Budget Time!

Recently I have discovered how much we have been digging into our savings, mainly because of Christmas and mainly because Hubby came home and wanted to buy things, which is fine and all, but concidering we are PCS'ing in March to Fort Bragg, NC...we need to be keeping money in our savings account for a deposit on a home.
We've never ever lived in a house! We lived in a fourplex in our first home and now we live in a duplex. Because my husband is a Staff Sergent we do qualify for a 3 bedroom home on post at Bragg, and majority of the homes (at least on the site) are single homes. But after doing some research thanks to an AMAZING blogger and facebook friend, we found houses off post we really like, and are within our BAH range.
We are pretty excited about the homes we have found..I actually found my dream home but because its avalible right now, theres no way it will be avalible in March. But renting a home costs alot of money, which means the down payments are high too!
So here we go going into major budget time.

I decided that after December we will be putting at least $250 or more in savings a month, or at least a paycheck. I have started coming along on finding some deals, and trying to find different ways to budget around.

I finished Christmas shopping for Evelyn and Hubby so I have no more worries about that next month. We have R&R for a week in California which is going to cost us some money, but hopefully we can stick to it. I'd love for us not to dip into savings at all during our trip. But with my MIL, I seriously doubt she'll let us walk off without giving her money. end rant.
These are one of the times I am super glad we never owned a credit card, or have any debt! We bought a car and thats the only debt we have at the moment.
Because I think Grocery Shopping is the biggest money sucker, I decided that this payday (tomorrow) we will stock our freezer with meat! I made a menu for everyday of the month, for the time we are here and excluding Christmas, New Years and our Anniversary, so I know how much meat I need to buy. Therefore freeing up next payday for that major chunk of change. I already have steaks and hamburger meats from when they were on sale. Seriously the Hyvee Meat Counter is my friend. Then I will be buying all the things that will not go bad while we are away this pay period too! Saving us another chunk of change for next payday. Next paydays, after vacation grocery list is done and that has the items that can go bad on us while we are away. Not too much for the bill that payday.
I have to admit my plan is not full proof...I dont actually know how well this is going to work. I plan to not drive anywhere unless I have to, to save some gas money. No eating out. I am buying Evelyn more diapers and more formula so hopefully no more buying those for the rest of the month. I will be couponing at the store, since Hyvee has them plastered all over! But I am no expert. Also I dont make my husband lunch, he can make a sandwhich or something of that nature.
If anyone has any ideas on how to help me budget, please feel free to let me know! None of our meals are super expensive, we have hamburger helper on the menu for a few nights as well since thats so much cheaper to make. But I'm always looking for ways to save money and I think we could all use a little extra cash!
I'll let you know how my plan goes! Hopefully if it works in my favor we will be able to do it for a long time! It would be nice to only do one huge grocery shopping trip once a month!

My Brag Post.

Seriously. My Child is a rolling over, blabber mouthing Queen! I am always in such awe to watch her roll over and roll to all sorts of places! I am also in AWE that while I type this she is on her belly, trying to get on her knees! I am going to have a crawling...or scooting baby soon!!

Its really true what they say about your children growing up fast, I still cant figure out how she went from this:

2 days old

November 29, 2011

4 months!

Shes so much fun! I absolutly feel so blessed to be her Mommy! She is a very independant girl already. We stopped breastfeeding (sadly) about a month ago. I wasnt producing enough milk and finally started to run on empty with getting up every 2 hours to feed her, and needed help. I miss it though for sure! But the girl from day 1 has tried to hold her bottle, she usually can but she still needs a little help.

She loves her Daddy sooo much!! The girl looks just like him!

She absolutly LOVES to be naked! I usually dont let her since I dont want her to grow up thinking its ok to run around in her underwear, but when I let her, she giggles and smiles and wiggles all over!!

