn't have my camera with me) - but we do have a few of us waiting for fireworks, then finding out they were cancelled and waiting a few levels down for the traffic to clear! Melanie dipped her hair in the run-off water in the parking garage for Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Ugh!

Usher the day of the Independence (pronounced with a Dana Carvey (aka Pistachio) accent)

So, Thursday evening, we had the first of our "group" of mishaps. Due to miscommunication or whatever guys call it - the laptop I bought Jeremiah during his last deployment was damaged. Yes, that is right - there is a huge "crack" across the screen that is growing "branches". Then on Friday (the 4th) , we had a great and exhausting day at Busch Gardens with some GREAT friends of the family (pictures to follow) to return home and get ready to run out the door to some other GREAT friends' for dinner and fireworks (downtown). During the "down time" - yeah I like to use "". Julia snatched my glasses off my dresser and ran (there's a pattern there if you were wondering - she runs when she is being naughty). I found them broken on the floor when I followed her to see what mischief she was bringing upon herself. So - my wonderfully creative husband has come up with a plan (we think). We'll see how it works and I'll try to post a picture of my make-shift Harry Potter glasses (not broken in the same spot as his though). So, that is number 2 of our misfortunes - I hope there isn't a three, but that sometimes happens in this family.

12 Week Challenge!!

To all of you "Y" members out there. If you haven't signed up for the 12 week challenge, you have NO idea what you are missing out on! Well, let me describe it for you a little bit. Those lunges and squats you hate to do?? Yeah, you do TONS of em!! Haha! Then, for the next two days you are pretty much incapacitated when it comes to running, walking, squatting down to pick up your kids or let them look at something lower than your eye level. Excruciating pain. Let me tell you. BUT - I wouldn't trade it for the world. No Pain, No Gain. Needless to say, I've taken "leave" of the gym for a few days - but I made sure I had plenty of walking in there to still be active (and get points). So, sign up for the 12 week challenge, you'll find muscles you never knew you had hurting in no time!

The almost crime.... plus our update

Hello all! Well, again I have tried to be diligent with my blogging and have fallen behind. Things are going well for us here. We are quickly approaching the 4th of July weekend and are happy to be getting together with some friends. Maybe if all goes well, this will be the first time we actually see (as in closer than a few miles) the fireworks here in Virginia! Hopefully the girls will last that long and have a blast! I am very excited. Other than that - an update on my weight loss. I've lost 2 1/2 lbs as of last week sometime. I will have to weigh in again before too long to see if I'm still on track! I've been burning over 700 calories during each workout and I've been to the gym every day other than saturday and sunday. I am doing my best!!

We had kind of a funny thing happen to us on Monday. I bought a few movies from ebay last week and was waiting on one more to arrive. The mail carrier brought our mail Monday and told me that he accidentally put my envelope (no doubt containing the dvd) in my neighbors mail slot. He said he knocked on the door but was unable to get anyone to answer the door. After he left, I checked to see if I thought anyone was home. Anyway, I ended up knocking on the door and catching them home. They told me the mail man didn't put an envelope in their mail slot, nor did he knock on the door. (A mother's intuition told me they were lying). So, I chased after the mail carrier to find out my course of action (I mean - this movie cost me 4 dollars!! plus it was the movie cast away - awesome movie). He called his supervisor and they said they would stop by the next day and try to get the movie back for me. I returned home fuming about it and about an hour later the lady next door brings over my OPENED envelope saying "sorry, my son had it". Her son looks like he is six and it was one of those hard to open envelopes. I'm pretty sure they were trying to steal my movie until they found out that it was Cast Away. (These particular neighbors didn't seem the type to like the movie Cast Away). I felt that if it were any other movie more appealing to them - that they would have kept it and not bothered to give it back. So, needless to say - I had to be like my dad for a bit and figure out how to get my movie back. So, I went through all of that for Cast Away. It's a great movie - what can I say??

Botanical Gardens and the Beach

Virginia Beach
We went to the beach today to help the girls get used to it so we can have some fun on our family vacation this summer. Jeremiah took Melanie out and pretty much scared her (not intentionally) note picture above. They both enjoyed playing in the sand with our sand toys and then Julia resorted to eating the sand. (Just when we thought she was over that). So, I guess she is going to like gritty foods for the rest of her life! Maybe there is oatmeal and grits in her future!? Then, they left the beach holding hands. It was a pretty great day. Mommy was tired by the end though.

