Eleven whole years!!!

After meeting on the internet and a whirlwind engagement, and year after year we have made it to number eleven!!  Yes ELEVEN years!!! Crazy huh! It still blows my mind some times, that we have been married for 11 years. I love this man and he is my best friend. I feel so lucky to have met him so many years ago.

We have made some wonderful memories together. Our 4 incredible boys to start with. I can see bits of Steve in each of them. Not just in their looks but in their personalities too. We have crossed the United States to start a new life. A new life that has changed us all for the better.

We have run the gauntlet in our 11 years. Things have never been bad, just hard. The military helped with that. There were deployments and many times away from each other. The struggle of raising a family alone has tested us. We have come out better because of it. We are stronger for the life we have chosen.

'our song' really fits us Carbon Leaf's "Life Less Ordinary"

I am so happy that we were married in the Temple of the Lord. That our vows were made for ETERNITY!!! I love knowing that I get to spend forever with him.

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart!!! Here’s to way more than 11 more years!!

Happy Gardening

We are renting a house while we are here... that means everything has to look the same as we found it... even the yard. The dirt here isn't dirt anyway, it's sand. So rather than truck in rich black dirt and then have to replace it with sand again when we leave. We found out that a local church in our neighborhood opened up some plots for the community. So we are the happy land owners of a 5'x12' garden.

There was a $20 registration fee and that was it. The plants were donated and the compost and the fertilizer all we have to do is work our little area. So we pulled weeds and turned the soil and got our area ready.

Tommy and Tim and Benjamin went with Aunt Michelle and Uncle Brian while James wanted to come with us and try his hand at working the land. He did really well and was a big help.

We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, squash, cabbage, onions, peppers, and lettuce. {beans, and strawberries to go in soon}

Our row of soon to be bottled tomatoes!

I really enjoyed watching James and his dad working together. The husband showed James how to get the plants out of the containers and how to put them in the ground really carefully. Together they got all the tomatoes in the ground.

I'm crossing my fingers for a good harvest, one where I don't kill everything. Here's to hoping.

Sunday - day of rest.

So peaceful!

33 years ago....

This handsome man was born 33 years ago today. He weighed in at a whopping 10 pounds! He has gained a few more since then. He is a wonderful father and the best friend anyone could ask for. I am one luck girl and feel so happy to have him with me. I just wanted you to know.

Gaining Perspective

The husband was in the military for 6 years and while he was serving over seas or while he was away on training I got many comments from other women on how strong I was and that having their husband away was something that they could never do.

Now I'm on the other side of it all. Many of my friends have husbands who are deployed  now and I stand in awe of them.

I know that Heavenly Father stands with the military wife... strengthening her during deployments to handle the house, the children, the stress of day to day life.

I think in the military wife there is a switch that is turned off. It's the "missing you" switch. Not that they don't miss their husband, but there is not anything that can be done about it. The Army says go and you go. There are no questions.

Now I'm in the position of just a regular civilian wife, and when the husband goes it's a choice that he has. The "missing you" switch turns on and I becomes that girl. The one that can't stand her husband being gone for days at a time. I think I deal with it better because of my past experiences but still....

This really has been something new to me. And learning to deal with it has been weird. I never knew that I could miss the husband as much as I do when he is gone. {like I said... before it's a switch that is turned off}.

I just thought I would throw that out there. I guess I understand now when girls cry that their husbands are gone for a total of 48 hours. I still think it's silly, but I get it.

Upper Cervical Care and Kids

The husband has posted again on his blog Atlas Un-Shrugged, and you should go peek and check it out.

The first one is how early can you get your kids adjusted? With Upper Cervical Chiropractic you can do it right away. the husband does a great job explaining all of this. There is trauma that comes along with the birthing process, and even with C-sections. The wonderful thing with Upper Cervical is that it's not the twisting and popping that is usually associated with Chiropractic care. If nothing else, go and watch the video he has posted, it will really bring tears to your eyes. Are you wondering how early we are going to have Benjamin checked??? The husband will be able to check him at birth to see if he needs to be seen right away, and then we will be taking him to a Doctor within the first month to have him check for any subluxations.

