The January Project

It is funny how there are times in your life when a cliche really is an appropriate method to describe a feeling. This past May I was filled with sadness, hurt and even a little bit of despair. I had to question everything I thought I knew, learned that people I thought I could count on I really couldn't once there was nothing left for them to gain from me. Forced to realize that more often than not the word "friendship" held no value to people I would have laid down my life for. That period of my life was a dark, dark space that I wasn't sure I would ever be able to crawl out of.



During that period someone reminded me that God never closes a door without opening a window. At the time of that little reminder I wasn't so ready to really believe that. In fact, I am pretty sure I might have even said a few bad words to the person that gave me that gentle reminder if I am not mistaken. But it is true. So. True.



Out of all of the evil and darkness, a transformation began to take place. My relationship with McGyver was strengthened. When I couldn't pick my head up off of my pillow, he was there. When I couldn't string two coherent sentences together without bursting into tears he was there. When I was hurt by the silence and distance of others my husband was there. Through it all he reminded me of who I was. He forced me to look ahead. He challenged me to grow. Through that whole process I fell in love with my man all over again. The relationship we have because of what we endured is worth the pain we had to go through to get where we are now. That gift alone is priceless. But the Lord was not done with just giving us the gift of a renewed relationship and belief in each other.



He had additional plans for us. We started our new company in July. Still wobbly and shaken, I was forced to put myself out there to push for our vision to create a company that valued its employees, brought jobs to our local economy and allowed me the opportunity to truly be present in Dreamsicle's life. We were blessed with a tiny little account to whom I will forever be grateful. When they agreed to sign with us our company started. Soon after that we were blessed with a much larger client. We were able to hire employees, lease office space, really start working towards fulfilling our dreams. From July until now we have seen steady growth-now on the cusp of 2009 we are growing again.



Today at 2:00 we acquired another company. A company that is quadruple the size of what we were this morning. A company that has incredible employees, shares a vision much like our own and gives us the ability to bring more jobs to our local area, allowing us to employ more people who so desperately need work. The opportunity presented itself a little over a month ago so we have been working day and night to make this happen. The odds were against us, the timeline so tight that we know that the Lord cleared the way in order for us to make this happen.



We have been blessed. And because of His blessings we hope to be able to bless others-with a job close to home, a good wage and a great place to work.



So the next time someone tells you the old "the Lord doesn't close a door without opening a window" cliche, be still and wait to feel the wind from the open window.

I used to laugh at my Grandma

My mom came from a large family. Growing up we would visit my Grandma's house and she would always have something yummy she could pull out of the freezer to warm up for us to eat. I cannot remember the number of times she would tell us that she had trouble learning how to cook for just her and my Grandpa after the kids grew up. I would always giggle to myself wondering just how hard could it be to reduce your serving sizes.

Grandma is now up in Heaven but I owe her an apology. Apparently I have more of her in me than I even realized. This is what I prepared for our Christmas dinner last night:

Appetizers
Cold Shrimp
Water Chestnuts wrapped in bacon
Beef Roll Ups

Main Course
Potato/Squash Soup
Prime Rib
Rice Pilaf
Garlic Bread

Dessert
Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

Guess who I made all of that for...McGyver, me, X*Boy and Dreamsicle.

We will be eating leftovers for a very, very long time.

The absence of Chester and U*Haul was felt by everyone. Little Pea and Pixie were home for the opening of gifts in the morning but then headed out on the road for more celebrating with her family so it was a quiet afternoon.

The morning on the other hand was a flurry of happiness and toddler giggles as Dreamsicle opened her gifts. She totally got the whole go to bed on Christmas Eve wake up to gifts from Santa on Christmas morning. So much so that when she went to bed last night she asked if Santa was going to come again. Heh, smart kid.

Mmmmmm

How did the McGyver family spend this weekend? Watching the snow accumulate on the deck (yep, just inches to go before it is higher than the deck railing, better get X*boy busy shoveling) and making our annual Gingerbread House! Each candy was lovingly test-tasted by Dreamsicle before being allowed to be added to the house. After that we moved on to making 4 different types of Christmas cookies. Many tastes of icing and sprinkles later, the day had turned into night and the joy of trying to get Dreamsicle calmed down from all of the sugar enough to go to bed began. We had a great day and I am still so thankful that we are able to be the parents to this little girl.

Happy!

We are in the middle of a terrible snowstorm, and yet I am filled with happiness today. Chester was able to call this morning (3:45 am) to be exact. He is doing well and our first 5 packages have finally caught up with him. He said that it was kind of fun opening up a package that had Halloween candy and decorations in it right now, who knows when he will finally receive his Christmas packages but he is taking it all in stride.

I am counting down the days until U*Haul comes home-he won't be home for Christmas but will be here shortly thereafter.

Dreamsicle is experiencing another language explosion. That girl has a HUGE vocabulary but now she is stringing together really long sentences. And talks non-stop. McGyver and I laugh so hard sometimes. She wakes up talking and goes to bed talking. We are so in awe of her.

X*Boy is working mad hours snowplowing so he doesn't have much time to himself right now but he is smiling as he is taking his checks to the bank!

The January Project is gearing up to launch

Life is good!

Why?

Why are all of the mirrors in my house so far away that I cannot tell that my eyebrows are in serious need of waxing until I look in the mirror at the office and scare myself thinking I have caterpillars crossing my brows?

Why did I have to slip and fall in the parking lot of the local supermarket this morning due to ice while I was wearing a dress? And the snow plow dude was just finishing up plowing, thus being treated to a show.

Why did my purse get caught on the door handle while trying to exit a swanky restaurant last week, thus pulling me backwards allowing for a not so graceful exit from said establishment?

Why do I not have heated seats in my car since I live in the Frozen Tundra?

Why did I just receive notice that the suh-weet dress I ordered for New Years Eve online is on back order and scheduled to ship on January 5?

I have no idea...