I just wanted to share a few things about my precious baby! I have tried to not turn this blog into a Mommy Blog, but the truth is, I am a Mom. I love my child with every fiber of my being, and its nice to know I can brag about her and have a few people love to read about it! Everyone deserves a blessing like this! Being a Mom is the best thing I have ever done! I couldnt be happier with my little girl! She's sheer perfection!

Online Queen

I have been online shopping since THANKSGIVING..I bought all my deals on Black Friday and since today is Cyber Monday, I've been browsing around.
The other day we realized Evelyn has pretty much out grown her 3 month PJ's, and we went to pull out her 3-6 months....only one pair. So needless to say half the things we have been buying are for her to wear ASAP.
We've finally finished her shopping and bought her this beauty from Fisher-Price

SANTA ALERT: I bought this toy, which is sold out in almost every store, at YoYo.com and TODAY ONLY you can get 40% off your entire order by using the promocode: yoyo40 (wasnt paid to advertise this, just super excited about my deal)

My husband is lucky as it comes! He didnt ask for many things and because he did just buy a ton of crap from coming home, but he is getting EVERYTHING he has asked for. We have our 2nd Wedding Anniversary on the 30th of December and one present he will be getting a little late :)

My husband thinks I "ruin" the fun because I shop online instead of going to the stores, but because Topeka is an hour away and I choose not to deal with physco's I like to online shop. Plus alot of things I like you cant buy in the stores. Guess thats why I dont have a present under the tree yet.

Have any of you found any awesome deals on websites or in stores?

1st Family Thanksgiving!

I am so so glad Paul and I got the experience of having our own turkey day! I didnt have to do the turkey, but I had to do all the fixings! I was suprised all day I was not in the kitchen...maybe we just made it too easy on ourselfs, but the turkey was very delicious! and so were the fixings!
Heres just a few pictures of our 1st Thanksgiving as a family :)

I am Thankful

I have to say Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday. Especially now that I am grown up and moved away and now have to cook the bird. But I am thankful for my husband that took the huge load off my chest!

I wanted to just put a few things out there on who I am super thankful for this year.

This beautiful little thing right here!! My beautiful little Evelyn!! I was born to give birth to this beautiful baby. I dont know where I would be in my life if I hadnt of given birth to her. Shes my best friend who drools all over me! Spits up and thinks its hilarious. Laughs when you touch her neck, and is dying to be a big girl!

My wonderful husband! The most amazing man I know! The best Dad a little girl could ask for. The man would jump in front of a bullet to save our lives, would give us the whole world if he could. The man saved my life in so many ways he doesnt even realize! He came into my life just when I needed him. We have had some pretty rough spots in our marriage but we have come through better then we ever thought possible. I am so happy I have such an amazing husband and supporter in the world! I dont know what Evelyn and I would do without him!

My AWESOME Parents! they moved me home and took me in when Paul left for Iraq and I was pregnant. They have done everything they can for me in the good times and in the bad. Sometimes I am sure I dont deserve what they do for me, but they have always been the best supporters anyone can ever ask for!

My siblings!! It super sucks we dont have one of all of us together. But I cant say enough great things about all of them! We have always had eachothers backs and when we lost our sister we have all been there for eachother during the healing process. We've always fought but we would do anything for eachother! We're all geeks and freaks and we LOVE it! I could ask for better siblings!

My nephews and nieces(evelyns the baby)! Royal, Kira, Ashton and Mackey. Evelyn has the best cousins in the world! They all just love her to death! These kids bring so much more joy into my life and they are a blast to be with! I am so thankful to be their aunt!  

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Count your Blessings!

Mommy Advice?

I have been so tired the last few days. Functioning isnt even the norm. I am litterally is overdrive mode...or Survival Mode. Evelyn learned to roll over and since she is a side sleeper, this makes her roll in her sleep. I decided I wouldnt be a freaked out Mom and just see how she does. Usually she squirms herself into a corner and stays on her side...but now she squirms into the corner and rolls on her tummy, and then screams cause shes on her tummy. Normally when shes on the floor and awake she can roll back over, but since she is in a corner and sleeping, she doesnt. So Mom rescues her and flips her over only to be woken an hour later to roll her over again.You'd think that the maybe minute I am awake, wouldnt effect my sleep. But it does.

