4 Days...6th Disease...and 1 Day at a time

Why so many numbers you ask? And what do they all mean? Our lives here seem to be living by the numbers around us...4 Days until Christmas, Everett has 6th Disease (Roseola) and I am taking things 1 Day at a time now...

Poor little E has been through so much lately! He recently got his top two teeth only to have the ones right next to them about to break through. Four teeth at once is a doosey and sure explains why he hasn't been wanting ot nurse very often. (Back on track with that now). He recently had a strange high fever for about 3 nights/4days and caused a lot of concern. It got up towards 104 and even his soft spot was bulging out a bit. I took him to the ER, but with a lack of other symptoms (no cold like things, diarrhea or vomitting) they chalked it up to a virus and told me to watch him. Not the best answer from a Children's Hospital. The fever eventually went away around Monday morning and he has been recouperating since then. I had his 9 month well baby scheduled for today for about a month and it was quite convenient considering his recent health. It definitely turned out to be more than a routine visit! As soon as I took his clothes off, I noticed this crazy rash all over his body. Small red dots and blotchyness. The nurse noticed it too and seemed concerned or curious.

(such a swee pic of my man, can't see his rash here, but I am so in love with him! God gave me the perfect third child...He knew exactly what I needed)

I immediately thought back to what I first thought it was in the beginning of the fever (after doing research on the internet) and thought it was Roseola...and I was right! It is basically a benign childhood illness that doesn't have a treatment besides controlling the fever. The rash appears once the fever is gone and only lasts 1-3 days and isn't a bother to the baby. These pictures don't do justice as the lighting in my house isn't that great. But you can kinda see it.
None the less, he is a healthy happy baby! He wieghs 22 lbs and is 29 1/4 inches long. Meeting all the milestones and sure wooed the doc despite his crazy rash.

4 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!!! I think I am more excited than the boys. We have only a few gifts for them this year, but they are so perfect. What fun it is to be a parent and give joyfully to our children! This is an advent calendar I made last year. Each day they put up a new ornament and on the back as a verse to read from the bible about Jesus' birth. Logan and Austin both enjoy it very much.
Logan very much understands what is going on this year and it is great to be starting or continueing our traditions. It is definitely hard being away from family this year, but like I said, I am stoked for our family Christmas!!
Like my star wars snowflakes I cut out? go here: http://mattersofgrey.com/diy-star-wars-snowflakes/ to do it yourself!
Fits in real well huh?

1 Day at a time...so yeah...I am putting my foot down to forgetting and not having a schedule...I am not talking about narowing my day down to every 15 min, but knowing what needs to be cleaned when, what appointments are when, deadlines, birthdays, etc...So so so.....sick and tired of having "mommy brain!". I am doing my best to write things down and keep track of it all. Hard to start a new habit, but hopefully soon I will have it down.
Found this amazing cleaning chart template and it is helping immensly! Go here to download yours and create your needed chores!!

Anyways...not much else going on...one big thing...today Mike re-enlisted! Yup, we are in it for another 6 years, which inevitely will keep us in till the end. Right now we have 9.5 years in so in 6 we will have 15.5 and would be silly to get out. Please be praying for the long year ahead of us with Mike training and going through a rigorous program. We know God has his hand in our family and we are daily striving to glorify Him through all that He has given us!

Moving Forward

Well, he did it! My hubby passed this PT test that he has been trying to pass for months. I know that may sound bad to him, but he has worked harder for this than I have seen him do for other things. We have prayed harder over this and had some tough lessons learned. And today he did it! Not to brag...but I am gonna...:-) This is a HARD test! 15 pull-ups, 90 situps/3min, 80 push ups/3min, 3 mile run in 22:30 (that is a 7:30 mile) and a half mile swim in 14 min. Just to try and give a little example of how hard it is, I was at the gym the other night and I thought to myself...why don't I try and run a mile in ...lets say...8 min? So I started off feeling pretty good and then it started to wear on me...and I had only been going 2 min!! HA! Also, after having 3 kids the whole "peeing when you cough" thing came true and it wouldn't have been safe for me to continue running that fast. Sorry if TMI.

