A Sick Halloween

Monkey and I had great plans to have a Halloween party with lots of good treats and friends. However, we had to cancel the party because of illness. Even after I decided (a couple days ago) to call off the party tonight, I had hoped we'd at least feel well enough to enjoy the day. It seems that it's just not in the plan this year. Unfortunately, even Sarge has managed to get sick. He is still deployed and is absolutely miserable.

I hope to get out in a bit to get our annual Jack-O-Lantern pizza and I picked up some fun Halloween mac and cheese to make for lunch today too. Once Monkey wakes from her nap I will probably go ahead and get her dressed in her Halloween costume. I think we will just plan to snuggle up, munch on some pizza, and probably watch some some Charlie Brown. Maybe Sarge will feel up to Skyping later too.

I was searching for a cute printable sign to put on the door to let trick or treaters know we wouldn't have any candy (and to stop my doorbell from ringing incessantly all night) and couldn't find anything, so I decided to make one myself. It's nothing special, but if you'd like one to print and put on your own door check out the facebook page where you can download the sign I made. Be sure to "like" the facebook page if you stop by! Once we hit 100 likes I'll be doing another giveaway!

I'll be posting about our fall festivities in the next few days!  Also -- be sure to keep an eye on the blog for a VERY big change and announcement!

1st Birthday - Midnight Picture

Happy First Birthday, Monkey!!

How is it possible that it has been an entire year since this we finally got to meet this little one who has stolen my heart and captivated my soul? My heart is overwhelmed with emotion and there is so much I want to say.

I will be back to post about her birth story and her birthday celebrations. However, tonight I have the very important job of making sure everything is set for her to enjoy the most amazing first birthday celebration in the morning. Things have been a little hectic around here, but I am determined to make tomorrow (er - today?) absolutely the best day possible!

Here it is... her first birthday.
Unbelievable.

I Will Praise You In This Storm

I promise that someday soon this blog won't just be random ramblings when I'm working through a hard time.

I keep praying that I'll be able to use it for something more... but maybe, this is exactly what I need to use this blog for right now -- to work through the hard times. Maybe my ramblings will be used to show someone who randomly stumbles upon this blog during their own hard time that "my help comes from the Lord" and no matter how difficult my circumstances, I know that if I turn to Him He WILL be there and I will get through whatever it is...  sometimes He doesn't take away the pain, tears, or battle we are facing. Maybe it will encourage someone to know that sometimes the best thing He can do is walk through it with us, and when we are too weak to walk it is then that He carries us.

Today, after listening to me pour my heart out about my circumstances one of my very best friends posted a link to a song on my wall. No words were needed... just that simple link, and it was spot on. I don't have the option to pull the covers over my head and cry. The circumstances are not just going to go away. My daughter needs me to be strong. My husband needs me to be strong. I have to just find a way to keep keeping on.

Where does my strength come from?  It comes from the Lord because He will never leave my side. He helps me handle anything I am given.

So God, I'm choosing to praise YOU in this storm because you are who you say you are. Though my heart is torn, I will praise YOU in this storm...

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

A thousands things

I’m weary. I’m tired. I’m physically spent. I’m emotionally drained. I'm plain exhausted.

I know God is near, I know He is lifting me … yet at times He can seem so far away.

Christa Wells has a song, that says, “A thousand things are happening in this one thing, like a thousand fields nourished by a single drop of rain…so wrap yourself in promise and wait the morning light, a thousand things are happening tonight.”

We don’t often see things from His perspective -- But He is working, moving, and walking with me on this crazy difficult path. 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Doing it all... or not!

“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” 

Tenneva Jordan

If you take a good look around this blog you'll notice that my posts have been rather infrequent since my husband left on this deployment in April. I really have the best of intentions and have so many goals and hopes for this blog. I think some of the biggest things motherhood and this deployment have taught me is that I can't do it all and do it well, it's not worth the stress to stretch myself to thin trying, and I'd rather be really great and make choices about what I do than mediocre in everything.

I am first and foremost a wife and a mother.
My days begin and end with my daughter while we wait for my husband's return home. I have always wanted to be able to stay home with my babies and it would be such a shame if I stayed home and yet spent all my time just being here and not really being with my daughter. Does that make sense? 