Holy Cow-It's Almost Christmas

I just looked at the date. I mean really, really looked at the date. People! Christmas is next week! When did that happen? I am all of a sudden having hot -flashy, sweaty non-perimenopausal related anxiety attacks! I am not ready. I thought I was ready. I swear I did. But then Dreamsicle informed us that she KNOWS what Santa is bringing her. Guess what~ the only thing that Santa is bringing her (currently) that she listed is books. Must rush to find puzzles, candy, and a BIG PINK BEAR. In less than a week. Watch out for the crazy woman at the mall this weekend. You have been warned.

A Big Day In A Little Girl's Life

Last Friday Dreamsicle had her first "real" haircut. We started the morning off with a Mommy and Me playdate at the local Gardens. The building was filled with Christmas Trees From Around The World. Each tree decorated with the theme for a different country. As you can see, Dreamsicle started her morning with a picture in the sleigh at the entrance to the building, notice her long, straggly hair? After spending the morning with the other girls I realized we had a hair emergency on our hands and stopped at a children's salon to get her a real big girl hair cut. She was a little shy, but sat there like a trooper. Her bangs are a little short, not the stylist's fault though. Dreamsicle was so caught up with where the stylist was going with those dang scissors near her eyes that she kept looking up to keep a close eye on the sharp pointy things. This caused her eyebrows to be raised during the haircut, thus making the stylist cut them shorter than "just above her brows". After the outing and the haircut we ended our day with a stop at a restaurant for a "treat"! The picture of Dreamsicle with her friends K and M is a picture of three little girls who all came home from China at the same time. K is from Dreamsicle's same orphanage (the little girl in all red)

Dreamsicle

Dreamsicle is slowly beginning to feel better. She doesn't get sick often and has only had the need for an antibiotic one other time in her life. I think this is perhaps why she keeps insisting that she is still sick and needs medicine. All. of. the. time.

She will follow McGyver and I around the house and say in her most pathetic little voice "Mama (or Daddy) Dreamsicle still sick. Need more medicine." Insert 4-5 fake coughs, puppy dog eyes looking up at us and then saying Pweeeeeaaaassseee.

Hmmm, may have to watch this one as she gets older. She is liking her drugs a little too much.

Snow!

Wow! The snow is coming down so hard that we are going to close the office. He! How fun is that? Seriously, this type of snowfall reminds me of when we were kids. It just keeps coming. As much as I question why I live in the Frozen Tundra most of the winter, when the snow is coming down this hard and everything looks so pristine I am actually glad that I live here. It is beyond awesome that I no longer have to worry about driving an hour to and from work in this type of weather.

Dreamsicle has been a very sick little girl these past three days so I am looking forward to having McGyver build us a crackling fire in the fireplace, opening a bottle of wine later this afternoon and just relaxing in the warmth of my home while I drown my daughter in cuddles and snoodles.

I think I feel the need to engage in some serious baking this afternoon. Nothing like filling the house with good smells today too!

The January Project

First I want to give a shout out to my home girl S-I know that you and YW are going through a difficult time right now. I cannot imagine the emotions that you both are dealing with right now. Please know that I am a phone call away (okay a phone call away unless I am driving and my cell phone drops the call like last time we spoke-sorry about that). I have never walked in the shoes you are currently being forced to wear but I can certainly listen. Prayers for you both. Every night.

Speaking of prayers-thanks for your prayers regarding the January Project! I would ask that you continue to keep sending them up on our behalf but it looks like things are back on track. I simply cannot wait to be able to fill you all in.

I just realized that this whole post is all cryptic and vague-sorry about that. The first piece will just stay that way unless you know who my home girl S is, the second one will be revealed in three weeks! Woot!

Reading

One of the things that I love to do is read to Dreamsicle. We have never had the typical read a book at bedtime routine though. We read all of the time except bedtime. Dreamsicle's books started out neatly placed on her bookshelf in her room. During the course of the day the books would seem to migrate on their own out to the living room, thus causing 10 minutes of the "clean up" song each night as we picked the books up and took them back into her room to be placed back on the bookshelf. After a year of doing that (yes, I am a slow learner) I finally decided that since we never read in her room, I needed to change the location of where the books were kept. They are now living in two rubbermaid containers in my living room. When I look at her collection of books, I am pretty proud of the variety that she has accumulated. She is graduating from simple board books to actual paper page books. We talk alot about how we love our books so we must always treat them gently. She gets it-she may throw around a kitty purse or two but never does she mishandle one of her books. It makes me so happy to hear her "read" to me or to her babies, she is doing very well.
Thus the reason for this post (see there really was a reason)-I have most of Dreamsicle's Christmas shopping done-still need to get the stocking stuffers and the Christmas Eve pajama's but other than that she is done. When I looked at the items I purchased for her, I spent just as much money on books for her as I did on toys. I am very pleased with myself over that.
So Christmas morning will be filled with ooh's and aah's as she opens up her laptop and digital camera but the time that I am anticipating the most is when she opens her books. That is the time when my teeny tiny big girl will curl up into my lap, snuggle in close and listen intently as her mama takes her to a land where her imagination will soar as I read to her.

Another Birthday

Today is Chester's 22nd birthday. He is somewhere deep in the sandbox today, I'm hoping that he hears my rendition of happy birthday playing somewhere in his head since I have sung it in my head to him about a million times. I am happy that even though it will be late, he will receive a birthday cake-a little slice of home. I have been staring at a photo of him all day today from when he was a wee lad. His face is covered in chocolate cake, brown eyes shining bright-my wish is that the joy he felt on that birthday oh so long ago is the same joy that he feels in his heart today.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy.

And happy birthday to my angel baby. May your grandpa C and grandma M be holding you close today in Heaven.

