This week

I have a lot to do this week, in preparation for "the man's" return.  We are so excited and we have an official meeting tomorrow at 1830 to get the flight times.  Eric already told me what they've been told (I was lucky enough to catch him online on yahoo yesterday) but it will be nice to have it confirmed.  Of course these are estimated times and they often change throughout the week.  But I am looking forward to a good weekend.  I probably won't post much this week, I'll be too busy cleaning and "preparing".  I am going ot post a list of all I have to do this week and cross it off as we go.  Hopefully this will make the week go by faster and my list get shorter, quicker.  So, away we go:

~Kitchen

 dishes

 floors

 counters/appliances

 table

~Living room

  vacuum

 pick up toys

 sofa, vacuum out & wash covers

 clean tv area

~Entryway & Hallway

 shoes away

 de-clutter

~Office Areas

 de-clutter

 file bills away

 trash

 wipe down surfaces

~Laundry Room

~Downstairs Bathroom

 mirrors

 counter/sink

 toilet

 trash

 floor

~Playroom

 toys away (rye)

 de-clutter

 vacuum (rye wants to do this)

~Girls Room

 vacuum

 sheets

 de-clutter

 trash

~Bedroom

 de-clutter

 vacuum

 sheets

 laundry away

~Upstairs Bathroom

 mirrors

 counter/sink

 de-clutter

 toilet

 tub

 floors

 trash

~Finish Banner

~Rye Dentist

~Hang up Banner

~Rye Teacher Conference

~Monday meeting for flight times

~Jo's Costume

~Buy Eric's "stuff"

~Wax Appt?

Saints Alive, that is one long list.  I'll get thru it as well as I can.  Don't want to stress out too much and be a mess when he gets home.  I can't wait.  Yay!!

update: finished the sign, almost. it's gotta dry before i can touch up the boots with a sharpie. what do you think?

More Joey

I can't get enough of how cute this little girl is. I just had to share. I'd have more pics of Rye but she's never in the house. Always outside playing.



In other news...could this be a new tattoo design? Maybe for Mother's Day? Rye drew it for me, isn't it GREAT?!

Craft & Share

So, I've started getting back into knitting and started up crocheting. It's been coming back to me. Here are a few things I've been working on.
These are hats I made for the girls I originally was only making one for Jo because I didn't know how it would go so I just bought one for Rye. But she loved Jo's so much, I made her one too.

This is a Drop Knit Scarf I started.  It's slow going, not as mindless a task as some of the other stuff is.  I really love the yarn it's made of it.  Let me know if you want it when I'm done.  No promises on perfection though. ;)  Sorry the pic is a little blurry.
I bought a Wonder Woman t-shirt to wear for Trick or Treating with the girls.  I thought it would be fun to crochet come WW Cuffs out of silver string.  Mine won't deflect bullets like hers will but they'll work.  And Rye will love playing with them when I'm done.
On another note.  Jo is completely day potty trained.  She basically did this all by herself folks!  There were actually days when I said, "Please just go in your diaper, I'm in the middle of something."  But, no dice!  It's been 3 or 4 days with no wetness in her pull-ups all through the day, not even at nap time.  She even asks to go potty when we're out.  She still wears a diaper to bed, but I have noticed she it's getting less full in the morning.  My baby is getting big.  

The Deep Clean

It's that time.  It's getting closer to Eric's return and it's time for the house to get a thorough cleaning and de-cluttering.  I'm thinking of assigning zones to days and just going top to bottom.  When I'm done with the days zone, I can either start something else or consider myself done for the day and work on some other projects I have going.  Once I've done an area I'll try and keep it maintained and then give the house a good going over the day of or before he gets back.

I've decided to start with the down stairs...

Zone 1: Kitchen

Zone 2:  DS Bathroom , Entryway & Laundry Room

Zone 3: Office Areas

Zone 4: Playroom

Zone 5: Living Room

I may combine zones 2 and 3.  So, I'll start that tomorrow along with getting back into my exercise routine.  I'll update my progress on here, not that any of you really care about about my progress, it's more for me.

I'm About to Blow Your Mind

September 2008

September 2009

Is that not the craziest change EVER! I can't believe how much she has changed in just a year.

Picture Pages

Just a few pictures to share.
Rye with the necklace & bracelet she made with Shrinky Dinks.
Rye with the hat we bought off Etsy.com for her.  Covers her ears and everything.  She loves it.  And purple looks so good on her.
These are two dishcloths I crocheted. I'm learning.
Jo going on the big girl potty.  We're working on it.  On her insistence.  She's doing great.

Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power.

