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I Got A Gig!

I am so excited to tell you guys about a new opportunity I have in writing!!  It is over at Living Smart Girl and I will be over there each and every week – once a feel. I am working on my schedule and will update you each time I am over there!  Go on! Check out my first post!

Living Smart Girl

The Weekly Chase #14

So much to talk about today that I might have to break it up over a couple of posts! I love days like this!  First and foremost I have my goals to talk about and then you will hear about my “Married To The Army Alaska” recap – so many words for that show – especially since this is based from JBER – where I am right now.  I also have words about Christmas and buying local and making gifts this year.  So many good things going on! I am finally starting to get in a bit of the holiday spirit so I don’t want to waste it! I want to share it!!

 

Last Week Recap:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school – Check!

Practice memory verses with kids every night – nada…

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls – Check!

Write Nick a love note – nope – but will this week for sure!

Take kids to play once a week  *This one is already scheduled for Saturday and Sunday as we are going to a birthday party on both days!  We also went bowling in addition to this!

Personal Goals:

Start reading the books I picked out – started and stopped – I didn’t pick a good book sadly.

Schedule exercise for 3 days – nope.

Drink More Water – not exactly – I ende dup drinking iced tea that was watered down about 50% so I could have something that I liked to drink too 🙂

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipe this week – no – but this week proves promising!

1 Load of laundry everyday – yes except for this weekend 🙂

This Week:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls

Write Nick a love note ***Our 8 year anniversary is tomorrow!***

Take kids to play once a week 

Personal Goals:

Find a new book or two to read

Schedule exercise for 3 days

Drink More Water

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipe this week **I got two planned for Thanksgiving!**

1 Load of laundry everyday

Get house cleaned BEFORE Thursday

This week’s details – this week should be a fun one. We are hosting Thanksgiving at our house and have invited friends, and those who have nowhere to go – mostly single soldiers in that respect. No one should spend the holidays alone as I see it. Each year on the holidays we try to have  people over, our own little band of misfits you could say. It is just too dang expensive to get anywhere from Alaska so we will all do what we can.  I love the fact that each year it is new and interesting and I am hoping to capture more pictures and fun than ever before. We will do it all over again at Christmas so I am going hunting for present deals so they all can have something under our tree. The military is family and I intend to keep it that way.

Tomorrow  Abby has a field trip to base to the play place that is so well-loved by kids. It is our beloved Arctic Oasis. I know that the girls and I loved it when we first moved here as I knew how to get there and it got us out of the house and was free. We found it to be a nice break from our house.

Married To The Army Alaska – No words for this show really. I think it is showing us in a bad light (not all of us but people will assume it is us all). I could care less if you met your husband at Hooters. It isn’t what is in your past – lets face it.  Divorcing an enlisted to marry an officer – yeah, people won’t like her, but it is mainly because of her attitude – not the rank she is wearing but says she is not.  The Brigade Commander’s wife seems like she has her head on her shoulders as she should – I am interested to see how they portray her when she has to deal with the loss of the first soldier. I think Rynn is going to be my favorite and Sara getting upper enlisted house is a joke. I had a friend who was on that same wait list but had 40 people in front of her. It is a wonder what cameras can do for you.  The pregnant one basically left the show after they got mad at her for having to take care of her newborn instead of doing some taping – good for her for having priorities. Shame on Oprah’s network for getting mad.  Tonight will probably be the last night I watch it because my husband might be able to be seen – he had to pull medical coverage for GI Jane Day and was so angry when he came home that day. So much re-taping and so on.  Also I might add that the only other reason I am watching it is because we got the channel for free for a month because it was filmed in Alaska.  Gee thanks.

So much for that. My Monday started with a bang – how about yours???

Flash Friday

Man this week has gone way to fast for me – Not sure about you! It seems like it was just Monday!

On Tuesday night my husband told me we were actually going to attend his military ball that I was told we would not be going to. It is tonight. I had to borrow shoes, Nick is going to perform surgery on my dress (he is a medic and will be stiching it – HA!), I will be doing my own hair, and I will wear gloves to disquise my out grown nails that need attention.

Wednesday Abby had her Awana Grand Prix – lots of tears over no trophy – but I think she will get over it just fine. Ryley gets to pick a matchbox car and run her Grand Prix next week. Hopefully she will do a little better! (yes my kid is wierd and rocked camo boots, courderoy skinny pants, and a flourescent pink shirt with her red vest, sigh)

Thursday was kind of relaxing and I tried to read a couple books and ended ups tuck on the Laura Bush book I had purchased of $4 at Barnes & Noble. I need to read more books to myself as the Bible is great and the kids books are good – but I want somthing a little different

Today is Friday – Hopefully an opportunity is still available and I will hear good news.

