...Spring...

...in the North County...

...is nothing like the spring I remember growing up...

Spring meant it was time to break out the flip flops and shorts, and while it wasn't always warm enough for a swim suit, it wasn't exactly unheard of.  I assure you, no one was busting out a pair of flip flops or a swim suit this far north on the first day of spring!!!

It was this week 15 years ago that Donnie and I met on our respective Spring Break trips in Florida.  That night at Harpoon Harry's in Panama City Beach changed my life forever.  "Yes, I do believe in love at first sight!"  We celebrated 13 years of wedded bliss with a romantic dinner.  Cheers!!!

March 18, 2013

...........................................................................

 

Donnie has been home for a little over a month.  For the most part, I think we have settled back into our family groove.  He has made an effort to spend special one on one time with each of us.  That has meant special days shopping, gaming, trying new things, and going out to eat at special places. 

 

This week Katie got to spend an afternoon learning to shoot a bow, or as John says, "Katie went bowing!"  Something I think that each kiddo wants to learn to do with their Dad.

Luke has been celebrating Dr. Suess this month at school. And after reading Oh, the Places You'll Go, his teachers asked them what they wants to be when they grow up.  It is no surprise to me that Luke wants to be a Dad when he grows up.   In fact, I am pretty sure he wants to be just like his Daddy! Luke you will be a wonderful dad one day!

Donnie has played catch and done just about whatever the kids have asked him to do on those rare days when it warms up a bit.  So even after a month home, the new hasn't worn off. Dad is still AWESOME! He is WAY cooler than Mom, and makes everything SO much more fun than I do! And the best part of the kids thinking Donnie is better than me is that I get more time to do what I want to do!

 I sure hope the kind of spring I know and love is around the corner, but I am not holding my breath. I just checked the forecast and snow is predicated for at least two days!   

....To Weather the Storm....

...in more ways than one...

I don't just mean these crazy snow storms we have in northern New York.  Those are the easy ones.  You can cuddle up inside all day, stay cozy in your pajamas, and snuggle with your babies.

I am referring to this "storm" called deployment.  I am over the moon that Donnie will be home soon, but I am an emotional wreck. I am excited and happy one minute and literally sick with panic the second.  Everyone keeps asking if we are happy or excited that Donnie will be home.  And I watch people ask the kids the same question.  Are they excited their Daddy is coming home?  The answer is YES! And if you don't say it happy enough, they look at you funny. But, I think most people forget about everything else that is involved with a homecoming.  I am scared to death!!! I want Donnie to see what an amazing job I have done holding things together, I don't want him to see my short falls (and trust me there are plenty of them). I know these are fears that my fellow Army wives understand.  Thank you, Krissy and Heather for being my battle buddies and picking me up when I needed it most. 

 

I want a picture perfect homecoming.  I know this doesn't really exist, but I might just die trying to make it happen or drive myself to the loony bin in the process.  I do my very best to push the irrational thoughts that creep into my head out.  I know Donnie doesn't care about a clean house or the perfect homecoming outfit, but I do.  I worry because I know that things won't be the same.  We've both grown and changed over the last nine months.  I know that Donnie loves me and we will find our groove again once we are back together as a family.  I try to remind myself that we will fall down along the way, but that we will get back up together...

...and like a storm...I know that there will be a calm after it...

So to quote my kids, "I'm over it (deployment)!!!!" 

I will not spend my time in the storm,

because I am ready to enjoy the sunshine. 

....Life is Good....

We are finally back into our groove. The holidays are behind us, the kids have had a full week back at school, I've started to actually cook and workout again, and we've enjoyed a few meals with friends this week too!

Life is good!

...the kids have been able to really enjoy their friends this week...

 

...extra playtime on the nights we had dinner with friends...

 

...and a good ole' fashion play date...

Luke and his "girlfriend" Abbey played for hours.  It was the kind of play date where you almost don't know they are there playing because they are playing so well together they don't need you for anything. It is so funny listening to them.  I wish I had recorded a few of their conversations. Their giggles and laughter will make you smile from a room away.  I was actually talking to Donnie as they were playing in the living room and he commented on how they sounded like an old married couple. And in many ways they do, they have such a special friendship that I can't even begin to imagine them not going to school together next year.  Of course, you never know with the Army.

