-13

Thats the temp this morning.....and it rained ice all night long. Can you believe we have school today? I seriously cant. I wish we lived in Miami!

Carson Cader

Here he is.....little Carson Cader. My baby brother and his wife brought this tiny bundle of joy into all of our lives on December 8th. He weighed in at 8lbs 2oz and 21 3/4 inches. He is absolutely perfect and I am so proud of both of them. I promise to cuddle, kiss and spoil him with everything that his Mom and Dad wont let him have or do. I will also have tons of great stories for him about his Daddy when he gets a little older. His Uncle and cousins are busy trying to figure out who he looks like and are aching for the day that he is a little older and can join in with all of the high jinx that boys get into. In the mean time I am counting the days down to go home and meet him. Welcome to this world baby boy.....it's a great one.
My Mom proud Grandma for the third time. If we keep this up we will have our own football team when its all said and done.




Carson rocking his Georgia Tech gear......maybe one day he will be a hell of an engineer



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BRRRRRR

It's freezing here. OMG I cant even find words to describe it. It's the type of cold weather that one only thinks that exists in cartoons...you know what I am talking....you have all seen the animated cartoon walk outside and instantly freeze and fall to pieces. That's life here in the lovely state of Illinois. I still find it surreal that we are here. I wonder when we leave what I will say about this time in my life....I know one of the phrases I will say is "IT WAS COLD". Right now it is 23 and snowing. Last year the snow was so amazing. I thought that it was so pretty and to tell you the truth it just dazzled me to bits when it started to gently fall...when it started coming down hard I was like a kid in a candy store just waiting to have the chance to go outside....today I am dreading the shoveling that will have to be done in the morning. If anyone can bottle up some sunny heat please send it my way....

Have I Mentioned.....

....how hard it is to go back to work after having 5 days off to laze around and do absolutely nothing but hang out with your family and friends. When the alarm went off this morning I wanted to smash it with a sledgehammer. Especially since it snowed all day yesterday and through the night. It has been snowing all day today as well. I am no longer enthralled by the soft, white, sparkly blanket that covers the ground and just about everything else....nope, not at all it just means more slush and ice to deal with after the sun goes away. I believe that I am a southerner at heart....I was born on a tropical island you know....this whole cold thing does not agree with me at all.

Another thing I was not prepared for is the fact that it is December 1st already!!!! OMG I have so much to do and so very little time. We have birthday and Christmas parties galore not to mention the usual day to day occurrences. But looking to the bright side I should be an Aunt again in about 7 days.

Well I better run and try to get at least a couple of things crossed off of my to-do list.

Gobble, Gobble

I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone already. We spent the morning together just lounging around over a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, and biscuits. We all gathered around the table and just plain enjoyed each others company. We then dragged ourselves back upstairs and got dressed for dinner. We went over to Michelle and Daves and had a blast to say the least. The food was yummy and her family welcomed us with open arms. We laughed literally all night long.

The next day was a lazy one as well. Donte had to run into work for a few hours so the boys and I enjoyed a nice quiet day together. Donnie went over to play with Alyssa for a while and Donte and Dannie were hanging out. I was in luck when Michelle called and was in the mood for a little after Thanksgiving shopping. She came and picked me up and we headed out. I found some pretty great deals and came home with a smile on my face and sore feet.

Yesterday we had to take the dogs in for their shots. So off we went to the vet. We dropped them off and the four of us went and did a little shopping. We hit up Best Buy to take advantage of our $70 in coupons then we did a quick lunch and off to Target we went to get the essentials and I found some really cute outfits for my nephew that is due on the 14th. Then we headed to America and Reeds to have a few drinks. We always have a good time over there and last night was no exception. They are going to be moving soon and we are dreading the day, but we will enjoy our time with them while we can.

Today we caught up on laundry and cleaning. I swear it's never ending. I did a little shopping online and was able to find some great gifts online as well. Tomorrow it's time for work and off we go. Can you believe only 24 days until Christmas......oh how time flys.

Hiatus Interupted

I started this blog in early November because the title jumped into my head........and that's as far as I got. I have a few minutes so I thought that I would catch everyone up. Dontes football season ended with 6 wins and 2 losses. He really did well and enjoyed himself. Daniels ended in the second playoff game, it was cold.....no FREEZING, and snowing. They lost by one touchdown but played one hell of a game. They both did great and I am prouder than heck of the both of them and we are all looking forward to July when the season will start back up again.

The boys are doing great in school as well. Report cards came out and I couldn't be more pleased with straight A's and A's and B's. Donte also joined band after the Mom said I have to do it for at least one year speech. He is playing percussion and is really enjoying it. I can't believe that this is his last year of elementary school. Daniel is totally loving his teacher who just happens to be Donnies old teacher from last year. I am so lucky to have my kids get such great teachers. They have learned tons while enjoying it I really cant ask for too much more.

Donnie turned 11 on Saturday. I really still am in shock. He is so tall and such a good boy. His party is on December 5th so I will definitely post pics then. He really wanted to go to Red Lobster so we did that and hung out doing family stuff. Then I went to bed and the boys stayed up until 3 AM playing video games. I think that Donte is in hog heaven he has always talked about the dreams he had of hanging out with his boys. How did I get so lucky to have three great men around me all the time.

I don't talk about politics often but boy am I happy that Obama won, more importantly I am glad that our country came together to pic a candidate that is the best for this country. The winds of change are here and I for one think that they are blowing in the right direction.

ATC was OK this year. We stayed in Lake Geneva at the old playboy mansion. It was huge and beautiful from the outside and when you first walked in it was great. A huge lobby that was starting to be decorated by Christmas lights and top notch restaurant with delicious food. Unfortunately the rooms sucked. They were old and not what I would call grand.....in fact a far cry from last year. We had a good enough time though and had some laughs and partied with some really good friends. The old Guard came and the had the Army riffle team come in. The show was awesome. We had the traditional Grog and there were laughs all around. There were skits done at the ball itself and the skit that our team did was hilarious, I was crying at the end....everyone likes to have some good comedic relief. Donte of course walked away with awards. His awards included Commandants list for ANOC, 2nd Saber, 300 on APFT, and top fire team. For the wives the had the author of Army Wives fly in and meet with us. It was nice and for those of us who were there and were able to have a chance to meet her and get a copy of her book signed. My respect for her went up when I found out that she did not get paid to come and brought us all free copies of the book to say "Thank You" for all that we do. She is an Army wife as well so he is apart of out ranks. Overall it was a good weekend but I hope next year they pick a different location.

Donte and I are going to see Wicked in the city in a few weeks. I am so excited I can barely contain myself. I ran out and bought the book so I could read it before we go. The book is very dark but I have been assured that the play is much lighter. I have wanted to see wicked for a long time.

The dogs are both doing fine. Driving me nuts as usual but I am in love with the fence system that we have. I don't have to worry about freezing and leads and all that stuff. I just put their collars on and let them out. The dogs are not too pleased though because it's cold and they don't much like the cold......whatchagonnado??? LOL

Hopefully now that football is over life will slow down a bit and I can get life on a smooth course. I am still adjusting, it's been awhile since I have had more than a few minutes here and a few minutes there.

Been a Long Time

I know it's been forever but things are crazy wonderful as usual here in the Slade household. Football season is in full swing and I am dog tired boss....dog tired. I will probably not post again until football is completely over. I guess I am going on a blogging hiatus!! See you all soon.

