A Marine & all his girls

VaLeNtInE's

2012-02-03T18:35:00.000-08:00

Oh how I LOVE Valentine’s Day! I must say that ever since I was little and my parents celebrated VALENTINE’S MONTH (YES you read that right, I said MONTH))I have LOVED Valentine’s . I am a hopeless romantic. I think it drives my husband nuts! He is so completely opposite from me. I remember how things USED to be…. The hand holding, the snuggling, the little gifts here and there. I LOVED that. Where has that all gone? Well, we have 4 girls now and busy lives and I guess we have just lost that. I WISH with everything in me that I could just snuggle on the couch and watch tv. But instead, my husband is in his recliner and me across the room on the couch. I guess after 20 years of being together we have just gotten used to each other and in a rut. I wish I could find SOMETHING to jump start that passion again. Is it possible? I know it CAN be. My parents have been married for 40 years now and they act like newlyweds.

So my question is… would celebrating VALENTINE’S MONTH help? Doing something EVERYDAY in Feb. to show my husband how much I LOVE him. Things as simple as a card or as extravagant as filling his truck with balloons.

When I was younger, we (as kids) spent MANY days in Feb. throughout the years HEART ATTACKING cars, decorating the house, filling cars with balloons and so many other FUN ideas.

To this day my parents have a heart shape on the ceiling in their room- made out of yarn- done by my husband 20 years ago. Just simple little things like that. I THINK we bring back that SPARK! I miss that. I don’t EVER want to get COMFORTABLE in our marriage. That is when TROUBLE happens!

So this month I am going to TRY to put forth MORE effort to show my husband how much I LOVE and appreciate him.

Happy Valentine’s MONTH everyone!

2012-01-25T18:54:00.000-08:00

As I was checking my blogs tonite I was so sad to read about the passing of little Baby Daphne. I had posted about her in my last blog post.

Please go to Mrs. S's blog to read about this sweet little baby's family. The family still needs our prayers. Daphne lived 19 days on this earth but will be in many people's hearts forever.

Praying for Daphne

2012-01-23T18:11:00.000-08:00

Thanks to The Adventures of Mr. Superman & Mrs. S. I am passing this along. Such a sweet sweet story.

This family, especially this sweet little baby girl needs your prayers.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T16:48:00.000-08:00

I have tried to think of some really “COOL” way to end 2011…. Some fun post of all the great things we did this year. I can’t really come with anything. So here is a little WHAT WE DID IN 2011…

This year was full of lots of changes… My hubby was gone for 5 weeks in Germany early in the year. When he returned we got orders to Hawaii… as we prepared for that move and all it entailed, our orders were changed to MICHIGAN! My hubby’s new “duty” would be InI in Battle Creek, MI. No more military housing for us. No more commissary shopping for me. No safety of a military base. For the 1^st time we would be living “Out in town” in the “real world”. WEIRD!

We said good to 29 Palms and all our friends… including saying goodbye to our daddy (my hubby) in April… as me and the girls moved to my parents house to live, while my hubby left for Michigan to TRY to purchase a home for us. That process took 4 months THANK YOU BofA (YOU STINK!) In August me and the girls packed up, with my brother (who was wonderful enough to drive back with us, thank goodness he was there!) and we hit the road to Michigan. We drove through Utah (got stuck there for 3 days thanks to some necessary repairs to my expedition) and then onto Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and FINALLY Michigan. The trip took longer than expected, but we finally made it to our new “home”. And ever since the end of August we have encountered Hot HUMID weather, nasty rainstorms and WIND, our first snowstorm that knocked out power for 24 hours and FREEZING temperatures. We also had our 1^st visitors, my parents came in Oct. for Kelsee’s baptism.

The girls LOVE their schools and have met LOTS of friends. Delaney & I love have LOTS of fun being home… watching tv shows, playing puzzles, coloring, playdough and more. My hubby is busy as always, LOTS of meetings and has started college classes this year. He has taken 2 English classes and got B’s in both. (that is pretty good for someone that graduated 20 years ago LOL)

We are still TRYING to make this our HOME. We have already has many repairs to this WONDERFUL home and still need to make some changes and get a bit more furniture (since we have doubled our sq. footage here. I miss my family back in CA and UT and hope to be able to head back that way SOON for a visit.

We spent our 1st Thanksgiving (my birthday) and CHRISTmas without any family. We haven't done that for 4 years. It is taking some getting used to being out here... so far away from it all.

Well, that about sums up 2011…. All in all it was a crap year. I am so glad it is JUST ABOUT over! Bring on 2012…. Sure hope you are better than 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

2011-12-28T16:20:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that CHRISTmas has come and gone…. I know I am a LITTLE behind on posting but I thought, better late than NEVER!

As is tradition in our family, my girlies get new CHRISTmas pjs every year. Then mom gets out the camera and goes crazy,,,,,,,, as the girls say.

(love this picture..... checking out her daddy)

My girlies

They looked so cute in the jammies. And they even “posed” for pictures, except Haylee, because I guess taking pictures ISN’t cool!

I even got to get in a picture (thanks to my 3 year old) this is the 1st shot.....

then the second (with a LITTLE help from daddy)

I even got a picture of my hubby BY HIMSELF! Shock of all shocks. He NEVER lets me take a picture of him. NOTICE he is sitting by HIS fire... it only took him 5 times to get it started CHRISTmas eve.

