On the eve of my birthday...

So....you know how I was going to get better at blogging this year and here it is August 31st and I haven't blogged since April 14th? Yeah....no excuses. I just haven't prioritized my time as well as I'd hoped to include blogging.

I *think* I mentioned that I was interviewing for my dream volunteer job with the Navy. While after what I felt was a disastrous interview, in which I got in my car & cried driving home, I got the gig. That made my already super busy life busier. It will probably be unbelievable for those who know me best, BUT I am dropping an activity/pulling back a bit on some stuff starting this fall. With 2 kids in school this year (even though it's only preschool...still we are at the school everyday with 1 child or another) I really had to make some tough choices.

Anyway......this leads me to my topic. Tomorrow is my birthday. My most favorite day of the year. Completely selfish, but I LOVE a day that's just for me. Granted as I've gotten older it doesn't quite go that way. Still...it's mine.

Last year turning 30...I knew it was a milestone, but I was 6 days post emergency c-section, overwhelmed by the 100 life changes coming our way...oh and on some narcotics.  I didn't really consider what a milestone it was. Today I am feeling it.

So here's some milestones from this past year (in no particular order):

-Figured out life with 3 kids....okay still working on it, but close enough.

-Watched a friend battling secondary infertility become pregnant & give birth. Such a blessing from God!

-Did my first year as a school yard Mom....or something like that.

-Landed my dream Navy gig....seriously love this job.

-Bought a house. (My favorite milestone!)

-Joined a group of Catholic Women online that has me really feeling mentally engaged in my faith for the first time in many years.

-Moved ourselves for what I hope is the last time in many, many years...at least 10!!!

-Watched my littlest miracle turn 1 year old.

30 to 31 was a tough year....but it was also rewarding. I made it. Happy Birthday to me!

Ps. Totally going to Hobby Lobby to spoil myself tomorrow!

Life For Real...

I just can't seem to make it over here to blog as much as I'd like. I even put blogging as a "to-do" in my planner and don't make it here. Life with 3 kids is hard! I am busy constantly and exhausted since Benjamin's sleep is all over the map. Yesterday I was supposed to have some down time and yet I spent 3 hours getting my stuff turned in for a local kids consignment sale. (I've never waited that long before...I am not mad...just tired.) By the time we did that I had to shop the commissary & feed the kiddos lunch. Yes they had lunch at 3:30pm and it was fast food (I did have a coupon.) All the perfect organic feeding Moms...please gasp in horror!
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I was facebook messaging a few days ago with a good friend of mine who also has 3 kids and it was so nice to be validated on how difficult this stage of life is. That I am not the only Mom yelling at her kids and craving sleep.

To top off the week....my student loans have come up with a new payment plan (it's recalculated every year) and I am pretty sure we are going to starve. If there's anything I will teach my kids is to not get student loans if possible. These loans are horrible and I am lucky since mine are consolidated. Thank goodness my husband doesn't have loans. So at least we only have to deal with mine. Though that doesn't really lower the stress that much.

I still haven't heard anything back about the amazing volunteer opportunity that I am dying to get. Hopefully soon I'll know something. *crossing my fingers*

On a good note: Benjamin was baptized last Saturday. It was really nice. He was startled but didn't cry. His journey in the Catholic church has begun. Today he got a flu shot (our peds office had run out, so we had to wait a bit) and hardly noticed. Sadly the poor thing fell & hurt himself this morning. He's got his first big bruise on his nose. Poor sweet boy. I told him he's gotta crawl more carefully...;)

Well that's it for now....back to cleaning & laundry.

Easter & Benjamin is 7 months old!

So what happened was....

I got back from Portland on Monday afternoon and hit the ground running for a crazy week (are my weeks ever not busy??) I unpacked, did laundry and went grocery shopping at 9pm on Monday (thank goodness for my husband's RDO [military speak for regular day off].) Tuesday I woke up and started a Compass session. It was a great session. A lot of good questions and advice given. Even my embarrassing Navy rank story (I might share someday on the blog; when I get over being embarrassed by it!)

Selfie of myself at Compass!

Wednesday I took the kids to the Navy Exchange to see the Easter bunny. That was a comedy of errors! Benjamin was amazing. The other 2...not cooperative AT. ALL! I went for comedy. I get the picture back today. It should have me rolling my eyes.

Here are the kids Easter Baskets. Not really put together nicely yet; I'll get there.

TODAY...Benjamin is 7 months old. In honor of that, he slept 8 hours straight last night. THANK YOU BABY BOY!!!!

