Life

Dinner Conversation with the 3 year old..........

2009-01-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

Tanner: Kaylin, how are you?

Kaylin: Pants!

the whole family laughs as the rest of the restaurant wonders why...

Kaylin: Wait Tanner, let me try that again....

Tanner: Ok, Kaylin, How are you?

Kaylin: (eye roll while she thinks of a good one) Sauce!

More laughter........

Kaylin: Again Tanner!

Tanner: Kaylin, How are you?

Kaylin: (with a big smile this time) Toilet!

As we all laugh I wonder how did I end up with such a weird kid, then I look at my husband and remember, Oh yeah I married a Willoughby! But then something in the back of my head reminds me it is much more the Stonecipher side of the family than it is Willoughby.
But I try to not think about that and just blame it on her father!

This poor neglected Blog

2008-12-27T19:00:00.000-08:00

I sat here tonight fixing up the backgrounds of my blogs and I realized how little I blog here. I post lots of photos on the photo blog but I almost never blog on here. Not because there is nothing interesting going on because believe me when you live with a child like Kaylin there is always something, I just never sit down to blog about it. No excuse but still.

I hope all my wonderful friends and family out there had a wonderful Christmas! I got the best Christmas gift this year! My Husband Came Home!! After a year of being a single Mom and almost losing all my sanity I can finally hand over the little monsters and hide!

I think my husband thinks I completely lost my mind while he was gone though, thanks to my new obsession, Twilight. The fact that a mom my age has read the series of 4 overly large meant for teenage girls books in a matter of a month, and then saw the movie twice, really has him worried. What is not to love about the books? Vampires, Werewolves, and true undying love! What more could a stressed out mom want in life? It was my alternate reality for that last month of the deployment when life had me to the point of breaking, I sent the kids to bed and visited Forks for a glimpse into Edward and Bella's fascinating life.

Don't get me wrong I love my children very much, but some days are more stressful than others and when they hit those teenage years those stressful days are much more often! Some of you may know what I am talking about, that point in life when your kids realize you are not cool at all, this whole time you had them convinced you were the coolest Mom around, and then POOF! They see you for the NERD you really are! I wish there was a cure for that! Until then I just keep trying, bribing them with cool Christmas gifts like Rock Band 2, and then trying to be cool by playing with them. By the way as fun as it is they wont think you are cool just by playing and singing cool rock music! I guess I will just have to hang on to the fact that Kaylin still thinks I am the best Mom around!

Conversations with a 3 year old........

2008-09-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

Me: Kaylin, would you stop that you are driving me crazy!

Kaylin: With my Barbie Jeep?

Me: (runs screaming from the room)

Just a glimpse of my life married to a Willoughby boy...

2008-08-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

For those of you who wonder just exactly what Amanda and I have to tolerate being married to Willoughby boys, I may be able to help in that area.
You see just one Willoughby brother alone is hard to handle but when you put the two together things get just plain silly, you have to stop and remind yourself that they really do have a redneck family tree. The things they find amusing is usually only amusing to them, unless you consider loss of brain function funny, and I guess some people do.
Anyway here is just one small example of their sense of humor, this is a conversation my husband (the oldest of the Willoughby boys) sent me, it is what they discuss over IM while Tod is in Afghanistan.

Tim Willoughby: I was going to grill some corn too, but every time I pour the can on the grill, the corn falls through the grates. I can't figure out how they do it.

Tod Willoughby: LOL

Tod Willoughby: put the whole can on there!

Tim Willoughby: i didn't think of that!

Tod Willoughby: or you could use cream corn and freeze it into popsicles then grill it, but make sure you put a bowl under the grates

Tim Willoughby: yes, I like cream corn better anyway

Tod Willoughby: everybody does, Tim….EVERYBODY does.

Tim Willoughby: i wish there was a way to put cream corn back on the cob, I going to figure that out and make millions

Tod Willoughby: hmmm...

Tod Willoughby: maybe you could form it into a paste and glob it on the cob, then slow bake it at 300 degrees!

Tim Willoughby: what if you could pop hominy? That would be a massive piece of popcorn

Tod Willoughby: will it pop?

Tim Willoughby: i dont think so, but everything is worth trying

Tod Willoughby: yeah, there is literally no risk involved

Tim Willoughby: true

Tod Willoughby: and I think everything will pop at the right temperature

Tod Willoughby: I was putting some thought to your cream corn on the cob idea

Tim Willoughby: go ahead

Tod Willoughby: well, first you have to buy cream corn, then corn on the cob, and that is a waste.

Tim Willoughby: right

Tod Willoughby: so you could just grill the corn on the cob...

Tod Willoughby: then chew the kernels off the cob and let the saliva work its purpose

Tod Willoughby: and let your mouth empty its contents into a bowl of milk

Tod Willoughby: and then you have a bare cob and cream corn. Genius!

Tim Willoughby: but how do you get the cream corn back on the cob?

Tim Willoughby: you can dip the cob in the cream corn

Tim Willoughby: It all sounds like it would work, but I think it is ridiculous that you stick a whole corn cob on the grill, I have never heard of that.

Tod Willoughby: well, that is the small risk of an innovation

Tod Willoughby: I am still not sure about the getting it back onto the cob, unless you use my slow bake methodology

Tim Willoughby: what if you mixed it in flour after the milk stage and formed a paste.

Tim Willoughby: then paste it back on the cob and deep fry it for about two minutes

Tod Willoughby: now your thinking!

Tim Willoughby: how dare we think of cooking something without frying it

Tod Willoughby: Grandma would be so unhappy

Tod Willoughby: I wonder if she would help us un-cob the corn?

Tim Willoughby: she may have some un used cobs laying around the house.

Tod Willoughby: I'll bet she does!

Tim Willoughby: we just need to stay away from the brown ones

Tod Willoughby: hahaha...um...I mean LOL

Tim Willoughby: amanda just caught the last part of our conversation and she is a bit confused

Tod Willoughby: sometimes on Thanksgiving we buy indian corn. The birds eat the kernels and there are bare cobs everywhere

Tim Willoughby: i wonder what would happen if you stuck a whole indian corn in the microwave?

Tim Willoughby: would you have popcorn on the cob?

Tim Willoughby: thats it

Tim Willoughby: popcorn on the cob!

Tod Willoughby: hahaha...dangit, I mean LOL

Tod Willoughby: and would they be purple and red?

Tod Willoughby: would a giant thanksgiving gourd pop in the microwave too?

Tim Willoughby: i dont know, but I do know that you can transform a 5 oz chicken breast into a block of wood in about 5 minutes in an industrial microwave

Tod Willoughby: did you do that at work?

Tim Willoughby: yes, I was curious

Tim Willoughby: we have one microwave that pulls about 1800 watts and the other one is about 2200.

Tod Willoughby: I would recommend you try cream corn on the cob or indian popcorn on the cob at work, so Amanda doesn't get mad at you.

Tim Willoughby: good idea

Tod Willoughby: plus, I don't think the standard household microwave has the power to actually pop the indian corn

Tim Willoughby: i cooked a steak in it one day just to see what would happen

Tim Willoughby: medium in about a min and a half, but it tasted like s%$#

Tod Willoughby: I bet it tasted like the steak that got teleported in the movie "The Fly"

Tim Willoughby: yes.

Tim Willoughby: You ought to see what those puppies do to aluminum foil

Tod Willoughby: I bet it looks like a West Texas thunderstorm.

Tim Willoughby: fireworks

Tod Willoughby: man you have the coolest job ever

Tod Willoughby: all that food and appliances to play with

Tim Willoughby: its fun, we deep fried some ribs the other day

Tod Willoughby: wow!

Tod Willoughby: this is how things like crab-cake burgers end up taking the world by storm

Tim Willoughby: they were already smoked, we just battered them and fried them for about 2 minutes. Not too bad

Tim Willoughby: it is funny that you say that, I make a mean crab cake burger

Tod Willoughby: I would offer them to customers as a promotional. Ask them for their testimonials

Tod Willoughby: wow, I love crab-cake burgers.

Tim Willoughby: I tried to get a pasta on the menu, we ran it in our store for a few days, but they didn't really talk it up enough, so it didn't make it

Tim Willoughby: They are always looking for ideas, especially when it is from stuff we already have in the house

Tod Willoughby: will you make me a crab cake burger and send it over here to me?

Tim Willoughby: yes, i'll put the lettuce and tomato on the side so it doesn't get soggy

Tod Willoughby: perfect!

To some this may seem not too bad, but imagine this in person and sometimes they actually try these things!

