Get the Crap out of my House

Friday, July 30, 2010


I figured I would start this challenge off with tackling the closets in this house, then I realized just how many closest there were..9 including the laundry area closet. That is when I started feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I figured if I didn't go ahead and hike up my big girl panties in a Steve Urkle like fashion and get to it all of this crap that I have already moved once was just going to get moved again, and honestly I just don't feel like unpacking it all again just to have it sit around and never get touched. Instead of tackling all 9 closets this week I decided to just do the 7 upstairs closets. I was also hoping to get my storage shed cleaned out as well, but since that would only leave me two days to get all the closets done and the storage shed. I decided it can wait until next week to get tackled and cleaned out with the two down stairs closets. Here are all the before and afters, I have to admit I feel so relieved after getting all of this finished. I feel so much closer to being ready for the movers, having this done will make the moving process go so much easier for the packers and for when we unpack!

Upstairs Hallway Closet
(before)
(after)
 Linen Closet
(before)
(after)
The Boy's Bedroom Closets
(before)
(after)

Cayleigh-Grace's Closet
(before)

(after)

 KS and I's Master Closets 
(before)
(after)

Day 14 & Day 15

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Day 14, A nonfiction book.
The Last Days of the Romanovs, Tragedy at Ekaterinburg 
This is an amazing and most up to date book on the Romanov tragedy. It brings in the latest evidence and is the most conclusive book I have read on the subject. If you are not familiar the Romanovs, Nicholas II and Alexandra were the last Tzar and Tsarina of Russia. They along with their 4 daughters and son, as well as some others close to their family were murdered one night in a basement while Russia was going through a catastrophic civil war. They had been imprisoned within the house for quite some time and this book goes through their last two weeks within the walls of the Ipatiev House as well as what happened after the massacre and what historians are trying to do now with identifying remains and trying to figure out exactly what happened. 


If you enjoy history and are a history buff like me you will enjoy this book. It gives you a great insite into a life and tragedy long ago.

Day 15, an fanfic.... well this is close enough. I have read this on a few other blogs and figured I would pass it on. It will be good for people to read for future reference... I am sure we will be going through an "extended vacation" soon enough and I don't want to hear this crap...

1.  "Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?"
(This one ranks in at number one on the "duh" list. Of course we're afraid. We're terrified. The though always lingers at the backs of our minds --- but thanks brilliant. You just brought it back to the front. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they're scared of dying.)

2.  "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."
(This is intended to be a compliment. Though, it's just a little annoying. Here's why: it's not like all of us military wives/girlfriends have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challinging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.)

3.  "At least he's not in Iraq."
(This is the number one most annoying comment for those whose husbands are in Afghanistan. What do they think is happening in Afghanistan? An international game of golf? Guys are fighting and dying over there.)

4.  "Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc.?"
(Don't you watch the news? No! They don't get to come home for any of these things. Please don't ask again.)

5.  "What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he is gone?"
(Short answer: Try to keep my sanity. Maybe there's a military wife/girlfriend out there who gets bored when her husband/boyfriend leaves, but I have yet to meet her. For the rest of us, those with and without children, we find ourselves having to be two people. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored, and drinking massive amounts of wine always keeps me busy.)

6.  "How much longer does he have until he can get out?"
(This one is annoying to many of us whether our husbands/boyfriends are deployed or not. Many of our husbands aren't counting down the days untl they "can" get out. Many of them keep signing back up again and again because they actually love what they do or they VOLUNTEER AGAIN and AGAIN to go back to Iraq b/c there is work that needs to be done.)

7.  "This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it."
(Sure, we do learn coping skills and it's true the more deployments you've gone through, the easier dealing with it becomes. And we figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets "easy" and the bullets and bombs don't skip over our guys just because they've been there before. Te worry never goes away.)

8.  "My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."
(This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband's three week trip to London/Omaha/Tokyo/eyc. with a 12-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp and white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a crappy Ford Taurus with a Mercedes-Benz convertible.)

9.  "Wow you must miss him?"
(This one also get s another big "duh." Of course we miss our men. There are some wives who do not and they're now divorced.)

10.  "Where is he exactly? Where is that?"
(I dn't expect non-military folks to be able to find Anbar Province on a map, but they should know by now that it's in Iraq. Likewise, know that Kabul and Kandahar are in Afghanistan. Know that Muqtada al Sadr is the insurgent leader of the Mahdi army in Iraw and that Sadr city is his home area. Know that Iran is a major threat to our country and is located between Afghanistan and Iraq. Our country has been at war in Afghanistan for seven years and at war in Iraq for five years. These basic facts are not secrets, they're on the news every night and in the papers every day --- and on maps everywhere.)

