On Monday morning, this is how I thought my Thursday would go:
Get up at normal time, drop Gabby off at school before 855, go home and clean and work around the house, eat lunch, drop Sam at the CDC at 1230, take Jordan to the vet on McChord at 115, pick up the birthday cake I ordered for Gabby at the McChord commissary afterward, come home and wrap birthday presents, pick up Sam at 4, pick up Gabby from art class at 430, go home, do homework, eat supper, play a little and get everyone to bed ready to get up and celebrate Gabby's birthday tomorrow.
Here is how my Thursday actually went:
Get up late after sleeping through my alarm for ten minutes, get Sam up and discover he has a fever, drop Gabby off at school late at 900, go back home, take care of Sam and cancel CDC, shower (finally) at 1100, pick Gabby up from school at 1225 because I forgot when I made the vet appointment she had this random Thursday half-day, run by Quiznos for lunch because by then we are all starving, drive all the way to McChord to pick up a cake I now wish I hadn't ordered there since I had to cancel the vet appointment once I remembered the half-day, come home, do homework and get a snack, take Gabby back to the school at 330 for her art class, come home only to turn around and go pick her up at 430 from her art class, eat supper, settle argument over the tv and finally get everyone to bed knowing I will probably be up in the night as I listen to Sam coughing.
And that is what happens when I plan ahead. I have no plans for tomorrow except that at some point, we will have birthday cake. Hope I have candles somewhere.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
More books I've read lately
Been meaning to write about books again but I never think of it when I have a few computer moments.
I meant to mention Toys Go Out in my last round. This is a kids' chapter book. Robert's mom bought it for the grandkids last summer and we read it while we were there. Since then, Gabby has checked it out of the library again and we read it again. It is a cute little book kind of in the style of Winnie the Pooh. Adventures told from the toys' point of view. It was fun enough that Sam would sit through it but still a chapter book. I would recommend it for the kids.
In an attempt to get some classics in, I read Tom Sawyer, which I did not read in school. I agree that Huck Finn was better but it was still an entertaining book. Took me a bit to get in to it but once I did, I enjoyed it.
I grabbed up Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella book in a hurry at the library one day only because I'd been wanting to read Confessions of a Shopaholic but didn't see that one. If you're looking for light and funny, this is a good book. I have since read a couple of her others: Twenties Girl and Remember Me? but so far, this one is my favorite. I'm working Confessions of Shopaholic right now and am not enjoying it quite as much. Haven't seen the movie yet but I will after I read the book. But Undomestic Goddess was a hoot to me and all of them were decent if you're looking for something light and quick.
I admit I am behind everyone else on Three Cups of Tea but if you haven't read it yet either, do it now. I kind of resisted this book thinking it would be a huge political commentary on how we have done wrong in Afghanistan and it couldn't be further from that. There are a few short comments on it, but nothing that is more than the truth. And the focus of the book really is one man with a desire to build schools for both boys and girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan. We should all find our purpose like Greg Mortenson did. Really, read this book.
Beneath a Marble Sky is a love story set around the building of the Taj Mahal. It is fiction but very beautifully written. I have been trying to go to a friend's book club for months now but something always got in my way. This was one of their selections and I probably would have never chosen it for myself. I missed the discussion on it again, but am glad I read the book.
This month's selection was Push, which the movie Precious was based on. Again, probably would not have chosen this book on my own but am glad I read it. This is a tough book to read and not light in the least. It's written in first person by an illiterate girl so it really is tough to read through the vernacular and misspellings. It is also just a tough subject matter.
And Karen Kingsbury. I have gone through a ton of hers from the library: the Firstborn series, the Sunrise series, Like Dandelion Dust and This Side of Heaven. She is a Christian writer. Her books are compelling but they do end up a little tidier than real life. But the messages in the books and the ideas are worth the reading. Each one has given me something deeper to think about in relation to my walk with God.
