Ok, so my sister Michelle did this on her blog and I think she was mentioning me as being tagged, so here it goes. I am supposed to name 6 quirky things about me.
1. If you know me at all you will be laughing at a memory of me and you at some point in our lives together. I am late to most things. I have worked hard on being 10 minutes instead of 30 minutes late but I am late a lot. I will always be there, just not always on time.
2. I love to write. I love to write stories, letters, my book, my blog, notes to friends. You name it, I like to write it. I don't like spelling however and it is quirky of me that sometimes I don't even bother with spell checker even though I know that there are mistakes.
3. I love being an Army wife. I love getting to be supportive and being in a situation that almost forces me to take it day by day and appreciate everything I have. I love change and it is a perfect lifestyle for me.
4. Quirky as it may be but I only like working out my biceps and back. I hate triceps day, but maybe I should change my attitude? My abs never show a difference but but I do sit ups none the less. I wear makeup and earrings to the gym! My daughter makes fun of me, but who likes to look at themselves lifting weights looking ugly? Not me
5. I love Carbs. I am working on eating good carbs right now, but if I could I would eat a loaf of french bread with butter for every meal. And I am a dipper. I love to dip my food into a dressing or sauce.
6. I am an avid goal setter and planner. It is not so much quirky as it is freaky. I always have a good old goal poster hanging on my wall with deadlines. I have the weeks and days broken down for the next 7 months. My daily task list is filled out from 5 am until midnight. I love lists..Toby hates when I ask if we can make a list together because he knows that is how I get him to committ to stuff. However, I do accomplish many things because of these said lists.
Most of these things everyone knows but I don't know if you all know that I am nocturnal. I have been ever since I can remember. It leads to some tiresome days with my kids who are not nocturnal, but I love the alone time and I really do get a ton done late at night.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
New Cookbook
I went to Barnes and Noble today and found a cookbook for me and my kids. It is called "Eating clean for family and kids." It is the if you are serious about this cookbook. I got it and the kids were actually excited about the recipes and some of the pictures did make things look yummy.
Heres to my new life of clean eating. And cooking for that matter!!
Heres to my new life of clean eating. And cooking for that matter!!
Here we go...
MORE GOALS>>
I have been working on these and making sure I want to commit but here it goes. We have 7 months to accomplish a ton of stuff.
1. I will be a size 6! I don't care how much I weigh, but size 6 and this fat roll on my stomach will not bug me anymore.
2. I will run a half-marathon. I am in a running class and we are all running it after the class finishes, so this should be easy.
3. Run 2 miles in 16:35 minutes. I will be running fast for me, but for two miles I can pull it out and I have a couple months to train. With that 82 situps, and 50 pushups. I get these numbers off the Army AFPT requirements. Those times would score me a 300 and that is awesome in their book.
4. Eating clean. This is the one thing that has been missing and I am ready to make the switch in my thinking and eating. I think eating clean will help me with my energy to accomplish my goals, so this is fundamental.
5. Breakdancing.. Yep..breakdancing. Kids and I start monday in our breakdancing class. I really want to learn how to dance and this class was something we could all do. We go to class and have a recital in December that you are all invited to.
6. Finish my associates degree. I was admitted at SLCC just shy of an associates. If I can get it done this year then I will only have about a year and a half left to finish.
7. Finish my book. I have a publisher interested in my work and that has made me stress and not work on it. I have to finish to be able to speak about it.
8. Get our passports. This is more for my to do list but it is a goal I have had for two years and will do it this fall. Me and the kids!
9. Be an instrument in Gods hands. I have been struggling with being in Utah and not seeing where I am needed. I know there are opportunities now, and am going to put myself out there to find them and fill the position.
10. 28 weeks of sheer hard work. I trailed off at the end with moving home and toby coming to visit. Although I am still sick a couple times a week, that will be over soon. I think of the scripture of Christ bearing our burdens. "Run and be not faint, walk and be not weary" Ok.. I think that is how it goes. When I think of it however, I think that he will help me after I have made the effort to start walking..I know I can do this and am so excited to accomplish everything on my list.
Most of the goals are physical but I hope to find balance in my life and I LOVE BEING BUSY!