I dont really know what to do with the rolling on her belly at night, but I almost feel like I shouldnt get up every 15 minutes to make sure shes not on her belly. I know sleeping on her belly is a no no, but what can I do to keep her on her side/back? I cant put pillows in the crib. All these rules are really getting to me. Can anyone give me some Advice on what I can do to help the girl (AND ME!!). We've been trying to let her cry alot of things out, but I am not sure if this is one of those things.

4 months!

Dear Evelyn,

I cant believe your 4 months old! Its been amazing to watch you grow! This month you sucessfully rolled over both ways!! Your dad and I couldnt be prouder! You are very picky about what you do on a day to day basics. You wanna stand so bad! You've even already tried to get up on your knees to crawl, but so far you just scoot.
You are so in love with your Daddy! I can tell your glad he's home and your deffinitly a daddys girl! It makes me wanna cry knowing how much you love him.

Heres a new little thing to show you how much you've grown.

Weight: 

13 pounds!! 

Height: 

22 1/2 inches long!

Clothing Size: 

still in 3 months, but the pants are getting a little too short.

Diapers:

Size 2's!

Feeding: 

Every 3 hours you eat 4oz of formula! Your offically off breastmilk, which is a little sad, but your doing so amazing on formula!

Hair/Eyes: 

You have blue eyes! But no one has blue eyes so we're hoping they'll change!

Your hair is strawberry blonde! But sometimes its brown!

Sleep:

 Your sleeping training is going super well!! Your in bed by 7, or your passed out on the floor by 6:30...depends on what your day was like. You sleep in your own room in your own crib finally! Your doing wonderfully with it! Plus only up twice a night!

Favorites:

You want to stand so badly! Its hilarious how picky you are at what your doing.

Fun stuff:

 Besides your blabber mouth! You cannot stand not sitting at the table with us. You NEED to be watching us eat.

 

Well baby girl! Mommy and Daddy love you sooo much!! cant wait to see where you'll be at in another month!

 

Love, Mommy

 

 

Tip and Tricks.

I feel like I have been a bad blogger. I know I am posting but I am used to getting a number of comments on a post, and latley havent gotten anything.

I dont know if I am just in a funk or what. I have to admit I have been having trouble finding my balence in being a stay-at-home mom, a house wife and then balencing being The Optimistic Army Wife. I used to be on my twitter all the time, but my phone got ruined, I got a brand new phone and that phone is worse then the old one. So my twitter shuts my phone down. So I suck. Sorry to my followers.

If you have any ideas or any topics you wish I'd discuss let me know. I dont wanna fall into the boring catagory. I want you guys to look forward to reading my blog.

I thought about answering questions....would any of you be interested in getting to know me better?

I hope I find my balence soon!!

Mike Hike

had to share this with you guys...

I am so glad the boys got to go. They had alot of clouser with the death of Mike. My husband on the right side leading the men in their March.

My husband on the left with his LT.

I am so very glad they got this closure. I wish they were getting it with the other men who died that day. I hope other families can get the chance to have this closure. It was one I am glad I stayed home for...they had the closure they needed. Rest in Peace Olive...we all miss you so very much!!



Going To Cali...

