So Dramatic

I have a couple questions. I tend to have unpopular opinions. I'm starting to think that's only because I don't understand things thoroughly.
(versus the alternative, which is that I'm just a shitty-judgemental person)
So, I'm turning a new leaf. I'll start asking more questions, hoping to to inspire more conversation; versus vomiting up my unpopular opinions.

About two weeks ago the milspouse blogosphere was all "atwitter" when we read Jessica's post, "A Final Goodbye". I have to say I was first and foremost worried for her, and also saddened to hear of her plan and the douchebaggary her husband pulled. In the days that followed I've seen a lot about support for military spouses and whining within our ranks, "what about us!" Oh, and the unforgettable "It could've been me!"
Question one: Say what??
Question two: 
I know the initial question "what about us" is more about programs and emphasis being placed on what the families go through and programs directed at our mental health stability.
What's wrong with MilitaryOneSource? Personally, I've used their services before. Simple. Easy. Effective. Call the number (1-800-342-9647), tell them (it's humbling I know) that you're in need of a counselor/ therapist for ______reason. You'll be transferred to someone who'll ask you for additional information in regards to your specific problems and information (this individual was caring and supportive to me and my situation). Eventually, they'll provide you with options of a counselor in your area, even help you to schedule your first appointment.
Additionally, you can just call TriCare directly and ask for a list of all the approved therapists/counselors in your area... you get a bunch of number and options, call them, set up an appointment and press on with business. Easy breezy!
Question three: How does being a milspouse automatically mean you'd be in her situation with a husband that cheats and treated her poorly? I don't know Jessica. Outside of all the detail she provided in that "A Final Goodbye" post I don't know any details of her life. Aside from both being married to soldiers her and I don't have anything in common (that I know of). I'm not sure how her situation automatically makes all milspouses susceptible to suicide/ mental illness. I feel like, all of the "That could be me" happening is a way for people to take away from Jessica's very real pain and for some reason (that escapes me) pull the attention from Jessica .

Let me just say for all the people out there that are enraged: I am by no means judging Jessica. I genuinely sympathize and empathize with her. I am concerned and sad for her. I'm no stranger to suicide and mental illness. I also feel that she deserves all the support and encouragement that she can find! Furthermore, I love that so many bloggers rallied around her during this very difficult time in her life.

Donald Trump.
Question one: WTF?
Question two: Why do people think the president has any control over the price of gas? The oil industry consists of private businesses. I made the comment to a friend yesterday, I'm (legitimately) shocked that such a successful man can make such stupid comments. I suppose President Obama can release the oil reserves, which would raise the supply (we all know about supply and demand), inturn lowering the cost of oil domestically. However, that doesn't really seem like such a brilliant idea to me. I think we all know from middle school that oil is a nonrenewable recourse. Once we exhaust what our planet has to offer then.... we'll be... screwed-ola. Outside of releasing the reserves the president has no control of the price of anything... I mean, maybe I'm wrong. Can we ask Mr. Obama to lower the price of DSLR camera's. Shit, I really wish they were much cheaper... just sayin'.
Question three: Why won't he just go away or at least add some mildly educated point to the political debate?

Busy come of days!!

My busy (I say again, BUSY) weekend started at 6AM Thursday (Central European Time). "Why was I up so early?" you ask. Well, I had to get up to Frankfurt for a 1030 flight!! I purchased a plane ticket Monday to come back home to Colorado for a visit. My youngest nephew was having his first Birthday party on Saturday and that job fell through so I figured if I would be coming home for a visit during the course of this deployment now would be a good time.

The fun part: it was a total surprise to my family!! Lauren was supposed to pick me up from the airport in Denver but some jerkoff hit her person with his car! Thankfully my friends Lauren and Erin enlisted Erin's momma to come up to Denver and get me (to keep the surprise intact). Thank the Lord for Erin's Momma!! :) I finally made it back to Erin's house about 9 PM on Thursday (Mountain Standard Time). I was at least 8 kinds of exhausted (hello dark circles-- eeeek) so I hit the hay after a much needed shower!