AAAHHHH....what a relief! I think this was so important for him to just pass it to say to HIMSELF that he passed it! Now we can move forward...he still needs to train and get ready for a possible new job. Still all in God's hands and that is one lesson we have learned and have had stamped into our minds and hearts lately.

Also...one thing out of this is teaching his boys to not give up. Despite the times he failed, he did it again and again, worked harder and kept focused. I am just beaming right now I am so proud of him!! Anyways, just had to share that...thanks for letting me air out my excitement!

I title this photo: "He has the whole world in his hands:-)"

Our Family is whole again!

What blur these past few days have been! Still so surreal to have Mike home and also surreal to think that he wasn't here for the past 6 months. We are adjusting slowly but surely, soaking up every moment we can. Mike goes back to work tomorrow and we will hopefully establish a routine.

My girlfriend was able to come to the airport when Mike got back and used her amazing skills as a photographer to capture our wonderful and special moments. I have been putting together a slide show of some memories from the past 6 months and the homecoming. Please enjoy the the movie!

Yes...he is home:-)

Yes he is Home

Yes I cried

Yes we are complete again

Yes I made a dinner that everyone ate because he was home

Yes I have made out several times

Yes the boys have wrestled themselves tired

Yes I never want to let him go again...

Yes I have some AMAZING pictures to show you...we are quite busy and distracted, so I am going to get a slide show up soon! Stay tuned! Thanks again you wonderful people for all your love and support!

The Embrace

Logan's Head Wound and 5 months down!

This weekend marked a 5 month accomplishment for the deployment, and I guess time for something "traumatic" to happen. It was about 4 weeks before Mike got back from his LAST deployment when Austin broke his leg. So this time frame is our "2 days after he leaves and everything falls apart". Friday night the boys were playing in their costumes as usual, using some large body pillows on the ground to jump on and roll around on. I was starting to make dinner and also babysitting for a friend. Her almost 1 year old little girl was chowing down on her dinner. Then the hit happened. Not sure if it was a slip, jump, or tumble, but logan fell onto the side of the end table. He screamed and started running to me. My first thought was, "I need to love him but help him be tough when he gets hurt", then I saw blood and I was like "ok...he really hurt himself", and then I saw the OPEN wound and shouted "We Gotta GO!" . God was so good to us and another good friend came over right away, like the time between the phone call and her getting here seemed like seconds! She just took over Austin and Kaitlyn (my other friends little one) and Logan and I went to the ER.

We didn't have to wait too long, and were able to watch a movie on the tv to make the time go by faster. He was all settled down and wanting to go home when the docs came in to stitch him up. I was hoping just for some glue or something, but he ended up with three stitches. It doesn't seem bad and probably isn't, but for a 3 year old, it was the scariest thing. At first he was smiling (all the while he is still in his IronMan costume) while they put a pillow case on his arms to restrain him and laughed a bit when they rolled him in a sheet to hold him down further. As a RN I understand the need to restrain children as it is for their own safety, the doctors safety, and the only way you are going to get the sewing done! However, to be the mom makes things a little different. Well, they held him down, he screamed and cried and I just prayed. I didn't think they numbed him enough, but they said they did. I know he was just so scared. Of course after all the excitement they said that Dad should have come instead and I was like "Yeah...that would have been nice, but he is in IRAQ!!!!!".

His stitches will stay in for about 5 days and I am praying when they take them out he won't freak out as bad. I may have to bribe with a toy or something. Any one have any suggestions on how to help your child be calm during something like this?

If you look closely, you will see freckle like specks around his eyes, that is petechiae/bruising from screaming and crying so hard.

On the UP side...the next day marked 5 months done with the deployment. I have waited to take this picture since the beginning AND I can't wait till I can change the month to February tomorrow! We are less than a month till Dad comes home and my Sailor kisses me again.

Best Friends! (a picture NOT in their costumes!)

Multi-sticker countdown. I tried to have it season specific, but they enjoy picking out stickers.

Austin bo baustin

Another year older and random stuff...

