We adore you Humma.

This woman is stellar. A mother of 5. A Grandmother of 16. A woman you should not double-cross, especially when it comes to nerf guns.





See what I mean?

Love, Poop, Laughs, and a ton of snow.

Here is a picture of Colin at school today! ;)

I know, I know...the title is a little 'out there'. BUT. If you heard about the day we have had today, a chuckle will surely grace your face.
First things first, I love, love, love all of the people in my life. So much so, I find myself smiling to myself at how lucky I am. Then there is my husband and my kids, where love doesn't even begin to explain how I feel. There is just so much more to it...no one word can sum it up.
The way Colin is with Emma now that she is more interactive is priceless. Adorable. Just adorable. He just looks at her with his little grin and add a laugh and she is laughing too. Really laughing. She gets it. Colin does that to a person. I tell ya, the two of them are just the sweetest people.
We read 'The Monster at the End of this Book' three times in a row this evening. I started feeling like I get what Grover is so afraid of, the unknown is a funny thing...but not as funny as Colin being diaperless after peeing on the potty and coming into the living room...attempting to pass some gas and pooping on the floor. His face was hysterical! He really thought it was just gas and then he thought he was in trouble. Not even. I laughed. I told him everyone makes mistakes and then took him to the potty. Gotta love him.
Anyway, Chris is doing pretty good. He is just bored and frustrated since he is still at Bagram and not at the FOB yet. He still shares a tent with 80 guys which sounds pretty overwhelming. Not only that but you hear planes taking off at all hours of the night. Ugh.
Well, I am told we are supposed to get a bunch of snow...what else is new?!
Night night for now.

Organizing Life

Someone once told me that in order for your mind to be organized, your house needs to be organized...or something to that effect. Perhaps that is what I took from it. That would explain why I feel like I am always chasing the impossible. Colin is at school today and it is just Emma and I...while she sleeps I have been trying to get a handle on the house. I mean we moved in over 4 months ago...I guess the house is just constantly evolving. In other words, it always seems to be disorganized and messy. I guess this is a shout out to all of the mothers out there that feel like they have some sort of rhythm I can adopt, by all means, drop me a line.
I choose to spend 90% of each day entertaining the kids and perhaps I should know when to involve them (well, Colin) in some of the house work. Colin feeds the dog (ok, I help because if I don't, Dax is clearly getting over double what he should get), he picks up his toys (ok, I help)...he helps with the laundry sometimes but usually when it comes to folding, he throws my neat piles on the floor so his job is merely helping me put things in the washer (front loaders are awesome).
I have changed some habits (or started to) by chopping veggies when I buy them or soon thereafter, keeping on top of the recyclng so as not to stress the day trash goes out, and attempt to do all laundry on one day (oh my gosh, am I struggling...).
So all in all, I am getting some sort of rhythm but need some tips or suggestions.

In addition to organization, I need some consistent menu for Colin as well. I feel like when it comes to dinner time I am too often asking him what he wants to eat. Hmm, I do not like that since although I can usually pull something together, planning in advance would allow Colin to have more consistency perhaps. I guess it is just tough with it being just Colin and I. He clearly doesn't like most things that I eat and I refuse to force him ya know?? More pointers?! ps- Colin is somewhat picky as well.

On another note, Chris is doing good. In a few days he should be moving to the FOB where they are assigned to go next. He is getting frustrated since they keep pushing the date out...hurry up and wait is the way it is...never fun.
We spoke for about 10 min this morning and then he had another meeting! Oi.

Well I better push off and get more stuff done around here. More later, perhaps.

xoxo

Happy Birthday Abby!!

Happy Birthday Abby!! We miss you!!

Emma's first plane ride...coming in 2 weeks today!

I honestly have no idea how many times Colin has ridden on a plane. More than I ever did as a kid. In fact, I only recall maybe once when I went to Florida to Disney World at like 10 years old.

My parents are more travellers of the open road. Do not get me wrong, I love a good road trip. Especially with good company. Good music and good conversation. That just can not be beat.

One of my favorite road trips was from Texas to Syracuse. Chris was in a separate car but we did the whole walkie talkie thing and stopped in the best places. Oh, the worst trip...definitely from California to Texas. Chris misinformed me of the arduous trip that I was about to experience with my little Honda Civic with a U-haul trailing behind. I thought the Grapevine was rough...oh no, Texas is a big state and you feel like you will NEVER get there...
Anyway, we are off to Colorado for a week to see mi hermano and mi hermana (in law) and their soon to be little baby girl, Kaelynn. Can not wait.