-project U*Haul cake was successful-his triple chocolate layer cake arrived in VA two days after his birthday but still in time to be enjoyed-

Random pics

Dreamsicle thinks she needs "glasses" so she borrows McGyver's sunglasses to read, helping fold laundry and trying to get the "money shot" for our Christmas cards

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is much to be thankful for this year in the McGyver home. I survived leaving the "Arrogant's Office" and am busily building a new and exciting company. I am married to a pretty incredible guy. Dreamsicle is flourishing-no longer a baby, well on her way to little girl. X*Boy remains close to home and is the love of Dreamsicle's life. Chester was able to call this morning-allowing us the luxury of speaking to him for the first time since his feet hit the sand. He is busy and safe and that is all that really matters. Pixie and U*Haul have given us a great joy in our grand son Lil Pea. I love my family so much and I am so blessed to have them all healthy and intact.

While speaking to Chester he shared with me that their mail has not caught up with them yet. He will have boxes upon boxes of goodies to open when the mail finally does arrive. The image of the look on his face on that day makes me smile. I know exactly the grin that he will be wearing, the way one eyebrow will lift up and try as he might to not squeal a little, I am sure a little giggle will escape. Let's hope the mail doesn't take to much longer to get there though, other wise the birthday cake I had shipped over to him is probably going to be green instead of chocolate.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone-may you be surrounded by those that you love.

Why Have I Been Awake For The Past Two Hours?

It is now 4:30 am and I have been awake for two hours. I have no idea why. Must have too much stuff going on in my head.

Today is a big day!!

My baby boy turns 21 today. U*Haul was born on Thanksgiving 21 years ago today. This is the first time we will not celebrate that momentous occasion together. I wanted to send him a birthday cake but he swore that he doesn't have an address. Wellll, this mama got a little creative and if all goes well my beautiful brown eyed boy will be receiving a sweet treat today despite him being a nomad with no real address. I decided that if I could get a cake delivered to Chester who is living out of his tank in the middle of the sandbox I could certainly find a way to get one delivered to my son who is simply living in VA.

Why do attorneys have to always be so attorney-ish? It looks like our next big thing which we had lovingly started calling the January project is falling apart because of legal mumbo-jumbo that is simply not acceptable to us. Blech.Please pray hard that we are able to work through all of this.

For the past week Dreamsicle has been waking up at 3:30 and coming up into our room where I promptly get up and take her back down to her own bed, repeat the same thing at 4;30 and again at 5:30. This morning when she appeared at my bedside at 3:30 I kissed her goodnight as I lovingly lay her back down in her bed and she called out to me as I was leaving her room-"mama, your breath stinks-ewww". Nice kid.

She has some new sayings that I think she must have picked up from preschool. Whenever I ask her to do something that she does not want to do she looks me in the eye and says "that is just terrible mama". Or the other one that is bound to become a classic here-"not now mama, I'm working".(Okay, that last one probably didn't come from pre-school)

I Am So Uncool

I thought I would try to "get with the times" and sign up for My*space and Face*book. I hear so many people talk about how they get all into it and catch up with people they haven't seen in forever. It sounds like fun. There is only one problem. I have no idea what I am doing. When that little side bar comes up on my Face*book screen that shows people I *might* be interested in becoming friends with I get all sweaty. What if I ask someone to *be my friend* (gosh does that bring back feelings of uncomfortableness from school) and they decline? What does that say about me? I get a message on my email that alerts me to the fact that someone has written on my "wall" and my head is suddenly filled with Pink Floyd and I get all excited. Wow! Someone is actually communicating with me! Yippee! (Cue Sally Fields-they like me, they really, really like me). Then there is my My*space account where I have 5 friends. 4 of those friends are my family. Hmmm, I happened upon some screen the other day and saw that Chester and U*Haul were actually having a conversation about me from 5 months ago that I had no idea they had-why? because I had no idea that screen was even there! On my own My*space account! And let's not even talk about T*witter. I have no idea what that is but think I should stay far, far away.

I Miss Chester

Dreamsicle and I spent the weekend getting Chester's Christmas boxes put together and ready to ship. Do you have any idea how hard it is to come up with gifts to send to a boy who is living in a tank? He is getting new underwear and socks, a few DVD's, a PSP game, Yahtzee, various balls (football, soccer ball, baseball) and some new books. I purchased four stockings (one for each guy on the tank) and filled them all with little goodies and trinkets as well. I'm not sure how his Tank Commander (TC) is going to feel receiving a stocking since he is Jewish but Chester assured me before he left that they had already discussed it and his TC was cool with it. If anyone reading this blog is Jewish, I would LOVE some ideas on what to send! I also sent a small tree with lights and Dreamsicle and I made salt dough ornaments that we painted and added to the tree this weekend. Chester said they were planning on attaching the tree to one side of the tank and his TC was going to attach a Menorah to the other side, can't wait to see pictures of that!
Getting all of this together made it hit home that my son will celebrate the day of his Saviour's birth half a world away. In a country that doesn't believe. Our boys have chosen career paths that take them far away, put them into dangerous situations and keep them away from those that they love for months at a time all to serve this great Nation. Christmas is going to be rough this year.

Dream-isms

When Lil Pea is crying, Dreamsicle runs to get his "firepass" (pacifier)

When she see a bunny rabbit she will quickly exclaim "Look! a rabbit-bun"

When she is happy she will demand that McGyver and I look at her because she is "shmiling"

She thinks we made up Cwismas (Christmas) just for her. _________(insert her real name here) Cwismas-thank you mama! thank you daddy for ___________(insert her real name here) Cwismas.

Imagine my surprise when she told me yesterday while we were eating dinner-"Mama, Junior in Heaben cuz all dogs go to Heaben."

Just How Big Is 80 Acres?

That is a question I have been pondering since Saturday. I went hunting with McGyver on Saturday. This is the second year that I have joined him in the deer blind. This year he bought me my own gun. Silly, silly man. I practiced shooting it for months before opening day. I got a buck, he didn't. And as I was watching my big burly husband drag the deer out of the woods silently praying that he didn't have a heart attack because man that is alot of work ~ I stepped in deer poop. Yep, a whole 80 acres worth of land and I manage to step in the 6 inch square that contained deer poop. That probably doesn't even suprise you does it?

