Welcome Home Ceremony 2011

Matthew returned home from Afghanistan the beginning of January from a year deployment. We are so happy to have him home safe. The funniest part of the evening was Jacob's reaction to 'finding' dad. As the curtain went up and Jake saw the rows and rows of soldiers, he finally understood what I meant when I kept saying, "We going to find to dad!" The light bulb went off in his head, and he frantically grabbed his shoes he had taken off and put them on his feet as the crowd was screaming and waving signs. "Find dad, Find dad!" He almost escaped diving down the bleachers!! He had a great time when it finally was time to really find dad!

Jump for the Heart fundraiser!

funny story-- Genna and her friend wanted to do a little(in my mind only) carnival type fundraiser for jump rope for the heart at our house. They planned the whole thing, and it was great. The only mistake I made was making them flyers, and giving them a few to hand out at school. Why was it such a big mistake? Cuz Genna's friend took it to her middle school and made copies and had the office announce it over the intercom!! I just found this out about 2 hours before it started. So I freaked out a little and made 4 dozen cupcakes. Nevertheless, only three families showed-- all people we knew. That was a close one for sure.

SKY DIVING!

I put my life on the line and went for an adventure! HAHA! Actually, skying diving is less dangerous than driving, but it sure brings out the natural fear of heights in humans. I couldn't believe I did this. My dad offered to take me about a year after me asking him why he took my brother for his birthday and not mine. I got what I asked for! June 2011, we happen to both be in Utah, and we went skydiving! The weirdest part was after for the next few days when I laid in bed it was hard to sleep because it felt like I was falling!! The funniest part was being strapped to another human. The scariest part is a toss up between seeing the first guy jump out of the plane into the air and being thrown out of the plane screaming being strapped to someone. lol. I just know I saw one guy jump, and I didn't open my eyes till we were free falling. And that was an alright feeling. Still trying to decide if I want to give it another try to see if I want to get my license. My dad would love to jump with his daughter more in the future!

Genna Cheerleading 2011

We had our first taste of competitive sports near the end of summer in 2011 when Genna participated in cheering for the dolphin football team on Fort Knox. She enjoyed it very much, and she is now looking forward to playing softball soon! I remember her telling me at one of the games she wanted to BE a football player next year. That's my girl! She wants right in the middle of the game, and I'm proud that she wants to be.

Boot Camp!

About two months ago I signed up for a boot camp competition at the gym I attend. It involved an intense circuit training I attended at least 3 days a week, sometimes 5! After taking the class, I realized a few things: 1) I was starting to get chubby, chubby; 2) I had no idea what I was doing at the gym; 3) Protein powder is no longer my enemy (as long as a hole isn't burnt in the wallet by it). So, thank you, thank you boot camp and all the trainers involved with helping me learn everything I know. Thank you for all the friends that joined in the fun! And thanks to my wonderful husband for your support! I was so proud of him to hit the gym himself too! And of course thank you for taking all those inches to the trash and shrinking those fat cells!

BEFORE

BEFORE



and six weeks later......

Thumbs up, mom!

Ok, I don't look happy in this pic, but I obsolutely love that it shows less chub under the chin!




All in all I went from 39% body fat down to 25%! I can't remember exactly, but I lost 20-30 pounds of fat. I gained a bunch of muscle; overall I lost 10 pounds!! I celebrated in the middle of boot camp with a new pair of size 4 pants! I bought them a little tight with anticipation of more inches to shed off, and now they are pretty loose. Best of all I feel amazing, and I plan to keep my life as healthy as possible from now on.

Your diet is 80% of the work!!!

Aiden's Fundraiser

The kids and I attended a fundraiser for a four year old little boy who has cancer. The fundraiser was fantasic because this was Jake and Jayden's first professional hair cut! The fade looks so stinkin cute on Jake.

Jayden wasn't so sure at first, but she braved up and got her locks straightened out!

Genna has this down. Her hair was perfect for curling the next day for her cheer pictures.