We spent CHRISTmas eve baking yummy goodies and hanging out as a family.

OH! And the dog we got a few months ago… ya, my hubby took him out to the training area to run around and well…. He got LOST- OH DARN! I was ECSTATIC when he called to tell me that the dog ran off and got lost. Oh but I did put on the pitiful “oh I am so sad. “ bit. But inside I was JUMPING FOR JOY! Yes you might think I am mean. But this dog has caused nothing but PROBLEMS for me and issues that I don’t wanna deal with anymore!

But don’t ya’ll worry…. My hubby got a call 2 days after CHRISTmas that the DOG was found! DANG IT! I mean, GREAT! LOL He is back home safe and sound.

Merry CHRISTmas to all....

2011-12-24T18:53:00.000-08:00

I wanted to wish all my "followers" a very Merry CHRISTmas! I love this time of year to sit back and reflect on all that I have and have been given. I saw something on FB today....

I truly am RICH! I have all that I NEED and more! A family who loves me.... wonderful parents, great kids and a good husband. Who could ask for more???

May this season bring you joy and peace..... Pray for all those who are serving our country STILL in harms way.

"trying" to take Christmas card pictures

2011-12-22T16:46:00.000-08:00

This Christmas snuck up on my quick.... I had wanted to take our CHRISTmas picture in the SNOW since here in Michigan that is all we are supposed to have during the winter...... Well, not this year. We have even been in the 40s and 50s here and there. So taking a picture in the snow happened before it all melted. Here are a few of the shots I got.

By the way, when you have 4 girls ranging in age of 13 to 3 it is REALLY hard to get EVERYONE happy and smiling at the same time.

Merry CHRISTmas to all our friends and family! We miss you all and wish you all the best in 2012

Love our crazy bunch!

M & J

2011-12-22T16:37:00.000-08:00

a few weeks ago my wonderful husband got up EARLY with the dog to take him "out". It happened to have snowed the night before. When he came back inside he called me to come outside... he wanted to show me something....

He had drawn this in the snow in our backyard and from the deck you could see it really good.

Oh... how sweet huh? Ya I know, he does stuff like this every now and then.

My girls LOVED it too. They all said "hey mommy daddy loves you huh?

YUP! It's a good thing!

Happy 236th Birthday Marines!

2011-11-10T18:29:00.000-08:00

Happy 236th Birthday Marines!

I am so proud to call one of The Few, The Proud, my Husband and HERO!
He had his Marine Corps on Nov. 5th. I didn't go this year. being in a new area, not having anyone to watch our girls and with life in general, it was better that I stayed home. My marine also had a Marine Corps League Birthday "ball" celebration tonite, the actual birthday of the Marine Corps. I was planning on going with him to that until it started snowing today. We were concerned that the power might go out with the winds and all and didn't want to leave the girls home. (Don't worry we have a ALMOST 14 year old daughter who can babysit) So I stayed home with them and missed out AGAIN!

We did take pictures with our Marine before he left in all his BLING..... man do I LOVE my man in UNIFORM!

sorry about the hair.... I look like BLAH but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to take a pic with him :)

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Marines... you truly are the BEST OF THE BEST!

Kelsee's Special Day

2011-11-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

Well the OTHER special event that I have yet to blog about is my sweet 8 year old, Kelsee Nicol, was baptized on October 30^th, 2011. She turned 8 on aug 28^th but with moving and all we had to put it off a bit. PLUS we had to wait til Gramma and Papa could come out for the SPECIAL OCCASION.

My parents flew into Detroit, MI Friday night. We got to spend all day Saturday playing and just catching up. Gramma and Papa were such troopers and were sleep deprived, I am sure. The girls had them going all day long and they LOVED it! We went to Mickey D’s for lunch and to SuperWally World (they don’t have one in California where they live) We also went to our ward Trunk or Treat that night. It was fun to have them here to see the girls dressed up. They haven’t been with them at all… only seen them dressed up in pictures. Although it was FREEZING cold (40 degrees) outside we went from car to car “trunk or treating” and the girls LOVED it!

Sunday morning we all slept in til 8am (that is a HUGE feet for us Conrads. There is usually someone up at the crack of dawn!) we all got ready for Kelsee’s SPECIAL day! Collecting all the clothes and odd’s and ends, making sure to not forget anything. We went to church and then shortly after church was Kelsee’s baptism.

(the dress she wore today was the same dress that I wore, as well as my sisters and all my nieces and Kelsee's 2 big sisters; so far)

Haylee, her big sister gave the opening prayer. Gramma Lightbourn gave the talk on Baptism. Sister Evans gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and gave Kelsee some fun “gifts” to remind her about the things that Holy Ghost will do for her. Then Papa Lightbourn preformed the baptism with her daddy as a witness. Then when she was all dried off her daddy confirmed her a member of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. As well as Papa, Bishop Torrance, and the missionaries stood in the circle.

What a special day to have so many people there from our new ward to support us and make us feel welcomed. We loved every minute having my parents here. Shortly after returning home from church we were loading the truck again to take my parents back to the airport. The trips are NEVER long enough. We wish we lived closer but such is life.

To find out more about our faith and what Baptism is, check out

mormon.org

Happy 3rd Birthday to my PRINCESS!

