My wonderful husband and I celebrated eight years of marriage on Tuesday. Of course we celebrated quietly and thousands of miles away from each other. Sucked really. But, I did come home from running errands and found a beautiful bouquet of flowers on my doorstep. I love my hubby very much and I am so thankful that he is my friend, my love, my husband, and father of my children. I am a very lucky girl!
Celebrating Eight Years
June 4, 2009 at 11:10 pm (Dear Hubby)
Getting Back to Real Life
May 6, 2009 at 2:17 pm (Army Life, Army Wife, Dear Hubby, Kendal, Monkey)
We put my wonderful hubby on a plane early Monday morning for his return to Iraq. It’s always difficult to say goodbye to him, but something was different about Monday. We were able to go with him to his gate. We sat at the gate, waiting, Monkey talked some asked him why he had to go back and sat in his lap. Unlike last time, though, she didn’t fall apart and for that matter, neither did I. When it was time for him to board, he gave us kisses and a few words were exchanged and then he walked away. Once we couldn’t see him anymore, we turned to leave. Monkey cried a little and on the drive home I cried a little. When we walked back into the house it seemed different. It felt empty and silent and still.
We are slowly getting back to our real life. A life where my dear husband misses out on so much. A life that at times is lonely and difficult. It takes me a couple of days after he leaves to get over feeling empty. But, we are getting there. Monkey is playing. Kendal is rolling over and exploring anything she can get her little hands on. Laundry is going. Life continues.
I was chatting with one of my very dear friends last night and when she asked how Monkey and I were with my husband leaving I told her about not falling apart or crying for days and she said “Well, I guess it’s just getting easier for you.” Maybe she’s right and I feel a little guilty about that. Don’t get me wrong, we miss him terribly when he’s gone and we can’t wait for him to come home again.
Getaway
April 28, 2009 at 6:41 pm (Alaska, Dear Hubby)
My husband and I had a great overnight getaway last weekend! The last time we went anywhere, besides the occasional dinner alone, was when I was pregnant with Monkey, four years ago! I did suffer from a little mommy guilt, but was glad to have the opportunity to get away with him if only for a night! We went to a little resort not too far from where we live called Chena Hot Springs Resort. When we got there we went and hiked a trail that looped around the resort. We didn’t see any wildlife, but we did find some of the Chena River. When we got back we checked in and our room had a little welcome basket. We decided to change and go for a swim in the hot spring. It was so cool to be swimming while surrounded by snow and mountains. The water went from a nice warm bath temperature to scalding hot, but it was so relaxing! Once we had been boiled we changed again and went to dinner. We ate SO much, but it was SO good! We went on a tour of the ice museum, everything is carved out of ice. If you’re really crazy, drunk, or just have $600 you’d like to blow, you can spend the night in one of the ice museum rooms. We are not that brave! We looked at them and took pictures, sat at the ice bar, and stood on the ice stage where you can get married. Hubby didn’t seem too keen on the idea of renewing our vows in the ice museum. I wonder why?? Later that night we went back and relaxed in the hot spring. The next day we went for breakfast, which was yummy, then headed for one last swim! We toured the dog kennel, learned all about mushing, and met some of the dogs. I learned that it would cost a ton of money to mush. So I guess I’ll have to put my dreams of winning the Iditarod on the back burner for now! Then it was time to come home. I could have soaked in that spring and relaxed with my wonderful hubby for a few more days! Oh, and on the way home, we saw a moose, a BIG male moose with a rack!!!
The Hot Spring!
The Beginning of R and R
April 21, 2009 at 7:50 pm (Dear Hubby, Family, Kendal, Miscellaneous, Monkey)
A lot has happened since my sweet, wonderful husband got home Saturday night. We’ve been doing a lot of running around, but it’s wonderful to have him home! Yesterday I took Kendal to the doctor for her four month check up, while my husband took Monkey to preschool. Kendal is developing beautifully, weighing in at 13 1/2 pounds and 24 3/4 inches long. She got three shots and was not amused. Once we were done at the hospital the hubby and I headed to the Ford dealership to look at cars. I got out of the car with my purse open and slung my iPhone onto the pavement. Let’s just say the phone and the parking lot didn’t get along at all! So, I test drove a SUV, and then headed to the AT&T store, only to find out that the iPhone does not have insurance, so I ended up replacing it. Once done there we headed to another car dealership and looked at three vehicles. I decided to test drive two of them. I liked both of them and they had some similarities, so then I let hubby take them for a spin. He liked them both too, but we both liked the Dodge Nitro best, so that is what I got! I love it! It’s beautiful! As for the other car that decided to fall apart, the transmission and every major component to the transmission apparently burned up. We added two new members to our family, we bought Monkey two guinea pigs, both boys, named Abbott and Costello. Kendal also started cereal. She had her first taste of it today! I’m not sure how she felt about it, she’d get excited when she saw the spoon, flailing her arms and opening her mouth, once the spoon was in, the cereal oozed back out. We’ll try again tomorrow! Anyway, that about sums up the past couple of days! I’m off now to enjoy my family!
