The Six of Us

Please meet my friend and fellow blogger, Emma ...

2013-05-16T12:55:00.002-06:00

Emma is a mid 20-something year old with a passion for life, love, fitness, and helping others. She loves to be active and get involved in as many sport and community activities as possible. Emma is currently studying to become a Career & Life Coach, and loves to network with people from around the world! Check out Emma’s blog at http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/!

Combating Myths About Post-Service Employment for Veterans

Finding a civilian job once you've left the military might seem daunting. After all, you've just spent the last four or more years engaged in active duty with a wide variety of job functions, and you might be unsure about what will translate to civilian careers. Fortunately, many companies hire veterans specifically for their diverse skill set that sets them apart from other applicants. The following offers some common myths about transitioning back to the civilian workforce and ways you can combat them.

Myth #1: Employers don't care about me as an applicant.

Truth: In an age with advancing technology and globalization, companies turn to dedicated employees to solve technological issues and reach a broad clientele base. Your service as a veteran puts you at the top of a lot of lists because your experience working around the world, either physically or virtually, makes you attractive to certain employers. Despite popular belief, many businesses do care about their employees because they recognize that investing in the right people means better service and profits for them. Likewise, they're looking for applicants with diverse backgrounds to help their business grow. Many of the tech-savvy Fortune 500 companies are using a platform provided by JIBE, a mobile recruiting company, that allows for people to upload their documents and apply from anywhere in the world, right from their smart phone or tablet.

Myth #2: My service-related disability will prevent me from getting a job.

Truth: Just as civilians with disabilities are federally protected from discrimination, you as a service member should never let your service-connected injury or disability hold you back. Organizations exist across the country to get you rehabilitated and back to work, such as the resources offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans. You'll be able to find job counseling, training and other resources to help you get a job no matter the disability.

Myth #3: It's not really that important to ask questions during an interview.

Truth: As silly as it might sound, think of the interview as a blind first date. You don't know each other, so how are you going to see if the relationship will work out? When an employer offers you the chance to ask them questions, they're not being polite. They want to know if you care enough about the company to see how you fit within the overall organization. From a personal standpoint, you should want to ask questions because, just as you would on a blind date, you want to know if this company is the right match for you.

Myth #4: My time as an active-duty service member will deter employers from hiring me because they prefer those who steadily work.

Truth: Employers do want to hire people who will work consistently, but your time as an active-duty service member differs completely from someone who just doesn't show up to work. In fact, it's illegal to discriminate against active-duty service members, and companies will face legal action if they fail to uphold the law. Whether hiring or retaining employees, federal guidelines are in place to protect your right to work, even if you must return to active duty during the course of your civilian employment.

So proud!

2013-05-06T10:51:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was the Spartan Race at Fort Carson and like last year, we packed up the crew and headed over to participate. Unlike last year, the weather was freezing!! The sponsors even built a fire so that the contestants could try to maintain their body heat after jumping into the frigid mud! I managed Katie and got Jay and Lu ready to race while Brian proved how strong he is! *Sigh* The man is nuts, but I am so very proud of him! For and a half miles of obstacles in fifty degree weather and smiling all the way through! Lemme show ya!

The start

Passing me by on the way to the mud pit...

Low crawl through more mud - gross!

He was laughing! Insane!

Mud "slide"

On his way to the spear throwing

Two of his team mates! Thumbs up...riiiiiiiight!

After it was all said and done and on his way to be hosed off!

Of course, two of my monkey were born with his sense of adventure and joined in on the fun! Jason ran the mile course with the kids and lost his shoes and socks in the mud! It was crazy!

Traverse wall because, ya know, running a mud race is just not enough.

Pull up contest!

Mom! It's freezing!

Do you see him? He's the guy in the back with the mud socks....

All done!

"Mud boots!"

My tough girl ran in the half mile, but not before we had a little mishap - Brian took Katie and Lu to the car to warm up while I waited for Jay to finish - they had about 20 minutes before she was scheduled to run, so I didn't insist that she stay with me. Well, 15 minutes pass and Jay is done and there is no sign of Brian or Lu! I start to head toward where he parked and I see Brian walking towards me with Katie, but no Lu, so I start yelling "where is Lauren? She missed her race!!!". He yells back, "No, I told her to run ahead and just start!" I'm freaking out because I watched the start and I did not see my sweet girl and there are TONS of people milling around and I can't find her and I start thinking the worst. Of course, right??? I was about to head over to the MC to have him announce that I child is lost when I see this:

Mama! I did it!

"Why are you crying?" I always get a bit mushy when I am proud of my kids!

Woo hoo!

Mud pants and no shoes or socks!

Great job, baby!!

She had missed the start of the race, but when Brian told her to go, she went! Such trust, right! She started behind the pack and came in close to first - I think only 5 or 6 kids beat her to the finish - about 30 started! I am so proud of her - she is so tough and strong-willed! I love it!

Josh seems to be the only one of the bunch that is like me - prefers to stay warm and dry and clean! I imagine that Katie will be running next year and who knows, maybe I'll catch the fever, too. But I seriously doubt that!

It's NO secret...

2013-04-25T16:03:00.000-06:00

... that I happen to be a horrible driver, I seriously don't even know how I got my drivers licence because nerves got the best of me during my drivers test and I stopped at a green light. Twice. The guy still passed me, so who am I to argue? Right? Now 20+ years later, I still can't drive well. This week alone, I got into a fender bender AND got a speeding ticket. What the whaaaat? Luckily, B is being cool about it and only side-eyeing me a little bit. He knew what he was getting into when he married me though! Can't say that I blame him - our insurance policy gets reviewed this month and I have a sneaking suspicion that our rates are going up. UGH!

On a completely unrelated note, have you heard of the word "selfies"? As in a picture that you take of yourself? I HATE this word! I've been seeing it all over the place and I detest it! It's almost as bad as "moist" or "hot diggety dog" (well, that's a phrase, but still). Am I the only one that cringes at certain words? Surely not! Tell me what words you hate!