The kids LOVE going to the gym to play in the daycare area. I hear so much, "Gym! Gym!" So when we went this time they ran right to the daycare (which was closed). It was great to see their confused faces when I said, "We're going this way to get our hair cut!" For the next few trips to the gym Jacob would immediately let me know when pulling up to the gym that he did not want to get his hair cut at the gym.

Holy Smokes!!

Yes, I'm back! I haven't blogged since 2009!! Holy Smokes for sure! So much as happened since then! Matt did make it back from Afghanistan shortly after my last post. And he's back in Afghanistan! HA! With his return he plans on signing up for a 3 years stabalization job in the Army. It's gonna be weird having him around all the time!

The kids are doing great --- Genna's in 2nd grade and cheerleading! Jake in preschool and loving the bus ride! And Miss Jayden is 2 and loving the one on one time with mom at home!

As for me, I'm currently pursuing a degree in nursing! (I feel so much more grown up since my last post.) Last semester and this past summer I've taken full-time classes, and I am now only taking two online classes. I am so bored!! I've taken two English/Writing classes since I've started school; with this I've discovered a love of writing!

I am so glad to be back! Just can't believe it's been about two years... and... I'm half way to 50!!!

Sign making

As we await dad and Jaydens first meeting mom is getting very irritable, irrational, the anger issue seem to be arising, annoyed... ok I keep going on and on. But thank goodness I have some great friends going through the same thing, except different family situations of course. We've been staying busy and staying out of the messy house. I go throw phases of not wanting to clean, is this normal? I'm not sure, should I get help? My good friend Heather took this pic, some of the company wives got together at Heather's very clean organized house to make welcome home signs. Kelly helped me get Jayden's foot prints on one of the signs I made. I got one Jakes hands and feet, and the same with Genna. I really can't wait to hang my banner up at the clark gate entrance, you'll have to go see it for yourself. :) Yay! It's soon, but not soon enough. I've been pretty emotional today and last night. I was told and I guess I assume too much for the Army to handle that my husband would be on the first flight. But it's all been changed and they couldn't find anyone else(like someone who doesn't have a daughter they haven't met) to stay behind. So, yay for us I get to wait till the last flight to see him again. I'm trying very hard to see the good in this, but it's hard when you've been so disappointed. You think it wouldn't bother me so much considering his last deployment went from a 12 to 16 month tour 3 days before excepting him home. I am very grateful that he his coming home for sure. Hope I have some great pics up for my next post.

Run, it's the Scream Man!

So my four year old has officially discovered the ice cream man due to the other neighbor kids. This has been a fear of my wallets for quit some time, I've been wondering when the day would come. Someone once told me a story about how they told their child it was the 'scream man.' So they put this fear in this child about the 'scream man' so every time she would hear the 'scream man' coming she'd run to her house and hide until the coast was clear. How did they convince her so? The other kids screaming and running to their houses for money of course. Yelling to their mothers, "Mom the 'scream man' is coming!"

LOL

So, when my daughter came running in the house with a very serious look saying, "I need money cuz the ice cream man is coming." I sat there with a froze look on my face contemplating what to say. Should I give her the joy of the ice cream man, probably one of my best childhood memories, or should I put the fear of the 'scream man' in her.

I tried to put the fear in her, I told her in a not so convincing voice, it's not the ice cream man it's the 'scream man.' She didn't fall for it, she just looked at me like I was dumbed and was like,"No mom, it's the ice cream man."

But with that being said I told her I didn't have any money so I got out of this time, wish me luck for next time.

Surgery...

So I had my 4th surgery on Tuesday, I'm healthy but I'm still falling apart. I had my 4 large kidney stones broke up with Dr. Evil's laser beam. It seems with each surgery I just react worse every time to the anaesthesia. I wasn't able to wake up hardly at all on Tuesday, I slept all day that day and all night and didn't wake up until 10 30 in the morning. I ended up up chucking on the way home. My friend called my dr. he said to come back to the hospital to stay over night for observation. They drugged me with anti nausea meds that I could not stay awake while on. Gave me Motrin and an on demand morphine drip. Whoo, I was pretty drugged. Then they sent me home with viccodin. I've only taken one yesterday I think I could feel some stones moving, that kinda hurt. But luckily, I'm feeling soo much better today. Yay. And I cannot say how grateful I am for my friends who I could not do this without. Thank you so much.

