SOLD!!!

We got news today that our house in NC is officially off the market! The guy who has been rented it got his loan approval today which is GREAT news for us. We will close very soon and have the burden of two payments each month gone!! We put our house on the market in July of 2008 and just now will we not have the burden of 2 payments. God is good!! We didn't make much off the house but to have the worry gone is priceless.



Although it is no longer our home, it will always hold a special place to us. It was our first home purchase as a couple. I admit when it came time to sign the first time I couldn't do it...we pulled into the parking lot and anxiety hit in and I had to reschedule. But once we did and the home was OURS it was a very great feeling. It was more than a house to us it was a HOME for us. Our precious first born was taken home there. It was there that we rocked our baby to sleep, where he began crawling and just had that feeling of home. His first bedroom was done by us in Winnie the Pooh and was a little labor of love. When we decided to paint the entire house neutral, that was the only room that kinda saddened me to see done. It is in that house that I learned so much about myself while Shawn was deployed. I learned that I could do so much more than I gave myself credit. It was there that I learned the joys and pains of motherhood. It is that house that after 15 LONG months in Afghanistan that Shawn returned safely to his family.


Now we hope that "our" house will hold memories for the new person living in it. I am so thankful for the answered prayers...even though it wasn't on our time and much of our savings was depleted....we know God does things in his own time for a reason.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Tonight we had James first official T-ball game due to rainout on Saturday. All day I will ashamely admit I was hoping for rain so I could go to the gym and not go to the "boring" ball field....although T-ball was my idea :). Shawn feels like he is too young to understand but my thinking is "so what." It will be fun and a good learning experience for him plus who knows if Shawn will be here next year when tball season rolls around so lets just do it :). But the rain stayed away, so game on! It was unseasonably chilly this day so we all put long sleeve t's under our DODGERS tshirts. James was so excited. We loaded up the minivan and made our way to the ballpark. Aunt Andrea was there waiting on us to arrive. She wouldn't dare miss James first tball game. Once we arrived the sportsplex was so big I had to call Coach to see where we were playing. We finally arrived in the dugout and the tball mom in me came out!! I loved it...I would yell for him to pay attention or run the base or good job!! It was so great to see how these little guys played. Sadly only 4 of our team member showed up which I was a bit disappointed about but it was still fun. The other team had a massive number of players :(

James was first put on 3rd base which for some reason the ball NEVER goes that direction. He had is typical meltdown of crying and whining as he is known to do lately. I send Shawn out there to give him encouragement but it isn't working. Then it's time for his team to bat and another meltdown because he isn't batting first!! By this point I was so upset at his behavior and lack of teamwork I told him if he couldn't dry it up that we would be done with tball for the year. Finally it was his time to bat and he hit it so well!! He was confused at where to run and when but he'll get the hang of it. Luckily this year it is all about fun and not keeping score.

After their turn to bat James got to play 2nd base and he got to catch several balls and throw them to the umpire. His team did very well about not all running towards the ball and going only if it came towards them as taught in practice. I enjoyed myself so much more than I thought I would be. Lesson learned:stay open minded about new experiences!!

Shawn filled me in that leagues like these are all pretty much political gains. Coaches "preselect" their teams so to say. However, our team might be considered the leftovers but I think we are a good tball team and it is a great learning experience for us all. Our coach is very patient and positive which is awesome. It makes me not want to play in the future because it seems so unfair...I guess mainly because we will never know anyone to get onto the "good" teams due our moving around so often. But I guess at the end of the day it doesn't matter, what matters is that our team plays fair, enjoys themselves, plays using teamwork and gives it all they got!! What more can you ask for?! Yup I see a future in the ball fields for sure!

After his first game we went to Logans and ate way too much food. James was so stinking cute in his tball jersey!!

30 is the new 20...right?!

I celebrated my 30th birthday on the 19th of this month. Shawn surprised me by invited some of my friends to celebrate with us at Casa Mexicana. I was so thrilled that my friends were there because this will probably be the last time we are in Alabama for a birthday celebration!! Shawn chose a yellow rose cake that was so yummy. I love yellow roses so he did great! I loved not only having my friends with me but their kids, it just shows how much we have changed over the years we still remain close.

A lot of my friends were so anxious about turning 30....me not so much. I think that I am very content with where I am at this age. I am doing exactly what I wanted to be doing at this age...being a mommy to my 2 children. I married a wonderful man so that checked that one off my list :). I never thought I'd marry a military man because I am not one who deals with change very well. Hey no wise cracks from those who know the background :) I feel that by marrying Shawn that I have met and seen places of the world I wouldn't normally see thanks to the Army. The deployments and long work hours are very difficult at times but I know that God will take care of our family. I always said I wanted to have my kids by age 30 and God blessed me with two beautiful boys. Yes I would love a baby girl but obviously that's not in our plans Shawn and I discussed and agreed that once I had kids that I would stay home until they were school age or old enough to tell me what was happening at daycare....make sure they weren't being mistreated. We have been very blessed to have the means to do that and not worry so much about financial stresses...especially in today's economy.