And for those of who read this (hi, Mom!) my meeting went really well and I am hopeful that this is the start of something big for me career-wise! I'd share more, but it's not the right time yet! :)

Can you believe this? Two blog posts in two days? I think maybe I got my writing grove back for a moment! We shall see how long this lasts!

Extreme stream of consciousness...

2013-04-24T19:29:00.002-06:00

ETA: Consider yourself warned - this is an example of how my brain works - it's scary...

This morning I was at my neighbors house getting my hair done, (she's licensed, don't worry, those of you that know what I do to my hair!), and chatting with our other neighbor that happens to have published her own BOOK! She wrote a book! Color me impressed! We got to talking about writing and blogs and how it can be cathartic and it got me thinking that I haven't written in a long time, so here we are. Except I don't have a lot to say. My life is happily boring and calm (well, for me)! I'm full of excitement and nervous energy because I have a pretty important business meeting in the morning which could be the beginning of what I have been dreaming about for the last year, so I am full of rambly-ness. Not a real word, I know, but it accurately describes my state of mind. Those that know me in real life and have witnessed this can attest to the whirling dervish I become - can't sit still, over-thinking everything and basically sucking the energy out of those around me! I used to have a word for it....oh, I remember, an "energy vampire". Yup, that's what I become. Which brings me back to my friends book...

She amazes me! She has been writing since she was a teen and is working on sequels to the one that is currently out - how COOL! The book is Blood Memory by my friend, (hehe) Rosalind Hartmann. You can get it on Amazon for $8.99, I believe. I am lucky enough to have a signed copy and when she's famous I can say I knew her when! The women that surround me here amaze me. My neighbors are like little hidden gems - it's quite unbelievable that we all live here in such close proximity. I'm not even exaggerating either. One wrote a book, one is an amazingly creative stylist that can envision what you're wanting with just a few words. (Pics of my hair to come.) One we call "Ms. Pintrest" because I swear to God she invented the site, ok, not really, but holy heck there is NOTHING this gal can't do! One is a down to Earth Cali girl that has an amazing singing voice and is a wonderful homeschooling Mama! I am surrounded by awesomeness! It often makes me feel less-than, but I digress! I'd rather strive for being better and learning and growing! And what's even more amazing is that I have had experiences like this constantly in my life; K-town, Germany - miss you lovely ladies so much, Yelm, WA - hey Yelmies!, Mahomet, IL - hey girls! I miss my b-day brat club even though I'm the only brat in the group, Clarksville, KY gals got me through some of the toughest experiences in my life and the fabulous women in Guam - you rowdy, crazy ladies! I miss you immensely! See, told ya, I've been soooo lucky and most of the women mentioned above are still friends, sisters even. And now I get that again. So rich!

I've been looking through some old blog posts and man, what a crazy ride my life has been since I started blogging! I've moved a billion times, adopted a baby, made a fool of myself, switched jobs a couple of times - it's made me realize that I have had some pretty cool experiences these last few years. And I think it's so awesome that I get to look back at posts from when my kiddos were smaller and see how funny they were at different stages! Reading through some of the comments that were left has been pretty remarkable. I'm again reminded of how many creative, talented people there are out there - it's inspiring!

So back to the hair - I've managed to grow it out from this:

To this:

Not the best pic, but it took me 4000 years to get it, so just DEAL!

It's red with blondish highlights and quite frankly, I am proud of myself for not snipping it! I'm on my way to long hair! Ignore the MESS in the background - I'm preparing for tomorrow! That leads me to remember that I need to go find something suitable to wear that is not jeans or yoga pants and probably iron said item. Ugh. Maybe I'll make my man do it! Ha! Which leads me to want to share that he will be retired from the Army after 21 years this coming August! I am so very proud of him. I just wish he knew what he wanted to do afterwards, because you know, we have 4 kids that eat like they've been starved and someone has to pay for groceries. And braces. And car insurance which may be going up because I cannot drive and had a small fender bender at Home Depot yesterday. My love wasn't even mad about that! Which was nice because I probably would have been mad at him! You may also be able to see the plants growing in the background of the photo and that makes me want to share that I am planting a garden soon - my awesome hubs built me 3 garden boxes with his very own hands just because I said I wanted them and even though I have no experience with gardening - he does things like that a lot. He loves me! And he will likely build many more of my ideas when he is on leave for 2 MONTHS! OMG! What am I going to do with him home all day everyday for 2 months! I'm very used to him being gone a lot! I think it'll be nice and help me prepare for real retirement someday! :)

AAAAANNNNNNNYYYYYYWAY, I need to get moving and prepare in earnest for tomorrow instead of being boring on here - I'm lucky to have had a sweet reminder today of how calming and cathartic writing can be! Good night, friends!

So annoyed!

2013-03-24T17:11:00.001-06:00

I'm moody and cranky today. It's Sunday and we started off very nice; slept in a bit, made some super yummy, from scratch buttermilk pancakes topped with hot apples that had been stewing in the crockpot overnight. By the way, if you've never made buttermilk pancakes from scratch, google Martha Stewart's recipe and make 'em - so easy and tasty - it's bananas! Anyway, I was munching on my cakes and looking at emails when I noticed that I had an email from ebay that didn't seem right. I'm not usually a big ebay person, but I have a boat load of Mary Kay items that I need to get rid of so.... anyway, this email basically states that the person that bought one of my items received it with a big hole in the bottom of the package and the item was missing. Ok. Weird. She was demanding that I make it right by giving her a refund or sending her a new item. So my first thought was, "that's so odd, why wouldn't she contact the post office?". I have never received a package, like EVER, that has been torn open or destroyed with no response from the post office at all. Usually, there is at least a sticker or something saying your package had been damaged. So I contact her and tell her that I was advised by ebay (I called them) to have her contact the post office, but since it wasn't insured they probably won't do anything. I also said that I didn't feel I should be held accountable for something that the post office did and that I was contacting them to see what could be done about it all. THEN she writes back accusing me of sending the package that way! WHAT THE? If I was going to rip her off I wouldn't send the package AT ALL! I wouldn't waste my time and money sending it in the first place! Anyway, long story sorta short, she has reported me to ebay and I may have to refund her money. It's annoying on so many levels! I'm new at all of this, so unfortunately I've already been ripped off by someone else claiming they received the wrong product. If there is one thing I can say about myself, it's that I am organized to a fault and I keep diligent track of my inventory. I'm also nice (most of the time) and I generally trust what people say, so I sent her the right product at my own expense only to realize that she did, in fact, get the right one the first time. I don't understand why people have to be so freaking dishonest!! I mean really. Really? I know that people can be conniving and just generally bad, but man, it's e-freaking-bay! You're already getting a HUGE discount!

