Wednesday Thoughts...

My birthday came and went without anything horrible happening.  haha  I am now 25, a quarter of a century old.  I cannot begin to say how blessed I am.  I have an amazing family and friends who love and care for me, like I do to them.  I have the bestest husband in the world, and the most handsome baby boy that God could have blessed Mike and I with .  Of course I got many good things for my birthday, the best being after 5 years together and missing 5 birthday's of mine, I FINALLY got to spend it with Mike!  I am so glad that there was no moving to Germany, Iraq, NTC to get in the way of it this year.  Lets see I also got a new pair of jeans, waterproof jacket, Adobe Elements and a very awesome editing program from MCP actions.  I can finally just add that POP of something all my pictures need.

I also got a job, but most likely will not be sticking to it.  It is unfortunate, but daycare is just too expensive and I do not want to work just to make enough for daycare, which a lot of them do not take younger than 2, and the home care ones are not good here.  I have had a few moms tell me they cannot be trusted.  This is such an emotional subject for me and have been going back and forth on it for a while now.

We also got flea's from the stupid people who lived at this house before us and it is bad.  I have 2, 2 boxes of bombs that I hope works.

Mike sold his Asus and drumset and is now getting himself a desktop computer and going to build it himself.  he is like a kid in a candy store!  He cannot wait for the parts to come so he can build it this weekend.  This benefits me in the fact that it is a 1 Terabyte system and has an awesome video card so I can do lots of edits besides my husbands love of his games.

those are my thoughts...

Riley

I just wanted to give a quick update on what has been happening with Riley since it has been a while.

Lets see, he has started rolling completely over and mastered it in a snap.

He started saying his "baba's", "dada's", "gaga's" and such!  He would combine a lot of them and it was the cutest thing in the world.  he also said "blah".  Though now, like anything he does comes and goes, so he doesnt do it as often.

He has become a screamer now, especially when you do not pay attention to him.  We are trying our hardest to start "No" since it is so loud.  haha  We know, it too shall soon pass.

He can sit up 90% of the time without falling over.  He falls over when he forgets what he is doing. :)

He can Army crawl very FAST!  He is almost crawling crawling, but like rolling over, he is just taking his sweet time.

I think that is all for now.  He is becoming such a little boy!  Oh, he loves anything electronic, cords and shiny things.  :D

it's been a while...

Wow, I didn't realize with everything going on that I had not updated all my loving followers in a while! :D  So, I will try my hardest to update you all as short as I can...

Pretty mama Audrey and Frank

In the last couple weeks of Mike being at Recruiting School, I went home and enjoyed a wonderful week with my family and some amazing people!  One being one of my best friends, Audrey who has been wanting me to come home forever (I did too of course) who I actually pulled off surprising her at her door step!  It was epic, there was crying involved!  Riley and Frank had a good time playing together for the short time we were together.  I saw my pregnant lady Jen and got to touch the bellay known as Savannah!  We had

Frank and Riley playing

fun at Armed Forces Day that we went too a year ago while I was pregnant with Riley!  Riley loved hanging out with his uncles and Papa and Grandma.  I also got to go to my Church in which I saw many pretty ladies who I missed as well! I really do miss home and how it makes me feel there.  I can't wait to go back in July for the Beach!!!!

all loaded up

Mike came home and started clearing so we could leave by the 15th of June only to find out we couldn't leave until the 25th due to Ft Stewart wanting to PCS everyone in June.  Since I had a little bit of extra time, I went and saw Melissa and  her beautiful girls!  Riley and I will miss them very much!  After I got back, we organized and got ready for the Army to come pack us up, put it away and make its way out here to Cali.