11.  "Well he signed up for it, so it's his fault whatever happens over there." or, "You knew what you were getting into when he signed up."
(Yes, ignorant, he did sign up. Each and every day he protects your right to make stupid comments like that. He didn't sign up and be asked to be hit by anything, he signed up to protect his country. Oh, and by the way, he asked me to tell you that, "You're welcome." He's still fighting for your freedom.)

12.  "Don't you miss sex? I couldn't do it!"
(hmmm, no I don't miss sex. I'm a robot. Seriously... military spouses learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. Welearn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices, seeing their faces, being able to have dinner together every night. and the hard truth is, most relationships probably couldn't withstand 12 months of sex deprivation.)

13.  "Well in my opinion...."
(Stop right there. I didn't ask for your personal political opinions, and I don't care!)

Last but not least....
14.  "OH, that's horrible... I am so sorry!"
(Don't be sorry. Be appreciative and please take a moment out of your comfortable American lives to realize that our soldiers fight the wars abroad so those wars stay abroad.)

Clean House!

Since we will be moving to, literally, who knows where within the next 2ish months; serisoulsy we have NO clue where we will be moving. (KS graduates AIT in a month and still no orders, not even pending orders... grr.... come on Army get your act together. ) I will be participating in the GET THE CRAP OUT OF MY HOUSE CHALLENGE, sponsored by V and Co. So, if you would like to join me go grab her button and starting cleaning house. This way we can all link up on Fridays and see what we all managed to get done. You know for accountability and all :) See you Friday with *fingers crossed* pictures of VERY clean and organized closets and storage shed!! Chow!

Colin's Swimming Lessons

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Colin started swimming lessons two weeks ago, I have to admit the first day was TERRIBLE all he did was sit and pout at the edge of the pool with is arms crossed... I was livid. I have to be honest though, he didn't disappoint, he did exactly what I thought he would do. You see Colin is cautious and likes to be in his comfort zone, and swimming without a floaty was far from his comfort zone. Also, there were about 7 kids there for the first day. Thankfully after that fist day the number of kids there gradually began to dwindle down and Colin even had two full sessions where he was the only child there. Anyway back to the beginning, after that first day of swimming lessons and after much threatening and bribing Colin started to relax and participate. With each consecutive day Colin got better and better and so much more comfortable in the water. I couldn't believe it was my Colin some days, to see the difference in him from that first day to the third and fourth day even was amazing. By the end of the first week Colin would jump into the water sans floaty and swim back to the surface, to say I am proud of what he has accomplished in just two weeks of swimming lessons would be an understatement. He can now blow bubbles from his nose, dive underwater to get rings, and he can even swim unassisted under the water for a little bit. Unfortunately all of the other classes are booked, but I told his instructor that if any openings come up to give me a call. I would love for him to get in at least another two weeks before the season ends.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 6 (I forgot my camera on Day 5)
Day 7 (didn't take any pics the last day)

This is Me.

Hi Everyone!,

Things look a bit different around here right? Well, I wanted to introduce myself a bit more. You read my words on this blog and now you can see me through my blog. Look around, the colors, the flowers, even the swirls and ribbon; all of this is who I am inside and out. These colors are my favorites, I even designed my house around them at one time, and now you get to see them on here. I feel like my blog is really ME now, not just me trying to get my point across, but really me.

Stephanie over at Dirt and Lace was so gracious to work with me and after a few days of what seemed like constant emails back and forth she ended up pulling off this amazing blog makeover for me. I can not thank her enough, this woman is talented and even works when she is sick and can barely get out of bed. I could not believe the work she was doing every time I would pull up my test blog. She has quite a bit of patience and will work with you to get things just perfect, even if it means changing header font around eight or nine times until it is just right. She doesn't want you to just settle and be okay with it, she wants you to love it and she will work with you until it is everything you dreamed up.




So, if you ever want to have an amazing blog makeover, head on over to Dirt and Lace and contact Stephanie. You won't be dissapointed I can assure you, and while you are at it grab my new blog button and pass it around :)

Refresh the page, you will get a suprise at the top.

Today

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Earlier today we said goodbye to my grandparents



and then tonight we said hello pool party!! 


My Blue Dress

Friday, July 23, 2010

I put on a dress that I haven’t worn in well over a year today, and Colin comes in and tells me “I remember that dress” I stared at him for a minute and said, “Oh you do?” He replied yea it’s the dress you wore when we wanted to go to the lake and we got there and you didn’t have the right key, they changed the locks. We really wanted to go swimming and we couldn’t.” I have to admit I just stared at him for a moment… normally it wouldn’t be a big deal and I’m not entirely sure why this simple conversation has struck a nerve in me but it has. So many times we are all so wrapped up in our lives that we forget the little things. Those little things that are so simple and mundane that they just get whisked aside and forgotten… this dress that I only wear when I have got a little too much sun that day, this dress that I would never wear in public but love to slip on after a long day in the sun… this dress that obviously means so much to my son that whenever he sees me in it; it brings back memories… this dress that I must always keep.