I realize I am whining at this point. It's not even really the money aspect of it all. I'm frustrated with people these days and I feel like I've come across a lot of dishonest ones lately. It really bugs me that so many try to get everything for nothing!! WHY?? Oh, well, I know I'm not going to change anything and that I'll probably end up eating the cost of the item or sending her another one and she'll "win". I'm just moody and cranky today, I guess.

What have I been up to lately? No, I'm asking you...

2013-02-28T18:00:00.001-07:00

Hi guys,

It's been awhile again, but life is nuts with 4 kids and a husband that is super duper busy and of course, the small zoo we are currently running - my days are FULL! So the thing that slips through the cracks is my writing and I miss it!

Let me catch you up with what we have been doing; in January, my sweet Lu turned 8 and we had another crazy themed birthday party complete with mustaches and a pig cake that I made!
I tried out a new recipe for rolled butter cream because I'm not a huge fan of fondant and I really wish I had documented the whole process photographically because it was, at times, very interesting! At one point, Lu came into the kitchen while I was working and said, " Mama, I know it's a pig and I think he's cute in a weird way and that's all that's important, right?" Um, WRONG, little girl - you're Mama will not fail this! Ahem, I am slightly Type A and obsessive!

This is how it turned out:

The pig needed a mustache as well, because, well, don't they?

She was happy after all!

Crazy kid and her gifts - she asked for a green afro wig, huge sunglasses, mustaches, and a unicorn horn, OF COURSE! That's what all 8 year olds want, right? Right.

The crew with their 'staches!

We got in on the fun, too! I think I may grow a real one now - what do you think?

Look!! My hair is growing!! No! Not the facial hair, jeez! My hair, hair - no snipping!

We've also been busy with basketball games and practices. I never really liked basketball and don't know much about the game, but when my kiddos are playing, WATCH OUT! I am aggressive! And I yell really loud and sometimes, if I'm really, really proud of my kids, I cry. I know, I'm a mush. UGH! So much for my "tough girl" act! Lol!

And then there have been LOTS of baton competitions with Lu - she's found her niche' I think! So full of sass!

What else, what else? Oh, I knoooooow! I've gotten really into changing the way we eat lately. I used to think that we ate pretty well, very healthy, lots of fruits and veggies and I make a lot of foods from scratch, but then I found out about GMO's (genetically modified organisms) and I have been having nightmares. No exaggeration, either. If you have no idea what I am talking about, you must educate yourself! I have done a ton of research over the last month and a half and I am no longer buying very many processed foods. In fact, I am buying none. At all. I have started baking my own bread and making my own pasta and noodles. And only organic foods, too, fruits, veggies, meats and dairy. I'm not doing this because I want to be all self - righteous and uppity, I swear I'm not like that! I just really have learned about what our government has allowed companies to do to our food sources and it's repulsive! Even SCARY! I'm not being dramatic either. If you want to know more or would like information on how to make the switch to non-GMO foods, email me - I am certainly not an expert, but I would love to help anyone the way that I have been helped. It will open your eyes and maybe change your life! On a side note, I have been eating all full fat (people, CREAM TOP) milk, cheese, dairy and real sugar and honey and syrup and I have lost 10 pounds without trying! It's amazing how your body will react to food that is actually FOOD! Ok, enough! :)

So hopefully I will start to make more time to blog in 2013, omg, is it MARCH? I swear, the older I get the faster the time goes! I'm catapulting towards 40 years old! Hello, Botox? Not really! Ok, maybe.... ;)

See you all soon!

Please meet my friend Emily...

2013-01-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! I am excited to introduce you to Emily Walsh! She contacted me because we both have a common interest - the men and women that serve in our military and the health issues that they face. Today, she is writing about the impact of mesothelioma - she'll take it from here!

The Impact of Mesothelioma on Steve McQueen and Other Military Veterans

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer that few people survive. This disease has made the news in recent years due to lawsuits filed against companies that do not disclose their knowledge of the potential toxic results of asbestos exposure.

The most famous victim of mesothelioma was Steve McQueen, who died in 1980 at the age of 50. McQueen was an iconic actor from the 1960s and 1970s. One of his best-known roles was Virgil Hilts, “The Cooler King”, in the movie “The Great Escape.” Hilts’ character was an Air Force pilot during World War II.
In real life, McQueen served in the United States Marine Corps. According to the National Archives, he entered the service in 1947 and was honorably discharged in 1950. It was during those years that he may have been exposed to the asbestos that caused his cancer and ended his life.

A Veteran Health Risk

Of the many groups distinctly affected by mesothelioma, United States military veterans have some of the highest health risks. In fact, nearly 30 percent of all mesothelioma cases can be traced to military service. Veterans in all branches of the military are at risk, especially Navy personnel.
The Navy used asbestos everywhere: engine rooms, boiler rooms, storage rooms, navigational rooms, galleys, mess halls, sleeping quarters and more. Asbestos covered the ceilings, walls and floors of these rooms. The Army, Air Force, Marine Corp, Coast Guard and National Guard also used asbestos, but not to the extent of the Navy. For many servicemen, asbestos exposure was unavoidable.
Veterans who served during World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who served in other wars. In later wars, some veterans likely encountered asbestos in older vehicles, machinery and equipment. Iraq War veterans may have been exposed to asbestos from old buildings that were destroyed or damaged.

