March 26th....Our Anniversary

Our anniversary has come and gone this year. Just like last year we spent it apart and in different time zones.

I am really hoping next year we can celebrate together. My wonderful husband bought me the most beautiful bouquet of fruit. He sent flowers a couple of weeks ago and as much as flowers are nice they do die. With our anniversary coming up I told him how nice it would be to have some fruit that the boys and I could eat. Boy my husband sure listens good, and the boys and I were in love.



Thanks hunny, I loved the fruit. I also love you more with each passing day. Stay safe and hurry home.

My sister is off the market.

Shannon had a big month this year. On the third she celebrated her 28th birthday and then on the 21st she got married.

I have not been very good at blogging recently I have just been so sick this past week. I wish I would have been able to travel back to New Mexico for the wedding but at 8 months pregnant the docs and airlines frown upon it.

I have heard that everyone had a great time and the weather was awesome. It was an outdoor ceremony and the news said there was a possibility of rain. No rain in sight and the weather turned out to be perfect. Yeah!

They leave to Hawaii for their honeymoon in just a few short days, boy do I wish I was going off to a tropical island. Well, not sure anyone else would want to see my pregnant belly in a swimsuit but it sure sounds nice.

Congratulations Ryan and Shannon!! May you learn to love all the good days and to work hard to get through the tough ones. There is a lot of give and take and no matter what anyone says NO marriage is ever perfect.

Have a great honeymoon. Can't wait to see all the pics when you get back.

I was trying to wait until the professional photographer had his pictures up on his website but maybe he is not feeling well either because he is taking his time. Here is a photo so that you can see a little of Shannon and my new brother-in-law Ryan.

Wouldn't you know as soon as I posted this I get the good photos. So here are a few.

What would you do?

If you saw a pregnant lady with 7 bags of groceries on one arm and with the other hand wheeling her trash container from the curb up to the side of the house what would you do?

A. Say "Here let me help." Knowing she probably doesn't really need it or would never ask for help, even though you really don't want to be a good neighbor and offer help you do it out of common courtesy.

B. Say "You sure like doing a million things at once, have a good evening."

Monster Truck Show

I took the boys to a monster truck show last night and they had a blast. We got to the stadium at about 5:30 and the boys were in bed by 11. It was a very long night for us.



They were offering monster truck rides at 8 dollars a pop so I sat back and let the boys ride by themselves. They had so much fun they wanted to do it again, but at that price and the long line I told them NO WAY!








Me and my very pregnant belly pushed a guy out of the way to catch a t-shirt. They were throwing them out and him and I went head to head to get this shirt. We both jumped up and reached for it and it hit our finger tips. It dropped a few stairs down and I pushed him out of the way to run down the stairs to grab it. Once I got the shirt and started walking up the stairs back to my seat I though "Dawn, what in the hell were you thinking? You are 8 months pregnant." I think it's just the competitive person that I am. I sometimes do without thinking. Bryson and Carter were so proud of me and the guy was a little embarrassed he got schooled by a pregnant lady. He didn't realize I was pregnant until afterwards. Bryson also got a hat.




We snuck in drinks and candy so we didn't buy any junk food there and I avoided the merchandise stands so I didn't have to buy anything there either. I have gotten a bit smarter with all the shows and events we have gone to. I don't mind buying some toys and shirts, but wasn't going to buy the monster truck stuff.





Overall it was a goodnight and I am glad they only come once a year.

Baby Bump Photo's

12-5-08

2-5-09

3-5-09

6 weeks is all I have left.

A story about a little boy and a famous restaurant

Once upon two days ago there was a three year old little boy named Carter. He so desperately wanted to eat Olive Garden for dinner. His mother told him that they couldn't eat there because his brother had a rough day at school. She went on to say "That they couldn't go out to eat because going out to eat was special and that if you get in trouble at school then you don't deserve to eat somewhere special."

Carter replied back with a serious look "Well me and you can eat at Olive Garden and Bryson can sit there and watch!"

The mother trying to hold a straight face said that if Bryson was good at school the following day they would go to Olive Garden for dinner the next night.

When it was time for lunch the next day the mom asked Carter what he wanted for lunch and Carter said that he wanted Olive Garden. The mom reminded Carter that they would be eating dinner there. Carter wasn't satisfied and said that they could eat Olive Garden for lunch and dinner. The mom told him no but that he could have a lunchable for lunch. Carter was very happy about that.