Dont Blink

2008-08-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

Today my two oldest kids started their first day of school. Tanner is excited to be the big man on campus as an 8th grader, while Savana starts her middle school days in 6th. What happened? It seems like just yesterday they were 2 and 3 and chasing each other around the house with lightsabers! Where does time go? I am glad (some days LOL) that I have Kaylin here at home still to help ease the pain of having a teenager!
And now a word From Kenny Chesney!

This is not the original video obviously lol

Farm trip 08

2008-07-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Well we made it home safe and sound from the farm. All except for me anyway, I have a few scrapes and bruises.
While walking through the cattle barn at the county fair my ankle turned and I went down and now I have a scrape on my knee the size of Texas! Ok so it isnt that big but it hurts! The next day while getting off the bleachers after a lamb show the same ankle turned again this time no extra scrapes just now that ankle is more sore than it already was.
I locked my keys in the car! Well Kaylin locked the car without me knowing it and I closed the door then realized it was locked. We have onstar but the phone number was in my purse and you guessed it my purse was in the car also. I just so happened to be talking to Tod over IM on my phone so I asked him to look up the number for me, so here he was in Afghanistan looking up the number for onstar. So I called and they opened the door for me! I love Onstar!
Other than that it was a fun trip. Tanner and Savana helped with the animals and really enjoyed the work. They made a friend in the most unlikely place, a 1200 pound steer named Stanley. He was without a doubt the most gentle steer, he was almost like a puppy instead of a steer!
Of course seeing cousins and Aunts and Uncles and grandma and grandpa was fun too. By the way I didnt hit me until this trip but I am a Great Aunt! My nephew Seth has a beautiful girl named Blair and another one on the way! Now I feel old! LOL
Pictures of Stanley and more on the photo blog!

Words by Kaylin in pink

2008-02-26T09:29:00.000-08:00

While Tod is away the best way of communication we have it Instant Messenger.
Today Kaylin decided she wanted to talk to daddy.
Her words are in pink (she typed them herself) Tod's are in blue, mine are in red.

Cheri Willoughby: m545555555544q3k
Tod: 36403298647hEHFK !!!!
Cheri Willoughby: jjjjjjjjjjjjjhhu5uu656t5y56y4uu6yu5nynn6ny6uyu5n6y54uyu65yuu6yy6u5yuyu56nuy5u6u5y65y6uynuy6u6y665yuu456u6n u5nu6nu5 u6u nu5uuun5u n6uy 5uy yu5 uy 6 yu yuy6yu6 y
Tod: 7777777777R3377777777732999910000000 VEGNMVJCEQQXKWd aDWWWWW
Cheri Willoughby: 7l8lll,l7llulul7l ullllulu7;;;lu7l7;;lnu;7;l7;;7;;7;;7;7;7;7; op[
Cheri Willoughby: ';32;2;2;32;2;;31;;2;3;2;23;2;32;;;;2;2;3;2;3;2;22;;2;3;23;;2;32;2;;;2;
Tod: ]][WQWWW7W7CNCENE8C28hhfre88fhnnnnnnnecnklw;e'cw0303498385756634tew
jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj7888888ggggggggggggggggggfddrsdhvgkjhhjlkhlkiueivwAI4uoqcuwiQEJXQLWEBXQWEB QWEB,.WE2HHgjgjglhjralecr
Cheri Willoughby: kte tii5i5i46i4i6i5i6i5i6i6i5ii5i5i56i65ii5i65ii56ljyl lukkkkkkkkkkklkilol;l ;po;;;7;n9; ;k';llkjhy7890]]\
Cheri Willoughby: tttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttgt
Cheri Willoughby: ioh8oih8o,io8,ootttttttttttt6ttttfrrdx
Tod: 99455555555j2jaaaaaaaaaaaaaf jflar;garg;;ag;argaropweirpoiwerier jfn a asf
Cheri Willoughby: eq
Tod: eq?
Cheri Willoughby: tew
Tod: tew tew
Cheri Willoughby: zvcxzaq23456789[\4536/looo0i78n7ip[8p[8[p[p[8[p[8i[p8[[[8[8[8p8pp8pcxz
Cheri Willoughby: WETT79]
Tod: WETT79]???
Cheri Willoughby: i AM TRYING TO GET HER TO STOP
Tod: hahahaha
Cheri Willoughby: she said no not yet mommy
Tod: that is funny
Cheri Willoughby: she said it just as serious too
Tod: she means business!!
Cheri Willoughby: yeah
Cheri Willoughby: I told her to get her computer
Tod: yeah
Cheri Willoughby: I was laughing so hard she looked like she was really typing something serious
Tod: she was! She had a very serious message...would you like to know what she said?
Tod: Only I can understand it
Cheri Willoughby: sure what did she say
Tod: she said...
Tod: "Daddy, I want to be able to run and play outside in the court all by myself and nobody here will allow this. It is a serious grievance that a young lady of my energy and responsibility is not allowed the basic freedom that an American girl deserves....
Tod: "I also would like to note that your wife has hidden all the Desitin, and I am no longer allowed to express myself artistically...."
Cheri Willoughby: you are funny
Cheri Willoughby: anything else
Tod: "It is truly a shame that the only reason your wife provided for hiding all the Desitin and not allowing me my free time outdoors (alone) was that "Mommy said no! We don't paint the dog and run in the street!" "Can you believe it? I request that you speak with your wife about my grievances immediately" - your loving daughter, Kaylin
Tod: and she told me that she wants a 2010 Camaro
Cheri Willoughby: Funny!
Tod: now I see why she is complaining! You don't take us serious!
Cheri Willoughby: yeah ok
Cheri Willoughby: I will get right on all that
Tod: ok, thanks!

And I wonder where she gets it?

Sometimes life sucks!

2008-02-13T19:54:00.000-08:00

Yes this may sound harsh, but it is so very true and I just dare you to disagree.
There are so many things to be thankful I know if I try really hard I could think of more bad than good. But then there are days you just dont want to get out of bed, just pull the covers back up over my head and pretend that the kids arent fighting, Kaylin is not destroying something else, Tod is home in bed with me and not in some strange country fighting in a war, and I dont have crazy people calling me all the time wanting me to fix their problems!
Dont get me wrong I really do have so much to be eternally grateful for but sometimes the stress just gets overwhelming.
What sucks?
Husband is off at war
I am raising 3 kids alone
I am also responsible for 50 other young wives and their drama
I have a 2 year old who is almost 3 who WAS potty trained and has now decided not to be
I am alone with no family nearby to talk to when I am down or to give me a break

I think all that is enough to drive most women insane!

BUT!!!
What do I have to be thankful for?
A husband who loves me
To be married to my hero
To be married to my best friend
To have 3 beautiful healthy children
To have a family who loves me, and would be here to help if they could
To have some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for
To have a mother in law who I love as much as my own mom
To have a sister in law who I love as much as my own sister
I have a roof over my head
We have everything we could ever need and more
We live in a country where we are free
That I serve a loving caring God who will always take care of my every need.

I think that last one is the most important one. No matter what I am going through it is only temporary, and I know that God will give me strength to get through it.
So I guess things could be a lot worse.
But I would still like to stay in bed some days!

Christmas with a Capital C

2007-12-13T11:19:00.000-08:00

Thought this was cute!

And she said he was cute!

2007-11-21T19:21:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in a long time for no other reason than nothing much exciting ever happens in my life with the exception of the typical Army Wife drama which I will not bore you with the sordid details of someone else's life.
Right now I sit in my Brother-in-law's kitchen on the night before thanksgiving trying to keep my kids and giant dog quiet so that my sister-in-law can get me niece to sleep. I need a vacation from my vacation! I have realized that Army Wife drama is much easier than family drama, you can escape it easier anyway, it is pretty hard to escape family drama, they are your family for crying out loud! I will leave that subject alone, trust me you don't want to know the drama a redneck family like this can have.
Now, onto the real reason I am sitting here blogging tonight. My son. What can I say about him? He was such a cutie as a baby, and was always so sweet. Now he has turned into your typical prepubescent boy. Video games and skateboards is really all he cares about, but girls have gradually become more interesting to him. Today while visiting with an old high school friend of mine her very pretty 16 year old cheerleader daughter told me something that didn't surprise me necessarily but did make me realize my little boy is growing up. She told me he was cute! And her sister (who is the same age as my son) also thinks so. Now like I said I am not completely surprised but every Mom thinks her little boy is cute. It was just that a 16 year old cheerleader thinks so!!! Hopefully his silliness didn't ruin it for her lol. Is this a sign of what is to come?

The Kaylin Dictionary

2007-07-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

Kee.ko.se (noun) KEE ko see - Strawberry Shortcake

Pee.pee.pants (adjective/noun) PEE pee panz - a pretty princess, or other female Disney character that wears a tiara, crown or any other bling-bling; see also pee.pee.priss

Teat (noun) TEET - tea (she loves to have tea parties)

Mice (adjective) MYSS - nice. Example: if someone spills something at the table and Mommy says "nice!", Kaylin feels obligated to top it off with "mice".