The Miracle Mineral

At one time, asbestos was known as a miracle mineral. Made from six naturally occurring minerals, it had many desirable properties. It was strong, durable, heat resistant and flame retardant. Asbestos was a favorite additive for many American manufacturers and the United States military used many of their products.
Asbestos was used extensively in Navy shipyards, construction projects, and the automotive industry. It was a manufacturing mainstay from the Industrial Revolution until the mid-1970s, when the federal government banned most asbestos use.
The miracle mineral was found to be a cancer-causing toxin. In a solid state, it posed relatively few health problems. However, many things could damage the material: age deterioration, breaks, tears, cuts, and sanding during installation. When this happened, tiny asbestos fibers were released from the material and became airborne.
When asbestos particles are breathed into the lungs, they can embed themselves and cause disease over time. Unfortunately, mesothelioma symptoms do not appear until the cancer is in the advanced stage. The latency period for this cancer can be 40 years or more.

Federal Government Assistance

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) lists several occupations that may have exposed veterans to asbestos poisoning. They are shipbuilding, insulation work, construction, demolition, mining, and milling are among them.
Former members of the United States military may be eligible for government assistance if their health problems are linked to asbestos exposure during their service. They are encouraged to talk to their health care provider or an environmental health coordinator for the VA.
Veterans who qualify for assistance may receive health care benefits or disability compensation. In some cases, their dependents are also eligible for financial assistance. Additional information about asbestos-related health problems is available from the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

As the Community Outreach Director for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, Emily Walsh dedicates much of her time building cancer awareness through social media and blogging. She is passionate about helping veterans and their families learn more about the lesser-known health risks from military service. In her spare time she enjoys the great outdoors camping, hiking, rock climbing and kayaking. She also has two cats and a dog.

Oh, the Holidays!

2013-01-05T11:28:00.002-07:00

I adore Christmas! I love everything about it - the decorating, the wrapping, the SHOPPING, the baking, the visiting! It's absolutely my favorite time of year!

Some pics of us celebrating:

We were trying to get a family pic for our cards...

This is what we got after 4000000000000000000 tries! Lol!

We also get to celebrate my Mom's birthday! I made her a lemon pie!

Christmas morning - he is so happy to be up!

"Look Mama, I got chapstick in my "sock"!"

Santa was good to the girls!

I love the look of anticipation!

So many gifts!

"YES!"

My little niece turned 1, so I made her cookies! She had an owl theme - so cute!

More cookies!

The birthday princess!

This always happens when there is a pinata! Oh, my son!

We had a lovely New Years as well - lots of friends and food and drinks! Everyone made it until midnight, too! I thought I was taking pics, but I guess I wasn't - ugh, wine! And as always, I have no resolutions! I do think my word for 2013 is "learn" though. I am learning to make cookies like the ones above, learning to sew (I got a sewing machine for Christmas and I LOVE it, it's becoming my "zen place"!), and I have plans to learn a few more skills like gardening, too! I'll tell ya, it's never enough for me! LOL! Can your head explode from having too much information in it?

Wishing you all a blessed and happy 2013!

2012-12-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

As most parents this morning, I am nervous about sending my kids to school. The shootings at Sandy Creek have put terror in our hearts. Especially because its was an inexplicable act; not a random, rage-filled, misdirected assault, but seemingly a thought out, targeted plan formed by a man that was sick and armed. I keep asking "What kind of a person does this? Slaughters sweet children in one of the places they are supposed to feel safe?" but I don't have an answer.

Now the talks of better gun control and better mental health care begin. And while I agree these discussions need to be had, I think that we also need time to mourn the loss of life and the loss of innocence, not just in Newtown, but all over our country as our own kids ask questions that they should not have to ask at such a young age. The discussions will take time. We must wait on those arguments to be had, for our health care system to be redefined and for the people that have the power to make changes to decide what comes next.

I feel like I can't just sit and wait. I try so hard not to let my actions be controlled by fear. But I'm fearful. I am afraid every time a member of my family leaves my house. I fear going to the movies and the mall. I'm afraid of child care facilities and daycares and now schools. I am afraid to let my kids ride their bikes around the neighborhood without supervision. I am afraid to them have sleepovers in other peoples houses. Fear. It's irrational at times, overwhelming, and exhausting, but it just seems like our reality these days. I have faith, I go to church, I pray and read my Bible. I am beginning to know my neighbors and my kids' teachers and their friends. I do the things that I am supposed to do and I try to pay attention. I talk about strangers and drugs and bullying and how to handle those situations. How am I supposed to talk to my 2nd, 6th and 8th graders about random shooters? And what do I tell them to do? I've seen the advice articles and everything just like everyone else, I know what I'm supposed to say, but the words are getting stuck in my mouth. I do not want to have this discussion and I don't want my kids walking around suspicious and fearful!

What I really want is to be able to go back to the time when kids could run free all day and parents didn't worry. I want the days where neighbors would call my parents if I was causing trouble and dime me out. I want the days where it was expected that unruly children were corrected and disciplined when they needed it. And when discipline didn't mean child abuse. I want community and fellowship. I want my kids teachers to be IN my business! I want to know who they are and what they are teaching my children. I want them to know me! Where has this gone? That is a redundant question of course, because we all know. I am glued to my computer and iPhone just like most. I fill my spare moments with screens - FB, Pintrest, TV, email - the list goes on. I am starting to move away from that though, because I am realizing that I am craving social interaction and I believe that people around me are too. That's why the lady in front of me at Safeway will talk the cashiers ear off! We want friends and community, right? I propose that we all move in this direction! Let's start having more BBQ's and potlucks and movie nights! Let's be involved in our communities and get to know the people around us! I firmly believe that I need all the people around me, and I mean you guys, too, to help me guide my family. I realize I am sounding like I'm trying to start a pep rally, but I genuinely want to know what other people feel and if they are thinking along the same lines as me.

