Calling All Mouse Experts

We are in the early stages of planning a family vacation to Disney when my husband comes home.  We are planning for the mid to late May time frame. 

I need help!  I absolutely hate having to plan all this stuff by myself and stress that I'm going to forget something.  Can you all please give me all the advice and suggestions you have to make this a successful trip?

Please!

Oh yea, and my giveaway is still open.  Go over and enter please!

Surprise!

Several days ago, I mentioned that I had a little surprise for all of you.....

It's my very first giveaway!

I was recently contacted by Paperspring to review their products and host a giveaway.

Paperspring is about sharing and celebrating the important moments in life. In our fast-paced world of e-mail, text messages and other virtual communication, it's still nice to stop for a moment and feel something. The texture of matte paper, the beauty of printed materials, and the portability of paper products make paper a timeless and cherished technology. Our purpose is to bring life to paper and paper to life!

What I love:
They use eco-friendly paper.
They have SO many options to choose from.
The customization process is very simple and straight forward.
You get to preview your order instantly.
The cards come on quality paper.
The website is easy to navigate.

I ordered the picket fence stationery in salmon (of course with my name):

And I ordered the catching snowflakes cranberry labels (again with my info removed):

Aren't they absolutely adorable!

I can't wait til the holiday season approaches and I can order their DNA cards for the holidays!

Now you have the chance to get your very own $50 gift card to Paperspring.  

In order to enter this giveaway you must:
1.  Be a follower of my blog AND
2.  Visit Paperspring and let us know what your favorite item is. 

**Giveaway ends on Saturday, July 31st at midnight.  Winner will be chosen via random number generator and notified via email.  Please ensure I have a way to contact you or I will have to select another winner.**

If you don’t win then you can still enjoy a great discount.
From now until August 31st they are offering a special discount of $10 off orders of $50 or more plus free shipping with code PSAUGUST.  


**I was not compensated by Paperspring in order to write this review or host this giveaway.  I was given a $50 gift card via MOM magazine and Paperspring offered to do a giveaway on my blog.

Project #2

Wow!  As my sister so kindly reminded me, it's been 5 days since my last post.  What a slacker!

There are many things that I can blame my lack of posting on but I'll spare you all the details and blame it on the fact that I had another kid free weekend (you can see the first one here) where I worked on redecorating projects around the house.  (Remember I mentioned that here).

This go round, I was redoing my oldest daughters bedroom.  Here is what it looked like before:

And here are some after shots:

It's amazing what a little bit of paint can do for a room.  And my daughter absolutely loves it - she feels so grown up.  One of her favorite parts is the chalkboard.  As you may be able to see, I still need to finish the trim around it, but that will come eventually.  And I still need to get some tie-backs for the curtains and hem them up but that too will come in time. 

Of course my oldest son is a little jealous now and while I'm pretty sure I'm done painting for a while, it looks like he's in store to at least get some new bedding and curtains.

**Sorry about the lack of picture quality.  They were all taken with my phone.  I just grabbed my camera to go take actual pictures...opened the door and went right back out because it's a disaster already and I refuse to clean it!

From The Mouth Of.....

3 year-old:  Mommy, am I gonna be a mommy when I grow up?
Me:  No, you're gonna be a daddy.
3 year-old:  Yay!
3 year-old:  And then Daddy will be a little kid!
Me:  {laughing}
Me:  No, then Daddy will be a Pop.
3 year-old:  {laughing hysterically} 
3 year-old:  No he won't!


You gotta love their innocence!

Early Morning Calls

I'm very lucky that I get to Skype with my husband at least once a day as long as they aren't out on missions.  Some of our conversations can be quite amusing.

Would you like to see why? 

This is what a typical conversation with my hubby looks like during the morning (our late evening):

He wakes up and calls and we listen to the morning wake up call together:

He washes his face; I watch:

He brushes his teeth; I watch:

He shaves; I watch:

He drinks his morning coffee; I watch:

He blows me my good night kiss; I return with his good morning kiss:

Oh how I miss him!  But even 6000+ miles away - he always knows how to make me smile!

(Thanks to my hubby for being a good sport as I snapped away taking pictures during our call the other morning!)

100 Days!

Yesterday marked the 100th day of deployment!  We are now 1/4 of the way done!  It has definitely been far from easy but we've survived and grown immensely over the course of the last 100 days.   Lets recap some of our adventures:

• I had to replace practically every bulb in the house and got pulled over.