Hubby and I decided to go to California for a few days on leave. We will be moving to Fort Bragg, North Carolina in March and we are both from West Coast states. He is from California and I am from Utah, so we decided we'd go to California since we spent his R&R in Utah...having a baby.
I was super excited because we werent going to Northern California, where he is from, and we were going to Disneyland and Seaworld! I have been dying to go! But seeing the heartbreak in his eyes and knowing we were about to piss off a ton of people, we switched the flight to go to Oakland and see his family.
If you know my relationship with my MIL, you'd know I am not at all excited about this. Shes ignored me, shes strange, she has absolutly no interest in my life with Paul, she doesnt put ANY effort into having a relationship with Paul or I unless we put forth the effort, and because its his mom we do. I am not the biggest fan of her. But I love my husband and I am doing this for him, not her.
I am beyond excited to see a few of his friends, they are pretty cool. I think most of them are insane and should probably be locked up but hey it happens.
I am also so so excited to spend a day away from EVERYONE and go to San Fransisco and go to Alkatraz, since last time we were in California we misssed the very last ferry. Plus we will be seeing my cuzzo!
Pauls family relationships are soo different from mine. Most of my family (both sides) are very close and we almost always know whats going on it everyones lives. His side doesnt try and doesnt care. His cousin went so far to give me parenting advice....ok not advice more like demands.
When we pierced Evelyns ears we put sterling silver in them. His cousin flipped out and told us we should have put gold in her ears incase of a reaction....well I flipped back out at her. If she had an allergic reaction...DUH! I would take them out, and DUH people are allergic to gold as well! She deleted me off her FB page, cause I cared so much, and now that we're going to California...shes been adding me constantly...DENIED! (btw did you know if you ignore a friend request they can still see all your posts?)
This side of his family didnt even try to come see Paul and I when we were in California almost 2 years ago. I dont care. They wont try this time, and Paul and I had a talk about it, and I dont care if I meet them and he doesnt care if he see's them. So we wont be going to San Jose to see them. PERIOD.

Yeah I know. California doesnt seem like a ton of fun. I cant leave Evelyn with his Mom, because she doesnt understand the...dont smoke around a baby, wash your hands after you smoke, and you smell like smoke and now my child reaks of smoke...plus you smoke pot, rule. So this is more of a Pauls vacation. I am so glad we wont be there for Christmas though! We will be back in Kansas before then to have our own family vacation.
This leave is 1 month for us! We are excited to spend alot of quality time together. We really do need some quality family time, with no extended family! Plus I am super excited about San Fran! If you've never been there I highly recommend you go! Its a beautiful city!

So I guess thats what makes me Optimistic...is even though I am not excited about alot of things...I am beyond excited that...

• it wont last forever, we will only be there one week and one day out of that week it will be just us 3.
• having Christmas in our own home for the first time since we got married.
• Seeing my cousin.
• next time we take a trip it will be to UTAH!

Gotta love being an optimist!

Music.

Saturday I was having a bad day. I needed a break from my sick baby girl, my husband was in Chicago for the Mike Hike, I was sad I couldnt be there like I wanted to be, I was also sick with a cold. I just felt like I was drowning. No one likes to admit that the pressure of being a mom can get to you. But it does.
Saturday was the Mike Hike in Homer Glen, Illinois and I kept thinking of the boys I knew who were running, plus Mike and another friend. Especially Mikes wife. I wanted to be there. It sucks I had to stay behind.

I called my Dad and vented everything I felt like I needed to vent. My dad gave me his advice and I started to feel better. We hung up with kids on both end going nuts.

I sat around for a bit, still in my pitty mode. Not wanting to do anything at ALL. I was pretty upset with the world and just felt like I needed a day off...which doesnt happen I know..but if your a mom, you have those days were it would be nice to not have a responciblity.
I finally told myself to get up and make my day better, sitting around wont help me feel better. After all I am The Optimistic Army Wife. I took out the laptop, added a few new songs to my itunes list. I turned up the volume "unchecked" songs that werent upbeat and started the playlist.
First song being...Rihanna - We Found Love

Talk about a song to get you in a lovley pumped up mood.

Isnt it amazing what one simple thing can do for you. I wrote this on my status on FB today...

a bad day can be turned around by just one song...or maybe even a whole playlist. Either way...music is a gift. take it for granted. turning my day around starting right now

I'd like to think I just did.