Be.be.bear (noun) BEE be bare - Pooh Bear, see also Care Bear

Sheet (noun) SHEET- sheep, and sometimes goats

Ap.a.sush (noun) APP a sush - a cold slushy, icee or other frozen drink. Does not have to be apple flavored, as the term implies.

Hel.lo (noun) hah LO? '"HELLO" - a telephone, cellular or landline.

Fi.flies (noun) fie'flyz - deep fried potatoes from a fast food establishment. Not to be confused with the English term "fire flies", which Kaylin eats a little less often than "french fries".

Me.mer (noun) MEE murr - half human, half fish (mermaid).

Me.mo (noun) MEE mow - any tropical fish. See Finding Nemo.

Buut (noun) booot' - a water vessel (boat).

Ga.go.sie (set of action type words in a question format) ga GO sye?? - a young child's attempt at conning her parents into taking her OUTSIDE. Usually used while pulling on the adult's hand briskly toward the nearest exit.

For previous entries click here

Absoutly unbelieveably beautiful!

2007-06-28T20:34:00.001-07:00

It is like a train wreck I cant stop watching

2007-06-27T08:14:00.001-07:00

This makes me so flippin angry!!!

2007-05-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

This is why I NEVER watch The View!!! Everything about this makes me so angry I cant even think straight enough to put my thoughts into words! Just watch!

Grass

2007-05-17T16:27:00.000-07:00

I love the feel of grass on my toes.
Soft and cool on a warm summer night.
I love the smell of fresh cut grass after a spring rain.
It makes my yard pretty
and gives my children a place to play with their friends.
Grass is sweet.

Getting old

2007-05-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Well, my son (who just turned 12) had his first middle school dance last Friday night. That makes me feel so old! I was not sure how it would go for him since he insists that girls are so gross. He didn't have a date thank goodness but went with a few friends.
Tod wanted to make sure his son looked cool for the dance just in case he changed his mind. My husband, who never gets home from work until 7pm or later, came home early to take Tanner to the mall before the dance to get a new "cool" outfit from American Eagle, including new shoes (Vans of course.) He looked so handsome when he came out with his new jeans, new shirt, new shoes, and new necklace? Yep he got a necklace too. I couldn't help but think he resembled someone I once knew (Teenage Tod) he walked out so proud of his new outfit and his even prouder daddy was right behind him. It seems that in the past few weeks since his birthday, he has turned into a young man right before my eyes. He has grown his hair out some so no more high and tight army brat haircuts, nope now he has this new style if that is what you want to call it that messy look, where you basically roll out of bed and go look. Of course I know I really cant complain much because in our day our parents complained about the hair and clothes we wore.
Well the night went fine, the boys had fun, Kevin kissed the new girl, and Jordan asked all the girls at the dance to see if any of them likes Tanner, apparently one girl thinks he is "hott". I am not sure I am ready for all this!

So, it is not just me!

2007-05-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

Everyone who has ever met me knows how I eat. I dont try to keep it a secret, that is just not possible, because eventually there will be a time where a new friend will say "Is that all you are going to eat?!?" At that point I have to explain myself.

Hi, my name is Cheri, and I am a Picky Eater.

Now, some people will say something like "Oh yeah I am too." Really? Ya think you are picky? at which point I explain just how picky I am, I cant possible list all the things I DONT eat the list is too long, it is so much easier to list the things I do.

Almost in order
Peanut butter
Pizza (only pepperoni)
pretty much anything coated in sugar ;)
French Fries
Baked potato (PLAIN, just butter and salt)
bacon
ham
some chicken depending on how it is served usually something like a chicken strip from Dairy Queen or something
Salad, but only with lettuce, carrots, and bacon bits NO DRESSING!!!
Very few fruits
even less veggies

Basically if its healthy I cant eat it. Yes I said CANT. I have tried foods over the years and I usually end up gagging on them or no matter how hard I try I cant swallow it.
For years I believed I was the only one like this! And for years I would ahve to explain the whole story to every one and go through every food they can think of and tell them "nope I cant eat that" Somehow people just dont get it. Ther is always some jerk who is determined to get me to eat something and will make a big deal about it. I am who I am, there is nothing I can do no matter how much I want to I cant just fix this little "problem" I have. I WISH I could just snap my fingers and be normal! I would love to be able to enjoy a romantic dinner with my husband without stressing over will there be something on the menu I can eat.

Recently MSN posted an article about me, ok well not about "ME" but about people like me. Guess What I am not the only one!!!
The Grown-Up Picky Eaters Club
Check it out you will be suprised how many of "us" there are.

Here is a poem a fellow picky eater wrote hopefully it will help you better understand.

Confessions of a Unique Eater

Take a peek-a-boo glance, into the interesting life …
Of a picky-eating mom and happily married wife.
I refuse to be ashamed, of the way that I am …
and why do you care - if I love jelly, but hate jam.

I adore peanut butter, and I eat a ton of nuts …
but can't stand veggies, no if's – and's – or butts.
I'm a chicken finger fool, as long as they're fried -
but you better not put any sauces on the side!

Tomatoes are forbidden, yet somehow I like chili –
and I know other folks, just think that's really silly.
Hamburgers are okay – if plain and totally dry …
& DON'T scrape off the cheese – just don't even try!

I do love my oatmeal – and can enjoy tuna fish -
but of course, never together, not in the same dish.
My drinks must have ice, but no lemon in my tea -
& even though I love the smell – I never drink coffee.

I hate pasta, I hate rice – and like very little bread …
and truth be told – I prefer plain pancakes instead.
I hate the smell of eggs, but can eat French Toast…
and since I hate to cook, I am not the best host.

I have never eaten Pizza – or Italian food of any kind …
I never eat Chinese – the smell alone, makes me blind.
Forget about Mexican – those rice and beans are gross - -
no chips or salsa for me, not even the smallest dose.

No salads for this lady. No casseroles – no quiche.
And if I say " no thanks" – I actually mean it – SHEESH!
Now I do love bananas, and apples and oranges too -
and I might eat some grapes, but only just a few.

Now this is just a "taste" – or a "sampling" of who I am…
a gal who hates hot dogs – but doesn't mind spam.
If you understand me – GREAT - if you don't, oh well …
I just pray you're never plagued
-- - with such sensitivity to texture & smell.

Written by: Debra Sue Higginbotham
http://www.freewebs.com/50toefamily

Making new friends

2007-05-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

Make new friends.....

But keep the old.......

One is silver........

And the other is gold!

I love making new friends, and I guess since we move so much and our lives are constantly changing that would be a good thing. So here is to all my friends, new and old, I love you all, my life wouldnt be the same with out you!

A real Laugh

2007-04-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

As opposed to a fake laugh this guy actually made me laugh out loud! LOL

What did she just say?

2007-04-04T15:59:00.000-07:00

I love the way a toddler talks when they are just learning new words!

We will sometimes hear a random "UCKIE" or "UHOH" but by far some of the funniest things she will say most people have no idea what it is and there is one thing even we dont know what it is all about.

We have the inevitable words that sound close to words that I promise she is not saying!!
"BUSHIT" = Push it, Daddy lets he push the car door closed.
And for a while she said
"OH MAN DIS" = oh man this, which a daycare worker swore that is not what she said.

"GOG GOG" = hot dog= Mickey Mouse
IT took me a while to figure it out, but at the enod of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, a new cartoon on Playhouse Disney, they sing a song "hot dog hot dog hot diggety dog"

"AHCO" = cold= ice
She loves to play with ice, and we would tell her it was cold, then when she started calling it CO we realized what we had done, and are working to fix that.

She has some words that have double meanings:

"KIKIN" could be Kitchen or Chicken
Understandable they are similar

"BUMMY" has several meanings tummy, bunny, and Barney
and one really close is "POMMY" = ponny

At least 2 or 3 times a day we hear "UHOH WHAT DO?" Which means she has done something wrong.

But the thing we still cant figure out is something she says often in a singsong tone is
"COOKIE SANNA"
If anyone knows what she is saying please let us know.

Maybe because it has been so long since the big kids had baby talk but I dont remember much of thier funny words, Tanner did call everyone with dark skin "KIGA WOODS" = Tiger Woods, Tod wanted to make sure his son knew all about golf including the players, starting with Tiger Woods, well Tanner didnt get that there was only one Tiger Woods.
Savana was pretty quiet, but boy has that changed, what I wouldnt give for peace and quiet these days. I will even go as far as to go to Wal-mart at 9:00 at night just to be able to buy groceries with out the kids.