That's all I can think of for right now. There may be more I've read lately but I can't think of them. Yes, I read a lot when Robert is gone. And I love my little library here. Movies are good for one week so we have to go every Tuesday. I can go online and order things from the county-wide system so I can usually find whatever it is I want. That has helped, too.
I meant to mention Toys Go Out in my last round. This is a kids' chapter book. Robert's mom bought it for the grandkids last summer and we read it while we were there. Since then, Gabby has checked it out of the library again and we read it again. It is a cute little book kind of in the style of Winnie the Pooh. Adventures told from the toys' point of view. It was fun enough that Sam would sit through it but still a chapter book. I would recommend it for the kids.
In an attempt to get some classics in, I read Tom Sawyer, which I did not read in school. I agree that Huck Finn was better but it was still an entertaining book. Took me a bit to get in to it but once I did, I enjoyed it.
I grabbed up Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella book in a hurry at the library one day only because I'd been wanting to read Confessions of a Shopaholic but didn't see that one. If you're looking for light and funny, this is a good book. I have since read a couple of her others: Twenties Girl and Remember Me? but so far, this one is my favorite. I'm working Confessions of Shopaholic right now and am not enjoying it quite as much. Haven't seen the movie yet but I will after I read the book. But Undomestic Goddess was a hoot to me and all of them were decent if you're looking for something light and quick.
I admit I am behind everyone else on Three Cups of Tea but if you haven't read it yet either, do it now. I kind of resisted this book thinking it would be a huge political commentary on how we have done wrong in Afghanistan and it couldn't be further from that. There are a few short comments on it, but nothing that is more than the truth. And the focus of the book really is one man with a desire to build schools for both boys and girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan. We should all find our purpose like Greg Mortenson did. Really, read this book.
Beneath a Marble Sky is a love story set around the building of the Taj Mahal. It is fiction but very beautifully written. I have been trying to go to a friend's book club for months now but something always got in my way. This was one of their selections and I probably would have never chosen it for myself. I missed the discussion on it again, but am glad I read the book.
This month's selection was Push, which the movie Precious was based on. Again, probably would not have chosen this book on my own but am glad I read it. This is a tough book to read and not light in the least. It's written in first person by an illiterate girl so it really is tough to read through the vernacular and misspellings. It is also just a tough subject matter.
And Karen Kingsbury. I have gone through a ton of hers from the library: the Firstborn series, the Sunrise series, Like Dandelion Dust and This Side of Heaven. She is a Christian writer. Her books are compelling but they do end up a little tidier than real life. But the messages in the books and the ideas are worth the reading. Each one has given me something deeper to think about in relation to my walk with God.
That's all I can think of for right now. There may be more I've read lately but I can't think of them. Yes, I read a lot when Robert is gone. And I love my little library here. Movies are good for one week so we have to go every Tuesday. I can go online and order things from the county-wide system so I can usually find whatever it is I want. That has helped, too.
Ten Months
I know, I know, I just posted about nine months. But I was so far behind then. Now I am only a little behind. We passed ten months last week. In the tenth month we had Christmas and then I was sick for a week and then we were well for a week and then Sam was sick for a week. And so it goes. Same story, tenth verse.
Christmas was fun in a very different way. It was the first Christmas I have spent without my mother or my husband (or both!) The kids and I had fun and just enjoyed playing and being Christmas. We went to a friend's house for dinner that night and it was laid back and good. We missed Daddy but we managed to make it good on our own.
Then came my cold the day after Christmas. So much for all the fun things I wanted to do with the kids over break. Thankfully they had their new toys to play with that week while I didn't feel like doing anything. We did managed toward to end to go see The Princess and the Frog, which we all enjoyed.
Ten months, two to go. Doesn't sound like much, especially to my friends just starting their deployments up. When you think about it in weeks, we're only talking 8-9, but it sure feels like a long time. Still planning things that will happen before he gets home. Not quite planning things to happen after he returns yet. Maybe it's because we have a busy couple of months. Gabby's birthday is in there too. Whatever the reason, it still feels like a really long time. Maybe this time next month it won't.
