There and Back Again

Hi, I'm still here :)... Normal stuff, and playing Skyward Sword

2012-01-23T10:24:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! So yes once AGAIN, it has been some time since I've posted a normal post (a more personal one). Sorry about that, once again we have run into a busy yet boring time. Yes that does happen to even me :). So I'll catch you up... hummm... lets see. I've been cleaning and teaching (all normal). My kids took a break from school for Christmas and then another last week (I love breaks). Jeremy went to Connecticut for a week, and that was odd feeling. The last time he was gone for more then a couple of days was June of 09. I had no idea what to do with myself that week especially after the kids went to bed. I ended up watching a lot of Big Bang Theory. We also had a Property Management Company come look at our house, so we can rent it out in a few months. Can you believe we only have a few months left here? Wow kind of hits you square in the face once you realize it. "BAM" "You've got a lot of work to do!" On the bright side, We've done all we can do at this point. Now it's just a waiting game.

So guess who turns 2 next week... Did you guess Olivia? If so then you are right. I'm still in shock! Sure she's big, but my baby can't be 2 already. That can't be right :( . ... ... Well anyways I'm going to do a special post on that day, and for all of my other kids on their birthday (for this year), so make sure to come back here on Feb 1, April 13, May 21, and June 4. Oh and here's an interesting little fact, none of my kids were born the same month they were due. Darien, my first was due in June, but he was born in May. Zachary, my second was due in May, but he was born in June (Zachary was born on Darien's due date). Nathaniel, my third was also due in May, but he was born in April. Olivia was due in January, and you get the picture.

Okay so the next part of this post is a video game review, so for all of you non gamers out there who really don't want to hear, you can stop now if you want.

The review is for Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Oh my where to begin...

The graphics are pretty awesome. They take the Wii and use it to the best of it abilities (I didn't even know a Wii game could look this good). The story line is great, like most Zelda games the story is very interesting, and they did a get job with it.

As for the game play... well... The motion controls are a pain. I would say it's about half and half. Half of the time it will do what you want, and what you are trying to do, and half the time it won't. Yes in the game they have a training session were they teach you all of the moves that you can do, and that was fun and not to hard. Once that's over however and you are in front of a crazy scary boss that can only be defeated by an upwards motion swing of the sword... It's a different story. It's also frustrating to watch, when you can clearly see that they are swinging the Wii mote in the right way, and on the screen Link is doing something totally different. The dungeons and bosses in this game can be really hard, long, and challenging. The things they will ask you to do, will have you thinking... "Really, you want me to do that, like that? You've got to be kidding me."

On the bright side not only is the main story great, by the side stories are too. Not only do you get to save the princess and become a hero, you also get to help other people and see them change as well. They have great side quest in this game, so if your not quite ready to progress the story yet, you can do the side quest, and have lots of fun.

I would probably give that game a 6 out of 10, but to be honest if it wasn't for the motion controls I would give it a 9 out of 10. Sure motion can be fun, and I understand why they wanted to try it out in a Link game, I just wish there was an option to play it with just a controller if you wanted. That would honestly solve all of my in game problems.

Okay I'm all done now, thanks for reading :)

Happy Wednesday :)

2012-01-18T12:46:00.000-05:00

This song brought a smile to my face today :) (thank you Relient K)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMEPrXGW6v4

Christmas 2011 / what's new

2012-01-03T11:13:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! Is it crazy that it's 2012 already? I think it is... Where has the time gone? How was everyones Christmas? Mine was great (thanks for asking).

On Christmas eve we went to my Parents' house for a pizza party (yum). With the date of our move getting closer and closer, family time is important. It's nice, my kids get to play with their cousins, and I get visit with my Mom, Dad, Sisters, Brother, Grandmother, exc... (yeah you get it). So after a wonderful time at my parents' we went home, and I put the ham and turkey in the oven (for the next day... I like to cook them over night), and the kids sat down to watch the Lord Of The Rings. They have been watching it in pieces (this is their first time seeing it). We have the extended versions (4 hours each movie), so siting down and watching them all back to back is just unrealistic, in fact just watching one of them in just one setting is unrealistic, so they have been watch them half at a time (if that makes any sense). We let the kids stay up until 10pm, and we went to bed soon after them. I felt like a kid myself, because I had trouble sleeping, I was so excited. I had been waiting for months, it's the best day of the year. I am one of those people who loves to give as much as getting. My kids are so awesome, and I love to give them things :). Christmas is also a day of relaxing and enjoyment, and who doesn't love that. We have a rule, a family rule, where on Christmas day we don't go anywhere. We stay at home, spend time with each other, eat some great food, and do the things we love (at home). See best day of the year. I could list what we got the kids this year, but I think that would just be crazy, and I'm not sure many of you care that much (it's okay). I will tell you that our big item (for the boys), was a pair of Roller Skates for each of them (super awesome). They found mine in the garage a few months back, and fell in-love (the way boys do), and just had to have a pair. Surprisingly enough they didn't ask for a pair for Christmas, instead they ask how much a pair would cost, and they were all thinking of saving up for them (wow).

So... What's new you ask? Well let me see... I do have some Book reviews (yay)!

So the first is Runaway, which was recommended by my second cousin Bonnie (who is more like my aunt).

Great book, I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars. It's about a 12 year old girl who is in the foster system, and has had some bad foster parents. She is really fed up, and decides to runaway. The book is written as if it is the girl's journal. This book really makes you feel lucky to have the things you do have. This little girl is very smart, and sweet, and yet she was no place to go.

I really liked the journal style writing, and I was very interested from the start, and was finished the book in 2 days (wow). Right now amazon is selling the Hardcover for $6.38, which is cheaper than the kindle price at $6.99. Both great prices though!

Okay so next review is the Hunger Games Trilogy... The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. All three of these books I would give a 5 out of 5 stars. Jeremy and I read these together (yes meaning he read them to me). The story takes place in a post apocalyptic nation that has a very controlling government and where a lot of people don't have enough to eat. In this nation (Panem) there are 12 districts (apart from the capital), every year they pick 2 children from each district (one male and one female), from the ages of 12 - 18, to compete in the hunger games, where it's a fight to the death, last one standing wins kind of thing (so horrible). I'm not going to telling anything more, because I feel that with this book series the less you know going into it, the better it is. This book has cliffhangers at the end of every chapter, and you won't want to put it down, so when reading this give yourself plenty of time to read it (reading for only one hour each setting is unrealistic) (time will get away from you fast when reading these books).

I really like these books, and I pushed Jeremy to read chapter after chapter (poor Jeremy). I'm kind of sad that they are over :(, and I really can't wait for the movie :)

Okay so good bye and thanks for reading.

The new glasses are in :)

2011-12-16T09:58:00.000-05:00

Maybe a little nerdy :)

Well its finally happened....

2011-12-14T08:43:00.005-05:00

I need glasses... Not to worry it's only for driving at night and reading. For the past few months I have just felt that my eye sight isn't the best it could be. I was having problems seeing the clock from a distance, and my eyes were having problem adjusting from near to far. I mentioned this all to my ever so loving husband. "Well I think we need to send you to the eye doctor." "Great!" "Our insurance covers that right?" "Yes it does, as long as I go to the right place." "Good, are you going to get contacts or glasses?" "Defiantly glasses!" "Oooohhhh.... ...." "What? Is there a problem?" "Well I've seen your taste in sun glasses, and you like to go for nerdy, and that has me worried ." "Honey, I thought you liked my nerdy sun glasses." ".... ... ... ..." "Oh I see." Well what can I say, I have my own style, and if on one else likes it, then that's okay, I don't really need them to, but I guess my husband is just worried about being seen with me. "Don't worry honey I won't pick anything crazy." (smile and wink) "Right." (roll eyes).

So I went to the eye doctor Friday afternoon. Jeremy was able to look after the kids, and it was a good thing too, because it was crazy in there. I walked in, and there was only one chair left in the waiting room (I guess that's what happens when you go in on a Friday afternoon). Also note that this is my first ever visit to the eye doctor, so I have no idea what to expect. So I finally get called back (30 mins later), and we talk and she gets me to read the chart, and we try a few things out. Come to find out, my right eye is fine, and needs nothing, my left eye on the other hand... Okay it's not to bad off, but it just seems funny, that one of my eyes is completely fine, (meaning on my glasses there will be just glass on my right eye) and left... not so much. So after that she puts the crazy drops in my eyes, and sends me back out into the waiting room for 30 mins. Wow those things are crazy, I couldn't see a thing, and Jeremy was trying to text me. On a good note, besides my left eye sight slipping, everything else looks great.

I put in an order for my glasses Monday at Walmart, and I think the frames look great. I'll have to show a picture later, once they come in. Jeremy wasn't there when I picked them out, so I think he's still a little worried. :)

Christmas vacation has started! I'm super excited!

Last week I told my kids that if they were willing to do 2 weeks in 1, then we could get 3 weeks off for Christmas vacation and start it all a week early. Of course they wanted to do that, and they did an awesome job, but yes it was a lot of work, and no we can't do that all of the time. So now we are on vacation (I love it). It's nice to have time off, and just sit back and wait for Christmas. I love that my kids can just act like kids these next few weeks. That the best thing about childhood, just running around being a kid, carefree and happy. I love Christmas, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year :). It's a time to be thankful for God sending His son for us, and to be thankful for our friends and family, so don't forget them.

Dover Downs Banquet, and Thanks Giving Dinner @ My House

2011-11-30T08:50:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! So how was your Thanks Giving? Did you eat way to much? Did you have a great time?

Banquet

So last tuesday (the 22nd) was the banquet at Dover Down (which is a casino). This was an awards banquet for the Navy Recruiting District Philadelphia. They have one every year, and this time I was able to go (thank you mother-in-law for watching the kids).

Last tuesday morning was crazy. Check in time was at 9:30am, and we had to drop the kids off first, so we had to wake up at 5:30am, and leave by 6am. Yes that's exactly what we did. We grabbed some poptarts and ate them in the car. We drove 2 hrs south east, to drop the kids off in Delmar, then drove an hour north to Dover (oh the fun). The schedule was something like this...

9:30am - 11am : Check-in
11am - 12pm : Lunch (yes the gave us lunch for free)
12pm - 4pm : Training (for the military members, not the spouses)
6pm - 8pm : Dinner (which was part of the banquet, and once again free)
8pm - 10pm : the Awards (we were hopping that after that we would be able to catch a movie. The last showing of Breaking Dawn was at the mall close by and at 10pm) (I didn't think we would make it)

So yes after getting there, and settling in, they gave us lunch which was Ghettos Pizza (super awesome). During Jeremy's training I took a nap. Wow I loved it! It's been so long. I went up to our nice and quite hotel room, and snuggle up in a nice big bed, and took a nap, and I didn't have to worry about a thing (super super awesome). I got up at 3pm, and started to get ready. All of you girls know what it's like... You have to curl your hair, and do your make up, and put on that perfect dress :)...

So this is how I looked...

So like I was telling you in this post... The dress was old, but the shoes are new. :)

So did we make the movie in time? We lucky for us, they decided to start the awards early :). The Captain was ending the ceremony at 9:30pm with a "Be safe and have a good night." Once those words were out of his mouth, I took my heels off (so no shoes on), and grabbed Jeremy's hand, and we were both running. Well how often does an opportunity like this come around? Jeremy's parents have the kids, and we are out just the two of us. So we raced up to the room, changed, and were back down again right when the first crowed (from the very same banquet) was heading up. Some of them were asking how we were able to change to fast, but we had no time to stay and chat... We had a movie to see :)

Yes we made it, and right on time too. I loved the movie :)

I think being able to watch it with Jeremy in the theater made it even better. Like most parents of young children, it is very rare that we get to do that.

We got back to the hotel really late, and I re-packed and went to bed, and Jeremy followed shortly after.

Thanks Giving Dinner

So this year I hosted the Thanks Giving Dinner for Jeremy's parents and sister. I love staying at home on any holiday. I'm just a stay at home kind of person :). So hosting is really my cup of tea. I made Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Corn Pudding, Macaroni and Cheese, Stuffing, and Sweet Potato fluff. My Mother-in-law brought Coconut Cream Pie, and Brownies. My sister-in-law brought Pumpkin log.

This is a picture of my kids (well 3 of them) coloring, waiting for Mommom, Poppop, and Aunt Christen. :) (I know I love Zachary's face in this one)

We had a wonderful day. Mommom and Poppop came early to watch the parade with us. We had our dinner at lunch time (I really like early dinners). After dinner we exchanged gifts (yes early, but just the ones to each other).

After that we watched the new Harry Potter together :)

I know, Harry Potter on thanks giving? I love it :)

Well that's all for now, thanks for reading.

My Shoe Challenge

2011-11-14T13:58:00.000-05:00

Yes this post is about shoes :)

It has been a long time since I've worn heels for more than just a few minutes at a time, and the challenge I have made for myself is to change that. "Why?" You may ask...

I have a banquet coming up next week (for Jeremy's work), and most of the time when it comes to these things I just try to get by with a ballet flat (note that I don't get to go to these types of things often).

I am a big fan of the ballet flat (I have 8 pairs of them, in a 16 pair wardrobe, so 50% is ballet flats)...

There just really cute and really easy...

:)

I'm a Mom and I always have things to carry, so wearing flats just make it easier.

But I'm also 5' 2", and I could use the extra inches.

So this time I wanted to get a pair of heels and wear them to the banquet, and also train my feet to wear heels more often.... so I went shoe shopping! :)

I was recycling an old dress for this event, so I wasn't going to spend money on a new one, so I got a few pairs of heels. Money wise it was a great idea.

So these are the heels for the banquet, and wow I am so not use to wearing things like these. I tried to wear them all saturday, and I tripped a lot. :)

But aren't they super cute?

My dress is white with brown flowers (I'll have to post a picture later) and it's tea length. I am going to wear it with brown tights, and these shoes...

I know banquets are more, no tights, big ball gowns, and strappy heels, but that's just not me :)

Big ball gowns make me look like I was swallowed by a dress (I'm just short). It's cold, so to me tights are a must, and no way am I wearing strappy heels if I can't even walk in regular ones.

So now that we are talking about shoes, want to see my whole shoe wardrobe?....

BING :)

See most of them are flat.

As far as heels go I only have these 3 pairs (2 of which I just bought this saturday)

I do have this pair of kitten heels, but I don't think that really counts

So my challenge for me, is to wear heels more, and to get use to them by next week. :) Wish me luck

Ready... Set... Wait 6 months

2011-11-09T16:45:00.004-05:00

Hey bloggy buddies... Yup once again we experience a gap in posts. Sorry, and yes you all know that this is a busy yet boring time of year (what a surprise). Yes with all of the dinner planning / dinner going, Christmas shopping, and holidays it's a wonder anyone gets anything else done. It happens, but it's very rare (and very boring apparently).

So because of that I have decided to make my post about our impending move. Yup the BIG ONE, all the way across country AGAIN! This move (in May), will be our 3rd across country move (yes 3rd). It's a lot to take in, but since I've gone through it before, that makes it easier.

So I've started to plan already (yeah I know). Why so soon? I like to know how I'm going to go about doing things, and since this thing is so big... well... you know... All I've done so far is planning the drive (as much as I can). How many days are we going to take going across? Where are we going to sleep?... Well we would like to make the trip in 7 days (no more, and no less). So why is that? Well in the past we did it in much less time (4 days), and while that was quick, it was also stressful and crazy. This time, we are just going to take it easy (as easy as possible, if there is such a thing). We are also staying at KOAs. Perfect solution, because we have pets, and kids, and I really don't like hotels.

Okay so like I said before I'm really looking forward to moving, for many reasons.... (I'm just not sure the rest of you will understand or like them)... Okay this may sound mean, but I'm not trying to be at all. I would really like to spend the holidays alone (just Jeremy, the kids, and me). I just like doing what I want for Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and not have to go everywhere and play the "fair" game. It's not easy especially since we have lived far away before, and that's what we're use to doing. I love my family (very much so), but I'm just so use to doing it on my own. I blame it on my middle childness (if there is such a thing). I spent my whole childhood trying to get every ones attention, and now that I'm grown up, I don't want it anymore, because I'm use to not having it. But when you move back home after being away for so long, your going to get it, so I had it coming to me (I suppose). It's funny how you change and adapt over the years, and just get use to how things are. I'm also looking forward to meeting new people. Our stay in Washington should be 5 years, and that's longer than any other place we've lived so far. This will give us more time with those new people we meet (a shame we didn't have that before, I've meet some really great people over the years, and just didn't have enough time with them) :( ... (thank goodness for facebook right?) :) ...

Speaking of time... With the passing of this month, marks the longest we've lived anywhere since my husbands Navy career started. We have lived here for 2 years and 7 months (Yes that isn't very long). Isn't that sad? One of these days we will live somewhere long enough to get use to the house, the area, and the other people, but not yet (I feel like we are vagabonds). I guess staying in a place longer that 2 years fells weird to me... What people actually do that?... They settle down, and stay in one town / city for the rest of their life?... Is that normal?...

Okay yes I'm just messing, I know it's normal. :) Not military normal though

So I've been planning the move so I can kind of figure things out early. List will need to be made, and things will need to be packed, and I just want to make sure I don't forget anything (I'm sure I still will). We need to set aside things to go in the car, and things to be packed by the movers. We need to get the car tuned up before we go, and we need to make reservations. Most Importantly we need a place to live. Right now we have an application in with the military housing up there. I have really high hopes for this. They do have 5 bedroom units, but I was told by the lady, that they only have a few. She did say that we shouldn't have any problems getting a 4 bedroom one though. I told her I just really needed a house, and that I wasn't picky (I hope that puts me on her good side) :)

Okay so that's all for now... See you guys later :)

Happy Halloween :)

2011-11-01T11:54:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween everyone!

I want to start off this post by showing you our past Halloween costumes throughout the years

This one is from 2007. This was about 5 months after moving to San Diego. This was the first year I took my kids trick-or-treating. I'm Sheik (from the Legend of Zelda OOT), and my kids were Link (all 3 of them, also from Legend of Zelda). Yes our costumes went together, and I made all of them. Jeremy was on duty that night so he wasn't there.

These two photos are from 2008. I'm Pooh (I'm sure you all can see that), Darien is Mario, Zach is Link again (He really likes Link), and Nathaniel is Luigi. Jeremy was deployed during this Halloween, so yes he wasn't there again :(

This was 2009, 5 months after moving to ft Meade. I was Pregnant, and stayed behind to hand out Candy, and Jeremy took them out (he didn't dress up). Darien is a Jedi, Zach is a Clone (also Star Wars), and Nathaniel a skeleton. Yes this was the first year we actually bought the costumes.

This on is 2010. Jeremy stayed home to hand out candy, and I took the boys. We have Darien and Zach as Power Rangers, and Nathaniel as Batman. I was once again Pooh.

So what did we dress up as this time?...

We had one Snow white...
2 Harry Potters...
One Iron Man...
One big gorilla...
And a Star Trek girl :)

This year, we set out 2 big bowls of Candy, and we all went trick-or-treating together (the first time, we've ever been able to do that) :). It was great, we only had to go once around the block, to get all of the candy we would ever need (well you know). We left the house at 6:30, and we were back by 7:00, and the boys each had a full bucket, and I think that's enough.

So now it's time to move on the the other holidays... Thanksgiving and Christmas (I'm really looking forward to both). This will be are last holiday season here in Maryland (which says a lot because both Jeremy's family and my family live here), so I'm looking forward to one last holiday season here (and hopping that this winter isn't really cold).

The news is in!

2011-10-24T08:43:00.001-04:00

Hey guys! Remember when I left you hanging on where we were going to move next? Well now I can finally tell you. Are you ready?...

Okay here you go...

...
so...

Does this tell you anything?

When May comes around, this will be my new blog banner, and the new name of the blog will be Modern Day Pilgrims.

So do you like it? Do you still not know where we are going?

For the few (very few I hope), people who still aren't sure, we are going to Washington.

Well that's all of the news I have for now. Thanks for reading.

Harry Potter Party

2011-10-17T08:17:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! So are you guys wondering what happened to me? Are you saying "Randi what happened, you did 4 days of fashions and 4 days of dinners, and you didn't finish you missed a day in both." Yes I did, I let it happen, I kind of cheated (yes I did). Friday came around, and I put on a pair of yoga pants, and a tee-shirt (oh the horror, and how dare I do such a thing), and for dinner, we ordered Pizza (yes I know, how dare I again). So because of that, it really wasn't post worthy, and I wasn't really worried about finishing the week, because it wasn't really that important... was it? Okay, well any ways, I really hope you guys were able to get some new dinner ideas, and clothing ideas (I know, not everyone wants to dress like me, and that's fine).

So about the title..... Friday night, we had a Harry Potter Party, to celebrate our first report cards of the school year, and the good grades on them.

It was an up all night, see how long we last kind of thing. Our goal was to start around 5pm, and get through all of them, a full 17 hours of Harry Potterness.

Jeremy and I had our own ideas, about who could stay up, and who couldn't

Daddy Predictions:
Nathaniel will last until 11:12
Zachary will last until 1:20
Darien will last until 4:46
Randi will last until 12:15 (I like my sleep)

Mommy Predictions:
Nathaniel will last until 10:30
Zachary will last until 12:45
Darien will last all night
Jeremy will last all night

What really happen:
Nathaniel 10:39 (mommy wins)
Zachary 1:45 (daddy wins)
Darien 4:15 (daddy wins again... what in the world)
Randi 12:30 (I went to bed right after I popped the 4th movie in)
Daddy 7:25 (He went to bed right after he popped the 7th moving in, and right after I got up)

This was fun! We made cup cakes, and had pizza. We put sleeping bags down, and let the kids have a big sleep over in the living room. We also let them eat everything....

The only down side is we did have some grumpy kids in the morning (well grumpy kid, can you guess who?)

We had to send him back to bed, and tell him not to get back up, until he feels better.

Jeremy said that next time we have a HP party, we need to start it in the morning :), and yeah he's right. Next time we'll start it in the morning and our snacks can be breakfast foods (yummy pancakes).

Thanks for reading :)

Week of Legates' House dinners (Thursday)

2011-10-13T17:29:00.003-04:00

So what great thing are we eating tonight?

Chicken Casserole (thursday night is casserole night)

You will need

1 Casserole dish
1 26oz can of cream of chicken soup
2 cups of milk
1 1/2 cups of frozen broccoli
1 16oz box of pasta (whatever kind you like)
1/2 cup or shredded cheddar cheese
3 strips of thawed uncooked chicken

Pour the soup and milk into the casserole dish and mix well. Mix in the pasta, completely covering the pasta in the milk and soup mixture. Next place the chicken on top, followed by the broccoli. Top everything off with the cheese. Cover the dish in Aluminum foil, and cook for 1 hour at 400. Once it's done, uncover and cut up the chicken. Stir everything together, and serve. :)

Randi's Fall Fashion (Thursday)

2011-10-13T16:43:00.001-04:00

Out fit of the day...

