Picking up the tempo

Every fall it seems like life speeds up again after the unhurried pace of the summer. The kids have been in school for a month now and the rhythm of our days has changed. Gone are the days where the kids wake-up of their own volition and complain about going to bed because it isn't dark out yet. Now 7 am seems to early to wake up to the boys that were regularly playing well before that time just a month ago and continue to do so on the weekends. Bedtime is still the same but sees fewer battles because with fall comes the beginning of football and soccer. Dinner is late in the evening again due to late practice times 4 days a week. So the kids finish homework before practice and bathe while dinner is being prepared. Then my favorite time of day... reading to the boys before bed. We will sit and read as long as we can before they have to head upstairs go to sleep.
 Tyler is so proud, he filled an entire reading log in 2 weeks while most of his class is still on the first side. Jay reads to Tyler from his chapter book everyday to fill his 20 minutes of reading for homework. I am amazed at how well he is doing this year. His reading has improved greatly this year. Avery is learning to balance her social life and her school work. I am amazed at how quickly her phone fills up with text messages. She has a wonderful group of friends this year.
How does your life change when the kids head back to school?

Where did my little girl go?

Last year I decided not to get up with Avery in the mornings before school. If I was up she wasn't taking responsibility for herself and would run late daily.When I left her to fend for herself she managed to shower eat and leave on time. She only missed the bus twice all year last year.

This year I come down stairs to find the coffee already made and a travel mug missing. I'm waiting for her to ask for one of her own I may surprise her with one to thank her for making the coffee. Her cell phone was on the shelf still this morning and I thought ... I hope she's taking the bus home and not walking today. Wait a minute is my little girl old enough to have a cell phone and options on how to get home? When did this happen and why wasn't I informed of the changes. Yes, I got the phone for her and we discussed walking home with friends a few times but when you start putting it all together it just seems like too much too fast. My latest discovery this morning is that my ipod is missing. This will be addressed as soon as she walks through the door because that affects my workout for the day not to mention my cleaning routine.

She's taller than me now and wears shoes 2 sizes bigger than mine. Time is finally being spent brushing hair and putting thought into clothing. I'm afraid that the big push for makeup is coming. It just leaves me wondering what happened to my little girl with a messy bun on top of her head and filthy hands and clothes.

Finally...

After summer vacation and John's week of leave at the end of it, life is finally settling back into its regular routine. This is the first day that everyone is gone and I admit I haven't accomplished anything. Two blog posts in a row is good but I need to vacuum and sweep the down stairs, not to mention the work that needs to be done upstairs. I'm just glad that everyone will be back on schedule by the end of the week. I find it hard to get anything done including working out when John is sitting on the couch watching TV or playing video games. The kids constant presence also does a number on the cleanliness of my house. Don't get me wrong it isn't filthy or anything it just doesn't stay picked up and I have to clean the kitchen constantly.
So,  I'm going to enjoy one more cup of coffee then I'll set about my day. Workout, shower, then finally cleaning, and prepping for dinner.

10 Foods You Should Buy Organic

10 Foods You Should Buy Organic

Eating clean is something that I feel is important but on the limited Enlisted Army paycheck that my husband brings home I have to shop smart. I found this article online and I think it is a great place to start. I knew that some foods were more pesticide ridden than others but I didn't know which ones.
My small container garden is organic. I used an organic pesticide but found that having the boys look for caterpillars was the best method. Jay is very protective of "his" tomato plant. You could taste the difference between my potatoes and the non organic ones that I purchased from the store.
On a recent expedition to Nashville my husband and I came across an organic meat vendor. It was SO good. We'll be ordering from him when the meat in the freezer runs out. John is also hoping to get out and hunt this season. Venison is really good and lean. I have only had it in Germany so I'm hoping that it will still have that wonderful flavor here.
The commissary is getting more and more organic produce but it still lacks in a lot of other areas so we will have to explore other options and make special requests. Business is business so I understand that as the demand goes up prices should go down. On the same note the higher the demand the easier it will be to find organics of all kinds.
One important thing to note is that over eating will of course increase your grocery bill so we need to start portioning out the more expensive items like milk and meat. This will not only save money but help keep reign in the jiggle around our middles.
I hope you find this information helpful and put it to good use. What are your thoughts on organics?

