More birthday photos...

Here are a few more b-day photos for your viewing pleasure. :)
Miss Erin snacking on an apple awaiting the festivities...

My beautiful eddible arrangement bouquet. I told Brandon I didn't want him to waste money on flowers...they are so expensive and we live far away from places that we can get them cheaper...every year he orders me flowers and they are awful and super expensive..so this year I got a bouquet of fruit. Super cute and yummy!

Zach putting the decorations on the cake...

Me and all my candles...

Check out the smoke...all 32 with one try...ALMOST set off the smoke detectors, but it was worth it...and my cake was super yummy!

That's all from here tonight...off on a date tomorrow night with my husband...will share more info over the weekend of life here!

Birthday...

Ah Birthday day....and it was a good day. I loved and appreciated all my notes, emails and calls...it meant a lot!
Quick photos before I get to bed...
Zach and Brandon made a cake for me today...
Erin watched on and was quite interested in the batter...
Zach trying it out....

The bakers....

Me heading off for my walk with Sally...a nice treat during the week.

The birthday girl...hard to believe I am 32...where have the years gone?!?

Birthday Eve...

Ah....Birthday time....for anyone that knows me, you know I really like my birthday.  Call me selfish, I don't care, I like my day.  I have no issues with growing older...maybe that is because I still get carded any time I order an alcoholic drink.  I really never think about that part, just that I am here another year, life is good and it is my day to be selfish and celebrate me...honestly isn't that what is cool about birthdays...they are a day all about the celebration of being alive and being you.  

So my 32nd birthday is almost here...wow...32!  I can't believe it really.  I feel very blessed looking around this year at my two beautiful children, having my husband home, a wonderful family of fantastic parents and sister and some amazing friends.  I have been given 32 years to live and love...that to me is a lot to celebrate right there.

No big plans for the actual day...Zach has school in the AM and speech tomorrow night. I might pick up some yummy sushi on the way home. We are going on a date Friday though, so that will be nice...something we don't do nearly enough.  I think dinner and a movie....

Got my hair cut yesterday and as always love it and the sassy short bob!

Had a rough afternoon with Zach...I hate those.  We finally got the call from Kern regional center that he was approved for behavioral therapy...that almost took an Act of congress...We went to Bakersfield in July, had someone finally come out to the house in September and now get the call he is approved and waiting now to have them set up appointments...he was offered 70 hours of ABA therapy.  It is great news and will help when we move to show his needs, but I am so irritated it took his long.   We have been asking about behavioral therapy since he got diagnosed...we have been given the runaround and now hopefully he get some help before we leave and continue in TX. 

I am now two weeks into my no soda adventure...I am so proud of myself.  I have been a soda addict forever...I am still indulging myself with a cup of coffee each AM....it is my thing and I am not giving it up right now. But for anyone that knows me well...Kelly, my college roommate...I used to drink soda like it was going out of style...I am glad that I have made this change and I am excited to see how it affects how I feel and look.  

Brandon flew tonight...Zach was in bed at 6:40....Erin an hour later...So I am hanging out and enjoying the down time...it is nice.  

Off to bed soon and awaken on my day...

Happy birthday to me and to my friends that share my day....Tiffany's daughter Tayla...Mike Long and my dear sweet Sena.  

lots to do...

I have been cleaning out like a mad woman around here...I have put a ton on ebay and sold a decent amount...a few dollars here and there, nothing note worthy. I took a bunch of items to Goodwill Tuesday and that was great to unload...I then took a few bags to thrift store today on base only to be told that they aren't taking children's toys or clothes right now because of national recalls...what? Since when did that happen. I wasn't happy. I took both my kids in the rain, hauling bags of stuff I had to only haul back to the car...not fun. So now I guess I will try to sell some of the smaller things on ebay and the rest will have to go to Goodwill...Shoot!

Zach apparently had a great day at school until playground time...then he aggressively hugged a friend and knocked him down...had a time out...amazingly I got most of this from him. He came home and told me he got a sticker, it was orange, but it fell off in the van...then he said he had a good day. I asked what he did...he told me I played, then I had time out, I made Dominic cry. I called his teacher, who is a sub while his real teacher is on maternity leave...she told me the story and said he is a great boy and super smart, but has been hugging very aggressively lately. He does it with Erin and now apparently at school...I think I know how it started, but need to figure out how to stop it. He has been having trouble with focus too and spending more time doing STIM behavior than he usually does...self stimulatory behavior associated with autism. He is normally able to contain it to a few times a day in private or be told not to and stop...now he will stop and then we catch him doing it again later...frustrating to say the least...

