You say crazy, I say fun.

Hello!

Alyssa and Allison have been at their new school for 3 weeks now (they had a week off for Labor Day) and are loving it. They each love their teachers and so far, the uniforms are still a huge hit.

They started learning Mandarin yesterday and it just dawned on me that it won't be long before they are having private conversations behind my back and I won't have a clue as to what they are talking about.

*forehead smack*

Wish me luck as I attempt to piece together a completely unfamiliar language just off of their take-home papers. :)

Madelynn is doing well also. She will be four years old in October and I have noticed her maturing over the last few months. I'm not sure if it is just her age, or maybe the fact that she is now a big sister to the cutest baby EVER. Either way, I'm enjoying this change in her.

She has been my little partner-in-crime through this whole foster care process and has even taken a liking to D's bio dad. I think she looks forward to his visits because she gets to go with me to a new place with new toys and she has my undivided attention while D visits with is dad. She's not a huge fan of D's bio mom and unfortunately, she let her know last week.

AWKWARD!

Baby D is just as perfect as possible.

I started making his baby food two weeks ago and it has been a HUGE hit with D. He started with a little sweet potato mixed with brown rice cereal and loved it. Two days ago we introduced avocado mixed with brown rice cereal and he no longer entertains the idea of sweet potatoes. :)

I made the mistake of telling my social worker last week that things seemed boring with D's case. I felt like I had gotten used to the case and the visits were somewhat consistent. For the first time in 5 months I felt like we had found our groove and things were running smoothly.

That didn't last long.

The next day I received a call from someone who had been mostly MIA throughout the entire process, an email from bio-family and someone else missed a visit for the first time in WEEKS. It has just gotten more crazy since then. I've come to realize that I am on more then just an emotional roller coaster, I'm on someone else's "where are my priorities today?" roller coaster.

I wake up in the morning having no idea what my day will be like. One simple phone call could snowball into 15 phone calls (literally) and the lack of a simple phone call could change ALL of my plans for the following week. It's been difficult, but I am doing really well with this learning process. It's not always easy, but I try my hardest to take it one day at a time.

I'm pretty sure I know how this case will end, but we are just waiting out our time until we go to court in December.

Johnathon has been very busy with work lately.

It's funny, when Johnathon first told me about his orders to CNATT-U, I was excited at the thought of having him home at a decent hour everyday and getting to spend time as a family. I should have known my husband better.

When he sees early hours and an opportunity, he takes full advantage of it. I can't complain. He's usually home by 4PM and is able to have dinner with us, but that is followed by more work at home. To top it all off, he won Senior Sailor of the Quarter a few months ago and his Senior Sailor of the Year board is just days away. He also went up for President of the First Class Association and WON!!

"For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required." -- Luke 12:48

Johnathon is still volunteering like the world depends on it and doing much more than what is expected. He has been given so many great opportunities during his career, but they were each earned with great dedication.

He was honored to have the opportunity to do an interview about his dedication to volunteering. You can read about that HERE.

As for me, I'm as busy as ever.

On top of being an active foster parent and attending visits (at least 3 a week), I am an active part in the EPO at my daughters' school, on the Fall Festival committee, a room parent for Alyssa's classroom and attending back rehab 3 times a week.

Some say I'm crazy.

I believe those people! :)

Happy Wednesday. xo

Just Another Tuesday

No, Johnathon isn't home. This random picture was from his last trip to Illinois. I just thought I would show proof that I do in fact have a husband. ;)

I'm pretty sure I'm over this whole 'We're strong, we can handle being long distance' thing. Don't get me wrong, it's soooo much better than a few months ago when the girls and I were in California and only seeing him once or twice a week, but this sucks too.

I'm just a cry baby, huh?

I suppose I am just ready to be a family again and actually be able see, touch and be with the man that I married. Long distance is a challenge, but if two people can do it, it's us. We seriously should write a book on the subject because we are able to maintain such a great relationship while doing it...minus the little tiff last night over Facebook. tehehe!!