• I had to call a friend to come fix the leaking kitchen sink.

• We made a visit to the ER.

• I dealt with some inconsiderate comments made by a co-worker.

• I went through my first IEP meeting at the school - where they made me feel like I was crazy.

• I dealt with HUGH spiders - on more than one occasion.

• I finally called the exterminator and dealt with dead bugs EVERYWHERE!

• We had a stabbing in my neighborhood.

• No family called my 3 year old on his birthday - except his Daddy. 

• My oldest son was covered from head to toe in poison ivy.

• We finally got a diagnosis on my oldest son (which I have still yet to blog about; but will when the time is right).

It's no wonder really why I posted this yesterday - especially going back over everything that has happened in the past 100 days.  But in light of it all, I still managed to get out today and celebrate the passing of 100 days.

So what did I do?

(Can you read backwards above the doorway?)

I took myself to the spa for an hour long massage and a spa pedicure.  It was AWESOME!  I get on average two massages a year and this one, was by far, the best ever!  Maybe I valued it that much more because I needed it so bad - or maybe it was that it was just that good.

Needless, it was a much needed and deserved day at the spa.  I'm feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the next 100 days!  The good and the bad!

P.S.  Please don't get me wrong - there have been many good days as well in the last 100 days - but they'll be coming in another post all of their own soon!  As well as another special surprise.....

Tired

I'm tired.

I'm tired of sleeping alone.

I'm tired of putting on a happy face for everyone.

I'm tired of pretending I'm fine.

I'm tired of missing my husband like crazy.

I'm tired of being a single parent.

I'm tired of being the only one to discipline kids.

I'm tired of making dinner 7 nights a week.

I'm tired of having to do yard work.

I'm tired of feeling the like the 3rd wheel with friends.

I'm tired of watching my friends kiss and show affection to each other.

I'm tired of not having the time or energy to go to the gym.

I'm tired of listening to children whine and argue.

I'm tired of snapping at my children.

I'm tired of not being able to sleep.

I'm tired of feeling like I'm bothering someone when I need help.

I'm tired not being able to get into a routine.

I'm tired of being tired.

I'm tired of this stupid deployment.

MOM

I don't normally post/promote PR related material - but this one I couldn't pass up!  (I wasn't asked to post this and all views and opinions are my own.)

Sometime way back in February, I signed up with BSM Media to receive the new MOM magazine.  I'll be honest, I sign up for lots of free things - sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't.  That's just part of the "game".  Well you figure it's July and I hadn't received anything and by this time had honestly completely forgotten about it.

On Saturday, I open the front door and see this fairly large package sitting on my front stoop.  Originally I thought, "wow that package my husband sent me is here already?"  He said it would take 7-10 days and it had only been 3.  Then I realized it was a Fed-Ex package and I thought "wow, he sent it Fed-Ex so it would get here sooner!".

Except it wasn't from him....

Instead it was an awesome package from MOM magazine with a copy of the new magazine.  Would you like to see all the goodies I received?

Prepare yourself, it really is amazing!

I got all of this stuff for FREE!  When I took the time to add up the value of everything; it is over $200 worth of stuff! 

Here is everything I got:

A $50 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs.  I have looked at this site so many times and I can't wait to order this!

A sample of cards and a stamper from Expressionary.com.  I personally think it's a little on the pricey side for custom stamps - but than again; that may be why I don't have any to begin with.

A Sterns Puddle Jumper.  My youngest is going to love this!  He loves his floaties but lately they have been cutting into his skin because he refuses to get out of the pool to take a break!  This doesn't look like it will be an issue with this.

A MAM bottle and jump drive.  The jump drive is a pacifier and is so cute!

A IntelliGender baby prediction kit.  I honestly didn't know this type of thing existed or if it would even truly work but it looks like it would be fun to try out.  (Not that I'm pregnant or anything!)

Some samples of announcements, cards and invitations from Paperspring with a $50 gift card!  I have fallen in love with their DNA cards and holiday cards and can't wait to place an order. 

A gift certificate for a set of Colourful Sticky Labels from Mabel's Labels.  I've already ordered mine with our last name so that all the kids will be able to use them.

A printable collection from The Celebration Shoppe which includes cupcake wrappers, cupcake picks, placecards, straw slips, favor tags, cello toppers & napkin rings.  They supply the template and then you can print as many copies as you need.  That's an awesome concept!