On the phone today with schools in San Antonio just trying to get a feel for how their systems work, programs they have, how they handle kids with special needs etc...basically we will need to figure out where we are living first...Not sure I want to buy, but we can actually afford a house in TX. Renting might be an option, but not sure....living on base, might be an option, not sure...all of that I need to do more research on...

Started my new book club book, "People of the Book".  Excited to read something by this author...Geraldine Brooks...read a book of hers years ago and really liked it, so happy to read this one.  I enjoyed book club and discussing a book with people...Excited to do it again!

I am so thankful for the feedback from everyone on the move. We are very excited. We feel like this move will benefit the family as a whole and Zach in particular better than other choices and options out there for us. He will be in better schools with more services, have more options for therapies, children's activities...things for miss Erin!!! Things even for me. So we are excited at the possibilities and what we will be able to give to our kids for the time we are there...thank you for all the love and support...it means a lot to me!!!!

16 Random things...about me!

I saw this on my friend Kelley's blog, so I figured I would give it a go...List 16 random things about me, you may or may not know...I do have to keep it PG...the parents read this! :)

1. While pregnant with Zachary I literally would get sick at the sight of pizza hut meat lover pizza adds...all meat products were a no for several months, namely pot roast, brisket, all the TX specials I was around...I still can't eat either of those things almost 5 years later.

2. I have always wished I was smarter and could have gone to Duke for college...GO DUKE!

3. I have lived in 7 states...too many houses to count in my life, but since being married, 6.

4. I have been married twice...don't freak out...both times to Brandon...Got married January 9th 2000 a few months before the March 18, 2000 wedding...sorry to anyone that is reading this now and angry...we had reasons based on the AF's decision to move Brandon to Idaho for several months before pilot training...logistics of getting my things there with his meant they had to be from one household. My health insurance ran out when I graduated college also...we could only apply for base housing if married...the list goes on...got married in Vegas...super cheesy wedding and we have the video proof!

5. Won 500 lbs of horse feed once at a horse show....sadly at the time I was there to watch a friend of mine compete and didn't own a horse of my own.

6. Goes with number 5...I rode horses for about 4 years...loved it and always wish to own my own horse one day...

7. I hate clowns and umpa loompas...is that a correct spelling...just don't like either, enough said.

8. Fell down an escalator when I was 5 at Hanes Mall...I still am a bit timid getting on them.

9. I am scared of heights...more of edges I think, but seriously start to sweat, shake and overall get impaired at the thought.

10. I Love ebay!!! I think it is the best thing...I love selling things that I don't use anymore...like a garage sale online all the time...it rocks!

11. My biggest pre teen crush was Kirk Cameron....then I moved onto the bad boys and was in love with Christian Slater...still have eyes for him today!!!

12. I named my dog Sally after Charlie Brown's sister Sally...I have a snoopy love and had to give her a name from that....I have had a snoopy since I was 5 that is still part of my life....no comments from the "peanut" gallery (pun intended).

13. I was born in Woodland, CA...so Erin and I are both CA girls...only lived there for a few months, so I usually refer to NC as where I grew up and sometimes slip and say born and raised.

14. I still get carded when ordered a drink at any restaurant or bar!

15. I am totally obsessed with technology like my computer (facebook, ebay, my blog) and my DVR...watching my favorite TV shows when I want...but I can't do diddly with my cell phone, even keep it charged is a struggle.

16. I am MOVING to SAN ANTONIO in JUNE!!!!!!!!
I saved the best for last...Brandon will be working at Randolph AFB...non flying staff job for 2-3 years. We will move sometime in June...we are pretty excited and ready to live in a real city with so many resources for the kids, our family and especially Zachary...The request went through with no issues, so we are heading where the stars are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas...

Greetings from Panera!

This is a first for me...bringing my laptop to town and blogging from here.  I decided along with my new year's resolutions I have some other changes I need and plan to make...

I have been trying to walk a lot more lately....having Brandon home is a big help...I got to walk this weekend with Sally each AM...long great walks. She loved it and I loved it. I love the chance to be alone with my thoughts and just walk around outside...we got for about an hour and it is a great workout that doesn't feel like it.  So, I came to town today dressed in work out wear and walked around the local park for about 45 minutes...dropped off items at good will and came to Panera for some down time.  It feels good.  I hope to do this more...make time for myself and the chance to walk as much as I can.

