Our Blessings

Today is a quiet day in the Butcher house. Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse...okay, okay, we have a dog and a cat so it really is not as quiet as it seems. Usually one is chasing the other around the sofa or down the hallways and then they both run screaming around the corners almost taking a person out...but today is rather ugly and cold out so they are both napping...for another five minutes. This is why, year after year, we bolt the Christmas tree to the wall so they cannot bring it down as they did the first year they were together which resulted in a vacuum cleaner full of ornaments. Speaking of Christmas tree, this year Jim and I were able to decorate our Christmas tree together. Huge blessing as I was alone last year due to his deployment to Afghanistan. This year has been one of many blessings.

I have an update to our little bundle of joy in two days and at my local hospital on post. I go in for baby’s 28wk checkup and expecting nothing but good news. She is kicking, pushing, and tickling me, just testing me to see how much I can take before I wet my pants.

At this point, my tummy is just a little bit bigger than a volleyball which makes it extremely difficult to change laundry and my back is absorbing much of the strain which makes it difficult to do just about everything else. I think I’m handling it pretty well but have no idea how I'll get through the next three months. All I know is that I am so looking forward to wearing regular jeans again. For all of you who have yet to be pregnant, the full-panel maternity pants are very itchy...just FYI. I am fully convinced that the stretchy pant is the way to go...and to be pregnant in the winter time.

Ok, other than being extremely uncomfortable, I feel very blessed by this experience. There are no words to express the excitement that rushes through my body every time she kicks or pushes...no matter how painful it can be. There is no better feeling than knowing that with every kick or push, she is growing stronger. It is just as amazing to see the look on Jim’s face when he feels her kick or move. The other day I asked him what he wanted for Christmas and in all seriousness, he replied “a baby.” Nothing in the world could be a better gift than to have this little baby come February. She has already become the center of our universe.

Other topics of late include the ramblings of my husband’s newfound speaking abilities. Jim has been in French language training for the last two months however, after the first day 9-5, he came home thoroughly convinced he’d already mastered the language. All I hear is French. Answers to my household questions: in French. Answers to my text messages: in French. He even talks to the animals in French. It may not all be “by the book” but he does make is sound VERY convincing and who am I to judge when I don’t know much of what he is saying...So, often I reply in Spanish. Needless to say, we are having very interesting conversations. But even though Jim has been swamped with schoolwork, he has been such a great help to me as daily chores are becoming more and more difficult for me to complete. He has simply been amazing.

Even with so much changing in our lives and so much more stress, it seems we are stronger than ever before and share more love than most people see in a lifetime. We have been so blessed.

I hope you count your many blessings as 2011 ends and know that whatever has been or whatever is to come, you are loved by One Great Big Giant God.

LOVELOVE

Recent Re-acclimation

As of late, Jim and I have recently moved all of our belongings to North Carolina. Jim is assigned to some training here and to last about a year thus, resulting in my need to absorb all of the beach rays I can before then. I’m almost panicked because we haven’t even been there yet...the beach, I mean. We have been ultimately preoccupied unpacking and in-processing however, so it has been a challenge to even find time to shop for groceries. And to further complicate the relocation and adaptation, tack on the struggle of overcoming the need for a nap twice a day due to the arduous task of carrying a baby in my ever-growing belly. Through this, I finally have the house put together (okay, so mostly put together) and Jim is on his way to becoming an SF trained soldier.

Update on the belly: It is growing ever-so-much that it required me to purchase the first two pairs of maternity jeans. I am also now beginning to get that “I feel fat” feeling...although, I think it is just due to bloating which is probably due to drinking so much water. Weigh-in this past Tuesday proved that no weight was gained during my first trimester. This is very good news because a mother is not supposed to gain in the first tri—only the second and third and only so much as 25-30lbs extra.

With this revelation, I feel that I must jump (not literally) on the stationary bike or find myself a treadmill to continue my exercise regimen as before confirmation of my pregnancy. I am beginning to feel like a normal human being however so this should not be difficult. I think I will begin tomorrow.