My mom is still in the hospital but doing fabulously!! She is getting her temporary chest catheter placed today at 1pm and then we will figure out when she can go home. Hopefully that will be soon.

Johnathon will be here exactly one week from today and I couldn't be happier. The girls ask me 'How much longer, Mommy?' every.single.night.

The girls? Oh, they are great. After a few rough nights, Madelynn slept 11 straight hours last night and only woke because Allison was yelling 'Mooooooooooommy, where arrrrrrrrrrrrre you?' at 7am this morning. Thanks Allie-gator!!

The twins only seem to want to color lately. Their other toys seem boring, I guess. My little Madster is like my shadow and just enjoys following me around and doing what I do. I pulled up a chair the other day and let her help me with the dishes, AKA: play in the bubbles and splash me!! She loved it.

I broke my favorite serving tray. :( It was this dark plum purple and I used it for everything. I'm currently on the hunt to replace it. It's depressing!

I've been making hair bows like a crazy person. I currently have almost 200 of every size and color you could imagine. I just haven't had the time to photograph them all and put them up on Facebook yet. Sorry! I did add a link to the Facebook page under the header. If you ever need a cute and cheap bow...you know where to go! :)

I think making the bows was the only way to keep my mind clear while everything was going on with my mom. It really helped to have something to focus on.

Homeschooling starts in a few weeks and I am starting to FREAK OUT! I've always had a fear that I would be inadequate at teaching my children. I'll be pulling out the curriculum soon and making copies of our worksheets, pre-reading some of the books, figuring out coordinating craft projects and preparing myself for this next chapter in our lives. I pray it all works out. I'm really looking forward to this.

I've asked my dad to build us a set of 3 little lockers and I am very excited about that. Each girl will have their own little cubby to place their backpacks, which will be full of current projects that they are working on and any color pages (or the like) that I give them for 'homework'. The girls see their cousins going to school and wearing backpacks, getting homework and riding the bus. They keep asking me when they will get to do all of that and I feel bad every time I say, 'Sweetie, you aren't going to public school. Remember, Mommy will be your teacher.' It's important to me to make sure that they don't grow up resenting me or wishing that they had gotten to experience certain things.

I can give them backpacks, no matter how unnecessary they are. I can give them homework, no matter how redundant that may seem. I even told them that one year they may be able to ride the bus to vacation bible school just for fun!! It seems to be working for the moment.

I bought a new book the other day, Married to the Military. It's a fantastic book for anyone who is dating or married to a man in the military. It's for all branches so it is very general and touches base on everything. A lot of it I knew, a lot of it I didn't know. It's educational, easy to read and sometimes it's just nice to see and hear someone acknowledge what you do for your husband/family.

Enough for now. xoxo

Guess Who Surprised Us??

A few Sundays ago, as my mom was still in the hospital, I headed to a bridal shower for my sister-in-law. It was a hard day for me as it was also the day that they doctors removed my mom's breathing tube and started to lower her sedation. It had been an emotionally draining week and someone picked up on my feelings.

Without saying a word to anyone...ANYONE at all...my husband arranged emergency leave and secretly flew into Chicago where he got a rental car and drove the last 3 hours home and walked into the shower to surprise everyone.

Do I know how to pick them or what? :)

He was able to spend 10 long days with us and be there for me when I needed him the most. He is such an amazing husband and father.

One week from today...

In exactly one week the girls and I will be getting the keys to our new apartment. I'm having a weird mix of emotions about it. As happy as I am to be getting my own place and having some privacy, a huge part of myself is finding it hard to set up a home without Johnathon. I know it's all part of the job, but that doesn't mean that I have to like it or be happy about it.

He's our rock! Our everything. It's really hitting me hard that he isn't a part of this process.

Oh well! Like always, life will go on and I will handle it. This is, after all, what we chose to do.