This guy makes an intresting point.

2007-03-28T11:58:00.001-07:00

The Carnton Plantation, Franklin TN.

2007-03-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

If you live anywhere in the south you most likely have seen some historical landmark from the civil war. We had family in town last week and we all loaded up into 2 cars (because there were so many of us) and went to Franklin Tn to see the Carnton Plantation, if you have not yet been there......... skip it! Not because it isnt worth the drive and not because it is not beautiful! (because it is both) but because the people running it are the rudest people we have ever met in our lives! We were a large group of 10 (just our family) that included 4 kids (2 older kids and 2 babies) well apparently the tour guide for the day did not like kids and espically not babies, he made a sly little comment to our inlaws about their baby before we even went into the house, then said somehting to them about her wiche resulted in my brother in law and sister in law leaving the house with their baby. Next it was our turn, Kaylin was not even fussing just noticed the fake fruit on the table and kept saying "apple, apple" The guy said something again which at that point Tod left and took Kaylin out. Then my Mother in law's Fiance went out to offer to watch the babies so we could all see the house that left only Myself, Tanner, Savana, and my Mother in law on the tour. Savana got sick to her stomach as soon as we went upstairs and the guy started talking about all the soliders that died in the house during the battle, so I had to take her out. We paid $10 bucks for 10 people (each) and only 2 actually saw the whole house!
Needless to say Tod waited for the tour guide and let him have it for being so rude :)

So I am no longer Unoriginal

2007-03-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to changing the name of my blog, I struggled with it for about 10 minutes sitting here trying to come up with something catchy, still nothing but at least I am not unoriginal anymore :) YAY ME!

Mullets and Billy Ray

2007-03-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

If anyone watched Dancing with the stars last night you saw Billy Ray Cyrus attempt to dance to this song, well lets just say I havent laughed so hard in a while!

Crazy Army Wives

2007-02-23T11:57:00.000-08:00

What is it about us? Maybe it is just not enough alone time with our hubbies (if ya know what I mean) but Army wives tend to get a little crazy when we get out of the house to have fun. We are ALL over-emotional at times. We move every 2-3 years. We raise our "brats"as best as we can when our husbands are gone half of the kids lives. We are so different yet we are all the same, we come from all over but we have that one common bond, our solider husbands. And that is what makes us special, not because we are better than anyone because of what our husbands do, but because when they are gone and we are here to fend for ourselves we always pull together and help each other out where we need to.

What amazes me about being an army wife is that I can go to the mall, or the grocery store, or even Pizza Hut, and instantly make a new friend, it is like we have a radar or something you are just sitting there minding your own business and someone makes a comment about how cute your kids are or something and next thing you know you know everything about that person and come to find out they are Army wives too.

I guess it has a lot to do with the fact that we know we don't have time to mess around when it comes to making friends so we find them wherever, and whenever we can. Knowing that you only have 3 years at the most to live in one place means that if you want to build a good circle of friends you better hurry up and do it before you have to move again.

Which brings me to my next point, once you have made that friend they are your friend for life. Because you never know when you might see them again at another post, or need a place to stay on the way to your next duty station. Every time we move my Christmas card list grows, after almost 15 years as an Army wife I now have friends all over the world (literally) and I love it!

Now that our years are starting to wind down and come to a close (only 5 years left) as an Army family I feel torn. Yes, it would be nice to stay put in one place for a while. Yes, it would be nice to live close to family for a change. But, I will miss my fellow Army wives desperately, even with all our flaws. We are a great bunch of ladies, who lovingly care for our heroes, and wait patiently for them to come home when they are gone. We lift each other up when one is having a hard time, and help her get back on her feet.

We raise our "brats" and try to help them understand why Daddy is gone for so long. We try to make up for it by doing special things and buying them cool stuff like it will make up for it or something, but the truth is NOTHING can replace Daddy in a child's life. Maybe that is part of the reason they are known as "Army Brats" they accumulate all these cool toys from all over but in the end it is just STUFF, nothing more, the only important thing is Daddy coming home safe. Everything else is just a distraction so that we can make it through yet another year with out Daddy.

Friends , dress up, and Wii

2007-02-21T09:02:00.000-08:00

What could be more fun? Hanging out with friends playing dress up, and of course playing Wii.
What is it with boys and video games anyway? It is like automatic that boys want to play video games, don't get me wrong girls do to (myself included lol) but boys can so easily become addicts, it is like the world will come to a screeching halt if they don't play hours and hours of video games a day.

And girls on the other hand are perfectly content to dress up like grown ups and have tea parties even when they are 10 years old, OK OK so Savana doesn't dress up unless Belle is here, but she loves to dress Kaylin up and have tea parties with her.

Heros

2007-02-05T06:31:00.000-08:00

I got this in an email this morning, I have no idea who wrote it but it touched my heart and I wanted to share it with whoever will read it. By the way the Hero to the left is my hero, my husband.

Two teams have now played their way to the Super Bowl and it got me to thinking. My hero wore a helmet, too. It wasn't a gleaming helmet with a team symbol on the side, though. It was covered in a camouflage pattern and bore the marks of the months of use it had seen. The dirt on my hero's face didn't come from a field of grass in a stadium in America. It came from streets and foxholes in a far off land. My hero didn't have a ball zinged past him. Instead, he felt hot lead whistle past his head and shrapnel rip at his clothes. When the skirmish subsided, my hero didn't get doused with Gatorade and head to a hot shower. Instead, he collapsed, exhausted, next to the wheel of a truck, hands shaking from what he had just experienced. He didn't get any cellphone calls congratulating him on a big win. Instead, he shook the hand of his buddy and thanked God they both had survived. My hero didn't get a shiny trophy or a ring or a million dollar contract extension. My hero got the satisfaction of knowing that he had made a difference for freedom and liberty in a way most will never know. My hero didn't lay down the ball after four quarters. My hero fought the fight until he laid down his life. Today, there are men and women in places around the world, wearing a uniform with the Stars and Stripes on the shoulder, who are REAL heroes. Their stories won't make the front page, they won't be talked about in every restaurant and bar in town. But their impact on the life that you! and I k now will far surpass that of the sports figures that will get the attention. I hope we, as a society, can keep it all in perspective.

Only two defining forces ever offered to die for you:

Jesus Christ and The American Soldier

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Shouldn't YOU live a life worthy of the sacrifice?

So cool!

2007-01-17T08:08:00.000-08:00

Ok people I want to teach my pup to do this it is the cutest thing ever!!!!

Bunny vs the snake!

2007-01-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

I am not sure what is funnier the fight or the redneck talking in the background! LOL I love it it reminds me of home!

Kodak

2007-01-02T19:05:00.000-08:00

this clip speaks for itself. LOL

Post Christmas Blas

2006-12-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

So Christmas is over, the presents are opened, the kids are busy playing with their new gadgets. And I even took down the tree last night so the house is back to normal. I usually don't take the tree down until after the New year but I was tired of telling the baby to stay out of the tree, and now the puppy too lol.
We had a good Christmas this year though. We stayed home (which is something we don't normally do) We are going to see my Mother-in-law for the New Year though. The kids LOVED all their gifts. This year we set a new tradition of only 3 gifts from Mom and Dad. But boy those were 3 great gifts! Savana got her Ipod, and a Gameboy light in pink (of course) and an easy bake oven, Tanner got a MP3 player too but a different brand (Creative I think) a NICE new remote control truck, and a small gun kinda like a BB gun but a little different (only to be used under Dad's supervision of course) Kaylin got a Barbie 4-wheeler, an Elmo vacuum cleaner, and an Elmo table and chair set. I think they were pretty happy with what they got! lol
I hope all of you had a great Christmas too, and here is to a happy new year.

Happy Birthday to me!

2006-12-19T07:55:00.000-08:00

OK so my birthday is tomorrow but I got my present last night only because what I wanted required my input. YAY ME! :)
Of course Kaylin had to break it in right away; she climbed onto the bench and fell off missed the carpet by a centimeter and cracked her head on the hard floor.

My letter to Santa

2006-12-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows
when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple,
which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy. If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with
a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always, MOM...!

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

*Santa has asked that this gets passed on to all the mommies you know lol

Christmas time

2006-12-07T10:35:00.000-08:00

I got this email from a fellow homeschool mom. Some of my friends who know me know how I feel about Christmas. Christmas is a time to remember Christ. This year in our home we are choosing to only give our children 3 gifts each, just 3, thats it. When we told them of course as any kids would be they were upset, until we told them why.
I asked them "How many gifts did Jesus recieve?"
Their answer was 3
I asked them "What makes you think you are better than Him that you deserve more?"
They quickly got my point and agreed that it was the right thing to do.
It is our job to pass on the meaning of Christmas to our children, if we dont who will?