There was also a Nuby No Spill sippy cup and a Bummis cloth diaper.  Neither of which I'll need at this stage of life but will be great to have on hand for my gift closet.

 A package of Boogie Wipes as well as scented samples and a coupon.  Again another interesting idea that I can't wait to use on my kids.  (Not that I'm hoping for snotty noses anytime soon!)

Another stationary sample from Tiny Prints with a coupon code for 20% off.  They definitely have some stuff I'll be using but can't post about it just yet :-)

And then there were some Wikki sticks that I'll be holding onto to put in the kids stockings for Christmas. 

And of course, the summer issue of MOM magazine; which I have to say, I'm quite impressed with.  I never would have found and or ordered most of the stuff I have if I hadn't received all of this in the mail.  And to top it all off, the letter that came with the package, said they would be sending out a back to school package AND a holiday package!  I'm so excited!

The Lonely Four

My oldest asked tonight if she could get grapes for a snack for her and her brothers.....

Are you kidding me - she left 4 grapes left in the bag! 

The mind of a 9 year old - just baffle's me!

The Whirlwind.....

That is the only way to describe these past few weeks.  I have pretty much decided that there is no way other than bullet points to update everything that has gone on.  So here it goes:

• The kids spent a week home from summer camps and daycare and we did various day trips.
• We went to the Splash Playground at South Germantown park.

• We went to the National Zoo 

(Orangutans crossing in the zoo!)

• We made several visits to the pool.
• We went to see Toy Story 3.
• There was a stabbing in my neighborhood.  
• I planned and had my youngest's 3rd birthday.

(Playing with new toys with Pop)

• We went to see fireworks with some friends. 

• My youngest turned 3!

• I dealt with stress stemming from this post.
• It was discovered that my oldest son was covered in poison ivy.
• The kids all had their annual physicals.
• I had another dentist appointment.
• I attended my first Hearts Apart meeting with a friend.  
• I argued with Concordia and my dentist over some charges. 
• I took a mid-term for school. 
• I've been missing my husband like crazy!
• I spent a day at the pool by myself relaxing.
• It appears my youngest is beginning to suffer from separation anxiety.
• We enjoyed the company of some friends for a friends birthday party.
• We spent some more family time at the pool.  (My youngest is turning into a fish!)
• I took my oldest son to be evaluated.

This is the basics of our whirlwind that has been our past 2 1/2 weeks.  I am so ready for things to slow down a little and try to enjoy some of what is left of the summer.  I really need to work or de-stressing and trying to regain some of my emotional stability. 

Next week, my daughter has another week off of summer camp and we'll be redecorating her room - stay turned for updates on that....  (reminder to self:  take pics of her room currently)

Doctors and Countdowns, Oh My!

Tomorrow we continue our very long journey to hopefully finding some answers.  If you missed it before or are new around here - you can read a little about it: here, here and here. 

We go to see some of the best doctors in the state tomorrow and while I know I won't have any answers tomorrow, I'm hopeful that those answers will be right around the corner and we will see a much improved upon school year for my oldest son next year. 

I know I've been hit or miss around here lately, but I'm really hoping to get a true update on our chaotic two weeks up sometime this week.  Please bear with me as I attempt to figure out ways to deal with the stress and emotions, which seem to be coming at me left and right these days - all of which I'm sure many of you are experiencing as well.

(I know that's very vague.  But I promise when the time is right, I'll give more details.) 

Also - I haven't given an updated countdown recently.  Today was day 91, the start of week 13!  I'm so excited to see the days finally start to tick away.  We are nearing day 100!  And as I said before, Renee got me into celebrating every 25 days.  This time I have plans in the making to spend a day at the spa!  Massage, mani and pedi - here I come!  (Really, I'm using a gift card from my birthday back in March but I'm using it to celebrate)

I really can't believe we are almost a quarter of the way done!  When I put it into those terms it doesn't seem anywhere near as daunting. I can't wait to have my hubby back in my arms again!

PS.  To my hubby:  Missing you like crazy love!  Love you mean it!

Sleep - My Friend... At Least This Week

How is it that I can go through periods where I can't sleep at all and then just days later when I can't seem to get enough sleep.

On a normal basis lately, I've been getting an average of 5 hours of sleep a night.  I may struggle to get out of bed in the morning and around 2pm, feel very tired, but I get my second wind and then am up again until after midnight.  Even if I attempt to go to bed before midnight, I can't seem to fall asleep.

