Here I Am!!!

Well, I fell off the the face of the Earth for a while but I am back! It has been a whirl-wind of fun and adventure since Mark returned home. We went on our vacation to Hawaii and Salt Lake City, which was AWESOME! Our trip started out with a weekend stop in Salt Lake City to visit some close freinds of ours, Bill and Colleen. They have this amazing house in Salt Lake City and we had a fantastic time with them. They took us to this ski resort which has a tram that travels 11,000 ft up this mountain and when we got to the top we were standing in snow. It was incredible. It was like 60 degrees at the bottom and about 30 degrees at the top. After that it was off to Oahu! We had the most amazing time. Zach loved it. The most incredible thing we did was swimming with the sharks! Yes, you read that right, we swam in the ocean with an ass load of sharks. We took this boat about three miles out from the North Shore and then they drop this cage into the water and you climb in and then they throw chum into the water, basically its fish guts, and the sharks swarm around the area. It was the most incredible thing I have seen. Zach had a blast. We werent going to have get in the cage to swim, but the captains of the boat said the youngest person they had get in the cage was 2 years old, so we asked Zach and he wanted to do it, so we all went in together. It was great. We were in Hawaii for two weeks and we relaxed and swam and drank and had so much great family time. By the end of the two weeks we were all ready to get back to our house and enjoy being a family at home again.

We have so much to look forward to over the next few years. Our move to Maryland will be here before we know it and there is so much to do before then, so I am sure time will fly by. The holidays are upon us and you know that those always go by quickly and then it will be the New Year and time to put the house on the market. So exciting, and scary....This is the only place I know, so I am pretty nervous about leaving. And as much as I complain about how little my house is, I love it dearly. It is going to be very had to turn it over to someone else. Lots of good memories in this house....but its time to move on and begin a new chapter in our lives, one that doesn't involve going to Iraq!!!!!

Well, I guess that's it for now. I have things to get done before daddy gets home from work!!

A few more days......

Well, here I am on Sunday afternoon, totally losing my mind. I cannot believe Mark is coming home in a few days! It seems like it will never get here. I spoke to him yesterday and he sounded so great. He is out of that bad place and somewhere a bit safer. He actually uttered the words "I am safe" to me, it was music to my ears. My body is so full of anticipation, I cant stand it. It is going to be the best feeling to have him back in our home.

In the meantime, I have been busy cleaning the house and making his sign, which came out quite good, I might add. I hope he doesnt get upset about what I wrote. He is a funny guy, as most of you know, and he likes to call himself the War Machine. My sign is as follows:
I love you
Captain Liston
War Machine

I hope he gets a kick out of it, I know he says that to everybody, so I think he will get a chuckle out of it. So, now its just a matter of getting thru the next few days. I have been busy researching our next duty station. We talked about buying a real nice house and renting it out after we are done there and then retiring back to that area and maybe Mark could get a job teaching part time at the academy. He had some help coming up with that idea, he told me so.... but I really think its a good one. I have been looking at houses and it is going to be a huge leap from where we are now. I just hope we are able to get something decent and not a total fixer upper for a ton of money. More storage would be nice and an extra bedroom, I dont think thats asking too much is it?? Anyway, it will be a great area to live in with lots to do and alot closer to my family!
Speaking of which, my niece is getting so big, I can stand it. She is so damn cute. I cannot wait to see her in person at Thanksgiving. I cant believe that she is three months old! That time went by fast, now the next few days need to go by fast!
Well, I guess thats it for now. I have a few more things to get done before I can relax for the afternoon. Til next time.....

Almost there........

Can you believe it????? This stinking deployment is just about done. My head is swimming these days. Most days I am not functioning on a normal level. It is rather stupid actually. The other day I am going along talking to Zach and paying little attention to my surroundings and low and behold I get pulled over for speeding!! I was so pissed at myself, can you stand it? What is my deal with cops in this town? I hae to get my shit together or these next few days are going to be torture, well.... more torture than they already are!

