Frustrated

Today was not one of my better days. It started out great. I took my neighbor Katie and her daughter to a Party store to look for decorations/invitations to her baby shower. I asked her if I could throw her one since she just moved here and doesnt really know anyone. They're an adorable little family with a 2 year old daughter named Madalyn and Katie is pregnant with another girl due in March.

After the party store, we came home to get Alex (he went down for a nap right before we left so I left him with Daddy) with the intention of leaving relatively soon and meeting up with a bunch of the neighborhood girls at the mall so the kids could ride the Christmas train.

Once Alex was ready and we were preparing to leave, I stopped to help Janal put the cover back on Ronan's carseat which I'd promised to do since she wanted to wash it. As I was doing that, Josh came outside to tell me that he was going wake-boarding with a friend and he asked me to put sunscreen on his back. Since I hate the way my rings slip and slide when I have lotion on my hands, I took my rings off and set them on the small table outside our door intending to put them right back on after using the sunscreen. Instead, I walked across the porch to grab a wet wipe to clean my hands and was distracted enough to forget the rings and take Alex to the car to leave. Before pulling away, I realized I wasnt wearing them and ran back up to the porch to get them but they were GONE!!!! 

There were quite a few of us outside when I set them on the table and I think perhaps one of the kids picked them up and then dropped them somewhere once they lost interest in them. I certainly hate to think any alternative. Everyone helped us searched EVERYWHERE we thought they could possibly be. We tore up the grass, we ruined the shrubbery. I finally decided to go to the mall like we'd planned and on the way home stopped to rent a metal detector from a retired Navy gentleman who is coming out tomorrow at 8am to search again since we had no luck with the one I rented.

I've felt sick to my stomach all day about it. Well, that and some other issues a few of you may know about. It's just one of those days that forces me to be thankful that it's a material item that's missing and not my son. Things can always be worse, right? My poor husband is pretty upset about having to pay thousands more dollars on something we don't even have anymore but he's not taking it out on me. He has been really sweet in spite of the fact that I know he's really frustrated. That's how I know I picked the right guy. =o)

Here is a shot of the kids waiting in line for the train. Cute as buttons, aren't they? That's Madalyn standing up and you should already know Liam and Ronan. Tyler is the one with the huge smile in the brown shirt. He's Amy's son and he's 5. The cutie in the yellow shirt is Jolene's son, Ryan.

Amy brought over some train toys that Tyler doesnt play with anymore and they're adorable. Josh and I thought about buying Alex some train stuff but it's so expensive I decided we would wait. Alex loves it tho. Now we just need a train table to put it on.



I guess I'll do the responsible wife thing and clean up the kitchen before I crash.

New Years Eve, tomorrow!!!! What's your New Years Resolution going to be?

Christmas

Ahhhh...Christmas.

I love it. There is something purely emotional about this holiday. Or maybe it's because I've been away from someone I love the last few Christmases. This year I know without a doubt that I am where I need to be and truly, where I want to be, but still...I really miss my family.

Similarly to the way I feel when I hear beautiful music, Christmas music and decorations never fail to improve my mood. And it never hurts to hear Alex say "ooooohh preeby" every time he sees the tree.

Josh had to work on Christmas night but we had a great day overall. I made french toast for breakfast. Then we drank coffee and helped Alex open all his presents. You should have heard this kid. "CAAARS!!! Mommy!! CAAARS!!!! Ayrpane!!! He-y-cotter!! MomMom!!" Who can help but get him a zillion toys??

I ate WAAAY too much. I made a glazed ham, gr bean casserole and an apple pie. It was all super delicious if I do say so myself. Josh was equally impressed especially since it was the first time I ever made an apple pie and it tasted great!! Consistancy, not so amazing, but hey! We like apple soup.

Our neighborhood has been dealing with an epidemic in the last 9 or 10 days. I believe it started with our house. After hearing him scream "MOMMY!" for 5 minutes I went to get Alex out of bed the Saturday before Christmas and there was vomit everywhere!! His diaper was equally as disgusting and we spent the entire day dealing with both those issues. Poor nugget. He was SO sad. I could just tell he hurt. And he was so thirsty so he kept asking "Wawer? Peas, Mommy? Mulk?" and of course, everytime he drank, he threw it back up. We finally took him to the ER around 5 because although I didn't think he was dehydrated yet, I knew he would be if it continued. We got some Zofran to go and after one last extra large stomach dump on Daddy (when he was trying to put Alex to bed), he woke up the next morning and hasnt thrown up since. He did continue to have the other issue for a few days following and just 2 days ago found his appetite.

