Dan is back at work this morning and I made sure to write out a loose schedule to follow today so that I don't feel frustrated and out of control. It looks like this...
Breakfast
Chores (put away the 5 loads of laundry we did at the laundry mat yesterday)
Devotions- Continue reading through John, memorize bible verse, learn a new hymn, prayers
Run Outside
Read aloud a zoobook magazine and then Sign of the Beaver while the kids play with legos
Lunch
Seatwork (explode the code, spelling, copywork and math)
Outside
Naptime
Puzzles and Games
Dinner
And since everyone was up before 7 and we got an early start, we might fit in a trip to the commissary. I need to go if we want to eat tomorrow! Dan is thinking they will get 1 1/2 hours for lunch so he's going to try and come home and eat with us. This would be a first for us. We never have Daddy home for lunch! Later on in the school he'll probably study through lunch, but today we might get to see him.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
We're here!!
We made it! The drive was not that bad and the kids were great. We took 2 days to get here and rushed in Saturday in order to make it to the housing office before it closed. We wanted to get a house ASAP so that we could arrange for the movers to come. When we got to the housing office our "realtor" wasn't there so someone else showed us the house they were saving for us. It was historical and beautiful, but once inside we saw some problems. The rooms were small, the bedrooms were one two separate floors (also very small) and the stairs were so narrow we weren't sure if our furniture would fit up them! We did some quick looking on craigslist and went to see a beautiful old farmhouse about 4 miles from the base. After completely falling in love with the large kitchen, bedrooms, beautiful master suite and large backyard that had horses behind it, we waited 2 days for the owner to get back to me and say they would not do a six month lease. And to add salt to the wound, she didn't even call...she sent me a text. So back to square 1 we went. After looking around a little we weren't able to find a close enough house that would agree to a six month lease so we ended up at the original, historical house on base! Dan called the movers Monday morning and they told us they couldn't bring our stuff until a week from that coming Friday! I just about flipped out. We stayed in the Navy Lodge for 5 nights and now we are in the house with no furniture. Last night was our first night here. We slept on hardwood floors. Ouch! That's all I have to say about that. Thankfully, I had a bunch of fabric with me and we were able to make beds from yards of cotton and fleece, cheap walmart pillows covered with Daddy's T-shirts and some sleeping bags we happened to have along with us.
Considering it all, I'm doing very well. Normally, at this stage of a move, I would have had a couple of breakdowns where I screamed and melted down into tears, and basically threw a fit. However, I have been so at peace. There were about 3 hours where I was very upset with the movers, but I got over it and am fine.
We found a wonderful consignment store in a town about a half hour away. We had been looking on craigslist for a twin bed for Ashton and we found it advertised. We ended up coming home with 2 twin beds, a bakers rack, a coffee table, a large kitchen table and 5 chairs, a shelf and a big picture for $300 delivered. I love a deal...i really, really love a deal. They were the nicest people, also. Let the girls walk all around the store and read through all the books they had for sale. There was a hutch there I had my eye on and may have to go back and get it. While the house isn't ideal, it sure is going to be fun to decorate. I'm trying to take into consideration that our house is over 100 years old. What it must have seen over all these years!
While on the way to the furniture shop we spotted a "living farm museum". What a great place! We went to visit and found that it is a recreation of the 1870's farm. We saw chickens, cows and turkeys, toted water and learned all about farm life way back when. The turkeys scared poor mareea to death. She wouldn't even walk. They were big, though...as tall as she was and wider. They would all gobble at the same time and it made me laugh so hard.
We're working on getting a new library card and going to do the "mansion walk". Yesterday we visited Ft. Adams and took a tour to learn some rich American history. It was fascinating! We plan to go back in June for their reenactment weekend. Quintin is especially excited about that one!
The base is nice enough. The thrift store has great prices. I was able to get bowls, knives and other cooking supplies for around $4 all together. We'll have to go there often. It sure was crowded though. No way a stroller would fit in there. I managed to pull a muscle in my wrist holding too many things in my hand LOL!! It's feeling better today though. The commissary is only a mile away. We can walk or drive depending on the weather and how much we need. The prices are not as good as they were in Dahlgren though. I'm determined to use more beans and bake my own bread to be able to keep our food budget down to $200 a week.
We appreciate all of your prayers. I have felt them this move and so at peace!
Gid sitting up in the new house while the boys play battleship on the floor! Who needs furniture?
We can't plant a garden in the ground so we're container gardening. Meet tomato, peppers, bell peppers and herbs :)
Considering it all, I'm doing very well. Normally, at this stage of a move, I would have had a couple of breakdowns where I screamed and melted down into tears, and basically threw a fit. However, I have been so at peace. There were about 3 hours where I was very upset with the movers, but I got over it and am fine.
