I spent my Christmas money today. My Mother in Law (Thank you!) sent me (and hubby and girls) $50. Money to spend on something we want, that we wouldn’t usually buy ourselves. My Mom did the same thing (thank you too), only I already spent that on video games. Shocking I know. So anyhow, I went to the PX today for dog food. I had decided that this year, my $50 would be spent on a Wallet. It was time for a new one, I’d been using mine for over five years. It was looking ratty and gross.

Now, I’m not a fan of buying high priced stuff normally. Especially purses, to me having "Coach" displayed on your purse is just another word for "Mug Me!". And I know I’m not the only woman to change purses on a fairly frequent basis. But wallets, I’ll use one of them for ages. So I decided to look at Dooney and Bourke. And I found one I just loved. Unfortunately it was twice as much as I had. So I went home.

Around this time Hubby was online checking out the Steeler game (we won!! Haha!!) and I told him about my shopping trip. I swear I heard his eyes rolling all the way from Afghanisuck. But he said he can’t use the money in his deployment account anyhow, so I could swipe the extra from there. Do I have the most super awesome man or what??

So, I made my one and only, high priced small item purchase for this deployment. The last one I purchased Ralph Lauren sunglasses, which I’m proud to say I still use. This time…

dbwallet

One Dooney and Bourke purple wallet. Which I totally didn’t need, would never have bought any other time, and will last me for years.

That’s what Christmas money is for right?

The girls spent theirs already. The youngest buying all sorts of art stuff and headbands, oh and a pair of shoes she liked. The oldest, bless her heart bought two new Sim’s Xpacs. Yes, video games. I’m so proudDay dreaming

 

I’m awake, just me and the dogs.  Yesterday was pretty nice, the kids seemed to like everything they got. What they don’t know is Christmas gets a Mulligan this year. The tree stays up until Hunny gets his R&R, and we’ll have Christmas with him. They currently think it’s just him getting gifts, what they don’t know is they are too.  Stockings, dinner, the whole nine yards.

Yesterday we waited until he got online, only he called instead. So the kids opened their presents while I talked to him, then they each got a turn to talk with Daddy. My youngest immediately made her bed after that, since Santa brought her a full set of Hannah Montana bed stuff. Then they took off for a friends house.

That’s something that wouldn’t happen if we weren’t an Army Family. But the sad fact is, they never know how long a friend will stay here. And it’s important that they get time with them while they can, including Christmas. This particular friend was the first one they met. He’s a great kid, always included the youngest, even though my oldest was the one he started out friends with. His family treats them like their own. And he’s leaving in a couple months. So is my youngest daughter’s close friend.

I spent most of the day working on this here website. Simplifying the theme, moving in some older posts. I accidently spammed my Twitter feed in the process…ooops! I still have some posts to move over that didn’t quite make it somehow. I didn’t get pics of the girls opening presents, since I was enjoying the sound of my husband’s voice at the time. But the dogs had some interesting moments…lol

rawrdaisy

Daisy says: RAWR!! My Toy!

shadow

Shadow Says: They’re MINE!! All MINE I tell you!!

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The girls playing Super Mario Wii. A future generation of gamers in my family?

And Santa brought me a couple games too. Wonder how he got my Steam info…hehehe

kbap  l4d2

 

merrychristmas

 

Thanksgiving. A time to look back and reflect on what we’re thankful for. This year, that is a bit of a challenge, but I’m going to try.

I am thankful, that even though my husband can’t be here, that I have a great marriage. One strong enough to handle this and any other deployments that come our way. Having the kind of security we have is something that only comes with time, and alot of couples aren’t as lucky as we are. They are still learning to be married (it doesn’t come with instructions) at the same time they are learning to deal with the Army, and deployment.

I’m thankful that my kids are old enough to understand everything that comes with Hunny’s job. It makes dealing with everything so much easier. They understand his job comes first, and that he can’t always be there for the concerts and plays, birthdays and first dates. And they never complain.

I’m thankful to have company this week. It makes the time pass faster.

I’m most thankful for my Husband. He’s stood by me through thick and thin. He’s always worked his ass off at any job he could find to take care of us. He joined the Army to partly give us a better life, but he also enlisted to fight for our country, because he felt it was right after we were attacked, knowing full well the sacrifices he’d be asked to make, and trusting me to be able to handle things at home. 

It’s a brave act to put that kind of faith in your spouse, while putting your life on the line at the same time. So I’m thankful he has that kind of faith in me, even if I don’t always have it in myself.

I’m thankful that next year, he’ll be here with us.

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I guess it’s time for a real update. Not too much happening. Thanksgiving was nice, I still hold my personal record of not yet burning the Sweet Potatoes. Ok, so using the crock pot pretty much eliminates that. I still take credit.

The kids are doing ok in school, youngest is now playing two instruments, heaven help me. Somehow she decided along with violin, she needed to play the clarinet. The oldest is still in Chorus, with an upcoming holiday concert.

The dogs are as bad as the kids. fighting over toys and parental attention.

hubby, as I posted earlier has finally made E6. It should be official next month. About time, considering he went to BNCOC (the school for E6) a year ago, and has already served his squad leader time as well. Too bad he can’t get backpay for that:P

I’m doing ok too. I guess I haven’t updated since my ultrasound, but I finally got the results. My gallbladder is fine, no stones, nothing. The final diagnosis was Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I think I’d prefer gallstones, but I think I finally have it under control. Activia yogurt is a wonderful thing.

Well, that wasn’t real exciting now was it? Guess I need to work on that.

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