Our 3 Army BRATS!!!

DAY 44-

On this last day of April, and on my Husbands 4th deployment, I would like to talk about our "Army Brats". The month of April was Military Children Appreciation Month. Having a Military child, they don't choose this lifestyle. They are born into it. All three of them were. It has been 2 years since they have all been back to the state they were born, and see some family and friends. Thankfully my parents came to visit us in Maryland, and then here. But, it has been 2 years since they have been able to see Josh's parents. The beginning of June, they will finally be able to see them again, when they take their first plane flight. Since we left Washington 2 years ago, we moved to Maryland and then here. That has to be hard on them moving 3 states, in 2 years. They didn't choose that. They didn't even choose to go to different schools each time, and have to re-make friends at each. But, they are tough, and they do it. And they keep their heads held high. Elizabeth is on her 4th school, because of her ECI programs, and Michael is on his 3rd school. And those will not be the last. Who knows how long they will be able to be at these schools. Josh and I have never had to experience such things as long distance moves. We both had the privilege of staying in one house for a long time. They haven't.

Two years ago when we moved from Washington State to Maryland, we left he house that we owned for four years. It was sad to leave it. We brought Elizabeth and Johnathan home to the house. Michael was almost 2 when we moved in. But, since we are an Army family, and have no clue if/ and when we will move back, and our family grew since we bought the house, we had to sell it.

I am PROUD of all three of our children. I think that because everything that they have gone through, in their little lifetimes, such as moving, and having daddy deployed so many times, that they are STRONG, FRIENDLY, LOVING, children, and I am Very Proud to say I am their Mom!

Today was a crazy day for me. Something as simple as wanting to pay bills online turned crazy. My husband let me know how to do the bills before he left. To bad I messed up on the part, where his dad was born. This was a trick question, not right. Well, it froze the online banking. ACK! That was horrible, I called, they told me they didn't have a power of attorney for me, and that I would have to go fax one to get any information. So, I went and got gas on post, and went to the PX to fax it. First they gave me the wrong number. So, thankfully to my I-Phone, I was able to look the number up and call them back. Fax was complete, they told me to call back in 2 hours to make sure it went through. Then I went and got a kids meal for Johnathan and I to eat lunch. After that it was time to go to pay rent.

When I got home, I called the place. They told me call back in a half an hour. I called back in a half hour, they told me call back in an hour. Then they told me I could get my own online one, and access the bills. I started this, then figured out I have my own account number to, as a spouse and it was under my husbands and wasn't suppose to be. The guy called tech. support, then I got cut off. So, I called back talked to another lady, got my online account set up after several tries because the system wasn't working tonight. Soon, to figure out, I couldn't access online banking from mine. Then I asked if they received the POA yet. She put me on hold for a few minutes, only to come back on and tell me that part was closed until Monday, and I would have to call back. It was a pain, I was mad since I was dealing with it all day. All I wanted to do is pay bills. That's it!

I babysat for the little boy that shares a birthday with Elizabeth today. He will be 2. Maybe that is why those two are so close, because they share a birthday. Well, just a few minutes before she picked him up, Josh called. It has been 5 days since I heard his voice. Then she came, and she was on her cellphone. I told her I was sorry, that I was talking to Josh. She said she was talking to Josh too, just not my Josh. Her deployed husband that is friends with my husband, name is also Josh. Neither of them knew they were calling their wives at the same time, literally. And my husband didn't know I was watching the little one. So, it was funny. We each talked to our husbands. I got to talk for 16 minutes. It was great hearing his voice, but wish I would have got to talk longer, and really enjoy it without someone else in the house, and feeling bad I was on the phone. Hopefully I don't have to wait another 5 days. I cannot wait to hear his voice again, hopefully soon. Until then, goodnight~

Finally, I got my grade for my 2nd class...

DAY 43-

After 3 days, of my grade being passed due, it came in yesterday. Another A-! I'm so proud of myself for achieving two A-. My husband was deployed for half of my classes, and to be able to maintain a grade like that, raise 3 children, while keeping the busy with activities, and cleaning house! To me, it is Amazing!

Yesterday when we went to the FRG, movie meeting, I forgot to add, that when I told Elizabeth that we were going to go to Daddy's work to do something, she got excited and said, "I cannot wait to give daddy a hug and a kiss", it was so sad when I had to explain to her daddy wouldn't be there. It even brings tears to my eyes now.

