Freedom Alliance Concert

Sorry I'm so behind on posting. It's funny, I have so much to say that it overwhelms me, so I just say nothing at all!! I've been putting off writing about the Freedom Alliance Concert b/c I actually have some great pics to post, but my computer is still in the shop so I guess I won't be able to post the pics right now!!

A couple of weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to attend the Freedom Alliance Concert with some of my fellow navy wives. I wasn't sure how the opportunity came about, but I found out that they did a random drawing over where our husbands are and the names that were pulled were offered the VIP tickets and they were able to take guests. I think Andrea called b/c she knew I was in DESPERATE need of a kid-free night out, or maybe she just thinks I'm super-cool, we'll probably never know! ;) I was honored to be her guest, and was thrilled that she had also chosen our Command Ombudsman (say it 5 times fast, I went 6 months without saying it b/c I knew I would mispronounce) to attend with us!

Now I mentioned these were VIP tickets--and I mean--VIP they were!! First we got to wear those super cool neck things, with our names on them so that everyone knew we were special --WHOOP WHOOP! When we arrived we got special parking and were whisked away to a reception with delicious food and beverages! We also had someone assigned to go with us everywhere (even the ladies room) and to get us where we needed to go! While at the reception we got to meet and greet with people like Sean Hannity, Oliver North, Jon Voight, Lee Greenwood, Charlie Daniels, Michael W. Smith, etc!! It was super cool to be in a room full of celebrities!! We also saw that there was an NMCB 24 flag hanging up in the room and Andrea's husband was one of the people who signed it!! Cool that it had been there and now it was here, so close, so tangible!
We were also able to meet one of the Freedom Alliance Scholarship winners--what a thrill to hear he attended none other than GA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY! Yea baby, GO EAGLES! :) He was as sweet as he could be, and I had a great time talking to him and reminiscing about Statesboro!

So as special VIP attendees we were able to have a meet and greet with some of the celebrities, and I even got Charlie Daniels' autograph!! We waited the longest to see him, but we got to chat with Jon Voight a bit while in line, and afterwards got to talk to these 2 guys who had been in Iraq. Obviously I came in on the tail end of the conversation b/c it wasn't until Charlie and his band got up on stage that I realized I had been chit-chatting with 2 of his band members. . . :)

During the concert they brought the wives who had been chosen up on stage for a "special surprise"--they had their husbands via satellite from Iraq!! :) It was such a touching moment! Most of us are able to see our spouses on a little screen every so often--but to see them, and to see them sharing that moment was just awesome!! I'm not gonna lie, I boo hoo'd!! I will say, I was sort of glad it wasn't me and Jason b/c we probably just would've been like "Hey" and then that's it! :) (oh, and I would've totally been crying the whole time--and it would've been the "ugly cry face" as some like to call it)!!

It was a very special night for all of us involved! I'm so glad I was given this special opportunity!

ahhhhh--what a week!!!

Well, this has been a busy week! We are all one step closer to being back together but I feel we will have much frustration and stress before we get there!! :)

I'd like to start out by saying HAPPY 9 MONTHS BABY EVAN! He marked the day by snapping his mobile in half. . .I went in to get him up this morning and his mobile was in his lap and he had a HUGE grin on his face! :) Oh well, I guess we were done with it anyway. . .(his 9 month check up is next week-so I'll post his stats then)

We also got an official email this week regarding homecoming for Jason! I won't give any specifics but it is very exciting!! My friend and I had already jumped the gun and made our flight reservations which now have to be changed. . .apparently when you use frequent flyer miles you have to pay $100 when you change your flight. I tried to explain to the nice woman on the phone my situation and her response was that "maybe I should write corporate". . .sure, I'll get right on that! I won't give up that fight--especially since I know that American Airlines and Airtran both make exceptions for military families. I'll get a number and I'll make some calls--try to engage my "Kasey button"! Anyways, this ticket is causing lots of stress at the moment, and anticipation and shear exhaustion can get tempers flared more than normal. I've vowed to sit on it for a week or two before making any decisions. I can't control it, and I can't change it so at this point I'm going to have to let it go. Kind of like the food battle with Camden!

In other news, school hasn't started yet but Journey class has!! Woo hoo!! Journey is similar to Awana, or any Wednesday night program that your church might have. It's at Mt. Zion Baptist and Camden loves it. We got into it last year right after Jason left. Truly, it was a night out and gave me a few minutes to decompress while Camden learned a little! What was just going to be a one time thing turned into a weekly thing, and now Camden is signed up again. He also is signed up for the 3 year old Handbell Choir. . .yes, you heard me--3 YEAR OLD HANDBELL CHOIR, it's a handbell choir for 3 year olds. God bless the teacher :)! He seemed to enjoy his first session last night and was ready to go back today!

We are chugging along, Mommy is mentally marking days off of my calendar and trying to stay focused on home and kiddos!! I'm getting a night out this weekend, heading to the Hannitry Freedom Concert complete with a reception prior to the concert. I'm very excited and looking forward to an adult night out!! I feel like it's been a while!!