Well what can I say it's fall and it's sweater time!

Yes it's purple and it's Argyle. What could be better?

Week of Legates' House dinners (Wednesday)

2011-10-12T16:47:00.002-04:00

Hello again!

This time you're not only going to get one recipe, but two :) Are you excited?

This first recipe I got from my sister-in-law Christen. It's called Honey Teriyaki Chicken

This is all you will need :) (well that and a pan).

Take the frozen chicken and put it in the pan

Pour in the sauce (just enough to coat the chicken).

Cook for 7-9 mins on each side in medium heat.

and yes that's it (I love it).

We like to eat it with brown rice and broccoli.

Now for recipe #2. See Wednesday nights in the Legates' house, is chicken night, so when we aren't making Teriyaki Chicken, we're making Orange-Crumbed Baked Chicken (for this you need the chicken tenderloins to be thawed).

You will need...

1 cookie sheet

4 tablespoons orange juice

1 egg

1 1/2 cup of cracker crumbs

8 pieces of chicken

Mix the egg and the orange juice together, and brush it on the chicken. Put the cracker crumbs on wax paper, and coat the chicken on both sides with the crumbs. Spray your cookie sheet and place the chicken on it. Bake for 15 mins on each side at 350.

I hope you like both of these recipes. Try them out and tell me with you think.

Randi's Fall Fashion (Wednesday)

2011-10-12T15:51:00.002-04:00

Hi again! Are you guys getting tired of this yet?

So what am I wearing today

Yes I know, I'm wearing pants!

Brown collar shirt with Green Argyle sweater vest (I love argyle). Bootcut jeans, with brown ballet flats. Yes I know I have socks on with my ballet flats. Well I like to brake rules here are there. :)

As far as accessories I just have my Yellow hair band (to throw a different color in the mix).

See you again later :)

Week of Legates' House dinners (Tuesday)

2011-10-11T17:02:00.002-04:00

Are you ready? You're going to want to write this one down :)

I found this recipe in my WeightWatchers cook book, and it's only 5 points per serving :)

Corn and Bacon Chowder (my kids like to call it Yeti soup)

You will need

(I always have to double this recipe)

1 medium saucepan (big, if you are going to double it)

2 Slices of bacon

1 Onion

1/2 Bell pepper (we like to use green, but you can use any color)

2 1/2 cups of Chicken stock

2 Medium Potatoes

2 cups whole corn kernels

1/4 cup light cream

In your saucepan over medium-high heat, cook the bacon in 2 tablespoons of water until crisp. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel; discard the liquid in the pan

Chop the onion and pepper, and add it to the pan with 2 tablespoons of water, and saute for 5 minutes. During all of that peel and chop your potatoes. Add the stock and potatoes to your sauce pan, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the corn, and simmer for 5 more minutes. Then remove heat and let it cool slightly.

Transfer 2 cups of the soup to a food processor or blender and puree. Pour back into the saucepan and stir in the cream. Tear the bacon into bits and use it to top your soup, and your done :)

Check back tomorrow, for chicken night :)

Randi's Fall Fashion (Tuesday)

2011-10-11T15:54:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, I'm back! So what am I wearing today?

This....

I wear this a lot, so some of you (who know me in real life), have most likely seen me in this. It's my favorite dress, and having matching tights is a plus. The shoes are kitten heels, and I love them. I don't have any accessories on today, because I was feeling a little lazy :P

Okay well thanks for stopping by :)

Week of Legates' House dinners (Monday)

2011-10-10T16:37:00.001-04:00

So what are we having for dinner tonight?

Chili!

This is my Mom's recipe and a family favorite

So what will you need?

1 crock pot
2 30oz cans of kidney beans (yes I know "cans" that's not really fancy. Well I have to feed a family of 6)
2 30oz cans of tomato sauce
2 tablespoons of chili power
2 lbs. ground Beef or Turkey (we use turkey)
1 Green bell pepper
1/2 an onion
1 tablespoon brown sugar

First brown the ground meat, and drain. Chop the onion and the pepper, and saute in a pan for 10 mins. Then add everything to the crock pot and leave it to cook for 2 hours.

Pretty easy, and really good

We like to add cheddar cheese and tortilla chips :)

Come back tomorrow night for a new recipe.

Randi's Fall Fashion (Monday)

2011-10-10T11:25:00.001-04:00

5 days worth of outfits from my closet! Happy Fall!

Monday:

Black and white collar shirt with purple-plum sweater vest. Black A-line skirt, plum tights, and mary-jane flats. Maroon flower neckless, Jade earring, and pearl hair band.

I love tights and leggings, and fall is the perfect season for them. For this outfit I kept the color pallet the same, the purple-plum sweater, the plum tights, and the Maroon neckless are all from the same color family. I am also known for mixing it up a bit and throwing a totally different color in, that does not match. I did that with the Jade earrings. I don't like to do all of the same color, and if I can't fix a different color into the outfit, I do it with the accessories. I'm also a big sweater vest fan. I think of them as geek chic, if there is such a thing :).

Come back tomorrow to see what I drag out of my closet next :)

Like a Sailor on leave?

2011-10-09T15:39:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone. Yes I know, long time and no posts. Sorry I've just been busy, and with nothing interesting. Yes I know, I have already explained how that is.

My husband was on leave this past week :).... :).... :) YAY! Well who doesn't like having their husband home with them all week? This vacation was for relaxing only (with a few exceptions). You know how sometimes you take some time off, so you can take you family on vacation? It's fun at times, but when you get back you feel like you need a vacation from your vacation? Do you get that at all? Well we were trying to avoid all of that, and just enjoy each other (and all of our wonderful kids). It was nice :)

Most of the week was spent at home. I would Homeschool, Jeremy would help, and we would clean the house (mostly he would clean the house). We would sometimes take small shopping trips in the afternoon, to buy halloween costumes, and christmas presents (yes we have started already). We got the kids' pictures taken, and put up our Christmas tree (yes I know "already?").

I just like to put it up early. It makes me happy :) I love decorating for Christmas.

We also did a Homeschooling field trip in Washington D.C.

We went to the Natural History Museum, the American Art Museum, and the Smithsonian Castle. That was an adventure in it's own.

Driving and parking in DC isn't a walk in the park. It also didn't help that Jeremy and I have different driving personalities. He is a big GPS kind of guy, he doesn't need to know where he's going until the GPS tells him, and he can do anything with a GPS. I really don't like using the GPS. I would rather look up the directions online and go from there (no GPS needed).

Jeremy was driving, his plan was to follow the GPS to the Museums address, and find a parking garage from there. This was working just fine, until he handed me the GPS, and said "Here take this and tell me when to turn." ...... "Ah...." "Well I think we turn left up here" We turn left and "Recalculating (GPS)" Yup that's me.

All was well, we found our way, and found a great place to park.

The kids loved it, and I think they learned a lot. :)

So during this whole leave, my husband was on a cleaning rampage... I really don't like it when this happens. I also don't get any sympathy from my facebook friends when I post about it. So I'll explain, and maybe you guys will cross over to the dark side with me.

You all know (or maybe), that I am not the neatest person. I'm only a little messy, cleaning just isn't always a priority in my mind. Every once in a while Jeremy will go on one of these cleaning rampages. He has to clean everything. Now most of you are thinking "What's the problem? Just let him go and do it." And I do, but it makes me feel guilty, and on top of that... "Hey honey, this was on your dresser where does it go?" "It goes on my dresser." "No your dresser looks messy, you need to clean it, now where does this go." "The only place I have for it is on top of my dresser, and I'm feeding Olivia right now." "I know you're busy, that's why I'm trying to help you, now where does this go?"

Do you guys get it now? Maybe?

Okay well thanks for reading. I'm about to do a series of posts one on what we (the Legates family) eat for dinner during a normal week (so one post a day for 5 days) maybe you guys can get some new ideas and recipes from that. And Randi's fall fashions, that will have what I'm wearing Monday through Friday. So yes once again one post a day for 5 days.

I'm back with... Not much to see here

2011-09-22T10:24:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone... yeah I know I haven't said much lately. Looking back on my blog Archive, I noticed I did the same thing this time last year. So why is that? Well I think September is a busy time for any mom, (or parent) and though I still have time to write, I don't have anything interesting to write about. My post would end up like... Today in History Darien and I learned that the people in the Jamestown settlement were lazy. Okay I guess that may be interesting to some people, but I'm guessing not to all of you. I'm also guessing that you guys don't want to hear about the amount of laundry and dishes I get to do, or the amount of papers I have to grade at the end of the week. So what I'm trying to say is, yes I have been busy, but it's not very interesting. It's things we all have to do (you know).

My goal this year for my blog was to write more post that last year (even if it was only one more post), but right now, I'm not sure I'm going to make it... Last year I wrote 57 post... Right now I'm at 43. Okay I'm not to far behind, but at the rate I'm going, well... I'm sure you get it. I have plenty of things I'm planning on writing, but I have to wait on them for one thing or another (it's complicated).

So do you guys remember my birthday post? So what was the mysterious gift that came from a far away place? Well no it did not come from Japan or Hogwarts. It came from the land of Azeroth (yes all of the nerd/geeks know what I'm talking about), or more accurately from Washington State ;)

<-- Ding!

Do you like it?

I love it, but when it first came it looked like this...

Yeah I know :( --->

That one came on Aug 1. Not to bad only a few days after my birthday (sooner than expected), but oh the disappointment when I opened the box. Nathaniel said "Wow mom, the bad guys got her."

So yeah I had to take pictures, and e-mail the company and get them to send me another. The second one took 4 weeks (yeah not to happy about that). Oh well I have it now.

Okay so let me explain for all of you non nerd/geeks out there. It's a mini figure of my character on the game World Of Warcraft, which is an MMO RPG. It's one of my hobbies (it's what I do when I'm not being a mom/teacher/house keeper. :) ...

More good news... My husband has some leave coming up soon, and no we are not going anywhere for it. Have you ever needed a vacation from your vacation? Well that's how the Legates' vacations have been going lately, so this time, we are just staying home, and relaxing. I really like the idea, and I really don't want to go anywhere. The way I see it... We will most likely be moving in the spring, and most likely across country, and during the move and the driving, we will make fun stop along the way, and make a vacation out of that, so I really don't want or need to go anywhere right now. Yes that would be over doing it in my mind.

I'm still waiting on more news on where we are moving next so hang in there (I'm also telling myself that). Thanks for reading :)

Batman VS Fat Cat

2011-09-15T18:39:00.000-04:00

This is what my husband and sons did this afternoon... :)

I love them <3

Summer to Fall DIY money saver

2011-09-06T15:51:00.001-04:00

So most of you, like me, are doing the great clothing switch. You are putting away your kids' summer clothes, and bringing out the winter.

And during all of this, you run into something like this...

This shirt (18mos.) still fits her, but is for the wrong season...

This shirt (12mos.) is for the right season, but to small...

... If only there was some way to put them together.

Yes that was my idea! So I decided to put them together and here is how.

Cut the sleeves off of the long sleeve shirt (that is to small)

Which will leave you with this

Now turn both inside out, and sew them together (like this)

End result (I did a tank top too)

It was super easy!

For all of you pinterest fans, here a picture you can pin...

Hello! :)

2011-08-31T11:49:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone, sorry it's been a little while. I really haven't written any personal post in some time, and I feel that a more personal one is due. Things are going mostly well, and we are now into our second week of Homeschooling for this school year. The first week was mostly good... we had some disappointing grades at the end of the week, mostly due to a lack of studying. My kids would still like to believe that it is summer, and we can all still goof of and get by (sometimes I like to believe that too). Yes this does happen. We are learning our lesson this week, by taking more time, to study. I reminded my kids that taking notes is important :). Ahhh yes the art of taking notes (very important).

Jeremy and I started reading another book together (for those of you that have been following me for some time now, you know that I have mentioned that we do that from time to time, and we really enjoy it). This time it's "The Omen Machine" by Terry Goodkind. I really like Terry Goodkind, he is the author of my favorite book series "The Sword Of Truth," This book is a continuation of that series (it has the same characters), but isn't considered part of the series (not sure what Terry is doing, but I like it). This book has been keeping me on the edge of my set. Pretty much every chapter is a cliff hanger, that makes you want to read the next. We (Jeremy and I) will sit down to read just a few chapters (2 or 3), and end up reading 6 (because we have to). In reality I'm the pusher (because he's the one reading), and we'll get done a chapter, and he'll look at me, like "Well do we go on, or wait until tomorrow?" and that's when I give him the look that says "Please keep going I don't want to wait until tomorrow." (yes we can say that with only looks... we've been married for 9 years, all it takes is looks now)... :) ... Last night at the end of one of the chapters, Richard (the main character), had discovered something, and it ended like that (and we didn't know what it was), then the next chapter wasn't even about him (so we would have to wait even longer to find out). It had me yelling "Goodkind" in a Khan / Captain Kirk, kind of way. (Star Trek reference... "Khan"). Yeah it was funny. With the way things are going, it shouldn't take us long to finish this book, but then I guess it will be kind of sad once it's over :(.

So.... The hurricane... How did it go? Well we were able to keep power the whole time. Yes I do feel really blessed. Our party was great... The balloons only lasted a day, so they were gone even before the hurricane started, but we still got a good use out of them. The magic of a balloon is wonderful. I got the kids some spongebob party hats, and we played Mario Kart. We watched the wind and the rain, and we were thankful to be inside. My parents (and Jeremy's parents), live across that bay, and they got it much worse than we did, but I am happy to report that they were also fine. My heart does go out to everyone who was affected by the flooding, and you are in my prayers.

I do have a bit of news as to where we are moving next, but since it isn't set in stone as of yet, I really don't want to say anything (sorry). So you will all have to want until October (I'm sorry that it's so far away), but I will tell you that at this point it looks like we will be doing another across country move... (on the fun!) One of these days, we will settle down and stay in one place, but until then "Bring it on!"

At this point I'm sad to say that I am ready to go. I've enjoyed this time living close to my family, but I need to move on. I have really been in a relationship yuck ever since moving here, I really haven't been able to find very many Mommy friends, and the friends that I did have... well... lets just say it's been very lonely friend wise. Just to be clear I'm not talking about all of them, but yes most of them (out of the few I did have). "I miss my San Diego Mommy friends." :( ... I just feel like bridges have been buried, and I need to forget about it and move on, so I am. I guess sometimes I just wonder... "Is it me, am I weird or something? Did I say something wrong?"

Okay well sorry to end on a bad note, and with a cliff hanger, but I will tell you guys where we are going when we find out. I'm really excited!

Thanks for reading.

Hurricane Party!

2011-08-26T08:50:00.003-04:00

Okay so I'll get to the title in a minute...

How about that earthquake? I was my first. We lived in California for 2 years, and never felt the earth shake, then to feel it here of all places.

I was sitting at my computer (just like I am now), playing the sims 3 (I like that game okay). My kids were just a few feet away at the tv, playing video games. Yes we were already finished with our school work for the day. I felt the little shake first, and was thinking... "What was that? Was that an earthquake? No."... Then it really started to shake, and I jumped up and said "Quick kids get under the table!" Okay yeah, I freaked out a little... thinking... "An earthquake here? What in the world."... By the time we all got under the table the shaking stopped (of course). That's about when one of my sons asked me "Mom can we get out now?" Yeah it's funny now that I look back on it. We had a few pictures fall, and some items fall off of a bookshelf. Nothing was broken though.

So a Hurricane Party? Randi what in the world is that? Well we a due to have hurricane Irene hit us Sunday, and since we won't be able to go out and do anything that day, we are having a party in. I'm going to get hats, and balloons. We are going to plan fun games, and get candles (just in-case). I'm going shopping today right after we finish our school work.

I planed this because I wanted the kids to have something fun to do, and I also love sitting inside and looking at the rain coming down (it fascinates me).

Praying for everyone to be safe during this hurricane, and enjoy it if you can. Please evacuate if you are called to. Thank you all for reading.

First day of school

2011-08-22T11:17:00.001-04:00

Yeah it's the first day of school! How exciting! This is our second year of Homeschooling, and I still love it (so glad that I made the switch). This year I have a 4th grader, 2nd grader, and a kindergardener... oh and a 18 mos. old little girl who loves to interrupt school time (you know what I'm talking about). This is also our second year using the Abeka curriculum. So yes last year was a good year, and I found the Abeka books great (kid wise) and easy to use (teacher wise). I would have to say that the best thing about them is, you don't have to make up your own test (yes I'm sure there are others as easy as abeka, but I really don't feel the need to look). Ask any HS mom, and she will tell you that her curriculum is best. I say research, and then pick the one you like :)...

Our first day was great (yes we are finished already). Things went pretty smoothly, and I was able to juggle the 3 boys pretty well. The one thing that gave me some problems was, that lovely pretty little person who lives in our house, and has curly hair. Do you know who I'm talking about? That's right, the one and only Olivia.

We started at 8am, and normally Olivia takes a nap at around 9:30 or 10am, so I knew I had to juggle her, until then. I decided to put her in the kitchen with us, and gate her off from the rest of the house, and that was fine for the first 10 mins. You know how babies are, they always wanting to go where they can't, so it made her mad that she couldn't get into the living room. She didn't want to play with anything. All she wanted to do was climb, and that meant the table. Yes nothing is better (when your trying to do school), then having a baby crawl across the table. I'm not joking, she was crawling on the table. She also enjoyed getting in the rocking chair, and standing in it (no that didn't scare me at all)... ;)... Once nap time came around, I was able to focus more, and it was easier (yay, I love nap time). Everyone got their work done, and we had jello for snack.

Okay I know this is a short one, but that's it. I really just wanted to let everyone know that our school year has begun. Thanks for reading :), and may God bless everyones school year.

Busy as a Homeschooling Bee

2011-08-15T09:14:00.003-04:00

School is about to start back up again in the Legates house. Next week in-fact... Am I ready? Well I am proud to say yes, but only since yesterday. Last week I woke up and realized it was August (okay I knew it was August before, but it just didn't hit me). I really needed to prepare for our Homeschool year and I hadn't even started. So what is it that you like to have finished before you start Randi? Well... this...

So... what is that you ask? Well it's a weekly goals chart (created by me) (yes I do know the chart is crooked. I took a picture of it, rather than scanning it in). It has the week (HS week) (this one is week 2), and the dates (so we don't get mixed up), and the Name of the child (this is Darien's). It has how much work needs to be done this particular week in every subject, for this particular child. With this chart I can stay on track for the whole year, and not worry if we are going to finish on time.

Now just imagine making up one for every week, and for each child. I like to have 34 HS weeks, and I'm teaching 3 kids (currently), so thats... 102 charts (yes that's what I did last week. It involves getting out each and every book (with test and quizzes), and calculating the pace, and writing all of this down.

Yes it's a lot of work, but starting the school year with it all laid out like this is so easy, and with us most likely moving during this school year, it makes it easier to take a week or two off if we need to, due to the moving process.

So let say we do end up moving in April and I have to take a week off of HS, now I will already know how much work we needed to do that week, and I can fit it in sometime before hand. Yes it makes my life a lot easier.

Before I make up the charts I do make up a school calender and decide how much time were taking off for holidays and such (my kids are getting 2 weeks off for Christmas). This way when I make up the charts and put in the dates, I already know what dates to put in. "Nothing is every easy." Doing it this way also lets me pick the last day of school (they will be finished in may).

I'm so glad I'm done with all of the planning, now we can start (I really can't wait).

Thanks for reading :)

Finished with DS9

2011-08-15T08:37:00.003-04:00

So yes we finally finished Star Trek Deep Space Nine. I'm sad that it's over :( ... Yes that does mean that I liked it, a lot more than I thought I would. Remember this post? When I wrote that, we had just started on the 3rd season. I mentioned the Dominion and a possible war, and yes that does happen. They hint about it off and on throughout the first 5 seasons, and at the end of season 5 it finally happens. As far as wars go on Star Trek, this one takes the cake. It lasted for the rest of the series, and has you very worried, and on the edge of your seat. It was awesome, and it makes me even more proud to say that I am a Star Trek fan (in a very big way). So for all of you non Star Trek fans out there, all I have to say is...

"You guys just don't know what you're missing."

Deep Space Nine goes on the awesome list!

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to watch some Star Trek today :)

Weekend getaway!

2011-08-08T10:26:00.002-04:00

This weekend I had an awesome time with my one and only best friend...

Yeah I'm talking about my husband. Last week (on Wednesday), we had our 9 year anniversary, so to celebrate we spent the weekend in Ocean City. Jeremy's parents were super awesome and watched all of the kids for us (yes I'm sure they had a good time too).

So what can I say about a weekend totally alone with my husband and best friend? Well only good things. To make things more interesting I'm going to make a list (any and all parents will appreciate this).

Vacation with the kids VS Vacation without the kids

Starting with... Vacation with the kids

- On a vacation with the kids, you are guaranteed a morning wake-up call. Yup you will not over sleep at all.

- Your vacation will be as exciting and unpredictable as your kids. Yup no dull moments.

- You will always get to bed on time. Lets face it, you had an exciting and fun filled day with a lot of unpredictable moments, you are so ready for bed.

- Meal times well be an exciting challenge. You'll be helping someone read and pick something from the menu (deciding between chicken fingers, and a hot dog, is very hard). You will also be entertaining a toddler (because everyone needs entertainment). Don't forget the... cuppie, bear, rattle, blanket, or the cheerios or you will be paying for it, and so will everyone else around you.

- Every outing will be followed by a bath. It doesn't matter where you were, if there was dirt, your kid found it.

- When going to the pool your hands will have plenty to carry. You'll need... swimmies, swim diapers, towels, swim toys, snack, pool ring, and possibly a change of clothes.

- There is no need to worry if your child is hungry, thirty, or uncomfortable, because he will tell you the moment he is, and in great detail.

- No matter how much you pack, you will always forget something that little Jr can not live without.

- You will always come home with plenty of souvenirs, because everything is "just so cool."

And ending with... Vacation without the kids

- You may end up sleeping in. With no one to wake you in the morning, it's possible.

- You can sit down and plain out your day, and there is a higher chance that you may follow it.

- There will be no such thing as bed time, because you will loose track of time.

- Meal times will be way to quiet, and way to relaxing, so relaxing that it will feel wrong, and you will love it.

- If you want a nap in the middle of the day for no reason, you can take one.

- Going anywhere will be way to easy, and you will feel like you are forgetting things, because you will have hardly anything to carry.