Mark got some fantastic news the other day. He found out that he made it into the masters program thru Annapolis, the Naval Academy. He is going to do a year at the University of Maryland and then two years teaching at the Naval Academy. I am so happy I could spit! He wanted this so badly and I so glad that he got it, he so deserves it! So, we will be leaving this lovely city called Jacksonville come April. That is going to be so weird, I have lived here for
8 YEARS, we moved for five months for a school and that was it! This is all I know. It is going to be hard, but I am so ready for a change, to get away from this place that is associated with deploying and sadness, I just want my husband home and to be a family, permanently. These few years have been quite difficult, but I am so very proud of my husband and his marines. They have accomplished things that we as civilians cant even begin to understand, especially since the media refuses to show anything "GOOD". When I start to get down on things ,I stop for a moment to think about what these brave men have done for us and our country and the people of Iraq, and it amazes me. It truly humbles me.

Anyway, Zach and I are doing what we can to make this next week and a half go by quickly. He is in gymnastics and loves it! I love to watch him do all his new stuff. He was doing head stands the other day! This is actually something that he gets excited about and looks forward to; there is no arguing or crying or pleading about not wanting to go, he ASKS me when its time to go!
How 'bout that?? School has officially started for him. He is in Ms. Val's 4 year old preschool class, much more grown up than the three year old class. heehee He has been doing a very good job so far, and has been bringing home wonderful projects and worksheets that they have worked on in class. He is learning how to use scissors and write his name. I love it! With Zach being back in school it gives me time to do my own thing! I make sure and get to Beans, my favorite coffee place, and I read my book and drink my coffee and enjoy the solitude. The good thing about the quiet and the solitude is that it is temporary. I know that in a couple hours my world will once again be filled with endless questions about why we cant get another puppy or hear him change his mind yet again about what he wants to be for Halloween. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
We are so ready for daddy to come home. It will be so wonderful to be a family again. Its been a long time coming. Almost there.......

Back home....

Well, here I am in good ol Jacksonville. I have been home for 4 1/2 days and it has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. I had so many things go wrong within the first twenty four hours I was here that I was ready to hit the road and head back to my sanctuary in RI. I wasn't even home five minutes and my damn dogs took off, they were gone for like 2 1/2 hours. I was so pissed/ frantic. They finally made it home on their own after I rode around for like an hour straight looking for them. UGHH! Anyway, after that crisis was finished it was just the small things I had to accomplish in my house, trimming bushes out front and cleaning bathrooms of dust and grime that had settled over the past three months. Monday morning I awoke and tried to start Marks truck and low and behold it wouldnt start, the damn thing was so tired from the 850 mile journey that it decided it had had enough. So, 117.00 later, I had AAA put in a new battery. Then, a request from my husband had me going to the Wounded Warriors Barracks aboard Camp Lejuene to visit a few marines who had been injured and now reside there to recuperate. I had been in my nice little bubble for three month and now it is all hitting me right in the face. Much to my surprise the marines were in very good shape and had good attitudes to boot. On Tuesday, on my way to the airport to drop off my aunt, I was pulled over by Jacksonvilles finest. I was given a citation because my license plate had expired. So, I got to spend a half hour of my life in the Jacksonville DMV, which is as pleasant as it sounds. Turns out I had been way ahead of the game but since they dont forward anything from the DMV, I did not receive while I was away and they sent it back to the DMV in Raleigh! MAN, this is exhausting! So, after a tumultuous few days, things have begun to settle into place. I finally got together with my girls and had a round of margaritas and some yummy Mexican food. What more could a girl ask for! Ummmm, maybe her husband! Time is marching on and it looks like we have a little less than eight weeks left of this oh- so- horrid deployment. Well, I guess thats about it for now. I am a sleepy gal and I need to get some shut eye! Til next time....

Time to head home.....

Well, can you believe that three months have gone by! Holy smokes! I am going to be on my way back to Jacksonville in five days! It feels like I just left. We have had a wonderful time. I am SOOOOOO happy I made this decision to come to RI. I have done so much and spent so much time with family and friends that it has been a blessing. I have been here for two births! My brother and now my good friend Jen just had her baby this afternoon! A baby boy! His name is Kyle and he is 7lbs 7oz. I get to meet him tomorrow and I am so excited!

We have been swimming and boating and going to pools and beaches. Zachary even had his first sleepover while we have been here! He slept next door at his friend Maddy's house, she is 6 years old and they are best buddies. He has been so great these past few months, I know its been hard for him to be away from his buddies back home, but he has truly made the best of it here. He has made all kinds of new friends. He is an awesome swimmer. He picked right up where he left off last summer and now he doesnt even need floaties or anything. He jumps off the diving board and everything! It is so great to see.