I have been working on these and making sure I want to commit but here it goes. We have 7 months to accomplish a ton of stuff.
1. I will be a size 6! I don't care how much I weigh, but size 6 and this fat roll on my stomach will not bug me anymore.
2. I will run a half-marathon. I am in a running class and we are all running it after the class finishes, so this should be easy.
3. Run 2 miles in 16:35 minutes. I will be running fast for me, but for two miles I can pull it out and I have a couple months to train. With that 82 situps, and 50 pushups. I get these numbers off the Army AFPT requirements. Those times would score me a 300 and that is awesome in their book.
4. Eating clean. This is the one thing that has been missing and I am ready to make the switch in my thinking and eating. I think eating clean will help me with my energy to accomplish my goals, so this is fundamental.
5. Breakdancing.. Yep..breakdancing. Kids and I start monday in our breakdancing class. I really want to learn how to dance and this class was something we could all do. We go to class and have a recital in December that you are all invited to.
6. Finish my associates degree. I was admitted at SLCC just shy of an associates. If I can get it done this year then I will only have about a year and a half left to finish.
7. Finish my book. I have a publisher interested in my work and that has made me stress and not work on it. I have to finish to be able to speak about it.
8. Get our passports. This is more for my to do list but it is a goal I have had for two years and will do it this fall. Me and the kids!
9. Be an instrument in Gods hands. I have been struggling with being in Utah and not seeing where I am needed. I know there are opportunities now, and am going to put myself out there to find them and fill the position.
10. 28 weeks of sheer hard work. I trailed off at the end with moving home and toby coming to visit. Although I am still sick a couple times a week, that will be over soon. I think of the scripture of Christ bearing our burdens. "Run and be not faint, walk and be not weary" Ok.. I think that is how it goes. When I think of it however, I think that he will help me after I have made the effort to start walking..I know I can do this and am so excited to accomplish everything on my list.
Most of the goals are physical but I hope to find balance in my life and I LOVE BEING BUSY!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Modern Technology
Toby has been gone a week and it seems literally like FOREVER! The days have gone by fast but slow at the same time. Anyway..We got to see him today. It amazes me that modern technology has brought to pass the opportunity to see my husband when he is getting up in the morning and I am getting ready for bed. IT WAS AWESOME>
We had to figure it out so that the feed was good on his end, but it was amazing.
Cyrus tried on his halloween costume and got to show it off..Courtney tried on a couple different costumes and was able to be silly.
When he was home and he was getting re-acquainted with Cera they would sing the popcorn popping song and she started doing actions with him right before he left. Today they were able to see each other and sing together. It was heart warming. Before it was a whole conversation trying to explain what they were doing and the faces and all that was hard to paint a picture for him, but now both sides can see each other.
Carmen liked it to see her dad but I think she actually really loved to see herself in the little window that showed what our webcamera was doing. She is hilarious. Putting on lipgloss like it was a mirror. Toby got a kick out of it. She can now show him her fingernails when they get painted a different color and he can see what she is trying to show him.
I am so excited for this opportunity to see him and get to talk for free is awesome. I am so thankful for this chance we get with the internet and hope it gets to stay for the next 7 months.
Now, if someone can just invent a camera with a portal so I can actually touch him this deployment would be a breeze. I will take what I can get for now, but when he goes back in a couple years I fully expect that to be a choice for me!! lol (if only)
We had to figure it out so that the feed was good on his end, but it was amazing.
Cyrus tried on his halloween costume and got to show it off..Courtney tried on a couple different costumes and was able to be silly.
When he was home and he was getting re-acquainted with Cera they would sing the popcorn popping song and she started doing actions with him right before he left. Today they were able to see each other and sing together. It was heart warming. Before it was a whole conversation trying to explain what they were doing and the faces and all that was hard to paint a picture for him, but now both sides can see each other.
Carmen liked it to see her dad but I think she actually really loved to see herself in the little window that showed what our webcamera was doing. She is hilarious. Putting on lipgloss like it was a mirror. Toby got a kick out of it. She can now show him her fingernails when they get painted a different color and he can see what she is trying to show him.
I am so excited for this opportunity to see him and get to talk for free is awesome. I am so thankful for this chance we get with the internet and hope it gets to stay for the next 7 months.
