Closing Time

I have come to the decision that I am not going to blog anymore... It is not what I want it to be and I feel like I am too connected or that I am putting to much out there! I started this blog as a way to process a deployment but now it just sits here blank and stale, so I am walking away from it.

Thank you for all the kind words and support over the last year or so!

THE END

Super Date Night

This weekend we got to get away, get all fancy, and have some adult conversation!!! We got to go to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball!!! Richmond or Bust, Baby!!!

 What a great night we had! I think this is actually the first ball I have been to that I actually knew the people we sat with!

I got to meet several of J's Marines and listen to their stories and experiences, got to meet some of there lovely wives/girlfriends, and put names with faces!

The night was long... but I think I heard someone say there were 2900 people at the Ball. So we had some waiting to do while people got drinks or took bathroom breaks! The guest of honor gave a good speech and by the time that was all done we were ready to EAT!!!

It was really a lot of fun! And because I was having such a good time I forgot about my camera... oops! I got two pictures, it is what it is!

I am not totally in love with that picture though ->
Bad lighting + crappy camera + awkward pose = ick! Oh well!

I would like to say how lucky I am to be able to stand next to this man and call him mine! I am so proud of all he does for us and our country. He is an amazing Father, Husband, and Marine!

I am also thankful for wonderful friends who allowed us to enjoy this evening worry free!




This world of the military has been an eye-opening experience for me! I was not raised in a military family and didn't even know anyone who served except for my grandpa during WWII but he never talked about that! I can say that it has changed my views on several issues and made me feel pride I have not ever experienced (watching J come off those buses, giving birth without my partner, just a few examples) and it has taught me to enjoy EVERY single moment we are given on this earth. I am thankful for the sacrifices these men and women make everyday without even thinking twice. I am proud to be apart of such an amazing group of spouses, they have taught me so much. And finally just a few days early...

Happy Birthday Marines!!! 

Let's play catch...

Up that is!!! Its been awhile since I actually have written anything so today is a catch up day! (I actually have written a couple of post but they are just sitting there unpublished b/c I am worried it will hurt someone very dear to me)

Anyway, I would first like to say Happy Birthday to my wonderful Maw-Maw!!! She is the best grandma a girl could ask for and I hope she has an amazing day because she deserves the best!!!

It has been a cRaZy couple of months and it doesn't feel like it should be November already, I think September and October just melded into one month this year!!! We had a few weeks in there with nothing but sickness running through our house.. M first with Strep throat and then N had a double ear infection and then J got Strep throat! J had to defer the Marathon until next year and was super bummed about that but he needed to recover! He did get to run the Tough Mudder and had an absolute blast!!!

This is BORING... so maybe lets do some pics!!!

I joined a softball team... that's me getting in some batting practice!

We went to a local pumpkin patch and it poured on us... didn't even get to go to the pumpkin patch, just grabbed some pumpkins from the pile and ran for cover :) But we had a great time! 

Tough Mudder "Team Tank" 10 Miles through obstacles and up ski slopes and they are still smiling... they actually jumped into a tank of ice water!!! 

Can you see his smile? This right after getting electrocuted!!! 

And finally Halloween!!! A great night for all involved! We went through 5 large bags of candy in less than 2 hours and my kids brought back their  fair share!!! 

In uniform, not because he wanted to be but because he had to go back to work... THANK YOU Major R for letting J come be with us  for a bit!!! 

M really wasn't feeling the whole picture time so thats why there isn't one with her and J and we just happened to get her looking in the last one but the 10 he took before this she had her "beak" buried in my shoulder!!! 

And since it is Thursday... 

What's your song??

Because I am in love with Bruno Mars and I cant WAIT for Breaking Dawn to come out ( I know I'm like 12) my song for this weeks link up is his new song for the sound track...



Head over to Goodnight Moon and freshen up your playlist!!!

Grow Up!

We all can act childish, its really very easy to find yourself throwing a tantrum like a two year old. Stomping our feet and yelling and tears, refusing to use your words and sometimes it even works... you get your way because lets face it who wants to deal with a grown up acting this way?!?!

BUT and this is a big but,

Tantrums are the way a child acts because they don't have the ability to tell you what they want. As an adult you should know how to speak to someone with respect and still be able to communicate your point... well at least most adults! Another problem with adult tantrums is that the words that are screamed usually cut like a knife and we all know that once the words are out you cant take them back!  

I guess I am not sure where I am heading with all this... Some one very dear to me was hurt and I am at a loss for what happened. Words hurt, PERIOD.  

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; fro the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1: 19-20

Can adults be put in a time-out? 

