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.

Couple of Pics and a little news

Caleb being super cute.  He got a hair cut yesterday so new pics will be up soon.

Connor being his happy self.

None of my kids have ever been kids who fall asleep just wherever they are...until now.  We must've worn Caleb out that day.

Going for a ride.  The boys often go on tandem crawls, rides and walks around the house.  

The kids are all doing well.  I am not sure if I posted, but the boys no longer need Physical Therapy.  They are caught up and on the move.  They are both walkers and keeping us all up and down and up and down.  

Other news is that M is leaving for about 6 months.  I am not posting anymore information than that due to security concerns.  Please pray that our family does not just survive the time he is away.  I want all 5 of us to thrive and especially readjust well when daddy comes back.  Please pray for this mama as I do life on my own with no family here and no daddy.  Please pray that M will be safe and come home a better man because of his experience.  

Things you can do to support this military family:

I will soon post an address for M.  You can send him cards and packages.

I would REALLY appreciate encouraging notes in the mail.  I am overwhelmed by the idea of having M gone for so long and would really appreciate your thoughts in a card or two.

Come visit!  We would love to have visitors to break up the time M is away.  

Phone calls just to let us know you are thinking of our family.  

We are grateful for the amazing friends we have here, but it is still going to tough to have daddy gone for so long.  Any prayer you pray during the time he is away would be appreciated!!!

Our family headed up to the aquarium last month.  L loved the "Nemo" fish.

A whale shark looking at the boys -- or the boys looking for the whale shark.

L at the dolphin show.

This year the wonderful aquarium had a huge and absolutely gorgeous floral display. 

L wanted to take a pic in front of the ladybug since that is what Grandma Reynolds calls her.  

So grandma, this is for you!

L got a kitchen and this is her posing for the picture so that all our friends and family to see her wonderful cooking skills.  Caleb was helping to cook as well ;).

The kids love their ball pit.  they play in there a lot!!!!

A few photos for everyone to enjoy.  The kids are doing so well!  Mama and Dada are enjoying them lots.  We have had a rough couple of weeks but things are getting better.  M's unit has been helping without the Tsunami relief so I can't be too frustrated with the many hours away.

Couple of updates on the kids --

Connor: saying dada, dog and ball
walks about ten steps
eats big boy food, I can cut up our meals and he eats right along with us


Caleb: saying dada, mama, ball, balloon, and trying to repeat lots of other words
walks up to 12 or so steps
also eating big boy food


Those are the biggest things.  Oh---we graduated from Physical Therapy.  The boys are caught up and no longer have any delays.

L:
not too much except that her birthday is next week.  She requested a Shrek party with orange decorations.  She also asked for a cake to smash her fist in just like the 4th movie.

Each day we are so thankful for 3 healthy kids.  We know what a blessing it is to have health!

Have a great day!

Military

♥ You don't have to be crazy to love someone in the military, you just have to be prepared for him to eat his dinner at unusual times, be there one minute and gone the next, to trust him with all your heart, to be proud of his commitment and to know that above all else, he loves you everyday. Repost if you are lucky enough to be a military wife!! ♥




Just saw this post today on a friend's FB status.  This is so true.  When married to a Military person (Marine in my case) you don't get the luxury of knowing when or even where your husband might need to be at a moments notice.  When I was deciding if I could do the Marine Corps. wife thing, I knew there would be deployments.  I decided I could handle deployments.  I did not realize that Marines consistently work long hours and weekend hours.  They stand duty fairly frequently for 24 hour periods.  I did not realize that taking care of other Marines (and many hours away from home) is a huge part of why M wanted to be a Warrant Officer.  I did not realize that there are frequent exercises which pull M away for weeks at a time.  I did not realize that along with protecting America from foreigners who are trying to kill us they are also the first responders in any humanitarian situation around the Globe.  I did not realize that even if they are not in the middle of the humanitarian effort, they are providing Headquarters and support services that make the humanitarian effort possible.  


I am so proud of my Marine and all that he sacrifices for our Nation!  I am proud to be a military wife who is loved by a Marine in the United States Marine Corps.  I am proud to be a military family.  I am proud that the hero in my children's lives gets to be their daddy!   We love our Marine!

Happy Birthday!

I will soon update our web page with all of our Birthday pictures but here are a few until then.  

Happy Birthday Thing one and Thing two.

 Blowing out our Birthday candles.

Remember when we found out we were having twins?  This is one of the images that popped into my head back then -- double the birthday fun! 

Yummy in the tummy!