Now, if someone can just invent a camera with a portal so I can actually touch him this deployment would be a breeze. I will take what I can get for now, but when he goes back in a couple years I fully expect that to be a choice for me!! lol (if only)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Las Vegas
This was a highlight for Toby and I as we took off for a couple days to Las Vegas. It was fun to get away and not to lie..rest..
We took off first thing in the morning and flew to Las Vegas. We got there early and didn't know if they were going to let us check in. I am a cheapskate so we got some passes to stay at the hotel (Planet Hollywood) if we went to a stupid timeshare presentation. What is an hour or two of my time?
Total score. We checked in and finding out later our reservation had us down as current owners of a timeshare and wanting to upgrade. HA HA. They put us in a penthouse suite that was sooo awesome. It was at the end of this big hall and it had double doors to go in. It had a dining room, living room with a panoramic view of the strip and a huge tv, two bathrooms, a small kitchen type thing, and then a big bedroom with another huge tv. A really big master bathroom with a great jetted tub. We walked around wondering how we were staying there for free. We didn't unpack for a couple hours because we thought for sure there was a mix up and they were going to move us.
The hotel was really nice but there was no ice on our floor so that kind of made me sad. I love to stay in hotels just to get ice and a soda and sit and watch tv. (i am a little weird I know)
We walked around and just took it in together. Man we had some really good laughs! We rode the Deuce which is the double decker bus that runs up and down the street..oh how funny that was! We sang happy birthday to a random lady and then she burst out in tears. The driver didn't know what to do! HA HA
Ok..mom look away. I did sin..I will not lie about it.
Toby and I got our first Tattoos!. Toby got his on his leg and just all our our initials and I got a compass with his initials in the middle and a C for every direction. We are now branded to each other so we are recommitted to this separation stuff and each other. No..I am not going to get all tatted out but I have never done anything off the beaten path really so that was it.
Next day we had to go to the timeshare presentation where we found out that they thought we were going to upgrade. Toby told them no and the lady freaked out. We were for sure we were going to get to our room and our stuff would be outside or that we would have a huge bill waiting. But no..they lived up to their deal and so did we. HA HA on them.. I love it!We went and walked the strip and saw some great building. We figured that Cera must feel the same as we did. Everything so big and you are so small it is amazing. It was pretty good weather and just really fun to hold his hand and stroll down the street.
Last thing before I bore everyone to death. Toby does a great job at making me comfortable to be myself. Who cares what people around you think. I was thinking about this in the airport when we were waiting to leave. There was a bit of time to wait so we laid on the floor and just took it in. I of course started to cry thinking of him going back. I just thought of how it it is not "normal" to be snuggling on the floor of the airport, but why not? So many times I have missed out on experiences like that because I cared about what the "norm" was.
All in all I didn't get to crazy in Vegas, but it was a blast and I am so glad that Toby and I got a chance to go and relax and make some great memories to last us the next couple of months.
I love you Toby!
Kids dates with Dad
We thought it was very important to have the kids go one by one with Dad on a "date" to spend some great time uninterupted. I am kindof overbearing sometimes, so the kids thought it was a blast.
Courtney went first and her and Toby went ice skating to start out. After that they went to build a bear and then to Olive Garden. After lunch and great conversation they went to a rock climbing gym and then sat and talked a bit before returning home. This made the kids feel very loved and they are already looking forward to doing it again next year. As I have mentioned before he is the fun parent so all these days were very fun for everyone.
Cyrus was the next day and he chose to go the the Batman movie and then to the rock climbing gym and then to an arcade and eat at Charlies at the mall. Toby got a parking ticket during this excursion but oh well. 10 dollars..Cyrus had a lot of fun and sure loves that Batman movie.
Carmen and Cera were the next day and they allowed me to tag along. Carmen wanted to go rollerskating but after one time around they traded the skates for a scooter. The place had jumpies and a little kids slide. Carmen was so great with taking Cera down on her lap. She is really growing in to being a helping sister. We played a couple video games and then Cera started getting tired so we headed home to get the kids and go to lunch and go hiking. It was great fun though.
Toby is such a great Dad and he teaches the kids how important being yourself is and how much being funny makes a difference. Laughter really does sooth the soul.
