Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Happy 5th Dylan!
















When you live across the country from your cousins, it isn't often that you get to celebrate their birthdays with them. But last night we made it to one! The kids cousin, Dylan turned 5. The kids had a fun time playing at a local restaraunt called Spookies. The boys were scared their was going to be spooky things there but there weren't. It was fun to celebrate with him. And the cake was good too! And the picture of Connor? The fit that is thrown ever time he is anywhere, that someone else gets a set of Legos. His cousin, got a set and he went to the end of the table and cried when he found out he couldn't have them. Poor, poor kid. Anyway, Happy Birthday Dylan!

sprinklers & crafts & cousins






















11 days ago. 11 days ago we started on our journey. And leading up to that our life was pretty stressful. With all the packing and moving, and regular life. And now here we are. We have been home for almost a week. The long drive is starting to become a distant memory.
So what have we been doing this whole time? Well, I can tell you a few things that I haven't been doing....cooking, cleaning, carpooling, laundry, waking up early etc. etc.
The kids have been absolutely spoiled rotten. So spoiled. Grandma Harmon has been making Ethan pancakes every morning. Not one big batch and making him eat leftovers. New ones every morning. They have been eating out, went to a birthday party, playing legos, playing in the sprinkler, doing crafts, eating an insane amount of popsicles, playing with cousins, and just having a great time.






In loving memory


It has been a long time. A very long time since I had been to my sisters grave. Because my parents are away, Ben and I brought flowers to her grave. It is interesting because I never really thought of Memorial Day as anything more than a day off of school. And then as you get older, I think you really think about things differently. I am glad that I could go and visit the grave. Happy Memorial Day!

Saturday, May 26, 2007

saying goodbye (again!)


The Friday before we left, some of my friends and I got together to having a going away dinner. We had all of our girls there, and so Harmony got to say goodbye to a few of her friends also. It was so hard to say goodbye!! I knew I was going to cry but I didn't start until Deborah did! Harmony patted me on the back as we drove away and said, " poor Mommy" I was so close to the girls who were there and one of them, Barbara, I have known since my first month living in Norfolk. They have all been there for me in one way or another and it was hard. Really hard to say goodbye. Luckily I have email, blogs and free cell phone minutes! Love yah girls! And Cindy, once again I won't even comment...oh I guess I just did....

Friday, May 25, 2007

our "vacation"





























Last night I just wanted to kind of give a quick little post to let everyone know that we were alive and well. Alive anyway!! Last night I was still feeling really ill ( and trust me I am not pregnant!) but this morning I felt just fine. However, not so much for Ben. He has been suffering all day. Ivan had a fever yesterday but today seems to be up to his normal mischevious self. Including shutting his cousin's foot in the screen door. Such a sweetie.

Our trip was...an experience. Depsite a lot of throw up and way too much McDonalds ( which tends to go hand in hand) the trip was not that bad. The kids constantly asked how many more miles there were and things like that BUT for the most part did really well. I don't want to bore anyone with all the details but since some people have asked I will share. So brace yourself...

The first day we actually started out a lot later than we had planned. We hadn't even left Norfolk ( we were in Oceanview for all of you Norfolkians) when I heard the first, " Mommy I feel like I am going to throw up!" from Ethan. Which he did, about 5 minutes later. There were 3 major accidents right out of Norfolk, and traffic was backed way up so we got off and headed to a Wal Mart to get some dramamine. There was a 12 count bottle or 100...we went with 100! We got back on the road and had only been driving for a little while when, " I need to go potty!" Connor needed to go potty about every hour. Finally we made it out of VA, and went into WV. The countryside was beautiful, however the towns seemed to be kind of old and rundown. We drove through to Kentucky and stayed in Lexington. The kids were exaughsted and so we just went right to bed.

We got up Sunday morning and drove from Kentucky through the bottom part of Indiana. Stopped for another throw up incident and got back on the road. Drove through to Illinois. We stopped in this little town called Mt. Vernon, and it seemed like we had stepped back in time. It took us a long time to find "civilization". We stopped and ate lunch at Pizza Hut and then got the kids a new movie. And then of course...back on the road. Our next stop was in Independence, MO. We stayed in this tiny town right outside and it took me awhile to find a grocery store. But I finally did and bought some dinner. Well poor Ethan, threw his dinner up and than crashed. It had been the longest day and by this time Ethan had thrown up twice. Too say we all needed to go to bed was an understatement!