- You will always come home with plenty of souvenirs for your kids, because you missed them, and you wanted them to have something even though they didn't go.

Yes I did have a good time (thank you for asking). We stayed at the Grand Hotel (right on the board walk) and it was super nice. Our goal was not to drive at all after getting there, and we did just that. If we wanted to do something we walked there, and it was so easy. Ocean City has a 2 mile long board walk (for those of you that have never been), and most of the places we wanted to go were on the board walk, and the rest were just down the street. It was so much fun. We ate where we wanted, and when we wanted. We took a nap on Saturday. We went swimming. We stayed out late... Well late for us... like 11pm (yes that's late for us). We saw a movie, and we did a lot of relaxing. I loved it, and like all moms I was ready to see my kids again after it was all over.

It's our Anniversary :)

2011-08-03T15:28:00.000-04:00

Nine years ago on this day, I married the love of my life. He is my best friend and I don't know what I would do without him. I love you Jeremy Legates, and happy Anniversary!

Guess what?!?

2011-07-27T08:38:00.001-04:00

It's my birthday!

Today I'm 27, and no I do not feel old. So far I have gotten 2 gifts, 7 cards, 12 facebook birthday wishes, and flowers (and I walk right by them 4 times). They weren't small, (not at all) I just have a one tracked mind. Okay so here's what happened. Last night I went to bed about 10 mins before Jeremy did (that happens all of the time, so I didn't think anything was up, or being put out, from inside his car). About 20 mins after we went to bed I woke up because I was hot, so I went down stairs to adjust the temp. I walked right past them adjusted the temp, what right past them again and went up stairs. I met Jeremy at the door to our room (I guess trying to see what I was doing, and I didn't think that maybe I walked by something he didn't want me to see yet). This morning I woke up at 6:30, and I jumped out of bed to see if I had any facebook wishes (of course). I walk right past them again (and there was light in the house this time). Jeremy comes down stairs right after me, which is unusual, because he is NOT a morning person (and still I didn't think anything was up). Before he can say anything I hear Olivia, so I was about to walk upstairs again. I walk by them AGAIN, and he stops me. Yeah it was funny! They were beautiful! I must be blind.

So my husband has been very mysterious about one of the things he got me. He got me 3 things 2 of them he gave to me early because the third wasn't going to be here in-time for my birthday. The first was a Star Trek shirt, and the second was a Hufflepuff key chain (ahh Star Trek and Harry Potter <3). The last however I have no idea, and I won't even find out today (the suspense is killing me). Yesterday he was telling me that he placed an order for a handheld vacuum, and I jokingly said "Oh so that's what you got me for my birthday" "You know it, along with an apron, feather duster, and cleaning spray. I was going to get you a watch, but the stove always displays the time, so you really don't need one." Yup my husband is a funny guy. Yes all he got from me after this was "The Look." I asked him why the big gift was going to take so long and he said it was because "It's coming from a far away place." "Like Japan?" "Not quite." "Maybe it's coming from Hogwarts?" "Yeah... Maybe." Okay well that got me nowhere. So does anyone have any ideas?

As for today... I am doing nothing. I am totally vegging it, as much as I can get away with. Oh and tonight :) Oh yes tonight... I am going to cook some tombstones, Jeremy is getting me a cheese cake, and I am watching Star Trek! Pizza, Cheese Cake, and Star Trek. What could be better?

Thank you to everyone who has already and is going to wish me a happy birthday :)

Message from Olivia

2011-07-25T07:16:00.002-04:00

Guess what?...

I'm a big girl now, you wanna know why?

I have a toddler bed now!

Yup no more crib.

Mommy says I'm still little, but I don't believe her.

Look what I can do!

During nap time, I play with my toys.

Oh, but don't tell my mom okay... She thinks I'm sleeping.

Nap time is more for my animals anyways :)

Thank you, and lots of love from, Olivia Legates

Why do I not remember?

2011-07-22T17:09:00.002-04:00

Do you have a bad memory? Well I didn't think I did, but after today, I'm not so sure anymore. Maybe my biggest problem is I sugar coat everything in my mind, and try to make myself believe that I had a good time, or that things will always turn out great, even though they won't, and haven't in the past. You know what I mean? Okay I'll tell you about it.

My husband gets home yesterday, and says that there is an office picnic tomorrow. Now my husband works at a Meps station in the Navy office, now a lot of people work there, a lot of people Jeremy doesn't know, because he stays in the Navy office. So this was no small picnic.

My reaction was "Great can families come?" "Yeah everyone is going to bring there family" "Great we should go, picnics are great."

See I was thinking of the positives... Nice sunny day, Free good food, happy people, and the park has a play ground (that the kids already love, because we have been there before). What I forgot was the negatives... Heat wave on the east coast right now, bugs, the free good food at these events always takes forever, and trying to control a 17 month old little girl (who has a mind of her own). See I forgot that I really don't get a chance to enjoy my food at these things because I'm chasing her. My poor sweet husband even offers to hold her, and look after her, but I still can't enjoy myself, because I not feel bad for him... What is wrong with me?

So anyways, forgetting all of the bad things of past picnics, we set out, and I'm looking forward to it. The picnic was going to start at 11am, so we get there at 11am (forgetting that it wouldn't be time for food until later). No one is there at he knew, so we walk to the playground to wait. It was HOT. The east coat is going through this crazy heat wave right now. It was 100 outside, but because of the humidity it felt like 115 (yikes). So after playing for only a few minutes the kids were done. We ended up going to the car and waiting in the AC. At 12pm Jeremy spotted a few of his friends and we went over to the picnic area. He took Olivia and showed her around, and I sat at a table trying to enjoy the little breeze. That was great until the flies came. They were biting my legs like crazy (ouch)... and my kids legs (poor things). Yes I picked a great day to wear a dress. :( ... and I was also the one who told the kids to wear shorts (it was going to be really hot), Jeremy who was in pants wasn't bitten at all.

Pushing the fast forward button -> -> The food was served at 1pm. This was just in-time because I was suggesting to Jeremy that we just go home, and get food on the way. We did show up, and that should be good enough, especially on a day this hot. I get in line with the boys, and Jeremy keeps an eye on Olivia. The boys and I sit down, I take Olivia, and Jeremy gets his food (yes all of you parents of small ones know, this is how it has to happen). Okay bear with me, because this is how it was... I had one fork to my name, and she takes it, she doesn't want to eat, but she wants my fork. Then she picks up my drumstick and starts hammering on my plate with it. All the while the bugs are still biting me, and I was trying to eat fast before Olivia did something crazy. Poor Jeremy he thought I was going crazy... "No, Olivia please don't take that... Ouch these dang-on bugs... Olivia give me that... did anyone get a napkin?... Where is Olivia's cup?... No, Olivia don't throw that." Yeah... thats how it was... Is that how things go for you too? Okay well I'm going to remember this, and I am waiting at least 2 years before going to another picnic.

Have a nice day, and thank you for reading :)

Last Friday night :)

2011-07-21T17:42:00.002-04:00

I meant to post this on Monday, but kept putting it off and putting it off, for really no reason. I wrote some on Monday... a little on tuesday... non on wednesday... I really don't know why it took me so long but it did, so please enjoy.

I'm sure you have all heard the song "Last Friday Night", by Katy Perry. I'm not a big fan of the song, I think it's a little over played, and it's crazy. However I did have a wonderful night last friday night, and it was a little out of the ordinary for me. Most friday nights are spent in with the kids and my wonderful husband, and even though my kids are wonderful as well, sometimes it's nice to go out with just the husband, you know if I get the chance.

If you are like me, than it's very hard to arrange this. Why is that?... Well... If you have more than 2 kids it makes it hard to find a sitter, because sitters like the number 2 (apparently), and if you do find one, than it's very expensive. So how was I able to go out? Who did I find to watch my kids?

My sister-in-law Christen was staying with us, for a week during her vacation. We were happy to have her. :) On friday Harry Potter came out (no I did not go to the midnight showing) (a lot of people who went to the midnight showing dressed up, and boy I would have loved to see that). Jeremy and I really wanted to see it. Now normally when we both want to see a movie, we have to see it seperatly (and we do). Jeremy likes to go on a weekend night (really late), when everyone in the house is asleep. I normally go during the day on a weekend. This way someone is always home with the kids. It's okay, I would love for it to be different, but that's life. This time however, since Christen was over, we were able to see something together.

Before I left the house I put Olivia to bed, to make things a bit easier (it was 7pm). We left for the mall early, so we could get something to eat first. It's no good going to a movie hungry. The mall was packed... (nothing new right? That mall is always that way). The whole time I was holding on tightly to Jeremy's arm (it was cute). I'm not great in crowds. We ate at subway, so I wouldn't ruin my diet... Yes I'm on one. It been about 4 weeks... Anyways... We see the movie, and it's awesome. I love Harry Potter so much. Did I mention that I'm a Hufflepuff? Yes I'm THAT kind of fan. The theater was packed, and all sold out, so we had to sit next to people we didn't know (oh no not people!)... Yeah I know I said that on the last post. I had the pleasure of sitting next to the "crying" girl. From what she was saying to her mom right next to her (I'm guessing it was her mom), she had already read the books... me to, so I wasn't crying during any of it, because I already knew who was going to dye, and that there was going to be a happy ending... but once the fighting started she started crying, and really crying. Let me just put it like this... the theater was dark... really dark, and I could still tell that she was cry. She was sniffling, whining, and wimpering. Awkward... To be really honest, I thought it was funny. Is that mean of me?

So yes that was my friday night. It was wonderful... I'm still not sure why it took me so long to write this. Thanks for reading.

Legates' 4th of July Adventure...

2011-07-05T10:20:00.004-04:00

I'm sure you have all heard the saying "Getting there is half the fun." Well I don't think you have to go a great distance (or any distance at all) in order for it to be true. I think of it more as the journey to a goal (not necessarily a big one, but a goal none the less). Like potty training your child (yeah all of you Moms know just what I am talking about). Your goal is to get your child off Diapers, and use the potty EVERY time he or she needs to go. On this Journey there are many (MANY) ups and downs, but so worth it in the end.

Okay so our 4th wasn't that crazy, but it got me thinking in how we work so hard just to accomplish a goal or a task, and we sometimes think "Why in the world did I have to go through all of that just to get this one thing done?" But I think it makes that one thing more worth it in the end.

Our goal was to watch fireworks at Summit Lake camp grounds with our Church. Our church is having a youth camp all of this week at Summit Lake (it's about an hour and a half drive). Our kids were not signed up for the camp, but the church invited everyone to come the first night for fireworks, and since we weren't really sure where to go for fireworks this year, it was the perfect solution.

The only problem was we weren't sure when to leave... We didn't know what activities they had planned there, and we also didn't want to intrude on all of the real campers (there were 9 churches staying there, and we also didn't know everyone... I have really bad social skills). :) So because we were unsure of when to leave, and unsure of how to spend our day, there was some sitting around the house at first. After lunch (around 1pm) is when a great idea popped into my head. "Lets take the kids to the arcade." "You mean Dave and Busters?" (yes that is the only arcade around us... but the kids love it soooo much) "Yeah, we can spend an hour or 2 in there... Hit the road, and get dinner on the way somewhere. This way we'll only be a couple of hours early"... (a couple of hours before the fire works that is) "And that way if there isn't much to do, it won't be so bad." "Okay sounds good to me, lets go."

The math in my head was like this... Get to D&B @2pm and spend about 2 hours... Leave and hit the road at 4pm... Since it's an hour and a half drive that should put us there at 5:30pm, but since we planned on stopping for dinner that should put us there at 6:30 - 7pm ish... Yeah that sounds about right.

So we get to the mall, and the parking is lovely (yeah our mall... the Arundel Mills Mall... Doesn't have the best parking). We find an okay spot, and walk into the mall. It was packed (really packed). I wanted to go to Payless, and get Olivia some shoes that fit her (she grows out of shoes so fast). I said goodbye to Jeremy saying that I would meet him in about 10mins. Now Arundel mills is a really big mall, and it's in the shape of an oval, (so you can do laps around it?) and the Payless is at the opposite end from D&B. I kept getting behind the slowest people. I was trying to fast walk it, and just hurry up and pick a pair of shoes already. Everyone else was just taking their time... The way I see it there are 3 speeds in walking there's the I'm in a hurry speed, there's the normal not fast not slow speed, and there's the I'm trying to blow some time speed. What is wrong with everyone? Personally I don't think I have ever used the I'm trying to blow some time walk speed. I just have never needed it, but in that mall on that day everyone was using it. So I finally get to payless... And you know how that store always has really narrow aisles? Well I had the stroller... and most of the aisles had people in them (not people... oh no). I was thinking to myself "I just need a pair of shoes for my daughter, that's all... I really don't feel like squeezing past everyone... So can someone just pass me a pair of shoes for my daughter, size 6?... Anyone?" Note to self... Independence day is not the best day for shopping. So I squeeze through and find a great pair of shoes (success!).

(Hitting the fast forward button) -> -> I get to D&B and find Jeremy and the boys, and we had a blast. We played a lot of games, and won a lot of tickets. I found out that I live with a bunch of crane masters. Yeah we ended up with 6 stuffed animal from the crane game. We ended up with over 3,000 tickets, but as you all know in the arcade world that doesn't buy you much. Oh well we had a lot of fun, and it really didn't matter.

So we hit the road (yay road trip). We get about 8 mi from the camp ground and pass a bunch of great restaurants, like Pizza Hut, A Family Diner, and some fast food. "Hey honey we should stop there and eat" "Yeah we will, but I want to drive there and see the place first, then we will go and eat." "Oh okay." This place was on a very small very narrow and very curvy mountain road, and I thought we were going to die. Jeremy is an awesome driver, but this road was scary (very scary). This road was not wide enough for 2 cars, so when another one came you had to get over, and that's hard to do when you either have a cliff or a drop off on the side of the road (eeeekkk). So we see the place (yay), and then drive back to the Pizza Hut (yay again). We had the worst waitress known to man kind. She wasn't the kind that keeps making mistakes and dropping everything, no she was worse. She was the I really don't want to be here kind, and I really don't care, and can't you guys serve yourselves kind (oh goodie). This Pizza Hut also had the AC on full blast, and we were very cold (freezing).

(Hitting the fast forward again) -> -> We get to the camp ground and it is beautiful (this was the very same camp ground that Jeremy went to as a kid, so he was really happy and reliving some childhood memories). There was a Lake, a pool, playground, basketball court etc... We took the kids to the play ground to play. Later we were told that there was a toddler play area set up in one of the buildings, so I wanted to take Olivia so she could have some fun too. Nathaniel ended up coming with me, and Jeremy took the older boys to play some ball. The play area was great, and some of the ladies from my church were there (yay no awkwardness). So they played and had a great time.

About 45min before the fireworks were due to start, I met up with Jeremy again, and he tells me he's going to help them set up. Cool, and have fun was all I really said. I took the kids back to the van and got out Olivia's stroller. My plan was to push her around to help her fall asleep, but there were way to many people out and she wasn't going to sleep. So we went to grab a spot early. We were going to watch on this big hill behind the cabins, but pushing the stroller up that big grassy hill was not easy at all, and to top it all off Olivia was not happy once we got up there. Yeah I should have waited and stayed with everyone else, but after getting up there, there was no way I was going back down, just to go up again later. So yeah for 30 min I was busy trying to console a crying screaming baby. She was very tired, very grump, and did not want to sit still. Yes all of you Moms have been there and you all know just what I'm talking about. Once the fireworks started she was fine, and she loved them, they all did! They were beautiful and I was happy. Yay mission accomplished! :)

Well where have you been?

2011-06-21T11:37:00.004-04:00

Hey everyone! Yes it's me... I have been a little busy (to busy to post apparently). Yes I know it's been like 13 days.

So what have I been up to? Well first off I had a busy father's day weekend... See we celebrated father's day a day early in our house, because we were going to be gone all of Sunday visiting others. I got Jeremy the Vizio sound bar (oh I'm sorry, the kids got him the sound bar) ;). There is an interesting story behind this. See last Sunday (the 12th) (I think), I let him get a new tv... Now I say I let him, because I have been really fighting this issue for a while, because I felt like our tv was fine, and looked great, and that we didn't need a new one. Yes Jeremy is the man of the house, and he does make the money, which is why me saying "let him buy one" sounds weird, and not right. See if it were up to me, we would still have that small 19in we had when we got married, and I would be just fine with that, and not care what everyone else had. Jeremy on the other hand... I sometimes think it's a guy thing, but then again I have met some girls like that (girls that also think you need the best tv), so I don't know. My thoughts are a tv is great as long as it works (right?... I mean as long as you can see the picture, than you're good right?) We got another Vizio, it was not 3D, but it was better than our other tv (I'm not sure how... completely... It does look better). It was for a great price at Walmart. When we were there we also saw that they had a great price on the sound bar. Jeremy has been wanting surround sound again for a while now.

We had it back when we lived in VA, and I hated it. Wires EVERYWHERE! It was a pain to set up (yes I was being nice, and helped), and I just thought it looked tacky. When we moved to CA, right after we got there Jeremy deployed for 4 months, and I unpacked, and set up everything... Yeah I did not have the patience for that thing... So I didn't bother with it, and at one point I believe it all got thrown away (oops!). Well it's really not a girly thing... Or at least I don't think it is, so it's not up on our priority list.

Anyways he really wanted the Vizio sound bar, and I really didn't... I did like that it was wireless (YAY), but I thought, that we had already spent enough that day. Well apparently Jeremy had planted the seed in my mind, that he needed one of these. He didn't mention it anymore, but 4 days later I feel like "I have to get this for Jeremy for father's day." Yeah where did that come from (I still don't know). And because he planted the seed he already knew he was getting it, because he really wasn't surprised to see the big box waiting down stairs, come Saturday morning. Well at least he loves it, and I like it okay.

Father's day we went to 2 dinners (yeah wow). One at my parents' house, and one at Jeremy's Aunt Mary's house. It was a busy day for us, and keeping track of Olivia at these things is so much fun (oh the joys of being a mom to a small toddler). I spent most of the time chasing after her (at both). One of these days, I hope to be able to sit down, and have normal grown-up conversations with my friends and family (yes some day I will).

Oh and I joined a gym... (yay...), so lets hope this helps. Now that I am done having babies, I'm going to re-claim my body (it's mine!). So far I have been twice, today and yesterday, both at 5am.... EEK! Yeah I don't really like that hour either, but if I don't go at that time, then I don't get a chance to go at all. I'll keep you updated on how it all goes.

Thanks for reading :)

Zachary's birthday, Mommy relief, and my week so far...

2011-06-08T16:45:00.003-04:00

This is going to be a 3 part post, so bear with me.

Happy Birthday Zachary!

Zachary's 7th birthday was Saturday! Yay for Zach. I can't believe how big he is getting.

Yes I know once again, I didn't post on his birthday. I think the problem is, it's harder for me to find time to post on a weekend. Yes I'm blaming it on the calender. :) My kids are getting so big... why are they doing that?

We got him a dart gun, and the game Operation. We took him to Subway for lunch, and made Pizza for dinner. He picked chocolate cupcakes with strawberry for his cake. YUM!

Down in the Mommy dumps?

Does this ever happen to you? You are busy, your husband is busy, you haven't been able to see any of your friends for a while, and you can't seem to find any time for yourself? ... Yeah I think this happens to all of us, and yes that means me. See last week was kind of a ruff week. I was busy with house work and starting the kids on some summer school work. Jeremy was extra busy at work, doing the things he needs to do. I had been missing church do to my busyness, and in turn I didn't get to see anyone. Also, not to mention, now that summer is almost here I have started to wear my summer clothes and have noticed that I put on a couple of pounds during the long crazy winter, and that didn't make me feel much better. Do you ever put something on and ask yourself... "Hey didn't this use to fit better?" Yeah I'm so with you there, and it's just not fair. So I was feeling a little lonely, because I missed my friends (including the ones that live so far away... Why did we have to leave each other :(... it's just not fair), and my husband (working late is not fun). I was also feeling down, because of the extra pounds, and because of the lack of time to myself. My kids are awesome! I think they are the best kids a mom could ever have, but they do keep me busy, and I'm only human (I have to tell myself this to make me feel better).

So on Thursday night Jeremy noticed that I wasn't myself, and after the kids went to bed, he confronted me about it... Long story short, he let me cry on his shoulder (which was very nice of him). He just listed to my troubles and told me that I was not fat, and that things will slow down soon.

Friday night the church was having this Lady's night in. We were going to watch a movie, eat pizza, and just hang out. It was just what I needed. I took my friend Trudy, and we both had a really good time...
I get home and husband had a couple surprises for me...

1. His mother wants to take the boys for the week (nice!)
2. He planed a weekend trip for the two of us (only), to take in August, to Ocean City (his mom is going to watch them again... Yeah super nice!)

Gotta hand to him, he hears my problems and he solved them. :)... How cool is that?

My week without the boys

Well so far it has been really quiet (thank you so much Jeremy's Mom). I have been catching up on Laundry (mostly washing sheets). When nap times come around I get a chance to read, and watch movies. This morning however I did have a nice little surprise waiting for me. Olivia thought it was a good idea to take her diaper off, and poop in her crib (it was lovely). So first thing this morning she got a bath, and I had to wash her sheets again. So far though that has been the only eventful thing... I like this... Yeah I'm just living it up right now... No worries by the end of the week, I'll miss the boys, and want them back :).

Thanks for reading.

One Girl Revolution

2011-06-03T09:52:00.000-04:00

This is my theme song!

Wedding weekend!

2011-05-30T16:31:00.002-04:00

So happy Memorial day everyone. Things have been interesting around here for the past few days, and it's mostly due to the beautiful wedding I went to on Saturday. Jeremy's cousin Chris married Brittany (YAY! I'm really excited for them)!

(pictures done by Laurinda Tapper)

So this all started on Thursday...

That was the day of the Bachelor party. Now of course I wasn't invited to that, (no girls allowed) but Jeremy was (of course). That morning I was in serious need of a commissary run (not much food in the house), and I also needed to run to target to get a gift for Chris and Brittany, but before all of that I needed to go to an ATM. I needed tip money for the bagger, and money for both me and Jeremy to cross the bay bridge (gotta love paying toll, can you believe we still haven't gotten an easypass?). So I head to fort Meade and stopped by the ATM on the way. They are still doing construction on the Commissary which means things are still in weird places (this makes getting the things I need harder, because I can't find them). The last few times I've been, I haven't been able to find the ground turkey meat made by Louis Rich. At only a $1 a pound, it's a really good deal, and I really hate buying the more expensive stuff. This time however, I was able to find where they were hiding it (yay!)... Yeah I bought 10... Then it was home to put it all away, and put the baby down for a nap (yes that means momma break time). That afternoon after lunch time is when we went to Target.