If I'm not going to get down on the floor and play peek-a-shoe Octopus with her then why am I home with her instead of out earning an income and letting her play with someone who can devote their day to her? Don't get me wrong, I know that not every moment of the day can be play but certainly there is enough time in the day to get down on her level and interact in her world!  I am constantly involving her in helping me get things done as I do chores around the house. When I am hanging up clothes, she is right there with me handing me hangers and clothes or playing in a recently folded pile of socks. She's at a glorious age where even the most mundane of chores can be interesting and fun. I love being home with her to watch her explore and grow.

I am so thankful that we have the means to do things with her that create fun and unique learning experiences and memories!  This season we are enrolled in Gymboree Play and Learn and swim lessons. In addition, we are blessed with the opportunity to have a season pass to the zoo, plan to buy a season pass to the pumpkin patch, and are able to attend multiple playgroup meetings. If we are up for adventure on any particular day there are certainly plenty to be had! My little girl just loves to explore and be out with people so an active lifestyle is important to me for her benefit. She is growing in leaps and bounds and I am so proud of my little social butterfly.

I guess all of the above can be summed up by saying I have been busy loving being a mommy during this deployment. 

We are now moving into a season of transition... we are transitioning to more solid foods, sleeping on our own instead of full-time co-sleeping, and having my husband back home in the States with us. Looking forward we will be transitioning even more as the military moves us from Nebraska to Northern California. As with all times of transition there are things to look forward to and there are things we are anxious about, and there is sometimes a sense of loss. I am sad to leave behind my little girl's total and complete babyhood and dependence on me for everything... but I am excited to see the young lady she is going to blossom into. I am going to be sad to leave our first home together, but I am so excited for a new beginning and the chance to make new friends and connections. I am cautiously excited about the possibility of having my husband home with us for an extended period of time as well!

I am currently floating in the "in-between" stage right now. Fall is so close... the nights are colder and the days are shorter. It's almost cool enough to wear a sweatshirt, but oh wait, no. It's still just a touch too warm -- but it IS perfect sunroof weather!  Deployment is nearly over, but it is still so far away...  I need to order homecoming signs and ensure our outfits are ready, but it will be awhile before we get to hang them up or wear them out.

Please bare with me while I get through all that life has in store for us right now. I know that my visions for this blog will one day be a reality. I hope someday I will have time to pursue my passions for writing and photography and ministering to others full-time... but I feel like perhaps God is telling me to wait... not yet...  I hear Him quietly saying "you have other things to focus on first". I have a house to prepare for my husband's homecoming. I have a little girl who needs me to play on the floor instead of look over the top of my laptop.  I hope to post during some of my "me" time but for now I think my posts will have to be limited as I dedicate most of my "me" time to preparing our home for a peaceful homecoming and transition period. Once our home is in a better state I can better justify using some of my "me" time for my own purposes.

If you'd like to pray for us - please do! 

We welcome any and all prayers, but especially prayers for smooth transitions in the upcoming days, weeks, and months ahead.

Thank you for being faithful blog readers even when I am not able to post as frequently as I hoped. Your support and friendship means so much and I am so thankful for the opportunity to connect and be inspired by each and every one of you. If there is anything I can pray for you about please send me an email or a facebook message and let me know. I am still around and will never be far away...

In Christ,
Cat

Want What You Have

I have an amazing husband.
I have a beautiful, sweet baby girl.
I have a supportive family.
I have wonderful friends.

I am a child of God - who loves unconditionally, forgives endlessly and will never fail me.

Some days are harder than others...  but life is pretty darn great!

What are you thankful for today?

VoiceQuilt: Congratulations and We Love You, Sarge!

I was recently emailed by a company called VoiceQuilt to do a review for their product. It just happens that the timing is perfect as Sarge will be re-enlisting in the Air Force very soon and this is a great way for our family and friends to be able to congratulate him despite the distance! To top it off sometimes the end of deployment, which we are finally near, can be very stressful as military members try to bridge the gap between work and reconnecting with family and life at home.

The process has just begun but so far it has been incredibly easy!  I signed up on their website and then called the given number and followed the prompts to create a greeting that all callers hear when they call to leave their message. If you have ever used voicemail, this works just the same! We have 7 days to record as many messages as we can. After the messages are recorded, I'll continue the process by arranging them into a playlist and choosing a way to present them to Sarge. There are so many options - I'm not sure what I'll choose just yet but I am leaning toward the Audio CD with Leather CD Holder or maybe something like the 4X6 Photo Black Keepsake Box.