What's Your Song???

Wow! Can it really be Thursday already??  It has been a cRaZy couple of weeks and so in honor of just needing a day off, here is my song this week!!



What is really funny is that N gets so excited when we hear this song and can pretty much sing all the words!!!  Does that make me a bad mom... letting them listen to "real" music?!?  Oh well!

Enjoy and here's to a LaZy day!!! (but before you settled in head over to Goodnight Moon and link up)

Scaredie Cat

This weekend we got the pleasure to experience Hurricane Irene!!! I actually don't think she was still a hurricane when we met her but it rained for a LONG time and there was some wind but overall we got really lucky!!! The kids enjoyed playing in the rain...

When it first started

Coming down harder now but still fun... 

BUT then the power went out and we thought "okay, we will be fine they will have it back on by morning"! Well, we were wrong!!! We went almost 27 hours without power and I know that is just a small amount of time compared to the others affected and my prayers are still with those families, but it SuCkED!  I kept trying to remind myself that people used to live this way and survived but (this is embarrassing) I am afraid of the dark and hate HATE it!!! I couldn't sleep because I kept thinking about someone or something coming through my window and then I worried about the kids getting to hot but I didn't want to open their window because I wouldn't hear if something happened because the baby monitor doesn't work without electricity!!! (What a nutcase, bet you are feeling for J right about now)

ANYWAY

We are very blessed and our neighbors let us borrow an extension cord that was connected to their generator and it really lifted our spirits... we were able to run a fan and my laptop! So we decided to camp out in our room and watch a movie!

Another benefit of a Hurricane barreling down on the East Coast is that our friends from NC came to ride out the storm with us... YAY!!! Don't get me wrong, four kids under one roof and not being able to get O.U.T can get a little crazy BUT it was great to catch up!!!

So we started the week with an earthquake and ended with a hurricane and I am hoping that Mother Nature is done for awhile!!!

What's your song???

So here we are again, I cant believe it is already Thursday!!! This has been a big week for us, N started school and we have been getting used to his new schedule, changing around nap time for M, and just adjusting!!!

We are so proud for him and he is really enjoying it!!! 

I am sorry that I haven't been better at blogging in between the link up with Goodnight Moon, but it is what it is! I am pretty sure its all about to change and you all will be hearing from me a lot more because I just canceled cable!!! Its time to shake some things up!!! Anyway... 

I actually heard this song coming home from visiting J at work yesterday and it really struck me, I don't think I have heard it before! I kinda stopped listening to Country a few years back but seem to be slowly transitioning back to it because the radio stations up here seem to have the top 40 on repeat and you can only hear a song so many times before it starts getting on your nerves! 

Back to this song... 

While I was listening to it my thoughts immediately turned to J, as they normally do when I hear a love song, and how he is at such a cross-roads right now and how I hope and pray he knows that no matter what he or we are going through I will be there.  How I wish I could help him find peace in his job now and comfort and patience in our future! I hope he knows what an amazing job he does as a husband and father and how grateful I will always be! 

Then I started thinking about N and what a big day he had just had (the 1st day of school and the day we had an earthquake in VA) and how much I want him to know that he can ALWAYS count on me, that I will always be there!!!  I loved him the moment I found out we were pregnant, he was my dream come true!  

So todays song is dedicated to my boys!!! I love you! 

What's your song???

I love this band and this song is beautiful. 

I am just going to let the song to the talking for me today... I have written and re-written this blog about six times and the words are just not working for me today! 

Go check out Goodnight Moon for others that have linked up! (and link up too!!!) 

What's your song???

"Arms" by Christina Perri

J and I have had a really rough go at it this past year but this song PERFECTLY describes how I feel about my love! He is my home and no matter what is going on I know when I am wrapped in his arms everything will be just fine.

So today I am linking up with Goodnight Moon and dedicating this one to my J, my soft place to land, my true home! Love you always and forever!

Letters

Dear M,

PUUULEEEAAASE sleep darling! Your mommy is hanging on by a thread and would really love it if you would STOP fighting it! You are cranky and sassy (even more so w/o sleep)!!! I know you are tired so why don't you want to sleep?  I promise you my sweet you are not missing anything, during your nap time your brother is having quiet time and I am doing mommy stuff and then at bed time we all go to bed right after you!!! So please baby, sleep!!! 

Love

Your incredibly mentally exhausted Mommy

Dear Mistake, 

We made you over a year ago and yet we are still paying for you! Can we please just move on, you are wearing on us and we are tired of you! 

I get it and trust me when I say, we have learned our lesson! You preyed on us at a time of confusion and instability, I guess that is when you rear your ugly head for us all! But you are not going to break us and we are stronger because of you! 