Jeremy stopped by after dinner, to say goodbye, and to get some toll money. I just handed him all of my cash, thinking he would be back before I had to leave for the wedding, (which at this point was 2 days away..... yeah... I ended up paying toll with only quarters) boy was I wrong... I'll explain... The boys were having their party at a vacation house, that one of the Groomsman's parents own. It was going to be an over night, eat to much, and play video games kind of party. That night was awful for me though, I had a hard time getting to sleep (Jeremy wasn't there to make me feel safe and loved), and I had really bad dreams. Now this is unlike me, by now I am a pro at is whole spending the night alone thing (not that I like to be, but after all of the underways and deployments... Well you just get use to it).

The next day (Friday) was long and I was super tired. I had expected Jeremy to get home sometime that day, but I was sure when. Well it turns out he (and everyone else) had a million things to do that day (makes since he being a Groomsman and all), and I just didn't expect that. By the time the rehearsal dinner was over, it was late (super late), so Jeremy just stayed. I had a better night, than the last, I slept well and I didn't have any bad dreams.

So Saturday I woke up super excited. I couldn't wait to go, but I had to, the wedding wasn't until 5pm. I had things to do before I went to the wedding anyways like... Get ready, Get the kids ready, Do a load of diapers, Do a load of laundry, Do my hair, Do Olivia's hair, Pack the diaper bag, put the gift in the car... You know those things. I also need to bring a few things (to keep Olivia happy), and lets just say I forgot something. I forgot Olivia's bear, (oh no... say it isn't so) she doesn't cry for it or anything, but if she has it, then she is willing to sit still. I remembered the bear right after the toll booths, and there was no way I was going back for it (does that ever happen to you?) It wasn't that bad though, I had help. Jeremy's parents to the rescue! We ended up passing her back and forth, and she ended up staying with Jeremy's dad most of the ceremony. We had a lot of fun...

The food was awesome (Catered by Jeremy's aunt Mary). The boys had like 3 plates each. The kids and I left at about 8:30pm (Olivia was very tired by that time and very grumpy). Of course right after I leave is when Jeremy decides it's time to dance, and really cut a rug (and I missed it..... so not fair). Jeremy doesn't like to dance around other people (don't ask me why), so normally I have to beg to get even one dance. Grrrrr.... I'm glad he had a good time though. I wasn't sure when he would be able to get home. He was going to help clean up and all, and I didn't know when everything was going to be over, so I went to bed once I got home (we all did). For some reason I woke up at 2:50am, and found that Jeremy wasn't home yet. WHAT!! So I called him... No answer... not even a ring. Well after two days of being away from home, and not having a charger with him, I really wasn't surprised that his cell phone was dead. So at this point I was debating on whether or not to call the cousins up, to see if he had left already and how long ago it was, and if I should be worried (because I was), but I didn't. Turns out, he stopped by his Sister's work (she was working really late that night), and took her out to really early breakfast. He didn't get home until 3:30am.

So yeah that was my weekend! Congrats to Chris and Brittany, we are all so happy for you... and thanks for reading everyone.

Happy Birthday Darien

2011-05-24T09:06:00.003-04:00

My son's birthday was Saturday, and he's 9 (yeah wow). Now I know what you guys are thinking... "Randi aren't you a little late on this post? Most of the time when one of your kids has a birthday you post on the day."... And yes you are right I really try to post on that day, even if it's just a small post wishing them a happy birthday, but this weekend was busy and crazy, mostly because we had a lot of things to do, but some of it was because Jeremy had a 4 day weekend, and when there's is a cute guy in the house, nothing gets done. So I didn't get around to it until now (I know that very bad of me, and I should know better).

We celebrated Darien's birthday on Friday, because my husband was taking Darien and Zachary to Sight and Sound in Lancaster, PA on Saturday (with the church). So shortly after waking up on Friday, we gave him his presents. Jeremy had off that day (a big bonus for all of us). We took the kids to Mcdonalds (a really cool birthday treat). We went to Party City to let Darien pick out a cool balloon (who doesn't like to do that). And last we went to Goodwill. We needed another book shelf (yes we have too many books). This book shelf we put in Darien's room, with all of his books on them, and this gave us move room on our other shelves (I was feeling really motherly and even let him put Harry Potter on his shelf). I made Carrot cake cupcakes (that's what he wanted), and pizza (also what he wanted). We had a dinner theater! We watched Harry Potter while eating. The kids stayed up late and ate themselves sick.

So Saturday we woke up early (5:30). The church bus was leaving at 7:30, and Jeremy had his buddy Ryan coming with, so we needed to to get ready. Shortly after Jeremy, Ryan, Darien, and Zachary left, Nathaniel, Olivia, and I set out for a walk around the neighborhood. I was yard sale day (they have one twice a year in our community), and I wanted to see what everyone had. I was just mainly looking for more summer clothes for Olivia, and books (I was looking for books). I found nothing! No one was selling anything I was interested in (yeah it happens). We walked the whole neighborhood (and I mean all of it), and nothing. Nathaniel was awesome! He walked all of it with me, and didn't complain. Next I took them (Nathaniel and Olivia) to Chuck E Cheese's. They had a blast... Olivia love the rides, and Nathaniel loved everything (not a big surprise). Lunch time comes around and we stop by Subway one our way home (yummy). After we got home I put Olivia down for a nap (yes it is time for a brake). Nathaniel played video games, and I watch the latest Bones on Hulu. After Olivia nap I took the kids to this awesome book store. It was our first time going, but I wanted to check it out because I was all used books. It's called the Book Nook. Yeah it was awesome! I got some Hardy Boys for Darien, and they had Star Trek books (yeah as if I wasn't nerdy enough). Nathaniel picked out a few books and we went home (again) (my feet were hurting by the end of this day). Bed time came around and Nathaniel wanted to stay up "I want to wait for my brothers mommy. I miss them." "I know you do baby, but they won't be home until late. How about we get you a cupcake, and you go to bed." "I want a cupcake, but I'm not tired." "Come on Nathaniel, we are getting a cupcake, and then I'm going to tuck you in."... Yeah in the end it worked, he was really tired. The boys got back around 10:30pm (yeah they did get back late). They had a great time though. They got to ride in a bus that had a bathroom (who doesn't like to do that?). They got to eat at an awesome buffet, along with going to a great show. Needless to say, they all had a really good time.

So yes that was our busy weekend, I'm wondering if it will take all week to recover from it :)

Retraction

2011-05-16T09:07:00.000-04:00

So you know when a magazine or a news paper needs to retract something they have written because they were wrong, or something they wrote was just inappropriate? Well I think I may need to do the same. I'm still going to keep my last post up, but I'm also going to apologise for it. I am very sorry. My last post was very grump, and very one-sided. The truth is some of the vacation was fun, and I did have help, but since my mothers day wasn't what I had hoped for, I was upset and only seeing the negative, but despite that I still had no right to display all of my dirty laundry to the world.

I don't want everyone to think that I have a family that loves to just sit around and watch me do all of the work and stress out, because that's just not the case.

I am very sorry and I hope everyone can forgive me.

This is the stuff...

2011-05-10T11:52:00.006-04:00

Okay just a little warning before reading this post... This is a completely honest post, and I don't mean to make anyone feel bad. Lets just say I was a little upset a few days ago, (more like yesterday) but I am over now... never the less I feel like if I don't say anything, or just sugar coat it (like I do everything else), than I'm just not being truthful and I shouldn't write anything at all. So if you don't want to read than you can just stop right now, and I won't care. I just feel like a lot of us moms have gone through this, and I know how they feel, and no, they are not the only ones.

So last week I went on vacation... Remember that vacation I was waiting for and excited about? Well it wasn't a total bust and I did have fun, but wow... I think it was more work then worth (if you know what I mean by that). Okay so I'll tell you about it.

Sunday (day 1), Getting there...

I woke up around 6:30, so get the kids ready. We had a sleeping beauty on our couch (Jeremy's sister Christen), she had stayed the night, so we could get an early start (we were going to meet Jeremy Parents at the house we were renting). I must say though that this sleeping beauty can really sleep through anything. Once everyone was up, it was kind of noisy in the house (everyone was really excited to go), and that didn't wake her up.

Everyone was ready to go at 8:30, so off we were. It wasn't a very eventful ride, and that can be a really good thing. Apparently our list of both Jeremy and Randi approved music was getting old. Jeremy and I have different taste in music. There are songs we both like, but the list is small. When you have a music library of 1000+ songs, and you can only come up with a list of 97 that you both can agree on, than your road trip may be dull. So we ended up playing a few made-up game (this all started in Norfolk). My sister in-law wanted to know why she kept seeing mermaids in Norfolk. So we told her that, that's just the way Norfolk is, they like mermaids... My guess is that, that's their mascot, but I've never thought or cared to look it up. So we made a game of who could spot the most Mermaids, and I think Christen ended up winning this one. Yes but that game only lasted through Norfolk, and we were bored again. Once in North Carolina, we thought of another game. We kept seeing these No Olf signs, and had no idea what they meant at the time (yeah I did find out later, and there is a link, if you are curious), but we did make a game of who could spot the most.

Finally we get there, (to the happy crab in Duck, NC) and after a bit of unpacking, and checking out the awesome house...

We decided to walk to the beach (just down the street and over the dunes). The beach was beautiful and mostly empty (only one other family was there). We found some great shells, and walked back.

We had dinner, and it got late and I went to bed early that night.

Monday (day 2) Beach, pool, and sunburn...

Monday was going to be a warm day, so it was perfect for the beach. I was woken up a 5:59 by Olivia (she was sharing a room with us), and had no choice but to get up. After getting her up and feed and the kids up and feed, I ended up waiting until 8am for everyone else to get up (this was the not so fun part, and most morning were like that). Once everyone was up and feed, I began to put sunblock on me and the kids. Everyone sat there and watched me do it, and yet they didn't think to put some on themselves (remember this, because I'll talk more about it later).

The beach was great. The sand was warm and the water was cold, the kids had a blast, and Olivia loved both the sand and the water (yay for me).

After coming back from the beach we got in the pool (water is good). We ended up playing with the beach ball as if it was a volley ball in the pool. We also ended up getting in the hot tub.

Okay now I know what you are thinking... "So far Randi your vacation sounds great. What is the problem?"

Just keep reading okay (if you dare).

After coming inside everyone (everyone but the kids and me), noticed they had some serious sun burn (yup). And I had the pleasure of listening to them all complain about it. Yes the complaining lasted for the full week (yes all week long). I'm sorry to say that I didn't have much sympathy for them, after all they did watch me put sunblock on the kids, and myself, and I did mention that they should do the same (the whole I told you so is running through my mind). Needless to say, I was really tired of hearing about it.

That night we had hamburgers and hot dogs. We were going to cook them on the grill, but the grill wasn't working (something wrong with the lighter), so we ended up broiling them in the stove.

Tuesday (day 3) Festival park, and the Lost colony...

The day started at 6am again. Jeremy got up with me this time. He was having trouble sleeping anyways because of his sunburn, and couldn't wait for morning (he was tossing and turning all night and looking at the clock). Once again no one else was up until after 8am, and no one else was ready to go until 10am. Yes I know, this is a vacation your suppose to sleep in on vacation. It's just because I had to get up early, it was very boring for me. At lest Jeremy was up with me this time.

We finally get to Roanoke island, and finally to Festival park. The park was great they had a ship to tour, a colony style village, and a museum...

We went to lunch at McDonalds where Jeremy announces that if he see another hamburger he's going to puke.

After lunch we went to Fort Raleigh, where the first America colony was (the one that was lost, and no one knows what happened).

It was just leftovers that night which didn't make everyone happy. (Jeremy really didn't want another hamburger). After Olivia was in bed, Jeremy, Christen, and I went out to shop at the little shops in the town of Duck. This was when Jeremy bought the boys 3 coins that looked like gold doubloons (this will come into play later).

After getting back we (the three of us), got in the hot tub. That was nice until we had to get out. See it was about to storm so the temperature had dropped and it was windy. "burr!"

Wednesday (day 4) Early day, Rain, and shopping...

This day started super early for me, because Olivia woke up at 2:30 and started crying. Jeremy wasn't sleeping well, because of his sun burn, so after 10 min of helping me, he gave up and went to go sleep on the couch (... I don't need to type what I'm thinking in here because I'm sure you all know). I tried milk and rocking her, and nothing was working. Finally 2 hours later she throw up (oh so that's what was wrong). Yeah she was fine after that. She still ended up waking up early 6:30 this time. Since we knew it was going to rain this day we planed on shopping that day. It wasn't until after 10:30, that everyone was ready to go, and beings that it was almost lunch it, we just decided to stick around the house until after lunch.

After shopping that whole day at lots of stores and the outlets, all I had brought were some books (this coming from a girl who loves to shop). Lets just say the outlets were horrible, and shopping with a man who can't wait for you to be done, is no fun. I mean nothing agents Jeremy, but he really doesn't like clothing shopping, and it shows when we are in the stores, and it makes me feel bad, so I just don't end up getting anything. That's why I like to go by myself if possible.

We ate at Applebees for dinner, we were going to have sea food at Captain George's (Jeremy and my treat), but after every grumping about sea food and the price, we just said forget about it. Olivia was really grumpy (that was so much fun), and despite Jeremy helping me out with her, it was still really stressful for me. Not to mention when it came it for dessert I didn't get what I wanted.

Once we got back Jeremy set the boys on a treasure hunt. He had buried the three coins (the ones he bought for the boys), and made a map.

That night Jeremy and I did get our walk on the beach. The tide was in though, and we got wetter than expected. We only wanted to walk and hunt for cool things that the storm may have washed up, but yeah the waves got us anyways.

Thursday (day 5) Morning walk, and afternoon nap...

I woke up Thursday determined to get out of the house before 8am. Needless to say I was tired of waiting for everyone, and I wanted to hit the beach. I decided that if they wanted to wake up later than they could just meet the kids and me down there (when ever they wanted). After being at the beach for about 10 mins, Jeremy and his mom did meet us and we took a long walk (way to long if you ask me, I had Olivia in the sling), mom was determined to find a conch shell, and ended up leaving us in the dust.

Once we got back I was tired and Olivia was grumpy. Everyone else wanted to go play mini golf, so I told them to go ahead, and I would stay home (yeah that was nice). I took an hour nap, and once Olivia got up, we swung on the swing that they had on the deck.

<- this is what they did...
...and this is what I did ->

Once everyone was back, they all wanted to go out to eat. Once again Olivia was grumpy, and when Jeremy asked me why I looked so shell shocked, I told him that we need to stop eating out, because it was becoming way to stressful for me.

Friday (day 6) a whole lot of nothing...

This day was full of nothing really. I think we just hung out at the pool and in the house all day. I didn't mind though, because it wasn't stressful, but once again I was up at 6am (thank you so much Olivia).

Saturday (day 7) A little bit of shopping, and a lot of re-packing...

At about 10am we went to shop in the town of Duck again, I wanted to get the kids each a t-shirt, to remember the trip. We ate pizza, and came home to re-pack. This is when Jeremy and Olivia both fell asleep and slept for over 2 hours. Because of that Jeremy wasn't able to sleep that night, and he just stayed up and put everything in the van.

Sunday (day 8) Sorry to say, but lousy mothers day (*cry*)...

So I wake up a 4am, because we wanted to get a really early start (I was ready to go home). All of us were in the van by 5am, and off to home.

Because Jeremy was up all night he was tired, so once we got to Norfolk I took over with the driving. I ended driving for over 2 hours, and everyone else was asleep for most of that.

My plan for getting home was to order food (I really didn't feel like cooking). Letting the kids play some video games (to make them happy). Turning on Star Trek (on our spare computer), and Playing Warcraft with my husband (that was my perfect idea of mothers day, because I knew that everyone was tired). I really didn't think it was to much to ask for. *sniff, sniff*...

Okay to make a long story short, after ordering the food, and eating. Jeremy and his Sister fell asleep on the couch (they ended up asleep the whole rest of the day away), and the kids ended up watching tv, and I ended up unpacking everything (yes that was my day). It also didn't help that all of my facebook friends were having wonderful days, and not afraid to say so (yeah that wasn't their fault, but it just made things worse). The ended with no Warcraft and no Star Trek (I was very sad).

Well there you have it. The worst part about it all was the having to wake up early (thank you Olivia), and having to wait hours for everyone else to wake up and get ready. It was just very lonely. Not to mention that my mother's day was just icing on the cake.

Like I said, I don't mean to hurt any ones feelings, and I am over it now, but I'm just being truthful. I know a lot of us moms feel like this on vacation, we end up doing so much, and just end up getting stressed out.

So I was feeling really down yesterday until I heard this song. I forget that even though I had a bad week that I'm still really blessed, and God loves me, and there will be other vacations and other Mothers days...

Thanks for reading...

Master packer

2011-04-26T11:30:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, so it's time to pick. Yes I am currently packing for our trip to the Outer Banks. I can't wait! I am so ready to get away, and for my husband to have some time off (we love time off).

This trip is starting to feel like moving, or at least packing for it is...

This is my master pack list (I like to doodle). This reminds me of moving, and how I would make a list of things we needed to pack in the car (for the trip to our new house). The list was almost always about this long, and this detailed. I would make a master pack list (just like this one), and start pulling the things aside as soon as I could, and get everything in the car, before the movers came. Oh the memories! (moving is so not fun!)

So far I have gotten most of the clothes packed, and most of the dry food, so far this is how it looks...

Yes so far (a lot of so fars here) the dry food (plus some odds and ends like sunblock, lunch box, and bubbles) has taken up 2 plastic containers (I hope they fit in the mini van).

Oh and this too...

He wants to come (but he's not). I'm having my friend Trudly stop by during the week to check on the cats, and they should be fine. This is however a very cute picture.

Jeremy and I have been going over the things to do in the area. We have a little list of things we would like to do, but most of our time down there will be spent relaxing (and doing nothing else). I'm looking forward to having the beach mostly to ourselves, and to sitting back and doing nothing (and I mean nothing).

Oh and we are done for the year with home schooling! I plan on once we get back from vacation starting the kids on some workbooks, so this crazy long summer vacation shouldn't mess them up school wise. I have already started to buy books for next year, and I am surprise they haven't come in yet. Jeremy was teasing me about that yesterday. I checked the mail, and still nothing from Abeka. Jeremy said that I got ripped off, and that it really wasn't an abeka stand that I ordered from, and that it was just people dressed up trying to fool everyone and taking their money (he better not be right). In all reality I know he's not right, but I'm excited to get my books, and I'm tired of waiting.

Okay well I will post again soon! Bye!

Rain, son free, book, and car weekend

2011-04-19T09:33:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! So how was my weekend? Well it was pretty good, and worth blogging about.

Friday

So Friday was the curriculum fair that I have been talking about and waiting for (I'm sure you guys remember), and my mother was picking up the boys that day, for a weekend at the grandparents (thank you so much!). She came and got them around 9am (my mom likes to get things done early). After she left, I put Olivia down for a nap, and had no idea what to do (I know, I finally have some time to myself and I have no idea what to do with it) (not to mention that it was very strange have the house so quiet). I ended up watching a movie, Taken with Liam Neeson (awesome movie). Once that was over with Olivia was up again and I had something to do. At 3pm Olivia and I left the house to go pick up Megan, and go to the curriculum fair (yay!). We get there and wow, that place was packed. I think everyone who has ever homeschooled in the state of Maryland was there (oh help me) (and I'm not to good with crowds). The fair was different from the one I went to last year. This one didn't have that many used text books, it had all of the main vendors there like Abeka, Bob Jones, Classical Conversations, ect... All of the vendors were offering free shipping, and 10% off if you spent a curtain amount. So I spent some time at the Abeka stand ordering the books I knew I wouldn't be able to get used. Some books like the test books, and work books, you can't find used, because to copy every page just so you can reuse or sell them would be to much work.

After I ordered all of those books, we looked around in the other buildings. They had a lot of vendors that were selling used story books, so I got a few books for the boys. We ate dinner there, and the food was great and it was also a wonderful price (very surprising!). We both ate for $5 (and that was not each). We got 2 slices of pizza, 2 cokes, and one bag of chip for $5.

After we ate, we left the fair and went shopping! (yup I love being a girl) Why? Well there was a Plato's Closet near by, and we both wanted to try it out. Wow that store was awesome. We both found some really cute things. It was fun hanging out with Megan and looking at clothes.

Saturday

Saturday was a very rainy day. It was nasty out. We still went out despite all of the rain, because we wanted to get the mini van tuned up. We have a 04 Ford Freestar (named Phantom), and he is the mom car. We have had him for 3 and a half years, and so far he has been a wonderful car. We wanted to get him looked over and oil changed before our vacation (just in-case). So we put Olivia's car seat in Jeremy's car, and we drive both cars to the shop, and drop off Phantom (we don't have a name for Jeremy's car, he doesn't want us to name it anything... no fun!)

We went shopping and out to dinner to pass the time (I know dinner again? I'm being spoiled). While we were out we picked up the new Harry Potter (super yay!), and ate at Outback. Olivia was very well behaved, she shared french fries and ate the yogurt that I brought with us (she loves yogurt). She barely made any noise and I was proud.

Once we got home we watch some Star Trek, and then Harry Potter! :) While watching, Jeremy did his Calculus home work (not sure how he can concentrate with all of that awesomeness going on).

Sunday

So Sunday wasn't as interesting... I was waiting for mom to drop the kids off (once again thank you!), and I sent Jeremy out to do some vacation grocery shopping. He loves to shop with a list, he says it's relaxing (I love that about him).

Well that all I have to report. Thanks for reading!

It's that time of year again!

2011-04-13T11:04:00.001-04:00

Time for Nathaniel's birthday!

He is getting so big!

Today he turns 5.

This is his new bike.

Laundry weekend

2011-04-11T13:55:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone! As you can see by the post, I spent most of my weekend doing laundry. Thankfully it was only most of it, and the rest was fun. I'm not the best with keeping up with things, so it's really my own fault. Yes I know I do spend a lot of time teaching and raising my wonderful kids, but I really have no excuse, because I do find ways to get other things done. Things that I don't need to do, but like to do (one of these activities may or may not be saving the land of Azeroth). :)

Okay so I was behind, and needed to do some catching up. Luckily Jeremy needed some time to himself to study, because he is way to distracting (you know... good looking man in the house... may get nothing done, sort of thing). So when I say behind I mean 3 hampers full and some on the floor. Okay yeah I know, that's really bad, but nothing left to do but get to work. I ended up doing 4 loads, which is awesome! I'm so glad they are done, and I'm so glad that it was only 4 (I have a HE washer and dryer). The day was mostly spent with me in the reading chair folding. My sons are awesome and they always put away their own clothes, so I didn't have to do that (I'm really not a perfectionist, so I really don't care where they put them, as long as it's away).

