Bad Bad Blogger!

I don't even know why I keep trying to keep up with this thing. This time I will do it! I'll keep you all posted. We are back in and living in North Carolina! We are on base in a 3 bedroom with a great yard. I have some old friends here that I have kept in touch with and now we are close again! I am unpacking and making this house our home. Asher will be starting school in July (year round here) and I can walk him to school!!! i HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO LIVE CLOSE ENOUGH TO WALK MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. Oops, I didn't mean to do that, but I'm not retyping it. I need to get up and make breakfast and coffee! I will at some point put pictures on here too.
Love- Ali

Hurry up and WAIT

I am so bad at keeping up with this thing! Sorry about that. We ARE back in, but still don't know when or where we are moving. We are both still working to keep money coming in. We are wanting North Carolina, so we'll see what happens. I am packing here and there, just some things we can do with out for a bit. WE are ready, but I know it's all in the God's time not ours. Two of my best friends are pregnant and due about the same time (end of August beginning of September). I would love to be here for the births, but again we'll have to see. As always I will keep you posted and let you know. Also, one day I will take the time to set this thing up right and put up pics with my blogs. Wouldn't that be nice?!
xoxo- Ali

Finally something to report....

Well we sure have been busy around here! Paul is back in the Marine Corps! We don't know when or where we are moving yet but will let you know.
I have found my biological Grandma ( with some help of an amazing woman, freeadoptionsearchangel.blogspot.com ). My Mom, Paul, Asher, Zeke and I meet her July 12th! I can't believe it. I have long for this reunion for many many years! I can't believe it is about to happen. I have been printing my research for her about our family. I need to get some old pictures together to show her. I'll keep you posted with all things!
Xoxo- Ali

poopy puppy

Funny...I don't recall getting a puppy, but I must have one because Zeke was just cleaning poop off my carpet! I should have a blog dedicated to poop. My life and the poop that comes with it! Being a Mom seems to be getting messier. When they were babies, there was of course spit-up and "explosive" diapers. Now there are spills of all sorts of things, paint/ crayon on walls, poop on the floor, overflowing toilets from putting WAY too much toilet paper in, wet bathrooms from "cleaning", soap smeared on the mirror. I could go on. I must admit most of it brings a smile to my face after the initial shock of whatever the mess may be at the moment. Also there is the went sheets from Asher not sleeping in diapers and not staying dry the whole night, there is also Zeke peeing his pants or pooping in them (he's not in diapers during the day). Ahhh yes, we were in a store the other day and sure enough he pooped his pants! I had to take him outside to change him into dry pants. What fun. BUT, I can laugh at these things later in the day. I will love to share these stories when he is older. I really must start writing these moments down in a book for them. Haha I will have it printed and give it to their wives for a wedding gift! haha

Where do I begin?

As some of you know, my Mom was adopted. I want to find her birth mother. I have so many questions and just want to know my background. Do I have cousins? Do we look anything alike? Where are they? Are there medical problems I should be aware of? I have some info, but anything online that says it's free really isn't or just not helpful. I'm just not sure if I have to shell out money for someone to get the info for me. Will it be worth it? What if I pay $150 and she is no longer living. Does anyone know where to start? I also found out I can not request info on my Mom's adoption from where she was adopted from, just her. Why not?! I'm family! This frustrates me to no end. I have been looking here and there for years. Over the past few days it seems all I can think about. At least my mind has been taken off the waiting we are doing with the Military.
( Update on that... we should now know something mid May, as long as the paperwork gets there in time.)

Poops Ahoy!

I must share with the Mommies out there and show what may be in store to the soon to be Mommies (Kat). So..... last night I still had some folding and hanging to do. I let the kids take their bath in my tub so I could multi task and still watch them. My Mom was over and we were talking, I was putting clothes on hangers and keeping an eye on the boys. I look over and Zeke is making his poop face.

I said "What are you doing?" I walk closer and see floaties. "GROSS!!!!!! Get out, get out, get out!!!!! I pull them out and tell them to "stay still and don't move!" My Mom says "See you later, good luck with that". WHAT???!!!! She left!!! How do I get this out?! It's not the most solid of poops. Asher never did this! I start letting the water out and had to fish for poop with a cup that I didn't want to keep. I managed to get it out and then cleaned the tub and then my boys got back in to get the poop water off them and finish their bath. All this and they were still asleep before Paul got home! Woo hoo! What a night. Ya know.... my Mom never called to see if I survived. Ah the joys of Motherhood ; )

Look it up!

