...................................................Our Family

Just Dance

2012-01-27T18:21:00.000-08:00

Ashley and Megan dancing to Just Dance on the Wii at the FRG meeting tonight. They had fun and Ashley won 2nd place.

Megan's Award Day

2012-01-27T08:06:00.000-08:00

Today was Megan's turn for 2nd quarter awards. She got 3 awards. One for Perfect Learning Skills, the second was a Music award, and the third a Certificate of Achievement for Reading, 1st place! She is the top reader in her class with the most reading counts points. Awesome job Megan!! We are very proud of you!! Keep it up!!

Here her teacher is reading the names while the principle gives Megan her awards.

Here she is with some of her classmates that also got awards.

Miss Megan.....We are proud of you!!

And as always Hannah always has to get a picture in with her sissy's.

"A" Honor Roll

2012-01-25T06:55:00.000-08:00

Way to go Ashley!! This morning was her 4th grade, 2nd quarter awards. She went from the "AB" Honor Roll last quarter to the "A" Honor Roll this quarter!! We are very proud of you Ashley, you continue to do great in school, keep it up!!

Here she is getting her award from the principle while her teacher reads off the names.

Miss Ashley with her "A" Honor Roll certificate.

Ashley, second from the right, with most of her class.

Hannah needed a picture with her big sister.

Love you Ashley!!

Keep up the Awesome work!!

Our great little getaway

2011-12-04T10:27:00.001-08:00

We just got back from a nice getaway. Steve had signed us up to go on a marriage retreat. At first I really didn't know what it was going to be like, but it turned out great and I would for sure go on one again if its offered to us. This time it was at the Hilton Oceanfront resort on Hilton Head Island right on the beach in South Carolina. We didn't have to pay for the room, childcare or the meals (except for date night). Below is some pictures of out room, it was very nice.

Our room at the Hilton Oceanfront resort

Our balcony

the courtyard we saw from our balcony

our view from the balcony, the ocean is just past those trees

zoomed in from our balcony

After getting there on Friday, we got all checked in and had a little introduction type icebreaker to get to know others that were there and we had dinner. Then the time was ours the rest of the evening, so we walked around outside on all the paths and courtyards. This fire pit we could see from our room window.

Ashley, Megan and Hannah at the fire pit.

Then we took a walk down to the beach. It was night, so you couldn't see much, but it was nice with no lights out there you could see soooo many stars and listen to the ocean.

Ashley on the beach at night

Steve and Hannah on the beach at night

Saturday morning we woke up and all went to the breakfast they were serving, then dropped the girls off with the childcare people. Since none of the girls have ever been in daycare or even been watched by anyone other than family, we weren't real sure how that was going to work out, but they all did awesome and didn't want to leave when it was time to go! Even Hannah was playing with kids other then her sisters and talking away to the childcare providers.

So, with them in childcare and us with a few minutes before things got started, we took a walk on the beach, just the two of us. It was very nice.

While we were on the beach we found this shell, usually we just see a bunch of the clam type shells or broken pieces, but this one was a good 6 inches and in pretty good shape.

so, we got a little souvenir from our trip.

Then it was time for the workshops. Like I said before wasn't sure how these were going to be, but they were not bad at all. They talked about stress, communication, relaxation and several other topics. They were pretty interesting. In between there was lunch provided. Then that night was Date Night! Again free childcare was provided for 4hrs. So, we went out to our favorite place for steak, Outback, then we walked around a bit outside, and then went for a few drinks.

Sunday was the last day. We got up early so the girls could see the beach during the day and they could look for a few shells.

After the beach we went to the breakfast and had one more workshop and then they played the newly wed game. They had two couples that hadn't been married very long and then the third couple was married the longest out of our group. We were that last couple being married 12 years! So, we played, it was pretty fun and we didn't do too bad. We got second place.

And that was our trip, we had a lot of fun, the girls had a blast in childcare, they made all kinds of crafts, watched a movie, learned about ocean creatures, played games, and learned some new dances. I have to say it turned out to be a great experience and much better then I thought it would be.

Hide and Sleep

2011-10-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

It's a daily game Hannah has started for herself. She knows when Ashley and Megan are going to be home from school everyday, so she will curl up in the corner of the couch and hide. She doesn't want them to look for her or find her. Then after a couple minutes of them being home, she will jump out and say "BOO" and being good sisters they act like they are scared everyday. Well today, like everyday, she hid from sisters. After several minutes passed after the girls came home and she still didn't jump out, I looked over at her........

......she is sound asleep!!

Smart Kids

2011-10-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

This morning was conference time for the first time this year. Every time the girls have conferences I only get good reviews and that didn't change this time.

First up was Ashley. Ashley is in 4th grade. Although she was very nervous about starting 4th grade, she has been doing awesome! She is on the "AB" Honor Roll. She almost had straight A's. Only one B in reading, and the teacher said she thinks that's because of a new testing they started and at the beginning all the kids had trouble with it. Her teacher thinks the B will go up to an A with no problems, she had like a 88%. Her teacher had no complaints, said Ashley is very dependable and always has her work completed and can always count on her. The one thing Ashley was very excited about for 4th grade was that they could make robots. So, at the conference Ashley got to show me the robot that her and two of her classmates have been working on. They get to program them, make them do different commands and soon will be learning how to program them from an computer then download them to the robot. I don't remember doing things like that in grade school. She's a smart cookie!!

Then next was Megan's turn. Megan is in 2nd grade. Second grade still doesn't go by A's, B's, C's.... But Megan got all M's which is meeting where she should be and has an E in speaking/listening which is exceeding. She is also only 1 of 3 students in the class learning cursive writing, 1 of 2 students that are getting the enrichment math (harder problems) and is at the head of her class with her reading points. Her teacher says she is very helpful in class, she can work well independently and says she is very proud of Megan for how well she does (as am I).

And last there's Hannah. OK, Hannah is not in school yet, but in February she will be 4 years old and at the end of this school year she will be enrolled in Pre-K. They go everyday for like 2 1/2 or 3 hours a day. She is very excited about that. She asks me quite often when will she get to go to school. I think it will be a good experience for her, she is always attached to me when we go places and I think it will be good for her to make some friends!

I am very proud of my three smart and beautiful girls. Keep up the good work girl's!! I love you!!

A Decade of Ashley!!

2011-10-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

My baby girl is double digits!!

Happy 10th Birthday Ashley!!

Here is Ashley's Decade in review:

This is one of the first pictures of Ashley, born Oct. 8th 2001 and weighed 7 lbs 15 oz.

When I was about 20 weeks pregnant with Ashley we found out she had a heart defect. So, when she was about 36 hours old, she had open heart surgery. Below is a picture of her right out of surgery. She was so swollen and now weighed over 10 lbs because of all the fluid build up from surgery. It was so hard to see her this way and very scary. We really didn't know what to expect as she got older.

But after 2 weeks, she lost all that fluid and was doing very well. We then had to teach her to eat from a bottle. This was actually very hard and is what kept her from coming home.

She finally came home after 4 weeks and did nothing but grow healthy and strong!

This picture below she is about 2 months old. I miss my baby Ashley.

Ashley didn't really start crawling til about 9 months old. But she never really crawled the normal way. She always had one foot pushing her along instead of crawling with both knees on the ground. Kind of a crab like walk.

Crawling didn't last long, 2 days after her 1st birthday she was walking.

Below is Ashley at 2 years old.

At 2 1/2 Ashley became a BIG sister to little Megan.

Here she is at 3 years old....

and 4 years old....

and 5 years old....

Then my big girl was ready for school!! This was her first day of Kindergarten.

not sure I have this one in the right order, but she learned how to ride a two wheeler.

This one she lost her first tooth.

Ashley at age 6....

Then at age 6 she became a big sister again (Megan was a couple weeks shy of being 4) to little Hannah Banana.

This is Ashley at 7 years old...

and 8 years old.....

Ashley was in Girl Scouts for 2 years and earned all kinds of patches and sold cookies.

and here she is at age 9

and now she has gotten braces.

There are so many more little milestones and accomplishments Ashley has done in these past 10 years. We are very proud of her. She is growing in to a beautiful young lady and has a big, loving heart. I still can't believe she is the big 1 0!!

We love you Ashley!! Happy, Happy Birthday baby girl!!

Google Plus SUCKS!!

2011-10-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

So, If you come to my blog and see all these triangles instead of pictures, you can thank Google plus. I deleted an album from Google plus, thinking it was only being deleted from Google plus and now my blog looks like this. When deleting an album from Google plus, it also deletes it from the same place it stores the pictures that appear on the blog. I am NOT happy with Google plus and will NEVER use it again!! :( I will slowly try and fix the side pictures on my blog, but I'm not going to go fix every post from the past 4 years. dumb, dumb, dumb!!!

A little nervous....

2011-09-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

So, today Ashley had her first orthodontics appointment. It was just and evaluation to see what the plan needs to be. She is pretty nervous about the whole thing, but I know she will do fine with it. Tomorrow she has a second appointment. They are going to take some x-rays, do a casting of her teeth and put in spacers. Then next week, Wednesday, she will go back and get the braces on!! She will have them on the top front 4 teeth and a couple teeth in back. She will also probably be wearing a head gear, but just at night for bed. She will more then likely have a second phase of braces when she gets a little older. This first phase sounds like it will take about a year.

