Day 46

 I took the kids trick or treating last night.
(The base had theirs on the 29th, the city will have it on Halloween. Which is the exact opposite of last year.)

My children haven't figured out that most kids get to choose a costume from the store each year.
They think it's normal to just go to your dress up bin and put something together.

Alex decided on a fairy, and Derek went as the worlds most adorable firefighter. He could put out fires with his cuteness.

 A few days ago the high reached 80 degrees, but last night was downright cold. Go figure.
The kids didn't seem to notice, in their rush to collect the goods.

Brooke joined us, just like last year. 

(Ignore Derek's plastic bag. He left his pumpkin sitting at home.)

So typically what happens after Halloween, is that my kids eat a few pieces of candy that night, and then I do the usual mom-thing and parcel it out one piece at a time over the next several weeks.

This presents a few problems. Namely, I have no willpower and I will eat the candy after the kids go to bed. And also, ever since Alex had her cavities, I'm trying to be better about limiting sugary treats. Dragging out the candy eating for the next month didn't seem prudent.

So we tried something new last night.
We got home, I put on an episode of Mickey Mouse, and I let them go to town on their candy.
They ate and ate and ate until the show was over, then after a thorough teeth-brushing, I sent their sugared up bodies right to bed.

Then first thing this morning, the eating resumed. Sunday morning cartoons and a breakfast of sugar.


I regretted that about 15 minutes later when I realized I couldn't send them back to bed.
So instead I sent them outside to run it off and we ended up with a new family member.

His name is Don and he's living in my dining room, of all places.

But I happen to think my family is just perfect the way it is. No Don necessary.

This is the last thing I see every night before I climb into the very middle of our queen sized bed.

I miss my husband.
(But I do like hogging the bed.)

Day 44

Meet the Schore family comedy duo. They think they are very funny.

If I recollect, this "photo session" before Awanas last night ended with an exasperated mommy who wondered why it is impossible for two children to stand still for 10 seconds with a semi-normal face on.


What they didn't know is that the joke was on them.

Check out their jeans:

Can we say, last season's pants?
I obviously need to purchase my children some properly fitting jeans for the winter.
There is only one small problem-- shopping with the two of them drives me batty.

And they never go away.

So shopping without the two of them doesn't seem like it's going to happen anytime soon. 

I don't really see a resolution to this, so they might just have to wear short pants until I deposit them on Pat the Bunny's porch steps in 3 weeks and drive off without leaving any contact information.

Don't worry, PtB, I'll mail some jeans. You do not want to take them to the mall.

I think my trip north will be right in the nick of time.
Alex was writing in a special book that she received for the deployment to help her get ideas for writing letters to Josh. This particular page had a "sunny day" portion and a "rainy day" portion. She was supposed to write the best part of her week into the sunny day, and the worst in the rainy day.

I can't remember what she came up with for the best part, but I distinctly remember her telling me that the two worst parts of her week are that:
1) Daddy's gone
and
2) Mom usually yells at me.

I refrained from telling her that she usually deserves it (and that she gets her exaggeration skills from her father), and instead told her that I'm sorry if I've yelled at her.
But if she understood the feminine cycle she would just give me a break from her incessant talking, aggravating her brother, and do what I tell her the first time.

Methinks my patience is running a wee bit low this week.

I did move school on Tuesday to a location where we could snuggle up with some hot chocolate, and she was very happy about our "date."
Of course she doesn't remember that when it's time to tattle on mommy, eh?

Alex also told me today that she was going to count all of her Halloween candy when she went to bed to make sure that I wasn't sneaking it while she was sleeping.

When did she get so smart?
And also, she knows me really well.

Day 42

For some reason I can't watch The Biggest Loser without having a snack. This seems counter-intuitive, but nevertheless true.

Don't worry, I've settled for grapes.
I'm triple-tasking- TV watching, eating, and blogging all at once.

What talent!

Yesterday I took the kids to get flu shots. I didn't tell them what we were doing until we got into the clinic. Then Alex asked and I was forced to fess up.
They both were doing this whimpering thing all the way down the hall. There was much moaning from my oldest, until we were checked in and they said that everyone eligible would be getting the flu mist instead of the shot.