I am not sure who wrote this but here it is:

A sad commentary !

Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand.

Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away, The reason for Christmas - no one could say. The children were told by their schools not to sing, About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say December 25th is just a "Holiday". Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod Something was changing, something quite odd! Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found. At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty Are words that were used to intimidate me. Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter. And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded The reason for the season, stopped before it started. So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree" Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

Never a dull moment!

2006-12-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

When you live with a child like my youngest there is NEVER and I do mean NEVER a dull moment or peace and quiet (unless she is sleeping of course.)
Last night was full of picture taking opportunities I just couldn't stop taking pictures of her. She may be a lot of work but dog gone she sure is cute!
We had chicken for dinner and I guess Tod taking her chicken off the bone and putting it into a nice bowl for her made it taste bad, she threw her plate on the floor, we got her out of her high chair (see the dog in the back cleaning up her mess) and she climbed up into daddy's lap and started eating his food. I guess his tasted better! lol

I think she was hungry.

Empty boxes are so much fun!

I wonder....

2006-11-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

Since I missed a few days of blogging due to the stupid people not turning it on in time during our move, if having 2 extra blogs makes up for the fact that I missed 2?
Anyway, Just wanted to gripe for a minute again, we ordered Pizza tonight (something we do a lot) it was supposed to be delivered in an hour 2 hours later we were still waiting! I tried calling but then they decided not to answer the phone. I had to actually get into my car in the pouring rain and go over there to find out what was wrong. Apparently the oven broke. I don't know but I can bet that a phone call from them to let us know that the oven was broken might have been nice. What do you think?
Oh well I got a $25 credit for our next purchase (which was more that our pizza tonight lol)

Almost there!

2006-11-29T14:09:00.000-08:00

I cant believe I stuck with this for the whole month! But NaBloPoMo is almost over! I have really enjoyed blogging I feel like it has stretched my mind some I guess all the Barney and Elmo hasn't melted my brain after all :)
I finally had the cable guy get here today! I have been going insane with no TV for the past 2 weeks! We got satellite this time Tod thought it might be better but we will see, as long as I don't miss my favorite shows lol I will be fine. But we did get the DVR this time!! I am so excited! So if we are out I wont have to miss stuff like Lost! yes yes I am a Lost addict I cant help it.
Anyway I have to go jump into the shower we have a luau to go to tonight I have no idea why they would plan a luau in November in Tennessee! Can you say cold weather!!!!????!!!
Anyway better go 2 days left!!

The Story of Tod and Cheri

2006-11-28T07:37:00.000-08:00

OK so I know my blog has been a bit boring lately but that is only because of the move and Thanksgiving lol I promise!

So Anyway here goes the story of us:

The first time I ever saw Tod was in 10th grade biology class, he sat behind me and across the row his friend sat directly behind me. We never talked because we hung out in completely different circles of friends, I was a quiet (kind of lol) church girl, and he hung out with all the cool kids that liked to party.

Our 11th grade year I moved away, because of my Dad's work (long story) but we had to move for a year. I was not a happy camper because I did NOT want to leave all my friends my JR year of High School and go to some strange place and make new friends! So I decided to make my parents life miserable and decided that being a good girl was getting boring so I made new friends in our new town, and I started dating another guy (another long story) and started drinking a lot. I drank so much in fact that I earned myself a party girl reputation and had a few VERY UNTRUE rumors started about me, not fun by the way.

At the end of my JR year my dad tells me that we can move back to Amarillo, and I can return to my friends there, now that I had changed so much I really didn't want to hang out with them anymore, but I had a few friends that I could hang out with still. I got a job at the mall in town and one night while I was at work an old friend stopped in and said hi, he invited me to hang out with him and some friends that night after work I agreed and met them at a park that night. Little did I know that night would change my whole life.

I went to the park and found my old friend (which by the way he invited me because he wanted to ask me out) he had some other friends, including Tod, with him and they had just gotten into a fight with some kids from the other side of town. After everything settled down from the fight we figured we should get out of there so we headed to Chris' house (myself, Chris, and Tod) we had a few drinks and Tod and I started talking, OK crying, about all the pain we have had over the past year caused by the opposite sex. Chris was sitting on the floor listening patiently until he finally had enough and told us to shut up and kiss already. Well we didn't kiss that night but it did put the thought into our heads and it wasn't long before we were a hot item. And lets just say my conservative christian parents did not like my new choice for a boyfriend! But they knew from the last year they couldn't do much to stop me.

Tod and I dated for our entire Senior year of High School. At the end of the summer I was about to head off to college and Tod and I had been doing a lot of fighting and honestly I was tired of it. I told him I did not want to spend the rest of my life fighting with him and broke up with him, the night before I left for college. Well that lasted about 3 months and I soon realized how much I missed his grouchy butt. So we got back together much to my family's dismay, and soon after that we decided to get married and Tod joined the Army. He left a week after we got married and went to basic training. The first 6 months of our marriage we were separated, we saw each other a handful of times and as soon as we could we were together again.
Now here we are 14 years later, more in love than ever.
I am so blessed!

HI HO HI HO.......

2006-11-27T08:22:00.000-08:00

OK so I don't have to leave to do work but boy have I been working my butt off the past 2 days! With the exception of doing some shopping yesterday lol but in my defense I had to get a Birthday present for Tod since Today is his birthday (big 34!)
Last night we hung some pictures finally, and put out the Christmas decorations. I was so exhausted after that I didn't feel like finishing the kids rooms hopefully I can get to that tonight. I had to unpack the office just so they could start school this morning they had tests and quizzes to do and the quiz and test books were still packed away. So I found the books, and got it all put up and most of my scrapping stuff put up so I thought I earned a break to sit down for a minute.
As I sit here I realize that my blog has been pretty boring lately but then I have been doing nothing but moving the past few weeks.
Hopefully tomorrow I can post something more interesting. But until then I should get back to work on unpacking.

Still working hard

2006-11-26T16:12:00.000-08:00

It seems like when you move it takes FOREVER to get out from under all the boxes. We have been trying to unpack slowly but surely. I have to get our Christmas decorations up now too, I have always been one to get them up right after Thanksgiving so that I can enjoy them as long as possible, I also don't take them down until New Years Day.
So here it is 6:00 PM my family just sat down to eat after that we are putting up the tree and all the other decorations (I don't even have pictures on the walls yet either lol) then I have to get the kids rooms finished so that they can start back to school tomorrow. We are so far behind on school this year because we have taken a few days off here and there we are going to have to work extra hard so that they can finish before summer!
So instead of working I am sitting here writing in my blog, oh yeah I also went shopping today for a few hours lol anything to avoid the inevitable work! lol

Home at Last

2006-11-25T15:14:00.001-08:00

Trips are so much fun but it is always good to be home.

This is Nuckin Futs!

2006-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

I could not believe my eyes this morning as my husband and I woke up at the crack (OK WAY before the crack) of dawn, we headed our tired butts to Best Buy to buy a new computer for my mother in law and the crowds at the store were unbelievable! We found what we wanted fairly quickly but had to wait in line for well over an hour to check out! The length people will go to to save a few hundred bucks!

Family

2006-11-23T14:23:00.000-08:00

I love spending time with family for holidays.
We are spending time this thanksgiving with my in laws, I feel very blessed to have a wonderful family of in laws!
They are nice enough to let me use their computer so that I can continue with my blogging while I am not home lol.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thankfullness

2006-11-22T07:38:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I just thought I would sit down and tell you what I am thankful for, there is so much to be thankful for in my life but I will just go with the big things for now.

1. God
He has done so much in my life I cant even begin to explain it all, He has watched over me and protected me during all my days as a crazy mixed up teenager. He made sure I had an awesome family and home to grow up in, which brings me to number 2

2. My family
Everyone has those ones in their family that drive them nuts and mine is no exception but I am still thankful for them being a part of my life, they have helped to make me who I am today.

3. My Husband!
He is my hero, a solider, a father to my children, and a wonderful and loving husband.

4. My Kids
Tanner, Savana, and Kaylin. They drive me nuts most days but they are so beautiful and precious to me.

5. My Friends
I move around so much that it is hard to keep friends for very long but I have a select few that I still talk to every week even though they are thousands of miles away, I wouldn't be sane with out them.

I am so blessed!
I hope you all feel the same.
Happy Thanksgiving (a day early lol)

Adventures in moving

2006-11-21T11:57:00.000-08:00

OK so here is the story I wanted to share.........

