Suitcase Dilemma

I now realize why I procrastinated packing. All our luggage has been well loved these past 8 years. One suitcase has a busted zipper, the other has a broken handle and another, a broken clip (needed when I travel alone) and somehow 3 of our carry on little isle suitcases rolled away to suit case land. As much as those things have traveled around the world I can't complain. Fortunately we were able to run to Walmart at 9pm and get some cheap ones until they break and I can shop for our next good set. I kept telling myself 'after Christmas sales' but never made it out to do after Christmas shopping. Blah. I have 2 suitcases, 4 carry on's, 2 car seats and 2 kids. Piece of cake compared to our international traveling. Now I can't wait to see all of you!

*I packed all our items needed including underwear for the Friday wedding in a carry on. I could only imagine loosing our luggage. What am I still doing up? Flight leaves early in the morning.

Where Have I Been?

Well I'll tell you where I have been. Running around in circles like a chicken with it's head cut off....but instead I have a phone to my ear. I tell ya after this weekend I will be able to breathe at least one sigh of relief. I think by now all parties involved are ready for the wedding to be done and over with. It's been difficult being on the other coast because I get the "Did so and so tell you..." often. No! No one told me plans changed...again! My major concerns are steaming out her flower girl dress and his tux that I just picked up from the cleaners, but will have to be balled up for transport. Now I have to stock my Mom's little purse with silly putty, a TowMater car and anything small that can keep Bear's attention if he gets the wiggles during the ceremony. I'm so excited for my brother! I can't wait to see what kind of joke his friend swill pull (probably a ring loss one since it's a toss up on Bear or the Best Man being more responsible). I put money on them dancing their first dance so nicely and then busting out into something like "I like big butts..." in the middle. Nope, I wouldn't put it past my brother...or Liz since she's a female version of him. I can't wait to see them.

I have not started my mock-pack yet. Usually during travels I pack and weigh all our luggage to the pound. I once was .2 ounces over my 50 lb limit...so I removed a pair of socks and traveled with them in my coat pocket. You know, in case I needed to change my socks. It's a good thing they put a weight limit on luggage because this seasoned Navy wife has mastered the art of packing...and spacebaging. Whoa I love those things! I fill the bag with clothes and attach my Dyson that sucks big time...until it's a shoebox size and 100 lbs. How else could I get the kids clothes home from my in laws in Kentucky. My MIL laughed at me as we slammed the trunk. As of this moment I just started laying everything out, suitcases have not even made their way in the house. So unlike me. And here I am blogging.

Off to lay in bed and continue praying for a fellow Navy family whose newborn son is in an overseas NICU. I couldn't imagine...

Stolen Pictures

I'll post the ones off my camera after I cut my to do list in half. These were taken from the outlawed in-laws.

Kalee's Guma, Kalee, me and Bear
Gramma and Me. I got caught stuffing my face. Those were some grubalicious pretzel crackers.

My boy opening gifts. See I took pictures. I have the camera in my hand to prove it.Bear, Dylan (Dani's son for those of you high school friends that remember her) and Kalee.

Max and his Grandpa he hasn't seen since before we moved overseas.

I got caught kissing a...a...well, an animal.

Love your hat Monkey.

He makes some weird faces when you put a camera in it.

Grandpa and his buddy.

Can I...

...take my tree down yet? Oh- C'mon, the day will be over in about 3 hours. Truth be told all the ornaments are off and put away. Tomorrow I'll have Max get the toats out to put everything else away. I won't disturb him now. He is laying the last of the tile on the bar and hopes to have it all grouted by the time he gets off of leave. Plans to dust, mop and vacuum tomorrow are put on the back burner since I will need to clean up after Mr. Mess.

Laundry is done. My kids got a whole new wardrobe while we were in Kentucky. Grandma even washed it all before we came home so I didn't have to do it. I still managed to do 3 loads today. How?