2011-11-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

I am such a bad mom…. I will admit it.

I have been slacking on posting on this here blog. I am so behind, I haven’t even posted on 2 important events for our family….

This post is just a FEW days late…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET 3 Year Old PRINCESS----

DELANEY NICOL

she said to me Mama... you made this for me??? Oh Thank you mommy.

(love this face!)

We are so truly blessed to have her in our family. She truly has Completed us. She brings joy wherever she goes (as well as TONS of mischief!)

This sweet girl LOVES Bubble Guppies, Dora the explorer and her new found LOVE is Rapunzel from Tangled. She can count to 22 without missing a number. She LOVES purple and pink. She can spell her name. She knows most of her colors. She LOVES to spend her days coloring, watching her “shows” and playing with her sisters. She loves to play “family” with her sisters and be the mommy of Juliana, her baby doll.

We just can’t get enough of this little girl. She is sassy and gets into so much mischief. She has colored our WHITE carpet with markers, gotten in to more nailpolish than I would like to admit. Has emptied a bottle of baby powder on the livingroom floor plus much more.

We had such a fun time celebrating her birthday. Although we haven’t met friends for her here YET… we celebrated as a family. Here are a few of the fun pictures from her day.

she had asked for a Rapunzel, Dora, Bubble Guppies cake... so this is what she got. She picked out the cupcakes and we just added a little to hers :)

I LOVE my baby girl.

she LOVES her daddy.

Of course the PRINCESS HAD to wear her crown

WE LOVE YOU DELANEY NICOL.

Mom I'm BORED....

2011-09-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

Is NOT ever something I hear from Sydney.

Sydney LOVES to do Arts & crafts and make fun things. In the midst of unpacking our house, we had a room FULL of empty boxes and packing paper. And I mean a room FULL!

All of the girls were "BORED" because we didn't have TV hooked up yet and there wasn't much TO DO.... Sydney found something useful to do with the paper and pieces of the boxes…..

She made a campfire. This girl amazes me. She is so crafty and uses her imagination in so many different ways. I hope she never stops creating

Kelsee turned 8

2011-09-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

I am such a bad mom! On August 28^th my sweet Kelsee Nicol turned 8 years old. Life has been so crazy with all the goings on… I feel like I just can’t catch up. So here is Kelsee’s Birthday post (just a month late LOL)

My sweet girl has been counting down the days til she turned 8. She cannot WAIT to get baptized… BUT she’s gonna have to wait a LITTLE longer, til Gramma and Papa can come to visit in October.

I can hardly believe that Kelsee is 8! Where did the time go? I remember the day I gave birth to her… the day after my oldest started Kindergarten. She came out a little red headed spitfire! And has been on the go ever since. I can’t imagine life without our monkey.

Since her birthday was just 2 days after we got here to Michigan, she didn’t get a “party” with friends L BUT we made the best of it and celebrated as a family.

I decorated her bedroom door, as tradition has it. I also made a BIG BIRTHDAY sign for her.

We went to Sacrament meeting that day (it was a Sunday) and then came home and played the day away and watched tv. Kelsee of course took no time to change into her "TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY" tshirt either

Daddy BBQ’d Ribs and Corn on the cob for dinner and we had yummy cake.

All in all it was a SUPER day! I think she felt LOVED and appreciated (at least I HOPE she did)

Happy Birthday my sweet MONKEY! We sure LOVE you and are so happy you are a part of our family!

Confessions

2011-09-23T06:10:00.000-07:00

I haven’t done a FRIDAY CONFESSIONAL in so long :L I figured it was time to get back on the bus.(LOL with my girls back in school all I think about in the AM is them riding the bus)

I am linking up for this addition of

Friday Confessional

1^st off I gotta CONFESS I have STUNK at Blogging lately. With this whole moving to Michigan thing it has made me a little down in the dumps and Not wanting to do much of ANYTHING!

SO here we go…

I CONFESS… I am a totally sucker of a parent! I gave in to my kids (and my marine) and LET them get a dog AND a cat! YES I AM CRAZY!

See how it worked was they lured me into Petco to “look at the fish” (just something to do) and it just so happen to be PET ADOPTION day! So yes I gave in and satisfied my kids (and my marines) WANT for animals.

I CONFESS I am NOT happy with the LOADS of money it costs to care for animals! The start up cost is RIDICULOUS! Crate, food, cat litter box, litter, scratching post (so she doesn’t ruin my new couches) along with the many other things my girls NEEDED to get for them!

I CONFESS I haven't slept well since we got the animals.... the cat thinks our room is here place to be. She LOVES to jump up on our dresser and walk around knocking all the pictures and knicknacks around. She also runs around in circles all nights with her little bell jingling and meowing.

I CONFESS I wanted to throw "dora" (the cat, named by my 2 year old) outside this morning... being awake since 4am- thanks to the cat- is NOT my idea of a nice morning!

I CONFESS that I was a “mean” wife too and celebrating my marine’s birthday yesterday, Against his will. LOL He is NOT big into birthdays, or holidays for that matter. But this is the 1^st year in awhile that he has actually been HOME for his birthday. He is usually deployed so that is his excuse for not celebrating. We just had cake and homemade cards and gifts from the girls.

How did he spend his birfday? Well he worked off course.... then came home and mowed the lawn on his riding lawn mower.

