Husband Leaving Again

I've come to realize our life is really boring. We are stuck on such a routine, and I really have no idea if it is a good thing or not.

We wake up and get A to school. Then I will do my mommy thing - errands, meetings, working out, paperwork, housework, etc. By the time school pick up comes around, I go and pick up A. We come home and do our evening routine. They watch a movie and play while I cook and clean. My husband comes home, then we eat dinner and do our bed time routine. This is what our weekdays consist of.

I really don't know if this is a good thing or not. I don't go to base much since I live 30 minutes away. When E and I go out there, it is at least a half of a day worth of errands. I only do it when I have to. Of course living in Italy, there is the language barrier. We don't have other Americans in our town. The closest ones are in about 15 minutes from us. Needless to say, I don't socialize much.

I have taken on a new volunteer role. I am now a Key Spouse for our squadron here. I really enjoyed helping and supporting others in england. I was definitely happy when they asked me to do the same here. I was, of course, more than willing. With that, I have more meetings and socializing but still only a couple of times a month.

Thee is no drama in our life. No unexpected stress and anxiety from people. We really have great friends in our lives. There are never any conflicts or tension between us. It's crazy because I really pushed myself away when I got here from socializing too much and causing the pain I felt I endured in England from people who I actually cared about and considered to be great friends. This is definitely a great thing, but it also makes life boring.

We are in a point in our lives where we are strong and extremely independent. I think most military families who move away from family can understand this. After having the girls, we focused more on our time with them and as a family then having friends and a support system. People don't understand that when we say we have never been away from the girls that we mean it. A stayed with my family once when we went home for about 3-4 hours while Mr. Man and I went to dinner and the casino. When I went into labor for E, A stayed with some of our good friends until E was born. Then Mr. Man went and got her. Ever since, they have been with us. Except, of course, for A starting school last year.

Our weekends are focused around the famlily. We travel, take them to play areas or toy stores, the zoo, science museums, etc. We have fun. We do things we want to do as adults, but we also involve our girls.

Life right now is simply in amazing. Everyone is happy and healthy, and we have no complaints.

It's amazing to see how your life evolves as you grow, mature, and bring new family members in. 10 Years ago when we started this journey, I never would have thought this is where it would lead us.

With that said, Mr. Man is gearing up to leave us for a couple of months again. Over the summer he left and was gone for 3 months. He is actually doing the same TDY, but he will be only gone for 2 months. He was tasked for this last minute due to some other people being removed from the roster. At first I took it hard. Anyone who knows me knows that I have always been supported of my husband's career and his duties, but this time it was different. Yes, I was and am supportive of his duties. But this time around, the reason for him being tasked for this TDY was because of two individuals and their irresponsible decisions. I was bitter and angry for a few days before I finally accepted it and found peace. I've never been one to be upset when he has had to leave. I have never cried when he has left or moped around. That was never me. The hardest part about this one is that 1. he isn't making money from it. What he is getting is barely enough to cover his expenses there. But 2. These peoples actions are also being paid by my husband and our family, which is why is was bitter. I have finally found peace though, and even thouh is still disagree with the individual's actions, I have accepted the new adventure we have been presented with.

I thought a nice just written from the heart blog was long overdue. I really have neglected just writing. Writing has always been a therapy session for me.... but I never really feel like I need it any more, which is a good thing I think. Any way, life is good. Despite the minor bumps, we are enjoying and loving everything about ourselves, our family, our life, and how we are growing.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Do you have a hard time trying to figure out what to put in your children's stockings? If so, here's some stocking stuffer ideas for preschooler and toddler. These are some of the things the girls will also be getting.

Meal Plan Monday: Thanksgiving

Here's a sneak into the dinners we plan to have during the week of Thanksgiving.

Dinners:
1. Loaded Potato Soup
2. Chicken Alfredo
3. Spaghetti
4. Beans and Sausage over rice
5. Steaks with yams and collard greens
6. Chicken, Sausage and Okra Gumbo
7. Baked Chicken Tenders

Lunches:
sandwiches, tuna and crackers, pasta salad, green salad

Breakfast:
croissants, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit

Snacks:
yogurt fruit bars, pretzels, frosted mini wheats,  fruit, carrots and celery

Pumpkin Decorating: kid friendly

Ribbon: http://digthisdesign.net/seasonal-design/fall/decorating-your-front-entryway-for-fall/

Jewels: http://formulamom.com/friday-five-5-halloween-pumpkin-whole-pumpkin-decorating-ideas/

Paint: http://www.inlieuofpreschool.com/a-fun-and-easy-way-to-paint-pumpkins/

Initals: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/0f/13/af/0f13afb92b7fe11e2201ed83b34ff3da.jpg

Buttons: http://www.thepartyanimal-blog.org/40-no-carve-pumpkin-ideas/

Meal Plan Monday - November 17

1. Cabbage and sausage over rice
2. Tuna Noodle Bake
3. Chicken and asparagus pasta
4. Chicken Pesto
5. Baked Tilapia
6. Chili with cornbread
7. Grilled chicken salad

Mr. Man is away for 4 days, so we are keeping it light and simple. With Thanksgiving next week, no need to stuff ourselves silly. :)

Lunch: chicken salad sandwiches, turkey and feta salad, peanut butter and honey on bread or crackers

Snacks: trail mix, fruit salad, fruit filled frosted mini wheats, cucumbers and tomatoes, and pretzels

Meal Plan Restart

As most of you know, I iwas doing Meal Plan Monday for the longest time. Everyone seemed to enjoy them, and I loved hearing everyone's feedback and how they meal plan. Here we are and it's been a lost thing. I really want to start it back up, but I've been in a rut. I can't find meals that suit my goals or I plan biweekly or monthly. There are obviously more than one or two Monday's in a month. So what should I do? Bring it back? Include recipes on Monday's that I've already shared the meals? Maybe share organizing tips or grocery hauls? What do you want to see?

