Tuesday Funday!

AJ and I have been enjoying some good quality fun time the last few days. Yesterday, my meeting got cancelled, so we just hung out and took naps with G man. We also had our friends over for dinner. I made chicken parm. It was wonderful. (I will post the recipe soon.) We closed out the night with a fire on the deck. The nights have been turning cool and it was wonderful to be able to use the fireplace.

Today we upgraded AJ to an iphone. He will be able to Facetime with us in the field while he is training before deployment. It will be nice for G to see Dada more often. We also got me a new computer. I decided against a laptop and went for a HP TouchSmart610. No tower and a touch screen. I think I am in LOVE! The screen is huge! It will be great for skyping when AJ gets in country.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Dressing Room Design

For those of you who have been to our house, know how spoiled I am with a large master bath/ closet. Well after reading my favorite organizing blog, I Heart Organizing, I have decided that I want to make our closet more of a dressing room. I am think chandelier, large mirror, picture of my kiddos in the tub, and a new curtain. Here are a few things I have found.

Time with Da

It is so precious to see Graycen and AJ together. Even the lady at Sam's Club yesterday commented on how in love AJ looks. I will for sure have my camera out over the next few months to capture every minute. Just love them!

Busy Bee

Graycen jumped so hard, we found him asleep several times this week!

Spinning and Spinning

AJ got home safe and sound and we have really enjoyed each other's company the past few days. We spent the morning at the drill center, meeting with local family support agencies. Looks as if the time line is being readjusted once again. I of course can't discuss, but I can say that I am so tired of things changing. I told AJ that I wish we could just get going on active duty now. But, because of the new fiscal year... October, nothing can be one until after that. I dread him going back to nights tomorrow. He is going to have such a limited time with the boys. We are trying to figure out if we can have a "couples" weekend before he goes. He does have a few days to use before he goes. I just feel like the walls are caving in a bit. It all seems to be coming so fast. Trying to enjoy every minute and put it on the back burner, but it is so hard to ignore it.

Graycen loves having his Dad home. He woke up the night Aj got home and just kicked the whole time he drank is bottle. He also would lay in between us and hold both of our faces. So sweet. The boys are adjusting into their school routine pretty well. The tackle practices are exhausting Brayden. We are working on getting an earlier bedtime then we have been, because Mommy needs the extra half and hour. Not sure they agree.

Great Quote~!

I love my Book, Behind the Blue Star Banner. Like I said in my previous post, I even have talked with the author. Hope to get her here to talk to our Marine families this Spring. She looks like a lot of fun! Anyway, this quote really stood out to me last night. "You don’t marry a fighter without a soldier somewhere inside yourself. It’s just that we spouses wage war on a different battlefield. We are soldiers in our homes, fighting forward as single parents and geographical bachelorettes. We are soldiers in our faith, leaning on God completely because we don’t have the strength to do this alone. And we are soldiers in our marriage, carrying on, battle after battle, until we get the victory of uniting with our loved ones once again. "

My List

I was able to get just about everything crossed off my list this week. I still may tackle my closet if little Mr. decides he wants to nap longer then 20 minutes. Although, I am pretty tired myself.

Completed:
* Kitchen cabinets reorganized
*Pantry shelf put together and organzied
* Entry closet organized and reorganized after things fell and I cut my wrist.
* Laundry done
*Boys closet reorganized
*Boys desk put together and room moved around
* Bill system developed
* Meal plan system put in place
* Boys new school day jobs developed
* Walk to Afghanistan project developed

This week I hope to:
* Finish my book
* Get my closet organized- I can't find a thing!
* Oil change
* Meetings for Marines and just spending time with my Marine!

This and That

I am so excited I finally figured out how to create a banner on my blog! I came across this tutorial last night and it has helped a ton. I am hooked on Subway Art and even found a tutorial on that. In the meantime, check out this great FREE Subway Art for a Laundry room! As you can see from my previous posts, I have been in to getting things on our walls. I love things that explain what I feel and those usually involve words about my family and photos of my family. I am in love with Etsy. If you have not checked it out. You have to! I could spend hours and I have my shopping cart filled with things I'd love to have! It even has given me great ideas on things I can do on my own! Honestly, love that I have a bit more time to work on my creative side. What better to do at 3 a.m. when I am awake anyway with little Mr.?