For Layla Joyce

Layla, I don't know if you remember giving Joey this doll for her birthday last year but THANK YOU! This little thing is one of Jo's best friends. She cares for her like her own baby and loves to share her nap time with either her or her favorite bear, Bayo. This little doll has been dubbed Penny and she is loved very dearly. Thank you again.

I just though I'd share this last picture because Jo took it. She loves carrying around my camera and snapping pictures. I had to help her actually get someone in the pictures but I have lots of pictures of legs carpets and the TV. Haha.

Jo's World

Jo's world is a simple world. One of laughter and pretend. Sometimes I just look at her in her crazy glasses or in the midst of being a mommy and I just smile. And I realize how much I miss being a kid. Finding fun in the simplest things. Entertaining yourself for endless amounts of time...with nothing but imagination. Here are some pictures of her enjoying herself over the last few days.
Here she is feeding her baby...
Jo loves her sunglasses.  Here she is wearing them with a WAY cute dress my Mom made for her.  Thanks Mom!
Just being cute!
Chilling with Rye's Hannah Bear and her shades, watching Yo Gabba Gabba most likely.
Today Joey took a nap in Rye's big girl bed.  When we were in WA she would nap on the air mattress.  She did really well in the bed.  Didn't fall out or anything.  I had to take pictures of her, of course.  Not sure if we'll move her to one yet.  We'll just stick with nap time for now.

Jo's Birthday/Halloween

Sooo, change of plans for Halloween. I have decided against the witch costume. Jo doesn't like it. It's scratchy and it's too warm here for a tee layered underneath. I found the costume below online and I think I can recreate it for my little chica. It won't be exactly the same, but I'm hoping it will come out okay.  She is WAY into Yo Gabba Gabba right now. We probably watch that and Blue's Clues 20 times a day. Always before bedtimes. I got the leggings and a shirt I think will work. I need to paint on the stripes. I also need to find a belt. I have the hat and glasses figured out. They actually sell a set online as a toy. I know she won't get what I'm dressing her up as, but I think when she sees the pictures she'll love it.
We are definitely doing a YGG theme for her birthday. My friend Maciana makes cakes and she's going to recreate the one before for the party. Only DJ Lance's head with be cake. We won't have that many people here. One of Jo's gifts will be a figurine set of the YGG characters, those will be used around the bottom of the cake. I can't wait. We'll hold the party the day after Eric gets home. Timing wise I think that's best. He can just laze on the couch while I take care of everything. I'm excited to plan it and see it come to fruition. I'll keep you all posted.

Rye and I are still talking over what she wants to be. There is this leopard print dress type thing with boa feathers all over it. I'll post a picture below.

I'm not feeling it. We're going to have to discuss it...A LOT!

Picturas

Okaaaay! Here are some recent pictures. I have not been great with the camera. Apologies! Away we go...
My latest tattoo, what?!
The girls talking with Daddy
Can you see him on there?  Hehe.
Jo when her costume started itching her.  Must fix that.
Most likely she'll be this witch, unless I can pull of this other costume that would be killer.
Jo likes to get up here and point out her Daddy.  Sweet, no?
The girls hanging out Saturday morning.  Jo watching Rye play the DS.  She likes to yell at Rye's dogs on the NintenDogs.  Rye being goofy.
Jo having to do what Rye does.  
I have about 10 pictures of Jo with her "eyes closed."  She's really just watching the TV.
Jo rocking the ponytail!  Love it!

That's about it for now. Not much new going on here. Just counting down the days until Eric comes home. There still seems like there's way too many. We're getting there though. ;)

More updates

We have a date for Eric's arrival.  We're very excited.  I'm deciding what to do about Jo's birthday.  Maybe post pone it until that weekend.  I'm thinking a Yo Gabba Gabba theme.  (I don't mean to bite off you JenJen)

He has also decided to put in for orders to Bridgeport, CA.  Apparently they need instructors.  So we'll be up in the mountains with our friends Buck & Layla  (sorry to follow you everywhere guys).  We'll be there waiting on word about the package he'll be putting in when he gets home.  We'll be out inthe middle of no where, from what I hear...but on a good not.  We'd only be 9 hours driving from my little sister and only 14 or so from home.  Yay!  He's put in for around an August 2010 date.  So we'll see when his orders come back.  It's not final yet, but I'll let you know when it is.

I have some pictures to share.  I'll have to do that in a few minutes.  Have to get some stuff started for dinner.  Then I'll come back and do that.

Updates

Not much going on here.  Just wanted to let you all know.  I'm having a pampered chef party next weekend.  I haven't done one in I don't know how long.  I'm excited for it.  I'm not sure how many people will show up but I'm excited to try the recipe we're having.  Hehe.  You know me, I'm all about the food.