Moving last week posed several hurdles, Tod was working nonstop so he was for the most part no help whatsoever. I was on my own! I had a couple friends keep the kids as much as they could on Thursday and Friday, Saturday we had somewhere for all three kids to go so that we could clean the old house. Well that was the plan anyway, and you know what they say about well laid plans.....

The moving guys packed me Thursday (just in case you haven't been reading lol) Friday they loaded all my stuff onto their truck and took it to the new house. Tod wanted some stuff taken by us so as the movers were loading so was I. I loaded my van with clothes, and the smaller animals we have (1 hamster 2 crabs 2 birds) I finished before the movers did so I waited for them and got in my car to head to my new house, I checked the animals to make sure they were all OK and there was no hamster in her cage! HOLY CRAP! I had a small rodent running around in my car full of clothes!!! The movers were already on their way to the new house so I couldn't stop to see if I could find her I had to drive all the way over to the new place with her running around in the car. The whole time I was convinced that she was going to run under my foot as I stepped on the brake or something and I was going to squish her! And if not I knew she would jump out as I opened the door. Well none of that happened thank goodness! I called my friend on the way over to see if she would come help me and I ended up with 2 friends helping me look for her at the new place. We carefully unloaded clothes and looked as we took stuff out of the car and the crawled out from under the seat like nothing happened.
Needless to say my moving guys said that was a first for them! and they thought it was quite funny.

Finally!!!

2006-11-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

I was so irritated st the phone /Internet co!
We moved on Friday had the phone and net turned off at the other house that day and it was supposed to be turned on the same day at the new place well here it is Monday and it JUST NOW got turned on! My Hubby had to call them from his cell phone this morning to see what the problem was, apparently there was a mix up in the lines somewhere, WHATEVER!!! Stupid people :P

Anyway! I think the kids are really enjoying being here on post things are a lot safer here they can actually go out and ride their bikes around the neighborhood now which is what they are doing right now. At the other place the street and well the whole area was so bad I didn't even want them in the front yard.
I still have a LOT of work to do my house is a disaster area and I am probably out of the running now on NaBloPoMo but still here I sit this has become an obsession for me now I can get through the day with out sitting down at least once to post something.

I should probably go try to get something done since the baby is asleep right now.
I do have a funny moving story I will try to make time to share tomorrow.

Moving Day

2006-11-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

The movers are here loading my stuff into the truck. They will take it over to the new place and unload it there. I thought I would let you know just in case I don't have a chance to post a real blog today lol.

Avoiding work

2006-11-16T08:24:00.000-08:00

OK so as I sit and watch the movers pack all my stuff neatly into boxes I thought I would sit and write a little in my blog. Not because I so desperately wanted to blog I am just avoiding doing any actual work lol.
I love to move the excitement of getting a new house, figuring out where I want to put everything, but what I don't like is the PROCESS of moving, the boxes the hard work ( have you figured out that I don't like hard work yet?) I like to have a chance to meet new people and making new friends, which is great since my husband is in the army and we are moving all the time is seems like.

Cool places we have been in the past 14 years:

Heidelberg Germany-3 years
Colorado Springs - a year and a half
San Antonio, TX - 1 year
Middle of nowhere Alabama - 2 years
El Paso Tx - almost 4 years
Tennessee - 2 years and counting

Wow that is a lot of moving!
In that time we have had 4 dogs, 4 birds, hermit crabs, a hamster, oh yeah and 3 kids.
right now we are at 1 dog, 2 birds, 2 hermit crabs, and 1 hamster, oh yeah and 3 kids lol

As I close for today I leave you with this:
"Life aint always beautiful, but its a beautiful ride."
Gary Allan

Pride

2006-11-15T18:23:00.000-08:00

As most army wives I am very proud of my husband, but today was one of those days that just made me almost burst with pride for him.
The Army has traditions for everything from saying goodbye (which we do often) to promotions, from something as simple as exercising to something as exciting as a change of command. Today my husband took command of a company. (for those who have no idea what that means, he is now in charge of about 120 soldiers)
I know how great my husband is (in my humble opinion lol) but when I hear the speaker giving his list of where he has been and his awards he has been given over the 14 year span of his career, it just makes me burst with pride. And to know that those he works with have such a high opinion really lets me know that it isn't just me that thinks he is great. I am so blessed to have him as my husband. Next week after I get all settled in the new house I will tell you all the story of us, how we met, etc.

On another note I got on my computer tonight and my friend sends me an IM to tell me that her blog was mentioned in a review for NaBloPoMo. I thought it was nice for her to see a review on her blog to thing some one not only read it but thought it was good enough to mention it in their review, here is the review list if ya want to check it out NaBloPoMo Reviews.
So we wondered if mine got a review..... Well it did! I was shocked! and the post mentioned was a long one. That means someone actually took the time to read it! Holy cow! You mean to tell me someone actually thinks I am interesting enough to read my blog??!! Thank you so much Holly for taking the time to read all those blogs and thank you for mentioning me in your review.
OK I guess I should stop playing around and go get some work done around here!

Still busy!

2006-11-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

So we picked up the keys to our new place yesterday and got some stuff moved over there. Since we are going to be rearranging how things are set up I had to get a new TV stand today. I spent over $400 bucks and it isn't even stained! Still that was a whole heck of a lot cheaper than some of the other stuff we looked at and this is more like what we wanted anyway.
I better get back to work now!

Busy day!

2006-11-13T08:53:00.000-08:00

We have a busy day today so I thought I would pop on here and write something so that I can keep in the habit of writing everyday. We are moving all this week so most of this weeks posts will be short!
Have a great week everyone!

Convictions

2006-11-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

OK so we made it to church today I enjoy going to church I always leave feeling better than when I went in, even though almost every time I hear something I don't want to like what all I am doing wrong for instance. Today was no exception. I was reminded of some things I already knew deep down in my heart but have been choosing to ignore lately. Things I know I shouldn't be doing but doing it anyway. You know you have too, we all do those things sometimes, deep down we know it will just cause trouble but we choose to ignore that small little voice that keeps bugging us to stop.

I could sit here and tell you that I am going to make an effort to stop and choose to listen to that voice, but I cant guarantee that I will. There are days that I know I would be better off if I did the right thing, but I still don't. I just somehow get it in my head that I need that ........ whatever it may be. That it will make me happy but instead it just makes me feel guilty because I know I am wrong.

Here's to change.

Pigtails, Giggles, and Corn on the cob

2006-11-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

Little ones are so precious espically with pigtails. What is it about pigtails that makes a little girl look so cute? Dont let this little angelic face fool you either she is trouble with a capital T. Mischief waiting to happen. But dog gone she is just so darn cute it is hard to stay mad at her for long.

Tod gave her some of his corn on the cob the other night for dinner and she had a blast with it! I practically had to pry it out of her hands even though there was absoutly no corn left on it at all!

I love being a mom!
I love my kids!
Kaylin Tanner and Savana!

Party night!

2006-11-10T17:46:00.000-08:00

Having a girls night with some friends tonight!
Pics tomorrow! Hopefully lol

The Search

2006-11-09T10:40:00.000-08:00

OK so the picture has nothing to do with the story today but Jessica wanted to see a pic of me when I was younger. Sorry Jessica no big bangs here! lol This is me and my husband (before we were married) We were both 18 here. Even though there are no big bangs you cant see the pants but they are stirrup pants with ankle boots and yes scruncie socks.

Well as promised I will finish my story from yesterday.

I was going to tell you about my mother. Like I said yesterday I lost track of her when I was 12. Before that I received a Christmas card and birthday card every year and the occasional letter with pictures of my brother and sister that she had with her new husband.

After I got married at the ripe old age of 19. I started to realize that she would want to know how I was doing, and I wanted to reconnect with her I felt like I was ready, but I guess the time was wrong. I sent a letter to the last known address I had for her but I never got a reply. My husband was in basic training and then went onto AIT and our first duty station was Germany, so the search was put on hold for about 3 years until we came back state side.

I started looking but never had any luck I searched the Internet till I was blue in the face but nothing. I used all the names I had available to me, to include her name her husband's name, and other family members that might know where she was.

Finally I had a break and I found a phone number for her mother (my grandmother!) But apparently the listing I found online was old and it was disconnected by the time I called. A dead end. I got really frustrated after that and slowed my search but I prayed about it all the time I asked God to help me find her.

I even enlisted anyone I knew who could help, my parents mostly they have always been very understanding about the whole thing and were willing to help me in anyway they could. I had a friend who told me she could find her for me but she needed some info on her, stuff I didn't have. So I called my parents they didn't know either, but Daddy told me that Tom (2 daddy from the first story) might have what I needed. So I called him, nothing. My dad knew he could help if he wanted to so he put in a call himself to his baby brother and let him have it :)

Dad: "This really means a lot to Cheri and you could help her if you wanted to"

Tom: "Yes but she is just opening up a can of worms and she has no business looking for her"

So this really ticked me off! Who was he to tell me I had no business since when did he care what I did? Since when did he ever show any interest in my life whatsoever!?!