The trip was long, but only took 4 days to get to Sacramento for Mike to sign in with Battalion and get squared away.  Riley did awesome on the trip.  He was such a trooper to mostly be fed bottles and

spoon fed IN the truck.  Pulling the car behind the

Riley taking a break from being in his car seat!

truck was an adventure in itself as well.  We have been here in Eureka for a little over a week, almost a week and a half and cant wait to get into our house!  We found it quickly, but couldn't decide on taking it or not.  In the end it was always there when we couldn't find anything else so we choose it.  3 beds, 2 baths, awesome house to live in for the next 3 years.  We were supposed to get it yesterday (Saturday), but these relaters are very slow and like laid back, and do not keep us informed of anything.  Come tuesday tho, that house is ours to move into.  Tuesday comes DirecTv, and Wed is our HHG!!!  I cannot wait to sleep on my own bed and get Riley back in his crib!  being in a hotel for the past 2 weeks is UGH.  haha

I think that will be all for now.  I will update you all about Riley tomorrow if I get the time.  haha  He has been keeping us on our feel lately.

My Self Guided Tour of the "Army Wives" set

Yesterday, Mike, Riley and I went into Charleston, SC where I would say about half or ALL (dunno where their actual sets are) of the scenes are shot for the show "Army Wives".  YES, the show has its flaws, but it does an amazing job at the portrayal of the emotions that we go through.  We couldn't find the old Hump Bar, but Mike said before we leave the East Coast, we would go back and find it (now that we know where it is :D).  So, here are ALL the pictures that I got...

First was off to find the new Hump Bar that Roxy took over after Betty gave it to her and gave it the name Betty's. :D (on Meeting St next to a Fine Rug store and cross road is Algonquin).  The old Hump Bar is down on King st (one street over from Meeting st) across from the vehicle drop off place (for people going OCONUS).

The gate on the side of the "trailer"

Mike noticed that behind the Bar on King St., that there was an Army tent and a couple vehicles, so we decided to investigate.  Upon our investigation we found that it was the Iraq/Afghan set they used (inside was bare of course, no trespassing and a casting office! haha) AND the sign for Piedmont Place.  Their dressing rooms/trailers were parked in the area as well.

the Tent and next to it was the vehicles (not pictured)

the Iraq/Afghan set

Just the sign, couldn't find the actual Piedmont Place

Brigid Brannagh's parking spot

Sterling Brown's spot

and the YUMMY Brian McNamara's spot

Next we went to go find the houses and the Park where a lot of the scenes are shot, but there was a Gay Pride celebration going on, too many people at the Park, so we are going to pursue it another day!!!  All these locations are seriously RIGHT next to each other in N. Charleston on an old Navy Yard (I believe it used to be a small base since there was a gate and old military housing, etc).

Frank and Denise's House (on Hobson and Turnbull)

Their front door!

Claudia Joy and Michael Holdon's house (on Verdum & Marne)

Their gazebo!! 

Roland and Joan's house (down the road on Verdum Ave)

The General's parking spot

The beautiful Admin Building (Everglades and Navy st)

 I wish they hadn't boarded up the windows so soon after they stopped filming since it looks so silly, but it was still awesome that I got to see the "set".  Also, no one can find Pamela's and Roxy's house, so that was out of the question.

If you go visit Charleston, SC anytime in your lifetime (haha get it ;) ), you should go find these places.  It is easy to spot the houses because they have the orange markers and private property (don't stand on grass) signs!!  Downtown Charleston is absolutely beautiful.  They have tours of Ft. Sumter, Ghost Tours, and supposed to be an awesome Aquarium.  I cannot wait to go back and just walk around downtown and enjoy it more.

Now, to resume watching this weeks "Army Wives".  :D :D

It's been a while

(Left to Right) Elizabeth, Riley & Rebecca 

I know it has been a while, but I have had a busy past couple weeks.  The friday after Mike left I went to Jacksonville to see my friend Melissa and her twin girls, Elizabeth and Rebecca for a week.  I had a blast!!!  I did not want to leave at the end of my trip.  I got to meet her parents and her husbands parents, both very nice and LOVED Riley as well.  Riley went into his first pool and bonded with Elizabeth.  They became baby girlfriend and boyfriend.  Rebecca just tried to steal his toys OUT of his hand and was too wild for him.  Elizabeth was just like him, calm and collected so that is why they bonded! :)

Chilling in the pool

I went and saw Mike in Columbia that weekend.  We had a fun weekend during Easter weekend.  Went to their Zoo and relaxed.  That Sunday, Easter, I picked up the grandparents who came out to see me and the Riley monster.  We showed my dad around downtown Savannah a little bit, meaning we went through the parks and down along River Street.  It was nice having some help and not have to worry and GO do things without Riley.  I was able to get my haircut while they were and my mom helped me out a lot, which I appreciate so much.  Riley LOVES his Grandma and Grandpa and we cannot wait to see them again.