What?! This is really getting ridiculous. I mean really!!! So, here we are waiting to hear news about if Paul's paper work is going to get where it needs to be on time and two days after it should have been there we find out it hasn't even left San Antonio! They had a question about one of Paul's tattoos. Mind you, they took a picture of all of them and he had to write the meaning of them all. The one they have a question about is in German. He already wrote down the translation. Um, can't they look it up for themselves? What's the problem?!

So here we are wondering what we should do. Do we continue waiting or do something here in the civilian world. Hmm, it is something we daily and are pretty much stumped. We have to take the Marines off the table if we are going to move forward. I'm not sure if we are willing to do that. We said if he for some reason isn't accepted back in then we would look to something else. So I guess we just enjoy our extra time here in Texas until we know what we are going to do.

I'm a masterbaker

Before I start this I must share with you what came out of my 4 year olds mouth yesterday. We were on a walk and Asher was on his bike, two cars ran a stop sign and I said people just don't pay attention! Asher then said... " You have to pay attention, and don't be a SPAZ!" Asher is very animated and he had his hands up in the air. I laughed so hard half way down the block and tears came to my eyes. How true! Just pay attention, and don't be a spaz!!! Asher is BRILLIANT!
What is going on?! I tell you I am about to lose my mind! So, the news yesterday from the Marine recruiter was that Paul's paper work isn't yet where it needs to be! It needs to be to the right people by the 8th in another state! We were supposed to know something last month and then it was pushed to this month, and now we may not know anything until who knows when.

The problem is his package has to be passed around to here and there and it is getting stuck along the way!!! So what can I do? I bake! I have already made oatmeal raisin cookies and next is banana bread. When I get stressed I bake, clean or work out. Maybe Paul is toying with me because we have been eating yummy baked goods and am starting to see results from the working out. Although I think I'm just working off all the cookies and cakes and such. Haha. Oh well.

I just want to know what we are doing, where we are going and well that we will be alright money wise. What do we do in the meantime? Pack? We are on month to month starting this month and we will be moving soon Marines or no Marines. I was really looking forward to the Military packing and moving us. I guess I was a bit spoiled in that area. I would rather sell our piano then Paul and I trying to move it ourselves! As usual I will keep you posted.

No Foolin'

Well today is 19 years ago that my Grandma died. Also when I was not yet 2 I fell from a balcony and stopped breathing and dislocated my jaw. My Mom beat on my chest and shoved my jaw into place. She didn't take me to the doctor because one lived in our complex and he said I was fine. Telling this story, it's easy to see why my Dad didn't believe her!!!!

I told my friend Amy Gaido about my Grandma's passing the day after and she said "Haha April Fool's". I started balling and said that was yesterday and hung up. I was in 7th grade. I don't really like April Fool's day as you can see I have good reason. BUT, today is also a dear friends Birthday. Happy Birthday Mistorm. I love you Stormy Pie!!!

As for our longest month ever, it is over and April begins. This month I have been waiting for for a few reasons:
4/2) My friend Yvette finds out the sex of her baby!
4/9) My friend Kat finds out the sex of her baby!!
around the middle of the month we find out if Paul is excepted back in the Marine Corps!!! That is huge news for us and will let us have an idea of what our future holds and if we stay here or move. Hmmm. I'll keep you posted. Also the countdown for my friend Vee's husband Kirth to return from Iraq, he just left a few days ago.

Shhhhhh

It is 8:45 and the boys are asleep!!! I did it! We are really trying to get the to sleep by 8 and it happened tonight, bath and all. It may have something to do with neither of them napping for longer than 10 minutes today, but they are asleep and Paul will be home in in just a bit. Woo Hoo! Me time is so nice, I don't get it much. The time when the kids are asleep and ALL the house work is done and Paul isn't home yet. I like it.