Part II

....As the kids arrived they started a lively game of basketball in the front. There was lots of hooting and hollering, not to mention laughter. I had 9 count them 9 boys from the age of 8 to 10. After it got too dark we all went inside and ate. the Chili's platters and pizza were a huge hit as was the Dr. Pepper in the football shaped bottle. They ate, and ate, and ate...finally time for the cake....um well not your usual type of cake but a Donut cake. I layers the donuts on a platter that had three different levels and tuck candles in 9 of them. We all sang happy birthday and the birthday boy blew out his candles.



I think my family is starting a trend. We haven't done traditional cakes since we moved here. Dannie is into the donuts and doesn't eat cake unless its chocolate and then he doesn't like the icing. Donnie likes cake but wanted his candles in the huge burrito last year. That's right he had a burrito cake. This year it was Donuts again for Daniel, I can't wait to see what Donnie comes up with.



Ok back to the party. After the cake he opened presents. Oh did he love his presents!!! Then they were left to the playing and horsing around. I moved the dining table in the formal dining room so the boys had that entire room as well as the Wii room to sleep in. Donte and i escaped to the living room and tried to watch TV but that was a bust the boys were so loud that we couldn't hear it. After a little while had passed I decided that their food was settled and that they could go ahead and play the game that I created. Now you all know that at 9 they don't play games right..........I thought long and hard and came up with a movie game. We picked 12 movies and came up with clues. For example Fantastic Four was Super X 4, and Elf was Spaghetti and Chocolate pop tarts. I taped a letter to each of the movies and hid them in our collection. I then cut out numbers and put them in a baggie. All the numbers were the same color except for the 6, it was red. The red number was the person that would get the first chance to guess where the prize was. After they guessed all the movies they spelt out China Cabinet. Then I told them a riddle of where in, on or around the cabinet the prize was, it wasn't long before they were all throwing out guesses. I had hidden their treat bags under the China Cabinet and hid them with a throw. The goodie bags were stuffed with Mad Libs, Cards, Pencils that were half pencils and half colored pencils, and of course tons of candy. They were thrilled and tore right in. To my surprise they wanted more riddles....WOW......I was so glad that they enjoyed it. After that it was game on with a Call of Duty 4 tournament and lots of eating and farting.....it was lovely I tell you. Finally Donte fell asleep on the fat boy chair and I tried to sleep on the couch. At around 2AM I went in and got the final two to settled down.......they were all up by 7AM. I fed them a healthy breakfast of donuts and juice and they all headed out to play basketball. We were all outside in our Jammies playing basketball and making a ruckus until all the boys went home. They were all gone by 930Am except for one that hung out for the day. We hurried up got dressed and went to Donnies football game. One of Donte's soldiers and his family showed up and followed us home. We again were outside enjoying the great weather for a while. They left at around 3 and we went inside. Dannies last little friend got picked up at around four. I looked around at my house and decided that it could wait. I crashed and when I say crashed I mean I crashed!!! Now here I am suppers on the stove and we are all sitting in the living room, rested, relaxed and awaiting the premier of Heros.

I wish I had a pause button.

Let me tell you how my weekend was.....in one word HECTIC in a little more than one word......Friday was a teacher institute day so I went in super early and got off at one. I hurried up picked up my boys and headed out to the stores to pick up the last minute birthday supplies. We rushed home, unpacked the car and loaded Mr. Murphy up to get his rabies shot. For those of you who do not know Mr. Murphy has allergic reactions to his shots and has to not only be premeded but post meded....sooooo much fun NOT!! He got his 2year rabies shot that covers him until 2010, and we waited our half an hour, got the meds for the post med and came home. I let the dogs out, hollered at the ids to get ready for practice, and watched as the minutes ticked by way too fast. I did a quick once over on Murphy and put the dogs up before we left for practice. Now I am tired already and am annoyed with Donte's coach because the man changes practices every week.....seriously I could scream but whats a girl to do???? SUCK IT UP I KNOW. So practice finally finished and we head home. The boys shower and we get the house decorated for the party, streamers galore, football Dr. Peppers and tons of fun stuff for 9 rowdy boys. I checked on Murphy one last time and put the dogs to bed at about 9pm. At 9:30 Donte gets home and Murphy has thrown up and his face is so swollen that I can barely see his eyes. I shove benadryl down his swollen little throat and give him the coldest water that I can get my hands on. I immediately get him outside into the fresh air and am praying to God that this little fart does not croak on me. 60 min later his swelling is down and I have about 100 more gray hairs!! I got to bed that night at around 130 AM. I am awake at 330 AM to give him his next dose....I swear he looked annoyed with the fact that I had woken him up. I don't even remember getting back into bed but I did and then the alarm went off at 8 finished the house, confirmed the chilis platters and we all headed off to the games. After the game we headed to chilis, picked up the food and rushed home. The boys jumped in the shower and I set out the food, by this time kids started arriving. Thank God for my friend Terri that picked up 4 pizzas at the great price of $6 per pizza....yummy, huge, just right pizzas.........cont, tomorrow I am falling asleep writing this.

Rain Day?

I guess that's what you would call it. Last night at around 8PM as we sat around the living room, after a hectic day of doing whatever Daniel wanted to do, the phone rang...bbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiing. I looked at the caller ID because everyone that would have called for his birthday already had and it said that it was the school......uggggghhhh Well to my surprise it was the director of communications and the blurb went like this.....

All District schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, September 15, 2008 because of significant flooding over numerous key roads and areas around the district following this weekends rain. However, all 12-month employees and principals must report to work if possible.We are concerned that this flooding will make it difficult for bus drivers and parents to safely transport students to and from school. This decision is being made in consultation with the Police Department and Emergency Management Agency. The National Weather Service also expects the DuPage River to rise another 18 inches to two feet before Monday afternoon, which could further flood area roads.

I have never heard of a rain day and I honestly don't know if this is what they call it but it's what I am going to call it. The boys jumped for glee when I told them. Daniel said it was his birthday present from the school and they...all three of them.....yes my husband to commenced to playing the 360. I went upstairs and had opened the windows about 2 hours earlier because we finally had a bit of a break from the rain and my bedroom felt heavenly. It was cool and my linens were nice and crisp. I had the fan on and the breeze in the room was fantastic. I turned the fan off and snuggled deep into my down comforter and promptly started to count sheep.

Now today I have finished the laundry, cleaned the kitchen, and started to cook a huge pot of beef curry. I have done all that I have to do for the day and guess what it is 1:45 and I am still in my Jammie's as are my two children, my hubby on the other hand is bathed and dressed....hahaha not me I am staying this way at least for a couple more hours.

Chubba Bubba.....AKA Chubs

I vividly remember sitting down with Donte as we discussed having another baby. Donnie was about 7 months old and was the easiest little person to have around. Surly if we have another baby he or she will be just the same....since they would be coming from the same parents right. Donte was thrilled and just knew that the next one would be a girl but we had the out look of as long as the baby was healthy we wouldn't care.

I went out and bought a pregnancy test and placed it in my upstairs bathroom's drawer. I didn't work at the time so my days were spent with my precious little Donnie. We would start the morning with breakfast and big bird. Oh how he loved "Elmopalooza". I bet I still have all of those songs memorized. Sometimes we would meet up with friends. The highlight of the day for Donnie was when Donte would come home for lunch. It was a glee full hour that he could run after his Daddy and get all his energy out before nap time. for me it was a perfect time to get a little cleaning done before I got Donnie down for his nap.