Riley finally has rolled over from his back to his tummy and is doing it quite well I might add.  Now he can roll over both ways and it is just in time he will start crawling.  I am trying to prepare myself for this since I know he is going to tire mommy out with all his non stop crawling.

Tomorrow I leave for Columbia to see Mike again for maybe a week.  His birthday is Thursday, so we are going to go see Daddy for his 25th Birthday and our FIRST birthday together.  I cannot wait.  Got to love military birthdays being apart.

Recruiting & Rolling over

This week has been stressful, hard, and exciting at the same time.  Tomorrow I am going to Jacksonville to see my friend Melissa and her twin girls Rebecca and Elizabeth.  I NEED to get out of this house.  I am going crazy staying inside 24/7 with no friends or family here for support.  I should have gone home and it is STILL on my mind, but I don't know if it will happen.

Mike left sunday for 6 weeks and 4 days of recruiting school.  At first we HATED the idea of being a recruiter, but now we love it.  We love it for the fact that; A) we are stationary for 3 years, no moving B) NO DEPLOYMENTS!!!!!!!! C) Mike gets to watch Riley grow up.  This could not have come at a better time Riley being as young as he is.  I think about all my friends who have husbands on deployments right now missing out on their children's lives and I do not know how they do it.  They are so strong and I look up to them.  I hated how Mike missed out on our pregnancy, but now looking back I would rather him miss out on that rather than Riley's childhood.  You cannot get these years back.

On Monday, Riley decided to roll over.  The day AFTER Mike left.  I watched him do it and sat there like what did my baby just do?!  Riley looked at me like WTF Mom, what just happened!?  hahaha  It took him a few days, but yesterday he started doing it again, and again, and again, and again.  He cannot be on his tummy more than a couple minutes now without rolling over to one side.  I was so incredibly sad that Mike missed this milestone in his life and the fact he is getting so good at holding on to his toys and playing with them.  He can also touch his feet and he is acting like he is wanting to sit up all by himself.  My little boy is developing so well right now.  It makes me happy and sad at the same time

I just have to say God is Amazing.  I am still on my road to get back to where I was when I was in WA.  I cannot believe that just in like a few short months time, I can fall completely off track.  :(  I am slowly getting back on the path I was on.  I hate not having a Church and great Church friends (Lindsay, Jessica, Lauren, Sarah, Sarah K, Jenny...)  I miss all our dates and Bible Studies.  Being alone (minus a couple friends) here in GA really makes me see that I LOVE having that support of family and friends.  I miss my Starbucks dates at our table, getting the babies together, going on post and seeing my love and puppies, going to school and seeing all my girls, and so much more.  I miss you all so much, and love you so much more.

I will try my best to update in Jacksonville!!!

Papa

Dear Papa,

It has been almost 15 years since God took you to Heaven and I have missed you every day since you have been gone.  I remember the night my parents got the call saying you went peacefully (I was bad and listened in on the phone call).  That was the saddest night of my life.  I loved every moment and memory we shared.  Every telephone call was my favorite part of the day when you called.  Asking me about how many teeth I lost and if I had a boyfriend yet.  haha  You always told me you wanted to meet my boyfriends to make sure they were worthy enough for me.  You also told me you wanted to be there at my wedding, well Papa I am glad you were.  I am glad you were watching down from Heaven at Mike and I on our wedding day.  I even talked to you and told you on that day that I was sure of Mike and wished you were there.  I wish you were here to meet your great grandson Riley.  You would love him.  He loves to be silly and smile, just like how you were with all your grandchildren.  I miss you and love you.  RIP

to my Internet Girls

To my internet ladies, they know who they are.  I don't know what I would have done without you for the past 2 deployments and these next 6 weeks.  You have been with me through all the ups and downs, crazy pregnant lady freak outs, and just me being my random self.  I am so glad that I have met some of you and cannot wait to meet more of you.  I am just so glad that I have been able to find a support group that knows what I am going through with the Military and that we can bash them when needed.  I have loved all our wacky, out there conversations, the laughs and the tears (happy and sad).  I love all our different personalities and if we seem to start clashing, we can talk about it and work it out.  That we are sassy and sarcastic without it going in the wrong direction.  I love you all and do not know where I would be without you.  Please never leave me.  :D

Love, me

Exes...

