Tune Time Thursday

Well in case you missed my post yesterday the husband finally got on his way for deployment number four  :0(   As we where having some lunch at McDonalds at his request- they had the satellite radio station playing. I swear every song that came on was making me depressed! First we had 3 Doors Down- Here with out you- which my husband was like "hmmm, that's from the first deployment.". Then we had Daughtry- Home, I was thinking that was deployment number three-LOL. Then we both stopped & thought seriously we know songs by deployment time frames something is wrong with that! Then one more song came on just for giggles after I dropped him off to leave- Nickleback- Faraway- OH MY!! The tears where flowing at that point & I thought " You have got to be kidding!!". So I am really at a loss as to what song to pick- today, so I went with another deployment favorite for when I need to cry since that seemed to be the theme of the day yesterday. Here you go ladies, sorry ahead of time if you cry- but I honestly had no other songs pop into my head.

 YEP - deployment number two favorite was Avril LaVigne & When your Gone.

It makes me tear up to watch the video- gotten over hearing the song. But it's still a good deployment tune- so I linked it up with Amber one more time over at Goodnight moon. Head on over there yourself to listen to some good music & link up as well.

Now I am off to wallowing with a battle buddy whose husband left for a short month but it still stinks! At least we have a few weeks to have our "girl time" before they PCS in August. Have a good day everyone , see you next Thursday!

Just like that, he's Gone Again....

After a great Fourth of July spent at the lake with friends we headed out bright & early for the airport . The four boys had to catch their plane to Tennessee so they could spend four weeks getting spoiled by their Ommie & Pawpaw! Luckily it was the perfect distraction from the fact that their dad was also leaving for his deployment later that day. The husband decided to wear civilian attire to the airport to keep his leaving low key for the kids. When it was time for hugs goodbye they where all smiles & even a fun chest bump from Matthew. No tears for once except from mom which was nice. The ploy to keep their minds off their dad leaving had worked!

  

After we watched the plane take off we hurried out to the car so we could grab one last cheeseburger for the husband on American soil. We ran to McDonalds where he grabbed his favorite burger,fries, & Pepsi as we chatted. We where trying to smile & keep the conversation as light as possible. It wasn't helping that the radio station playing in the background was playing every song you can name that had to do with missing someone, leaving someone, or wanting to go home! Seriously, even Paul commented on it before we left. We headed to Soldier's Field House where all the departures where taking place. Paul changed into his uniform & we waited outside in the sunshine for a few moments. We snapped one last "couple" picture before he had to go inside the gym.

 

Not our best but I'll take it!

Off we go to sit on the bleachers & wait until it's time to manifest the plane. As they line up I tear up. I don't care who says to you it get's easier, it in no way was easier watching him walk away for the fourth time! I chatted with another wife who was sitting beside me watching the scene unfold. I have no idea who she is or what her name is, but we kept each other from bawling- so that is all that matters.  I noticed we could walk our soldier's out to the buses so I ran to the other side of the gym as they called Paul's name to go with him. He was laughing because I was walking with him & went right up to the buses. He was like " babe are you coming with me?". I would have LOVED to have jumped right on that bus & drove to McChord with them! But I smiled stole one last kiss,snapped one last picture, & turned to walk away. I cried all the way to the parking lot- but that is not what he saw as I left. He saw me laugh,smile, & wave goodbye.

 

 Now the countdown begins to R&R time. We have no idea when it will happen but it is closer then the end date of the deployment so I choose to count down this date instead. Now I begin a couple weeks of feeling all out of sorts & an emotional basket case. But I have no kids here to witness it all this time around. They are already in TN having fun, which makes me happy. Hopefully I'll hear from my soldier at some point on his way as a little check in- which will help calm the nerves. But for now I will sit back watch sappy movies so I can cry & not feel like a complete idiot.

