A Day of "Yes"!!

The boys in their BigBrother/LittleBrother shirts

Okay--so last weekend as I was running around all day Saturday to showers, and birthday parties I started feeling a little guilty. Here it was one of the last weekends that it will be just me and my boys and I've gone and filled it so full--I won't even see them. Don't get me wrong, I'm not sad that my journey of deployment is coming to an end, but I have oddly mixed emotions about this special time with just me and the boys is ending. . .maybe I've just gotten used to it? I don't know. Anyway, I decided last weekend that this weekend was going to be just me and the boys for the most part doing --who cares, just doing, just being together! We've gotten our act together and now it's all going to change again--for the better, but still a change and major disruption for such little boys!

So Saturday morning started like no other--Evan up around 7:30, and went back down for a nap before Camden pulled himself out of bed around 10:30--woo hoo!! (it didn't last mind you, they were both up at 7am on the dot this morning, so don't be too jealous) Anyway, Camden asked if we were going to school and I said no, and so he said "can I watch tv then??" SURE!! Then he said, can you bring my table from my playroom down so I can sit in here and eat and watch tv?? and I heard myself saying "Sure, honey--what would you like to eat?" Cheerios and yogurt--"no problem"--about 30 minutes later, he said he was "still hungry" and wanted fruit snacks--"Okay, sure, what kind do you want??"--Thus starting the "day of 'yes'"!!! It was such a great day, and though he did get several no's in there--for the most part it was all "YES!"

A few weeks ago my aunt sent me a blog article about how to take time to enjoy your kids. I am always thankful for things like this b/c it always makes me stop and evaluate my actions. One of the things it said was "say yes for a change"--so I did--and you know what, it was a PERFECT day!! I got so many "yes ma'ams" and "no ma'ams" with no prompting I couldn't believe it! Now, this doesn't mean that every day is a yes day, but I will probably do it more often!

One other thing--today Evan is 10 months old!! I can hardly believe it--it has seriously just FLOWN by!! I forgot to post his 9 month stats b/c things were just so crazy around that time--3 Friday's in a row at the Doctor's office--YUCK!

MonkeyMan!

Weight: 21lbs 13.5oz (64%)

Length: 28.5" (50%)

Head: 18.25 (75%)

Not as big as you thought huh?? Although, it was pointed out to me today that maybe it's b/c his head is so big that everyone thinks he's so big!! :) hehe!!

Camden's 1st Day of School-this is the only one he would let me take. . .

B-O-Y-S--BOYS!!

Hey everyone!! I hope you are all doing well--I only have a minute to spare because my hubby will be home IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS and there is much to do around here before he arrives!! I did, however, want to take a quick moment to share a fun story that made me realize all at once I am the mother of 2 B-O-Y-S BOYS!!

So this morning I was getting Evan's room picked up and I hear some giggling coming from the bathroom. . .and the door was closed--for anyone who isn't a parent, this is never good news for you--just so you know!! I open the door to see what is going on and Camden is standing naked over the toilet (poised to pee), and Evan is on his knees HANDS IN TOILET, while Camden is flushing it. . .
The water was clear so either Camden had just peed (all over his brother I'm sure), or had yet to go. . .I can't imagine girls finding this fun. . .it hit me right at that moment as I'm trying not to laugh, and am thinking internally "that toilet really needs to be cleaned" I am the mother of B-O-Y-S boys!! :) Battery taking out, "poo-poo" yelling (Camden's favorite word of the moment), shoot-em-up playing--BOYS!! and I LOVE EVERY BIT OF IT! :)


Okay--I have to run!! I have TOILETS to clean! :)

UGHH--I THINK I'VE HIT A WALL!