We love to go to the Botanical Gardens (when time and temperature allow). We just went Thursday and I took some really fun pictures of the girls sporting their bathing suits for the water. While we were there we found a Canadian Goose feather. Melanie picked it up and was playing with it - then a worker from the gardens came and told us we couldn't have it because "It might be a Bald Eagle Feather. There is a federal fine for having a Bald Eagle Feather. I'm pretty sure it's not an Eagle feather but because they are in the area, we collect any feathers we can find.". So the man took the feather from my poor two year old child!! She was so devestated! Enjoy the pics!

My Weight Loss Log!

So, I've been trying to get some weight off since I gained a little bit the past year since Jeremiah came home. Mind you - I had gained 8 lbs by February. Then, I joined the gym and gained another 5!! In order to help motivate myself (my husband has a sweet tooth too and it makes it hard to "be good") I have decided to put up some pictures of me and take pictures in the same outfit as time goes on. So, I will have an exercise log and such on the computer so that I can motivate myself and keep track. For those of you who check my blog (I know there aren't many it any at all) please continue to motivate me!! I look at some pictures of myself from around the time Jeremiah came home last May and then some recently and thought (YIKES!!). So, here I go. I'm really trying and I am taking every effort I can to make it a success!! My goal is to lose 20 lbs (look better than even when Jeremiah came home). I will update frequently. So, please cheer me on!! Thanks! - so I've decided I need a better picture! I'll add one soon!

Blessings come in many different sizes

Well, today we were given a blessing in an unusual package. Jeremiah had his court date finally for the accident that occured in August. (It got rescheduled quite a few times before it finally worked for all schedules involved.) He had to get dressed up in his dress blues and take one of his "higher ups" (as I call them) along. The judge threw out the charges due to the testimonies of both he and the Policeman. So, our finances have been saved the court and ticket fees that went along with the accident. It's amazing how blessings come in different sizes. I am so grateful for the people in my life that are blessings to me. I appreciate my friends and my family and the roles that they play in my life. I am thankful for the blessings given to my family and try to live my life so that I can continue to receive blessings - in whatever size - in the future.

Melanie's Busted Lip

So, another Holiday packed full of fun for the Clores! We got through most of Veteran's Day without any problems until Melanie decided to climb up on the furniture, fell, and busted her upper lip. The piece of skin that attaches your top lip to your upper gums was lacerated. I knew she couldn't get stitches inside her mouth but wanted to make sure I took the best course of action to help her heal quickly. I just remembered what that piece of skin is called - it's called a frenulum. So, she lacerated that and cut another part of her gums. she is doing fairly well now and likes that she was 'prescribed' popsicles. No hot or spicy foods for her until she is recovered. She didn't much care for those kinds of food anyway. So, poor Mel has a fat lip for the next little bit. It took the ED at NMCP a little over two hours to get us out - a fairly quick time on my watch for an Emergency Department visit. While there she pushed around child sized chairs and stuck her hand in the water fountain. She also found an exit door that would open up for her as she walked towards it and tried to play "Catch me if you can" for a few minutes. What an Adventure!!

Julia and the Sand

This is Julia in August while we were in North Carolina. She was EATING the sand! How crazy is that?! She would make a sour face after she ate it, but kept on bringing that sand up to her face! She is the funniest little girl! Anything she finds goes to her mouth. No matter what! She even got one of those long pieces of brown seaweed in her mouth too! She is such a happy baby though! We are so truly blessed to have her in our life! She smiles all the time and has lately been clinging to us for dear life! Having two children is definitely hard for me right now. However, I wouldn't change it. I might change it by having my husband home more often though!