Today was "Spring Inspection". I don't like inspections, I had to do enough of these when I was a daycare provider. Today they walked the ENTIRE house make sure things worked. We did find a few major things that needed worked. Like the downstairs toilet needs all new replacing, our sprinkler system, electrical wiring for my daughters ceiling fan, and some other stuff. Now they need to make an appointment to come back and fix it all. This inspection took about an hour and a half. I was glad our typical maintenance guy was one of the people, and then another lady. Then when they left I continued to clean, and do laundry. It is hard to get myself in the mood to clean. It has been 6 weeks, but I really miss my husband.

Tonight after the kids arrived home from school, we ate dinner and then Michael had soccer practice for an hour, and the wrestling for an hour. The other two and I just waited in the car today. I didn't feel like waiting out in the cold for soccer, and then Johnathan fell asleep during the wrestling, so I just let him sleep in the car, or else he would have been grumpy.

I think it is time to do the little touch ups of cleaning in the house, and go to bed. It is quiet, and lonely in the house tonight. It's just making me miss my husband even more. I hope these next few months go by fast!

Getting things done!

DAY 42-

First thing this morning after Johnathan getting on the school bus and then taking the other two to school, I marched right into the school. I had to talk to them. I was very uncomfortable about sending Elizabeth to school today after she screamed 3 times last night that she didn't want to go to school, I ended up bringing her in the room with me to sleep. That wasn't the only thing though, her telling me she doesn't like herself is not normal for a 5 year old. Something is wrong, and this something seems to be at school since she doesn't want to go. I thought tonight we got away from hearing, "I don't like myself" because they got out of school at 1:40 today, and she never said it, until bed time, she said "I hate myself"! It is like a stab in the heart all the time to me, hearing this. It hurts so bad, and I just wish I knew why she was saying it.

When I was in the school today, I told the office who I was going to see, and then another lady was at the office who knew the lady. This lady told me that the teacher I was seeing had stepped out for a few minutes. She never told the teacher I was there apparently. I was waiting and waiting and waiting, and finally the principal had seen I was waiting, and about after at least 25 minutes of waiting, he went and got her. She said nobody had told her. I went to this lady, because she was the one that responded to THE NOTE I WROTE FOR THE ELIZABETH'S TEACHER, not her. But since she responded, and Elizabeth's teacher was in class, and I knew it had to be taken care of, I talked to her. I really didn't want to send Elizabeth today with all these behaviors she has had, something, at school is not right. I don't know if it is a student making fun of her, or what it is. Whatever it is needs to be stopped, and changed, immediately. I will let them know tomorrow, that she has change it from not liking herself, to now hating herself. And anything else that happens, they will know. I am not dealing with this anymore. My daughter should feel comfortable about being at school, and not be doing this behavior, at 5 that is.

I guess they talked to Elizabeth and she didn't tell them much, but it will not stop there. The more she does the things she has been, the more we will get to the bottom of it. This mom is not dealing with my daughter being uncomfortable at school, for whatever reason it is. It will be changed, I will make sure of it.

After I left the half hour meeting, I came home and ran my half mile. I improved by a minute because of running a little more. Instead of 9 minutes 27 seconds, it was 8 minutes 29 seconds. So, hopefully it will just continue to get better. Then I came home and took a nap, until Johnathan arrived off the bus. Since the other two had 2 hour early dismissal, they weren't home much longer after them.

I also got a call to make an appointment for my mass by my left ear. I went to see a Doctor last Wednesday to get a referral out to get it taken care of. And here it is today, I had the Doctors office call me, and I made the appt. for next Tuesday. I just want this mass taken care of.

Tonight I made chili for dinner, and added turkey sausage. It was good. We needed to eat something fast because of an FRG meeting tonight. The kids wore their pajamas to watch the Chipmunk movie, the squeakal. They ended up having pizza, I didn't have any, but the kids did. They also had popcorn, pretzels, and pop. When we came home the kids fell asleep in the car. On the way home we got stuck by a never ending train. This seems to be a common thing every other time that I head to Fort. They need to set a limit on how long the train could be.

Now, this day is ending, it will be time to start a new day tomorrow.

Nightmares...

DAY 41-

Well, today I had Bible study after the munchkins went to school. It was great today. I didn't get to go last week because of the "shower" in my basement. I was glad I was able to go today. It was nice talking to the ladies. One lady, who also has her husband deployed gave me the book "Faith Deployed", I belong to this group on Facebook, but never had the book. She did not know that I belonged to the group on Facebook. That made my day. Then I asked for a Prayer for my daughter, and everything she is going through right now.

The rest of the day I cleaned the house, and worked on laundry. Until it was time to make dinner, and then go to Michael's soccer practice. Upon arriving home the kids watched a little t.v, while I vacuumed everywhere, except the basement. Then it was time for them to go to bed.