Kindness

2011-08-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

Today was the day Megan got her Star Student award. Each month her school, who are the "Diamond Gators", have what they call Gator Traits. Two students from each class are selected for each trait. This month was Kindness, and after only two weeks of school, Megan has already showed qualities of this trait and was selected to receive the Star Student award. (and free popcorn!)

Megan was waiting for her name to be called. They call each grade level in order. So when the 2nd graders turn came up, Megan got very excited. They called several names, then her classmate, then several other names and they said they were done.....what? Megan is still sitting here.....she instantly turned to tears, because her name was not called and all the 2nd graders were leaving the stage. So I went over and talked to a school staff member while they continued the other awards. I told her I have a very upset 2nd grader over here, she didn't get her award. So she asked me a bunch of questions making sure she was supposed to get one (I guess one boy went home and told his mom he was getting it and he really wasn't). I showed her the slip that says yes she was getting the award, so she quickly wrote up an award for Megan and she got called up by herself after the 3rd graders were done.
Yeah Megan!!

The person felt bad about Megan not getting her award (cause I guess the lady I talked to was actually in charge of doing the awards) so she gave Megan an extra card to get a second free popcorn.
Since I couldn't get a picture with her standing with all the 2nd graders, I got a picture with her and her classmate Dennis, who also got the award.

Good Job Kiddo's!!

I love you Megan!! I am very proud of you for being such a smart, kind-hearted girl!! Keep up the good work!!

My Best Friend, My Husband, The Love of my Life!!

2011-08-07T05:10:00.000-07:00

12 years ago today, I married my best friend and the love of my life!! I don't know what I would do without him.

I think we were destined to be together, just look at the picture below....me on the left him on the right. Wonder Women and Super Man!! Who else would have almost identical pictures at the same age and both with our dads. Kind of funny, don't ya think!! ;) We were meant to be together!!

We met probably in 1995 in high school on the school bus. He was a Sophomore and I was a Junior. In 1996 he asked me to be his girlfriend. The picture below was in 1997 (on our one year anniversary as boyfriend/girlfriend) for my senior prom.
This pic below was 1998.
(part of his senior pictures)

Then after 3 years of going together we got married, August 7th, 1999. We have been through a lot together. Moving out of our parents for the first time to our first apartment, buying our first home together, having 3 beautiful daughters and then him joining the Army and we moved off on to a new adventure. Kind of crazy the way life's paths take you at times. I will always be by his side and be as supportive as I can to him. He is the best guy a girl could ever have!

Happy Anniversary My Love!!

12 wonderful years!!

(total of 15 together)
I look forward to many, many more wonderful years together!!

I'm so happy that I have you by my side for life's journey's!!

School Open House

2011-08-04T14:59:00.001-07:00

Tonight was open house at the girls school. They found out who their teachers will be and got to see their classrooms and the teachers went over some of what they do in the classroom.

Ashley will have Mrs. Walker. Ashley is a little nervous about going into 4th grade, because she thinks it's going to be hard. But I know she is going to do great like always. She is excited that she will be able to build robots this year!

Here is Ashley in her classroom....

and outside her classroom.

Megan will have Ms. Knapp for 2nd grade. Megan has been saying for the last couple of weeks that she doesn't want to go back to school. She was very nervous about getting another teacher. But after tonight, she got to meet her teacher and now she wants to start tomorrow!! She really likes her teacher and school hasn't even started yet!!

Here is Megan in her classroom...

and outside her classroom.

Megan's teacher also gave each of the students little goodie bags tonight.

Their first day of school will be Monday the 8th. I think both of the girls got good teachers this year and i know they are going to do great. Hard to believe summer is already over for them!!

It was too long!!

2011-07-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

Well, out of my three girls, Hannah is the first to grab the scissors and cut her own hair!! I got a phone call and had to go meet this person somewhere, so I came down the stairs and there is Hannah standing there with scissors in one hand and a clump of hair in the other. I said "Oh Hannah, what did you do?" she says "It was too long right there!!" Well at least it wasn't her bangs that she chopped off, that would be harder to fix. I didn't get a picture of her, because I had to get out the door and then she fell asleep in the car.

Clothes!!!

2011-07-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share what I think was a pretty good deal for us. I found a person on craigslist that had a TON of girls clothes for sale in the size ranges of Ashley, Megan and Hannah. She was about an hour away, but I think it was worth the drive. Here's what we got:

42 tops (t-shirts, tanks, a few long sleeve)

26 bottoms (carpi's, shorts, jeans, couple skirts)

7 pairs of shoes

3 dresses

2 outfits (shorts with tops)

2 sweater jackets

total of 82 items for $40

All the clothes are in really good shape too. And there were still a ton more we could have gotten, but had to stop somewhere. Ashley probably got the least, cause there wasn't as many in her size, but she still got several pieces. Now Megan and Hannah are going through all of them trying them on like a fashion show.

A Midsummer Knight's Read

2011-06-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

We went to the on post library this morning so the girls can have some books to read this summer. When we were there they signed up for a summer reading program called A Midsummer Knight's Read. Its a program put on at many military installations worldwide. They each (even Hannah) got a shirt and a bag of goodies (pencil, stickers, bookmark, reading log) just for signing up! So they are going to keep track of what they read this summer and by the end should get a certificate for taking part.

here are the shirts they got, Ashley got the blue one, and Hannah and Megan got the white one.

And they already started reading as soon as we got home! A little quiet time!! Kind of nice!

AVON

2011-06-14T11:44:00.001-07:00

This is my new adventure. Selling Avon! We seem to be making it fine paying our bills and getting groceries and gas, but it always seems we have no money ever in our pocket!! So, I know this isn't going to be a huge money maker, but it will hopefully put a few extra bucks in our pocket.

Please take a look at the brochures. There is more than just make up. They have Kitchen products, clothes, kids items, gifts....probably something for everyone! If you click on the picture below it will link you to my personal site. You can order online and your order will be shipped directly to you. I am new at this and will be learning as i go. Any support from my friends and family would be greatly appreciated. I sent a message with this to some of you in facebook, but in case I left anyone out I'm posting it here on my blog. I hope you enjoy shopping AVON and please share my site to anyone interested! Let me know if you have any questions!

Raider Stakes

2011-06-06T15:17:00.001-07:00

Last week, Wednesday and Thursday, Steve competed in a competition called the Raider Stakes. It started with a PT test very early in the morning. Then they had a series of events like grenades, first aid, DAGR, call for fire, night vision, weapons and a few others. Steve did the grenades, first aid and land nav. Then the next day they had a ruck march/run first thing in the morning, with a ruck sack filled with about 35 - 40 pounds, their Kevlar, and weapon and ran a lot of it which was 5 miles. When he came home afterwards he looked like she was dunked in water or something,wet from head to toe, but that was just how much he sweat out there. His team wasn't first, I think he was 3rd, but I think doing all that is awesome and hard workThis picture above was during the PT test, Steve is in the background, the one standing on one leg.

Today he got this certificate for participating.

Today Steve also found out he is no longer part of the GSE (Ground Support Equipment). He is now in HQ (Company Headquarters). He will be basically working in the office at the company. The bummer thing about the move is he won't get to actually preform his MOS (generator repair). But you go where they tell you to go and make the best of it.

Splashing around

2011-06-05T15:21:00.000-07:00

Like most days, Hannah refuses to sit still long enough to take a nap. So she starts to get tired when it is too late for a nap and too early for bedtime. Tonight Steve went outside to cook dinner on the BBQ. Hannah followed him out and sat in the chair. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. So, I asked her if she wanted to splash her feet in the water while dinner was cooking. She perked right up and got a little more than her feet wet.

Kings Hawaiian

2011-06-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I was on the computer going to different sites to see if any of the individual company's were offering any coupons. I went to the Kings Hawaiian site (I LOVE their rolls) and didn't find any coupons, but I sent them a comment saying how much we enjoy their product. I didn't even ask for coupons or anything. Today I got this in the mail, 2 coupons for FREE Kings Hawaiian products, a recipe booklet, and a personalized, hand written card from them. Very nice.

Lima Bean

2011-06-03T13:12:00.001-07:00

A while back Megan came home with these 6 different plants. We didn't know what they were. We discovered that one was grass, one was a Lima bean, she said they planted a tomato and she thinks one was a fern...don't know what the others were. But it has been fun watching them change. Most the time when the girls come home with plants they die soon after.

the grass was one that really took off at first...

then the one in the corner that we have no clue what it was.....

then the Lima bean started sprouting a leaf....

Then all of a sudden the Lima bean just took off....

It was getting too big so we had to replant it....

and this is how it looks today!

Megan planted the grass outside, the tall skinny plant died when we replanted it and the other plants never did anything more than what was shown above.

Ribbit, Ribbit

2011-06-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

When Megan was in kindergarten her class got a bunch of tad poles and watched them grow into frogs. When she graduated kindergarten the kids names were in a drawing for who could take the frogs home. Megan was one of the lucky ones who got to keep one. So, she came home with a frog and named him Swimmers. Well, 6 months later it was time for us to move. We didn't want to try and travel cross country to Georgia with a frog in the van, so we left him at Papa Brizius house. (my dad's) We told her we would get her a new one once we got settled again. So, today, Steve had off, we finally went to Savannah and got her a new frog and one to keep him company.

