Musical Monday

This is something new I am doing mainly for my hubby overseas. On our last deployment the sweet man bought me flowers every two weeks, and now this time (to save money also) he is doing another romantic deed for me. Every week I get a video message on my computer with a hint to a romantic note hidden somewhere in the house! I can't believe that he has hidden 26 cards around the house and I haven't found them yet! So, because I have been slacking in the romance I knew I had to do something! So I came up with this musical monday. There are so many songs that my husband and I have a story behind or connection, and I will tribute 26 songs to my man every monday with a little story and picture. If this bores you then I am sorry you can just skip my Monday blogs, because this is for my love!

The first song is: Dig, by Incubus.

This song is important to us from when we lived in FL. We had many dive trips to the local springs. Such a beautiful place with so many great memories. Our first son spent many weekends at the springs, crawling in the sand and swimming in the water. We would blast this song with the windows down on the drives. ALSO, whenever my older son was little, 4 months to a year, and would start crying in the car seat, we would turn this song on and he would quiet down so fast! Comfort to us all:-) The lyrics also "dig" at us as it talks about two people who rely on each other no matter what the situation and no matter what is left in this world. A love and passion that we have! Enjoy the song playing on the blog:-)

Mike and his friends at Morrison Springs

Logan and Daddy at Morrison Springs (2007)

Ginnie Springs (2007)

Canoe Trip at Morrison Springs

I hesitated to post this one because I am very self conscious about the baby weight I had on me, but I didn't think it fair to not post a pic of our family at the time. Canoeing at Cypress Springs! (2007)

Does anyone else have memories tied to this song? Please share some songs that have meaning to you! Check next week for another Musical Monday:-) I love you hubby!!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I was a bit distracted this week with getting into a new groove of single-parent-living while having a talking computer as my partner. HEHE. But I had some fun thinking of these shots. Some are not too creative I know. I did realize that I don't have a lot of red in my house! So sad!

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate.
2. You're encouraged to take five new photos this week for the challenge.
3. If you get stumped, you may use one photo from your archive (although I'm not too strict about it - I do my best to take fresh shots).
4. Link up here on Sunday (or Monday at the latest) - you can use the new button.
5. Have fun!

This is what I came up with for this week!

RED: I am doing a project for my son so he can help count down the days till Daddy comes home. I used this wonderful red paint. I need more red in my house!

HOMESPACE: My boys found this lovely HUGE spider outside the other day. Yes, it is within reach for them...too scarey! They did get to see it catch a dragon fly though:-) This is the spiders homespace because I am NOT going to touch it!

FENCE: I had to get this one from my archive. Mainly because I love it so much. Big Meadows in VA.

ROCK: My mother-in-law painted this rock for my oldest son. They have enjoyed it being around! (yes I mean tossing it)

SHARP: At first I am sure you are confused, but this is what happened to my Sweet Potato Vine after it was rained on. Yes, it shredded it to pieces. Crazy to think that rain can be sharp!
Here are next weeks line up! Hop on over to Ramblings and Photos to check out her great pictures and many more! Thanks for stopping by:-)

1. Landscape
2. Power line
3. Newspaper
4. Pose
5. Hobby

Family Photos

I can't believe I haven't posted this pictures yet! While we were in MN I decided it was time to get some family photos done since the pictures we have hanging on our walls are from when Logan was 9 months old! I contacted a friend I have known for a couple of years who started her own photography business (with a partner). She is a true inspiration for me! Check out her blog J/S Photography. I didn't realize how hard it would be to photograph our family or at least a one year old in family poses. I mean, I have gotten some great photos of Austin by myself, but when you try and have him pose in family shots....oofta! It was hard!

She had some great tricks up her sleeve like fruit snacks and great distractions. Do any of you photographers have some tricks to get the young ones pay attention? Please doo share:-)

Have a good weekend ya'll! What are some of your labor day plans? Anyone traveling?

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!

Boys and their Toys

We have let Logan watch parts of Ironman (true Daddy's boy) and he is now in love with him! I am a sucker for buying my kids toys (which we are quick to donate others) and Logan got this awesome Ironman Action figure today. Both boys are enthralled with it. So cute:-)

Austin getting his turn (notice the head marks...just woke up from a nap)

Austin playing with his barn. I love how he pulls it up on his legs along with his blanket:-)
Logan shooting down a transformer...his Dad would be so proud!
I caught Logan walking around with his Ironman like this. Too cute!

By the way I need some ideas for dinner recipes BAD! These boys are being so picky lately and I gotta eat healthy with this pregnancy! Please do share your recipes and websites!