My poor shattered iPhone
Monkey and Costello
A Very Happy Day
April 18, 2009 at 9:25 pm (Army Wife, Dear Hubby, Monkey)
So my precious husband is coming in today for his two weeks of R and R! We are all so very excited and he can not get here soon enough! Of course, yesterday, the car decides to fall apart, so it’s spending time at the shop. Monkey has been asking for him ALL day, so I put in his flight info and she’s been tracking his plane.
- Tracking Daddy’s Plane
Monkey and I were talking about the ocean last night and she says: “Mama, does an octopus pee?” Yeah, like I know the answer to that one! So, I did what any good mom would do, I googled it. Finally, I found a document that said the octopus does in fact pee, but did not give information as to how, which of course was a follow up question. After looking around for the urinary habits of an octopus and having no luck, we decided to do some octopus related art!
A Little Less Crazy
October 19, 2008 at 8:44 pm (Dear Hubby, Kendal, Monkey, Pregnancy)
Our unaccompanied baggage arrived early Friday morning! Monkey was so happy to have some of her toys, but a little miffed that she had to leave them so we could go to the hospital for five hours because our baby to be decided to give us a scare. After being released and ordered to rest, I thought I’m going to go even crazier that I already am, but no, things are looking up!
Last summer I kept a friends little girls for a week and they had Nintendo DS systems and they let me play. I’m not big on video games, but I liked the system and it offers a wide variety of games. So, last night during a Wal-Mart run, my DH told me that if I wanted one, I could get one so I’d have something to do while I’m resting and when it’s time to be in the hospital for the birth of Baby K. I picked one out and a crosswords game to play. I love crossword puzzles, really they are the only reason that I’m a committed People buyer. I played it well into the night last night. Of course Monkey wanted to play, and became rather upset when I told her that she had to know how to spell and read before she could play. Today we went to look for a game that she could possibly play, but everything requires reading, so instead we bought her a video game of her own. Actually, it’s a Leap Frog Leapster video learning system. She has played it all afternoon. It has built in software and cartridges to buy with different skills. At least it’s educational! Me, on the other hand got Guitar Hero On Tour! It’s so cool! Hubby and I have been taking turns playing it and if I do say so myself, we totally rock! It’s a super fun game and time goes by a little faster when you have something to do! I am seriously considering buying the system and game for my brother for Christmas, I know he’d love it! Anyway, tomorrow I have a doctors appointment and my new awesome game is going with me! I’m sure everyone in the waiting room will be impressed by my mad rocker skills 
!
Daddy-Daughter Date
August 10, 2008 at 8:13 pm (Dear Hubby, Monkey)
My hubby loves sci-fi, anything sci-fi, and it seems that my Monkey has taken a liking to it too! So, today, the theater on post had a free screening of the new animated Star Wars movie, and my sci-fi fanatics went. I do not enjoy sci-fi, I will watch it if I have too, and I was asked to go to the movies, but decided to stay home, enjoy the peace and quiet, and just relax. It was so nice!
When they got home, Monkey was so excited. They ate blue popcorn, drank soda, saw Star Wars characters with light sabers…to hear them tell it, it was all so fantastic! They had a great time and I’m glad they had the opportunity to go together, even though Monkey is more obsessed with Yoda than she was before! I think it’s so important for them to do things together, creating wonderful father-daughter memories!
My hubby jokes that he and Monkey will be going to sci-fi films while our new baby girl and I are at home painting our toenails and scrap booking!
BNCOC
April 10, 2008 at 4:06 pm (Army Wife, Dear Hubby, Monkey)
In December my hubby returned from a 15 month deployment in Iraq. My daughter and I were so excited and we have enjoyed him being home with us. Today he left for Fort Hood to attend BNCOC, a class he needs to get promoted and all that goes with it. Monkey and I were so sad. We hate it when he goes away. Yes, I realize it’s only about four weeks and I’m thankful that he’s only going to a school, but still, it’s hard to say goodbye. I guess it’s just one of the by products of being an Army wife. I know it’s necessary, but I don’t have to like it.
