GI Joe meets GI Jane

I found these pictures when digging out the Army pictures of me and my brother and wanted to do a blog about "Our Army days". Many of you know that Joe and I both served in the Army and were trained as nurses. It was in nursing school where we met, fell in love, and got us where we are today.

So this our Blast from the past.....


One of our favorite pictures of when we were in the Army, we were shopping in the PX



This was our favorite dining spot, The Lucky Dragon Chinese food. It was scrumptious compared to the chow hall we were used too!

A promotion or awards ceremony

Back in the day, this is how we killed some free time....Solitaire on old school computers!

Most of our nursing school class surrounding our "patient annie" whom we all took very good care of!

My 2 best buds in school....Joe and Brian Hausman

Some more of our buds we hung out with. Growing up with all brothers I felt right at home surrounded by mostly men in the Army, which of course drove Joe crazy. :-)

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

There is a cute and quite catchy song on the movie Curious George by jack Johnson that is called Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This was my motivation for this blog entry

I totally get the philosophy and it's a great idea. Somethings I feel like we are pretty good and there are some things that we are totally not!

The things were are good at are:

Recycling our paper, plastic, soda cans and glass products. I even rinse my stuff out (most of the time)

using energy saving light bulbs and not using lights during the day, even Ryan will tell his friends or cousins that we can't turn on the lights because it wastes power (and gives mommy a headache...really!)

I am a huge garage sale goer. Most of the toys and kid things we own I have gotten as gifts or purchased at a local garage sale or at the Mother's of Multiples club I belong too, where I buy and sell at that sale also!

We are not to proud for hand me downs, we love them! It saves us soo much and we are so grateful, especially now while we are still "starving students" so to speak.

We love giving hand me downs to others, to our sister in laws Beth, Kendra, and Megan, and friends too.

Things we are NOT so good at:

We are huge paper plate users! We waste so much but it saves us in the dishes department! :)

We also love to use the Kirkland Lysol Wipes to clean up the frequent messes that come about on a daily basis. Baby wipes and paper towels too are my friend too!

And we have been encouraged to use reusable containers when sending Ryan's lunch. So I tried doing that a few times but this concept is hard for a 4 1/2 yr old to grasp. I have told him that he needs to bring his lunch containers home and anything he doesn't eat as well. (so I can see what he is actually eating)

Well, I've gotten these 2 different responses.... either his lunch box is completely empty having thrown away the Tupperware and spoon to eat his yogurt, or I have opened his lunch box only to put my hand into a yogurty gooey mess. I guess he didn't finish his yogurt and mommy told him to bring anything he didn't eat home right! RRRRRRight, not really son!

So as I motioned before, great philosophy, catchy song,

but easier said than done kind of concept!

I'd love to know any tips you guys have regarding this.

Simple things

I am so grateful for the simple things in life......
making mud pies with my girls today and making that memory that every kid has!
for how excited the kids get when I actually pull out an arts and crafts activity and do it with them.
For how wonderful a power nap is for me, and allowing my husband to take one everyday in the lazy boy after he comes home from school.
For wonderful surprises of good news or a random gift just because.
For the persistence and determination Joe has continued with to get through this long process of school, never giving up and only complaining a little!
For how much relief an apology is and how restoring it is to the heart and relationships.
For how wonderful bubble baths entertain kids so I can have these few moments to write this blog and check my comments
For how comments make me feel so loved and so happy! So if you want to make my day and make me a little happier today, there's your hint! :)
It's the simple things in life!!

It's My Party I Can Cry If I Want TO!!

That's exactly what she did! She did not like having a birthday party, or maybe all of the chaos and commotion was just too much. But she did enjoy having a birthday cupcake!



The girls were concerned and couldn't figure out why in the world she would be crying when she has a cupcake to eat!!


Happy birthday to you!


It was a fun party....we all were together and just hung out! Literally! Wherever we could!

Kaylee found a spot on Kendra's shoulders


Ryan and Renee liked the upside down seats!

Andy teaching Ryan a new game


David and Becca not far apart!

Yummy food too!

Andy helped Kaylee with her fake jewelry that she fell in love with!

And she loved the trumpet too, she wouldn't hardly part with either.

David and Ryan showing off their stellar muscles!

Andy getting a few tickles out of Renee before she sneaks away!

Andy, Angela and Dad

This was one of John's toys entertaining the kids, big and small!

Happy 1st birthday baby Angela! May you have a wonderful year full of milestones and happiness!

Farewell My Brother

My younger brother Brian left to serve in the United States Army....AGAIN! He is re-enlisting, this time as an officer since completing his Bachelors degree. I'm so proud of him an look forward to seeing him in uniform again, and hearing many stories from him.
Before he left we got to get out just the two of us for dessert and chatting. It was nice quality time that we got to spend together and look forward to his returning home. It's been nice living in the same town and seeing each other frequently.