When it was time to get Bryson from school Carter was so excited. He ran right up to Bryson and asked him if he had a good day. The teacher jumped up for joy and said "Bryson had a wonderful day and that he made good choices and that he was awesome!"

Carter was so excited and couldn't wait for dinner. Before the restaurant the mom had to drop off her sewing machine to get fixed and Carter fell asleep. He slept for about twenty minutes in the car and when they pulled up to Olive Garden the mom carried Carter in.

The mom asked Carter if he was feeling alright and he said he was tired. The mom ordered the food and drinks and then asked Carter if he needed to throw up. Carter said yes, so off to the bathroom they go.

Carter gets sick and the family have their food boxed up and head home.

Poor Carter didn't even get to taste any of his Olive Garden that he so desperately wanted for two days.

The mom and older brother ate their soggy salad and cold bread sticks at home.

The End!

Not Me Monday

It's time again for

I absolutely DID NOT lie to Bryson and tell him all the brownies were gone just so that I could have the last one. After all we teach our kids to not lie so I would never lie in front of them, or better yet to them.

I WAS NOT relieved to find out the reason Bryson was in trouble one day at school this last week. Because when the teacher has to talk to you about your son's behavior it's usually never good. SIDE NOTE: Bryson is reading at such a high level after he was done with all his paper work he was suppose to read special books of a higher level and he decided to roll around on the carpet and rough house with one of his pals. They both got in trouble.

After said behavior I DID NOT reward him by letting him play with the Wii when he got home. Though I did ground him from his DS ;)

Head on over to My Charming Kids.

Guess what next month is?

I am officially having this baby next month. Now when someone asks when are you due I can proudly say next month with a smile on my face. The time is just flying buy and I am still trying to get the baby's room ready, but even more importantly still trying to find a name for this little boy.

His kicks and moves are a little painful at times. He is a strong little boy, I believe the placenta lies on the left of my belly as most of his movements are on the right side or lower left side. I want to say he is lying caddy corner in my belly. It's hard to remember where I felt Bryson and Carter so I am glad I am writing this down.

I still feel great and the boys love to remind me everyday that...well this is how they put it (while both laughing) "Mom, your belly sure is getting big." or "Mom, how much bigger is your belly going to get? This big?" (while holding their arms stretched out) I usually laugh with them and tell them probably!

I will take my comparison photo on the fifth so be watching for that.

Funny Things

I have a quite a few posts I need to write about whats been going on around here but today Carter and Bryson both said something pretty funny.

I was in the bath tub and asked Carter to bring me my phone. With Joe being gone I never know when he is going to call.

Mom: Carter bring me my phone please.

Carter: ALRIGHT!!!

Mom: Put it right up there by the sink.

Carter: You better not get it wet.

Mom: I won't. I promise.

Carter: That would be a bad idea and you will get in big trouble if you get it wet.

Mom: Yes sir!

While driving to the book fair this evening a great song came on and Bryson starts dancing.

Bryson: Come on Carter dance. Mom you should see Carter.

Mom: I can't I am driving.

Bryson: He is doing this.

Mom: Good Job Carter.

Bryson: Carter you have some great moves!

I have many more things to share...Carter falls out of his bed and Bryson wins an award at school. I will try to get to it soon.

P.S. I ended up missing Joe's phone call because I didn't take my phone into the other bathroom where I was drying my hair. Dang it!!!

My first package.

I received my first package from my wonderful husband today. After hearing about the things that were available for him to buy like cheap jewelry, knock off DVDs, and the like I was a little worried when Joe told me he found me something.

Alright I was a lot worried. I am not a big jewelry person, I wear my ring and earrings and that's it. Though honestly had it been jewelry I am sure I would have been happy just to receive something from him. When I opened the box I couldn't believe my eyes. Was I really seeing this? Could he possibly have thought about me and the things I love that much? Did he just touch my heart thousands of miles away?

I could never have imagined what was in the box, I think it's the best gift he has ever bought me. Are you dying to know what my gift was?




