Sound...

the trumpets! My kitchen cabinets are being installed as I type!

Hopefully by the end of the week I'll have a stove, dishwasher, sink, and counter top. You know, all the things we take for granted....

Pictures soon to come.

+ - x / Yeah!

My 5 year old understands the concept of multiplication and division! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! I think I was in at least second grade before I understood that. Now if I could only get her to quit writing her letters and numbers where I have to use the mirror to see them... her penmanship looks just as good as my cooking. ;)

Exam

As mentioned, I had my annual and a half appointment yesterday. I was due for it in February but due to child care reasons I had to wait until now. My appointment was at 14:00 but the clinics request a 15 minute prior check in. The one day I didn't have a book for entertainment...not even a bratty kid was in the waiting room for me to observe. I waited from 1:40 until about 4:30 because they were waiting for blood work results before I dressed up in the fancy paper robe. Take that back...I did have a book, but it would have looked a little strange reading Peter Pan without my kids. All I thought about while waiting was if they used metal or plastic. Metal, oh how every women hates the cold metal...I have always wanted to look at the instrument after the fact to see if whatever jelly they use freezes on it. I'm all about safe and natural... but how natural is it to have a Dr. take an instrument out of the ice tray, stick the fancy jack with light attached all the way up in my hoo-ha, open it and say "Hum, where are your cervix?". Knowing my body I had to reply "They like to float high" but he was so far up there I thought he was looking at my tonsils. Since that wasn't enough he swabbed the bulkhead, poked it with wood and use an eye mascara applicator to scratch things up on his way out!?!?

I hate not being able to study for this exam. Hopefully I'm done until next year.

Liquid Electric

We are getting things done that should have been done forever ago around here. I told Max he wont get his Birthday present until I at least have baseboards. How's that for motivation! Why? Because I'm taking him to his favorite restaurant that Kalee calls "The Peanut Steak House", Texas Roadhouse (same menu as Roadhouse Grill for ya Californians). Still, you might be lost? Well, have I mentioned I only belong in the kitchen with a sponge and soap? He wants to eat for goodness sakes! So yes, tomorrow after my lovely annual and a half exam he will be nailing...the baseboards.

OK,OK, I'm going to hear it from my husband dearest if I don't explain the whole story as to why it's taken so long. "You see, the electrical could only support blah-blahhhh-bla-blah...." then my hearing came back...."and according to Google I have to change this or it will continue to short wah-wah-wah..." and when I lifted my head out of the water he said "but I need you to shut down the computer and come watch me in case something happens." WHAT? Woah partner...you talked to fast for me (knowing darn right well that's not true because Dawn is my Mom).

What am I supposed to do if 'something happens'?
"Oh just grab a piece of wood and knock me away."
Excuse me?
"Just don't use anything metal."
Your kidding right?

A few minutes after standing in the garage talking to the neighbor the air compressor kicks on. Max yelled, "Hey it works and I didn't even have to get out of this bucket of water".

You think I'm elaborating? Me? Ha! Tell ya what, come spend a day at my house!

"Eye" a Puffy Mess

I woke up this morning with swollen eyes from last night...had to cake the makeup a little thicker in certain areas to take away from the puffy mess. While at our Life Group (small group Bible study) that I was almost about to bail out of because I was not feeling that great, He answered a prayer. The past few weeks I couldn't figure out if I was listening hard enough or with the right ear. Last night, the fog dissipated. No longer am I confused about which path I should take...and once I get there what means I have. I love this feeling of certianty. It bugs me how sometimes it feels like forever before I get an answer...but I now realize why...and it's all about His timing. Amazing! What an awesome God!

I know

I know, I've been MIA. Max decided to finally do my baseboards (they have been off since we started tiling) and I have been busy walking right behind him picking up fixing food and handing him sweet tea.

I'll be back.

Tonight is the night....

... that Navy Chief's look forward to all year. It's the night before the new Chief's get pinned! This is the most talked about evening of events amongst the Mess. I remember the night before Max got pinned like it was last week. I'll bet every involved wife is doing or thought about doing what I did that evening. Sorry, only Chief Wife's are privy to that info...you know cuz' most Chief Wives have a 'lil more of something in them (Yokosuka friends know what I mean) then Wardroom Wives. A very memorable time in a Sailor's career.

Off to bed and reminisce.

Magic

I was picking up towels and clothes while Bear was taking a bath... I keep reminding these kids that clothes need help walking to the hamper. I hear him talking to himself, "it's magic... wow... there... not there... it's magic." so I turn around kinda curious and ask, "What's magic?". It was then that I realized he was spread eagle bent in half looking at himself.