AIT

I was so happy to be able to attend my brothers AIT graduation. It was the first graduation experience I had with the army. I have to say my favorite part was when they were singing the cadences all together. He decided to be a medic, I'm very proud of he's decision. It's great that I'm not the only one in the family that wants to be in the medical field. Someday I'll be nurse when it's the season for me, but really my real dream is be a nurse in the military. I have until I'm 34 so maybe someday it might just happen.

She had a little stuffed animal elephant so we had to get pics of them all together. I think it unit symbol or something, it was right out side the barracks.
AWWW, two of my siblings. We actually forgot to bring the camera into the graduation, so we weren't able to take pics till after. We waited forever, I swear he was the last one to make it outside, then we found out we were waiting at the wrong barrack building. We didn't get too many pics, he wanted to get the heck out of there cuz he said there was a B noc class coming in and he didn't want to be around a bunch of E6's and 7's. I just asked him what's wrong with E6's???

Genna was very excited to go to San Antonio to see uncle Tony graduated. I'm so glad to have family near by for a little while. But we all know with the army he's moving on to Washington now. :(

Great idea for a t-shirt

So I was sittin with the ladies today selling baked goods for a frg fundraiser. And one had such an awesome idea for a t-shirt. Sometimes I like to complain that my husband is in the army. Why did he have to join the army? What is soo appealing about it? What was he thinking? The airforce would of been soo much nicer. Nicer houses less deploying, shorter deployments. So her big idea...

LOL. I told her I'd wear it when he comes home. Forget the dress and heals I told him I was going to be wearing.

But on a good note, I am very proud of my husband and what he does. Yes it's difficult being in the army for everyone, but no one was willing to do it then who would? I know everyone in the military makes sacrifices and I appreciate what they do. I love being an army wife and the adventure and excitement it brings.

HOOAH!!

My new life...

So, I've begun settling into what my life has become, it'll always be changing. But for now in the moment I have three kids between the ages of 4 to newborn. I always like to remind myself to enjoy the moment. I think of that one country song, "Your gonna miss this." No clue who sings it anyone? I know someday I'll miss having three small kids with no time to do anything hardly, and constantly busy and stressed. I love them, even with all the stress.

So, what's going on in my life? My baby is about 6 weeks old now, and my husband is due back in about 5 weeks. He'll meet his daughter upon return, I cannot wait to see the look on his face. Moments like that get me all emotional. I hope I never forget. He's only seen her on the vtc, and of course crying on the phone, and pictures.

We plan on relocating also with his return. Yup, I'm excited to move on to new things, and I'll be sad to leave Texas, I really feel like I've grown up and truly entered the adult world here.

So, what's been keeping me busy besides a newborn, 4 year old, and 18 month old who I cannot let go of? (Do you know how hard it is to have to hold on to his hand every moment he's not contained and carry a baby carseat???) Doctors appts!! So after I had my son I went into the ER with blood in my urine, long story short they found 3 very large kidney stones that made me famous at the hospital, and a cyst on my ovary that needed to be removed. I got the cyst removed and planned on kidney surgery right after my husband deployed. Jayden happened instead lol. Well, I went back in and had another xray, so now I have 4 kidney stones and they are much bigger. So I plan on surgery next week to get it done before hubby comes home. I hope they all go away with only one surgery.