So Alex and I were going to receive the mist, but poor Derek had to have the flu shot, plus two other immunizations that he was needing.
(Since he has reactive airway issues, he can't have the live virus that's in the mist. Oh, and he's not really supposed to have the shot either, since it's egg-based, but he's starting to tolerate eggs better so I figured it was worth the risk. Mama can't handle the vomit.)

All the sudden, Alex was quite nonchalant about shots. "Don't worry Derek, it's no big deal. It will help you stay healthy and it will only hurt for a second."

Ha. Funny how one minute earlier she had been the one on the verge of tears. ;)

Fast forward to Monday night, and my little guy started to have his usual reaction to immunizations-- fever, chills, and just plain not feeling good.
Poor kid. His body overreacts to everything-- milk, eggs, peanuts, illness, vaccines, you name it.

So I moved him into my bed because I wanted to keep a close eye on him.

I saw literally every hour on the clock throughout the night. He whined, whimpered, tossed, turned, and shivered all night long.
And that boy MOVES all the time.

Once, I reached over to feel his forehead to see if he needed another dose of Motrin.
Instead of his head, I found his little bum.
He was everywhere.

Mama had a big 'ol cup of coffee this morning.
And a nap in the afternoon.

We were up from naps just in time for Taco Tuesday.
Which is not colorfuel approved, but you gotta live a little, right?

We've been able to skype with Josh a couple times over the past few days.
He's still doing really well, which in turn makes the deployment easier on me, too.
If he were miserable, it would make the sacrifice of being apart that much harder.

I'm married to a man who is smart, brave, loving, and who has really good taste in women.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I love him.

The playhouse (hours of painting entertainment!)

 I have no reason...

Josh, I tried twice. Messed it up twice.

Sorry.
I was looking a little rough anyway. I still need a haircut.


Happy Tuesday People.

Day 39

Today is Saturday.

This morning, some friends and I threw a surprise baby shower for our friend Ashley.
My primary job was to bring the sandwiches. (They give me the easy tasks, because they know I'm no Holly Homemaker.)

I ordered them early in the week and arranged to pick them up at 9:30 this morning, because the shower was starting at 10:45 and the girl who was hosting lives about 25 minutes from my house.

I was totally prepared this morning. Thanks to my cleaned out closet, I had even chosen my clothes last night. My friend Amy did the dirty work and arranged for the babysitter, so all I had to do was get the sandwiches, drop the kids off at Amy's, and head to the shower.

The plan was going smoothly until 9:31 when I was standing in front of the deli counter and the workers were acting like they had no earthly idea what I was doing there asking for sandwiches.

Do you know how long it takes to slap together 4 feet of subs? I'll tell you-- twenty minutes.
Twenty long minutes.
Twenty minutes of the kids running circles around my cart.
Twenty minutes of thinking I could do it faster myself.
Twenty minutes wondering if I was going to get the sandwiches to the party before Ashley arrived for the surprise.

I made it.
But my morning of zen was ruined.
This is what I get for making an attempt to be on-the-ball.

I thought that might be the lowest point in my day, until 4:30pm when I had a temper tantrum in the driveway.
Not the kids.
Me.

I was simply trying to replace the tube in the tire of Alex's bike. But I could not get the darn old tube out of there. I tried everything, and it just wouldn't come off the rim.

I realize now that this is really not a big deal, and I can certainly ask someone for help or take it somewhere, but it was just frustrating and I really wanted to throw the whole wheel across the yard.
The kids wouldn't stop trying to "help" me and Alex kept asking when she was going to be able to ride her bike again.
I may or may not have told her that she can ride again in the spring when daddy is home.

Sometimes I just want my husband to be home.
Maybe even more than sometimes.

Overall we are doing really well, but there are always those moments that remind me of how long we still have to go.
Going to church without him is always one of those times, and many days I think I would be a much better mommy if there was just someone else to step in now and then and deal with an argument, give a bath, or wipe a tushie.

39 days down.
About 4 weeks until I head north and get a reprieve from grandparents, aunts, & uncles.

I miss you, Josh Schore.
I might even kiss you with that mustache if you were around.

Maybe.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, my love. I'll do better.

