Monday, August 31, 2009
New Positive Post!
It is like a roller coaster ride with us. One minute- YAY! Next minute- BOO! So hopefully it will just work itself out!
Atleast for tonight I can breathe a sigh of relief and go to bed happy! :)
It's happened...
Robert went to talk to the career planner this morning and check on the package they submitted last week. Apparently it got denied with a big ol' fat explanation of: THIS MARINE MAY NOT RE-ENLIST UNLESS INTO A B-BILLET.
Seriously. Apparently with Robert being a seargent already and all of his qualification scores he would not thrive at any other job. So unless it is a b-billet (drill instructor, recruiter, SOI or MCT instructor) he may not re-enlist. Sadly, Robert knew this would happen. They told him time and time again that he needed to do one of those jobs and how it would be beneficial to his career. Ok, that's fine. Robert has always wanted to be an SOI instructor, so this would be perfect! Right??? Wrong. Not only do they work 75-85 hours a week and some weekends, they have a school that they have to attend before they can get their actual orders. Do you know what that means? I can not move until he gets his orders. Wouldn't be so bad, but his dates for his schools are Oct 8-9 and the school is 9 weeks long. So that puts him at graduating on Dec 11. Remind you, I am due Dec 15. So therefore we would not even get a house until after the baby is born. Ugh. I wanted that time before the baby was born to move and get settled in, but it looks like that isn't going to happen. I had Thompson 1 week early and if this baby decides to come early then chances are Robert is going to miss the birth due to school. Because if he misses school, then he has to start over. I am heartbroken. Nothing is working out. I know that I am supposed to have a better outlook on all of this, but today is my pity party. So I am needing prayers more than ever. For my sanity and for things to work out.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday already?!
Nothing is really on our agenda today. I have to finish a paper and start on some more homework. And of course there is always the lovely laundry and dishes that need to be done. JOY!
Hopefully tomorrow I will have some exciting news!! Doubtful, but hopeful!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
And you know that my day couldn't absolutely go perfectly, now could it?? Of course not! We went to Wal-Mart to get Robert some stuff he needed for his guys tomorrow and we come out and we have locked the keys in the car! 110* + Pregnant = NOT FUN!!! We call Nissan and of course they can't help us. Even though I spent $1800 on extended warranty, I don't have roadside assistance! Thanks. For. Nothing! So then we resort to a locksmith. 2 minutes of his time and $75 later, we made it home. Ugh. And you would think... since I have an "intellegent key system" it would avoid stupid stuff like this. Apparently it isn't THAT smart! Oh well.
Robert was supposed to go talk to the career planner today, but obviously didn't make it back in time for that. So tomorrow he is going. PRAY HARD!!! Pray hard for a descent job and descent bonus.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
2 posts in 1 day! What?!?
So funny, but all of a sudden I will think of something (childcare, food, sanity, etc.) and stress on it for atleast a couple of days. Last week, it totally hit me that not only would Thompson be in pre-school but the baby would be in daycare. Stressing over double costs is a little worrysome. Let's just hope I make the big bucks when I get a job. Ha!
Well today it has been all about the baby coming. I will be the first to admit that I was not fully prepared when I went into labor last time. I didn't have "the bag" fully ready and had to have my mom bring all of my stuff. I guess you never really think that "today will be THE day". So now I am already preparing my lists and such. This made me think of food. My husband, bless his heart, cannot cook. Plain and simple. And with us not being around family, I am worrying about meals and such for after baby. I then ran across a topic that I thought was interesting-- once a month cooking. Many people do this for their families. They cook tons of food and freeze it and then reheat it when they need it. So now I am convinced that this is what I need to do. :) I want to make atleast 2-4 weeks of food up and freeze it. I don't know where I will store all of this food, maybe I will buy a deep freeze??? Hmm... Anyways, I am interested to see if anyone does this? I know of a few staples like lasagna, chili, soups, manicotti, enchiladas, and that's about it... If you know of any recipes, please suggest!
Oh and trust me... I have been scouring the world wide web for some recipes, but I always like to hear personal faves!
I Love Fall!!!
When I think of Fall, this is one of the things that come to mind. The leaves changing colors and falling everywhere. Back home, there was always this beautiful tree by our post office. I remember it always turned the most beautiful shade of red. This just makes me want to live on one of those streets where you have sidewalks and can walk up and down the street just enjoying every bit of it.