We found a wonderful consignment store in a town about a half hour away. We had been looking on craigslist for a twin bed for Ashton and we found it advertised. We ended up coming home with 2 twin beds, a bakers rack, a coffee table, a large kitchen table and 5 chairs, a shelf and a big picture for $300 delivered. I love a deal...i really, really love a deal. They were the nicest people, also. Let the girls walk all around the store and read through all the books they had for sale. There was a hutch there I had my eye on and may have to go back and get it. While the house isn't ideal, it sure is going to be fun to decorate. I'm trying to take into consideration that our house is over 100 years old. What it must have seen over all these years!
While on the way to the furniture shop we spotted a "living farm museum". What a great place! We went to visit and found that it is a recreation of the 1870's farm. We saw chickens, cows and turkeys, toted water and learned all about farm life way back when. The turkeys scared poor mareea to death. She wouldn't even walk. They were big, though...as tall as she was and wider. They would all gobble at the same time and it made me laugh so hard.
We're working on getting a new library card and going to do the "mansion walk". Yesterday we visited Ft. Adams and took a tour to learn some rich American history. It was fascinating! We plan to go back in June for their reenactment weekend. Quintin is especially excited about that one!
The base is nice enough. The thrift store has great prices. I was able to get bowls, knives and other cooking supplies for around $4 all together. We'll have to go there often. It sure was crowded though. No way a stroller would fit in there. I managed to pull a muscle in my wrist holding too many things in my hand LOL!! It's feeling better today though. The commissary is only a mile away. We can walk or drive depending on the weather and how much we need. The prices are not as good as they were in Dahlgren though. I'm determined to use more beans and bake my own bread to be able to keep our food budget down to $200 a week.
We appreciate all of your prayers. I have felt them this move and so at peace!
Gid sitting up in the new house while the boys play battleship on the floor! Who needs furniture?
We can't plant a garden in the ground so we're container gardening. Meet tomato, peppers, bell peppers and herbs :)
Friday, May 20, 2011
We are moving!
Today is the day! Yesterday we spent hours getting everything all packed up and loaded and today we're cleaning the house and waiting for daddy to get home this afternoon. Then we'll get on the road. It's been a great almost 3 months here in Colonial Beach, VA. We spent Wednesdays at a local pottery studio (and coffee shop for mama and girls), Fridays at story time, and Monday nights at the Dockside Restaurant. Not to mention our many trips to the Westmoreland Berry Farm, Westmoreland State Park and the great playground 2 blocks away. Monday we took our last trip to the beach and enjoyed swimming and some nice hot weather. It's just been great. I'm thankful we could be here during the springtime when the weather is nice, but the town is not too crowded. In the summer the population explodes!
Some things I have learned on this trip about taking an extended vacation...
1. Bring your own knives. The knives at a beach house will be terrible.
2. Bring a toothbrush holder so the toothbrushes aren't lying all over the sink.
3. Bring a crock pot and electric skillet
4. Don't bring too much! Bring only what you NEED...and then get rid of 1/3 of that. As we've been packing up to leave I'm kicking myself for bring so much!
5. Bring your own vacuum...i'm so glad we did!
Some things we've made with no oven...
1.chili
2.spaghetti
3.meatballs or meatloaf in the crock pot
4. chicken breast in the crock pot
5. soup
6. burgers and hot dogs on the grill or skillet
7. pasta salad
8. burritos or tacos
9. breakfast for dinner (eggs, bacon, french toast, sausage, etc.)
I've learned to be at peace with more mess and clutter. We have toys and books but no shelves to put them on. Our house is small and I've learned that small houses mean the mess is much more noticeable. For 3 months we've eaten at a table meant for 4 people. It's been cramped, but I got over it. It's really not that big of a deal and it will just make me more thankful for our big table when we finally get to our new home. Same with our tiny kitchen and 1/2 size dishwasher.
I"m so very thankful we chose to come with Dan. I believe that whenever we're able we should stay together as a family. There will be so much time in the future when Daddy will be deployed. And we were able to enjoy this wonderful place because of it! Have I mentioned that the Navy payed for it all? There was not enough room at the BOQ for Dan so they gave him an allowance to stay out in town. It covered the cost of our beach house so we didn't have to use our tax return as we had planned. God is good!
Some things I have learned on this trip about taking an extended vacation...
1. Bring your own knives. The knives at a beach house will be terrible.
2. Bring a toothbrush holder so the toothbrushes aren't lying all over the sink.
3. Bring a crock pot and electric skillet
4. Don't bring too much! Bring only what you NEED...and then get rid of 1/3 of that. As we've been packing up to leave I'm kicking myself for bring so much!
5. Bring your own vacuum...i'm so glad we did!
Some things we've made with no oven...