But I do have this-- Alex reading a story she wrote for school. It had to be about a bug, and needed to show personification.

Can I just say that I'm re-learning a lot of things I'd forgotten? This is alarming, as she is in first grade.

I love that the wings were "bright and colorful." Have you seen her wardrobe? Of course they were :)

Sister Wives

I decided about a couple of seconds ago that if I have a title for a blog post then I'm going to go ahead and use it, and save the day numbering for when I can't think of one. 

Aren't you glad I'm keeping you informed of the minutia that goes through my brain on a moment to moment basis?

Today we will be discussing Sister Wives.
Not the TV show, because I've never seen it.
Not because I'm not interesting in seeing it, but because I basically rely on my husband to help me do things like search for and record shows on the DVR.
And when he's not here to remind me, those things fall to the wayside.

Other things that fall to the wayside: replacing blown light bulbs, shaving my legs, and having sexual relations.


Now that I think of it, I suppose I could do something about 2 of those issues.

Moving on.

Today after Bible study a couple of the gals were planning to run over to Sam's club to grab a few items and to dine in their uber-classy cafeteria. So the kids and I joined them. As we were walking in, my friend commented that we really looked like sister wives with our crazy brood.

3- 30-somethings
1- 6 year old
1- 5 year old
2- 4 year olds
1- 3 year old
1- 2 year old
2- 5 month olds

It was a hot mess. All of the tables were full until we arrived and suddenly folks just started to clear out. Wonder why?

I wanted to stand on a table and say "I'm sorry we are about to make your dining experience unpleasant. This is what happens when you eat lunch at a warehouse store. Stop feeling sorry for yourselves, and feel sorry for us. Our husbands are in Afghanistan and this is our idea of a good time."

We hadn't even gotten the kids settled at a table yet when Derek had an urgent need for a potty break. Then one of the twins had a leaky poopy diaper. Then she threw up all over her mom. There was pushing on the bench seat, admonitions against potty talk, tears over a dropped hotdog, and big sisters getting hit in the head with little brother's cup.
All of this was followed by the processional out to the parking lot.

Me pushing a cart with a three year old and bulk quantities of diapers and formula. One mom pushing a double stroller with two infants, one mom holding on to a two year old, and three "big" kids hanging from the cart.

Total success.

There really is something special about the bond you forge as a military wife, especially in a fighter squadron. Because our guys all deploy together, we rely on each other for just about everything.

Including cleaning out each other's closets.

So my friend Katie, who will be moving in about a month to California (boo!) and who just had a new baby (yea!), heard me say that I planned to clean out my closet while Josh was gone.

Now.
Some of you know this about me, and others, like Katie, just choose to believe the best about me against all reason.
I am a procrasterbator.

I mean, procrastinator.

Yes, my closet did need to be cleaned out. Yes, there might possibly have been an item or two with shoulder-pads in there. Yes, I've had clothes in there that I haven't worn in over 5 years.
But when I said that I was going to clean out my closet while Josh was gone, I meant that I was going to talk about cleaning out my closet for about 4 months. Then I was slowly going to motivate myself to do it during the 5th month. Finally, about 3 days before he returned home, I was going to spend about 15 minutes in my closet, purge an item or two, and pat myself on the back for a job well done.

But.
Apparantly closet-cleaning is near and dear to Katie's heart. She quite literally begged me to let her help. She set the day and time, and I knew it was inevitable.

Ladies and gentlemen. She is serious about her closet cleaning.
If I so much as paused to ponder whether I would actually wear an item of clothing, it was an immediate no from her and she snatched it from my precious little hands.

Goodness, would you look at that pile?

Guess who has a lot more room in her closet these days?

Love me some sister wives.


Disclaimer: No husband sharing ever has, or ever will occur.
Keep your hands off, ladies.
He's all mine.

Disclaimer's Disclaimer-- I promised Josh that if I used that photo, I would tell you that it was an attempt at being ironical and that he does not, indeed, actually think he looks cool in the oversized sunglasses, a shaved head, and a pedophile mustache.

How's that, honey?

Day 36

Let me finish up recapping my weekend in DC before this turns out like my Disney blog posts.
You know, in which I detail every ride, meal, and bathroom break for the first two days, and then wrap up the remaining 5 days with a sentence like: "Mickey, Princesses, Funnel Cake, Yea!"

