Pictures.....posts to follow

Busy as a Bee

We have been busier than ever lately. With school in full swing and all the other events going on it feels like the days all run into each other. We have a fun filled weekend last weekend. Daniel turned 8 on Friday and thelast kid went home at 6 on Saturday......I had a headache from you know where....but it was worth it to see the boys have such a great time. I still have to download the pics but as soon as I do I will post them. Well I have to run again but promise I wont wait this long again to blog :)

Lazy Days

This weekend has been absolutely beautiful. Sunny sky's with highs in the low 80's and high 70's. We were going to go to the city but we had a lot we needed to get done at home so home we stayed. I am glad that we did. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing weekend. The windows wide open and the breeze is just right. I wish everyday could be like this. A slice of heaven right here on earth.

Army Wives

I got asked the question today.....Are you Army Wives like the girls on the show? Now people ask me this with a certain tone in their voice....almost like they are not sure if its OK to ask such a thing. I am a proud Army Wife but living away from a post is so different. What are the chances of someone asking you that in Ft. Stewart or Ft. Bragg...the answer is slim to none. However here in the burbs of Chi town its fair game as an Active Duty soldier is rare. People will come up to you and give you a hug or just shake a soldiers hand to say thank you. It's a nice change because you see that people do appreciate the military. But back to the question at hand. I am sure that many people have different opinions on this but I will share mine as candidly as I can. First by posing another question...Do you thing the surgeons on Grey's Anatomy reflect the real doctors in a major hospital? The answer is no. Not all of us cheat and have so much drama going on. Yes there are the ones that do but that is a fact in military and civilian life. It's a life you cant begin to understand unless you have lived it. There is a big difference between your husband going on a business trip and your husband boarding a plane with a rucksack on his back and a gun slung on his shoulder. Can you really project on a TV screen the emotions you feel as you watch the one you love disappear into a plane or bus.....knowing darn well that that may be the very last time you will ever see them. I remember Donte's last deployment to IRAQ....You hold onto every second like its forever, you take pictures and videos, I remember closing my eyes as he gave me my last hug goodbye and trying to etch the smell, the feeling into my brain......just in case. I remember holding the tears back to be strong for my boys to assure them that Daddy knows what he is doing and he will come back to us. I also remember looking him dead in the eyes and telling him "if its you or them you KILL them before they can harm you!" I remember the first night of the many to come when sleep was hard to find. I remember us going home and calling Kimmie. Then like a net they are there my fellow Army and Air Force wives. We have many different backgrounds but no matter what the background when the bonds are formed they are there and they are stronger than most could imagine. It's like your family away from home. They know your ups and downs and how to help. They know when to back off and when to push. Donte was gone when I was involved in a horrible accident. My girlfriends were there. Nikky sat by my bedside until they released me from the hospital and another girlfriend brought her kids and stayed at my house until Donte's flight came in. They held my hand made sure my babies were OK and that I wouldn't have any additional stress. I made it through with the support of my family and my friends. The Army life is not for all but for those of us that love our men we make it the best that we can. Through the moves, the separations and all the trials of military life it's worth it. There is no way that a TV sitcom could ever define what a true Army Wife is. It's easy to see....shes the one that is washing the cars in the driveway, the one that is toting her kids to all the appointments that come up,the one that juggles her job with her home...making sure that her home ALWAYS comes out on top, she is the one that smiles with a deep sadness that is left in her eyes, she is the one that has bags under her eyes because for the last year her other half has been gone and she just tosses and turns at night, shes the one that stays strong for her other girlfriends that are going through the same thing, shes the one that organizes 1001 events to make it through that year with out needing a straight jacket, she is the one that has as much grace as any woman can possibly have and in the same moment be able to put someone in their place if they step out of line and she is the one that starts crying as soon as she sees the wheels of the plane that is carrying her husband touch ground on the flight line. Just don't be so soon to judge her because of what you see on a program, take the time and listen and you will be able to understand what an ARMY WIFE is really all about.

Puppy Doggggie

My husband, the tough as steel, buff, hardcore soldier taught our sweet little puppy how to SPEAK!! Why oh why oh why.......It's not bad enough that we have two Jack Russells but now we have one that thinks if he barks and sits he will get a treat. Lord help me get through this!!!

Michelle.....This ones for YOU!!