I had a few complications after having Donnie. After 17 1/2 hours of labor, I had to have a C-Section, and after I thought that I had recovered from that I went home and my incision promptly opened up again. Not a great situation to say the least and made it hard for me to do anything. I was breast feeding as well .....it was a lot coming at me but every time I looked at my little boy I knew it was more than worth it....I also knew that there was no way that I would do this for anyone or anything else other than my sweet little bundle of joy.

In my own mind I thought that I would get pregnant easily. Maybe 2 months at the most. Donte and I started trying immediately and I was counting the days so I could gleefully pee on that little stick. I remember the first time when I got a negative result...Oh well....I will be preggo next month. Well needless to say next month came and went and still only one little line...I wanted there to be two. Months went by and still no luck so I said to myself it will happen when it happens.....if it's meant to be.

We were busy planning Donnies first birthday party when Donte found out that he was leaving for PLDC in 3 days....3DAYS. Donnies birthday party was in one week. He would miss it. Luckily PLDC was in Graf and we lived only 30 or so minutes away. That morning I packed up some cupcakes, a wrapped birthday present, and bundled up my newly adorned one year old and headed through the snow to Graf so my baby could spend at least a few moments of his first birthday with his Daddy. We had a little Gray Nissan Sentra and when we got to Graf Donte joined us in the car. Donnie was ecstatic that he was able to escape his car seat and we sang happy birthday to our one year old with a candle lit in the middle of a yummy chocolate cupcake. He then got to open a present from Daddy. Donte had to get back in to his barracks and I had to get home to get the party started. What a great party. The house was full and in true military style, everyone chipped in to help me where needed. Heavy presents were carried for me and there was virtually no clean up. We were all a little family over there.

PLDC lasted roughly a month so at least Donte would be home for Christmas. Of Course him being gone put a damper on the whole baby making progress but I had already pushed that to the back of my mind. I was blissfully happy with Donnie and if God felt as if that was the only child that he wanted to give me then so be it.

Finally December rolled around and Donnie and I were so happy to have Donte home. Unfortunately Donnie had caught a bug. He was sick as could be, my poor baby couldn't keep anything down or in. He was also teething so between the throwing up and the fever we took hi to the Doctor who prescribed an array of meds to help him out. Apparently a nasty virus was spreading around the post and he wanted to stop it in it's tracks. I took Donnie to the Doc on the 22nd and was so happy when he was doing so much better by the very next day. Unfortunately I was starting to feel nauseated and couldn't keep much down either. I figured I could take the adult version of what the doctor had prescribed for Donnie and I would be fine. Christmas came and went and I still wasn't feeling much better Donte was swearing that I was preggo but no honey really I am not. I have no preggo symptoms I have the gunk. I finally went to see the doc on the 31st of December and lo and behold I should have listened to my hubby I was preggo. I was so happy and so was Donte. We then explained to Donnie that he was going to be the big brother.

In the next 30 weeks I was violently ill, hated anything that had chicken in it, loved grilled cheese and foot massages, and loved every doctors appointment so I could see my little bean grow into a little baby. At my 7 1/2 month appointment I noticed that my doctor was taking a little longer on the ultrasound and I asked what was going on. Now let me explain that Germans are very blunt and there is no sugar coating....she said very matter of factly that she thought that my baby had spina bifida. She pointed at the screen and showed me the dark area which could have been a depression at the base of this little babies spine. I was devastated but there was nothing that I could do but wait until Monday to have another ultrasound, a 3D one that would give us some answers. I was broken and scared and was wondering what I could have done wrong. That was the longest weekend that I have ever had to sit through. Monday came and we went to the Amberg hospital and again the 30 min wait seemed like an eternity....no matter what the outcome we were in love with this baby and would deal with it. As I lay there on the ultrasound table and saw the gorgeous images I was praying that it was all a mistake. Please let it be nothing. After the ultrasound I got cleaned up and we waited for the Doctor who gave us a folder with all the info and advised us to go to our regular doc....are you kidding me. I thought that they would tell me at least tell me if it wasn't bad. Oh my God this is not happening to me. We sped over to Doctor Burg-Wurms and waited for an opening. I didn't care if we were there all night I wasn't leaving until I had an answer. She finally called us back to her office. I was so scared I felt like a child that had just lost everything that was stuck in a dark tunnel alone with no flashlight or glimmer from anywhere. These emotions were compounding inside of me and I couldn't hold it in anymore. I sat there with tears rolling down my face as I waited for the results. He was fine....just perfect....he was just tangled in his umbilical cord and was pulling on it...it was wrapped around his upper leg and hiney. She showed me the comparison from the ultrasounds she had done and the ones that were just taken and it was all so much clearer. I cried tears of joy and made her do another ultrasound just to make sure.

Fast forward to September 13th the day before my due date. I had slight labor pains for a couple of days and since Donnie was late I didn't want the same situation with Daniel. I went to the Doc and got the meds to get my labor started. It was hot and uncomfortable that day so Donte grabbed my fan, Donnie went to my girlfriends house and we headed to the hospital. After all of that they say that no I am not ready yet...um yes I am, and I want a room. They finally get us settled and I feel like I am dying. These aren't the same contractions that I had with Donnie. He was induced too so they should feel the same right? I felt like a fish that was getting it's backbone pulled out. Finally after laboring all night I went into surgery. I was knocked completely out again. When I woke up on Sept 14 I was back in the ICU and the nurses rushed to get my husband. Donte came in carrying a beautiful bundle of joy. I immediately unwrapped him and he was perfect. 10 fingers, 10 toes, a head fully of hair and as I gently rubbed my fingers down his back a perfect spine and two little chubby legs kicking away while his perfectly formed lungs were screaming to be wrapped up again. Welcome to the world Daniel Slade welcome to our family. We promptly nicknamed him Chubba Bubba. A little miracle born on his due date weighing in at 9 lbs exactly and 21 inches. We are complete a perfect circle of 4.

TIME

Time is such a precious word, it can be good and bad depending on the situation. I have had days where I think that time couldn't inch by any slower. I go about my business and feel as if hours have gone by but no it's only been minutes. Then there are the days where I need more time. I feel as if only minutes have flown by but hours have and I rush to cram everything that I can into my day. I often wish that the day was 32 hours instead of 24 and that our bodies would have already evolved into thinking that was normal. Imagine what you could get done in those extra 8 hours. My work day would stay as is and then I would actually have the time to get everything I needed to get done....DONE. I average about 2 hours of at home time where I am not sleeping. In those two hours I desperately try and get everything done...the laundry, the cooking, the cleaning, and anything else that may jump out at me. My days are starting to blur together and I don't like the feeling of have loose ends everywhere. I still have that last load of laundry in the dryer that I should get out and fold before the wrinkles set in but I am too tired to drag my hiney off the couch to get it. I haven't blogged in awhile and I haven't finished a book that I have been trying to get through for the last 2 months....it's a good book I just can't seem to fit it in. I take it places with me but I end up holding it and gazing down with sorrow as I realize that I have to set it down to get just one more thing done. I have a pretty good schedule and there's no way that I would make it if I didn't. I have done much more than this at one time before but I have been spoiled this summer and need to get my mind and my body wrapped around my hectic life. I remember when Donte was deployed, I did everything, from finances, to taking care of the kids, the house, the dogs, the cars, making sure that the boys made their practices, their games, their school functions and their play dates, I was the gardener, the house keeper, the birthday party thrower and the doctor, I worked a full time job with sponge bob square ass and did it damn well if I do say so myself and to tell you the truth I know there was more that I did but it's all a blur now.....I am starting to feel as if I am juggling 50000000 balls at once......I also know that I am just venting and that it will all get easier soon. I am two weeks in to work, school, and football. That's usually my introductory period....I can't wait for it to all feel normal again....and at least this time in I have Donte here to take some of the load off when I need to chill out. **if only I would take the moments to chill**

On a good note I will be posting soon on BFF's and MFF's. Wondering what that's all about? Ask specifically for what you want and need and you shall get them. Don't worry about the people who have obvious issues, let them go and when you do the truly wonderful, funny, and trustworthy people will find you.....they sure did find me.