After all of the folding, and the last load is in the dryer, my husband comes up to me and says "You know it's been a while since we've had steak." (I love steak!, and I have nothing more to say about that) "Yes you are right honey, I can't remember the last time we had some." "Maybe we should go out to eat, you know at a steak house." (Yes the mention of going out to eat gets me excited!) (I love the thought of someone else cooking for me, for a change... even if I don't know them). "Are there any around here?" (yes we have a shortage of good restaurants around here). "Maybe, I'll go check."

We ended up going to a Long Horn in Columbia (my first time going), that was about 30 mins away. There was apparently a Texas Road house in Glen Burnie (really close to us), but it closed some years ago (would have been nice to try that too). Long horn was awesome! The kids menu was great, we had a really nice waitress, and it was quiet. Olivia was in a very good mood, and we had no troubles from her (babies are so unpredictable).

Sunday I picked up Nathaniel's birthday present! We are getting him a bike (his first one). I picked out a red huffy (from walmart). Nathaniel loves the color red, he would love to have red everything. Two of his favorite characters are red... Elmo and Iron Man :) His birthday is in 2 days, and he's going to be 5 (yeah wow). I'm still wondering where all of that time went? It's doesn't seem fair that time is pasting me so quickly. I know all of us parents must think that. We are forever missing those days of snuggling with our small beautiful babies. Laying them on our chest and watching them sleep, and thinking they are so perfect.

Okay I'll stop now before I start to cry. Thanks for reading, and I hope your weekend was awesome!

Weather the weather is good...

2011-04-06T09:50:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone, I sure hope everyone is enjoying this interesting weather. I know I am (*rolling my eyes*) ;)

I just don't get it, and this has happened like 3 times in the last 2 months, where we'll have a great warm day. A super awesome 70-80 day, then the very next day the temperature will drop and it's windy (or like yesterday the temperature drops, with wind and rain). Monday was great! It was 80 something outside, and I had the windows open, and no heat on (it seems like for so long I've had the heat on). We spent Monday night outside on the deck blowing bubbles (the boys have been waiting to do that for months). Then Tuesday came... I had no idea how the weather was going to be that day. Thinking that it would be close to the same as the day before I put on a short sleeve shirt. I plan was to go to BJ's that morning and pick up a few things that we needed. I get the kids mostly ready to go and... it starts raining cats and dogs. So I tell the boys we'll go when the rain stops or at the least slows down. I checked wearther.com, and according to their hour by hour, the rain was going to stop around 1pm. It was right this time, so that's when we went out. After a little search we found a dry cart and went inside. BJ's is a wholesale place like Cosco and Sam's Club, we went with BJ's because they take Visa, and our check card is a visa (that just makes it easier, and they are also the closest wholesale to us). I like to buy pediasures wholesale (it's cheaper that way), my kids are super skinny, even though they eat like little pigs, so my pediatrician suggested pediasure to help them out.

I also bought some things for our vacation coming up. I have a big red box in the kitchen that is for all of the non perishable food. I have made a master pack list, and I'm marking them off one by one. Yes I have started to pack (I know I still have over 3 weeks). I'm not a nut, I just really can't wait (sorry, but I don't get out much). This vacation should be awesome! I'm excited to take my kids to the beach, and not have to worry about a lot of other people being there (I hate crowds). I'm looking forward to eating out in an actual restaurant (you know where you sit down and they take your order, and cook for you, and bring you the food, and they are the ones that clean up). Like I said I don't get out much. I'm also looking forward to long walks on the beach with my husband. Since we are having Jeremy's sister and parents come with us, I'm sure we can swing a midnight stroll, without having to worry about the kids. Okay I'm going to stop talking about this now.

So monday we switched up bed time a bit for Darien. We noticed that when Jeremy and I go to bed (which is on most nights about 9:30 - 10:00pm), that most of the time Darien is still up (he's still in bed, but just not asleep). So we told him that he is allowed to stay up longer as long as he stays in bed and reads (nothing else though). "You mean I can't play with my lego's?" "No just reading, and in bed. You love to read." "Yeah, but I like lego's better." "Sorry son only reading." "Okay I'll do that." Yes he now sits in his bed and reads until he's tired. It's better than just laying there and doing nothing. Unfortunately with Darien, if you give him an inch he takes a yard... The first night after sending him to bed, and giving him a book, he was back down stairs in 5 mins asking for another "What are you doing back down here, you need to stay in bed remember?" "I'm done with this book" "It's a big book, how are you done already?" "I've already read it and I want another." "Okay, but no more getting out of bed." Yeah I heard him sneak down stairs a few more times, before catching him again. "Darien for now on you are not to come down stairs until morning, and you are to stay in your bed. If you get tired of a book then that's just to bad." "Okay, good night mom." Yeah like I said, he takes a yard. Letting him switch out the books that often just defeats the purpose, he spends more time sneaking down stairs than reading. I am a big believer in kids needing a good night sleep and letting them get it, but since Darien was up anyways just laying there I really saw no harm in letting him read, but if he's going to be going up and down the stairs all night than he really isn't going to get any sleeping or any reading done.

Okay well that's all for now. Thanks for reading! :)

Deep space nine

2011-04-05T09:48:00.004-04:00

Jeremy and I have been going through all of the Star Trek series (not in order mind you). Our goal is to watch all of them. We have both loved Star Trek for a long time, but before we started doing this, our love of Star Trek was limited to only 1 or 2 series.

Right now we are on Deep Space Nine. We started in the fall, and with our normal Star Trek watching ability, we should have been done by now.... So why aren't we? Well the first season was very hard to get through. Like most tv shows the first season is the trial and error season, and they don't always get it quite right. This was very true for this particular series of Star Trek. The biggest problem was the characters... Commander Sisko was rude, uncaring, and very demanding. He didn't want to command DS9, and he was mad at the world. He also didn't like Captain Picard (and I just can't trust a guy who doesn't like Captain Picard). Major Kira is just as bad, and because of that, her and Sisko tend to butt heads quite often. Doctor Bashir is a pain in the neck. He talks way to much, and its all about nothing, (and I do mean nothing) he is a big wimp, and a horn dog (and I'm not sure how all of that can go together, but it does). Now mind you there are cool characters on the show, but in the first season they don't have very big parts.

Once you finally get through that crazy first season things start to get better, and I actually started to like the show. The characters get better, Sisko becomes nicer and starts to care about the crew, Kira backs up a little, and Bashir develops more of a normal personality (oh thank goodness). Also all of the good characters from the start like Odo, Dax, and O'Brien take a bigger role in the series.

So we are now on season 3 (YAY!) They now have the Defiant (which is an actually star ship), so the episodes have become more interesting, and more of them are happening outside the station. They have become huge enemies with the Dominion, and I see a war brewing (should make for some interesting episodes to come). All in all, it's not so bad. I still think TNG is the best, and Voyager was also better, but this will do. I am thankful that the awful first season of DS9 didn't ruin my love for Star Trek (as if that could ever happen). ;)

Happy First Contact day to all of my fellow Trekkies!

Spring Cleaning!

2011-03-29T13:17:00.002-04:00

Today is a day of cleaning. Yup the whole house needs it. I'm trying not to get distracted... That's why I'm on here (yeah right... everyone desires a break). On the bright side most of the house is done. We were able (when I say we I mean the boys and I. The boys are great helpers) to clean the playroom, living room, kitchen, and Darien's room. All that is left is my room, the baby's room, and the bath rooms. I also need to finish the laundry (not fun). So far the boys (all of them) have moved up 2 spots on the treasure chart. They can be very helpful. So it's no secret that I'm not the best house keeper, and I don't really try to be. I just have different priorities, so I'm not saying anything agents people who put their effort towards that (I actually admire them), I'm just not one of those people.

In my post yesterday I forgot to mention that I have a new Nintendo 3DS, (Jeremy has one too) and it's awesome! I got Lego Star Wars the Clone Wars with it, and so far it's a great game. The 3D is great, and if it becomes to much you are able to turn it off, or adjust it. Just like the Wii you can make you own Mii's, but with the 3DS there is something called the Mii plaza, where if you come in contact with another 3DS your Mii will meet their Mii, and that helps you out in Mii challenges. So far I've met Jeremy's Mii 4 times, and one other random Mii. I had to get my Military ID renewed, and my DS was in my purse, so my Mii met some random guy's Mii, who was most likely in the waiting area. The 3DS also comes with a pedometer and for every 100 steps you take, you get a free coin. You can spend the coins in the challenges and in your games (yes I love it).

Okay so I really need to get back to work. Thanks for reading!

Life is like a bowl of what?

2011-03-28T11:46:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! So it's time once again for a "what is going on post." Well let me see... What have we been up to lately? Well lately it's been a whole lot of planning, because I have a lot of things coming up...

See this is what my calender looks like. (there is a glare on the 15th covering up stuff!) Most of the time this calender is very bare, and only has one or two things on it, but not this month (or months, it has from march 28 to May 1 on it). We are currently planning for a Curriculum fair on the 15th and 16th of April, this is where all of us homeschool moms come to sell and buy gently used books (it's awesome!). The 16th is also the date of my little sister's junior prom (wow she is growing up so fast). So that day is going to be a bit of a juggling act. I have been looking forward to this curriculum fair for months now (yeah that just sounds silly, but it's true) and I'm going with my friend Megan. I also look forward to doing my sister's hair for her big school dances and such. In other worlds I need to do both or else. Ahhh yes life is full of times like this. I am also in the middle of planning our trip to the Outer Banks (I can't wait to go!). There is a lot to plan when it comes to trips (I'm sure you guys all know that), and with this one I also need to plan food, because we are going to be staying at an actual house and it would be easier to eat there for most meals. Our plan is to bring things for all of the breakfast and lunch, and about half of the dinners, because I know we will want to eat out some. We also have Jeremy's sister and parents coming with us, so yes lots to plan. We are all looking forward to it, and can't wait! (the excitement is radiating all through that house). :)

I just finished report cards for this term! The boys love report cards because they get money for good grades. A=$5, B=$2, and C and on is nothing, but if you get straight A's then you get an extra $5. Zachary got straight A's (woohoo!), and Darien had mostly A's and only one B (needless to say I was very happy, and so was Jeremy). The school work is now almost done, we are running out of work to do. Right now Darien only has Math and Health to finish (yes everything else is done), and Zachary only has Math. I got them some work booklets for the summer months called Bridging the gap (they do in-between like from 1st to 2nd grade, and 3rd to 4th). I may need to use them soon. I don't want then to have to long of a break, and forget to many things.

I went Easter shopping the other day (I love to do that). I brought my kids lovely outfits for Easter Sunday (I do this every year).

Yeah I love them (and the kids in them too). I got them at Burlington (I love to shop there).

Even the boys were really excited to get something new, and they look great. I like to get the shirt and the tie together, you get a better deal that way, and it's already matched so no worries. I just picked out a few in each of their sizes and let them pick their favorite from those. I must say that for boys they do have good taste. The shirts (w/ tie), only cost me $9.99 each (I love that!). Olivia's dress was $14.99, and yes the boys also helped me with that one (they said that she had to have the prettiest dress there).

I've changed things a bit with the cloth diapers (not much mind you). I have been using both the pocket and the pre-folds. I had to stop with the pre-fold before because of a rash, but I have now found that if I switch back and forth, that there is no rash and I don't have to do laundry as often (yeah for me!). I have also switched to cloth wipes. I didn't however buy them from the website (way to expensive). I just bought a few packs of baby wash cloths, and made up my own spray, with just soap and water (much better) :)

That's all for now, and thanks for reading.

Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time

2011-03-21T09:20:00.000-04:00

It's my favorite video game! I love it! I have played it over and over again so many times, and now my oldest son Darien is playing it through for the first time. It's funny to watch! He is doing it all by himself with out any help or hints from me. He finished the Dodongo's cavern yesterday... for the third time (he kept forgetting to save the game, because he is so use to auto saving games). He knows where most things are because he has watched me play it so many times, and even though he knows I won't tell him where to find anything else, he still asks. The other day he was in the Kokiri Village gathering up all of the chickens for the little red haired girl and he only had one chicken left, but he couldn't find it. "Mom I can't find where that last chicken is." (and no response from me) "Is it near the windmill?" (and no response from me) "Should I go and look there?" (once again no response from me). He ended up just giving up on the chickens altogether. Zelda is one of those games where you need to think and figure your way though it, and sometimes you have to do it by trial and error, and I told him it's better if you do it by yourself, after all I had to my first time around.

This makes me think of the time I only let my kids play old games (to teach them a lesson, so to say). This happened about a year ago. I was cleaning up the living room when I noticed a broken game. It must have gotten left out and then stepped on. With most games costing $50, needless to say I was not happy. All they had to do was put it away and this would have ever happened. So I did what any mom would have done. I took away the video games, for 3 weeks. Then I did something out of the ordinary... After the 3 weeks I told them that they could only play the games that were on the system already. (we have a wii, and I was referring to the games that were downloaded from the wii shop). The only games they could play were... Mario Kart 64, Super Mario 3, Donkey Kong Country, and Bubble Bobble (I know I'm really mean). I told them that now they don't have to worry about leaving these games out, because they don't come out. This went on for another 3 weeks... Darien and Nathaniel gave up after some time, because "the games are too hard," but Zachary was the only one determined enough to master some of them, and that was funny, and made the other two even more mad. I think it did them good to have to go through that. It showed them how easy they have it now days with their auto save, and 3D adventures. Lucky kids!

So what's up Legates'?

2011-03-16T15:41:00.005-04:00

So it has been some time since my last real post of what we have been up to lately, so some of you may be wondering what is going on with us. Well for the most part it's just the normal things...

Re-enlistment

My husband is due to re-enlist soon, as long as everything works out well. We really want to go the way God is pointing us, and that still isn't clear yet, so even though I tell you guys these things, I still don't know for sure. This also makes me think where are we going to go next?

The selfish part of me would like to pick somewhere warmer. Yeah I'm sure you all are guessing San Diego. I would love to go back there, but I'm still not sure about that, and I have gone back and forth on this. I guess it's better if I'm not the one to make the choice, because I really don't know what I want.

I am also afraid about the people I may have offended, by talking about the move so casually and without much feeling. What I mean is there are people here (in this area) who care about us, and don't want us to leave, and I hope they don't think that I'm looking forward to leaving, because I'm not. I just knew that we are going to have to leave so I have detached my feelings, and it makes me sound as if I don't take, and I do. I'm very sorry. Shore duty is only a three year rotation, and even if he didn't re-enlist, the chances of us staying here are slim, because of job availability. So I always knew that we would only be here for 3 years (most likely). Since I knew this for a fact, and I've known this for quite some time, I guess I just assumed that everyone else knew as well (basically I forgot who I told, and who I apparently didn't tell) (yeah okay oops). I've been talking so much with my friends of where I would like to go, and looking back it makes it look like I want to go. Trust me when I say, that if we could stay then we would, as much as I hate the weather here, my family is here and I do wish I could stay for them. I also really dislike moving, but I have no choice. No choice, so yeah once again, I'm very sorry.

This may bring up the question of "Why did you guys buy a house here then?", well our plans for the house extend our time here, and we do want to keep the house and rent it out, for those of you wondering. I thought I should put that out there, because even though no one has asked me that question yet, I know people are thinking it.

So this is what's been on my mind lately, you know that whole here we go again, but not quite. The funny thing is that when it does come time to move next year, and that three year point comes around, it will be the longest that we have lived in any one area since we got married. We lived in Charleston, SC for a year and a half, in Hampton, VA for two and a half years, in San Diego for two years (almost to the date), and for here it will be three. No wonder it's so hard for us to get use to a place.

Vacation Planning!

So I'm not sure if you remember of not, but back in this post I told you guys about our family vacation that we were planning this year, the one we let the kids pick. Well we are leaving in May! We are going to the Outer Banks, and renting a house there for a week. I am very excited! So right at this point (since the house is already booked), I am working on a list of things we will need during our stay. I do find planning fun. I'm looking forward to our vacation, and I can't wait. Boy do I feel like a little kid! I just love uninterrupted time with my husband. Yeah, yeah I know who doesn't?

Well thanks for reading, and I'm sorry I didn't more to tell you. Like I said, nothing but normal over here.

Can't stand game shows these days

2011-03-14T10:22:00.001-04:00

Okay so as you can see from the title this post is all about game shows and how I can't stand them anymore. Well let me re-phase that... I can't stand the new ones anymore. I really like the classic ones. I enjoy watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and Family Feud, but the new ones I can't stand, like Minute to Win it, Million Dollar Money Drop, and Deal or no Deal (I guess that one isn't really new, but whatever). So why do I hate them? Big reason number one, too little action, and too many commercial breaks. You guys all know what I'm talking about. They do like one thing, and then they need to take a break, and it drives me nuts.

Lets do some examples, and we'll start with Deal or no deal. Now this one isn't as bad, well not at first, not until you get close to the end, then it's like... Okay pick a box, and once you are done opening one box (after they take forever to open that one box), it's time for a commercial, then once you get back the banker will finally call and make an offer, but then we have to take another commercial break before finding out whether it's deal of no deal. All of that fluff in between all of that action is what drives me nuts.

Lets do another example, Minute to Win it. It's always only one, one minute challenge then a commercial break (ALWAYS), that drives me nuts, and the challenges are very suspenseful and you want them to win, so your sitting there cringing the whole time. It's very stressful. I hate watching anything stressful! (that's why I can't watch Saw, I'm always rooting for them to escape, and to many bad things happen along the way) And the host with his crazy bleached hair! Blah! (I just can't stand bad hair) (Really can't stand bad hair).

Okay so last example, Million Dollar Money Drop. Now I must confess, before this on came out, and they were showing previews for it, I really wanted to watch it. Why you ask? Well I really like trivia, and with this one it was multiple choice so even if I have no idea what the answer is I can still try out my guessing skills. It was also a lot of random facts and I'm really good at remembering useless random facts. Once again I was disappointed. They ask one question, with four possible answers, then they let the contestants put the money on which ever answer or answers they want. Then there's a big suspenseful pause, and two of the answers drop (so we still don't know that answer, but now there's only two to guess from), now the contestants have the option of putting more money on, but before we find out the answer there's a commercial break. I hate these shows. I think this is why new games show really don't last that long, because we are all fed up. I just need to get rid of tv altogether, and I really won't miss it.

To the doctors...

2011-03-03T10:42:00.002-05:00

So first off I would like to start by saying that non of us are sick, this post is about the kids' yearly check up. It's something to post about because of the adventure that I go through every time I take one of my kids to the doctor (and this time it was all 4). Yeah fun!

The biggest problem is military clinics, they are slow and always very crowded. They always are in need of more parking and you have to go to different parts of the clinic to get things done, so even if you have only one appointment you are there all day. I understand that we get free health care, and because of that, that is just how things are, and I have to deal with them being like that. It's just become very tiring to take my kids to the doctor. Most of the people who work there are just lazy, because they are on a fix salary so they don't have to worry about how many people they see or how nice they act (yes it's wonderful).

Olivia's appointment was last week on Friday. This was her one year well baby appointment, and she needed shots. Her appointment was at 2pm, and I really don't like afternoon appointments, in fact I like to get there once the place opens. Why is that you ask? Because if you get there early you are more likely to be seen on time, (yes that is a big problem in military clinics) and you get out of there at an okay time, so you can get more done in the day. I feel like it just throws your whole day off, when you have an appointment in the afternoon (that's just me). Olivia's appointment when great, and then it was time for shots. Now normally in military clinics when it time for shots they send you off to the Immunisation department, and there is more waiting and such, but this time I was lucky and there were doing them in Pediatrics. Yay! All goes well, and we go home.

Darien's appointment was on Tuesday (of this week, just 2 days ago) at 7:50am. Yes better time. The only down side was I did have to wake up early, but I really don't mind that. The appointment was going fine until the doctor mentions doing some blood work. That's when Darien was like "What's that?" Me explaining things didn't help that much, because then he was nervous. We get done with the doctor and have to go to the lab. We wait for our number and once it is called we sign in, and wait some more (yes it's so much fun waiting). We are finally called, and I go back with Darien, and I bring Olivia. I told Zachary and Nathaniel just to wait there. I didn't want to scar them for life (in case things didn't go so well), and I didn't want to take up the whole room. They were close by and they knew where I was. Darien did great though, after a few ouchies it was all over, and he didn't cry. Yay! so we gather up all of our things and go home once again.

Zachary and Nathaniel's appointments were yesterday (Wednesday), and they weren't right next to each other (oh help me). Zachary's was at 7:50am, and Nathaniel's was at 1:30pm. Yeah that was so much fun. I decided that it would be better if we just stayed there for the day. There is a great playground near the clinic and it's right in font of the lake, and the camp grounds, so there would be enough to do. I checked the weather (and it was going to be awesome), and I packed a lunch for all of us. We go in for Zach's appointment and everything is good. He only needs one shot, but he ended up freaking out once he saw the needle, and he moved, so she had to do it over again (oh the fun). After that I had to go to Administration, because I was missing a piece of Nathaniel's shot record. A piece that is still at the clinic in San Diego. A piece that I have already requested several times before (I hate it when something like this happens). So yeah I fill out the paper work again, and hope that it comes in in-time for Nathaniel's appointment. We head for the playground and wow, they re-did the playground, and it looks awesome (10 times better than before). We had a blast! The new playground was great for all ages. They had ramps so Olivia could just walk on up, and they had big slides and little ones. They had things to hop on and swing on, and the had hand games all over that place (I didn't bring my camera, and I really wish I did). I ended up following Olivia around, and she went everywhere. She loved it! She didn't have to worry about where she was allowed to go. Lunch time came, and Daddy came out to meet us for our picnic lunch. That was great, and so sweet. After lunch everyone need to go to the bathroom (fun), but the bathrooms at the playground were out of order. So we ended up going back to the clinic. After our bathroom break I took the kids to the waiting room near the snack bar (because that one has a tv). I got them a snack and we sat there for an hour, before checking in for Nathaniel's appointment (Olivia fell asleep while we were watching tv). Nathaniel appointment was good, and after I was asked by the doctor to go check to see if his shot record was in. Really!?! Apparently they aren't told when things come in, and they can't call and check (blah). So I go down there and of course it's not in yet, so the only thing left to do is to go home. Neediness to say I will have to go back once the shot record does come in, or at lest call and make sure he is all caught up on all of his shots.

Yeah lots of fun! All I have to say is I'm glad it's over, or mostly over. So for all of you crazy people who can't wait for free health care, this is what you have to look forward to... Enjoy!