Another year here and gone. I had my 27th birthday yesterday. Do I feel older? A bit. Do I still feel 18 inside? Yes. Is that true for you? It was a nice quiet birthday surrounded by family...even got to celebrate tonight again with my family! I spent the day yesterday with the hubby's family, relaxing and then getting my hair done! It was a birthday gift from the in-laws and was actually quite nice to be pampered and have a subtle change. The hubby said he liked my color when we first got married so we tried to recreate it and I think we got pretty close! Got a nice Sak purse that I won't be converting into a diaper bag, hopefully:-) And a tote to carry around my yarn for crocheting. Logan of course helped open the gifts and enjoyed going through them fast. Thank you dear friends and family for all the calls and birthday wishes!

So here is my new look! It was kinda weird taking a picture of myself in the mirror so I am sorry for the strange expression...didn't know where to look. HA!

I liked this picture taken of Logan and me even though it isn't quite in focus...such a good memory of having to hold my children on top of the one growing inside of me:-)

Randomness:

Self-Discipline...what do you do? So I have been thinking lots lately about having self-discipline or self-control. Especially amidst the hoopla of a new year and new beginnings, this is something on my mind. I am quite tired of the rut and cycle of fixing something in my life and then reverting back to old habits and then fixing it and reverting...endless I swear! The cycles I am talking about is money, food, working out, spiritual growth, etc. So what do you do to help yourself have more self-discipline? How do you purpose to create the routine that helps create good habits and a healthy life?

Here are some pretty pictures to just entertain:-) Downtown city where my parents live one night after my Dad and I went out to dinner...so beautiful yet cold!


A little preview into my husbands life:

Yeah...good thing I was talking to him when I got these pictures so I knew he was safe, but sometimes it isn't easy seeing what he does. I do try and not think about it, but when I do I fill with pride and worry all at once. Hopefully only about 2 months left!

I swear when I zoom in I can almost see his face through the mask...mustache and all!

Veteran's Day

I thought instead of boring you with our military stories and me bragging about my handsome soldier, I would let you read a few poems that I enjoy! Happy Veteran's Day ya'll!

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray dear Lord, my soul you'll keep,

My mommy says I need to pray,

For many others on this day,

But my daddy - he's a soldier

of this I'm sure you know,

He helps protect our freedom,

I was sad to see him go.

Although I know he's sage with you,

I'd rather have him here,

'cause he's the one who always said,

With prayer, there's no fear.

Dear Lord , I know you hear me,

Way up in the sky,

Please protect my daddy,

I wish he was here tonight.

In war, there are lives risked and lives taken

Men and women giving their best to defend what they love

They defend their country

Their honor

Their people

Some call them soldiers

Others call them heroes

Our veterans have risked their lives for us

They have lived through hell and fought with honor

Many have killed

And regret doing so

For every life, there is a soul

For every soul, there is a life

For those who have died, we show great appreciation

and remembrance

For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle

Some, memories of defeat

Some, memories of victory

Our veterans were more than soldiers

They were, and still are heroes

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens

But I am in the Army in the ranks rarely seen

I have no rank upon my shoulders - salutes I do not give

But the military world is the place where I live

I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get

But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget

I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line

But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind

My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man

And the call to serve his country not all can understand

Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free

My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me

I love the man I married, Soldiering is his life

But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Army Wife

Tuesday Tunes

Just for this week I changed the day of Musical Monday to Tuesday Tunes due to being so extremely busy and having a visitor until last night. The hubs already knew about the delay:-) So next week I will be back on Mondays.

I had fun with this song. I actually couldn't remember what it was called or who sang it for the life of me! My sister who is a country song lover tried to help me. I wasn't very helpful when asking her about the song because my clues were so vague. I called her around 9 one night and we were talking till midnight trying to figure it out. I finally saw what it was when I was searching around...Emerson Drive "Fall into Me".

This song meant a lot to me while I was in college right before getting married. The first verse really didn't apply to us during that part of our relationship we weren't scared anymore to be in love and getting ready to be married. The chorus was a fun song to drive with the windows down and many of the lyrics were encouraging to me while we prepared for this crazy adventure ahead of us. Who knew that I would have lived in 3 different states within 10 years after high school. Who knew the love that would grow from two people, and the beautiful children that would be given to us.