I believe I left off with some pictures of our time on the Mall. Here are a few more taken in the Natural History Museum:

 

They had a "Discovery Room" with a lot of hands-on things for the kids to do. 

Of course I only took a picture of one thing, because I was busy not losing my children who like to run in opposite directions.

Alex ogling the Hope Diamond. She is a princess, after all, you know.

This isn't a good picture, but we had made it a point to stop by the mummy exhibit. Alex has been learning about ancient Egypt in her schooling, and it was neat for her to see a real mummy.
Well neat, and kind of gross.

When we were too tired to explore any more, we took the Metro back to the van and drove a few miles to my friend Melissa's house. She and her husband Mike had so kindly offered to host our little reunion at their home. They live in a beautiful neighborhood in Virginia, and the fall colors were really starting to turn.

We spent the next two days catching up, eating, watching football, and playing Words with Friends online while sitting next to each other.

We always were a little strange.

Here's the crew:

Left to Right: Mike, Melissa, Nicole, Me, Dana (holding Stella), and Karen.

We were smiling because it was still halftime when we took the picture and we hadn't lost the game yet.
It was not a good weekend for Michigan sports. First our beloved Wolverines lost, then the Tigers, then the Lions.

Lions and tigers and wolverines. Oh my.

Poor Mike was surrounded by a bunch of gals for the weekend, but he was a great sport. And Alex took to him right away. Maybe a little too much; she wouldn't leave him alone.

We had fun getting away for a little bit, and it was a good practice run for our drive up to Michigan next month.

In other news, Derek has regressed in going through the appropriate steps to a pleasant bathroom experience.
Thrice since Josh has left, my sweet son has forgotten the final stage of preparation, in which he must rectify any sticking of penis to scrotum. Thrice he has peed down his pants and onto the floor directly in front of the potty.
I'm getting a little tired of it.

So now we're back to the rather undignified reminder as he runs to the bathroom. "Please make sure your penis isn't stuck to your balls."

It just doesn't feel right to yell that across the house as he jets past, but it seems it cannot be helped.
I'll keep you updated on the progress.

Tonight was Awanas night again. I had to forgo my usual dinner date with the other temporarily single ladies in favor of running a few errands sans children.
Funny thing about those kids-- they never go away. I must carefully ration my 1.5 hours a week of kidlessness to get the optimal amount of errands accomplished.

Do you live near your family? Does said family ever watch your children for you? This is just a friendly reminder to appreciate that. Because it really kind of stinks to have to get a babysitter so you can get a haircut, or go to a baby shower, or even worse, go to the dentist.

This post is really getting away from me.

I'll leave you with my moment of awakening that I had tonight while in the dressing room of The Targets:

I am going back on Colorfuel.
Like, tomorrow.


That is all.

Day 35

Josh really likes it when I have a new post with pictures for him to see when he gets up in the morning.
Though I'm really not sure when exactly he gets up. Time differences have never been my strong point.

But it is 10:40pm and I promised myself to be sleeping by 11 tonight so I don't have time to finish up my DC trip recap. So he'll have to settle for this:

Derek ready to get on the bus this morning.

It was very sunny.

But Alex and I were prepared for the sun with our matching paparazzi sunglasses.

Disregard the fact that my hair looked like a wet mop.
It was wet. And I assure you I was only moments from grabbing the pony-tail holder.

I need a haircut.

And here's something to wrap this post up.

The other night Alex got out of the shower and was looking at herself in the mirror.
She said: "I don't think I look as pretty as the princesses."
Me: "Don't let Daddy hear you say that! He thinks you're the most beautiful princess."
Alex (pouting): "Do you think I'm as pretty as a princess?"  (Vain much?)
Me: "Well I think when you're pouting you're not as pretty as when you smile."
Alex (VERY disgruntled): "You hurt my feelings. You said I wasn't pretty. I'm going to tell Daddy."

I defended my comment to no avail.
The next morning Alex brought me this to send to Josh:

(Translation: Mommy said last night I am not a princess. This is me last night. I cried. Love Alex.)