Hopefully I can keep it up all day.

After all I got this face next to me.

Off With My Head.

I lost my brain? I cant find it. Since Hubby got home I've completly gone dumb. I swear I forget to do so many things! Like make dinner. I forget all the time that I now have someone to cook for.
I dont know if my brain is having a problem with adjusting to the fact that my married life is 10x's more different then it was before or what! But I've lost it. Sometimes I wonder how I am functioning.
Other then that, we are weaning Evelyn off of Breast milk and giving her formula...I know. I know. But I think when your start to realize that breast milk isnt cutting it for your chunkers, or when you start to be come absolutly frustrated with breastfeeding its probably time to stop and do other options.
We put Evelyn on Similac with Soy. The last time I gave her fomula (Similac Milk-Based) she vomited (not spit-up) for 2 days. Her doctor was 75% sure she was allergic to Milk. But so far shes doing amazing with the Soy!
Its hard for me to be regected from her not wanting my milk anymore, even if I wanted to get her on formula it still kinda sucks! But I decided to help keep up with nutrition I would breastfed at least twice a day. I have frozen milk right now, and I will pump a little a day to help. I have no problem with formula fed babys, its just not what I wanted for my child so soon. But I am completly overwhelmed with breastfeeding and the amount of pressure. Plus I cant stand the thought of breastfeeding in public! I know some woman can do it, but the thought makes me so nervous! Evelyn wiggles so much that even when I cover up for company at home shes kicking the blanket off. Even the kind that wrap around my neck.
Needless to say I am happy that I am stopping. The girl sleeps longer at night which makes me saner! Since she used to be up almost every hour! Now shes just sleeping for at least 4 hours at a time, which is so nice!

Hopefully I find my brain soon.

Thank You Grandpa.

These are my 2 vet's in my life. My Grandpa served in the Korean War and of course my Husband served in Iraq twice for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

Everyone knows about my husbands service but my Grandfather never talked about his service until my husband joined the family! He loves to talk to my husband about his times in Germany.

My Grandpa was drafted into the US Army and did his training in Texas (sorry I dont remember Forts or anything like that.) he was lucky enough to be sent to Germany instead of Korea, at least thats the way he looks at it.
I bet my cousins didnt know that he was lucky enough to go to France and Italy while he was there, that he also got the chance to meet the Pope but passed up the chance. He also had his CO (comanding officer) throw away his garments because they weren't issued, but good ol' grandpa went to the dumpster to get them anyways.
Grandpa never really talked about his Army life, he really wanted to ignore that part of his life, seeing as he didnt want to go. I am glad my husband came into my life and into his so that he would open up more about it. We have enjoyed to hear his stories!

Another Vet on my mind is a man named Mike Olivieri. He is being honored tomorrow in Homer Glen, Illinois for his ultimate sacrafice on June 6th in Iraq. My husband was good friends with his as well as another soldier who lost his life that day. 6 men died on that day and over 20 were injured. I know that day had to of been a hard one. I am proud of the men I know headed to Illinois today, including my husband, to run the 5K they have set up to honor more veterans. I wish I was headed there too. Thank you for your sacrafice!

real vs fake

Yes...a Christmas post. No its not on Christmas. I need to be proven right...MMKAY!

I have always had a fake tree for Christmas. Hubby has had a real tree. Hubby has been fighting me tooth and nail on this subject. He got after me about wanting a "themed" tree (candy canes) and won the battle and got his way (red, gold and green) only after stomping away from me in Hobby Lobby telling me I am ruining Christmas.
Hubby and I had a VERY VERY different lifestyle growing up. I dont mind real tree's honestly! BUT, we will be in California for a week in December, and we also have wood floors and I dont know how to take care of a real tree, nor do I care to add another chore to my list.
Hubby keeps telling me how I am ruining his Christmas by doing things the way that my family did them...which I know I push my traditions more, because DUH! I grew up with those. So I am trying to comprimise. I gave him the ordements he wanted, even though I had a cute plan. But this real tree VS fake tree is going on and on and ON!! I am at my whits end and want to cancel Christmas.

