One of those not so fun days.

This was not my favorite day ever.  Missing the daddy to my kids, Caleb tracking poop all through the house, dinner 1/2 burning because I was attempting to clean up poop and L going now on 4 weeks of major pee accidents.  Today was definitely a day of several tears.

This would be where encouraging thoughts come pouring in...:)

Have a Happy Father's day all you over in America.

Twins

I was thinking today about how so many of the questions I would get while pregnant and during the boys' first year drove me crazy.  Now that we are in the second year the questions don't bother me even close to the annoyance level of last year.  Maybe because I now get a full night's sleep most of the time?  Maybe because I am not completely overwhelmed by two parasitic babies?  Or maybe just because I have gotten used to having twins?  Whatever the reason I am not nearly so likely to bite one's head off.

The question we get most frequently these days is, "Are they twins?"  But this question is a true question as opposed to asking a very obviously known answer.  You remember my favorite responses..."Nope, I just like to collect babies" or "no, I just found this one the other day" or my favorite of all time, "yes, but they have different fathers."  Now this question is no longer someone asking a question they already know the answer to.  People are now legitimately trying to figure out if the boys are twins.  The question, "Are they twins" is usually immediately followed up in the same breath by, "Are they Irish twins."  I thought that you would get a kick out of my new answer to these two questions.

Right away I respond with, "We are not dumb enough to have Irish twins unless you have Irish twins then you are not dumb.  They are regular twins."  Most people laugh and then say the usual about how much the boys don't look alike.

I suppose part of the reason this Irish twin question or even the twin question doesn't bother me much anymore is that the boys really are so different.  Caleb is several inches taller and about 2 pounds heavier.  They really don't even look related.  Without the obviousness of having two babies the same size, I am not nearly as annoyed as I once was.  Though this really is probably just due to my sleep-full nights.

My boys are growing and laughing.  They giggle with each other, with big sister, and with mommy.  They are each saying a handful of words.  Connor almost runs all over while Caleb would still much rather stick close.  Though since daddy left Connor has become much more needy and Caleb more independent.  We had expected this to happen at some point because they have both repeatedly switched roles over the last 16 months.  Caleb is pointing to things he wants and imitates almost every word said.  Both boys are picking up sign language like sponges (while sister is speaking lots in Japanese).  Connor is beginning to point to things around his environment.  Caleb growls for a lion and Connor loves to say "uh oh".

All 3 kids are going to the Child Development Center on base (CDC) and they appear to love it!  There is a job opening at the CDC that would be perfect...but I need to stay home with my kids right now.  I will be working for many many more years, but this time will go so quickly I don't want to miss it!

L is taking swim lessons next week and about to start gymnastics.  She is enjoying staying busy and seems to be better behaved when she has lots to do and places to go.

Mama is missing daddy, but doing well.  I am enjoying my evenings of quiet and not much cooking.


Have a wonderfully wonderful day!  Enjoy your weekend.

Chipper -- because the end is in sight

If you know me even a little bit, you know that I am very expressive...joy and anger.  Happiness and sadness.  Excitement and frustration.  So please don't laugh when you read the next part...or at least don't let me hear you laughing.  


Have you seen the movie CARS?  You know, Lightening McQueen and all that?  In the 3 years that I have had children, I had yet to actually sit down and watch the movie.  The other night I specifically sat down and watched the movie with L.  (I am usually trying to get something done while she watches a movie).  So I sit and watch the ending with her for the first time.  


Holy smokes I did not see this coming.  I started crying when McQueen pushed the old race car across the finish line.  I know I know.  But I am, at my heart, a special education teacher -- so anything remotely resembling helping the underdog gets me going.  I did realize then though how much this week has meant to me.  This week M finally gets to his destination and the clock starts ticking.  I think the kids' movie just triggered the tears.  


