Retracting the phrase I used, "Bring it 2013."

Yep, I usually try to have no regrets in life. There's always an occasional foot in mouth situations and I sometimes regret those, but life in general for me has been to live life to the fullest. I think I've done that to my best ability so far.
As of now, I'm regretting and taking back the phrase, "Bring it 2013."
2013 has been the worst year so far. 2004 started off pretty crappy with the death of 2 grandpas. They died within a month of each other, so that was rough. But this year and month could rot in hell for all I care. Maybe its because it has the most unlucky number 13 in it, but whatever it is, I give up already.
I won't go into a whole lot of detail, but if you are in contact with me often, then you know all about it.
1st: our 'rental' home, but our safe haven was violated with someone trying to break into it on a Saturday night. Luckily Jeff was home and the boys were in our room sleeping with us, "slumber party night!" Feeling safe hasn't felt the same here unfortunately.
2nd:  Our life here just isn't the same and the feeling & need to go home has been overwhelming. So we have decided to take a leap and move home. Don't ask questions! Just support us and listen, that's all we need right now.
3rd:  Being so far from home has been hard as far as missing family, friends, etc. I know we have no control over this, but its definitely hard, especially when your PET passes and you can't be there to say goodbye, hold him one last time or give that wet nose one last kiss. Please click on the link I provided to see Chases story and why I love him so much. He will be forever missed!
http://www.dogster.com/dogs/179609
You can see his brother's story as well. I made a link in the side bar of my blog. It's under the profile section. This is just a little bit of how crazy I was for my dogs before we had children. These dogs were my babies and the only reason our Labs parted ways with us, was do to all the moving. Never again!

So far my month has sucked, yes I'm being a baby. But I am really just drained, emotionally.
I hope you enjoy Chasey's profile! He was such an amazing dog, loved him way to much:)
These pictures below are just the ones I have on my phone, all of my pictures of the handsome boy are in California.

This picture was taken by my dad last week

Sunday = Fun Day

On Sundays most attend church, but not us. Our holy grail is at the beach. Some may ask why? To be honest, this is the place of worship for me and I know for Jeff too. It's the sun, the sound and the calmness in my soul even if its raging in the depths of the sea. My heart and soul will forever belong to the water....
So on our Sunday adventure we explored a new beach this morning called Talbot Island. It's flat long shores make for good walking and obviously great exploring! We found a jelly fish and watch a kite surfer bob back and from shore to shore! Mind you it's called an island, so there is another shore pretty close.
I obviously had my camera and my phone, but only got a few picture with my phone that I'll share with you: 1 being a ladybug I found and just some randomness of us exploring and playing:)
January has been pretty uneventful so this is the most excitement we've seen out of the house!

Jacksonville Jag Vs. NY Jets (pictures from my phone)

This is way late, but better late then never, right!!??
On December 9th, Jeff the opportunity to fly in a 4 ship over the Jaguars Vs. NY Jetts.

We got free tickets and were beyond excited to see him do this.

On our way to the game. We were late as usual and it was raining cats and dogs.
I ended up following Christy, her husband was working from the ground and directing the guys in the air.

I was so worried that there wasn't going to be a fly over with the weather so crummy. To top it off T fell asleep in the car and I was wearing flip flop cause it was beautiful at our house.
But, really the chaos started when we got there. We literally had to park 2 miles away and luckily and pilots wife had one of those back carriers for 2 year olds, so we got T in that and started our brisk walk with 6 kids on foot and 3 adults with a sold out crowd. Phew........when we finally got to the stadium, the lines were so long at the fly over was in 10 minutes. There was no way were going to make it. So we convinced the Sky box line to let us in with the help of telling them our hubbies were doing the fly over. They let us go right through and 6 flights of stair, we finally made just in time to set our stuff down a get the cameras out. What timing!

