Fall has arived....sort of...

It is finally cool enough to consider it fall in central Texas. It has taken its sweet time in getting here. It is now really nice in the morning when I get up to do PT and the kids can actually go outside with out spontaneously combusting.

This weekend we are headed to San Antonio for Thor's birthday weekend. We decided since family can't always be near us to have parties that we will make our own party. We are picking a theme and and running with it. Thor is still fascinated with whales and sharks and sea creatures of any kind so we are going to go to Sea World (neither Jake or I have ever been) and going to have a blast.

Baleigh has decided that she is a giant panda recently and so we are going to take a mini trip up to Memphis in November to visit one of the three zoo's in the US that have giant panda's. She has even picked out a set of panda cupcakes that she wants for her birthday.

SO looking forward to a nice long weekend....its almost like a mini vacation.

5 years and going strong!

On Friday we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary to each other. Pretty amazing! When we went through out marriage counseling with the chaplain he told us something that I don't think I will ever forget. There are two things that will stress a marriage more than anything else, "finances and moving". Well we have dealt with more than our fair share of moves in the last 5 years. This last one brought our family up to 10 moves total - so far. WE have also dealt with being on the bottom rung of the financial ladder. We have been separated by miles and by years. We have driven 100,000 miles, most of that with at least one child and sometimes with only one parent. We have acquired and lost two dogs, and then the cat came along. We have slept on the floor and celebrated the purchase of the most amazing bed ever! We have lived in small apartments and huge old houses. We went from two babies in diapers to two independent kids. I wouldn't say it has been easy but we have done one heck of a good job getting to where we are. Some people may not agree that it is the best life for the Nielsen's but we wouldn't go back for one second. Happy anniversary Jake!

A Day For Reflecting

Today is a date that will forever live in my mind a a life changing day in many ways. I got up to go to class 9 years ago with very little on my mind. When I walked across the Library quad on EIU's campus I never for a second thought that our country was being attacked. Sitting in that classroom watching over the shoulder of a dozen different students to try and see what was happening as the second tower was hit. It was a moment that I will remember clearly for the rest of my life.

I wouldn't say I was particularly patriotic. I was a pretty typical 21 year old. I thought about what I was going to wear, who I was going out with that weekend and how teachers were just mean for giving us homework to do over long weekends.

9 years late,r as an active duty member of the military and the wife of an OIF Vet, I am a very patriotic individual. I wear my uniform every day with pride, and fly my flag so that if there was any doubt about where my allegiance lies, it is with this country. When someone at a parade doesn't feel the need to stand and acknowledge our nations flag I am disappointed and sometimes angered that they don't realize the disrespect it is to someone like my husband - he lost friends to the war we are in, defending the one thing that we should all hold dear - Freedom. So the next time you go to the local parade for Memorial Day, 4th of July or whatever it is. When those individuals march by bearing our flag, stand up and take your hat off, hold your hand over your heart and take ten seconds to remember the men and women who have given their lives, as well as the ones who have sacrificed their time away from their loved ones so you can sit and enjoy a day with your family with no fear.

I am off to enjoy the day with my family. Tell yours how much you love them.

What a Week!

The week leading up to Labor Day Weekend was nothing short of awful. Monday my computer was still in the shop so I had to jump on other people's every time they were out for a minute. Then when I got the computer back my ID card (that you need to log into the computer) fried. So I had to go get a new one. The new picture is so BAAAAAD! lol. After my non secret computer got fixed, my Secret computer crashed. Taking 6 months of work with it that I have to replicate before next Friday. Talk about fun!

Then at PT on Tuesday my boss got frustrated that I was ahead of him on the circuit we were doing and started nit picking on my form and it was just an unpleasant way to start the day (when usually i seriously love water jug pt). He did later tell me he is just a sore looser and that he was just giving me a hard time. He also said that I was making huge improvements in my PT and it shows. That almost made up for the hazing.