Just Another Manic Monday....Not Really ;0)

Here's my first born. So tiny, so small, so very perfect in every way.


Here he is this past Saturday. He's number 12....he's the one with the black under armor pushing some poor kid out of the way....he's also growing up way too fast.

Hey Copp...It aint happening dude.


No means no...your not getting through!


Victory.....12 to 0


Here's my little Dannie. Look at that little chubby smushed up, I just came into this world little face.


Look at him this past Saturday...words escape me. My baby isn't a baby anymore.

One of my BFF's (long and funny story for later) making sure my little man stayed hydrated.


Are you really going to try to get past me...have you not learned anything today?


BOOM....I tried to warn you.



Victory 28-0



Here we are on the first day of school. Man was it hard to get going that morning.

Sometimes after practice we play a little bball. Oh the joys of summer vaca.


I told the boys to pack everything but their drinks and sandwiches for school the next day. This is Dannies lunchbox.


This is Donnies.


One more of my first born. He really does amaze me.

It's Been a Week Already?

OMG time is flying by fr me like you wouldn't believe. I had forgotten how hectic life can get when you have two children that need to be at different practices at different places at the same time, a husband who has a crazy work schedule, and my schedule we wont even speak about. I average about 2 hours in my house to get everything done. Oh my this is going to last until November.....

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a blast. The boys and Donte woke me up in bed at around 6AM. I got singing cards and WRAPPED presents, yes siree wrapped. Usually I get these things but they are still in the bag from the store they were purchased at. I had beautiful wrapping paper with bows and ribbons. MY loving husband stayed up well after bedtime and wrapped them just perfectly. Then it was the mad dash to get everyone dressed, fed and out the door. Donnie had his first football game and we had to be there by 7:45 AM. Can I just say how grown up my firstborn looked in his football gear. I could tell that he had a little bit of the football jitters but was he every ready to get out on the field and get that game started. He is a tight end for his team and did his job to the utmost. The parents sat on the sidelines and screamed our heads off...I think my husband was the loudest! Donnie won his game 12 to 0. He was grinning from ear to ear and was to the point that he was about to burst....I would call his mood gleeful. Then it was off to brunch at Westfield. The conversation was total football and Donnie ate like he had never seen food before. Of course they had to get the staff to come around and sing happy birthday to me.

One of my gifts was a tripod for my camera. After we got home I wanted to really check it out because when we took it to Donnies game I couldn't figure it out. Now I am pretty good with this stuff so I was eager to get it all figured out. Well after close inspection we figured out that someone had switched tripods and had replaced the one that I was supposed to get with a cheaper version.....a completely different brand. Needless to say Donte was upset but I have to give it to him he kept his cool. We headed out to the Best Buy here and explained out plight. The lady was really nice and told us to just go to get another one...only problem was that they were sold out!! The guy said he couldn't give us the display so I headed back up to the service counter to stand in line to order the one that my husband had already paid for. When it was finally my turn the Best Buy comes up with the tripod that I should have had and said that he wasn't supposed to give the last one out but since it was my birthday he would make the exception. Donte and the boys were behind him and lord knows what they said to the man but anyway whatever it was it worked and we left with my new tripod. We then had to go to Target because my youngest son has been looking for a certain book all weekend and we haven't been able to find it. The Diary of a Wimpy kid. We went back to the book section and the one he already has was there but the one he needs was gone. You could see his face fall and his frustration level rise. Well Mom to the rescue. I looked in the best selling self and lo and behold what did I find? You got it his book. We then hopped in the car and rushed home to get Dannie ready for his game. Can I just say that my baby is still so tiny. Oh my goodness he looked as if he would blow away if the wind blew. We headed to the field where we waited forever to get started. The kids have to be there an hour and a half early so they can get weighed in. By this time the sun was shining bright and we felt as if we were going to melt. Dannie was roaring to go. I could see the adrenaline coursing through his veins and he had that certain glint in his eyes that let me know he was more than ready to go. He played his hiney off!! OMG all the kids did. He playes Defensive End and Tight end. He was on that field for both offense and defense and let me tell you my husbands chest just about burst from all the hooting and hollering that he was doing. Dannies team won 28 to 0. Between the two games I took over 1500 pictures. I now have the huge task of going through them to find just the right ones to post and print.

After the game we came home, the boys showered and packed their bags. They were off to Blakes house for a sleepover. They were so excited because they got to sleep in a tent in the backyard. Yes Sir camping out has now shifted to a backyard thing. How genius is that? You get the thrill of sleeping outside but the joy of having a bathroom a couple of feet away. They were so excited and Donte and stayed and chatted a bit. They are a really nice family and to be honest we stayed and chatted for a few hours. After that we headed to Chilis for a quick dinner. We shared the triple dipper and I got a mango margarita. I even got carded!! LOL Then it was back home and to bed for us. I was so tired that i think I was snoring before my head hit the pillow.

Like I said what a great day. Thank you to everyone that called to wish me a happy birthday. It really meant slot to come home and see the answering machine light blinking with plenty of messages waiting. I will be busy this coming week trying to call everyone back. Yes Jeanine...I know I am slacking on the calling front :0) I'm gonna get around to it I promise.

Today is day 2 of my birthday weekend and I think I will be cooking all day. I sure don't have time during the week and want to get everything done today so that tomorrow we can be free to do what we please.

Busy!

Today was just as hectic as the rest of last week. We woke up, had time enough to get ready and head out the door so Donnie could get his pictures taken. What a difference a day makes. Today was in the 80's and there was a light breeze. Since there was no threat of rain we headed out to the football field and enjoyed the beautiful weather as we waited. Then we ran to SAMS and Caputos for some grocery shopping. I buy monthly for my meats so I was pretty proud to see that my bill on that went even lower. I only spent $42.93 at Caputos and was done. So I saved even more money this week and on top of that was even able to pick up some new stuff for a new recipes. Mexican Lasagna....yummy. We also picked up some Krispy Kremes...I am still heart broken about the Lemon doughnuts. After that we headed home and unpacked really quik, the boys changed and we headed off across the street to Wendels birthday party. T had some super delicious food and some terrific fun set up for the kids. We headed home at about 6:30 and have been hanging out ever since. The boys are about to go to bed and I swear I hope I can keep my eyes open long enough to make it upstairs to the bedroom!