AJ graduated today and is on his way home. I have to say I am so excited. We will get a couple of days together before he heads back to the streets of Ptown. Although, it seems me have had an increase in violence in the areas he patrols. Sometimes I wonder if he isn't safer overseas at times.

Our 10 year old Lab/German Shepherd is not doing well. While we were on vacation, he flipped his stomach (like in the book Marley and Me). He got into the trash and some frozen grapes I had on the counter. He has not been eating well. The boys and I both know that the end is near. But, I really want AJ to see him and want him to be there with me when or if we have to put him down. Our puggle will just be so sad. He has been trying to play with him, and he just doesn't have it in him. We know that we will not be able to be without another dog for long. He is my watch dog, and my Puggle certainly won't be much of a protection. I certainly don't have the energy to be up with a puppy, but it would be nice to have one for the boys to take care of over the next year. No idea even what we would get, but it will be a GIRL. Just say a prayer for us. The boys seem to be doing o.k. But, it will be hard on them.

My Sweet Sweet Boy

Wall Art

Reflection

As I look back on the past 5 weeks. I have learned that I can function on way less sleep then I ever imagined. I can use the next year as a blessing or turn it into a curse. I have an amazing support system and wonderful male role models that will love on my boys when they need it the most. I am stronger then I give myself credit for and I can be a role meek for those with less experience. I certainly will take the next few months and will think about what is the most important and how I can make every second count.

Old Blog

I pulled up my old blog from last deployment. It was fun to see how we all changed and how I made it through the last deployment. Funny, I had forgotten a lot of the things that had gone on before he left. I have linked it up to this blog, so that if you are interested you can check it out!

Second Week

The second week of seperation is always easier. Last week, getting readjusted I thought I was going to lose my mind. Not to mention a nonsleeping baby. This week, I feel like we are getting into a routine with our activities and Mr. G is getting on a better nap/ sleep schedule. Makes for a much happier Mom.

The boys started school today. They both missed Mr. G a ton and told him on the way home they were so excited to see him. They both played with him a ton. I think he was also looking for them today. As I heard him screaming, trying to get someones attention. He is sitting on my lap, sucking my arm as I type. I wish those darn teeth would just pop in.

I have made a connection with a gal that has written a book about being a military wife. Her book is Behind the Blue Star Banner. We have been emailing back and forth and I think I may have gotten the guidance I need to finally write that book this year. Some of you may have remembered that I started it back during the last deployment. Of course after the deployment was over and I thought my husband would NEVER be leaving again... it got put on the back burner. We will see. I am excited to be working on trying to get her to come and speak to our wives and parents. I am also working on a Walk to Afghanistan project to get our Marine's communities behind us and them. Everyone will be able to participate, even stroller riders!

One week down...one to go.

This week has been full of ups and downs. I have gotten answers to some things I have been praying about. We decided to take our old house off the market and a Renter found us. We have it rented for a year and I feel really good about it. Love that I don't have two mortgages to worry about. We also found a wonderful supporting church. A priest who emails me back and genuinely seems excited to watch over us. He was also a navy chaplain.
Yesterday was hard. I had a selfish day. I was mad at the world and anyone who gets to have their husband home all the time and doesn't really what a gift that is. I worked through it and am feeling much better. It hits me from time to time , mostly when I am exhausted and have fussy kids. This next year is going to be tricky. I just need to remember it can really be a wonderful growing experience for us all.

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Whew...

I sat down a few times yesterday to post. I have a new rule... no posting when I am feeling down or mad at the whole situation.

I started reading a book today called Behind the Blue Star Banner. I always love books done by military spouses. I have always been told I should write me own story. Maybe this will give me the push I need to start writing. After all, I have a long year ahead of me. The first chapter had me sobbing. She puts into words, everything I always have running through my head. There are two quotes I LOVE. The first talks about the PRIVILEGE of living with your spouse and how civilians take it for granted. When we so badly want to enjoy the privilege of knowing our husbands will always wake up next to us. The second quote talked about saying good bye to her husband. She says that when she kissed him good bye for a year, she knew it was the least she could do to sacrifice a year of time without him so that he could complete a job that would mean years of freedom for many many others. The last one talks about the military wife and being selfless when you so badly want to be selfish. LOVE this quote. " But most of all, it means(hanging a blue star banner) that inside this home, there is someone who is fighting her selfish human nature every single day so she can admirably honor a hero who deserves all the support in the world." This will be my deployment motto. Our job really is a gift. Although at times it seems to be a curse. I will use this deployment to make good and I will not allow myself to feel sorry for myself... ok maybe once a week. =)

