And the Story Begins

Our journey has offically begun.

Day 1 is over and boy I am glad. The wait was HORRIBLE.

Everyone ask "How are you doing?" "Are you ok?". FYI...don't ask this is a huge pet peeve of mine.

Otherwise my response is, "I'm fine!"

Really...I'm heart broken. I am emotionally a mess. Give me time.

Some people "Get it" some people just don't. Oh well. They'll learn.

My boys...They're good, but Big Boy already misses his Papi.

Life moves forward from here.

God is good.

Family and Friends= MY ROCK.

Day 2 has been busy.

Coffee Tunes= West Emerson from Melborne Australia SWEET!!!!


<3 Grace and Peace <3

Meltdown #1

Oh boy what a day it has been. It has been one of THOSE days. Breezy was off work so most of the day was spent on the go.

We woke up to NO hot water this morning which threw me into a complete fit. We cloth diaper, Friday is diaper washing day. No hot water meant that diapers would have to wait UGHHHHH! No hot water also meant that I would go without a shower today or at least until tonight. We called the housing office and they were here before 1000 but thankfully my handy husband had already solved the problem.

We were out the door by 1025.

Today was "Bring Your Parents to School" day so we had lunch with Big Boy at school and then spent some time with him on the playground. I am in his classroom at least 1 day a week (this week 2) volunteering so I decided that we wouldn't stay all day and let some of the other parents hang out. He was thrilled that Daddy came to have lunch with him. He kept kissing me at lunch. It melted my heart, but at the same time I was thinking, he won't want to do this before long. :-(

We had a few things to take care of at the Post Exchange so we picked the little fella from his NeeNee's house and took him with us. He sure was good. Daddy bought him some big boy tennis shoes and he was running and jumping all over the place. It was precious! He is growing up so fast. He is still a short little fella but he sure does have a big personality.

I had a cup of Starbucks to get my boost of energy! Lucky girl!!!

We are moving into a new home soon so I spent the afternoon packing up a few boxes and getting our "Recycle/Dump" trip items ready to go for tomorrow. A sweet man from our church and his granddaughter (who is also our babysitter) are coming over to help us get the stuff taken are of. Sweet boy napped from 1-4:30 so I was able to get a lot done and even snuck in some Days of Our Lives. Thank goodness!

We got ready to dress for Karate and Big Boys uniform pants were covered in mud...REALLY? I guess that what happens when I left Big Boy talk me into walking to and from the SKIES building. Thank goodness his instructor understood that it was Mom's fault for not washing his uniform before today. Sorry dude, mom's mind is in 100 places. I have a few other things that are a little more important to worry about.

Tonight we spent some time with our new landlords. They are some of the kindest people we've ever met. They are leaving to go to the South for a year or 2. We look forward to taking care of their home while they are away. They are coming back to Colorado once his time in another state is done. I'll share some photos of the house eventually.

Daddy took us to eat BBQ sammies for dinner @ Bird Dog BBQ and it was delish! I think Breezy and I ate 3 pounds of Fried Okra! It's our favorite along with some sweet tea!

Now, were FINALLY home for the night. We converted Brudder's bed to a toddler bed tonight and he's sleeping peacefully like a big boy! When I was putting his diaper on before I laid him down I almost had a total meltdown. I've been on the edge of a meltdown for about 5 days and when it does finally come...WATCH OUT! It could be bad.
Let's cross our fingers that both boys sleep in tomorrow. This momma could us at least 1 more hour of sleep! Tomorrow's a big day the Bronco's are gonna play some ball and I need to be coherent enough during the game to not need a nap!


Night Yall!

What NOT to Say....

I spent some time today looking online for things you shouldn't say to Military Spouses when their soldier is serving abroad. Many people would never know, but I actually get offended when many of these questions are asked. I shared with my co-worker recently the following things after attending a Military Ministry Partnership meeting together.

1. Don't ask me how I am. I'll let you know.
2. If I seem distant and quiet, just let me be alone.
3. If I need to talk about the deployment, I will. When I'm ready.
4. If my office door is closed, don't knock. More than likely I want to be alone.
5. Sometimes my brain will be in lala land, just leave me there. I'll come back!
6. Don't worry about me. This isn't my first go-round. I'll be fine.

I'm sharing these things with you now as a general list of No, No's! I've collected them from several other military bloggy wives!

1. “Aren’t you afraid that he’ll be killed?”
Yes, everyday I am afraid. There is not a day that it doesn't cross my mind.

2. “I don’t know how you manage. I don’t think I could do it.”
If you don't think you could do it DON'T. My husband and I made the decision together to be a military family. We knew that the army life for us meant being apart more than being together. I didn't ask for your opinion...SORRY!

3. “At least he’s not in Iraq.”
War is over in Iraq my friend but it's still going on in other places and out of choices A. B. and C. he's probably in one of three.

4. “Do you think he’ll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?”
Don’t you watch the news? No! They don’t get to come home for any of these things. Please don’t ask again.

