Modern Day Pilgrim

Like the name? Well I'm thinking of changing the name of my blog to that, but not quite yet. I will change it if we move to a new place that we haven't been to before, because if we move to a new place then the name There and Back Again will no longer apply. We have about a year and 4 months before me move so nothing to think about right now.

I thought of this name about a month ago. Jeremy and I were watching this financial seminar, and the man speaking (Jim Samons) was talking about how when he and his wife started to travel a lot, it sometimes made her sad, because she felt like she didn't know where her home was. I feel that way as well. We have moved so much and I've lost my home so to say. About 3 and a half years ago I lost the feeling of home. Before that I always felt like the home I grew up in was forever my home, and that I was just wanting and longing to go back there. After being away and gone for so long I lost that feeling. Jim Samons said that he was reading Provers, and he came across this 24:3-4

3 Through wisdom a house is built,

and by understanding it is established;

4 By knowledge the rooms are filled

with all precious and pleasant riches.

This passage was able to comfort his wife. God is our home, through understanding in Him we have a home, He is also the one who provides us with a place to live. This is also a reminder that earth is not our real home, heaven is. We are but Pilgrims here, we are searching and waiting for heaven and the feeling of really being home. We are vagabonds and wanderers. We go from place to place where ever God sends us, and when our work is finished He will take us home.

This also gives me comfort. I was worried when I didn't feel like anywhere was my home, and I wondered if I would ever feel at home again. I now don't worry about it, because I may never feel at home while I'm here on earth, but some day I will be home.

Okay yes this sounds a little sappy. This is not a normal Randi post, but it's from my heart. I know so many military wives that are like me, we have moved from here to there and it feels like we have lived is to many different places. Where is our home? Do we even have one anymore? I hope this helps. Thanks for reading. 

An interesting site to see

So yesterday we had some beautiful weather. It was almost 70 here, and get this, there was still snow on the ground. I know, it was interesting seeing that. On Jan 26 we had a big snow storm. We got about 2 feet, and yes it was fun to shovel. That morning was a Wednesday... The snow started early in the morning and it was mixed with ice. Not to long after Jeremy had left for work it all stopped. I went out and shoveled off the drive way and put the van in the garage. I figured Jeremy would be sent home form work soon, and I know he likes his car in the driveway during a snow storm. Jeremy gets home, and it starts to rain...? Yeah okay... This is about the time we check the weather, but see the weather is almost always wrong when it comes to snow storms. If it says we are going to get a lot, we only end up getting an inch. If it says we are only going to get a little, we end up getting a lot. Yes you get the picture. I think God is showing us that the weather channel doesn't always know what it's talking about. They are trying to predict something that they have no control over and is unpredictable.

So as the day goes on we have some ice, rain, and snow all in a little mix. Then once night fall comes we start getting dumped on (with snow only), and there was thunder...? I didn't know it could snow and thunder at the same time. I asked my mom about that the next day, and she said that it when that happens it's snowing as hard as it can snow. So she knew about it. It's funny how you think you've seen a lot of interesting things, then something comes along that you haven't seen or heard of before, and your like... "what?" Yes I am but a young grass hopper, and I have much to learn.

Okay so back to yesterday. Wow we had some nice weather, and still snow on the ground in some places, so I thought it was funny. I took the kids to the park after lunch. Since it was Friday I figured Jeremy would be home early, so I left him a note. Olivia loved the park! She swung on the sings, and she went down a few slides, and she walked around a lot. She loved the grass and the sticks, she loved climbing and sliding. She is so cute (yes I am aloud to say that). After being there for about 40 mins Jeremy came walking up. He was wearing sun glasses, but Olivia still knew it was him from a distance, and started bouncing up and down once she saw him. We stayed about an hour longer then walked back home.

I was super tired after that. I think it was mostly because I was following Olivia around everywhere. Up and down everything. She wanted to walk all around the play ground, and I wanted to see her do it, so I really had nothing to complain about. She's growing up so fast, it's just not fair.

Soo yeah... Hi

Well once again I was away from blogging for a couple of weeks, but you know how it is. I can't just blog about anything, you guys would all be falling asleep. So what have I been up to? Well just a few things...

My last two post were 3 days before the Super Bowl, and did I watch it? Well yes I did watch the first half... I'll tell you about it.