Courtney went first and her and Toby went ice skating to start out. After that they went to build a bear and then to Olive Garden. After lunch and great conversation they went to a rock climbing gym and then sat and talked a bit before returning home. This made the kids feel very loved and they are already looking forward to doing it again next year. As I have mentioned before he is the fun parent so all these days were very fun for everyone.
Cyrus was the next day and he chose to go the the Batman movie and then to the rock climbing gym and then to an arcade and eat at Charlies at the mall. Toby got a parking ticket during this excursion but oh well. 10 dollars..Cyrus had a lot of fun and sure loves that Batman movie.
Carmen and Cera were the next day and they allowed me to tag along. Carmen wanted to go rollerskating but after one time around they traded the skates for a scooter. The place had jumpies and a little kids slide. Carmen was so great with taking Cera down on her lap. She is really growing in to being a helping sister. We played a couple video games and then Cera started getting tired so we headed home to get the kids and go to lunch and go hiking. It was great fun though.
Toby is such a great Dad and he teaches the kids how important being yourself is and how much being funny makes a difference. Laughter really does sooth the soul.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Celebritards
Ok, so I am in the middle of putting down my thoughts of when Toby was home and am watching Conan. In a skit they used the word Celebritards!! I am going to wake the kids up because I am laughing so hard. He was talking about the Celebrities that are coming out against Palin and was making a joke and said "lets not let some Celebritards ruin our chances to have someone pretty in office"
SOOO Funny. Ok...I thought so.I am stealing the word, that is for sure.
SOOO Funny. Ok...I thought so.I am stealing the word, that is for sure.
Just like normal
Aside from not seeing Toby except in pictures and two different times on a webinar thing on post. I hadn't seen his changes. Toby has been working out quite a bit and in my opinion got quite strong. He looks better than in High School. It was just like normal. Some say it is wierd at first and maybe it will be when he comes home for good, but it was great.
Hard for Toby however for the first couple days to adjust. His senses were on overload with all the green and great scenery of good old home. The sound of not only kids screaming but kids laughing and people having fun. On the final day before he left we went to the mountains and went hiking and then went out where people were. My soldier was so thankful to be in America and enjoy hearing good sounds. Good sounds of people oblivious to a nasty world. He soaked it in!!!
Cera took a couple days to warm completly up but it did happen. So much that it really made it harder for him to go. We don't blame her though. She never really gets to see anyone male except for grandpa, but he works out of town alot so aside from brother males are foreign to her. She loved daddy though. As always..he is the fun parent. I like it that way..so when I am lame I can blame it on him being gone. Ha Ha
We did a ton of fun stuff. The kids went on individual dates with dad and we had a blast as a family. I will post individually about this also. Toby and I were able to go away for a couple days and that was very fun also.
We ran around like a couple of 12 year-olds having fun. Some people probably thought we were crazy, but just crazy in love lol. We workout out at the great gym that gave Toby a FREE pass while he was here. He showed me some great new moved to get me in great shape while I workout waiting for him to come back, but mostly he just made fun of me, and whipped me with the towel.
He did bring me a gift and it was very thoughtful. I got a wristband and a towel for the gym. He laughed at me becuase I didn't take it off after the gym and I love it so much..I wear it with everything and will for the next 8 months. It is kindof like some people that have a necklace or a shirt..looks great with my sunday dress!
Only downfall..we both gained some weight. We ate out at all the great old resteraunts and with that brings weight gain. Who cares..we have 8 months to lose it. Toby was like 6 pds and I am more like 8 lbs. It was worth it except most of my skinny clothes are kindof tight, but I will be hanging in workout clothes most of this next month so no worries to that.
Toby made it back to his "prison cell in the shphinkter of the earth" and we are gearing up to get the second half of our goals completed.
I am grateful for every minute I get with my family together and do not take it for granted. With sacrifice comes joy and happiness and I love to enjoy everything we face as a family.
Hard for Toby however for the first couple days to adjust. His senses were on overload with all the green and great scenery of good old home. The sound of not only kids screaming but kids laughing and people having fun. On the final day before he left we went to the mountains and went hiking and then went out where people were. My soldier was so thankful to be in America and enjoy hearing good sounds. Good sounds of people oblivious to a nasty world. He soaked it in!!!
