I Sure Didn't Miss This.

Growing up in Florida, you get used to hurricanes. But as soon as you leave and don't live there for a few (or 7) years, you forget pretty quickly what it's like to be on tropical storm/hurricane watch.

Now we're back in an east coast state, pretty close to the ocean, and just in the last week I've been on the edge of my seat over 3 storms. First was Fay, and even though Charleston wasn't directly hit, we still had a good week's worth of rain from it. The base where Bobby is TDY also got the outer bands, and had more damage than we did. Now they're getting ready for the monstrosity that is hurricane Gustov. That one's making me a bit nervous. And then we have tropical storm Hanna, who's supposed to hit the east coast by the end of the week. And who knows how much bigger Hanna will get. There's alot of open water before it gets to land.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be in Charleston, and I really love it here. But I sure didn't miss this.

Success!

It took 15 months, but it finally happened! We were able to acheive pigtails today! I was beginning to think that her hair would never be long enough to do the adorable hairstyle I'd been dreaming about since we found out she was a girl. But at long last the time has come to buy lots of matching hairbows!!

It's Friday Night...

...the kids are asleep and the husband is away for 10 more days. What do you do? Have yourself an amaretto & coke. That's what you do.

Cheers!

I HATE Bank of America.

So here's the story. We moved to SC almost 7 months ago. We updated all of our bills and the bank account right away. My debit card expires at the end of August (as in a few days from now) and so when I called a couple week ago to see when they were mailing my new one, they informed me that it was sent out in July and I should have it now. Mind you, I had JUST verified my SC address to them to prove that I was indeed who I claimed to be-the woman says "You're still living in Suprise, Arizona, correct? Because that's where we mailed the card". ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I told her that no, we weren't there and that we had changed our address more than once with them, and that I had just given her the new one not 60 seconds earlier.
My card never got forwarded, so I had to cancel my card in order to get a new card sent out. Cancelled the card over a week ago and still no debit card! I HAVE to have my debit card!! Checks just don't cut it anymore and I'm seriously frusterated right now! I really want to scream.

Jonah's First Day!

Today was my baby boy's first day of school EVER. He is growing up way too quickly! He woke up at 1am and came into my room to ask if it was time for school yet. Think he was just a bit excited?

We all walked to school and lined up with his class. He was anxious to get into the classroom. He didn't shed a single tear, and when they were walking down the hall he didn't even look back. Momma, on the other hand, was fighting back the tears.

Two Week Wait

For those of you who have ever tried to conceive a baby, know all about the two week wait. No, I am not trying to get pregnant, nor am I thinking I am. This is a different two week wait.

This is the wait until my hubby gets back home from his training. In just two weeks he will be done in Alabama and on the road back home. I've made it through a month of being a single mom. Two weeks should be a piece of cake. But I'm bracing myself for what will inevitably happen to make these final two weeks seem like two months.

27 days down, 14 more to go.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

We have been getting rain for Tropical Storm Fay, for about 3 days now. And we're not even in it's path! We're forecasted to get Fay-related rain clear through the end of the week, too.

My hubby is down in Alabama for some training with the military, and I got texts from him last night saying "The storm's here!" and "Well, now the power went out." I talked to him on the phone for a bit last night, and he was standing outside because he didn't get good reception inside, and I could hear the wind whipping around (he said that it was going about 45-50 mph) and the rain slapping the side of the building. And it definitely wasn't a comforting thing when he interrupted me to say "Oh! There go a couple branches from that tree!" Just what a wife wants to hear when she's on the phone with her hubby.

I talked to him again today and the power had come back on sometime during the night. He said that there was alot of damage around the base and the surrounding areas outside the gates. Then later on he texted me saying the storm was back and just as bad as last night. He was holed up in his room most of the afternoon because the wind and rain were so fierce. He has assured me that they can cancel up to 4 days of class without it affecting their end date, so as long as they don't have to cancel the entire week, he will still be coming home in a couple of weeks as originally scheduled. I think that is my biggest fear aside from him getting hurt...that he may not be home when he should be.

Thankfully we have still been able to have cell phone contact. It's kind of ironic, really, because he said that the last couple of days have been the best connection he's had when we're on our cell phones. Go figure, eh?

Anyway, please keep my hubby, and all those affected by T.S. Fay in your prayers. Pray for the safety of those still involved and those who are waiting for it to come. And pray that those who have already been hit by the storm can rebuild quickly and aren't displaced for too long.

I could, but I won't.

Today I could complain about the non-stop rain and the ever-extended tornado watch, or the fact that there's a leak in my dining room ceiling that the housing office doesn't feel the need to do anything about other than tell me to "put a bucket under it". Or how about the thought that there's still 18 more days until my hubby gets home.

But I won't.

Instead, I'll share a picture of my daughter. She makes me smile, and I can definitely benefit from that right about now.

One of Those Days

Ever have one of those days where, at the end of the day you look back and say, "Why did I even get out of bed?" Yeah, me too. And today was one of them.

It started off with me hitting the snooze one too many times, and having to rush around to get Noah to school on time. On the way home it started to rain, and continued all day long. Later I headed to Walmart with a very small list, and was unable to find it all, so I have to go to another one tomorrow. The afternoon consisted of more rain, over-tired children, and two boys who failed to tell me who's house they were going to go play at, so I walked around the neighborhood knocking on doors (yes, in the rain) until I found the right house. Fast forward to after dinner, when my 'innocent' 14 month old pushed my Circle Of Friends candleholder from Mexico off the table and, because it is made from teracotta, it all but shattered.