Military Life

Well, sadly, my vacation came and went WAY too quickly. It was mostly enjoyable. I just hope to make next year more enjoyable and do some things that I didn't do this year. But, on to my topic. I want the general public to know how much military families really do go through. It is tough stuff. Now, it's not ALL military families. Some are quite lucky. Our family, I feel is one of those that isn't that lucky. Sometimes it just isn't enough for your husband to be gone for 8 months and miss your childs' birth. No, no, no! By all means, he must be gone LONGER, MUCH LONGER! So, that is something we may possibly face in the near future. Saying good-bye AGAIN (he hasn't even been home for 8 months) for up to a year or so. This wouldn't even be entirely voluntary (although they say this particular thing is ENTIRELY voluntary). Military spouses just aren't given enough credit for what they go through. Believe me, they go through a TON! So, the next time you want to protest against the war or praise people for not signing up for the military. Think about us. Think about the women whose husbands have to go to a combat situation BECAUSE YOU WON'T SIGN UP FOR THE MILITARY. Think of how many children are losing their fathers because you are too good to serve your country. I guess it's easy to find the great men in this world - they are serving in our military.

VACATION

Boy, do I really need a vacation! I'm finally here too! So, we'll see how everything goes once this week is over. I hope to do some things I haven't done down here and have a great time! The trip down was interesting (getting lost - a little - and having my kids scream wasn't fun for sure). But, I got a good night's sleep. Who could ask for anything more? haha. Well, drop me a line and let me know how things are going for all of you.

Isn't It Funny.....

Isn't it funny how you forget about what your children did not even 48 hours previous and Love them more than Life itself? Well, I've done that today with my girls. Melanie was pulling Julia up by her hair, throwing things, and picking up dog doo on Tuesday. Now on Thursday (today) she is saying Please and Thank you without being asked twice, saying sorry to her sister if she hurts her and giving her a kiss. Not to mention giving hugs and kisses to me! She is genuinely a Happy Kid. Only a Mother's love could be like this. I love her all of the time, but more at some times than others. I'm sure all the mothers out there know what I am talking about. I just had to write how happy I am to have such wonderful children. I couldn't miss the opportunity to publicly voice my thanks.

Julia Girl

This is my Julia girl! She loves cuddling and climbing up on things to stand up. She really likes her Daddy. Julia is extremely strong! She pulls up on just about anything and when she grabs your hair (and she LOVES to do that) there is no letting go! There have been a few times where I have seen clumps of Melanie's hair in her hands. Melanie of course is crying her eyes out because of it though! She's 9 months and 22 lbs! We love her so much and are happy that she is in our family.

Wyatt Benjamin Jeffs

This is Wyatt Benjamin Jeffs. My nephew by blood. My sister-in-law gave birth to him on July 12th 2007. He weighed 9lbs 6oz and was 20 inches long. He is two weeks old in this picture. He was supposed to be adopted by the Jeffs family, but his biological father decided to make things difficult with the adoption process. (He was abusive to my sister-in-law and they broke up. She can't give him what she wants him to have - two parents and all the toys he wants!!haha) So, he's been taken under the family's wing for the time being. He is a cute little guy, huh? He actually has a scratch that he gave himself pretty much in the same spot that Julia scratched herself after she was born. Definitely part of the family already!! We hope for the best with the adoption and the Jeffs family.

Melie Ann

Hello All! Things are going alright here at our house! This is a picture of Melanie pushing her Birthday present around. She is two! Can you believe it? Well I can't! She loves babies - so imagine how happy she was when she got a baby AND a stroller for her baby! She loves to take baby everywhere. She also likes to sport her sunglasses! She loves to help with her cousin Wyatt and with her little sister. Although Julia isn't that little compared to Melanie. They are very close in weight. Well, drop us a line sometime! We love you all!

CRUNCH TIME!

So, another few weeks have gone by since my last entry and we've gotten a few weeks closer to seeing Jeremiah again. Our paper link chain is getting much shorter these days! But, the reason I'm writing is to shed some light on the "Your kids get crazier as homecoming gets closer". Maybe it's because they sense you're excited/stressed. Excited because you don't have to change all those poopy diapers by yourself! Stressed because the whole house needs a good scrubbin' and you get nothing done because.... the kids won't sleep! So, yeah. Any other time it wouldn't be that big of a deal, just wait until the girls cooperate and stuff. But, it's CRUNCH TIME! That means there is not time to wait a few days and say... eh, I'll get to it later. It just doesn't happen that way! So, each day up until he comes home needs to be extremely successful. Not to mention that I just recently moved (about a month ago now). So... TOTALLY STRESSFUL! I definitely feel like I've been through it all. Although... some icing on the cake has been actually getting our registration sticker (after 2 months) and then getting the washer and dryer from our friends. There are things I haven't washed in such a long time! I'm glad I finally have the means to get it done. Which also means, loads and loads of laundry! I need to rewash everything that has been sitting for the past 8 months so he has something to wear that doesn't smell like a box or outside. Oh, and speaking of cake, I need to make one for him too the day before he gets home. So, a lot to do and a little bit of time. I'm so glad that he's been safe though. That is such a blessing! Well, I'm sure I'll be writing again real soon!