Football Pictures and Cocunut Slushies

Sometimes Donte and I have such conflicting schedules it's hard to know which way we are going. When you add the boys schedules into the mix they get even more confusing. We try and spend the weekends together because quite frankly those are the two days that the four of us can be together. Unfortunately today we had to split. Donte took Donnie and went to his units organizational day while Dannie and had to hang behind so we could go and get his football pictures made. Dannie and I started the day watching reruns of Runs House and eating pancakes in bed. We spent forever laughing and just having a great time. Then we ran to Target to pick up some cheese...I know your thinking why Target? Well Target makes pepper jack cheese sticks that the boys love. Since the school district is on a healthy eating kick they make the perfect snack. Then it was off too McDonald's for lunch..Dannies choice. I wasn't complaining I love the sweet tea and the fries. I didn't realize how much I liked sweet tea until I moved to the Midwest and they didn't have it. Then we rushed home got Daniel all dressed up in his football gear and headed to the high school for his football pictures. It was due to rain today and the air was heavy and sticky. I hate days like this here because they just don't use air conditioning here like we do in the south. At the schools if school is not in session the air is turned off...I know... CRAZY. We got to the high school at 2:30, the rain was in a good down pour by then, and ran into the gym. OMG it was like a Sauna. I immediately felt the sweat beads pop up on my fore head. I searched for the group that I usually hang with and found Elsa. She has twin boys on the team and she is so sweet. Then Dawn, and Terri followed. Now the guidance we received was to meet at 2:30. I figured that the pictures would be at 3:00. By this time we were all looking like we had run a marathon. Luckily I had put my hair in a pony tail but I could feel the sweat dripping down my back. Then one of the Moms come by and tells us that we are scheduled for pictures at 4....UH WHAT? OMG can I say that, that was the longest hour and a half that I have ever had to go through.....I'd rather go through child birth without an epidural. By the time it was all said and done it felt like I had been sitting in a super hot sauna for days. Now if this is how I felt can you imagine how Daniel felt in all his football gear....my poor baby!! Can I just say that we really appreciate the cool 72 degrees that the house is set too.

Remember my old post about cheap coconut soda? Well my husband found me a place that sells coconut slushies. I swear the soda that they make the slushies with is the same coconut soda that I used to love all those years ago.

Donte's off getting Chinese food for tonight and he should be home any minute...he just walked in the door. Do I know my husband or what?

TGIF

Is it too early in the year to say that? We started school yesterday and I am more than happy that it's Friday. Is that bad? What the heck am I going to do next week when we are back for 5 whole days?

No seriously I love my job and wouldn't trade it for anything. Out of the kids, staff, and parents. I love all the kids and staff and most of the parents. It was so nice to see everyone again. I have a few kids that I was itching to see....the ones that would always stop by or the entire first grade class that would do their dance for me. Now those first graders are split up into many different 2nd grade classes....those kids still do the dance, and I of course get up from my desk and do the dance back.....they wont keep walking if I don't. My kids have wonderful teachers...I couldn't ask for any better. Donte is as happy as can be. He has a lot of friends from last year in his class this year. They are all so grown up now. Fifth grade is the highest grade our school goes too. They think they rule the roost..hahaha wait until they hit 6th grade. I can hardly believe that this is his last year of elementary school. Daniel has Dontes old teacher and he loves her. He doesn't have too many people from his class last year in his class this year...but Daniels not a shy guy and has already made himself at home. She has already told me some interesting stories. I am so glad that my kids are happy. I am so glad that they got phenomenal teachers that I get along with so well.

We are off to Football practice tonight. Both boys have practice. Daniels is going to turn into a BBQ after if the rain holds off. I really hope that it does. They have both worked so hard. You should see them out there. Donte has two plays of his own and he made two touchdowns at last weeks scrimmage. Daniel hasn't scrimmaged yet but watch out world that child flys through the air when he tackles!

School Starts Tomorrow

Well I have spent the last couple of days back at work gearing up for tomorrow. That's right folks tomorrow is the first day of school. I cant believe that the summer is officially over. Just about everything is ready to go and the kids are getting excited to see some of their old friends. I am excited too, to get it all started. I wonder what stories I'll be coming home with this year. :0)

13 Years, One Day

What a great time we had yesterday. We woke up and went out to breakfast at the mom and pop restaurant here. The boys and Donte ordered food, I ordered a plate. They give you huge portions and I know that Daniel wont eat his hash browns or pancakes, and since that's what I wanted I just needed a plate. They sat us at this huge table so we were thrilled when we saw America and Reed walk in. We scooted over and they joined us. We had great conversation and way too much to eat. I was stuffed to the hilt and was wishing that I hadn't taken that extra bite of hash browns. It takes all of 2 minutes to get back home and by the time we did, I just wanted to go to sleep. So I did, as did Donte. I remembered laying down in bed and before I knew it the phone was ringing and it was 1PM. I crawled out of bed and into the shower and tried to make myself wake up. We hung out with the kids for a bit before they went over to the neighbors for the night.

We have the greatest neighbors to the left of us. I hope they don't move before we do because they are the only ones that we have anything in common with. They graciously offered to watch the kids for the night so that Donte and I could spend some alone time on our anniversary.

We decided to hit the casinos for a little. We headed to the Empress with $100 dollars in our pockets....i know we play such high stakes!! We tried the buffet which wasn't that good but hey it's all part of the let's pretend we are in Vegas night. Then we hit the slots because neither one of us knows how to play any of the tables. We played the slots for a little carefully stalking out the ones that we thought would be the best. I won $76.25 and Donte won $76.75. You would have thought that we won the lottery.....but hey we left with more than what we came in with. Our evening at the casino ended at 9:13PM. We were laughing about the fact that our night was ending before our night would have been beginning 12 years ago. We were contemplating the movies, but we always go with the boys and it just didn't seem right so we went to starbucks instead. I was like a kid in the candy store. I hurriedly walked to the counter and blurted out :Raspberry mocha, warm, with an extra shot of raspberry and whipped cream....PLEASE." I am sure they were wondering what was wrong with me. I save this treat for special occasions and it had been quite awhile since I had one. Donte ordered his drink and we settled into the seats outside to sit and sip our drinks. We talked and talked about everything and about nothing. About the fact that we were so glad and grateful for the fact that we had found true love so young and that our family was perfect for us. I think we headed home around 10:30. It was a great evening and super anniversary. It really is the little things in life.

Today our boys came home at around 9AM and we got ready and headed out to Legoland in Schaumberg. It was nice and the boys loved it. I just wished that it was a little bigger. It only took about 1 1/2 hours to do the whole thing and that's with letting the boys play for a while. We then went to Maggianos. The food there was phenomenal. Oh my goodness words cannot describe it. The Gnocchi in Tomato Vodka Sauce is to die for. Today's dinner out more than made up for the not so great dinner yesterday at the casino. I told Donte, I know where I want my birthday dinner. MMmmmmm YUMMY!!!

After we got home we straightened up a bit and settled into our normal routine. Daniel and I went outside to play some basketball for awhile. At first it was just the two of us and before we knew it both the Dontes joined us. Donnies friend Trent showed up a bit later to spend the night and we all ended up going in. So the day concludes with Donte, Daniel, Donnie and Trent playing the Xbox and me blogging. I think I am going to head up to bed and let the boys be boys. Tomorrow is my last official day of summer........**Sigh** and so it will begin.

Continued III

The next day was a Monday and back to work I went. I have to admit that I got up a little earlier and felt a new type of energy flowing through my body. Now this was a time before cell phones and being able to contact people in a second by picking up the electronic device on your hip that would magically make the electronic device on their hip ring or vibrate.