We were kind far from the field, but who cares. All I wanted to do was see Jeff fly over us. I can't even tell you how exciting this was and how proud we are of him. Such an emotional feeling to see any jet/s fly over. Just makes you so proud of our country and those who serve, but this time it was Jeff. Jeff who has wanted this since I've known him! He is finally here and is a great pilot!
I know many of you are proud of him, but the boys and I are very proud of him. The road to this wasn't easy, but we are here and we made it!

looking at this picture, Jeff is on the far right. The single guy off of the flight leads wing.
At this point of the fly over, I was shaking and had tears in my eyes! If you know this feeling, I don't have to explain it. A very proud moment.

They went over in full AB and the crowd went wild!

After the guys flew back to the base, they all hopped in a van and caravaned to the game. We then met up and followed him down to the field to be introduced. Kind of a weird feeling to be on the field. The boys were super excited, especially Jt. Not sure if it were the cheerleaders in front of us or just seeing these giant men by us.
We got our family picture and split!

This is what happens when you've been sick and sitting out in 85% humidity for a few hours.
I can't complain, they were awesome for me all by myself.

They got a few treats and had a great time with the other kids they met!

I have more pictures if your interested in seeing them, I also have the fly over on video. It wouldn't upload, but I'm more then happy to email it to you!
Leave me a message or can get a hold of me!

Christmas Eve & Christmas 2012 Florida

Being the month of December is crazy with all the holiday fun and decorating, I'm going to do 1 long post on all of our home activities that had to do with Christmas!

Most of you know the month of December was rough as far as sickies go. The kids were sick for 2 weeks + a few days. One of their sickie days we needed to get out of the house and get some fresh air. We decided this would be a great time to head out and pick out a Christmas tree. Its out in the open where we can't really spread any germs and the boys wouldn't be so crazy:) see good idea, huh?!?!

We have always had a truck to bring a Christmas tree home, but this time we had to tie it to the top of Jeff's car! I had to have a picture of this! We tried to make it funny, but the kids were just wanting to sit:(

This collage is of us bringing it in and when we decorated it. Thanks to Jt helping me while T man slept.

Christmas Eve: Ended up being super low key. I woke up feeling a little weird and thought for sure I had what the kids had. Jt and I had made cookie dough the night before so we could bake cookies and pass them around to neighbors on Christmas Eve, but that didn't happen. I ended up in bed with everything the flu brings except for the vomiting, thank god. I felt horrible cause Jt kept checking on me and asking if we were even going to bake for Santa:( He said if we don't bake for Santa, he wont come.

By 3 o'clock I had had enough and Jeff brought me some Advil, by 4 o'clock I was up and felt 100% better except for the sweats.

So Jeffrey being the great daddy he is, baked cookies with the boys while I laid in bed. I did manage to sneak out and take a few pictures. They were so happy and Jeff even added more flour to the sticky dough. He was awesome! Definitely great memories for the boys!

 That night, they decorated Santa's cookies and Jt spread his reindeer food on the lawn. He wasn't this excited about Christmas last year, so this year was very exciting for him and us as well. Just seeing him so happy and into it all was enough for me!

 These 2 pictures below are also on Christmas Eve, but with my normal camera and not my phone camera.

Decorating and Santa's plate of cookies and carrots for the reindeer. I kept telling Jt to lay off the frosting cause he's going to give Santa a belly ache;)

 Gifts are all out and the stockings were filled!

 Christmas morning: Jeff told me Jt was up at 3 am with all the lights on just standing there staring at the tree. When Jeff got up to see what what going on, Jt was adamant about staying up until everyone woke up. Luckily he went back to sleep and we ended up having to wake him that morning! Definitely no groggy kids that morning! It was a straight shot from bed to tree! Oh and some screaming in there!

We really got to spoil them this being we weren't with family in California. We usually just do 3 gifts and let everyone else buy.
Between Grandma C & Papa L, Papa T, Grandma K & Papa A & Us, they made out this year. Us too, Jeff and I actually bought for each other this year. We normally don't so this was a treat! 

Ts gift from Jt
Jeff's mom and step dad came over around noon after the boys had some time to get their crazies out, but they were waiting for them to come! Grandma and papa brought 1 gift for them to open so they were super excited.

We just all hung out and cooked a yummy sea food dinner. Scallops, shrimp, tri-tip and asparagus! It was so yummy!