After two nights at Erin's house it was time to surprise the family at Logan's Birthday party. I showed up a little bit early and my sister was completely SHOCKED, then as my parents showed up they were also so shocked and happy! It was such an amazing surprise! :)

I'll be in Colorado for about a month just spending some quality time with friends and the family! The only thing that could make this time better would be my hubby! I wish he were here with all of us. I miss him.

Saddened

I'm sad dear readers!

Remember that exciting day when I announced that Kevin and I were PCSing to Germany? I was sooooo excited to learn that my sister and her family would be joining us there also! I know that people do it all the time without their sisters and nephews, but I was just so excited to experience this with them. Sadly, we found out that Levi (my bro-in-law) 's orders were canceled! We aren't exactly sure why, but regardless he isn't going.

I know that it will be exciting for Kevin and I to be just the two of us; have a fresh start; concentrate on our own little family. This will be a really great step for us. I'm just really super sad people! Kevin and I tried for these orders, we wanted them. We also never in our wildest dreams thought that my sister's family would be there at the same time, at the same post. So, in the beginning I knew that it would be hard on me to be that far away from my family, from my nephews. Not for nothing,  I didn't have to think about going to Europe without family, missing birthdays and holidays. But now I'm smacked in the face with that reality.

It sucks.

BREAKING NEWS!

BIG HUGE News coming your way people!

So remember wayyy back in the 8th when I first told you all about the possibility of going to Germany?

And I teased on Wednesday about off-post housing in Germany. Well its official we're headed here:

 Baumholder, Germany!

Wait... that's not ALL the news. Some of my long-time followers know that my sister, Katie also married a soldier (her high school sweetheart actually) and they are currently stationed at Fort Carson. Well yesterday she calls me on my cell, while I'm at work. I text her back because I can't be on my cell phone at work and ask her what's up? She replies "CALL ASAP." Ummm ok... My first thought was what about the kids? eeek!

So I call IMEDIATELY.

She says, "So we're going to Germany too."

I said, "SHUT UP. No you're not."

You see my sis and her family have/had no desire to go to Europe. She was excited for us to have the opportunity to travel and see more of the world but please believe she laid the guilt trip on THICK when I told her we had orders (but at the time didn't know to which post in Germany).

She says, "No, seriously we do have orders. Levi called branch to see what his options were and they told him he has to report February 2011.

She also was able to tell me which post they were going to.

I was puzzled, as Kevin and I actually tried and pursued our orders and were told they didn't know specifically, to which post we were headed.

Well, as I'm on the phone with my sister and Levi is on the phone with Kevin, telling him the exciting news!

Kevin found out at that same time that we were headed to Baumholder!

Oh did I forget to mention where my sister and her family are going?

Yes, you probably guessed it: BAUMHOLDER!

Kevin and I were looking forward to being just "Samantha and Kevin" for a while but I know that my sister and my nephews and even Levi being there will make the transition a 1000 times easer.

It was really just crazy how the whole thing worked out! But I couldn't be more excited.

Wait... I have approximately a million things to accomplish before 10 December:

SELL HOUSE

SELL a car (can't decide which one)

SHIP a Car

PACK and SHIP our household possesions

Get Brody Squared away to take him with us

Germany drivers license

Living on or off-post???

(kevin insists that we have to live off-post... because on-post they have apartments. Evidently he's beneath apartment living at this stage of his life. I tried to remind him that it's Europe and it's not like we'll find a single-family home with a huge yard. But what do I know?!)

That's just to name a few.

I have to get everything organized and ready to roll in a mere 5 months. I'll be contacting a real estate agent this weekend! Hopefully we can get the ball rolling on that FIRST!

So that's the BIGGEST news. But I also VERY excited to announce I won a bloggy make-over from Mrs. Muffins, via Shepdogg: One P, Double G!

It will probably be a week or two in the making.. since I'm fickle and indecisive.

Stay tuned for all the exciting changes to come...!

HAPPY FRIDAY Readers!

Logan

I haven't posted ANY pictures of my baby nephew since two days after he was born! Can you believe it? I know, I'm on the verge of being a very bad Auntie! 