So someone please tell me...should I get a real tree, I am 100% certain I cannot take care of and possibly ruin my floors PLUS buy a new tree every year! or buy 1 fake tree and call it good? Oh and BTW he's also fighting me on a pre-lit tree....AHHH.

Nursery!

Its been almost 4 long months! But Evelyn finally has her own bed! Her own dresser! and one day soon her own end table.
Shes been sleeping in a pack-n-play and having her pants, sock and jammies in my end table in our bedroom. Its been a long road but shes finally in her own room with her own things! Its a good feeling!! Well now for the room tour!!

What If's

I've seen this post get passed around from GI Wife to Guinn and Bare It...so here I go!! :)



What if I were to get pregnant? Right now? Ummm...I'd be super pissed. I cant wait to have another child...BUT, I just had one. Little too close in age for me...give me another year.

What if I could have any job in the world? I actually have no idea what I would do. Thats why I didnt go to school...I know I wanna be a stay at home mommy and I love it! Though sometimes I wish I had a break!

What if I had a day all to myself? I'd be in heaven!...for about 5 hours then need to call a girlfriend to go out for drinks! I havent had one of those days in a long time!

What if I could get married all over again? I would love to get married again...I used to hate that we went to the courthouse and got married...5 days after getting engaged..but I really do enjoy how we did it. But it really sucks I never got that wedding experience. I think every girl wishes they had the white dress.

What if I could live anywhere in the US? NORTH CAROLINA!! WOO HOO cant wait till April!!

What if I were to have more children?  I'd love to have more babies!!

What if I could have any talent in the world? To be a beautician! I think I spelled that wrong? but I have no idea how to even braid!! Evelyns not gonna like that!

What if you met me in real life? You'd think I am pretty open and nice. I do everything I can for my friends. I'll be nice to you, but I'll be blunt.

What if I went back to school? I'd die. I hate school.

What if money weren't an object?  I'd buy us a home in Hawaii and a plane so we could fly home whenever we felt like it...I miss Hawaii!

What if I could meet one celebrity? ummm....I think I'd be interested in Kathreine Higel. I like her alot!

What if I could only shop at one store for the rest of my life? Old Navy!..or JC Pennys

What if I could choose an animal/pet? I am not an animal person. I love them! just hate to take care of them.

What if I could go on a trip right now? England!!! for sure!!

What if I had to choose between a house cleaner and professional chef? Chef...I love to cook but I am so over it right now!

What if I had the option to get plastic surgery? BOOBS!!! everyone says "i'd love to have big boobs"...I have a size G...NO WAY they hurt they suck they get in the way! no. I'd rather be back to a C or D cup.

Meh.

I might have lost my mind. Ever since the husband got home I have been sick and busy and sick and busy! Right now I am so sick I cannot even taste anything!

I agreed to go to my husbands hometown and visit his home, which I was hugly against since she smokes in the house and that makes me a bit paranoid with a baby around. Plus most of his friends are effing crazy!!

I was pretty excited to go to Chicago this weekend to do this thing called the Mike Hike its after one of the boys who died in an attack on my husbands unit back in June. I was pretty excited till apperently every girl decided not to go. I guess its not such a big deal since it will probably be too cold for Evelyn. But I was looking forward to seeing Mikes wife, Sharon. Its whatever I guess just a huge bummer. So my husband is going with the guys, which is whatever...its not like I didnt just do a year without him but I am not happy about being alone again.

We found out my beautiful dress from Davids Bridal for the Ball in December wont arrive till probably the 28th of November and the Ball is the 1st of December. So I am way stressed about that.

I am loving having my husband home, but for real...life isnt giving me the break I was hoping for.

