Fun In Saint Louis

We enjoyed a fun weekend in St. Louis watching our cubbies get murdered by the cardinals. We got to experience the swearing in of some future Marines too. We sure did miss our Marine! July has been the longest month ever! We are off to a week of sun, sand, and the lake for the next week. I'm so ready to get away and play with my boys and relax with my Mom. When we get back August will be in full swing and our Marine will be on his way home soon!

Cub Cards Game!

We are off!

Garden Love

Deployment Skype Date

We were so fortunate to get a Skype date with AJ today. Graycen just squealed with excitement when he saw him. He kept saying "Hi, Hi, Hi,". It was so fun! I didn't expect Graycen to react that way, but he just couldn't get enough of Dada. The boys needed it to, as they have been at each other the past few weeks. A phone call and a Skype date sure helps!

Finally!

After 2.5 weeks, I finally got an E-mail from my hubby that he was back safe and sound. It was music to my ears and answers to my prayers! I felt like at that moment, I could finally breath. I finally got to hear his sweet voice last night. I could have talked all night, but of course there was a time limit! I can't wait until we can stay up all night and chat if we want and not talk in code!

I just finished the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. I absolutely loved the story. I will admit parts were a bit much, but it has been so fun to chat with my husband about the books. He is just as into them as I was, and has shared them with his Marines. So fun for them to have something fun to focus on in their last couple of weeks.

We are in the homestretch. Banners are being ordered, dresses picked out, kids outfits are being planned! We are heading to a Cub Cards game this weekend and then a few days later off to MI for a week of relaxation before the craziness of AJ getting home and school beginning starts! Just a month left of summer for the kids. This summer really has gone fast! I have the itch to get their school supplies bought and organized before we head on vacation. We will see if that happens!

End of Deployment Motivation

I have finally found my motivation. In between chasing G, catching up on school work, and reading the 50 Shades of Grey Triology. Yes! I gave in. I thought I would be funny and send it to AJ after he was asking for some reading matter. Turns out, he loved it and so I had to see what he was raving about. It really is a good story. The first book was a bit much for me, but the second was much more my speed. =) Anyway, AJ and I have talked about a King size bed ever since we moved into our new house. Our master is huge! When I bought our dishwasher, I played around and found a mattress set I liked. I have been watching the price, and then finally they went on sale 40% off. I couldn't resist. It was time for a new comforter, and our mattress set was bought after our first deployment. From all the one person sleeping, it rolls to the middle. We now have two 50 lb dogs that sleep with me.. um us. So, it was time to upgrade. I love our headboard and foot board. I think that I can find extenders so we can still use them, otherwise it is time to start saving for a new one. I finally threw away our outdoor umbrella, and ordered a new one. We had a huge gust of wind this summer that snapped it. I reorganized G's toys and some areas in the kitchen and living room. Now, I have to tackle my closet. Hoping that my Mikes Hard Lemonade will give me the motivation that I need.

Isn't my bottle cap the coolest? My friend Holly got it for me  at Bed Beth and Beyond. She is paranoid of  bees in her drinks, so we used them at her pool. =)

Crazy Weekend

Our weekend was filled with baseball, my sisters hometown wedding reception, and lunch with AJ's siblings and grandpa. This momma is exhausted! 11 days and still no word from AJ. :( My phone or email can go off anytime!

Afghanistan

I stole some photos off of another Marine's page ;)

Deployment Surprise Preview

I got AJ's deployment surprise yesterday and off in the mail in his last care package. I snapped some  photos from the book with my iPhone. The book came out way better then I ever imagined! I am so excited. Kelli Drake at Red Haute Images did a fabulous job! Any one that lives in Central IL, needs to go see her! If you don't live in the area, I suggest you do this for yourself. It helped me so much during the rut of the past few weeks. 15 months post baby, and still battling with my not so tight tummy... I felt beautiful. Kelli even told me that the top photo is going to be on invitations that they are sending out for a large event! I am so honored! Stay tuned for AJ's reaction.

New Glasses

Well, day 1 of glasses went not so well. Day 2 has been better. Pray for patience for me. He is realizing that he can see much better with them. So, I am hoping each day will get better! Big Brother was so excited he got glasses like him. He even got to pick out the frames. I can't wait to see what AJ says. 

Secrets To Deployments Video

I decided to try some video blogging. I hate the way I sound and look in this video.  But, it is me =)

Hardest Deployment Week

This week has certainly been the hardest of the deployment. I was spoiled with out communication, but it has been over a week since I heard from AJ. ( Yes I am spoiled, and I know that several others have gone much longer.) But, when you start a deployment with daily or several times a day communication, going to nothing is a little heartbreaking and nerve wrecking. I started the deployment by not listening to the news, etc... but yesterday I made the mistake of having it on. It started with IEDs killed 7 and names being released pending family notification. I immediately started thinking that I had no idea what part of Afghanistan AJ was in, or what he was doing. This week, I have woken up to horrible dreams and even found myself slowly creeping up to my house when getting back from errands. Just in case, someone was waiting to notify me. I relieved the horror of past deployments and constantly wondering if that noise I heard outside, was a knock on my door. I have had zero motivation this week. I did make a list, and made sure I started crossing things off yesterday.