Logan Christopher:

{2 months, 1 week & 3 days Young}

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

My sister is having a baby. You all know that because I've told you. Multiple times. I told you here about the day we found out my sister was having a baby girl, then Madisyn Hope. Her name has since been changed to MaKenna. Well that was until today!

Thankfully Since I didn't have to work today I was able to accompany my sister to her 3D Ultrasound. We got a few nice shots of the baby's face in 3D, until I ask Harriet jokingly "We're still having a girl, right?"

HAHaaaHAaa

Right?

Wrong.

Harriet does some looking around and BAM! Clear as day she see's and then I see it. A penis! But girls don't have penis'. Right? Pretty sure. I stand up out of my chair, over Harriet's shoulder and GASP! "Ugh" I say ever-so-eloquently. Then my sister catches on to what's happening and we burst into laughter.

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

I just couldn't believe it. We were both disheveled for hours. There is another baby boy in our future! Wooo hoo! No more baby MaKenna. We must start searching for boy names now.

~***~

Tonight my hubby is at the hospital with two soldiers. They were in a car accident this evening at the end of the day. Hopefully they are okay and Kevin can come home sooner rather than later.

Long days make him grumpy.

Beep, Beep... Back the Truck Up!

As previously stated I've been M.I.A. lately and there's been a TON going on. Such as:

Veteran's Day with my soldier. Kevin and I watched Taking Chance together. He didn't seem overly touched by it on any level but it touched me, deeply. I felt so lucky to have my husband and soldier home safe and unscaved. I know that I am truly blessed to have him return home to me. On the other hand I did very much miss Levi. We do every day.

Happy Veteran's Day to all our Vet's out there.

~***~

Tomorrow I start my new job! Yes, that's right all after a year of being unemployed a great opportunity has come my way! I am so grateful and excited to start this new position. It's a job that I'm familiar with; a skill that I have and if the company likes me it will be a very nice pay raise. So wish me luck! After I attend Traffic court tomorrow morning I will have half-a-day at my new job!! :)

PS: Traffic Court SUCKS!

~***~

Today is the final chapter of my relationship with Qwest. They suck. I'll be moving on. ASAP.

~***~

My sister can feel the baby move on the outside of her belly now. Nathan felt her move last night and was SOOO excited!

~***~

My BFF is PREGNANT! Yup, she's about 8 weeks along now. Due in July! Yes, you guessed it everyone around me is pregnant... but me of course.

~***~

Kevin and I have been talking a lot about what comes next for us. What we want to do next and where we want to be. Kevin and I agreed that we would both love to be stationed in Germany. We think it would be a great adventure for us. But we are still kind of in a holding pattern with Kevin's Warrant Officer application process. He has completed the Flight Physical and we are waiting for word back on that; whether or not he is "fit for flight". Fingers crossed!!!

~***~

Thankfully, I think that's all I had to catch people up on. No no... I do have to mention the release of New Moon next Friday. We are a whopping 8 days away! Yeah, I'm a loser... and I've definitely made peace with that.

;)

Baby....

Baby.... it's cold outside!!

Yesterday it was quite brisk. Overnight it drizzled some snow over everything. I woke up to beautifully frosted trees, and roofs! I love it.

Tomorrow we're expecting a high of 29 degrees. Yea, that's a HIGH! I. Love. It.

So it's officially Fall, and here in Colorado we're moving right on through Fall and into Winter. That's really how we roll. We have Summer and Winter around these parts. But I'm good with that. I much prefer to be cold over hot. I am a happy girl!

One reason I love cold weather: My mom (used to/because she's been SLACKIN') typically cooks heavier/ hearty/ Italian meals in the winter. I'm referring to Lasagna, Manicotti, homemade pasta... YummM!

*~~~*

Baby... GIRLS are on the way!

Think back a few months folks... I reported that my sister successfully completed a round of IVF. Well today, Mom, Aunt Marie, my sister, and soon-to-be Big Brother, Nathan AND (most importantly) myself went to Katie's first 3D ultrasound! Yes, there was quite the crowd.. ha ha.