** EDIT** Around 7:45AM my time Paul was able to jump on a computer to let me know their plane had broke down  :0( They where stuck waiting on a part at an undisclosed location to you the general public- sorry folks OPSEC. But he was handed a internet card from the lovely USO where they where at for 45 free mins! He jumped on FB because as he said "I knew you'd be on here waiting for me!"- DANG RIGHT I WAS!! I have to say I am super selfish right now with his chatting time on FB- so please don't take it personally if I ask you to STOP chatting with my man so I CAN!! Until we both adjust to this new deployment routine that's just the way it is - like it or not!  So happy to hear from him & know they will be on their way again soon. I'll update as I hear more.

Surprised, how did I forget about this?

I came home today to a small Fed-EX package sitting on my porch & really though nothing of it after sitting it on the counter. Went about letting the dogs outside & putting some things into the laundry. Went back grabbed up the stack of mail & opened the package first. Imagine my surprise when a letter From Sears Heroes at Home fell out of the package along with a CD from Josh Gracin. I had forgotten that back in May I had entered our family in their contest for Josh to write a new song based on the experiences of a military family. Well we didn't win but I guess we placed in the top ten! I got a Cd & will be receiving his new Signed Single on CD when he records it to release! As well as a Thank You to our family for their continued support of America with our service. 

I think it's pretty cool to even be considered out of all the enteries they received. I have always thought that my soldier has served our country well beyond what he has ever been required by the Army. But to have someone else acknowledge it is pretty wonderful! I am excited for the family from Clarksville that won the grand prize & can't wait to hear the new single based on their story. I am sure with the recent deployment it will be a tear jerk-er & new favorite.

 Here is a little Josh Gracin for those of you who aren't country fans- I have always liked him since he was on IDOL. So this is pretty cool to get in the top ten!

Fun Facts about Flags,Fireworks,& America

 

May everyone have a Safe & Happy 4th Of July.

Never forget Freedom isn't Free. We owe all our freedom to those who fought for us to enjoy all our bar-b-ques & fireworks tonight. Thank you to those brave men & women who are still fighting for us today.

Fun Facts:

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

 

Flags

$3.2 million

In 2010, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($2.8 million) was for U.S. flags made in China. (COME ON PEOPLE- Buy MADE IN AMERICA!!)

 

$486,026

Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2010. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $256,407 worth.

$302.7 million

Annual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation's manufacturers, according to the latest published economic census data.

Fireworks

$190.7 million

The value of fireworks imported from China in 2010, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($197.3 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $37.0 million in 2010, with Japan purchasing more than any other country ($6.3 million).

$231.8 million

The value of U.S. manufacturers' shipments of fireworks and pyrotechnics (including flares, igniters, etc.) in 2007.


Fireworks were first invented in China over 2000 years ago. The first firecrackers were chunks of green bamboo which when put with fire which causes them to make a loud cracking sound. Because of the way Bamboo grows, it allows for air pockets to form inside the plant's segments. Once heated up, the air inside the bamboo expands which causes it to crack through the sides which produces the cracking sound.
For more Fun Facts go to : Newsroom Facts

 

More Summertime Fun

We where blessed with one more Saturday together as a family yesterday - God is GREAT!! We decided to have over a couple of friends whom Paul hasn't been able to connect with to say his  "See you later's" too yet. It turned out to be a beautiful sunny hot Washington day on the lake for all of us to play! We all laid around at the lake soaking up the sun while the kids swam all day. It was so relaxing & the best time we had all had in awhile. Our one friend who is the "camp chef" made some amazing hamburgers for us to enjoy which Mike our other friend couldn't get enough !! I am pretty sure Mike ate at least a pound of hamburger patties all on his own! But that was what the day was made for- relaxing, over indulging, & laughter. Below are just a few snapshots of our day. They only capture a few moments of the fun we all shared. I am so thankful that Paul was able to have one more Saturday with his family & close friends to carry with him on his journey.I hope everyone continues to have a safe & fun Holiday weekend.

Last picture with a couple that has become like family over the past two years. They will have changed duty stations by the time Paul returns from his deployment. Who knew when we met them two years ago the friendship that would form. We will be sad to see them go, but look forward to "Seeing them later".

All the children except Jeremy swam out to the lake docks to goof off . They had so much fun we had to drag them out of the lake when it was time to end the day.