Sorry for no pics, but my computer is still being repaired!! maybe by next week we'll have it all fixed!!

So school has started for Gwinnett County, for everyone in Gwinnett County EXCEPT. . .CAMDEN!! ;)
Camden will start back to school after Labor Day and I think he's looking forward to it. I'm thinking it will settle things down at home! :) We had a good weekend, so good in fact that we ALL crashed out hard Sunday night and slept till 8am on Monday morning! Today was pretty uneventful, made it to the gym, did a lot of chores, and just listened to Camden chatter! At one point we were in Evan's room on the rocker and he had his hand on my leg--he looked at me puzzled and said "why are you wearing these?" "wearing what?" i asked. . .
"these" and he rubbed my legs again. . .HA! "I just haven't shaved in a couple of days, that's hair" "Well, it hurts and it's crunchy, and yuck!" SO HAD ME LAUGHING!! It's so funny when they are so brutally honest! :)

So today on facebook a friend posted:

it is amazing how strong you become when you have no other option. People always say "I don't know how you do it", well to be honest I don't either. Glad to have the other ladies that know what I mean. The same thing day after day. Being Mommy and Daddy. Giving every spanking, every hug, tending every "boo boo", all the laundry, every meal, every bath. It's taxing.

I truly couldn't have stated it better myself! I don't know how she does it either--she has 3 kids under the age of 3, and one was born while her husband has been gone! She seems to keep her cool in public (which is more than I can say for myself), and when asked how she does it she'll look at you straight faced and say: "OH I just lock them in the dog run for a couple of hours while I take care of things" hahaaha!!
Seriously, I often try to put into words what all of this is like--and she did it perfectly! You do what you have to in order to get by! Then you have to worry about how it will all work when your husband comes home! Jason told me his only expectation is that we not have left by the time he gets home! That's good b/c I haven't filed a thing, I'm pretty sure our grass is dying, the house is clean, but it's not neat (ever), and I'm pretty sure I do things differently than he would have. . .but what can you do?? The next time you meet someone who is in the military, or whose husband or wife or son or daughter is deployed--thank them for their service. What a sacrifice these men and women make VOLUNTARILY for our country.

he loves me, he loves me not. . .

Sorry it's been a little while folks, but I seem to be having computer problems at the moment. Just one of my little stresses right now, but it will pass--I mean, surely it will all pass, right????????

Since I've last blogged Camden and I had a trip to the lake (more on this later when I can access pictures--he had a blast!), and he had his final trip to Nana & Mopa's for the summer. I mean, I'm sure he'll go back, but not for as long since school is starting on Monday!

Sadly, this is probably going to be a venting blog--I'm so over it right now. Seriously, I think if I could check into an asylum or something for a couple of days I would, just for an escape. Some of those places are nice, right? I wouldn't want rehab b/c they probably wouldn't love me carrying in my case of Miller Lite to pass the time. . . :)
I'm having a hard time counting my blessings the past few days. I'm refusing to fall back into my June slump, but gosh, the past couple of days I feel like I'm slowly losing control again. We are ALMOST there, ALMOST done--but it seems SO FAR AWAY right now. I'm filled with so many emotions--the biggest ones at the moment--FRUSTRATION & ANXIETY!!! I feel like every day is a battle with my 3 year old. I want us to have a day when we are all happy the whole time--no crying, no arguing, no throwing ourselves in the floor b/c Mommy says "no popsicle unless you finish your spaghettios" REALLY???? YOU ARE CRYING OVER THAT!?? I'm trying, I really am. I'm letting things go, I'm trying to let him help with things, praising when he's doing good--maybe it's just that he's 3?? It's hard to step back and not think, I'm obviously doing something wrong. Or maybe it's just our situation in general--it's summer, we are stuck here together in this house day after day. I try to do special things from time to time, but there are 3 of us and naps need to be taken, meals have to be made, chores do need to be done. It can't be all fun all the time. Since Camden has been back all I hear is "well, I would do that at Nana & Mopa's, but just not here" or "I wish I could live with Nana & Mopa"--I tried the whole, "you should be thankful for me--you wouldn't be here without me" speech--I think it just went in one ear and out the other. . .(or very possibly, it could've just gone over his sweet little head) AGGGHHHHHHH--I'm at a loss. Tomorrow is a new day, I tell myself this over and over, but it's not helping much lately. I can't remember the last time I just decided--I'm just gonna call some friends and go to dinner without the kids. . .maybe July 4th? That was pretty last minute, but I think that was it, the last time I went and had dinner without kids--oh no, wait--I had lunch with some girlfriends a few weeks ago. It's not the same though as when Jason is here, right now, I have to inconvenience others and it sucks--I hate asking for help (no, seriously parents, I do--I feel the need to add this b/c I know they want to screen my calls most of the time to avoid the inevitable--"I need a favor").

OKAY ENOUGH.