Unfortunately, lil' miss thang wasn't cooperating at first. Her back was facing the crowd. I suppose she's shy. After about 15 mins of trying to get a good shot and waiting for Levi (my bro-in-law) to call from Afghanistan to hear the results, Harriett (the Tech) finally tells everyone we're expecting a baby girl!

I am personally VERY excited about this because I really didn't like the name my sister had picked out for a Boy! I am, however, much more approving of Madisyn Hope!

Congrats to my big Sis! They worked very hard through the IVF and everything else, now they'll have a nice-rounded out family! PERFECT!

Vocabulary of a 3 year old

GQ WHAT?

So this lil' stud as many of you already know is my nephew Nathan. He is 2, but about to be 3 the end of September. Well his Daddy just deployed to Afghanistan and his Uncle Kevin has been in Iraq for almost a year. I never imagined in all my life that "Afghanistan" and "Iraq" would be in the vocabulary of a 2 or a 3 year old! It's kind of disgusting how our world has changed... all the same I'm pretty impressed that he understands and remembers and can tell anyone who asks that "Uncle Kevin is in Iraq." and "Daddy is in Aghanistan"!! I love this kid!

~~~~

PS: I'm super excited that I now have 50 followers! :) WOOO hoo! Thanks for showin' the love people. In the beginning and honestly still writing on this blog wasn't about how many people read it... it's theraputic for me and an outlet. Some people call this "blind support" and I suppose it is but maybe we all need a bit more blind support and we'd all be a bit happier/better off. =)

Blister & Baby Drama!!!

So, THIS is our backyard, currently, after 3 hours of hoeing going on!!! You see the back 1/3 of the yard? I did a great job. But my back hurts, and now I have this huge blister on my thumb and poor Brody is confused. He doesn't know what to do with that portion of the yard. Oh, and in better news it just rained so now it's mud, swell. Oh well the joys of being a home owner right? I'll have to hit Lowes/Home Depot something of that nature for leveling sand. when it is all said and done Kevin and I are going to be putting down paving stones, here are some examples. But we're on a budget so it's one thing at a time. So far it's just an $8 hoe, blisters, and a few hours of back-breaking work. (Literally, my back is killing me!)

I suppose you have to understand how our backyard got to this point. When we moved in all of the houses in our subdevelopment had mulch- that's it. It's cheap and low maintenance which is why the builder threw it back there. It makes sense. However, the dog eating it... and draggin it in my house drove me absolutely crazy! And it made the o-so-pleasant-chore of picking up dog poop even easier, don't cha know! {sarcasm} So we 86'd the mulch and put down sod. This looked fantastic! But the fact that the short-sighted builder didn't put a water spicket in the backyard and only in the garage made watering very DIFFICULT!! We had to run the hose all the way through the house a few times a day! So I stopped and the sod died. And Vwaa~LA here we are at our current yard status! Also, why it needs to be rectified! Hence the Blister! =(

~~~~~

As you know my sister is expecting and her husband left for Afghanistan about a month and a half ago. Well yesterday afternoon Nathan fell accidentally, on her stomach and she was having some really bad cramping. We rushed to her IVF doctor's office for an ultrasound just to make sure everything was ok. We saw the heartbeat from the baby in the uterus. Then the RN (with other 20 years experience) started looking around just to make sure everything else was ok. She questioned my sister on my name, then asks if I can watch my nephew overnight because my sister needs to go to the hospital ASAP and would probably need emergency surgery. Say WHAT?! So the RN leaves the room to contact their on-call doc.. comes back about 10 minutes later with a note and tells us to go to the ER on post. We rush around, drop Nathan off at my mother's and head to the hospital. Honestly we all bitch-whine-and-complain about TriCare and the medical but last night my sis received EXCELLENT care! We spent a whopping 5 hours in the ER. Just about an entire hour was spent in the Radiology department getting an ultrasound... SEARCHING and searching some more for this tubal-pregnancy, that wasn't there! Thank goodness!

We had a follow-up walk-in appointment at Evans (the hospital on post) with OB this morning. Thankfully, we sat there for an hour waiting to be seen and the doctor again said that there was no indication of a tubal pregnancy. The pain she was experiencing was most than likely caused by a pulled muscle in her abdomen and a cyst. Thankfully, her baby is doing great!! Hopefully going forward she'll have a stress-free pregnancy and no more false alarms caused by her IVF doctor's office!