You see, there is nap time (most days) when they sleep for at least an hour or so , but that is not me time. This time consists of house work like folding and hanging clothes. You know the quiet chores. I should be reading right now, but this is my time and I will do with it as I please!

As for my weekend.... It was nice. It started out with a date with my BFF. We went to the store and bought frozen food (we didn't want to cook), we also got some weird A&W root beer float drink in a bottle. Yes, I know something told me YUCK too, but we tried it. Me (not being pregnant) will not ever put this in my mouth again! We watched bad reality t.v. and had good conversation. I miss girl nights and it's something we should do more. Paul is home so the story is over.

Longest month ever

This month is taking forever!!! As you all know we are waiting to hear back to see if Paul will be excepted back in the Military. We will know sometime next month. This has been the longest month in the history of the world! We are just ready to know what is in store for us and where we will be going. We are ready for a change.

It has been nice being back home for this year and seeing family and friends. I did think it was going to be a lot different to be honest. We thought the kids would be able to see more of their Grandma's and I thought I would have more time to see my friends. We didn't want me to have to work so I could stay home with the boys, but I am having to Nanny 2 kids in our home. It has been a blessing, but we are ready to get back to the life we know.

Thanks for hanging in there with me and I will continue to keep you posted.

Hello God, It's me Asher

Last night we had our nightly routine dinner, bath, prayers, and stories. Well Zeke was asleep and Asher just would not fall asleep! I had some things I wanted to clean up and do before Paul came home. I told Asher this and for him to go to sleep ,I would come in and check on him in a bit. Seconds later Paul is at the door and I got nothing done that I wanted to. I hear something down the hall, I go to investigate and just as I thought it was Asher out of bed peeking around the corner.
I let him come out and hang out for a little while and then his brother woke up calling for me. Paul brings Asher in to tuck him back in. Paul still has to eat dinner. I get Zeke back to sleep and Asher still wouldn't fall asleep. Paul tells Asher I need to eat, you go to sleep. We go to the kitchen and can hear Asher talking. We go in and ask "What" and he says, "I'm talking to God". We then of course go back in the hall to listen in on his conversation. So cute. He hear a noise from our loud neighbors upstairs and he said "What was that God?". Then he starts so sing a song he doesn't know all the words to. We just keep standing there listening. We finally go back to the kitchen and Paul eats. Then we are headed to our room and we still hear Asher! This child is NOT going to sleep! What is going on?! Fine, we are tired so Paul brings him in to sleep with us. Asher wins last nights round. Sometime in the middle of the night Zeke joined us too.

Pickle Pizza

Can I just say GROSS!!!! As some of you know I am a Nanny for 2 kids. Today they brought pizza for lunch. Nothing gross about that, until I unwrapped it to heat it up. I thought I was going to throw up! My mind went to my bestfriend Kathryn and how badly I wanted to tell her about this because she hates pickles and I love to torture her with anything pickle. She is pregnant, so I will lay off the pickley things until she has the baby. I need to tell her not to read this blog, but after she sees the title I don't think she will. And just once more EEEEEEWWWWWW! Pickles don't belong on a pizza!

Must have coffee!

Yesterday we NEEDED coffee, you know those mornings. Anyway the day before Paul had to go to the store because we were out of coffee, and when he returned home we realized we had one coffee filter. That worked out well, until yesterday when we NEEDED coffee. I went to the kitchen half awake to make coffee and NO coffee filters. We forgot to buy more. I tell our dilemma to Paul and he says "Can we dump out the one from yesterday?" I thought "gross.... that might work." Well just to let you know, you CAN reuse a coffee filter at least once. Haha We love our coffee.

As for everything else, we still don't have word about Paul getting back in the Marines. We should know by mid April now. The delay is hard for us, because it's just such a long process. We keep thinking maybe this is because he is supposed to find another job. He has been looking. We are a one income family of 4, so this is hard to find. We looked into moving to a small town and living the "simple life". We went to Smithville on Saturday and went to a park and drove around looking for houses for sale or rent. I really like the idea of a small town, but finding a job close enough to commute is difficult.