I am so excited about this project!  If you'd like to participate just follow the instructions below! It really doesn't matter if you know Sarge personally or not -- if you're a supporter of the military and our family it would be great to hear from you!

To leave a message of encouragement or congratulations for Sarge dial the toll-free number: 1-877-687-7845 and use invitation number: 154638. Follow the prompts and record your message just like you are leaving a voicemail. Use # to review your message and you can just hang up to save it! The deadline to leave a message is September 12, 2011 so please call TODAY!  In addition, if you'd like to send a card you can find our PO Box address on the contact me tab above.

Thank you for helping me create such a great surprise for Sarge!  I'll be blogging more about VoiceQuilt as I work on the project and there just might be a discount or giveaway so stay tuned!

Dear Deployment: Today you win

Dear Deployment:

Today you win and I am exhausted.

My house is a mess of boxes and suitcases that need to be unpacked. I have only been home a few days and I am already sick of eating processed crappy freezer foods, but I just don't have the desire to cook when it is only myself that I am feeding since the baby still mostly nurses. I can't get to the stove or sink anyway thanks to the mess...

I am thankful that I got to see my husband again via Skype and hear his voice, but I am so tired of having this be our only means of communication. Today it just isn't enough and I want him here instead. I attempted to do things I would normally have delegated to my husband and it turned into a huge disaster that still needs to be resolved. Unfortunately, I can't put it off until my husband gets home because it involves the safety of our young child. However, I will save the holes that now need to be patched for him to fix when he gets home because that's purely cosmetic and I don't care enough to bother.

Tonight, I'll wipe the tears from my eyes and go to bed snuggling my sweet girl. I may or may not gather the energy and drive to fix the mess tomorrow but I will rally again soon. You may have won today but I've learned that just like marriage, deployment comes with its ups and downs and neither the ups or the downs lasts forever.

Better days are coming...  Deployment, you may be ahead right now, but you're certainly not going to win!!

Webcam snapshot from our dating days in early 2008

Help find a cure... Be the change.

Friends, this is not something I do very often. However, I feel like I must make this post today and ask that you look into your hearts and see if there is any way that you can make a donation to make a difference in honor of a woman I have never met, who I know must be completely amazing.  

This is Mike and his mom Jean.  Jean was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago and the lives of their family were changed forever. I met Mike while working at YMCA Camp Timbers in West Branch, Michigan summer of 2003. While we weren't close friends at the time we have remained in contact thanks to the wonders of Facebook and I have followed his journey as he has been by his mom's side every step of her battle.

In a way I can relate to Mike because my mom was diagnosed with a terminal illness 6 years ago. My family is extremely lucky in that the doctors gave her 5 years to live and my mom is still here! She has good days and bad days but she still has days... I am so thankful for each and every day that she is still here with us.

Not everyone is so lucky. Mike's family has recently moved his mom to a hospice setting with comfort and peace as the goal. He is still so bravely fighting to reach a goal he set to raise $11,111.11 to honor his mom who's birthday was on 1/11/11 this year. All money raised will benefit breast cancer research. At the time of this post he is approximately $707 away from meeting this goal.

As Mike and his family surround his mom with support and love can you find it in your heart to support this family and my friend by making a donation to help him reach his goal?  Even if you only have a few dollars to give, please think about giving.  If you can't make a donation today, please pass along their story so that maybe someone else will feel led to donate. Every little bit counts.

He's fighting for his mom and for a cure for all men and women and their families affected by this disease. He's not going to give up his fight because he can't walk away.

If you'd like to read more about Mike's story you can do so here ----> Read Mike's Story

If you'd like to make a donation please do so here ---> Make A Donation

Help find a cure... Be the change.

Friends, this is not something I do very often. However, I feel like I must make this post today and ask that you look into your hearts and see if there is any way that you can make a donation to make a difference in honor of a woman I have never met, who I know must be completely amazing.  

This is Mike and his mom Jean.  Jean was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago and the lives of their family were changed forever. I met Mike while working at YMCA Camp Timbers in West Branch, Michigan summer of 2003. While we weren't close friends at the time we have remained in contact thanks to the wonders of Facebook and I have followed his journey as he has been by his mom's side every step of her battle.

In a way I can relate to Mike because my mom was diagnosed with a terminal illness 6 years ago. My family is extremely lucky in that the doctors gave her 5 years to live and my mom is still here! She has good days and bad days but she still has days... I am so thankful for each and every day that she is still here with us.