We took a little "tourist" break on Monday and went to the visitors center in Indepence. It was so neat and the kids loved going into the play area, that was from pioneer times. They had built this little cabin with a bed and Ivan climbed right in and said, " night night". We saw the RLDS temple and it is just really an odd building. Harmony thought it looked "wierd". Then we drove down and went to Liberty Jail. Just in case you are not LDS, Liberty Jail is where one of our prophets, Joseph Smith was put in jail. It was very emotinal to go to but I did enjoy being there. Because we had stayed so long being tourists, we had a long drive ahead of us once we got back on the road. We started out and didn't eat lunch until 3. Yikes! We got back on the road and made it through Kansas and onto Denver. By the time we finally stopped it was around 8:30. Ethan told me he was so tired he didn't want dinner. And apparently he didn't because all of the boys fell asleep!

Tuesday we left Colorado and headed to Salt Lake. We actually went through Wyoming ( and holy cow Cindy you have a very boring state to drive through!!) There was nothing there. We did stop so that I could go to the bathroom in this tiny little town that had a population of...2. Yep said so on the sign. We kept driving and by the time we got to SLC, we were sick. Insanely sick. The ride down was all mountains and curves and it had me soooo car sick. We got to our hotel which was right next to Temple Square but I felt horrible. After I was feeling a little better we went down and walked around. They have added so much since I had been there last. I still felt terrible though so we came back. Got some nice pictures though and just enjoyed the peaceful feeling that is there.

Wednesday we really pushed it. We got up and just drove. No detours, just drove. We made it to Ben's grandma's ( where we are staying) at around 7. It was a long day.

So that is our trip. Hopefully no one has fallen asleep. I have seen so much of this country now, and most of it is because of the Navy. I read once that there are two types of travel..." first class and with kids"so although I would prefer to see the world in a stretch limo, it has been so great to share all of this with the kids. They have seen so much in their young lives. Anyway, here are some more pictures.





















still alive
















Yep, I am still alive!! We made it across country in one piece. It was a long drive. A very long drive. We are now in Oregon, and haven't driven for almost 24 hrs! Woo hoo! We did make it to all the different stops that we had planned. We had a few side tours and got to stop at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Liberty Jail, Temple Square and more.










We are still suffering from all of the fast food and driving but we are here! Anyway here are a few pictures. I am feeling really sick and so I am going to get off. I will try to post more as I feel better!

Friday, May 18, 2007

show me some mercy....

There are many, many, many reasons why I love my husband. However, two of the main reasons are that he is verrrrry forgiving and he shows mercy. And yesterday, he found out that I made a terrible mistake. A huge, terrible mistake. I have honestly never felt so bad about anything in a long time.

I was the one, that was there when the movers were packing our house. I was the one, who signed the paper proclaiming that they " had picked everything up." In my defense, I can say that I had Ivan and Connor with me that day also but...the blame is all mine. All mine people. Ben went to work on the house yesterday and not to long after, he came back to the hotel. He had just a huge look of dissapointment on his face. He wasn't say anything...just upset. I finally told him that he had to tell me what was going on...I couldn't just guess. And then he said, " Marie, you didn't have the movers pack my shed." I looked at him and realized that yes I had completely forgotten. His tools, his table saw, all of that, would not be able to come with us to Guam.

I tried calling the movers, but they said we had to re-schedule a move through the Navy. We explained that we couldn't do that because as of midnight tonight, our lease is over. Anything left will be thrown away. We can't go get a power of attorney right now because there is not enough time. We are going to have to pack it all in our cars and take it home.

If Ben had come and told me, that he forgot to pack my camera and my scrapbook stuff, I don't know what I would have done. Gone through the roof probably. Instead he just hugged me and told me it was just a mistake and we would figure it out. He also told me not to worry, that he would just go by more. Always looking on the bright side! :) I love that man. He is so wonderful. I have to get off, I am going to send an email out tonight and try to make one more post before we start out! happy Friday!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

too busy to blog

Too busy today. So much going on. Movers come tomorrow. A week from tomorrow and our time in Norfolk is up. Yikes. So I leave you with this. Military wives you understand, civilians feel free to skip!