My eyeballs are all itchy

Why is it that when you cry your eyeballs get itchy? Seriously. I can't do a thing with them.

Yesterday we lost our faithful, pain in the butt, ADD filled 150 pounds of nothing but "I've got to be with my family" at all costs including nudging my big old head into everyone's lap and drinking out of the toilet because I can dog. Junior stopped eating a week ago. We thought he was trying to wait us out since we had just switched dog foods. But by the end of the weekend we knew there was something bigger than an attitude going on with him. McGyver took him into the vet yesterday where they ran tests, tests and more tests. And by the time I got there, he was nearing the end. So my big old clumsy dog passed away with his head in my lap and my tears falling on his face. He had cancer. A big old obstructive tumor. Man I hate that. We spent the evening trying to explain to a 3 year old that Junior wasn't going to be coming back. She is sad, we are sad. And the silence fills each room that he is not in.

The Soft Side

Dreamsicle and I attended a Mommy and Me playgroup on Friday. There were 11 other little girls that are now with their forever families present. 12 girls total. Some older, some younger. Guess whose daughter is the most timid?

As a seasoned mother of three boys, I am used to my children just jumping into new situations and going for it. With Chester and U*Haul, no matter who they were with, or how long they had known the other kids, they would make friends and soon have everyone following their lead. Fear? Ha! They had none.

Not with our girl. She still hangs back, either wanting me to hold her or not venturing too far away. She broke into tears a few times when she dared leave my side only to be ignored by the other little girls that she wanted to play with. I know that some of this is the age. Side by side play is common, little scuffles are to be expected. But my heart broke for her.

When we visited her preschool for their open house, one of the things I noticed was that she was always wanting to be near her teachers and parapro's. Although she could tell me the names of some of the other kids in her class, she was really more into being near the adults. Remember our decision to pull her out of dance/gymnastics? Same thing.

It is times like this when I wonder what she went through the first 11 months of her life. She feels "safe" with adults but not with other children. Did she learn that fighting for what she wanted never gave her the results she needed so it was easier to just back off and wait for the left overs? It frightens me to think of her being so timid as she gets older. Let's face it, girls can be brutal to each other.

I really need a way to help her begin feeling more comfortable with her peers, either that or I am hiring a bodyguard to protect her.

The Crazy Things In Life

So, it has been a long time since I have posted anything about my day to day bumblings but here goes.

I had a meeting with a potential client. Nice Dress? Check. Shaved Legs? Check. Nice high heel shoes? Check-oops wait a minute-high heel shoe would be more accurate. Snapped one of my stilletos before I made it to the clients office (actually while I was driving, I know, I know, don't ask). Emergency pitstop at a shoe store in strange city? Check.

While visiting the ladies room in our new office building, listened to the person in the next stall carry on an entire conversation while "doing her business". I could tell by the words she was using she was actually speaking to one of her clients. I almost felt guilty flushing.

Before visiting with another potential client I thought it would be smart to order a wrapped style sandwich. Thinking it would be safe because it just had veggies on it, still thought that right up to the point where I took a bite and half of the wrap fell onto my shirt. My beautiful turquoise blue shirt, have you guessed what was in there yet? Dijon mustard. How did I miss that bit of information when looking on the menu?

Random Pics

Chester's pre-birthday celebration when he was home on leave. Yep, those really are Pow*er Rang*ers on that cake.

What? You don't drink your Bloody Mary's with a fish? This was the first drink after my first 5K, at that moment, I would have drank the Bloody Mary OUT of the fish to help ease the throbbing in my legs.

Dreamsicle's first day of school

What's New?

Happy Veterans Day! This is one of those days that gets me all teary eyed. My father, my father in law, my husband and now my children all having served or are currently serving makes this a special day in the McGyver house. Please keep my military men in your prayers. Both are going through rough patches right now so I would certainly appreciate you all lifting them up.

In other McGyver family news:

The office is coming along. I am bidding for business every week so that is a good sign.
Dreamsicle loves to come into the "oppice" and work.

We had her preschool open house last night. It was fun to meet the other parents and see her interact with her teachers. My girl lurvs her teachers. We all had to meet in the gym at a specified time to do a rousing rendition of the "hokey pokey" which I have not done since I was a little girl on roller skates back in the day. Dreamsicle thought it was hilarious to see her mama "shake it all about". We are really trying to work with her and the pronounciation of words. Milk is still "Nilk". Love is still "wuv". Cereal is still "c-we-all" you get the picture. Although a part of me will miss her little sayings, she is a "beeg gool now" (big girl now) and we really need to help her along.

The big thing that cannot be talked about yet is coming along but would like to ask that you continue to cover us in prayer.

I Voted!

Did you?

I got to our local polling place and the parking lot was jammed. At 6:50 am this morning. Lots of people, everyone was in good spirits and the lines moved quickly. It's funny when you live in a small town and there is only one place to vote. You see people that you rarely see, strike up conversations that you normally wouldn't have. That is the part of small town life that I love. The ability to keep it real even on a day filled with emotions such as today. We all found it amusing that Star*bucks and Kri*spy Creme are giving away free goodies for anyone that voted. I commend them for that, too bad we would have to drive an hour to enjoy their goodies. (One of the drawbacks of living in a small town)

In other news...

I have BIG news that I can't spill the beans on yet but wanted to mention it here just so that you could all cover us in prayer. The Lord knows what we're up to, I'd appreciate you all throwing our names up to Him if you are so inclined.

**No, we are not adopting again. Even though I would again in a minute, I don't think Mr McGyver's heart is being moved in that direction**

Fun Halloween Pics and Pic of the Fam Along With The Biggest Balloon Bouquet I Have Ever Seen!

From Left Back-U*Haul, X*Boy, Chester

From Left Front-Pixie, Dreamsicle, Mr & Mrs McGyver and Siren

Things I Love

Wow, I am back to being a blogging machine!