Megan named her new frog Swimmers Dos (or Swimmers 2) and Ashley named the other one Dare Devil.

End of the Year Report Cards

2011-06-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

I got the girls report cards in the mail the other day. They did very well.

Ashley got M's in most area's which means she is meeting grade level expectation, She got E's (exceeding grade level expectations) in reading and writing. And in learning skills she got all 1's which is the best you can get for those. Her teacher left a comment saying "Excellent work, Ashley! You are a very eager learner! It has been wonderful to observe the books you chose to read and your interest in them. Good job on memorizing the multiplication and division facts." Her teacher also gave her her e-mail address so she can tell her about books she reads over the summer.

Megan had an improvement from 3rd quarter to 4th quarter. 3rd quarter she had all M's, some 1's and a couple of 2's. 4th quarter she went from all M's (meeting grade level) to ALL E's (exceeding grade level) and the 2's (occasionally observed) that she had in learning skills went to 1's (consistently observed) the best she can get! Her teacher left a comment saying " I really enjoyed having you in class. You are a good student and have a great sense of humor. I hope you have a terrific summer and have lots of fun in 2nd grade!"

Great job once again girls!! I love you and am very proud of how well you guys did having to move in the middle of a school year and trying to get used to different teachers and picking up what is being taught in the new classes. You both did awesome!!

Another Star Student

2011-04-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Megan's first day back to school since she had her adenoids out. When she came home she had a paper saying she was Star Student and the awards were that night!

Every month at school, kids get picked to be Star Student. To be as Star Student the kids have to show the qualities of which ever gator trait it is for the month. The month of April, the Gator trait was Fairness.

To be FAIR, they have to follow the following:

1. Take turns
2. Share with others
3. Play by the rules
4. Treat others kindly and without prejudice
5. Be a good listener - give everyone a chance to talk
6. Do not take more than your fair share - Do not be selfish
7. Consider other feelings before you speak or act
8. Do not take advantage of people
9. Take responsibility for your own behavior

I have NO doubt that my Megan shows all those qualities and her FAIRNESS Star Student award was well deserved!! Good job Megs!!

Megan getting her award from the principle

Megan with the other Star Students
(I hardly ever forget my camera, but some how last night I did, so my phone pics are a little grainy)

Awesome Job Megan!!
(to bad they couldn't spell her last name correctly)
She also got her card for free popcorn on Friday!
(that's what she was most excited for)

Very Sweet

2011-04-21T12:05:00.001-07:00

Megan's teacher sent home a goodie bag for her. She dropped it off to Ashley's class for her to bring home. It was very nice of her and I think brightened Megan's day, she's been a little grumpy and not feeling great today.

Megan

2011-04-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was the day Megan got her adenoids out and her ears drained. As you can see in the pictures of her below, she was not a bit nervous or scared. She was her ornery self and all smiles. They had Horton Hears a Who playing in this room as we waited for the nurse to come talk to us, the anesthesia guy to talk to us, and then finally the doctor. Her appointment was at 8:45 in the morning, but we waited in the waiting room for an hour before we even got to this room. She didn't go back to the oper. room until about 10:15. I think the actual procedure took less time then anything.

The procedure itself did not take long at all. They gave me a gown and hair cover and shoe covers and I was able to go back with Megan while they put her out. I had to leave Hannah with the nurse in the other room. She did not like that, cried when I tried to leave, but as soon as I left the room she was quiet. The nurse was reading her a book and she sat there with a frown on her face listening. So, then Megan walked right back to the O.R. and hopped right onto the table. They put the mask on her face and within a few seconds she was out. Hannah and I waited in the waiting room until she was done. She was pretty groggy coming out of the anesthesia, and she hurt, she sucked on some popsicles. The doctor said there we a LOT of fluid behind her eardrums so he want to keep an eye on them to determine if she needs tubes or not. Draining the fluid now lets her hear better. Then she rode in a wheelchair out to the van (one of the highlights she talked about once she got home). She cried about it hurting until about half way home (1 hr and 15 mins to get home) then I gave her a fruit breezer throat drop and she fell asleep. By that night she was feeling better, just very stuffed up and hurts to swallow a little. She is doing good, bedtime/early morning is the worst time. She has so much drainage from her nose that she gets uncomfortable and can't sleep. Hopefully that passes pretty soon and she will be back to herself. The nurse called yesterday to check on her and said she should stay home from school until her post op appt., which is next Wednesday.

Tea Party

2011-04-18T10:51:00.001-07:00

I know it is almost Easter, but Ashley's teacher just emailed me these pictures. (there were lots more pics, but these are a few with Ashley in them) On Valentines day Ashley's class had a tea party. Their teacher brought in real china, tea and lots of finger foods. She didn't want to give a regular valentines party, she wanted to teach them something at the same time. So, the reason for the tea party was to learn about the Boston Tea Party. They also got to exchange valentines too.

Here is Ashley in the front in both pictures above and below. And again Ashley in front and thats her teacher in the pink.

You know you're an Army wife when.....

2011-04-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

I saw this online and found some of it very true:

You know you're an Army wife when.....

~You can unpack a house and have everything in place in 48 hours

~Your husband's work and dress clothes cost more than yours do

~You use a crook-neck flashlight with a red lens during power outages because it's the only one you can ever find in the house

~Your children say "hooah" or "roger that" instead of "ok"

~Your husband does a route recon and takes a GPS for a trip to the mall

~You only write in pencil because EVERYTHING is subject to change

~You need a translator to talk to your civilian friends, only because they have no idea what DFAS, AER, TDY, ACS, NPD, PCS, and ETS mean

~You have a larger selection of curtains than Walmart does

~You mark time in duty stations, not years

~You refer to friends not only by name but by the state that they live in

~You know that "back home" doesn't mean at the house you live in now

~You tear up when you hear "Proud to Be An American," even though you've heard it 50 times by now

~You know that a 2 month separation IS short, no matter what your civilian friends say

~You ALWAYS know when payday is and get ticked off if there are more than 2 weekends during that pay period

~You know better than to go to the PX or commissary between 11:30 and 13:00 unless it's a life or death emergency

~ You show your military ID to the greeter at Walmart

~You find yourself explaining your husband's LES to him

~You have enough camouflage in your house to wallpaper the White House

~ You don't have to think about what time 21:30 is

~You start ripping open MREs and looking for the M&Ms when you run out of Halloween candy

~The local dry cleaner knows you by your first name

~It only cost you $25 to have a child

~You find that a large number of your clothes and household items are olive drab or loam, even though you never planned it that way

~You pick apart uniforms on TV and in the movies, even though you used to yell at your husband for doing the same thing

~You've learned to sleep through the sounds of tanks, planes, helicopters and artillery simulators

~You defend your lifestyle no matter how bad things get because you know there's no other life for you!

My Hannah Banana

2011-04-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

Since I have had a couple post on both Ashley and Megan, I figured I post something on my Hannah Banana.

This was a few days ago, she is loving the warmer weather because she gets to wear tank tops and flip flops, her favorite things to wear.

Yesterday, while I was folding close, she was being a little too quiet in her room. She came out and in a kind of singing voice she says "Oooohhhhh mommy", I asked her what she was doing. She came down stairs and showed me her legs and feet. I asked her why she wrote on her legs, not yelling or mad, and she started balling. I waited for her to calm down, and asked her again why she wrote on her legs, She says in a sobbing voice "I just wanted a tatoo!" I didn't get mad at her, but she knew she wasn't supposed to do that so she started crying. Silly girl!

And here is my little rock star, she wasn't as into it as she usually gets, but she always wants to hear this song so she can dance and sing along.

1st Grade Awards

2011-04-12T12:05:00.001-07:00

This afternoon was 1st grade awards. I made it back in plenty of time to go see Megan get her awards and Steve was off too. She was excited that we both made it.

This is most of Megan's class, missing a couple kids I think, Megan in the third one in on the left.

I was tring to get her to look at me on stage, but she would just barely glance over.

Megan coming off the stage, her teacher is there on the right. Megan got 2 awards. One for perfect attendence and the other for reading improvement. Most of the kids got one award and a few got two. Awesome job Megan. Your doing great! We are proud of you and love you very much!!

Ashley's Yearly Cardiology Appt

2011-04-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

This morning was Ashley's yearly cardiologist appointment. She had been seeing the same pediatric cardiologist in Spokane since I was pregnant with her. So, I was nervous about how a new one would be because we loved Dr. Burg in Spokane. The new cardiologist is in Savannah. Normally it takes a little less than an hour to get to Savannah, but I have never gone during morning traffic. Bad time to go, it took me an hour and a half to get there and made it right at the time of her appt. (coming home took just under an hour)

The office staff was very friendly, quick and knew what they were doing. I signed a couple of papers sat down and they called Ashley's name. No wait at all. First they did an EKG and blood pressure. Then had an echo done. The doctor told us that the old cardiologist wrote very good notes and they are seeing the same things. The ongoing things are the cardiomyopothy ~ non-compaction of the left ventricle (left side of heart did not form as a solid muscle, more spongy like) and the very small leak from the aorta (which is no cause for concern). Both of these are what they look at on a yearly basis and every year including today they say that things are staying the same. (a good thing) Her heart is pumping strong and she is not having any issues. She will stay on the baby aspirin daily and probably do a halter monitor next year (she has done that twice now, they do it every couple of years). Dr. Long (the new peds cardiologist) said during her childhood and teen years we will more then likely hear the same thing every year that things are staying the same. He predicts that IF and that's only an IF she has any more issues that it probably wouldn't be until her middle ages. He thinks everything looks great as of now. So, Ashley is good to go until next year for her next check up.