Not everyone is so lucky. Mike's family has recently moved his mom to a hospice setting with comfort and peace as the goal. He is still so bravely fighting to reach a goal he set to raise $11,111.11 to honor his mom who's birthday was on 1/11/11 this year. All money raised will benefit breast cancer research. At the time of this post he is approximately $707 away from meeting this goal.

As Mike and his family surround his mom with support and love can you find it in your heart to support this family and my friend by making a donation to help him reach his goal?  Even if you only have a few dollars to give, please think about giving.  If you can't make a donation today, please pass along their story so that maybe someone else will feel led to donate. Every little bit counts.

He's fighting for his mom and for a cure for all men and women and their families affected by this disease. He's not going to give up his fight because he can't walk away.

If you'd like to read more about Mike's story you can do so here ----> Read Mike's Story

If you'd like to make a donation please do so here ---> Make A Donation

It's A Beautiful Ride...

Graphic I made and had as a banner on one of my very first blogs almost 10 years ago!

There's a country song that pretty much describes how the first half of this deployment has been. Obviously, I've been less than active in the blogging community and while I would like to say I'm sorry - I'm not really.

You see, sometimes life is just plain hard. This solo-parenting while my husband is deployed thing?  It's HARD. Harder than I ever really thought it would be to tell you the truth.  Maintaining a thriving marriage while living thousands of miles apart with crappy communication and very little time for each other?  HARDER.  I miss my husband so much that it hurts sometimes and it's not just that I want him home, but being apart right now it feels like we are living totally different lives and I hate that! I hate even more that there is nothing I can do about it, except learn from it and do it the best I can with a smile on my face as much as I can.

I've learned that sometimes I have to say no to outside things and events, even when I really don't want to. Staying busy is a great way to pass the days during a deployment and while I definitely advocate it, I've begun to realize that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with saying "I can't handle one more thing on my plate right now!!"

So that's what I've done... I've taken a step back and I don't regret it for one second.  As the song says, "the struggles make you stronger and the changes make you wise."  In a few months when this deployment finally comes in an end I know that I will be able to look back and see myself as stronger and wise because of the choices I've made to just step back and sit on the sidelines for awhile.

Don't let me fool you - we've stayed plenty busy, but I've stopped stressing out if I can't make it to every single event I'm invited to or if some days we end up just hanging out in our pajamas all day as we nurse, play, nap and just enjoy the special bond between us as mother and daughter. Sometimes the laundry piles up, and I eat off paper plates so I don't have to wash more dishes.  Those petty things do NOT matter. The moments are not going to last forever and my baby is growing up so quickly...  I just want to cherish every second.

There is nothing that can turn my day around faster than a hug and kiss from my sweet girl, a content glance as she looks up at me and gently pats me arm while she nurses, or hearing her little voice sing out "mama, mama". I love being a mama so much and am so blessed with the most amazing little girl!

Life ain't always beautiful, but it is such a beautiful ride!  There is so much more than I could say, and I do hope to come back to blogging more often in the next few weeks (because believe me, I have SO MUCH to talk about - it's been a BUSY summer!!)...  but that sweet little voice is calling out for me right now so I'm going to go scoop her up, get us ready for bed and snuggle in for some sweet special moments that are much more important to soak up that browsing Pinterest or Facebook etc.

If you're going through a deployment or not, life can be hard...  when the harder moments come, look around and take stock of all the beautiful things in your life and focus on those things for a few moments. Let those beautiful things refresh you so that you have the strength to get through the hard things. As hard as it is to solo-parent right now, I wouldn't change a single thing if given the chance. I am so blessed and so thankful for the life that I'm living... I'm learning to embrace the moments and trust that God will make sure that my hard times don't last forever.

If you're comfortable sharing, I'd love to hear about the beautiful things in your life that keep you going during the hard times!  Just leave a comment below and if you choose to blog about it, leave the link so I can visit your blog!

If you've never heard the song I'm referring to you can watch it via You Tube HERE

No,life aint always beautiful
Tears will fall sometimes
Life aint always beautiful
But it's a beautiful ride

Life aint always beautiful
Some days I miss your smile
I get tired of walkin' all these lonely miles

And I wish for just one minute
I could see your pretty face
Guess I can dream, but life don't work that way


But the struggles makes me stronger
And the changes make me wise
And happiness has its own way of takin' its sweet time

It's A Beautiful Ride...