Cera took a couple days to warm completly up but it did happen. So much that it really made it harder for him to go. We don't blame her though. She never really gets to see anyone male except for grandpa, but he works out of town alot so aside from brother males are foreign to her. She loved daddy though. As always..he is the fun parent. I like it that way..so when I am lame I can blame it on him being gone. Ha Ha
We did a ton of fun stuff. The kids went on individual dates with dad and we had a blast as a family. I will post individually about this also. Toby and I were able to go away for a couple days and that was very fun also.
We ran around like a couple of 12 year-olds having fun. Some people probably thought we were crazy, but just crazy in love lol. We workout out at the great gym that gave Toby a FREE pass while he was here. He showed me some great new moved to get me in great shape while I workout waiting for him to come back, but mostly he just made fun of me, and whipped me with the towel.
He did bring me a gift and it was very thoughtful. I got a wristband and a towel for the gym. He laughed at me becuase I didn't take it off after the gym and I love it so much..I wear it with everything and will for the next 8 months. It is kindof like some people that have a necklace or a shirt..looks great with my sunday dress!
Only downfall..we both gained some weight. We ate out at all the great old resteraunts and with that brings weight gain. Who cares..we have 8 months to lose it. Toby was like 6 pds and I am more like 8 lbs. It was worth it except most of my skinny clothes are kindof tight, but I will be hanging in workout clothes most of this next month so no worries to that.
Toby made it back to his "prison cell in the shphinkter of the earth" and we are gearing up to get the second half of our goals completed.
I am grateful for every minute I get with my family together and do not take it for granted. With sacrifice comes joy and happiness and I love to enjoy everything we face as a family.
Here are some pictures!
In light of nobody reading my blog because it is making you feel like you don't know what to say.. I finally went through some pictures..Here is the first of many slideshows.
The room pictures you will see are of our penthouse suite at planet hollywood in Las Vegas. I will cover that in a later post.
The room pictures you will see are of our penthouse suite at planet hollywood in Las Vegas. I will cover that in a later post.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Panic Attack
I am feeling better now but wanted to blog for the memory of what my body went through yesterday. Also..Toby's! When Toby left in January I was sick but I got over it withing hours and cried very little. Yesterday when Toby called we could hardly talk on the phone and when he said goodbye I started to have what I would think a Panic Attack would feel like. I was ok for most the day until everything was quite and I had to go to bed by myself. I thought I was going to die. By talking to Toby today I am not alone. He also felt the same feelings and really misses me and the kids.
We did talk however that these are just feelings of the flesh and that we are committed to this Army life. It has been good to us and got us farther in such a short time then we had ever thought possible. I love this life. I wish I was back living on post but will stay the course to achieve some of our goals.
We are doing better today. Toby was going to go sleep on the floor and hopefully would make it back sometime soon and then we can get back into our routines. This time we get to use webcams so that will be really exciting. The first half of the deployment was just voice, but that was hard for the little kids. We only got to see him twice in that 8 months, but this next 8 are going to be so much better. We are heading to the finish line. We are going to come out on top.
Thank you honey for reminding me the Devil wants me to feel like crap. He reminded me today that my Heavenly Father loves me so much. He helped me see that comforting angels are trying to reach me and I am not allowing it. Our kids are doing fantastic..although Carmen keeps reminding Cera that Dad will be back tomorrow. (she doesn't understand time)
Thanks to everyone we have supporting us and sending prayers our way. We love you all!
We did talk however that these are just feelings of the flesh and that we are committed to this Army life. It has been good to us and got us farther in such a short time then we had ever thought possible. I love this life. I wish I was back living on post but will stay the course to achieve some of our goals.
We are doing better today. Toby was going to go sleep on the floor and hopefully would make it back sometime soon and then we can get back into our routines. This time we get to use webcams so that will be really exciting. The first half of the deployment was just voice, but that was hard for the little kids. We only got to see him twice in that 8 months, but this next 8 are going to be so much better. We are heading to the finish line. We are going to come out on top.
