Saturday

Today we had a soccer game. Jonathan scored 2 goals and did so very well. He was so aggressive. The other team didn't stand a chance. It was interesting to see how well our team did this time around. We had played this other team one time before and lost but this time the kids really showed so much improvement.  Jonathan hustled despite having his ankle stepped on and a welt on his leg from stopping the ball. This was definately not pee wee soccer. The kids were running fast and furious and trying their best.  Jonathan made me proud. He worked hard and did his best and I see the work he has been doing at practice is paying off.

Jonathan is reading well and is already on the 10th book of the set since starting in September.  He really enjoys being able to read words now while we're out and about, whether at the gas station or the CVS.  (Anyone know what that stands for, by the way?)

Tonight is trick or treat on base.  I am going to walk around with Dr. Mary and Commando Jonathan and hopefully sneak some candy for myself!

Sam will have been gone 2 weeks on Monday.  Is that all?!

Running

I have been running in the mornings, usually averaging 2 miles and then walking 1.  It isn't far at all. In fact, it's awfully embarressing considering I use to run cross country and track.  I want to enter some 5K races in the next month or two, once I work up to 3 miles again.  This humidity is just about killing me. I hate running in humidity so thick you feel like you are in a sauna.  Doesn't Florida know it is nearly November? We're all running around in shorts still and play outside in the evening as opposed to the afternoon.  Running allows me to sweat out some stress and have some ME time.  No kids to chase or feed.  For an hour I am free to enjoy the breeze and my thoughts. 

Mary's first real haircut

So I cut Mary's hair. It was just tooooooo long. Looked like a cat fell asleep whenever she woke up or played.   I cut the bangs and the back.  I think it looks really good, and makes her look like she is 3, not 2.  I do not think it is perfectly straight, but nobody has noticed yet and she doesn't care, so I think we'll be alright.

Montessori Halloween Party Fun

 

Who doesn't love Halloween? This time of year is always so wonderful. Today was our annual Montessori Halloween Festival.  Jonathan dressed up, as you can see, as an Army Commando, while Mary dressed up as a doctor. Both looked quite adorable I might say.

You can see Jonathan smiling as he got ready for a magician to come and perform some tricks.  It was a fun performance.  The kids really had a great time tonight.  It was chaotic to have 45 children running around eating candy but it was so enjoyable to see their smiling faces.  Jonathan told me he had a wonderful time and loved it "sooooooo much."  The great thing is, he gets to wear his awesome costume next weekend for Halloween!!! He's super excited.

Sam is gone .....

Sam departed this morning for yet another deployment.   I am truly sad to see him go and yet so proud at the same time.  Sam is headed to Afghanistan until late December.  (Or perhaps early January?!)  This deployment schedule is actually more grueling than we anticipated. Although the deployments are only 65 days a piece, he is home for the same amount of time in between each cycle.  During his time home, he works on his master's degree and juggles his office job at the squadron while staying current on his flying hours.  We also have to deal with the occasional trips (TDY) that they send him on around the country.  Sometimes I really do feel like a single mom.  I fantasize about the day when he works a more normal job that allows him to be home.  I love him so much and miss him already.  I held myself together quite well when we dropped him off at the airport today.  Only one tear was shed since both children were present.  I was careful to keep my true emotions locked away so that they saw their mommy handling the situation with poise.  

Zumba

I actually tried out the exercise class known as Zumba. I can't believe I actually did it! My friend Shannon talked me into it and once I agreed, I couldn't back out.  After experiencing a flooded toilet upon waking, I decided that I'd try and take the class seriously -- breaking a sweat is such a great stress reliever.  So upon my arrival to the gym, I was not sure what to expect.  The class was full of other uncoordinated women, to my relief.  Everyone had the dazed and confused look as the music blared Latin/Salsa music for our exercising pleasure.  I have never gyrated my hips as much as I did in that class. The teacher was obviously from another gene pool as she spun, jumped, danced, and bended uncontrollably. By the way, I think she thought we could all do it too. Ha.  Anyhow, the class was an hour of dancing, mainly salsa and what I like to call booty shaking.  I felt so idiotic shaking my rump but I did it as best I could.  The teacher told us to spin around while moving our shoulders back and forth as rapidly as possible.  I wanted to raise my hand and ask her if she was serious, but I didn't have time -- the class was so quick that I didn't have time to say anything. I did what the instructor told me to do, albeit with an aching back and sweaty brow.
Next week, we're trying Yoga, and I am pretty excited about contorting my body in weird ways.  Can't be any weirder than the experience I had today. 

pictures from atlanta

A few Atlanta pictures...