As I am sitting at my desk with the sun shining in on me, I thought it would be a great time to list the things that are making me happy.

1. The sun shining so brightly, especially since today is Halloween.

2. The look of our new office. We really have created a warm, inviting space for people to work in. No sterile grey or white can be found in our little office environment!

3. The positive attitude that permeats this office right now. I LOVE THAT!

4. My Lil Pea.

5. Having U*Haul home and being able to love on him.

6. Dreamsicle. Even on her most stubborn 3 year old day can still make me smile.

7. Mr. McGyver. For all of the reasons listed in my Happy Anniversary Post

8. My extended family. Really. I am so blessed to have an extended family that truly cares about what is happening with me and my fam.

9. Mr. McCrabby whom I love dearly (my father in law). You don't get more salt of the earth than him and we have such a strong connection to each other without actually gushing words of love to each other. We both just know.

10. That the election ads will soon be over. Yeah!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What? It's not Thanksgiving at your house? Well it is at ours! U*Haul leaves to go back to being a bubble head on Saturday so we are celebrating Thanksgiving and his birthday today. I was baking like a mad woman last night to make sure that I had made everything that he had requested for today's dinner. U*Haul and Pixie will be experiencing their first attempt at the Turkey since I am working today. I thought it might be easier for Pixie to make her first bird while she is still here and I can help her if she needs it. And hello-did you read that I am working??? I can't believe how good it feels to be working again. In a real live office, with real live staff and real live clients. Happy, Happy, Happy! about working!

Lil Pea is keeping his mama and daddy busy. I cannot believe that we have been blessed so much. It is such an honor to watch that little family interact. That baby is definately going to be well loved. As hard as it is going to be to let him go when Pixie and Lil Pea are finally able to join U*Haul, I can rest well in the assurance that they will care for their babe with all that they have in them.

Dreamsicle is thriving preschool. I picked her up on Monday and her teacher came out to share something with me. She was going to read Hump*ty Dump*ty to Dreamsicle and then Dreamsicle told her she wanted to read to the teacher. The following is Dreamsicle's version of Hump*ty Dump*ty...

Humpy Dumpy Sat On Wall
Humpy Dumpy Fall
Humpy Dumpy Cwy (cry)
Humpy Dumpy's mama hug him

That's my girl.
She is going to be a pirate for Halloween. She is practicing her ARRGGH and Ahoy Mates to make sure she has the proper tone and gives the scary one eye look. If I could ever figure out how to U*Tube I would so be posting that here.

Still have not heard from Chester. My heart hurts. Must send another care package. If I can't hear his voice at least he will know we are thinking about him, and trying to fatten him up since it seems as if all I send is chocolate lately!

X*Boy and Mr McGyver are doing well so that about rounds out the family update.

My Never Ending Love

Happy Anniversary Mr McGyver!

It hardly seems possible that we have been joined in matrimony for 24 years. Where did all of that time go? You certainly have held up well-thanks for that!

Speaking of thanks, allow me to list the things I am thankful for about you...

I am thankful that the public school system of which we both attended had the foresight to place us in the same classroom in kindergarten, thus allowing for our statement of "we've known each other our whole lives" to be very true.

I am thankful that you pursued me through out high school even when I was being a twit and trying to set you up with all of my friends.

I am thankful that for as long as I have known you, you have always had a listening ear, a tender heart and big love for lil' old me.

I am thankful that you allow me to chase my dreams and sometimes make those dreams yours too.

I am thankful that when you wrap your huge arms around me I have no fear. Nothing can hurt me when my man is protecting me.

I am thankful that we made 4 beautiful babies together-three of which have turned out to be remarkable young men and that we added a 5th beautiful baby to our family who is going to be just as remarkable.

I am thankful that Dreamsicle has such a loving and fun father to look up to. When I see the way she looks at you with such love and trust it brings me to tears.

I am thankful for the very essence of who you are, my partner, my lover, my best friend.

The *Heart* Of War~Tales From The Mom Side

The first time Chester was deployed, I knew in my very soul that he would be safe. Although I worried, it wasn't gut wrenching-just normal Mom worry that must flow through every military mom's veins.

This time is different. Things that Chester couldn't (or wouldn't) say about this deployment put my Mom-dar on high alert. It is already different. I can feel it. Chester had told us that we would not hear from him as much as we did last time and I am steeling myself up to keep repeating the military family mantra*stop worrying, no news means good news*. It is hard. So. Very. Hard.

His unit has a completely different dynamic to it this time. I think the people that we met when we saw him off seemed to mesh well together but they are definately alot more "moto" than last time. I haven't finished processing what that could mean yet.

I always get teary when I hear the National Anthem or hear a group of people reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I always have. But having children in the military really brings the fact that our freedom comes with a price that much closer. I am filled with pride over the choice two of our sons have made to serve our Country but become outraged when I listen to the news.

The last thing I heard before heading off to work this morning was that there is a proposed budget cut of 25% for military spending. Are you kidding me? Do my children not deserve the very best in equipment, intelligence and support that We The People can provide? Are their lives worth anything less than that? Yep, the Mama Bear in me is coming out, don't mess with our military.

I hope those that have the ability to stop that cut remember that inside every Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine lies the heart of someone's son or daughter. The heart and soul of this country. The beating hearts and souls of this family.

Pictures of the Lil Pea

22 Hours Of Hard Labor

No, I wasn't forced to join a chain gang over the weekend, thus being sentenced to 22 hours of hard labor.

That is the amount of time it took for my new grandson to make his entrance into this world! He is amazingly beautiful-lots of dark hair, a button nose and looooong feet just like his daddy. He has a cleft chin just like his Grandpa C did and both U*Haul and Pixie are over the moon.

For family that care about this kind of stuff...he ended up being delivered by C section, he weighed in at 7lbs 10 oz and is 20 inches long. He does look like he could be part of the old cast of the Saturday Night Live show what with his conehead and all but our hearts have forever been stolen by this tiny little peanut.