My Loves


We have had family in for the past week and it has been wonderful. Well to be honest wonderful doesn't quite describe it. We have been hanging out poolside every day and going to the park just as often. The boys even got to spend the night RVing with my grandparents (their greats) last night. They all had a blast. My grandparents are heading back home in the next couple of days and boy are we going to miss them!! I will be catching back up on here after they leave.

Day 16 & Day 17

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Day 16, a song that makes you cry... Letters From War by Mark Schultz

Day 17, an art piece. 

 Ballet, by Cristina Mavaracchio

This picture will hang in Cayleigh-Grace's room in the very near future.


Day 13...

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A fictional book...

I believe, or at least I hope, that everyone has seen the Wizard of Oz. Well, if you have you will love Wicked. It is all about the Wicked Witch of the West, and The Good Witch Glinda. It is a wonderful book and will make your heart crumble for the Wicked Witch of the West. If you like the book go out and buy the soundtrack for the Broadway performance of the show its awesome!

Day 12... Kiale's Kindergarten Graduation

Monday, July 12, 2010

Today is whatever tickles my fancy so here is Kiale's kindergarten graduation. They sang the cutest songs!!

"The 3 Bears Rap"
"The Kindergarten Class"


This is the principle and Kiale's wonderful teacher.

This is Maddie, she is Kiale's first kiss... wouldn't be so bad if we all didn't come down with the stomach virus shortly after she kissed him. (3 times to be exact)

The awesome shirt that Kiale's class created specially for graduation.

Day 11...

Sunday, July 11, 2010

A recent picture of me... 
I know, I totally cheated on this picture, but it is me I promise. I took it at the welcome center here just last month. It is a beautiful place with lots of flowers, trees, and rocks. I just couldn't help but take advantage of the sun setting behind me. They even have a stream running throughout the entire place. Its gorgeous.

Day 10...

Saturday, July 10, 2010

A picture of me from 10 years ago... how about 8 years ago?
Aside from very young kid pictures of me this was all I had on my computer. Its crazy looking back on this picture, my sisters were so young!! Now they are 18 & 16... man time flies!!

Day 9...

Friday, July 9, 2010

A photo I took... These pictures are from 2006, its never ceases to amaze me when I look back at old pictures and see how much the boys have grown.

Day 8...

Thursday, July 8, 2010

A photo that makes me angry or sad... well I don't have one that makes me angry or sad really. I do have one that makes me miss my family a lot though. This one was taken while my Dad was driving the kids and our out west. Its really sad to think that it has been almost a full four months since I have seen him or any of my family. So yea, in a way I guess this one does make me sad.

Day 7...

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Day 7, a photo that makes you happy... I took this photo of Cayleigh-Grace sometime last year. All I can remember was that I couldn't reach her paci, so she improvised with her big toe. This picture never fails to make me smile.

(Sorry about the quality, it was taken with my phone)

Day 6... Colin's PreK Gaduation

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Today is supposed to be whatever tickles my fancy day so I figured I would post about Colin's PreK Graduation. This was quite the big day for Colin, he had he first EVER bus ride in an actual school bus. The little girl with the sunglasses in front of Colin was his best friend Coco.

Their ceremony was at a local park and all of the kids had a blast despite the sweltering heat.I ended up leaving in the middle to go get a giant Coke slushy to share between Colin, Cayleigh-Grace and myself.

I cannot believe that my little man will be starting Kindergarten in just a couple of months, and really its less then that... wow.

4th of July

Monday, July 5, 2010

4th of July was wonderful for us. KS has had a 4 day weekend so we have been taking it easy and relaxing around the house. We didn't make it out to any of the parades because on Saturday we all overslept and didn't get out of bed until almost 11 O'clock, and then on Sunday it was raining.Thankfully it wasn't a big deal since I hadn't even mentioned the parades to the boys yet.
(Colin looks like this in 90% of the pictures I have taken lately...)
Sunday night we went and enjoyed the fireworks with some wonderful friends of ours, R and T. The kids had a blast and there was (thankfully) plenty of room to run around and enjoy themselves. 


This is R, he is in the same class as KS,

and this is T. If you cant tell the kids are CRAZY about her. Normally they are all over R too, but the pictures I got of him and the kids were all blurry for some reason.

Well here is our family, the kids have been growing like weeds lately. It won't be too much longer and these boys will be as tall as me!
I hope you all had a wonderful and safe 4th of July!

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