I CONFESS I FINALLY put up pictures in my new house. We have been here for 5 weeks today and I haven’t wanted to put holes in the walls. It’s our house, we bought it . I SHOULDN’T have a problem putting things up, but I do. So here are just a few of the things I did.

(this is just a few things I put up. The rest of the house pictures will go up when I put my house together.... the way I want it!)

I also CONFESS that whilst I was hanging up the pictures, I was “ignoring” my 2 year old and this is what I get for that. I CONFESS I was NOT a happy Mama! But she thought she was so cute and if she smiled REALLY big, I wouldn’t be mad. WRONG! But before cleaning it up, I of course, had to grab the camera.

I CONFESS that Michigan is starting to grow on me. I LOVE our yard and all the GREEN!

(this is our storage shed in the backyard)

But I might have a different story when it starts to SNOW!

There you have it.... I've Confessed!

Remembering.... 10 years later

2011-09-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

Where was I 10 years ago when the world stopped …. I was awoken by my mom, who had called to tell me the news…”turn on the tv”, she told me. Then “what happens to Matthew now?”

Life would NEVER be the same. I so wish that we in this country could get back to the way we were on 9/12. When everyone banded together for 1 common goal. We supported and loved one another NO MATTER WHAT! I think too many have forgotten what happened that day on 9/11/01 10 years ago. But I certainly have not. Because of that day, our family has been through war deployments. These are NOT the normal 6 month deployments and then you come home safe and sound. These are the deployments that you hope and pray your loved one comes back home safe and 7 months to a year. We are lucky enough to have our husband/daddy come home safe every time. But we have had friends who were not so lucky. But that is the toll of war.

So many good people lost their lives on 9/11. So many people stepped up and were “angels” and saved lives. So many gave their life to save others.

I have spent the morning GLUED to the tv. Watching all the news footage and names being read and reliving that fateful day 10 years ago. I want to share this with my girls. I want them to know how REAL this is and what our country has become because of it. I gathered them together this morning and we sat and cried all together. My 2 oldest were only 3 and 1 at the time. But they know now. They asked questions and cried. It became real to them watching the planes hit the towers and watching the towers crumble. But the stories of heroism and bravery amazed us all. Some of the stories I had never heard before.

Luckily we as a family didn’t have to go through that loss of a family member or a friend like so many did. But that day 10 years ago made me hug my kids a little tighter and be more grateful for what I DID have. Life can change in an instant. We never know, so don’t take it for granted!

This video is so powerful…. Please take a few minutes to watch it

And these will never get old. I will NEVER forget!

Is it REALLY true...

2011-08-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

After almost 12 weeks of the ups and downs of purchasing a home.... it IS over!!! My hubby signed the papers today at 1pm and by 2pm had already unloaded his truck FULL of all the Crapola he's been carrying around with him for the past (almost) 4 months.

Gas has been turned on, trash paid up for a year and next will be scheduling our household goods shipment to arrive.

I seriously cannot believe it is actually DONE. That we actually OWN a home. If you wanna see pictures of it..... check them out here

Now is the time to start PACKING and preparing to head back to MICHIGAN to FINALLY be a family. I am NOT looking forward to loading up my truck and saying goodbye to my parents. It has been so good to be here with them, and my brother. BUT I am looking forward to being a family again and being in our OWN space and having our OWN stuff!

So the plan is to leave in a week.... can we do it? NOT SO SURE.

The terrible 2's

2011-07-31T23:27:00.000-07:00

So this is what happens when it’s a little too quiet and a 2 year old is alone with baby powder

(I know you are jealous of the 70's carpet huh?)

(she even got it all over here. AND it was only a travel size, mini bottle. Imagine what the mess would be with the big bottle?)

and this was her sad face when she realized she was in trouble....

And how about markers?

and her sad face.... again

(yes that's a tear)

and then I told her I wasn't mad....

oh and what about scissors…. yes she has done it.... she cut her own hair and now all 4 of my little beauties have done it. let's hope it grows out quick.

My little angel has hit the Terrible 2 stage… getting into anything and EVERYTHING she can and making a mess (or really disaster) of it all!

I hope this stage passes quickly. This mama is getting tired

Overhaul

2011-07-31T22:52:00.001-07:00

I am in need of an overhaul! I am getting so tired of my blog being BLAH. I follow some many blogs that I love the layout and they way it is put together. I am not too into computers and figuring out how things work.

Is there anyone out there that would be willing to overhaul my blog for me???? Pretty please. I would be oh so grateful.

The run around

2011-07-29T22:59:00.000-07:00

This whole fractured wrist thing is totally for the birds….

**Note to self…. Next time (if there IS one) you fracture your wrist, do it while you are close to a Naval Hospital and you can just get it taken care of without having to jump through hoops and get the run around with Tricare (TriWest) and having them DENY your claim to see an Ortho doc to get a cast on.

This has been I think the most stressful week. Not only have I had to deal with this fractured wrist, in a sling,

But I have also had to deal with MORE phone calls and paperwork for “our” house. We have sent it to another mortgage broker and all is looking good. We are at a week now that they have had the papers. So I am hopeful that all will work out.