Also since the last time I wrote we were all Baptized! We did it as a family, and it was great. Paul went 1st then me, then Asher and then Ezekiel. The boys did great! I'm glad it was just putting water on our heads and it didn't involve dunking us, because I can't imagine the boys being alright with that! haha I know I keep saying it, but I will try to write more. Oh, goodness I forget to mention Asher turned 4 and had a Cowboy party! I will have to post pictures at some point too. AND, my Mom moved to Austin!!!!! Welcome to Austin Mommy!
Until next time- Ali

Little Trekies

In the title I am referring to my little ones. They L-O-V-E Star Trek (the original). They are obsessed!!! It's really funny. We just rented a Star Trek movie. I will now be on the hunt for Star Trek "action figures" for my oldest. His Birthday is next week. He's going to be 4, I can't believe it! He is so tall and has the biggest feet for his age. He just had his hair cut and looks like a little man. So handsome.

As for my small freak out yesterday, I am feeling much better. After talking to my husband and KNOWING this is what he wants to do. He was with Marines all day yesterday and he just feels "at home". It has been nice to be out for a bit and to be back home in Texas, but duty calls. We still won't hear anything until mid March, but we feel good about it. Where will our next home be?! We miss Okinawa, but we'll see where he is needed. We will continue to enjoy our time here and visit with friends and Family before we PSC (Marine lingo for move). I will miss my Mom, Paul's Mom and my Grandpa. My Grandpa is 92 and starting to go down hill a little. I miss being so close to them, but we don't see eachother much because I Nanny. We moved to Texas to be close to our Family, but now need to do what is best for ours.
Mama G

Partial Panic

I am in a partial panic. Paul is on his way to turn in his package to try to get back in the Military. I should feel relief ( and do to some extent ), but I'm a bit nervous too. These are the questions I have running through my head... Are we making the right choice? Is this what we should really do? Should he get back in? Should we stay here and just figure it out? We have been out almost 1 year and things just aren't going the way we thought. Paul was pretty much on track with how things would be, but I was expecting better. So here we are about to step back into what we walked away from. The Marines has become a part of us and does have a lot of benefits all around, just that one pesky thing about going back to Iraq. AAArrRRRGGgGG!

Is it worth it? We were able to spend more time as a family when he was in before. We were very blessed by Paul not being deployed much. He can retire in 10-12 years. He wouldn't even be 50! When he retires we plan to R.V.!!! Woo Hoo! Yes, I a m serious. Are we an old married couple or what. This sounds fun to us. I miss the security that the Military has medically for my boys. Also, no matter where we are stationed, I will have a friend there! This is comforting to me. I would LOVE to go back to OKINAWA, JAPAN but doubt we will to live. We should have some response by mid March and I will let you know. We need your prayers to calm my heart. If he is excepted, I will be leaving my BFF again. She is about to make me an Aunt and I want to be here to see her become a Mommy! I can always fly in right. I love you Kat, and WILL meet my niece or nephew ASAP. If you have a planned birth, I will be there.

Hmmm

This is just to keep you all posted.. Nothing new to report. I thought it would be nice to keep you in the loop. We don't know what we are doing for sure. Paul is turning in his package for the Marines, but that's as far as it gets. That will happen at some point this week. We still won't hear anything until next month. So, hours have been reduced at his job, I'm still watching the kids here and our lease is up in about 2 1/2 months. FUN! We need to figure SOMETHING out! I would love to stay here and be here for my BFF to give birth and my Mom moving here to Austin. Maybe I will be and maybe I won't.

Welcome to my world. This a day in my shoes. I know things could be worse. We are all healthy and we have a roof over our head and food to eat. I AM thankful for all we have, I just don't know what is going on! I feel myself not really caring what we do or where we do it, we just need to do something that will support a family of 4. I am blessed to get paid to stay at home with my boys. The space is a bit cramped, but we're o.k. WE want for me to be able to stay at home with the boys until they are in school. That has always been very important to us. I don't want to sacrifice that if we don't have to.

I am also planning our soon to be 4 year olds Birthday Party. My goodness.
That's all for now...

Where am I? What are we doing?!

