The Weekend
April 29, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 7 Comments
We’ve been having a nice weekend hanging out with my parents, playing with the kids, having friends over, and just relaxing. Tonight the boys are going to go play at an arcade while us girls watch a movie. It all has been really nice and relaxing, I for one have enjoyed myself. It’s so nice to be able to have rest in my heart knowing my husband will be here with us this summer. Last year at this time Daniel was preparing to deploy, and I was struggling. Those of you who have a spouse deployed are close to my heart and in my prayers. I still relish his hugs and being close to him, in a new way, nearly a year later. His kisses, apparently, are a different story! Hope all you all had a wonderful weekend too.
Happy Birthday Eve!
April 26, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 10 Comments
0 years old
1 year old
2 years old
3 years old
4 years oldYour opinion…take 2
April 25, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 3 Comments
So, we all know Daniel and Judah are pretty much clones…whatever, a boy should look like his Daddy and I was only in labor for 4 1/2 hours with him, albeit he was 9lbs. and I did have him at home but like I said, whatever. Eve, now here’s a different story; she’s a girl, 13 hours of labor, had her at home as well, and what did I get….nothing. It’s pathetic. Daniel says I am sore about it. Yeah, I guess I am.
Your opinion
April 25, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 Comments
This question has been swirling around in my head for quite awhile now; I haven’t come up with a conclusive answer yet. As you all know we have two children, since they are not of the same gender some of the issue at hand disappears, but not enough. My question is this: Do you buy two of the same toy/object some of the time, all of the time, or none of the time?
It’s easy to avoid the fighting when you buy the same toy/object for each child, but then the lesson of sharing and delayed gratification is gone. Some of the time may be a good middle of the road option, yet do you really want to start that process? When is it appropriate, when is it not? Or you could just decide that you won’t buy two of the same whatever, ever. Sharing is a must in life, a lesson best learned while young; and will the two object situation make a difference, they always gravitate to what the other has in their hands anyways ie. the grass is always greener mentality.
Just wondering what your opinion is. Talk to me, people. We don’t throw stones here – let it fly.
Happy Spring
April 24, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 Comments
Spring Tip
April 23, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 6 Comments
Readers-
Hi, it’s Daniel. I haven’t written in a while and I thought I would grace the pages for a second. I learned a couple of years ago about a great “home remedy” and now that spring has sprung it’s time to share it with the world. Since I have a blog, I can share it with all of our illustrious readers. That should be enough anticipation, here’s the tip:
If (I should say, when) you are bitten by a mosquito, spray the bite with deodorant and it will not itch anymore. Note- It has to be a deodorant that has antiperspirant in it. The aluminum in the antiperspirant will do something to the histamine to stop the bite from itching.
That’s it. Nothing grand, but it turns out to be a very useful tip. Happy Spring.
My little gardener
April 22, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 Comments
He’s thorough, to say the least. He waters, weeds, admires, and even goes so far as to taste the dirt. Just to make sure it’s up to snuff, of course. All he requires for payment is (my very life) room and board, with a lot of love. I think I can handle it. It doesn’t hurt that he’s really cute too.
Saturday at the Waterfront
April 22, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
On Saturday, after we survived Costco, we took the kids down to the Lake Champlain waterfront. It is beautiful with nice wide walkways, lots of benches, swings, and a huge open grassy area. The kids and Daniel had fun throwing rocks into the lake, we saw some ducks, a near dog fight, a little boy have a tantrum – oh, wait that was our boy, some really, really white people wearing way less clothes than should be legal, lots of friendly dogs to pet, and of course the beautiful lake.
Anticipation
April 20, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 5 Comments
Yesterday evening we took the kids to the playground for the first time this spring. It was a blast! Watching how they have both grown and developed from last year, how much more they can do this year – it was really interesting! We have decided (okay, I informed Daniel) that this year we are buying a playground type thing for our backyard, and that along with the little pool which we’ve had every year should make for a pretty fun summer.