You see, when I saw that scene in the movie, it made me think of the next time I know I my heart will be joyful -- which is when my arms are around my husband's neck again.  So then I was really crying thinking of how happy I'll be when he comes home!  How do you explain tears of joy to a 3-year old?  She started getting upset and I tried to explain that I was crying out of joy.  When I think of daddy coming home I am just overwhelmed with love, joy, excitement...she didn't get it.  After a couple of minutes she was distracted by the movie and let it go.  


Though it has been fun to talk with her about what we will do when daddy gets home.  We'll make posters, have balloons, streamers and jump up and down.  We can stay excited because we know how wonderful it will be to have the man of the house, the daddy, the husband, the lover, the best friend, the rock of this home back with us.  We love you M!  You mean the world to the 4 of us!  Let the countdown begin!






Just in case you are as unobservant as I am, M's address is posted to the right.  Please don't send chocolate (it melts and he doesn't like it anyway).  


A few of the things he likes:


Swedish fish
Sour Patch kids
Red licorice
Cool Ranch Doritoes
Combos
Beef Jerkey
Desk Games -- desk football, desk bowling, you know dollar store junk
Ritz crackers
Cheezits
Chocolate chip cookies
Brownies
Military books to read
Historical fiction and non-fiction
Movies
Pictures of close friends and family
Runner and Mac magazines
AAFES Gift Cards (can get online for military stores)  Its where we do most of our shopping
              when overseas


Hope this helps give you ideas on how to encourage and support M if you feel so inclined.  


Here's to the countdown beginning!!!!!

In a Groove?

We may have gotten into a groove.  Though to say this out loud may just jinx us...

On Sunday we actually made it to church, though I am now certain that for the next 6 months I will not be going anywhere that requires me to wear makeup.  The boys were sitting on the floor next to me screaming the whole time I was attempting to apply makeup.  So, no makeup Sundays it will be from now on.

We even made it to the 9:30 service which is a feat when M is home, let alone while he is gone!  We then had lunch at Subway and shopped for a few grocery items.  I felt successful when we got into the car and everyone was still smiling!  Leading me to the conclusion that we seemed to have hit our groove.

The boys no longer wake up at all times of the night which they did the first week and 1/2.  No one is currently sick (knock on wood) and I get 10 hours a week to myself!  I think the kids have adjusted to having daddy gone.  This was proven by L getting a sad pitiful face, sniffing twice and announcing that she was, "sad daddy was gone and therefore needed some TV."  I knew she was definitely adjusted when she was attempting to manipulate convince in that way!!!

Now that I have the logistics down of doing this on my own, we should fly from here on out right?

Well, maybe we will make it after all.  Maybe not with flying colors or it may not be a piece of cake.  But we can do this!!!

I truly appreciate every note, card, comment and word of encouragement!  Thank you for sending special little gifts and sweet books to read.  Thank you especially for your prayers!!!

Private

Yeah, we never went private.  way too much work for this mama to enter in all the emails.  maybe we will someday...

Have to look for more blessings...

This deployment is not going to be my favorite time in life, I can see that already.  Last week 3 of the 4 of us were knocked out with a stomach bug.  Then L had a trip to the ER for a UTI.  Today I threw my back out and on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being most pailful) it was an 8 at the time of the injury.  M has not had an easy time either.  His paperwork has been delayed and messed up causing more stress for him.  His computer died and he had to buy a new one and several of his other electronics died as well.

So to remember that all is not hard, here are a few blessings...

When M and I married he had several preferences; but with him gone I get to use my old detergent and eat the frozen pizza I used until 8 years ago.  I haven't "sacrificed" my preferences, they just weren't big deals to give up.  Now I get to enjoy a few of the simple things like my favorite frozen pizza.

I am getting to watch lots of episodes of Bones.  I really like that show.

Friends are cooking for us several times per week which is AWESOME!

M has gotten to run into several friends  at his current location which has been good for him.

He and my brother are hanging out together so that's fun.

Asking for help is no longer an issue for me.  Which would I rather have -- mommy stressed out because I want to do everything on my own, or a little embarrassment at having to ask for help.  I will pass on the extra stress.