Since this is the only pediatric cardiologist in the area, they do a rotation and visit other places to see patients. They travel as much as 3 and 4 hours away to other clinics so patients don't always have to do the traveling. So, Dr. Long told me that her next visit next year, I can take her to Hinesville, which is right outside Fort Stewart gates. They are in Hinesville once a month. So I wont have the hour and a half drive again. He seems like a really good doctor, at least so far. He had a good first impression anyway!

3rd Grade Awards

2011-04-04T11:27:00.001-07:00

Today was the 3rd quarter awards for 3rd graders.

Ashley did very well as you can see.

This is Ashley's 3rd grade class with all their awards.

Ashley got 4 awards. This first one is for Great Leaps in Fluency. Fluency is something they work on a lot at Diamond Elementary, so that their reading flows with little or no mistakes and at a good speed. The second award she got was for Reading. Ashley has always been a good reader and since she got to Diamond she has been reading some bigger and harder books. Her award shows that she has read 268,041 words since she got to Diamond in January. That's not counting some of the free reading she also does at home!!

The 3rd award is for being on the Honor Roll!! And the last award is the Math award. They have Focus Activities online and Ashley always has hers done ahead of time and has them done correctly.

Way to go Ashley, you are doing awesome and we are very proud of you!!

Next week is the awards for 1st graders. It happens to be the same day as Ashley's cardiology appt in Savannah, so I am hoping I make it back in time to go see Megan.

X-Ray

2011-03-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

I have been working on trying to get Ashley in for her yearly check up with the cardiologist. First I had to take her to our primary doctor to get a referral. Then we waited for about a week and finally got the referral. Then I called the new cardiologist office to set an appointment, but since Ashley is a new patient there they require chest x-rays done before her first visit. So I went back and forth on the phone between talking to the primary office and the cardiologist office and waiting for phone calls back from them. It was probably 8 - 10 phone calls to get it all straight, they kept telling me different things that I should be doing. Finally they called me this morning and said the order was now sent and I can take Ashley in at anytime to get the x-ray.

Ashley was nervous about doing it because she has never had one done before. I tried to tell her it was just like taking a picture. I don't think she believed me until we got there and all she had to do is stand still while they clicked a button and they were done. Then she was all happy at the end saying "I got my first x-ray!" and she kept a couple x-ray stickers they gave her so she could scrapbook them.

I have to bring copies of the x-rays to the cardiologist myself, so they put them on a CD. So, I put the pictures on my computer. They are kind of interesting, because if you look close you can see little loops and lines from where they closed her up from her surgery.

(may have to click on the picture to see it bigger)

This first one is the front view you can see several little dash lines at the top in the middle

here is the top middle zoomed in, you can also see the little loops going down from where the dashes are, from where they closed her up and then the side view if you click on the picture to make it bigger you can see about 4 lines on the right side.

Just thought these were kind of interesting to see, since this was her first x-ray. Her first visit with the new cardiologist which is in Savannah, (about an hour away) will be April 12th.

Star Student

2011-03-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

Ashley's school gives out Star Student awards each month based on their Gator Traits. They are nominated by teachers and students.

Gator Trait of the Month this time was Trust
To be TRUSTworthy means to:

1. Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth - All of the time!
2. Do what you say you will do—be dependable.
3. Make good choices.
4. Do the right thing—do not lie, steal, or cheat.
5. Keep your promises.
6. THINK before you act.
7. Be a good friend. Be loyal. Don’t gossip.
8. Make your own decisions—don’t give in to peer pressure.

We are very proud of Ashley for getting this award this month.

Ashley on stage with her award they did each grade separately, these are all the third graders that got the award including Ashley.
Way to go Ashley!! and here is her certificate, she also got a card to get free popcorn on Friday. (Their school sells popcorn every Friday after school.)

Report Card Time

2011-03-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Today Ashley and Megan got their report cards. They are both doing very well.

Megan got all M's, which means she is meeting all grade level requirements. Her teacher wrote this comment "Megan is a pleasure to have in class. She has settled into her new schedule and has adjusted quite nicely to the surroundings and routines. I am proud of her success." I am also VERY proud of her!!

Ashley also got all M's and one E. E's mean Exceeds grade-level expectations. She got the E in reading(and actually had another paper showing all that she has read and tested on and it had an E++). Her teacher wrote this comment "Ashley is an awesome reader! She goes above and beyond the grade level expectations." Way to go Ashley!! When I talked to her teacher just last week she also told me that Ashley is the top student in her class when it comes to math also! I'm VERY proud of her also!!

I have three very smart girls. I couldn't be more proud of each of them. I also think they have done very well adjusting to all the changes that have gone on in the last several months. Moving away from the only place they knew, family, their school and their friends was a tough thing. But I think they are adjusting very good and having fun seeing new places and making new friends. They are starting to like their new school a whole lot better then they did when they started. (just had to settle in and get used to the new surroundings)

All in all, we are all doing great and we are proud of our girls!

Gator Night

2011-03-16T17:14:00.001-07:00

Tonight was Gator Night at Ashley and Megan's school. All week has been their book fair and along with that they have a book fair carnival. They had several little games for the kids to play and earn tickets. Musical chairs, a matching game, a math game, a book game, cake walk, balloon animals and face painting. It was all free except for the food, but that was only like 50 cents each. The girls had fun and came home with a book, balloons and pencils.

her Megan is getting ready for musical chairs

Megan playing musical chairs, the teacher running this game was Megan's teacher, Mrs. Bryent.

Then it was the face painting, Hannah got a purple flower....

and Megan got hearts. Ashley didn't want face paint, no surprise.

Megan with her balloon animal.

Hannah with daddy showing her balloon animal.

Hannah playing with some of the loose balloons.

Ashley getting ready to play musical chairs.

Ashley one of the last two and she won!

Both Ashley and Megan's teachers were there. And both of them stopped to talk to us about the girls. Ashley is the top reader in her class and is doing very well in math. Her teacher says she is doing very well!! Megan's teacher told us that Megan is doing very well also. She had a hard time at first adjusting to her new class and the teacher, but now Mrs. Bryent says, she is having no problems and is jumping right into things now. I'm proud of my girls. They are both very smart and like to learn.

Adenoiditis

2011-03-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

Megan had her visit to the ENT today. The outcome was not really what I expected. The post ENT told me it may be allergies or they may suggest tubes, but after the doctor looked at her and asked a bunch of questions, it all makes a lot of sense. Adenoiditis, symptoms feeling stuffy all the time (Megan always complains of that), sniffs alot with a runny nose (all Megan), snoring and tosses and turns at night (Megan since she was born). He could tell in her voice as soon as she talked what was wrong also. There were several other symptoms that all matched Megan too. The doctor believes that she should have been diagnosed with it a long time ago. He thinks she was born with enlarged adenoids, which kind of makes sense, she did have breathing issues as a baby and many of the other symptoms since she was a baby.

So, April 19th, she will be going to Statesboro, GA (a little over an hour from us) for a very short outpatient procedure to have her adenoids taken out and he will also drain her ears while he's in there. He said the procedure is very quick, and I can be in there while they put her to sleep and stay in there til she wakes up. Afterwards, she should be able to breath better, not feel so stuffed up all the time, get rid of the fluid that builds up in her ears, probably sleep better and just feel better all around.

Happy 7th Birthday Megs!!

2011-03-13T05:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Megan!!

Megan Elaine

Born March 13, 2004

at 10 lb 7 oz

She was my little rolley pulley baby

Megan at 6 months ~ she always did have her own little attitude

1 year old ~ But she has also always been full of smiles

2 years old ~ I love my megs!!

3 years old ~ what a little princess

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

7 years old ~ where has the time gone?

Happy Birthday Megan!! Mommy, Daddy, Ashley and Hannah love you!!

Lil Helpers

2011-03-12T18:11:00.000-08:00

Since Megan got her cooking set, she (and Hannah) wanted to help cook dinner. So they are helping daddy make chicken fingers.

Chef Megan

2011-03-12T18:05:00.001-08:00

This is what Megan picked out with her birthday money. A cooking set and a cupcake set. We are going to use the cupcake set tomorrow to make some mini cupcakes for her birthday. She can't wait.

Build~a~Bear

2011-03-12T17:44:00.000-08:00

Megan's Birthday is Sunday the 13th, but today we went to the mall and she got to pick out her own gift from us and spend her birthday money that she had gotten in the mail. So her big gift from us that she picked out was a stuffed animal from Build~a~Bear workshop. (man those are spendy!) She picked out the Wizards of Waverly place purple bear, put in a little music so when you press the foot it plays, picked out the outfit and picked out shoes. The shoes she picked out are exactly the same as shoes that she has herself.

Megan dressing her bear in the dressing room.

Daddy helping with the shoes
and here is her finished bear, she named it Alex and she has the same birthday as Megan.