We had made plans for him to come over to hang out. I think it was around 6:30 when he came over. We just kinda hung out at the house and talked. Again it was such a great conversation. I was totally falling head over heels for him. I stopped calling him by his last name and started calling him Te. From that day on we were inseparable. Everyday after work like clock work he would be at my apartment. I would be waiting patiently. My life was slowing down with him as well. I was slowly changing from partying every night to looking forward to just being with him. We would go to the movies, out to dinner, or just simply hang out on the couch. I was learning more and more about him and he was learning about me as well. Before I knew it I was not just falling in love with him....I was in love with him.

I introduced him to my friends and he introduced me to his. We spent many nights hosting get togethers at the condo. I was loving this new found togetherness. How lucky was I to find such a great guy among the vast sea of losers out there. I soon felt that we had been together for years. Like I had not known a time without him. I loved his friends and he loved mine.

Hyde, Flores, and Mendez were Te's buddy's. The all lived in the same barracks and they were a riot. Four guys that couldn't have been more different but that got along so well you would have thought that they came from the same mother. Hyde was Asian and was so into cars. Not new ones but vintage ones. He was very particular in the way that he dressed and the company he kept. He was also a big guy, not fat but built like a sumo that wasn't over weight. Flores was Mexican and gaaaaaangsta, what a sweetie. He loved his cars, would tack his pants to the back of his shoes and could drink like a fish. Mendez was the grandpa of the group. I say grandpa but I think he was something like 27. He was married but his wife had a really good job in FL and he was finishing out his tour so he could move home and they could settle down. Mendez would do crazy stuff, like painting blue circles all over his barracks walls.....just because. He was such a sweet heart. He could crack you up with the best of them but he was always very respectful. I would love it when we all got together and hung out. I would be crying from laughing so hard. Even though I would go with Te to the barracks, I would never stay. My Dad was in the Army and no way would I be caught spending the night in the barracks. So often I would invite everyone to the condo and we would party there.

Before we knew it the days were starting to warm up and winter was starting to fade away. this happens early in the south. By March you can pack your jackets away and start enjoying the outdoors. Te's unit had orders for Kuwait and even though I knew the time was coming I was in sweet denial about it. We just kept spending our days together, enjoying ourselves and immersed in each other as if we were the only two people in the world. In fact some of our friends even said that we would get sick of each other of we kept spending so much time together. Whatever, what did they know I was in love and enjoying every minute of it.

I took Te to meet my parents and they loved him. No if, ands, or buts about it, Jeanine and Lisa loved him too and were thrilled that I was happy and that I had found someone so great to spend my time with. In fact everyone loved Te, it was impossible not to. He is just the type of person that people like to be around. His smile and laughter contagious.

His heart was as great as his jokes and he respected me. Respected the fact that I wanted to take it slow. There was never any pressure from him for me to do anything. Our lives just started to intertwine like ivy growing on the same branch. With every passing day our hearts were melting into one instead of two. I found total bliss with him and was loving the fact that I had become one half of a whole that really was working on every level. Now don't get me wrong we would have our disagreements but they never lasted more than a day and were usually over silly little things. We vowed never to leave each other angry.

I cant remember exactly when but soon marriage started to creep up in our conversations. Not a proposal but what we both thought marriage was and what we wanted our lives to be like. We talked about children and the fact that I wanted to wait until I was 25 was a big point of mine. His mother never married so a part of me wondered if this was a path that he may also want to take. My parents had been married for over 20 years and marriage to me was a must. We talked about our careers and what paths we would take. He was unsure of his. He spoke about moving back home after his tour and being close to his family and childhood friends. I spoke about traveling and getting the heck out of Hinesville. I thought that all roads dead ended there and I wanted to spread my wings and fly. This soon became a major conversation that we would have while laying on he couch. I am talking hours and hours, of what each others future dreams were. With every passing conversation I began to realize that our dreams were forging a path in the same direction. I came to the realization that "Oh my God, he is the one".

Te' spent so much time at my apartment that the chair in my bedroom started to look like a tree made out of his clothes. So, one day when he came over I opened up a drawer and showed him that I had emptied it......for his "stuff". Boy if people thought that we were annoying before, they probably started gagging after that. We spent every waking moment together, other than work it was me and him, him and I, us, whatever you want to call it it was just simply "US".

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months we both knew that his deployment was coming up. In my head I thought that maybe it would get delayed or that he wouldn't have to go. It was only for 2 1/2 months. Not that long but when you are 20 and head over heels it sounds like an eternity. We crammed all our time together. Every second that we could be together we were. No one else existed....it was just us, until April 1st, 2006. We woke up extra early that day and I drove him to his unit. I saw Hyde, Flores, Mendez, and Kenny. I wished them all well and went back to the car to talk with Te. My heart was breaking in a million pieces and I didn't want it too. I wanted to hold on to him as tightly as I could. If I close my eyes I can I still remember the way the early morning air was as heavy as an elephant and how the smell of his BDU's were intoxicating. If I don't let go he wont go right, No I couldn't do that, I couldn't even say that. I had to leave, I had to get out of there it was just too painful. We said our good byes and I went back home. A few minutes after I had cried myself to sleep the phone rang. It was him. He forgot his lock in the back of the car. I had to drag myself out of bed and back to his unit. The second time felt like a dagger ripping through me. I had to be strong and if our relationship was meant to last then it would. If you love something set it free, if it's meant to be it will find its way back to you.

After about three days I heard from Te. He was in Kuwait and he was settling in. The phone call was brief but I was so glad to have heard from him.

In the mean time I decided to move back in with my parents. So I took all my stuff, My car and Te' Car and headed back home. Yes the whole 10 minutes up the road was a long journey but a much needed one.

Then the letters started. He would call when he could which was about once a week so we had to write. We received mail from each other everyday. Some days I would get two or three letters. All of the envelopes would have pictures drawn on them. Sometimes of pyramids and camels, sometimes with a little houses and trees. The next two months were long to say the least. I had started running with a wife of one of the soldiers that Donte worked with. I would run everyday, like the wind. I would take all of my new found loneliness out on the track. I would go until I was drenched in sweat and dying of thirst. I loved it. Pretty soon it was June and I had gone from working at the school to working as a registrar at the hospital. The money was better and I needed a change. The district was making cut backs and I wanted to have stability in my job.

I had also found a new obsession other than running. I was called care packages. I would find the biggest box that I could(that was mailable) and I would stuff it full of anything and everything that I could. From Kool-Aid to beef jerky those boxes had it all. I made sure that there was enough for Te, and for Hyde, Mendez, Kenny, and Flores. I needed for all of them to know that I was still thinking of them.

Through the letters and the phone calls we decided to move in together when he came back. My Mom and her friend Charlotte helped me and before I knew it we found the cutest little apartment. 101 E. Hendry Street was going to be our home. It was on the end of main street and must have been a grand home in the past. It had been renovated into 4 apartments, 2 one bedroom and 2 two bedrooms. I filled out the lease and went to speak with the property managers secretary. The property manager happened to be the father of one of the girls I went to high school with and everything went really quickly. I had signed the lease and paid my deposit. I had a great 2 bedroom apartment with two balconies for $300 a month. Now this was not a dump. It was a great deal. Today it probably rents for at least $800 a month. I was so excited to get this place unpacked and decorated I could barely think straight.