Our final goodbye at church :(


Here are some pictures I found of us, of back in the day when we both first enlisted in the Army and had returned home after boot camp and training......Thanks again Kendra for scanning them for me!

First Day of Schol! First Day of School!

Ryan was so excited for his first day of school, it really was like the open scenes of Finding Nemo! I'm in awe and amazed at where the time has gone, and that I am actually the mother of a Kindergartner! My sweet little boy who has always been with me for the most part(minus a few hrs 3 days a week for preschool) , is now heading off to the Big Kid University! He's on his way and so ready to open this new chapter in his life, I think I am ready too. :) I definitely have more anxiety than he does on this day!

Ryan's first day of Kindergarten!! He's all ready to go, and is super excited!

Luck of the draw, Ryan was able to be in his buddy Easton's Class. So he felt so calm and confident walking into school with his buddy by his side, but mommy needed the reassurance and went along too! :)

Mr Lance one of his teachers greeted him and showed him where his new cubby would be. He also introduced him to a new special friend who showed him where the refrigerator was so he could put his lunch and water bottle away.

Ryan joined the class for morning circle time in good spirits. :)

It made me feel so good and helped diffuse my anxiety to see him participating and interacting well with the teachers and class.

He gave me the thumbs up signalling that he was A.O.K and I could leave him now. Before we got to school he had asked me if was going to be sitting on the couch waiting for him like I did the previous day for testing, so it made me feel really good that he was OK with me leaving and didn't NEED me close by. :) OK then, it's official, he's in Kindergarten and no longer in my care from 8:30 to 3:15 everyday. It's a weird feeling of mixed emotions, but this momma did not cry. That was not one of the emotions! :) It was more of amazement, bewilderment, excitement, and anxiety, and with my anxiety diffused with being able to spend the first 30 minutes watching him in class, I was left with the rest.

Here are a few videos of Ryan Participating in morning circle time.....

OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!

OMGG! Oh my goodness gracious!

There is a goofy doctor that I work with and he says that all the time and today that was my phrase for the day, I felt like documenting this one so here it goes......
7:15am Ryan wakes me up asking me to help him build his Lego's. OMGG, Lego's at 715, (I'm spoiled and used to sleeping in til 8:00) but that will change soon!

10:00am Appointment at the Montessori school for Ryan's readiness testing for Kindergarten. Testing went well, he scored the highest he could in the average range for kids his age. OMGG good job Ryan! But then was told that we still are on the waiting list and after testing other applicants they will see if there is a spot open for me. OMGG, dang! I thought that by having testing done we were in.

11:00am Quick trip to Walmart, and ran into the missionaries there. Was grateful that I spilled some food on my shirt last night for the dinner that we had for them otherwise I would be in the same outfit that they saw me in last night! :) I told Ryan that there were the missionaries, and he said "why aren't you wearing your costumes?" OMGG that kid cracks me up!! Then I'm trying to find a thermos for Ryan, (because I'm an optimist and assuming he'll get in soon) and get sent on a wild goose chase because the lovely Walmart worker is too busy to actually show me where they might be but continues to tell me where she thinks they might be, turns out they are all sold out! OMGG so frustrating!! get me out of this store!!


1:15pm At mom's visiting and get the call that Ryan has a spot and can start tomorrow! OMGG! WOW that's awesome and that was fast!!


2:00pm home to put the girls to bed for a nap. Start by changing Kaylee, who had an unknown poopy diaper for who knows how long, and now she has a horrible red bottom which brings her to tears for me to change her. OMGG I'm so sorry Kaylee! Kaylee is in her bed now and I am rocking Renee and she starts crying out of no where and then pukes! OMGG! Puke!! RUN!!!!! to the bathroom we run, and she continues to empty the content of her stomach into the toilet for another minute or 2. Then strip her and bathe her, I ask Ryan to please get her a drink of water, and he does, even gets a cup with a lid on it. Thanks big bro! But he also helped entertain Kaylee while I was bathing and dressing Renee. I'm now attempting to rock Renee again when I look at Kaylee, I notice her eating something and ask her what she has???She says "MUFFIN!" with the biggest smile ever! OMGG!! Muffin in the crib!?!?! NOOO! oh, it was too late to do anything there were more crumbs than sheet. Ryan had kindly given her a muffin and rezipped her tent back up, that's why I was soo confused at first. When asking Ryan how she got a muffin, he said "i don't know, she got out and got it" Ryan tell the truth!!! "Ok i did" Thank you for telling the truth. but please don't give them food when they are in their crib ok" "ok momma." OMGG!!

2:40pm Finally get the girls down and get a chance to use the bathroom and when I come out this is what I find....

Ryan has plugged in the video monitor that we got as a hand-me down from Adrian and Nicole, he went and got his head phones from the computer, and was watching and talking to the girls.


OMGG it was soo cute. see the video below...


3:00pm feel like I have ADD I have so much is going through my head, i can hardly get anything done, OMGG why can't I think straight right now??

