Life with Our Three Boys

In Colorado

I am "home" now. It feels weird being here. Its been almost four years since I've been back and this place always brings back  uncomfortable feelings. I grew up here, it's where I met my husband and where I became an adult way to early in life. I drive around and see new shops that have opened up, new houses, new parks but it still is the same. Weird.

So our move went smoothly. The packers came and went. We stayed in Monterey for a couple of days and then headed to Vegas for a day on our way back. Our 900 mile drive was uneventful other then Cruz getting car sick after the first 100 miles and lucky he was able to keep it in until we stopped.  My mother and I are headed to Georgia Saturday to house hunt and my father will be keeping the kids here in Colorado. I am really looking forward to this trip. I have never gone on a trip with just my mom so I hope it will be fun and I am treating it as a mini vacation and break from my babies. I will miss them dearly but I SOOOOOOO need a break.

Me at 30

 

Today I have a fun filled day planned with my boys. I am keeping them home from school and taking us to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and lunch and then a girls night out in the evening. The only thing that is missing is my hubby but he made sure that my day was special with an early gift this week from Coach! Despite telling him that I no longer wanted one he still got me a beautiful bag. He is so sweet.

I am so looking forward to my thirties, it seems to be a time in life when you can truly be comfortable with who you are and to stop trying to become that person. I do love me right now, I love that I workout daily despite having set backs with weight, I love that I put myself out there as a photographer this past year and look forward to starting up again in Georgia, I love how I have handled my time alone here in Cali without the hubby. i love the strength and confidence in myself that I get every year as I get older. I love  marriage. I love the kind of mother I am to my boys, I'm their mother first but a close friend second.

 30 looks good and can only get that much sweeter.

The last few days...

Well this will be some of the last posts for awhile. It's getting close to our move date and I have 101 things to do. I am having some health concerns as well and it's making this move that much harder and I dont have time to look into them untill we settle down in GA. It's not a huge deal it' just keeping me from working out and making me move slower.

 I have been trying to finish up some projects in between cleaning. I did some quick little albums and am waiting for the pictures to finish the Creative Weekend project. I also finished this travel journal that we'll be taking with us. It is made up of enveoples so we can stick treasure from our trip across the country in them. It worked out perfect becasue there were 10 pages to this book and we will be traveling through 10 states. I cant wait to share all our finds once we have reached GA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope everyone is doing well out there.

Weekend Creative

I read this this morning and thought it would be perfect to do this weekend because it is our last some what "Normal" weekend here in this house,in this city, in this state.

I so admire Ali Edwards for all her work but mostly how she inspires so many people to record the little things in their life that they let pass them by. I am starting tonight because when you got 2 kids in school their weekends always start the minute the step out of their class rooms. My middle son will be having a sleep over so it just that more to record. I'm hoping they don't mind the camera around all weekend. I think I'll even make the little mini album right now so that I can just print the pictures as I go and come Monday I'll have a finished project.

so much to do so little time

 

Recap of the weekend

Friday my oldest spent the night at a friends house so I only had the younger two. I took them to grab a burger(me a salad) and then rented some movies. I watched Bride Wars and they watch Hotel for Dogs. Both movie weren't bad but not great either. We had our own sleep over in the living room to end the night.

Saturday I took the little ones shopping for summer clothes because they still wear long sleeves and jeans almost everyday here and with us leaving in 3 weeks to places that get up into the 100s, they will all need shorts and tanks.OldNavy is having a great sale on summer clothes for the whole family and I grab a bunch of workout clothes too, they had the workout tanks for $5! Then we headed to our friends house for a movie night but the kids decided they wanted to jump all night on the trampoline. (note to self to buy one when we move).