5. “What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he’s gone?”
Life goes on. I have 2 children. I work part time. I attend school 9 hours a week. I am going to be teaching 3 hours a week of dance/jazzercise classes. I volunteer at my son's elementary school 3-5 hours a week. I don't have to worry about being busy!

6. “How much longer does he have until he can get out?”
We'll my husband is a career Military Man. We just need to get through the next 12 months! It's all or nothing for our family.

7. “This deployment shouldn’t be so bad, now that you’re used to it.”
We do learn how to cope. We figure out ways to make life smooth and consistent. You never get used to your spouse being at war. The worry NEVER goes away. 500 minutes of every day are spent thinking about your spouse, talking to your spouse (if POSSIBLE), writing letters/emails to your spouse, praying for your spouse, talking to your children about your spouse. It is what it is...but easy is an understatement.

8. “My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you’re going through.”
No, really you don't. Your husband was gone for 3 weeks, Flying First Class, eating 3 hot meals a day, taking a shower in an actual bathroom and sleeping in a queen sized bed. My husband flew on a military flight that was jammed packed with soldiers,will be gone for 12 or 14 months, is sleeping on a twin sized cot or in a "coffin",taking a shower in a make shift bathroom where 20 other guys are showering as well, and is doing his best to get in 3 meals (in between sleeping, working 14 hour days and trying to stay sane.)

9. “Wow you must miss him?”
Well of course I do but your reminders are not necessary!

10. “Where is he exactly? Where is that?”
Well my husband is serving abroad. Unfortunately due to OPSEC or Operation Security I am unable to share that information with you. I want to protect my family and my huband.

11. “Well, he signed up for it, so it’s his own fault whatever happens over there.
Yes, he did sign up all on his own. Do you hear him complaining? NOPE! He knew what he was signing up for when he signed the papers almost 7 years ago.

12. “Don’t you miss sex! I couldn’t do it!”
Military spouses learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. We learn to appreciate the important things. The hard truth is, most relationships probably couldn’t withstand 12 months of sex deprivation.)

13. “Well in my opinion…..”
Really, your opinion matters but please keep it to yourself.

14. “OH, that’s horrible…I’m so sorry!”
No need to be sorry he's doing his job!


If you want to say anything at all the safest thing would be nothing at all OR "Thank You", "I'm praying for you", "What can I do to lighten your load?". Simple is good but often times silence is better!

Going, Going, Gone!

Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years have come and gone.
Today is day #4 of the new year and the days until Breezy will be leaving are getting closer and closer. I've decided that I am going to make the most of this deployment for the sake of my family, especially our boys. I did not make a New Years Resolution because like most people, I didn't want to make a resolution to do something and not be able to hold up to it. I did set some goals for myself though;

1. Settle into a good, consistent routine with the boys so that we can all function withouth loosing our heads. (This includes Skyping with Daddy as often as possible!)

2. Attend a Small Group Bible Study once a week outside of weekly ministry responsibilities at FBC.

3. Work-Out 4 of 7 days a week (Zumba, Tredmill, Jazzercise, walking or biking).

4. Be debt free with a nice amount of $$ in savings by Jan. 2013 (excluding Car Payments and School Loans).

Realistic right? I thought so!

I'm off to get this house in order so that I can spend the evening with my Breezy! I'm making my nephew Jason's famous Grilled Shirmp with Asparagus and Mashed Potatoes for dinner.I'll share the reciepe another day.

Just What the Dr. Ordered!

I told you guys earlier this week that I had not had much free time to blog but I think I'm on the way to "blogger-rehab".

The biggest reason for my sudden withdrawl happened unintentionally. I mentioned in my last post that I was offered a postion at First Baptist Church of Colorado Springs in March of 2011. I started on April Fool's day and before I knew it, it was time for my 90 do evaluation. Time was flying. Ministry was happening in full force. Easter was here, school ended, summer came and went, school started, Fall Festival has come and gone and now I'm one worn out little lady. I absolutely love my job but as any one in ministry can tell you, there comes a time when a time of refreshment is much needed. I am thankful that my co-workers have recognized this and have given me the oppurtunity to have some time off. So in order for me to get some down time, I have flown to Alabama with my 2 Breezy Boys, from our home in Colorado to spend 16 days with our families. I'll spend 10 days with my parents and 6 days wtih Breezy's. He's planning to join us in Florida this weekend. YAY!!!!!

I'm breaking the ice now by telling you all that once again my dear Breezy is heading back overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is scheduled to leave early in the New Year. Unfortunately, because we are avaiation we will not make the 9 month cut off. He will be away for 12 months. We are both in pre-deployment mode and are trying to prepare ourselves for what the next 13 months will hold for us. I hope that you will join me in our journey. I will be blogging just like I did the last go round.

I'm out of time. My sweet boys and I are heading to Krispey Kreme in our jammies for some donuts and chocolate milk! They both decided that 6 a.m. was a good wake up time today. Nap time won't come quick enough.


Here's some pictures of the boys. They've both grown so much since March.