I am off to the hospital now to hold my newest love and to breathe in all that is good and right with the world that comes with a new birth.

Second Verse Same As The First

We just returned home from seeing Chester off for round number 2 of playing in the sandbox. We received a call that he had arrived at his original destination safely and that he would call when he reached his final destination.

The second time of sending him off to war wasn't any easier. I am not sure why I thought it would be. In my mind I thought I was prepared. As we sat in our car on base, watching him go through the predeployment ritual, much the same as the first time I kept telling myself that my heart was ready. Then the busses pulled in. I kissed and hugged my son one final time, whispering secret words into his precious ear and watched the man who was once my boy stand tall and proud as he stepped onto that bus. Looking back once he waved. Then he was gone.

This mothers heart hurts just as much now as it did the first round. This deployment is familiar but so different. This time he misses Thanksgiving, his birthday, Christmas-every holiday that you can think of will be spent inside the metal confines of his tank.

So the wait begins. The purchasing of the never ending need for new socks and undies does to. As we wait, we pray. Please God, keep our troops safe.

When The Lights Go Out, It Sure Gets Dark

It is cold and rainy here in the Mitten State and lots of things are on my mind. Good things, not so good things, confusing things. Things. Things. Things!

First, the good things:
Good Thing #1- We have signed client #2! We are putting the finishing touches on our real live honest to goodness office that is not in my home! I feel anxious, happy and excited all at the same time about this new venture.

Good Thing #2-Our retirement fund is still doing okay.

Good Thing #3-All of my children were able to spend 48 hours together recently. Lots of pictures were taken, some will make it onto this blog at some point in time.

Not So Good Thing #1-We are all sick, sick sick here.

Not So Good Thing #2-Chester called with his deployment date. Which happens to land very close to the scheduled induction of Pixie. I very well may miss my very first grandbaby's entrance into this world.

Confusing Thing #1-Although we are bursting with anticipation about our new business, there are many people who are silently (some not so silently) hoping that we fail. I don't understand that. What kind of a mindset do you have to have to not want to cheer people on? To not want to see someone succeed? Or to be so consumed by what we are doing that it takes over your life. That is some sick, scary stuff I tell you. There have been times in my life when I may not have cared for someone but I was always willing to give them credit for chasing a dream and often times proud when they made their dreams come true. Why can't everyone just want the best for everyone else?

Confusing Thing #2-How can you think you have friendships with people for 10+ years only to find out that those friendships weren't real? I'm still trying to figure out how you can attend (or be in) weddings, be in attendance for funerals, births of babes and such and not hear one word from people that you shared so much with.

Confusing Thing #3-This election. I'm not going to post a political rant here (although I could) but I certainly don't understand why questions are not being raised.

And finally, if you haven't read this blog, go do it. http://blog.cjanerun.com

Read what this family is going through with their sister and brother in law and how the rest of the family is stepping up.

It will certainly put things in perspective.

Family Life

Pictures of Dreamsicle at the zoo, the Children's Museum and the best one of all...Don't you wish you could have this much fun? It started raining unexpectedly one day while Dreamsicle was playing in her sandbox. She had such a blast splashing through the puddles on the way into the house that I had to snap a photo when she finally decided it was time to come in and get dry. And yes, that really is a 40 pound bag of dog food. Rottweilers. eat. alot.

In other news: U*Haul is graduating at the top of his class. This mama could not be prouder. He is coming home this Friday and I'm not sure Pixie is going to sleep a wink until then she is so excited to see him.

Then next Friday Chester and his new friend whom I will refer to as "Siren" are coming in from Cali for his predeployment leave. I am so dang proud of him as well. He was just promoted so both of my military men are doing well.

X*Boy is still loving life working for us.

Now on to a PSA***I have a sitemeter turned on here so those of you that are now following my blog from The Arrogants Office need to know that I can tell who you are*** And may I just remind you that reading blogs on company time is a serious offense. I should know, I wrote that policy. :) Please run along, you will not get any dirt on any one from this here family friendly blog.

Now We Are Cooking With Gas!

We signed our first account last Friday-bring on the resumes!

Two Years Together, Forever A Family...

My dearest Dreamsicle,

Has it really been two years since you were first placed in my arms? I will never forget that day. The nervous excitement, the moment I laid eyes on you for the first time, the instantaneous love that poured out of my very soul when they placed you in my arms. All of these memories I will treasure forever.

You have come so far. The first year was a year of helping you to grow, to feel comfortable and safe. To smother you with our love and to allow you to explore your surroundings.

This past year has been incredible. You are no longer the shy, hesitant baby that was placed in our arms. You are a vibrant, joyful little girl. You melt our hearts every morning when you bounce up the stairs to our bedroom shouting "Good moining! I waked up!" and the excitement in your voice when you tell your Daddy it is time for a meal "Daddy! EEEAAAATTT Time!!" You are secure enough to let us know when you need a "schnuggo" (snuggle) and love to give kisses and hugs. The love you shower on those close to you is a gift that we all hold dear.

You are truly a gift from God and one we treasure. Thanks for loving us my darling daughter.

We love you.

Family Reunion Photos by Request by Aunt S

I always catch alot of grief for wanting to post our family reunion pics on this blog. But this year Aunt S won-since her family couldn't be with us, I'm sharing the photos. These posts won't mean anything to anyone other than our family but I hope the family enjoys them.

Family Reunion Photos by Request

Family Reunion Photos

Dreamsicle will do anything for more M&M's

Dreamsicle receives 2 M&M's every time she uses the potty. Imagine my surprise when she came running from the bathroom clapping and exclaiming "She did it!" and then asking for 2 M&M's since her baby "went potty".

In case you are wondering what is on baby's head, it is one of Dreamsicle's hair bows. She thinks her baby needs to wear a bow if she is wearing one.