Additional news to note: we get our new fence installed for Shooter hopefully next week so he will be able to run and play in a nice big backyard rather than being leashed to my side continuously. They are both adjusting well to the new house and LOVING the new carpet. They find it amusing that they can dig their claws into the carpet for additional traction when running through the hallways leading to a faster pace chase than at the old house. This has been a rather exciting new revelation.

Time to turn in. Maybe I’ll post some new décor pictures tomorrow. Geeez, I sure cannot wait to get started on the baby room! Life is changing...always rearranging.

LoveLove

Spring Ideas!

Hello there! Welcome to blog post attributed totally and completely to S-P-R-I-N-G! Boy do I love Springtime! So, in this post I have included several pictures of the Spring inside our home only hoping to motivate you to join in adding some happy color to your home!

The first picture is of my banana-walnut muffins that I baked this morning. They are so healthy and yummy. I am trying to be a more healthy eater yet eat yummy too! These muffins are a great compromise.

My next pictures include the shelving areas inside our home. Basically, to brighten up our home, I wanted to do it on a budget but not look cheap. So I went to my can cupboard and pulled out all of my glass jar collection and ran to Wal-mart for some (artificial) flowers...I really just threw everything up there whether it matched or not. I really like how it all really kind of just flows...

Shown below I have a wall of picture frames that I re-arranged throughout the house, changed pictures to colorful photos, and also changed the two sconce candles to a brighter color...I need to mention that I found the cute colorful birds at TJ Maxx! Great buys are everywhere!

The last tip I have for a Spring/Summer house addition is fresh flowers! The spider mum is actually from Wal-mart (fresh) and the other white flower is off of my Spirea bush outside. They look just perfect sitting in my white wine glass.

OH, and another change you may consider...your curtains! Change your curtains to a brighter color for the Summer. I did - ivory rather than the usual brown. They really open up the room and allow the outside to come inside! Yay for Spring!

With my kind of style this Spring and Summer, I really am trying to not match everything. I think the key is: There is no rule. For me, there is no rule on Spring and Summer looks. Just fun and carefree. I think this is what I need most in my life right now. Fun and carefree! So, go find a shelf to re-decorate for Spring and if you lack even the shelf...you need to call me. Clearly we have not spent enough time together!

LOVELOVE

My Rather Unfortunate Experience at BACH

Today I thought I would inform you of my illness now that I’ve informed you of my animals’. Yep. I have been to the doctor three times this month, lab work included, and also coming up I’ve got a gallbladder sonogram this Tuesday. Not doing very well lately however, I am coping alone as I have for the past year. I am so grateful that my best friend is coming up to go with me to this appointment on Tuesday. I don’t do well with needles or anyone in a white lab coat.

Interestingly enough, my bout with the lab work was rather unfortunate however; luckily, I did not pass out. By the hour wait came to a close and my number was called, I went through the awful swinging door and sat at a “station” to have my blood drawn, I was shaking so badly they moved me to a padded chair and handed me an ice pack. This is never good. I wished so badly that Jim was there to hold my other hand. Believe it or not, I only have one small bruise and it’s only a tad sore.

As I am the Commander in Chic here while the Commander in Ranger Panties is away, I manage the house as usual with flying colors and only crying at night in the dark. You know, I thought this three week absence would be easier since we’ve just endured the dreaded year-long deployment, but I am mistaken. I sure miss my man. Again.

LOVELOVE

I Just Wiped Canned Dog Food in My Ear

Yes folks, I did. Just the usual 8pm feeding. In conjunction with my last blog, I have furthered my parenting skills to include serving my animals’ soft food twice a day. I have had to do this for awhile, however I am still not over the smell of soft, canned animal food...have you ever taken a whiff of that stuff? Okay, if not, don't. It is truly disgusting. Gross.

I think Sadie is on her choice of chicken or beef and Shooter has no choice at all as it is a low-fat, very bland mushy (I think it's beef) kind of food. In short, I have had one heck of a three weeks without my husband.

Well, I must include the fact that we are going broke due to these two munchkins of ours. Almost two weeks ago I took them to the veterinarian (and spent a fortune)...both, on the same day at the same time. Yes, this was quite amusing to others in the office I am sure.