Sunday, Mother's day. Well this day didn't start off so well they boys wished me a Happy Mother's day but then started complaining they wanted to stay home to play video games, they started to fight, name calling, and then just pouting. After a good hour they finally snapped out of it and we went to breakfast at the Black Bear Diner. It was very nice and really good. To top it off a older lady came to our table and told me how well behaved my boys were. That made up for what happen in the morning. I have to admit I get that a lot. The boys always do so well IN PUBLIC! Then we went to Carmel beach. It was nice and sunny but very windy. The older two buried themselves in the sand and didn't move for the next hour. It was quiet funny but the baby was upset they didn't want to play with him. Last we went to Coldstone for our treat and it was yummy as always even the Sinless cake batter ice cream that had 1/3 less fat. It wasn't as creamy but still good. And since I had shopped for the younger two the day before I took the oldest shopping and found great deals at Anchor Blue and Zumiez. The best part was that Anchor blue offers a 10% military discount. I love stores that do that. It really makes me go back to those places.  We headed home late and Mother's day ended early because I had to get them ready for the week so it was time to do laundry and get the house picked up. At the end of the night Cruz reminded me about the tea he had given me and we all enjoyed a cup of warm tea and cuddle on the sofa together.

Well I guess I will same the randomness of my week for next time. I have a 101 things to do and blogging isn't high on that list right now. I hope everyone had a blessed weekend.

I ♥ Faces: Hats

This week contest is "Hats" over at http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/.

Here is mt kid entry:

My middle son. What can I say about this little guy. He's trying to find his place in our family, he knows he's not old enough to tell anyone what to do and he's not the baby who gets what he wants. He is my clown who always has something witty to say and despite all the compliments on how good he is, he insists that he's  a rebel. To me he's an angel, who likes to push his limits, a skater who doesn't skate and a rocker who can play the heck out of the Air guitar!

 

   

and my adult entry:

 

 

 

Another self portrait. I love hats every time I where one I feel young and playful. Plus it helps on bad hair days!

3 weeks left!

Monday we'll only have 3 weeks before we move. I am so excited. There has been a lot of things running through my mind and most of it I let stress me out.

The whole M-I-L thing is getting out of control and causing so many problems already. As of today she said she rather live alone but not until we move her to Georgia with us. I get that she wants to be closer but not with us and I want the same thing but this is the 3rd maybe 4th time we have floated the bill to get her moved. It's hard to save any money right now as it is and this is really going to hurt us. We'll get through it we always do but it's just so frustrating. I good part is we can start looking for a house that we want and will love. I have my eye on one that I feel in love with the moment I saw it so I'm hoping it's still available by June and that it is as good as it looks.

other stresses right now:

finding a house

going to live with my mother for 3 weeks(hoping just for 2)

having to face my brother who is giving my parents HELL right now

going back to my home town(not really home but where my parents happen to live)(Idontlikeit)

moving

missing hubby

Back tracking now.

Friday was a nice relaxing rainy day. My friend and I headed downtown for some lunch, girl talk, and a much needed break from the everyday. We came back and played with my knew toy, I swear I find something new every time I use that thing. Then we had to pick up the kids and get back to our busy lives. After a quick dinner I took the boys to see Wolverine. It was pretty good, I'm not a Marvel freak but I liked it. The boys really LOVED it, the only down part was they kept saying they wish they could of seen it with their daddy:(

Saturday we took part in the base wide yard sale to get ride of all the stuff we don't want to take with us and made about $400. We only came home with two little boxes from our over stuff trailblazer. My oldest helped out and my friend's husband watched the other two for me. I was so tired from standing all day and haggling with people that we all laid down for a nap. Sweet Sweet bliss. Then it was off to Chili's for dinner where we tried out their new $7 meals that are smaller portions and we only spent $30 for all four of us. Good deal, good food, good fun.

Sunday was a day to clean. This house look like a war zone and needed some much needed attention. The boys were happy to help once I held their $ hostage and reminded them who paid them at the end of the week. I love going into Monday with the house clean the laundry done and the kitchen spotless. It makes the whole week a little brighter.

 I'm finally feeling better and hope to get to the gym again this week.

I did some digi scraping today too;

 

Oh I have to say THANK YOU to all of you who wrote me such touching comments about my I heart face post. It came from my deepest emotions and I am proud to represent what the thousands of military families go through when our families are spit apart.