Sincerely, 

Better Prepared Me

Dear Vacation, 

I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT YOU AND CAN'T WAIT TILL YOU ARRIVE!!!! WAHOOOOOO!!! 

Love, 

A very excited ME! 

Catching Up

Holy cow... I can not believe that it has been two months since I have blogged! OOPS!

So I guess I have some catching up to do! Where to start???

J got a new billet and we are super excited about it except that it happened about 6 months earlier than we expected! It is a great opportunity for him but means a lot more hours!!!

We went to Philly to visit a close friend and the Liberty Bell! I think we have created a Phillies fan in N because every time he sees a Phillies shirt he has to have it! We also all enjoyed our first official philly cheesesteak and it was delicious! J took ordering VERY serious and I wasn't able to order exactly what I wanted but what I got was amazing!!!

we got a new family member that day... a granny! 

really enjoying the cheese fries

HOW TO!!! 

We have had a lot of HOT days and have spent a lot of time at the pool or playing in the slip n slide!!!

our little fish

J did the mud run and had a blast... I cant wait to join him next year (bad planning this year so I didn't get to run it... completely my fault) 

So this summer has been great so far and I can not believe that we are half way through June already!!! I hope everybody is having as much fun as we are and enjoying the watermelon as much as M... 

What's your song

I missed last week... is it just me or are the weeks flying by???  Anyway, I had my song picked out and then this morning I was watching the news and they featured a couple that has the number 1 country song in America right now...

Country Music hasn't been my favorite lately, it was all I listened to when I was young and well into HS but then I met my hubby and he opened my eyes to a whole new world of music!!! So I guess today I am going back to my roots!!!

Both of these songs make me think of my honey!!! Its really easy to fall into a routine/rut and every now and again you have to shake things up:




With this one it takes me back to our first kiss (my FIRST kiss ever) and how much fun we have had in our 11 years together and I cant wait for more!



I love you J!

Sorry about the sappiness today but what can I say, I'm in LOVE!  Don't forget to go link up with Goodnight Moon with your song!

Date Night

J and I decided to go on a date last Friday night and had an amazing time!!! We went to a bowling/movie theater and it was so COOL!

The reason we chose this place was because it gave us the option of either bowling or going to a movie! So we called our trusty babysitter girl (which I found on sittercity.com for all you milies you should really check it out... its FREE) and away we went! We decided to go see a movie and we also picked the VIP experience... 

BIG leather seats, up away from all the kiddies (have to be 21 to be a VIP), the best Sangria I have ever tasted, dinner, and a movie!!! (Plus popcorn)!!!

It was such a great time! We saw the Lincoln Lawyer and both really enjoyed the movie! 

So everything was great... 

EXCEPT for the lack of smooches!!! I guess that's what you get when you take  your hubby to a movie you know he is going to enjoy! I seem to remember a time when the movie theater was a place to go and make out, NOW its a place to escape and watch a movie without having to put a kid back in bed 100 times! OH WELL! We had a great time and I would go back in heartbeat! 

What's your song

Wow I am way late with this today! My days seem to be blurring together this week and I can't believe it is already Thursday! Anyway, today is the day I link up with Goodnight Moon and her dance party!

This one is for my N! He walks around the house singing this song, well just the Baby-o part but it is so stinking cute and the song is stuck in my head!




Hope you all enjoy some teeny-bopper jams today! :)

What's your song

Today is the day to head over to Goodnight Moon and link up with your song...

I have been going back and forth on what song I was going to pick since last Thursday and in true "Amanda" style I finally picked it yesterday! The kids and I were driving home from the grocery store and I was frustrated with the radio, so I turned on the good ole' ipod! When this song came on it was perfect timing... I looked back and my sweet little M was fast asleep!

This song sums up perfectly what I want for my kids and their childhood! To grow up nice and slow, just like "American Honey"!



This song is a great reminder for me! To stop and cherish and nurture my kids childhood and to not wish it away! To really live our life a day at a time and not sweat the small stuff!!!


Hope you all enjoy this one! And don't forget to go check out Goodnight Moon's song and everybody that has linked up!!!

Day 2 {First Love}

My first love...  This one may be a shocker, since my hubby was my first real boyfriend and while he was the first (and only) man I have loved, he was not my FIRST love!

Fast-pitch Softball!! That's it! It was love at first pitch! I loved playing so much, its some of the best memories I have! 

It really all started with my Mom! She actually played in a family softball game the day before I was born (I love that story). It was meant to be! I grew up watching her play, she was amazing and I wanted to be just like her! 