So we kept on without his help (stupid jerk.) Mom and Dad had remembered that during the court proceedings to gain legal custody of me (technically not an adoption since my last name did not change) the were told by their lawyer to hire a Private Detective to check on my mother. I had the names of the Lawyer and the PI, I called them, nothing. But there was also the name of the company that her husband worked for in the papers my parents had. I looked it up online and called. I explained that I was looking for someone who worked there a long time ago, and gave the mans name. The man on the other end of the phone remembered him!!! But said he left the company a long time ago, he had heard that he was working for another company and was killed when some equipment fell on him. I asked if he remembered his wife but he didn't. Yet another dead end.

After years of praying and searching I was in a church where I grew so much and learned so much about prayer and being patient. So my prayers changed from "Dear God please let me find her" to "Dear God you know what I want and if you say no that is OK, just help me accept it and move on"

Apparently that is what God wanted to hear. A few months later I decided to look again, and instantly I found my grandmother, but I didn't get my hopes up yet it was disconnected the last time I found her number. But it was her!!! She was living in San Antonio! WOW! What kills me is that we lived there for a year and at the time I still was looking. I lived in the same town as my grandma for a year and didn't even know it.

Unfortunately she had no idea where my mother was either she had not heard from her in 2 years. But I was so thankful to have found my Mammaw (as she likes to be called) I was satisfied with that to have some kind of connection. I stopped looking and just thanked God for the gift on finding her. I started to call her every couple weeks and I sent her some pictures of my kids (I was pregnant with number 3 at the time)and she sent me some pictures of my mother that I had not seen before.

Well the army called again for us to move AGAIN! this time to Ft Campbell. I was hopping to have at least one of my kids born in Texas but oh well. So off we move to Tennessee. I still kept in touch with my Mammaw and made sure to give her our new number when we got there just in case she heard from my mother.

In January (before my baby was due in February) the phone rang.

I answered: "Hello"

voice : "Cheri is that you?" (she was crying)

it took me a minute to realize who it was

I answered : "yes, is this....?"

My mind was racing, I couldn't even think what to call her or what to say.

she said : "Its your momma, baby"

at that point we both started crying!

We talked for a while before I had to pick up my kids from school. I was in shock I couldn't the years of searching were over! After I hung up from her I called my parents, my sister, and everyone else who would want to know because they all knew my story. We were all so excited!

It will be 2 years in January since I first reconnected with my mother. I have been to see her several times. I have had a chance to meet my little sister and brother. Come to find out my brother is also in the army! I guess it is in my blood.

I am so thankful for this chance to get to know the family I never had a chance to know. But as I get to know them more I am also unbelievably thankful for the fact that God spared me from so much by allowing me to be raised the way I was. It amazes me to look back on my life and see what all God has given me even though I don't deserve it.

I know I already blogged today but.......

2006-11-08T12:15:00.001-08:00

I saw this and had to share!

AHHH Memories

2006-11-08T10:03:00.000-08:00

OK so I was reading my friends blog and it inspired me to blog some of my memories from my strange past. There is so much to say though I am not quite sure where to begin, I was born in Lafayette IN, OK maybe that is too far back lol. Although that time in my life is quite a story even though I don't remember most of it since I was just a baby. I only know what I was told.

BTW the pic is of me and my big sister Diane.

My parents Tom and Liz divorced when I was 8 months old. We lived near my fathers family and my Aunt and Uncle (father's brother) were the only people in the family nice to my mother, so she would call on them to help her out sometimes and soon I was spending more time with them than my own mother and father. There was a lot of back and forth and the time I spent with my mother got shorter and shorter. Finally my Aunt and Uncle gave her an ultimatum and said that the back and forth was too much on me, and offered to raise me as their own. My mother knowing the life they could offer me was so much better than what she could agreed.

So my Dad is my Uncle and my Mom is my Aunt, I know it sounds like we are hillbillies or something lol.

But life went on and my new family loved me as one of their own, of course they had previous experience in that area, my older sister Diane (see pic above) was adopted from an orphanage when she was 3. And my parents spent some time being foster parents for a while also. They had a lot of love in their hearts and they still do. I could not have asked for a better family my mother gave me more than she could ever realize by allowing them to raise me.

After 12 years of my life living with my parents (the Aunt and Uncle) and have some contact with my father and less with my mother I lost track of my mother which at the time I had other things I thought was way more important at the time and so it didn't bother me much until I was older.

The contact I have always had with my father has been much more strained over the years. When I was young I didn't realize what kind of person he was. I knew I had 2 daddies so he became my 2Daddy (ah the mind of a 3 year old) I received a phone call every year in November from him asking what I wanted for Christmas and my birthday (which is in Dec also) and then I got a big box of presents. We had moved to Texas when I was 5 but went back to IN every summer to visit family I always had to spend 3 or 4 days with him, now I know he was forced to spend that time with me, if it was up to him he probably would never have spent any time with me. Now that I am an adult I realize so much about him that I didn't before he didn't buy me those gifts because he loved me, he bought them out of guilt because he knew she should have been a bigger part of my life. When I realized that truth it was hard I was already married and had 2 of my beautiful children, he didn't come see them when they were born but sent gifts as usual, and they got much more expensive it was then I realized they were guilt gifts and not out of true love. I think he sensed that I was onto him because the gifts stopped, now we don't even get as much as a Christmas card from him much less birthday anything not even a phone call. Can you tell I am a little bitter? I try every day to forgive him for the way he has treated me over the years but that is not easy, epically now as a mother myself and this is affecting my own children. They know who he is, Grandpa Tom, but the only time they see him and his new family is when WE go there. I try to tell myself that it is his loss, he is missing out on being a part of their lives of his own free will. We live only 9 hours from him right now and in the 2 years we have lived here he has been down to see us 1 time after I had the baby (the only one of my kids he has seen as a newborn) they stayed for a whopping 2 days! And this time not one single gift. Not that I care about the gifts but it kinda symbolizes how our relationship has been over the years. It had dwindled down to the point that he is just an Uncle to me now and not my father. Although I will always try to do the right thing and keep him posted on what we are up to and how we are but I have come to accept the fact that it will never be nothing more than a few phone calls a year usually made by me.

OK so I just realized how flippin long this is, sorry! If you want to know what happened with my birth mother check back tomorrow.

I got some work done!!!

2006-11-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

WOOHOO!
It seems like no matter how bad I want to get some scrappin done something else always comes up to distract me (usually this computer lol) But I do have several pages done in the books I make for my family every year to give as christmas gifts, by the way I make 5 of these books to give out, and the way I take pictures that means a lot of scrappin!
Anyway I just thought I would share one of the layouts I have done it makes me giggle everytime I see the title
"Mischief waiting to happen"

And if you knew my baby you would know how true this is!
Well I have some more to scrap hopefully I can get another layout done before little mischief wakes up!

A drink!

2006-11-06T10:22:00.000-08:00

WARNING: GRIPE SESSION AHEAD

OK so today is another stressful day! Maybe it is just all the stress of the past few days still hanging over my head and the stress of what is ahead looming over me like a black cloud, but I have been in the crappiest mood for the past 2 days now.
I have done nothing but yell at my poor kids all morning granted they have been more stubborn than usual too. Why is it that when you are stressed you kids act up more?
At least so far today I haven't had a phone call to show the house today. We have had to leave our house for the past 4 days in a row so that the realtor could show it. I am trying to be understanding about it all because I know how I would be trying to sell my house in Alabama but this has become a huge pain in my you-know-what! I get a few hours notice to have my house clean and be gone so that they can show it I am sorry but we live in our house! And I have to make it look almost unlived in. I cant wait to get this move over with.
Oh did I mention that my dear husband is taking a command about the same time we are moving? We have to buy all the food for the change of command ceremony (120 soldiers plus guests) We ordered the food and so far we are at $300 bucks for it all! And I still have to get plates napkins plastic forks and drinks!!! Plus decorate some for it.

OK enough griping I need a laugh again!

To Run away

2006-11-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

AHHHHHHGGGGG!
Today is just one of those days!
We overslept this morning and the baby was being grouchy so we didnt make it to church I hate it when that happens, I always feel weird al day like I missed something very important (which I am shur I did miss a good message we have a great pastor)
So we laid around most of the morning and when my beautiful daughter asked to play video games I remembered that we were so busy yesterday that the kids didnt practice their music lessons all day so I told her to practice her piano first and then she could play, apparently that is where I went wrong! She will practice for about 5 minutes (if that) and then ask if she is done knowing that she has to practice for an hour!!! So then the fight followed that she gets frustrated because she messes up and I keep trying to tell her that if she dosent practice she will never get it right, but what do I know I am just Mom right?
OK enough of my gripe session here is something funny to brighten your day! (and hopefully mine!)

