Thank you to my vet

Today we recognize those who have served our country. For me, I am blessed to be able to thank my husband who served during the Iraq War. Prior to the war officially being announced my husband began doing trips into Iraq on the C-141. He was a flight engineer and his unit was responsible (initially) for taking cargo into the war zone. We were just dating at the time but within weeks of his first trip for his reserve unit he was activated. I was quite frightened at the time on what it would mean... would he be gone for a year... would I ever see him...would our relationship survive. We made plans for him to move his personal items to my apartment (essentially moving in with me). We got his finances in order so we could pay all of his bills during his activation. We crossed the t's and dotted the i's.

Once he settled all his items we made a BIG decision to move forward in our relationship and began ring shopping! We knew where we wanted 'us' to go and we were going to move forward. His official active duty began in February 2003. His unit was responsible for leaving from Wright-Patt to Germany. From there they would fly down to Iraq during the night (drop off cargo) and pick-up wounded soldiers to take back to Germany. Then take soldiers from Germany back to the states (wounded). His unit was a flying hospital. I was so proud of the work he was doing and grateful that he was contributing in a positive way to help the men and women on the front line.

His activation was renewed after 1 year and he continued to serve another. During that time he would be home for a couple of weeks then gone for 1 to 2. He was home quite a bit (more than I initially thought) and through that time our relationship flourished. We became engaged in September 2003, bought our first house and got married July 2004, made plans to start our family.

My most fond memory is the night he called me from the plane over Turkey to tell me he was safe! It was his last trip into Iraq. I called his mom and told her the news and she was thrilled to know it was over (at least for Glenn).

Glenn: Thank you for everything you did during your time served as well as your entire military career. I couldn't be more proud!

My husband retired in 2006.

Pictures from Glenn's retirement ceremony:

BOO!

This year there were 2 new things for our trick-or-treating adventures. First, G was HOME! He hasn't been home since Ry's first trick-or-treat and she was all of 10 months old. That year the three of us sat outside and passed out candy. Second, we added a 2nd trick-or-treater... presenting Mr. Bumblebee. This is Ry's old costume and it is now missing it's head piece. I am sure I will find it by next Halloween! However, tubs won't be wearing it. I will finally deck him out in a BIG Boy outfit. I can't wait.
As usually my parents came over to pass out candy so we could go out as a family of four. E was insistent on pulling the wagon so I stayed between the Running Fairy and the Must Take My Time as I am Pulling a Wagon Bee so I could attempt to enjoy the adventure my children were having. Finally I told G to give the Bee a lollipop and he sat back for the rest of the ride. He didn't even want to get out to say Tick Teet with a lovely of Hank Oww afterward. Ry was kind enough to request a treat for her brother at every house (way to load up on the candy) and even put it in his basket. It was quite sweet.
Today (3 days after the fanfare) Ry and I did a trade-in on the candy. I loathe the treats and the persistence of an almost 4 year old begging all day for a treat. So I offered her a new barbie and she could keep 5 pieces (thank you to my friend Jeanne who told me of such offer...it worked wonders). So now we are down to five (only 1 a day). Ry had her treat at 8:30 this morning...

