6 Years Ago- short version

On a Tuesday morning six years ago, I woke up about 6:00 feeling pressure discomfort. It was the day before my due date and Daddy went in to work for a few hours. I called my Mom since I knew she was up getting ready to bring my siblings to school. My Mom called about 11:30 and asked how I was feeling. I still wouldn't admit I was in labor. She said she was just going to come down and hang out. I hung up with her and Max walked in the door about 11:45. He saw me on the couch and came right over and sat next to me. I think he immediately realized I was contracting close and hard. Within two contractions of us talking my water broke. My eyes got huge, "My water, my water just broke, it felt like a water balloon and just popped." He jumped up and quickly got out of uniform into jeans and a shirt. I called my Mom. He put my socks and shoes on (I couldn't bend over or I would leak more) and we left. While on the way to the hospital, between Coronado's speed bumps and contractions we called Max's Mom, my Dad and Sarah. Max dropped me off at the flag circle and parked. I made my way up to the labor and delivery deck and handed the check in lady my ID and told her my water just broke. She told me to have a seat...don't worry, I didn't...but I did give her and ear full. Good thing I did becasue the intern that saw me for my appointment the day before heard my voice and said "Averi, come on back". Got on the table and was dialated to a nine, 100% efaced. My audience (Mom, mother-in-law, brother, Sarah and Brock) made it just in time to see Max in full scrubs catch our first born child, Kalee Madison. I remember the day so vividly. Six years old today! That means we are 1/3 of the way done with our time of raising her. That chokes me up! I continue to pray that Lord helps Max and I guide her to be a positive influence on others and His will be done. Happy 6th Birthday to our beautiful little princess! You have been a blessing in our lives and we are honored to be chosen as your parents. We love you baby girl!

Un-ware

Bear just came to me... "Mom, please fix my pants" as he tries to fasten the snap button repeatedly while sucking in. I looked at him and said "Those are supposed to fit you. Maybe I need to loosen the elastic (adjustable waist)." He looked up in my eyes and said with a straight face "but I wear pive un-ware." Sure enough- he was. FYI all five pairs were Spiderman!

What Do You Want?

Me: Kalee what do you want for dinner?
Kalee: I want some veggies, a hot white potato and corn.
Me: OK, Bear what do you want?
Bear: I want chicken and ice cream soup.

From one extreme to another!

Pearl Harbor Day

A special day. I'll never forget it. Other then the lives taken on this December day in 1941... two lives came together in 1950. If my Papa were still alive this would be their 58th anniversary.

I cant wait to see Max's head bald all the time...and not have to address the missed spot behind his ear on a weekly basis. :)

Because I Know...

...My kids are super cute.

Counting Down!

For what...you may ask. Wouldn't you like to know. ;P We are all excited for the upcoming events.

Thanksgiving Weekend

It's already the week after Thanksgiving? WOW! We had a busy weekend. Thursday we had some friends over for Turkey dinner. I tried my grandmothers stuffing recipe for the first time. Not bad. Grandmother would have definitely criticized my lumpy mashed potatoes that everyone loved. I was raised with no lumps but everyone downed the toxins (potatoes change and become not healthy when cooked) covered in my lump less homemade gravy. Max eats almost anything...be it from 'Hell's Kitchen' (the ship) or Burnt Paradise (my kitchen) but didn't take much interest in my home made cranberries this year. I'm thinking of finding a way to puree and can them myself. Canning! How crunchy is that?! But really did you expect any different from me? I swear I have to be creative and sneak things like wheat germ into his salsa for nutrition. Amber made awesome sweet potatoes that one of our church friends recently dug up from his garden. Another thing I would love to learn how to can. We all love sweet potatoes...so much that I make sweet potato pancakes! We had a typical military family dinner....and it was wonderful to have another evening of fellowship prior to Amber's departure.

Friday morning my neighbor and I got out of the house about 3:30. We made it to Wal-Mart and got a map of what pallet of merchandise was where. Made our game plan and worked as a team to get what we needed when the bell rang at 5:00... paid for our stuff and walked back to the car at 5:18. Toys R Us was next...only 3 items and a 15 minute wait. Off to Target to get Max his gift. I'll tell you what it is because I know he will only read the first and last line of this blog...if at all. Besides the fact, he picked it out. I got him a new ship camera that can fit in his pocket. I can see the eyebrows of non-military raising so let me explain. When he is deployed he needs a camera too. I'm tired of getting motion sick looking at his blurry pictures from his 6 year old camera that has been dropped countless times in foreign ports. I was so ready to spend the $89.00. Target is in the mall here so we also wandered Children's Place, Family Christian Bookstore which had fantastic door buster deals, and I even got a secret from Victoria. Two coffee stops later we called it quits and made it back home by 10ish. Max got the kids ready and was standing at the door keys in hand to 'pick up a few things for under the kitchen sink' from Lowes. Yeah, I'm not that stupid. His motive was power tools, large tool box, and anything with a laser light or an 18 volt battery. I took his wallet and handed him $20. OK, no I didn't...but it sounded good. Friday afternoon we stopped by our friends house to say one last 'see you later'. She left Saturday morning.

Saturday Max and our friend Romy started on our back splash in the kitchen. A little grout and caulking left and everything is done. As far as my kitchen ceiling... the warehouse effect is kinda growing on me. Who needs sheet rock?

Fast forward to today- I started wrapping presents. Bear walked in and tried to look under the blanket.
Me: What do you think your doing?
Bear: I want to see under that.
Me: No
Bear: Mooooooom, I want to see if I like it. (jumping up and down starting a tantrum)
Kalee: I didn't see anything Mom (talking fast as if she's guilty)
Me: Good cuz' I don't want you telling Sydney and Harley what Mrs. Susan has me holding for them for Christmas.
Kalee: Oh. (pause) Is Sydney getting the Moon Sand? Or Harley?
Me: Uh-huh...get outta here!

She realized she got caught. I think I can only pull that off for another year or so. My Mom did it way too long. I even remember reversing it "Mom, I think Candice would like that."

Off to research sales on Leap Frog products.