Super Bowl 2/6/11

I started popping in the pizzas about 30 mins before the game started. Our favorite frozen pizza is Tombstone. At the commissary the price jumps around from $2.50 and $3.00, so it's worth the price. I put out the chips w/ dip, and cooked the hot wings as well. We also bought some cup cakes for the boys. We set everything out and told the boys to dig in. We had a blanket for them to sit on, just in case there were any spills. They ate and ate and ate. I ate some and watched the game... some.

At about half time I really didn't want to watch anymore, so I went upstairs to watch the TV in our bed room, to see if there was anything else on. Nathaniel came looking for me... He opened my door just a crack and said "Mommy what you watching?" I said "Nothing yet, come and help me find something." So we ended up watching nickjr. It's was great though, because the Backyardigans were on. So me and Nathaniel watched that. After about 30 mins of singing, dancing, and backyard fun, Jeremy came looking for us. "So you two would rather watch this, then the Super Bowl?".... Come on he should really know the answer to that by now.

I did however return downstairs for the last 10 mins of the game. I am glad the Packers won, but I wasn't a big fan of both teams, so it really didn't matter.

I boys ate soooo much... All three of them ate pizza, chips, hot wings, and cup cakes. After a while I hinted to Jeremy that he may need to cut them off, because I didn't want to clean up throw up in the morning. So yeah even though we did tell them initially that they can have what ever they wanted, we did end up telling them that the kitchen was closed.

Darien and Zachary were able to stay up for the whole game, but Nathaniel fell asleep in the last 5 mins. That's Nathaniel for ya...



Megan and David 2/11/11


So I have the new friend named Megan (newish... I met her a few months ago), and she invited our family over for dinner last Friday! Yay for friends! I was fun, and she made pizza (everyone loves pizza). Her and David have 4 kids (just like us). So we get there, and we talk... I talk with Megan and she makes the pizza, Jeremy talks with David (Yay), and we both chase Olivia around, and pass her back and forth (oh the fun, of having a baby that is mobile).

Megan is planing on homeschooling once her twins get to that age, so we had a lot to talk about. She also really likes Star Trek and Star Wars (we are going to be really good friends) (*tear*) :)

It was fun and the kids played so well together. They rode the trikes around the house, and danced. It was so sweet. Next time we'll have to have them over here.



Valentine's day 2/14/11


Well yesterday wasn't that crazy or eventful, but I would like to tell you what happened. However if you don't fell like reading about it, then just skip this part okay?

The day was pretty much normal but I did get some flowers (yay), and I also got all dressed up for when the man got home. I put on my red dress (that has the matching head band), with my white cardigan. I did my hair and makeup, and set candles around the tub, for later. I'm not sure if this is to much information, but Jeremy and I enjoy taking baths together (very relaxing). I made dinner, then  I started feeling sick (of course). I had a sore throat and a headache (oh no) (I hate getting sick). This is what happens when you take care of a sick baby. So after I put Olivia down I was so ready for that bath (you have no idea).

I did have a great day though... I love Jeremy so much... (I know this is boring you)...


Cloth Diaper repost


Okay so I just need to up date a little on the whole cloth diaper thing because I had to change things up a bit. So you know how I went with the prefolds? Well after a while of using them Olivia started to get a rash, and this rash would start to clear up only if I put the pocket diapers on her. So now I have to stop using the prefolds. I'm not sure weather she's allergic to the material, or if, because the prefolds don't always fell dry, and that's why, and she's reacting to the wetness. I'm not sure, but I had to order some more of the pocket kind. My guess is that not all babies have this reaction, because if they did, then it would be in the reviews, so I think it's her. I just wanted to put that out there....

Thanks for reading

Cloth Diapers

Okay so I know I told you guys that I made the switch, and that I would report back after a few weeks, so here I am.

So far so good...

I would also like to say that the information on cloth diapering is overwhelming. There is so much and at first I had no idea what I wanted to use and how much I needed and what I needed for it? Do you know what I mean? This video was helpful in explaining the different kinds of cloth diapers, because I had no idea what anything was.

After all was said and done, after all of the price checking and research I decided to go with the pre-folds. They were a lot cheaper, and that made more sense to me. With the pre-folds all that gets wet is the cloth that you put on the inside, so as long as the out side part doesn't get dirty they you can keep using it. Although I have found that if she poops the outside part does get a little dirty around where the cloth is (her clothes at least stay clean). On my first order (and I got them from here) I ordered 3 pre-fold covers (all of them came with a cloth to go inside), and I ordered a extra box of cloths. Since the order was more than $30 I got a coupon code for a free diaper. Now that code didn't say what kind of diaper the free one was, I figured that anything would be great.