The next article that he has posted is about colic, constipation and sleep deprivation in infants. How many of us moms have NEVER dealt with any of these??? {if you didn't raise your hand consider yourself very lucky and know that many of us envy you :) } This article is about a mother who brought her infant son to be seen by her Upper Cervical Chiropractor. This poor baby wasn't burping after eating and was very constipated. Right after being adjusted the baby burped and then pooped.

Now you may be wondering if you can actually see changes that fast. I can say a big YES! About 3 weeks ago we went and had James adjusted by a doctor that the husband was shadowing. James was having anxiety and panic attacks, he was also having a hard time concentrating on things.Now the curve in your neck is suppose to be at 45 degrees.... James' curve was at 22 degrees!!!!! To say he was a little off is an understatement. Later that night I had him helping me with stuff and something that he would have made a mess doing, he was able to focus on task at hand, and no mess. There have been no panic attacks or anxiety since.

Another quick story as to proof of the Upper Cervical Care.... A friend of mine. One of my best friends... we plan on getting together even though we are across the country from each other... {I just wanted to point that out... it's not someone I only kinda know, Em is pretty much family} Anyway, her second son has Autism. With in 20 minutes of her son being adjusted he was able to talk without stuttering, and was able to communicate his wants and needs, where as before there were only tears.

As moms we all want the best for our kids, and sometimes the best for our kids may be the non-traditional medicine. There are so many options out there that it's worth looking at something that might not be the norm... and in my opinion especially if it keeps kids off of the medications that their young bodies can't handle.

Yes... we watch TV..

We don't watch a lot of TV. {actually I'm saving "TV time" for after Benjamin is born, and I need to sleep} But when the husband sits down to watch TV the boys usually sit with him. What's on the agenda today??

The New Yankee Workshop. Today Norm Abram was teaching us how to build a roller desk.

The boys are now asking for power tools.

You HAVE to look at this.

So many of you know that my husband is attending Palmer Chiropractic College. I know that some think that Chiropractic is only good for neck problems... like after a car accident. Yes, Chiropractic is an alternative to what many see as traditional health care, but if you really understand what Chiropractic care is you would be able to understand how much better it is for your body than the regular medicine.

Before I start I do want to say that I do believe that modern medicine is a good thing and has it's place. {I would NEVER get a root canal with out anesthetics, and Chiropractors can't do stitches or set broken bones, and genetic problems are not a field covered with Chiropractic care.} But I do think that most traditional doctors put a bandaid on symptoms for what is a bigger problem. How easy is it to write a prescription for an ache or pain??? But why do you have that pain?

Chiropractic care is more about helping the body heal itself. I believe that our bodies are amazing things and if given the proper care can stay healthy and pain free without prescription medication.

The husband is studying a technique call Upper Cervical  and the only thing that is adjusted is your C1 and C2 vertebrates, or also called your Atlas and Axis. These two vertebrates are where EVERY nerve is associated with... from your brain to the rest of your body. If any of those nerves are blocked or pinched the right signal is not getting to where it needs to go. You may have a pain in your knee.... You feel it, and it hurts. Your knee is sending signals to your brain that you are hurt, and your brain sends signals to your body to heal your knee but your C1 and C2 are not sitting right, so the signals to heal your body are being interfeared with.

There have been remarkable results from this type of Chiropractic care. Including.... but not limited to.... Minor Autistic children not even testing on the spectrum any more!!!! You can read about those HERE, HERE, {both are different studies}

The husband now has a blog to help everyone understand what Upper Cervical care is and how it can benefit your life. He has the studies that you can read and then he breaks then down so you... and I... can understand the technical terms.

It's called Atlas Un-Shrugged. Go and take a peek and read what is there. There is an article on Ear Infections that you'll want to read.

{All I ask is that before you comment here that you go and read what he has written. it is definitely worth the little extra time it will take!}

A math problem

We are going to do a little basic arithmetic... nothing to hard. Ready...

