Tis the Season for a Thankful Reason: 6

Ive never really been that big on Socializing. Had always kept a few only a few friends growing up, kept few close, and tried my best just to be nice to everyone tho, that didnt always pan out.
Thinking Back to Kindergarten where I met Betsy V. and Stacy Z. Who I remained close with till Junior high. In First Grade meeting Jenny B and Becca B. Jenny Who I still remain close with to this day. Who will forever be my family and my Oldest and dearest friend....ha, Jenny remember the Lemon in my moms eye, thanks to John~ lol ~ Or splitting the booths at Friendly's, closing the place down which Im sure after we left and the ladies were cleaning up the place felt spooky and quiet ;)
In 5th Grade is when I met Jeanna. That Year was the start of our yearly anniversary. The Day after Christmas. We became Super close pretty quick. And From there, we would remain friends so a very long time. Have memories like the "beating heart" in McDonalds Bathroom, and chugging Cranberry Juice when your mom showed up randomly at my house, while we were drinking (shhhhh)
To later finding few friends here and there, some who have moved on, some who have passed, that I think of almost every day. R.I.P
To Meeting my Lovely Dawny. Remembering her little face peaking thru her door the day we were moving into Country Squire Apts. Max barking at us and her holding him back. We became besties before we knew it! I ran to her house the morning my water broke with Emily, to have her check the toilet water to make sure I wasnt crazy....lol....and she never thought i was crazy for the odd things we did. I will always love her. Showing up to my wedding knowing my parents were not going to show up :/
To reuniting with Jackie, years later right before She got preggers with Chris Jr. Realizing how oddly close our kids ages are, where we FIRST tied the knot at the court house. To she always being there for me, mentally espcially, never Judging and with an Honest opinion. being my pregnancy buddy ;) Understand what its like to have kids all so close in age, while youre a stay at home mom, and a mom to special children. My Admiration for her daughter Khloe, from that moment I held her.....I was in awe.
To my odd introduction to Irene..." I see that youre pregnant do you want to buy my baby furniture?" awesome times at the Irwin Pool, and playdates where our Kiddos became close...even boyfriend, girlfriend like ;) Oddly enough Ems all time Fav movie is Mamma Mia, hence her love for her affectionate Greek blonde boyfriend. Irene you as well Made my last months at Irwin tolerable.
Ashley White, what can I say about you boo? You were welcoming and fun and sweet and actually gave me a chance at irwin. We always had fun, and laughed and We adore Steven. Im sad things ended how they did, but super thankful you accepted me back and that we remain friends. I Love you girl!
To My Girl Monika...With out you Mons, My end at Irwin would have been dull and sad and boring and Youre an awesome chick. Im thankful to have you in my corner girl!

In no order here, You ladies all truly mean something to me. I may not keep many close, but Im blessed to have you all in my life.
So on m 6th day for a Thankful reason, I am thankful for my true Friends.
Ive reconnected with a few more I havent mentioned, but it doesnt make you less important, just pregnancy brain still gets the best of me a year later. I Cherish all my true friends, and no matter how far our physical distance is...I always will~

Tis the Season for a Thankful Reason: 5

Can you believe im not even sure what to say tonight?
We spent the day walking around Pike Place Market in Seattle, not to buy stuff, but just to get out, out of Tacoma, out to sea Air, see something new. Experience a piece of Seattle. And Boy was it busy. The Drive wasnt too bad which is good because starting soon Ill be making that Trip Soooooo often. I dressed the kids Warm, In fact too warm, Sophie had on leggings under her pants. But today oddly enough wasnt that cool. It was a perfect temp out there on the Seattle port. We watched the ferries cross the Sound a few times, Got some balloon animals for the kids and just soaked up the air, although international cuisine was wafting through the Market. Saw a man hoola hooping with Singing, playing guitar and playing a hermonica that was wrapped around his neck, a future Gold robot that was standing infront of market. Even a Man painted Silver like a statue, and in fact the Birds used him as one~

It was a low key pretty nice day. Course heard a few complaints, like Im hungry, I need to pee, and Ugh I hate crowds, but over all Taking my not a fan of loads of people family out into an extremely busy part of the City wasnt too bad. They so take after their father in that aspect ;) tehehe.

So today on my 5th day of a Thankful reason
Im Giving thanks to memories. Memories like these. Moments that are simple but ever lasting. Times that even may include brief stressful moments and loads of people, that when My Kids are grown and off doing their own things I can look back and remember...or read...here in this blog which eventually I will print all out.