"Look Mom, it's magic....little ball in there....not there, no spot anymore."

Bwahaha...I guess now is the time he learns a little about his own anatomy.

COMREL Navy Media

I miss AFN. Those military folks that have lived overseas understand, I'm sure. It's the lack of hearing the 'Daily News Update' tune (on link below) and watching what our military is doing stateside and abroad. The best part were the commercials and Combat Camera. I wish I would have recorded some of them... they made me laugh. When my brother was in Iraq I remember seeing him on Combat Camera and was going crazy trying to find it on the Internet to send to my Mom. Unfortunately being stateside we no longer get AFN but I had a friend from Okinawa tell me she saw Max's COMREL story. Immediately I searched and found the Navy's story. (In the beginning you'll hear a little voice "Daaaa-daaaa"....that was Bear.) Thought I'd share.

Also, thought I'd give a tiny bit of history on where we lived when we first moved to Japan. This building in Negishi was visible from our housing. In fact, it provided nice shade plenty of times when I was pregnant with Bear and needed a break before walking up a hill then down a hill to go to the commissary or exchange. Those were the days I hated Japan. Eventually, I learned to like it...and funny enough I now miss it.

Copy Cat

Max is a miniature Max. That doesn't make sense does it? Little Max is a miniature Max. Umm, yeah, no. Bear is just like his Daddy! :P No really, he is. Max set his coke can down, burped (imagine that) and said excuse me...Bear put his water cup down, forced a grunt out, and said excuse me. Max stretched and yawned....Bear stretched and yawned. Max scratched his head...Bear scratched his head. They played Pete-and-repeat at least a dozen times before I said "wish you weren't deployed when I was working on potty training him." Max told me "It was easy, all I had to do was move over."

Funny enough, Bear's accidents have been limited since.

Brestfeeding in the House?!?!

Many know if I discuss politics, I avoid revealing which party I plan on casting my vote for. The first year I was able to vote (2 presidential elections ago) my brother asked who my pick was. I replied with a smile "Al Bush". No, my sarcasm still has not ceased. I remember sitting at the table with my extended family when this topic was brought up. I was almost disowned that day. Since then I am vague with most of my political answers to friends and extended family. I realized I do stand up for what I truly believe....even though I'm registered with one party but have voted the other every time (been wanting to fix that every time...oops). Regardless of what you or I agree with or disagree with, I would have never imagined reading this during a Presidential Campaign! However you feel about Governor Sarah Palin I think this is a remarkable quote.

The mother of five told People magazine she is still nursing her baby son, Trig, born in April. But she did not think she'd have any trouble balancing her family obligations with the challenges of the campaign or the vice presidency if the Republican ticket prevails in November.
“What I’ve had to do, though, is in the middle of the night, put down the Blackberries and pick up the breast pump. Do a couple of things different and still get it all done,” Palin said of balancing work and family.

Above quote found here.


Regardless of how anyone feels about her political views, it's just awesome to know she is feeding her baby the good stuff!

I So Big...

B: I so big! (lifting hands high)
Me: Yes, son you are.
B: I so strong! (flexing muscles and says with a growl)
Me: Yes, son you are.
B: I wipe my own butt!

I could not hold the laughter.

Camping Story

So you wanna know all about our trip? You impatient people! ;) A couple weeks ago we planned a camping trip with 5 families going...which also happen to be neighbors on our street. Every other week or so we plan a "Fun Friday". Usually consists of gathering in a neighbors backyard, grilling dinner and playing a game like hillbilly horseshoes. This past week we decided to do a camping trip about an hour and a half away from here at a state park for the weekend. Why do they call it a "State Park" when where we live is a "Commonwealth"? As unique as California is, I'll leave being a resident of Virginia for others. :P So, I'll give it to you in chronological order...



Short version: We had fun!