???????

2006-11-04T10:20:00.000-08:00

OK so it is getting hard to come up with endings to my main title of what I need, maybe I should change it but I don't think I can I think I am stuck with it.
Oh well, today is Saturday and we are busy busy busy as usual I am blogging when I should be working lol. We are trying to get the yard cleaned up and some work done around the house so that we can move in a few weeks, I like this house but I will be glad to get out of here the neighborhood isn't great and the schools are CRAP!!! Which BTW is why I am doing this home school thing this year. Next year the kids will be on post and can go to much better schools, but I have to finish out this year since I already paid the money for the curriculum.
It will be nice to have neighbors that will talk to you again, for some reason my neighbors don't talk to anyone around I have no idea who lives around me. The kids will have other kids to play with finally, and sidewalks!!! Why does this town not believe in sidewalks I will never know.
Anyway I better get back to work so that my husband and kids aren't doing it all.

A nap

2006-11-03T10:04:00.000-08:00

Why is it when we are kids and we need to take a nap we don't want to? And then when we grow up and are adults we want to take naps but we have too much to do and we cant?

And while I am at it what is it about a brother and sister that makes them fight so much? I just had to take a minute from my very important blogging to go yell at my 2 oldest kids for fighting so loud I could hear them all the way upstairs (which means it is only a matter of time before they wake up the sleeping baby!) Why does a boy find it necessary to harass his sister to the point where she screams at him? I had 3 older brothers myself and I remember them harassing my sister to death , of course I didn't get bothered too much I was the baby by quite a few years so I was just too cute to irritate (rotflmbo!)

As my dad tells me when I gripe about the mischief they get into "AHHH The joys of raising kids" Makes me just want to smack him upside the head! LOL

A part time Nanny!

2006-11-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

I don't need someone everyday, but now that my husbands job is changing somewhat I have several responsibilities since I am married to him (Its an Army thing!)

I had a meeting today that I had to go to and take time out of our school day for and bug one of my friends to watch the kids for

I have a dinner to go to tomorrow night (yet another friend to sit with the kids)

And later in the month (the rather cold month of November) we have a Luau to go to (what the heck am I going to wear to that?!!??)

Then in December there will be a Christmas party thankfully I can take the kids to that one!

Busy Busy Busy!

More time in the day

2006-11-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

Why do I need more time in the day you ask?
Not why you think.......
so I can have more time to play the Sims 2!
I just bought Pets today the newest expansion pack and WOW is it fun! You can create your own pet dog or cat make your own breed or just get a hamster or bird if you want!
Ok that is all I am blogging today I wanna go play some more :)

So I dont need anything right now

2006-10-31T19:01:00.000-08:00

It was a busy but good day, Halloween, "Trunk or Treat" went well I decided on an Army theme (a big stretch for us I know) we had enough stuff for it laying around the house it was the easiest to do, all I had to buy was candy (5 bags to be exact but I have plenty left over YUMM!) The girl in the picture above is one of our teens at church with glowing teeth Tod was telling her there was something wrong with her teeth lol.

I think the kids had fun, I had a Pirate, a Princess, and Elmo. Elmo caught on to the whole thing pretty quickly! She went quickly to every car and waited for them to give her candy then she went on to the next one. She even went back to some a second time and because she was so cute she just kept getting more!

Some more ideas!!!

2006-10-30T10:06:00.000-08:00

OK so tomorrow is Halloween and it is something I struggle with every year. I was raised in a strict christian home and was never allowed to do ANYTHING for Halloween not even the church related alternatives. So now as a parent I know and understand why not to celebrate Halloween now but I remember how it felt as a kid always being excluded from all the fun. So I always try to make sure my kids have SOMETHING to do so that they don't feel completely left out.
So this year my church is doing a Trunk Or Treat. Basically we park our cars in the church parking lot and decorate the trunk and hand out candy from there, the kids are allowed to dress up which is half the fun of Halloween! But now I have to figure out HOW to decorate my trunk! I have been looking online but I haven't got many ideas I didn't find many pictures just people basically saying how to have one, but not many ideas on decorating tips.
Mine will probably end up being the lamest one there. Wish me luck!

A Scrap Buddy

2006-10-29T18:14:00.000-08:00

I need someone to scrap with so that I can actually get some of my work done! I have so much to do, I make small scrapbooks for grandparents every year as Christmas gifts (BTW I have 5 to make!) And there just isn't enough time in the day to do it all! Of course it doesn't help that I keep taking more pictures!
I took my baby outside today to play in the leaves since our yard is full of them! And boy did she have fun, she found a few sticks of course and had more fun swinging it around that playing in the leaves but I did get one good picture of her laying in them of course I had to practically hold her down to do it (have I mentioned how busy she is? she never stops going!)
Anyway here is a great pic!

some energy

2006-10-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

I have been so lazy today here it is after 1:00 and I am just now getting on the computer! OKOK mostly it is because it is sat and hubby is home so he has been on it all morning then my son got a turn, I had to come grab it while everyone else was eating lunch lol.
I have basically done nothing all morning but talk on the phone and wait till the babys naptime!
But I have to find the energy to go make some brownies for the Fall Festival at church tonight so I should probally get of the computer now.

A Maid

2006-10-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

I HATE HOUSEWORK!!!!
I love being a mom and being home with my kids but I hate some of the stuff that goes along with it.
My 4 letter words are:
cook
wash
dust
iron
dirt

I hate those words!

But at 4:00 yesterday afternoon I get a phone call from my land lord telling me that he is sending a realator over today because they are putting the house on the market after we move out. So what do you think that means to me? That is right a 4 letter word-Clean! So why am I sitting her blogging when I have a 4 bedroom house to clean you ask?
Well I dont wanna!
Actually I have put my big kids to work today making them help and we have gotten a lot accomplished so far so I am just taking a break to blog for the day.
**sigh**
I guess I better get back to work, but maybe I will play for 5 more minutes LOL

One last thing before I go: A joke of the day!

Why did God give women arms?

Do you have any idea how long it would take to lick a bathroom clean?

The baby to take a nap!

2006-10-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

Why is it that no matter how tired a baby is there are days when they just refuse to take a nap? She has had a cold for a week now and if she isnt better by tomorrow I am going to take her to the doc. But until then Why wont she just take a nap??!! I have gone into her room twice now and told her night night she flops back down into her bed and cries for about 10 minutes off and on then just starts playing again.
And While I am asking questions.....
Why do people when they know they are sick go ahead with a big birthday party for their kid causing everyone else that goes to the party to catch whatever it was she had? We went to a birthday party for one of my husbands coworkers kids she was sick, and the kids were just getting over it. Now my almost 20 month old and my husband is sick. Now the baby I can take to the doctor and let her get lots of rest but my husband has too much going on and cant just not go to work. He is in the army, he cant just call in sick, he had a 12 mile ruck march on monday in 20 degree weather with a chest cold! GRRRRRRR! People are so inconsiderate!
ok off to go tell the baby night night again, hopefully she will go to sleep this time, right now she is asking for Ernie lol one of her favorite sesame street characters.

A title

2006-10-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

Unoriginal Mom blog post 1
I am so unoriginal I cant even come up with a good title for my blog, I had to get my friend to help. So today on my first day of blogging I need a title for my blog!
Looking through the blogs titles I found so many that were great
Mom needs Coffee
Mom on a wire
Mom to the screaming masses
Those all fit me but somehow I cant come up with something cute and original like that, why? Why, Why, Why?!
Ok I am acting like a brat now. I am acting like a spoiled kids asking for something he cant have "Why cant I have that big TV for my room mom?" "But I REALLY NEED it mom!"

Ok so much for that I guess I will tell you a little about myself, I am a stay at home mom with 3 kids a 11 year old boy, a 10 year old girl, and a 20 month old girl. Right now I am attempting to home school my oldest 2 kids and let me tell you it is no walk in the park! I guess it would not be a problem for some one who is organized but organized I am not. Trying to keep a active 20 month old occupied so that my kids can concentrate on school, making sure all or ouur critters are well taken care of (a dog, a hamster, 2 birds and 2 hermit crabs) on top of all that being a supportive Army Wife which in itself can be a big job. Espically during a year long deployment! But that story is for another day.
I guess today I just wanted to get something started. So there it is my first BLOG on here.
There, done, finished, now what were the kids trying to tell me while I was writing this?