Showing posts with label military life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military life. Show all posts

Monday, September 10, 2012

Time Management; Get it Done!

Wheww!!

It's been 2 crazy weeks, maintaining a household with 3 kids is no joke!! Extremely exhausting some days. Who else is going to cook, clean, bathe, er play....with them. Leanna started school last week, so...that gives us a routine. Sort of. School starts so dang late, 9:10. We've been walking to the gate, like an easy 5-7 minutes, depending how fast their little legs move. It's only been a few days since school starting but we're kind back into the same routine as last school year.


It's an early start to get things going for the day, for myself, I love to workout. And, I'm back on the weight loss journey, since I plumped up while he was home. With that being said, my booty is up as early as 6 am. The day he left for deployment, I started Les Mills Pump, 13 weeks of lifting awesomeness. Depending on the day, the workout can be between 20-40 minutes. I'm on Week 3. Then, it's COFFEE TIME, black. I've sorta kinda, horribly kicked sugar this month. I'll admit I've had a rough weekend and gave in with some treats and even a little raw sugar in this morning 1st cup of coffee. 

7AM, Time to get the girls going, some days 7:30 and that requires A LOT of patience on my end, A LOT!! Breakfast, with Serena hounding me to nurse her first. Listening to Ailea whine (randomly) and Leanna tell me she is TIRED and not getting ready. She's had a crazy summer of staying up late, or waking up and NOT going back to sleep, and instead stealing phones/kindle to watch cartoons on Netflix. Yeah, it's bad. I actually deleted the APP on my phone and have been hiding my Kindle at higher areas. It drove me CRAZY, really CRAZY!
Once, we get Leanna off to school. All is good. NOT!

Ailea is a mess, Serena is clingy. Like I mentioned earlier, it's only been a few days since school started. I'm still trying to get Ailea into a preschool....Wah!! 
Last week I hosted the Local Moms Run This Town Meetup, glad a friend came and looks like a few more might show up to this weeks Meetup. We also attended a meeting for Moms & More, pretty awesome group. It's a membership group, meetup twice a month, and there's childcare. So, the focus is on MOMS, with crafts, discussions, fundraisers. They were originally a MOPS group but went on their own way a few years ago. I really like what I learned about them and am looking forward to joining!!! Bootcamp picks up this week, tomorrow actually, and I'm REALLY excited about it. I love the routine, PLANKS anyone!?! Shoulders and some HIIT action!
So, that's how the morning goesssssss. Back home for lunch, then Naptime!!

Naptimes, are MY TIME, I clean, workout, clean, do laundry, get online, clean, do dishes, clean...roughly a good 2 1/2 hours, get things ready for dinner. 

Leanna's off school at 3:25 and she brings home the chaos. The girls forget they listen to Mama when she is home. The evening goes QUICK and so does the MESS!!
They terrorize some part of the house while I'm cooking dinner unless they are plastered in front of the TV, then they just destroy my clean living room!! Dinner, baths, bed!! Simple as that. There's some reading days. And, then it's back to cleaning, I give myself 30 minutes to get. it. done. Dishwasher unloaded, and then loaded back up, dining room area cleaning, table, floors, and I absolutely hate it all!! ALL OF IT!! I hate having to do it every. single. day. There's NO BREAK!! No one to take turns with, I think that's got the be the hardest part for me. I had a man, a husband who would actually HELP in raising his kids and helping around the house. Neither of us enjoyed the cleaning part, who does? Really?!!? But, we would take turns by either bathing girls/putting them to bed or tackling the dinner aftermath. Which in our house with our little messy (non-so-much) eaters is horrible. So, I'm hauling ass to get it done. Then, I can get to laundry, my DVR list, and/or a workout. Tonight, it's jumping on the elliptical!!

It's all about TIME MANAGEMENT!! I'll be honest it's not always smooth. Like, tonight, as I'm typing those 2 kids aren't going to bed right away. They are hyped off the candy they ate while I was busy. "While I was busy".....that's why I try to get things done before they wake up, during naptime, when they are put to bed. So, I can give them my FULL attention and with 3 against 1...holy crap, that's not always possible. Things that have made it easier, calendars, visual aids to remind me what the day has planned. I finally completed the School Command Center {above}, with all of Leanna's school Events and the activities we have planned for Ailea. It'll be updated her school schedule once she starts, when she starts. And, then there's mine, next to my desk to match my fitness calendar, and other events that involve ME. 
If I'm not doing my usual cleaning or working out, I'm getting busy on little projects, I refer to them as deployment distractions. This past week I got busy in the garage, still a work in progress. I made space for the elliptical, and took the Spin Bike (whew) downstairs from the bedroom, my little space away from the house madness. I'm planning to add a little play area for the girls with a few fabulous DIY projects. I also cleared/organized the front patio, made it more spacious for the girls to play with and they love it!! And, I made a few more coasters with family photos, not to use for drinks but for display. I really love them. Ohhh, I also got to RUN two days in a ROW!! No knee pain. I was bummed when the doc told me on Thursday that I could possibly have a meniscus tear, not cool. I was reffered to Sport Medicine and they'll check it out , possible rehab. Ugh!! Nonetheless, I got some running in and was super happy, 2 virtual 5ks to add to my race pride!!Y'all keep bussaaayyyy!!


Monday, September 3, 2012

Week One Down!

"As long as we love him and miss him, Daddy will always be home."

