10 Months Old

I can't believe how fast the last 10 months have gone. We have been blessed with a perfect boy. I can't imagine not having him. He certainly has completed our family. At 10 months he is almost completely on sippy cups, all table food, and has 7 teeth. He walks along furniture, cabinets, and walls. He still doesn't care for crawling. He has a bunch of words. Hi, Dada, Pop, Keegan ( uses for both brothers), ball, all, done, more, bye, Mama. He has started to put words together. My favorites.. " Hi there., Hi Da, All done."

Dates

I am obsessed with printables! I found this idea on Pinterest and recreated it using Picnik. *(tear)* My boys had fun remembering what each date means to us!

Favorite Things Party

I enjoyed my night with the best friends a girl could ask for. We had a fun night learning about some new favorite things! We already have decided to do a spring one! It was like Christmas! We had valentine's candles, Thirty one bags, Helium Hair products, Mary Kay lipgloss, and Almay concealer ! Lots of wine and yummy food was shared by all!

After posting the pictures, (late of course) I realized I really didn't explain the party! Everyone brings three of their favorite item. (All of the same). Then we drew numbers to who would draw first. We all went around and made our choice, then we did that three times until we all got three new items. The items ranged from $10-15. You could really do it with any amount and at any time of the year. My friend is going to host another in the Spring. So fun to try new things and for a girls night!

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Spoiled

Yep! I have been a spoiled girl. AJ has used every opportunity to spend time with me the past few days. He has been in and out of a service area, so I have been surprised by a phone call, texts, and photos too! He knows evenings are the worst, so when he has been working late we have been able to instant message . It's amazing the small things are the big things now. My heart melts at the sound of his voice . I can't explain what it feels like to be so many miles apart, and watch our relationship grow. I am a lucky girl!

Care Package

Today I put together a care package for AJ. I included 52 reasons why I love him and raspberry hug pretzels. Yummy! I took an old pack of cards and made 52 labels, plus one for the outside.
To make the pretzels, set the oven at 200 degrees. Set hugs on the pretzels. The hugs will melt within 4 minutes. I then let them set in the fridge!

Dinner Tonight- Creamy Chicken and Rice

Dinner tonight!

Source: tastykitchen.com via Jen on Pinterest

My wonderful friend made this casserole and sent it over a few weeks ago. We ate it all! I need a quick chicken recipe for tonight... so I decided to recreate it tonight! Make sure you pin it on your meals to try!

Workout Inspiration

I found this simple arm workout for women. Using weights scares me. I think mostly because I don't want people to see me doing it, and wonder what in the heck I am doing! I told AJ his job when he gets home is to help me learn the weight room. For now, this is a great simple workout that can be done at home in just a few minutes. I have been doing it, and my arms did feel it!




Another quick video for abs I like is:

My belly looked like this just a year ago. So, needless to say it has been hard to get it back where I want it to be. Good thing I got a sweet monkey out of it!

Mourning The Loss

I was up with G the other night, and of course I have to check my iPhone. Maybe.. just maybe I had an E-mail from AJ. I didn't... but I did have an E-mail that my beloved Picnik is closing in in April! I am just sick by this. I do a lot of my design work, collages, and photo editing in this program. I have been searching and searching for something as user friendly and quick to use. This busy Moma doesn't have time for Photoshop. I tried Corel Paint Shop. I am completely overwhelmed. I have been searching and searching. It looks as if I save the collages as a template in Picassa, I can then do the designing I want to do in Picassa. I honestly thing that Google did not think this through. I just hate when I fall in love with something, and then they take it away!!!!! I am holding on to hop someone buys them out, or they change their minds. A girl can wish!
Here were some fun tutorials I found on Pinterest. Learn them and use them while you can!

Source: homemadebyjill.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

Lacking Motivation

I don't know if it has been the weather or what... but I have clearly been lacking motivation the past few days. G has been sleeping better ( just getting up once). However, we were up at 5:30, and both back asleep in the chair at 6:15. Keegan's basketball season has come to an end. Yeah! We know have more time in the evenings. But, Brayden's is just beginning but won't be as intense. I have been fighting a pinched nerve in my neck that has moved down my back. So far today,  bit better. So, the whole working out thing has taken a back seat for a few days. Hoping to get back in the pool this evening and take the boys.

I must find some motivation to get my house in order. I am hosting a girls night Favorite Things Party on Friday. Whatch for photos and details on my own this weekend!

Source: thesunnysideupblog.com via Jen on Pinterest

 Projects I need to tackle this week:

* Clean up my desk.
* Go through fridge

Source: crateandbarrel.com via Jen on Pinterest

(I am dreaming my fridge will someday look like this.) Containers on the to buy list!