Graphic I made and had as a banner on one of my very first blogs almost 10 years ago!

There's a country song that pretty much describes how the first half of this deployment has been. Obviously, I've been less than active in the blogging community and while I would like to say I'm sorry - I'm not really.

You see, sometimes life is just plain hard. This solo-parenting while my husband is deployed thing?  It's HARD. Harder than I ever really thought it would be to tell you the truth.  Maintaining a thriving marriage while living thousands of miles apart with crappy communication and very little time for each other?  HARDER.  I miss my husband so much that it hurts sometimes and it's not just that I want him home, but being apart right now it feels like we are living totally different lives and I hate that! I hate even more that there is nothing I can do about it, except learn from it and do it the best I can with a smile on my face as much as I can.

I've learned that sometimes I have to say no to outside things and events, even when I really don't want to. Staying busy is a great way to pass the days during a deployment and while I definitely advocate it, I've begun to realize that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with saying "I can't handle one more thing on my plate right now!!"

So that's what I've done... I've taken a step back and I don't regret it for one second.  As the song says, "the struggles make you stronger and the changes make you wise."  In a few months when this deployment finally comes in an end I know that I will be able to look back and see myself as stronger and wise because of the choices I've made to just step back and sit on the sidelines for awhile.

Don't let me fool you - we've stayed plenty busy, but I've stopped stressing out if I can't make it to every single event I'm invited to or if some days we end up just hanging out in our pajamas all day as we nurse, play, nap and just enjoy the special bond between us as mother and daughter. Sometimes the laundry piles up, and I eat off paper plates so I don't have to wash more dishes.  Those petty things do NOT matter. The moments are not going to last forever and my baby is growing up so quickly...  I just want to cherish every second.

There is nothing that can turn my day around faster than a hug and kiss from my sweet girl, a content glance as she looks up at me and gently pats me arm while she nurses, or hearing her little voice sing out "mama, mama". I love being a mama so much and am so blessed with the most amazing little girl!

Life ain't always beautiful, but it is such a beautiful ride!  There is so much more than I could say, and I do hope to come back to blogging more often in the next few weeks (because believe me, I have SO MUCH to talk about - it's been a BUSY summer!!)...  but that sweet little voice is calling out for me right now so I'm going to go scoop her up, get us ready for bed and snuggle in for some sweet special moments that are much more important to soak up that browsing Pinterest or Facebook etc.

If you're going through a deployment or not, life can be hard...  when the harder moments come, look around and take stock of all the beautiful things in your life and focus on those things for a few moments. Let those beautiful things refresh you so that you have the strength to get through the hard things. As hard as it is to solo-parent right now, I wouldn't change a single thing if given the chance. I am so blessed and so thankful for the life that I'm living... I'm learning to embrace the moments and trust that God will make sure that my hard times don't last forever.

If you're comfortable sharing, I'd love to hear about the beautiful things in your life that keep you going during the hard times!  Just leave a comment below and if you choose to blog about it, leave the link so I can visit your blog!

If you've never heard the song I'm referring to you can watch it via You Tube HERE

No,life aint always beautiful
Tears will fall sometimes
Life aint always beautiful
But it's a beautiful ride

Life aint always beautiful
Some days I miss your smile
I get tired of walkin' all these lonely miles

And I wish for just one minute
I could see your pretty face
Guess I can dream, but life don't work that way


But the struggles makes me stronger
And the changes make me wise
And happiness has its own way of takin' its sweet time

uncomfortable.

Have you ever felt like God was calling you to do something... uncomfortable?

Did you listen?

uncomfortable.

Have you ever felt like God was calling you to do something... uncomfortable?

Did you listen?

remember

"I thank God for my life, and for the stars and stripes—may freedom forever fly, let it ring. Salute the ones who died, and the ones who gave their lives, so we don't have to sacrifice all the things we love..." Zac Brown Band

remember

"I thank God for my life, and for the stars and stripes—may freedom forever fly, let it ring. Salute the ones who died, and the ones who gave their lives, so we don't have to sacrifice all the things we love..." Zac Brown Band

taking a break

I've decided to take a short break from the blog to focus on my baby girl.
In her sweet eyes I can see that she needs her mommy's full attention right now.

We'd appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see she was sent to rescue me

I see who I wanna be, in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe, in my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light, it's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave, maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy she made me
For I'll be there, in my daughters eyes.

taking a break

I've decided to take a short break from the blog to focus on my baby girl.
In her sweet eyes I can see that she needs her mommy's full attention right now.