It also spoke as me as if I were talking to Mike " right here waiting, staying strong, come and fall into me". As hard as military life can be and being separated, I needed Mike to know that I wasn't going anywhere, and that I would follow him where he would go, trust and believe in him, and that I would be waiting for him until he returns. Being able to wait for a loved one can be hard yet so rewarding at the same time. Knowing that I have my true love, and yes we have to be apart, but I don't have to keep searching for that special person. I get to have a "honeymoon" after every separation: learning to live together again, having that person there when you wake up, cooking for them, and well...having those first "moments" with them all over again (wink wink).

Anyways, this song was a fun one I enjoyed listening to as I was preparing to be a wife and join military life. Nice and catchy!!

Oh yeah...I know I said I was going to get some pictures up last week, and I didn't. But this time I got out the old photo albums and scanned in some oldies...enjoy!

The very top on the beach is the first time I ever set foot on the infamous California Beaches...

The second one is the Christmas we got engaged. I made Mike dress up in his Dress Blues and walk around the Mall of America...haha! Ask him about that someday! (2003)

The top one here is in my dorm room on one of his visits. I think he only visited once...maybe twice. (2003)

The bottom one again is the Christmas we got engaged...(love the MN pale skin ...yuck!) Such a handsome man! I do have to say that He has become more good looking as we get older!

Musical Monday

For some reason this weekend has been a tough one, but also healing at the same time. I am so grateful that I was able to go through it with my best friend/husband even though he is so far away.

Back when the war first started in 2003 there were several songs that were associated with the soldiers. And yes, I was that girlfriend and then fiance who clung to those lyrics and cried to them every night. Not much has changed since then:-) Three Doors Down had a couple of great tunes, but the one that sticks to my heart this Monday is "Here without You".

Growing up in MN I NEVER expected to meet and fall in love with a military man. I mean...how many bases are in MN? I think just one reserve base...not sure. The point is, is that no guy that I knew growing up was joining the military and so I had never seen or witnessed a long distance military relationship. I don't think when my heart fell head over heels for Mike, it really knew what it was getting us into. However, God had a plan and equipped me throughout my life leading up to that point to be able to handle the stress and craziness of a long-distance, no communication during war, crazy in love relationship. I know for a fact though, that I wouldn't have made it, and our relationship wouldn't have made it if it weren't for the kind of man Mike was/is. He was so reassuring in every phone call, full of love and missing you's, encouraging and also loved me for who I was. Which is HUGE:-)

Just this weekend I told him that I would go through hundreds of deployments just to share this life with him. I wouldn't want anyone different even if they were able to see me every day of my life. I am sure most of you gals who have hubbies that aren't military or that don't go away for long periods of time wish that your spouse may deploy for a bit just to get some time away. That is opposite for me...there will never be a time where I am tired of Mike...every day with him (here or over seas) is a gift:-)

I think the longest we went being apart was for about 8 or 9 months...which isn't that bad! I know some guys deploy for a year and I pray God gives their relationships strength and love beyond all others. We have been very fortunate in our lives together to be able to see each other either in person every couple of months, or over the internet. God has been good! I love the passion we had in the beginning of our relationship and I love to see how it has continued and gotten even stronger and deeper. I could go on and on about separation, but dwelling on it has never done any good for us. We are just so excited and grateful to one day run into each other's arms once again:-) Love you babe, thank you for the exciting and fun early parts of our relationship...for making me have goosebumps every time you called (and also made my roomates roll their eyes), and for sticking by me. Thank you for the days we have now; sharing our children's joys, helping each other cope with the same separations, and for letting me fall more and more in love with you...oh tears...they come so easily these pregnant days! ha! Seriously, if you only knew Mike...how deep my love is for you

I am going to post this, but I plan getting some really old pictures up later today! Got some good ones from the good old days:-0

Lessons taught

No Scavenger Hunt Sunday this week. The past seven days have been busy! Full of play dates, bible studies, errands to do, runny noses, and still having morning/evening sickness. I wasn't even able to complete all my assignments for my photography class! (which is very unlike the student that I am) It has been a good week though. One day we went without tv...which was and wasn't hard. See, we don't even have basic cable! Just an antenna and netflix, so there isn't much to watch, but I do usually use it while I cook or HAVE to get something done. But I vowed no TV and even put a sign up saying "NO TV". It was a fun day! Lots of playing with the boys, more messes than normal and a few more tantrums...but I think we will do that several days a week now. Austin either has allergies or a cold...either way the poor kid is miserable. He even forgot how to sleep without breathing through his nose one night and kept me up every hour...I felt worse for him than me:-(

