My thoughts on the matter

Many blogs do a "wordless Wednesday"  so here is mine...  I found this tshirt and it so describes me right now

I came home for this???

We left shortly after school got out to head up to my parents for a couple of weeks.  Before we left I gave my house keys, my mail key and my Marine's truck keys to my next door neighbor.  She said she would get the mail and start the truck for me and JUST IN CASE she would have the house keys.

Well before I knew it 2 weeks had gone by and I realized that I didnt have my neighbors phone # to check on things..... Great!  What am I supposed to do now?  Oh wait, call another friend to go by and check.... So that's just what I did.  My friend, Ryalin stopped by for me this past weekend, but NO ONE was HOME!  WHAT???? Seriously?  Did they leave to go on their vacation already?  how is the world am I supposed to get my keys??? Luckily I have extra's to the house and the truck... but NOT the mail!!!!

So, I decided to make the trek back home (usually a 3 hour drive, 189 miles, but yesterday it took over 4 hours with traffic) just for a few days... if that!  As we drove from the nice 82 degree weather at 3pm in Simi Valley to the NASTY HOT desert weather, I was thinking to myself, WHY? WHY AM I COMING BACK???? Oh ya, I gotta do a few things and then we are GONE AGAIN!  We got home at just about 8pm and it was 101 degrees out. YUCK!  29 Palms is so yucky.  It was like a wall of heat hits you as you open the door to get out of the truck.

Anyways, so I unload the girls, walk over to turn on the hose, OH! thanks to the neighbor for "watering my lawn".... NOT its brown!  It was green before I left.  So the water starts to trickle out of the sprinkler... I walked over to check to see if there was a kink in it... NOPE just a 3-4 inch slice in the hose!  Are you kidding me?  Its already been repaired once.  I am so not gonna spend the money to replace it! What else can happen?

I go next door to get my keys and NO ONE IS HOME!  Their truck is home, but they aren't! WTHeck?  I NEED my keys!  This is really starting to irritate me.  About this time I am thinking I am so NOT sticking around this CRAPHOLE!  Inside my house it was 80 degrees (and that is with the air set at 75 while we were gone) I am hot, cranky from a LONG drive home with 4 crabby girls, I miss my MARINE! and I dont wanna deal with the daily CRAP!

I was so irritated last night that I wallowed in my hot fudge sundae ice cream treat!  Well it made me feel a LITTLE better (til I stepped on the scale this morning :( ) and then I went to bed.  I must say... I have missed my own bed!  I dont think I woke up once :)  Makes me a happy girl.

Girls Camp

it is WAY hard to believe but Haylee is old enough to go to Girls Camp.... She is 12!!!  She ended up going with my mom's ward... the ward I grew up in.  My neice, Katee, came out from Texas and they got to go together... Here are just a few of the pictures from their adventures!

this was there 1st day there

Haylee (shes in the green tee) raising the camp flag

watergames

putting together puzzles

this is my neice (Katee) eating a plate full of YUCKY food Haylee tells me :) It was all part of a relay game

Swimming in the lake

Their "HOME" away from home...

Tiedying Tshirts

Haylee had such a good time (shes in the front, on the right. check out that smile)....

 getting awards

packing up to head home :(

I am so glad that Haylee had a great time.  I actually missed having her around for 3 days.  Sydney missed her the most.  She was so glad to have her back, when we picked her up!  

Haylee is already planning for her 2nd year at Camp!

My Marine

I sure do miss my Marine.... In reading some other blog and searching the internet I found this poem and wanted to share it.

 

We love us some SHOES!

My sweet little "baby" LOVES shoes!  Wherever she can find them.  She has figured out how to put on big sisters flip flops, church shoes and even tennis shoes.  She USUALLY even puts them on the right feet.  

Here are just a few off the "shoe pictures" Ive taken of her

These were Haylee's flip flops... Notice they are almost as big as she is... 

The best part is she get so proud of herself when she puts them on.  Then she struts around the house wearing HER shoes!