So the goodwill part...oh my.  We decided regardless of our upcoming move or place of choice...we will be moving.  It should be this summer, so we have a few precious months to get our "shit" together literally and figuratively.  Man do we need to!  We started with the hall closets...this house is plentiful in closets...sounds great, but closets are also amazing black holes for crap to gather.  Stuff I forget I have an end up buying duplicates of...stuff I forget I have and wish I had known and would have loved to use...just stuff sitting around my house taking up space.  So we worked hard to clear out three closets and the kids...I got rid of a ton and have a ton to take to the thrift store on base as well as place on Ebay...I will be busy, but I am good with that kind of busy. 

So...with that being said I have to face reality....I have a problem. Okay, I know I have had this and most of you that love me know...I am a bit of a shopaholic....I shopped on line a lot when we got here due to the fact we live in no man's land and it was easier.  I could order my heart away, it came to the door, all was good.  Well then the past year and a half of having Zach here in town two days a week added another issue...last year it was me and Erin and we had little places to go other than stores...I shopped...a lot of times I returned what I bought, but I shopped none the less. This year I promised I would do better...I did not.  So....I have to conquer that need to fill what I don't have or I am missing, or whatever psyhco analysis I can come up with and stop the shopping.  My plan is simple. I come to town and walk the park for an hour, change at their bathroom (it works) run any errands I might need to do that are legit...and then take the rest of the time to hang out here or at Barnes and Noble and just have me time.  It will also cut down on my time on the computer at home.  I hope...

So...now that I am in full force clean out mode and working to make my house organized and free of items I don't need, it feels good. I am taking time to think about a future house too...if we live on base or off what we need and what we don't. Things we won't be taking with us from this move...all good to be doing well in advance.  

No decision is made as of yet...we (Brandon and I) thought long and hard this weekend and we have as a family made a choice, but now it is up to the AF to work on making it happen.  He was to go to work today and talk about it and I plan to write later to let you know if I know anything more definitive.  

I am off to a book club tonight...yeah.  I read the book and I am ready to get onto the next one....it was  Great Gatsby and I didn't love it the first time I read it or this time....but I am excited to go to the book club and try something new.  I am also working on quitting drinking diet coke....I love diet coke.  But, I also know I need to get rid of it...I drink a cup of coffee every AM and that should be enough on the caffeine for me...today I had none and feel great...so we will see. For now I am cutting it out and feel good about that too...No, Kelley I am not anywhere near your awesome transformation and clean eating, but I do feel inspired by you and in my own small way, I am trying to make some positive changes too....

So...I am off to go pick up my cutie Zachary from school.  I plan to start the book Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult...I can try to knock that out and move on to the next book club book in no time...I am off...

Random Zach Quotes worthy of sharing....

We don't see cemeteries in CA...I am not sure why, but we don't....they are abundant in NC.  While driving around one day in NC Zach says..."Look mommy it's a rock and flower garden."

He asked my dad how old he was....my Dad replied, "I am 68 Zachary."....Zach, "Wow, that is a lot of years old grandpa?"  

When we saw my nephew the first time we were out walking with my dad and Erin...Zach turned to Jacob and said..."Hi Jacob.  This is my friend Grandpa..he's my grandpa.  Oh and this is Erin, my sister. "  

A few weeks back we were at his speech therapist (Miss Gerri)...he loves her and the feeling is mutual to put it mildly...He was on the floor sitting next to her and took her hand...he looked at it for a minute and said, "Miss Gerri, you are very pruney."  She tried to hold back a laugh and explain that you shouldn't say that to a lady, but both of us thought it was actually pretty cute.  I got it myself a few days later when he was sitting with me working on something...he looked up and said, "Oh mommy...you are getting crinkles up there (pointing to my forehead)."  So, I will be looking into botox soon.  

While at my parents we chose to show Zach some of my family heritage(for those that don't know my dad is Jewish and my mom Catholic...we were raised Catholic)...we took out the menorah...we had him help us light the candles and told him the very brief 4 year old version of why we celebrate Hanukkah....after we let him blow the candles out (his favorite part)....he asked whose birthday it was...So I think he missed the story...I simply told him it is Jesus's birthday in a few days on Christmas...my dad thanked me for confusing him more.  Hey, Jesus was Jewish so I figure we can try to make it all flow together.  

Just had to share these before I forgot them along with a million more I have already forgotten...

Long Weekend...oh yes!

I am thankful for this long weekend ahead...it will be nice to concentrate on the family!  I still have a ton of things to get organized and get in order...I have a lot of things on my to do list...new year's resolutions to start, projects to work on, cleaning out and organizing...the list is long my friends!!!!  