I'm sorry, what?! In my absence a lot has been going on. In or out of the Military? As of now we are out, but may get back in. I say we, but I mean my husband. He will be the one raising his hand and swearing in AGAIN. We have talked about this many many many times and it has never been taken off the table of possibilities. Why? We found ourselves asking this too. We kept going back to it, the benefits was one reason, but the boys and Paul are covered right now. It's not just that. It's not the pay. What is it?! It's become a part of who we are. Can it really be THAT simple? I guess so. It's not that simple to except that thou. That may not make sense to you, but it does to me and this is my blog. So there!
We have lived the civilian life and there is a piece of us missing. Military families can understand this in full. It's not just the benefits, it's the friends you make, the travel, and the excitement of where are we going to live next (even thou this can leave you unsure as well). We had some of the best time in the Military. There is a community that you don't find anywhere else. It's missed and it's who we are.

This may change and Paul may end up taking the job offer I didn't even mention, but we'll see. As for today this is the plan.
"Once a Marine Always a Marine" Whoever said this couldn't have been more right!

Plungerrific!

I'm sorry for my absence. I have been busy and wanted to come back with something fun to report. Nothing too fun to report, but a lot is going on. Paul (my Husband) is x military and was close to getting back in. We are sure we know what we are doing.... and then, there is a message left on his cell. "You'll never guess who called me today". I make 2 wrong guesses and then I guessed right. Out of left field a company he interviewed with months ago, calls with a position for him and they are ready to bring him aboard. WHAT?!

We were moving. Okay, so we aren't moving to Washington State now. I'm a TEXAS girl anyway and would freeze to death. I wouldn't be able to drive 1/2 of the year anyway. God's plan is always better than mine, even if I don't like it at the moment. All in all this works out for me nicely. My BFF is pregnant and now I get to watch her grow, and just be here for her. I was in Japan when I was pregnant. I want to throw her baby shower!!!! You saw it here, your shower ( at least one) is mine to give!!! Fun. I think I will start planning now!

My Mom may move from San Antonio to here! Paul will be off on the weekends! I do love Austin and TEXAS is my home. I just need to work on seeing my BFF more often. I am not revealing her name until she is in month 3. I do think all of Austin already knows, but still.

This is already long so I'll make this short. Why the title? Well yesterday, my almost 4 year old screams a horrible scream from the back room. I run to the back looking for him. He's in my bathroom. I think Oh God he's hurt, he never cries like this. I open the door and he's ...... wait for it...... holding the plunger as the toilet is overflowing. " I tried to fix it". Water is all over the floor and has now soaked my bedroom carpet! I'm laughing and holding Asher with him in my lap, as we sit in the tub. All he was trying to flush was a booger. I know that may be gross, but it could have been much worse. Then my other son and the 2 other kids I watch come running in to see what has happened. I scream, "Get out, yucky". They leave and I swing Asher as far as I can out of the bathroom. Then, I jumped to safety. Called the landlord and all the kids cramed into the bathroom to watch him "fix" it. I had already cleaned the floor and plunged it myself. He did nothing, but plunge a clean toilet and dry the rug with a fan.
All is well. I will try to spruce my site up soon.
I hope some of this brought a smile to your face.

Fort builders

I have decided this site will be to inform friends and family, but mostly to share the daily joys of Motherhood. I am a stay at home Mom and am entertained every minute of the day. Mind you entertained doesn't always mean funny! I also watch to other children here in my home. We had a craft day the other day with real canvas and real paint. By real paint, I mean acrylic.
Let's review... four kids acrylic paint. Do you see where this is going?! As I was cleaning up, 2 escaped the kitchen. One of mine and one not. Paint on the carpet! Mine went for the wall. THE WALL! Did I mention we rent?! I cleaned it the best I could and all the children are still alive. They may even get another craft day.
Then last night my two boys were "getting ready for bed". I heard my oldest (4 next month) whisper to his younger brother (2). I decided to peek in and see what they were up to. It was the cutest thing, they were building a fort between their beds. Then they made a gate at their door. They were so proud, but I had to shut the town down and get them into bed. We'll see what todays adventures will be.
-Mama G

First time blogger

This is my first time blogging. I have meant to set one up for a long time. This way family and friends can keep up with the goings on in our lives. I will at some point post pictures. I will do my best at staying on top of this and keeping you up to date. This somehow seems better than sending out a mass e-mail. I have some friends that blog and have loved the idea, so here is mine!