You're a Military Wife When...
Sarah Smiley May 15, 2006

They were sitting beside me in the cement waiting room of a Navy branch clinic. They were talking to each other and smiling, so I knew they were newly married.
Now, I know what you're thinking: “Sarah, that's so stereotypical, jumping to conclusions and assuming that they are newly married simply because they were talking to each other and smiling. I mean, why didn't you assume something more obvious and reasonable, such as that they were boyfriend and girlfriend?”
Oh, well, that's easy. The young man dressed in an olive green flight suit couldn't have brought his girlfriend into the clinic to be seen. She would not have had an I.D. card.
So, there I was reading a wrinkled and torn pamphlet about prostate cancer, while they held between them the ends of a brochure about their medical benefits. I was alone (Dustin was probably home with the kids or something), and they were huddled so close you'd have thought they were sitting in a teepee. I should also point out that the girl wore a fresh, coordinated outfit that not only looked clean, it looked ironed, too. I was wearing sneakers with no socks and a red baseball cap, because I don't get dressed up for a Step-throat culture.
Then the girl walked to the receptionist's desk to check on her appointment time.
“Last four?” the receptionist said.
The girl looked confused.
“Last four of your husband's social,” the woman said.
The girl turned around to her husband, still waiting in the chair, and said, “What's your social security number, Honey?”
Right then, there was absolutely no mistaking -- they are newlyweds. You can't be married to someone in the military for too long before you know their social security like you know your own shoe size. In fact, I know my husband's “last four” better than I know my own.
All of which got me thinking: just like there is a point at which a woman can no longer hide her pregnancy, there comes a time when a woman is undeniably a military wife. When is that point? It's different for each person. Sometimes it even happens over night, while you are unaware. But eventually, we all suffer the same fate; we wake up thinking, when was the last time my mother wrote my address in ink in her address book?
You might also realize you're a military wife when...
• The site of US GOVERNMENT on your caller ID no longer freaks you out
• All your husband's fresh white underwear has his “last four” stamped on the waist band
• You know the smell of JP-5
• You laugh at Top Gun. Even harder at Tom Cruise as “Maverick.”
• You know that APO isn't a type of dog food
• Your husband's best friends have names like “GULA,” “Wookie,” “Rat Boy,” and “Dancing Bear.”
• Suddenly “GULA,” Wookie,” “Rat Boy,” and “Dancing Bear” seem like affectionate nicknames. (Although, probably not to your civilian mother.)
• You've had five different jobs in four years.
• You've had five different addresses in four years.
• You've had five new best friends in four years.
• Luckily you've had the same husband for five years, but you haven't seen him in three.
• You know that “Haze grey and underway” is not a song by Neil Young.
• When your husband announces he's going to use “the head,” you no longer smirk and think, “About time...but I'm still smarter than you.”
• You realize that when your husband is on “cruise,” he won't be dining with the captain of the Love Boat
• Similarly, you realize your junior husband won't be dining with any captain.
• You know that your husband will eat in the Mess Hall, and you think that's right where he belongs.
• And last, you definitely know you're a military wife when you're sitting in a waiting room without your husband and you're not the least bit jealous of the girl who doesn't know her husband's “last four.” (Even if she was thinner and had better skin.) Because you know, without a doubt, that she's got a lot to learn and a long way to go.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

something missing?




" I have a loose tooth," I said, " would you like to see it Mr. Scary? Huh? Would you?"




I opened my mouth and wiggled it for him.




"See it? See how loose it is? It is a loosey goosey isn't it?" I said.




He smiled. " Wow it really is loose Junie B." He said. " And it is a top tooth, too. Losing a top tooth is the best."




I looked puzzled.


" It is? How come it's the best Mr. Scary?" I asked. " Is a top tooth funner than a bottom tooth, do you mean? Because last year I lost a bottom tooth and I didn't actually get a kick out of it."




My teacher did a chuckle. " Ah....but when you lose a top tooth, your smile looks really cute, Junie B." he said "And when your new tooth comes in, you'll start looking like a big kid."




I did a gasp at that news!( Junie B. Jones Toothless Wonder)




Harmony walked out of school with a little grin and a wiggle in her step. She looked adorable, but I knew something was up. She got in the car and I asked her what was up...and she smiled! She lost her tooth after math. We had been wiggling it forever. She looks ADORABLE! I have to make sure the tooth fairy has a dollar for that one!

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

is this becoming a problem?

Two statements overheard today...

Ever since I started weight watchers, I have always drank diet. Because the fam doesn't really care about the difference, I also buy diet orange and root beer for them. So, long story short, we don't drink "regular" pop in the house unless the missionaries are here. Today Harmony had a hard day. I will not go into it now but...I was there after school, talking with some teachers, and they were having a faculty meeting. Miss McKnight came up to Harm to make sure everything was ok. And offered her some pop. Harmony replied

" ok but I am only allowed to have diet."

The other day Connor snuck some diet coke and said,
" mmm I really love diet coke"

and today, I was drinking "Crystal Light energized" ( ie has caffiene in it) Connor started drinking some and I told him not too because it has caffiene in it and he said,
" But Mommy I love your caffiene!"