 Jeremy was busy flying his new kite most of the morning.

 Mike & Tricia the love birds out on the lake in our boat together.

It was an amazing day filled with all the laughter & joy. 

Did someone say July already??

I can hardly believe it's July already! Where did the time go? It seems just like yesterday Paul was coming home to say he had deployment orders again & I blinked now it's almost time to say goodbye. I ran around like crazy yesterday getting things done with Jeremy & Hunter. We got the ALL CLEAR on Jeremy- he finally has NO more air bubbles around his heart or in his neck! He laid super still for his EKG & ultra sound of his heart after I explained there would be no trip to Ommie's if he didn't pass all the doctor's test. He PASSED!! Plus he thought it was so cool to see his heart beating & inside his tummy!

 We did Hunter's last Orthodontist appointment until August as well. He had broken some bands & needed them adjusted. I was a little frustrated with him when the dentist told him for the third time he wasn't brushing good enough! If we pay the thousand's of dollars for his teeth to get straightened & he ruins them with stains- I will not be held responsible if I physically smack his butt!! I don't care that he is now 3 inches taller then me & out weighs me! I am still mom & in charge!! Hopefully when I explained he would be paying for the teeth bleaching if it happens- that helped. But who knows?? He is after all a teenage boy!

I forgot to mention that on the way to Post we had a baby brown bear run across the road in front of us. Yes folks I said bear cub! I swerved to keep from hitting him/her & ran off the side of the paved road into a huge pothole. I heard the car go thunk! We kept driving although my steering wheel was now shaking. I knew something was off & thought it had knocked the alignment out. We went down the road before pulling over to check the tires- they looked fine. But driving around afterwards I knew something wasn't going well with the car so off I go to get it checked out. Those huge flipping potholes had broke the rim on my brand new tires! So we had the tires refitted, rim replaced & paid up, grrrr. That money cut into my July vacation money- so I was really not happy with that bear cub!

When we finally got home I had a huge headache & was exhausted. One would think I would just fall into bed at night to pass out. NOPE my body & brain won't shut off everything that I need to accomplish this weekend. Even after Paul came to bed an hour after me & I listened to him snore away, I was wide awake until after 1:30AM. Hello insomnia my old friend it's NOT good to see you again. You just left me about twelve months ago! It is so NOT FAIR that you have come back so soon! It took me a good two months after Paul returned from Iraq last May to get use to sleeping with him again & his new snoring. Now that I am use to that awful noise, he is leaving- WHAT?? NOT FAIR!! Hopefully I crash at some point this weekend so I am not cranky with the family . The boys fly out on Tuesday to Tennessee for a month to spend some fun time with my parents. At least if I don't get some sleep by then I'll crash & have no responsibility until I fly there at the end of the month to meet up with them.

I have to say how amazing my parents are! Last summer they took all four boys for a month when we thought Paul would still be deployed. He came home early to take a new job but my kids still flew to TN to stay with their grandparents. For the first time in 15 years Paul & I where alone for a WHOLE MONTH! He had to work but we enjoyed every minute of it on the weekends & the evenings.Once again as soon as my parents heard Paul was leaving this summer they jumped up & offered to take all four boys again for three weeks so I could just relax after he leaves. I can't tell you how wonderful it'll be to get all the kinks out by myself with out the kids those first few weeks. I will relax, rejuvenate, & plan for the next year ahead. By the time I meet them in TN for a week at the end of July I will be ready to smile & enjoy the time I have with them alone during this deployment. God is amazing that he knew Paul would leave again so soon & blessed us with that precious alone time last July. Now he has provided once again the precious time I as a mom will need to prepare for the upcoming months with out my partner at home . I thank God every day for blessing me with such wonderful parents & I know my children are blessed as well.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday weekend. Stay safe & remember to hug the ones you love because they may not be around tomorrow. I am off & will check back in later next week when my world will most likely feel like it has collapsed once again - but I will not complain to much as I am Blessed.

 

My greatest Gift's from God, my family.