And I got 6th place on the contest, not bad out of 200 something.

under the weather

I've been sick for almost 3 days now and am hating every minute of it. The thing that is getting to me the most is not being able to workout. I had such a good routine going and then I get slammed with a cold. I tried not to give in to it on Monday and did a good job just pushing thorough the day, Tuesday I figured going to the gym would help me sweat it out and then Tuesday night my body said Hell no you need to rest and I was down. It really sucks that you can't call in sick to being a mama because I felt like I needed someone to step in. Thankfully my oldest was able and willing to help out. Wednesday I felt like my head was going to pop and today my chest feels like it is on fire. I can't stop sneezing and I feel like shoving a tissue up my nose to stop the draining. I had a comment the other day from a lady who said she thought about us(military wives) when she would get sick and wondered what and how we do it, well, we just keep going, when your other half isn't here to help you can't stay in bed, you can't not cook, or take them to school. I have a friend who could help but really she can't come and make us dinner or get there showers done or help with homework, she has her own family to take care of and she works. It would be perfect if there was a military back up helper for us who have our other halfs gone but they don't budget for that:) I'm thinking healthy thoughts and hope to be better by this weekend.

So the highlight of my week was getting this early Mother's day and birthday present for myself. I had asked hubby for this but knew it was unreasonable to spend that much  money on a purse so I thought the money was better spent here. I have  played with it alittle but I haven't had much energy to do a lot so maybe this weekend.

I ♥ Faces: reflection

 

 

This weeks theme over at http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/ is reflections.

I didn't think I would have one for this week but I was inspired by all of the pictures from last week to get more creative then just a shot of my face.

 

This is more then a reflection of me but more of how I am feeling right now. I am grateful that he is state side and not deployed, I try not to cry, I'm holding it together best I can for my boys, I miss him terribly, I get a knot in my throat when the baby says daddy in Texas,  I day dream about making our new home in a few months, I am thankful that we have a secure future, I pray for the families who have their loved ones at war.

 

 My husband proudly serves our country and is away right now on a TDY. He's been gone since February and we wont see him until late June. For those of you who are not military it's a trip that they are sent on for training or just a part of the job. I don't want anyone to  confuse it with a "Deployment" when our men and women are sent over seas, usually it's state side and they are in no harm. That being said it isn't any easier having your spouse away from you. I am home raising our 3 boys solo and explaining to my baby why daddy is gone and yes we will see him again. The older two know what it's like for daddy to be gone. A few years ago he did deploy to Iraq for 9 months and thankfully came home to us safe and sound.

What's on my mind at almost 1 am?

• I should be sleeping.
• Glad I got to take a nap today.
• I realized  part of the reason why last week I almost lost it. (PMS)
• I haven't been that emotional in a long time.
• I kicked ass at the gym again. 780 calories burned!
• If you don't read my other blog yesterday I burned 1100!
• I am so humbled by all the comments from my post for I Heart Faces. It's one thing to feel confident and pretty but to have  people agree with you just boosts that confidence way up.
• I am at my ropes end with my MIL.
• I wished that house hunting could be more exciting. Instead of looking for a home that suits a family of 5 with 3 young boys we are  looking for a house that can accommodates an elderly person. (that doesn't even want to live with us but she thinks she has no choice!!!!)
• There are beautiful homes in Georgia.
• I get lost on websites that talk about mortgages.
• I check our credit scores and they are awesome. should get a good rate.
• I miss my husband.
• We only have less then 5 weeks before we move.
• I might take my mother with me to go look at houses in June. I've never been away with my mom , just she and I, and for the past few years we have grow apart. I hope it will be fun.
• Okay so I know it's not funny but my 7 year old was watching the news and saw that the Freddy mac guy hung himself and said"Who hangs themselves these days, it's so 1980s" I couldn't believe what he said, I was mad that he tried to make a joke out of it but then it made  me think where in the world does he get thesethings????? With him especiallyI have to teach him to be sincere about stuff or compassionate about things. For some reason he thinks sad stuff is funny, my older one isn't like that, it's like he tries to shock you by how uncaring he is. I don't like it at all, it makes me sad that he's like that.
• okay I really need to get to bed.