I am curious to see how I fare on the plane with two little ones by myself...

\\\\\\][poiuyteghewbfwgfrdq (Colin)

Spoke to Chris today, he is busy...sounded like lots of meetings.
Oh, my favorite thing about today: watching the movie Cars with my two favorite people...ok, well most of it. :)
xoxo

Mi hermano and his wifey.

One full week down...

Well, we made it through a full week of being away from Daddy. I can not tell a lie, it was a tough one. We made it and I suppose it can only get easier, right? Hmmm...I still have this knot in my belly everytime I experience something I wish he could see in person. The true blessing is being able to speak to him about 15 minutes a day; sometimes a little longer. This blog...e-mail...thank goodness for technology. full stop.

So today was also the first day of school for Colin. He is going 3 days a week and let me tell you, that boy is a social genius. I noticed the kids following his lead and his 'buddy' was the teacher who also happens to be male. Colin is a real leader and super smart. He is one of few in his class with a younger sibling. I loved watching him run and play and just laugh.
I was also able to get a lot done with him gone for a good portion of the day. Most of these things were Emma related since I never really had a ton of one-on-one play with her. She is hysterical. Now that she is grabbing everything in sight, reading a book to her is a lot more fun. She seems so into it.

I also had school today; after a two week break, International Business never looked so interesting. The one thing I enjoy about school is that I am learning more about myself through going. I am even considering switching majors from Business to a Psychology-type degree.
The biggest and best news of the day is hearing from Andrea (my awesome sister in law to my only brother - whom I shockingly adore) and how well she is doing with the pregnancy. They only have until next Thursday when, if she hasn't already delivered, they will induce her. The coolest part (s) are that Rich might actually make it home from Iraq (on leave) to see Kaelynn's birth AND Colin, Emma, and I are going to see them in Colorado from January 20-27th!! How cool will it be to have the three grandkids all together?!

I can not tell you how much I miss living close to Rich; which I never thought I would say! Hmmph.

I spoke to Chris today and he is doing well, just super busy. I am so proud of him. I just love that man!

Tomorrow is my neice Abby's birthday. Happy Birthday Abby...Can not wait to see you when you guys are back in the states!!
I better get to bed, my eyes are burning.
xoxo

ps- my parents are coming to visit this weekend, yay for grandparents!!

Hangin in there.

what up every one. Just a quick shout to let you guys know I'm doing ok. Still and Bagram. All and all, I really don't have too much to report. Still missing the family, but that's to be expected. Ok, I'll write more when I can.

Laters.

Happy Birthday Aunt Becca!

Today got me thinking of Medieval Times in L.A. last year. I love spending time with my favorite soldier while watching a bunch of burly knights fight to the death. Every second spent with Chris is a blast. He is especially romantic by helping me to score the rose from our knight. Sandy was there and she had such a thing for our knight and since it isn't like me to steal a man from a friend, I turned the rose over to her. Good times.

We spoke to Chris briefly today. He is well. Just getting things ready to move to FOB Shank.

There is always more to share but of course he can only tell us so much...

Colin was so excited to speak to Daddy today. He talks about Daddy a lot now (always positively and with an adoring smile) and it is very uplifting. He even mentioned how he wanted to sleep with Daddy's pillow on his bed for nap. So of course I let him.

Colin starts preschool tomorrow. He is elated and is telling everyone that will listen that he is going to play cars and trucks with other kids. He needs more socialization and to be challenged everyday so I think this is going to be a great move. He is only going a few days a week but it will allow me more time to have one on one time with Emma. Chris and I chose the setting together before he left.

Not much to report today except that today is my sister in law Becca's birthday. We miss the Germany Egans so much and can not wait until the Air Force brings them back to the states.

Thanks to everyone that has helped us get through this first week without Chris. I can not tell you how great it is to even hear just that you are thinking of us...it really helps. This week was especially difficult but all of the kind words and all of the help has really helped make it bearable. Chris, thank you so much for trying to call us just once everyday this week. Boy, it makes a huge difference just hearing your voice. You are truly our hero.

Have a great week everyone! xoxo