Sisterhood

Army life has it's ups and downs but one true benefit is the quality of the friendships that you forge along the way. While we were stationed in Italy I met some of the most wonderful women. We all have different backgrounds but our friendship is strong. Sam left Italy first 2 years ago, followed by me, then Susan, and finally Michelle. Last week we got together with all of our children in a cabin in mountains of Georgia. It was so much fun that we are already talking about where we will go next year.
The kids range in age from 9 months to 12 years and all of them got along. We had a few spats but nothing note worthy. Tyler actually asked if we could bring Baby G home with us. My kids were the oldest  and loved playing with and caring for the little ones. I have to say that I am so proud of them.
On the way home I dropped the kids off for the weekend with Grandma. We get them back tomorrow but it has been the best week ever. 4 days with my best friends and a whole weekend with just my husband. I'll write more about everything tomorrow. I want to enjoy my last night alone in the house with my husband.

The times they are a changing...

Up until the beginning of the week John had 12 months left in the US Army. We were getting excited about getting out but there was a problem. John hadn't done everything that he felt that he needed too in the Army. People think he's a little crazy but he reenlisted to re class to 11B (infantry). He feels that he needs to lead soldiers. So long story short ... at least 5 more years as an Army wife for me. We have decided that I will use his GI bill starting this fall and get my BA. Unfortunately, John's school date is a year away leaving us at Fort Campbell for 2 whole years at least. We'll have to wait and see what the Army has for us. More details as they come and occur to me.

Tyler's tooth pillow

Tyler lost his 3rd tooth on Tuesday. He was so proud and excited. The shirt in the picture is one that I bought for him to wear when John came home from Afghanistan in 2008. He loves this shirt so much that try as I might he will not let it go. I decided to turn it into a tooth pillow for him so that he can keep it forever. If I can find some complimentary fabric I just may get ambitious enough to make blankets for his bunk beds.

First I turned the shirt inside out and pinned it in a rough square. I'm not a perfectionist and definately not an avid seamstrist so I wasn't too worried. The whole time my little slave driver was asking when we were going to get to the sewing. I decided to use the button from as a way to insert and remove the pillow so that it can be washed. So once we pinned and cut we were 4 straight lines from a finished product. The front pocket on the shirt serves as a place to put his tooth for the tooth fairy. He actually put his tooth inside his Lego treasure chest and put the chest in the pocket.

Here is my happy little man and his finished pillow. The tooth fairy brought him $2.00 and he is already trying to find more loose teeth.

My Bag (inspired by Susan)

For years I had to carry an enormous bag to carry everything that I needed for myself and the kids. I had everything but the bathroom sink in my bag. I would regularly pull out Match Box cars in my search for my keys. John would refuse to even attempt to find anything in there. All of those were cheap bags. I never spent more than $20 and all of  them were washable. I would always end up with juice or milk leaking from sippy cups or random fruit snacks melting to the inside. That has all changed....

My wonderful loving husband bought me a Coach purse this spring and I'm now building a small collection of nice expensive handbags. It is so nice to say that I am beyond needing diapers, wipes, juice, snacks, binkies, and small toys. I now carry my cell phone, wallet, 3 reusable shopping bags, sunglasses, a pen and notebook, chap stick, my Kindle, and lipstick. The Kindle helps me be patient when I get stuck waiting forever for my husband (each Army minute is more like 10-15 actual minutes) Occasionally, I will have a Nintendo DS or 2 with a collection of games but that is all it takes to make my boys happy now. I can buy silence for hours with video games. How has your bag changed over the years?

My Poor Tomato Plant

My poor tomato plant was so beautiful growing so tall and producing so many tomatoes. The past week or so it just hasn't looked very good. I took this picture this morning. I'm going to let Jay pick the tomatoes when he wakes up. The leaves are all covered in brown spots and the leaves are disappearing. I have found caterpillars on my potato plants already and picked them off. I lost all of my basil leaves on one plant to them. Both are recovering. I searched the tomato several times and didn't find anything until today...

I found 8 caterpillars and 1 chrysalis on my plant this morning. I took them all off and moved the plant to the covered part of the porch. I read that the brown spots could mean that it is getting too much sun. I'll keep you updated on my tomatoes status. I think we'll make caprice with the tomatoes and some of my basil tonight. I can't wait to tell you how they taste.

