Five years ago.

Again with the posting!!!  I guess I have a lot to bore you with, buuuuut today marks five years in the Army for Chris.  For me it has gone by very quickly.  I think Chris would have a different opinion.

Family Day at Ft Jackson after basic training. March 25, 2010

It's crazy to think about five years ago when he was swearing in at MEPS (I don't know what this acronym means).  He graduated AIT as distinguished honor grad, has been in charge of the arms room since arriving at Fort Drum, attended WLC (leadership course) and made commandant's list, one deployment, has been promoted from E3 to E6 in four in a half years (that is pretty quick), completed the Master Mountain Gunner course, and ran two ranges from beginning to end without major hiccups.  These are just a few of the big highlights.

E6 promotion ceremony June 2013

I didn't check with Chris about posting some of his accomplishments, and maybe I should have.  I really wanted to share.  I know he just does and then moves to the next thing without much thought, if that makes sense.  He's very humble.  Sometimes I think a little too humble...if that is even possible.  I'm just extremely proud of what he has accomplished.  I know all of his hard work has been for us, not for himself.  I believe that sincerely.  I wanted to share with my family and friends what he has been doing for the last five years. 

He began the paperwork for reenlistment last week.  Next month he will begin the online portion of ALC (another leadership course), and he will wait to get slotted for the portion that is held at Fort Eustis.  He will finish his bachelor's by January 2015.   He continues to work on his physical training.  All while being a rock star husband and father. 

Workin' hard.

I unsuccessfully try not to be that wife that complains the Army.  We knew what we were getting into.  I do have moments of weakness and indulge, but all in all the Army has been good to us.  I am proud of Chris' service (my brother's and our friends' service too for that matter).  Who knows what is in store for the next three years, but anything is possible (even with horrible cut backs).  I just want to say, Chris thank you for all that you do! The five years in the Army have been great, and the last eight years of marriage too!

Update:  I feel that a big thank you should be given to Tim and Melodie Lockhart for being the reason for his existence and his character. 

December 2013

 Photo props to Heartfelt Photography

Yard sale, Thrift shop, and Clearance

Oh my goodness what a day!

We started with a trip around post.  Two of the four communities on post were having a yard sale so we thought we would take a look to see what was out.  The only thing we were kind of looking for was a bike trailer so we could pull Simon. We also were seeing if there were any bigger toys we would maybe want for the kids. We were surprised that more people weren't participating. One of the first places we stopped had 3 baby gates for $12.  Score!!! We really needed some to block off our kitchen.  Our bigger kids like to troll through the pantry and refrigerator. So we scooped those bad boys up!  We saw another place with an easel for $10.  I got out and took a look at it.  I decided against it because it wasn't exactly what I wanted.  Plus, if we are thinking possible Christmas gifts it would be hard to hide from the kids as we put it in the van.  We stopped some place else that was using a trailer as a rack.  I didn't think they were selling it, but I figured I would ask.  But they had a leotard in Amelia's size for $.50 and this Leap Frog letter toy for $2.  We continued driving. I completely missed the two trailers sitting at the front of someone's driveway.  Luckily Chris saw them.  We stopped took a look.  Both were in great condition.  The one we picked looked brand new for only $50!!!  I was so excited.  I think I got a pretty good deal.  All the ones I have seen posted on Craigslist were asking $65-$100.  If I paid too much please don't tell me.  At this point I would love to live in ignorance and forever think I got a great deal ;)

I remembered that the thrift store on post was open since it was the first Saturday of the month.  It was packed.  They were having a big clothing sale.  Fill a trash bag of clothes for $7.  We didn't bother looking through the clothes.  My kids are relatively set for winter with hand me downs that we have been given.  I felt no need for us to have more clothes just because they were cheap.  I did want to go inside to look an see if there was anything else we could use.  We ended up walking away with three more Christmas presents...a book, a Leap Frog writing game thing, and wooden beads that are strung.  I am hoping the beads and the Leap Frog game will help with fine motor skills.

We later went to Kmart and Target where we found TAG books on clearance (under $5).  Each year we have an "everybody gift".  Basically it is a gift that is shared by all.  And this year we figured we will wrap up the Leap Frog items for Christmas.  The things we have collected already range in age and can be passed down as kids out grow them.  Owen got an Explorer last Christmas that he likes and shares with Amelia.