My anticipation level was so high. I had less than two weeks and Te would be home. The letters that we had been sending only drew me closer to him. Maybe I couldn't be with him physically but my love kept growing. I had never felt like this with anyone else. Anyone else would have been promptly dumped and I would have moved on, but not with Te.

One night at about three in the morning I got a phone call....they had been extended. I could hear the anger in his voice, anger I had never heard before. "How long" I asked? "Two months" was the reply. I was dumbfounded, shocked, what could I say? I wanted to talk but the words wouldn't come, but the tears did. My mind was swirling, am I dreaming? This cannot be right. He had to go. All I heard was "I love you". Two more months, two more months.....really? I felt my heart break, I felt sick.

I threw myself into my running, work and getting our apartment put together. My girlfriends were a constant and so was my family. The love letters got deeper and the content of what the ink was pouring onto the paper was nothing short of amazing. I would run to the mailbox when the post man would come and could hardly make it back inside to open the letters that I would receive. I then received a letter that brought all of my true feeling to the forefront. Every time we would talk the conversation would go to marriage, and our thoughts, and the one days. I had already thought that he was the one. I supposed I knew it from very early on but was not the one to tell him. It was a mans place to bring all of that up. Call me old fashioned....it's who I am. This letter was long just like all the rest. except for the part that was written to my father, the part that asked for my fathers permission to ask me to marry him. To let him have the chance to make all my dreams come true, to love me unconditionally and to treasure me. I think I read it about a million times. Of course my father gave his blessing and the next time we talked I gave him my answer. A little unconventional maybe but it meant just as much as if were face to face.

I was getting married....married.

The time started to fly and we settled on little civil ceremony with the promise that a church wedding would follow at a later date.

On the morning of August 15th I returned from working an all nighter at the hospital. I quickly changed and straightened up the apartment as quickly as I could. At 11AM I headed out to soldier field on Fort Stewart. I was so very nervous. I had cut my hair and lost a ton of weight from all of the running. Would he know me, how had he changed? As I stood there feeling a little out of place. I was the only "girlfriend" amongst the sea of parents, wives, and children. I knew no one really and didn't know what to expect. The sun was blaring above and wasn't helping at all. Finally I saw the buses coming. Oh my would I be able to spot him? As the buses parked and someone said some mumbo jumbo, I scanned the faces coming off of the buses.....where was he? Then I saw him. Dusty and dirty and carrying about a ton of Army stuff on his back there he was. I stood there not quite knowing what to do. There were hundreds of people all around but all I could see was him. I was wearing sunglasses and I could feel the sweat.....did I look OK. He was obviously searching the crowds.....he waked right pass me. Ross(one of the guys he worked with) was like "hey Slade" He turned around, and as he did I took the shades off , our eyes met and in a flash he was holding me. In his arms.....the rest is all a blur. We went right to the hospital to get the blood tests done(GA law) and then to the apartment. He was home and finally this apartment felt like "Our Home". The next morning My Mom, Dad, Brother, Jeanine, and Kenny met Te and I at the Liberty County Court House. On August 16th, 2006 we both tearfully took out vows. I was 20 and he was 22. My heart was full.

August 15

This date has so many meanings for me. today would have been my Grandpas birthday. The last few years it has been hard to say the least. I would call him and he would sometimes mumble and sometimes nothing at all. I would however keep talking...somewhere deep inside I knew he could hear me and I always imagined that even if his lips couldn't say the words he was thinking them. What words you may ask? Well to tell you the truth any words would do. This year though I am sure that he is celebrating. Dancing and partying with all the ones that went before him. And this year I can talk to him and know that he is looking down on me smiling. What a cruel thing the circle of life is.

Today is also my husband brothers birthday. A brother whom we never see because of circumstances that he brought upon himself. It bothers my husband every year. I don't feel as if it's right for me to elaborate on that. If Donte wants to them he will. It's just not my place.

This is also the date 12 years ago that my fiancee came home from Kuwait....wait I will have to tell you all about that in the "continuation" posts.

Continued

I remember feeling totally dehydrated as I tried to move my stiff body off of the couch. I guess I wasn't too quiet because everyone else woke up right after. We discussed what was up for the day and decided to join Kenny at his house the next day to watch a football game. Kenny and Slade left and I think I must have drank a gallon of water and got ready for the day. I ran a few errands, started the laundry and tried to move my mind to the tasks at hand, the only problem was that I couldn't get the funny, fun to be with, adorable Slade out of my head. I had recently made a conscious decision to not date for awhile. A string of uneventful losers had made me realize that I needed some time to myself. Later that day I noticed that Slades car was back at Kennys. No sooner did I realize that Slade was next door when the phone rang. It was Kenny calling to see if we wanted to come over and hang out. Sure...any excuse to not do laundry was a feasible excuse for me. We ended up going to a Chinese place and picking up some food. I remember the sesame chicken that I got. MMMMMmmm Yummy. My Favorite! As Saturday night turned into Sunday morning I was dreading the time that was approaching...the time for me to go back home. I said bye to everyone and as I went to sleep that night I was trying to shake the feeling that I was falling for this guy. He had given me some signals that he was into me but he hadn't said anything so maybe he would just be a great friend to hang out with. I wondered if he would show up at Kennys for the football game the next day. I was hoping that he would and at the same time wondering why I was letting myself feel like that because I WAS NOT DATING ANYONE FOR AWHILE.....at least that's what I was trying to tell myself.

As I sat on my couch Sunday watching TV and folding laundry, I saw that My Girl II would be on later that night. I loved the first My Girl and wanted to see the the 2nd one badly so I made a note of what time it would start so I could leave Kennys and be home in time to pop some pop corn and grab a drink. Damn the Slade, why did he have to be so great and why cant I get him out of my mind.

Eventually I headed over to Kenny's. It was Kenny, Jay, Shalini, Slade, and I. I love to go to an actual football game, but it bores the piss out of me to have to watch it on TV. I need the excitement of the crowd and the cool night air to make my football experiences enjoyable. I was enjoying the ribbing going on because from what I can remember the fellas were divided on which team should win. I saw that the time was going faster than I would have liked. I really was starting to like this Slade character. Not only was he funny but he was polite and a lot of fun to boot. Anyway, as you can imagine I was getting picked at about My Girl II, to include a lovely rendition of the song. Thanks guys.....just what I needed a group of non-singing men to sing my girl to me. Anyway as I was headed for the door Slade asks if I wanted some company. Now I may not be the brightest bulb in the bunch but what red blooded man wants to watch My Girl II instead of a football game? I can feel the butterflies in my stomach as I say sure. Hmmmmm Maybe he feels something too....but never mind....I am going to be single for awhile.

We head over to my house and get ready for the movie. I don't remember exactly what we talked about but soon the movie was put to the back of my mind and the conversation to the front. We talked about everything and anything. We had a lot of things that were similar but so many that were different. We came from two very different sides of the track. We both loved many of the same things. He had a nephew whom he talked about like he was his own. He was polite and caring. His love for his family was strong. I told him about my family as well. How I had a 14 year old brother and how my parents meant so much to me. How we came to America from Sri Lanka and how my parents worked so very hard to build a great life for my brother and I and succeeded. I can't tell you how long we talked but before we knew it, it was late and he had to head back to the barracks. We decided to finish off the leftover Chinese food so off to the kitchen we went. I had a bad habit of sitting on my counter back then. I popped the food in the microwave and hopped on the counter. I sat there making small talk with Slade. I was wishing that I could turn back the hands of time to earlier...can't this day just last a little longer. Finally the time came for him to leave. As I sat there with my legs dangling over the counter, he walked straight up to me and kissed me. WOW...the whole I am not dating anyone went out of the window right then and there. "Good Night" Slade said. "Good Night" I replied. I went to bed that night with my heart all aflutter. Little did I know that he was the last man that I would ever kiss.