I have been up and motivated this morning. Still praying for that phone call. =)

Deployment Blahs

I am officially over this deployment! My positivity is no where to be found right now. It has been a long week with no communication, a sick fussy baby, and just tired of doing this all by myself. It came to a point today, where I just had to pack up G and go for a drive. I had no idea where I was going, I just needed to get out of the house with Mr. Fussy. We ended up stopping at my sister in law and brother in law's and they invited us to stay for dinner. It was just what we needed. So thankful for great family. I have been trying to get my paper done for my class and weed through homework. I can't seem to find my motivation. I hate feeling like this! I was really excited for church today, when I learned there was no power at church and service was cancelled. Keegan was also bummed he wouldn't hear the sermon, Brayden was sad he wasn't getting a donut. =) They were raised in the same family!

Hot! Hot!

This photo was taken at 6 pm. I can't imagine how are Marines work in this heat. It sure makes me want to do nothing! I did get my kitchen, office area, and living room cleaned top to bottom yesterday. Yes, I did hire a cleaning lady last month, but quickly realizing I can't hold off 4 weeks without dusting and scrubbing. I also moved furniture and vacuumed. Things they don't do. As my much as I love having my house cleaned by someone else, the control freak in me realizes I need to have my hand in it.
G is feeling much better. He has figured out how to open all the doors in our house. Lovely... Nothing is off limits anymore. I am convinced I'll find him walking down the street one day. I hate up latch the toilets, but I think it is coming after I have found him splashing in the toilet and my moisturizer swimming in it this week. We are looking forward to spending the last 100 degree day at the pool with some friends. Stay cool !

Military Kids And Deployment

I decided we had to get out of the house today. The doctor decided he wanted to see G, so we ventured out. The boys were worried they were going to hurt G, so they had to go with. Yep... Hand Foot Mouth it is. The good news, now that the fever is gone, the doctor said he really is past the contagious part. So.. we will move forward with swimming plans tomorrow.

The boys have been working on their behavior this week, with the reward of getting to go get new legos today. Well, lets just say that they have had to work really hard to get this reward. Not fighting has not been part of our week.

We decided to grab a quick lunch and as we were driving, we started talking about AJ. My 13 year old said, "I just can't even remember what it is like to have him home.". My 9 year old said, " I forgot about him". Essentially saying the same thing. I was just thinking to myself the other day, I forgot how it feels to have my best friend at home. To cuddle, talk with, be intimate with, and to just have someone to take care of me. We can see the light... it is coming SLOWLY... but it is within reach.

Moving Along

I honestly can't tell you where the week went. I have had a sick baby all week and feel like I have just been doing the motions throughout the day. Aj is out on a mission. It always makes things worse knowing he is away from the safety from his home. There was a point yesterday I packed the big boys up, dropped them off at the pool, and just drove with G. I couldn't take the constant crying and no napping. That would have been a day I would have given anything for AJ to walk through the door and just take over. Soon... We did book our fall mexico trip. We decided to go with Secrets Resorts and their new resort opening in August. I really couldn't stand paying good money without a pool on the beach and ocean views . I can look at green all day everyday. ;) We are looking forward to the 80 degrees coming this weekend. I've had enough of the 100+ days.

Little Surprise

I have been working on an end of deployment surprise for my hubby. I had some professional boudoir photos taken today. I really looked hard for classy and not trashy photos. I had an awesome time with Kelli Drake from Red Haute Images. She is working super fast to get a book put together in time for AJ's last package. (YES... I said LAST PACKAGE!) I am going to go view them tomorrow! I just can't wait. It was amazing to feel sexy and feel good about myself after this long year. It is an investment, but I think it is a no brainer to feel comfortable and beautiful. I have been dropping hints to AJ, but he has no idea. I can't wait to hear his reaction! This is totally not me and out of my usual comfort zone.
I decided to share a few of my favorites. The others, while very tasteful and I am clothed, I don't feel like they are blog material. If you are a personal friend and want to see them, I am happy to share.

This is one of my favorites. This is just a copy of the proof, so it does in no way do the photo justice. His cammies are laying behind me and it looks like I have nothing on. I did actually have clothes on. =) 

Wouldn't this be great in my bathroom? I just love it. Again, just a copy of the proof. The full image you can ready my tattoo. 

Dirty Girl Fun

A group of us Marine wives completed the Chicago Dirty Girl Mud Run today. It was a day full of laughs, obstacles, and a 5k in the mud. I never realized how therapeutic mud could be!