I know that with all of the recent devastation in Japan and the drama in Libya, many of you are worried about how that will effect Johnathon. Clearly all information cannot be shared, but I can tell everyone that as of right now, he is safe and still in San Diego Bay. He is currently going through a few tough inspections which is taking up most of his time and adding a fair share of stress to his life. Other than that, he seems to be clear as far as deploying early. If and when that were to change, I will update everyone. Nonetheless, prayers are always appreciated for our military men and women.

I received the most amazing email this morning...

MY LAPTOP IS FIXED!! It's currently waiting for me to pay and pick it up. Yay!! When I will find the time to do that is beyond me, but I am just relieved to know that everything was fixable!!

Now on to more important matters...Madelynn and her bottle!!

I took the bottle away from the twins when they were 12 months (corrected age). It took 24 hours of crying and no sleep for them to agree to the sippy and there was never a word about bottles again.

Things are a little different with Madelynn. For starters, she's my baby! I knew that another baby would be coming along shortly when I was going through this with her older sisters so it was important to me to get her off of it. With her, however, I just want to make her happy and I know she falls to sleep so much better after a bottle opposed to a sippy of milk. Say/think what you want, I don't care. I have a soft spot for Madelynn that I can't control!!

That, along with all of the other big changes in our lives recently, I wasn't ready to go there with Madelynn. I needed to give her (or me, rather) time to adjust to our new life in Illinois first. All of this said, I am so happy to announce that it's been almost a week of NO BOTTLES and she is managing just fine. She doesn't ask for one and seems excited to see her sippy. I'm so relieved to have this behind us and am so proud of her.

Project 365:
I've been thinking a lot about my Project 365 blog that has been seriously messed up with the problems I've had with my laptop. I think I'm going to just post a random picture for everyday that was missed regardless of the day it was taken. I will then continue taking a picture a day for the rest of the year starting from that day. Make sense? Okay then! :)

xoxo

A Whole Lot of Nothing!

I thought I would post a few of our recent pictures. If you've been reading my Project 365 blog like the good followers you are, then you've already seen these. If not, shame on you!!

I hate to admit it, but Madelynn says 'Dora' more than she says 'Momma'. If she gets lucky and I do put Dora on, you'd think she just won the lottery. It's insane!!

Other than that, she is just growing, growing, growing! She actually sitting on the floor with her sisters right now eating cheese puffs. I'm pretty sure she eats 50% more than they do. Alyssa is teaching her to lick her fingers at this very moment.

Alyssa is still my little ornery butt! She thinks that she is large and in charge...and she may be right. She is wonderful at taking her nap everyday and also goes to bed pretty well at night. She is an eater...of junk! However, lately she has been asking for a bell pepper or apple over chips. IMPROVEMENT!

She has this fascination with losing her baby teeth and new ones growing in. I blame Yo Gabba Gabba for teaching her that it would happen. Everyday she runs to me with excitement and asks me if her baby teeth are out yet. She will also randomly come walking up to me with this proud look on her face and tell me how she just pulled her baby tooth and if I look closely I can see a new one growing in. Oye!

Allison, Allison, Allison!


This chick is a night owl like her Momma! It's not uncommon for her to still be sitting in her bed playing with her magnadoodle around 10:30 or 11pm. I'll give her a drink of water and remind her to stay in bed and she seems happy with that. I did cave and let her sleep with us one night last week. We both officially had the worst nights sleep EVER. Johnathon was knocked out on the other side of the bed...lucky duck!!

She asks for her Daddy when she wakes up, while she is playing, before and after her nap and every 5 minutes in between. She hates when I tell her that he is at work and doesn't understand why he can't come home. It's even harder when she sees her friend, Meha, walking to the park with her own daddy. If Meha's daddy is home, then surely her daddy should be. If only it worked that way!!
Johnathon and I are great!! I don't normally post pictures of us, but we happened to snap this one the other day after we put the girls to bed. This is pretty much my everyday mommy look...tank top, hair in a pony tail, no make-up. Johnathon got a hair cut right after this picture so I apologize for his sloppiness! :) It's fair to say that I had been slacking in the hair cutting department. (yes, I am the lucky person who gives him his buzz cut!)