Week 6

I lost count of the days throuh our journey with Mr. Man gone. Everything just seemed to be happening so fast. But I believe this is a good thing. It forces me to live dat by day and look to the present and future and instead of what happened the day before or even weeks before.

A is in swim classes on Mondays, Wednesday's, and Friday's. She is loving it. She has been going for 5 weeks now and by week 3 she was starting in the larger pool where she can't reach. She loves to swim. She talks about going under and cutting flips. She tells me about plying with toys and all sorts of things. I don't lays get to watch her because they don't like the parents to be In there with them because it breaks their focus, but when she hasn't wanted to leave me they have allowed me in. I must say I am very impressed with theit instruction and the kids' abilities by a young age.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we are doing ballet in the morning. For the most part she enjoys it, but she has her days where she isn't interested. She did ask to do ballet so it is somethin she showed desire for. She interested the new kid and most of the kids have been doing for the year prior, so she has a hard time relating to them when it comes to the instruction. She will only be doing interested so strutting this she umber since she is in the Italian preschool.

Little E is just a follower these days. She is still too young to do any activities, but she does attempt. Many times I have to drag her away from the pool or the ballet room. She does get upset with me. But overall, I try to take her places as well - even if it is just to the park.

We have at least 1 month left until Mr. Man gets back. Part of me wants it to go fast but another part of me doesn't because that means school will start immediately following. Sigh.

My girls are growing up too fast.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Infants & Toddlers

I thought I would compile a ist of some of my favorite things to include in stocking stuffers. Since A is 2.5 years old and E is nearly 10 months, it will be focused around that age range. Obviously some may only be suitable for a toddler and others more appropriate for a younger child.

1. Movies
2. Chapstick
3. Fruit
4. PEZ with candies
5. Slipper socks
6. Doll clothes and cloth diapers
7. Crayon Roll up
8. Stickers
9. Temporary tattoos
10. Notebook and pen
11. Markers (window markers, color wonder markers, etc)
12. Knit hat
13. Play phone
14. Play MP3 Player
15. Hot Wheels Cars
16. Toothbrush
17. Train pieces
18. Bubbles
19. Flash Cards
20. Play-Doh
21. Chalk
22. Bubble Bath
23. Shaving Cream (for sensory play)
24. Toddler Silverware
25. Bows
26. Bath toys
27. Stamps
28. Mini bible or prayer book
29. Fruit snacks
30. Sunglasses
31. Board book
32. Teethers
33. Snack puffs
34. Hair brush
35. Mini Etch a Sketch
36. Big Girl Underwear
37. Barrel of Monkeys
38. CD of children or biblical songs
39. Curly straws
40. Fun bandaids
41. Small Rubber animals
42. Barbie
43. Card games (uno, old maid, go fishing, etc)
44. No spill cups
45. Felt puzzle
46. Reusable Snack Bags
47. Travel size games
48. Unpaper dolls
49. Small shoes or slippers
50. Dress up accessories (jewelry, makeup, etc)

I really try to limit their gifts on Christmas. I generally save the stockings for craft things or things that will give them hits to their bigger gifts. For example, the trains I will put in A's stocking because she is getting a wooden train track as well. Last year, I put the Hot Wheel cars in it because she got a road carpet. Of course, this year we are focusing on games and crafts, more educational things. I'll have some posts coming up of where I buy some of my items (since I support WAHM's). If you have any questions, please let me know.

What do you like to put in your children's stockings?

Toddlers say the silliest things

I always thought it was incredibly adorable to hear parents talk about the silly things their toddlers say when they begin school or begin to talk more. Here I am with a toddler myself and I find myself replaying conversations and things A says and does that make me giggle. I see many other Mommy Bloggers share their stories, so I thought I would share a few of mine for these past couple of days. Maybe I will share them every so often when new things come about... who knows. But here are some for now.

Mr. Man and I were standing in the living room discussing some things. A was sitting on the couch watching a movie. As Mr. Man and I were about to part ways to do things around the house while we had a second, we kissed. Right as we kissed, A jumped off the couch and ran between us. She said, "That's my kisses!" She grabbed her Daddy's leg and hugged him tight... then started giggling. She is such a Daddy's girl. And of course those are things we say to them.

Today on our way home from school A told me that a friend pushed her on the ground. The kids hug on her and sometimes it knocks her over. I've seen this. I'm sure some kids do push and are more aggressive, but I also don't doubt that many times it is accidents or them being too friendly. I asked her if she asked her friend to please not push her. She said, "No, no, no Mommy. A say 'I don't want to have to give you a wittle spanking." Oh. my. gosh. I about died. So I told her that she doesn't give her friends spankings and she needs to just let them know that she doesn't appreciate them pushing her. When she told me, I was tossed between being in shock and thinking what have I done to laughing because the way she said it was too adorable.

Our adventures with her being school has been very interesting and has had such a great impact. Maybe I should do I post on that.... ?

Definitely. I think I should.

Legwarmers Stash / Collection

Here is our baby legs / my little legs collection as of now.

Both girls are able to wear these, and I use them for a variety of things!