1.chili
2.spaghetti
3.meatballs or meatloaf in the crock pot
4. chicken breast in the crock pot
5. soup
6. burgers and hot dogs on the grill or skillet
7. pasta salad
8. burritos or tacos
9. breakfast for dinner (eggs, bacon, french toast, sausage, etc.)
I've learned to be at peace with more mess and clutter. We have toys and books but no shelves to put them on. Our house is small and I've learned that small houses mean the mess is much more noticeable. For 3 months we've eaten at a table meant for 4 people. It's been cramped, but I got over it. It's really not that big of a deal and it will just make me more thankful for our big table when we finally get to our new home. Same with our tiny kitchen and 1/2 size dishwasher.
I"m so very thankful we chose to come with Dan. I believe that whenever we're able we should stay together as a family. There will be so much time in the future when Daddy will be deployed. And we were able to enjoy this wonderful place because of it! Have I mentioned that the Navy payed for it all? There was not enough room at the BOQ for Dan so they gave him an allowance to stay out in town. It covered the cost of our beach house so we didn't have to use our tax return as we had planned. God is good!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Gideon update
I haven't blogged about my sweet baby in awhile so here goes. Gideon will be 6 months on Saturday! I can't believe it. Time has gone so quickly. He loves to play with toys. He picks them up and immediately puts them in his mouth, then plays, then back into the mouth it goes. He can roll over both ways, but sometimes he still has trouble with it. Gideon has started to hold a sitting position unassisted and loves it! He can reach his toys without having to lie on his tummy (which he dislikes most of the times). Gid loves his siblings. He gives them the biggest smiles and knows them very well. Every morning when he sees a brother or sister he smiles and kicks an coos. It's so very sweet.
Right now he is wearing 6-9 month clothes. He grew very quickly for awhile, but now he seems to have leveled off a little. Dan an I think he's going to have the same slim build as Ashton and Thea. At this age Mareea and Landon were super chubby and he's just not like that. He does have plenty of cute baby chub on his thighs though. It's so stinkin' cute!
Gid loves to look at people. While I'm holding him I'll see him staring intently at my face. Often when we're out somewhere and I'm holding up he'll look closely at the people nearby us. They always talk to him and he smiles and coos back. We call it his googly eyes.
And the biggest news is that he's cutting 2 teeth! One has just come through and the other is trying hard. He was up a lot for several nights, but last night slept for 4 hours strait in his bed! I'm thankful to be able to nurse while lying down. Lately I've been nursing him about 10 times a night (yes, i know he's using me for a pacifier, but cutting teeth hurts!) and I hardly even have to wake up. I guess we're co sleepers again.
Today we sold his aquarium swing at the Once Upon a Child and got $35 for it! We only paid $15 for it at a garage sale so I think we did alright. It was sad to see it go, but I'm excited that some other little baby can enjoy it now.
I think that's about it. We're really enjoying our baby. I hope to get some pictures up soon.
Right now he is wearing 6-9 month clothes. He grew very quickly for awhile, but now he seems to have leveled off a little. Dan an I think he's going to have the same slim build as Ashton and Thea. At this age Mareea and Landon were super chubby and he's just not like that. He does have plenty of cute baby chub on his thighs though. It's so stinkin' cute!
Gid loves to look at people. While I'm holding him I'll see him staring intently at my face. Often when we're out somewhere and I'm holding up he'll look closely at the people nearby us. They always talk to him and he smiles and coos back. We call it his googly eyes.
And the biggest news is that he's cutting 2 teeth! One has just come through and the other is trying hard. He was up a lot for several nights, but last night slept for 4 hours strait in his bed! I'm thankful to be able to nurse while lying down. Lately I've been nursing him about 10 times a night (yes, i know he's using me for a pacifier, but cutting teeth hurts!) and I hardly even have to wake up. I guess we're co sleepers again.
Today we sold his aquarium swing at the Once Upon a Child and got $35 for it! We only paid $15 for it at a garage sale so I think we did alright. It was sad to see it go, but I'm excited that some other little baby can enjoy it now.
I think that's about it. We're really enjoying our baby. I hope to get some pictures up soon.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Week 7 healthy living update
I can't believe I started working out 7 weeks ago!! I didn't update last week because we were out of town...and it was one of my worst weeks. I only worked out 3 days and didn't eat so hot. This week was better. I worked out everyday except for Thursday (I tried, but Gid woke up 4 minutes into my workout) and I plan to wake up tomorrow and work out first thing. Dan got me 2 new turbo jam videos for Mother's Day and I was thrilled. He got me the Fat Blaster and Cardio Mix 2. I love, love the cardio mix 2. I still have some issues with my knees when I do a 45 min. workout. It's frustrating, but it just means I can't do it 2 days in a row. Maybe when I'm lighter and stronger.