It is also hard to believe that in about EIGHT weeks my loving husband will be back in my arms. If I think about it too much I have trouble catching my breath. I am so happy I could burst. I definitely try not to think about it too much. We have big plans for when he gets back. We are heading back to Hawaii. I have the reservations all made and ready to go! We are staying at the same place as last year, the military resort, but we are staying for TWO WEEKS this time. I am so psyched. We have a brief stop in Salt Lake City first. We were hoping to visit with some old friends but it looks like they will be out of town at the time we are going to be there, bummer. But we will make the most of it.

Anyway, thats about it for now. I have so much packing to do, but first I have to get ready, I am going to the Cheescake Factory tonight! Priorites ,ya know!

I AM AN AUNTIE!!!!!

Well, its official, I am an AUNTIE!!!! My sister-in-law had a beautiful baby girl on June 20th at 505pm. Her name is Anais Adia Degnan. She weighed in at 7 lbs even and is the most beautiful thing I have seen, besides Zach of course. heehee I am so happy, I cant get the stupind grin off of my face. I went down to Long Island to visit with Lt Blowes and his family, who by the way, is doing remarkably well. It was great to see him. But anyway, I knew she was going to go into labor while I was way. And sure enough, my brother calls me Monday night to tell me that her water broke. MAN! I couldnt believe it. She was a trooper, she had a natural child birth, by choice, and she used all her breathing techniques that she learned, she was a good little student. I am so happy for them and us. This is exactly what my family needed, a beautiful new baby to help us forget all our troubles for a little while. I am going to spoil this kid rotten. hahahahaha
The rest of my stay here in RI is going to be baby filled and I couldnt be happier. Makes me want to have another one, well, for like five seconds and then I think how much I love to sleep. haha

This deployment is half way over, and I am so happy I could burst. I hope the second half moves a little faster than the first. I will have this little bundle to keep me occupied. Mark is doing well and wants everyone to know how much he appreciates all the wonderful care packages and the prayers that are being sent his way. It truly means alot to all of us.

Well, Its time to head out, I have a baby to snuggle.........

Almost June.....

I cannot believe it is almost June. Time is definitely starting to go by fast. Zach and I have been in RI for almost a month! We are totally settled in now and enjoying all that RI has to offer. The weather finally cleared up, after 8 days of rain when we first got here. We have been spending loads of time with family and friends. Especially Gina, she has been great. We go shopping and eating together, not to mention just hanging at her house. It is a great distraction. Zach has been going to a gymnastics class on Thursday afternoons. He loves it. He gets to run around and climb on things and play with kids, what more could you ask for?? He is also going to be attending a camp they have. It will be Mon -Fri, 9-12pm, just enough time to give me some alone time and a chance to do things on my own, like SHOP.
I was pretty conflicted about my decsion to come up to RI for an extended stay, it was hard to imagine what it was going to be like living at home again. I wasnt sure how the dogs would be and I wasnt sure if Zach would be totally miserable without his buddies. As for me, I wasnt sure if I could handle being home and having to see my mom struggle everyday. I am not going to say it has been easy, because it sure as hell hasnt been, but I have learned to adapt and overcome. I have to be strong and I cannot let my mom see me sad.I dont want her to see how much it hurts for me to see her like this. She has been having ok days and some not so good days. We do what we can with what good days we are given. We have been able to go out for lunch one day and we went furniture shopping for Zach's room another day. The movies is always a good place for us to go too. We took Zach to see Over the Hedge, it was a great time. So, obviously things could be alot better, but they also could be alot worse. We are grateful for the time we have and we take one day at a time.
After all is all said and done, I truly think it is going to be difficult for me when it comes time to leave. I love being with my family. They truly mean the world to me. I couldnt get thru this without them.

Home sweet home.....