Pictures of the Babe

4th of July, and her in all of her cuteness

Confessions of a small town girl

I'm ready to come clean....

1. I started to run under the guise of becoming "healthy" when really I knew that the only way I would get McGyver back up to the wine tasting tour that we attended last year that just so happens to go along with the 5K run was to train for it, then treat us to the wine tasting event afterwards as my reward.

2. Sometimes I intentionally make lots of noise outside of Dreamsicle's room at night hoping that she will wake up and want to snuggle.

3. I really enjoy cooking in my dutch oven. Using charcoal. On my driveway. All of the time.

4. I really did snort out loud during a recent "Meet The Candidates" event that McGyver was participating in (he is running for local office) after the comments someone made regarding there being no need for "the internet" in our area.

5. I did not plant flowers at Angel Baby's grave this year. Couldn't bring myself to. Felt guilty. Then didn't. Then drove by and saw that his urn was filled and another gigantic disposable urn was placed right next to the first one and was over flowing with flowers too.

6. I sometimes go downstairs to "lift weights" without McGyver and really don't feel like lifting but I know he is upstairs and can hear my every move so I pick weights up and bang them around every once in a while. I stay down there the same amount of time that it would take if I really was lifting but I actually sneak a book down with me and read while banging the weights.

7. I miss my boys so much that it can bring me to tears so I call their cell phones and leave them messages when I know they can't pick up.

8. I've eaten more cupcakes in the past two days then I have in the past two years.

9. I am secretly hoping a stray kitty finds its way to our house so that Dreamsicle can have a cat. She asks for one every. single. day.

10. I need a Las Vegas fix. Seriously. Not for the gambling but because the last time I was out there, I was completely robbed of my family time with my two sissies and mom due to the drama that started to unfold with the "Arrogants".

Almost Birthday Time!

Saturday is Dreamsicle's birthday. She understands what that means this year. When I asked her what she wants for her birthday this is how our conversation went...



Me: Dreamsicle, your birthday is coming up! What would you like for your birthday?



D: Cake! Birfday Cake! Mama-Birfday Cake with Candles! And, and, and Dreamsicle will go ** (showing me how she plans on blowing out her candles).



Me: That sounds great Dreamsicle, anything else?



D: Yeah! Mama, Dreamsicle wants cream! Green Cream! And I will go (this is where she starts licking her hand to show me how she would like an ice cream cone). Oh! Oh! Oh! 'Rella! I wants 'Rella on my cake!



Me: You want ice cream and Cinderella on your birthday cake?



D: Yeah!



Me: Anything else princess?



D: A Snake.

Crafty-Not

This past weekend we spent with family at our annual camping reunion. I am not kidding when I tell you that I have some seriously gifted kin when it comes to being super crafty. I, unfortunately, was skipped when the super crafty gene was being given out. Knowing me, I was probably hiding in a closet eating a donut at the time of the dispension of that particular gene. We had a baby shower during the festivities for Pixie and she was given some incredible hand made gifts. Even my nieces gifted her with hand made baby quilts! What did my grandson to be get from his Nana? Clothes purchased from Macy*s. Cute clothes, but none made with tender loving care by his Nana. I wonder if being careful with the scissors while cutting off the price tags counts as crafty....

Another Catch Up Post

Wow, where is the time going? I have lots to catch up on so here goes...

Fourth of July was a blast. McGyver and I decked out the golf cart with our American Flag, a Marine Corps flag and a Navy flag, added lots of stars and stripes type of decorations, added Dreamsicle in a patriotic looking dress and a big old bowl of candy and headed down for the parade. Dreamsicle and I along with a friend of mine actually participated in the parade and lots of kids were very happy with the copious amounts of candy that were thrown their way along the parade route. My apologies to the man who I beaned in the head with a pack of lifesavers, my aim was a little off. After the parade Dreamsicle participated in the children's games then we headed home. By the time we got home, McGyver (who met us at the end of the parade route) was so sick that he ended up going to bed for the rest of the weekend. Poor thing.

McGyver and I headed out of town for 3 nights last week, the first time we have ever left Dreamsicle at the same time. We attended a conference and enjoyed having a few evenings of adult time that allowed us to reconnect. Half way through the conference we got a phone call from the home front telling us that Dreamsicle was sick with the same crud that had hit McGyver. She weathered it like a trooper and was much better by the time we actually made it home.

Pixie is still doing well with her pregnancy and truthfully remains the cutest pregnant person I have ever seen in my life. We are all getting more and more anxious as the months go by to meet the newest addition to our family.

Next weekend is the annual family camping reunion. We are very excited about it as it is one of the few times we get to see our extended family each year. I've been cooking more and more using a dutch oven outside on the driveway with charcoal. If you happen to stop by Casa de la Dreamsicle, don't be worried-it's probably dinner that is sitting in the middle of the driveway.

To my friend S-YW is in my prayers, here's hoping that you hear nothing but good news today!

We Are In Biz!

Someday I may feel up to posting the circumstances that surrounded my decision to leave my job, but that would be an ugly, dark post. Right now I've had my fill of deceipt and lies so wanted to share some good news. I ask for your prayers, good thoughts and positive Karma as we embark upon this new journey...

McGyver and I are opening our own business! The same type of business that I left. Please send some good ju-ju our way as we start marketing our services-need clients STAT!

I Have No Words...

It seems as if once every 6 months or so some journalist somewhere decides that they need to spew forth venom. This man is no exception.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/seate/s_573477.html

I usually don't link to these articles, I normally feel like they don't deserve the extra coverage but this one just hit me the wrong way. Fashion accessory? I think not.

Stuff Rolling Around In My Head

We have been busy, busy, busy here at Casa de Dreamsicle. Who knew staying home with the Princess could wear me out more than a red eye flight home from one of my trips when I was a working gal! I certainly did not.

This girl is SMART. Dudes, I mean scary, scary smart. She retains everything. Even the things I don't want her to. Let me give you an example......