Christmas was fun in a very different way. It was the first Christmas I have spent without my mother or my husband (or both!) The kids and I had fun and just enjoyed playing and being Christmas. We went to a friend's house for dinner that night and it was laid back and good. We missed Daddy but we managed to make it good on our own.
Then came my cold the day after Christmas. So much for all the fun things I wanted to do with the kids over break. Thankfully they had their new toys to play with that week while I didn't feel like doing anything. We did managed toward to end to go see The Princess and the Frog, which we all enjoyed.
Ten months, two to go. Doesn't sound like much, especially to my friends just starting their deployments up. When you think about it in weeks, we're only talking 8-9, but it sure feels like a long time. Still planning things that will happen before he gets home. Not quite planning things to happen after he returns yet. Maybe it's because we have a busy couple of months. Gabby's birthday is in there too. Whatever the reason, it still feels like a really long time. Maybe this time next month it won't.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Cheerleading Finale
Saturday was Gabby's last cheerleading performance for the year. They spent the last week learning a cheer with a stunt and did it at halftime of the last game. They did a great job!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Resolutions
Ok, so I don't really like the idea of New Year's Resolutions but as that time of year rolls around, I can't help thinking of all the things I'd like to do better on this year.
Last year at this time we were packing up to make the trip from Mom's house in Tennessee all the way out here to Fort Lewis, Washington. We knew Robert would be deploying, although we thought it would be summer instead of March. Since everything was all packed away and unknown, I only made a few promises to myself for the new year. One was to blog more and I did achieve that one - I doubled my posts from 2008. Another was to scrapbook more. Didn't do so well on that one. As in, not at all. As a compromise, I'm looking at ways to print my blog so I will at least have some record of the year.
Every year I think of all the half-finished projects around my house. Most of them are quilting projects in various stages of completion. Every year I say I'm going to finish those projects. Some years I do better than others. This year I managed to work on a couple of things, finish a couple of things and start and finish some other sewing projects. I love to sew and wish I did more of it.
When Robert left in March, I used that as another excuse to make some promises to myself. I didn't do as well on those. I was going to work out more - nope, not at all. I was going to take a picture of the day and send it to him. I lasted for about six months. I was going to learn to cook better. I have added some new things to the dishes I can make but it is really hard to get motivated to try new things with just the kids to feed. I was going to finish piecing that crazy Civil War quilt we started in 2003. I have done six more blocks on it and have only 5 more to go. It's possible I could still make this one.
So for 2010, here's what I am promising myself. I am going to do better at birthday cards. Hardly anyone got a card last year. Just didn't happen. I've already set up all the family birthdays with reminders to come to my e-mail and so far, I've mailed the first two cards (not exactly on time, but I have mailed them!) I'm going to keep sewing more, including finishing up at least one unfinished project. And I'm going to try to be more active. It will help to have Robert home on that one.
And the one promise made every year that I hope to keep making every year is to read and study the Bible more and become closer to God as each year passes.
What's 2010 going to bring us? March will bring us Robert coming home for a little while. Gabby will finish 1st grade and move up to 2nd. Sam will start preschool. But only God knows what is really in store for us!
Last year at this time we were packing up to make the trip from Mom's house in Tennessee all the way out here to Fort Lewis, Washington. We knew Robert would be deploying, although we thought it would be summer instead of March. Since everything was all packed away and unknown, I only made a few promises to myself for the new year. One was to blog more and I did achieve that one - I doubled my posts from 2008. Another was to scrapbook more. Didn't do so well on that one. As in, not at all. As a compromise, I'm looking at ways to print my blog so I will at least have some record of the year.
Every year I think of all the half-finished projects around my house. Most of them are quilting projects in various stages of completion. Every year I say I'm going to finish those projects. Some years I do better than others. This year I managed to work on a couple of things, finish a couple of things and start and finish some other sewing projects. I love to sew and wish I did more of it.