What I'm doing

WOOO HOOOOOO...

My sister got the results of her pregnancy test today and she is happily expecting!!! We should know next week if she is having multiples... Fingers crossed for ONE happy healthy baby people! Congrats sis!

So the cruise got "blown out of the water" so to speak. It just turned out to be wayyy to far out of our budget so we scratched that idea. I did however book something more affordable for us.

We will be staying at the Circus Circus hotel in the one and only, world-famous Las Vegas, Nevada for 4 and a half days! I am excited. We will still be on somewhat of a budget but I know that we'll still have a great time! I couldn't be happier... The biggest plus is that we can make this happen on our own without help from anyone else and that this will be the first trip that Kevin and I have taken together, that hasn't been to visit family! Watch out Vegas.

Ok, aside from that... I have been in a foul mood since last night. Depressed. Down on myself. Unfortunately that is presenting itself in the form of bitchiness. My mood also only magnified issues that Kevin and I have been having... none of this is fair to him or me, for that matter. But we're here right? So lets suck it up and drive on. I wish I could get more into this... but I can't right now. All there really is left to say is, "I'm sorry."

Clarification.... 40 Days Left

So my Hubby and my Sister told me that yesterday's post made my nephew out to be a lil' heathen child! Well, no no! He is almost 3 and everything that comes a long with that age, bratty ect. But he is also my favorite person on the planet... while he did bite me and it didn't tickle I still love him to pieces!

Circle jerk (X2)

Today was a great day on the job front! I had an interview with the Broadmoor (that hotel I mentioned with the spa) this morning, which went well I should hear from someone within 2-3 days if they are interested in me for the position. =) THEENNNN... I applied for a job about 3 months ago with this company PSI, and they called me today! =) PSI has a contract with CO for 3 years to handle their Child Support claims/enforcement ect. So I completed 4 assessments and passed (thank the lord) and I have an interview with them tomorrow AM. This one pays more than the Broadmoor and would be office setting so a little more in the 'right' direction.

So all of this smack dab in the middle of our PCS-or-don't-PCS dilemma!! Oiy, so maybe I jumped the gun on the whole "bracing for financial ruin" path. I feel at this point I would be wise to remind myself not to count my chickens before they hatch... I still don't have a job and I am not positive that either one of these are going to come through. At this point I kind of want to leave all this decision making up to fate! Kevin is now SUPER jazzed about going to Germany and would really like to make that happen. While I do agree it would be a fantastic and amazing experience I do not think I am capable at this point of making the decision to leave my family! =( I've discussed this Kevin and he sees what I'm saying that it would be hard to give him the go-ahead. Basically right now we are waiting for Kevin's stabilization waiver to be processed so that he can contact Branch again and see where our options are. Hopefully I'll know by Saturday!!! =) I just hate things being up in the air like this. It's very unsettling for me! When I know what's going on than you'll all know! Just a waiting game now.

Besides that I am just hangin' out with Nathan! Love this kid. =)

Here we go, Here we go now...!!

So people, evidently pissiness/pity-parties is going around in the Army Wife bloggersphere this week! Mrs. Lola and JLC are also having piss-poor weeks! Booo! I'm for one sick and tired of the nonsense!! Yes, referring back to a post from a few days ago- being a grown up sucks. But so the "eff" what? I'm a grown up. Can't change that shit now! Suck it up (me)!!! Playing the victim does me no good at this point. And what truly and honestly has victimized me? Life? Grown-up-ness? The shitty economy? Unemployment at 9.3%??? SO WHAT??? Gotta deal with it now right? So here is what we are thinking: Home-ownership is completely overrated! It's made my OCD intensify by 86.2344%... But with the housing industry being what it is we'd be hard pressed to get what we owe on it- never mind profit!! But (ha) the government will assist military with PCS orders sell their homes. Granted I don't have all the details yet but a tentative plan is to move and sell this burden. Move where? Fantastic question... Kevin and I have this goal of going to Germany/Europe (ps: just a lil' fun info on me... whenever I read or spell "Europe" in my head I sound it out like this "your-ope-EE". It is very honestly the simple things in life people! I'll take my laughs where ever I can get them!). FOCUS SAM FOCUS! So, Kevin asks me about going to Germany, and he would put his WO packet in from there. I would be all for that... BUT I'm not. ha ha Basically after he submits the packet (and gets accepted into the program) that means year-long school in Alabama. This is where my problem arises. I get that being a lone is apart of being a MilSpouse, but PLANNING to do it with an ocean separating me from everything that is familiar on a continent I haven't seen in over 21 years is just not my idea of a good time! So I tell Kevin I'm down to PCS- stateside then put in the WO packet and have him venture down to AL for schooling. He's in the process of contacting Branch now to find out what his options are for his MOS (63M) and/or any special assignments (recruiter ect). I'll update everyone when I get more information!