What have I done?

oops...

"The parent of Connor & Ivan Turner..."

Me- " just a second boys I will be right back."

nurse: " good morning, the appt. for your boys, is actually scheduled for tomorrow."

Me- confused look " are you sure?"

nurse- "yeah Dr. Frazer isn't even here this morning."

me- apologies and a hit on the forehead.

It is the stress. That is what I am blaming it on. Oh well. It was just a well child. The movers come tomorrow so I can't actually make the appt. And no they aren't just doing it early, they are doing a walk through.

Tell me I am not the only who has ever done that?! Oiy!

Monday, May 07, 2007

the countdown continues...

**by the numbers****

9 days left of school for Harmony & Ethan

5 days ( including today) until the movers come

7 days until we move into the Residence Inn

8 days until our phone/cable/computer are shut off

6 days until Ethans birthday party

11 days until are utilities are shut off

11 days until we have to turn our key in

5 days sleeping in a hotel in Norfolk

5 days sleeping in a hotel until we make it to OR

10 days of "eating out"

12 days until our lives completely change....

Sunday, May 06, 2007

because of you






















**because you were my first boy
**because you try to scare Harmony with fake bugs
**because you take the recycling out for me
**because you had to be the man of the house, at a very young age
**because you always put your lunch bag on the counter
**because you are good for your teachers
**because you let Ivan call you Daddy, and you smile
**because you loved that picture taken with your Dad
**because you hate kisses and cuddling but always want to snuggle
**because you follow rules
**because you are a good friend to Connor
**because you save snacks for me if you get one at school (even if it is 1 goldfish)
**because you are an artist
**because you are creative
**because you are always willing to share
**because you love Boomerang
**because you are a morning person
**because you are your Mommy's son
**because you are gorgeous
**because the spirtiual meaning for your name is "steadfast in truth"
** because I love you and many more reasons. Happy 6th Birthday, my not so little man! So glad you are here!













Thursday, May 03, 2007

much needed

As you can tell, it has been one of those days. I have been in Harmony's room, scrubbing pizza lunchable throw up, off of every rung of her ladder, the Barbie box that some of it landed in, taking sheets and blankets off and trying to make it smell and look better in there. And I came down to start lunch and I had this message in my inbox. From a friend. Thanks Stephanie, I needed it today!

Happy Mothers Day!
This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."
Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.
This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes.
And all the mothers who DON'T.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see.
And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.
This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.
This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.
And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies.
And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school.
A and for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.
This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.
This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally unappreciated!
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14-year-olds dye their hair green.
For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.
What makes a good Mother anyway?
Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?
The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?
Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...
And mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all.
For all of us.Hang in there.
In the end we can only do the best we can.
Tell them every day that we love them.
And pray.
."Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall."

Why me? And why now?

Warning **whiner post**!! Just so you know....

As the countdown to our move continues (15 more days!!), life just keeps getting more hectic. And completely un-fun. I am sick. I was up last night with 2 sick kids. We hardly have any food in the house, because we don't want to buy something that we can not finish in 15 days. So normal dinners are a no-go. We have painting, packing, cleaning, purging and de-cluttering to do. We also have lunches to pack, passports to interview for, science fair projects, Mothers Day lunches, PTA programs and all that other good stuff.

I am tired and sick but don't have a choice. I have to get things done.

Tomorrow is my last scrapbook night. I am looking forward to going but I know I am going to be sad. The movers come a week from tomorrow. So much to do. So, so, so much to do!

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

punishment

I think I am being punished for going to TOFW. I truly do. Just 3 short days ago, I was eating wherever I wanted, not changing diapers, no making meals, enjoying my friends...Just 3 short days ago. I came home all hopped up on feel good speakers, beautiful songs, and my testimony strengthened. Then I took a nose dive back into the reality that is my life...landing in a pile of used tissues, Benadryl Allergy for Kids, tylenol and oj. I am SICK. From what I don't know. My kids are sick. I hardly slept at all last night and so am extremely tired today. The day that I finally need to get my house back so that it can be packed up. The day that I need to put laundry away so that I am not constantly searching for uniforms and socks. The day I need to clean out my car. The day I need to get Harmony going on her science project. ( Not to mention her father who has promised to help).The day that I need to call Crown Point and find out exactly what kind of white paint they want us to use. Aaaaaaaaaaaagh! Life, isn't it just that way some times. I am hoping after a nice long hot shower, more tylenol, a diet dr. pepper and maybe a little chocolate, I will feel better. Or is that what I get for abandoning my dear family?