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!