I do have some exciting news starting next week and through the rest of this year and on – I have been picked for two new blogging opportunities on different sites – one starting next week and one starting January.  I have some review opportunities that are FANTASTIC and I can’t wait to share them as well.  You are going to love this stuff I know it!

I cannot wait for you all to share in on the fun and awesomeness I have to share and It all starts next week!!! WAHOO!

What do you have new going on?

Do you have an Etsy shop – please leave the link in the comments below!

The Weekly Chase #13

Okay – recap from last week and new weekly goals to reach my month goals!

LAST WEEK:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school – we read on the days we had homework which was 3.

Practice memory verses with kids every night – this did not go well – we did not even think about to be honest.

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls – um, no.

Write Nick a love note – um, no.

Take kids to play once a week  *This one is already scheduled for Friday as we are going to have game night at a friends’ house and they have kids that our kids love!* Check!

Personal Goals:

Start reading again – I picked out a couple books!

Schedule exercise each day – um, no.

Drink More Water *As of so far today (4:00 Alaska Time) I have not drank any – not starting off so good, huh?) – Yeah – This is a HUGE problem for me!

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipie this week – haha, no.

1 Load of laundry everyday – Check!

So yeah – not my best week ever!

THIS WEEK:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school

Practice memory verses with kids every night

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls

Write Nick a love note

Take kids to play once a week  *This one is already scheduled for Saturday and Sunday as we are going to a birthday party on both days!

Personal Goals:

Start reading the books I picked out

Schedule exercise for 3 days

Drink More Water

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipie this week

1 Load of laundry everyday

Hospital for Special Surgery Blog Tour

My daughter Ryley has by far been the most challenging child I have had. I love her to death and I wouldn’t trade her for the world – but if she was first – she might have been my last.  I am very blessed that my first child is so easy giong minus the morning tantrum over getting up and moving. 

We are military as some of you know and have never moved anywhere until recently when we got sent up here to Alaska almost one year ago.  Ryley always was a picky eater – but she basically stopped eating once we got up here. I don’t know if it was a form of protest or what – but she scared me with it. She has been a peanut since birth and always a size or two behind her age. So you can imagine my shock when she stopped eating most everything and was looking gaunt. She didn’t really like to talk and her speech didn’t seem to progress as much.  I was worried.

I, like most military, use the care that is provided to our family for my husband’s service. I try to never complain about it as it is free and I am forever grateful. This time there was no need to complain at all. I was seen and my fears were put to rest as they stated she gained a couple pounds in the last month or two. As long as she was gaining I needed to not worry but still keep watch. This might have been her being stubborn with the move, but all in all – she wouldbe fine. I had to make sure that when she did eat or drink she did get some sort of nutrition along the way. I learned to be creative to say the least.

I was so thankful the medical staff here at JBER took the time to see me and listen to all my concerns. I have heard horror stories of people not getting any help, no concern, and basically run out the door. My experience was the exact opposite.  I am also thankful that these people are available if anything major or serious should ever occur with any of my kids. I can rest assured they will be awesome once again.

As a parent I look for someone that can explain to me what is going on so I can understand. I want to make sure I know all the signs to watch for and what the different outcomes could be. How can I help? Can I help prevent? As most of us do. I know that I asked 100 questions and I advise anyone who has any concerns to do the same as there is no dumb question and all questions needs answers when it comes to our children.

I want to direct you all to an amazing place that I am thankful for being in place for many people int he lower 48 to have access to!

Hospital for Special Surgery is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. Located in New York City, HSS recently opened the CA Technologies Rehabilitation Center at the Children’s Pavilion providing comprehensive, individualized rehabilitation for both inpatients and outpatients from birth to 21 years.  Its multidisciplinary staff includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

The Hospital for Special Surgery Website is full of awesome information – including that ont he new CA Technoliogies Rehabilitation Center from the video clip above!

Please note you can visit their Hopsital for Special Surgery Facebook Page for new details all the time.

Our kids and family members (niece, nephew, etc) mean the world to us all and I am so thankful for place such as HSS to be there for us in our time of need!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hospital for Special Surgery. A small donation to a charity of my choice was made in my name as a thank you for participating. You should consult with your physician or other health care provider before beginning any rehabilitation/therapy, sports training, or exercise program.”