We'd appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see she was sent to rescue me

I see who I wanna be, in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe, in my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light, it's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave, maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy she made me
For I'll be there, in my daughters eyes.

this is the stuff

Have you heard that catchy song by Francesca Battistelli?  

You know, how it goes... 

"Lost my keys in the great unknown, and call me please 'cause I can't find my phone." 

My husband teased me quite a bit when that song came out because it seems like my keys and phone are always missing when I need them not to be.  Don't even get me started on the sunglasses -- I now own 2 pair and keep them stashed strategically throughout the house/car so I don't have to spend precious moments looking for them when I'm running late and trying to get out the door.  

Just in case you've never heard the song, take a listen!

What stuff is getting to me lately?

4 trips to the ER in one week's time.  Having to cancel plans with friends... again.

6 errand stops in 4 hours time with a tired little one. Forgetting trash day.

A house that's never as clean as I'd like it. My brand new phone re-booting every 20 minutes.

Missed phone calls from my deployed husband. Running out of Diet Pepsi just as the baby falls asleep.

This is the stuff that drives me crazy.

It might not be what I choose... but this is the stuff He's using.

In the middle of my little mess, I CANT forget how big I am blessed.

I have an amazing husband, the sweetest baby girl, fantastic friends, a loving family... and a God that is bigger than everything going on in my life!  I am SO blessed!

What little stuff going on in your life is driving you crazy?

I hope you'll stop and take a moment to look at your life and realize just how big YOU are blessed, in the midst of this crazy mess we call life!

this is the stuff

Have you heard that catchy song by Francesca Battistelli?  

You know, how it goes... 

"Lost my keys in the great unknown, and call me please 'cause I can't find my phone." 

My husband teased me quite a bit when that song came out because it seems like my keys and phone are always missing when I need them not to be.  Don't even get me started on the sunglasses -- I now own 2 pair and keep them stashed strategically throughout the house/car so I don't have to spend precious moments looking for them when I'm running late and trying to get out the door.  

Just in case you've never heard the song, take a listen!

What stuff is getting to me lately?

4 trips to the ER in one week's time.  Having to cancel plans with friends... again.

6 errand stops in 4 hours time with a tired little one. Forgetting trash day.

A house that's never as clean as I'd like it. My brand new phone re-booting every 20 minutes.

Missed phone calls from my deployed husband. Running out of Diet Pepsi just as the baby falls asleep.

This is the stuff that drives me crazy.

It might not be what I choose... but this is the stuff He's using.

In the middle of my little mess, I CANT forget how big I am blessed.

I have an amazing husband, the sweetest baby girl, fantastic friends, a loving family... and a God that is bigger than everything going on in my life!  I am SO blessed!

What little stuff going on in your life is driving you crazy?

I hope you'll stop and take a moment to look at your life and realize just how big YOU are blessed, in the midst of this crazy mess we call life!

just us girls

Sarge has been gone for a couple weeks now and Monkey and I are still trying to settle into a groove of our own. Things are different without daddy around, and we're finding it a bit strange to not have his work schedule to plan around.

I thought we were getting the hang of things, but over the weekend we had a scary introduction to food allergies for Monkey. She is still exclusively breastfed so they say it was likely related to some peanuts that I ate. I rarely eat peanuts, unless I am dipping apples in peanut butter, but reached for a quick easy snack late one night.

 A few hours later, my sweet girl was covered in hives and I was rushing her to the hospital. I am so thankful that we live very close to the hospital as the situation was critical when we got there. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing and my sweet girl was doing much better a few hours later. 

Tuesday night, we had a similar experience, except we aren't sure what caused it as I made sure I did not eat anything containing nuts! After another trip to the ER we are both quite exhausted and praying that things settle down for a little bit.  Any semblance of a routine is also a little thrown off right now so we're hoping to get back to it and settle back into a good groove really soon!

When we got home from our latest long night at the hospital I decided that we would take a day to just reconnect and refresh ourselves. Oh, how we needed that!

I knew going into this deployment that solo-parenting would be quite challenging at times, especially with Monkey being only 6 months old and still needing so much care 24 hours a day. Yet, I guess you can never really prepare for this type of an experience and how it will really affect each member of the family. 

