Ode to June...

June! Yes June is finally here. What does June mean? Schools are out, which means my sister is out (soon) and I will get to spend a lot more time with her. This means trips to the pool, lots of playtime with our kids, visits to the Sno Shack, someone to sip homemade limeade with, ....I love it when she's off because I have a buddy to hang with. Unfortunately, this also means I procrastinate a lot more and avoid the yucky household chores.

June means lots of pool time--which is fun and nervewracking at the same time. It's a blast, but getting ready for the pool is insane anymore--towels, sunscreen, bathing suits, swim diapers, floats, water wings, life vests, watching Will like a hawk because he seems to think he can do whatever Troy can...WHEW! I am exhausted thinking about it!

June means HOT HOT HOT! This I like, mainly because we have a pool close by. It just means lots of AM outside time and lots of afternoons in with the AC or finding things to do. No complaining there because I much prefer hot to the cold any day.

June means Father's Day. This is bittersweet. I love doing something for my husband from the kids. It's so much fun trying to come up with ways to surprise him, but at the same time, it's really hard for me since my Dad passed away. As excited as I can get, I get depressed about the same amount.

June means we're one month closer to our vacation! Troy has already been asking how much longer and being able to say "Next month" is awesome for him and us!

Unfortunately, this year June means saying farewell to my brother in law who's about to be deployed as I have talked about in previous posts. We don't know the exact date, but know it's coming soon. This means that as much fun as June can be, we have this sadness hanging over us. Our family and his will join together and help my sister and her children to make this as easy as possible, but we know it will be a difficult year.
So June--I am so happy you have arrived, but at the same time, we've been dreading you...

Memorial Day Ramblings

Memorial Day has become very important to our family. We have always remembered our family and friends who have served in the Armed Forces, but this year, it just hits closer to home. My brother in law is in the Army Reserves and is about to be deployed for the 2nd time in 7 years. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2002-2003 and is set to leave for another year sometime in the near future. He leaves my sister with their 2 young children (4 1/2 and 21 months). As anyone can imagine this is very hard on all of them. He is a very proud soldier and enjoys his job however, he knows that he will be missing so much. Last time he left, he and my sister were dating and it was hard enough. This time, it's going to be unimagineable how things are before he leaves. He does have 3 weeks that he can focus on his family and preparing himself and them as he leaves, but can you truly prepare children of that age? I just don't know. My niece seems to get it and it's been hard since he's had to leave often for training. She's had nightmares already :( My nephew is just too young to understand. Hopefully he won't be too young to remember Daddy when he returns. Luckily, they are doing everything they can to make this as easy on the children as possible and it's truly taking a village--his family, our family and the support groups available to military spouses.
I just can't even imagine how military spouses deal with these situations. My thoughts are with those who serve. I think anyone who can devote their life to ANY branch of the armed services are amazing individuals. I remember those who have lost their lives and hope they know they are the true heroes. My heart goes out to the families who deal with this on a regular basis. This must be so tough. But I have to say that when it comes down to it, I think Military spouses are incredible, strong men and women. I not only salute the men and women of the armed forces, I salute the spouses that are left behind to take on theie responsibilities at home. Happy Memorial Day to all! Please remember those who serve, who have served and who lost their lives during service. God Bless

Time Warp Thursday

My cousin had her baby yesterday and it always brings back memories as most Moms can imagine. I always go back and look at pictures from when my boys were first brought home so just allow me to reminisce a bit....

Troy
Will


And from yesterday!! It's just amazing!

Things You Should Never Say To a Pregnant Woman

I have heard some comments recently that make me wonder what people are thinking when they speak to pregnant women. Some are just downright rude and others...well, do you really have to try and scare someone? Here are a few things I really think you should avoid saying or mentioning....Most of these are pretty self explanatory.
1) "Wow! You really have packed on the weight"
2) "You've only gained ____lbs?"
3) "Are you sure your not having twins?"
4) "You can die during labor you know?" (Yes I have heard someone say this--not to me thankfully, but at a baby shower)
5) "You're ready to pop any day now, aren't you?"--ask this ONLY if you know the due date. I was asked this when I was only 6 months along.
6) "My labor was 53 hours long"
7) "Your husband/boyfriend will never look at that area the same"
8) No quotes for this one, but telling people what they should and should not be eating is never a good idea. Don't mess with a pregnant woman and what she is craving! That's just wrong.
9) "The doctor dropped my baby so tell them to be careful" I am hoping this is a rare occurence and again, why give the mom something else to be freaked out about?
and lastly,
10) "Oh thank God you are pregnant! I was hoping that was what that was (as they point to the bloated belly when you are only 3 months along)." That's just rude (and yes, happened to me.)

Time for some Entertainment...

I haven't posted about this in a while, but I am so excited for this week because there is so much going on!
I am most excited for Dancing with the Stars. I actually predicted the Final 2 from before the show started and the Final 3 from the beginning of the season--Eryn was just outstanding. I really think tonight's show will be awesome and I cannot wait--especially for the freestyle dance. I think Nicole and Derek are going to blow everyone out of the water with that and will win the whole show. But to be completely honest, all of them are so great and deserve to win, but my money would be on Nicole
Next on my list--Biggest Loser. I must admit that when I first heard about this show, I was appalled and didn't think it would go anywhere, but when I actually forced myself to watch, I was hooked and only miss an episode when they decide to put ACC basketball on (I won't go any further because it just ticks me off)GRRRRR. It's always hard to pick who will win, but this year I am really torn. The 2 that I thought would be in the finale lost the least amount of weight last week so only 1 will be there. I still think one of them could do it though. The "pink" girl (I stink at there names, sorry) has surprised me though. I still think this will be the winner though: (obviously this is a pic from the beginning)
Now, American Idol is ending this week. I won't even go there. This season just bored me silly and I quit watching. I know it's huge and there has been talk that Paula Abdul is back for the finale, but I really doubt if I will be watching. But here's my prediction:
We'll see if I am right about any of it.......

Show and Tell....

I love just showing off some pictures so here you go:
This is my adorable 4 year old being his cheesy self :)

Allow me to brag...

I don't know where my boys learned to be so daggone sweet, but I have the most considerate boys in the world! Sometimes it amazes me to watch what just comes natural to them. Of course, they can be completely ornery as well, but hey, who can't!!?? This morning, Troy was practice roller skating and didn't want me to help him. So what does Will do? He goes over and offers his hand to Troy to hold ♥ How sweet is that? You can imagine the melting that was taking place inside me! I should remind you that he's only 18 months old.
And Troy...well, he's just so kindhearted, especially with other children. Here are just a few examples:
*He is playing soccer and we played a team that didn't get the idea of the game and they had more fun just falling on the ground and hanging out. Troy would run over and help them up and check on them (without being told).
*He is always hugging or kissing Will, my nephew or other younger children when they fall or hit their head. He'll even come over and put his hand over Will's head if it looks like he may bump it.
*Yesterday, we were at a local place that has animals you can feed. I always take a cup to put a ton of food in that Troy will share with Will. A little girl was there and ran up to him asking if she could do it too and he didn't even flinch--just handed her the food and they ran around together like the best of friends. It was just the sweetest thing to witness.
And lastly, we say thankfuls and prayers every night before bed. Usually his are pretty typical of a 4 year old, but the other night, he says during prayers, "God, please watch over the people of Haiti." I was in shock since I didn't think he really understood what Jay was telling him after the earthquake.
Yes, my boys have moments of arguing and fighting, refusing to share and just being grumpy, but it's times like these that make me sit back and be such a proud mommy! Okay, brag over :D