Johnathon was supposed to leave on Wednesday for a week long underway, but it was cancelled at the last minute. It was changed to today. I'm thankful that I got two extra days with him, but I still hate when he leaves. Being a military wife is seriously the hardest job out there.

Sorry, I just needed the extra proof that she is ORNERY!!
This is Alyssa, if you were wondering.


xoxo

Any Minute Now

Johnathon's ship should be pulling in any minute now and the girls and I are FREAKING OUT!

It's funny what all emotions are brought up when your sailor is out to sea. Whether it's a few days, weeks or even a few months.

He leaves and you are so overwhelmed with sadness that you aren't sure how you could possibly make it until his return. After a few days you realize that life does go on and it's not impossible to handle everything on your own. Then it hits...the half way mark! You are not only lonely and bored, but you just don't feel like doing it anymore. This where you get angry and frustrated.

Finally a sense of calm comes in and you just get over it and do what you have to do until he his home again. You get a second burst of energy and keep telling yourself, 'it won't be long now!'. Before you know it, it's time to say hello to this stranger.

A person is about to walk back into your life. A person that you love dearly, but have not seen in awhile and your schedule/routine is going to be thrown out of whack. You are gitty and anxious to see him as butterflies gather in your stomach, but you know that he is about to put a kink in your daily routine. Suddenly you feel like a 16 year old girl on the night of her prom or first date with a new boy. Your heart is pounding as you think about him walking through the front door. That first hug. That first kiss. That first laugh.

I am so glad that we are at the END of this journey, but I know that eventually, (and many more times) we will be starting it all over again.

The house is clean, the girls are waiting by the door and we are all ready for Daddy to get home. :)

It's about dang time!!

Just another day...

The one thing that I love most...

Watching my husband spend time with our little 3 year olds. :)

Allison has a new favorite food...JELLO!

Alyssa! Alyssa!

What can I say?

Usually so sweet...

...and occasionally feisty.

Alright, alright...usually feisty, sometimes sweet.

:)

They sure keep me busy.

And always put a smile on my face!

...and then there is Madelynn!

Who could forget her?

Swinging in 'big girl' swings.

It still makes me so sad to watch them hold on tights and pump their legs.

They really are getting big.

Johnathon's always got one of his girls in his arms!

♥♥

I have a picture of the twins sitting in this SAME spot...I guess it's a new tradition.

3rd Stone child sitting in the sand!

She did great by the way. It was her first experience with sand and she didn't even try to eat it. She was curious at first, but learned to love it. Soon she was playing in it and picking it up and letting it fall through her fingers. She would giggle when I covered her little toes with it. It was a blast.

They are the sweetest sisters...always laughing.

What makes a Summer day more complete than grilling out?!

We made more pork chops than we could handle! They were de-lish!

Happy Father's Day 2010

I have been very blessed with the men in my life. Each and every one of them have impacted my life in so many ways. On the top of my list? My Daddy-O!
Everyone says I look just like him.
What do you think? :)

I love you, Dad!
. . .

It's funny really, I have always known Johnathon would be a great dad. Just watching the way he was with my nieces, I knew he would love and cherish his own children.
From day one he has been hands on.
Here he is with Allison.

Being a father is one thing, but to be a father of twins takes skill. :) He would help with every feeding, change the nastiest of diapers and even let me sleep in on the weekends. He was my rock during that first year.

Halloween 2008

He is one of those protective dads. You know, the ones that are cautious about who is around his children. He is the kind of dad that gets anxiety just walking through Target because having his little girls walk two feet ahead of him would just be devastating. haha. I know that he will always good choices when it comes to our little blessings.