Modern Day Pilgrim

2011-02-25T11:22:00.004-05:00

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

2011-02-19T08:30:00.001-05:00

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

2011-02-15T16:10:00.003-05:00

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

2011-02-03T11:09:00.002-05:00

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...

2011-02-03T10:05:00.004-05:00

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

2011-02-01T08:37:00.002-05:00

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

Open up the heavens and let Your blessing pour out :)

2011-01-28T09:47:00.002-05:00

So this post is about credit due. I have so much to thank God for and He has been very good to us. These past few weeks, as I have gotten more into His word, I have been noticing more of His blessing. Jeremy and I have started a Bible study, and we do it most every night, after putting our children to bed. We pray for them and God has answered our prayers. I have noticed a big difference in their behaviour since we started to pray for them every night. Now for the most part they are good kids, but lately they have been even better. They are now caring for each other more, and I really have God to thank for that. Nathaniel is no longer fighting me on doing his school work, and he has learned so much this past week.

We have also (all of us as a family), started to read proverbs on a daily bases. If you look at proverbs there are 31 chapters, so you read one each day and you read the one that matches that day of the month. Yes some months you won't finish the whole book. It's surprise how much God can speak to you from His word. I also have to give God even more credit, because He has really helped Jeremy with his work, and now Jeremy gets home at an even better time. Jeremy says that every day he ask God to help him at his job, and every day his needs are met. God has been great!

So we did a little moving...
This past weekend we moved the boys around, and the boys also helped us to weed the unused toys out of the playroom. See when we first moved into this house we put Darien bed down stairs in the play room. That was fine, but then a few months later we moved Zachary down there as well (just to try that out). That was okay, but we also wanted a room that we could turn into a guest room it need be. So the solution... Darien is the one with a double bed, and he is also that oldest so giving him that room upstairs is a better idea. This way if we do have guest, we can just put Darien downstairs in the playroom on the extra mattress (that we store in the garage), just for that night (or those nights). Zachary and Nathaniel are a little better at sharing a room, then any other combination. Why is that? Well Darien is a little controlling, so he and Nathaniel butt heads sometimes. Zachary likes to make lots of silly sounds, and Darien likes it quiet. So yes Zachary and Nathaniel get along well, and they both love sleeping in the play room.

Playroom

Zachary's and Nathaniel's beds

Darien's room (lego king)

Well that is all I have to report. Don't forget to count your blessing. :)

Keeping up with life

2011-01-19T09:50:00.006-05:00

Hello... Sorry about the little break from blogging. Life has been a little busy, and I wanted to tell you all about it, but I just didn't have the time.

Homeschool is back up and running. I loved the break, but I am also glad that things are back to normal around here. Nothing like the sound of pencils writing in the morning. The boys are all doing great with their work, even Nathaniel (sometimes he likes to complain about school work). They all have been happy to do their work, and happy to help out and participate in family activities. We have been having a lot of fun lately, hind n seek every night, puzzles, board games, and movie nights. Our little life is very fulfilling!

I took the Christmas things down about 2 weeks ago (sad). Well not all of it though... teehee... I'm still holding on to Christmas by two strings of garland. They are still on the railing of our front steps. The truth is I keep forgetting about them. I walk up to the house and think to myself, "Oh hey I need to take those down", then I walk inside and forget all about them (silly me).

Oh and football season is officially over in the Legates' house (sad). We are Raven's fans, and now that they are out of the playoffs I don't think I'll be watching anymore this season. I'm not much of a sports watcher, but I do like to watch football under the right circumstances. It's not always something I can get into (it's not like Star Trek). So I guess I'm not really upset about the whole thing. I just think football fans sometimes take it to far, because I have seen many of arguments on facebook over teams (how silly)(and get a life). I have also seen some really stupid bumper stickers, like the one I saw a few weeks ago... "If you ain't a Steelers fan you ain't poop" (but it didn't say poop)(I'm sure you can imagine what it really said). Now at first this really made me mad, not because I dislike Steelers fans (and I do, or the part of them that is a fan)(sorry guys), but because I really don't appreciate curse words (you don't look tough or cool using them, you just look stupid, learn some vocabulary okay?). But after a closer look at the bumper sticker it made me laugh, because it is basically saying "If I'm not a Steelers fan, (and I'm not) then I'm not poop." That's great I didn't want to be poop. Yeah so if you have a bumper sticker like that, then it just makes you look stupid, so do us all a favor and scrape it off.

So last week on Friday was the two year anniversary of my blog. I meant to post on the day and have planed to, but when the day came around I just forgot. Yeah it happens. This time two years ago... My husband was on his second deployment and about half way through it. We lived in beautiful San Diego. My friend Jess and her 3 lovely girls were staying with me, and our friendship was growing (I miss you). I didn't have a daughter, but planed on trying for one once Jeremy got home (and we did, and she is wonderful). I was preparing myself for our second cross country move, and dreading missing my favorite city. So yeah a lot has changed since then, and there is still more to come. I look forward to it.

My little girl is about to turn ONE! Yeah wow, I can't believe it. She is now walking all of the time, and I have also switched her over to cuppies. Wow she is so big. Didn't I just have her? Didn't we just get home from the hospital? Isn't she just a tiny little thing? No not really...

Oh and one more thing. I have made the switch to cloth diapers. They came in the mail just a few days ago (I got them from here). So in about a week or two I'll update on all of that. So far it's not to bad. I got them on Saturday, and put them on her after her first nap (I was excited to try them out)... 20 mins later her daddy sits down to play with her and... "Honey your daughter smells stinky"... great. So I take her upstairs to the changing table, Jeremy follows saying "I wanna see this"... I change her, and hand her back to daddy, then I need to raise the poop off of the diaper... Yeah Jeremy stayed to watch that too. It wasn't to bad, not considering that making the switch to cloth diapers saves us about $50 a month. Yeah! So I will keep it up.

Thanks for reading!

Oh Holiday

2011-01-03T11:13:00.007-05:00

So how did my holidays go? Well they were great! Do you want to hear all about it? Of course you do (well maybe). So it all started with Christmas eve. That was at my parents' house. They had a small dinner and it was tons of fun. Olivia was a little crazy though. Most of the time, when we go to family gatherings I spend half of the time holding her, and the other half is divided between the high chair and others holding her. Not this time however, she was not to keen on letting others hold her, and she wanted to eat off of my plate and not her own. That's how things go sometimes (as I type this with only one hand free). We got home at 8pm and sent the kids to bed. This year we told our children the truth about Santa. I didn't want to lie to my kids anymore, and I didn't want Christmas to be about Santa. Christmas is about Christ's birth, and it is God who has blessed us with the ability to give, so to Him be the glory. So there was not "Hey kids hurry up and get to bed so Santa can come." It was more like "Time for bed boys, in the morning we will have a wonderful day celebrating."

So Christmas day came, and it was wonderful, because we were together and we didn't have to go anywhere. We have a family rule, that on Christmas day we stay home (no matter what), and spend all our time with each other. This gives the kids plenty of time to unwrap and enjoy their gifts, it also gives us plenty of time to celebrate the day, and the greatest gift of all. So what did I get the kids? Well I did mention earlier (in another post), that we were combining the boys gifts, to encourage them to share everything that was given, so the ones listed for the boys were for all of them.

Boys...
Lego Harry Potter, hagrid's hut
Lego Harry Potter, quidditch match

Lego Duplo Cars, flo's cafe

PokePark Wii
Pirate hunt Wii
Epic Mickey
Monopoly Junior
Jumbo Checkers Rug
Battleship (the board game)

Connect Four

Clue Jr
Air hogs Helicopter (times 3)
Hotwheels 4 lane raceway

For the baby, we got her some busy balls, blocks, and this singing camera (fun right?). It was a wonderful day. Not to mention that Olivia took her first steps on that day. Oh wait I did just mention it didn't I. Yes I will never forget this Christmas. We had the boys open everything one at a time, and had them take turns. Nathaniel was kissing the box when he saw the Lego Cars set.

Okay so after all of that, it was time to clean. Jeremy's family was coming over on Thursday (the 30th), and one cousin (+ wife), was spending the night Wednesday, and this place looked a mess. You see I'm not much of a house keeper. Sure I try, and I can keep it looking okay, but when Jeremy has time off, I tend to skip corners more than usual, and all of those skipped corners were starting to take over the whole house. So I needed to clean, and I did. I got this place looking wonderful, and I am sad to report that now I have to clean it again, and I'll probably start right after this post is finished.

So late Wednesday night Rachel and Matt came (yay!). Two very fun people. They got here around 11pm, and Rachel and I stayed up till 1:30am. The boys however stayed up all night. I'm glad they had fun though. In the morning Jeremy's parents, and his Aunt and Uncle came over. That was wonderful! Jeremy's parents brought the boys gifts, and they loved them. I also had a great time talking with his Aunt. I have known her for a long time, I knew her long before I met Jeremy. She was the Liberian at my elementary school. Around noon is when everyone else started to come. Jeremy's friend Ryan, Cousin Chris, and Brittany (who is now Chris' fiance)(it happened on New years, very exciting). We played Mario Kart and Mario Bros Wii. That was so much fun. Mario Bros wii despite being a 4 player co game, is more like an every man for himself game, and needless to say I was ROTFLOL (rolling on the floor laughing out loud). They stayed until 9:30pm, and I was sad to see it end, but ready for bed.

Saturday I went shopping with my two good friends Dawn and Becky. I took Olivia with me and Jeremy and the boys stayed home (making it a true girls day)(I loved it). I drove up to Newark, DE to Dawn's house and we went to the Christiana Mall. I got a pretty skirt and some makeup. We ate pizza hut (we shared two personal pan pizzas and a drink) for lunch. For dinner we got Boston Market (yummy), and ate that at Dawn's house. On the way home Jeremy wanted me to pick up donuts (no over indulging this holiday season), and that was not fun. This was due to the miss marked exit signs. I took an exit that had a Dunkin donuts sign on it, and after driving 3 miles and not finding anything, I have to turn around. No worry I finally found one, but it was off of another exit. Yeah it was a little adventure, in the dark and it was also raining. All for donuts my friend.

Last holiday event was at Jeremy's Aunt Mary's house. That was also fun, and most of the family was there. The kids had a chance to play with some of their cousins, and Olivia once again wanted nothing on her plate of food. I guess things just taste better off of my plate. Well I seem to think so, so why not her.

Well now that all of the holiday fun is over (sad), I need to take down my Christmas tree, and like I said before I need to clean my house. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

ZzzzzZZZzzzzZzz...

2010-12-22T10:14:00.002-05:00

Last week a terrible thing went through our house... A very terrible thing... Very... Okay I'll stop with the adjectives for now. What was it? Well it was none other than the horrible (another adjective, sorry), Stomach Flu... "NO!"... "Not that!" Yes that's what it was. I hate the Stomach Flu with a passion. It's one of those things that makes you feel like you are going to die one second, and the next you're fine, and the one after that you're like "ohhhhh help me." It all started with Jeremy (so I think it was him who brought it home from work), on Wednesday night, he wasn't feeling well, and then the throwing up started (oh joy). I got it on Friday morning along with Zachary and Nathaniel. Olivia and Darien both got it on Saturday. Yup it hit all of us. Now when I get sick I'm one of those people who really just likes to sleep it off, and Jeremy was off on Friday (well mostly he worked 2 hours in the morning), so I got a chance to. I think I took 2, 2 hour naps that day, it was nice. That and I went to bed super early (like at 7pm). So I was feeling much better the next day. But you know that's how it goes with the stomach flu, you feel really horrible for about 24 hours, then you feel fine. Well mostly fine, you do still feel weak, and dizzy, because of the lack of nutrients in your system, but compared to how you were feeling... Anyways, I'm just really glad it's over, and I really hope I never get it again... But I'm sure I will. Thanks for reading, and I hope you never get sick.

Dumbledore

2010-12-22T09:55:00.001-05:00

Okay so you see the title, and you may be thinking... "Is this a Harry Potter themed post?" Well not really, you see the title of Dumbledore has become something quite different in our house. Yes Dumbledore in the Harry Potter books, is a hero and a great wizard, but every once in a while (like once in every book), he does something that nearly gets Harry into trouble, or puts him in danger, and that makes him seem like he is off his rocker. So now in our house, if you do something silly and almost stupid you get called a "Dumbledore!" Things that may make you a Dumbledore are... Doing the Laundry, but forgetting to use soap... Pouring 6 glasses of tea, when there is only 5 people... Wearing your muddy shoes on a floor you just cleaned... Yeah you get it. It's those silly things we do all of the time, that make us stop and think "Why did I just do that?"

Back in the day, before we started the Dumbledore calling, we would fire each other, meaning after you did something silly and almost stupid, you were fired. I think when we were moving across country the first time (VA to CA), we fired each other about 500 times. It was all out of love of course. Looking back though I think it was me that did most of the silly and stupid things. That's okay though, because I always learn from my mistakes, and I don't really let them bother me to much... Not really...

Okay well I don't mean to tarnish the name of Dumbledore, but it does seem to fit. He's one of those characters you love and hate at the same time. Why oh why Dumbledore did you ever think that 3 little kids should be the ones to save the sorcerer's stone?

So the next time you do something silly and stupid think "Dumbledore!"

You know...

2010-12-16T15:51:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone, I know it has been a couple of weeks since I last posted and I really don't like to go that long if I can help it. Things have been busy around here, so I do have a few things to report.

This is the kids last week of school before the new year, and we actually finished today (yay). So now we get to take it easy for a while. Last weekend was wonderful, my parents took the boys. My mom called saying she wanted to spend some time with them, and she wanted to take them for the whole weekend, so of course I'm going to say yes to that. She picked them up last friday morning, and dropped them off on sunday. The boys were really excited when I told them. So the whole weekend it was just Jeremy, Olivia, and me. Unfortunately Olivia wasn't feeling well, she had a cold, and was very grumpy. Jeremy likes to tell Olivia, every night right before she goes to bed "Good night sweetie, wake up in a few hours so we can play, okay?" and this past weekend, she was listening to him. I really don't mind her waking every few hours, I can take sleep deprivation as long as it doesn't happen all of the time, but I just felt so bad for her. She sleeps really well, and for her not to, means she's not feeling well at all.

When the boys got back they opened the presents from my mom and dad (mom had dropped them off for us to open when we had the chance). The kids loved their gifts, and the boys really like to play with Olivia'a gift. She got this mini kitchen, she loves it, and so do the boys (yeah I don't get it ether). It keeps Olivia happy though, because they play with her more.

I now have a job, well sort of... Yes besides the wonderful job I already have of raising and teaching my four wonderful children... My friend Trudy who now has a job of her own, asked me to drop her two sons off at the bus stop in the mornings, and I get paid for it. I think it's great, and it's not to hard, and I get paid for it. :) Yeah so in other words I'm not complaining.

In other news Zachary is learning to whistle and he's practicing everywhere. Yeah it's getting annoying. I haven't told he to stop, because I know he wants to learn, and I'm glad he's practicing, but I wish I couldn't hear so well. Ear muffs anyone?

We are getting some snow today! Yup it's coming down right now as I type. I hope we get a few inches, the kids really want to have some to play in. They have been looking out the window all day with much excitement, they can't wait to make a snowball.

Well that is all for now, thanks for reading, and Merry Christmas (if I don't get a chance to write again before Christmas)...

Love days off

2010-12-01T10:23:00.001-05:00

Well it has been some time since my last post, and things have been for the most part normal. Not complaining though, I love normal. I mean who doesn't? We went two family dinners since my last post and they were fun. So I had no need to worry. First was my Parents', that was on the 14th. Mom had it early, because my grandmother and grandfather (my mom's mom and dad) were both leaving for Florida (they live there during the winter). The food was great (I love thanksgiving food), and there was a lot of people there. The second was Jeremy's parents' dinner, and that was on thanksgiving day. Once again great food, but a smaller crowd. Jeremy and his sister Christen were cracking jokes the whole time, and it was funny. The boys had a wonderful time at both grandparents' houses and they ate a lot.

Because of the holidays coming and going, I made off time on our homeschooling. Right now I am enjoying that thoroughly. Don't get me wrong I love homeschooling, but this time off has been really nice. Really, really nice. It's nice to be able to give the kids more free time, and to give me, more me time. We are starting school back up next week for two weeks, then we will be off again. I just love hear the kids playing and running around the house. The days have been cold and today is rainy, so it's nice to just sit inside and relax, and if possible grab some snuggle time with the kids. :)

Lately we have been working on the boys computer skills. It's been going great! The boys can now go on the computer and the Internet without help. Most of the time they just get on iTunes and watch Star Wars The Clone Wars. Darien likes to check amazon five times a day, just to see if the price of Hogwarts castle has gone down any.

We have also started to give the boys an allowance. Five days a week the boys help with chores, and at the end of the week they get five dollars. With this money they can buy things they want (within reason). We also taught them about tax, and when buying things you must always remember to take that into account. The first week, they spent all of their money (no big surprise there), but they have since been saving. They all want big things, and they now realize they will never be able to get them unless they save. Darien wants a DS and Hogwarts castle, Zachary would also like a DS, and Nathaniel wants a power wheels (and I hope he changes his mind about that one). Darien was so excited yesterday, when he found a used DS online for sixty dollars. "It will only take me three months to make that" he said. This has stopped them from asking us for things, but it has started them showing us lots of things online. It's funny how they are so sure that one day they will have all of these things. I believe reality has not set in yet. Maybe some day...

Well that all for now, like I said things are pretty normal. Thanks for reading.

"Legates' Family Vacation" ~Coming Summer Of 2011~

2010-11-19T09:34:00.003-05:00

My husband is so smart, I would just like to say that. A few weeks ago, Jeremy and I were talking about vacation this summer. He wanted to take a "REAL" vacation this time, and not just short day trips like we do on most vacations. He suggested that we let the kids decide. My first thought was "You can't just let them pick anything you know." but my husband being the smart man he is, had already come up with a plan to safeguard against that. He suggested that we (meaning Jeremy and I), would pick out 3 places (3 family approved places)(3 price approved places), and from there we would let the kids decide. Brilliant! And the 3 choices are...

~The Beach~
Outer banks NC
   -Sand castles
   -Waves
   -Swimming
   -Mini golf

~The Mountains~
Smith mountain lake VA
   -Lake
   -Boats
   -Hiking
   -Fishing

~History~
Williamsburg VA
   -Discovery
   -Learning
   -Great wolf loge
   -Bush gardens

Jeremy had a slide show made on the computer, explaining all of the places and fun things to do there. Very exciting! We showed this to the boys Monday morning. They were very excited, and they love the slide show with all of the pictures and such. We told them to take a few days to think about it, and not the tell us anything yet, and on Friday they would write in their journals, and tell where they wanted to go and why. Wonderful plan! This gave them a few days to really think it over.

Yup it's Friday, and yes the votes are in, so where are we going? Well I'll just write what the kids wrote.

~Darien~
   I would like to go to the Mountains, because we can go fishing and paddle a paddle boat. I never did that before, and I want to know what it is like. I would also like to climb a Mountain.

~Zachary~
   I want to go to the Beach. I want to go there because I like to play mimi golf and play in the sand. When I play mimi golf I will play with a red ball, and when I play in the sand I will make a big sand castle.

~Nathaniel~ (with help from mommy, on writing and spelling)
   For vacation this summer I want to go to the Beach. At the beach I'm going to make a sand castle. I would also like to play in the water.

So there you have it. The beach won. That was a big surprise for me, because I was sure all 3 of them were going to pick History (because of the Great wolf loge), but none of them did. I'm glad they all wrote about what they wanted and nothing else. Now I know how they feel, and I hope Darien won't be to disappointed. I'm sure once he gets a golf club in his hand he'll be fine. Thanks for reading!

What I want for Christmas is...

2010-11-08T10:03:00.002-05:00

So I have been hearing a lot of Christmas wishing in my house lately. I'm sure all of you with kids have been as well. It has been a lot of "I want this for Christmas." and "Can I have that?"

Its also no big surprise that my kids have a few video games on their list. My oldest Darien, has a very big item on his list "The Lego Harry Potter Hogwart's Castle." Now I know Christmas is (to some degree) about making your kids happy, but to what extent?

This year I have been stressing to my kids the true meaning of Christmas, because this year I feel like they are all big enough (not counting Olivia) to understand. Of course they already knew the true meaning of Christmas, but this year I have been stressing it.

I don't want my kids to grow up thinking they can have whatever they want. If only life were that easy right? The thing is that, the big item that Darien wants is $130. Yeah, their is no way! Now if Darien were an only child and that was all he was getting then sure maybe (a big maybe, mind you), but no.

Now you may think (not all of you but some maybe) that maybe it's not fair, that he is not an only child, and that if he really wants it... I mean if an only child could have that for Christmas, then why can't a child with siblings?... It does seen kind of unfair right?... Wrong!!

This is where the frustration starts (kind of). See it's a gift from God to have siblings, I remember when I was little, that I always had someone to play with, and it was really nice. I remember playing Barbies with Mindy, and playing Cars with Wesley, and also remember playing stuffed animal with little Shelby (not so little anymore). When I was a kids I did everything with them, and that it was fun, and to have this particular gift, sometimes you have to make sacrifices (and they are well worth it). My children also have this blessing, and I want them to think of it as a gift. I told him the reason he can't have that item is because it's to much for just one item, and if I buy this one item, that only he wants, it's not fair to everyone else. I think he understands now. The real reason that he wanted it was because, he wanted all of the characters. This will be easily solved by buying two of the smaller, and less expensive sets. Yay for me!

See I have been seeing a big flaw in my generation, they are really selfish. They must have THIS car, and THAT computer, and they HAVE to have this, and WEAR that name brand, and have THIS furniture, and it's just sick. Why?... No wonder America has no money, it's because of them! They finance EVERYTHING, and then they don't have the money to pay for it, so the government does. Yeah that's right, and yeah that's what I think, and I am not going to let my children grow up acting and thinking like that. Take a stand America, and start raising your children right.

Okay I'm sorry I let this post go into they whole America spending problem, but I just want to remind all of you parents to focus on what's important, and teach your kids to do the same. Merry Christmas!

That is all thanks for reading :)

Trick-or-treating / Christmas shopping!

2010-11-01T11:15:00.003-04:00

So last night I went trick-or-treating with my sons, and Jeremy stayed at home with the baby. We had tons of fun. I made up a map of our neighbor hood so we could mark off the houses once we rang the bell, The plan was to try to get them all. I set out with the boys. Darien and Zachary were Power Rangers, and Nathaniel was Batman, I was Winnie the Pooh.