Problem is in all this, my marine has NO comprehension all the CRAP I have been through. He doesn’t seem to think it is a big deal for me to pack up the 4 girlies and head 189 miles down the road BACK to 29 palms to get the cast put on my arm, oh that BY THE WAY is in a SLING! Ya. Cuz that is safe. Driving on California freeways, stop and go traffic, with 1 hand. NOT a good idea…. I’m just saying. He was like “well driving down there and spending the money for gas ($190 at least) is better than paying the $384 out of pocket for the ortho visit.” My reply… I don’t think so, but whatever you say. Well needless to say I went against his wishes and stayed here and my brother helped me pay the money for the Ortho dr. here. I am now the proud owner of this new fandangled “cast”

(check out my fingers.. they are still swollen.... even after 4 days)

it was like a neoprene glove they heated up at first. I slipped my hand in it (which was OH SO PAINFUL) and then they molded it to my wrist/hand. It got hard and is now my waterproof cast. AWESOME! I don’t have to go 4 weeks without a shower. (and YES that was a real concern of mine) I went with this instead of a fiberglass cast for a few reasons… the waterproof thing, I wouldn’t have to come back for another visit to have them cut this off (I can remove it myself at anytime) and it is more lightweight and I can use my fingers too.

So we will see if my marine even cares or asks about what I did. He hasn’t seem to care this week. Has not called to check to see how I was doing at all. I have called and told him, the latest info on the run around with Triwest and all. (can you tell I am a LITTLE grouchy?) I wish sometimes all I had to worry about was ME. Must be really nice to be him! ALONE for the past 3 ½ months with no kiddos to worry about. Oh that’s right, it’s all MY worry and concern. It’s MY job to do that.

Ok my rant is over. Maybe it’s the pain getting to me. Time to take some vicodin and go to bed.

Military Spouse fill-in Friday

2011-07-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

1. Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook -- I wouldn’t have a clue how to use Twitter but I do have Facebook page and I check it REGULARLY.

2. Hard tacos or soft tacos?

I prefer hard tacos, but I will eat them both

3. Gardening or crafting?

I love to garden. I am looking forward to owning our OWN home so I can have a REAL garden of my own. But I also love to craft. It’s a thing my girls and I do together

4. Fruit or vegetables?

I love fruit. But I could also go for some yummy corn on the cob, cucumbers or green beans too.

5. Motorcycle or bicycle?

Although my marine has owned a motorcycle for over 10 years, I have only ridden on it 2 times. (sad I know) I have owned a bicycle of my own for YEARS now and have only ridden it a handful of times myself. Maybe it’s time to put it to use

Ouch!

2011-07-28T01:34:00.000-07:00

So this is what happens when you go bowling with 8 little kids….

You stick on the boards, on your 1^st approach, you basically go flying through the air, foul, and land with all your weight (let’s say 120lbs -ahem) on your hand/wrist on the oil. The result, being humiliated in front of a bowling alley FULL of people, not to mention all the little kids laughing because you fell. Sitting out 2 frames because the pain is more than you can bear…. Fighting back the tears and “getting back on the horse” and finishing the game with a 118. (I even bowled 3 strikes and 2 spares) Then after leaving heading to the ER to get xrays, to find out that you fractured your wrist in 2 places. Now THIS

(a lovely splint)

Is my new best friend, awaiting casting by an Ortho specialist. Oh the joys. You don’t realize how much you NEED 2 hands until you don’t have the use of 1 of them. About now I am aching for a nice long hot shower!

This couldn’t have come at a worse time, But I have realized EVERYTHING happens for a reason…. Maybe my reason was so that I would SLOW DOWN! It definitely has done that. Having to have my oldest help me get dressed (not fun by the way... I SHOULD be able to do that myself). I have never been 1 to ask for help--- until now. It is taking some getting used to, that is for sure!

We Wanna know.... Link up

2011-07-28T01:13:00.000-07:00

I am linking up with Queso and mamarazzi for this weeks We Wanna Know

{1} Who would you call if you had to get bailed out of jail?

That is a hard one….. I think it would be my husband. He would give me grief for sure for ending up there but would be the most forgiving.

{2} If you were a superhero what would your hero name be?

Wonder Mom….. the mom who NEVER stops going.

{3} What do you think is one of your best qualities?

I think it would have to be my ability to find a deal and save our family THOUSANDS of $$$$ every year!

{4} What song would you pick to be your own personal theme song?

Proud to be an American. It truly is the theme song of my life.

{5} What celebrity do you think is most over rated

Can I say ALL of them? 9sure I can cuz it’s MY blog!!!) I think that celebrities are WAY overrated. There are many more important people who have sacrificed their lives and given of themselves who should be given the celebrity treatment.

After 10 LONG weeks

2011-07-20T00:54:00.000-07:00

After 10 LONG weeks of waiting for an answer to our ever daunting question…. When is our house going to close? We got our answer today.

NO HOUSE FOR US.