To those that broke my heart in the past, I want to thank you.  You both made me a stronger person for what you did.  You both ended up being immature boys who couldn't tell me the truth about why you wanted to break up with me, or why you did.    Finding a new girlfriend before you break off your current relationship is cowardly, and cheating on someone is not forgivable.  You have made me a better person, a stronger person for the Lord and myself.  You have led me to the greatest person of all time, my husband who I know would do nothing to hurt me the way you both have hurt me in the past.  The past is the past now and so is the memory of you....dust.

to the Dreamer in you

Today, or your 5th day is to write a letter to your dreams.  I have been trying to swirl all my dreams around in my head for a while and write them down on paper.

Dear Dreams,

I have been chasing you since I was old enough to know what you were.  Back then you were silly dreams of wanting a puppy (that I got when I was 18), hoping I got new toys, to making friends, and becoming a Vet one day.  Then came my teen years of wanting a boyfriend, a job, good grades, to make sure I had a good high school experience, being loved by my family, and being accepted.  Now, my dreams are totally different.  I dream of the day I have my own classroom full of Kindergarten students, watching my son grow up to be the most wonderful man, and to watch my husband become the best man he can be later in life to me, and his son.  Thank you for letting me be a dreamer throughout my life and letting me catch you.  I cannot wait to see what you come up with. ;)

Love, me

Brothers...

Dane and Reid,

As your older sister, I tried to make a good example for you.  I have watched you grow up, through all your ups and downs.   I remember it all, from the dropping of the toys on each others heads, to the fights, to getting in sleeping bags and sliding down the stairs, to the old cabin, stitches, our own fights, etc.  Now you both are young men who are dedicated to doing something great with their lives.  I am proud to be your sister.  Now the tables have turned, to show Riley that their uncles are the coolest people in the world and teach him valuable uncle values.  I am thankful for you both, and that God gave me the coolest brothers in the world.  I love you both!

Mom & Dad

Mom & Dad,

I just wanted to thank you for giving me the life that I deserved.  I feel that God sent you to me, adopt me and love me unconditionally.  You raised me right with morals and values that I hope to instill in Riley one day.  I had an amazing childhood, to which I want to give Riley as well.  Going on all our excursions of hiking, biking, skiing, dive trips, and vacations.  I have loved every minute of my life, even when I was being bad and being punished.  I love you both so much and thank you again for everything.

To the Hubs

Day 2 is to write a letter to your crush and I choose my hubby.  I have a major crush on him, so I found it fitting.

Michael,

    From the very beginning you have not given up on me and I have not given up on you.  I believe this is why we work and always will work as a couple.  Our saying, "Never Let Go", could not have more meaning.  With all the obstacles we have been through, I am glad we have gotten through them.  For some reason trying to write you a letter is hard for me.  I love everything about you.  You are sweet and funny, not to mention the bestest daddy in the world.  I had no doubts when I married you and I have no doubts now.  You ARE the one that was meant for me.  God gave me you and I thank Him for that everyday.  I love you from the depths of my soul, forever.

Bestest Friends

I found from another friend who has a blog, to write a letter to someone for 30 days.  I didnt like half of them, some were redundant, so I am doing 15 days of letters.  The first one is to your best friend.  This is a conundrum for me since I do not just have one, I have two amazing besties.

To Audrey:

    I have known you since Mr. Nilsen's Science Lab class, 9th grade.  There was so much I wished I would have done in HS to be there more and actually feel like I had real friends.  We lost touch for a little while, then found each other again.  That was the best thing I could have done.  You helped me see the light and were there through it all.  I am so thankful for you and your friendship.  You are more than a best friend, you are a sister to me.  Going through our pregnancies together was amazing.  Having baby boys as BFF's is awesome.  I miss you and cannot wait for Frank and Riley to grow up together, and we can grow even more as sisters.  I love you forever and just know that I am always here for you as well.