Operation Potty Training is in full swing. She rarely has accidents but sometimes waits until the last possible second to tell you that she has to pee. This forces me to look like a crazed woman as I grab the girl, put her into a football hold (thank God she is still tiny in stature) and run like the wind to the bathroom. Yesterday she had one of those moments where she was literally doubled over with her legs crossed when she finally decided to tell me that she needed to pee. Fine, except for the fact that I was sitting out on the deck, watching her play in her sandbox at the bottom of the deck. I knew there was no way possible I was going to be able to run down the deck, down the steps, grab her in the infamous hold, run back up the steps, run the entire length of the deck, open the door and run through the house to the bathroom in time to allow her to be successful. Having had three boys that I succesfully pottytrained, I decided to pull one out of the boy potty training manual. I ran down the deck, down the steps, whipped her pants down and told her "just this one time you can pee outside like Daddy" (shut up). She thought that was great fun and took care of business. This morning McGyver and I had some business to attend to so Aunt Genious came over to watch Dreamsicle. They were outside playing in the sandbox when Dreamsicle informed Aunt Genious that she had to go. She remembered that I allowed her to do her business outside yesterday and demanded that she be allowed to do the same thing today. Yikes-so much for raising a lady.

We have an annual family pass to the zoo. She starts yelling the moment that we enter the zoo to "turn this way mama" (pointing to the right) so that she can visit the "Gonquins (penguins) first.

She also knows the ways to turn to get home from the grocery store and the day care provider.

She loves the alphabet song. She requests that we sing it many, many times a day. We only have one small problem-she doesn't call it the alphabet song, to her she hears "elephant" so she is constantly requesting the "elephant song". She will be attending preschool two mornings a week this fall. Can't wait until she pulls that request on her teacher.

U*Haul and Pixie have found out that they are having a boy. I'm going to be a Nana to a baby boy. I can't wait to kiss on little boy feet!

Chester called late last week from the field where they are performing "live fire". He has many close friends in his platoon. One of his buddy's had some type of malfunction on his tank and his tank caught on fire. He is severely burned on his legs, arms and hands. Chester is having a hard time dealing with it (who can blame him) and it brings back to the forefront of my mind just how dangerous it is even on US soil to be in the military.

I have no pretty way to end this post.

Time to Move On

I quit my job. The job I loved. As of Tuesday May 27th, I am now a full time stay at home mom!

Going to focus on the sunshine and light that surrrounds my sweet daughter for a while. I can't wait to be able to enjoy things like zoo days and picnics, smelling flowers and mud pies.


(as an FYI-I changed the original title post since it wasn't meant for this post, sorry for the confusion)

Sailor Boy/Bubblehead

Last weekend found us in the great state of Illinois, attending the graduation ceremony for U*Haul. He finished the bootcamp portion of his Naval training and was deemed a "grad and go" which meant that we got to spend exactly 6 hours with him before he had to leave to move on to his first school. He was meritoriously promoted while in boot camp so by the time he completes all of his sub school training he will be the same rank as Chester (our Marine) if Chester doesn't kick it into high gear!

I think I stopped breathing for a minute or two when I spotted U*Haul for the first time. He looked like such a man, but still like such a little boy at the same time. I honestly think that Pixie might have actually "thrown some bows" in her effort to get out of the bleachers and into U*Haul's arms. I definately lost it when I saw them embrace as husband and wife for the first time in over 2 months. They were just too cute. U*Haul fell in love with Pixie's baby bump but I was so emotional that I forgot to take photos of him rubbing her belly.

He will be on the East Coast for the next 7 months as he finishes his training. I am hoping that he gets stationed on the West coast when his training is complete. It would certainly give this mothers heart some piece to have both of my sons on the same coast since it appears that Chester will be re-enlisting in the Marine Corps.

Speaking of Chester-he now knows his departure date for Iraq. I'm pretty bummed since he won't be going back to the same place that he was stationed his last tour. It was quite peaceful for him the last time, probably not so much this next trip. But I am confident that he will return safe and sound, after all, all of that metal he is surrounded in while in his tank has to be good for something!

I traveled with Pixie to her last OB appt. the baby's heartbeat was steady and strong at 178 beats per minute. Come on Grow Lil D! I'm thinking that my first grandbaby is going to be a girl. Cute girl name picked out already so we are good to go-just need to wait another 5 1/2 months to meet my newest pea!

Dreamsicle is really trying to exhibit some independence. She has a little stubborn streak that is emerging. She knows when she is starting to push the limits-she even asks us if it is time for her to go to time out when she has done something questionable! I am completing the preschool application right now for next year. I'm hoping she will be accepted into the two mornings a week program just to give her some more structured play time with kids. We are going to begin potty training in earnest in two weeks so wish us luck!

Nana and Grumpa

Yep, that's what you can call us from now on!

I should have known something was up when U*Haul put on the BBQ apron. (sorry, forgot to turn the picture before I loaded it). U*Haul and Pixie offered to make us dinner the night before he left for boot camp. U*Haul can make a mean hamburger so they offered to make burgers on the grill for us as his last supper so to speak.

The grill is located just outside the door of the basement, they wouldn't allow anyone to go down into the basement while they were cooking and yelled up the steps to give us a heads up that dinner would be served in 3 minutes. Pixie's mom was over having dinner with us that night, imagine my surprise when they came walking up the steps, holding a plate of burgers announcing that they were pregnant! I screamed so loud, I scared Dreamsicle. So Dreamsicle will now be an aunt and I'm going to be a Nana. We have all decided that McGyver fits the name "Grumpa" perfectly. :)

21 Years Ago Today

Our precious little boy failed to wake up from sleep. There are times when it feels like it happened just yesterday, today is one of those times.

Rest In Peace Matthew

More Photos

Dreamsicle after being crowned Princess of the day at the Magic Kingdom
With Cinderella
The scene we came back to after a day at the parks
Looking out the window of Mickey's house