My daughter is going to get her first work-up done at the dentist tomorrow, I took her in last week to get it done, but she freaked out when they went to put the mask on her face. So we decided to come back in so she can have an empty stomach to "drink the magic juice that will help her relax" I hope that turns out to be a better experience from the last. She plans on taking her daddy doll, a book, and blanket. The poor thing, 9 cavities... Yes it's embarrassing to say but it's true. My other kids will be better forced to teeth brushing and flossing. Sorry Genna you got the bad end...:(

So, something exciting that's happened? I was invited to a group brigade baby shower put on by operation shower in a box. It's a group of ladies that put on showers for army spouses through sponsors. It was wonderful! What a very thoughtful way of showing their appreciation towards us. It's so nice to be recognized for the sacrifices our family goes through to serve our country, it's truly a family group effort. We were given a ton of really nice stuff. They also did a drawing for some high chairs, mini table and chairs, and a stroller. I totally won the table and chairs, and I love it! It's what I wanted out of everything. I have it set up in the dinning room which is also the play room. So they had a photographer there that took pics, she emailed me the one I have posted on the top of the blog. What a great job she had done. Thank you! Oh yes and if anyone sees me in any newspapers let me know please!

Oh yes, and my Jayden is smiling. Yes! She smiled at her cord cutter at 2 1/2 weeks old. Totally didn't believe her too! I tried for a whole week after she gave away her first smile, she wouldn't smile for me for a whole 1 1/2 week! She even smiled again for her before she did for me! But oh course she smiles all the time now. She's so beautiful.

Jayden's birthday adventure

7:10 am: woke up and realized my daughter is going to be late if we don't hurry

7:40 am: off to school, just in time

8:10 am: deal with a stubborn boy who doesn't want what I gave him for breakfast

9:00 am: laid on the couch to watch Rachel Ray and fell asleep

9:10 am: woke up because the 17 month old was being too quiet

9:11 am: found the 17 month old sitting on the floor right by the very couch I slept on in a pile of syrup all around him rubbing his hands in it followed by his hair sorry I have no pics opps

9:12 am: let out a very whining mournful "Noooooo, why'd you do that."

9:13 am: woke up auntie to help with the mess, followed by a escort to the bath tub from her, being carried by the back of his pj's like a momma puppy carrying her pups. He didn't like the syrup being washed away, he rather enjoyed the sticky mess

9:20 am: realization that I needed to leave in 10 mins for my ob appointment

9:30 am: left auntie and nephew to fend for themselves and clean up the sticky pile

10:20 am: met with my midwife. Conversed with her again my concerns of anxiety of being stuck in the triage room for most of my labor, (for those who don't know I had my son at the same hospital they were so full that day I was stuck in triage for about 4 hours laboring it was no fun laboring in a room full of people with only a little curtain to hide you. Plus they couldn't give me anything for the pain since there policy is you have to be in a L/D room.) But on a good note she confirmed I was 4 cm dilated and my body was showing sure signs of trying to go into labor we both were hoping for it soon

11:30 am: got home to a sleeping 17 month old, heard stories about my son projecting his lunch towards auntie instead of the usual floor then going into the back room and breaking every single cigarette apart from a new pack, ate a big lunch and took a nap, as well did auntie she deserved it too

2:00 pm: woke up to a crying 17 month old turned over and had a contraction it was a little stronger then the normal braxin hicks

2:18 called the school told them auntie would be picking up her niece

2:50 pm: took a hot shower, had some back pain maybe a few contractions

3:15 pm: was almost positive I was starting to labor

3:45 pm: told the 4 year old we're probably going to have the baby today and she'll have to go to someones house, listened to her cry about wanting to go to her teachers house for the night

4:14 pm: "Ring, ring"

Me-"Hello?"

University of Phoenix-"Hello, we were wondering if your husband was still deployed or if he was available to talk to?"

Me-"No, he's still gone."

University of Phoenix-"Do you know when he'll be coming home?"

Contracting Me-"I have to go, I'm in labor"

University of Phoenix-"Are you serious? You should probably go take care of that."

LOL, I don't know why I answer my phone, thanks for the reminder Mr. Phoenix that my husband is still deployed while I'm in labor

4:27 pm: called the babysitter, she made it there in 15 mins.