Thank you honey for reminding me the Devil wants me to feel like crap. He reminded me today that my Heavenly Father loves me so much. He helped me see that comforting angels are trying to reach me and I am not allowing it. Our kids are doing fantastic..although Carmen keeps reminding Cera that Dad will be back tomorrow. (she doesn't understand time)
Thanks to everyone we have supporting us and sending prayers our way. We love you all!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Cheated and punched in the gut
I just have to put these thoughts into words before I fall asleep after a long day. This morning when we took Toby to the airport we were thankful to get gate passes which allowed us to go past security and wait at the gate with him. We thought we had a couple more minutes but becuase they upgraded him to first class he boarded early. They called for him and it became a rush. He gave a quick kiss to all the kids foreheads and gave me a half hug because I had Cera in my arms. I felt like it was kindof fast, but I had had all morning to start saying goodbye.
I felt like I was punched in the stomach when I heard Toby say he felt the same way. I thought I was just being a brat about it and wasn't going to mention it to him, but he had felt the same way. Would one last big hug really make a difference, NO, but the thought of it makes me want to puke.
I had one episode after Toby called and I thought about why I am freaking out so bad. I know he will come back. I just hate seeing my best friend leave and I get sad thinking he is going to miss so much of our lives. I am really just upset because he has worries that the younger girls will not remember him when he gets home next time. I just love him so much and hate the first day gone and just the all day to think stage. I couldn't bear to go through the pictures today.
Please morning bring sunshine and chaos!! I need it soo bad. That is what was great about Texas on post there was always chaos so we never had time to stop and think.
I am going to go take some movies back and have a better of dead (the movie) moment where every song makes me want to cry. I will be back..fold laundry, and go to bed and wake up to be refreshed at morning church. I am going to start Cera in nursery tomorrow, YAY!!
Toby, I love you and appreciate the sacrifice you are making for our family. I am so proud of you and want you to know that you are my world and I am behind you every step of this and by your side when you want to talk and ahead of you when it gets to hard for you to lead us. You are the best!
I felt like I was punched in the stomach when I heard Toby say he felt the same way. I thought I was just being a brat about it and wasn't going to mention it to him, but he had felt the same way. Would one last big hug really make a difference, NO, but the thought of it makes me want to puke.
I had one episode after Toby called and I thought about why I am freaking out so bad. I know he will come back. I just hate seeing my best friend leave and I get sad thinking he is going to miss so much of our lives. I am really just upset because he has worries that the younger girls will not remember him when he gets home next time. I just love him so much and hate the first day gone and just the all day to think stage. I couldn't bear to go through the pictures today.
Please morning bring sunshine and chaos!! I need it soo bad. That is what was great about Texas on post there was always chaos so we never had time to stop and think.
I am going to go take some movies back and have a better of dead (the movie) moment where every song makes me want to cry. I will be back..fold laundry, and go to bed and wake up to be refreshed at morning church. I am going to start Cera in nursery tomorrow, YAY!!
Toby, I love you and appreciate the sacrifice you are making for our family. I am so proud of you and want you to know that you are my world and I am behind you every step of this and by your side when you want to talk and ahead of you when it gets to hard for you to lead us. You are the best!
Countdown!
So I am a total freak about lists and counting down things. I will post a ton later about Toby's awesome visit home, but just wanted to point out before I take my counter off my page that I am over half-way done with this deployment. Almost a month more than half. YAY!!
Toby just left this morning and I just have to say how much I love him and am soo proud of him for sacrificing and going to serve again. I am also very proud of my children. They are so strong and I hope they know how much their father loves them and that is why he is willing to do this.
Love you honey, and know you are in my constant thoughts.
To everyone else. I have over 300 pictures, so I have to sort through and will put a slide show up tomorrow. I am thankful for the time we had together and am excited for all the things we have planned for the next couple of months.
YAY!! Goal setting is my favorite...
Toby just left this morning and I just have to say how much I love him and am soo proud of him for sacrificing and going to serve again. I am also very proud of my children. They are so strong and I hope they know how much their father loves them and that is why he is willing to do this.
Love you honey, and know you are in my constant thoughts.
To everyone else. I have over 300 pictures, so I have to sort through and will put a slide show up tomorrow. I am thankful for the time we had together and am excited for all the things we have planned for the next couple of months.
YAY!! Goal setting is my favorite...
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