Tis the Season for a Thankful Reason: 4

you know what I remember about my childhood...Giving my brother John a hard time. He always wanted to be in my room, sleep in my bed, play games with me, Play mario Brothers, me to sing him to sleep, play with my friends, on and on and on.... ;)
We called him Cupcake head, and Johnnyboy, "the butler" which made him cry "I dont wanna be the butt" Insergant and ooo yea Go to Sleep John "come to my bosom" lmfao
used him for getting what we want, as we said he was the "favorite child" and if Jeanna and I wanted to go out for Icecream, we were told no, but if Had John ask if we can go...it was always YES. Go figure ;)
Needless to say, i wasnt very nice. Gave him a hard time, as did other kids in the neighborhood. He was always so....hmm let me think....quirky JUST LIKE ME~ we had times where we would laugh at night from making up songs, flipping off the top bunk and on to the bottom, making BUBBLE tents out of our sheets to sleep in. Rode Bikes together and jumped on the trampoline, Even had sleep overs together at the Binnies. Remembering now He and Brit had an obsession with Count Dracula from Sesame Street and Sleeping beauty....YEAH JOHN I SAID! I out'ed ya ;) I remember some phrase about a Shoe...Figure-o-a????
Johns Awesome rendition of Will Smiths Opening Dance on His sitcom...but ugh Why cant I think of the name. Cuz lets face it, No one has a better head bob then John. Which then takes me back to his quirkiness. Did you know THat John once told me i couldnt wear my hair a certain way in a pony tail because it drove him insane how the hair moved in the pony/bun like thing. Bouncing all around uncontrollable! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. He said he couldnt stand sitting behind girls in class when their hair was up like it! OHHHHH my Johnny boy ;)
How bout Johns Goth era! Black Hair and Eyebrows...Really John? ReALLY!?
Or how your belts have to match your shoes...
Now Readers, you may think this is all about The odd behavor of my Brother. Or that Im trying to knock him. But Im not. Truth is, we werent really that close growing up! I was a meanie head.
And truth his That it wasnt until after his high school graduation that we started to get to where we are today. A place I might add that Im super thankful for. Hes amazing. and Funny, and whitty, and charming and did i say Amazing. I love him so much. I feel he doesnt get enough credit from others, nor does he give himself enough credit or anything too. But that will come with time I believe. Hes amazing! Hes strong, and able and has a huge heart. Always trying to spare feelings instead of saying what is on his mind.
Life Changed for him at 11. August 24th to be exact. Thats when he got the call to go down to the hospital. I remember that exactly. Where I was lounging. (on that odd red sofa in the kitchen) holding my sweet 16 birthday gift, a ring, from my parents. My dad had answered the phone.
It was my birthday, and they were packing up my little brother for a trip down to the Childrens hospital in NYC. I was terrified. Jeanna came and stayed with the twins and I while they left. Even drove my parents car to go pick up pizza hut. AHHH memories of that day.
But....here we are. 12 years later from that date. Johns here, Johns healthy, hes a survivor. Hes my inspiration, and a reminder!

I was a shitty sister during that time. Only went to the Hospital once. And that was much later, years later. If I could go back in time. I would have and should have been there with him more. Maybe our relationship would had blossomed sooner if I had. What if...He didnt survive? I couldnt even image. But HE was awesome through the whole ordeal. I remember once Coming home Drunk out of my mind, Threw up in the kitchen sink, in the dark ALL OVER dirty dishes, and my mom walked in, pissed at me because I was past curfew, and I was pretending to wash dishes...in the dark no less. I remember channel surfing that TV with my eyes closed talking...Lord knows what I was saying. Went to my room, threw up all over my bed, and there in the door way was John...a Bucket and a huge bottle of water for me. ~~~LOVE~~~ Now thats something I didnt deserve, and yet he was there, cleaning me up, protecting me...and I had never really done that for him. My Amazing Brother.


Later, as we grew up, he became an uncle. And Still to this day in my kids, I see glimpses of him....ODD tho right. Ryan for example, Blonde, blue eyes...very round head ;) Emily in a few pictures too when she was a baby I remember Mom a few times say..."wow she just looked like John"

John and Emily, Thinking it was when she was about 8 or 9 months old. Maybe a little older.




So after all that crazy talk, all the odd things I said, all the stories. Know that I have such admiration for John, my Brave and terrific Brother.
I couldnt image life with out him now, not having our 1 to 2 hr long conversations on the phone...listening to him say "WIN-SSS-DAY".
On this 4th Day. November 4th, Johns Birthday and my 4th day of A Thankful Reason. Im thankful for my Brother, for his surival, for his bravery, for him being him and for the chance to have the relationship I never gave a chance for growing up. Hes so super special to me, and Im blessed because Hes a huge part of my life. We may be 2800 miles away but hes in my life for good. LIKE IT OR NOT JOHN~ ;)



HAPPPPPPPY Birthday John. I hope your wish comes true. Enjoy every moment of your day, and smile~ Ill be thinking of you all day!!!!

hahaha had to throw the last one in!
Embarrassment is what good sisters do....Remember your graduation...the silence and then "yea John" bahahahahahahahahaha Thats what Im here for.

