PCS Leave

We are now within one week of our departure from the US! Crazy!

We've been back in our hometown since right before Christmas (about 3.5 weeks) and I must say, it's been a whirlwind. It feels like time has flown and also like we've been here forever all at the same time. 

A big chunk of our time has been spent trying to get healthy! Southern Ohio as a whole seems to be infected with a nasty respiratory bug right now. My mom had pneumonia over Christmas, my dad had a serious sinus infection and double ear infection, the Soldier had an ugly cold for a few weeks, and I lost my voice and was severely congested for about a week and a half! Thankfully, we are all feeling a bit better.

That's not to say we haven't had some fun!

We spent a wonderful overnight at Great Wolf Lodge playing in their massive indoor water park.

We've played in the snow!

The boys loved it so much! They and my little sister spent almost that entire day outside.

We've celebrated our Buckeyes rolling over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and beating Oregon in the the final playoff to become the National Champions!

{photo from the Columbus Dispatch}

And we've spent lots of time with our amazing family and friends.

It's been a pretty good couple of weeks. I've had a few hard, emotional days. That's to be expected I suppose. My husband reminds me daily that it's all going to be just fine, that in the big picture the things I'm worried about are small, and that we are not going to be away forever. Thank goodness for that man. I don't know what I'd do without him.

The Holidays are Over

Pheewwwwwwwww. They are over. Not to say I didn't have a GREAT Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.. but man, I'm glad to be getting a routine back.

Things that happened over the past month

*We hosted our very first thanksgiving on our own and prepared food for 12 people (and had a great time!)

*My best friend Erin came to visit

*One of our houseguests moved out

*We had a baby bean appt where we got to see he/she moving around!

*We went shopping on Christmas Eve where we surprised each other with these:

(I got a new phone, and Jeff got a new BIG tv)

*We skyped with our families in Ohio on Christmas morning and had a great time

*We watched these:

and

(both were hilarious)

*And last but not least, our best friends Jake and Emma had a baby girl.. Selah Joy!

What have you been up to lately?

Starbucks Holiday Drinks, Buy One Get One FREE!

Starbucks is running a very sweet deal right now, literally! When you buy one holiday drink, you get another FREE! This deal is going to continue from today (November 18) until Sunday (November 21) and you must buy your drink between 2pm-5pm.

The drinks eligable include:

*Caramel Brulee Latte

*Peppermint Mocha

*Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha

*Peppermint Hot Chocolate

*Gingerbread Latte

*Egglog Latte

*Caramel Brulee Frappucino

*Peppermint Mocha Frappucino

YUM! Just what a pregnant girl needs!

I also *LOVE* their commerical for the promotion, so adorable!

Hope some of you are able to cash in on this deal this weekend! We're actually supposed to get snow in the lowlands here in the PNW this weekend. A SBux Holiday Drink would be a perfect compliment to curling up with blanket by the window and watching the snowflakes fall :)

Tis the Season... to order from Shutterfly!

If you haven't heard of this amazing company, it's high time you check it out

www.shutterfly.com

I know I'm not the only one that's looked at a photo and thought "Man that would look good on a greeting card!" Well shutterfly thinks so too, and they will help you create beautiful prints from your precious memories. They make it easy to upload your photo(s), choose a print design, and see your memories be given new life. All they don't just offer your simple 4x6s, 8x10s, and collages, they have sooooo many options.

I mean look at this advertisement for their award winning photo books?

Doesn't get much more adorable than that, would make a great gift for grandparents!

They also have things like these:

PHOTO MUGS! How cool is that? I don't know a single person that wouldn't appreciate an extra coffee mug, especially one with cute munchkin faces on it!

I visit this website fairly often to see what deals and promotions they have going on.

So I've been stalking their holiday section of products. Christmas is so much closer than it seems, and *being the crazy OCD person that I am* I need to prepare! And what did I find, at the EXACT right time I needed it.... Right now,

Shutterfly is offering 20% off ALL holiday cards!

So off I went to indulge myself with holiday cheer a little early :) First off you should definitely check out their collection of Christmas cards.

(Click Here to view Shutterfly's Holiday Cards)

If you live away from your extended family, you know how important it is to send (and recieve) Christmas cards. They are the link that holds family together emotionally when they are stuck only wishing they could be together physically for Christmas

My favorite design is this one:

It quotes one of my favorite songs, the color scheme is perfect and the black & white finish on the photos give it that "this is precious!" look. I love that there's five places for photos! I always have a hard time choosing which photo to include, so this solves my problem. As a family, we haven't had any family pictures take since Jeff returned from Afghanistan. I think it's important for us to get that done, just to commemorate that we have made it through a year long deployment and we're still going strong! This card will be perfect to show off our family photos with, don't you think? Now to get the husband to agree and I can check "Pick out Holiday card design" off my list!