Lunch at the mall

2011-03-12T17:40:00.000-08:00

We got to the mall in Savannah right about lunch time, so we eat lunch there. Mixed in with the tables in the eating area they had kid size tables and chairs. The girls thought that was pretty cool.

Vampire Hannah

2011-03-12T17:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to my Hannah Banana!!

2011-02-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday

Miss Hannah Banana!!

My littlest baby girl is 3 years old today!!

She is growing soooo fast!!

Hannah Lynn was born Feb. 23, 2008

Hannah at 6 months old

Hannah at 1 year old

Hannah at 2 years old

and Hannah at 3 years old,
Little Miss Independent.

We love you Hannah!!

The monkey's I mean the girls bathroom

2011-02-07T17:10:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I finally got the girls bathroom set up. There were several designs we had to choose from, but Megan really wanted the monkey's, so here it is.

They now finally have a shower curtain, rug and some matching towels.....

cup holder and soap dispenser.....

and the garbage can.

Trip to the Library

2011-01-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

We have passed the Library here on post several times, and every time we pass it the girls beg us to stop there, so yesterday we finally did. They have a pretty big selection of kids books and the girls just loved picking out there own and already want to go back. They also have quite a few movies there, some really aren't that old either. I'm sure we will be going there alot.

Great Job Megan!!

2011-01-21T17:14:00.001-08:00

Megan's turn!! They had the 1st grade awards yesterday and Megan got one. She said that everyone in her class was saying she wouldn't because she was new, so she was very happy when she received one.

Good job Megan!! We are proud of you!! You are doing an awesome job!!

I Won!!

2011-01-16T06:32:00.001-08:00

Friday we went to the Commissary. They were having a Welcome Home Soldiers sidewalk sale. They had a lot of great deals. They also had a drawing for either a Tom Tom or a E-Book reader. I always sign up for drawings, but don't really think twice about it assuming I won't be the winner. This time I told Steve to go sign up for it too. The drawing was only for that store and it was going to be held that night. Well yesterday while our things were being delivered, I got a phone call saying I won the Tom Tom!! I was very surprised!! We were actually talking about getting a second one so the van and car would both have one and now we got it for free!!

Our Stuff!!

2011-01-15T19:03:00.001-08:00

Yippee!! Our things arrived today!! The girls were very excited when the truck pulled up, so was I!! ;-)

Steve marking off the box numbers as they came off the truck and Megan watching everything.

our stuff was in the middle of the two open doors

Our New Bedroom

2011-01-15T18:44:00.000-08:00

We got our new bedroom set today!! I was excited!! The bed we were using since we got married was one that was pass down in his family, he has never had a dresser since we have been married and I have been using the dresser I have had since I was a little kid. So, it was about time we got something new for ourselves.

This is our new bed, a sleigh bed

my new dresser, it's just simple, I think it looks better in person than in the picture
Steve's dresser
an entertainment stand

hard to tell from the pictures, but there is still about 5 or 6 feet on each side of the bed also, so everything fits in pretty nice. Still have a little decorating to do, but we don't have to sleep on an air mattress now!!

Haircuts

2011-01-15T18:03:00.000-08:00

Megan has not wanted to cut her hair in a long time. She has wanted to keep growing long. I've been trying to talk her into cutting it for a while, because it gets so tangled. Well finally, all of a sudden, she had decided she wanted it cut. So, we took her Friday to get a haircut and Hannah wanted to get a cut too because sissy was.

So, here are the before shots at how long their hair was:

Hannah and Megan

and after:

Hannah and Megan

I tried to get a front shot of Hannah, but she was being a little grumpy and then the other shot came out a little blurry. This is actually Hannah's first real haircut. Before it has only been her bangs. I couldn't get a good picture yet, but I think it looks cute on her.

and Megan, she is now glad she got it cut.

Great Job Ashley!!

2011-01-12T05:43:00.001-08:00

So the girls have only been in their new school for a week and Ashley has already received 2 awards. Awesome job Ashley!!

I'm very proud of my girls! They are both dealing with big changes and for the most part are handling it very well. I love you Ashley and Megan!! and Hannah too!! ;-)

Gear

2011-01-12T04:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Steve came home with all his gear...

lots of gear....there is still more in that other duffel bag.

Cypress Sam's Treehouse

2011-01-10T11:05:00.000-08:00

Sunday we took the girls to Cypress Sam's Treehouse. It is an indoor play area with a 3 story treehouse. It's on the post and it was only $1.25 per child and Hannah was free, so for $2.50 the kids had a lot of fun climbing all over the place.

This is the giant treehouse

the girls peeking out one of the windows
inside the treehouse ~ Ashley and Megan

coming down the slide of the treehouse. Hannah had a concerned look on her face every time she went down, but every time she made it to the bottom she did a little dance and did it again.

Ashley in front of the treehouse

Ashley and Hannah up top

Steve having fun with his girls

Hannah and daddy in the toddler area

Georgia

2011-01-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to add anything to my blog since we left Washington, because the wireless we have had has been too slow, but we just got our internet hooked up today. Soooo, as everyone already knows....WE ARE IN GEORGIA!! It was quite a trip to get here, the longest I have ever driven myself, but we couldn't have asked for better weather the entire way. We took 3 1/2 days to get to my sisters house in Oklahoma. There we spent Christmas and the rest of the weekend at her house. It was a good visit, loved seeing my sister, Ves and nieces and nephew. Then it was another 3 days to Georgia. We stayed in Savannah the first night, it's about an hour or so away from Fort Stewart. Then the next day we drove into Fort Stewart and checked into the Army Lodging. Basically the on post hotel. At first they only had a room for us for 3 days, but then on the third day we checked again and we got extended another 2 days, and after those we checked again and we got to keep the room until we got our house. I was very surprised and happy that on the first day we got to Fort Stewart, we went to the housing office and there was the one, 4 bedroom house available. We were number 15 on the list, but because we were there and ready for a house it was ours!! Pays to visit them in person!! We are finding that out a lot. Steven has been in reception since we have been here. He has to do all the in processing stuff and paperwork and then hopefully by this Friday he will finally be assigned to his unit.

Ashley and Megan started school last week. They were very nervous and scared about going to their new school. Ashley seems to be doing ok. I met with her teacher already. But we are seeing that 3rd grade in Washington and 3rd grade in Georgia are not teaching the same things and teaching math a little different, so I think it's going to take a little time to get Ashley adjusted to what her classmates are doing. But her teacher has already said that she can tell Ashley is a quick learner and a great reader. I think she will do fine, just needs a little adjusting time. Megan has had a little harder time getting used to things so far. She was in tears a couple of times and was scared of everything new. We ran into her teacher at the PX and she said the first day Megan was in tears, so the teacher pulled out a map and Megan started showing all the states we traveled through to get here and her tears just instantly dried up. Her teacher already says she is a very smart little girl. (I had now doubts ;-) ) Then the next thing they got to do is start riding the bus to and from school. That went over very good, Megan was afraid to do it, but after the first time, she has had no problems. They both say that this school is boring compared to Cooper, but I still think it's just because everything is new. I'm sure once they make more friends and get used to the way things work around there, they are going to be just fine.

It's really been nice so far in this neighborhood. We have had several neighbors come greet us and tell us about things. There is an MP living on both sides of us, a nurse and a chief. It's nice to already start to get to know neighbors. Seems like a very friendly and safe area. And there are lots of kids that I'm sure the girls will become friends with.

Now we are just waiting on our stuff to arrive. The movers called today to tell us his clutch went out in his truck, so we have to wait a few more days. O~well, at least we have our house and we are all together.

Family visit ~ number four

2010-12-20T16:17:00.000-08:00

Stop number four was at Grandma Borders house. We had a good visit with his grandma, parents, aunt's, uncle's and cousins. We will miss all you guys!!

Steve with his Grandma

Steve with Aunt Joey

Steve with Aunt Heidi
Steve with Aunt Roxy

Hannah with her most favoritetist person in the world.....Jessica!!

We also got to see Draco.....Ashley really liked that.

Family visit ~ stop number three

2010-12-20T16:02:00.000-08:00

Our third stop was Grandma and Grandpa Longs house. Steve's Aunt's, Uncle's, and Cousins all came over. It was nice seeing everyone and they too will all be missed!!

Steve with Aunt Robin and Hannah

Steve's Uncle Ron, Aunt Antje, Grandma Long and Lucero
Hannah and Megan with cousin Lucero

4 generations ~ Steve's mom Teresa, his Grandma Long, and the girls Hannah, Megan and Ashley

Visiting family ~ second stop

2010-12-20T15:37:00.001-08:00

Our next stop was my dad's house. We had a turkey dinner that night. (the turkey that Megan had won in the turkey trot at school) It was very good. Then after dinner, both my brothers and their families came over to visit.

This is my sister-in-law Dawn with Hannah. She has watched the girls everyday since Ashley was 4 months old. I know the girls will miss her.

Bri and Britt step mom Sheila and sister in law Jamie

my dad and brother Bill

my brother Ken, nephew Kirk and sister in law Dawn

my niece Nicole with Hannah

Steve with the girls

I'm glad they all made it over. We love you guys and will miss you all!!

