Happy 2013

We've been *patiently* waiting!!
We are now in the SAME YEAR Countdown for this forever long deployment!!! This is a BIG DEAL Y'ALL!!

home sweet home

Just like that....a week has pretty much flown by on our Texas {winter} vacation.

It's been crazy with some breathing time in between. We've had visitors at my moms nearly everyday we have been there. We've spent time with cousins {nieces & nephew}. We've had a full house most of the time, with plenty of crying and laughing. We've traveled from the city to the country (I'm currently posting this from the backseat, as my father-in-law is driving to the country). We've had lots of family time. We've enjoyed every.single.second of it.

I love watching and listening to my girls interact with my family. I love chatting with my nieces and nephew, they grown so fast, so precious. I love chatting {and getting after them) with my sisters and brothers. I love chatting with my mom {real time} about this or that.

I get sad looking around and not seeing my dad around. Not seeing him interact with his grandkids, making them laugh, showing them his latest tools or different things he's made or rebuilt. I miss having him around, I miss his talks about life. I miss hearing his advice and how to appreciate this life & make things happen. I miss him so much. Sometimes, it doesn't feel like home. January 3, 2013 marks 2 years since he passed away. It's going to sting, especially since we are home. Home is where the heart is...and he is living in my heart. There hasn't been a day that I haven't though about him.

Christmas 2012

{Texas Holidays}

Here I am, it's still christmas day. merry christmas y'all.

Serena is asleep, fought a fever for most of the evening.
Leanna and Ailea are watching the eclispe with my brothers and sister.
We've had a few crazy days since landing in Texas, late Saturday night.
I won't even say much about the flight from WA, except, that I'm glad it's over with.
I'm enjoying my "vacation mode".

We spent Sunday, with my mom and siblings.
Monday, we headed to the country a while after lunch, and those 24 hours thereafter, were BUSY!
Filled with family gatherings, laughing, smiling, greeting familiar faces, stuffing our faces, opening gifts and being thankful for the family time this holiday season. And, with 15 minutes before midnight. We got a oovoo call from our man, they are in Dubai. It was seriously the best.ending.ever for christmas 2012.

"The holiday season isn't about toys, it isn't about presents, it's about family." ~wise words from Leanna. a brilliant 6 year old.

I hope y'all had a fabulous festive holiday filled with family!!

{my girls. fabulous outdoor. texas sunshine. pecan picking}

{texas} arrival airport snapshot

Merry {Luna} Christmas

Texas Trip in 5 days and a wake up.

And, I spent all weekend by my girls side, every.single.second.

No work. No running. No workouts.

It was also perfect for our early Christmas celebration.

{Saturday} We took part in the operation homefront of Washington Toy Event. The girls got to pick toys and toys, the military community is awesome!! The event was in Lakewood, roughly an hour drive each way, and it was rainy. Some snow too. On the way home, I stopped and finally made an order for this years holiday photos. Oh.the.craziness. Once, we made it home, we just lounged. I loved it, they loved it too.
Once bedtime rolled around, it was time for Santa to make an early visit. Molly, our elf even made her last visit.

{Sunday}
Merry Christmas! The girls woke up to a huge surprise, Santa came by!! Molly had a note explaining his early arrival for well-behaved girls. And, then it was time for presents. Girls loved them. And, steadily played between their leappads 2, princesses and play-dough, this years theme in gifts. Serena loved her barking, moving puppies. It was a fabulous day, we even got SNOW!! Yes, that's right. Leanna got snow on Christmas Day, she was SO happy!!! Jumping up and down in excitement!!

The week ahead will be busy with 4 days of work, running and packing. Texas trip will be very much needed for this mamas

*my apologies if the photos are out of order; I'm mobile*

No words can explain...

Today is National Blogging Day of Remembrance.

Complete as can be

Now, that I got my girl back at home {and safe}, I can breathe.

This day had already started off emotional, waking up at 5AM sweating and in a panic. A shower helped, then coffee and a movie. I jumped into a quick workout {les mills combat kickstart} before waking all 3 girls to get started for the day. When Leanna headed to school, we would run a quick, then I'd get my run in. All happened, all was smooth. Until, I started noticing fb posts about a school tragedy, I didn't see many details but enough posts, to make my heart race with worry..with pain and with anxiety. I instantly deactivated my FB account, I just couldn't handle it.

My Run helped me relieve a little of the anxiety....so, did naptime, where I was able to just sit and distract myself with a favorite movie.

Of course, there is nothing more important than my girls. It saddens me that a tragedy has to remind us to hold our children tighter or tell them we love them. I do that everyday, a lot. I give them love from their daddy.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families, help them seek comfort through this horrible time.

{my life is complete with these pretty, amazing 3}

12 for 12•12•12

Happy 12•12•12!!