What do you get when you start with one box of peaches...{bought on the side of the rode}
ADD some clean jars {and lids}

PLUS a couple pots of boiling water... {one for blanching one for processing}

THROW IN a handsome man skinning the peaches....

ADD him filling the jars....

ADD that to him putting the lids on and getting ready to have them processed

MINUS one broken jar {not sure how that happen but at least it was only one!}

What does all of that EQUAL???

BOTTLED PEACHES of course!!!

Can we all say YUMMY!!!

A new member of the family

I would like to introduce you all to a new member of our family. No new babies {thank heavens!! Benjamin still needs to cook for a while longer} Not a new dog... no thank you... not right now anyway, I already have too much dog hair to deal with.

Oh, no, we have some bones... real bones! The husband went to a conference and while he was there he decided that he needed some bones, and plastic ones would not do. What else is there... yup, real people bones. These ones have come from India, and are about 20 years old and have been bought and sold a couple times. These are the C1 and C2 vertebrates...

Personally, I think it's kinda gross. I mean really... they are real!!! And I haven't decided if it's worse knowing that they are 20 years old or if he would have waited {and waited} he could have gotten bones from a newly deceased person. Really???? How/why do you sign up for this?

My next question... what happens at the Resurrection? The bones are sold all over the world, in pieces...

Oh... look at how proud he is! The bones are names Raji and they have taken residence on the shelf. {pushed back far enough so I don't feel like they are looking at me}

TEN YEARS!!!

Did you hear the news??? The husband and I have been married for 10 years!!! 10 whole years!! I can't believe it. Sometimes it feels like forever and other times it feels like just yesterday we were married. I love this man so much and he makes me happy every day. We have been on such a wild ride together and it's been the best ride of my life.

Just over ten years ago we met on the interent.... a fancy little site called Yahoo Personals. He placed and ad, and I answered it. That was the beginning of it all. We have been to many places and have 3 almost 4 boys that are tagging along now in our life. The husband is a wonderful husband but is also a wonderful father. Our boys are so lucky to have him in their lives.

Ten years ago we were poor, the husband was in school and I was working. Now... the husband is in school... {after military service and job change}and we are poor, and I stay home with our wonderful crazies. I wouldn't trade it for the world! Eventually I would like to have a "white picket fence" but for now I'm happy with the rental we have and the knowledge that we will once again pick up our home and move.

Ten years ago, we were afraid to have kids. We both come from divorced families and we were so worried about bring a child into this world with the statistics stacked against us. Now with our band of merry men following behind it's been so fun. And even with the diapers, timeouts, the scrapes, the smiles,the tears, and the laughter, it's been more than what we've bargained for but worth every penny! This is what has made these ten years fly by.

Ten years ago we were really cool and had a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was fun and big, and it took us everywhere. {Including 3 different states.} But as time went on it needed to be traded for something that would fit our growing family and now we have a mini van. The epitome of family life. {But I do have to say that every now and then I have seen the husband get a second look from some random woman in a parking lot as he is getting out.... he's even hansom getting out of a mini-van}

Ten years ago I married my best friend. He is there to encourage me and help me and lift me when I need it. He is the one I whisper to at night, and giggle with at dinner in a restaurant. He has taught me that I am a strong woman and that I can do anything I put my mind to. Because of the two deployments he was on, I know what life is like with out him. I know how to be independent and raise a family. And I know that there is nobody else that I want to stand beside me.

Ten years ago we took a leap of faith and were sealed for "Time and All Eternity." And after the ups- and downs that come with marriage. The highs and lows that come with life. The happy and sad that come with children. It all has been worth it!!! I would do it again!!!

I look forward to forever with you Sweetheart!!!!

{just in case you can't read his shirt, it says 'My Wife Rocks'}

{pictures from James}

A month gone by...

I know, I know.... I've been gone awhile. We have been kinda busy.... depending on what you think busy is... Rather than try to tell you all that has gone on I'll just give you a glimpse...

Tommy being his silly self. This boy gets funnier and funnier, and I usually have to remind him to keep his tongue in his mouth.