January 2009

Johnathon is a master at giving baths and takes pride in his bath giving abilities! That is his time with the kids (just the twins as of now). A time for him to make them laugh and create memories. They color with their bath crayons, blow their bubbles all over the floor, and there is usually an inch of water surrounding the tub when they are finished.

July 2009

Johnathon wasn't with us last year and that is something that we will never forget. My heart goes out to those soldiers who are away from their families and children this year. Holidays have never been so important to me as they are now. Knowing that next year, and the year after, could be drastically different and we could thousands of miles away from each other. You just learn to appreciate and enjoy the holidays that you do have together.

We feel so blessed to have Johnathon with us. At home. In our arms. Right where he belongs!

Spring 2010

God was really looking out for me when he made this man to be my husband. Someone so thoughtful, but purposeful. Someone so kind, but driven. Someone so fun, but also a disciplinarian.
I could not have created a better friend, husband or father than Johnathon is. He is my everything.

I guess the most important thing is how much our girls love him.
There is no one in this world like their daddy. They love his gentle hugs and the way he makes them fly. They look foward to seeing him walk through the door each day and hate to say good-bye. There are things only their daddy could do and that is what makes him so special.

I personally love how hands on Johnathon can be. He is always right there when I need him. Doing crafts, changing diapers, putting the kids to bed, making dinner if needed, babysitting so I can get some alone time, watching cartoons all day long, he is always up for anything.

I know it must be hard being the only guy in a house with four women and I'm sure it's only something a few men could handle (my dad being one of them as well!!), but he pulls it off. He's cool and collected and doesn't mind picking out frilly dresses and matching colorful bows. With all of that said, I'm also sure he is constantly praying that our next baby is a boy! haha.
Who could blame him? :)

The girls and I let Johnathon sleep in today. Determined not to wake him up!! He walked down the stairs at noon and was served breakfast 5 minutes later. Talk about SPOILED!! haha.
Now he is sitting outside watching Alyssa & Allison swim in their little pool.
We don't have anything else planned for the entire day and we are all looking forward to it. It's nice to have these relaxing weekends with the family.

So, thank you, Johnathon!! For everything you do...and don't do.
From the bottom of my heart, I love you!

I firmly believe that the best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother...and you do! You are teaching them everyday how a man should treat a woman. That is something that no number of books could teach them, only witnessing it day after day!

Happy Father's Day, Johnathon!
Daddy,
Thank you for everything that you do. We love you with all of our hearts!
xoxo, Your Ladies

&&

In case you haven't noticed...

My man is a wonderful D.A.D.D.Y!!

He is giving the older girls a bath right now...allowing me time to sneak away and catch up on all of your wonderful blogs.

You girlies sure have been busy...thanks for the good reading material!!

Anywho, tomorrow is the start of another three day weekend!
Be jealous...Puh-lease!! :)

I went through all of Madelynn's clothes last night, tossing most and giving away the rest. I quickly realized that she has outgrown nearly ALL of it. When? How? I didn't even notice she was getting that big.

I grabbed a new outfit for her this morning. I like to buy sale items a few sizes larger and let her grow into them. I thought the outfit was 12 months.

Imagine my shock when I realized it was 18 months!! *sigh*

Then.....I went to dress the twins. You know, simple blue t-shirts and jean shorts. Just out of curiosity, I checked the tag inside of their shorts.

12 months!! haha

What is the world coming to? They are almost 3 years old and there was room to grow in those things...even with diapers on. ugh!

Well, I think I hear my girls yelling for me. They can't seem to go to bed without hugs and kisses from their Momma!! We love you all...

Have a safe & fun weekend!

Johnathon & Allison

Daddy loves his little girl♥

There is no denying that my husband is a big ol'

Softy!

He sure loves his girls.

There is one that REALLY has his heart.

Her name is Madelynn...and she is gorgeous!


They are just precious to watch together!


She adores him!

He adores her.

I adore watching them.