12 Randoms for today!!

1. Watching the Ellen show makes us happy and I cry with her inspirational/giving segments!

2. Cooking {big} meals reminds me of "home".

3. I love layering clothes.

4. I have a growing belly, and there's no baby in there. Boo!

5. I've got a very womanly body; hips, butt, boobs.

6. I don't obsess over husbands job or whereabouts. Doesn't mean I don't miss him.

7. I don't like to beat around the bush.

8. I'm friendly.

9. I'm addicted to Coffee & Redbull.

10. I new a Chapstick with me at all times.z

11. I have a bad habit with fast food.

12. Chocolate is my weakness. And, tortilla chips.

You know you're a mother when..

..you are always on the go with little sleep.

...you are fed by your children, and they are smiling big.

...you are used to the smell of poop and learn to breathe through your mouth..

...you forget to eat even after cooking a meal...

...you often talk in a high pitch {silly} voice jus to make your child(ren) happy..

....you enjoy reading books to them because they love it too...

...you know what can stop a tantrum, in some cases...

...you carry snacks for happy faces..

...you do laundry {sometimes} daily..

...you often say, "get out the toilet, finger out of you're nose, stop licking the floor/wall/window..."....

...you have toys and shoes on the floor on your backseat..

...you have a night owl and welcome them into your bed..

...you find yourself crying, because your heart is overflowing with love for your child(ren)...

.....the list continues...

...being a mother is the best, exhausting, sometimes overwhelming, full-filling.....feeling in the world.

And, no matter how crazy it gets, it gets crazy, you wouldn't trade it for the world.

Coffee Chat

G'Morning y'all!

It's Monday and my booty was up EARLY, 5am, for no particular reason.

I did my usual thing, turned on keurig for my first cup of coffee....oh yeah!!

And, here's what.....I'm on recovery mode after working 4 days straight!
Whewww!! Working Retail is ROUGH!
My 'stay at home mama' status has been changed, seasonally. Maybe, I don't know. What I do know, is that working has changed my perspective on a few major things.

One. My girls are on my mind every single second. Normal. I miss them. And, even though they are kept safe and entertained with my friends. I'm thankful for these friends, they take in my 3 girls and all their craziness. I still miss them. They know mama is at work and that I will be back. I originally, wanted a job I keep myself busy...to push myself in an area that is hard to get to. Retail wasn't really that part of the idea but it is what it is. My husband is proud that I managed to work things out and get outside the house into the "work world" and take time for "myself". I'd much rather be running for "me time"....y'all know that.

Two. Personality at work. I go from friendly to not so friendly. Im not talking about being a rude cashier. Just not starting a happy conversation and getting straight to their total cost. It's the holiday season, some people are happy and others feel obligated to have to buy gifts for their loved ones. And, thats sad. They tell me they only come in once a year. I see all kinds of people. I've seen people spend over $100 on items, and drop them off directly into the toys for tots donation box. Pretty amazing to witness that. I see lots of children come through, the happiness in their faces. I shopping for Christmas is exciting for some and a hassle for others. And, that's sad. I hope they find their holiday cheer.

Three. The number of gifts can't buy happiness. True happiness is spending time with your loved ones. And, coming home from the craziness into my normal craziness is something special. Don't get me wrong, I've taken advantage of a few deals while at work. But I'm definitely not going overboard. The ultimate gift for Christmas 2012 is being in TEXAS with family. They are more excited about that than gifts. They've mentioned it often and I'm overwhelmed for them too. They KNOW what having a family feels like, even miles away. They know what family is. And, that's important for me.

Four. Workouts & running has suffered. And, as much as I stress and beat myself up. I'm okay with it. Sorta kinda. My balance is hurting and I pick myself up and get back at it. And, that's major in my book.

Five. Deployment. What deployment!? I've been so busy to not think much about it. Bonus! Another plus, not being online as often, so I see "LESS" of the dramatic misery posts. Wouldn't that be something, if all those spouses also got jobs to keep distracted....yeah, right. Just a thought...a lot of them don't challenge themselves with something, like work, school, hobbies,....enough to do for themselves. Even without a job, I strived to keep myself moving.

Alrightyyy, time to get moving, time to gear up for a RUN with the double jogger. Lets see how long baby girls keep happy while Mama Runs.

Whoops, it's only 6:30...girls have to get up first. Leanna has to head off to school first. I'm ahead of myself.
I'm READY.

Have a super fabulous day y'all.

Festive Fun

We attended our 2nd Stennis Kids Holiday Party today. Last years was our first time attending anything related to husbands new command. And, It was CRAA-ZY!!

Especially, after I rushed home from a 5 hour work shift. Luckily, my friend had my girls ready to go.

The girls skipped naptime and were already a dramatic mess. Enter Santa photo....errr, I mean what was I thinking!?? I just wanted to take advantage of the 'short' line. wrong idea. Whatever, it happens. We got a photo an continued to the rest of the activities. I did notice Santa with a short line an hour or so later and so nicely asked {okay, I begged} for anthe chance at a 'happy {smiling} picture'. Perfect, except for Serena not happy. Ah we'll, 2/3 smiling girls works for me. The girls had fun, we got a few photos and an awesome flip book to send out man.

Now, it's time for bed. Mama is running EARLY before the 7:30-3:30 shift.

Here's the picture fun.