Well, here we are in good ol' RI. We arrived Monday afternoon after a very easy trip up the eastern seaboard. It was the best road trip ever, no hassles and no stress. What is better than that!? Gina was an awesome travel buddy. We talked the whole way and laughed even more. I couldnt have done it without her. I love her! So, here I am getting settled in to my new routine here back in my childhood home. It has actually been alot easier than I thought it would be. The shopping is so much better than Jville and more importantly the restaurants are endless! I had cable installed in my bedroom, which isnt too bad after 22 years......so, I am slowly but surely claiming this place as my own. Zach has settled in pretty well. He is having some seperation issues. I cannot go more than 10 feet without him gong into panic mode! I have looked into a summer camp for him, it is three days a week from 9-1. It is going to be at a local gymnastics studio. It is a beautiful facility with so much to offer. He is going to need that socilaization this summer. Man, the cost of living is so much different up here. This camp is costing me twice what it would cost me back in Jville. But that is the sacrifice I must make to run home to mommy and daddy....So, I am truly happy with the decision I have made to spend the summer up here. it wasnt an easy one, but after all is said and done this is for the best. Til next time....

Things have got to get better.....

I am sure most of you know that Marks brother, Edward James Liston II, past away this past week. It has been a very trying and sad week. Marks family is devestated. What made it even harder was having to got thru it without Mark. In the past I have always relied on him to be my rock during times like this and now it was up to me to step up to the plate and be the rock. The whole time I kept asking myself what would Mark do?? And it was from that knowledge and intuition that I would draw my strength. He is such an amazing man. He has been a pillar of strength thru this whole ordeal. We will have alot to deal with emotionally when he returns from this deployment, not only the post war things but his emotions about losing his brother. It is going to be a long road of healing, but I truly beleive that we can get thru this together. I just keep thinking to myself that there isnt much more I can take at this point and that my plate is so full its tipping over. I keep looking for the good things that are going on right now. I keep thinking about this new little baby that is coming into our lives in a few short weeks. My own little neice or nephew, oh how wonderful is that. That is my shining light right now. I am definitely ready to head up to RI for my summer retreat. It is going to be a good thing. Lots to do, family to see and friends to have fun with. I am so ready! So, as I said before, things have got to get better.........

Prayers needed....

Just when you think you have all that you can handle a little bit more gets put in your lap. I have just found out over the past couple of days that Mark's brother is in liver failure. He has diabetes and hepatitis, and this has now begun to affect his liver. Right now his liver is functioning at about 5%. It was looking very grim the beginning of the week. It looks now like he will be able to live another year or so with his liver. The saddest part is that a liver transplant is not looking too good. His health is so poor that they are apprehensive about preforming the surgery. I am very hopeful that he will make it til Mark returns home. Mark and Ed were very close when Mark was growing up and he was a huge influence on Mark joining the Marine Corps. It overwhelms me that Mark is having to deal with this news while fighting the war of his life in Iraq. It comforts me to know that he is a strong man not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. He will be able to deal with this and get thru the next several months. I am truly praying that Mark gets the chance to say goodbye to his brother face to face and also has the chance to tell him how much Ed has meant to him over the years. Please keep Mark and his brother in your prayers. They are needed more than ever right now.....

Prayers needed....

Just when you think you have all that you can handle a little bit more gets put in your lap. I have just found out over the past couple of days that Mark's brother is in liver failure. He has diabetes and hepatitis, and this has now begun to affect his liver. Right now his liver is functioning at about 5%. It was looking very grim the beginning of the week. It looks now like he will be able to live another year or so with his liver. The saddest part is that a liver transplant is not looking too good. His health is so poor that they are apprehensive about preforming the surgery. I am very hopeful that he will make it til Mark returns home. Mark and Ed were very close when Mark was growing up and he was a huge influence on Mark joining the Marine Corps. It overwhelms me that Mark is having to deal with this news while fighting the war of his life in Iraq. It comforts me to know that he is a strong man not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. He will be able to deal with this and get thru the next several months. I am truly praying that Mark gets the chance to say goodbye to his brother face to face and also has the chance to tell him how much Ed has meant to him over the years. Please keep Mark and his brother in your prayers. They are needed more than ever right now.....

Spring break ends.....