We have found some great finds.  We will be pulling out what we have so far, making a list of what we have, and then hiding it.  I won't be surprised if we are almost "done".  I say "done" because I shop until December 24th.  Some of these things might be used for birthday gifts as well.

Anyway, I thought I would share our thrifty finds for the weekend.  

7 quick take - #5

--- 1 ---

I am pretty sure I say this each week BUUUUTTT...I can't believe it is Friday, already.  Not only is it Friday, but it's now August too.  I have this thing each year where I kinda wish away August.  I don't know if it's two months with 31 days back to back is just more than I can handle, or I am ready for summer to end and fall to begin.  I think it's the latter.  I love fall.  I love the cool crisp air.  The food.  The clothes.  The holiday season.  Well here in the northern NY it has not been too hot.  Most day don't every leave the 80s.  Some stay in the 70s.  And we EVEN had a couple that were in the high 60s.  So, I don't have this overwhelming urge to kick August to the curb, yet.  

--- 2 ---

Every time we say the blessing before meals Simon squawks the entire time.  From the sign of the cross to the sign of the cross he squawks.  I'm hoping one of my kids, God willing, is a priest.  Maybe it's him ;)

--- 3 ---

Tomorrow is the first weekend of yard sales on post.  There are 4 different housing communities and our community is next weekend.  So tomorrow we are hitting the pavement to see what we can find.  I am on the prowl for a bike trailer so we can pull Simon on bike rides.  I also would like to find a nice kitchen play set.  If you saw my Facebook post you saw that I found one for $2.  And I did.  It's really small.  I think it is more for an 18 month old.  It is fine and Amelia will play with it, but I would like one that is a bit more her size.  We have been trolling the thrift stores and Craigslist to see what we can find.  Christmas shopping!  We have several decent gifts that our kids will love for less than half the original cost.  And the kids will be still be happy. 

--- 4 ---

I want this! I have been veiling for over a year now.  I was given a black one and a white one.  The black is my favorite and I can't find it.  First of all this one is like a third of the price of other ones I have seen online.  And I LOVE the lace pattern of this one.  Second they will sew in a comb for an extra $4...Simon as started pulling on my veil at church...and third, free shipping!

--- 5 ---

I think I have been mentioned here and there that we are considering homeschooling Owen when he begins kindergarten.  I have been reading up a storm about what it takes from curriculum to laws to conferences.  It is a bit overwhelming.  I have a year until Owen begins kindergarten so I have time.  But with some programs you can get discounts by ordering early.  Plus, I want to have plenty of time to get organized, since we all know how organized I am.   My biggest fear is the fact that order, schedules, chores, routine, ect are not skills that I have, duh. And I know the kids will thrive if we have that in place, again duh. I really don't know where to start or how to make it happen. So,I think using something like Seton that gives you a curriculum and daily lesson plans would be a good place for me to start, if we choose to homeschool. Then maybe break off and start making my own lessons once I feel comfortable. But structure is what I lack. And I don't want to be screaming at my kids every day because they don't know what to do during the day, because I haven't established what comes next.  But I also really want my kids to have a solid foundation of doctrine, saints, prayers, Traditions, theology ect. I know I don't have it to teach them. But I can learn with them by using Catholic based home study.  We will see what is in store for our family soon enough.  Prayers are welcome :)

--- 6 ---

Gracey is out of town and left us with WODs to do on our own.  Yea, I need to get on that.  

--- 7 ---

I'm keeping it short and sweet this week.  I hope you have a stellar weekend and week to follow!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Not feeling it.

I'm not feeling it today.  I'm not feeling it most days.  For two week now I feel like we have been non stop.  I know it's from adding CrossFit to our mornings.  Add a couple of appointments, play-dates, and general errands one's time is eaten up quick.

The house is in a whole new level a disarray.  The laundry, both clean and dirty, has taken over.  I'm so so so SO happy to have our new washer and dryer.  They are larger than our rickety old set so I can clean more clothes at once!!!  That also means I have to fold more clothes at once!  I have three overflowing baskets of unfolded clothes that I keep digging through. I have had the goal every day to get something accomplished and to regain the order like we use to kind of have.  And everyday I feel like I'm just trying to survive.   Feeding, diaper changes, throwing a towel on the newest spill, and ignoring the crash of toys that have been spilled to the floor.