Moving Right Along

This week is flying by and the boys are draining my bank account with football, shoes, and last minute back to school items. We have been blessed with some fun times with friends and family this week. I've had people in and out of my house the past few days. I love I have the room to entertain! Enjoyed pizza and wine with a fellow Marine wife and her daughter. The boys loved making a connection with other people going through the same stuff. Brady is beside himself to start football tomorrow ( sports goggles and all). I am going to have to stick around practice tomorrow to see how he does running with that big helmet! Keegan reminds me more and more of AJ. With his walk, how he dresses, and acts. He really has grown up. They both just love their baby brother and love to see G light up when he sees them. The weather has a touch of fall in the cool nights we are experiencing. I just love this time of year. Off to get some sleep. Going to enjoy our last pool day with cousins tomorrow. Where did summer go?

Good Morning Sunshine!

This what I woke up to this morning!

Breaks My Heart

I keep seeing my fellow Marine wives facebook status change to " another deployment". Breaks my heart that there are lots of new babies and pregnant wives. I have to admit that approaching this deployment is a bit more scary.  I have a fear that (God forbid) something happened to AJ... Graycen would never really remember him. Aj hates when I bring stuff up like that. The man would leave without writing his will if Id let him. I know I can't let my mind go there, but can admit I've secretly thought about it all. It seems after getting a clearer picture ... its going to be a year long event. Several months of training and then overseas next year.

I feel horrible that our middle son, who is 8, went through the day thinking AJ was already in Afghanistan. Its going to be a long long year for him. He got weepy several times today. Breaks my heart.

Its been a long day. Hoping baby sleeos well. Daddy was nervous letting sleep in his room last night. I caught him jumping at his first move last night and a late night rocking session. I know he just wanted him close by. Can't imagine leaving him.

Changing My Thoughts

I will be ordering one of these bracelets from our Boutique as a reminder to keep my thoughts positive. If you are interested in ordering, let me know!

Facebook Page

I have created a Facebook page that will feed my blog posts. Please like me on Facebook!

A Grateful American

We got a call from the Oprah show in March as I had requested tickets to their military show. The man I spoke to said that Oprah was trying to bring awareness to what can be done to show military families that what they do does not go unnoticed. We have been receiving monthly gifts of dinner, gas card, visa gift card, six flags tickets, and this month a Target card. I have started sending thank you notes and photos with updates to our Grateful American. I tried to google and white page a name but haven't had luck. I am so beyond grateful someone would do this for us. I have never seen my husband smile so big to see the monthly envelope. I hope and pray someday I can thank this person face to face.

Hiding in Dad's Suitcase

G thought maybe he would sneak into Dad's suitcase... but he found him! Love his smile when AJ found him!

4.5 months

Eating bananas and grabbed the spoon. He is Mr. Independent already!

God Works In Mysterious Ways...

We have been struggling to find a church that we truly belong to. We picked a church, not knowing a lot about the priest, only that he is wonderful and it is a young growing parish. Come to find out that was a Navy Chaplain. God sure knew what he was doing when he lead me to this new church. It just confirms to me, that he has a plan and that I am going to be just fine. Happy Sunday!

Here We Go Again

AJ has been give the notice that he will be activated to go to Afghanistan later this year. He is getting ready to go on his second 2 weeks of school tomorrow. We had a great time in Michigan and tried to not focus on what is going to happen later this year. We ended up telling the boys yesterday. We thought Keegan would take it the hardest, but turned out that Brayden actually did. He is a very emotional little boy, but tends to keep things bottled up. I was surprised that he would be so upset, but think he was most upset that he will miss his birthday. I will find a way to get through this. The nice thing is that a group is getting deployed and I will have some of my fellow wives. Please say a prayer for us if you think about it. I need all the strength and patience I can get. I will be posting this a lot more frequently as I completely need an outlet. Please bookmark this page and check back often.