Toddler Tuesday – HELP!

So last night I was woken up by my 3 1/2 year old crying becuase she had wet the bed.  I got her calmed down and got her back to bed and it broke my heart. She gets so down on herself when thins happens, but it seems to be happening more and more.  Not just during the night but also in the day.  She will stand there and hold herself until you tell her to just go. What on earth has started this?  I never get angry during the night but I will give her a talk about not waiting until the last minute when it comes to daytime play.

Some can argue that the new baby coming is part of it, but I can remember this happened before we told her.  I try to get her to go to the bathroom before bed – but lets face it, it doesn’t always happen. 

What have you done to help combat this issue if you have had it happen?

 When I did some research they obvious was stated:

• Discourage him from drinking large amounts of fluids before bed, especially caffeinated sodas. However, don’t be too rigid. If he’s genuinely thirsty, let him have a drink. – Check
• Have him go to the bathroom right before he goes to bed. – Check
• Wake him up to use the bathroom before you go to bed. – Check

I need help Moms!

The Weekly Chase #12

I love Monday’s – especially since it is when I get to set up my goals for the world to see and hold myself accountable!

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school

Practice memory verses with kids every night

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls

Write Nick a love note

Take kids to play once a week  *This one is already scheduled for Friday as we are going to have game night at a friends’ house and they have kids that our kids love!*

Personal Goals:

Start reading again

Schedule exercise each day

Drink More Water *As of so far today (4:00 Alaska Time) I have not drank any – not starting off so good, huh?)

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipie this week

1 Load of laundry everyday

***Side note*** I had wanted to do some challenges this week and will be starting them today – but cannot really explain my goals other than to do them!

 

What you got?

November 2012 – Holy Crap!

So this month I decided to do my goals a little differently – I am going to have goals for the month and then break into weekly chunks to get them accomplished!!

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school

Practice memory verses with kids every night

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls

Write Nick a love note

Take kids to play once a week

Personal Goals:

Start reading again

Schedule exercise each day

Drink More Water

Homemaking Goals:

Make 5 new recipies this month

1 Load of laundry everyday

I also have found a couple month challenges that I have found that I think will be fun to take part in and will also go along with my goals!

The Chocolate Mile:

#21Days is the challenge – check it out – it doesn’t last all month but it sure does sound fun!

Run To The Finish:

Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge – Need I say more? Please let her know I sent you!

Little Girl In The Big World:

She has an awesome page of goals and shared a photo a day challenge that I will be joining!

 

Jock In A Skirt Fitness:

She also posted a fun picture a day challenge!

So what are you waiting for???

 

 

So It Is Saturday…

So it is Saturday and I am the first one awake and the silence is nice.  But alas it doesn’t last for long. Two small children are around and the cartoons must now come on so that I can continu to think through today’s plans.  Ahhh, the mom lessons I have learned. 

Today I am going to swing by he library to get the study book for the MAT – yes, I have to take a standardizedd test 🙂 

I need to stop by Barnes and Noble to spend my gift card 🙂 – I think I just am going through withdrawls since we have not gone once a week since school started.  I love that place.

We have to venture to WalMart or more likely the PX to get white tights for Ryley’s costume and Pink lipstick for Abby’s costume – as the Fall Festival is tonight and these are must have’s apparently. Pictures will follow after tonight.

I am going to meet up with another pregnant military wife and we are going to take my kids to the community center here on base so they can play while we walk on the treadmills to get some exercise going. 

I need to finish all my homewok today at some point as I don’t really want to ruin a Sunday with Abnormal Psych homework.

Tonight is the Fall Festival at school and I am actually excited about this!  Since we are still relatively new to living here and walking around outside in below freezing temperatures doesn’t sound fun at all – I am thankful that the school puts something on indoors.  Plus I can give them a little more freedom in a gym as opposed to a street.

I am going to treat me and the girls today because I want to. I want to eat frozen yogurt from Menchies.  I want a cheesesteak from the foodcourt – or some popeyes chicken.  I just realy want it despite all the comments that may come from it. I just don’t care today.

Last night the girls and I carved pumpkins on APU campus while the haunted house went on next door.  We had fun (I carved and they played) while people couldn’t finish the haunted house. Success on all parties putting on these events.

I now want some watermelon. Strange I know – but that is the thought I am leaving you with!