I am really looking forward to the warm weather and being able to spend our free time outside playing.Vermont has a wealth of adventures to fill up the months. I am going to get a membership for Shelburne Farms, as that is one of our favorite places to go in the Spring and Summer. It is an amazing place; beautiful, fun, and inexpensive.
We also have new water shoes for playing in the “river” which we weren’t able to visit last summer because of Daniel’s deployment.
My mom and Eve playing in the river
My brother Sam jumping into the waterfalls at the river (about 40 feet)So, even though we weren’t expecting to be here this summer, after 3 years we know all the great places to go. There are a lot of them here in Vermont! I am certain we will make all kinds of wonderful memories to take with us where ever the Air Force sends us next, and they all started last night with our playground adventure.
We’d love to know where some of your favorite places to visit during the summer months are. Have you ever been to New England?
Not so fresh and so clean
April 19, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 5 Comments
I don’t have a whole lot to say today. Yesterday was quite the day with the re-enlistment and a couple other things. Today I am whooped.
Re-enlistment Day
April 18, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 12 Comments
Daniel re-enlisted in the United States Air Force for another 4 years, bright and early this morning. It has been nearly nine years so far. It was a really nice ceremony with his Group Commander, his Squadron Commander, his boss, and Daniel’s office partner. The kids and I were there as well, of course. The last time he enlisted he was in a bucket truck way up in the sky, so I never heard the words they say to each other; this time I heard them, they are so solemn. What a dedication of a life, what a good life it is.So, won’t you congratulate Daniel on his re-enlistment? He is an incredible Airman.
Creativity
April 17, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 9 Comments
We do our best to promote creativity and imagination within our kids; it is fun and challenging to think of interesting ways to do this.The best ideas I have come up with so far are to play classical music a lot, and just let them be kids!
I had been worried about Eve, it seemed to me that her imagination was taking a long time to develop. Daniel laughed at me a few months ago when I expressed that worry to him saying, “Andrea, we have sharks swimming on our living room floor. I think she’s ok.” I laughed and started watching her closer and saw that indeed, she has a vivid imagination. Today was a funny example of it. This is Eve using my egg slicer as her guitar. Any one have any fun ideas to promote creativity in kids?
We had a great time making cookies as well; I love listening to all the chatter when we work together. Plenty of fun was had, plus, some really yummy cookies to eat.
Kids love water
April 16, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 Comments
The kids had a great time playing in the puddles today. Leave it to Judah to sit in the gutter for even more water fun. Bring on Spring – as in warm weather and flowers!
And the winner is…….
April 15, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 3 Comments
Hearts are breaking
April 14, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 3 Comments
We don’t live on or near a base so I have very few military wives as friends right now, but I regularly read Spousebuzz, which is a great source of community for military spouses. They are hopping mad over there right now! And they have every right to be. Devastating news delivered by a leaker. It’s just not right.
My heart hurts so much for all the spouses, children, and soldiers. 15 months away from your family is way. too. long. I cannot even begin to imagine the depth of anger, disappointment, sadness, and a million other emotions that they are experiencing.
I dare not say much on this subject for fear of being lambasted for my non-experiential view. Daniel has been deployed, but not for 12 months with an extension.
We do know of one Army wife in my extended circle of friends whose husband is deployed right now, and you can bet I will be inquiring on how we can support her even more.
And for all you out there, regardless of your political views, help these families! Don’t pity them, gather around them. Go out on a limb, ignore the brave fronts they put up and just help. Mow lawns, unload groceries, offer to watch children, buy passes for a local museum and drop them off, rake leaves, hire a house cleaner- one time- just to give that woman a break, purchase a gift card for dinner at a restaurant, wash their vehicle.
Ask and then listen. There may be a light bulb that needs to be changed, or a car making a funny noise, a simple around the house fix that can feel overwhelming to the person who is alone, and trying desperately to keep it all together. Their sacrifice is great. Let your actions show your thankfulness.
Andi from Spousebuzz made a very wise statement in comments the other day: “the leaker had better hope Secretary Gates finds him before an Army wife does…”
God help him if his name ever gets out.