Memorial Day ( I know it's late but I needed to think)

Memorial Day finds it's roots in post Civil War Charleston, SC. It was called Decoration Day and started by freed slaves. They exhumed the bodies Union Soldiers, slaves and even Confederate prisoners from a mass grave and gave them all proper funerals. This was done regardless of which side they fought for or what God they prayed too. It was done out of respect not just for human life but respect for the dead. The day is set aside for us to honor our men and women who defend our country and its ideals around the world.
This Memorial Day was definitely one of reflection in our house. The release of "War" by Sebastian Junger put the holiday into perspective. Junger followed 2nd Platoon Battle Company 2/503 173rd Airborne over a 15 month deployment in the Konar Province of Afghanistan. My husband was on the same deployment with Destined Company. His company was spread across the valley and some were with Battle Company. I knew what happened on the deployment from the family perspective. We received red line messages (emails or phone calls when a soldier was killed or seriously injured) with terrifying regularity. Reading this book showed me the other side. Now Restrepo was a unique outpost with a very unique group of men, it could be called the extreme of what can happen over there. I think that this book should be required reading for every American. I think that the real cost of freedom is something that most people just don't understand.

This is our first Memorial Day in the States in 4 years and I was horrified at how little was said about the true reason for the holiday. There were sales on everything from flip flops to cars advertised everywhere. When I looked for some activity to do in the Fort Campbell and all the way to Nashville area I found "you can watch Boy Scouts place flags in a cemetery. We made a point to discuss the day with our children. They told us about the soldiers that they know. I was so proud when my 8 year old said that the day shouldn't just be to remember the dead. He rattled off a list of people the he knows and how they were hurt in Afghanistan. He told me that it changed their lives. One friend lost both of his legs, whether he knows it or not he is a real hero to my boys. They talk about him frequently and think that his "robot legs" and wheel chair are so cool. I just wish that civilian kids had some idea of why we celebrate Memorial Day. My 15 year old sister told me that the pool opens that day and it's her last long weekend before the end of the school year. So sad.
If you forgot the meaning of the day. Not hard to imagine with a president that didn't even go to Arlington because he was on vacation. Take a few minutes now and be thankful for the men and women past and present that allow you to enjoy those sales and swimming pools.

What I've been up to...

It seems like time flies and sometimes it is so hard to keep up with my blog. Here is what we've been up to.
Baseball, Tee ball, and Softball has started for the kids.
My veggies are taking off. I'll have tomatoes soon. One hot pepper is almost ready and I have a bunch of sweet peppers that will are tiny right now.
We are currently trying to come up with a schedule for summer vacation. More posts soon.

Mother's Day

When I was a child Mother's Day gifts were hand made at school, a simple bouquet of flowers or flowers picked in the yard and breakfast in bed. I can remember bringing my mom soggy Cheerios, burnt toast, over sweet hot tea, and a glass with flowers picked outside. I was surprised by people over doing it. There is no need for extravagant jewelry or expensive meals out. Handmade jewelry, pictures drawn at school, and a home cooked meal prepared by someone else is all it takes to make me happy.
My husband and children always make breakfast for me and let me sleep in. This year I got wonderful handmade gifts from the boys, coupons from Avery, and a purse from everyone. The kids played a board game nicely at the table and I added a new blueberry bush and strawberry plant to my garden. It was a perfect day. John made a gourmet meal. This isn't out of the norm for a weekend for John though. He made prime rib, roasted potatoes seasoned with fresh chives, green beans with sauteed onion, and followed up with creme brulee. He is an amazing cook. To me the thought, time, and love put into a home cooked meal is one of the best gift a person can give.
To all of the Mom's out there I hope your day was a full of love and surprises as mine.