These were her FAVORITE pair of shoes... her pink crocs.... Sad story though. We were at Target last nite and we LOST one!  I know silly thing but she was so sad and so was the momma.  They matched so many of her outfits and were shoes &  watershoes in 1 and SHE COULD PUT THEM ON HERSELF! (ok so that is the biggest reason I am sad that we lost it)

 

A different kinda post

I have been reading LOTS of different blogs lately  (mostly from other military wives)... trying to pass the LONG sleepless nights with my Marine gone.  Most of the Blogs have done a "getting to know me" type thing... or a little more personal stuff instead of just whats going on with the kids.  My life is my kids!  and what they do and need, along with my Marine. I have really tried to NOT dwell on my Marine being gone.... AGAIN!  I swear he wasn't even back in the states for a year and in that year he was doing so many classes and training things, I think we could add up MAYBE 3 months home total.  Which sucks because I had had our littlest, Delaney, while he was deployed last time and when he got home she was already 4 1/2 months old.  and now here he was leaving again for 7-8 months and she was only 15 1/2 months old. 

I do have to say that I have made it 14 weeks now. (half way through says my Marine)  But in that time there has been countless sleepless nights. It is hard when you have gotten used to being with someone.... having them just "there" as you sleep.   See my Marine and I have been together for over 18 years now... just celebrating 13 years of marriage, on May 31st (oh ya he was gone for that too) But, Right now I am even missing his snoring and hogging all the bed. (now you know I am desperate huh? to actually miss that stuff) There are many nights I lay awake just wondering what he is doing? what he is up to? What it is like where he is? Why do the "Higher ups" (his commanding officers) have to be such jerks?  I know my Marine and know he puts 110% of himself in his work.  He has been a Marine for almost 15 years now.... (Aug 8th to be exact will mark 15 yrs in the Corps) He has been deployed more than I would care to remember sometimes.  Okinawa, the MEU, 3 times to Iraq and this time to Afghanistan. 

We have been to Camp Pendleton where my Marine was stationed for just about 9 years..... in 2/4, SOI as an Instructor at the Maching Gun Leaders course, 1/5 (which is where he was when the WAR began... making back to back deployments with them) and then we headed to Parris Island, SC where he was a DI in 2nd Battalion for 3 years.  At the time we couldn't stand living there!  We actually HATED it!  Being out in the boonies and having to drive an hour to get anywhere..... But after 3 years of being there... we PCS'd to 29 Palms, CA.... aka HELL!  There is no other way to describe this place. It is HOT and desolate!!!  There is NOTHING to do with the kids, ok well besides going to the pools, but there are even days its too HOT to be outside at the pools. Plus with little ones who can't be in the sun much (my littlest is very fair skinned and can't be in the sun for long) it isn't much fun.  

**just a sidenote, after getting to 29, 2 years ago, my first thought was SEND ME back to PI!  At least it was green and the girls had friends. Now remember.... we couldn't stand living there, while we were there. So wanting to go back... sounded crazy.

Luckily through all of the last 2 years I have only been 3 hours (189 miles to be exact) from "home", my parents. What a strength they, along with my brother, have been to me and my girls.  At least I can get away from the HELL of the desert with the girls and go visit gramma and papa for the weekend.  Now they are outta school it is even better!  We don't HAVE to be there at all!  (I guess that is the one plus, if you can call it that, of my Marine being gone... We can all come and go as we please.  not worrying about missing him at home)

But really it doesnt make deployments any easier. We dont miss him any less.  They girls talk about their daddy everyday. Saying things like "I just wish he could be home NOW!"  or "I bet daddy would love to be eating dinner with us"  or "I wish daddy would have been here to see me graduate from 6th grade" I wish all those things too.  Man it is hard doing the duties of both mom and dad. (just another sidenote though... 2 days before Father's day I got a sweet email from my Marine....

Honey,
 
I will start with Happy Fathers Day, yes I know that sounds weird but you are always doing both jobs anyyway while I am gone. I just thought that you need to be recognized as well. Other than that I hope everything is going well for you and the girls.
 
143 Forever

How sweet is that?  It brought a smile to my face and it means so much to me that HE recognized all that I do while he is gone. I mean he DOES know all that I do, but to actually be told is a whole different ball game.

Anyways, I feel like I am rambling... sorry for those reading it.  Sometimes, ok well most of the time, my brain and thoughts work faster than my fingers can type.

Tonite as I was leaving the grocery store I saw a young couple (and I can say that cuz I am OLD) getting outta their car.  The wife was standing to the back of the car waiting for her husband to get out.  When he did he put his arms around her and they hugged each other and then kissed.  I then said outloud, to myself of course, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE!  I would give ANYTHING to be able to hug and kiss my Marine husband right now.  I just want to be close to him... but it not our time to be together yet.