Thank goodness school starts back up tomorrow. I am at my wits end with my precious little man. He has been on spring break for way too long and now it has finally come to an end!! YEAH! He goes back to preschool in the morning and I am one happy momma. Now, I love my son with all my heart but we have been together nonstop for like ten days!! It will be so nice to get back into my nice little routine on Mon ,Weds and Fridays. Although we did have a nice little breakfast date this morning. We went o Beans for my weekly fill of their wonderful java and a yummy wheat bagel. Zach got a milkshake and a plain bagel. Turns out the little guy loves cream chees so we split a cream cheese to go with our bagels. He ate the whole thing! The past few mornings I have been having to go out for my morning cup o' joe, due to the fact that the other day as I cleaned and rinsed my coffe pot it fell to the floor and smashed into a million pieces. UGHH....I have had that coffee maker since I got married. I can brew the perfect cup of coffee with that dinosaur of a coffeemaker. I am not ready to go out and purchase one of those high tech espresso/cappucinno/coffeebean grinder doohickeys! I like plain and simple when it comes to my coffee. So, I called my dad for some advice.....my dad has been known to break a pot or two in his day. So, using my his worldly advice; I went to the Braun website and low and behold there is a section entitled replacement parts. I was able to plug in my maker number and wa-la for a whopping 16.99 plus shipping and handling, I was able to order my self a new coffee pot. Now , I know what you are thinking, "she could have bought a whole new coffeemaker for that much!" But like I said before, I like plain and simple and I dont do well with change. So, in a few short days I shall be back in the coffee making business. Til then, Beans here I come!

Happy Easter!

What a great day I had on Saturday. I did practically nothing but it was perfect. The weather was awesome and the temp reached 90 degrees! I did some much needed house cleaning, there is a difference between "clean" and "picked up".....my house had been picked up for too long, it was time for clean! Anyway, Zach played outside and inside all day. He isnt too big on the heat so he would come in from time to time to play with his toys, recharge and go back outside. I gave all the cars baths, they were quite neglected. Pollen is so bad right now and those little twirly helicopter things are all over them, so they needed some TLC. That night I had a "date" with Amanda. We had a blast. First, we ate at Mi Cabana. YUMMY....not too mention some really good margaritas. After dinner we went to see Benchwarmers, talk about a feel good movie, I laughed pretty much non stop. It was awesome! If you liked Napoleon Dynamite and pretty much anything that David Spade is in, you will love this movie. When I got home that night I had Easter bunny detail. I had to fill 24 plastic Easter eggs with candy. I was going to hide them this morning before Zach got up, but of course he was up at dawn, so I had to tell him that the Easter bunny left mommy a job. I told him that the Easter bunny didnt want to leave the eggs outside last night because he was afraid they might melt. So, I will be doing that here shortly.

We are going to venture out to church this morning as well. This will be my first time in a couple years and Zach's first time as a big boy. I had taken him when he was a baby, but I stopped going and so did he. I am trying to turn over a new leaf and got back in touch with my spritual side. I really feel like I need it. I remember when I was going to church on a regular basis and going to bible study. I felt different and I really want to get back there. So, I figured what better day to start fresh then Easter Sunday. So, with all that being said, its time to get the ball rolling. I have eggs to hide and a son to dress. Happy Easter.......

Here I am....

I had to take a break from the blogging for a few days because I didnt want to ramble on about how terrible I had been feeling, So, here I sit on a better day ready to hit the keyboard with positve thoughts and affirmations. Just one thing before I blather on, thank you so much you guys for helping me figure things out.

Anyway, things have been going well here at the Liston home. The kids are on sping break this week, so Zachary has been out the door from 10 am til 7 pm just about everyday. Stopping long enough for a pb&j sandwich and many popsicles. It has been so great, he is so worn out by the time bedtime rolls around that he welcomes the comfiness of his Spongebob bedsheets. The weather has been so great too, so that makes things so much more bearable. As Zach plays out side riding his bike up and down the street, I am able to get things done around the house and also get in some much needed reading. I love to sit on my front porch and rock in my "freshly painted" rocking chairs and read some chick book that is totally mindless but absolutley wonderful! I have been spending time with Jo Anne and Wendy in our front yards just watching the kids play and having "adult talk", which is blissful. You dont really get the oppurtunity for much regular talk when your day is filled with kissing boo boos and discussing the antics of Jimmy Neutron. Although, I wouldnt trade it for anything ion the world!
I was able to ge tout on my won for a couple hours the other day, which was noice. Like I said the kids are on spring break, so my babysitter was able to come over in the afternoon on Tuesday and I went and had a shopping spree at Target. Man, there's nothing like a little retail therapy when life has you down. The whole thing started with me needing invitations for a coffee I am having. Of course you have to start at the beginning which is clothing. They have the cutest summer clothes, so I had to buy several outfits for Zachary and then, of course, I couldnt deprive my self of a few things. Then clothing takes you to stationary which is right next to health and beauty aides which is next to the book and video department. And on my way to the checkout, I walked past the seasonal aisle and it dawned on me that Sunday is Easter! SO.... I had to make several Easter basket purchases, an egg coloring kit, a dozen or so plastic fillable easter eggs and candy to go in them. SO, when all was said and done I had clothes, books , shampoo, conditioner, Easter necesseties and of course the inivtaions.
In the end I was so high from all of my purchases, that I had minimal buyers remorse!