Winston Henry, Oh is He Not The Cutest!!

Look how big and cute he is. I just want to pull on his ears!

12 Years........Almost

As I was laying in bed this morning willing my body to get out of bed, I started to think about our upcoming anniversary. Donte and I have been married for almost 12 years. 12 YEARS....Part of me feels like it's been a whole lot longer and another part of me feels like it was yesterday. We were so young when we met I was 20 and he was 21. Have I told you about the way we met?

I was living in the colonial park condos with my roommate Shalini. We had moved in in August of 2005 and we were both out on our own for the first time. I had lived in the dorms for awhile but this was my first time having to juggle school, work, and an apartment.

During the day I was working at Liberty Elementary school as a teachers aide, but at night I was partying my hiney off. We were great friends with the two single guys that lived next door to us. Kenny and Jay were the only "single" owners along with us that lived in the complex, and we soon became their little sisters as they became our big brothers. We weren't the favorite on the block for the obvious reasons that we partied pretty hard. What else do you expect when you are that young and you are invincible. The world was at my feet and I was living life to the fullest.

We would frequent the NCO club on Fort Stewart a lot. Sometimes we would head out to Savannah but for the most part we stayed local. I had this ritual every Friday night. It went like this......Get home at 4PM, say hey to the roomie, chill out for awhile, you know watch TV, stare into space, then 8 pm would roll around and I would start to get ready. I would spend about an hour picking out just the perfect outfit. It usually consisted of Jeans, a blouse, or a jersey depending on what look I wanted to go with. My K-Swiss sneakers were a must if I was wearing a jersey. They were all the rage back then and you had to keep them as white as you could. My hair used to be down to my hiney and it was thick, healthy, and the shiniest shade of black that you could see. By 9PM I would hop in the shower and start on my hair. Blow drying it took quite awhile to do. I would spend about 45 minutes on my hair and about 15 on my make up. Then came ironing the clothes, you had to have just the perfect crease in your jeans. By 11PM I was ready. We would hop into either my car or Kennys car and head out for the club. We would then spend the next 4 hours dancing our hearts out and getting hammered. Now we did ALWAYS have a designated Driver so there were nights where I would just dance, dance until I couldn't anymore, until I had muscle failure. For a while we would head out to the Hardees for a 4 AM breakfast but there were always so many fights and the drama there was no fun at all so we started coming back to the house and cooking breakfast. We would stay up eat, drink and play cards until the sun came up. Finally at about 6AM would would all go our separate ways and I would crash until about noon the next day.

Well one Friday I came home in a foul mood to say the least. I remember just feeling like I needed a break from it all. Time for myself....but wait.....Shanez not going to the club?.....that just wasn't right. When Kenny found out he was at the door in an instant to find out if everything was OK. I explained that I was just in a bad mood and thought that maybe a little extra sleep would do me some good. This answer wasn't sitting well with him and he kept pushing to make sure that nothing was wrong. By this time I felt like I was being interrogated, no I am not mad, No no one hurt my feelings, but YES YOU ARE GETTING ON MY NERVES!!! This is how the conversation went.


ME: No, Not only do I not feel like the club tonight, I don't have the money for it.

KENNY: That's OK I gotcha, I'll pay for you to get in.

ME: Well that's really sweet but it's no fun going to the club in this mood and not have a few
drinks.

KENNY: I said I gotcha. The whole nights on me.....but only if you bake your corn bread muffins in the morning.

ME: I have nothing to wear.

KENNY: I will let you borrow my jersey, you know the one that you always want to borrow and I always say no.

ME: It's already almost 10 and I will never be ready on time.



KENNY: We can wait.

Now my roommate is sitting back snickering because she knows that I am about to cave. I finally do and run up to get ready. I jumped in the shower. Dried my hair a little, pulled it all back in a tight ponytail, applied some lipstick and nothing else in the form of makeup, threw on the jersey and K-Swiss and was like OK lets go. We get to the club and its in full effect. Kenny brings us all a round of drinks...my favorite Rum and Coke, and the PARTY begins. I can feel my bad mood slipping away and I am grateful for being dragged out of the house for a fun filled Friday night. Since I had lived in Hinesville since I was 12 I knew most of the people at the club. I went to middle school and high school with them. Every weekend was like a mini reunion. We would all spread out and mingle, dance a little bit, mingle a little bit, and so on and so on. We would always find our way back to each other though and never let too much time slip by. Kenny kept the drinks coming and it was time for a refill so we all danced our way back to the bar. This was also the place that you would introduce anyone that the others didn't know. That night Kenny says "Hey, this is my boy Slade". I remember those words so clearly still today because Kenny knew how I felt about dating soldiers......I didn't. He was also very protective of me and knew how most young soldiers were. I said hello and we all started talking. This Slade guy was hilarious. He had me in stitches. Some guy came over and asked me to dance so off I went into the abyss that they called a dance floor. I am getting my groove on and I see Slade dancing. We make eye contact and he gives me the look of help me. The girl he is dancing with has her back turned to me and I for the life of me can't imagine why he would give me that look. A few seconds later she turns around with a big grin on her face and lo and behold now I see why. Homegirl was missing some teeth. I couldn't help myself I busted out laughing, right there on the dance floor. The poor guy that I was dancing with didn't get it and I sure wasn't about to explain so I just said I was done dancing for awhile. I was almost in tears as I filled Kenny and Shalini in on the situation. We sat at the bar and had a good laugh watching Slade having to get his groove on with the toothless lady. After the song he just about ran over to us and we of course we had to tease him. He said "she came up to me and asked me to dance, I didn't want to be rude, and by the time I got out there it was too late to run". As he is trying to get out of the jabbing, and we are laying it on him full force, my song came on. I jumped up and before I knew it Slade was asking me to dance. I think I said something like "sure" then I smiled and said "See, I have all my teeth". We both cracked up and headed to the dance floor. He was a great dancer and we had some great conversation on the dance floor as well. Then a slow song came on and the conversation got even better. Kenny's "Boy Slade" and I danced together for the rest of the night. After the club closed we went to Kenny's for breakfast and a game of spades. He invited Slade to come over too. We got there and I had to bake the corn bread muffins so I ran home and got everything. Kenny was a great cook and I couldn't wait. I was starving. We started a game of spades that soon turned into a drinking game. Slade was trying to take me on in the drinking game. Kenny even warned him that I could hold my own, he said so could he. Really we will see. Before I knew it I had taken quite a few shots and knew that I needed to slow down. By this time Jay had returned with his hoochie mama. Even though we loved Jay he had a knack for liking some scanky girls. We ended the party at Kenny's and headed back over to our condo. We sat around in the living room for awhile, until we all started getting tired. Kenny and Shalini fell asleep on the floor and I crashed on one side of my couch and Slade on the other.





to be continued.....

Colonial Park Condos in Hinesville GA.

My condo would have been on the right and Kenny and Jay's was on the left.