I have been in this so called survival mode for quite some time.  I'm starting to think that I'm no longer surviving, but it's my new norm.  I lived there for all of Simon's pregnancy.  Of course I had a newborn and to recover and to adjusting to having three kids.  I will give myself a little bit of wiggle room here, but in the end these things didn't take too long. 

I long to have a system in place that is functional and teachable.  Owen and Amelia can be given household responsibilities and be expected to complete them.  I have found many lists on the trusty (and not so trusty) internet with age appropriate household contributions.  The problem for me is getting this system in place.  Any attempt I have made ended as soon as it started or was never finished and ended in a bigger mess.  I don't have the skills that can see chaos and create order. It's a vicious circle. 

I'm not sure what my point is really.  My plan was not to be a Debbie Downer.  I know I have complained to about abilities before.  I guess I could ask for some prayers.  I really want to improve.  I love being a wife and mother, but I want to be better...MUCH better at it.  And if we decide to homeschool these are skills that need to surface. 

Anyway, sorry for you time.  I will make a huge effort tomorrow to do better...here and at home.

Night interwebs!


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Cry rooms, not a fan.

One of my all time favorite blogs is Catholic All Year.  Seriously, check it!  Kendra (the author of Catholic All Year) would like to fill all church cry rooms with cement so she has created a link up on this topic to gather opinions.  Since Jennifer at Conversion Diary (another all time fave. Better check it too!) is doing the 7 day 7 post challenge Kendra's link up would help knock out one of my daily posts.

Ok, let me begin with some personal experiences with cry rooms (and nurseries).

Simon almost 4 weeks old.

Back home in North Carolina, there are 3 churches that we hop around.  2 of the churches have a separate entrance for the cry room.  The alternative entrance gets many late arrivals who sometimes don't even have kids (no judging, we are guilty of being late).  So the room is often filled with lots of adults and very few kids.  The kids that were there were usually very young and most everyone followed mass.  The third cry room is more like what Kendra describes.  Lots of playing and parents talking.  I would get so agitated in that particular cry room because the volume would be turned down and I couldn't hear the mass over the conversations that were being had.  Even at that church if felt like there were more adults than children. 

Most of my experience in North Carolina was only with Owen as a baby and I had this preconceived notion that I should be in there with my babbling baby. 

We were/are stationed at Fort Drum.  We moved here when Owen was 9 months old. The on post chapel doesn't have a cry room, but it does have a nursery (or watch-care as they like to call it).  We were unaware of watch-care until the first time I attended mass without Chris, because he had duty, or training or something.  A lady informed me after mass that there was a nursery.  I remember feeling a little insecure about her approach.  I wasn't sure if she was letting me know because I looked new or if she was letting me know because she was bothered by my infant's babbles.  We later began taking Owen to watch-care.  Two babies later, Owen (4), Amelia (2), and Simon (9m) we have dropped watch-care even though all three are within the age limits to use the facility.  We choose to bring our children to mass.  Children belong at mass.  I know the nursery is not a cry room, but I think Kendra's points still apply.  The segregation of children and mass is striping them of graces that can be recieved and a foundation for their Catholic faith.

*I would like to note, that with spouses being deployed or training or extra duty it isn't always possible for families to attend mass as a whole.  Though we have been fortunate for the past year if Chris wouldn't be able to attend I would possibly put Simon in watch-care so I could have my hands free. We are still trying to establish our exception for church behavior with the older two....Then again maybe not...I really just don't know* 

I am still sorting out my vocation as a wife and mother.  I know what I want for my kids.  I just don't know how to give it to them.  I do know the best place to start is mass.  And after reading different blogs and talking to other mothers we have started implementing ways to get good behavior from our three small children.  And in less than two months we already have seen a HUGE improvement.  This past Sunday has been the best yet!

I feel that I have drifted from my opinion on cry rooms.  Back to the point!  I like the idea of cry room, but in the end it makes it very easy to become detracted to the point of not listening or even participating.  The wall literally is a spiritual barrier for some people.  Without them there would be less temptation for adults to misbehave at mass.  So I understand and agree with Kendra's sentiment and her want to fill these rooms with cement!  If cement is too much at the very least can't we just knock out the wall or break the glass?