Update

Just taking a break from 'life' and decided to write. The girls are growing and learning every day. Julia's first tooth broke through her gums on Tuesday. She now is very close to crawling, she reaches ahead of herself, then scoots to get to where she wants. So, an army crawl with a little bit of real crawling in there too. So, I'm sure it won't be long for that milestone. The girls get along very well. They are good sisters to each other. I hope they will learn to be close friends. I'm continuing to unpack and get things organized so that I don't have to worry about reorganizing for the rest of the time that we live here. Our new place is very quiet. I think they made the walls pretty thick so that most of the outside noise does just that, stays outside! Last night I got together with some friends and had a good time visiting with them. I feel so bad that I haven't been able to hang out more with people since I have the extra baggage of two children. I went shopping today and had the hardest time with the girls. I anxiously await the day that I can leave them with Jeremiah and I can actually go shopping ALONE. What a concept! I am just so - wow. I just am really excited about that. I hope he doesn't think that I don't love him because I am leaving the girls with him more when he finally returns home. I just can't wait to have that 'freedom'. Then there's Jeremiah. He's ready to be home, can't blame him because I'm ready for him to be home too! I look at pictures of him and wonder how I am going to react to seeing him for the first time in almost a year. He just seems so distant. Not only physically, but emotionally too. It's hard to describe what I am feeling. I just don't know how to say it really. I am so excited for him to be home, but I am scared to death too. I'm not going to know how to act. I think I'll end up treating it like a first date where you don't know if they like you, but you really think they are cute. I just know I am going to be shy and not know what to say to him. I don't want to react that way, but I don't know how else to act. I've lost 40 lbs since he's been gone. Is he going to like the new me? Is he going to love our daughter (the one he never met)? How will Melanie react to him? What if he's not attracted to me!?
Then there's the side of me that is angry. Angry at him for leaving me alone to have our baby, for making me deal with all these hard things on my own, and for not being more excited about coming home.
Then there's the overwhelming part of me that is just lost. Lost without him by my side. Just wanting him to be home. But, that will eventually happen. Well, I gotta run.... take care!

Taking a Break from Packing

So, we're moving this week and I'm sick of packing boxes. I figured I would write a little something on here about my thoughts on life recently. Well, today a friend had a misunderstanding 'fight' with her husband. Sometimes I feel with things like that... that women take the opportunity to complain about their husbands. So, oddly enough... my other friend vented a bit about her husband (trying to console the other) and I kept my mouth shut! I don't know if it's just because he hasn't been home lately, or if I'm truly forming a better appreciation of him and hopefully a better understanding as well. Sure he does things that make me mad, but what man doesn't make you mad at least sometimes? It's a difference in gender. Anyone who has read Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus understands what I mean. Men just are wired differently (obviously) and for that reason, don't always see things the way we do. This is definitely true about my husband. But, you know what??? That's OK!! There are so many things I miss about him and can't wait to have back (yes, even quite a few of the ones that bothered me before he left) that I just can't justify complaining! So, I'm sorry to all the women out there who can't stand their husbands most of the time. However, and I can't quote this because I wasn't able to FULLY pay attention to it at church yesterday (Children) but... one of the speakers said, "If I say a mean or hurtful thing to my wife, I am saying it to my Savior." (again... paraphrased a bit) That really hit home for me! I remembered past disagreements we've had and words that have occasionally been exchanged towards the other and I am going to make that 'quote' a standard I live by. It makes perfect sense! Christ said that if we do something for someone in need, it's like doing it to him. Why wouldn't it make sense that If we say something hurtful to our spouse, we're saying it to Him? So, I am going to try to remember that before I even THINK about saying a hurtful thing to my Husband. I encourage all of you out there to do the same.
Marriage is just such a difficult thing for people these days. Divorce rates have gone up since past years. Why can't we realize that in order for us to be willing to MARRY some one, we must REALLY care about them!! I know that I REALLY care about Jeremiah. He means the world to me! I would never want to divorce him! I've heard some really good advice through my 'years of learning' that I will share on the subject. Divorce starts with selfishness. It truly does. Once you no longer put each other first in the relationship, then it starts to fall apart. I've found that if I'm upset with my husband, it usually starts with me being selfish or not communicating the way that I should so he can understand my thoughts and feelings. So, don't stop trying to understand each other. If you ALWAYS put your spouse as your #1 priority and make sure they feel that way, your marriage will always be strong! Take a walk together, hold hands, buy flowers, go on a date, get a sitter for the kids, anything you can think of to show the other person that you care. Not that I'm a pro at marriage, I'm just working hard to make it work. More people need to make that resolution.... you need to WORK to make it WORK!!