Later the same day one of the XO's that I had given an assignment too called me out in a meeting saying I had given a different suspense date for the assignment. I calmly told him no he was wrong and when he though he was going to try and embarrass me in front of my boss I let the frustration get the better of me and pulled out the big guns - he won't ever pull that one again. : P Maj Soliz said you could see on my face when the playing stopped and I became all business. He said he didn't know I had it in me.

Wednesday was all about the turning in of a bunch of equipment and finishing my USR. Nothing huge happened. Thursday is when it all fell apart.

Thursday morning I locked my keys in the car when I went to PT. Thank you USAA for sending a guy out with in an hour. Then I was told that the proof for my t shirt project wouldn't' be done til later in the day (Thursday's are family day so we get off at 3PM). I worked through lunch because I had to take the kid's to their first Dr appointment in almost 3 years. When I left I had set everything up to run smoothly for my equipment turn in - my NCO was in charge of putting on the finishing touches. He called to say it was good about 15 minutes before I walked into the Dr office. While in the Dr office I got a call from Maj Soliz asking if I knew what was up with the turn in fiasco? He told me that 4 of the 7 batteries had not taken them off their property books and that they needed to get to the supply office 5 minutes ago and get the paperwork taken care of. Thankfully Jake was there so I could run outside and make a few phone calls. I was furious that the battery xo's had done such a poor job that it was affecting my day.

Baleigh had to get 5 shots and Thor had to get 3. Long story about why so many -for another time. They were both great during their check ups and are right where they need to be - Baleigh is a little ahead of the curve in fact. When it came to shots Thor was in the chute first and the nurse was less than nice about it. She kind of pushed him on his back on the table and told me to hold him down. He got a shot in his right arm and both legs. He actually had bruises on one leg from how hard the nurse grabbed him. I told him he had to be brave and after the second shot he started screaming that he was not brave anymore and he wanted to get down. Poor kid.

Baleigh watched the whole thing and she told Jake that she was going to be brave. And was she ever. I held her arm still while she got two shots and then one in each leg and a 5th in the other arm. She cried a little but as soon as it was over she stopped and just wanted me to hold her. I don't know what is worse. Getting them shots as babies or doing it now. Jake and I were both very emotionally drained after that. It was the first time I just wanted to punch someone for hurting my babies. That nurse was horrible. At least that was the end of my horrible, awful, no good week. I need a few days off.

Mini Vaca and Family Reunion

Last weekend we took a trip up north to attend the anual Nielsen Family Reunion. We left right after I got out of work on Thursday (330PM) and started our 19 hr drive. We figured that we would drive all night so Jake had gone to bed when I came home for lunch and I put the kids down for their naps before I left to go back to work. That afforded at least one of us the opportunity to get alot of sleep prior to the trip.

We had planned a few fun car games to keep the midgets occupied during the daylight hours. We played a version of Eye Spy that included them looking for things out their windows that were on a card with pictures on it. Baleigh still struggled with the concept a bit but Thor loved it. He found a herd of deer, horses, a barn, a lake (it was really a river but who cares. lol) adn lots of other nature related things along with road signs.

WE stopped at about 8PM to get a quick dinner at Sonic and let the kids run around their playground for a while. THen we got right back on the road. At this point the kids started watching movies since it was too dark to look out the windows. When we stopped to get gas, and when we started the car again Baleigh said "lets rock and roll" such a champ in the car. I love that they are such good travelers.

Jake drove until we reached Missouri giving me a chance to get a couple hour nap. I drove through most of Missouri and until we reached Springfield Illinois. At that point the MT Dew was just not cutting it. I woke Jake up and he drove the remainder of the trip to Chicago. We reached the In-Law's place just shy of 1030AM.