I am starting to feel like cleaning more and more, which is good. I hate surface cleaning and it is hard for me to know about dirt in not-seen places and to have to leave it there because I just don't have the energy to do it. I am praying that I get that second tri burst of energy any day now! Being 14 wks I am now into my pregnancy pants, but haven't wanted to put on those oversized shirts yet. I still look like a chub and not preggo yet, but soon it will come and won't stop growing! I swear I have felt a kick or two, but won't count it true until I know for sure.

I have two great stories for you all! The first has to do with this awful AWFUL spider. One morning this week we were in a hurry (as usual) to get out of the house to either school, or appointments, and I walk around to Logan's side of the van after getting Austin buckled and THANK GOD I looked up or ahead of me, because there was this GIANT spider web with a GIANT spider right in the middle. Yes...it was about the same height as my head and right in my path. It is so amazing to me though, because this spider created this giant web over night. I had just parked the van about 8 o'clock the night before and it was now 9 am. I actually felt bad for the spider as I pulled away and the strong web broke. (after I tried to get some pics of course!) It just amazed me that it built such an detailed web in such a short period of time, or at least I think it was short. Well...I thought this spider had learned it's lesson and wasnt going to build there again. I was wrong...3 more times I came out in the morning and there it was again...strong web in the same place! I wasn't sure how to handle this because the boys and I go outside and play around the van and under the tree often. Plus, God-forbid I actually walk into it one day! So...since I am not that spider friendly, it went to heaven today:-( And anyone seeing me do that would be laughing so hard.

can you see the little dot half way between the van and the branch? It shows up agains the white garage door
You have to look hard to see it this time...

Another lesson learned today that was a bit harder than ye 'old spider. It has been almost a month since the hubs has been fighting "bad guys", and as a family here we have been holding up quite well! I am very proud of how Logan is doing and how he chugs right along, plays hard, and shows a great amount of love towards me and his Dad still. Today was a different story. I went to drop him off at Sunday School, and because he is such an easy going kid, he usually jumps right in and barely says goodbye to me. However, today he kinda lingered by me and the door. I gave a few extra hugs because he didn't run off this time and bent down to kiss him when I saw... that face. It is the face he usually has when he says he misses Dad. I told Logan that I know he does, and that Dad would want him to have fun and play with all the kids. I gave him one last kiss and walked out the door...I stood in the hallway where he couldn't see me, but I could see him. He still stood there, away from the kids and with his head down. My heart was breaking because I knew this time wasn't for attention, he truly missed his Dad. All of a sudden he walked out of the room! Of course the teachers stopped him and I caught him there too. We walked back in the class and I bent down and started talking with him. He said that he didn't want to stay and wanted to come with me. This was so unlike him! Most of you who know Logan, he is always rearing to go play with other kids! Then he says "Can we pray to Jesus?" Well...I was done. Logan came over to me and laid his head on my shoulder and we prayed to Jesus.

Mike is always so good at praying with Logan during tough times, disciplining and any time in general. I decided that whenever Logan had a hard time with Mike being gone I would give him extra love and pray with him, asking for extra strength and a joyful heart. We have done that several times already...usually at night when he wants Mike, or after Logan is disciplined and probably would rather see the other parent right then!

AFter that I went to the teacher and began to try and tell her why he was acting that way. Of course I lost it. I have seen my little man be so strong for so long and as I looked over at him I saw the pain that he is pushing through. And he wanted to PRAY...thank you Jesus for being there for our family, for giving Logan comfort when we talk to you, and for giving us all strength:-) After I stopped blubbering and could actually explain myself, the teacher (also Military wife) said that he would be fine. I knew that if I let him come sit with me, I wouldn't be able to stop crying and would have probably needed to leave. Don't get me wrong, I am not that parent that pushes my child away and doesn't know when they need to be by my side. I knew that he needed to stay, push through the toughness of the moment and deal with what is happening in a Godly environment. I, of course, told the teacher that if he had a hard time, to page me IMMEDIATELY:-) As a military parent you know that you can't baby your child through every tough moment they go through. If someone did that for me as an adult during deployments, I wouldn't make it! Even as a young child, Logan needs to learn to lean on Jesus (which he is doing by wanting to pray) and to be able to keep on living even though half of his life is on the other side of the world. It was such a great lesson taught to me about praying first when things start to get tough. Definitely something I need to work on. Thank you Lord, for showing us how to be faithful through even the littlest of people:-)