With that, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years! I pray that all of you have nothing but joy and peace!

Happy Holidays....coming too soon!

2012-11-26T13:38:00.003-07:00

Hi!

It's almost the end of 2012 - so crazy! The years are going by faster and faster, it seems! I am finding my grove again with life, kids, work and everything that comes with it and I feel relaxed (uh, well, maybe that's stretching it) and hopeful about the upcoming year. So many changes!

The house is coming along and I just pulled out all of my Christmas decorations - I should take a picture - I have a TON of stuff! I adore Christmas! The sights, sounds, smells; family coming in and friends constantly gathered. LOVE! IT! I can't wait to start decorating and baking and soaking it all up. It's over too quickly and I just want to savor each moment!

Thinking about the end of the year has me thinking about the beginning of the next, of course, wondering how things will look 6 months from now when my husband retires from the military after 21 years, what the economy will look like, what the social climate will be. I'm trying hard not to buy into the whole doomsday deal with the economic cliff and all, but I'll tell you, I'm scared! What is the vibe in the blogging community? I've heard everything from do nothing to begin to stock pile food and water and take your money out of the bank and store it in your mattress! I want to temper my fear, but it just seems like things are going from bad to downright scary! Not good for a born worrier.

Wow! That was a serious detour on all things happy and sunny! Sometimes I just let my fingers type and go with the flow of my thoughts - thinking that I should reign that in a bit, no?

Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading all the holiday posts and pouring over Pintrest looking for ways to seem more clever than I really am! Oh, and I am especially loving all the posts that pick on the over-achieving Elf on the Shelf people - I will never, ever make that dumb elf destroy something in my house for the sake of keeping my kiddos in line! I already have something for that - it's called my "Mom face"! Cheers!

The Six of Us: So much time has passed....

2012-10-19T15:40:00.001-06:00

The Six of Us: So much time has passed....: ... I haven't written in so long! And I feel bad about that. Why do I feel guilty about a BLOG?? I put so much pressure on myself to do ab...

So much time has passed....

2012-10-19T15:37:00.000-06:00

... I haven't written in so long! And I feel bad about that. Why do I feel guilty about a BLOG?? I put so much pressure on myself to do absolutely EVERYTHING and I should really just CHILL! Right? Right?

Anyhoo, so much has happened since my last blog in August. I turned 39 and I'm still all weird about it. Aging is not fun or graceful unless you're 35 or younger, I think. It's never bothered me before so I don't really know why it's bothering me now, but it is. Maybe that whole "coming to terms with my own mortality" thing is happening. Blah! So we moved into our new house and I am LOVING it! It's perfectly perfect! I'll post pics soon, I promise! What else, what else... oh, I also quit my job and started homeschooling my oldest. I know! It's crazy! I can't really say I'm fully homeschooling because he attends online and I just help when he needs it. And he rarely needs it. Smarty pants! It's been so awesome for him and we are blessed that the program is free and affiliated with our school district. Since school is considered year-round here, the kids are currently on Fall break for 2 weeks. It's been great and crazy and stressful and LOUD around here this past week, but I'm really enjoying being home again.

I've also been lucky enough to get a job that allows me to work from home and that is going very well - I feel like things are finally coming into balance. It's been a rough 18 months to say the least! Working on "work" has become very important to me - it's good to be investing in something that I love to do and allows me to interact with adults and be a bit creative. After having kids, I really thought there was no way that I'd ever work again but it's fulfilling and it helps me feel like I have something to "do". Ya know?

Speaking of something to do, I'm getting back into crafting and baking and I'm so happy! I love expressing love and creativity through food! Yummy cupcakes and cookies and breads!! And I can finally put my Pintrest addiction to good use! I've noticed that I am having some trouble making decisions about how to decorate my house though - weird, right? You'd think that I'd try everything because it's MINE and I don't have to worry about restoring it to it's former condition but I'm struggling with serious bouts of indecision! I just keep reminding myself that I have lots of time to decide! And of course, there is my lil old bloggy blog that needs some attention, too! I have lots of things floating around in my head that need to get out, so I think that I will be back to it more frequently now! And I need to catch up on what has been happening with all the blogs I'm following, too! So stay tuned for pics and a few funnies that I must share! It's good to be back! :)

Turning 39.....

2012-08-02T14:02:00.001-06:00

I start the last year of my 30's tomorrow. Birthdays usually don't bother me one bit - I actually love them - but this one seems to have me a bit down. Maybe I'm feeling my years? I am absolutely seeing them - lines in skin that used to be smooth and gravity winning the battle to deflate what used to be full and drop what used to be high! It's not just physical though, I'm wondering if I'm now middle-aged? Is this middle-age? My life is full and busy and rich and I have great friends and an awesome family. I am in a good place emotionally, too , so what is up??? Is this normal? I'm not really looking for an answer to that.... Ahem, I digress.

What I am looking for are some ideas on how to celebrate my last year of my 30's. Any ideas? What did you do that was exciting or fun or just plain insane? Tell me!!!

Big chicken.

2012-07-07T07:44:00.001-06:00

How was your 4th? Mine was super fun! We hung out at the pool and had a really yummy meal. There were no fireworks because of the fires but that was fine, we grabbed a bunch of movies and just chilled. It was good!