The only nap he took that day was on the floor next to Daddy. Lucky parents that we are, we got the same dreaded disease the Monday following. Rough day, if I do say so myself. And Josh had to work that night.  I do not wish that bug on ANYone. (shudder)
Other than that, things havent been very exciting around here. We did buy Alex two (yes, I said 2) ride-on cars for Christmas. I wanted one that I found online but shipping to Hawaii is REDICULOUS so I ordered Lightening McQueen from AAFES and while waiting for it to arrive, I found a Blue Angels Ride-on car on Craigslist so I HAD to have it. I'm supposed to return the other one when it gets here but we might talk Daddy into letting us keep it since he's too short to reach the pedal on the airplane. He has a blast turning it off and on though. And 'firing' the guns and turning the lights on and off.

 

I miss everyone even more than I can explain right now. I hope next year we get to come home like we plan to. As long as he doesn't deploy over Christmas, we plan on returning to the mainland for approx 3 weeks next December/Jan.

I love you guys. Every single one of you.

Dog Beach

I don't know that it's actually called that. But it's how we refer to it. Josh and I have decided to try and take the dogs at least once every time he's on break from work. They love it there. Alex is getting braver but it's still takes a little coaxing to get him to venture out into the water. The dogs, on the other hand, wade right in and start swimming.

I am actually surprised at how much they enjoy it. I thought Warner might like it but I never expected Roxie to. She seems to like it more than he does. Here is a video clip of them swimming out to me. There's a sandbar that goes out pretty far once you walk through several yards of 10 inch water.

Tuesday was Josh's birthday. I made him cupcakes and we had the neighbor boys over to fly those little paper airplanes for a bit before he had to go to work. It was fun. Really low key and we didn't even buy him any presents this year but he's getting some work-out stuff that he wants instead. I think next year I'll make sure Alex has something to give him. Mostly because after Christmas, he's going to understand the whole gift thing more than he would now.

Did I mention that Alex likes the dog crate? The dogs, on the other hand, would prefer not to be in it when the door is closed, but Alex thinks it's cool. And of course, he wants the dogs in it with him.

 I wasn't going to dress up Alex for Halloween but Janal had an old costume that fit him and Josh was working and we were bored. The above picture was taken after he'd been running around with candy for an hour. He was cheesing in Ronan's Spiderman hat. My comedian.

I love this picture of all the boys. Josh was on patrol so he drove by us several times while we were out walking. Alex really did have a lot of fun once he realized the point of the game. Stick the bucket out towards people and they put candy in it? Who wouldn't want to participate in something like that? =o)

Well I suppose I'll go work on dinner.
Anybody want to come over?
xoxo

"Ay Ya Yoo, Mammy"

(This was from last week...when I REALLY meant to post but got sidetracked)

Best words ever spoken. I tell him I love him all the time. Before he naps or goes to bed I always hold him for a few minutes and sing or hum a song and then rub his hair and kiss his nose and say "I love you" at least 14 times before laying him down. The other day he beat me to it and as I was kissing his nose he said "ay ya yoo mammy". I think I almost cried. Yea, it's that big of a deal.

Some days I get frustrated at the lack of attention I've paid to things that I feel I should have done. (IE laundry, dishes etc) I know I only have one baby and I think sometimes it makes me feel like I'm not good at prioritizing because there are literally days when I do NOTHING about the way the house looks because I'm playing with Alex or I just can't stand to be indoors when it's so pretty outside 24/7. Anyway, I look at people like Janal or Rachel and think "if they can do this with THREE kids, then why can't I do it with one???". But then he kisses me...or brings me a flower...or says "ay ya yoo" and I don't care how many dirty dishes there are in the kitchen and I don't mind the pile of laundry waiting to be folded because I know that before I can blink, Alex is going to be "too big" for all this lovey stuff.

I Should Be Punished

I promised myself I would write in this more often and here I am... a little less than a month since the last update. Ooops.

Well, we still don't have our furniture. We did get the things we'd shipped from Lajes (The Azores) so at least we have a crib and high chair and some kitchen stuff. This loaner furniture is really uncomfortable, though. I think they do that on purpose so you don't try to steal it. Although I would think the print of the fabric would keep that from happening.

So, what's new? Not much. Alex is growing like a weed. I've already given some of his clothes to the neighbors and I'm going to have to get rid of quite a few more items pretty soon. He loooooooves to wear shoes and pretty much insists on having something on his feet all the time. He loves having the dogs around. He can say "bob" but saying Roxie's name is a little harder.

I bet you're thinking you want to come visit me now, aren't you? Yea...it really is THAT pretty. Even better in person. This beach is on part of the island owned by Bellows Air Force Station. They actually have cabins and things that you can rent. All along the beach there are these trees that just make you want to put up a hammock.