Thank you also for all the loving and sweet comments about Mike being gone. Like I said, I couldn't do this without all of you. Day 3 is almost done! HA! Just kidding, going smoothly so far:-)

Game Face Time

So many, SO MANY emotions flooded me today. With this being our 4th deployment, I think I have started to really get the hang of letting go and saying hello again. Unfortunately with that comes the ability to just turn off emotions. I realized today when talking with my soon to be deployed sailor, that this is all so surreal to me. I mean, we were within hours of saying goodbye and we were talking about life like it was going to continue and this huge void wasn't going to happen.

We went yesterday to drop him off only to find out that he had a 24hr delay and would be coming home for another day. Of course it was so wonderful to have him home for a bit longer, but it is really bittersweet. Our lives have been put on hold for the past 4 weeks, trying to eat up every moment, thinking..."this will be the last time in a long time that (fill in the blank)". Yesterday was the day that "life" was going to start again. I know this may sound horrible to some of you, but this is the military life for most.

So today, we sat in the USO waiting for the appropriate time to leave him at the airport. Here the boys are having a ball in the playroom with all the new toys and I am holding my husbands strong hands holding back the tears. I knew if I let them flow now, that they wouldn't stop. The boys so innocent, really had no idea what was going on. Logan, 3.5 yrs old understands what "trips" are and that Daddy was going to be gone, but he doesn't understand how long 6 months is. Austin, little guy, obviously had no clue, but I know he will miss his Daddy. We let them play for about an hour, got some lunch in, and decided it wouldn't be a good idea to stay another 3 hours, drag it out, and miss crucial nap time. There it was, the time to say goodbye.

I let Mike change Austin's diaper one last time (haha:-)) and of course the tears started. He walked us to the car and his face sweat with tears, kissed his little guy, got an open mouth kiss back, and buckled him in. He then swept Logan up in his big arms, hugged him close, said a few whispers in his ear, got kisses and let him get in the car. Next was my turn...sigh. Prayers said, kisses given, hugs tightened and tears swept away. I love you my man...come home to me.

Now I had to drive away...so awful. Of course as I am driving away all these thoughts flood my heart of "did I love him enough? have I cherished all the things he has done for me? do I remember all the things he says about life? was I a good wife..." Oh LORD! I just wanted to redo the past 10 months of this homeport. I wanted to remember all the smells, sights, and sounds of every wonderful moment with my husband. See...this is what happens when I hold all my emotions inside! They all come out on a blog! HA!

It is game face time now. It doesn't mean I won't cry or have an aching heart, it just means that I push through it for my sailor across the world and for the boys in my home. Now starts the countdown! Now "life" starts again. Routines begin, cleaning started, and new memories made. I apologize to those who haven't heard from me recently, who haven't gotten that phone call back or friendly visit. Between morning (all day) sickness and spending this time at home, I have neglected those around me. This is our life and I shouldn't change who we are because of it. Please hold me accountable in being a friend, walking with the Lord, being a loving and firm mother. My hubby may be somewhere else, but I know I am not alone. Thank you friends who are SO there for me...I truly couldn't be a military wife if it weren't for God and my support (YOU!).

The airplane to take him away

Playing with his boys one more time.
Always getting love from Logan:-)
Last family photo...hopefully our next one will be in the same airport 6 months from now!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday Re-do and extras

So I have gathered that several people CAN see the Scavenger Hunt photos and some CAN'T. When I posted it I did something I don't normally do, so I will try again! Sorry for the delay in getting it up, I was dropping the hubs off at the airport (WHOLE OTHER post to come about that one:-( I apologize for those who have already seen these pictures and the repetition! Just trying to get it to work this time!

This was my week's interpretation of these themes:

1. BOKEH

2. BUSINESS

3. REPETITION

4. ECO FRIENDLY- We planted a vegetable garden for the first time this year and our bell pepper plant is doing awesome. It has at least 12 peppers growing right now!

One of the peppers we actually got to eat together!

5. MUSIC. The Psalms are music to me. I love to read them and sing them.

Since I had never heard of Bokeh before, I was very curious and had lots of fun figuring it out. My husband was again, very helpful by making the filter ourselves and giving me opportunities to figure it out:-)

I know Logan is quite blurry in this one, but I love how he got silly when I was taking the pictures:-)

The first one I got that turned out.

It was so cool to look through the lens and filter and actually see the bokeh shapes in the background.

It was hot and Austin's face is priceless!

More diamond shapes

Finally tried the cross shape the hubs wanted to see...it worked!