Remember the Nerf gun the husband got for Christmas?????He got the boys to help him with target practice.... yeah, don't ask. The husband managed to miss the target ever time and hit the boys instead.... really can you blame him, it was just to easy...

The dog has been here... and there, he has taken up walking himself around the neighborhood, and that means we have to go look for him. Now what I want to be doing at 8:00 in the morning, but what do you do?

We went and visited a light house. The Ponce Ilet Light House, which is the tallest light house in Florida.
There are 203 steps up to the top...

And the boys... even Tim climbed every one... by themselves. We passed many older kids that were complaining that they had to walk up all the steps... I was might proud of my crew!!


The husband has been making bullets.... yup... making his own ammo. He is quite proud. It's actually pretty interesting on how it's done, and so far they have all worked how they are suppose too. {ie: no accidents}

James fell into a tree. The tree won.

The husband had a birthday....boy, he's getting old :) At a might 32 years old he's looking pretty good!

Can you see it???Look again... this was from our little balcony. Yup... that's an icicle!!! In Florida, in January!!!! It was really cold, and here is the proof!

And today we went to the beach. It was a little cold and a very overcast. It was a nice day.

Tommy enjoyed the beach very much, and was happy to have the sand between his toes again.

James was happy too... after he got the sand out of his eyes. I was able to talk him out of using the ocean water to wash his eyes out... one day he'll be thankful.

It was a good day to chase the birds on the beach... what am I saying... it's always a good day to chase the birds. I'm sure the birds love it....

Today is also a good day to let you all know that we are expanding our family. Yup, there's a bun in the oven. See I told you I had a really good reason. I have been really blah, and very unmotivated. the husband has such a great help, and the biggest being just closing his eyes to the messy house and the bland dinners.

So that's it... that's the news. Hopefully soon I'll be back up and... I'm just going for vertical, but we'll see. Thanks all for sticking it out I'll try hard to update more often in the coming weeks.

167 weeks left

To count down the time we will be here and the time the husband has in school I decided to make a paper chain. Fabulous idea I know.... so each week he will take off one chain. It's a lot now but it will slowly it will become less and less. He just took one off for finishing the first week of school, so now there is 3 1/4 years left.... minus one week.

First day of school!

After years of wondering what he was going to be when he grew up the husband has found it.... And after a month of waiting to start... he finally did.

Here is the the husband with the boys on the first day of school. Palmer Chiropractic School. {look how cute all my boys look!!!}

And here is the husband walking out the door for his first day of school. Notice the Transformer lunch box. {hey, what ever helps ease the butterflies.... I'm not judging...}

Good luck these next three years, they are going to be rough, but we've been through worse. I love you and I'm proud of you.

Happenings at this house...

So it's time to play catch up. The work on my new layout is still happening, and if you don't see your name on my blog links, leave a comment so I can add you. {I lost a lot of links} Well... here we go.

The husbands new hobby.

The husband has a new hobby around here. Do you want to see??

If you can't tell what this is..... {let me know if you can tell, and I will be really impressed}

It's a reloader... for bullets... to shoot.

I guess what is going on is that you take the shells that you have already shot, clean them up, and then re fill them with powder.

The husband went out the next day to shoot a box of bullets that he made, and they worked, he was quite happy.

The Children's Museum

I took the boys to the children's museum that is here. This one is pretty good, it focuses alot on science, and the workings of different things. The cool thing is that there is a real museum, and planetarium that are with it so we can use all the facilities. The bad thing.... the Planetarium was flooded and is now closed until further notice. The good news, if we donate 1.5 million dollars to rebuild the Planetarium they will name it after us. The bad news.... we don't have that kind of money laying around.

Here are some of the funny pictures that I took while we were there.

These are for Grandma and Grandpa.... In the museum they have a Harley that is smaller for the kids to ride.
James is just chillin'
Tim doing biker tricks.

This is Tommy's serious biker face. {I think he is trying out for Hell's Angel's}

Outside there is a walking trail that takes you past a little pond... or so we thought.

No that is not mud, that is water.

And just in case you thought you wanted to go for a swim, you are cautioned against it.

We had fun throwning things in and just watching them plop into the muck.