In other news--Evan has finally gotten some teeth! Well--almost! They have broken the skin on the bottom, sharp little suckers too. 3 at once (but of course), and I'm certain another is on the way. He's also crawling and putting himself into a sitting up position. . .where has the time gone??
Camden will be starting school again soon--not until after Labor Day though! He's excited, but more excited about his trip to Disney--well he was, until he found out that Penny would be staying with Nana & Mopa--he would prefer to stay there with her. . . :)

Our trip to NC

So last week I packed up the boys and headed up to do something I used to do every summer when I was a kid--spend a week at Nana & Papa's!  I was bound and determined I would do this alone, so as to prove my independence.  For the most part the trip went well.  The trip up was nice and quiet, although it did take about 5 hours to get there (it's like a 3 hour trip).  About 1/2 way in Camden told me he had to pee so I pulled off at the rest stop--then I sat there thinking "how am I going to do this.  .  ." I strapped Evan in the Baby Bjorn and headed up to the ladies room.  Once Camden was done, I took a turn (yea, if they have cameras in there I would like to play back the footage, I'm sure it's quite a sight to see a lady with a 22 lb baby attached to her hovering over the seat) and then we headed on our way!  15 minutes later I hear I'm hungry, and I'm hungry screams from the back seat.  .  .so we stopped AGAIN! :)  We did finally make it, and it felt wonderful driving up Sleepy Hollow and seeing my grandparents house!!


MONTREAT

Montreat is where I used to go to a youth conference every summer in high school about 20 minutes from Asheville.  It's a very special place full of memories for me!  I have taken Jason and Camden there before when Camden was about Evan's age, and I was excited when I found out my friends Robert & Morgan would be there for a youth conference at the same time I was in Asheville.  I took the boys on Wednesday, I wasn't really sure what we would do, but I knew there was a great playground so if nothing else we could park it there for a little while so Robert and I could catch up.  Much to my surprise Camden wanted to play in the creek!!  I had told Robert that he probably wouldn't b/c he's too much like his momma and lord knows I don't like non-chlorinated water!  Camden took his shoes off, took his shirt off and hopped in!!  I so wish Jason could've been there to go in with him.  Really, he made me see it in a different light too!  If I could've hopped in I would've, but then Evan would've been unattended on the side of the creek!  I really wish I could've just walked all around, but 3 year olds aren't big into reminiscing--so I just took pleasure in knowing that he enjoyed Montreat, we'll definitely head back up next time we are there!

WEAVERVILLE

My Aunt Le and Uncle Leigh live about 20 minutes from my grandparents in a little town called Weaverville.  The boys and I decided to give Nana the night off and drove up there on Thursday for pizza and play time with Aunt Le and Miles.  My Aunt has the best house, and her property is just beautiful.  You seriously could go and walk around all day up there and not ever leave her yard!

Had I not had Evan in the Baby Bjorn, I would've walked all over with Camden!  As it was, I did have Evan in the Baby Bjorn so I thought it best to stay closer to her house so I could sit when necessary!  

Camden took right to Le, I wasn't surprised though--she's always been great with kids.  Whenever we came to visit she would have special books and games for us to play!  As it was, she had chosen the most awesome gift in the world for an energetic 3 year old--A ROCKET LAUNCHER!  Camden was overjoyed, as was I because it gave him something to do, and a reason to run b/c he had to go get the rockets once they were launched!  

After Camden played with the rocket launcher a bit we strolled around, played hide and seek, and looked for the bunnies that Le kept promising!  We found one too--or Miles found one rather!  He stood there for about 5 minutes pointing it, it was amazing--that dog definitely does not have ADD!  In the end the bunny got away, but Le said he and Miles play that game just about every day!

We had such a great time with Aunt Le.  Camden helped put the pepperoni on the pizza, and she gave him little mini grapes (I've never seen those before), and let him try every cookie he wanted to, even when he wouldn't eat the first one he took!!  After dinner we watched some sponge bob and chit-chatted and then headed home for bed!

HEALTH ADVENTURE

Our last day we decided to take the boys to the Health Adventure downtown.  It's sort of like a kids museum, with an emphasis on health in part of it.  They also had an Arthur exhibit which I thought was supercool! :)  Everything was kid sized and Camden loved it.  They even had a green screen where you could choose and star in different videos!  You know I was all up in the middle of that--much to Camden's dismay!  He just wanted to direct us all to our seats and push the buttons!  They are actually opening a new bigger and improved Health Adventure next year I think--for anyone who is going to be in the area!!  

bubble wall

Evan in the Bjorn--I know, I'm a glutton for punishment, but he loves it!

Camden playing librarian!  His Aunt Le would be proud!

Camden showing mommy his mad skills in the kitchen!

My little engineer--this tube had air blowing out of it and you could shoot balls out of it, they had pvc pipe so you could build different tubes--he was all over it!

All in all it was a good trip!  We had some firsts, Evan's first eggs and Camden's first fireflies, and of course rock hopping!  I would love to do it again next year, but we'll have to see if my grandparents can handle us again! :)  The food was delicious--as always.  I would really love to detail every meal, but I might lose some of you so I'll end it here!  Camden and I are headed to the lake this weekend, I feel certain that will make for some good blogging next week.  .  .

EGGS!