* Organize my clothes
* Work on garage organization.

Source: thesunnysideupblog.com via Jen on Pinterest

This is something I hope to have done by the end of next week! Everyone just comes in and drops everything by the door. Shoes need to stay outside, because we have a shoe eating monster these days!

What A Day!

I decided to let the picture from the day tell the story. I have sent all of these to AJ and think he finally gets it! Every drawer is taped and every major cabinet locked!

My Latest Obsession

I am completely obsessed with this scent from Bath and Body Works! Right now the 3 wick candles are on sale 2 for $20.00. Use treat20 to get an additional 20% off. There is nothing like burning tropical candles when the weather is frigid.

Facebook Loving

I was surprised to see AJ on Facebook chat last night. He must have been catching up in his office, and we were able to chat for awhile. Of course, it wasn't full on chatting with no disruptions, but I will take it. It was nice to talk about things and not wait hours or days for a response. I am a very lucky girl, and I am beyond thankful today for technology. I will never take being able to call him, text him, or talk with him in the same room for granted again!

We have decided to look for a couples devotional and respond to each other via E-mail. I am excited to use this opportunity to grow our relationship. It is so easy to become distant with each other. If anyone has a great devotional they love, message me.

Simplify!

I shared this post with my fellow Marine wives tonight. Thought it was worth sharing on my blog. Maybe someone who really needs to hear it, will stop and listen!

I just wanted to stress the importance of taking care of yourself during this deployment. Many of us think that by piling more and more on us, it will make time go faster. However, we all know we are superheroes, but we can only do so much. If you are feeling overwhelmed, please take a look at what you can simplify. Believe me you will be glad you did when we start the long stretch. ;) As Holly has told us... It really is all about survival and doing the best you can. No one expects you to do it all. I know I personally saw it as a failure when I had to make cuts in my life. But, I know in the long run it was the best choice!

Best Friends

I was so excited that my camera was right next to me during this moment. It was so sweet how they interacted and how they were both trying to figure out how to get out the door! I think I am going to be in trouble once G really starts walking on his own!

Sand Storm

Communication with AJ has been much better. Although he frustrates me when he sends one word Emails. Our goal this week is to focus on connecting and writing longer Emails. I'd love to find a great couples devotional we can do. I am on the hunt. His last Email last night said they were getting blown away. He wasn't kidding... They were getting winds from 35 mph to 65 mph. ( I saw this photo on another Marine's Facebook page.) Iam sure they are loving the blowing Sand. One of Aj's favorite things. ;)

Keegan has been gone most of the weekend. He is just a few months shy of becoming a teenager, and it is making me a bit sad. I realize there was a day I couldn't wait for him to grow up. Brayden has felt a bit lost without him. But funny thing is they fight when together. G has been on the move this week. He has been doing circles around the house. Falling a lot smoother. Sleep has been better. I got to enjoy dinner and a little shopping with a friend last night. I was bummed our girls shopping trip to IKEA was cancelled, but we both were relieved. Well off to start our Sunday!

G Playing With Da

We got this Daddy Doll for your middle child last deployment. Graycen was playing and talking to him yesterday. It was precious! I thought I wanted to order a smaller one, but it was cute watching it stand up next to him and him trying to carry it.

Care Packages

I will be the first to admit, I LOVE putting to care packages for AJ when he is away. I am not the most creative care package assembler, but I get such a rush from finding fun things to put in his box. The best thing that ever happened to the care package was the Flat Rate Box! I love that I can stuff it full and still pay $10.95! My goal for this deployment's packages is to find a fun and creative way to assemble them. Pinterest has been a great resource and my creative juices are flowing! Check out my deployment "pins"!

Testing

Yesterday morning just started out awful. Graycen was up all night, tossing and turning. I decided to take him to the doctor. I didn't suspect it was an ear infection, because he had no other symptoms. Turns out I was right, no ear infection... nothing else wrong. Ugh. Still no explanation for not sleeping. I decided to turn to a Chiropractor friend. He is going to take a look at him. After 10 months, I am looking for answers.   

The day turned around. My sitter and friend took G. I got to take a nap, clean up my house, and do a bit of reading. It was just what I needed. The water heater that has been giving me trouble, started working again and I avoided a $60.00 service fee. I am thinking God heard my prayer yesterday morning. I thanked him for testing me, but I really needed a break! AJ must have known that I needed him. I got several texts, a phone call, and even an E-mail. I felt spoiled! Amazing how we take for granted those little things when they are home.