3:45pm Tell Ryan mommy needs to lay down for 15 minutes and ask him if that's ok, if he needs anything. He says he's fine and doesn't need anything, he has a show to watch and a game to play to keep him entertained for a little bit for mommy to get a power nap in. Well exactly
5 minutes later I hear "BOING BOING" while a little monkey named Ryan was jumping on my bed. OMGG!! Ryan it's only been 5 minutes, please let mommy sleep! 5 minutes later, "mom baby sister are up", OMGG!! they will be fine for a minute please let mommy rest. 5 minutes later, "mom baby sisters want you", OMGG "did you go in there Ryan???" "yes." "sigh, ok I'm up!"
4:45pm Play time. Kids watching a show while I get dinner ready. OMGG where is my Camera that is soo cute! I of course only caught the tail end of it and the girls had almost stopped but see the video below!




5:30pm Take the kids to the park after dinner to burn off some energy before bed, take 2 32 oz jugs of water with me, and we drank them all, and wanted more! OMGG! We were thirsty! I should of brought 2 Gallons!!


8:00pm rocking the girls to sleep together and Renee is consoling Kaylee because she was crying from having her diaper changed again, asking her if she was alright and stroking her back. OMGG those girls melt my heart! Such tender moments, I'm soo grateful for at the end of the day!


8:30pm Got Ryan to bed and was able to be outside the room. We've progressed! We used to have to lie on his floor right next to him, we've slowly inched our way farther and farther away sitting in a chair til we've made it out the door! OMGG! So proud of my little man! He's growing up, sleeping by himself and going to school in the morning! My heart is heavy now!!


9:00pm OMGG we forgot to call papa on his birthday!!! Dang it! I hate it when I forget birthdays! Sorry Papa, it was quite a day for us, but hope you had a wonderful day! Will call you soon! We love you!
11:00pm Writing this blog and thinking, OMGG what a day!!! Up's and down's but as I sit here, I'm grateful that it over! And I'm grateful for my many wonderful blessings, my sweet family and kids, our blessings of Ryan getting into school and no major tragedy happened, although they may seem huge at the time looking back it's just humorous now! OMGG Hooray!

Wedding.....Warning lots of pictures!!

The Big Wedding Day had finally arrived! The day was beautiful as were the bride and groom. It was an absolutely beautiful ceremony and felt really nice to have a new sister in law from their union. It felt especially good, because this wedding made our family complete. All siblings and both parents are now married. Everyone has a companion and we are all now family! Here are MANY pictures of their wonderful day :)


Before the wedding:


Me with my girls, my mom and her mom



Grandma Ray and Kendra

All the kids walking around the ampethetere.



Abbie, Kaylee and Renee all dancing to the pre-wedding music! TOO CUTE!!

They weren't the only ones who felt like busting a move! Grandpa Donald and his wife Nita.

Dad to the rescue with the lint brush prior to the bride seeing him.

Father of the Groom

Yumiko, David and Dad

John, Joe and Ryan saving seats and goofing off.

Snuck a shot in with David before things got started.


All the siblings with Dad.

Joe rounded up the girls trying to get them to take their seats I'm sure.

THE WEDDING BEGINS:

Best Man Scott Moody, walking Becca's mom down the aisle

Then the maid of Honor, her sister.

Here is the video to watch of Becca coming down the isle. We posted them on Youtube so that the quality wouldn't be diminshed on such a great video. Click here to watch it in HD! Make sure you click the HD button next to the volume control.

Thanks to a wonderful and thoughtful friend, nicole had packed a bag of goodies for the kids to keep them quiet and still for the ceremony. It worked like a charm!!

They each gave their mothers a special rose after reading special thoughts and memories to them. Very touching.

THE KISS!

They are know husband and wife!

Just being weird!

Styeven doing typical circus tricks!

Scott's sister Krista, was a huge help with the girls. She thought they were so cute and helped follow them around, which we obviously needed!

BRIDE AND GROOM PHOTOS

The wedding party

Becca's family

Mom and John

Gram

Grandpa Donald and Nita

All of David's (and now Becca's) Siblings

Most of all of Davids side

Party of 5 with dad and yumiko

The limo driver....I mean Andy

Sisters

They arrived in style

The first dance

Mother of the Groom dance

Kaylee enojyed the yummy appetizers and how they resembeld brothers legos

Daddy decorated kaylee when they were at the drink table getting waiting to get a beverage

TO our surprsie she found these new toys from the drink table,

oh the look on her face I wish you could of seen ours too! hahaha

Grandma Kathy and Renee

ANdy's family caught the bride and groom for one more shot. Why didn't I think of that too?

Me and the girls and Brian the invisible man!

Cutting the cake

they were nice, no smashing! bummer hahaha
Click here to see the video in HD!

the girls heard there was cake!!

Congratulations Mr and Mrs. Hiatt! Enjoy the journey!! xoxoxo