 

The kids even had a sleepover this weekend. The boys crashed at our house and the girls at the other.  I makes me realize how much I must have worn my parents out with sleepovers when I was little. As a parent I now know that it isn't the sleepover that is exhausting, it is the next day that you have to make it through that is the challenge. My kids DO NOT do well when they don't get enough sleep.  But it was totally worth it! Awww to be a kid again!

We've been blessed with warmer weather this weekend too! The snow is slowly melting away, and I know that I should enjoy this brief thaw in our winter because more snow is on the way! Warmer days means the kids can stay outside and play in the snow much, much longer!  Snowball fights with the neighborhood kids, building snowmen, and small forts that don't last long with the melting snow.  Listening to the laughter and squeals while they play makes me smile!  It reminds you that life is good.

We are in a good place.

Holding on a little longer until we are cuddled up together again!

...playing catch-up...

...this seems to be the theme since Christmas...

...I never quite have everything done, I know that most other mommas don't either, but I usually don't feel quite so overwhelmed and I need a sense of order to keep me calm or as Donnie put it to me today, "Keep Calm and Chive On."  I am giving it my best shot! 

We had a nice Christmas with my family, but it just wasn't the same without Donnie.  I hope that we don't have to miss Christmas together as a family again, but I know that with the Army that isn't something that I should count on...I hate the thought of Donnie missing these little sleepy eyed faces on Christmas morning!


...or seeing how excited they are when

spending time with their cousins...

...or getting to do something special with Mimi& Poppy...

...missing rare moments like a white Christmas in Texas...

It was so nice to be home and be able to have a break from our routine.  We were all able to relax and have fun.  We spent most of our days at home, while the kids played.  I think this is truly what they enjoy the most, spending time together! 

We did take a day to go to the new Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas.  The kids loved it! There was so much for everyone to see and do!  I am so glad my parents got a membership so we can go back and see some of the exhibits we didn't get too!

 ...before we knew it was New Year's Eve and our 10 days in Texas were over, and we were on our way back to NY...

On our stop over in Chicago the kids convinced me that they NEEDED these Chicago Bears hats!  I thought it made a great Happy New Year picture for Donnie! 

Go Bears! 

 

Christmas & New Year's Eve was all rolled into one big night of fun and excitement for us!  We arrived home to a couple of feet of snow (we missed two storms while we were gone), and it hasn't stopped snowing! (I swear, we have snow flurries everyday!)

...and SANTA left some presents for us at home too...

...that had to be tested out immediately...

I wish I had a picture at midnight!  We rang in the new year with Donnie via skype! It was so nice to share the moment with him (at least I got to blow my love a kiss for the new year).  And the best part of this year is that he will be home in 2013!!!

 

I couldn't send the kids back to school without taking them sledding! So on our one day to "get things done" we did what HAD to be done and spent the rest of our time sledding!

...and warming up...

Let this new year be one, where all your dreams come true,

cherish each moment that 2013 holds!

Let it snow...

There are A LOT of things that I don't like about the snow, but I do LOVE how freshly fallen snow looks in the morning.


And I LOVE the looks on the kids faces when they are in the snow!!

 

They couldn't wait to get home from school and play in the snow! They didn't care that there wasn't enough snow to really go sledding, they found new uses for their sleds.

Lucky for them it has snowed a little everyday this week. So they have been able to spend a few afternoons in the snow before it gets too dark to play outside. It is pitch black outside by 4:45pm. Another perk of winter!

 



...all good things...

...must come to an end...and thanksgiving break did...

...but not before we got in another swim at the hotel...

...and made a quick trip to Utica's Children's Museum...

...in the first snow of the year...

...checking out really cool old toys...

...and old beds that must have been

very uncomfortable to sleep on...

...playing some light up dodge ball...



...and making a few quick flights

to Afghanistan to pick up Dad...





...and last but not least...

...a stop at the mall for a ride on the carousel...

...before heading back home...