I have been neglecting my blog

My husband has been home for a few months now and I know that true to my habit I fell off the face of the earth for a while. Since his return we have started brewing beer, planted and herbs and veggies, gone on vacation, and decided that he will not reenlist in the Army if we can help it.
Brewing beer is fun and a much more cost effective way to have a ready supply. I like to have things to do but you can only bake so often without gaining a million pounds, crafts are great but can quickly turn to clutter if you don't have either people to buy them or just give them away too. Brewing beer on the other hand takes time to make and time to consume. It isn't ruined by forgetting about it for a few days at any point in the fermenting or carbonating process. This is my kind of hobby. Between kids sports (a blog for another time) keeping up with the ebb and flow of military life and maintaining a happy home who has time for hobbies that require constant up keep?
All of my plants are in pots. Unfortunately, we live on post and you aren't supposed to have a garden. My herbs are doing well. We have used lots of basil, cilantro, and chives. They taste so much better when you cut them right before you cook with them. This is the first time that I have grown potatoes. I found instructions for growing them in pots online. I have 4 pots going right now and they are doing better than all of the other plants. I can't wait to show them to you. I keep dreaming of the day that I can have a huge garden in my own yard.
Getting out of the Army seems like the best step forward for us. John has been stagnant in his career for a while now. Promotion points are high and he doesn't have the spare time for college courses. He was looking at ways to further his career while we were in Italy but our forced move to the Special Forces community at Campbell has made it impossible. He is no longer happy with his job. On our vacation to California we decided that we need to end up there. John was happy truly happy the whole time we were there and not just because he was away from work he was finally home. You can see the change in him as soon as his feet hit the sand. Now we are looking at jobs and cost of living. Trying to plan for our life after the Army.
My goal is to update at least once a week and include some pictures.

I'm back

Needless to say John is home. I usually drop off of the face of the earth for a few weeks at least when he comes back. Since I last wrote I have quit working and started trying to get everything squared away for John and I to both go back to school. I figure it will be summer semester before everything falls totally into place.
The tax office where I worked is closing down this week. I don't know if the people who own the franchise intend to keep it or sell it. We just weren't that busy. I believe that ethics are important in all that you do and the business practices of that franchise were not ethical. On top of the tax prep fees which were insanely high they added bank fees and technology fees as well as an efile fee. Now I looked into buying software myself, all professional tax software has free unlimited efiling. No need to charge people that extra $70. All told we were charging people around $400 at least in fees. That was after I gave every possible discount I could and still have a job. Every time I did someones taxes I felt like I was ripping them off. I didn't argue when people decided not to file with us because the fees were too high. I actually told a lot of people to file on irs.gov through freefile and save their money. I think next year I'll prepare taxes at home and keep my rates reasonable. I want people to be able to pay out of pocket.
I'll try to update at least once a week from now on. I'm thinking about trying to run a half marathon in November this year. I'll keep you updated.

Hurry up and wait...

the story of the Army. John's flight has been delayed a day. It happens every deployment but it makes me crazy everytime. Once you get down to it and you are counting days it really sucks to add more instead of subtract. The house is almost completely clean. I have a little more work to do upstairs and I need to mop the kitchen again. I figure I'll do that on Tuesday night. It's all good. I know he'll just be happy to be home.
Random kids stuff for the day... Ty told Avery that baby animals come out of their mom's bums and baby humans come out of their mom's belly buttons. Silly I know. She didn't correct him so I'm sure I'll have to address the misinformation at some point.
Off to fold even more laundry.

3 days and I'm so not ready yet.

8 more days :)

I have been so busy lately I started a new job working a lot of hours. Avery started basketball and practices 2 nights a week. Before I knew it John was telling me he would be home in 2 weeks. I blinked and now I'll see him in about 8. Give or take for military plane issues. I don't think we have had a deployment yet where everything went as planned on the way home. I have so much to do and like no time to do it in. I'm looking into having a cleaning company come out and clean the house. That way on Sunday (my only day off between now an when he gets home) I can get the house picked up and they can come in and do the scrubbing for me. I want the house perfect when he gets here so it is easier to maintain. I also need to get someone to clean the carpets and the couch if I can. Yes I know the last little bit before they return from a deployment is like nesting before you have a baby. Nothing is ever right, nothing is ever clean enough, and the list of things you would like to have done before they arrive is long enough that even if you worked nonstop you couldn't finish it. Well, I'm off to try to accomplish at least one thing from my list before I go to sleep.

It's Cold Outside

Yesterday we finally got our first taste of snow since moving to Kentucky. There wasn't much but the kids were happy. Today, it is so cold out. The snow was still coming down this morning. Not heavy I want to say we may have 3 inches total. All of the county schools were closed today, but the ones on post are open. I put 2 frozen little boys on the bus this morning. I'll be armed with hot chocolate when they come home today. The high today is going to be around 20 and tonight the windchill will be -5. So my plan for the weekend... read and snuggle under blankets. The kids asked if they could stay home and do that today. I made them go to school so we can save days off for when John comes home. This cold weather looks like it is here to stay for a while. stay warm.