Tis the Season for a Thankful Reason: 3

Was looking at Tacoma Forecast for the weekend and into next week. And All I can say is BRRRRR. Average temp being high 40's, mixed with Rain~ The Rain I love~ But being super cold is not a joy of mine, unless I can be wrapped in a very warm blanket, hence my room being iced every night ;)
Speaking of Night , I didnt really get much sleep last night. Between stomach issues, weird dreams and being yelled for every few hours it wasnt an easy feat. Thankfully this morning hasnt been full of arguing and nerve rattling...for now I still have to take everyone with me to the Laundry mat lmao.
But you know, I look at Ryan in his Black and white track suit looking outfit today...I look at Em Reading through her Magazine from Aunt Pam, telling me all about the flute she sees. Sophie running around laughing at herself, wanting everyone to chase her down, and I smile, Because whats better then being here with my crazy bunch. I complain a ton, Im whiney and annoying and barely satisfied. But Its all over silly things really. We have a roof over our heads, health and happiness. We are together and we Are family. We are struggling somedays, but rich in the fact that we have each other.
Theres no such thing as a perfect family, but for this family I have been given I am truly thankful. We've Been through so much. More then We even needed to, but we have survived. We've been tested together, and separately. And Count on each other to help each other through. My Husband and my kids ground me.
So on this 3rd day of thankful Reasons, Im more then thankful for this Family. My husband and my kids. Who complete who I am. Who make my world go round, who give me things to look forward to. That care about me and I to them.
My family.
My family.
My family.
They are my home. My blessings, my chance to get family "right". Im proud of my family. I cherish our moments. we are blessed to have each other.
My family.
My family.
My family.
I love you.
Thank you Lord for my Family.

Tis the Season for a Thankful reason: 2

Woke up this morning. Did my morning routine, put on some Make-up. Turned up the Blinds and saw Frost on the grass, Fog in the distance and a hint of Yellow sun Peeking through dense Clouds and trees. My Windows are pretty much WIDE open all night long, or Ill sweat to death. Wish I was hearing Birds chirping this morning instead of I5. HAHA, isnt it funny. Back in August I blogged about how I got used to the Military sounds, and Missed it surely while living that short time in the Lacey Apartment,I have to say this. We live in the Loudest area I swear. We have I5 to the left of us, The Air field (with CONSTANT Helicopter activity...and yes all night long too)to the right of us, and the Range somewhere Behind us, with light winds that of course carry sound. I love the Sounds dont get me wrong, its eerily Comforting. However, At night and into early morning hrs the 3 sounds together are a tad over whelming. Its no scary WINDs like in Irwin or house rattling action like in Irwin with the bombs always being used in Training, So Im thankful for that. Thankful to be living here right now and enjoying the nature we didnt have for the whole year in california. I cant tell you how Good it feels to see Fog, feel rain, smell the fall. For as silly as that sounds. With that Said it brings me to Day 2 of My Thankful Reasons...And today Im thankful for Experiences. Mostly for the Bad experience we go through as odd as that sounds. Because To me, I feel as though we grow more from the troubles we go through, get ourselves into or Endure for what ever reason(e.i. Nature, natural disasters)more then we grow from Having a good time...all the time. Learning how to cope, to keep moving forward, living with the consequence, mourning, feeling way low, being broken. Gives us more drive in the end to make things right once again. Its amazing what we as humanes can endure, what we can survive, what we live for. God has given us that right to do so. I hate when I hear people talk about the Lord in a negative way. "how can he allow sickness? How can he allow death? How can he allow A horrible Man to kidnap that little boy? How can God allow a Child to be born like this?"...Blaming the Lord for Bad things that happen in the World and in our lives. Which is Not the case.

Our Faith will be tested time and time and TIME again. Temptation, bad thoughts, inpure actions. Bad language and unkind judgements made towards people we see. We all will fall at some point...or like me, many times. My Friend once said to me..."when you feel broken and brought down to your knees, it leaves you in the best position to pray" and that for the last month really has truly stuck with me. I get grouchy, or upset, or annoyed (like i was at my Bank this morning) Ill yell at my babies, or my husband, think about all the wrongs in my life, in me, in my marriage. Think of the should of, could of and one day wills. AND that makes me Human~ The ability to think, to make my decisions and choices is LITERALLY a GOD GIVEN RIGHT~ For that I am thankful as well. Because were it not for my own trials and tribulations, I would not be me, I would not have experienced what I have, touch soil I have, meet the people I have. Im not always happy with the place Im living, and will always have the urge to move, but again, I am me...Just as God has made me.