For the record-- that is not what I said.

It's 10:47. Good night.

Day 33

The kids and I made it back from our little getaway this past weekend.

And look what happened while we were away!
We marked one month off this deployment.
1 down, 5.5-6ish to go.

Miss you bunches, my love.


So Derek's preschool had been canceled on Thursday because his classroom was in the shop.

Yes, yes. Go ahead and laugh.

I guess the wheels on the bus don't always go round and round, eh?

I took that as a sign that I should go ahead with my plan to drive up to the DC area a little early. We left Thursday morning and made good time; it's about a 4-4.5 hour drive.

I had reserved a room on Andrews Air Force Base in the VOQs (visiting officers quarters).

My dad was in the Air Force, and we lived in base housing on Andrews for 15 years. After we arrived and had lunch, I drove the kids around a bit and showed them where I used to live and play.

Alex asked in her best bored voice, "Mommy why do you keep telling us about what you used to do?"

Well pardon moi, I thought she might care to know.

I thought wrong.

Once it was check-in time, we headed over to the hotel. I checked in and then took the kids back to the parking lot to grab our belongings.

Shockingly, they were no help.

I had a suitcase, a backpack, a laptop case, toiletry bag, purse, and the ever-important flat-iron on my person as we walked back across the bigger-every-minute parking lot and inside the building.

That's when things got ugly. Let me take you back in time with me...

I made two wrong turns looking for the elevator.
Bags were beginning to hurt my shoulders.
Got up to the third floor, turned left, and traveled what felt like a mile to Room 8348.
Shoulders were definitely cramping at that point.
Have you seen what kids do when they get into a hotel hallway?
Grrrr.
Pulled out the room key.
It was for Room 8748, which would have required a right turn at the elevator.
Deep sigh.
Herded the children and stuff back through the maze, past the elevator, and finally arrive at Room 8748.
Might possibly have required a double arm amputation if I didn't drop the bags soon.
Pulled out room key.
KEY DID NOT WORK.

GRRRRRRRR.

Took children and belongings back to check in desk on first floor.
There was a line. 
A slow moving line. 

Finally got a new key and repeated the trip up the elevator, over the river, and through the woods. 
Arrived at Room 8748.
Hallelujah, the door opened. 


Entered room.
Something was amiss.
There was only one bed in the room. 
That seemed strange, because I distinctly remembered making the reservation for 1 adult and 2 children. 
And I'm not on board with the family bed. 


Picked up phone and called the desk.
Apparently the VOQs are all only one bed units. 
Which would have been helpful to know when I made the reservation. 


By that time we were running late to meet a friend of mine at my old school, so we just freshened up a little and left. Then I was able to have a late dinner with another friend before finally making it back to the room around 9pm. 


My kids + road trip + candy on road trip + no nap/quiet time + up late= Monstrosities.


I got to sleep with my girl while Derek used his PeaPod tent that I thankfully had packed for the rest of the trip. 

The peapod is convenient, yet loud.
Every time he moved it sounded like he was jogging in cheap windpants. 
And he moved ALL NIGHT LONG.
In other words, it wasn't a great night's sleep for yours truly.

In the morning we got up, got cleaned up, packed up, and headed down to check out. Thankfully that went better than check-in.

Note to Josh Schore: Thank you for all the schlepping you do on our hotel trips. I never realized exactly how much it stinks until I have to do it all by myself.

It was a little rainy, but I decided to go ahead with the plan to visit the Mall before heading over to my friend Melissa's house where our mini-reunion was taking place.

We visited the Natural History Museum, the American History Museum, and the sculpture garden.

Naturally, the highlight for the kids was the Metro and the escalators.

Waiting for our train-

(Poor Derek had to wear a size 24 month raincoat. See? He is still my baby!)

Alex on the Metro.  Beware the sleeve-eating monster on the orange line.

Derek & Alex at the kids' area of the National Museum of American History.

Outside of the Star Spangled Banner exhibit-

It was just dripping so we went to the middle of the Mall for a shot of both the Washington Monument...

...and the Capitol building.

Sculpture garden-

Six in the City-

To be continued...

Day 28

Really? Is it only 28?
Feels longer.