My next 30 years I hope to raise my boys in a Godly manner and for them to know and love God. If I can achieve this then I feel there is nothing else that I can't do. I would love to start running some races,starting with 5k and going from there maybe. I would love to pursue a Master's in Social Work so that I can work on post and help soldiers and eventually open a house for pregnant teens in foster care to help them be able to raise their own children successfully. Big plans yes but that is my dream....you never know. In 2 more years I'll celebrate 10 years with Shawn and I hope he is not deployed so we can go on a tropical vacation without kiddos and just enjoy being a couple!!

I am so blessed to be given the family that I have. I feel like the luckiest girl alive and know that I have so much more than I deserve.

Back to Bragg

While we were so close to Ft. Bragg I had to visit. Something about that area is "home" for me. I miss the military atmosphere as well as the lack of drama which encompasses the Shoals Area. We drove thru our old neighborhood and showed James where he lived his first year of life and where he was born at Ft. Bragg. Of course he wasn't thrilled but I found myself getting flooded with memories that left a smile on my face. Ft. Bragg has not seen the hits in the economy like other areas in the world because of the soldiers. Business were popping and traffic was constantly flowing. We visited the PX which I loved and miss! Everyone keeps asking if we will get stationed back at Bragg and we keep saying we don't know. The Army is certain for one thing.."hurry up and wait" so we will not know until November our next duty station. As much as I love being here I am sort of ready to leave North Alabama (I know once I am gone I'll wish I was back here) just because all the drama and everyone in everyone's business!! I do like being around family (most of the time) and especially in those moments when you just need someone who understands you. Shawn's fishing keeps him away a lot so being able to drive 15 min to my mom's or sisters is so enjoyable!!! But we know this is just another resting place in our journey with the Army!

We were able to meet up with my bestie in NC, Beth and her family. I miss her so much. She is due with her 2nd baby in May and I am so excited for her yet sad I won't be there. She was a huge part of my life from Shawn's first deployment to being James first babysitter at only 3 weeks old.

The Thursday before leaving we found out that Shawn made the Major promotion list!! WE were thrilled and caught off guard because he was double below the zone. We didn't get our hopes up s when the list was released and he was on it we were ecstatic. Of course he won't offically be promoted until his number comes up...hopefully within 6 months while we are still here so we can be surrounded by family during the ceremony.

Myrtle Beach 2010

During Shawn's spring break we decided to make the long 12 hour drive to Myrtle Beach to visit my grandfather. Of course my anxiety kicked in about traveling with 2 small children not to mention the morning before we left my van decided to not start...but luckily Honda fixed it :). Shawn had a fishing tourny in Gadsen so the boys and I drove there to meet him and leave from there. Shawn decided to drive straight thru whereas in times before when I drove alone I stopped midway and slept at a hotel. I have to say all in all the road trip was a success. Ethan has learned to sleep most of the way and when he wasn't one of us would sit in the back seat and occupy him. He would get a kick out of my feet propped up next to him so he could play with my toes :) Having a van is a lifesaver in so many ways.

We arrived in Myrtle Beach at 2 a.m. their time. Both boys were asleep when I went to get the key card to the condo...well i come out and Shawn is holding Ethan and James too is wide eyed. I thought "oh no"! As we went to our room I was astonished at how big it was!! James was so excited when he saw the beach from our room. He said "thank you mommy for planning this beach vacation. You're a genius, now give me a hug". It cracked me up. Well Shawn and James settled in for bed and Ethan and I were up until about 4 a.m. Both boys were up at 8:30 so not much sleep.

This was the same hotel that we went to during Shawn's R and R when James was only 6 months old. So to take Ethan there for his first beach experience was very sentimental.

Although the weather was not ideal for swimming outside we were able to dip our feet in the ocean, build sand castles and swim in the indoor pool. All things James was thrilled to do!! James is at the age that everything is fun and exciting and I absolutely adore it. Ethan of course just wanted to eat the sand :). Next time I think the pack and play will go out on the sand with us to deter that tasty plan. We also made a trip to the aquarium as usual :).

We visited grandpa 2 of those days as well. He has been diagnosed with COPD and doesn't have a lot longer to live we think. He recently got pneumonia which with COPD is never a good sign. We spent time with him at his house and went out to eat. He was so happy to see us. I know it must be so lonely being alone so far away from your family. I wish we were at Bragg where we were only 2 hours from him but we just aren't :(

Although it wasn't as restful as I had hoped it was an overall great time. While we were there Shawn and I celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary...with the boys...by eating seafood!!YUMMO