We are doing the best we can, but we both miss Sarge very much!  I am surprised at how much Monkey is able to communicate with me that she misses her daddy. I'm not sure why I didn't expect it, but I thought it would be easier because she is younger. She really notices his absence! 

The first week he was gone, she would meltdown for 2-3 hours after we got off of the phone or Skype with him. Thankfully, she seems to be adjusting a little better and while she still gets sad when daddy has to go, we are not often having the long meltdowns we were having previously. 

 I have been working on editing together several videos Sarge made for Monkey before he left and watching her watch daddy is becoming an absolute favorite part of my day! It might just be a recording of Sarge, but that's her daddy and she savors every chance to interact with him. She is thrilled that he knows and never tires of her favorite game - peek-a-boo!

 I'm realizing more and more that right now my little girl just needs her mommy. The house is messy and less organized than I prefer, the laundry piles up a little higher, and the dishwasher is always full of dishes... but none of that matters in her life right now! All that matters is that she has a little extra time and attention as we adjust to having Sarge so far away, and as long as she is content I am happy to set aside those not so important things for another time. 

She's not always going to be 6 months old so I'm cherishing every second. I'm thankful that at least for right now all it takes to cheer her up is a video of daddy and some extra snuggles from mommy!

just us girls

Sarge has been gone for a couple weeks now and Monkey and I are still trying to settle into a groove of our own. Things are different without daddy around, and we're finding it a bit strange to not have his work schedule to plan around.

I thought we were getting the hang of things, but over the weekend we had a scary introduction to food allergies for Monkey. She is still exclusively breastfed so they say it was likely related to some peanuts that I ate. I rarely eat peanuts, unless I am dipping apples in peanut butter, but reached for a quick easy snack late one night.

 A few hours later, my sweet girl was covered in hives and I was rushing her to the hospital. I am so thankful that we live very close to the hospital as the situation was critical when we got there. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing and my sweet girl was doing much better a few hours later. 

Tuesday night, we had a similar experience, except we aren't sure what caused it as I made sure I did not eat anything containing nuts! After another trip to the ER we are both quite exhausted and praying that things settle down for a little bit.  Any semblance of a routine is also a little thrown off right now so we're hoping to get back to it and settle back into a good groove really soon!

When we got home from our latest long night at the hospital I decided that we would take a day to just reconnect and refresh ourselves. Oh, how we needed that!

I knew going into this deployment that solo-parenting would be quite challenging at times, especially with Monkey being only 6 months old and still needing so much care 24 hours a day. Yet, I guess you can never really prepare for this type of an experience and how it will really affect each member of the family. 

We are doing the best we can, but we both miss Sarge very much!  I am surprised at how much Monkey is able to communicate with me that she misses her daddy. I'm not sure why I didn't expect it, but I thought it would be easier because she is younger. She really notices his absence! 

The first week he was gone, she would meltdown for 2-3 hours after we got off of the phone or Skype with him. Thankfully, she seems to be adjusting a little better and while she still gets sad when daddy has to go, we are not often having the long meltdowns we were having previously. 

 I have been working on editing together several videos Sarge made for Monkey before he left and watching her watch daddy is becoming an absolute favorite part of my day! It might just be a recording of Sarge, but that's her daddy and she savors every chance to interact with him. She is thrilled that he knows and never tires of her favorite game - peek-a-boo!

 I'm realizing more and more that right now my little girl just needs her mommy. The house is messy and less organized than I prefer, the laundry piles up a little higher, and the dishwasher is always full of dishes... but none of that matters in her life right now! All that matters is that she has a little extra time and attention as we adjust to having Sarge so far away, and as long as she is content I am happy to set aside those not so important things for another time. 

She's not always going to be 6 months old so I'm cherishing every second. I'm thankful that at least for right now all it takes to cheer her up is a video of daddy and some extra snuggles from mommy!

black socks

Monkey and I are back home and finally starting to settle back in. True to what I said previously, I did not expect much of myself when I got home. I was more social than planned and really enjoyed getting together with a few friends. I gave myself a break as far as housework was concerned and just focused on being back home and getting Monkey into a routine that works for the two of us. 

Yesterday, started out a bit rocky. Sarge was wonderful and took the time to call me before heading to bed, but I was stressed and didn't get the response from him that I wanted or needed and was quickly frustrated. We talked through it, but as we said our "see you soon's" I was still burdened with being here alone and having to make all the decisions mostly by myself.