We've been spending a lot of time with our neighbors and their kids. Tomorrow we have a "mexican food" night planned. I'm making Andrea's Garnachas and some yummy Guac and Janal is making Quesadillas. I think Jeanna is making Enchiladas. I'm sooo hungry just thinking about it. You want to come, too?

I finally took a  couple videos of the house. It's empty but at least you can see the layout. 

Josh just started working swing shift which SUCKS. He'll be on a 6 on 3 off schedule until he goes to the kennels. That date depends on when someone leaves and frees up a dog. So for now he's working 8 to 10 hour shifts. Blech.

Alex and I went to the Aquarium with Janal and Bender and their kids. He thought it was pretty fantastic.



Ahhh...my boys.

 

Touchdown!!!



Well I have to go. Unfortunately, Ronan (the 19mo old in the middle of the above pic) was just admitted to the ER for severe dehydration. He's already underweight and has been throwing up for about 3 days now. Janal took him to the clinic and they took him in an ambulance to the main hospital. Josh is at work but Bender and Liam are at home so I will probably take them to the hospital here shortly. Keep them in your prayers if you think about it.

Love you guys!!

See you soon??

Finally, a house...

We are finally in our house!!! It still doesn't feel real. I think a part of me still expects to pack up and leave within a week or so. It doesn't help that our stuff isn't here yet so we're living with "loaner" furniture for 90 days. Our things should be here in the next week or 2 but we're keeping the free stuff until we have to give it back.

The house is much nicer than either of us anticipated. It is a pretty nice place, all in all. I love having our own space and it feels huge after spending 10 days in the hotel. I want to show everyone what it looks like but it's hard to take good pictures and get the real feel for it so I'm going to do a video walk through tomorrow. I'll upload it to my youtube page so you can see the layout. It's really bare right now, so keep that in mind.

I applied and was approved for WIC. Small victories!! It will save us from having to use our own money to buy milk and eggs and a few other things. I also went grocery shopping the other day armed with about 20 coupons. I saved $25!!!! It was harder than my normal routine of grabbing things off shelves as I pass them. =0)

Alex is getting so big. I know I say that all the time and it's probably even less obvious to me than it would be to anyone else but he's so interactive and his "sentences" are really starting to sound like he's talking. Well, they sound like he's speaking Mandarin but still. Adorable.

We made friends with some of our neighbors. Bender and Janal are their names. He is an active duty cop at another base on island. They invited us over for burgers the other night and Alex had a blast playing with their boys. They have a 4 year old named Liam, an 18 month old named Ronan and an 11 week girl named Sari. All very cute. Blond and blue eyed. They like Alex...and we all like them. On Sunday night I got a text from Janal asking if I could sit at their house with the boys (who were sleeping) because Sari was sick and they were taking her to the ER. She was really congested and seemed to have trouble breathing with all the drainage. Thankfully, she's fine. They boys had been sick and I guess she was just taking her turn with the congestion.

We might have some good news!! Josh talked with his Senior today and was asked about his experience and training so far in the Air Force. There is a chance he might get to fill a trainer position instead of being on flight like most cops! They don't have enough dogs at this base for all their dog handlers so if you don't have a dog, you do what the regular cops do and patrol, etc. We both hope that works out since both of the bases/jobs we tried to get diverted to en route to Hawaii were better positions than flight and it's much better for his career to do something in a leadership position.

I miss you guys. Had a serious moment of homesickness the other day when I thought of everyone going to the farm for wood day and the 3 of us not being there. Wanted to cry for a minute. But then I walked outside and saw the gorgeous weather and felt the breeze and at least for now, the homesickness is suppressed. Ha!

We love and miss you guys.
XOXO

One week down...

I can't believe we've been here almost a whole week!!! I'm so ready to get out of this hotel it's not even funny.

So today was kind of loooooooooooooong. =0) We had to get up at 730 because we wanted to go help our friends move into their new house at 8 but of course Alex picked today to NOT get up at his usual 630. I had set 2 alarms so we woke up on time but it wasn't easy getting out of bed.

We got there a little after 8 and Sara had coffee and breakfast food. I left Josh with them and took Alex and Madison (their 6 year old daughter) to Target to kill time while everyone else packed up the U-haul.

I told Madison she had $5 to spend on something in the store. That was a mistake. Lol...she had no concept of how much $5 could buy. Or she didn't really care and hoped I'd forget about the budget. She tried on clothes, picked out shoes, played with jewelry... We had a cart full of stuff for a while. I made her put it all back. Much to her poochy-lipped chagrin. We finally settled on a magic wand in the Disney princess aisle. Alex got 2 toy cars that he seems to like and I left feeling fairly successful.