In Honor of The Girls

This pregnancy has been fairly typical of my other two in many ways. I am carrying the same, which means I currently look like a fat blob. I am not saying that to be negative it just happens to be the truth. My boobs tend to take over in my pregnancy and although my belly is growing below them, it does not grow at the same rapid pace as my girls.
The girls, ta-tas, my boobs, breasts, whatever you want to call them have a mind of their own. I can go up a zillion sizes while pregnant which suffice to say they each will become as big as my head.
My girls and I have had a love-hate relationship since I was told I needed to purchase my first bra the summer before 6th grade. Boy was I mad when my mother suggested I needed support and we needed to go shopping for one of those sling shots. When we went to the store I was completely mortified at the prospect of owning the two triangles hanging from a string. Why me? And why is there a man in the Ladies Only department. I attempted to hide underneath one of the racks when I spotted THE MAN. How could he come here and be a part of this traumatic day. Didn't he know that a little girl was getting her first bra. The indecency of him.
My mother struggled through the shopping experience and all the ones that followed through my formative years. I still freaked out when men were in the LADIES ONLY department of the store and prayed we wouldn't make eye contact (in fear they would know why I was there)!
My teenage years I was a busty girl and I had my sights on a reduction surgery as soon as I could afford one (having no idea what it might cost). I endured the nickname Maribrest in high school but once I arrived in college I was blessed with a new nickname having nothing to do with my enlarged mammary glands.
Through my twenties I got my weight down and ta-da my boobs shrank. I found the secret and kept myself in shape and within what I considered a normal bra size. Then pregnancy happened and the girls had a mind of their own along with the aches and pains of a growing bosom. This is my third go around at watching them have a mind of their own and you would think I would be okay with it. I would be but for some reason this time brings more pain than I recall with my previous pregnancies. I feel like they are out to prove something this time around. "Look at us, lets see how BIG we can get since this will be our last time to stretch ourselves to the limit!" I am honest fear of what they will look like post-pregnancy/nursing phase when they are at their height of insane size. They may each be the size of a watermelon if they had any say... and lets be honest they have all the say in the world.
I use to tease the girls when I nurse about how I could feed a family of four on what I produced alone. I have a feeling I may be looking at Duggar size this time around!
So as I move forward through this second trimester looking more top heavy and less pregnant I pledge to love the girls more than I have in years past. It maybe because they are causing me such pain in the month of October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) that I have opted to take the higher road in this last growth spurt of my friends. I will cherish them and appreciate all they have done for me and my children.

Silence is Golden

I can't believe I went 3 months without posting! CRAZY but summer was full of activities and vacations plus I was keeping a secret...
As many of you know we are expecting our third in March and it has taken most of the time away from blogging for me to get excited for this surprise. I feel my plate is pretty full with the two we have but after a few months of adjusting to the news my enthusiasm has caught up with my husband's... THANK GOODNESS. I am about 17 weeks or so (that is a conservative number as I am too busy to keep track, hello it is #3). I am looking forward to feeling the flutters soon and our next ultrasound at the end of the month.

A Day Late

Yesterday was our Fifth Anniversary!

July 2004

October 2005

August 2006

September 2007

Fall 2008

Spring 2009

I can't believe how much we have done in five short years. I love you and all the blessings you've given me. I am excited to see what the next five years will bring!

Meet My Godson

Last weekend my family drove down south for the Baptism of Ryan James! I was thrilled that my friends, the Lundy's asked me to be a part of their lives FOREVER or at least their son's. It was a wonderful weekend... okay minus all the items I forgot and the horrendous car ride. But we made it, had a good time visiting with our friends and their family. I hope to go down there again soon (once the ringing in my ears from Evan's screaming stops and I've fully recovered)!

Thank you again Lundy's and next time we will leave early.

Fireworks

It has been YEARS since I've seen any fireworks and this year I made plans to take the plunge and take the kiddies to see some. I was concerned as I didn't know how either of my children

would react. Ryleigh is known for her fears and Evan is still quite young. And to top it off, Glenn was leaving for work. So I made plans to meet up with my good friend, Jeanne and her family. I felt comfortable knowing I wouldn't be doing it alone. Saturday, we woke up and Glenn had a show at home for work. This meant there was a chance he would be home.

Last night, we packed the kids in the car (notice the WE, yup G was in town) and headed to Jeanne's house. We followed them over to her MIL to park and headed down toward the fireworks. My friend, Melissa and her clan (minus 1 - they didn't bring their 1 year old) met up with all of us. We decided to hit the elementary school playground before finding a spot to sit. We let them burn off some energy and about 45 minutes to an hour later we got a grassy spot to sit.

The kids got to play with sparklers (thanks Jeanne) and eat snacks (thanks Melissa) and WAIT. It felt like we waited forever and then finally they started. Ry was sitting in our double stroller with big eyes but only once did she cover her ears due to the noise (the finale). And Evan was a real trooper. The only thing he wanted was food. We (Melissa & I) were rationing off Cheerios in fear they would run out. 1/2 way through I put Evan in the double next to Ryleigh so Glenn & I could sit back and watch. Sam (Melissa & Mike's ball of energy) sat on our blanket and he completely cracked me up! He made it a real joy to watch especially since Ry wanted to stay in her cocoon in the stroller.

Overall it was a great night. I don't think we (Sharps, Lachers & Jeffers) will forget it since we all had first-timers with us. Driving home, I kept thinking of Ry's expressions as she watched... it was amazing!