Mom and me after/before a softball tournament 

I wanted to play! I remember sitting in P.E class and them talking about the sign up for the city league and I was so EXCITED! But there was a catch... I had a best friend and we did EVERYTHING together and she didn't want to play! At the time I couldn't imagine doing anything without her (I was like 8 what can I say)!!!! So I let that season go by without me. I am pretty sure my parents gave me a good talk about how we don't have to do everything together and that if I wanted to play, I should! So we signed me up!!! My first practice I told my coach I wanted to be the catcher (just like my Mom) and that was it, I was HOOKED! I might have wavered for a moment when that first pitch got away and hit me on my thigh... okay I cried and my Mom told me "if it's not broken or bleeding get back in there" and that was all it took!!! She also told the coach that I wanted to be the catcher and to put me back in! 

Fast forward a couple of years and I am pretty much spending every hour I have extra playing and practicing! My Dad is also spending every spare second he has teaching and coaching me, we worked hard and formed a bond that will forever be!  He tried with all his might to get me to be a better ball player (countless hours at the batting cages) and in the Spring of 98 it payed off! I made the High school team and I was so EXCITED!!! I lettered as a Sophmore and played two seasons with the Varsity team! 

But sadly my Senior year I decided to quit! It BROKE my heart. I sat in the coaches office crying telling her that I was done, I didn't agree with the direction she was taking the team and I couldn't be a part! She took a District winning team and broke us up, pitted us against each other, our harmony as a team was gone and I didn't enjoy playing for her! I continued to play on my summer league but without my senior year College ball was out of the question! I know I let my parents down but I had to do it... 

Softball taught me so much and was a HUGE part of my life! I will always LOVE softball and I am always looking for a team... I played while J was deployed the first time and had a blast! I can't wait to get my kids into ball and teach them everything my Mom and Dad taught me! 

Day 1 {15 Facts & a Pic}

So I have decided to use both lists! They both had some really good topics and some not so good ones so I am just going to use my favorites from both!!!

15 interesting (or not so) facts about Me

1. I married my highschool sweetheart
2. I love "reality" tv… Big Brother is my FAVE
3. I have never been to Disney World
4. I am a Texas girl
5. I hate beer
6. I tried to be a vegetarian (it didn't work out)
7. I can fold my tongue (a trait that my hubby is very jealous of)
8. I am not a good student
9. My first plane ride was when I was 18
10. I met Nolan Ryan when I was in HS (still one of my top ten moments)
11. I have two tattoos
12. I broke my arm when I was 3 falling out of a booster chair
13. I had M without an epidural
14. I have a secret collection of Precious Moments
15. My favorite flowers are tulips… the first flower J ever gave me

30 days of me...

Exciting right???

I have seen this little exercise on a few different blogs and thought that maybe it would be a enlightening thing to try! So starting tomorrow I will start 30 days of me... it might not be consecutive or consistent but I'm gonna try!!!

There are two versions and I am not sure which one I will go with? The first one includes a picture or two and I am not exactly feeling self-portraits right now but maybe it will help me move past that, you never know! And the second seems a little more "deep".

Which one would you pick?


Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Your favorite song.

OR 

Day 1 {Introduce} 

Day 2 {Your first love} 

Day 3 {Your parents} 

Day 4 {What you ate today} 

Day 5 {Your definition of LoveDay} 

Day 6 {Your day} 

Day 7 {Your best friend} 

Day 8 {A moment} 

Day 9 {Your beliefs} 

Day 10 {What you wore today} 

Day 11 {Your siblings} 

Day 12 {What’s in your bag} 

Day 13 {This week} 

Day 14 {What you wore today} 

Day 15 {Your dreams} 

Day 16 {Your first kiss} 

Day 17 {Your favorite memory} 

Day 18 {Your favorite birthday} 

Day 19 {Something you regret} 

Day 20 {This month} 

Day 21 {Another moment} 

Day 22 {Something that upsets you} 

Day 23 {Something that makes you feel better} 

Day 24 {Something that makes you cry} 

Day 25 {A first} 

Day 26 {Your fears} 

Day 27 {Your favorite place} 

Day 28 {Something that you miss} 

Day 29 {Your aspirations} 

Day 30 {One last moment}

What's your song

This song is on my "workout" playlist! I love it and I have it set up to play toward the end of my workout to give me that extra push I need!!! Its really more about the beat then the words... its just kinda motivating!!!

What's your favorite workout song?  Do you have one that gets you super motivated and helps you finish strong?

Head over to Goodnight Moon and link up for her music party this week!!!

Muse "Supermassive Black Hole"