Visiting family ~ first stop

2010-12-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

Saturday we went up to Steve's brothers house to visit. There was his brother and family and his mom and dad. We got a bunch of family pictures while we were there. We are going to miss them all!

our family

Steve with his mom, dad and brother
Steve and his brother Jeff

Steve and our new little niece Shiloh

Grandma and Papa Borders with all their grand kids: Hannah, Ashley, Megan, Shiloh, Mason and Cooper

the whole crew

Finally HOME!!

2010-12-18T17:31:00.000-08:00

Thursday night was the big night, Steven came home!!

Megan worked hard on making a welcome home sign for daddy. She traced all of our hands and even made Gizmo prints.

Below is the short video I got when the girls woke up and realized daddy was home. The first part is dark the lights were still out when Hannah woke up and Ashley and Megan were not up yet. They were very surprised and very happy.

even Gizmo was happy to see him
I love Hannah's eyes in the picture below
The girls still went to school that day but wanted daddy to walk them to their lines, they wanted to show him off to their friends.

Ashley's 3rd Grade Presentation

2010-12-18T16:01:00.000-08:00

Thursday Ashley had a presentation about Indians. They did a whole unit learning about them. They read some stories they put together and sang some songs they learned.

Snow, snow, snow

2010-11-27T19:51:00.001-08:00

We have lots of snow and the girls were begging to go play in the snow, but all the winter stuff was in storage. So when we made our first trip to the storage shed I grabbed the snow clothes for them so they could have a little fun. It started snowing again when they went out there.

Megan and Ashley making snow angles

Hannah playing with the snow
all three making angles

Couldn't have done it without them!

2010-11-27T19:29:00.000-08:00

Today was a busy day of moving. I had my Dad, my brothers Ken and Bill, my mother in law Teresa, Aunt Robin, Aunt Cindy and Burt all over at the house packing and hauling things out of the house and over to the storage shed. We have lots of stuff, too much probably. But I think everyone left with something. I was giving away some things we didn't want to pack with us on the move or just plain didn't want anymore. We might be finishing up with getting everything out possibly tomorrow, if not Monday. We are getting close!! Thanks again to everyone, including Grandma and Grandpa Long for taking the girls so we could get more done!

The storage shed, which was even fuller when we got done and we still have some things to put in it.

Aunt Cindy and my dad

my brother Ken goofing around

my brother Bill and Burt unloading the washer and dryer.

Packing up

2010-11-26T11:54:00.001-08:00

The past couple of weeks plus, I have been busy packing up our house. Its been quite a job doing it by myself and having the girls home most of the time. But I think I can finally see a result from all my efforts. Just have some odd and ends and I need to finish the packing the kitchen. Now it's just time to start hauling it to the storage shed. Which will start Saturday.

The girls kept on stealing my boxes to make forts. They made a couple different ones over the past few days.

Hannah also liked to pack herself up....

and wrapped her sister in bubble wrap....

such a silly girl!!

Hannah also found new hiding places as I moved things around...

It's been a pretty long and tiring process for me, but I think I'm almost done!!

Now I'm praying that Steve gets his orders and comes home next week!!!

Conference Time

2010-11-18T20:26:00.000-08:00

Both Ashley and Megan's conferences were today. Both teachers said only great things about the girls.

First stop, 1st grade, Megan passed all her tests with flying colors. Perfect report card!! She is above her grade level in reading. Writes very well and does great in math. Math is one of her favorites. She will write her own math problems at home and try to solve them. Her teacher hates to see her leave her class when we move.

Next was 3rd grade, Ashley also past all her test and had a perfect report card. She is also above her grade level for reading (she loves to read) and is an awesome little writer. Her teacher keeps hoping that we really are not moving, because she say Ashley is such a good student. Some of the grades on the report card, the highest you can get is a 3, the teacher said if she could she would give Ashley a 4.

I am very proud of my girls! They do very well in school and get nothing but good reports!

Way to go girls!! Love you guys!!

Hurry up and Wait...

2010-11-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

Well, most of you have been following mine and Steve's face book updates, but figured I'd do an update on my blog. It's all a waiting game right now. The big questions on every one's mind are "Do you know where you are going yet?" "Has Steve gotten his orders yet?" "When are you leaving?" At this point we have no answers. Steve went and talked to the Sargent today. He said they are just going super slow with giving out the orders. I guess the others in his class have found out where they are probably going, but don't have official paper orders yet. Steve has one week until graduation. We are hoping something happens before then, so he can come home when we originally thought he would on the 19th. He has completed and passed all his classes and now is just basically waiting around for a week for orders and graduation. He is hoping to get hometown recruiting, which will give him an extra week or week and a half here at home in addition to the two weeks he should have for leave time. If he gets orders and leaves on time, I'm guessing we will be moving from Spokane sometime during the first full week of December, not for sure though.

It has been a challenge at times here at home and him away since June, but we are all hanging in there and doing well. I know it's been hard for Steve to be away from home, family and friends also and he is ready to come home and be done with the training part. We are all ready for him to come home. But I am super proud of him for sticking it out during all the tough times and doing well in his classes. He's almost done with this phase and we can move on to the next.

In the mean time, I only have about a week of work left! I have been with this job for 10 years! It will be a little weird for me not to be working anymore, but I look forward to spending more time with my girls. (I think I will adjust very easy ;-) ) And I think it will be easier when I'm not working, because I won't have to get the girls up so early everyday.

And for those that are still wondering about the house and haven't heard, It will be taken care of. New renters will be in December 1st and I will be able to leave with Steve to his first duty station when the time comes. Thank you so much Cindy and Burt!! You guys are the greatest!!

Stay tuned......Hopefully a duty station is coming soon!

Pre Halloween Fun

2010-10-30T19:32:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had a little pre Halloween fun. I took the girls with my sister in law Jamie and niece Nicole to Rogers High School. They had their Harvest Festival for kids. They set up little booths the kids could trick or treat at and had little games for the kids to play for candy. They each got to pick out a book and got their face painted. They had a good time.

Megan, my niece Nicole, Hannah and Ashley

Nicole and Megan

Hannah
Hannah trick or treating on of the booths
Nicole trick or treating a booth
Megan, Hannah and Nicole
Cousins ~ Nicole and Megan
Ashley and Hannah

Nicole fishing for candy

Hannah about to do the bean bag toss

round 2 tomorrow!!

Ready for Winter

2010-10-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

I had the girls try on their winter coats from last year and they were all WAY to small. So, today we went out and got them new coats. They picked out their own and I think they did a pretty good job! They all look like they will stay warm and they all picked something different.

Girl Scouts~Flag Ceremony and Spiders

2010-10-23T14:16:00.001-07:00

Wednesday night was Girl Scout night.:

They learned about flag ceremonies.....

Then they made spider ornaments out of pipe cleaners and yarn. They made these to give out to the people at Maplewood Gardens next week.
Ashley with the spider she made....

Hannah (who really thinks she is already a girl scout) with her spider

and Megan with her spider she made.

Ashley's Party

2010-10-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

Today we had Ashley's birthday party.

This year she invited mostly her friends from school.
they made necklaces and bracelets. We had one boy, so I found these cars he could put together, but they were much harder then I thought, I think he gave up. I tried
Then they painted some sun catchers.

had cupcakes and ice cream

then we went out to the garage and did the pinata.

Megan

Hannah

Happy Birthday Ashley

2010-10-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Ashley!!!

9 years old today!!

It's hard to believe it has been 9 years since this little miracle baby came into our lives. We were new parents with lots of worries with her. But she was a strong little baby and has grown into a smart young girl with a very a strong heart!!

I know I do this most every year with her pictures, but I like to see how much they change from year to year!

this is Ashley a few weeks old

1 year

2 years
3 years
4 years
5 years

6 years

7 years

8 years

9 years

Recipe for a Military Spouse

2010-10-03T20:50:00.000-07:00

found this online:

Recipe for a Military Spouse

1 1/2 cups Patience

1 cup Courage

3/4 cup Tolerance

dash of Adventure

1 pound of Ability

To the above ingredients: Add 2 tablespoons elbow grease and let stand alone for one year. Marinate frequently with salty tears. Pour off excess fat and sprinkle ever so lightly with money then knead dough until payday. Season with international spices. Bake 20 years or until done. Makes unlimited servings.

SERVE WITH PRIDE

Girl Scouts ~ Patches

2010-09-29T20:13:00.001-07:00

This has been a busy week! Tonight we had Girl Scouts. They did their awards and bridging ceremony. The girls got patches for things that they have done. Megan got another petal, Ashley got an animal Tri-it patch, they got their patch for self defense, they got their pin for another year in scouts, and there were a couple more patches they got. Hannah thought she should be getting the patches too. I told her she has 3 more years then she can be a scout too. She say "OK mommy"

the troop

School Open House

2010-09-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Ashley and Megan's school open house. First we went to Megan's 1st grade class. She showed me all around her classroom. Her table, her sticker chart, her reading bag, the books she likes reading and her picture on the wall. Her teacher Mrs. Doty, is great. Ashley actually had her in 1st grade also, and she also had my nephew (now in high school) when he was in 1 and 2nd grade.

Next we went to Ashley's 3rd grade classroom. She show me where she sat, the class frog, the plants they are growing and she also had a letter she wrote for me, thanking me for coming to the open house with a picture she drew on it, very cute.
This was a picture on the wall in the classroom. They had to draw the other half of their face.