At Aud's Wedding

FRIEND:

   We met at SOAR and became instant friends.  You were my first friend at WOU.  You have been there for me through my worst.  You helped save me when I needed it the most.  You have always been there for me and I appreciate it so much.  I will always be there for you as well.  You are my "lobster".  :D haha  I cant wait for Riley to know his "aunt jodi" and see how much fun she is, just like how mommy knows you.  You are am amazing friend and if I lost your friendship, I don't know what I would do.  I love you, forever.

Jodi the Graduate & me Pregnant

To my hubby, you are also my best friend, but you are my best friend in a different way.  Don't worry, I didn't forget you!

Shots Don't Bother My Son...

Today was Riley's 4 month check up.  Unfortunately it was at 0800, so I am tired right now, with one 30 minute nap today!  Riley did really well.  He weighed 16 lbs 11 oz, and is 26.5 inches tall.  A month ago he was 15 lbs. I thought babies were not supposed to he hulk babies!?  They are supposed to be little forever!  He is going to outgrow all his "exercise" toys too fast!  The doctor said he was perfect for his proportions, so we have nothing to worry about.  His head, weight and height are all growing together at a good pace.  Take that stupid doctor who said my boy weighed TOO much.  Mommy always knows better.  You know nothing!

Riley took the shots like a champ.  He just cried his normal cry and got over it like a minute later.  His left leg was a little sore today, but that did not stop him from playing.  He bounced in his jumper until he was about to fall asleep.  We got him laughing for about 5 minutes straight.  This coming from someone who got poked and prodded at the doctors office earlier today.

He is also doing well with trying to roll over.  Today of all days he decided to try it after taking a hiatus from it.  He decided that it was not very interesting, so he was just going to work on strengthening his back muscles with lifting his head.  He got so close, but got frustrated when his upper body got in the way, his arms mostly. He has awesome leg strength, he just needs to work on his arms.  He is getting there to the best of his ability.

Welcome to my life!

Penguin Encounter, SeaWorld

    My life is ordinary to me, but not so ordinary to others.  This is because I live my life as an Army wife.  My husband is an infantry soldier (soon to be a recruiter) in the United States Army.  He is hands down the most dedicated, hardworking soldier you could ever meet, and I am not just being biased.  :)  In our 5 year relationship, the Army and God has tested us to our max, but we have overcome all obstacles.  Out of our 5 years of being together we have accumulated just a little over a year of being together.  He has been to Germany, Iraq (15 months), Georgia, Iraq (12 month), and we are back in Georgia about to move to California since we got together.  My love for my husband will never falter, never change.  It is that undying love you read about in fairytales.  He is my penguin.

    I will elaborate what penguins mean to me and my husband because the represent who we are as a couple.  It was during the movie "Happy Feet" that I got this idea that my husband is my penguin.  At the beginning they were explaining when two penguins meet, they just KNOW they are going to be with that penguin for life.  This is how I felt about my husband, then boyfriend.  Since that day we have been each others penguins and will be for life.

    Four months ago, God gave me one of my most precious gifts, a son, named Riley Michael.  I have been dreaming of this day since I was a child.  Being a mommy could not be more rewarding.  I love being able to stay at home and watch him grow up to be the sweet little boy that he is.  He looks and acts so much like Mike, it is unbelievable.  After much deliberation and talking, we (we meaning I sent him a list of names to pick from) decided on Riley.  We liked how it was a strong Irish name.  Since he was in my belly, I have been calling him Goober.  This is his nickname besides Riley Monster.  Urban Dictionary says Goober "is just a kindhearted, rather oblivious goofball. it's term of endearment really. it comes from the ancient scottish verb "to goub", which has to do with doing a dance and smiling sheepishly while doing so, exposing the goubs in one's teeth.  A loving nickname for someone who is pure, innocent, warms your heart and makes you smile."  This fits Riley to a "T".  I could not imagine life without him.




    Since Riley was born, one forgets about everything else and becomes a mommy.  This is something I have been trying to balance, being a mommy and a wife.  Not to mention, I have to remember to take care of myself as well.  This is my journey, and I could not ask for more.