At this point I think PCSing is really the only option that we have to save our credit, lifestyle, ect... I have been so positive and stuck with the job search for 9 months! Kevin's homecoming is just around the corner. Honestly, at this point I'm all out of positivity... If it hasn't worked the past 9 months what makes me think that anything will change in the next 2? Don't get me wrong I am still out there applying everyday and when my homies say "so-and-so is hiring" I'm up there quick-fast and in a hurry! I am doing what I can. But ignoring what is clearly coming for Kevin and I- our future is just irresponsible!! "Failure to plan; is planning to fail." This is one of the many sayings my dad drilled into me brain from a young age. It is awfully ironic in this specific situation... because essentially I am failing. I'm in over my head... Lord help me, I'm attempting to dodge it everyday. Unfortunately, now I have to be pro-active and avoid as much damage as I can; let the pieces fall where they may. Time will tell...

Other than that my sister has started a blog! You'll notice she blogs like she texts but gotta love it! =) Her hubby is about to leave, the end of the month for A-stan on his 4th deployment! This couple has been through more than any other that I know. The only break they caught my BIL's entire enlistment was orders to Carson. I have blogged about the Newmans quite a bit so you may be vaguely familiar with them. But all of you with kids out there please stop by her blog. My nephew is pushing 3 (9/29) and is all too aware of things going on around him- so advice is welcomed from those of you who may have been through a deployment with a toddler. Also, they are currently going through IVF... support is necessary. Go check her out! =) There is also a link for her blog and my Hubby's blog to the left! Show some love...!

(The Newmans: R&R 2007.. I think)

I must get my ass showered and out the door to enjoy this beautiful day. Blue skies haven't been something very common around here... Tootles ladies!

Some things from Yesterday.......

First, I attempted to post last night about my mystery flowers and after I was finished proof-reading for those pesky lil' errors, I hit the "publish Post" button and waited... waited... waited some more... still waiting! Well nothing happened so I refreshed the page and my post was gone. See- lost to the cyberspaces... just plain gone! Seeing as how I was nice and sleeeeepy I decided I wasn't going to worry about it again until this AM. So here I am to tell you guys my stories:


Is it just me or all Army wives (with deployed Hubby's) extra paranoid?? I got a call today from some guy with some flower company needing directions to my house (since it's not on mapquest.. which it's really not but all the same!). So I give directions but not my house number. I figure if they really did have an order for me they'd actually have my address- right? Aren’t I genius! Anyway so I hang up, bathe and run out of the house immediately.. wouldn't be the first time a woman living alone was targeted in this fashion, right? Or maybe this is one of the many sides to me that you weren't aware of... my crazy-paranoid side. All the same my mommy always told me "Better safe than sorry." So... I trust my gut and live with the consequences.

The Consequences:

Well the Newman’s decided they were going to send me flowers to thank me for helping them out so much lately! Aren't they sweet and very thoughtful??! Yes, I thought so...

Oh.. one other thing that did make me a little bit more paranoid and happy that I had trusted my gut and ran out of the house; Kevin called after I had left and I asked him if he was sending me flowers and he said no... and really I didn't think I had anyone else that would so that made me nervous. All the same no need to worry! But ladies, ALWAYS ALWAYS trust your gut!