Jake and I both went down for a 1.5 hr nap and then called Grandma Diane to see when she wanted to get together for a visit. WE then got back in the car and drove up the City thru Lolopoluza traffic (so many streets closed) and so the trip took about 2 hours. Not fun. However, when we finally linked up with Grandma we made up for lost time. We headed straight for the Rain Forrest Cafe where the kids had a blast. Thor's favorite part was that family of Gorrila's that shook a tree and beat on their chests. Baleigh however, loved the Elephant even though she woudn't touch it. The food was amazing and Grandma admired their smart eating choices - when offered chips, fries, bananas, apples or veggies as a side, they chose a banana each. :)

After the Rainforest we went down to the Wendela Boat Tour and hopped on the next available boat. (Again military friends this was really inexpensive for those with an active duty ID) It was a 90 minute architectural tour of the riverfront and the lake front as well. I learned so much about the buildings in our beautiful skyline that i had never known. The kids again were pretty much perfect- sitting when told and having a ball throwing flowers into the water when we got out on the lake.

Saturday Morning we got up bright and early - FYI leaving a one room hotel room to go for a run with either wake the kids up when you leave or when you get back. lol. Luckily for Jake it was when I got back. I set them up with cartoons so I could shower and then get everyone ready for the day. WE headed over the in law's place for a couple of hours before goign to Jake's Uncle Jim and Aunt Karen's place for the reunion. As always they were the perfect hosts with thing for the little kids to do and the adults as well. It was great seeing people we hadn't seen since Baleigh was in the pre-walking stage. WE were able to see Jake's brother Adam and his family as well. IT is hard to get together with everyone these days but everyone except Jer and Sarah were able to make it.

Sunday we had breakfast at Country CHarm and went over the the Nielsen house for a bit more visiting before heading out. I ran out and got the essential for a car trip - New movies from Red Box, lots of good snacks, and gas! WE got on the road about 1PM and Jake was an absolute champ. He drove the entire way home and we reached our driveway at 7:46 AM on Monday morning. Not a trip I want to have to take for a while but it was really nice going home for a mini vacation.

Even after a day of eating way more than I needed to and not having access to my regular meal options I managed to lose another 2 lbs that week! I was stoked since I was sure I had gained. I have now lost 10lbs in just a little over a month. I am trying to be to my goal by xmas.

my little leopard.

Thor has beed pretending he was a leopard for sevarl weeks now. When introducing himself to a stranger he says "I'm a leopard, and that (Baleigh) is a "a lion". But what I really wanted to share is a quick thought about how adorable he was yesterday. When I come home from work I almost immediately change from my uniform to my pajama pants and a t shirt. When I got home yesterday they had done laundry and thor had folded my jammy pants up by the door so I could put them on asap. To him this means I am not going back to work so it is important that I put these on. He's such a cutie.

Just chillin'

This week was really exhausting - but very productive at work. Thor has decided that he really doesn't like it when I leave for work these days adn so he tries to hold onto my hand and tells me that eh wants me to stay at home and play with him.
When I got home last night I didn't immediatly change out of my uniform so he went into my room and got my jammie pants and a t shirt for me. As he was handing them to me he said - "here mommy, you wear these clothes. You don't have to go to work again do you?" it breaks my heart when he does stuff like that. The other day I sat down with him and explained why I have to go to work.... so we can buy food, and live in a house and have stuff like clothes and toys. He said he understood. The next day when getting ready for work he saw me putting my boots on ( a sure sign I will be leavign soon) and he brings me a couple of his toys and says "don't go to the Army mom, I'll give you my toys" So somehow that conversation got twisted into, if i give up my toys then you won't have to work anymore.

Last night we just had a lazy family night. We ordered pizza, got out the water colors and the kids painted for nearly two hours. I know what Grandma and Grandpa's will be getting in the mail next week. : ) THen we read a bunch of stories before all going to bed preatty early.

Its only 9 am and the kids have been up for 2 1/2 hrs already so I think its about time to head out for our weekly shopping trip.

One quick work note - I got to run my first CS gas chamber range on Thursday. Lets just say I can now see why Drill Sargeants love the gas chamber day so much. ITs Hilarious to see people take their masks off and try and sing a song or say the soldiers creed. I have 4 more of these to run in the next few weeks. Pictures will surely follow. : )