Michelle I FEEL YOUR PAIN, I UNDERSTAND, I SYMPATHIZE.....wanna go get a drink? Michelle is one of the sweetest, caring, fun to be around people that I have ever met. She is also the assistant principal at the boys old school in NC. In our years there I was solely a MOM. I didn't work in the school system, in fact I worked eons away on a post called Fort Bragg. I honestly didn't realize the impact that parents have on the staff that take care of their children for the majority of a school day. Now before I get hate mail I understand that every child and every teacher is different. I have had my share of teachers that should have chosen a different path.....one that had them sit in a chair ALONE with no contact with kids. I also understand that some kids are a bit more difficult to work with but when you choose to teach you should choose to have compassion, love, understanding and most of all patience. I'm in the office so I don't get the wrath of Mom and Dad directly on me but WHOooooooaaaa Nelly can they get feisty. Its funny you see if you ask any kid in the school they will tell you that Michelle will get you if you mess up...they usually say this with fear in their eyes and a funny little twitch that goes down to their toes. I have never once seen her raise her voice in an ugly way, be mean or demeaning to child but I have however watched her tell a child that THIS is what needs to be done so they better get to it. I have seen her talk to children...not talk down to them. RESPECT is what she commands and RESPECT she has. Ms. AF is the AP here in the school I work at and guess what, same attitude. I LOVE IT. Its so nice that with all the new aged do this, try that and whatever you do BE AFRAID to tell the child what they need to do, that there are still people out there like Michelle that have a knack and are honest and treat kids and people alike with Respect and in turn she gets the respect that she deserves. So to Michelle, and all the other staff that work at any school, anywhere...THANK YOU for being patient, caring and loving, for returning calls instead of running from them, having the guts to steer kids in a path that is less chosen, that may be a longer harder path to follow, but is the right one for that child, for having the love to console a child until they are OK and pushing them ever so lightly that they may stand on their own feet with the knowledge that someone is there to catch them if need be, to show parents that it's OK to get emotional over their kids because for every ounce of love they have for their kids you have the same for your own, for having the sound mind not to reach across the desk and put your hands around someones throat and squeeze...they know they deserve it sometimes, and for me I thank you for being you, that even if my family wasn't born and raised with yours, that your family always had open arms for us as Donte, I, Donnie and Dannie have for all of you. We miss you and your family a lot!!! I think Donte is still having withdrawals from being away from your Mom and he refuses to coach here...what would a ball team be without Donnie, Dannie, Charlie, Jacob, Jaggir and Taylor? OK I gotta quit before I get sappy! When we come visit we will have to go and grab that drink!!

My Baby

He's no so much a baby anymore but to me he will always be my sweet darling Chubba Bubba. You couldn't tell now back when he was just a little pip squeak he was chubby little thing. He will be 8 in 10 days. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around it, that he no longer needs me to kiss his boo boos and pick out his clothes....where do they get off doing all that growing up. INDEPENDENT has a whole new meaning when it's your child wanting to be free of you. OK so hes not wanting to be completely free of me just a little bit free of me. Is there any difference in that last sentence??? Oh well, on with my story. As I said before I work in the Front Office of the boys elementary school. I have two co-workers that sit in the same area as I do. I have mention L before, she is sweet and kind and just a good soul. A is a hoot, I love her, shes funny and could literally juggle a boatload of monkeys on her toes. A also has a jar on her desk.....C....A.......N.......D.........Y. Why oh why. I asked her to put fat free taste nasty candy in there but she aims to please the chocolate lovers and jolly rancher lovers in the world. This would include both of my kids. Now there are rules in a school and one of the rules state that when you walk in the hallways you have to be quiet. So as I sit at my desk plugging away on the computer I notice that it's time for my little one to come in from recess. I see his class coming in and there he is. L points him out and by the look on his face I could tell that he was up to something. I don't know why but when your a Mom you learn to read the slightest looks and hone in on them like a sniper with a target. He is smiling just a bit too wide and his eyes are dancing a jig. I take a deep breathe and brace myself.....meanwhile all the kids are very quietly walking back to the classroom and then Daniel walks in front of the office door and God bless him he just couldn't hold it in....."MOM AFTER SCHOOL CAN I HAVE A PIECE OF CANDY OFF OF MS. A'S DESK?" with that I put my finger to my lips and stifle my laughter which is more than I can say for L and A who laughed out loud. Thank goodness he has a great teacher who understands that kids just sometimes have to be kids.

My little CHUBBA BUBBA...don't you just want to cuddle that sweet angel of a baby?


There he is a few weeks ago in the white shirt, at Six Flags leaving poor Mom behind. At least he looked back to make sure I was in his sights.

Mission Box!!