Healthy eating continues to be a challenge. I have gotten better at least. I have cut out soda and sweet tea and drink only water. This week I discovered that I get super jittery and irritable when I have a sugary snack mid morning. By lunch time I can't handle anything and get frustrated very easily. While I like junk food, it's been enough of a motivator to keep me from eating it. I hate feeling like that!
This time next week I will be in our new house and have a scale! So this is my last week to lose weight before I get on the scale! My goal was to lose 20 lbs. in 10 weeks. I'm hoping I will have lost 16 by next week. Too bad I feel like I've come to a stand still the last couple of weeks. We will see...
Healthy eating continues to be a challenge. I have gotten better at least. I have cut out soda and sweet tea and drink only water. This week I discovered that I get super jittery and irritable when I have a sugary snack mid morning. By lunch time I can't handle anything and get frustrated very easily. While I like junk food, it's been enough of a motivator to keep me from eating it. I hate feeling like that!
This time next week I will be in our new house and have a scale! So this is my last week to lose weight before I get on the scale! My goal was to lose 20 lbs. in 10 weeks. I'm hoping I will have lost 16 by next week. Too bad I feel like I've come to a stand still the last couple of weeks. We will see...
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Dedicated to Landon...
So this post is dedicated to my one and only brunette, Landon. He marches to the beat of his own drummer, keeps us on our toes and is very, very smart. We love him and I had to do a post on some of the funny things he's said recently!
Me-Landon, What would you grow in your garden if you had one?
Landon-Cucumbers, tomatoes and beans
Me-What kind of beans?
Landon-Canned beans
While sitting on the bed reading the kids a bedtime story Landon looks up and me and says, "well, the bad thing that happened today wwwaaassss....I ate glue". I am trying not to laugh as I ask him why he ate glue. "Well, I thought it was something to eat and by the time I realized it wasn't I couldn't spit it out". They had had pudding packs at story time that day and apparently he mistaken a glue splatter for a pudding splatter.
While having our nightly teeth brushing party in the bathroom Landon says "Ah!" and grabs the towel bar which causes it to come out of the wall. Huh? Really? Did he just do that? I took the bar out to Dan and said, "I'm going to leave this in the middle of the living room and just see what happens". Dan looks at me like I'm insane and grabs the bar out of Landon's hand...he somehow has already gotten ahold of it and is using it for a sword.
I'm getting drinks for dinner and look over to see that Landon has taken both of the mats in our kitchen and folded them into boats.
After rest time, I came into Landon's room to discover that he had pulled out every page in his 5 subject notebook and folded every page into airplanes and piled into a huge mountain on his floor. He then informed me that he had opened an airplane store and that each plane was one penny.
Me-Landon, What would you grow in your garden if you had one?
Landon-Cucumbers, tomatoes and beans
Me-What kind of beans?
Landon-Canned beans
While sitting on the bed reading the kids a bedtime story Landon looks up and me and says, "well, the bad thing that happened today wwwaaassss....I ate glue". I am trying not to laugh as I ask him why he ate glue. "Well, I thought it was something to eat and by the time I realized it wasn't I couldn't spit it out". They had had pudding packs at story time that day and apparently he mistaken a glue splatter for a pudding splatter.
While having our nightly teeth brushing party in the bathroom Landon says "Ah!" and grabs the towel bar which causes it to come out of the wall. Huh? Really? Did he just do that? I took the bar out to Dan and said, "I'm going to leave this in the middle of the living room and just see what happens". Dan looks at me like I'm insane and grabs the bar out of Landon's hand...he somehow has already gotten ahold of it and is using it for a sword.
I'm getting drinks for dinner and look over to see that Landon has taken both of the mats in our kitchen and folded them into boats.
After rest time, I came into Landon's room to discover that he had pulled out every page in his 5 subject notebook and folded every page into airplanes and piled into a huge mountain on his floor. He then informed me that he had opened an airplane store and that each plane was one penny.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Some more pictures...
Hangin' out at the beach. The big boys were at pottery and the girls and Landon played.
The redheads
Were you born in a barn??
Monday, May 2, 2011
Our Busy Weekend
We had a fun and exhausting weekend! On Saturday we visited the Naval Academy and Sunday was church, the berry farm and a cookout with friends we had not seen since Landon was a baby! What fun to get together with old friends and still be able to chat and visit like we had never been apart. We're excited that they will be with us in Newport as well! The boys loved having some friends to play with and are looking forward to more playtime in RI.
Here are some pictures from the weekend. They're not in order, but I'm too tired to move them around!!
Here are some pictures from the weekend. They're not in order, but I'm too tired to move them around!!
Q helping Gid look at the Goats at the berry farm
At the naval academy
Girls walking into church holding each others and Daddy's hand
The goat walk at the farm
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