Now I say all this, missing my Marine more than anything lately. But thinking in my mind of those Blogs I have read... those couple of military wives who have lost their husbands.  Those who have paid the ULTIMATE sacrifice for each of us.  They not only have to live through a deployment but for the rest of their lives.  I am at a loss each time I read an entry on these blogs.  I have NEVER met these women, but can say the are AMAZING!  They have AMAZING strength and courage to share their stories through blogs.  It lifts me, believe it or not.  Helps me to be stronger and go on day to day.


We military wives have to stick together.  Without the wonderful friends I have made it would be much harder to "SURVIVE" this crap!  


Sorry for the pity party. Like I said... I have tried to be strong but sometimes it gets to overwhelming.  I miss you Matthew.... my Marine.... I love you with all my heart and can't wait for you to come HOME to us :)

isnt he good looking?  I LOVE MY MAN IN UNIFORM!!!

Pray For You- Jaron and The Long Road to Love

this is a great video..... pretty funny and I think we all need a good laugh every now and then ... enjoy it!

Happy Father's Day

 

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,

He called it ... Dad                  
~~Author Unknown.~~

 I am so grateful to have the 2 Best DADs  in the world! They win the award in MY book :)

My Daddy who has been such an example to me and a strength when I need it.   But most of all my husband who is the best daddy my girls could ever want!  I am so lucky to have him in my life.

 (this is my daddy with Sydney on her baptism day)

Although this Father's day will be a sad one without Matthew here we will be thinking of him and so grateful that it just means 1 more day closer to him coming HOME :)

 (this is one of my favorites taken a few years back at Parris Island, SC)

I am lucky to call him MINE!

I LOVE saving $$$

Believe it or not is was time for Double Coupon day on the base again. 

For those of you who maybe haven't checked out my blog or don't "know" me.... I am totally OBSESSED with Saving $$$ and using coupons!  Yes I admit it.  I love finding deals. But I also LOVE sharing my deals and savings.... thus the reason for this post.

I have taught classes at church on coupon savings/shoppings and finding deals.  I have done one on one classes and have enjoyed it all!  I love sharing my knowledge with others. I have been told by many that this is my talent and I have always been told we need to use and develop our talents.

There are so MANY coupon blogs and sites out there and I admit that I follow (aka STALK) many of these kind of blogs.  But I have been using coupons and saving LOADS of money for Years and Years now!  More than I would care to say, cuz then that would AGE me :)

This past coupon day, a friend of mine, Ryalin, came along to "Learn the ways".  I don't know whether she was really prepared to save money or just coming along to watch how to do it.  None the less she saved a bunch!  She did so good for her 1st time.  I was a very proud teacher.  Her totals were  1st - $285 and she paid $103  and 2nd- $160 and she paid $47  I was so glad she came with me.  I had a good time hands on teaching......

It was also fun to get to the PX Monday morning and seeing so many of the girls from church, there with binders in hand, ready to SAVE!  

There were many comments this time from Marines who said "you are totally serious about this coupon stuff" and "that is way too much for me.  WOW! you are organized"  (yeah until Kelsee knocked my binder on the ground, by accident, and the pages went all over! Thanks Ryalin for picking it up so I could BREATHE and not go bonkers with my kid)

Just a sidenote... school is out and the girls are home.  We were getting ready to head outta town for a few weeks and totally could've left over the weekend, but there is NO WAY I could miss double coupon day (LOL) I Know that is silly but it saves my family so much money.  I am glad that my parents totally understand that and dont make fun of me. (oh cuz there are plenty of people that do) but anyways, sorry I got a little sidetracked, like ALWAYS :)  I tell you this because I did lay it all out like I always do to show ya'll my deals.  But DUHHHH I ended up leaving the camera at home and never uploaded them to my computer.  So sorry no pictures on this post until I get back home in a couple of weeks.
OK SO I DIDN'T LEAVE THE CAMERA HOME AFTERALL..... IT WAS IN A BAG IN THE TRUCK... I FOUND IT AS IT GOT DUMPED OUT WHEN A DOOR WAS OPENED! (ya not so funny.... but at least I have the camera)

But for now, My totals this month were:

1st trip - $187.41 and paid $27.23 

2nd trip - $335.59 and paid $48.56

3rd trip (Haylee did this one.... I am teaching her well!) $40.12 and she paid $0.06 

4th trip- $154.07 paid $16.43 

5th trip - $76.56 paid $8.87 

6th trip - $62.85 paid $9.86..... 

for total of $856.60 and only paying $...111.01.... 

just 13% of my total!