Except for one teeny, tiny little moment at the pool. For one insane second, I had the idea that I'm not really deathly afraid of heights and decided to climb up the ladder and jump off the high dive which is probably 15 feet above the water. I was all puffed up and asking my kids what they'd give me if I did it. At one point B said that he thought that maybe I should go off the low board first - he knows me so well - but I would have none of that! I made my way over and started to climb. At some point, reality should have hit me, but nope, I just kept climbing. A line started to form below me, and I probably should have taken that moment to get down, but no way!! I was going to overcome my fear! I reached the top and confidently strode to the middle of the really bouncy board and froze. Not like, oh! This is scary froze, but full on my legs won't work froze. I looked down at B, he smiled up at me and said, "you can do this!" and I freaked and turned around. I was getting off that thing ASAP! But everyone below me was staring up at me and the next person in line was on the ladder and apparently my sense of pride is bigger than my fear of heights. So, yes, I turned back around and walked back to the middle and inched my way to the end of the railing and stood there. A hush fell over the pool and people were staring. I wish this was the point in the story where I was exaggerating, but I'm not. Not one bit. But again, I could not move, and the masses below started to shout words of encouragement. Did this spur me on? Not. A. Chance. I looked down and put my finger to my lips and shushed them. Then I looked at B, and he had this look of "for the love, woman, just jump already" but still, he was so kind and just grinned his lovely grin and said "there is only one way down". That encouraged me to get the h*ll off that dumb board and so I began my 50 mile walk to the end. I quite literally took tiny little baby steps while holding my breath and praying that I wouldn't pass out or fall off, but looking back, one of those may have been a better option. The hush over the crowd was deafening and I could hear my heartbeat - this was the moment of truth. The lifeguard came over the loud speaker and gave me a count down - 3, 2, 1.... and I.....

JUMPED!! The crowd went wild!!! I swam to my family and acted like I had planned the whole scene in advanced. B helped me out of the pool because my legs where like wet noodles and gave me a big kiss. People from all over the pool area came to congratulate me for being brave. Several children brought me flowers and someone gave me a sash and a crown. I was the epitome of bravery at the pool that day. Ok, NOW I'm exaggerating. All I have to say is that now you all have a good understanding of what my family goes through having me for a wife and mother. At least life with me is a little unpredictable and they'll have memories that last a lifetime. That's what I tell myself, anyway!

It's been awhile....

2012-06-28T20:01:00.005-06:00

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I last blogged! I think I left Guam and just disappeared! We are finally pretty settled here in CO - just waiting for our house to be finished so that we can move in and stay put. We LOVE it here so far, wildfire and all. If you live on the moon and haven't heard, Colorado Springs is ablaze. It's awful. Watching the land burn and seeing so many people evacuate has made my heart so heavy. The fire has burned about 18,500 acres as of now. Such destruction. I'm working and starting to feel comfortable amongst the Air Force people! Even starting to pick up the "lingo" - I'm so very Army! I miss my dear friend "I", though, it's weird to be working without her. I miss you, Ma Sexy! ;) I do have to just vent for a second, so if you don't want to hear it, go grab a snack and meet me at the bottom of the page. I really hate it when people push their ideas on me - more specifically, how to raise children and even more specifically, when other mothers do it. Just stop. I'm not even kidding. If you feel the need to speak, stop. Unless you pushed one of MY children out of YOUR body, then please keep your comments to yourself, please. Let me explain; about a week ago I was sitting in the pharmacy not feeling well, waiting on a prescription FOR ME when the PA came out and was talking to me about my kids' vaccination records. Yes, I vaccinate. Yes, I think it's good to do research and decide what you are comfortable with. And yes, if you open that door with me, expect to be told as much! It seems that somewhere in our 15 moves in 15 years, one of my kiddos got vaccinated for the same thing three times when it should have only been twice. No big deal. However, the gal sitting next to me with her four year old son felt that it was a very big deal. She proceeded to tell me that I was basically abusing my kid (she had no idea that I actually have 4) because I vaccinated him. I let her go on about autism, vaccination injury and a whole slew of rhetoric while I watched her sweet boy shove Cheetos into his face. When she had finished explaining how she would never, ever pump her precious sons body full of chemicals, I asked her what, exactly, she felt those Cheetos were made of. She just gaped at me. Now, let me state very clearly that my kids eat junk, and candy and all that, in moderation. I am not claiming that I am a better Mom, but I am saying I am a more experienced Mom. Anyway, even though I should have ignored her, I couldn't stop myself - this topic seems to be so trendy lately and I'm over it. So I started to lecture right back about "fake food" that's full of chemicals, childhood obesity and why it's super important to be careful about what you eat. I went off about "herd mentality" and all that, too. Oh yes, I did go there. She said that it was ok to feed her son junk because "obesity is reversible and so are the diseases that go along with it." And that as long as her son isn't forced to get vaccines then she is comfortable with everybody else's kids getting them. Oh. Ok. Then why exactly did you start this conversation? I won't go into the rest of it here, I think you see my point, but I left really annoyed. Hey, other mothers, I don't compete in the mommy wars, and at the risk of sounding heartless, I don't really care what you do with your kids as long as you are caring for them! And more so, you have no right to my kids. They are MINE and I'm doing my best. So back off! I have my beliefs and you have yours. And I won't share them with you unless you ask me. *sigh* That has been a bee in my bonnet all week! I'm glad it's out!

Hacked

2012-05-12T22:28:00.001-06:00

Hey, my mom has probably told you guys a bit about me. Buuuuut some of those things may not be true, I don't exactly know which things are and which aren't, because I haven't actually bothered to read this blog. So I'll just give you the basics, oh by the way, I'm her eldest Josh.

1. I'm a writer and an artist
2. I love manga/anima (google it)
3. I am an animal person, seriously almost every animal I meet (excluding diseased and naturally evil ones)
4. I like to help others (sometimes)
5. My mother enjoys popping pimples (enjoys? She's obsessed!)
6. I'm funny! Apparently...
7. I hate vegetables, in fact, I hate most food
8. I have awesome friends all over the world
9. I do NOT plan to follow my parents's pathways and career choices
10. I'm Korean yes, but I enjoy and am more knowledgeable about Japanese cultures.
That's all, for now....

11 days!

2012-04-15T23:50:00.000-06:00

In 11 days, I will board a plane and head to Hawaii. I will be on my way home for good. I will begin to grow roots and make memories in our forever home! I can't wait!!