Aside from birthday celebrations we are having good times with our 2 one-year olds and one 2-year old. We are able to get out to places like the Aquarium, picnics outside and lots of playground time.  This mama also been inspired by J.S. (you know who you are...the gal with two of a kind) to get on a schedule of activities rather than just making life up as we go.  I have a list of very simple no prep activities which I try to pull from.  For example, today we painted on the balcony with paint brushes and water (super easy clean up) while working on letters, numbers, L's name, and shapes.  Then we practiced cutting, finger painting, and stickers (great fine motor activities).  Then we turned on music and danced with scarves.  M walked in for lunch while dancing and was not impressed with L's twirling (he started making fun of the sport).  I tried to explain that it helps with rhythm, body movement, language etc.  He didn't get it.  But any of you teachers out there will understand.  

Lunch with daddy is a rarity so we took a break from our fun and ate with daddy.  Then we read about 5 or so books, sang songs and everyone is now in bed!  So thank you Two of a Kind for your motivating blog.  L fell right asleep during nap time because we were on the move all morning!  

I cannot put into words how wonderful it is to be in place where I can feel like L is being stimulated by my education experience.  I have felt guilty/frustrated/like a terrible mother that we aren't out participating in all sorts wonderful educational experiences.  But I recognize that we have come out of the first year with twins and now is the time to catch up!  Its a lot of fun knowing that my degree is being put back to good use ;).  

Update:  The boys have each taken a step!  The PT thinks we will probably have walking boys within the month of March.  Caleb is saying about 4 words on his own and imitating another 8 to 10 words.  Connor says "dada" and has decided that one word and an ear piercing scream are enough to take care of what he needs.  And just so you know -- it looks like Connor may have a stronger will than L.  If you have spent time with L, you know what this means...  So please say your prayers!  I am thankful that my copy of The new Strong-willed Child by Dr. Dobson finally arrived.  This is the book I was raised on and am now raising my children on.  Great book with good ideas.  

Hope you have a wonderfully wonderful day!

Just so everyone knows...

With birthday packages coming in, just wanted you to know we have now fulfilled my goal of having a lifetime's supply of trucks and trains.  Good thing Connor is all boy and LOVES trucks and trains!  Caleb loves mama/dada and taking whatever Connor is holding, so not sure what to tell you to get him!  But the trucks and trains are plentiful -- thank you all (mostly my brother Mason)!

Parents, friends and family

Do you ever have people in your life who support you day in and day out?  The people who are there for every up and down looking out for the best for you?  I am so grateful for my parents.  All 3 (Mom, Step-mom and Dad) have sent us countless packages --- stuff we can't order for ourselves because the company doesn't ship to FPO.  They send us cards and pictures.  They talk on the phone with us to keep us up to date on the family goings on.  They are our very own personal shoppers -- every week we think of something that we can't get over here that we need/want.  While we don't have any of the physical closeness that many families get to experience, we do have heart closeness.  I am so grateful to my 3 parents who have contributed to who I am today.  They adore my kids and you know how priceless it can be to have grandparents!

I love that my mom and step-mom get along so well.  They have made such huge efforts to make sure that the kids are taken care of.  My mom has never said a bad word about my step-mother!  My step-mother always includes my mom (did you get you mom a mother's day gift?  your mom's bday is coming up)  you know, those reminders to make sure all of our mothers are taken care of!  I am so blessed to have a blended family that works so well!

This last week we have gotten bday packages for the boys and Vday gifts for L.  Yesterday we got a HUGE box of hand-me-downs that my dad/stepmom passed along!  I am so grateful to not have to buy many clothing items for the boys at all!  Over here the clothes on base are actually quite expensive and the clearance rack only rarely has a few items that still expensive at the clearance rate.  I am so grateful to have such amazing parents!

Others who are awesome --   Grandma Yo  Yo and Grandpa Shish who are always asking for what the kids need and how they can generously help and who get on the webcam whenever we call just to talk to L for about 30 seconds, and you have patience to get the webcam up only to talk for 30 sec to L.  Aunt Jeanne -- sending us things we can't get, shopping for us for things we need and I appreciate the frequent phone calls!  GrandmaChelle and Grandpa Gerry who send generous holiday gifts to also get things we need for the kids and who get on the webcam (when they remember)!

Thank you for helping us out when we live so far away from everyone!  The great part is we always have amazing places to choose from for visiting!

We are so grateful for all the packages we get from all of our close friends and family!  You all are awesome!  It will be boring to go back to getting mail in the States without the excitement of packages!  Your support and love are so welcome; we are truly blessed because you are so wonderful!