It's an old Russian camera. I am not sure how old or any other info on it, as I have tried to google it but everything is in a foreign language. I will keep trying. I love that even so far away he saw this old camera and knew it would fit right in with my collection. I think I fell in love a little more with my husband this afternoon. *grin*

Not Me Monday!

It's time again for Not me Monday with My Charming Kids



While shopping at the grocery store I absolutely DID NOT duck behind a middle food kiosk when I saw someone I didn't want to talk to. I also DID NOT find it hilarious that Carter my three year old was laughing at me and saying in a really loud voice "Mom, what are you doing? Hiding?"

I also DID NOT allow my child to wear the same pair of jeans three days in a row because he wanted to and kept reassuring me that "Mom, they aren't dirty." Because who lets their kids wear the same clothes over and over just to get out of doing more laundry. NOT ME!

While shopping at Target the other morning I DID NOT allow Carter to have a chocolate brownie for breakfast, Because who lets their child have a chocolate brownie for breakfast JUST BECAUSE the popcorn machine wasn't working. After all popcorn is better than brownies right? It is made from corn. *grin*

What have you NOT DONE this week?

What a difference 2 months makes

December 5th

February 5th

I have 10 weeks left.

What a fun day.

The day started off being able to see Joe via SKYPE. Its a free program that you can download and chat via web cam all for free. It's amazing and also the first time we have seen him in a month. The boys had so much fun giggling and making faces at daddy and Joe even made a few faces at them as well. I had my hair cut and colored on Friday and he was even able to see that. It was awesome.

The connection was not that great and our call kept being dropped and then we would have to start all over but for at least 10 minutes it felt like he was right here with us.

Then at 12 I was able to spend five hours away from the boys. My friend, her husband and two kids took the boys bowling and to the park. What is even more special is that her husband is Joe's boss. How many bosses do you know that would take your kids for five hours just because your husband is deployed. It was so special and needed and they will never know just how much.

Though as we speak the kids are writing thank you notes because they had so much fun. I asked them if they had a good time away from me and Bryson says "yeah we did so you wouldn't get mad and yell at us." See, it was definitely needed. They talked about strikes and spares while bowling and then told me stories of their playing at the park.

My friend also made the boys Daddy dolls. They are dolls/pillows that have Joe's picture on the front of them. They grabbed their dolls and jumped into bed, Bryson said that the dolls were so special. Then Carter says "I like Mrs. Felicia she is so pretty."



I am really glad they had a blast and am so thankful for this wonderful family to offer us a break from each other.

Baby Bump Photo

Here I am with less than 12 weeks to go. This pregnancy is flying by.

Baby Clothes

I went out to our storage unit the other day to gather the baby clothes. I pulled out 6, 18 gallon totes of clothes. When we moved from Arizona Carter was 15 months. That means I have 6 totes of clothes that go from 0-15 months. That's a lot of clothes.

Here are a few photos to show you just how many clothes there are. All 6 totes in the back of the car.

The next three photos are just the clothes out of 1 tote.

Our daddy is...

I overheard Carter telling the neighborhood kids today where his daddy is. He said "Our dad is at the airport."

Gosh he has been at that airport for a long time now. *grin* I keep telling him that his daddy is in Afghanistan but he keeps telling everyone he is at the airport.

I guess it makes since to a three year old, after all that's where we dropped him off at.

I am finally done....

painting the baby's room. Yeah. It's a pretty blue and Bryson wants to know when I am painting his room next. I told him the next time we move we will paint his room and he was satisfied with that. If Joe were here I may be more tempted to paint his room for him as he seemed so sad that his room wasn't painted but I don't feel up to painting another room. I will post pictures once the room starts coming together.

In the eyes of my boys....

a new president wasn't as important as a snow day. This is the first snow fall since last January so the boys were very excited when they woke up this morning. It continued to snow most of the day and left quite a bit. So much that there isn't any school tomorrow (fear of black ice). There wasn't any school today but that wasn't because of the snow it was for I believe a teacher assessment day.

I was going to post some pictures earlier but the boys would play and I would take photos we would come in and throw the clothes in the dryer and warm up and then back out we would go. When the mail came I received a package. What was in the package you ask? My new lens....it's splendid. I will start off with some photos from my other lens which works better in the sun and far distances and then I will show you photos from my new lens which is more of a portrait lens.

Making a snow angel in the street.

Best buds

Now photos from the new lens.