We are getting ready for our big trip up to RI. It is going to be a long one, but we are ready for it. With the events of the past week, it is going to be nice to get out of dodge for awhile and be in civilization for an extended amount of time. My bestest friend Gina, is going to fly down here and then drive home with me, Zach and three doggies! She is a true saint. I couldnt do this without her. Love you Gina!! It will be nice to be up there for an extended stay and spend loads of time with my family and friends. Not to mention all the beautiful babies that will be making appearances this summer. I am so excited for that. I am finally going to have a niece or nephew of my very own, to spoil rotten! Much to my brothers dismay.....

So, that's my story.....not too exciting, but good enough for me! Til next time.......

Confusing times.....

Not sure where I am going to go with this, but here goes. I have always thought of my self who takes friendships very seriously and that I would never take advantage of one. Especially beinhg in a military situation you need your firends more tahn ever. It has been brought to my attention taht I may have abused my friendship with someone who measn alot to me without evne realizing it. I guess I need to start from the beginning. Mark has always been the most important thing in my life. Even when we were dating we spent all of our time together. Now I know that some people will see that as unhealthy and kind of co dependent. But you have to understand I had never expeirenced love like that and it was something that made me feel alive and new. I wanted to spen all of my free time with him, and now that we are married I guess people say that things change and that you learn to do things on your own, but I have not gotten to that point. When My husband is here I want to be with him and spend every waking moment with him. The past two years have been so uncertain. It started with a deployment to Haiti and then Iraq and then six months later Iraq again. Its not like he was going on a business trip to Arkansas, he was going into the bowels of hell. Anyway, I have digressed. Being a military spouse for the past nine years I have learned a few things. Especially 7 of those 9 years being in a place where your husband is gone most of the time and you arefar away from family and hometown friends. I have learned to do things on my own and be ok with being alone when he is not around, I have also learned that we as military spouses take care of each other when our husbands are gone. We embrace each other and talk and laugh and cry and do whatever it takes to get thru the deployment. I have also learned that when the men come home its time to back off a bit and enjoy every moment with your husband. Now, this does not mean that your friendship with the girls you spent time with goes to shit, it just means that every one is ok and busy now that their husband is home and its ok to back off just a bit and enjoy being a family again. It does not for a nanosecond mean that my friendships meant nothing to me, I love each and everyone of my friends. Especially with this past deployment schedule. There was such a small amount of time between deployments that if I did fall off the face of the earth here and there that was ok because I knew the love of my life was going to be leaving me again soon and for one of the most dangerous places in Iraq. I think I am beginning to ramble, I guess the point I amtrying to make is, I love my friends and I would never in a million years do anything to hurt them, but I cannot apologize for being in love with my husband and wanting to be with him 24/7, when I know that it wont always be that way. To all my firends out there, I want you to know that I love you and that you mean the world to me, and if you dont hear from me for awhile when Mark is home please dont take it personally, its just that our time is so precious and I value it. Until next time.....

The end of a LONG week....

Actually it was a fast week, but an anxiety riddeen one. So much going on and yet nothing. I know thats crazy but its so true. This deployment is a confusing one thats for sure. I am constantly worrying about Mark. From the moment I wake up til the moment I fall asleep. I know that worrying about things is not going to help, but I just cant help it. People say, whatever is going to happen will happen regardless. Well, I simply cannot be that person. Mark is my life and the fact that he can be taken away from me in an instant scares the shit out of me. I waited my whole life for this wonderful man and then he goes and puts himself in the most dangerous place ever! Whats up with that?? I know there is a plan for everyone, and I truly hope that our plan is to be together til there is life on Mars. This deployment is making me nutso....I have to focus this energy onsomething more productive. Iw ish I was a painter or a sculptor, with the nervous energy I have I could probably create the next Mona Lisa or statue of David.