Brandon heads back to work Tuesday....Zach is back in school and hopefully getting back into the swing of his life...the last few days with him he has been a bit spacey and those days challenge me in ways I can't even put into words...so I'm hopeful that gets better....

I have a lot on my mind today and some things to sort out...some new things came up and we have some decisions to make fast...

Brandon is up for a move this summer...we have been asking to move back to Abilene and it looks like it is a possibility for us.  We would be back in the ACC command and a lot of familiar B-1 people we know are there and in charge...always good. I have 3 girlfriends in the area that are not AF so that is good.  I liked Abilene a lot and had a good time living there...it was comfortable...people were nice...we felt safe and happy there...it was a good place for us and we have wanted to go back since we got here....

But Thursday night Brandon got a call...a call we didn't expect and one we weren't prepared to deal with...we have until Tuesday to make a decision...He was offered a non flying staff job in San Antonio...Randolph AFB.  So right now we are just trying to be really careful about this choice.  Career wise getting back to ACC is what we wanted and would lead us away from here and the chance of coming back...we would be around people that would work with us more and a have a good support network...it felt right.  But San Antonio!  It is a huge city with tons to do for us and for the kids...Autism stuff is abundant.  In Abilene it is available, but not the same.  San Antonio has great medical care...3 AF bases...very military friendly town...a zoo, sea world, theme parks, children's museum, airport, the list goes on.  There are schools and a major university...a chance for me to go back to school (finally)....work and volunteer opportunities for me...small suburbs on the north side of town that have good schools, smaller communities and an easy commute for Brandon....

So do we go with what is safe and what we know...what we thought we have wanted to get back to since we got here...or do we go for this opportunity we didn't expect or ask for, but is dangling like a carrot in front of us.  I feel like we have been given this chance to go to SA for a reason....that someone has finally said let's give the Millers a good assignment....it is our chance to better our family and to give Zach all the things we can't here and that we might not be able to even in Abilene...the chance to allow him to thrive in a place that has resources for him...and a place where Erin can grow and do things for her.  The negative is that while the next 3 years would be great, we don't know what it would be on the flip side...we don't want to come back here because of Zach and we worry that job would lead us back here more than Abilene, but nothing is a sure done deal...so do we live for now and enjoy this opportunity or try to plan the safer route???  Do we go where we know people?  Oh the questions!  Any advice and thoughts on this post would be greatly appreciated...I think my gut and my heart are leading me one way...I just don't know if I should follow....

Back home...

We are back home and I am trying to get back to life as normal as much as I can...wowzer there is a lot to do when you are gone for a month.  I went grocery shopping Wednesday...$175 later I had lots of yummy things in the house.  I got to go alone for the first time in a while...nice!  I got Sally from the kennel.  She is skinny, but super happy to see us and be home.  We took her for a walk on night one and she was tired just going through the neighborhood. I am hopeful she can make it for a long walk with me tonight....I plan to start my new years resolutions of walking her more...double benefit for me and for her.  I also hope I can get back to the gym and walk while I am in town....I dropped a few lbs while Brandon was gone and want to keep them off the right way...holidays didn't help with all the food and special treats!  

I have been cleaning and purging toys and items from the house like a mad women.  Any time you are gone you realize how much you have when you get home that you don't need...well at least I do...more clothes, toys, etc.  I got two bags to good will...items to the thrift store tagged and ready to go and some items to go on ebay as well.  It feels good to clean out and organize some things...

Got a new ottoman for the living room last night at Target that opens up for storage...great to hide some toys and get my house back. Erin is quite the tornado.  I love her to bits and can't get over how fun, sweet and easy she has been, but she is a mess....destruction of all that is my house.  Oh Erin...So this might help me a bit.

Right back into the swing of school for Zach...he was read to go back and needed that stimulus and routine back in his life.  He got a huge welcome at his school in Palmdale yesterday. I about cried...the kids came up and hugged him..."we missed you Zachary...yeah you are back!".  It was great to see.  We got a call that he needs more paperwork and might finally get some behavioral therapy started....how long have we been working on this?  Oh yes, since he was diagnosed in the fall of 2007!!!!  Seriously!

Brandon and I ran around and shopped a bit...found some smoking deals at Target for gifts for the kids for birthdays...half off some things...heard Walmart has some deals in store too, so might head there later...

I have my first book club Monday night...Great Gatsby is the book...almost done....happy to read out of my normal selections for this and then I can get more excited about my non book club book...goal is one book a month for me and one for the book club...