We started giving Evelyn formula. Ya ya...think I am awful all you want. I am not enjoying breastfeeding anymore. My daughter loves to tug on me and play and its just not working for us anymore. Plus I am pretty sure I am not producing enough milk. Hopefully this will help her.

I just hope things look up soon. I need a break...if I dont get one soon, at least we rented a room for the Ball!...if I have a dress!

Crib Bummpers

We have just set up Evelyns nursery. I bought a bedding set a while ago, almost right after we found out we were having a girl.  Of course I knew we wouldnt be putting her room together till Hubby got home from deployment.
After reading up more on the dangers of so many things its unbelievable to me why we dont just stick them in bubbles. I decided we wouldnt be using our crib bummbers.

Evelyns been sleeping in her pack and play her whole life, and we were really excited to put her in something new. But we started having a problem when she was sleeping. She moves her head into the corner of the bed and pushes and pushes. So I started the reconcider the crib bummper thing.

According to my research crib bummpers can cause suffocation, but if you have to use them, they need to be tied tight to the bed.
We thought we would see how she acted with no bummpers right after we set up her crib. She played and squirmed and had fun for a bit. We kept an eye on her and then realized she was biting the rails. We took her away from the rails and she played again...squirming up into a corner again.

Finally we decided we needed the bumpers. My little sister when she was a baby had put her foot through the rails and broke her foot. Keep in mind her birth father probably didnt help that situation either. (yes she is adopted).
I keep finding out how judgmental people are in the parenting world...and no we are not awful parents for putting them up. We just dont want to find our daughter tangled up in the rails one morning or even find her chewing the hell out of the wood. This girl apperently love the corners of her bed, and we are doing our best to keep her safe by not letting her dangle out of her bed. Of course she still wakes up every 2 hours anyways so we do see her throughout the night and can move her if need be.

1 Week Ago..

I was waking up and heading to a friends house to help her decorate her house. You see our husbands were coming home! We spent the day running around and only sitting to eat or feed children.

We knew our husbands could have came home to a messy house and we still preped for them!

We had out last girls lunch date without the boys and cheered to our final day of our deployment!

We were shaved, we had fresh make up on, we had food in our bellys. We waited till 730PM and headed up to the holding tank.

We waitied for what seemed like meere minutes when they started showing our boys on the live feed at their briefings. Of course our were sitting next to eachother. We smiled and giggled and pointed at how cute they were.

Within the next hour our husbands were going to be in our arms!

The music started and the boys started filing in the door. Our of course standing next to eachother. We spotted them first. We screamed and smilied! We were so happy the cameras never even came out. Within seconds we head the words....

DISMISSED!

We were on the top of the bleachers and waited for our husbands to come up to us! as our men darted up the stairs we finally hugged them and felt that joy and that relief of knowing they were home!

No the cameras never came out. We didnt care. We had our husbands home and showing the world what we just experienced was over. We were happy as hell!

We walked the boys to their bags and took them home. Finally...HOME! We were happy as we have ever been. Our children finally had their dads back. But so many children are not getting their dads back, and that was no far from our minds. We will never forget those who made that sacrafice.

In one week we will be headed to Homer Glen, Illinois to honor one of those brave soldiers.

He's home! I am so very thankful he made it back! Everyone who experiences a deployment deserves that moment.

Waiting for Daddy to walk through the doors.

Daddy and Daughter

(she was tired)

Finally Together Again.

MIA

Sorry I've been so absent...but if you havent already read...

Paul got home on Friday!

We have been quite busy getting him adjusted and Evelyn as well. She didnt take to him quite like I thought she would. She was not liking him at first but I cant say I blame her, shes been around only girls for over a month and a half. Today before he went to work she was smiling at him and everything so I think shes caught on to the fact that he'll be around for a while. :)

Anyways! I have a ton to report but I also have a mountain of laundry to finish! We all know how it gets after the boys/girls come home! A zillion more things on the to-do list. But until then he's a few pictures!!

Like father like daughter

My beauty Belle