Enough negative rambling.....I had a good day today, the weather was very nice. We cruised with the top down. Ahhhh, what a release! I took Zach to see Ice Age 2, it was very cute. We went with Lisha and Olivia. Zach and Olivia were arch rivals and now they are two peas in a pod. When they saw each other they hugged and were so excited to be together. Its nice to see two very strong willed kids come together and form a close bond. Why cant we all take lessons from them.....put differences aside and just hug........

Some days are just good....

Today was such a good day. I didnt even have anything planned really. It was supposed to be a day of errands and such, ie. take all three dogs to the vet. UGHH! Well, I decided that wasnt go to happen today. No worries, the dogs are fine, nothing that cant wait til next week. I decided that I needed a a "me morning." This morning I woke up with every intention of going to the vet and running your run of the mill errands and then I thought ya know what? I need a pedicure and manicure. I dropped Zach off at school promptly at 9am and headed to one of my most favorite spots, the local coffee house, Beans....mmmmm, I love their coffee. So, after relaxing wikth a cup o' joe and the morning paper, I headed off to the nail salon, my second favorite place to be. I love the massaging pedicure chair with its weird little rollers that go up and down your spine and the nice warm whirlpool bath that bathes your tootsies in utter bliss. Ahhhhh, what a way to start the day. After the pedicure, I scooted over to the manicure chair to get my biweekly fill of acrylic fun. Nothing like a mixture of some fouling smelling powder and toxic liquid to give you some hot looking nails. Afer all is said and done, they really do look fabulous. After I picked up Zach, we had an unexpected play/lunch date with Patrick and Olivia and their mommies. We had a great time. Kids get to play, moms get to eat; what could be better! The day ended with more outside play and me chatting it up in the beautiful sunshine with my two pals Wendy and Jo Anne. Another late afternoon spent gossiping and laughing. Like I said before, some days are just good.......

MARK CALLED!!!!!

Oh happy day!!!!!! I heard from Mark this morning. I have never been so happpy to hear his voice. After the weekend from hell, it was a much needed phone call. He sounds so great. It amazes me that even in the most dire situations, this man can still have 1. a sense of humor and 2. the ability to make me melt with his voice. I just love him so much. He was happy to be distracted with all of my tales of woe and madness back here at home. There is always something to make him laugh. I also had to redeem myself regarding a care package he just recieved. While I was home I helped my parents put one togeher for him. Well, at the same time I was picking stuff out for his package, I was also buying stuff for the house. I had purchased a cake mix to make for after dinner that night. Well, as I was preparing dinner and getting ready to make dessert I realized it was no where to be found. Yup, the cake mix ended up in the care package to Iraq. Great place for it, I am sure they will have numerous oppurtunties to bake a cake! Man, I was bummed, I wanted to make that cake. Well, he just received the package and was wondering what the hell I was thinking.....his marines thought I had lost my mind. So, I made sure to tell him it was a mistake and then I asked if he wouldnt mind sending it back home, I really wanted that cake......hahahahahahaha

End of along, but good day

Today turned out to be a very nice day. The weather definitely cooperated so that is a bonus. The nice weather always seems to put me in my happy place. I like that. I started and somewhat finished a project. I have two rocking chairs that needed some TLC, so I sandpapered and painted them to the best of my ability which isnt saying much. But I gave it my best. The weather was perfect. High 70's , low 80's. Zach tuckered himself out playing with his buddies. They go from yard to yard and just terrorize anything in their path, its great to watch. I spent the latter part of the afternoon chatting with my friend Jo Anne on my front porch on my newly painted rocking chairs, it was a perfect way to spend the late afternoon, which turned into early evening without even realizing it! Before we both knew it, it was 615 and our kids had to eat dinner! Man, responsibilities! haha So, after a nice dinner and a hot bath, Zach is ready for a good nights sleep: after some much needed SpongeBob Squarepants, of course.......

First Blog

Its Monday morning and its the first real morning of daylight savings. Zach is still sound asleep and we have to leave for school pretty soon. I have counseling today, and man I am going to have an earful for her. It has been an interesting weekend to say the least. I am so ready for this whole deployment thing to be done. We are only in the first month and it has been a roller coater. I can only imagine what the next six months will bring.UGHHH! This is one tough life we lead as military spouses. I am so damn proud of my husband I could burst, but that doesnt make it any easier when he is such a bad place. I can only hope that the prayers we are sending are surrounding him and his marines. They need us all more than ever.