Attention: Vacation mode

Tomorrow, the two boys and I are traveling across country on an 8-hour plane ride to visit Gramma and Pop-pop in California.

I'm insane, right? Two kids by myself on a plane for 8 hours straight?

But the positive side is that when we get off the plane, we are going to have a wonderful time! Or at least I better.

No set schedule, just a couple places that we are looking forward to visiting, and lots of fun things to do at the resort. Like a water park with a 140 foot slide that goes down the side of the mountain! Is that not cool? Also while we are there, we will be celebrating BBZ's first birthday! Already??

So, I'll elaborate on the good and not-so-good times when we return in 2 weeks.

My new love

Don't worry, hubby. It's not a person.

For the past few months I have been looking for the perfect water bottle. Has to be stainless steel, has a straw, and MUST be at least 16 ounces. I tried the Camelback stainless steel, but it isn't insulated so the ice doesn't stay frozen for very long and it really sweats on the outside when filled with ice. I tried accepting my Bubba Mug, but the damn thing was so top heavy it kept falling over and leaking water because I wanted to use a straw rather than the opening spout.

But then, I found this:


Isn't she beautiful? By Thermos, insulated stainless steel 16 ounce bottle with straw for either hot or cold drinks. We already have 3 of the 12 ounce ones.

I love it!

Picture of the day

After each meal we have a rule that LMA helps clean up the table... or at least his dishes taken to the sink. He's even gone so far as to dump his leftover food in the trash for us as well.

The other day after dinner, after LMA had already cleaned up his area, I took my things to the sink and found this:


I didn't even know he could reach that far into the sink let alone carefully stack all those things.

Later he told me that he made a "mountain with his dishes".

Can you say a bargain?

I know, I've done this before, but I just can't help myself. Because of my sale/coupons buys hubby took more than enough shaving cream, deodorant, toothpaste, and razors to last him the entire year - or at least that was the plan. I'm sure the other guys are going to look at him funny, but I don't care. I saved money!

Here's another one that I did today at CVS. The only thing not included in the pic was 3 boxes of tissue which we took to LMA's school to help out with supplies.


All for less than $10! The deodorant alone was originally priced at $2.79 and the toothpaste was $3.29 each. This week with the CVS card you get $2 back when you purchase Right Guard deodorant, up to three (that's $6 back right there).

Am I good or what?




Yes, dear. This is next year's supply of toothpaste, shaving cream, and deodorant. And yes. Those m&m's are for me.

Watch him go!

We interrupt this regular scheduled program with .....




He started taking a few steps just before Daddy left. I thought for sure he was going to be running by the end of the week, but thankfully he is taking his time. He won't use anything for support either. Not my hands, brothers hand, or a walker.

Yea, I'm scared. This one is a handful.




Ok, Daddy. So it wasn't 5 feet but I bet those two feet felt like it to him. :)

Things I've learned ... in the past week

1. 95% of how a situation unfolds is determined by how I react to it.

2. Organization and schedules are the key. Oh wait. I already knew that one. It's just been verified even more so.

3. The more I try to keep myself busy to stop from "thinking" too much, the more tired I become. That one should have been obvious with two children in tow.

4. Trying to take care of yourself and two children first thing in the morning goes smoother with tv.

5. This is a little bit harder than we thought... and not for the reasons we thought. Seems as though LMA has thrown a little more into the mix of how difficult this deployment will be for both hubby and I. He is asking at least 3 times per day, "Is Daddy home yet?"

6. When you are trying to convince your 3-1/2 year old to go #2 on a normal potty in a store, 5 minutes of your 11 month old crawling around on the disgusting bathroom floor and eating toilet paper can seem like an eternity! Needless to say, bribing him with a Lego set did not convince him to just go (for the love of God!).


Don't worry. I'm pretty sure I'll learn more about myself and my children over the next year.

What's happenin'?

Where to begin? How about hubby/Daddy is gone. He left last Thursday. Unfortunately the military cut that day short also. And needless to say it was not an easy day for any of us. Well, maybe .... no, BBZ had a bad day too.

Can't believe its only been a week since hubby has left. But when I am constantly worried about how each day will pan out, it kind of slows things down. Then add LMA asking 3x per day if Daddy is home yet... you can imagine how I feel.

But thankfully I'm organized. Does that mean I'm not exhausted at the end of the day? Absolutely not.

Getting ready for this deployment has really taken a toll on me. So much so that I've started going to a counselor and taking some happy pills again. I'm starting to wonder if the pills are really making any difference because it seems to me the more I talk about things, the better I actually feel. Thankfully, I started going before hubby left so we were able to open up a little bit more about how we were both feeling about the deployment.

LMA is back in school which is a really good distraction for him. Getting him ready in the morning... or should I say all three of us, have been a little bit of a challenge at times. But it seems to be getting easier with each passing day. The biggest set back is when I try to get him to get himself ready. I'll try to be patient with him and if he lags a little then that just means that I need to be hurried. Which, really isn't all that great either.

I've put books together for both boys with pictures of Daddy and them. I think I squeezed myself in there at least once, but it was actually more for BBZ. Through Military One Source (and of course from Gramma), we were able to get books to read with LMA about Daddy going away. Can't say that they have helped much. Made me cry more.

After the first couple of days, I started getting used to LMA saying something about Daddy being gone. He would wake up in the morning and say he had a dream of him and Daddy playing freeze tag and hide and seek. Wouldn't you know it hubby texted me saying he had a dream about him and LMA going fishing. Apparently, this deployment is taking its toll on everyone.

I'd like to say that I am okay with this deployment. I mean, thankfully its not over to the sand box, but it is guarding the 12 or 15 worse scumbags and everyone from the CIA to the FBI will be watching their every move. But a lot can happen in a year... a lot that Daddy will be missing. BBZ's first birthday coupled with a vacation that we have been planning to San Diego for the past year. LMA's 4th birthday. It's hard to imagine that the next time Daddy will see him will be shortly before he turns 5 years old.

On the flip side, I know once we get past counting the days, we'll be counting the weeks. Then each month we'll be looking forward to something new. Before we know it, Daddy could be home for 2 weeks R&R. Throw in there a few visits from Gramma and Pop-pop and I'm sure the year will be over before we know it.

I'm trying to keep myself busy. I've started doing the newsletter for two organizations, my MOPS group and hubby's unit's Family Readiness Group. I'd like to start scrapbooking again - considering I haven't even started BBZ's first year album. I'd really like to start horseback riding again. It's been YEARS since I've been on a horse and I really miss it. Not only is it a workout but it's also a relaxer for me. Hopefully it will be just like "riding a bike" again. Not sure where I'll go yet either, but I am on the search before it gets too cold. If not, I'll just wait until the spring.

And lastly, I've started working out again. Yes, hubby, you would be proud. The Wii system that he actually bought for me (or himself) for Christmas last year, I'm using for yoga. I've tried to get up at "0 dark 30" but I just don't function that early. Plus if I had, BBZ would have cut into my workout more than a few times already. So I've left it to either during "quiet time" (if there is any from LMA) or just after the boys go to bed. This way I know for a fact that I won't be interrupted. Shouldn't anyways.

So there you have it. A lot at once, but I know hubby will be checking this more than once in awhile and once a month I've been told is definitely NOT enough.

Blogless in D.C.

So I had a few things that I was going to blog about, because God only knows I have had things happen in our little life here in Virginia. Alas, I have spent the last 20 minutes trying to even post them entry and I really wanted to get started on my yoga Wii lesson for today (yes, hubby. I'm finally using it), so unfortunately it will have to wait until tomorrow.

So, adieu. Until tomorrow.