When Robert left in March, I used that as another excuse to make some promises to myself. I didn't do as well on those. I was going to work out more - nope, not at all. I was going to take a picture of the day and send it to him. I lasted for about six months. I was going to learn to cook better. I have added some new things to the dishes I can make but it is really hard to get motivated to try new things with just the kids to feed. I was going to finish piecing that crazy Civil War quilt we started in 2003. I have done six more blocks on it and have only 5 more to go. It's possible I could still make this one.
So for 2010, here's what I am promising myself. I am going to do better at birthday cards. Hardly anyone got a card last year. Just didn't happen. I've already set up all the family birthdays with reminders to come to my e-mail and so far, I've mailed the first two cards (not exactly on time, but I have mailed them!) I'm going to keep sewing more, including finishing up at least one unfinished project. And I'm going to try to be more active. It will help to have Robert home on that one.
And the one promise made every year that I hope to keep making every year is to read and study the Bible more and become closer to God as each year passes.
What's 2010 going to bring us? March will bring us Robert coming home for a little while. Gabby will finish 1st grade and move up to 2nd. Sam will start preschool. But only God knows what is really in store for us!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Christmas
Waiting at the top of the stairs
Felicity
Mater
Showing Daddy something Santa broughtChristmas morning was fun. I think I slept the least of all of us, waking up every hour. I finally gave up about 6 and turned my light on to read. Finally I looked out to see about Gabby and she was awake but confused about what time I told her to get me so she was waiting till 7. We woke Sam up and got ready to go downstairs. Poor kids, they had to wait super long this year since I not only had to turn the tree on and take the pictures like normal, I also had to get Daddy up and running on the webcam. He had been waiting for us since our 6 am, too. They stayed patiently at the top of the stairs until I gave them the go ahead and then finally got to come down and see what Santa brought. Gabby entered the world of American Girl with a Felicity doll. Sam was happy, as always, with trains and cars.
Christmas Eve
Getting ready to bake our cake
Mount Rainier on Christmas Eve
After Christmas Eve Service
Gabby's gift to us
Gabby's new robe
Wishing Daddy a Merry Christmas!
Christmas Eve was a good day here. We started out making our traditional birthday cake for Jesus. We bake it on Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day is the only day of the year we can have cake for breakfast. We also spent the day tracking Santa. After doing that and playing and just generally being excited, Sam refused to nap.
We went to the Bakers' house that afternoon for supper and then to church for the Christmas Eve service. Sam was so tired he fell asleep on the way home. I put him on the couch thinking he would wake up while we did Christmas Eve presents but he slept through the whole thing. I finally gave in and put him in the bed with his clothes on.
Daddy called when he got up so he could see us open Christmas Eve presents (we do one each) and so we could wish him a Merry Christmas. We set the computer and webcam up so he could be in the middle of the action on Christmas morning. Then Gabby had to go to bed too. She was so tired from everything we did that day that she didn't complain and went right off to sleep with orders not to wake me up until 6. She was so tired when I gave the orders that on Christmas morning she couldn't remember if I said 6 or 7!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Nine months (and counting)
We hit nine months just before Christmas and we were so busy. Then I was sick the week after Christmas. Then the night I tried to post this, blogger wasn't working right and it just didn't get posted. So we're really at about nine and a half by the time I have gotten this done.
Nine months - the time it takes to grow a baby. That's the first thing that pops into my head when I think about nine months. Our first week of the ninth month was the second week of R&R. Then Robert left and Sam was sick for a week. Another lovely mystery virus that shoots up a super high fever in my baby that can't be pinpointed or anything done about but get through it. Sam sure knows how to have a fever. And he doesn't go halfway with it, either. He goes all the way to high heat.