I was just about to nagivate away from Shutterfly's website when I came across these bad boys:

MATCHING ADDRESS LABELS! (Did I mention I have OCD?)

There's a ton to choose from:

Shutterfly's Address Labels

And most coordinate with a holiday card or two.

It's not even Halloween yet and Shutterfly has made me wanna turn on some Christmas music, put up the tree, and bake my weight in gingerbread cookies!

Have you ever used Shutterfly? What was your experience like?

Quick Update

Okay I've been a VERY busy woman lately, so here's whatcha get.

Kate:
-has been sick lately, but is feeling much better now. Went to the doctor and got some medicines for the dizzies that have continued since pregnancy. It seem to be working so far. An echocardiogram was run on Monday Dec. 21st and the results came back normal.
-is on winter break from college. Also I'm trying to decide what classes to take in Spring quarter. Any suggestions?
-is depressed because of her failing weight loss mission. All my fault. No one else's. I really need to buckle down.
-is exahausted. Six Christmas celebrations down. Two to go.

Jack:
-is smiling like you wouldn't believe. He is a very happy boy these days.
-laughed out loud for the first time on Christmas Eve. At grandpa Kevin!
-is officially spoiled rotten. The amount of toys this kid has is seriously ridiculous.

Jeff:
-is staying put at his FOB. As far as we know he is NOT moving anymore. So MAIL IS A GO! Send as much as you want and often.
-is absolutely loving all the boxes he has recieved. Thank you to everyone that has helped make this holiday season a little bit more bearable for him.
-has been told that he will have orders by February 5th at the latest. Everyone in the Brigade is supposed to have orders by then. This means that by this date, we will know if we are staying at Fort Lewis, Washington for the next 3 years or if we will be PCSing (moving) to a new post.
-is AMAZING. And his wife loves him very much :)



The end.

I'm right there with ya, little one

How I feel today:

Insomnia

It's five in the morning and my sleep cycle is ALL messed up. Jack has been out since about 2300 and I'm still awake. Obviously the fact that my hubby wakes up for his day around midnight our time has something to do with it. I just can't bring myself to go to sleep when A) I'm not really tired and B) I could be talking to him instead of staring at the ceiling in the dark trying to fall asleep. I think my plan for tonight, er, this morning is to just stay up. I might as well. I'll hope that this will make me tired enough to fall asleep around 2100. I'm hoping to get Jack and I on a 2100-0500 sleep schedule because thats what daddy's is when he's working in the states. We will see how this works out.

The past couple days have been filled with reconnecting with friends I hadn't seen in a while. Mainly, Dustie. Dustie and I have been best friends for quite a long time. We kept in contact when we graduated high school but not as much as we should have and wanted to. It's so good to be around him again. I need trustworthy friends that would help me no matter what if I needed it, and friends that are good with Jack. He definitely fits that description. (And I think my mama is glad to see him again too).

Ashley is another friend that I have missed. Of course I was still seeing her every once in a while, but again like with Dustie, not as much as we wanted. Laura and John watched Jack on Saturday so Ashley and I could head to River Valley mall to get some Christmas shopping done. We had a blast and found tons of really good deals, and I can fully say (with the exception of Ashley and Erin) I'm done with Christmas shopping! Woo! Go me! Well I guess I still have to get Jack's walker but other than that, completely done! AND, everything is wrapped! I know, I'm on a Christmas roll. I'm expecting a recruiting call from the North Pole fairly soon actually.

It's deployment update time! Jeff is, as usual, doing very well. He has recieved most of the boxes that you all have sent out so far. And he would like to say thank you. He loves getting mail and boxes. As most of you are aware already Jeff got word that his platoon will be moving locations. This could be a good or bad thing communication wise. We are not sure yet of the amenities that this new FOB will/does have. Only time will tell I suppose.I have been spreading the word to stop all mail going to Jeff until further notice. Well new information says you are now allowed to send mail to his current address until Friday, December 11th. After the 11th, please hold off on sending anything else until further notice to insure that Jeff will recieve your letter/box. Please pass these instructions along. To end our deployment update I would like to let everyone know that this past week Jeff, along with another medic, was named "Hero of the Week" for his unit. He was recognized for his efforts in helping at the aid station a few locals showed up with severe injuries from an IED. Our soldier is doing his job very well over there and even his superiors are noticing. Congratualations Jeff! Here's a picture of Jeff working on a howitzer that he sent me a couple days ago.

Jack is just over a week away from being 3 months old! I cannot believe my eyes sometimes when I look at him and see how much he's grown. He is now wearing Pampers #2 diapers for infants 12-18 pounds. Just little things like that make me realize how much time is flying. I need to enjoy and document every little moment. The precious moments I experience with him now will be replaced by others soon and I don't ever want to forget them. He is getting very strong, holding his head up to investigate his surroundings constantly. He still is a fan of his swing but usually only when he's sleepy. He loves the new mobile mommy got him as an early Christmas present. It runs on batteries so mommy doesn't have to keep re-winding it. It plays classical music, nature sounds, or a heart beat and has the traditional mobile hanging animals as well as a projector that provides circulating images on the mobile's underneath.