Wordful Wednesday Friends, obviously I had a lot more to say then I even realized ;)

Courtesy of Aunt Mental's Facebook page ;) she knows who she is and I love her!

Tis the Season for a Thankful Reason: 1

Saw a friend Post about 30days of Thankfulness. Sharing everyday about something They are thankful for. And Because Its November, and The Holiday is Thanksgiving and All. It all seemed fitting.

So Today. November 1st, 2011 Is my first day.

I am Thankful for...

Salvation! For My Salvation.
As I know where I am going, Should I die.
I Was given the Chance to cleanse my Soul. And though I have messed up time and time again I know in my heart that Im saved. I love the Lord and I have faith and believe in him and in his teachings.
He has blessed me. And While I am far from perfect. I am just as I am, Just as he made me. Life is Tough, but with faith we will be ok~

Its kind of Spooky that...

This last week of October Dragged on~ Seriously

I was having huge anxiety about things in general and really feeling the tug of Home sickness! Missing everyone, everything, the sites. Feeling sorry for ourselves that we keep missing all the things our friends are going through. Not being there to celebrate with them, not even there to join in on the Chaos of an October Winter Storm. I was sad.

We began talking about Middletown. Orange County. Getting out of Army and moving back home. Thinking about what we can do professionally to get us there, keep us there and raise our family where we were raised. The benefits. The Joy of being around friends, and not being stuck at home all the time, surrounded by very unkind people~
Jobs of course was the biggest question...And as we planned our 2013 return home. The Home sickness started to wear off. The memories of struggling more then now, flooded in. The Family Issues I have flooded in. The busy, crime ridden, and BUSY thoughts came back. The thought of the price of living came back. And the more we talked about going back, the more we talked ourselves right back out of it.
I miss my friends and their kids more then anything. I so wish I could see their kids growing up with mine. And If The Lord wants us back in O.C to stay for good. Then I suppose thats where we will wind up. And it will all work out as it should. 2013 is super far away. But re-enlistment time isnt that far and a decision needs to be made.
I think the home sickness has a lot to do with the fact we have now reached the longest point we have ever been away from good Ole Mcity. Before the army. We stayed the longest in Sumner Iowa,right before I was preggers with Em. We had been gone literally 13 and 3/4th months. Here we are now in NOVEMBER (praise the Lord) one month shy of a year and half away from New York. A nice long Visit is in desprite need for darn sure.
I cant help but wonder, would we make it for our family if we did MOVE back there?




Well for now we are in Washington. And going to make the best of it, by just keeping us busy. Ive decided that if I cant make friends,(and not for lack of trying) then getting kids into activities and sports to fill up the empty time, is the most wonderful thing to do. Thinking, Ballet, Gymnastics and Music classes. Plus soon enough Sophies Therapies will be starting up and thats going to be an adventure all by itself. Im excited for her, and nervous all at the same time.
So On this Thoughtful Tuesday, Im welcoming November with a Vanilla Creme Coffee and maybe a trip out and about.

The Kids had a fantastic time trick or treating. Though Ryan was fiesty and yelling and whining the whole time. They wore the wrong shoes and wouldnt let us switch them, resulting in sore toes for Sophie. Who barely let me touch her last night to help her along. She was in some kind of Weird mooooood. We went to the other side of post for it. But I left a Halloween bowl on Treats on my porch being held by our Ghostly friend and covered in the webs. When we got home, the bowl was there, but no treats thank Goodness~ ;) I had to do our part. INstead of being one of those non participating homes here on this post. Again, I say people here, not so cool. Not so friendly. The Crowds were....ehhh not that big all night...and few houses actually were handing out treats. Meanwhile If I look back last year at my Tinks during Halloween. I remember having to Have Sophie in the stroller with Ryan, and the crowds being so thick. AND EVERY HOUSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, made sure to leave treats, or leave someone to hand out treats. Come on its a Military post, you would think, it was a given. Guess one can never truly be satisfied by the place they live. Always going to complain about something right? For me with Irwin it was Ladies and their gossip bitchyness, and being FAR from life lol. Here its the opposite, too much traffic for my taste and closed off rude and boring wives. HA~ Is there not a happy medium?




Last year Halloween flash back, WARM night~

My little Fairies.



New 2011 Halloween fun~