Then we wondered through the library and into the music room. The music room was VERY loud, but I think it was the girls favorite spot to stop. I know Hannah had a fun time in there, I had to pull her away from one of the drums so we could go. They had music playing and all the kids got to play with the drums and things to keep with the beat.
This is Ashley and her best friend Grace. They were in 1st grade together and just clicked instantly. Although they didn't have the same class last year or this year, they still love to get together.
Megan playing the drum....
and Hannah was loving it!

Seems like they both have great teachers. Both teachers say they love having the girls in class. Ashley's teacher says she doesn't want us to move away, because Ashley is such a great girl to have in class. Megan's teacher was the same way.

First Cross Country Meet

2010-09-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well, tonight Megan had her first cross country meet. It was pretty crazy there. All the elementary schools got bussed to the park. Most of them were late. There were only a few coaches/volunteers for each school and they needed many more to keep track of all those kids. They couldn't find a few kids for a while. Couple parents were very upset, I don't blame them. If they lost my child I would be very upset too. But all in all Megan had fun. She raced all the other first graders from all the school.

They were getting instructions on where to run.
Megan...the little girl next to her is one of her friends in her class.

and their off!!

funny girl...she was running with her tongue hanging out. She was having fun.

and there she goes!

She finished #25, way to to Megan!!

Girl Scouts~Humane Society

2010-09-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

Ashley and Megan had an outing with the Girl Scouts tonight. They went to the Spokane Humane Society and learned about what they did there. They got to make little cat nip toys and give them to the cats also. They got to play with a couple of the puppies and got to go look at the rest of the cats/kittens and dogs. They seemed to have a good time and want to go back to visit the animals again.

below: one of the puppies giving Ashley kisses

Ashley

Hannah still thinks she is one of the Girl Scouts too, she really wants to do everything the big girls do.

Megan

YAY, Steven!! So Proud!!

2010-08-29T21:58:00.000-07:00

Well, in a way the past 11 weeks seem to take forever!! But in another way it's seems like it went pretty fast. I was SOOOO happy to finally see Steve again!! :-) I am so proud of him. There were a lot of ups and downs during these past 11 weeks for him, but he push on and made it through. I really wish I could have spent more time with him. One day was just not enough. I was very sad that they didn't get their extra family day, but I loved every minute I got to see him the day of graduation!

not supposed to smile....but I caught him :-)

First thing we did was run over to the PX. Steve needed a something to take to AIT with him and he got his much wanted Pepsi. Then we went out to lunch at Ruby Tuesday.

I love this pic below....he looks so good ;)

After lunch we went back to the hotel, I brought him his laptop to take to AIT with him, then we went swimming and used the hot tub.

after having a relaxing day we went out for dinner and then it got close to the time he had to go back... bummer. It was hard saying goodbye to him again. I wanted more time.

We stayed to watch them in formation and do roll call. It was pretty interesting. just sad watching, because I knew it was going to be the last time I see him for another 11 week.

So, the next day after graduation, he was off to AIT at Ft Lee. He took a 17 hour bus ride. He's been there for a couple of days now and says it is completely different than Basic Training. He is in a room with I think 3 other guys and they have a shower and sink in their room. He says it's pretty much like a college dorm room. He has reception on Monday and starts his classes on Tuesday. I hope these next 11 weeks goes fast, I miss him. But on the bright side the communication is so much better. He has his cell phone and laptop, so we can talk every day. The girls really liked the Skype, they liked being able to see daddy on the computer.

Down on the farm

2010-08-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

Today the girl scouts went to the farm. Spokane Family Farm. They got to pet the Donkey's, there were two babies. they got to see chicken's and where they lay their eggs. They saw some horses, beef cows, dairy cows and learned where the mild came from and how they get the milk and bottle it up. At the end of the tour the girls got to have some of that milk and cookies. Ashley loved seeing and petting all the animals, she always has loved animals. Hannah kept wanting to see the pigs, she even said she wanted to ride a pig. Megan on the other hand is definitely not a farm girl. She didn't want to touch any of the animals and was ready to go home.

Here is Ashley petting a donkey

Ashley and Hannah petting one of the baby donkey's

Megan was on tip toes trying to avoid donkey poo :-)

the rooster, Megan kept getting close to me when ever the rooster came by us

the pigs...

this was the area the cows got milked

and the only animal Megan would hold, a baby kitten

11 Great Years!!

2010-08-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

To my handsome, wonderful, loving husband: I wish we could be spending the day together, but since your away at Army BCT, I just want you to know how much I love you and how very proud I am of you! I couldn't ask a for a better husband! I can't wait to see you at your graduation....I know you can't read this now, but I'm thinking of you every minute of every day!

Happy Anniversary!!

Here are some pictures of us over the years...

this was in 1997 for my senior prom,

and also our 1 year anniversary of being together

this was 1998 I believe, shortly after we got engaged

Aug 7, 1999 our wedding day

I think this was a couple of years ago

this was taken almost two months ago...

he has a goofy look on his face, but

I love the picture, he is always making me laugh.
couple months ago
when we only had Ashley.....
then Megan came along....
and then Hannah, completing our family
11 great years, 3 beautiful daughters and one terrific husband!
I look forward to many more years with my best friend and love of my life!

Open House

2010-08-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

Well, Sunday was our open house. There were 4 groups that came by to see the house. The realtor told me that the first ones were kind of a joke. They were not interested in buying a house at all, they just came in to look. He said the second group was just checking it out to tell a friend about it and the third group liked the house, but had their own house to sell first, so they wouldn't be buying anytime soon. Then he said the fourth couple that came had some potential. They were a couple in their mid 40's that are currently renting apartments close by. He said the wife made a comment that she really liked the house and they really seemed interested. Their lease is up at the apartments November 1st, which timing wise would be perfect. So, the realtor is going to follow up with them in the next couple of days and then call me with what he finds out.....not a for sure type thing, but sounds a little promising. Keep your fingers crossed everybody!!!!

just bored, so I'm rambling...

2010-06-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

Time is a weird thing. When your waiting for something to happen, it seems like it takes forever. But then after it passes and you look at the big picture you sit back and say "where did the time go?" It seems like we just started talking about the military not that long ago, then we were waiting on waivers to get passed and we thought that took FOREVER and next thing I know, he has been gone for two weeks already!

Steven and I have been together for 14 years! married almost 11 of those and hardly ever been apart for to long and if we were apart we at least talked to each other on the phone every day. So, now with him gone and not knowing when I'm going to hear from him next is pretty tough.

The first week was really hard, I think I cried every night after the girls went to bed that week, this second week has been much better. I still miss him like crazy and still have a few moments where I get teary eyed thinking about him, but I think I'm at least getting into more of a routine and trying to keep my mind busy. The army family information forum has helped a lot. The people on there are so nice and helpful. You can ask anything on there or talk about anything on there and everybody is either in the same boat or have helpful ideas on things. Great support system.

The girls are actually handling it pretty well, better than I thought they might. The hardest time for them is when we dropped him off at the hotel and had to say goodbye. They cried all the way home that night. After that they have been very good. Ashley trys to do little things to show she is helping out. Megan likes to write and draw pictures for daddy a lot and keeps asking "can't we call daddy?" and Hannah asked at least once a day if not more "Where's daddy?" I tell her he had to go somewhere for his work and will be gone for a while, but he'll be back. She just says "oh~k". They miss daddy, but they really have been handling it all pretty well.

The first week he was gone was reception week. Actual boot camp, red phase, started Monday the 21st. He has 8 more weeks of basic Training, then his graduation is Aug. 26th. I can not wait to see him then, but then he leaves the next day the 27th for AIT. Then I won't see him till probably November, but at least in AIT he will have his phone and we can talk more.

Sorry for the long post.....Thanks for every ones support you have given Steven and us girls! We have an awesome family and some great friends!!

Hannah being silly with daddy

2010-06-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

Megan, class of 2022!!

2010-06-09T19:20:00.002-07:00

YAY!! Megan graduated Kindergarten!! She really loved Kindergarten and did very well in her class. They all did a great job walking in and singing.

Class of 2022

After the ceremony, Megan told me she got to take one of the class frogs home. So, now we have a pet frog named Jumper.

Field Trip

2010-06-08T19:56:00.001-07:00

below: "Hmm"
looks like she is
thinking

<---Ashley coming down the slide.

Today Ashley had a Field trip with her school. Two of the second grade classes went. The nice thing was, with the time off Steve has had, he was able to go with them. They had a lot of fun. They went the fire station downtown and then walked to riverfront park. They ate lunch at the big red wagon, walked around by the fountain, got to see the falls and went to city hall and the chase gallery.

Above:

Ashley behind the wheel of the firetruck.

Ashley with her friends, Abby and Parker.

Big Changes....

2010-05-13T11:28:00.001-07:00

So, some of you know and some of you don't. For awhile now the talk around our house has been the military. At first Steve was interested in joining the Air National Guard. But after researching, asking questions and talking it over A LOT, Steven has decided to go active duty with the Army.