It was definitely nice having family with us on what we would consider a chaotic day normally for us. So just having them here with us on this quiet day was great.

Just some random pictures of their gifts and the destruction from that day.

More randomness

Our little family picture!

Merry Christmas

Thanksgiving in South Carolina

I am so glad Lindsey moved closer to us! Not by her choice, but thank you AF! This is the 2nd Thanksgiving we've spent together and each time has been great! Once in Georgia with my cousin Robin and this year at Lindsey's house!

I also got to meet her newest addition Lainey who was a wee bitty thing in Lindsey's belly when I saw Lindsey last.

Love these relationships that have formed all for the love of the AF. They seem to be the strongest at times cause we have leaned on each other for support during trying times. I'm just glad I have this girl in my life.

So this year being I'm eating healthier and Lindsey is always eating healthy (Look at her, skinny witch) so we decided to do a grain free, paleo, gluten free Thanksgiving. Lindsey planned the menu and I baked a pie!

Literally! We got there the night before Thanksgiving and she had already bought everything!

She and Justin cooked while I played outside with the kids. Oh, but we baked pies the night before.

 Our yummy food

 Obviously I couldn't get enough of Ms. Lainey! I didn't even take any pictures of the other kids:( Isn't she a doll! What a sweet baby she is! Makes me want another.... NOT!!! No really, if we were in Fresno, I think we'd be trying! Oh well, I'll just watch everyone else have them.

 I guess I took a ton of pictures!

 Lindsey wanted to venture out Friday and take the kids to a park in Columbia, SC which is about 45 minutes away from Sumter. So whenever Jeff and I travel I have to check Flavortownusa.com and see where Guy Fieri has been. These restaurants are a must try! So we headed over to Pawley's Front porch to see what was on the menu. Check out the burger below! I had the Thanksgiving Burger with sweet potato fries! OMG was it good, but Lindsey's looked 10x better! Definitely going back there when we visit again!

 On Saturday we decided to head home and rest up! We were exhausted and T wasn't feeling well.

We had a great time and can't wait to visit with them again!

Look! No Training Wheels

A Check off of Jts 2012 want to do list! He's been talking about riding his bike with no training wheels for a long time now, but never really wanted to ride his bike till summer came along. Even than he was still a little wobbly.

So after much needed practice and determination, he told us he was ready to try.

We took him out to the local high school around the corner and let him loose, well with our help of course.

I really thought the process would have been a little harder, but he was going on his first try. Obviously not that far, but with each try he went further.

This was pretty cool to see and do with him. Definitely an experience to be grateful for and seeing how happy and proud they are of themselves.

Jeff ran all the way around the track making sure he didn't fall. Poor daddy pretty much sprinted all the way!

with a little help to get going!

Just after 2 days or so, he was riding and stopping like he'd been doing it for years. These kids are just amazing.

Flag Day

Jeff attended Jts Flag Day ceremony at school with him. It was to honor all the parents in uniform and for the kids to say thanks for their service! Jeff said they had the Jr ROTC out there with a formal flag salute and raising of the flag. He said it was pretty awesome for a school to do.

Jt was pretty excited that dad was going to school with him and to hangout for a bit.

(Jt couldn't keep his eyes open cause he said it was to bright!)

 Jeff sent this to me while they were there! Thank you Miss Michaels for the great shot!

Love these guys and we are so proud of Jeffs service and for all those who serve, served and continue to risk their lives for us!

 Jt gave these to Jeff when he picked him up from school. All the kids from Jts class had colored a pictures saying Thanks! They are so cute and I have put them in a safe place for Jt to see when he is older.

I know this is late, but Happy Veterans Day!

Is it November or December?

Its December, right?

Why am I posting November events in December!

Well, that's cause I can never get on the computer with kids bumping my arms or hitting buttons to freeze up my computer! This blogging this is getting on my nerves anyway! I swear my MIL is the only one that looks at it and maybe a few that don't don't don't even know us.