I decided it was time to tackle cleaning up a little and since I've been sleeping on my husband's side of the bed, I started with moving his nightstand, the dog kennel and his lamp to really clean up under and behind them. Boy, was that needed! I then began straightening the area toward the end of the bed and lifted up the comforter that usually spends most of its time on the floor after we kick it off because we are too hot. 

There they were. Still in their packaging, a brand new pair of my favorite black socks!

Ok, I know you're sitting there going "big deal, it's a pair of socks!" but seriously? When was the last time you put on a brand spanking new pair of socks? Do you remember how it feels? They are so soft and full of cushion and I just love the way they feel on my feet when they are brand new! I'm not totally crazy, did you know that Robin Williams only wears every pair of his socks once and then donates them to charity? He does!

I love brand new socks! Not long ago, my husband came home from the store with that very package of brand new socks. He was trying to cheer me up and his mission was successful!  Not only did I love the thought when he first gave them to me, but in that moment when I found those socks hiding under the comforter it felt like my husband was right back home with me, where he belongs. My heart smiled and it was as if he was giving me a sign that everything is going to be ok, even if they are stressful and hard right now.

He doesn't always have the words, and that frustrates me. He has always been there for me no matter what in his own little ways though. Last night, it was those socks that reminded me of his love and that I'm not alone, even when he is so far away. I am absolutely the luckiest!

There is only one fitting way to end this entry..

Black socks they never get dirty, the longer you wear them the stronger they get!

Sometimes I think I should wash them but something inside me keeps saying not yet!

Not yet! Not yet! Not yet!

black socks

Monkey and I are back home and finally starting to settle back in. True to what I said previously, I did not expect much of myself when I got home. I was more social than planned and really enjoyed getting together with a few friends. I gave myself a break as far as housework was concerned and just focused on being back home and getting Monkey into a routine that works for the two of us. 

Yesterday, started out a bit rocky. Sarge was wonderful and took the time to call me before heading to bed, but I was stressed and didn't get the response from him that I wanted or needed and was quickly frustrated. We talked through it, but as we said our "see you soon's" I was still burdened with being here alone and having to make all the decisions mostly by myself.

I decided it was time to tackle cleaning up a little and since I've been sleeping on my husband's side of the bed, I started with moving his nightstand, the dog kennel and his lamp to really clean up under and behind them. Boy, was that needed! I then began straightening the area toward the end of the bed and lifted up the comforter that usually spends most of its time on the floor after we kick it off because we are too hot. 

There they were. Still in their packaging, a brand new pair of my favorite black socks!

Ok, I know you're sitting there going "big deal, it's a pair of socks!" but seriously? When was the last time you put on a brand spanking new pair of socks? Do you remember how it feels? They are so soft and full of cushion and I just love the way they feel on my feet when they are brand new! I'm not totally crazy, did you know that Robin Williams only wears every pair of his socks once and then donates them to charity? He does!

I love brand new socks! Not long ago, my husband came home from the store with that very package of brand new socks. He was trying to cheer me up and his mission was successful!  Not only did I love the thought when he first gave them to me, but in that moment when I found those socks hiding under the comforter it felt like my husband was right back home with me, where he belongs. My heart smiled and it was as if he was giving me a sign that everything is going to be ok, even if they are stressful and hard right now.

He doesn't always have the words, and that frustrates me. He has always been there for me no matter what in his own little ways though. Last night, it was those socks that reminded me of his love and that I'm not alone, even when he is so far away. I am absolutely the luckiest!

There is only one fitting way to end this entry..

Black socks they never get dirty, the longer you wear them the stronger they get!

Sometimes I think I should wash them but something inside me keeps saying not yet!

Not yet! Not yet! Not yet!

top 25

Raising Monkey, Loving Sarge has been nominated as one of the top 25 Military Family Life Blogs! 

Please go and vote for us!

You can vote once every 24 hours!

top 25

Raising Monkey, Loving Sarge has been nominated as one of the top 25 Military Family Life Blogs! 

Please go and vote for us!

You can vote once every 24 hours!

peek a boo

Who can't smile when they hear her sweet giggles?
We love our sweet Monkey!

Happy 1/2 birthday baby girl!
I can hardly remember life without you and it certainly is better WITH you!

peek a boo

Who can't smile when they hear her sweet giggles?
We love our sweet Monkey!

Happy 1/2 birthday baby girl!
I can hardly remember life without you and it certainly is better WITH you!