Sleepless Nights

Ever thought about having children? Well, make sure you take into account that you will but UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT just like I am right now!! Some children do it for years, others for the first few months of their lives. Which child you get is ENTIRELY up to the Lord. So, pray you get a good one if you are going to have children! Now, I love my children, don't get me wrong, but... it's just a LOT to deal with when your spouse is away. So, imagine being the ONLY one to get up with your children (sick, bad dreams, just restless...etc.) and then try that for 8 months! Hopefully things will get better soon. If they don't, at least they will get better once Jeremiah comes back! Well, I better try to get Julia to bed!

To the Love of My Life....

Jeremiah - this is a short message to you about how wonderful you are. I felt that I needed to write something to you to let you know of my appreciation. As the time you have left at sea gets shorter my thoughts are turned to you more often and what life is going to be like once you get home. I can't imagine what it is like being on a ship for 6-8 months and sleeping in a big room full of smelly men. I don't want to know what it is like waking up and having no sun come through your window (you don't even have a window) and working on a mostly windowless ship. The only light you get is from those fluorescent little bulbs that glow above you. You live in a small city, about 6000 sailors. Your life is crammed. You have a tiny bit of space to eat, sleep, and work. I think I overlook all of that while I'm here at home taking care of the children. I don't think of all the cussing and fighting and ugliness that surrounds you. I get to get up on Sunday's and go to church. I get to work out (because I want to) and come home to OUR home. I can sleep in a room with a queen size bed and a window. I am able to have some variety in the things that I eat. I don't have to worry too much about people possibly blowing my "shelter" up. I don't have to listen to planes launching off the flight deck to save some more American soldiers. Your life is truly different and more stressful than mine. I am sorry that I would have ever thought that it was easier. Other than being able to sleep through the night, there isn't anything that you have better. I appreciated your service to our country. I appreciate all the crap you have to deal with day in and day out. I believe in you honey. I know that you can accomplish anything (and I mean ANYTHING) that you are determined to do. I know that you think of us often and know that we think of you. I want so many things for you. I wish I could provide them all for you, but I can't. Hopefully one day I will be able to. You are an amazing father and a wonderful husband. You think of my feelings and are concerned about me. You make me laugh. I love you for all that you are. Love you Honey!

Potato Peels

So, like a newlywed, I put potato peels down my disposal and it stopped up yesterday. Yeah, according to my brother-in-law (BIG UHOH!), so I call my sister and mother-in-law to see if they have some Liquid Plumr. They saved the day (because they had some... and they ALWAYS save the day!) by bringing it over. We called my brother-in-law to make sure we were going to do this correctly. He told us not to use the liquid plumr. We were to take the trap apart and let the water drain, then reassemble it once we got the potatoes out. So, my sweet sister-in-law gets down under my sink (it's nasty under there... we are in apartments) and takes the trap apart. Now, my sister-in-law is 5 months pregnant and she gets under there and does all this stuff for me! Then, while the water was draining, she moved the pipe and it ended up spraying all over her! Not the best smell in the world (those of you who have fixed plumbing problems in the past... yeah, you know that smell) and so the poor dear smelled of potato peels for the rest of the night! However, the plus to all of this is, I now know how to take care of something like that. Moral to the story, NEVER put potato peels down the SINK!!

