Wordless Wednesday

Fall Festival 2010

Today was the perfect day to go to the Fall Festival. Every fall festival/pumpkin patch is different, but this one has to be one of the best for our area. This one is more organized as a fall carnival with rides and games for the whole family. Face painting, pony rides, mini straw maze, pumpkin painting, food (yes they had funnel cakes, and no I didn't get one- but I thought of the Hubs because I know he would have had to have one), and of course a hay ride- to where?- a pumpkin patch? No, a Llama barn, of course! They really are cute but gross all at the same time. I tried to keep up with the girls and take lots of pictures. There aren't as many of Campbell as I'd like, but she's suddenly turned camera shy. And getting everyone to look at the camera, keep their eyes open and smile ALL AT THE SAME TIME? Only happened once folks. Enjoy!

About to get started...

Pumpkin Train- Cams' Favorite Part

Avery waiting patiently for a ride

Ella in the straw maze- her favorite part

And the ONE picture with all of us looking and smiling together- Yay!

*More pictures to come later.

Ten Things I Learned About Afghanistan By SoldierMan

Well, my time is finally winding down and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and for once, it is not the oncoming train.  I have had a great time, frustrating time, and rewarding time all at once.  I have made new friends who I will never forget because the bonds of friendship forged in combat and hardship are unlike any other.  As for Afghanistan, I can't wait to forget this place.  I knew very little about Afghanistan before I came here and have learned more than I ever wanted to know.  What exactly did I learn you ask?  Well, here you go....

  
 

1.  The clock stopped here in the 10th Century and never restarted.  This country will never make it out of the Dark Ages.

2.  There are so many poopy particles in the air that when it rains, it rains poop. 

3.  It is very dry.  Dry to the point the skin on your joints will crack and bleed. 

4.  Everyone here uses the same baby book with the same 20 names.  Try and find a village that doesn't have a Mohammed, I dare you.

5.  No one here knows why it is a good idea to have clean clothes...or wash themselves with soap on a regular basis.

6.  There is no concept of personal responsibility.  They believe everything should be done for them.

7.  Using the bathroom on the side of the road in full view of everyone is perfectly acceptable.

8.  People here live in the present.  They do not plan or care about the future. 

9.  I should get into the cell phone card business here.  There are no cell phone bills...you buy a phone card which is expensive...or you do without.  Your choice.

10. The only thing we can do to fix Afghanistan is crank up the Enola Gay...

 
 

 

** Note- These ideas represent the views of one soldier and do not reflect those of the whole US military. If this offends you in any way- don't read it.

 

Pumpkins, Pumpkins!

We've had our pumpkins for a couple of weeks now and initially we had four- one for each of the girls and one for Daddy and me. About 3 or 4 days after setting them out front (before carving) squirrels got to one and chomped away and left it for bugs and slugs and it was a rotting mess. I had to tell Avery the squirrels must have carried it away up the tree to their nest. And, yes, she believes it. Anyway, today we got around to carving- and when I say "we" I mean, Me! Sure, the girls posed for the pictures below, but don't let them fool you. The Hubs usually does the carving. He tries to be unique and does things more advanced than I can do. This year, I offered the girls their choice of shapes, you know- triangles, circles and hearts. I think they turned out pretty good- for me!

Hallo-week?

Can we just take a look and peek what's around the corner, folks? Halloween. Yes, I'm sure you all are aware that it's next weekend. Well, it's really from next Thursday night thru Sunday nights here at my house. I guess that's what happens between 2 schools and church and friends and Halloween night trick-or-treating. That's a lot of dressing up people. One night is great, two is ok, three it's just gets old and 4 times? Well, too much, I say! And what am I supposed to do with all that candy?! We still have most of it from last year! On top of that, I have all the candy left over from the girls' birthday party! My house is like Willy Wonka's candy factory! Tootsie rolls, dum-dums and twizzlers- Oh My! Something has to give. We'll see if I can cut it down some. Stay tuned.

Also, The SoldierMan is coming home after that. Hopefully. I say that because we've been burned before. When he went to Iraq he was extended at the end for an extra 4 months and on this deployment he's already been extended again. He was actually supposed to be home already. So, now, we hope for the best , but expect the worst. I let myself get too excited before and was very disappointed and sad, but what can I do, right? "Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!" ~Dory from Finding Nemo. It's a common thing in the military today, and I guess it has always been like that. Families just do what they are told and sit back and wait. Military and the country come first. We hear things like, "It'll be so good to finally have him home." Or "I don't know how you do it." Or "Can't wait till he gets out of there." Yes, I don't know either and yes. People say these things to me everyday and I must look cold and heartless when I just nod my head and not offer any elaboration that I know they are expecting. It's just exhausting . I can't think about wanting him home 24/7- I'd die. I have to not let myself go there. I can't think of the love of my life, my children's father in harm's way. I see pictures of him in all his Afghanistany glory and I still don't let myself make that connection. When he comes home and can tell me about what it's like there and things he did, that's when the wall can come down. Our girls miss their Daddy terribly. Ella cries for him everyday. So- here you go everyone- We will ALL be glad when he can come home safely to us. And when he does come home, you'll know it!

::steps down from soapbox::

I hope you all have a great weekend filled with Fall Activities, like going on a leaf hunt or going to a pumpkin patch, which is what we have planned.

BTW- if you are a nice person, please click on the "follow" button- I promise that no one sees your email address or personal information- really Granny! :) Thanks for all the followers already!

Wordless Wednesday

SoldierMan

Looky Looky!

I have wanted a momAgenda since Avery was born but could never remember to tell anyone or justify it when I only had one kid and she wasn't in school yet. I always had a planner I carried around with me when I was in school and when I got married, I didn't have a schedule anymore- so out went the planners. Skip to now and you'll find me extremely overwhelmed by everything going on in this house. I can tell you I've never been so busy or overscheduled in my life. It was getting to the point I was forgetting things like important forms for schools, or a playdate or I even forgot Avery had school one day! Yeah, I know. And not all the girls are in school or activities yet! Wait till next fall when Cams can go to swimming lessons, school, soccer, etc. etc! Ok- I have to stop imagining- I'm starting to hyperventilate. Anyways, I told my lovely, gracious and giving sister I wanted one for my birthday or Christmas this year. But then I realized I couldn't wait another week without one.

You're probably wondering why I didn't just get myself to Target or Staples and get me a planner. Well, momAgenda is tailored to moms. They have a space to schedule for each kid and also places for planning dinners and other vital information that swims around in my head. Now, there's a place for it all and all in it's place. Wanna see? www.momAgenda.com Aren't they beautiful?

See what came today?

And there she is! Isn't she awesome? She'll never leave my side. I also have to say the the gift packaging was beautiful! The pink box is not a cardboard box, but a nice sturdy canvas type one and the ribbon around it is a nice thick grosgrain one. The tissue paper was even gorgeous! It was a shimmery pearlized gold. She also got me the weekly planner pad too so everyone can see what to expect for the week ahead. Great idea for when The Hubs gets home and I take off- he'll know who has what lesson and what to make for dinner.

Thank you Thank you to my wonderful sister! Happy Birthday to me!

Do you have a planner? Do you use momAgenda too?

PS- SoldierMan is ok, just a sprained wrist and thumb. Should be back to 100% soon.