The girls are well.  Rye has school pictures on Friday.  She's very excited and so am I.  She has the best smile.  I'll post pictures of her outfit that day when we get there.  Jo and I went to our first MoPS meeting today.  It was really nice.  I think it's going to be a fun year.  We had a little excitement at the end when one of the toddler's pulled the fire alarm.  Good times!

The big news here is that I'm relatively sure we have a set time for Eric's arrival.  Hopefully he'll be coming home on Joey's birthday or the next day.  Either day would be fine with me.  We have a return & reunion brief on the 15th and should be given the exact days then.  I will add a countdown when I get the day.  I'm hoping we get lucky like we did the last time he came home and not have the dates and time changed a bunch of time, like I know they often do.  Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Chicas!

Man, getting the girls to take a picture can be tough. With the Singer Squint, getting Jo to look at the camera and getting a smile from her that doesn't look like she's saying Cheese it's a battle. I wanted to take a pic of the girls in their new outfits though. They both look so cute today.


They're crazy cute, right?!

Painful.

I know I haven't been on here much.  My camera battery is dead and I have been lazy about charging it.  I will get to it.  Friday is school picture day for Rye.  I'm going to Target tomorrow to get her at least a new shirt for it.  I'll take some pics that day before school.  She's very excited.  I told her I'd put a little of my copper eye shadow on her for the day (it's barely noticeable, but it makes her eye's pop).  It's still a little hard for me to grasp that she's in third grade.  My little Ryelie.

Jo is doing well.  She starting to string words together.  "Please up," "please milk," and she actually said, "I sorry Rye" after she kicked Rye in the head tonight (I'm not really sure if it was on purpose or accident).  She's getting a bit of an attitude.  It's been really tough keeping my patience with her.  But we're working on it together.

Not sure if you noticed above but I totally tanked on my Mt. Dew feat.  Starting over!  Boo!  I had a bad day today.  I popped my shoulder out really bad this morning (I actually heard the bones grind together) and was feeling nauseous all day.  Every time I felt a pinch, I'd feel like ralphing.  Sorry to say it, but the Dew helped that a bit.  18 days down the drain, but it's quite a bit longer than I've gone in a long time.  I'll go even longer this time.  I'm determined.

To all who don't know, Eric will be coming home early.  I know a window of time but not the exact date.  Once I do and Eric okay's it, I'll put a countdown up for him.  He might make it home for Joey's birthday, if we're lucky, or shortly thereafter.  That gives you a bit of a hint toward the timeline.  We're so excited that he's coming home early.  He'll be putting in his MECEP (officer's) package as soon as he's able.  So keep us in your prayers on that front.  It's something he's really wanting to do and I know he'd make a great officer.

I just wanted to share some pictures of Jojo looking absurdly old for her 21 months of age. Is that how you say that? Beth, let me know. ;) She's getting so big lately. Talking so much more and picking up more mannerisms. It's totally crazy. She has now started asking if the diaper I hand her, to put in the trash, is 'pee'. Rye always asks when I hand her one, now Jo does too. Those two have been bonding more. Right now, if one of them gets in trouble or is crying, the other goes and gives hugs and makes sure the other is okay. I swatted Jo's hand at the table yesterday after she spit on the table and immediately her eyes welled and she turned to Rye and said, "Wy-dee", wanting comfort from her big sister. It's very sweet but also can be frustrating when y ou feel like you're the bad guy. Anyway. Enjoy the pics. I'll put more up later.

Adventures in Babysitting

I am babysitting a 4 month old during the day for the next couple of weeks.  Helping out some friends.  I think this is a good thing.  It's going to help me make that big decision.  Do we want another baby?  I am still back and forth over this dilemma.  I think watching Paige will help me figure it out.  Though watching someone else's baby with the energy that comes from working out and watching your own while you're sleep deprived and drained are pretty different.  Hmm...I hadn't thought about that until just now.

In any case, I have to get up at 530, so I'm awake enough to meet Paige and her Dad at the door at 545.  I think this is good.  Hopefully, even after I'm done, I can keep up the getting up early and do my work outs and shower before the girls even get up.  That way I have the morning to clean instead of work out.  It's all about the routine.

So, I should go.  Watch the kiddos and so forth.

My Hottie

Just wanted to share these two pictures of Eric over in Afghanistan. I love that man's smile. I miss it so much. I can't wait for him to get home to us.
C. Mena & Eric

McVay, Eric & Mena

Smokin' Hot Blog

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