Donte's station made mission box!!! WOOOOOO HOOOOOO. This means that they recruited enough recruits for the year. The Army states that they should get XXXX amount of soldiers to sign up for the year. If they dont get their numbers they are in big trouble but if they make it they get an atta boy. So Donte is actually home this weekend. I am down with a bug but Donte and the boys are outside fishing. I am actually sitting on the couch looking out of the window at them. I thank God for my three men. The boys were too cute this weekend. They hate when I get sick. Usually they can climb into bed with us and get their cuddle time but when I am sick I keep them at arms length. I dont want them to catch what I have. They absolutly hate this. Especially Daniel he was standing at the door to my bedroom, quiet as a mouse. The conversation went like this.
"Daniel, whacha doing?"
"nothing"
"Dannie"
"can I come in"
"no honey Im sick and I dont want you to get sick"
"ok" (he says this in an itty bitty voice that just makes my heart melt)
"Mom"
"yes"
"I love you"
"I love you too baby boy"
"see you later"

He is off and I can hear him running down the stairs. Oh to be a little kid again.

Tornado Drill....Ooops I mean TORNADO THE REAL THING

School started Thursday before last and the day started out busy as ever. New kids coming in. Parents crying at the thought of their kids entering kindergarten. Me misting up a bit because I now have a 3rd and 4Th grader. The energy was great. The staff had been busy getting ready and were more than ready. The kids were a buzz, new teachers, old friends, new friends and of course showing off the new school clothes, backpacks and shoes. We settled into the day and to tell you the truth I was feeling pretty good. The school day ends here at 330 and around 230 we get a fax in about a storm coming our way. I had watched the news and knew that there was going to be rain and a storm. clouds were forming and the sky started to grow a bit darker but hey its just a storm right........WRONG. We kept getting more in for about the storm and then we got the news that a tornado was spotted. I swear what was five minutes felt like three days. Parents were calling and the switch board lit up like a Christmas tree, at the same time parents were coming in signing their kids out. Then the police dept called and NO ONE, absolutely no one was supposed to leave the building. By now its pretty dark and the wind is going the rain is pelting down and we have a school filled to the rafters with scared kids and worried parents. The Principal and Assistant Principal are out in the lobby as are the teachers and they are making order out of a very chaotic situation. We are checking Id's and getting everything as orderly as we can in the office. I am calling the police department every 15 min to get updates and to tell you the truth I am a bit scared because my kids are in the school too. They just aren't with me. But L advises me that they are safe and in the best place that they can be in. I finally get the all clear that the tornado would not be hitting us and that the parents can get the kids and go. It was roughly 445. So about 1 1/2 hours had gone by and we did it, we made order out if chaos. We worked together as a team and not one little hair on any ones head was out of place. Not bad for the first day of school huh. Who said that working in a school was boring?

Turning 32 a New Job and Getting Sick

I was called in early to start my new job. I was hired at the local elementary school to work in the front office. I had often played with the idea in NC but never acted on it.....I really wish that I would have. I absolutely love my job, love the kids, and love the people that I work with. The hours are perfect and my kids get to hang out in the office before and after school so I don't have to worry about daycare. Their homework is done before we leave and we are home at the very latest by 430. One of the nicest parts is that we truly work as a team. It's nice to work hard and actually get credit, at my last job I would work hard and our psycho leader would gobble the credit up like she did something special. She had a knack of causing rifts between the workforce and somewhere inside she loved drama because if there was drama to be had she made sure that it was in our section. It's funny how when you are in the middle of something detrimental you don't see it, but when you leave its clear as crystal. Don't get me wrong the job itself was not bad, it was doable but the people you work with make a huge difference. Lets just say my morals are good and so are my intentions. I do not believe in stabbing people in the back and I do unto others as I would want done unto me. I believe other than one other person in the office I was the only one that lived like that. I guess I was a little hesitant when I went into my new job here but after the first few minutes I saw that the school was a whole different ball game. A good one. The ladies in the office are great and we work great together. It gets hectic at times, like the tornado the first day of school (coming in a new post), but we worked together and came out unscratched. The principal and the Assistant Principal are two of the best people to work with. Their attitudes are great and they have an appreciation for people period. Their is no animosity between the ranks and everyone is respected for what their speciality is. From the janitor to the head of the school everyone works as a team. The only thing I didn't take into account was the fact that kids harbor germs...lots of them!!! My poor immune system was in for a shock. I went to work Thursday feeling great, by lunch I felt a little funny and by 3 I was ready to crawl into bed. I spent yesterday in bed with Gatorade, theraflu and Tylenol. I swear I have used at least a box and half of tissue and my nose feels like sandpaper. My dear hubby went out and bought me some Vick's and cough drops. I hate being sick. I haven't been sick in a very long time and since it came out of the blue it really knocked me on my hiney. Of course this weekend is perfect. Highs in the low 80's and sunshine everywhere. Oh boy....yup.....I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself. I turned 32 on Thursday and was so looking forward to celebrating with Donte and the boys but my date was with my bed and a box of puffs. I actually can breathe out of at least one nostril now and hope that by tomorrow I can breathe out of both. I know TMI......but it's my blog and I'll tell all if I want to!