Tonight while I was watching a movie,"The Blindside" (very good movie) I heard screaming and crying upstairs, I thought it was my youngest. It wasn't. I rushed upstairs, it was my daughter. She was screaming and crying, "I don't want to go to school". frankly, I don't want to send her either. After some other things that have happened this past week, I have some digging to do, and see why these things are going on. If I can't figure them out, tomorrow, then she is going to be home schooled the rest of the year. Something is not right, and I don't feel comfortable taking her to school, when she is not comfortable. These behaviors are just not like her.

So, we will see how it goes, and I will Pray, that everything goes okay, and things start to get better for my daughter.

Our Vacation back to the State we are from. is ONE MONTH away!!!!

Day 40-

Yay, Just one month until the kids get on the airplane and take their first flight, back to the state where they were born. Only for two weeks, and then we come right back here. I cannot wait to see my parents, friends, family, and Josh's parents. We have not seen Josh's parents in 2 years, since we moved from Washington State. So, it is going to be a fun time for us. Hopefully this time until then goes by fast! Only bad thing is, that it means, it's the start of the summer. We are leaving right after summer break begins. Then that means mommy has them for a couple months. Thankfully summer break is starting with our family.

Today after Johnathan got on the bus, and after taking the older two to school, I decided to go on a run. For those of you that know me really well, this is not like me. I do not run, never have, now I am trying. I may have not done well today, not well at all. But, you have to have a starting point, and push yourself from that point. Today I ran a half of a half mile. I know, not much, but it is a start. And each day I will push myself more. Between walking, and running, it took me 9 minutes 27 seconds to get home from that half of mile. I am out of shape. Each day I will continue to push myself harder. After my run, I came home and took a nap. I always here from people how they have so much more energy after working out. Not me, I was exhausted, and a little bored. It gets a little lonely with out anybody here for 3 hours. Yes it is a nice break, and I have lot's to do, but yes it is lonely. Then it was time for Johnathan to get off the bus, and have lunch.

When the older two got home from school it was time to make dinner, about a half hour after they arrived home. Tonight I made Nachos. The kind my hubby taught me to make. You cook the meat, add the seasoning. Well, I thought we had the seasoning, we always have tacos, and always usually have seasoning on hand. Guess I should have looked before. I cooked the meat, then realized, no seasoning. Just great. My back up plan was a fajita packet we had, it was for chicken, and to be cooked on the BBQ. I made it work though. After cooking the meat, I put the chips on the pan, added meat on top, then shredded cheese, and put them in the oven for about 7 minutes. The kids loved them.


Then it was time to hurry up and eat. During this time I was washing Michael's uniform. I know last minute, oh well. It was finally dry for him to put on, and time to head out the door for his 5:30 game. We were running late, so I would have to let him run up to the field by himself when we got there. As I was driving, and we were almost there, I looked at the clock, thought for a second, and realized his game was at 6:30 p.m. We were not a few minutes late, we were an hour early! I guess I just got use to 5:30 p.m practice. So, the kids played on the playground for an hour. They have been bugging me to do this every time Michael has had a game.

Then Michael's game started. The other team seemed like they had enough players to make 2 teams, they were able to switch their players off and on several times. Our poor boys and girls just had enough players, and our player had to play the entire game with out any back up. Pretty funny, we were playing a team from our own school. And then they won. Our boys and girls did good though, not being able to have that break. Poor kids were tired, and should sleep well tonight.

When we arrived home it was bath time, Prayer time, and then bedtime. Now, I am waiting for the phone call from my hubby. He left me a message on Facebook this morning saying he would call. It has been 5 days since I last heard his voice. I cannot wait!

I use to like the sound of lawn mowers, but not anymore...

DAY 39-

Sometimes it is nice when your going to Church by yourself, because of having to drop of the children and then finding a seat for yourself, instead of having to look for more then one seat in a crowded Church. Service was great today. After service I talked to the Pastor about being Baptized when Josh is on his leave. I really want Josh to be here when I'm Baptized. My parents always left it up to me to get Baptized. But getting married at 18, having my first child at 19, and then living the Army life, I never knew when I should. The time is now, well, in a few months, but it will be here. And I cannot wait for my husband, and kids to share the moment with me.

Michael being the 8 year old he is, was listening to the conversation I was having with my mom about being Baptized. He thought it was today, and he thought he missed it. He wasn't to happy about that one. Until mommy explained it wasn't today, and that he is not suppose to listen to an adults conversation. So, I know that he would want to see my Baptized. Oh, thinking about this makes me excited. Not only that I officially accept, because I have always, and this just makes it official. But, it means Josh will be home for his "vacation home".