Musical Monday

Today's song is a fun one. This past year Mike and I have fallen in love with the group NeedtoBreathe. We even managed to go to one of their concerts here in VA! There songs have such depth and love for the Lord that it is hard to not sing them at the top of your lungs. We really only know their most recent album, but enjoy hearing their older songs. It was hard for me to pick just one song to share with you this week (I am sure you will hear many more of theirs to come) but this one stands out for our family.

Being a military family has proven to be one of the best ways that I can show love to others. It has made me aware of the hardships that everyone has to go through. Separation, death, loneliness, trials, and temptations are just a few of the crazy things that we have dealt with. Some may wonder, why do we put our family through the sacrifices, and how can a Dad leave his kids for so long, etc. We know that with any job there will be sacrifices and unfortunate times. Many don't agree with what the military does or is doing in the world, but I think they are one of the many groups of people with the incredible integrity. They do a job that no one else wants to, they do it willingly and with pride, and they get it done to the best of their ability. I am so glad that my boys get to see their Dad be a part of a group that has such great character. I know my husband is probably laughing at this right now because of course not every person has this kind of integrity no matter the job, but come on hun...you know that these men are your brothers and are unlike any other!

We know that God has called us to this life, to be a light in the darkness and even though it is hazardous at times (in many different aspects) we won't turn back. This is a catchy tune and I hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed singing it out loud in the car!

sorry this isn't a better version...I think it is great, hopefully you can hear the lyrics!

Art Project: Calendar for Logan

I am trying to do as much as possible to help Logan pass the time until Dad comes home. This is something he can do daily and see the time go by. Plus this will hopefully help him learning his days and months:-) I used a board that was previously a calendar, but with a school theme. I then bought my own wooden shape cards, drilled the holes, painted and numbered them. I tried to find pictures that coincided with the month that had the boys' pictures and Mike and then glued them on! It may take the whole 6 months for Logan to learn days and months, but I hope it will help him figure out when Daddy will be home!

The other days and dates are on the other side of the cards.

Silver Lining

As we were driving to get some ice cream on Mike's last night, the sun dipped down below the clouds and showed us a silver lining. I thought, "how appropriate seeing the silver lining in the situation that was upon us." These fast few days have gone by fast and slow. I have tried to get into my cleaning routine, stock up on household items, play with the boys more, get some exercise, and get past this morning/evening sickness. It has been hard, and last night I watched Toy Story with the boys instead of cleaning toilets, but life is getting done. So what is the silver lining in all this?

I am learning so much more about my boys and how to be a parent to them since it is only me disciplining and training. I needed this so I can be a better mommy instead of just relying on my hubby.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder is definitely true. Being apart from my best friend, lover and partner makes me so much more grateful for what we have. I already start thinking how I can be a better wife when he comes home AND while he is gone.

I am getting off my butt and getting exercise with this pregnancy. I already feel like I look 4 months pregnant...where did this belly bulge come from? (all the food I know:-) Moving around and doing this definitely keeps my mind off food and the nausea.

Whenever Mike is gone I always draw closer to the Lord. It is sad that it takes a separation to cause that, but it is a true statement in how God uses all situations to grow us. Starting new bible studies soon and reaching out is a goal of mine during these next several months.

Anyways, that is what the silver lining in all this so far. I am sure there will be more things to come. Something cute that happened tonight. I was helping clean up the boys' room and Austin in his diaper, came over to me pushed my shoulders back to get my attention and stood up on my legs, wrapped his arms around me, and laid his head on my shoulders. He gave me the sweetest and longest hug ever. Just out of no where. Definitely gave me the boost I needed for the rest of the night. Oh how I love LOVE my boys:-)

Austin giving Daddy a kiss. These Daddy Dolls were priceless!