By the time he was well, we were in the last week of school before Christmas and up to my eyeballs in trying to make Christmas happen - parties and gifts and boxes to mail and cards to do and so on and so forth. I was not as well organized as I wanted to be and lots got left undone. Cards didn't get mailed until Christmas Eve. I worked harder the week leading up to Christmas than I meant to but we managed to get through to nine months down, three to go.
All I could think of at nine months was that I am tired. Tired of always being on call. Tired from getting up, breakfast, dog out, getting dressed, teeth, hair, coats, shoes, in the car, drop off, errands, lunch, nap, pickup, snack, homework, activities, supper, laundry, dishes, baths, bedtime, taking care of the family business, housework, yard work, cars, mail, dog, decisions. Each and every day. They joke over there that each day is like Groundhog Day, the movie (which Robert and I saw on our first date). Each day here feels a lot like Groundhog Day, too. Sure, we do get to do things that are a bit more varied but the workload never really changes and we don't really get a break.
I don't want to sound like I am whining. Maybe I am a little. But I don't mean it that way. It's just that feeling some days where you wake up and say, "I am tired of doing all the things I do every day. Today I wish I could do none of them." And I know we all do that. But at nine months, I'm just feeling tired. Kind of like when you have a baby...
Nine months - the time it takes to grow a baby. That's the first thing that pops into my head when I think about nine months. Our first week of the ninth month was the second week of R&R. Then Robert left and Sam was sick for a week. Another lovely mystery virus that shoots up a super high fever in my baby that can't be pinpointed or anything done about but get through it. Sam sure knows how to have a fever. And he doesn't go halfway with it, either. He goes all the way to high heat.
By the time he was well, we were in the last week of school before Christmas and up to my eyeballs in trying to make Christmas happen - parties and gifts and boxes to mail and cards to do and so on and so forth. I was not as well organized as I wanted to be and lots got left undone. Cards didn't get mailed until Christmas Eve. I worked harder the week leading up to Christmas than I meant to but we managed to get through to nine months down, three to go.
All I could think of at nine months was that I am tired. Tired of always being on call. Tired from getting up, breakfast, dog out, getting dressed, teeth, hair, coats, shoes, in the car, drop off, errands, lunch, nap, pickup, snack, homework, activities, supper, laundry, dishes, baths, bedtime, taking care of the family business, housework, yard work, cars, mail, dog, decisions. Each and every day. They joke over there that each day is like Groundhog Day, the movie (which Robert and I saw on our first date). Each day here feels a lot like Groundhog Day, too. Sure, we do get to do things that are a bit more varied but the workload never really changes and we don't really get a break.
I don't want to sound like I am whining. Maybe I am a little. But I don't mean it that way. It's just that feeling some days where you wake up and say, "I am tired of doing all the things I do every day. Today I wish I could do none of them." And I know we all do that. But at nine months, I'm just feeling tired. Kind of like when you have a baby...
Saturday, January 2, 2010
More fun with Daddy on R&R
Putting up the Christmas tree
Playing games
Hop on Pop
Sam was ready for Disney World
First time to see Gabby ride her bike without training wheels
Also the first time to see Sam ride the tricycle by himselfWe didn't JUST go to Disney World on R&R. We also had some time for some fun at home. Daddy helped us put up the Christmas tree (wish he were here to help take it down), played games, played Hop on Pop, and saw the kids ride their bikes.
We told the kids a couple of days before we left for Disney World. The night before we left I was gathering all the Sammy things we would need - his travel car seat and being sure the stroller would hold the bags we wanted it to. As soon as Sam saw the stroller he crawled in it and said "I want to go to Disney World". He was not happy when we took him out and put him to bed. He was happy when we left for Disney World. He still asks to go back!
We told the kids a couple of days before we left for Disney World. The night before we left I was gathering all the Sammy things we would need - his travel car seat and being sure the stroller would hold the bags we wanted it to. As soon as Sam saw the stroller he crawled in it and said "I want to go to Disney World". He was not happy when we took him out and put him to bed. He was happy when we left for Disney World. He still asks to go back!
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