5:00 pm: drove past a stopped car with a man standing out of his car saluting the flag, parked the van illegally and walked up to L/D, auntie of course was driving, she then went to park the van legally and would meet me upstairs

5:15 pm: cried when told I'd have to sit tight because there were no available beds in triage

5:16 pm: was put directly into a L/D bed... yay! My crying paid off I didn't even have to look at the anxiety driven triage room! And the fact I told them I was having my 3rd child helped I'm sure

5:20 pm: 8 cm!!!! I'm almost done and we just got started

5:30 pm: auntie called my friends who were in route to the hospital they better hurry if they don't want to miss it!!

6:10 pm: Gave birth to a beautiful baby girl with no epidural go me : )

Thank you to all my friends that were here for my family to make Jayden's birthday easy. I can't thank everyone enough for what they've done for me. Jayden was 8lbs. 7 oz. 20 1/2 inches long. I can't believe how big she was she came 2 days before my due date. I was able to get a hold of my husband that night to let him know. Our plan was I would call him when I went into labor so he'd know she'd be here soon. Of course that plan went out the window when we really had no time to do anything but have a baby. He kept saying he was excited. He really wants to come home now. I can't wait to see him. I felt so bad that all he could do was just be excited that she was finally here. I love you babe.

My sister is here

So my sister has been here for almost 2 weeks now. I am soooo happy to have her here so I am not alone having this baby and bringing her home. I have no idea how some women do it. If they are anything like me, I'm couch bound for at least a couple of days. I'm not sure how I'd be able to take care of all 3 kids. We've been having a great time running errands and getting the house ready. Well, she does sleep half the day, but it's great to be able to just wake someone up to tell them I'm leaving and you got the kids ; ) It's great. She seems to be enjoying herself with all the single guys around here, and there are plenty. Well not to mention my brother just moved here to the state about 3 hours away. He'll be visiting most likely the weekend coming up. I'm excited my son is probably sick of all the women in his life. The kids really need a great weekend of playing with a male figure. Well, other then that I'm just waiting around for the baby to come. Can't wait... oh I think I have her name picked out, my husband doesn't know. I think this one is for real, I've been changing my mind about twice a week, but this one I think is it!! But it's a secret..haha

I love my kids

The only thing I can think of to blog is about my kids. Sometimes they just really get on my nerves, I guess this is normal...so I hear. But sometimes I just have to hug them so much and hold them. Sometimes I can't wait for them to get older so they can be more independent, but sometimes I really like having them this age. I'm their biggest influence right now in their lives, and the one they depend on for everything. So somethings that have been on mind lately about each of my kids...

My pre-k'er

I was waiting for my daughter to get of school and her class was late. So I was just standing there observing the other kids coming out to greet their parents. Every kid seemed so happy to see their parent, some kids came running out with arms wide open ready for a hug, some came out holding a picture or assignment from the day to show it off, some came out crying for whatever reason, needing some comfort. The kids reactions didn't surprise me, what did was the parents. Some parents would react the same way, big hug, or a 'wow, great job' or a hug for comfort. And some parents would be on the phone or just go to grab any part of the kid and turn around and start walking as in such a hurry. So I was thinking about what would be going through the kids head??? But I know I'll always try to give my kids a hug when they come home, ask them how their day was and talk to them about what they do all day. I hope this can start a good relationship from the start so my kids will always be comfortable talking to me, I hope they'll always want to come to me with their problems.

My pre-toddler

So last night I had a good bonding moment with my son. And it started out all so sad to me. I put him to bed about 8 20. And came to check on him about 2 1/2 hours later. He was curled up on one side of the crib the same as usually laying on his stomach with his arms and knees all tucked in. On the other side of the crib was a nice pile of chunky pukie. I was so sad, I just sat their rubbing his back thinking about what I should do. He turned his head and it was all dried out in his hair, and I felt his pj's and he was all wet. It was sad cuz I realized that this is the first time I can recall his really let it all go like that, besides normal spit up as a baby. And the poor thing was all alone in his crib, probably was confused and wanting his momma. But last night I couldn't hear him crying or making any noises out of the ordinary so I just didn't know. Which by the way he's starting to call me momma when he needs something. I felt so sorry he had to go through it alone I almost started crying. But I decided to wake him up to change his clothes and let him sleep with me since he was sick. So after a changing and a little cuddling, which is getting harder to do with the kids haha. I laid him down in my bed next to me and held his hand as he was drifting off to sleep looking at me smiling...