So I don't know what it is, but I just can't seem to get myself motivated to get in the gym!! Today I gave up after about 20 minutes on the elliptical--well really, I gave up about 8 minutes in, but I pushed myself to at least do 20 minutes. I'm not sure if it's b/c I have so many things to do at home, or because we are starting a new routine with getting Camden to school--I'm just not sure. Anyways--something's gotta give! It's one thing to not work out, it's quite another to not workout yet stuff yourself with jalepeno bacon ranch burgers, a side of fries, and wash it down with M&MS and a Miller Lite--YIKES!!

Camden's First Day

It has finally arrived folks--Camden's first day back at school!! He started 5 day preschool today, and it went quite well!! There were no tears when I dropped him off, and he was excited about his day when I picked him up. I was excited that he was singing "Clean up Clean up Everybody Clean up" as we pulled into the driveway b/c he'd already been told that was expected of him before we watched Dinosaur Train this afternoon!!

So the day started out as most do, except this morning Camden said--"Mommy, what time do we leave for school?" I was quite thrilled actually that he was looking forward to it, because those of you who have little ones know that if they don't want to go to school, it's probably going to be a traumatic experience for all involved when you are making the 'drop'!! So everything was going fine until. . .I told Camden it was time to get dressed--school starts at 9:30 and we leave the house around 9:20--I told him at 8:50 (so I gave him extra time, normally I make him get dressed and then watch TV, after today that will be the way it's done from now on). Now that I've told him it's time to get ready there is some whining about being tired, and not wanting to go. It didn't last too long, and while we were getting ready I tried to let him know that getting dressed, brushing teeth, and washing our face and hands were going to be expected of him every day. I find that letting him know my expectations usually works to my benefit--not that he wants to please me, but more so I can say--"Hey, I already told you this is how it's gonna be" :)

While Camden was in school, I went about my day getting calls made and chores done. I had been thinking for a while that I wanted to do little pizzas with him, and he was gone all weekend so tonight would be my opportunity. Normally I would make that a weekend thing, but it was his first day at school so I was going to go for it. . . After school I told Camden we were going to the store to pick up snacks for his class (we have duty Thursday), and stuff to make mini pizzas with--I explained how exciting this was b/c he could put whatever he wanted on his! He seemed pretty pumped and the rest of the afternoon went great, other than the occasional whine here and there we were good to go!
When it came time to make our pizzas, Camden wasn't too interested--I mean for one he was going to have to wash his hands and SpongeBob was on. . .I was hurt by his halfhearted effort but quickly reminded myself that he's a boy and he's 3 and well, maybe making pizza isn't that cool to him! Maybe he's like his daddy--you cook, I eat. . . ;) So he did put a pepperoni or two on, and ate about 20, and got super excited that Evan was going to eat pizza too. He begged, he salivated, he whined for the next 15-20 minutes until it was done. I started him on carrots and grapes so that he would at least have some form of veggies and fruit. When the pizza came out and I put it on his plate--HE CRIED. . .no seriously, he cried. FIRST: IT WAS ROUND, SECOND: IT HAD SAUCE. . .um--yes it is round it's a flat biscuit, remember you helped me shape it, and you helped me put the sauce on, and HELLO--it's pizza, last I checked those were the 2 requirements for pizza!!! Needless to say, he didn't eat, he actually got down went to his room and played quietly until I came to check on him.
For the first time ever--I'm feeling like, "Okay--it's time for him to cut ME some slack"--I even told him he hurt my feelings, I don't think he got it. He looked at me, blinked and said "what shoes can I wear on our walk?" oh well!!

Seriously, I look back on the day and laugh--I mean if you don't you would just cry!! I am so glad he enjoyed school, and when I asked him tonight if he wanted anything special in his lunch tomorrow he said "yes, I think I would like Chick-lil-lay" HA! He's crashed out right now--I knew he would be tired. I think it took him all of about 3 minutes to fall asleep!! Those eyes were heavy! Evan on the other hand is still crashing around up there!

For the first time in a while--I think I'll be ending the night with a beer!! Tomorrow is a new day, and I'm gonna be ready for it! :)

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!