The weather is sunny and nice here so I am thrilled...temps in NC are freezing!  

I better run...busy day with lots to do and lots going on around here...I will post again soon and maybe share some more news...

Heading West...

Tomorrow we head back to the West...we fly to Arizona and then will see how the kids do and either stick around or head to CA...for sure will be in CA on Tuesday. Zach seems eager to get back to school. I am ready to pick up Sally...poor dog has been at the kennel for over a month...and I am ready to get back into the groove of family life in our own home. It is a change that we need to get back into our routine of life. I think the kids will be in major depression leaving my parents and I will miss them too...I love NC and have had a nice time being back, but I also am ready to get home and take care of some things on that end. We have some plans and things we hope to do this winter and spring and really just focus on the 4 of us for a bit. It is time.
I plan to do another mini trip scrapbook...bought the book in November when I found one I liked on sale...I loved the way the last one turned out, so I am excited to do a new one. I have tons of work to do on their new books for this year and really am ready to get back to doing that. For my b-day I am asking for a photo printer for the house so I can hopefully keep up with my scrapbooking more and get pages done easier...I am hoping for a new camera at some point this year...we are saving up and checking on prices...Suggestions????
I am sure once we check out all of the new Xmas prizes I will be in clean out and Ebay mode as well...so I am sure to stay busy for a while...which is good. Brandon has some Mr fix it jobs in the house to work too...
I finished the book Almost Moon by Alice Sebold...not my favorite of hers at all...very dark and a bit twisted I thought...usually I like her books a lot more...writing is always good, topic just very dark...starting Great Gatsby for my new book club I joined...read forever ago, so will be fun to re-read it now...
Well I am off to take the kids on one last outing...ta ta for now!

Reunion...

So...he is home. We got to the airport in typical Susan fashion...running late...well at least I showed him I am still me. :) We got the kids ready and there he was...Zach was thrilled and so very happy...haven't seen him like that in a long time. He was over the moon. Erin was loving the flag she got to wave, but wanted to nothing to do with Brandon...clung to me and my dad. She didn't warm up until a few hours later at home and even then it was short lived...little by little she has started to be more affectionate to him and let him to do things, but over all she is in total mommy mode and is all about me...I am guessing that is normal and will change...Zach called me his best friend for 4 months and I think I got voted out of that job 2 seconds after Brandon got home...it happens. We are doing well and now about to head home and get back to our real life as a family. It has been a long month here with good and bad all rolled into a long 4 week trip. I have had a blast seeing some of my old friends and getting to do some new things with the kids...Zach has become a great bowler here...We have done museums and fun things...it has also been hard and we have had our problems and limitations. I am thankful for the time my parents allowed us to be here and for the opportunities I have had being here. I am ready to get home, see my dog, my house, my stuff and get Zach back in the swing of school and his life...and return to ours...hoping for news of a move this summer...I am sure we will know nothing for a while, but I am still be optimistic and hopeful...
Here are some photos to enjoy...
Brandon and I...photo by Zach!
Zach and his friend Daddy...

Daddy and his little ones...

Erin and I waiting at the airport...

Zach, Brandon and I...

Wonderful moment to see them together...Zach was so happy...

Catching his first glimpse of Daddy....

Waiting patiently...

Final Hours...

Well it is the final hours of the deployment and I think unless we have any unexpected delays I should be seeing Brandon tomorrow around 2 PM. I am so excited, anxious, you name it. It isn't like a movie when a loved one comes home...so many emotions are involved in the process...worry and concern that the kids will react well and handle it all without fear or confusion. I worry that I will be good at sharing with Brandon...sometimes it is hard to give back responsibilities that were once his and now are mine...also to share the kids when they have been all mine for four months. I am sure some moms think this is insane and imagine throwing the kids at him the moment he gets off the plane, but it isn't like that. I have really enjoyed my time with both Zach and Erin...moments have been hard and trying, but in the end my kids are amazing and wonderful. I am blessed beyond words that both have been pretty healthy and done so well with the deployment. I am thankful for all the love and support I have gotten from my amazing group of friends and from my family. My parents have gone above and beyond to help me both with visits to see us and also the emotional support. I am glad that I have both military friends and non military that have given me encouragement, support and advice. I am very thankful. I have a great husband that has called, written and stayed in touch so well this time...he has supported me and been understanding of my days when I am just done. He is really my best friend...I am glad that when he is gone we can lean on that friendship to help us through. I am nervous about what I will wear tomorrow...how silly is that...I better go get the kids in the bath and ready for bed...I want to finish my book tonight too! I am so excited to see what Brandon's reaction will be to the kids...Erin is huge and changed so much...Zach is talking so much better...just a lot for him to take in and see...
So...wish us luck that all goes to plan...tomorrow is the day!