The package comes and the free diaper is this. It's a pocket diaper. A pocket diaper is one where you put the inserts inside of the pocket. This one came with two inserts. After trying out all of my diapers I found that the pocket one with both of it's inserts is best for over night, and she says really dry. During the day I just have to change her more often (more often then I would with a disposable diaper). It's like every 2 to 3 hours. That's not so bad. I have also found that after dumping the poop in the potty, it is best to rinse the diaper out in the bath tub, then just spray the tub after. I do have to wash diapers ever day to keep up, but I think it's worth it, and it's easier than I thought.

Now as for packing and on the go. I now pack a laundry bag in my diaper bag, it's small one and will hold about 3 diapers, and when I get home I just throw all of that in the wash. I also have a laundry bag hanging off of the changing table, and at the end of the day, I just wash all of that.

A little more work, but like I said in the other post, it's a savings of about $50 a month, so well worth it.

So what made me want to change? Well the cost of diapers was part of it, but the real reason was a lot of my friends were making the switch, like my friend Holly and Megan, and I thought well if they can do it then why not me. Also after making the switch I found out that my friend Kandi also does cloth diapering, and if that many people can do it, than it's not as hard as you think.

I do realise that this is not for everyone, so this post was just to let others know what my experience was. I hope that it will help anyone else who was thinking about making the change but just didn't know enough information. Thanks for reading.

Super bowl...

Yesterday morning, not to long before Jeremy left for work he asks me...

"So honey what are we going to do for the super bowl?" and I'm thinking what does he mean? We are not invited any where and I know he doesn't want to have a party. Is he asking if we are going to watch it? So I respond...

"Watching Star Wars?"

And he says. "No, I want to watch it, I just wanted to know what we are going to do for it?"

There's that question again, and I still have no idea what he means. So I give him the I'm confused look, and he says...

"Well you're about to go to the commissary, and I'm pretty sure that on Sunday Domino's is going to be super busy so"...

Oh so this is about food. So why didn't he say that in the first place?

"So you want me to pick up some frozen pizzas?" I ask.

"Yes please, and some wings, and chips please."

Once again why didn't he just say... "Hey honey since you are going to the commissary, can you pick me up some pizza, wings, and chips for the super bowl?"

And I would have said "Of course honey." Because he already knew what he wanted so why is he asking? I love him to death, and I think he's great, but sometimes he needs to stop beating around the bush and just tell me what he wants.


Okay so I'm not to excited to watch the super bowl, in fact I will most likely be ether taking care of my kids, or playing warcraft (Star wars would be a great idea too). It's not because my favorite team didn't get there, and I'm being a poor sport, it's because I don't really like to watch the super bowl. That's right I said it. To me it's just a game. Now I know there are a lot of people out there (A LOT), who love to watch the super bowl and it's a big deal to them, and I think that's great, but it's not for me. So I'm not saying anything bad about super bowl lovers, just so you know (no hate mail please).


Oh the commissary, I love that place. That place alone would make the whole military life worth it. On days when I go to a regular grocery store, the prices make me sick. Let me just put it this way, Milk at the local wal-mart is $3.25, Milk at the commissary is $2.25 (yeah, I know, wow). Wonder bread at the local wal-mart is $2.00, Wonder bread at the commissary is $1.14. Now if you take everything I normally buy + prices at the commissary it = big saying. Not to mention at this week they were having a sale on Spaghetti noodles, a box of noodles (16oz) that normally cost $1.19 was $.89 (Oh happy day). Yeah I bought 6.


Okay so Tuesday was my baby's birthday (woohoo). I was very excited. We made cupcakes for her. They where white with pink icing. We got her a tea party set for her birthday, the tea pot sings and talks (I love it). I can't believe how big she is getting. She is so beautiful (I'm allowed to say that). She ate her cupcake and loved it. She loved it so much that she put it in her hair. Maybe it's a really good deep conditioning treatment. The boys had 4 cupcakes each (yes you did read that right). Sugar rush! Okay I confess I had 2, and maybe 1 more that next morning, but that's all I'm owning up to. :)

Thanks for reading.

It's my baby's birthday

Happy Birthday to my wonderful little girl. You are growing up way to fast, and it's not fair.