Our little house on base is just about empty - only a few of our personal things and some FMO or "boonie" furniture that has been lent to us and well, us. It's loud and bare and echo-y, but it represents leaving Guam and for me, that is good. Bittersweet, but good all the same. I will miss the friends I have made here immensely, nothing fosters a bond between people like being 8000 miles away from home, but I know that we will stay connected and that makes me happy. The packers blew through the packing in three days - I will post the pictures later - it always amazes me to see my whole life packed in 10 crates and carted off. It's surreal every time.

We have made some BIG decisions about our future in the last few weeks; I was already interviewed for a job, we decided to build a house and Brian decided that retirement is on the horizon much sooner than we had thought. The job seems promising and I'd be working for the military in marketing, which just happens to be my field, but I had sort of anticipated being with the kids through the summer break in order to get settled and figure things out. I guess we will see if I get offered the job before I think too far in advance! We also decided to build a house! It's an insane process, but SO exciting! I love being in control of the details and tailoring things to just the way I want them! It's our long term house, so we are being pretty choosy! We decided on Peyton, CO which seems to be a nice little community. It's a crazy thing to do from here, but we feel really peaceful about it all. It has opened some extra challenges to the process, because the house won't be done until September-ish, so it looks like we'll be in housing again which makes me a liar because I said that we would only have one more move, EVER! Touche'! Lastly, my hubs has decided to throw in the towel at 21 years. As of right now. This week anyway! :) I support whatever he chooses to do - he has had a great career and will leave behind a legacy to those that worked along side him. I can't imagine not seeing him in his uniform every day. It'll be weird, but really awesome to start a new chapter!

The last few days here are going to be busy, but FUN! We have a couple of parties and some down time to play and then a quick little jaunt in Hawaii before we get to the mainland! And Target. And Old Navy. And The Olive Garden........ :0)

Happy Easter and movers in the morning!

2012-04-08T08:50:00.001-06:00

Ugh. It's 12:28am and I'm wide awake. Not because I want to be though, I'm exhausted, but this is how I am wired. Thinking and tossing and turning, reviewing the day and the days ahead, checking off mental to do lists all while my live sleeps peacefully beside me. That is something that never ceases to amaze me. The world could be melting around him and he sweetly slumbers. I think it comes from 20 years in the Army and learning to cherish every moment of sleep when you can get it! Today was busy, but lovely. Sort of a controlled chaos trying to pack and organize for the movers and celebrate Easter at the same time. We did all the traditions, colored eggs, baskets, home made sweet rolls in the morning. We ended, however, in a less traditional manner with enchiladas! Yummy, but a bit unconventional for us. They came about by opening up the freezer and the pantry and deciding which ingredients came together enough for a meal! Trying to eat up what we have before we go sounds easy but sometimes you end up with meals of frozen waffles, raisins and corn on the cob! In between the cooking, we tore apart rooms and bins and boxes that have yet to be unpacked after 8 months on this island and tried to get a handle on our stuff. It's been a very weird time for me. Normally at this stage of the game I am super stressed, worrying that we will miss something, forget something, not meet a deadline, etc., etc., etc., but right now I'm peaceful. I can't explain it, but it's good. My brain is on overdrive dreaming of Colorado houses and acres and pet chickens and bees! Seeing my sweet nieces and nephew and sisters and brothers-in-law! Finally, finally having roots close to family - it takes me by surprise when I realize how much I want this. It's easy to push the desire way down deep when it seems so far away, but now that it's close, it seems just that much further! Does that make sense? It's as if time is speeding up and slowing down all at once! April 27th can't get here fast enough on one hand, but is coming so sat on the other. As always, I hate goodbyes. Hate them. They will come though and there will be pieces of my heart left here in Guam. Tomorrow the movers come for the first day of packing. I want to take some pictures for those that have not seen a military PCS - its fast and furious! Movers have been known to pack bags of trash, open food items and family pets! We always try to keep them fed and happy in hopes that they'll be a bit nicer to our things. We shall see! Until then, happy, happy Easter!

Happening fast.....

2012-03-27T04:59:00.001-06:00

I'm so excited! Things are moving along very quickly and it looks like we will fly to Hawaii for the first stage of out processing on April 27th! That day also happens to be my sweet sons 11th birthday, so we told him we are taking him to Hawaii for his birthday! We just got lucky enough to be able to spend the weekend there again! So, right now, we have to decide the following things: 1. Our kids get out of school here on June 14th. In CO, they get out may 25th, so we are trying to make sure they have the proper amount of attendance days to graduate their grade level. This means that: a)we have to rush to get them enrolled in school stateside so they can finish out the year, b) I will have to homeschool until mid-July to ensure that they meet the requirements to move up, or c)keep on keeping on and pray that the district we move to will allow them to finish with the grades they have and move on. 2. We have to decide when we will ship our household goods. It takes 60-65 days to get everything shipped back to the states, so we are thinking that we will need to be without our "stuff" by next week. That means we we be borrowing military furniture until we can move into a hotel. So about 20 days. And when we arrive in CO, we will wait about another 40! 3. We also have to ship our van next week. It will take about 45 days to get to Los Angeles, so one of us will need to fly to LA and drive it back to CO. Awesome! 4. We need to book our flights and hotels and make arrangements to get our pets back home as well. Oh and sell our other van..... Despite all of the decisions we have to make, I am happy and peaceful. I know all of these things have been divinely orchestrated and will fall in place accordingly. That said, if you have tips on making a move smoother, let me have them!!!

The place we will finally call home!

2012-03-25T06:33:00.001-06:00

I am so excited to let you all know that we have been put on assignment to Fort Carson, CO! Our report date is May 10th, so our target for departing Guam is May 1st, but it may very well happy by April 10th if we have to get back and find the kids a school! Wow! I love military life, but sometimes it gets SUPER crazy! We have decided that this is it for us - our last move (with the Army) and if we can find our forever home, it'll be our last move ever! So that said, I am going to give my non- military friends a glimpse inside a military move! I'm going to blog the whole thing! It'll be different from my blogs about moving here because I'm going to show you ALL the ins and outs and details and stress and joys and stress, oh did I mention stress? In the last 15 years, we've moved 12 times! Let's see what number 13 has in store!!!