My pre-birther

So, I'm having another little girl soon, 19 days till D-day or sooner hopefully. I'm a little nervous about this one she's already put me through a lot of stress. My first u/s my good friend came with me which I was glad to not be alone, which by the way I've been alone for most of the pregnancy, or should I say all since my husband impregnated me the night before he deployed. They changed my due date to make it possible of the night before good bye present, and they were worried about her bowels showing up bright. Which could be signs of spina bifida or down syndrome which they always worry about anyways since I have a brother with it, or other chromosome disorders. I was scared to be honest, I would love my baby no matter what and take on any challenge it would bring but to face the possibility is just plain scary. So I was scheduled for another u/s about 4-6 weeks later. I was so nervous laying there, the dr. was quiet and I think I locked my knees because I felt like I was going to pass out. She spent so much time looking at her heart that made me nervous. I think she sensed it cuz she asked if I needed to move, I was grateful for that and to hear the bright bowel thing had been resolved and everything seemed ok, except her head size! So another u/s 4-6 weeks later. To make it short that was resolved they said it was cuz she was breech before. I was scared but really it was a blessing in disguise since my last u/s was the day before my husband had to leave from his r/r. To see his face looking at his daughter on the screen was worth it. It's something I can't describe, but I knew he was happy and grateful for all his children. Even though it won't be here for the birth I knew he loves his daughter and can't wait to meet the little stressor, lol.

R/R

Matt came home for his R/R the day before we came home from Utah, it was nice he got to spend some 'me' time at the house. Which he has never been in since we moved while he was away. I had my good ol' friend pick us up at the airport and he was at the house to surprise Genna. And surprised she was. She was carrying the carseat in over her head and walked right by him and set it down. Turned around and saw him, giggled and kept walking! I think she was going to get the other carseat. I guess maybe she just felt it was so normal to have him there, which is good. But when I said her name, she turned around and gave him a big hug. She was happy to have her dad home for a while. My friend was there to take our pic, which is awesome. If you look close you can see the band aid keeping my glasses together. The first flight home Jake smacked my face and broke them in half. HAHA. I asked the flight attendant for something, told them I could not see anything without them! I was so afraid of taking the rest of the trip home blind. But lucky the nice lady next to me had a band aid. Who ever thought of taking a first aid kit on a plane? Lucky me.

He was crying about 2 seconds before this. LOL

He made it home just in time for my bday, they made a lovely cake with chocolate hearts, yum.

Jacob loved the big movie. This is one of my fave pics of them. They are so cute, they look just alike here.

One of my fave pics of them, this was at the airport in Dallas. After he left Genna said, it's ok that dad went to Afghanistan, cuz he'll be back in two days. Oh how I wish.

Marhmellow Stealer

I caught him stealing the marshmellows off the table at my mom's house. Too funny.

Meeting their only cousin

The kids playing

It was cool, Matt's brother came to visit his gf's family in Utah, they had a kid and well la!! I'm an Aunt. It's pretty exciting to me. This was the first time we met him, he's such a cutie. Both the boys look exactly like their dads.

Uncle Mark with all the kids. I think they are about 4 months apart, poor Jake, he's going to be a short guy. I think the only things he got from me were my height and hair color.

Jake was so excited to see a little person like himself, he went over and gave him a big ol' hug. Poor Chase fell to the ground and just laid there. They were so cute together.

Genna's Christmas morning.

She had a little more experience in opening presents.

So excited of course.

Setting up one of the tunnels

One of her new princess dresses, good job Santa.

Aunt Tiffany was right in the middle of the toys.