We then came back to my hotel so Alex could nap. Madison and I ate a bowl of popcorn and watched Phineus and Ferb while I painted her toenails. She also ate a banana because I promised her ice cream after lunch. Of course, after the banana she was too full for anything but ice cream. What can I say? I'm a pushover and I miss my nieces and nephews.

After we dropped Madison off and picked up Josh we went by the Harley store. Josh is dreaming about a new motorcycle since he sold his in the Azores. We found some really nice ones but he's got his heart set on a Big Dog chopper and that store didn't sell them so we're going to look around some more.

After Alex's second nap we drove on base to one of the beaches there and hung out for a while. Alex is scared of the waves but he gets more and more excited the longer he's around them. Josh is like a fish. He runs in like a puppy and dives into the water like it's his job. Me? I like to hang back and watch. Lol. Love the water on my toes but not much of a swimmer. Hopefully living here will change that.

 

Well.....Josh is waiting for me to brush his teeth. And I'm going to shoot him if he falls asleep while he's waiting so I guess I'll write more another time.

 

I can't wait for visitors!!! I hope everyone is saving their pennies to buy a plane ticket!!

 

We love and miss you...

XOXO

Wednesday

Hi guys...




I'm just sitting here freezing in my hotel room while Alex naps. The temperature is either sweaty or freezing. Lol...I probably just don't have the right touch for the thermostate. We have to leave in a little bit to go pick up Josh so we can sign the housing paperwork. Drove by the place yesterday and had a little disappointment. I don't know why I pictured anything else in my head. I know from experience that the military makes duplexes and quadraplexes or whatever but I somehow didn't think our 3 bedroom was going to be in the middle of building of 4 houses. =0) Beggars can't be choosers, right? The biggest annoyance is that our car has to be parked under a SHARED carport. Grrr. I suppose I will survive this frustration as well.

Here is the layout...

Wanted to give you a heads up, tho. I found first class tickets for November for $664 each. I don't expect anyone to visit that soon, but we intend on flying Mom and Dad first class so they'll have more leg room and that's a great price!! Hopefully I'll find more tickets like that when the time comes. Josh did find out from his superiors that he will be deploying. At this point we're not sure when since he is not willing to waive his 6 months on station to deploy earlier than he has to.

He's had to work for the last 3 days. Not full days or anything but a little inprocessing and appointments. Much to my chagrin. But after today he's supposed to be off for a week. Plus, when he does start working, he'll be on the Panama schedule so he'll basically be working 15 days a month. 12 hour shifts but that's what I did for most of my time in the AF and it's not bad at all. (Work M&T, off W&T, work F&S&S...then alternate)



Anyway... we hope to drive around the island and check out the beaches in the next few days. I'll have some pictures soon, I promise.


Here's a picture from the little grill we ate at yesterday...

Miss you...Love you...

Day Two

Well, we made it to Oahu. It was a LONG two days of travel but we're here and we're doing great.

As expected, there wasn't any room for us in temporary lodging on base so we're holed up on the 8th floor of a Best Western next to the highway. I'm not complaining. It's not bad at all. When I think of the price for this room it makes me cringe but since we're not paying the bill, I guess I'll deal with it.

We did find out yesterday that we have a house to move into on the 2nd of September!!! AND...it's a 3 bedroom!! I am SO happy about that. It's not one the brand new homes but it's only 4 years old and they told Josh that if we declined this one and asked for a new one, we'd likely get a 2 bedroom.

The car isn't here yet...so we're renting one for a week. I have to go get it in about an hour. It's in Josh's name but they had him come into work for a few hours so it will just be me and the boy this morning. We hope to get to the Verizon store today as well.

I can't wait to get moved into the house and start grocery shopping. It's hard to get used to paying $1.50 for yogurt in the hotel store.

I hope to get some good pictures later today when we get out. Right now all I have are a few shots from the airplane window as we were flying in.

Love you all....hope you can all come crash in my SPARE BEDROOM!!! (not all at once, of course)

XOXO

Happy Birthday Alex!

One year.

He's one year old.

I can't believe it. I feel like I have no idea where the time went or what we did for the last 365 days. I can't remember life before he was a part of it. I can't remember who I was before he was born.

Not that I want to. He is without a doubt, an irreplaceable part of who I am. I have learned so many things in the last year. I've learned about life...what I want from life. I've learned about who I am...how strong I am. How strong my marriage is. I've learned that no matter what life hands me, I have the support all around me and the strength inside me to get through it.

Alex has made me want to be a better person. He's made me question my outlook on life and my acceptance of things that I CAN change. He makes me hold on a little tighter to the people I care about but at the same time he helps me to take things in stride. He teaches me patience. He teaches me to laugh at things that aren't worth crying over. He adores me. He adores his father.

And we, absolutely, adore him.