Sick Children

Anyone get sick and tired of having sick children? I know I do! My children have been sick (with one thing or another) since December! Now, my oldest, Melanie has a fever! Taking them to the military doctors don't help. They just tell me that they sound fine and to just give them sudafed or tylenol!! I'm starting to get worried about these poor little children of mine! I couldn't be more frustrated. The only upside to having sick children is that they cuddle with you more and are much more relaxed than usual. (Any of you that know what 2 year olds are like... you know what I mean) So, I have amazingly had the chance to pack some more things in preparation for our move next month. I know I am not alone in this, there have been many ill children the past few months (off and on like mine) because the weather continues to change and can't make up its mind! One day, 70-80 degree weather, the next....45-50 degrees. The little ones just can't take a 40 degree difference from day to day. I don't care what doctors say... the weather DOES have EVERYTHING to do with children being sick!

Melanie's First Snow

Well, March 17th (St. Patties Day), was Melanie's First snow experience. We traveled to PA to visit my parents and get some things done for the car. The night before, the state had a substantial snow fall. The total accumulation was about 8 inches in the Southern Pennsylvania cities. Melanie rode in a sled with her Aunt and liked to drag her hands through the snow! Once she dragged her hands through the snow, she would lift them up in the air. She wouldn't touch anything while her gloves were covered in snow. The hat she wore wasn't the right size for her head and kept falling off. Needless to say, she wasn't out there for long before she started to get cold. Then we all came inside and had some hot chocolate! (Melanie didn't like hers)

The "Impossible" Task

Monday, January 22nd, held an impossible task for me. Although, I didn't know it as I started my day. I got the girls up and got ready for the gym (like I always do) and out the door we went. On the way to the YMCA, we got a screw stuck in our tire. The reason I noticed was because the tires didn't feel right. So, upon arrival at the gym, I checked the tires to find a fairly large screw stuck in my tread! "GREAT!", I thought, "now what I am going to do? Who can help me? I don't know anyone that knows how to fix that kind of thing besides Jeremiah and my dad." So, since Jeremiah and my dad aren't able to easily come and fix it, I was on my own. So, I called my dad to ask his advice and for him to tell me what to do. Then, went to Walmart to get the tire plugging kit and off to my friends house to use the extra parking space available to get my car 'fixed'. I said a prayer before I started, then I got to work. The screw gave me the hardest time in the world! I think it knew that a wimpy woman was trying to dislodge it. However, it finally came free (after much working and black knuckles) and I was able to rough up the hole to prep it for the 'gew' that went in to plug the hole. Then, I stuck the gew into the leak and proceeded to work hard again to get it through! So, finally... all was finished and I checked the hole for any leaks. There weren't any... so, with Heavenly Father's help, no task is impossible!! Even if it's a tire that needs plugged!

The Busiest Day so far....

Well, January 2nd was by far.... the busiest day so far as a mother of two. In the morning, I dropped off Julia so Melanie could go to the doctor, took Mel to the doctor. Then, there was no line for prescription... and I was running a little ahead of schedule... so I figured... why not? I went to get my prescriptions... and THEY TOOK 20 MINUTES TO FILL THEM!!!! Boy, did that make me outrageous! (I had a VTC with Jeremiah in less than an hour) Bless this lady's heart... but there was this really old woman, who explained EVERYTHING to me and took FOREVER to figure out what to do for Melanie's prescriptions! She even explained the medicine "syringe" to me!! Like I had never given my children medicine before!! Goodness! So, then... about 10 till 12 (My VTC was at 12:30 and I was SUPPOSED to be there 15 minutes early) I'm on my way to pick up Julia. Then, I rush over to base.... only to find on my way there that my inlaws were finally trying to get a vehicle pass (mind you... the pass office usually takes at least an hour!... but... luck was working in THEIR favor - until one of the bits of information needed was expired). So.... I had to pick up my brother-in-law before going through the gate so he (along with us) could talk to Jeremiah for 6 minutes! Man... the things a woman will do just to see her husband for real! Then... my in-laws hung out until Sam had to fly home (4:30). So, it made for a long day for me. I just wanted to pass out! I think Julia is finally asleep so I can go lay down now. So, I'll write more later!