Atlanta

Just got back from Atlanta.  Loved the Children's Museum and the Aquarium.  The Aquarium was extremely expensive but we really enjoyed it.  They said it wasn't busy that day but it felt extremely crowded.  There were more strollers there than I could count and more kids melting down than I would have liked.  (For once, my two did NOT melt down in public!!)  The city itself was amazing. We loved walking around and enjoying the local parks.  We stayed at two different Embassy Suites in the city and both were fantastic.  The kids loved seeing Grandmother and "G" and enjoyed getting to run around in the hotel.   At the second Embassy Suites, the breakfast was served at the Ruth Chris steak house downstairs.  Oh yeah.  It was as delicious as it sounds.
  As for the dreaded drive... It took us 6 hours to drive to Atlanta on Friday and about 5 hours to drive home today. The kids did not sleep at all in the car, which made for a long trip in the truck.  Yes, the truck. As in, the truck with the tiny cab -- the 2 door truck!!!  We survived, but I don't think I want to get into that car again. Ever. 

Atlanta

Well we made it to Atlanta. I can hardly believe we made it in one piece. You see, we took Sam's truck. His 2 door tiny little truck with the suicide doors. We did not want to put the miles on my Pathfinder, you see, so we thought this would be a better alternative.  Well, it took us 6 hours to get here and we only made one stop.  It was a long trip.  Sam's parents are here also. They are spending time with us since Sam is deploying again so soon.  The kids are so happy to see them, and to see their dad again.  Tomorrow we are headed to either the zoo or the aquarium.  I have heard they are both great.  As long as I don't have to be in the car too long, I am happy.

A few of my favorite pictures...

Getting Ready

Sam deploys (again) in about a week.  This is our second deployment here in Florida and our seventh since being married.  (Do I get a gold star yet?!)  It is amazing how much time Sam has spent deployed since we had Jonathan.  Getting ready for Sam to leave is always a headache.  It's amazing how many little details you have to consider, such as updating your Will, getting a power of attorney, assuring bills are in order, and maintaining all records.  It's a bit depressing to think about but necessary.  You'd think we'd be really good at the whole process already but we're still getting it together.  I know Jonathan is really going to miss having Daddy watch his soccer games.  Mary will miss her "Big Horse" rides that he provides. (By the way, she really likes using her heels to make the horse go faster.)  I will miss the companionship and movie date nights that we have here at home.  Watching a funny movie is never more enjoyable than with the person you love. Plus, Sam doesn't mind if I snort out loud.

The Interweb and other Changes

I probably could win some type of award for my lack of internet skills.  Even doing this blog is pushing it for me.  I didn't even begin to text message until a year ago and I did it only out of necessity.                              I miss the days of writing letters. I remember writing notes in college and picking out pretty stationary and licking the stamps.  Nowadays everything is so fast and furious and whatever is easiet.  Forget even writing out a word entirely.  Text messaging has allowed us to forgo human interaction in favor of ridiculous acronyms such as c-ya l8r.  *head hitting desk*  I will continue to write out words entirely.  I am and will be the crotchety old lady who refuses to accept change and waves her finger at this new fangled technology.    Heck, if I had it my way, we'd still use floppy disks.  I thought they were great. 

Soccer

I find it hilarious that I am a soccer mom.   I take the title seriously. I get to practice early (most of the time) and yell from the sidelines, especially if the other team is too rough. I love every moment of seeing Big J run up and down the field going for that ball! He is actually really good and scored his first goal last game.  The pride I felt was enormous.  The funny thing is, after he scored, he decided to take a break and sit down.  On the field.  Must love Kindergarten soccer.

First Post

So I have decided to start blogging. Not too sure if I will be "followed" by too many people, but hoping that I can at least add some fun and whimsy to readers' day.