We killed that week, literaalllyyyy. It flew by and I kept us pretty bussayyyy!! I mean, I could pass out right now from exhaustion. What's the reason you stay busy? I'll admit, it keeps me distracted from missing my man. Keeps me a little sane, especially when I start my day with a workout. I try to remain as positive as I can, it's not always easy. So, getting a routine going, is my way. And, it works pretty well with the girls, most days. They sure do have their shares of tantrums, and craziness. I go from; I got this to go find your daddy!! Hah!  I catch a breather when they are napping or asleep for the day. 
There's never a dull moment with these Luna's!

*Deployment Distractions; Special Projects, Organizing, Crafts. I've got a list full of them.

Highlights of the week;

Monday; Started Les Mills Pump, a 13 week Beachbody Program that includes a bar and weights, Mama Lifts. I actually went 10 weeks during the last deployment and loved the results.

We meet up with friends at Waterfront Park in the morning
We made our First visit to Kitsap Play w/Friends.  
[Waterfront Fun]


[Play Kitsap]

Tuesday; Bootcamp Meetup at the Lake. The girls played w/friends. And, I continued to play catch up w/Laaundryyy!! It's never-ending with 3 girls!
[Smiling before Bootcamp Begins]

Wednesday; Laundryyyy Morning! Afternoon Park Playdate. Evening Run at the Track with the girls, Mama got 2 Miles in. It was crazy challenging but it sure did wear the girls out. I want to make it a regular evening routine or every few days but it's just a little too crazyyyy!! I'll stick to my morning routine, once Leanna gets back into her school schedule.
[I didn't expect it to be busayyyy]

[They did alright, those crazy 3]

Thursday; Errands. Ice Cream Social, Leanna met her teacher at her new school. I also FINALLY bought the latest Trey Songz Album, it's been on play every time we've left the house now. I can't get enough of him and loved listening it to/from Tacoma. We went to a  Birthday Party. Deployment Distraction; Made Successful Homemade Laundry Detergent. Amazing Stuff
[Ice Cream Social at School]

[Smiling after a Fun Time]

Click on link for the how-to
Smells Amazing!!

Friday; Bootcamp Meetup at Jackson Park. Hello Kitty Event at NEX. Subway. Deployment Distraction; Cleared Crazy Kitchen Counter!! Girls Night In; Battleship & Vegan Burgers.
[Ready for another Bootcamp!!]

[Big Deal, it's cleared!!]

[Superbaby!]

[Leanna's Banana Creation]
the added sprinkles of salt was not tasty.

Saturday;  Decided to weigh-in I was 2.9 lbs down since Monday's weigh-in!! Felt great!!

Spur of the Moment Hair Cut. Last Minute Birthday Food Items.


[Mama got her hair did. Way too much product but it was fun]

Sunday; Leanna's 6th Birthday Party! This was crazy hectic. And, I'm glad I had a REST DAY from my workouts. I had to make sure I had everything packed to take to the park off base. And, with the girls going every which way, I felt overwhelmed but I got it done. Had a blast at the park. Ate entirely too much pizza! 




[Smiling Girls!]

[Little Pony Party Balloons!]

[Birthday Party Fun]

SO, what does week 2 look like for you?

Have a Fabulous Week Y'all!!


Monday, August 27, 2012

Hello Again, Deployment!

We sure picked a good one, really, we did!!

The carrier is back out to sea for a back2back deployment. Sure, he only did 4 1/2 months during their last deployment. And, returned home in March. Here we are,.....roughly 4-5 months later, but that also included going underway for 2 weeks in April and then 5 weeks in June/July. A surprise, to say the least. Not really. Watch the news. It's kind of a big deal.


So, I have this husband...he's been in 11 years now...he's an amazing father and a damn good sailor.....I got no complaints. Well, he did leave CLEAN laundry behind for me to put away...

Yeahhh, I was upset that he was leaving.
Yeahhh, I was annoyed almost daily.
Yeahhh, I struggled to stay strong.
Yeahhh, I bitched.
Yeahhh, I had more proud moments because he is a Sailor.
Yeahhh, I realized, several times, that's what happens in the Navy.
Yeahhh, I was secretly excited because I was ready to take my waistline back.
Yeahhh, I was happ when we ate junk food too.
Yeahhh, I still wanted him to be home with his family.
Yeahhh, I cried and felt overwhelmed, still am/do.
Yeahhh, life goes on.

With all that, I still tried to remain positive, I've never really gone through a FULL deployment with SO many kids. It was kind of overwhelming the last deployment; 3 kids, new state, new home, new EVERYTHING!! I survived, I adjusted, I fell in love with everything there was about this place, Washington! I still love it, almost 10 months later. There is SO much to keep us entertained with, SO much. Indoors/Outdoors. I have 3 very active girls, 3 girls who enjoy the outdoors, who love to socialize. It's always been that way, it's important.

We've met some GREAT people/kids, friends.
I'm back on the fitness journey with different challenges and routines, even got the bootcamp back up. Who doesn't love a group of people wanting the same thing, plus it gets you out of the house. FUN!
I've made lists for craft projects; lots to choose from. Let the creativeness begin.
I've got a list of make-overs, organization projects, I will NEVER be bored.

I'm still going to hate to wash dishes, everyday.
I'm still going to feel overwhelmed.
I'm still gonna be annoyed when the holidays roll around.
I'm still going to be sad, that's he's not here with us.
I'm still going to keep on keepin' on.

It's not the end of the world, although, at some instances it sure does feel like it. 
I'm definitely looking forward to homecoming, the girls will all be SO different but one this is certain, they will embrace their daddy with open arms, as if he wasn't gone for so long. 
They love that man, and I am beyond words to how much that means to me.
Because, I love him just as much. We are just so lucky to have him, even if he isn't physically here. We are lucky.



Every day he's gone is just one day closer to him coming home