Our weekend!

NO, this post ISN'T about the Super Bowl party we went to, OR the party WE had. I DIDN'T even watch the game.

What a quick weekend!  But I guess that's what happens when you spend about 8 hours of it in the car TRAVELING!  I SO wish my parents lived closer..... scratch that.... I wish we lived closer to them (who would wanna live closer to us out here in the CRAPPY desert? I wouldn't wish this place on my worst enemy!)

I desperately NEEDED to get away from this place for a little bit. PLUS with my marine gone for a month in Germany... no need to stick around here.  So friday I loaded up the truck while the girls were at school and we headed out, as soon as they got out of school. (which puts us smack dab in the middle of RUSH HOUR traffic on the CA freeways! Oh the joys)  But we made it without my traffic THIS TIME!

Saturday we slept in (well at least the baby and I did) I can't remember the last time I got up AFTER 830am.  Oh it was sa-weet! We spent the day shopping, having lunch at Mickey D's with gramma and papa and playing games.  So much fun.  It was a nice break. I SO wished we could've stayed longer. I LOVE being with my family.  My girls miss being able to see them often. We were there LOTS while my marine was deployed.

So after going to church and saying goodbye's we headed back home... and now here we are.  Coming home isn't fun ESPECIALLY when 2 of your kids DIDN'T do their Homework at all! Oh the joys of being a mommy.... 

Opening presents with Gramma & Papa

After the SHORT visit with my in-laws we made our way out to visit MY family!  It always makes me homesick to go back to Simi.  I love it there.  So much to do (compared to 29 palms)  Never a dull moment.

We "celebrated" Christmas with Gramma  & Papa opening presents.  Uncle David had caught a bug and was kind enough to stay away so we didn't get it :)  Here are some fun pictures of our night

Delaney LOVED helping open the presents.... oh the joys of a 2 year old.  But Papa and gramma LOVED it!

Well at least....

We have papa and gramma!

I tell you what... In-laws SUCK! Well at least mine do.  Thing is my Marine and I have been together for going on 19 years. Ya you read that right, 19 years, come November.  We have been married for 13 years+ and have 4 beautiful girls together... plus I have a stepdaughter that was 9 months old when my marine and I started dating.  I used to have a good relationship with the in-laws but it has gone to pot within the last few years.  What it comes down to is.... THEY JUST DON'T CARE!

See my Marine has deployed 2 times within the last 2 years. The first time he left I had my stepdaughter living with us.... she is really close to the in-laws. (she is a point of LOTS of contention between us that is FOR SURE) I made ever effort to have the in-laws a part of the girls lives while my Marine was gone.  This included countless trips to Bakersfield to visit them.  Them , never once coming to see us!  Instead I traveled 5 hours being preggo and 4 girls, then having a new baby - making it 5 girls.  I finally got fed up and stopped going to see them.  They make NO effort to call my girls on their birthdays.... and yet they have ALWAYS called and sent cards on the step daughter's birthday.  They have spoiled the crap out of her and MY GIRLS get zippo from them.  It really irritates me. Not only that but they have all said some pretty rotten things about me, as a stepmom.  Yet NONE of them want to be in MY shoes and step up to the plate and do MY job!  They have NO clue what it took for me to do it ALL.... ALONE with NO help or support from them.......

LUCKILY, I had my family.  My mom (gramma) my dad (papa) and my brother (David) especially have always been here and stepped up to help and support me and the girls.  They have made the 3 hours trip to come visit on a number of occasions.  They have loved my girls and helped me out in so many ways.  I am soo glad at least I can count on my family.  Sad thing is, my Marine knows his family doesn't give a crap!  He knows and is grateful for my family and all they've done to help.  

I just have to remind myself that THEY ARE THE ONES MISSING OUT!

The whole reason for this post is.....  I have been in Simi Valley, visiting with my parents and brother since school got out pretty much.  I actually have 2 sister in laws, plus a brother in law that live here in Simi Valley too.  And yet I have never gone to visit them... they have not contacted me at all since my Marine deployed this time.  Anyways, I have said on a number of occasions, its funny Ive been here for so long and have yet to run into any of my inlaws.... well I can't say that anymore. I pulled into a parking space the other day and low and behold... one of my sister in laws was parked right in front of me, facing my car.  She looked directly at me and then looked away.  She never got out to say hi or anything.  I haven't even seen here in I believe 5 years.  She hasnt ever seen my "baby", who will be 2 in Nov.

Man, I guess I am pretty irritated by this whole thing.  Sorry for the long post.... This is why I can't stand my inlaws!!!!

SoMe OuR sUmMeR fUn.....

We have had alot of fun already this summer.... hard to believe the girls have been outta school for a month already.  These are just a few of the FUN things we've done so far this summer

the girls LOVE to build with blocks... Kelsee was amazed that she built this that was as tall as her.

she built a plane.

we've played dress up

we've gone swimming alot...

my girls are fishies... they LOVE to swim!

 

Haylee and Sydney have been TRYING to learn to Dive (it hasnt worked out so well)

we've hung out ALOT with Papa, Gramma and Uncle David.

(isnt she the cutest?)

We've gone to the park for a picnic

went to check out the Memorial Park. Of course my girls LOVED the Marine Corps stuff.

The also loved the water features...

(BTW.....Haylee was with us for all this fun stuff... she is just a party pooper at 12 and DOESNT like to have her picture taken)

the girls have even taken naps! of course not all at the same time... Delaney was awake when they were sleeping :( which means NO NAP for momma!

we've played outside at gramma's.... where it is MUCH COOLER than at home!

and most of all we've just been CUTE:)

 

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!