Shooter pulled me all the way from the car to the door and promptly put on the brakes as we entered the office. While pushing (literally) him into the office with poor Sadie flopping (literally) around in her over-the-shoulder carrier, I managed to fish out my military i.d. As I am trying to sign in and deposit both labeled poop baggies into the hands of the nurse, an older man begins a conversation about Shooter's breed with me. After I answer, he proceeds to explain both dogs that he owns and their personalities and giggles as he mentions the fact that Shooter appears to pretty much walk me instead of the other way around. As this man is talking, Shooter has managed to tangle me, Sadie, and himself in a mess of which I have to physically clime out of. I felt so incapable of managing this situation and turned bright red. I sat in the corner until Shooter and Sadie's names were called.

Sadie, in for her yearly vaccinations and Shooter for his heartworm test as well as an infection and another antihistamine, both did rather well considering. I might ask you, did you hear that big in the middle..yea, about the infection? Absolutely, another infection. The same one...So, here we are soft food twice a day with three pills in the morning and one at night.

This is the account of the last two weeks with the animals. Definitely not ideal. On the bright side, when I am lonely they take care of me.

On a totally separate has-nothing-to-do-with-this-post note: I will be posting shorter posts so as not to take up much of your time.

LOVELOVE

Activities of Late include (but are not limited to): Goodbyes and Dog puke.

Would I ever be so lucky to have one complete year with my husband and without dog puke? Well, not this year. As most of you know, Jim came back from Afghanistan Feb 9^th 2011. What an amazing day.

Cue scene from days leading up to and including Feb 9^th: I was a nervous wreck. Every time someone would find out Jim was due back, they would ask the notorious question of “Are you excited?” Well, okay, WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT? My husband has been deployed for a year and you are asking me if I’m excited? Of course. There is a point of hesitation though, that most military wives take due to them not actually in the safe zone until their husband actually steps on U.S. soil. After 350 days and nights of worrying, we are able to finally take one giant deep breath as he deplanes and say, “We made it through.” To me, it is not really a feeling of excitement but more of relief. We had made it through the black-outs, call-downs, static satellite telephone calls, vet visits, doctor visits, the-house-is-falling-down kind of days, and the sting of loneliness every single night that we were apart.

The week before Jim came home I was busy readying everything to be in place so I could avoid all house-cleaning for the first week of him being home. I wanted to enjoy him without the worry of the miniscule everyday details. When the chores were complete, I made six dozen hugs and kiss cookies for the soldiers. Most of the wives decide to provide a bit of refreshments for them as they checked in gear at the battalion. After baking, I was able to worry about more important things, such as hair, nails, and outfit. I chose a basic outfit due to cold temps that day, clear polish due to my picking off any speck of color from nerves, and curled my hair due to lack of anything else to do that morning.

I left for the bus about an hour and forty minutes early so as not to miss it. My dear friend and photography greeted me out at the hanger and we decided were to sit so as to provide a clear view of Jim when he walked in as well as ease for him to pick me out of the crowd. Naturally, I picked the front so when he walked in, he could look forward as they are required to do, and still see me.

T-minus 1 Minute

As the soldiers filed into the hanger and stopped just before the stage, I had a minute to search the sea of ACU uniforms. And there, just two or three rows back, I saw that smile. There he was. My eyes locked on his for just a moment and it was magic. It was like at that exact moment, we were both thinking, “Hi...we made it.” After a torturous five minutes, the soldiers were released and here he came, walking toward me. It was the best moment of my life, aside from the moment we were married. He was home and safe...little did I know...

Yep folks, he’s gone again. This time it is only for twenty-two days and it is stateside so you and I can still breathe. Yesterday we left for the airport around 8 a.m. for his departure of 10:35 with flight arrival in Fayetteville, NC. I don’t think saying goodbye gets any easier no matter the amount of times we say it. As long as it is a loved one, it hurts. It hurts like a splinter in your left pinky finger. I can say, ladies and gentlemen, I did not shed one tear at that terminal...I was a least a good five minutes on my way back home. I must say, this gets a bit old...the goodbyes I mean. Unfortunately in Jim’s profession, they happen more often than not and after almost six and a half years of our togetherness I am getting pretty used to it.