Well at least NOT with a VA loan. Although Bank of America has strung us along for the past 10 weeks just telling us we needed this paper or that bank statement or LES or another credit report or OH take your name of this credit card or close this account etc etc etc. All along thinking we HAD the house. That is WOULD be ours in just a matter of time. Our hopes and dreams were SMASHED today when we were informed that the VA had denied us for a loan because of a “few late payments within the last 2 years” (this is what I was told today by my hubby) Thing is EVERYTHING is in MY name…. except for HIS truck, My truck. HIS motorcycle, and HIS 1 credit card. Let me break it down… His truck will be PAID OFF as of Sept 17^th of this year (that is 2 more payments and we are DONE!) My truck has been paid on for almost 2 years and has NEVER been late! And His credit card is through our bank and has NEVER been late either. I would LOVE to know where they are coming up with “late payments” or are they just coming up with another excuse??? I am so tired of all the excuses. Problem is if it REALLY WAS late payments within the last 2 years, that would have been on his credit report the 1^st time and they knew about it 2 months ago. And there would have been NO REASON to string us along and get our hopes up.

Thing is my hubby Is now REALLY mad! Not sure if it is all MY fault (since I am the sole taking care of getting the bills paid for….. well our WHOLE marriage.) or if he is realizing that HE is also responsible for the financial CRAP we have gone through in the past 14 years of marriage. All that CRAP that I have somehow or another figured out how to pay for and pay off and fix on the measley military 1 income salary that he makes. It will probably be a few days before I talk to my hubby again. He needs TIME to blow off steam and get his head in the right spot before we will talk again.

I so want to call and chew out EVERY SINGLE ONE involved in our loan process. It just isn’t FAIR! Ya I said it. It just isn’t FAIR! There are so many unanswered questions and Red flags throughout this whole process. We SHOULD’VE changed the bank we were going through Long ago! Or maybe it’s just the government is having to be so damn picky about VA loans because they have NO MONEY themselves and they can’t dole out anything they DON’T have! Who knows. All I do know is we are still HOMELESS after 10 weeks and we are no closer to being together as a family as we were 3 months ago.

Is there an EASY answer? I sure hope there would be. But sadly there is not. We have some choices about where we go from here. I just hope that before long it get figured out.

1 highlight of my day… after coming home from running errands with my girls. TRYING to get my mind of this CRAPOLA, my daddy came home with 2 balloons and a Gorgeous Rose for me. To let me know that my parents love me and hoping for the best for our family. My sweet parents always know how to cheer a girl up!

He said WHAT?

2011-07-18T23:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, so my mom runs a daycare… and she watches mostly boys. I must say I am SOOO glad I have girls! So everyday the Kids have rest time after lunch. So during “rest time” on Thursday. This 5 year old says to my 7 year old “ I want to have SEX with you and Mark” , the 5 yr olds brother.

WHAT? My 7 year old then comes in to the kitchen where I was cleaning up from lunch and my mom was feeding a baby, to tell us this. I was FURIOUS! I now have to explain to my 7 year old what SEX is. I am NOT prepared for this. What is this world coming to. I so wish I could shelter my girls from this world. It is becoming so scary and kids are learning things WAY TOO YOUNG!

So after hearing this, my mom calls this little boy in and talked to him. She asked him why he said that and what that even means. Well let’s just say he knows it involves touching girls chests. He also said he wanted to touch my daughter. There was no yelling, no spanking, no timeout, no nothing! Just a nice “chat”. Me as the parent of the child that got asked the question, wants to ring the kids neck! I want to chew the parents of this kid out. But my mom said she would talk to the mom… that STILL hasn’t happened.

The problem is now I don’t even want my kids to be around him or even the rest of the daycare kids. They have been blaming my girls for just about anything and everything that happens around here. My girls, because they are older, have thought of fun games for them to play, skits to do, concerts to perform among other things. These kids are not going to know what to do when we leave for Michigan. But then again my brother won’t know what to do either, since I have been doing HIS job for the past 3 months! I love my mom to pieces but not quite sure that she handled this situation right.

Any thoughts?

Happy 4th of JuLy

2011-07-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday AMERICA....

Happy 4th of July to all you "followers" out there :)

This 4th of July was awesome... except 1 LITTLE thing.... my marine was missing from the picture. He is still in Michigan (all by himself) I was soooo hoping that this would be the 1st 4th of July we would have as a family in YEARS, and that it would be in Michigan. But NOPE! That wasn't in the plans I guess. So instead, I texted my marine a Happy 4th of July. I miss you.

Our 4th of July consisted of some cleaning, some shopping, and some chowing down! It is a tradition that we stake out a place on the back lawn of the church out here to watch the fireworks. It is so fun to catch up with good friends and gorge on yummy food. Of course we ALWAYS bring way too much food.

This year was the 1st year that my baby girl (Delaney) enjoyed the fireworks. She sat on my lap for most of it saying.... MORE COLORS. HI COLORS. OH MY FAVORITE COLORS. Then should would clap and start all over again. My sweet daughter Sydney was laying next to me on the blanket and just cried through the whole thing. She is such a tender spirit. She loves this country just like her momma does. Kelsee was ohhhhhhh awhhhhh the whole time. and as for my 13 year old.... well I think that is all I need to say. She covered her ears & I think her face the whole time. (I sure hope she grows out of this stage SOON!)

The fireworks were amazing! The BEST show that Simi Valley has EVER done, by far! It gave me goosebumps. It sure makes me PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN and to be able to live in this FREE country and to worship as I please. I am so grateful for the men and women WILLING to risk and give their lives for that freedom. I am lucky to be married to one of those WILLING to do so. I love my marine and I LOVE the U.S. A.

Where do I begin????