I also wanted to share this photo I took yesterday of my nephew, Nathan. He's 2 (if you recall) and is pushing like hmm, we'll say 18? ha ha Oh and such a ham too obviously..

PS: No, there isn't a lick of Mexican in this child... he's just dark! ha ha

PSS: Also the outfit you may be asking yourself about was brought back from Hawaii from Nathan's "Pop-Pop" (my dad)! =)

Article and other news...

Morning loves! So I wanted to share this article with you all. This is about a local unit from Ft. Carson- my brother-in-law's Unit actually; 4th En Bn. They were deployed to Camp Victory and after being in country for a short time they received new orders, to Afghanistan. Well my sister and her family were stationed out at Ft. Riley (KS- ugh...) then PCSed here to Ft. Carson where he was placed in 4th Engineers. The unit deployed in February, but because he was still owed dwell time from his previous unit and deployment he isn't set to leave until June (give or take of course). Instead of going to Iraq he'll head straight back to Afghanistan (where he was his last 15-month deployment!). Well, I wanted to share what I feel is news-worthy with you ladies!

Also, has anyone else had issues or heard of any other side-effects from our men being overseas? I have heard from a few other Army Wives that they have experienced problems getting pregnant...? Similar to "Saudi Syndrome" from the first time our military was deployed to the Middle East. I haven't been able to find any articles or documentation of this problem but since I've heard a handful of people I know discussing it I thought I would see if you all have heard or experienced anything similar.

Vices

I completely [and ridiculously] L-O-V-E “The O.C.”!!! I know that this show was yanked off the air many moons ago, and I never watched it when it was first on the air. However, I watch it every day on Soapnet... It's become one of my favorite guilty pleasures. I am obsessed with the drama. Will Marisa and Ryan get it together.... eye yeeye yeeye!? PS: I'm still only in the second season people- PLEASE NO SPOILERS here! :) OOO, while I love the drama that is Ryan and Marisa's on and off love/lust, SETH COHEN is my favorite. He's hilarious, such a dry and witty fast-paced humor... he is one of the most unique characters I've seen on TV in a long while! :)

So after being extra bummed this morning I cleaned my house which I'm sad to admit is very therapeutic for me. Even sadder... since I'm unemployed and husbandless at this time I basically clean my house everyday (daily therapy) then go on about my business! :) Ok, enough admitting how big of a loser I am... ha ha After my house was spick and span I bathed and tracked down my tax return (GOAL #1 accomplished!!!), then went to visit my nephew and sister for a while. Tomorrow they are going out of town for a few days... I'll miss my nephew.

Hope you ladies aren't too bored with my day! But I did manage to get out of my sad somewhat pissy mood, so my lame chores most definitely served their purpose.

I hope you all had good days! :)

Nathan James

I want the world to meet one of the most important people in my life! Our Nephew, Nathan. He's a 2-year-old trapped in a 4-year-old's body, and pushing 15 in terms of his attitude. He's so smart and he's the first boy in our family for quite some time. Well my mother is 1 of 3, as is my Grandmother. So it was high time for some testosterone. Needless to say we were elated to welcome him into our family.
Well, Levi is also in the Army. He is a mechanic like Kevin but on different types of vehicles. So that brings the men in our lives together. Kevin and Levi get along great so that makes it ironic that they deploy on rotating years; Kevin is gone now, Levi is home. This is also a blessing so that if I should need anything Levi is always there and vice versa.

Today I got a chance to bond with Nathan while Katie and Levi went to a medical appointment. We went and played at two different parks in the neighborhood. Nathan loved the slides, was not so fond of the swinging and bumped into a bossy little girl- as many little girls are. Bossy little girls don't phase him. He is his father through-and-through- calm, even tempered, and laid back. He gets frustrated with us adults because he "can't have," or "can't do," but I haven't seem him get frustrated or lose his temper with any other kid. That is a great quality to have. I am envious. He very much takes life in stride which is great and will come in handy when his daddy leaves for deployment. He's a great army brat.

All kids are blessings, and all are equally special and amazing! Right now Nathan is closest in proximity and the child we spend the most time with.