After taking the ASVAB test, getting a couple of waivers and passing the physical, he went down today to pick his MOS (job) and got to swear in. He is now an official future soldier. He leaves for basic training June 14th. It will be 9 weeks long and then he will go to AIT (training for his job) and that will last 11 weeks. Meanwhile, we are putting the house up for sale and I will continue to work until the house is sold. Hoping that the house won't be on the market for long, but with the way the market is right now, who knows how long it will take. Pass on the word to anyone you know that might be interested in a house! :-)

There will be many benefits for going active duty and some new opportunities for us. Yes this means we would be moving away from Spokane, and that was a hard decision. We will miss everyone here, but we will come visit anytime possible. And yes the one big down fall is he may get deployed, but we have really talked about it and although it will be worrisome we can handle it.

It's going to be a whole new adventure, a little nervous, but we are very excited about it.

Mothers day

2010-05-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

Ashley and Megan both made me a card and a gift at school for Mothers day.

This one is from Megan.

Megan planted me some flowers and decorated the outside of the pot using her thumb prints to make ladybugs.

This one is from Ashley.

Ashley made me a flower pen.

I like the gifts that they make themselves. They are pretty cute and they are pretty proud of themselves for making them too.

Happy Mothers day to Sheila. You are a wonderful person and I am very glad you are a part of our family.

Happy Mothers day to Teresa. You are the bestest mother in law anyone could ever ask for. You mean a lot to all of us.

Happy Mothers day to my mom. You are thought about every day and missed always. I love you!

And Happy Mothers day to all the rest of my friends and family that are mom's. I hope you all have a great day!!

I wish I were a little ladybug

2010-05-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

Megan and her ladybug song.

Bloomsday 2010

2010-05-02T14:56:00.001-07:00

After doing the water station on top of Doomsday hill for several years in a row, I decided to walk Bloomsday this year. Megan really wanted to go this year too, so it was her first Bloomsday. It was Me and Megan and my sister in law Jamie, niece Nicole, Brianna, Brittany and Jessica. Megan really had fun, she loved that there was music all along the course. She only really got in the stroller off and on the first few miles. Then she was out sometime before Doomsday hill all the way to the finish line. So I'm guessing she walked probably 3 miles or so without wanting to sit in the stroller. She did very good.

Megan with the Doomsday Vulture on top of Doomsday Hill.

Megan and her well earned first Bloomsday shirt.

Coloring Easter eggs

2010-04-03T20:47:00.000-07:00

Egg coloring time!!

Hannah wanted to color on the eggs with crayons.
Ashley
Megan

Ashley

Megan

Hannah

I love the little smile she has on her face in the picture below. As daddy helped her take the egg out of the color, she would just giggle away....it was pretty funny.

and here are the final results of the girls artwork.

Easter Bunny 2010

2010-04-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

Ashley went with Steve to see How to Train a Dragon in 3D. So while they were doing their daddy/daughter thing together I took Megan and Hannah to the mall. As we were walking around we saw the Easter bunny there for pictures and there was no line. So Megan wanted her picture with him. I tried to get Hannah in the picture too, but she had a death grip around my neck and there was no way she was going to have anything to do with that giant bunny.

Hannah's first haircut

2010-04-03T16:25:00.000-07:00

I was trying to let Hannah's hair grow out, but she will not keep a clip or pony in her hair for more than a few minutes making her hair constantly in her face. So, today she had her first haircut. Just her bangs, but it makes a big difference.

Before....

After

Cookie booth

2010-03-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

Ashley and Megan had their first experience with Girl Scout booth sales. We went up to Safeway and sold cookies for two hours. There were two other girls from the troop there too. We were not sure what to expect, if they would sell a lot or a little. But they did Very Good!! They sold 94 boxes!! They had fun doing it, although they were ready to go by the end of the two hours. They were tired of standing. At first they were very clingy to me, but after a little bit they got right out there and asked everyone that walked by if they would like to buy cookies. We have one more booth sale that we are doing on Wednesday same time, same place if anyone still wants cookies!

Megan

Ashley

Conference time

2010-03-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

Conference time....first was Megan. Kindergarten, she is doing awesome! Her reading is supposed to be at a 4+ by the end of the school year and she is already at a 6!! Her teacher had only good things to say about her and she is excelling at a very good pace. Very proud of her. Ashley was next, 2nd grade. She is staying above grade level right now. She is a very good story writer. They are working on writing fiction that could be true. I got to read one of her stories and she really puts some details and descriptive words in her writing. Very proud of her too! I have very smart girls!! :-)

After the conference we headed over to the library for the book fair. The girls each got a paper for a free book $5.00 or less and it was also buy one, get one free, so they each got 3 books, a computer game and a pencil (total of 6 books, 2 computer games, a couple pencils) for about $12.00, not to bad.

Cowgirl Hannah

2010-03-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

We have had this horse since Ashley was a year old. It's been in the basement and we finally got it out. Hannah jumped right on like she knew just what she was doing. But she says she needs her hat.

Nice Spring Day

2010-03-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

Today was a very nice day to enjoy being outside. Ashley had a birthday party to go to, so it was just Megan and Hannah. Megan got to ride on her new bike she got for her birthday and we drew with chalk on the sidewalks and blew bubbles. Hannah likes the bubbles.

Megan's 6th Birthday

2010-03-13T17:38:00.000-08:00

Today was Megan's 6th birthday. She has been wanted to go bowling for such a long time, so that is what we did for her birthday. She had all her cousins and three friends from her class there.

After they bowled a while they play a Happy Birthday song and then the chicken dance song and got to dance around a little. There's a short video at the end of this post.
Then after about an hour of bowling it was off to the party room.

The kids ate pizza and cake....

and then Megan opened her presents.

Megan also got to take home a bowling pin that all the kids wrote their name on.

She thought that was pretty cool.

I think the party was a success, it looked like all the kids had fun. Glad everyone came and Megan says thank you to you all for coming and for the great gifts, she love's everyone of them!

Camp Read

2010-03-05T19:35:00.001-08:00

Thursday night was Camp Read at the girls school. When we first got there they had a little pretend fire pit set up and all the kids sat around it and sang camp songs. It was really kind of fun. As they were all singing a couple of them at a time got to go pick out a brand new book to take home with them.

After the campfire songs, they went to story telling area. One of the teachers, gym teacher I think, was a really good story teller. He told a story about when he was about 12 and really got the kids interested. Then after the storytelling, they went and made camp journals. They were to write anything in it while they were there. Megan drew some pictures and wrote that it was going to be sunny tomorrow and Ashley retold in her words the story that she just heard from the story telling...she had a pretty good memory. They even read part of what she wrote over the mega phone.

Megan writing in her camp journal.
Ashley writing in her camp journal.
After making their journals it was lights out time. The kids all brought blankets and flashlights and spread out in the gym and read their books by flashlight. While they were doing that they all got camp snacks, pretzel sticks and marshmallows.

Ashley is on the left reading her book next to her friend Ashley N on the right.
Megan reading her book by flashlight.

It was a pretty fun night.

Megan and ballet

2010-02-28T15:52:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I took Megan to a ballet workshop they had with the girl scouts. She has wanted to do ballet for quite some time, so this workshop kind of gave her a little taste of it. Now she really wants to do ballet.....anyone know some where that is not too expensive? I don't know if it's just a phase she is in or if this is something she really wants to do.

first pose she learned...

They also learned how to put on stage makeup.

Ashley's heart follow up visit

2010-02-27T15:43:00.000-08:00

Last week was Ashley's yearly follow up with the cardiologist. They did the EKG and an ultrasound of the heart. Every thing looked good. Her heart still shows the malformation, but the doctor say it is pumping very strong and as of now still has no restrictions on what she can do. It's been a couple years since they did a 24 hour monitor on her, so the doctor had her do another just to get a good reading on what the heart is doing during the day and her normal activity. The results just came back yesterday and all looked normal! She is good to go for another year for her next follow up. I still think it is amazing on what they can do to fix such little hearts. It's been 8 1/2 years now and she is doing so good.

This is the monitor she had to wear for 24 hours. She didn't really want to wear it to school, but she did just fine with it.

Hannah's 2nd birthday party

2010-02-27T15:19:00.001-08:00

Hannah turned two on Tuesday the 23rd. Today we had a little party for her with some family over for cake and ice cream. She loves Elmo right now, so she had Elmo and big bird on her cake. She says "Mines Elmo world cake"She also kept saying "Happy birthday Elmo's world"
my birthday girl.
balloons, the kids always seem to have fun with the balloons.

here is Nicole and Jamie.....

Kiera and Ashley....

Brianna, Cooper and Mason.

lighting the candle...

I don't think Hannah liked the birthday song when everyone started singing to her. She came to me to pick her up. Here she is blowing out the candle.

Thank you everyone that came and shared the afternoon with us. And Hannah loves all the gifts, thanks so much. She had a fun time and as soon as every one left I put her in her bed and she went right to sleep for a nap. Yeah! :-)

Happy Birthday Hannah!!

2010-02-23T19:06:00.000-08:00

It's my little Hannah Banana's birthday today! It's hard to believe she is two years old already. She is growing so fast and learning new things everyday. She is very independent, she want to do everything herself. Always saying "I do it, I do it!!" I asked her how old she was today and she says "One" I tell her "no your two", she say "ONE".....then later she says she is five.....

We are going to have cake and ice cream with family on Saturday, but tonight we made cupcakes so she could have something special on her actual birthday and she wanted to help with it all...

Then she got to enjoy one of her birthday cupcakes that she helped make.

Mmmm.....Yummy

Happy Birthday Hannah!! We love you very much!!