But this coming weekend will be full of fun and adventure as the kids and I head out on a trip to Washington, DC.

Little-know facts about yours truly---
I grew up a few miles outside of Washington DC
I went to the same small, private school from 6th grade through high school graduation
I used to do a lot of Steve Irkle impersonations in junior high
I wore thick glasses and braces, had a perm, and, well...better just show you the picture again:

The DC area was probably happy to get rid of me.

But this weekend, I'm going back to meet up with several of my college housemates for a little reunion and to watch the Michigan-Michigan State game together.

I'm pretty much a die-hard Michigan fan. Last week I listened to the game online because we don't get the Big 10 network. That's some dedication, right?

We brought Alex home from the hospital in this little gem:

(In my defense, we did not know if she was going to be a boy or a girl. Also, we didn't know that babies were so tiny when they came out.)

I am excited that we've had a great season so far-- even if we haven't faced very tough opponents up til now. It's the first year with a new coach and I'll take whatever wins we can get.
Go Blue!

I'm planning to go up a day early and stay the night at my old stomping grounds, and hopefully see some high school friends.
So if you're reading this, and you're a high school friend who wants to see me...

Wait.
I forgot about the Steve Irkle thing.
I'll probably just have to drive by some old hangouts and call it good.
But do wave if you see me. Even if I was a nerd.

I think this will be the first time I've ever stayed in a hotel on my own with the kids. And even though I learned to drive on the Beltway, I've been in small towns for so many years now that I'm a little nervous about city driving.
Wish me luck! And watch out for a slow-moving minivan with Idaho plates.

Update-- after speaking with my husband, he would like me to clarify my invitation-- If you are a high school friend who I have not kissed then we should catch up!

What can I say?
I got rid of the glasses, braces, and perm. Then I grew some boobies.
Hence, kissing.

(Note to self-- do not buy Alex contacts. Purchase many perms. Ask the orthodontist to take his time. Hope for a flat chest.)

That is all.

Except for this--
I found it when I was looking for her coming home picture. Alex and PtB have always been good buds.

And this--

That guy's hot.
And he has a cute baby, too.

A Special Day

This post gets more than just a number-- it is a very special day for our little family.

Last night, Alex decided that she was ready to pray to become a follower of Jesus!
I'm so very grateful that the Lord has softened her heart and given her the gift of a simple faith in him.

Ephesians 2:8-9 
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so no one can boast.

I only wish that her daddy had been home to hear her prayer. She didn't hesitate or even ask me what she should say; it was a sweet, sweet moment.

Afterward she said, "Mommy, do you think Daddy will be as excited as you are when I tell him? 
I don't think he's going to cry like you."
She laughed at me for crying, but I couldn't help it. I told her they were happy tears.
And as I closed the door to her room, I told her that the angels in heaven were having a celebration for her.

I know that many of you reading this blog do not share our faith, and I thank you for putting up with these posts that are more faith-centered. I hope you never feel 'preached at' or offended by anything I might write.
But I want to take a moment and just encourage you to consider what you believe about God, the Bible, and Jesus Christ. The way modern culture perceives Christian religion is so far off-based from what it is to truly be a servant of Jesus. The joy, peace, and freedom of a relationship with your Creator is something I wish for each and every one of you.


*Stepping down from the pulpit*
;)

Today for school, Alex had an assignment to use her imagination and write a story about being someone or something other than herself. She wouldn't tell me what she was going to write about, but she came back with this--

(I'll copy the spelling and grammar exactly so you can see what an awesome teacher I am.
Ahem.)

I am a ajole. Sm butty ast Jesus to be the Lode of theaw Life. I and my ajole Frens are Frin a porty. Jesus is sooooooooo Happy taht he crid foR joy!

Somehow when she wrote it, it took up a whole page.

Translation: I am an angel. Somebody asked Jesus to be the Lord of their life. I and my angel friends are throwing a party. Jesus is soooooooo happy that he cried for joy!

I love that little girl.

Day 26

The best part of my days looks like this.

When we're chatting and the kids are running around in the background, it doesn't feel at all like Josh is on the other side of the world.

But as soon as we hang up, he seems very far away.
Partly because once that little icon on Skype disappears, I have no real way to reach him if I need to ask a question or get his input on something.