2011-07-04T23:11:00.000-07:00

I am shocked you all (-1) are still here..... I have been such a HUGE flake for the last 2+ months.... I have thought on MANY occasions, huh, I should really post something on the blog. Then that thought goes away as I get ANOTHER phone call from my husband OR the girls start to argue.

Let me bring you up to speed a little on the happenings of the last 2 months.

Well I left 29 Palms with the 4 girls on the 18th of April. Saying goodbye to my husband for a little while. He stayed behind in 29 to turn over the house and to get his orders. He headed to Battle Creek, MI (our NEW duty station). He got there on April 24th and has been there ever since. He started looking for a house for our family just 2 days after getting to MI. He put an offer in on 1 that day and it was ACCEPTED! Shock of the CENTURY! Problem was from that day on it has been nothing but PROBLEMS with the bank or the VA. It is a total JOKE! I am not kidding. We were preapproved, we are using the VA loan.... it SHOULDN'T be THAT hard, but oh it IS! There is some NEW info they want it seems DAILY from us. They are checking bank records, looking at any discrepencies we may have had back like 10 years (SERIOUSLY? You may be asking..... I WOULDN'T lie about that)

So as my marine has been in MI.... The girls and I have been with my parents and brother in Simi Valley. We have made 2, yes count them 2 trips to Utah. a trip back through 29 to visit friends and lots of hanging out at Gramma's and Papa's house. We had only "planned" on being here for about a month.... well here we are going on 2 1/2 months and still NOTHING! Our house was supposed to close on the 15th of June. Now we are being told it's gonna be after the 4th of July. I miss my husband. I miss having my OWN place. I miss having my girls in their OWN rooms and NOT having to share with them! Sharing a room with a 2 1/2 year old and an (almost) 8 year old is ROUGH! I must say.

Anyways, besides the crappy house news, we have begun to POTTY TRAIN. (NO! Not me, my 2 1/2 year old silly!) I was KINDA hoping she wouldn't be ready til we got to Michigan, but she has figured otherwise. She is ready NOW! We have not been as successful with her as with my other girls. I caved and bought her pullups, hoping that would help her. NOPE! They are just like diapers. and on top of it all my Delaney is a little peanut and now with no more diapers here clothes are fitting so well. Her pants want to fall right off with nothing to hold them up.

I am in FULL BLOWN teenage YUCK as I like to refer to it. My oldest daughter has hit the I am NOT fun to be around all the time stage. She NEVER wants to go anywhere or do ANYTHING that I ask her! It is driving me nuts. This is where a dad would be nice to have around. She sooooo needs a good talkin' to from him!

My other 2 girls, Sydney and Kelsee have also had their ups and downs. I know a lot has to do with being apart from dad and the living conditions.... not that they are bad by any means. just not the room we are all used to having.

well I think that is the best update I can give for now. I don't wanna be a total downer, but life hasnt been working out too well for us lately. so this is as good as it's gonna be for now.

I sure hope ya'll will forgive me and continue to follow my blog. Thanks!

Getting to know YOU!

2011-04-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

I haven't played along in a while and let's face it.... I NEED a break from packing and cleaning! So here it goes

1. Do you watch/read the news?

Watching the news is how I start my mornings... I am a FOX News Addict :)

2. How would you describe your look?

very casual. My favorite is jeans and tshirts

3. Did you play sports in high school or college?

I TRIED playing Volleyball, but during tryouts fell and dislocated BOTH my knees!

4. Would you rather give up lipstick/gloss or high heels?

Both! I hardly wear heels and RARELY wear lipstick.... my marine WON'T kiss me if I wear it!

5. What is your favorite show to watch on tv?

Biggest Loser (aka the Fat People show).

6. Would you rather bake or cook?

I LOVE baking but don't mind cooking either. But Nothing too extravagant

7. Shorts or skirts?

if I have to choose between the 2- skirts... but if Capri's were an option that would be my choice!

8. What is your favorite scary movie?

I don't watch em! They freak me out!!!

It's been almost a week since.....

2011-04-08T19:21:00.000-07:00

I last blogged........ MAN! time goes by quick!

I have been avoiding blogging, well, not really.... I haven't had much TIME lately. Last monday my marine FINALLY got his orders to Michigan. You ask WHEN DO YOU HAVE TO REPORT??? Oh May 1st of course. Yes that doesn't leave much time. So we have been running around with our heads cut off (OK NOT literally) The housing office to give our notice (and yes we did NOT give them 30 days... oh well, we didn't get 30 days either) The hospital to request all the medical records. (since we are going to and I & I duty we will be at a CIVILIAN hospital!) and then TMO to set up our move. HECK NO we aren't doing it ourselves!!!

I would LOVE to run and hide and bury my head in my pillow. I am SOOO Overwhelmed with EVERYTHING that has to happen within the next week that I wanna SCREAM!

NOT to mention our LESS than competent Leadership in Washington who need to get their tails outta their rear ends! This budget thing and NO PAY for the military is making me LITERALLY sick to my stomach! I haven't eaten much in the last few days.

Anyways, I have been sorting through our ~~CRAP~~ stuff and selling what I can on 29palmsyardsales.com (that sight is AWESOME! Just like craigslist) But that hasn't sold enough.... SOOO, now I am having a yard sale tomorrow. Just getting ready for that is more than I can handle. My body is KILLING me! I have had a migraine since yesterday and it doesn't want to go away! I haven't sat down much today.... that is why I am FINALLY blogging~ I needed a BREAK for being on the move CONSTANTLY!