It doesn't end there.

I put the boys to bed, and lay Sophia down. She's quiet for a few minutes but then realizes mommy's not coming back, so she starts screaming. I go to calm her down, and realize that someone (my guess is Jonah) locked her bedroom door, and I can't get in. I call the hubby in a panic asking him how to unlock the door from the outside. He, of course, is not home, and won't be for another 3 weeks (damn 7 level school). His response to my dilemma: laughter. By this time I'm near tears, and tell him to quit laughing because I'm not in the mood. I just want to know how to get into her room! He explains and I get it unlocked, and then he's off the phone as quick as he was on, because he wants to go shoot pool with the guys. *sigh* Must be nice to be able to hang up the phone and not have to deal with life.

Yes, there were a few bright spots in the day, the most notable one being when I told the boys to go brush their teeth for bed. Jonah shouted out "I already did! Wanna smell??" and proceeded to blow into my face so that I smell the toothpaste. Oh, what I wouldn't give to be a carefree 4 year old again!

Not Ready For This!

There's a cute little girl in our neighborhood named Alexis. She was in Noah's first grade class last year, and is in his class again this year for second grade. Today they walked home from school together and were playing outside. I was out front talking to my friend Caroline when Alexis & Noah came around the corner from behind the house. I had my back to them, and Caroline was in her car, and she said "Girl, those two were just holding hands! As soon as they came around the corner and saw us they dropped each other's hands QUICK!" I turned and looked but of course they weren't holding hands anymore. But my son was blushing and looked like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

My little boy is not even 7 yet...I'm not ready to be replaced from my spot as the woman in his life!!

Big Bad Second Grader

Today was Noah's first day of second grade. And, despite his best efforts, I could tell he was excited. He actually went to bed on time last night and got up the first time I called him this morning...no small feat might I add.

Last night we met his teacher, Mrs. Newman and he got to pick his seat in the classroom (he picked the seat next to our old neighbor, his friend Lacey). He was a little bummed this morning that Daddy wasn't here, but he cheered up when I took a picture of him on my phone to send to him. He practically ran the whole way to school, even under the weight of his backpack that was loaded down with supplies. I walked him into his classroom (I was carrying the supplies that didn't fit into his backpack) and he almost rushed me out the door. My little boy is growing up, and apparently doesn't need his mommy to make sure he's ok anymore. It's a bittersweet moment when you realize that. Alas, I kept my emotions in check, took Jonah in one hand and had Sophia on my hip, and I walked out of the classroom without looking back.

No guarantees, however, that I will be able to keep said emotions at bay next week, when Jonah starts pre-k!

Hallelujah!

I got a phone call a little while ago from the elementary school Noah goes to. This past spring, we had Jonah tested for the school's Child Development (CD) program-basically pre-k. We were told that there was more testing to do this fall and they wouldn't start classes until September. My friend Caroline called me earlier this morning and said that her son Austin got in, and asked if I heard about Jonah. I said that I wasn't at home so I don't know if they called or not. There were no messages on my answering machine when we got back, so I was a little bummed. But I kept telling myself that I had to be patient. They were probably calling the students in alphabetical order. Austin's last name stars with an "M", so naturally they'd have gotten called before we did. And there are 2 classes, so the teachers might be calling at different times. I texted Bobby that Austin got accepted, and that I was still waiting to hear about Jonah, and as soon as I hit the send button, my house phone rang and it was the school giving me the good news!! Jonah will be starting pre-k next week! I was so ecstatic that I don't even remeber if they told me who his teacher is. As soon as I got off the phone I told Jonah and he got all excited, and I started crying. I am SO happy! My little man needs structure and boundaries that I cannot give him, and I know that when he gets in the classroom he'll do so well.

Hallelujah- my boy is going to school!!

So Exciting!

I received a bit of fun and exciting news yesterday! Two of my dear friends, Natali & Kara, have gone in together and bought plane tickets for Sophia & me to fly to California to see them both in October! I am so excited I can't even explain it! We'll be staying in Fresno with Natali and her hubby Brandon and son Keegan. Hopefully Kara and her daughter Hadley will be making the drive up from San Diego so we can get all three kiddos together. The three of us were pregnant together (though miles and a state line seperated us at the time), so it will be great for our children to meet!

Noah & Jonah will be spending some quality time with daddy, and most likely Meme & Papa too, since we're flying out of Florida for the trip.

The countdown is on to 1 October!!

You always remember your first time...

This is my first official blog post! Hooray for me!

I feel like I'm finally settling in here in Charleston. It's been 6 months, but I feel almost 100% at home here. Of course there are things that I still have to get used to (like the ridiculous humidity!), but that will come in time, I am sure.

My life is pretty stressful right now, but that's pretty normal when you're a military wife, and a stay at home mom to three rambunctious children. My beloved husband has three weeks left of his six week training, and it definitely has NOT been an easy road this time for me. I'm just trying to successfully balance all of the hats I wear as a mom, wife, sister, friend, and, sometimes, single parent. But like my mom always says, "This too shall pass." And in the words of my dearly departed grandpa, I must "keep courage". So that's what I'm trying to do.