You know, like when you've been sitting in a car dealership for an hour and 45 minutes with your monsters and some guy is telling you that you need a part that costs over $400 and you kind of just want to get your husband's opinion on that.

Decision making is not a strength of mine.
Luckily in this instance, the decision was pretty much made for me-- agree to the part, or take my pinging van home to wait for the pinging to drain the battery.
That would solve the noise, but it would make driving difficult.

(Also, at that point I probably would have paid $436 dollars just to get out of that waiting room.)

I'll just have to tell Josh to watch his spending over there to make up for it.

(That's a joke. There's not a whole lot of shopping over there. Also, you should see our grocery savings here at home! He eats more than I thought.)

But just knowing that I can't pick up the phone and call him is a definite inconvenience. I usually try to get an idea from him as to when he'll be online, and then if I'm home I leave the computer up and listen for the sound that means he's messaging me.

It's not ideal, but it beats this oh-so-generous offer from the Air Force:

I know that beats what a lot of Army and Marine wives are getting these days, and blows out of the water what the spouses of the World War vets had, but 30 minutes a week is just not quite enough for little 'ol me.

Josh is in good spirits over in Afghanistan. He sent some pictures to his family along with this little snippet--

I miss you all, but I'm having a great time here.  I have a bed, a shower with hot water, as much food as I want, time to work out every day, a terrible mustache (thanks, dad), a shaved head and I get to carry a gun everywhere...besides having Erin and the kids, what else could I want?

He makes me laugh.
Let me get this straight:

Bed + Hot Shower + Food + Gym + Upper Lip Hair - Head Hair + Gun= Man Paradise.

They are definitely the less complex gender, are they not?

Enjoy it, my love. The real world will be waiting here for you when you get home.
And the real world requires head hair and no upper lip hair.

Oh, and I don't really care for guns either.

Day 24

Yesterday was the last day my friend Laura was in town visiting.
Derek's preschool class had a field trip to the fair, so we all tagged along.

We managed to get all 7 of us out the door and to the meeting point at the fair by 9am (ish). This was no small feat, since it only gave us about an hour to get everyone fed and dressed.

(Caveat-- While Derek is well-stocked w/ fall apparel, it appears that I did not have as much set aside for his sister. She has been wearing that polka dot outfit for the past 2 years. Ignore that. I need to do some shopping.)

Baby Kate was very tolerant of all the loving and petting she received from Alex.
Alex has not yet forgiven us for refusing to provide her with her very own baby girl.

And after spending a couple days trying to keep Kate from injuring herself in our non-baby-proofed house, I realized that I have no regrets about that decision. Instead, I will just enjoy my friends' babies, and then give them back!


This shot is just for Josh-- he used to give Drew a hard time about puttin' the moves on his baby girl.

One of the first things my kids said after their friends got into town was-- "Mom! Baby Reese can TALK now!" She is such a cutie-- but she's not a baby anymore.

Derek watching the stage show:

There were some Kenyan acrobats.

And a pig trained in classical dance.

And this:

Impressive? Yes. Audience appropriate? Perhaps not.
Derek was terrified that he was going to burn himself, and I'm sure there was a kid in the audience who was trying to figure out how to do that at home. 

Pig Races!

So here we are trying to get a group photo.
Only Drew wasn't a big fan of his sister standing right in front of him. 

So he put on his steely-eyed-death-glare, and gave her a push gentle nudge to the side.

And then turned on the charm.

Keep your eye on that boy, Laura! He's going to be trouble! ;)

Since I'm not willing to hand my camera over to the little people, this was the best we could do for a shot of the two of us. Taken in my van's window reflection.

The same van that is currently in the shop because it wouldn't stop pinging at me.
Like, literally wouldn't stop.
Not even when I turned the car off and ran screaming away from it.
Nope, still pinging.

When I walked in, the manager asked how he could help me and I told him that he could restore my sanity.
He agreed that the pinging was enough to make anyone go nuts.

And then he stuck me in a waiting room for an hour and 45 minutes with my children.

He obviously does not know the first thing about what makes people go nuts.

Laura, thanks for coming! It was so good to see you all :)