Long version:
Friday: Max got off work early and we loaded up my car because he didn't want to take the 'mini truck' (AKA: his car, he doesn't want to offend it by calling it a car, crazy.) Walked the kids bikes to the neighbors truck who was planning to leave shortly after us. We, our family and one of the neighbors, took off. We decided to take the 460 so we could avoid the "Friday bumper to bumper on the 64" towards Richmond. HA! You mean doing 55 mph in a 60 mph is considered traffic? I still don't believe Virginians know what traffic is. My definition of traffic is SoCal! To me bumper to bumper means I only use the catch point on the clutch to move 2 feet, no need for the gas pedal. About three quarters of the way into the trip we noticed blue lights flying our direction from way behind. Max pulled to the side to allow him to pass...instead, he pulled up to the neighbor following us and pointed to pull over, and pointed to us to pull over. What? Why is he pulling us over? It can't be the tint on the windows. This vehicle is registered in Kentucky (don't ask...lol). Mr. Police man comes up to the window and asks for licence, proof of insurance and registration. Huh? Max politely asked what the problem was. "I clocked you at 57 in a 35." said the man in a goofy looking hat. What, I thought that was 55?!?! Max is the goodie goodie driver that pays attention to speed and I'm...well let's just say, different. I mean he set cruise control to 57 in what he thought was 55! In my book 55 means 60 and I can do at least 8 more then that. We got the ticket and moved on to stop another driver. We asked the neighbor if he saw the speed limit change...and he didn't either! That means 3 adult drivers missed the speed limit change from 55 to 35! Stupid speed trap! I instantly called the family that was leaving shortly after us and gave them a heads up on where the fishing hole was. Upon arrival to the camp site and after getting settled in we told all our neighbors about Max's first ticket in over 10 years. How come the one neighbor said "You must have gotten it on 460 in___(name of city)" How did you know? I guess that area has been written up in the paper several times because issuing tickets is their main source of income. Nice! If I got pulled over I would be forced to not only get a Virginia licence, which would suck because that would force me to give up my Arizona licence that expires in 2047 (seriously! see why I don't want a VA licence?), but I probably would have voiced my opinion on dropping the speed from 55 only for it to be 35 for about 50 feet and jump back up to 55. UGH!



Our neighbors made fun of us for having such a huge tent. We have a 10 man, 4 room, 18x20 foot tent that barely fit on the tent pad and almost requires us to pay taxes. They were planning on landscaping "The Pino Pad". I made everyone remove shoes in the entry way just like at home. We had the living room available for board games in case it rained....but it didn't. Beautiful weather all weekend!



For dinner that night we roasted weenies. The neighbor boy was kind enough to say "Kalee, do you want my weenie?". UM, thanks but NO! LOL I do not buy hot dogs because I don't like to feed my kiddos stuff full of...stuff. But I broke down and got all beef with no artificial flavors, colors, fillers or byproducts...but still have nitrates in them...eeew. Then we roasted marshmallows. My favorite part. I set mine on fire, blew it out and scarfed it down. Don't evaluate. I know marshmallows are made of corn syrup and...stuff. Oh, your laughing about me burning them? C'mon, would you expect any different from me?



Saturday: Our expert camper neighbors made bacon egg and cheese sandwiches. YUM! Way too much work for me though. I was prepared to feed the kids 'donuts with pink icing' (whole wheat bagels with strawberry cream cheese) or a Dannimal and oatmeal. After getting cleaned up we went fishing. Max cast a line for Bear to hold his pole and 2.3 minutes later he managed to cast it himself and caught a tree. Five minutes after that both of their attention spans expired so Max and our Neighbor Scott took them on a canoe ride. After lunch Bear refused to nap so we went to the water park. They had a park inside a pool that was about my knee deep that the kids loved. I tried not to think about the amount of pee in that water....but it didn't work. Kalee and Daddy raced down the slides at least a dozen times. Surprised me because she usually doesn't tolerate water in the face well. That afternoon we watched the staff feed animals at the nature center which was the educational highlight of the day. Bear was fascinated watching the snakes eat mice...which gave me the heebie-jeebies. The staff was very willing to educate us about the different animals. It reminded me of walking into my brothers room....deer heads on the wall with bear, raccoon, and fox furs displayed around all the reptiles. It was finally time to eat dinner and our expert camping neighbors made Brunswick stew and Peach Cobbler in a dutch oven on the open fire. Delish! Yes, I still burned myself a marshmallow for a smore.



Sunday: After breakfast we packed up to head back. Max wanted to take the long way to avoid the speed trap. Instead I drove home...slowing down to 33 mph in the famous area on the 460.



Would I tent camp again? Sure. But not until we have a van or truck to haul all the little things I forgot... like the air mattress, can opener, lighter, coffee, kids potty (so I don't have to walk to the bathroom 12 times a day between the 2 kids), broom to sweep out our house tent...yeah I'm OCD



...and for those that know me and my showering obsession....I still showered every morning and every night. :P I would not have gone otherwise.