At 7 months...
Weight: I'd guess 15-16 pounds
Height: No idea...but he is SUPER long!!
Teeth: He has 6 through the gums now.
Diapers: Size 2
Clothes: 3-6 and 6 mos stuff.
Eating: He is great. He doesn't much care for pureed baby food, so we are basically doing Baby Led Weaning with him. Jasmine rice is his favorite!
Doing: Crawling like a crazy man, sitting up fairly stable and his new favorite thing: this shrill scream. I can't wait for that one to end. Sweet baby babble please!! His sister continues to be his favorite. He smiles a special smile just for her. He loves getting in the tub & kicking his legs like a mad man (maybe he'll be the next Olympic swimmer???)

*Cross your fingers...I may be really lucky*

My title says it all. As you may recall last week I mentioned teething & potty training.

Mr. Benjamin has teeth 5 & 6 coming through. We did 2 miserable nights where he only wanted Mommy or Daddy to hold him (I should treasure this...I know I should, but man when sleep deprived treasuring it is HARD!)

Julia: well this little lady has blown me away. On the fly I decided to potty train as I mentioned last week. AND guess what...the kid who really seemed uninterested; she took to it awesomely. We aren't perfect, but already she's wearing pull-ups only at bedtime. Naptime she hasn't needed them. She tells me she has to go, though we still remind her often, and runs to bathroom & goes. I am in awe. Like where did this come from? Her older brother took us like 3 months to potty train and he was older. Whatever it is...I'll take it. Thank you sweet daughter. Now I just need to get her a backpack and she's ready for school in the fall!

I kind of like this one for her. Though I'd prefer her whole first name...not the monogram.

Everyone ready for The Bachelor tonight? I love that show. I just can't help myself. I probably won't watch until tomorrow afternoon...but I'll spoil it tonight for myself. Are you Team Jojo or Team Lauren?  I like them both. Lauren seems more my style though, so I'll root for her. And seriously no matter who he picks I really hope they last and get married. I need another Bachelor wedding in my life.

It's the week of St. Patrick's Day. I used to never celebrate it and then about 4 years ago I suddenly got into it and always make a traditional corned beef dinner. This year we're doing corned beef, red potatoes, cabbage, soda bread (I will buy that this year) and a green dessert (probably cookies or whatever the bakery makes for me. Haha!!)

What's Up Friends?? Here's a list!

I've tried to get over here and blog AT least 3 times and it just hasn't happened. Pamela we need a new blog challenge STAT...can you find us one?

So what's been up here?

Benjamin is teething again/continuously?? Seriously this kid is on track to have all his teeth ASAP! I guess I shouldn't complain, but man the poor baby can't get a break. He's so miserable with these next chompers that he's waking 3 times a night. Can we go back to just 1 wake up a night? I swear I won't complain about it.

Matthew is getting over cold number 50 for the school year. Thankfully he handles them pretty well.

Julia is...drum roll please...POTTY TRAINING!!! I just decided to go for it Sunday afternoon and we are off. It's no fun, I hate potty training with a passion, but it's not completely horrible. Now ask me in 2 weeks if I still feel content about it. Haha!!

I've decided in the parenting realm of things we all must deal with that teething, stomach bugs and potty training all rank up there with hellacious at times. See me again for an updated list when the teenage years hit.

Hubby and I are getting our papers together to buy a house. When this is finally over and we've moved for the 4th time in 4 years someone bring me a cocktail and burn my moving boxes.

Cross your fingers...I have the opportunity to get a volunteer position with the Navy that I would LOVE to have. It would look amazing on my resume too. Thanks!!

The kiddos and I are off to their favorite place: Costco!

Shaking it off and celebrating 6 months of Benjamin

It's a super windy day today. I am praying the trees behind my house stay up and the power stays on! I am not in the mood for a power outage today. Then to top it off I had to make a phone call & speak to a rude woman. Phone call over! Shaking it off!!!

*Hoping I am not jinxing myself* All the illness seems to have vacated my house finally. Praise the Lord, literally!

Benjamin turned 6 months old last week Thursday. I can't believe he's such a big boy. He had his wellness exam and though still tiny, they are pleased with his growth again. We opted to wait until this week to do his vaccinations, because with illness going through my house last week. So the kiddo will get shots this week. I put this on Facebook, but I'll blog it too.  At 6 months...his stats are:

Weight: 14 pounds
Height: 26 inches

Clothes: Still some 3 mos and 3-6 mos stuff. He is really a long, skinny dude!
Diapers: Size 1 and probably will be in them for awhile here due to having no booty!

