THE Picture

OK, if you read the blog from March 10, you know about my graceful tumble while trying to take a picture. This is the picture. Not too shabby for a girl who just busted her booty. It is a shame that there's no photo or video of me setting up the camera. Or no picture of me falling. Or no photo of the huge bruise that popped up later that morning. No... there's no evidence of what I suffer through to get a good picture. Just my word and a few million bad pictures. No. Wait a minute. Take a good look at Elijah's face. Is it just my imagination, or is he laughing? Yep. There's your evidence. My son laughing hysterically as I trip and fall in the hopes of capturing the "perfect" moment in time. Now there's a family memory!

Just Another Day at the Office

Well. Not really. If he had it his way, this would be "the office" all the time. The Chaplain is home from the field, and he obeyed his wife (for once) and took the camera. Granted, it may never work again from all the sand in it, but he did use it! I am beginning to stress (surprised?) that I don't have enough pictures from our time here. We have plenty of regular fun family photos (Christmases, birthdays, trips, etc.), but we don't have enough of the day-to-day things we see and do all the time. And, something tells me that this place is unique. How many people can say they've lived in the middle of the Mojave Desert? Well, I wouldn't put it on my "list of places to live before I die, " but I can say it has been interesting. Anyway, Dan is home from what will probably be his last trip to the "box" with his soldiers. The clock is (rapidly!) ticking down to our departure. Believe it or not, we are sad to leave this place. Sad to leave so many good friends. Apparently, the Army is a "small world." I hear that you always end up at another Post knowing people from previous places you've lived. I'll let you know if it happens, and I'll take a picture if I ever get all the sand out of my camera.

A Normal(?) Week

Is there such a thing? Well, at least the birthday bonanza is over. Don't misunderstand me. I love a birthday party. And, cake? Well, that's one of God's gifts to us. But, truthfully, I am partied out. Let me recap. We had a family party in Atlanta with grandparents and Aunt April and Noah. Oh... I almost forgot... and a cook-out with old friends. On the actual BIRTHday, I took treats to school for classmates, and we (Elijah, Dan, and myself) went out to dinner that night. There was singing from cute waitresses involved (See picture #3)! Then, on Friday afternoon, we celebrated with Fort Irwin friends. There was pizza and cupcakes and playing in the park. There was a pinata and candy and entirely too much testosterone running around my yard. Now I know why God gave me one boy and not seven. It was fun, though. They all had a blast! I think I'm recovered. That's why I am excited about the prospect of a birthday-free week. Dan is in the field for a few days, too. The house will be a little cleaner and a little quieter. A little. Thankfully, this isn't a "normal" traning Rotation. There's that word again. "Normal." A normal Rotation to the field (or "the box") is usually about a month. This is only until Wednesday. Until then, I will enjoy a somewhat "normal" week and a somewhat lower level of testosterone in my house.

Happy 9th Birthday Elijah!

We will have to post more pictures later. More pictures of all the birthday celebrations we've been having. But, for now, this will have to do. A mommy remembering how long ago her boy was a baby (9 years ago!!) and thinking about how old she's been feeling! Happy Birthday Elijah! We all love you too much!!!

Back to Reality

We have returned from our week in Atlanta, and we are pooped out! Crossing all those time zones is no fun. Elijah was lying in bed last night...almost on the verge of tears...afraid he was going to wake up too early again. He went to bed Saturday night at midnight. (Note-- his little body thought it was 3:00 am!) Then, he got up Sunday morning at 6:00 am, and his internal clock was telling him it was 9:00! We didn't go to church last night in hopes of getting to bed at a normal (Pacific) time. We did, but we'll see how it goes today. It's a busy day and week for us. He has 2 make-up karate tests today, and a belt graduation tomorrow. He has a doctor's appointment today, and an AWANAS "test" on Wednesday. Oh yeah! And, he turns 9 years old this week! That means treats at school on Wednesday, dinner out with Mommy and Daddy , and friends and pizza on Friday night! (No, it is not a "spend the night" party. I am not that stupid. Yet.) Anyway... we are home. We had such a good time in Atlanta. Noah is the most adorable thing ever, and we spoiled him rotten. He took naps on Elijah's chest, and April had to make me put him down! He had his first cold while we were there, so he wasn't feeling too great. But, he is a sweetie! Nana and Pops came to visit on Thursday, and they stayed with the Bennetts (who used to be neighbors in Pensacola). They took Elijah and their kids (Annalynne and Walker) to play putt-putt and have a cook out. Baba and Papa came into town on Thursday night, and we ALL had lunch together Friday for Elijah's birthday. We feasted on BBQ and birthday cake, and Elijah got some presents from family. Mostly money. Lots of it. The boy always has more "funds available" than his parents! He's saving for a trip to Legoland or for a PS3. I am so glad we were able to go "home" for Spring Break. "Home" meaning "the South" and "with family." Getting back into the groove of things around here is no fun. Mountains of laundry. No groceries. Stacks of mail (bills). Phone calls to return. And apparently, while we were away, the broom broke.

Happy Easter from the Desert

The Easter Bunny has come and gone, and we have all eaten too much candy. We dyed eggs, we ate eggs, we hid eggs, and we found eggs. And, I think, at some point this afternoon, Elijah and all his little pals were throwing eggs. That's a sure sign to call it a day at the Egg Hunt. We had a very nice sunrise service this morning out in the park, and we had brunch with the Franklins. All in all... it was a nice Easter Sunday. But, there's no time to rest. I am about halfway through my packing. We (me and the boy) leave at some unholy hour in the morning for the airport. I do love seeing my family, but I hate the thought of getting on that plane. I am soooo looking forward to the day that we can drive to visit everyone. Let it be known that I am not a fan of flying. I already have a big knot in my stomach. Oh. That could be all the chocolate eggs. Or the jelly beans. Or the Peeps. Happy Easter!

Just a Little Spring Cleaning

Well. It has begun. Spring Break officially starts today. Elijah is out of school, and we have a few days at home before we go to Atlanta to see Noah. Oh, yeah... and his mommy and daddy, too. We are lounging around in the PJ's and doing a little housework. Except I haven't exactly told Elijah that part yet. He's too busy enjoying the "lounging" aspect of the day. Friday is a typical "cleaning" day for me, and today... I'll have the cooperative, enthusiastic help of a 2nd Grader! Truth be told, I'll clean around him. I did promise him a lunch out and some egg dying, so I'd better get off this computer and on to the cleaning. Did I mention there would be a haircut and some errand running in there, too? Please don't tell the "lounger." I'd hate to ruin his first day of Spring Break!