All the toys with little pieces or that cause a mess are put up in the top of the closet until I give permission for use. I know it's not going to help, but one can hope. I found Bear standing on a pillow on a step stool that was on top a chair to get the snacks off the top pantry shelf. It's only a matter of time before I see moon sand ground into bed sheets, or Color Wonder finger paint grease marks on the wall. But at least I can say I tried.

I can't wait to go to the gym tomorrow. I NEED cardio after my neighbor brought over the best fudge ever- Cookies and Creme. I did my best to not make the family tradition pizelle's (Italian cookies) this year...once my Mom gets wind of will probably do with the kids while we are out there. I'm craving cardio today. Our Gym just got new machines too...I can watch TV on my piece of equipment while working out. Lazy Americans is the only thing that comes to mind. Do we really need to be bribed with a TV screen 18 inches away form our face while we build a sweat? Whatever. If it works for the New Year Resolutioners I guess it's worth it. Speaking of resolutions I have yet to give much thought on mine until now. I decided to go easy on myself for 2009. My resolution is to restrict myself to only do laundry on Monday and Thursday. Let's see how this works!

I'm tired. I took a nap after we opened gifts this morning. I feel like I'm coming down with that sinus infection again. Lovely. We had a layed back day. I think this is the first time we didn't do anything with anyone for Christmas Day. In previous years we celebrated it like a typical military holiday. This year we did Christmas Eve with friends. We had an evening filled with food, singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, making gingerbread houses (our tradition), and laughing. I was tired (still need to catch up from the drive home). Most of you know how I get when I'm tired. I'm more entertaining then the folks with a few drinks in them. They were recording the evening for my friend in Kuwait. Good thing she knows me well, I hope she ignores my response to a joke her husband told me. It resulted in me running out of the room: "I gotta pee, I gotta pee, get outta my way, I gotta pee!"

I'm rambling. I gotta go sleep.

Today-

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
-Luke 2:11- (New International Version)



Merry Christmas!!!

City Girl - Country Boy!

We made it in. I drove the whole way home and only took one wrong turn which happened to be here in Virginia. Go figure. You know in 604 miles I counted nine Cracker Barrels! Nine! I have never been to one until Grandpa took us out to one this week. It was a nice drive home...no rain...no traffic...no diarrhea stops x's 3 people because of McDonald's (I ate a salad and didn't get sick). Ever since we returned to the states I have not been able to eat that nasty place (or Hardees -which is Carls Jr. for you Californians). Blah! We made it home in 11 hours and 45 minutes....I did say I was driving right? These 35 mph back roads kill me. I miss jumping on the 15 Vegas-bound going 70mph... OK, maybe it was a little over 85 in the before kids days...and making that straight shot to Nana's in no time. I knew to watch for cops in helo's, the middle of nowhere around Zizzyx Rd., and on the blind side of a couple overpasses. Here, I gotta watch for more and it sucks not knowing the grounds. I pointed out cops and he pointed out deer. Does that mean I'm more of a city girl who's got me a country boy? Joyce Meyer "New You" series kept me awake on these windy roads. She is awesome! She had me thinking so hard that my heart jumped when a cop sped up behind me with his blue lights flashing....then he sped past me. Wshew!

I just looked at the clock and need to throw some clothes on to take a dress and a tiny tux to the cleaners for use next week.

Gasp!

Next week, Elizabeth will legally be......my-sister-in-law.

I'll get more about the trip on here later. ((Hugs)) to my readers!

Home-bound

*Sigh*

I love the southern hospitality...especially in the Urgent Care when Bear broke out with an allergic reaction last week, and in ER today because his Daddy was doubled over. We can leave now that we visited the highlights of this rickety-dink town and everyone is healthy.

Soooooo much to blog about but gotta 12 hour drive ahead of us. Too bad I can't blog and drive through snow or ice at the same time. Guess your gunna just have to wait....or call me and keep me company while I'm on the road.

Kalee just came in with awful cheese breath. Gotta go attack her mouth with toothpaste. :)