Well, if you wanted to know life was back at when we returned from Cali. Dentist appointments, school, everyday life and Thanksgiving was approaching.

We are proud to announce that T man is free and clear of cavities! He does a great job now brushing and will soon be flossing every night just like his big brother!

 He even got a sticker for his No Cavities!

 Just thought I'd add a few pictures of what life brings in the days in between!

T playing with dads hat, Spike, Jt came home with a new grill, Jeff got stickered by the kids, my boys and me with T man on a teething fussy day!

Last of our California visits

(ahhhhhhh catching up again, can you see me pulling my hair?) This was our last week in Fresno and we filled it up that's for sure! We did a field trip with Carson and his fellow Cancer mates. All of these kids are home schooled by his teach Ms. Vivian who let us tag along. Thank you

We did a cooking class that included the kids in measuring and mixing! The best part was tasting their yummy mini pumpkin pies!

 Our next rip after cooking was to the Fire Station! We took the firemen some yummy pies and they showed us around. The kids got to climb on everything, except for a pole! This place was a single story joint! Quite a disappointment for some, but they got over it. They even got to go for a ride and shoot some water!

 Same day was Halloween! What a busy day I tell you. We ended up at Ashley for a bit and then ended the night at Nicole roasting marshmallows and having some good laughs with the kids. boy were our bellies full of sugar though....

 The last couple of days were spent with family and visitors that came out to my dads, thank you Debbie for the visit! It was definitely nice seeing you outside of family functions.

When we came home from Fresno we were welcomed by grandma Kathy and papa Art with signs for the boys! Wish I knew, I would have had the camera ready! Oh well, I got and after photo!

Thanks to everyone who put up or put us up for those 2 weeks. We needed to see your faces and feel your hugs! The boys were the happiest I've seen them in a while and they sure did like all the visits! with family and buddies!

Wedding Bells Are (were) A Ringin

(above pictures) Friday night before the wedding we tried to plan a pre-wedding bachelorette surprise party, but Miss Kristle already knew about it! Little turkey, but being I missed everything we wanted to have a get together with all the bridesmaids and close family members before hand. We went wine tasting before and headed over to dinner and celebrated her last night of freedom mellow style! lol

(Pictures above & below) Pre-wedding morning! All of us girls hanging out and getting married! It was so much fun to be apart of my brother/best friends wedding. watching Kristle get ready and celebrating the day was awesome, I loved every minute of it! She looked so B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L!

(Pictures below) Lets get this party started! Finally, my brother is getting married! I'm getting another sister and a nephew! Loved watching Jeff as Kristle came down the isle, priceless!

When Jeff and I were growing up, we had a love hate relationship. He is 9 years older then me so you can imagine how much he wanted to be around me, let alone play with me. He was loving when I was a baby, but that's just from pictures that I've seen! lol He did take care of me as need and guided me when mom or dad weren't around, but was more of a pest than anything. I couldn't even tell you how many times he would say, 'I'll pay you a dollar if you do the dishes!' I was suckered every time! Or how every time I walked in the door and was picked up and body slammed on to the couch, not only by him but Alex, Nate or a few others he's still friends with. But my favorite was picking me up from Grace Christian riding my bike in the rain! Oh and making me run home following him as he dusted me on my bike!

I tell you, these are the childhood memories that make us who we are today, but I can tell you as I got older, he was always my best friend, someone who I looked forward to seeing the most when he came home for a weekend from the Marine Corp or just to hangout. Till this day, I can't wait to see him, visit and catch up! Its always great company and a great conversation, this is why he's my best friend! I am so happy that I got to share this with him at my age, I think being the youngest I've missed out on appreciating certain things my siblings have done.

So this year I celebrated 2 weddings, both being my brothers and I love that I was there to witness both!

Don't they look so happy!?

 As the ceremony ended, all of us bridesmaids and groomsmen took picture, drank some beers and had a few good laughs! Such a great group people!

 Just few after picture with some of my family and friends. It's not often that we get dressed up and have time like this!

 After all the festivities, Jeff and Kristle were picked up in this! Off to Hawaii they went and what a great day/party!

Love them both!