He has started to crawl a little. He will hold his own bottle. Finally likes the jumperoo and still isn't so sure about the play mat for very long.  He's also working on sitting up. I am kind of pushing him to do this one. I know, I know...don't push kids, but I think he'd be happier if he could sit up better.

He sleeps okay. Not the worst and not the best. Basically waiting at least once to eat.  He's a big spitter upper, so we've had to cut back to smaller bottles more frequently.

He LOVES his sister. Thinks she is the best thing ever. It's the cutest thing.

We finally started solids this week. He got pureed banana and I'll be making him some pureed sweet potato this week.  His first impressions: he liked it a little bit, but started to cry before the serving was over, so we stopped. I am feeling we'll be going slow with him in regards to food (now watch him prove me wrong...haha!!!)

That's what's going on! Back later folks!

What's Up Wednesday!

Can I just say that this month has FLOW past me at 100 MPH! Suddenly I looked up and it's the 24th of the month already. Between getting ready to teach Compass, teaching it, doctor's appointments, the dentist, going to Portland and then illness....my month is over! 

So to do a quick catch-up, I figured it'd be easiest to just do a link up today.

Link up here!

1. What we're eating this week...

Thanks to illness, we are doing low key easy meals; no new recipes this week. I did a frozen pizza last night, am cooking tacos tonight, a whole chicken in the crock pot tomorrow, white fish on Friday, breakfast for dinner on Saturday and Sunday is TBD.

2. What I'm reminiscing About...

You're probably going to laugh....but I was getting to be a little "I know everything" Navy wife and then last week at Compass we had participants who were all very young/newly married spouses. It took me down a few notches and humbled me. Then I got teary and have been remembering how it is to be a young military spouse who really knows nothing. In some regards, I miss that time. 

3. What I'm loving...

My secret sis in my Catholic women's group. With illness raging through my household...getting a package & card from her this week was amazing! Women supporting women...I LOVE that!

4. What we've been up to...

After Compass ended on Thursday afternoon, I drove the kiddos down to Portland to see my Mom. We were having a great time until the stomach bug got us, then Julia came down with HFM (thankfully it seems to be a mild case) and now we're home just trying to be down with this round of illness.

5. What I'm dreading...

Moving again this year. The owners of our rental intend to sell so though we had always planned to buy this summer anyway...knowing that our potential buffer of another year of renting is gone means moving for sure. I am an expert at the moving business...but I still loathe it. 

6. What I'm working on...

I am doing the 40 bags for Lent thing, so I am again going thru the house deluttering. Plus there's a big Just Between Friends consignment sale going on in April here, so my craft room looks like kid/baby gear threw up in there.

7. What I'm excited about...

Sleeping?? Seriously that's all I care about right at the moment. Okay...I am also looking forward to Spring. Spring comes sooner to the PACNORWEST then where I grew up, which is excellent. 

8. What I'm watching/reading...

Reading: I just finished "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson  I would not have picked it myself, but my Mom's book club was reading it so I read it too. It was a very interesting read about migration in this country. Definitely not a light read though.

Watching: The Bachelor. It's all I watch these days, besides kid shows. I tried keeping up with Downton Abbey, but couldn't so I will just have to borrow the DVDs.

9. What I'm listening to...

My favorite talk radio guy in Seattle, Dori Monson.  Love the guy. I don't agree with everything he says, but he's pretty much the most decent conservative talk radio guy in the city. 

10. What I'm wearing...

Nothing very exciting. Benjamin is a huge spitter upper so I think I change jeans & shirts daily. Today I wore a hat to cover my unwashed hair and prayed no one I know saw me at Fred Meyer while I quickly grocery shopped sans makeup. 

11. What I'm doing this weekend...

Low key, family time stuff. We are going to the Apple Store on Sunday, b/c my husband's brand new iPhone is having issues. 

12. What I'm looking forward to next month...

EASTER!!! I love Easter. Great season in the church and lillies and good stuff.  I got my kids the cutest reusable Easter bags on Etsy too. 

13. What else is new...

Nothing really. I like the status quo!

14. What is my favorite Easter tradition...

We are really traditional for Easter. We go to Mass, have brunch and then do Easter egg hunts at home or the week prior go to one at our church. It's low key, but fun.

Sorry for no pictures. That just isn't happening this week.