Thanks for letting me share.  

 

 

Congrats Haylee... You did it!

Well Haylee did it.... She has graduated (promoted) to 7th grade!

I can't tell you how proud I am of her.  She is a beautiful young woman and has grown up so much! 

she picked out her graduation dress all by herself.  Problem is it was a tad bit short... especially with the wind!  and she snuck right before we left for school and put a little makeup on...

The graduation was held next store to the elementary school in the Community center. They had decorated it up!  It looked great

to our surprise Haylee was awarded HIGH HONOR STUDENT! and she also got the President's Education Award (FYI- I know you are all jealous she got it signed by BARRACK! LOL)

she did excellent in school this trimester.  She brought up all her grades and got nothing below a B.

Haylee and her teacher Mr. McCallum.  He was awesome!  He was also Sydney's 3rd grade teacher last year.  He sadly received his "pink slip" and will not be returning to Condor next year :(  We were so lucky to have him teach Haylee this year. He went above and beyond in not only teaching but tutoring students after school who struggled in math.

we all got to be there to celebrate in the graduation.... except daddy (Matthew) Delaney was NOT a happy camper but that's what you get for having a fever of 103.5 as we came to find out after leaving the graduation and headed for the Dr.'s

Haylee and her bestie Dustina

Me and the girls... yes someone was kind enough to take it so I could be in a pic :)

and this is the BEST teacher at Condor :)  Ms Evans.  She was Kelsee's 1st grade teacher and a major LIFESAVER on a number or occasions.  She is so sweet and understanding.  Couldn't have survived this year without great teachers for the girls.  Sydney had Mrs. Tate, a former Marine herself.  She was a great teacher too and helped Sydney to excel in many areas.

We are sad to see the school year end.... ok so I am REALLY looking forward to sleeping in! but the girls are gonna miss their teachers and their friends.... now its onto SUMMERTIME!  BRING IT ON :)

And away we go....

Just a 4 short weeks after returning from Utah, our sweet little cousin Tiffany Searle, 9 yrs old, passed away.  So we made another trek up to Utah. 

This time it was a quick couple of days... but it was so worth every minute of being there.

The girls and I were joined this trip by Uncle David.... he and Tiff had a very special relationship... He understood how it was to not have your body work they way you wished it would. 

These first few pictures were taken by David as I drove...

The colors were amazing!  I just love the GREEN :)

The girls were amazing!  They were so good.  The actually only fought a couple of times.

And this is how Syd spent most of the drive.... ASLEEP!

Delaney fanagled (however you spell that word) her way outta the buckle.... she was just ready to be DONE!

We loved the 80 mph speed limit!

The snow on the mountains... yes i know its June and there is still snow!

and of course the "Y" for BYU! 

We got up to American Fork, UT on sunday night. Monday was Memorial Day. It was also the viewing for little Tiffany.

what a sweet special little spirit she was. Nothing ever got her down. She was never without a smile.

Tuesday was the funeral.  The day started out beautiful. Just a couple of clouds in the sky.  As we came out of the church after the funeral to head to the burial, it started to sprinkle, and then to rain. Valerie, Tiffany's mom said, Ya know Tiff is getting the last laugh.  She is looking down on us standing out here in the rain and laughing.

The strength of these two!  They are such great examples.... they never gave up in trying to find a cure for their little girl.

I dont know why But I absolutely LOVE this picture.  I snapped it as they were standing there at the casket.  

many people said They shouldnt have to make caskets that small

Two of my favorite guys.  David (my bro) and my cousin Scott (Tiffany's dad)

Nic, Tiffany and Brittany Searle  taken shortly before Tiffany passed away.

How lucky we were to be there and even more to know her.  Til we meet again little Tiff!

The trip of course went by way too fast.  We are blessed to have such wonderful family. We will be up there again in Utah before we know it!