More photos from our time in NC...

I will post more later, this computer is not uplaoding super fast, so I can't do it all at once...I need to get showered and start the day....just wanted to share a few more from our time here...

Erin outside just being cute...

The boys on their way to go bowling with me and my dad...so excited....

My mom with her crazy grandkids playing with hats...

Erin being Erin...loves her snacks and always so happy...

The three grandkids...Zach, Erin, and Jacob

Zach and having fun at the park

Zach at the Natural Science Center...

My dad and I on Christmas day...

Return...

Looks like Brandon might be heading home on time...should leave Quatar today and get to Baltimore tomorrow late...we decided since he will be exhausted to have him sleep there that night and get a flight out Tuesday AM. That way he is well rested to see the kids and can enjoy the reunion fully. I think that he will be really shocked at all the changes, especially the physical ones in Erin. Both kids have grown and changes so much and learned so many new things in his time gone...it will be really cool to hear what he sees and thinks and see things through his eyes. It will be neat to have that perspective. I am excited to get him back and have our family complete...I always feel a bit anxious at this point, not sure why. I am having my parents follow us to the airport to catch the photos of it all...
I got a chance to go shopping yesterday alone...I got a nice surprise and ran into a friend from high school while there...it was great to see her and chat for a few minutes...so funny to think I was just out and about and saw her...the thing I never have happen living in different places all the time. It was nice to get out and shop alone...I got some great deals at Soma...I needed Bras and got 4 on sale and some other sale items...I had a gift card so I was able to get a ton and only spend a few dollars of my money...then headed to other stores there to have fun and look....didn't hit my usual Ann...had a gift card there, but want to save it for some spring clothes...so instead I got some makeup at Aceda and Ulta...found some fun Jewelry at a great little store here I love and even went into Eddie Bauer and got some sweaters on sale...so I did shopping that I usually don't do and it was fun....I had hit Carter's and Gymboree last week and got the kids stuff, so I think I am done for the trip. :) It was restrained for me!!! I will add that to my list of new years stuff...More shopping self control...
I have been reading a lot recently and finished two books since I got here and working on the 3rd. First, I read the Pact...love Jodi Picoult books and her style writing, but didn't love all of this book...I think some of the rational was hard for me to fully buy, but I did enjoy it a lot. Some things about it I couldn't wrap my brain around and agree with...I thought it was a good book and the story kept me ready and interested in it all.
Also read the Doctor's Wife...really liked this book...not like anything I normally read...very dark and twisted, but good and a page turner for me. That is the thing with me...love the book that sucks me in and keeps me going. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading another book of hers as soon as I get home and pick it up...
I am now ready Almost Moon by Alice Sebold...Another page turner and a book that is dark and twisted, but I like it. Her books are always a bit dark...so far it is good!
I am off to enjoy some morning coffee and get ready for my day...

2009...Welcome!

Life has be a bit turbulent lately...Not a lot I was interested in chatting about on here...sorry for the long delay to anyone taking note. I have a ton of photos to post as soon as I get a chance I will get on that...I just haven't had the time to do it yet.
Still no word on my husbands return, that is always fun and frustrating. We were hopeful it was on the 5th, since we are leaving here the morning of the 12th...it would give us some time together...now it looks later...so who knows.
I have so much to be thankful for as I look back on this year and all the blessing in my life...Zach and Erin being the two big stand outs...I also have a lot to work on...

1. My patience...need to not jump the gun with the kids so much...
2. My tone of voice and temper...kindness works wonders if I can muster up the self restrain.
3. Making real dinners now that Brandon "will be" home...
4. Making time to walk...I miss my long walks with Sally.
5. Continue my reading...I have loved being back into books so much and taking time for me to read good books...I have been about a book a week or two weeks this deployment and it feels great...
6. SCRAPBOOK...I fell sadly behind on this one during the deployment and have nine million pictures and supplies awaiting me.
7. Continue to do individual things with the kids to make them feel special and foster those one on one times that are so great...
8. Try to live in the moment as much as I can....this is actually my number one. Be thankful for all I have and not let a moment go by that I am not realizing life is such a great gift...letting things that don't matter go and working on what does...love life for now and as it is...

So there are my 2009 goals...let's see how I do....photos later...