So since this has been a hard ten days already, I had to stop and count my blessings.

Please pray for us!

Blessings

Just a few of the blessings we will enjoy while daddy is gone....

Mommy gets to take up the WHOLE bed without worry of pushing M out of bed.  This is a nightly frustration for him.

This trip away is great for daddy's career.

We will definitely be relying on the body of Christ, that is always good for the soul.

Separations make the heart grow fonder right?  The Marine Corps. is definitely skilled at keeping up spice and excitement in the marriage.

We have a trip to Australia to look forward to when daddy gets back.  L is SOOOOOO excited about going to visit grandma and grandpa in Australia.  These children have more stamps in their passport than most adults!

Mama is independent so we should be able to survive just fine.  The thriving part is what we are shooting for.

Daddy gets to know how much we love and appreciate him!  We will most certainly be letting him know more than usual how much love in our hearts we have for him.  Between notes, letters, cards, emails, and FB, he will know we are thinking of him.

Since my goal is to upload pics each day so daddy can see what the kiddos are up to, all the grandmas get to have more frequent pics of the kids as well.

The $$$ is definitely alright.  We will hopefully be able to set aside a good amount to help towards buying a house when we get back to the states.

The boys are not old enough to really miss daddy.  They absolutely know something is up and will be asking for him, but L is the one comprehending.  So the boys adjustment should be easier.

I am so grateful that today's deployments are not like they were in WW II.  Then guys were gone for years and you never really knew where they were or what they were doing.  You might get a letter, but it would months upon months old.  Now we have FB, email and SKYPE.  We have video equipment and recordings.  The deployments are so much shorter!  So thankful to be a military family now rather than 60 years ago!

M got few extra uniform supplies at no cost to our family...that was a bonus.  Since Officers don't get a uniform allowance and the uniforms are a bit expensive, free to our family is always good.

L and Connor are very very very independent children.  They need no one and no body.  That personality will make the transition easier.  As long as Caleb has mama, he is fine.

10 hours per week of free-to-our-family child care at the Child Development Center.  I am so grateful to have a bit of free childcare!  That means I will have time to grocery shop and run errands all by myself!!!

The friends we have here in Okinawa are amazing!

Just a few of the good things to be thankful for!  Have a good day!

Bye Bye Daddy

Our Daddy chain starts on the Daddy wall.  The map of where daddy will be with his pic and the clock set to the Middle East.  One link for each day until we see our precious daddy again!

Clearly the chain wraps around the whole living room.

Grandma Reynolds requested a video of the boys walking, so here you go grandma. 

 I was attempting to take a cute photo of Caleb.  He wanted the camera so he just screamed at me instead of being cute.

Very very angry!

Connor is such a ham.  He was chasing balls all over the house, pausing for a moment to be cute.

My Mother's Day crafts from L.  Plus a few extra projects she has made.

The Birthday cards that have come in the mail already.

More walking

 M has recorded many books on video so the kids can hold the book while he reads.  He has a CD of daddy/daughter music in L's CD player.  We think we are ready for this.  Of course this deployment also hits me at odd times.

Today I was walking through the grocery store (kid-free).  I was looking for a few things M needed for packing and I starting loosing it.  I realized these were the last things he needed to pack away and also that the food I was buying he would not be here to eat it.  My heart was racing and my breathing was labored.  Maybe the beginnings of a panic attack?  I talked myself through it and calmed down with a few tears in my eyes.  He is leaving.  He will be gone for quite a while.  I have to figure out how to do 3 kids on my own.

Please continue prayers, love, cards and encouragement!

We are so blessed to have such an awesome daddy who we will miss.  Our daddy blesses us each and every day!  He loves the kids!  He loves me!  He has dedicated his life to loving, providing and protecting us!!!  Thank you God for the blessing of having a man in our life who we will miss oh so much!