I am sure this is probably not making any sense. I don't know when I will have a chance to post again. LOTS is happening in the next week. We will see where we go from here! All I know is in a week I will be on the road to my parents house with ALL the girls and my marine will be on the road to Michigan to find us a house! (I told him I won't move there until we have a HOME to live in)

3 months and counting......

2011-04-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update.....

Remember This post on our Family Scripture reading???

WELL, we were at 24 days and counting then. We have made it 3 months. YES, 3 whole months without missing a single day! We have read EVERY night! Without fail.

I cannot describe to you the difference that this has made in our home, except, there is such a sweet spirit in our home. I LOVE it.

Yes we are Latter Day saints and PROUD of it!

You wanna learn more about our church? Go HERE

Meet & Follow Sunday

2011-04-02T20:42:00.000-07:00

Come and Follow along....

I got an A

2011-04-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Remember THIS? blog post? WELL, I am PROUD to say.....

"I" got an A. Oh I am a HAPPY girl! It's been a LONG time since I did "homework" and had a paper graded.

Just kidding.... I have teased Kelsee about it over and over! So glad she got an A!

WAY TO GO Kelsee!

I feel SPECIAL!

2011-03-30T20:32:00.000-07:00

So checking out others blogs in the past week, I was SHOCKED to see MY name, yes MY little name...... 2 of my bloggy friends took the ABC's of me thingy and ran with it!

Thanks to I'd go anywhere for your smile and Hillary over at The Whole FamDamily You made my day! I have gotta say. Thanks for giving me a SHOUT OUT!

It is so fun to get to know other bloggers. To see that we have so much in common. Thanks girlies for showing me the LOVE :)

Hello out there....

2011-03-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

man I feel like I have been MIA from blogging for FOREVER... ok so it has only been a few days, but amazingly enough SOOOO Much has happened! I promise to blog about it and catch up tomorrow.....

Come follow me :)

Oh I am a HAPPY girl....

2011-03-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

SA-WEET!

I hit 41 followers! I am a HAPPY blogger :) So glad you guys like me. Please stick around for the FUN

MY Homework

2011-03-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

Kelsee had homework from last week that had to be turned in on Tues morning.... so you know what I was doing Sunday night and monday????

Her homework was to come up with a restaurant menu, that had a Fairy Tale based name. ALL the items on the menu (15+, NOT including drinks) HAD to be Fairy Tale based names (for example, 3 Little Pigs breakfast) OH! and don't forget.... that 2nd grader needs to have colored pictures for EACH menu item AND it has to be typed on the computer. (are you kidding me? She is 7. Do you really think that she can make something look good and be turned in for a grade, all on her own????)

And then to top it off she had to have prices for each item. Take 4 orders and then add and total the orders. WOW! That was enough homework for a couple weeks, but she also had to read 4 books.

Have you ever sat down with a 2nd grader to do homework??? Let me just say, it was VERY challenging! I sat down every night with her last week and then after about 45 minutes gave up because I was doing all the work anyways.

Well, after staying up late printing up the menu lists and pictures we FINALLY finished it, in the nick of time, Tues morning.... just before she walked out the door for school. OH don't you worry, I was so proud of MY HOMEWORK, I took pictures to share with ya'll. Tell me what you think...

so I really hope I get a good grade on MY homework! So glad we are done with it.....

Friday Confessional

2011-03-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe it's FRIDAY again! Wow this last week was a whirlwind!

So here we go....

I CONFESS... I am birthday 'd OUT! I have had 2 girls Birthday's within the last week and now still have a sleepover/bowling party for my oldest (since her bday was wednesday and we could "celebrate" then) tonite -tomorrow. OH THE JOYS!

I CONFESS... that I am STILL ticked at my hubby over MONEY! (read about it here)

I CONFESS... that I am stressed and NEED a break!

I CONFESS... my marine's monitor, wants him in MICHIGAN by April 30th.... I don't see how that is even possible! That means I have LOTS of CRAPOLA to do in the next Month! YA that's right I said "I" not my marine. He just sits back and relaxes... oh and has to do his "check out" crap.

I CONFESS.... I am not being the most positive right now. But I had BIG plans to go to Womens Conference in Utah the last weekend in April and now I am FEARING that I am NOT going to be able to make it there. I am NOT wanting to miss out since ALL of my sisters (well all but the 1 who wants NOTHING to do with us) and my mom will be there. This will be the 1st time we've been together in YEARS!

I CONFESS... I am going to TRY to be POSITIVE about all this...Everything happens for a reason, right?

To end on a GOOD note though....

I CONFESS that Hilary over at the The Whole FamDamily made my morning! I was checking my blogs, like always, and she posted about ME :) How exciting! She took my ABC's of me and did her own! WOW! Do I feel special so now on with my day! Thanks HILARY for making it start off GREAT!

Frugal Fridays

2011-03-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

Come follow along

I have ROCKED the stores this week! I have gotten so many good deals. BUT with 2 girls birthday's in 4 days I have not found the TIME to take pictures of it all and post. But I WILL! Promise.

Thanks for all my NEW followers! Hope you enjoy the RIDE.......