In closing, I'm offering big thanks to everyone that has been in contact with my mama and is donating a blanket to Jeff's unit. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such loving and caring support group. My prayer request for today is for all those military spouses going through the Christmas traditions alone right now. As civilians, most of my readers would never think something as small as putting out your snowman cookie tin would upset you. But the truth is holidays hurt for us and there's no way around it. My prayer is just that God will help you all to find peace this holiday season and love with friends and family. Love to all!

'Tis the Season

After a wonderful morning of chatting with my hubby, Jack and I headed out to do a little Christmas shopping. We have almost everyone taken care of now. Just a few more people and we're done! I'm so proud of myself for getting done early this year! Be on the lookout for cats and dogs falling from above or pigs with wings, because me being early never happens. Maybe I should notify the gazette or something?

Speaking of Christmas gifts, the popular question these days seems to be "What should we get Jack for Christmas?" Well, I finally have an answer. Jeff and I discussed it and what we really want for our son this Christmas is books. Jeff and I really enjoy reading and literary world and we want to pass that on to Jack. Help us start his very own book collection. He will be able to keep and cherish this books forever. So if you would please write the date, a short note to Jack, and sign your name in the front cover. We would really appreciate it, and Jack will later as well I'm sure.

After our shopping excursion we headed out to grandma Beth's to help set up and decorate the Christmas tree. Maxwell, Avery and I continued our tradition and put each of our "special" ornaments on the tree first. Mama took pictures like always, but this year she multitasked and loved on Jack as well. The tree looks fabulous if I do say so myself. And Jack loved it, most likely because it has lights. Even Titan joined in on the fun today. The normally outdoor-loving pup decided to spend most the day inside with us. I love that animal, and he loves me! He loves everyone!

We left grandma's full of holiday cheer, and brought along Maxwell to stay the night with us tonight. Stopping at walmart on the way home to get some groceries, I also picked up a new formula for Jack. Much thought and processing went into this decision, but ultimately we needed to at least try. We've been fighting fussy feeding times for about a week and a half now. He's not eating as much in a sitting, and is really cranky immediately upon digestion. My mom suggested that maybe his stomach is sensitive to dairy based formula, as mine was when I was a baby. Jack is now taking Similac Isomil. It offers the same benefits as his former formula, with the only difference being that it is soy based rather than dairy based. So far I have seen wonderful results. However, we only have two soy feedings under our belt so we will see how the long term effects pan out. I'm hoping more than anything that this switch will make him more comfortable. I hate to see him looking as if he's in some sort of pain at all. Especially when thats a result of something he must do frequently, like eating.

Phew! I'm beat, time for bed. Love to all!

Early Bird

Up with my baby boy this morning, as usual. And It's a lovely morning. Regardless of the fact that I am still very tired, and regardless of the fact that Jack woke me up to eat a measely ounce of formula before falling back asleep, I am happy.

These past few days have shown me how blessed I am. I have a wonderful family on both Jeff and I's sides. I have a great little "Jasper" in Jack, for all you Twilight-ers, that keeps my calm and collected when I feel like falling apart. A husband that loves me unconditionally and wholey. Most of all, God has blessed me with serenity. Laughter calms my soul. I know there are things that are impossible to change in the world. But I can however, change the way I react to these things. And it is in this that i have come to find peace.

Yesterday was a day filled with Christmas music, flour, sugar, milk, eggs, pecans, chocolate, peanut butter, and the list goes on and on. You name it, we made it into a cookie. Fudge of all flavors and Rice Krispie Treats were among the fruits of our labor as well. I've never seen some many cookies in one place in my life. The whole kitchen counter filled with ingredients and mixers, bowls of dough. The oven, at any given time filled with 4 cookie sheets of rounded yummy-ness baking. The rather large dining table overflowing with cookie covered cooling racks and tubs ready to be filled with the finished product. I must say that this baking extravanganza was a new and eye-opening experience for me. Coming from a small family where none of the women really like to cook that often, I have always associated cooking/baking with work. I have always thought of it as something that you had to do, not wanted to do. But I will tell you I have never had so much fun in a kitchen as I did in Michelle's yesterday. Singing our hearts out to Christmas carols. Inhaling that intoxicating smell of warm cookie dough in the oven. Opening the door to feel the cool, brisk air of the approaching winter. Telling stories and laughing with family about anything and everything. I encourage you to bake with your family. Set aside a day. Do it up right. You don't have to bake cookies, it can be anything you want. Just do it. If not for the satisfaction of accomplishing a recipe, do it for the fellowship and the love involved. It's amazing how sweet a little sugar can be!