Then on the other hand, the past few nights I can't seem to sleep enough.  I was in bed by 10:30pm last night and asleep by 11pm.  I slept until 6:45 this morning, and then when I got home I ended up falling asleep on the couch for two hours!  And at 7:30 tonight I was ready to crash.  I've managed to make it til 8pm to put the kids to bed, but I'm seriously considering going to bed right now.

Maybe it's just the stress I've been under has finally subsided enough for me to sleep?  Maybe you really can catch up on sleep and that's what my body is doing?  Maybe I just remembered how much I like sleep?

[Ed. note]  Apparently I posted this too soon.  I figured it was too good to be true!

My Baby Is Three!

My youngest turned three today!  It's so hard to believe that the time has gone by this quickly.  He has grown into a very independent, energetic, smart, handsome little boy before my very eyes!  Of course he's three and so there is also the sassy-ness that comes along with that, but we are trying to squash that pretty quickly.

Of course this is also the first kids birthday that my husband has ever missed and while the kids seem to be holding up just fine I'm the one who is really struggling these last few days!  I completely stressed myself out over his party on Saturday and come to find out, I shouldn't have because besides his parents, my parents and my grandmother - no one bothered to show up!  Actually some of them never even bothered to tell me one way or the other if they were going to come at all!

And what's even more upsetting than that, today on his actual birthday, the only one who called to wish him a happy birthday, was his Daddy!   (Daddy calling is not the upsetting part, the only is)  Can someone please explain to me how my husband can call from 6500+ miles away but not one single family member, from either side of our family, can actually call to wish him a happy birthday!  (Now, I do have to say that my sis, who is on a round the world trip, did do a birthday post for him and I wasn't really expecting her to call.)  I'm crushed! 

Back to the point of this post though.... 

Happy Birthday Dude-y!!  Mommy and Daddy love you very much!

(yes, I call him that and yes is sounds like the same word for poopy.  But that's not that weird because my oldest is called Knucklebutt (which has over the years been shortened to Butt) and my middle son we use to call FatBoy (until he called someone fat one day in the grocery store and didn't know he shouldn't) and my husband and I call each other Shithead and Shitface.)*


*all names truly are given out of love.  And when our oldest asked us (well actually my husband) to stop calling her that out in public, we complied; which we will do with all of them.  The youngest still loves it and gets upset if I call him anything else!  Please... I really don't need anyone to harass me about my kids nicknames today.

Unthinkable

I can't begin to explain how much I miss my husband tonight.  Some horror has struck my neighborhood tonight and really has me shaken up.  I'm not going to go into details tonight - maybe not ever.  At least until I know for sure I have all the facts straight. 

Oh how I wish he could be here holding me tonight......

And not to worry anyone - my husband is fine, I'm fine and my kids are fine. 

I Miss.....

Here are some snippets from a recent chat with my husband:

3:02 PM me: Miss your smile

  Miss when you squint your eyes

  Miss your touch

  Miss your scent

 

3:03 PM 

  Miss you in bed with me

 

    Miss your arms around me

3:04 PM Miss taking showers with you

  Miss you rubbing my butt

  Miss you scratching my back

3:05 PM Miss sitting around the fire with you

  Miss playing cards

 

3:06 PM Miss your kisses

  Should I keep going?

 anthonylloyd1: you can it's making me smile

3:07 PM 

 me: Miss having to pick out clothes for you

3:08 PM Miss you folding laundry

  Miss cooking with you

  Miss snuggling on the couch with you

  Miss watching Friends or House or Deadliest Catch with you.

3:09 PM anthonylloyd1: i miss....

3:10 PM anthonylloyd1: you rubbing my head while you read a book

  miss cooking breakfast on the weekends

 

  miss you yelling at me to stay on my side of the bed

3:11 PM miss you coming up behind me while I look out the front window

  miss watching you try to pick out clothes at night

  miss kissing you good bye in the morning

3:12 PM miss cuddling up to you at night

 

 

3:13 PM miss kissing your neck

  miss you handing me my towel when I get out of the shower

 

3:14 PM   miss cleaning the dishes after dinner

3:15 PM miss our quality time

 

   miss holding your hand while I drive

I was crying by the end of it then, and I'm crying again now as I re-read all of them.

It's amazing all the little things you take for granted until you don't have them.

I miss you love!  Hurry home!