It was fun, we didn't get to all of the houses, because it was windy out, and that made it colder, but we did end up with a lot of candy. Plenty, and it should last us a long time. I had so much fun. One of our neighbors had made their garage into a haunted house. If you walked through, you got more candy. Darien was the only one brave enough to do it. He said it was dark and there were skeletons, and scary costumes, but he wanted the candy, and he didn't care. He came out laughing and said "That was fun mom!" Nathaniel just hung on to my leg, he wasn't going anywhere near that house. I saw some really great costumes. One kids was dress up like a robot, it was great. He even had a flash light in has head piece. I also saw a really good Vampire one. It didn't look cheaply made, and she looked great in it. Lots of people were just hanging out in their font yard, playing music, dancing, and handing out candy. It was great, like a big neighbor hood hang out. After covering about half the neighbor hood, we headed home. We ate some candy, then went to bed. The kids now have plenty of candy. I divided it up and put it into buckets with their names on them, so they can eat it at their on pace (when allowed). I told the boys that they can eat some after meals, as long as they ate all of their food, and after school work. Sugar rush anyone?

I also have good news (well good for me), I'm all finished Christmas shopping! YAY! I finished it on Friday, and I am so happy, and I can't wait to wrap all of the gifts. I order it all online. Right now Amazon and Toys R Us are offering free shipping so it just made sense to order all of them. This way I don't have to worry about trying to buy things without my kids seeing. Since I homeschool, they don't go to school, so I can't buy things when they are at school, and they always go with me everywhere. I also got to compare prices with both Amazon and Toys R Us (they don't always have the same), and buy things from the best place. I started by making a wish list on Toys R Us, then I took that list and looked up all of those items on Amazon, and I wrote down who had the best price. This saved me $40 dollars. If I order everything off of Toys R Us, then the total would have been $360, and if I order everything off of Amazon the the total would have been $370, but since I went back and forth the total was $320 (yeah). Amazon has really good prices on Lego, and Toys R Us has great prices on Board games.

This year my husband and I thought of a great Idea. We are not putting labels on the boys gifts, because they share everything anyways. This way they will all get more presents, and it took the pressure off of us, because we didn't have to worry about how much money we spent on each of them. We just got things they all would like. So much easier!

Bones and Kettle Corn

2010-11-01T08:04:00.002-04:00

So last Thursday (the 14th), Jeremy had a class and had to say over night in Philadelphia. I love to watch Bones, however Jeremy doesn't like it much, so on the Thursday nights that he is home, I just skip it and watch it on hulu the next day. So last Thursday I was super excited, because I would be able to watch Bones on the night it aired, without hearing "Oh no were watching this?" My plan was to put that kids to bed turn on Bones, and pop some Kettle pop corn. Once I started flipping through the channels however, I soon dicovered that there wasn't any Bones, there was only MLB play-offs (sad). I hadn't pop my pop corn yet (thank goodness), and I thought about still doing it and eat it while playing warcraft, but decided that I wasn't hungry enought to eat the whole thing, and it's a crime to waste kettle pop corn, and it just a bad idea. I just can't live with myself knowing that I had wasted kettle corn

When I was telling all of this to Jeremy, and I mentioned to him about wasting kettle corn, and everything else, he laughed and said "So if you were applying for a loan and they bring up your credit history, it's going to have in red letters '"Can't be trusted wasted kettle corn!"' Exactly!

So don't go wasting Kettle corn, it's just a bad idea.

Christmas Decorating

2010-10-29T11:06:00.001-04:00

Okay so I know what you are thinking... "It's way to early to decorate for Christmas." Well not in my house where I'm in-charge of the decorating. I like to put it up early so I can enjoy it longer. It makes me happy. I'm not much of a Halloween decorator, sure I like the holiday, I just feel like it's way over done. So most years once I get enough of all of the Halloween going on, I put up my Christmas tree.

Yesterday was mostly a cleaning day for me. The house was awful and I needed to get it back on track. I recruited the boys to help me, and they did a great job, so to reward all of us I got out the Christmas tree. We got out the tree, set it up, plugged it in, and nothing (good thing we didn't decorate it first). It was so sad. We have a per-lit tree and none of the lights were working (*cry*). I had gotten this tree from Target only 2 years ago. My mom bought a Target tree the same year I did, and hers messed up much sooner, so I knew it was coming. We put our sad faces aside, and I got out the Santa's Workshop. It's a set that was given to us by Jeremy's parents, he use to help set it up as a kid. And it was broken (*cry* again). It wasn't to bad, nothing a little glue won't fix, but it was so sad. So with our decorating going nowhere, the kids and I set out to buy a new Christmas tree. We went to Wal-mart. Our last tree, the one before the Target one, was a pre-lit tree from wal-mart, and it lasted for 5 years (good track record). We found one for $68, and that's a get price for a 6ft tree. We also bought some ribbon, and garland. We got home and began to decorate. YAY!! I'm so happy that we didn't have anymore disappointments. So all is well, and my house looks great, and I am super happy. Word of advice... "Never buy a target tree." Thanks for reading!

Wil Wheaton a jerk?....

2010-10-22T11:15:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I've mentioned in the past that my first hollywood crush was Wil Wheaton, because he played Wesley Crusher of Star Trek TNG, and he was super cute. In my opinion those were his best years, because after Star Trek he put on some weight (not to much mind you), and it was all in his face. He just didn't look like the same person I had a crush on. Most actors who star on Star Trek, that's the high of their career, and after that it's all down hill from there, and they all get ugly (it's true). So the last 2 Wil Wheaton episodes of Star Trek, (s. 5 ep. 19, and s. 7 ep. 20) Wesley Crusher acts like a total jerk in them. Which is a big switch for his character, and now anything else that I watch, that has Wil Wheaton in it, has characters are total jerks. All of them! Is that just some of his true character coming out in his acting, or is he just a really good actor (I can only hope that it not the first one, but I don't know). He is in season 3 and 4 of The Guild (yeah I watch that, it's funny, and I play warcraft, so I understand it), and he was also in an episode of Big Bang Theory, and he was a total jerk in all of them (wow). Yes this is scarring my whole Wesley Crusher crush.... I should have just stuck to only watching him in Star Trek (minus those last two episodes). :0( The 10 year old inside of me is crying...

Blah!

Independence in the way...

2010-10-18T11:51:00.007-04:00

So the holiday season is fast approaching, and I'm looking forward to it, for the most part. I am sorry to say that I am not looking forward to all of the family dinners. I'm just going to be honest in this post. I have been having some difficulty trying to fit back into my family ever since moving back. I know it has been over a year, and I should have figured it out by now, but I haven't. Most family gatherings I spend my time sitting and talking with Jeremy. Yeah I know I can do that any time. I just don't know how to relate to them anymore, and part of that is my fault, but part of it is not (I would just like to put that in).

Okay so the part that is my fault... I have changed, I don't depend on them for friendship like I use to. I have grown use to being my own friend, and being Jeremy's best friend, and him being mine. Yes that is how marriage is supposed to be, but on most days Jeremy is the only adult I talk to, and I have grown use to that. I am also not good at starting conversation, nor am I good at keeping them going, not with new people anyways, and that is how my family is to me now, they are new people. I have meet them before, but we have fallen away, and changed, and now they are new. So yes my indifference, and my lack of social skills in an occurred situation is what the problem is.

The part that isn't my fault... I have mentioned in the past that some of my family members were bitter towards me (for whatever reason), and that makes things really difficult. It has gotten a little better, but not much. It was mentioned to me some time ago that some curtain family members were upset with me, for reasons I can not control (I'm not going to go into it), and that just really hurt me. It wasn't fair, I was far away, and I missed my family, and I thought about them, and sent my prayers to them, and longed to see them again, and I find out that they are mad at me. I don't want this to sound like a wine-fest, but it just wasn't fair, and like I said before it really hurt. I have since just let it go, and not mentioned anything to them, but it makes me reluctant to talk to them. So my hurt, and their feeling towards is, are the problems.

The holiday season was very hard for me last year, because I had to juggle so much family time. We live close to both mine, and his families, and I have to play the fair game with visiting, and it's not easy. I also don't enjoy all of the driving. Back when we lived 3000 miles away, we didn't have to worry about that, we did the holidays how we wanted to, and it was great. Okay yes I know, I did say that I missed my family, and I did (and do), and so here I am. Yes I wanted to come back, yes I wanted my kids to see their grandparents more. Yes I wanted to reconnect with my Sisters, brother, family members, and all of my old friends. Yeah great fun! All I have to say for myself is nothing is ever easy (which is a quote from the character Zedd, in my favorite book series The Sword Of Truth). Zedd is so right!

I just hope that I will gain some understanding from other people, maybe by them reading this. I didn't want to put any of my family on the spot or make them feel bad. This post was more to explain myself and why I act the way that I do. I just want them to know that I love them, and I'm working on the relationship part. God has really laid it on my heart to work on this, and I am trying (maybe not hard enough, but trying). I also want to say that I do enjoy reconnecting, and it has worked-out with some of my old friends (so they don't feel like I dislike being with them), and I just want to thank them for being patient with me (Dawn and Becky you are awesome). Thanks for reading and putting up with this post.

Pumpkins are painted!

2010-10-12T11:09:00.004-04:00

Yay! So starting from the top... Daddy's, Zachary's, Darien's, Mine, Nathaniel's, and Olivia's!

Yesterday was some-what of a crazy day. My plan was to go grocery shopping and catch up on some house work. Now I did get to do that just not in the way that I planed. I woke up late, and this is all do to the sun coming up later and later. It's hard to wake up on time, if the sun isn't getting up with you. I like to be up at 6am, but with the way the sun is raising these days, I haven't been waking up until 7am. I need day light saving to end, and it will soon (just a few more weeks), but not soon enough. I had forgotten to make a list the night before, so I had to make it after getting up, or should I say after feeding the kids. Jeremy also got up late, because I got up late (I'm his alarm clock), but he has the day off (for the most part). He had only a few work related things to do. We get to ft Meade Commissary (yup that's where I shop, best thing about being a military family), and they are still doing construction on part of the store (on the joys). Shopping doesn't take to long, and I didn't stray from the list (yay). We get home, and with great difficulty I carried everything inside (the boys and pets kept getting in my way). Zachary and Nathaniel did help me put it all away though (Darien is to cool to help apparently, that's okay he's the only one who didn't move up on the treasure chart)(haha). After that I feed Olivia, put her down for a nap, and started on laundry (I hate laundry). Zachary kept asking me "When are we going to paint our pumpkins mom?" I kept telling him "Later, we need Daddy to be home, so we can do it as a family." So of course the second Jeremy steps in the door... "Can we paint our pumpkins now?" At this time, we had just finished lunch, and I needed to get dinner ready. I was making home made soup. Meanwhile I'm still catching up on laundry, dishes, and whatever else. I told Zachary to wait until after dinner. Made the soup and only Zachary and I liked it. Last time I made it the only one who gave me grief was Darien, and Jeremy loved it and was practically licking his bowl, but this time... All I have to say for myself is that I made it the same way, so I don't know why they didn't like it. I thought it was great. Yup after that we painted our pumpkins. Yay! Now lets hope today is a bit easier.

Fall is finally here!

2010-10-06T10:23:00.000-04:00

Yay! I was getting a little tired of the hot summer weather, that we get here on the east coast. I was also waiting with excitement to wear my fall and winter clothes, and I am happy to say that for past 2 days I have been wearing things from my winter wardrobe. Today in this...

Yes it is cute. I have been waiting to wear it.

Last week on the way to Jeremy's parents house, we bought pumpkins, for us to paint, like we did last year. The pumpkins are half price over there (compared to how they are over here). Yeah Wow. I'll post pictures of the paining of the pumpkins once we do them, but here are the pictures from last year...

I'm excited about trick or treating! This year we are all going together, not that I mind just sitting at home and handing out candy, it's just not as fun. This year we are all going together, even little Olivia has a costume. Darien and Zachary are power rangers, Nathaniel is Bat Man, and Olivia is a ladybug. I was just going to wear my Pooh Bear ears, and go as Pooh again, and Jeremy was joking that he was going to be a Sailor.

Tonight we plan on going to Awana, at our new church, for the first time. I'm excited, and I'll tell you how it turns out. Not much else to say, thanks for reading, will write again soon!

Interesting...

2010-09-28T10:10:00.007-04:00

Hello! Well things have still been pretty normal around here for the most part. You know how things can get?...

So Sunday I tried out a new church, I know I said (some post ago), that I had found a church, and my search was over. I think that I just wanted the search to be over so much, and I was trying to hard to like that place. I'm not saying that there was something wrong with that church, its just I didn't fit in there. I was very different from everyone else, and I just don't think they understood me. I'm also not too fond of trying out churches. In most cases it turns out really good, or really bad. You walk in and no one notices you, or everyone does. You feel really welcome, or like your not supposed to be here. You agree with all of what the Pastor is saying, or nothing at all. Even if everything goes well, the first Sunday is also just a trial, you still don't really know if you should go there. What if the people were just acting nice? They still don't really know you... Yes I'm sure you get it... It's not fun...

Okay you get the picture... I guess I'm just really picky when it comes to churches. I want to feel like I belong, I want a good children's program, I want a Pastor that can teach me something, and I want to be able to make new friends! Is it selfish of me, to want that? Being a stay at home, and homeschooling mom, makes it hard to meet new people and make new friends, but I need to (for me). My past experience with that, has shown me, that one of the best places to make new friend is at church (am I awful for that?). I have run into a lot of fake friends in the past. These people act nice, but then talk about you behind your back, and or only call you when they need something. Most of the time all these people do is complain and gossip. They have nothing encouraging to say ever! Hint if this sounds like you, then you really aren't a good friend (I'm just saying). Sorry to be so bold in this post, but it's the truth.

So this new church I'm going to is Arundel Baptist Church. Back when my kids took Karate I was invited there by one of the parents. I know it took me long enough to use that invite... Everyone was very nice, and they made me feel welcome. They have a great children's program, and they have Awana on Wednesday nights. The kids are excited to go back, and so am I. They also have some fun activities planed for the month of October... They are doing a Fall Festival Trunk or Treat... You dress up, decorate your car, and bring candy. It's on the 30th, I have no idea how I would ever start to decorate my car, (a.k.a. Mini Van named Phantom) but I do want to go.

So on other news... Jeremy is only a few weeks from a trip to San Diego! How did this happen? He has just recently been offered that Nuc coordinator position, and there is going to be a conference in San Diego next month. I know, lucky! Yes I did just get to go myself, so I shouldn't be jealous (shouldn't be...). I'm happy he gets to go, and he is happy to. He is also really excited about being the Nuc coordinator.

Yesterday, Jeremy and I got to go on a date. Yeah I know... Since when does this ever happen? He got off of work early, and we drove to his parents' house. They watched the kids for us, and we went to see a movie, and out to dinner. We saw The Other Guys... Not a very good movie, but it had some funny things in it. We ate at Old Mill Crab House! I was born in Maryland, so I love Crabs. It was wonderful!! Thank you Mom and Dad for watching the kids!! I love you!!

Well that's all for now, thanks for reading.

Lately...

2010-09-20T11:17:00.002-04:00

Okay so I know it has been a little while since I blogged. Well things have been pretty normal around here, and I haven't had much to blog about. Not that my life is boring, but I'm sure you guys don't want to read a post that is just about normal stuff like... Today I woke up, and showered. Then I ate breakfast..... you get the point. There are somethings (little things) that have happened in the last few weeks, that stand out, and if you want to hear about those than keep on reading.

We now have Start Trek DS9 on DVD! We just got it and I am super excited to watch it. So far we have only seen the first episode. We started watching that on Thursday, but only got half way through, then finished it yesterday. Jeremy is on this new diet and workout, and that has been interesting. He has lost some weight (not that he need to lose much mind you), and he super excited about it. The first week of his new diet however, he was super grumpy, it's funny how yummy food can make you so happy, and how not being able to have it, can make you so mad. I think that's why I avoid diets.

Homeschooling is going great. On most weeks we can finish early and take Friday off. We also just got our "Book It" stuff in the mail. I'm sure you remember Book It from when you were a kid. Well they also do it for Homeschool families. It also gives me the freedom to do the program the ways I want, and customize it if need be. I decided to do it by hours. They will get there ticket if they do 10 hours of reading. I even made up a reading log. Now of course once I told the kids about this, they were like "10 Hours! That's a long time." Then I explained... "You don't have to do it all at once. You can start by doing 30 mins a day, and if you do it like that, then it will take you 20 days. If you do 1 hour a day then it will take you 10." Of course after I explain that, Darien jumps in and says "Well I'm going to do 2 hours a day, so it will only take me 5 days." Yeah I really don't think he's going to do that.

On Thursday Link got lost! Wednesday night, I asked the boys to let Samson out, so they did, but Link went out with him. Now normally that's fine, we have a fence. Ten minutes later, I ask the boys to let Samson back in, and they did, but Link didn't want to, so they just closed the door. I didn't even know Link had gone out in the first place. So he was left outside all night. This gave him time to figure out a way out of the fence. I get up Thursday, and can't find Link anywhere, so I ask the boys if they had seen him. "Oh you are looking for Link... well he stayed outside last night." Oh my! Well he wasn't in the back yard anymore. So I start to make up fliers....

Lost Cat

Orange and white Tabby. Goes by the name Link.

Has a tag, but with wrong address and phone number.

Please call ***-***-****

We went out and put them up all over the neighborhood. We came home, and I notice our garage door is open, so I go in and close it. Once closed I hear a Meowww, and Link jumps out of a box. Yup he got out of the backyard, came around front, and went into the garage and hid. I know he is a smart cat.

This past weekend I had my little sister Shelby over to visit!

I know she is super cute!!

She came over and on Saturday we all went to the Renaissance Festival.

Yeah that does sound like fun, and it should have been, but no. There were way to many people there, and because of that, we didn't get to see all of the fun stuff. Last year we had a lot of fun, but I guess now to many people know about it, and I hate crowds.

Also while Shelby was over, Link found a new hiding spot...

Yeah... Wow... and he's my chubby kitty, so I don't know how he does it...

Sunday we went shopping, just the girls. At least that was fun...

Well that's all for now, thanks for reading...

Life lessons you can learn from Star Trek!

2010-09-14T12:44:00.008-04:00

Jeremy and I came up with this list. We tried to make it funny. If you don't understand it, then you need to watch more Star Trek....

Enjoy...

- Be like the borg and adapt.
- I'm not a Betazoid, so just please tell me with you are thinking.
- If you can't come up with a Logical Solution, then there is no solution.
- When giving orders, it is important to say "Make It So" or else it would never get done.
- Don't mess with the temporal time line, its just not worth it.
- Never play chess with a Vulcan
- When applying for a loan stay away from the bank of Ferengi, or anyone with extremely big ears.
- If your boss asks you to accompany him on a business trip, leave your red shirt at home.
- When faced with a confrontation, you should always handle it with diplomacy. However when diplomacy fails remember "Today is always a good day to die."
- If things are going to get ugly, just leave your emotion chip at home.
- If you feel like you don't fit in, the borg collective is always looking for new members.
- No matter how awful and ugly your outfit is, It's "In" somewhere in one of the many galaxies.
- Rules are meant to be bent and sometimes broken, in order to save your own skin.
- If your skin is not green, then you are not one of the most beautiful women in the galaxy.
- Being overly confident and self righteous and also taking huge risks is the only way you'll ever be promoted to admiral.
- Tribbles don't make good pets.
- The Smartest person is never in charge.

From "Work is Hard" to "Working Hard!"

2010-08-30T12:43:00.000-04:00

Okay so not everything runs as smoothly as planed. No I am not surprised by this... This includes homeschooling. So the first week went great (of course it did, it was the honeymoon period), but the second week... not so much. I had been noticing (while grading), that I had been making a lot of answers wrong (most of them from son number one). The test were great and he did well, but the workbook... Yeah that was a different story. Why is this? I think it's all to laziness (I'm sure my parents could tell you a similar story about me). Darien has enjoyed his afternoons of free time, and likes to get to them as soon as possible. This made him rush through the work, and get half of them wrong. My original plan with home schooling was to also grade them on their workbook as well as test and quizzes, and because of that I waited until the end of the day to go through and grade the work book (not such a good idea after all). This had me calling Darien over and explaining why he got so many wrong. So then I had to rethink my whole grading proses... I then came up with the whole "we will do the work over and over again until we get it right." (great idea) This will give him more practice, and it will also teach him to do it right the first time. No to mention this will also help with his understanding. If he gets a whole section wrong (despite telling me that he understood it) then I will know its something we need to work out together. Yes I should have done it this way to begin with. Lesson learned! My homeschooling proses is... with Language and Math I go over the work for the day, and read him the directions of each section, once he understands I let him do his work on his own. With History and Science, I read the chapter, then leave the comprehensions checks up to him. The work he was doing on his own, was what he was getting wrong. So this morning I announced a new homeschooling rule. We will do the work over and over again until we get it right, and if you get it all right the first time, then you will move up on the treasure chart (yay!). They loved that idea. So what is the treasure chart you ask? It's a chart that consist on 10 spaces for each kid (just the boys for now). You start at the bottom and work your way to the top, once at the top, you get to pick a treat from the treasure box (I know it does sound like fun). Things that move them up on the treasure chart include, working hard, helping out, and being kind. They can also be moved down if they are behaving badly. Today has a wonderful day. Darien only missed one question in math, and only one in history. Yes so far so good. Our first bump in the road of homeschooling, thank goodness it was only a small one.

In San Diego with Jess

2010-08-23T09:55:00.007-04:00

Yup I back from my trip. It was crazy and fun and I am very tired, but I do need to tell everyone about it (right?). So here it goes

In San Diego with Jess

-Day One (getting there is half the fun right?)-

Okay so I woke up early (6:30am) not being able to sleep any longer, and got everything started. I packed a few last minute things, and had some snuggle time with Olivia. My plane was leaving a 12:50pm, so I wanted to be at the airport by 11:00am. We got to the airport a little early (excited to leave), and I ended up sitting around and waiting. After checking in with security I got myself a snack, and sat down to watch the mythbusters on my Ipod. My first flight was to Newark, NJ and I had a 3 hour lay-over there (yeah fun). So I get to Newark, and I fly into the commuter terminal, and my other plane was going to leave from terminal C, so I have to take a bus (yes I HAD to do it this way) to terminal A, then take another bus to terminal C (yup FUN!). So I get to the gate that is on my ticket and on the monitors, and I sit for about an hour, then an announcement is made that the flight to San Diego has been moved to a different gate (at the other side of the terminal)(yup that's right). As I was getting there I notice a pigeon in the airport (just flying around)(interesting), and no one else seemed to notice him. I get on the plane (finally!), and it's full (completely), and because of that it took forever for everyone to get there stuff put away and sit down. After a long flight (that only had one working bathroom in coach) I land in San Diego at 8:35pm (their time), so on the east coast it was 11:35pm (I was super tired). As we were driving back to Jessica's place, the fireworks at Sea world were going off, and Claire (Jessica's oldest) asked "Why are they setting fireworks off momma?" and Jess said "Because Miss Randi's in town." (if only that were true) So I get to Jessica's place and crash, because I had been up forever and I tend to turn into a pumpkin after 10pm EST.