Kernals and Coffee

Whew! The past few days have had James in RARE form. James is normally a very active but sweet boy. He loves to be on the go but is genuinely sweet most of the time. Well he got sick last Thursday with the crud and was put on meds but he just refused to rest so he was ill as a hornet. Then on Monday night I was awaken by James at 2:30 a.m. saying his ear hurt. I gave him Motrin thinking he was just milking it wanting in our bed. WEll at 5:30 a.m. he again rolled into our room complaining so I laid with him and noticed his ear draining (he has tubes) so I knew it was infected. So on Tuesday we were off to the doctor again... Dr. Melvin looked in James ears and gave the confirmation that they are BOTH severely infected and prescribed 2 more meds on top of what he is already on. James has been so unruly, defiant, mean, unlistening and other qualities that are so UNLIKE him. Tuesday night he literally was on the top of his bed climbing the walls!! I keep asking whoever took my sweet boy to please return him because i miss him. Well on Wednesday morning I went to spin class as normal and Shawn would take James to school. The one time I leave my phone in the car go figure something would happen. I get several texts and calls from Shawn saying that i needed to call ASAP b/c James put a POPCORN KERNAL up his nose!!! Of course I went into panic mode thinking what if he inhales it so far up that it hits his brain and gets lodged or what if we can't get it out and it gets infected!! So I called the doctor and they said to bring him in. So I get home and make James blow his nose until it comes out...luckily it came out fairly easy. Then I took at a look at his coffee ground concoction and just throw out the vaporizer telling James we'll use his money to buy another one...yes he has an account thanks to $$ for Holidays.

Oh it gets better, he also climbed up on the counter and got some coffee grinds and poured in his vaporizer. So I finally get a hold of Shawn and to top things off Shawn has yet again ran out of gas...he refuses to get his gas gauge fixed!!

After many blows the culprit made its exit!!

I know that I will look back and laugh but on days like this I am so thankful to have the "normal" James over this demon child :). I am just praying for patience and understanding until these meds get out of his system!!!

Just been awhile

It seems I never have time to update on this blog. Ethan is still very demanding and the time I am not tending to him I am spending time with James. I still am very much battling mother's guilt over not being able to spend quality time with James like I use to and I just pray he understands that I love him NO less. James handles it much better than I do for sure with the new addition. Lately I have noticed him wanting more of my time to play games or just play and it kills me because Ethan doesn't always allow. It irritates me to no end when people say that Ethan is a good baby and that I am lieing about him crying....the majority of these people are holding him or giving undivided attention to him. Sure he is fine as long as I am holding him and giving him attention but as soon as he is put down for a split second you'd think he was being mistreated!!! Crying begins.

Ethan is now 6 months old and his personality is developing. He has his first 2 teeth on the bottom and they were stinkers!! He is sitting up on his own for several minutes at a time. He loves to be held and talked to all the time but when he smiles at you it melts your heart. He is a snuggly little boy. He weighs 16 lbs currently...still below James but he is growing. We still have reflux issues and went to a specialist that was such a waste of time. That doctor was a quack...but we are trying new meds that we hope will provide him some relief. I hate to see him hurting and will do whatever it takes to bring comfort. Ethan lights up and gives his gummy little grin when James enters the room. Amazing the bond that he already has with his brother. Shawn laughs at how Ethan smiles so big when I walk in the room and how he will be perfectly content until he sees me and then feel he has to be picked up! :). Oh my spoiled little boy :).



James is such a sweet child with a dash of attitude. I always heard terrible twos but I think the threes are so much worse. James can be sassy and has began whining like he was a baby when things don't go his way. He recently was "that child" at a birthday party. I have NEVER been so embarassed. He cried and threw a fit because he couldn't open presents or blow out the candles. I know it is a phase and probably normal but it is SO hard when you are the parent. But overall he is so darn cute and lovable. He loves being outside and playing on the boat with daddy. We enjoy painting and doing crafts together. He loves his MMO and is so smart. He lights up my life and always brings a chuckle to us with some of the most off the wall comments.

These two boys are SO different. James was always chunky, loved to eat and warmed up to a schedule nicely. Ethan is smaller, fusses at every meal and makes a huge mess and makes his own schedule. I was able to pass a lot of James stuff down to Ethan but Ethan makes such messes on clothes that they all have stains....:(.

I definitely have never been one to want help from anyone or to leave my boys but I am ready for a girls only beach trip this summer. Not that I don't love my kids but that sometimes when that is all I do it can drain you. Because I don't like asking for help there are few breaks for me. My house is never up to par and I'm lucky if I fix my hair/makeup daily. This mama needs a break. I was hoping to take a vacation with just me and Shawn but not sure that will happen this year. I want eye surgery so badly and not sure we will afford both.

I recently began very part time work as a behavioral aid working with families involved with DHR. It is good money and allows me to get that bit of work in without full time committment. Right now i only have 1 case so it's not bad at all....caseload depends on referrals and funding. So far so good. But I can honestly say being a mom puts doing social work into new perspective. I don't condone abuse/neglect by any means!! But I also understand how overwhelming parenting can be and just a slight err in judgement can affect your life or your child's life.

I enjoy being a SAHM mom because i see my boys grow and change. I enjoy being near family....10 more months and off we move again. Not sure where but just doesn't seem like that is that long to be here. It has flown by. We've been here 10 months already. Our next move we will have to focus on school districts because James will begin Kindergarten shortly there after :(.

I love my family!!