After Church we didn't do a whole lot when arriving home. The kids cleaned up the backyard some, thanks to the dog. I did some laundry. Today all day long you could here people mowing their lawns. I use to like the sound of lawn mowers, knowing it was spring/ or summer time. And when we were in Maryland, knowing that the lawn guys were on Fort, mowing everybody's grass. Or, when we owned our own house, meant some hot guy, a.k.a, my husband was behind the mower. And when we were in the house, if the hot guy wasn't around, such as his 3 prior deployments, my dad would come over and help me out. Umm, now I am now on my own. A little nervous about that. So, one day this week, when it is nice out (not sure if that is going to happen), when everybody else is at work, I will go and attempt to mow the lawn. Ha, this is going to be funny. That is why I'm mowing the grass when nobody is home. Can't say I ever mowed a lawn before. Oh, well, I will get it figured out, and report back to you on it, in a few days.

I made curry for dinner tonight. Mmmm, it is so good. At least 3 out of 4 of us had seconds. Johnathan ate most of his first, but didn't have seconds. We haven't had curry since, awhile before Josh left. We will definitely have it again.

Now, I am waiting, and waiting,and waiting for my final grade to come in one of my classes. They have 43 minutes to make their deadline. My classes finished one week ago, and they have one week, until midnight to get the grade in. I am getting frustrated. Does the teacher really have to wait until the last minute? I receive my other grade last Monday. The day after the class ended. So now it's tick tock, tick tock, waiting and waiting, and refreshing the page over and over again. Maybe I should just give up, and call in the morning if it doesn't show up. Oh, calls, those are always nice, hopefully soon, I will receive one of those from my handsome hubby. Goodnight everyone!!!

We COMPLETED the 5 mile, March of Dimes Walk.....

DAY 38-

The kids and I woke up early this morning, at 6:15 a.m to get get ready, eat and head out to walk the March of Dimes. We were actually a few minutes late to the 7:30 a.m meet up with others, but the walk didn't start until 9. So, we were still good.

We stood waiting around until 9. Thankfully a nice lady in our group had brought donuts for us, so even though the kids had two bowls of cereal, before we left the house, they also ate a donut. I had one also. We could have had a bagel, orange and coffee, but I chose the doughnut.

Then 9 a.m came around, and wait, everyone else was starting, but we weren't. Why you ask? Because we had to wait for a team member to come, she was lost. After waiting a few minutes for this person, some of us went ahead and started, while everybody else was quite a ways ahead. After walking a ways, and getting to the point of, are we going to walk to short 2 miles, or the entire 5 miles. We stopped and waited a few minutes for the others. If we wanted to go the short route we could have went over the bridge, but we decided to take the entire 5 miles. Which was 2.5 miles down, and the same back. I was a little nervous about this, I was thinking I wanted to take the short route, but wanted to stay with the group. Not only was I worried about the long way being to long for the kids, and how they would handle it, I was worried about my self. I know how out of shape I am. Well, the kids did AMAZING, and I guess I am not in as bad of shape as I thought I was. We completed the entire 5 mile walk in about 2 hours. That is with 3 kids, pushing the youngest in the stroller, and our 5, and 8 year old walking. Elizabeth would also slow down sometimes, so we would have to wait for her. But besides that, they did great. And so far the kids and I don't have feet, legs, etc. that hurt. So, we are doing great. I was so proud of us, and our team. We raised $115 dollars thanks to my mom and dad, my sister Debbie, my Aunt Karen, Joan, and Alane Pearce. I really appreciate everyone for Sponsoring us. As a team we raise $1,060.

After we Completed the Walk, Chick-fil-a was handing out free chicken sandwiches, with chips, and a pop, or you could have a piece of pizza. So, everybody sat down to eat lunch.

Once we finished I wanted to take Michael to his soccer game, by this time it was 11:30 a.m. I didn't expect him to play the game, but at least be there to support his team. He had already missed a game when I was sick about 3 weeks ago. Well, first thing when we got there, and after he went to the bathroom, he went in and actually played. I was so Proud of him. I really thought he would be to tired to play. We were a few minutes late to the game because we had to stop by the house and get his soccer socks, but he still played about 45 minutes, after just walking 5 miles. Again, I was so Proud of him. It was windy to, during the walk and the game. But, it didn't rain, so I could handle it.

When we arrived home, we didn't do much here, but relax. I did clean the kitchen, watch t.v, and make dinner. Anymore when I watch t.v, I think it is a little boring. I always feel so lazy when I'm done watching it.

Well, I think this is it for now. I just want to end it saying how PROUD I am, of all 4 of us, and our group for completing the 5 miles, for March of Dimes, GO US!!!