-Day Two (Shopping is fun, but you guys are grumpy)-

I woke up a 4:30am (7:30am EST) not being able to sleep anymore. I wonder why? That day we went shopping for Jessica wedding dress. We wanted to look in Ross, TJMaxx, Burlington coat factory, and Marshalls. It took looking in all of those to find it, and I was shopping with 2 very grumpy people (you know who you are). I guess I can cut them a break, they were stressed about the wedding and the planning. If it were up to them, they would just run off and elope. I kept telling them just to run to Vegas (just a 4 hour drive from San Diego), and I'd watch the kids. Back to the story.... We finally found one (yay!). I just needed to make a few alterations, and then it would be perfect. We got pick-up-stix for dinner (the only good Chinese on the whole coast that is west)(and they don't have any Pick-up-stix on the east coast). It was good, and I missed eating there.

-Day Three (Lets act like tourist, and lets all dress in Purple)-

Thursday was our day to play tourist (apparently Justin doesn't like that kind of thing), and see the things that I miss. First we went to Balboa Park, we played on the playground, walked through the Rose Garden, then all around the theater, we also played in some fountains, and saw some awesome Japanese Koi Fish. We also took some great pictures, and they are up on facebook. Next they took me to the Cabrilmo monument, on Point Loma, right next to the light house. We walked all around the monument and light house, but I wasn't feeling ambitious enough to walk all the way down to the tide pools. Next was Seaport Village. Where we looked at some cool hats, and I got some post cards for the boys, but I think I left them in Jessica's house or car (I can't find them, heads up Jess). Saw the bay, and it was beautiful, and nearly got run over by tourist.

-Day Four (Ocean, Beach, Water, Sand... ect...)-

Yup it was Beach day! We went to the beach on Camp Pendleton (Marine Base). I found the boys some rocks (I wanted to find shells, but didn't see any), and I got in up to my knees (yup I'm a wimp). Justin was mad, because the surfers were on the wrong side of the flag. Zoe decided to roll around in the sand after getting completely wet, so that was fun to clean up. We got Little Caesars for Lunch, and IHOP from dinner (yup I was living it up).

-Day Five (very last day, very long day)-

I got up and re-packed everything. I also re-charged my cell phone and Ipod. I altered Jessica's dress, and she looked beautiful in it (of course), and it's not just because I am master of the sewing machine. After lunch time we got in the van and went for a drive. We first drove by my old neighbor hood, and house (I miss that place). It looked the same, and so familiar, it also felt as if I had never left. My old house still looks beautiful, and they had flowers out front on the patio (just like I did). We also went to my old walmart. There I got some San Diego stuffed animals for my kids. Next was Mission Beach, and that place was crazy. After driving around not having any parking open, we found a spot up front (that was a freak accident). Jess and I rode the roller Coater, and then it broke down (yup I told Jess it was her fault). I got a Henna Tattoo, of the Starfleet symbol (if I was ever crazy enough to get a real tattoo, that is what I would get). We went to Jessica's Grandmother's house next (I had meet her before, and I wanted to see her again). Jessica's Mother and Aunt were visiting as well, and I had dinner with them. Jess dropped me off at the airport at 8:30pm. At the airport I got stopped by Security, because I had a water bottle in my carry-on, that I forgot about. Oops! I got on my plane at 10:30, it was not going to land in NC into 6am, so my plain was to sleep the whole ride, but I didn't get much sleep, because it was way to cold on the plane. I land in NC super tired and waited 2 hours to get on another plane to Baltimore (by that time it was day 6 I guess...).

-Home again-

So after Jeremy picked me up from the airport. He got me some McDonalds coffee (much needed at this point). We get home, and I snuggle with Olivia, post my last pictures, and I lay down to take a nap.

It was nice to get away, and I'm so proud of Jeremy. He took great care of the kids, and the house. He let me take it easy on Sunday, and made me feel like the most loved wife. Yup he's a keeper, and I love him with all of my heart.

Ready to go!

2010-08-17T08:09:00.001-04:00

Yup I'm ready to go! I'm all packed and in a few hours I'll be on my way.

Yesterday I spent the day cleaning, so I would leave Jeremy with a clean house (one less thing for him to worry about). Yup this is truly a test of endurance for him, because these next 5 days he will be Mister Mom. I'm sure he will do fine. The boys helped me clean yesterday, and they did a great job. This place looks awesome. I also gave them a pep talk about being extra good for Daddy and not giving him a hard time. I couldn't give Olivia the same pep talk so who knows what she'll get into.

Soon to come.... Adventures in San Diego with Jessica.... Should be posted on Sunday or Monday, so stay tuned...

We are celebrating...??...

2010-08-12T10:04:00.002-04:00

Well that was my reaction when my husband came home with Sparkling Grape Juice and Hershey's Symphony bars (yup that is how we celebrate), and said "honey we are celebrating!" My first thought is "What could we be celebrating?" Now Jeremy had gotten home late, because his boss made chief, and they took him out, but we couldn't be celebrating that could we?

Jeremy: I have finally decided weather or not to re-enlist.

Randi: Really? That's great, so what did you decide?

Jeremy: I think it would benefit us the most, if I did re-enlist, so I am.

Randi: Okay then lets celebrate.

See we have been going back and fourth on this for quite some time, so it's nice that his mind is made up. It's a decision that I didn't want to make myself, because I could weigh the pros and cons for years and never get anywhere. Jeremy really feels that this is what God wants him to do, and this is also the path that is best for us. He also said that he felt so much better after he had decided, because he didn't have to think about it anymore. I myself think about 2 to 3 times a week, but Jeremy told me, that he thinks about it 2 to 3 times a day, and it's nice that it's over, and he knows what to do now. Yes a big load off of both of our minds. So where to next? Well who knows, but I look forward to seeing new places and meeting more wonderful people.

Home school

So every day with the boys I have been doing journal writing, and the last few days have been fill with Mommom's house and super Heroes and Villains. Tuesday I asked them to write about there favorite place to visit, and I really shouldn't have been surprised when they all wrote about Mommom's house. Well I guess going to see the grandparents and getting spoiled is fun. Yesterday they made up there own super heroes and wrote about them. Darien's was Bright Man, Zach's was Spaghetti Man, and Nathaniel's was Apple Worm Man. Today was make up your own super villain (and tomorrow we are supposed to write a story about the hero fighting the villain), Darien's villain was Darkness, Zach's was Pizza Man, and Nathaniel's was Hot Dog Man. Yes they should all be interesting fights.

First day as Teacher Mom

2010-08-09T12:00:00.004-04:00

Okay so first day of homeschooling... And how did it go? Pretty well actually, and I'll tell you about it. I started us off at 8am with morning devotions we have the book God's little Devotional Book for Boys (great book). The lesson was about making new friends, and how sometimes we have to make the first step (a lesson I should put to use as well). Darien prayed at both the beginning and end of the devotion. Next was journal writing and cursive practice. The journal subject of the day was, who is your favorite super hero and why. Darien wrote about Link (not sure he has super powers, but he is a hero), Zachary wrote about Spiderman, and Nathaniel picked Ironman (he didn't do much writing, but drew a great picture). Reading was after all of that, then we took a snack break, pretzels and tea (yum). Math was next followed by Language and History. Both Darien and Zachary are learning about America. Darien's is about important people with a chapter for each person (first chapter being about Christopher Columbus), and Zachary is learning about flags and symbols. Then we had science, spelling, and art (art is on mondays, PE on tuesdays, Computer on wednesdays, and Music in thursdays). Our art project was making a fish from paper plates. Darien's was green and purple, Zach made a rainbow one, and Nathaniel's was all red (mine is the one in the picture). I was going over their work and my pen broke, and I got ink on my hand (as seen in picture) (fun!!). All in all a good day and a good start, we finished right in time for lunch (sooner than I expected). Can't wait to do it all again tomorrow...

Married for 8 years and one day!

2010-08-04T12:32:00.001-04:00

Yup Yesterday was our 8 year anniversary. Wow 8 years, I can't believe it. It doesn't seem like 8 years. Our life together has been fill with a lot of good times, and some bad times, but always with a lot of love. I'm so thankful for our life and our wonderful beautiful children, so here's to 8 wonderful years, and many more.

So Shape-ups...

2010-08-02T08:22:00.003-04:00

Okay so I got a pair a few weeks before Olivia was born, so I've had them for a little over 6 months, and I love them.

About 2 months ago I started to notice a difference with my leg tone, and the only thing that I have changed is yes, my shoes. So they do really work.

Jeremy brought them for me, because my old tennis shoes (running shoe, walking shoes, whatever you want to call them) were falling apart, and I wanted to try these and so did he (Jeremy has a pair as well). Now since summer vacation started I haven't been walking as much, but I use to do about a mile a day (back and fourth to the bus stop). I have four kids, so walking and running I don't really make time for, so these are perfect.

The first few days, it did fell like I was walking on sand, and that they were harder to walk on, but after that, it felt normal, and they are very comfortable. They are also well made, I have worn them almost everywhere and they only a have a little wear on them.

I got the MaryJane looking pair (like in the picture), because they are so cute, but they have a lot to chose from, and fix any ones fashion style . Yup I would totally recommend them. I got mine for $110, but they have since been marked down, and some pairs you can get for $80. Also I have seen them in the Exchange (for you military people), and I'm sure you can find them for $75 there.

Birthday post!

2010-07-27T14:11:00.002-04:00

Yup today is my birthday! " ♪♫♪ Happy Birthday too me, Happy Birthday to me. ♪♫♪" I'm 26, and to me that is kinda crazy. I'm not mid twenty anymore, but I don't feel old. I don't see age as a number, you're only as old as you feel, and I don't feel old yet. I feel like I have a lot to be thankful for, God has been good to me during my life. When I was little I didn't expect to have to much, I wanted kids, but not so many, and I wanted to be a cartoonist, that changed to a cosmetologist in my teen years. I finished beauty school, and I have my license, so I did that. What really surprises me, is that I enjoy raising my kids, and spending time with Jeremy more then anything.

So what have I been up to lately? Well Thursday my two good friends Dawn and Becky came over. We went to the community pool for a few hours. We ate chili and corn bread. We watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Dawn had never seen it), and we stayed up late and talked and laughed, and it was so much fun. Yup I love those girls.

Friday Olivia was sick, poor baby. She had a low fever and yucky diapers. At first I thought it was because she was teething, but since the yucky diapers kept coming and she was really fussy, well I realized it was more than that. Nathaniel had something similar a week before, so that made me think it was the same thing. She was over it by Saturday, but that's when I got sick. Yup Saturday evening I started to get body aces, really bad ones. So I fed Olivia, put her to bed, and took a bath (Jeremy was playing with the boys)(he is so sweet). The bath helped but it all came back after I got out. I woke up the next morning and still felt the same, so Jeremy took over and took care of the kids for me. By lunch time I was feeling better, and by night I was completely better. I'm still not sure what it was... I only had body aches nothing else... It's okay, I'm better now.

Today has been good so far. Jeremy took me out to lunch, and he gave me a really sweet card. I love that man. I'm spending the day with my wonderful kids, and listening to my favorite music.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Books all ordered!

2010-07-19T09:08:00.002-04:00

Yay, all of my home schooling books are ordered, and the last 12 should be here any day. Okay so I told you before that I had about 51 books to get for this school year. Yes that is a big number! Its big because I need to get the teacher's editions along with the test and answer books, and of course student work books. The number was also high because the reading curriculums were comprised of 5 books (for each kid), that have short stories in them, and questions following each story. So yes 51 books. I'm going with the Abeka curriculum (not sure if I mentioned that before), and if I ordered all of those off of their website it would have cost $673.50 (yeah WOW), but I didn't ordered all of them from there, in fact only 12 came directly from their website. The other I obtained in different ways. I got 25 from ebay (most of the time you can find them for half the price on there). I got 14 from curriculum fairs and other people (each book only costing a few dollars). I got 12 from the actual Abeka site, (yes I already said that a few lines up) these last 12 I couldn't find any other way. All in all I only spent $314.74. Yup less than half (I'm very proud of myself).

We are going to be starting soon, on the 9th of august in fact (I moved it up a week, because of my trip). I have them starting in august to give us plenty of time to finish everything. Since this is our first year, and I'm not sure how everything is going to go, I thought it best that way. Last week I went through the books and figured out the pace that we need to follow, how many lessons we need to do each week... how many test we need to take each month... (ect...). Lots of figuring, but I'm really confident that we will be able to keep our pace, and work on any problem areas.

Okay so on family news, Olivia is trying to crawl and can almost do it. She has become very talkative and makes a lot of noise (but in a good way)(most of the time). Zachary is now master of the swings and monkey bars. Before he didn't like ether. He couldn't quite get the rhythm for the swings, and he was always scared of falling while hanging on the monkey bars.

A few weeks ago I told him to hang onto the bar, then let yourself drop, and see if it hurts (yup scary). He ended up trying it, and realized it didn't hurt at all. Wow mom knows what she's talking about. Well I don't have anything else to report, so thanks for reading.

Best birthday present ever!

2010-07-12T11:21:00.001-04:00

Yes it's still about 2 weeks until my birthday, but I did get a birthday present already, or I guess I should say I'm going to get one, and it will be the best gift ever. Also to say that I'm getting it early would be wrong as well, because in-fact I'm going to get it late, by a few weeks. Like I said, it will be the best gift ever, and not because of what was spent, because it was more of a gift of understanding. What am I getting? Jeremy is letting me go see Jessica for a few days! Yup down in sunny San Diego! I'm so excited!

How did this all start? From a break down and crazy crying (that's how all things start right?), I'll explain. Well Sunday I was getting ready for church, and I asked Jeremy why he wasn't ready yet. He didn't want to go, because his ankle (that he sprained really badly), was still bothering him, and he wanted to get some house work done. Along with all of that, he mentioned he wasn't comfortable with the people there as of yet. This got me worried, I'm tired of trying out churches, and I just really want to make some new friends, and I was just starting to get use to this new church. This also got me thinking on how unfair it is that I have to find new friends (so to say), I miss my old friends, and it's not fair that I don't get to see them anymore. So I started to get upset. Jeremy who is very perceptive realized why I was crying. I miss my old friends and most of all Jess. She and I were really close, mainly because during Jeremy's last deployment she and her 3 lovely girls came and stayed with me. We both were going through a tough time in our life. I was lonely because Jeremy was gone, and hers was a totally different situation, but we were there for each other, and we became really close. We enjoyed watching Star Trek and the Mythbusters together, we spent days listening to Relient K, and we ate a brunch of baby oranges. We always had an on-going argument about how the laundry should be done, and we traded favors and chores. Yup good times! I consider her my sister (by love if not by family). After a long hug from Jeremy, I when to church in hopes that it would clear my mind, and put it on track. When I got home from church, Jeremy had shown me, an e-mail he sent to Jess, and told me to set a date, because I was going.

Aug. 17 - 21, From the east coast to the west, and back again, all in under 5 days (wow). I can't wait to see Jess again and San Diego. I really miss that place, it's my second home. I feel in-love with that place and I'm excited that I get to see it again. I have missed it so much, and sometimes I wish I could have stayed there longer.

I know God brought me back east for a reason, I think it's because I need to work on my relationship with my family. I have fallen away from them, and that's mostly my fault. When I gain my independence (back when I moved to SC), I stop depending on them all together, and I need to find the right balance. God has shown me a lot of reasons why He did all those things in my life, and why He sent me all of those places. He sent me to SC to teach me how to be independent, and to teach Jeremy and I how to be a married couple (yes nothing is ever easy). When he sent us to VA when Jeremy was stationed to the Hampton, that set in motion His plain to bring us to San Diego, because the Hampton ended up doing the home port change there. I believe he sent us to CA to get us back into His word. We found a great church there, and met friends that would change us, and make us see things differently. He has been so good to us, I still can't believe how blessed we are. I am so grateful (beyond words) for my kids and husband and our life.

I will fill you in on the trip after I get back, and tell you all of the wonderful things I got to see again. Please pray for a safe trip, flying by myself makes me a little nervous, even though I've done it before.

You're Not My Mommy!

2010-06-21T12:36:00.002-04:00

Last monday I when to a bible study (women only), and I left the kids with Jeremy. When ever this happens he turns into mister mom, and does a wonderful job, in a manly sort of way. Last monday however, his job was made a lot harder my our wonderful daughter Olivia. I was only going to be gone for 2 hours, so no big deal right? Wrong! She was very upset, and Jeremy said it didn't matter what he did, she was just so upset. Finally she just ended up crying herself to sleep. She woke up not to long after I got home, and she was very happy to see me, so my guess is she just wanted me. Try as Jeremy might, he is not the mom, even if he is a super fantastic dad.

A few days later I decided to deep condition my hair. It really needed some softening. When I do this, I wash my hair, then put in the deep conditioner, then put a shower cap on my head, and then I top it off with a towel (to keep the heat in). I walk around like this for a few hours, to let it all sink in. However, about 30 mins after I put the towel on, Olivia started to fuss, so I picked her up. She took one look at me, and started to ball. Apparently I did not look like mommy with a towel on my head. This started the whole really fussy and no one can make me happy stuff again (just like last monday). Needless to say, I ended up washing the conditioner out sooner then I wanted to. Yup, but everything was better after that. Life is fun, isn't it.

Playing catchup!

2010-06-07T06:32:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone, well it's been some time (not much mind you) (but some), since I updated you on just the things going on in the life of Randi.

Well lately I have been getting ready to start home schooling next year, and I'm excited. I'm sure the excitement will wear off once the hard work kicks in, and the kids start to misbehave, but for the moment I'm looking forward to it. Last week I went out to get school supplies, and that was fun. I found everything we needed (yay) and a few things I never knew we needed (of course) (*wink*). I now finally have all my home school things organized. I don't, how ever, have all of the books yet, I have a little over a 3rd of them (19 of 51) (I know it's a lot). I have to get teacher's keys, test books, and work books along with the regular ones, so that racks up the number a bit. Tomorrow, how ever, I am going to a Home School Curriculum Fair and Workshops, and I hope I can find some of the books I need there. If not then it's back to ebay! I have been getting them used on ebay, and it's about half the price (most of the time).

We started going to a new church yesterday. We have been looking, and trying out for quite sometime now, and I'm so glad to say that our search is finally over. We thought we would try out the church that runs our home school umbrella, Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Pasadena, MD. It's a very small church! Jeremy counted 29, and that was including us, but we did like it, and we both want to go back. The last church we went to was Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie. That church was huge, but no one wanted to talk to us, and Nathaniel's Sunday school teacher was very rude to us. We went twice, and that was enough to know that we didn't want to be a member.

Jeremy is taking a college class online (pre-calculus), he has been doing this after work on week days. I'm glad he's taking it and catching up on college, but this does mean less Jeremy and Randi time. We are use to that though, and it has taught us to make the best of the time we do have. Lately we have been spending that time watching Star Trek Voyager. We just got the whole series on DVD, and we are almost done season 3. We are excited to move on to season 4, because that's when they get rid of the character Kes (Jennifer Lien), and get the character Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan). Seven of Nine is much more exciting than Kes, and much hotter (yup I think she's hot).

Olivia is 4 months now, and she is going for her appointment in 2 days. She is getting so big, and she is growing more and more beautiful. She has been laughing up a storm! Her favorite thing to laugh at currently is me singing the Subway Five Dollar Foot Long song. No matter how hard she is crying, that song always brings out a giggle or two.

It has now been a year since we came back to Maryland, and I can't decide weather it went by fast or slow. I guess that means it's in-between. I still feel like I haven't reconnected with some of my family and old friends. It is partly my fault for being busy, but I also feel like some of them still haven't forgiven me for moving away in the first place, and they have acted bitter and mean to me, and I have been avoiding them. Jeremy and I are deciding weather or not to re-enlist, and this is what made me think of how long we had been here. I miss being away, but I also like being home again. Next May would be the best time to re-enlist, so we have a year to Pray and think about it. I'm sure God will lead us to the right place, and take care of us. He has done a great job of that in the past, so I'm not worried.

Well I think I have told all that I can think of. Thanks for reading!

Another Birthday!

2010-06-04T09:23:00.001-04:00

Today is our middle son's birthday! He is 6 years old, and we are so blessed to have him as our son. I love you Zachary! Hope your day is wonderful!

Day off...

2010-05-27T11:57:00.000-04:00

This is not about me having a day off, no that is unheard of. This is about Zachary's day off. He has today and tomorrow off, so that leaves him to tag along with Nathaniel, Olivia, and Me. Darien was very jealous, and wanted to know why only the kindergartners got the two days off. I told him that parent teacher conferences were going on, and they just wanted to give them the time off. So today Zachary came along with us, and it made things more interesting, but in a good way. Zach likes to talk, and ask very interesting questions. He can think of the most goofy things at random times.

We were walking out of the clinic on Fort Meade, I had just gotten my prescription refilled, and he heard a car radio. He asked "Mommy why do other people's music sound different from what we listen to?" and I said "Because everyone likes different things." (also my taste in music isn't the most popular, but I didn't say that) (not many people can listen to switchfoot and classic rock all day long, and be perfectly happy, but whatever.) Then he said "But not cake! Everyone likes cake!" Yup that's right everyone (EVERYONE) likes cake, and if you don't then you're just weird (Very weird!). Then he totally switched subjects and said "When I grow up, I want to be a daddy, and Nathaniel and Darien are going to do that to." Yup awww, that's so cute, but then Nathaniel cut in and said "Hey I'm not going to be a dad! I'm going to be a kid." Haha! Yup Nathaniel has a mind of his own, and won't let anyone make it up for him. Good for him!

After the clinic we had to go to a parent teacher conference, and on the way I stopped by McDonalds, so I could get a Frappe (yum), and I got the boys each a hash brown. And this brought up the question "Why are McDonalds' hash browns big, and Burger King's little?" and "What are hash browns made of?" Yup it's important to know.

After the conference, we went home and got lunch. I gave them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some yogurt. Then this led to the question "Is this yogurt vanilla or strawberry?" and I said "It's both, (it was both) they mixed it together just for you." then he said, "Oh well can I have just strawberry tomorrow, and not both?"

Yup and there is still more of the day to come. Silly Zach, I love you.