Night Away

M and I got to go away last Friday night.  We stayed at the Kafuu Resort which was amazing.  The Japanese bed was of course too short for M, his feet were hanging of of the bed.  However, the bed was wide enough that M could sleep diagonally and still we had plenty of room.  We checked into our fabulous room and went to dinner.  After dinner we had a couple's massage and then back to the room we disappeared for the night.  We enjoyed an ocean view and room service.  We slept late and enjoyed the huge tub.  We are so grateful to our friend who made this night possible by watching our 3 little monsters.  It was a perfect way to have time to say our goodbyes.  We now have this beautiful memory of our time together to carry us through his time away.

Double Walkers

I have a silly little song that goes something like this:

"Double the love, double the joy
Double the smiles and double the trouble.
Double the love and double the giggles.
Double, double, double, double double the love"

It's a goofy song I made up and sing to the boys.  Well, now we double walkers.  The boys hardly crawl anymore at all.  They are walking and toddling all over the place.  We still use the stroller to get in and out of the apartment building since the boys are easily distracted when left to their own devices.

Things have been very very busy here lately.  The kids all got lice (mama included).  We are so good at sharing!  So it was several weeks of looking through L's hair several times per day.  You know Caleb was shaved bald and about 25 loads of laundry later we are clear.  That is not an insect I would wish on someone I dislike.  I would wish it on my worst enemy, but only the worst.

L, daddy and I did Easter eggs while the boys napped.  Lots of fun decorating!

Of course we are also getting daddy ready to go.  He has been working many hours --- at work by 4 am every day this week!  His time is very precious so we have been attempting to get in as much family time as possible. M has been so great at putting in long and sometimes stressful days and then coming home and making sure to give our family focused attention.  He doesn't have much to spare by the time his head hits the pillow.  But we certainly appreciate him making sure we have lots of good memories before he goes.

The boys are talking lots...mama, dada, ball, and so on.  They love being tortured playing with big sister.  She gives them many hours of smiles while she dances around.  She can be very entertaining and she LOVES an audience so this works out well for all 3 kids.

L has been having a rough time with the idea of daddy going.  She keeps trying to figure out when he is going, if mommy is going, how long he'll be gone, and what are we doing while daddy is gone.  She has had quite a few accidents and crying.  So please pray that as head into our time without daddy, that I have patience for her and for her to have peace of mind and heart.  One week ago she spent 6 hours crying and screaming because she was so frustrated.  After some chatting with family members we figured out some better ways to support her.  She has been even keel (sp) since.  Though I know tough days will come for both of us.

Our plan to thrive while daddy is away includes:

We do have a 180 constructions paper link chain all over the living room.  Each night we will rip one link off of the chain.

We have a Daddy wall where the chain starts.  A map is up with a picture of daddy taped to where he will be with a clock set to his time zone.  On the wall I am hanging up all of the encouraging cards we get (thank you Sharon for sending the first card) around the map.  My house is starting to look like a preschool classroom with the chain and L's Mother's Day art work up also, but what can I do.  This is who I am!

Each kid has a "Daddy Doll."  It has a full picture of M on the pillow with a voice recorder of daddy talking to them.

Daddy has read into the Hallmark recordable books so the kids will get to hear him lots.

Anytime we get sad about daddy being away, we shout "MUSIC!", turn the music on very loudly, and then dance around the house.  All 3 kids seem to really enjoy this one.

Mommy and L are planning to get pedicures once per month together to celebrate our time together.

A few pic to share with you...

Totally random pic of Connor.  He and his brother like to pick up a phone or remote and "call daddy."

I am sure you can figure out this is L and I coloring the Easter eggs.  After days upon days of quizzing asking her what Easter is about, she finally answers with "When Jesus died."  

So maybe we are getting through? 

Never mind the white trash bra straps sticking out -- I always try to look my worst when I know we are doing a "photo worthy" activity.  Not sure how I plan that out, but you know...I have twins...which is my answer for anything unimpressive about my appearance ;).  

She is a little expressive.  Think she gets that from M?

 Finished project.

Alright, my kids have been watching Little Einstiens while I tip this out, so time to be a mama again.