Chicken Burritos or Chicken Salad

Source: pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

I made this yummy recipe this week. My boys loved it. I loved all of the fresh flavors. I even ate it without the tortillas for lunch one day. Quick, easy, and healthy!

Deployment Pillow

I was excited to get an address for AJ during his last big training before deployment. I sent him a pillow like this last deployment and he just loved it. I decided it would be a good Valentine's Day gift for him, and would smash in his bag to go overseas. I have been feeling guilty about not sending a package yet, so I am feeling a bit accomplished today. Hoping to make some treats to send, and hopefully I will stagger the packages just right. Still hoping and waiting for a call. It really is hard to suddenly lose every ounce of contact with them. Things seemed a lot more manageable when he was a text away. So... we wait.

Day 2

I had another awesome workout in the pool today. I woke up not really motivated, but very glad I went. It is nice to have an hour to me. G has convinced the nursery ladies they need to hold him the whole time. Amazing I do have more energy. I can't wait until I start seeing results!

Missing Him

I am missing my hubby tonight. We made a date to chat today and it came and went without a call. I know he is busy, but it gets me every time. I am feeling disconnected from him, and that is the worst part. I have sent emails but don't know if he has gotten them. We have talked briefly the past few days and each time it has been chaotic ( getting G to sleep or boys needing to chat with him). The whole situation just made me mad tonight. A good marine wife friend listened to me vent, and reminded me that i can always vent to her. Yes sometimes I feel like I am expected to be the cheerleader of the group, and sometimes I just want to sit back and be weak... Or do I?

Back In The Pool

In high school, I was a competitive swimmer. I started dating AJ, got married, and moved to CA so I stopped swimming. There was a time in college, I thought about starting again. I have been so frustrated with the weight that just won't come off after G. I have been keeping a journal on my calories and decided that it was time to get back in the pool. I really hate to work out. I don't mind walking, but there is something about swimming. I can just get lost in the water. I swam for an hour today and then enjoyed 5 minutes in the hot tub. Graycen went in the nursery. His first experience with that. He actually did pretty well. I did convince the teacher that she needed to hold him. I am excited to give him some play time and mom some workout time. Here is to shredding the pounds!

Source: activeinspiration.tumblr.com via Jen on Pinterest

My Boys

 Sometime the best pictures are the unedited ones. I love these boys. (Even the little one that keeps me up at night. The big one that questions everything and the middle one that is my little pig pen.) I can't imagine going through this without them. I can't begin to imagine how AJ does being away from them. The boys noticed how tired I was yesterday. Brayden (my 8 year old) said, "Mom, why don't you give us the monitor and we will get up with Graycen." So sweet. But, also comical, because their room is right next to his and they don't seem to hear him!

Daddy Doll

We love our Daddy Doll! This one was Brayden's. I've been waiting to get a current picture and a voice recorder for G. I also realized he could use the smaller one. They are a must for any military child! www.daddydolls.com is their site!

To Do

I have been very inspired by the blog posts out there on organization. I was inspired to take on one task a day and get things organized before AJ comes home for one last visit. Yesterday was my dresser. I hate putting clothes away! Well it was getting out of control! I dumped everything on the floor and got things in my drawers or closet. It did feel nice to not have that clutter staring at me. I searched and searched for a printable to use in a frame and couldn't find what I wanted. So, I went into creation mode. I will add it to my free printables!

Next Stop

AJ has arrived at his next stop for training. It is a spot in CA for their desert training and Verizon doesn't seem to work well there. I am going to go through withdrawal not being able to text him or call. I guess it is good preparation for the real thing, but it doesn't make it easier. Funny how we take texting and calling for granted. If you can text your husband today, please do it and remember when you are doing it those that wish they could, but can't.

Easy Lasagna

I always struggle with making healthy meals for us during deployment. I hate making our "normal" portions while AJ is gone. It is depressing to have a half of a casserole left! I scaled down my normal lasagna size recipe!
Heat Oven to 375
1 jar Sauce
1/2 lb cooked ground beef ( I had some already cooked in my freezer.)
1 package mozzarella cheese
1 small container ricotta cheese
Fresh Parmesan cheese
1 egg

Mix egg. 1/2 mozzarella cheese, handful of Parmesan cheese together . Layer the pan with lasagna noodles and a layer of sauce. Layer cheese mixture and repeat with noodles and sauce. Top with sauce and the rest of the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Bake 45 min to 60 min.

Finally!

I slept all night!

9 Months Old!

 

 

Missing Dada!

 

Lock Down

Well it is time to lock everything down . Our little monkey is wild and crazy. He has kept me on my toes this week! Whew I am one tired momma! I wouldn't trade it for anything!