Oh, and the whole thing about dog puke, yea. I just think it’s in his DNA...to puke ALL THE TIME. Hey, I guess I can say I’m pretty prepared for child rearing.

Until Tomorrow,

LOVELOVE

The Last Five Weeks

Having returned from Kansas just a short week ago, dog, cat, and everything packed is now unloaded and organized back into our home. Jim is due home in another two short weeks and I still have much to do but here’s a little recap of what I've been doing over the last five weeks.

Over vacation I spent much time at my older sister’s house with her three little children. We painted, colored, and partied! Liz (my niece) and I and Gram, had a sleepover and January held an early Valentine’s Day party. We had treats on beautiful Valentine plates and punch out of Valentine cups and we all even wore party hats. Mom and I picked up balloons on the way too. Interestingly enough, after I’d spent over four minutes trying to blow up one of these balloons, Liz pulls out the bike air pump that had been sitting right next to me the entire time I was huffing and puffing on this one balloon. Man, what a seven year old can teach a person is beyond me. So, after blowing up about five more balloons, we discovered that these held magical powers...static electricity, which I might mention, I had too much of when I was home. Did I mention that I burnt out three light bulbs on my vacation? That takes talent. I would just go switch on the light switch and “pop” there it blew out. I guess coming from daily 80% humidity to close to 0% humidity, this might explain this newly discovered phenomenon. Well, I digress. We had a great party with all children sleeping soundly until the next morning. Gram and I sure wore those babies out!

On another occasion, I traveled over to Garden City, KS to see my other sister and brother-in-law and three children at their new bakery. I photographed their delightful sweets for her new website and we enjoyed catching up on the latest news: www.sinfullysweetbakery.com

Life sure is sweet with family near. I like to think I took advantage of every available second in my schedule to see family.

While home on vacation, I was able to chat with Jim via video messenger almost everyday. This was a great relief however, after a week of chatting, we kind of ran out of things to talk about so we would more often than not just sit and stare at one another. I sure didn’t mind that a bit...What a looker he is.

We had a lovely Christmas at Jim’s grandparents’ house where I surprised everyone with Jim on the computer screen. It was late his time in Afghanistan but we wanted the entire family to be together no matter what continent we are all on. The connection was poor and sound was minimal so most everyone just waved. He really enjoyed seeing everyone and to that I say a word of thanks to the family that was there for him to see. There is no other feeling than that of being alone during the holidays. We are so fortunate to live within the United States where we can spend time with our families.

In the end there are always goodbyes. I, of course, have become very familiar with them. As I have a fourteen hour drive both ways, mom drove with me. She is one of the most thoughtful people I have every met. Anyways, she made the drive back with me and read to me the entire time I drove. I will admit, we were both a bit delirious when we finally reached Clarksville. But, we made it! We were all so happy to finally be home. Shooter spent most of the hours outside while we finished unpacking until about 11pm. Sadie had a nice time running around the house and driving us nuts because she was finally able to stretch her legs. I was also happy. I have discovered that one can have many homes. I love it here in my home but there will never be another home such as that of my mothers. I digress once more. Mom left out on a semi truck with a cousin who hauls tanks to the area and they finally made it home after a five hour delay due to the slippery weather conditions near St. Louis and KC. Now, all settled in, she is back home and running the route once more.

Being away from family for a year and three days was difficult. When I finally made it home, it was like nothing had even changed. We all have stayed so connected through whatever forms of communication and for this I am so thankful. After being here for a week, my heart is still mending from goodbyes but now I know just how connected we really are, no matter how many miles physically separate us. My family is the greatest blessing I will ever know. What a family to love and to be loved by. The most caring souls, the strongest people who have seen so much in this short life, I am so blessed to have you all. Also, while being at home, I realized I missed my other home in Clarksville. People whom I have gotten to know and care for, I missed them; neighbors who watch over you, friends who know exactly what I’m going through.

God is so good. He has blessed me with the greatest people. He has placed these people in my life so that I may love and be loved. I feel at home wherever He is because He has already made my way. Praise God.

LOVELOVE