Homeward Bound!

2012-03-06T02:17:00.000-07:00

I have some big, fat news! We are coming home very, very soon! The circumstances that lead us here are not the best, but I do believe that the brightest outcome is ahead! We put in for a compassionate reassignment to Fort Carson, CO because we have a kiddo with ADHD that is really struggling here. And unfortunately, Guam is just too small to have the support system that we need. We are lucky enough to have a therapist that recognized that early on and has given us this opportunity.

To be honest, I had a hard time with this decision at first because we have never had an assignment shortened, or turned one down or done anything but what the Army has asked of us and it seemed a bit like we weren't "finishing" what we started, but now I couldn't be more relieved and excited! We are praying that Fort Carson is where we land because we have family there and it is where we plan to retire. I would love nothing more to buy a "forever" home and plant some roots and let our little ones grow up with their cousins! I'm dreaming of painted walls and never, ever stressing about clearing housing again! So, if you think of it, we'd love your prayers and well wishes!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2012-02-12T02:15:00.000-07:00

I've neglected you, dear blog. I'm sorry. We have had quite a bit happening lately and I didn't share with you. I hope you'll let me make it up to you with this post.....

THE GOOD:

My Noodle turned 7!

Lots of treats and a monkey pinata!

We had a surprise party!

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake!

The eldest turned 13 - he was thrilled!

The Bad:

Bunk beds are bad!

Her entire face was swollen - she looked like she had a horn. A few days later, she had two black eyes.

Steam is bad!! 2nd degree burn from a rice cooker. OUCH!

The Ugly:

Flies. In my coffee. Almost daily.

I'm hoping for a big change coming soon! Stay tuned!

Leap list?

2012-01-21T05:34:00.000-07:00

Have you guys heard of this? I just heard about it the other day while watching the lameness that is The Bachelor, of all things. Basically, it's a list of things that you want to accomplish before your next mile stone; kind of like a short term bucket list. Well, if you know one thing about me, it's my absolute L.O.V.E of lists! For me, a leap list is not a "want to have, it's a NEED to have!". Ahem.

Things I Want To Do Before I Turn 40:

1. Run a half marathon - this one will be pretty tough for me, but if you don't aim high you'll never get off the ground, right?

2. Find one new thing and get involved in a big way. This is really general, but I have an idea brewing!

3. Do 12 mini- triathlons. I have 11 to go!

4. Make a good idea a habit. Like kicking my caffeine addiction...or maybe I'll stop buying so many shoes. Hmmmmm....l

5. Go snorkeling.

6. Go to Saipan.

7. Go to Japan.

8. Go parasailing. This may be what kills me - I am terrified of heights!

9. Take cooking classes and actually apply what I learn.

10. Grow my hair out. This might sound simple, but I really like scissors.

That's it! What's on your list? ;)

My word for 2012 is......

2012-01-09T04:56:00.000-07:00
Each year I pray and ask God to bless me with one, single little word that I want to concentrate on and make the focal point for change and growth in my life. In 2011, that word was "transparency". My goal was to become truly and wholly without walls or pretenses and to allow the people in my life to really know me for who I am. I think I was successful in my endevour - it's really freeing when you don't have to "create" who you are. You can just be. I also learned a few things about transparency; there is a time and a place for it. It's ok to be transparent AND discreet. I have learned that not everyone needs to know everything. It's great to have privacy! I don't know if I really embrace that concept here yet though! It's also very empowering to be comfortable in my own skin, to not have to silence my inner being, if you will, for the sake of being deemed normal in someone else's eyes. I am so thankful for this lesson.

That brings me to 2012! This year the word that God has given me seems to be "contentment". I believe that means that I need to learn to be satisfied in my present situation. By satisfied I don't mean that I intend to be complacent in where I am, just that I need to be content in what I have and where I am going. It's a lot harder for me than it sounds. I am typically looking for the next "thing". I am learning to just stop and be in the moment, whether good or bad or hard or happy. I need to learn to be still and to really listen. And to be content with the material things I have. I struggle a lot with that. I like to have new things and gadgets and projects - this year I am learning to be happy with what I have now. I also keep hearing the word "strive", and I think that means that I should be striving for things that I cannot yet accomplish, but I haven't quite figured that all out. I know that this is going to be a great year for sure, whatever it brings, because I am learning contentment..... ~K

New Year's Eve Advice

2012-01-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

So boys and gals, I am a tad late with the New Year's post
but I have a good reason - I am just now fully recovered and have collected all of the information I needed in order to fill in the blanks of that evening.

Suffice it to say, this Mama should not mix wine with Ice Picks.
Ice Picks being Iced Tea with "a" (singular) "shot"(small amount) of vodka. In my world, things that are good in small amounts are better in large amounts. This does not hold true if you add alcohol.

I hereby declare that I cannot party like a rock star.

Anyhoo, despite my morning after sickness, the evening itself was a full-on BLAST! We ate, we drank and we made merry!!
The had a dance party with a run way in the kitchen and we sang karaoke style in our loudest voices. We played a boys against the girls Trivial Pursuit game that the girls limped away from and in the mix of all that, I got some very hilarious quotes.

These are the Top 5 Things said on New Year's Eve 2011:

1. "If you think it might be a poop, don't do it." - Excellent advice!

2. "When she drinks, I get molested."

3. "It ain't gay if it's a 3-way, with a honey in the middle, there's

some leeway! ~Justin Timberlake parody

4. "Don't make me crawl over there and stick my head up your skirt!"

In our defense the above sound much, much worse than they

actually were and we had so much fun!!

Happy Belated 2012!!!