Another favorite of mine is Halloween! Seriously, can kids get any cuter than being dressed up in Halloween costumes?? Here is my little lion.
And the decorations are awesome! I love seeing carved pumpkins.
Another reason this is my favorite time of year...
Brycen will be born in the late, late fall right before winter. So I am equally excited about that as well!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
24 Weeks!!! Lots of uncharted territory.
Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture of an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.
Wow! The little guy is getting big! It's hard to believe, but I only have around 3.5 months left. Yesterday we found out that moving back home for the re-enlistment is not even a possibility. Apparently the job that Robert was told about was from an old list and is not even open. It's heart crushing. I was looking forward to moving back to be next to family for such a while now. This reminds me of a verse that I saw a while back:
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9
So true. We can plan and plan and plan and it is never really up to us. The Lord has already chosen our path in life and this is just one of our many hurdles. I prayed a lot yesterday. Maybe it was the overwhelming stress or just conviction, but I am always trying to run the show. Just ask my husband :) I feel like I have to have full control of everything or it won't work out. With my ultrasound fiasco and the re-enlistment issues, I just about had it. All I could do was cry. But now, I feel like I have a new outlook towards things. I just need to do my best to keep reciting that verse anytime I do start to feel overwhelmed. It will be ok. Living in California is not a horrible thing. :) So, instead of focusing on the negative, I will try and see the positive. Our new plan will involve Camp Pendleton which is Oceanside, CA. Such a beautiful place!
- Robert's brother and his family are stationed there.
- The weather in Southern California is AWESOME!!!
- We will be about 5 miles from the beach
- We don't have to worry about purchasing Robert a 4x4 truck (no snow!)
- I have a bigger chance of finding a great job post graduation
- We are still going to get our 3 bedroom/2 bath house
- Robert still does not have to deploy
- I still get to eat at my favorite restaurants (Chic-fil-a, In N Out Burger, and Rosa's)
- And going home to visit will still be a treat! I love seeing my family and that time with them will be even more special!
See...it all isn't that bad. :)
Monday, August 24, 2009
An "Oh So Fabulous Weekend" followed by a not-so-welcome Monday!
Now, all about our Disneyland trip!!!
We had a blast! Friday evening we spent at Disneyland riding rides, walking around, and waiting for the fireworks. Apparently Thompson is deathly scared of the fireworks so we tried to make the biggest dash out of there when they started. Not the brightest idea. It took us the whole fireworks show to make our way out. They were definitely the absolute best fireworks I have ever seen!
Saturday, we started our day with an "Aloha Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch." Daisy Duck was there to greet us. Thompson did better than expected. He was fine with the characters as long as they didn't sneek up on him and had a nice 5 feet distance. :) We managed to get our family picture made tho. After that we went to Disney's Adventureland. I was expecting a much larger park, but it was still great. We stayed there til the afternoon until we all were about to pass out. We were tired! So we went back to the hotel and took a nap. After that, we went to the Downtown Disney and ate dinner and shopped around.
Sunday, we had a private breakfast in one of the hotel's ballroom. It was great! Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy were there and we managed to get our picture made with all of them. YAY!!! Afterwards, we headed back down to Downtown Disney and Robert got to go to the ESPN Zone thingy. (Restaurant with a huge arcade) So after I WHOOPED his butt in basketball shooting and race car driving, we went home. Ha! He did, however, beat me at motorcycle driving. :)
We got home around 4, ordered Domino's, and lounged around all evening. It was great!
Here are some pics from this weekend!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Off to every's child's dreamland...
Saturday, we are starting our day with a breakfast with the characters at the hotel. Then we are spending the day at the Disneyland Park! We will definitely stay for the park's light show that night as well. Then on Sunday, we have another character breakfast to attend, then I think we are going to lounge at the pool. Should be relaxing as long as Robert isn't itching too much to get home. (He has to go to work early on Monday.) But all in all, I am planning for a wonderful weekend.
Please pray for my patience throughout this trip. I just want it to be one of those "perfect" family memories.
Lots of pictures to come...thanks to the new xD card I will be purchasing for my camera. That's right, I still have yet to find my old card that Thompson had. Maybe he ate it...hmmm... all I know is that Robert and I searched the entire house last night looking for it. Oh well. It will turn up sooner or later.
Adios Amigos!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Sister!
23 Weeks
Here is what you are up to:
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango),
you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb.
This has been such a great week! The other night I was sitting in the recliner leaned back and could feel him kicking hard! So Robert and I was staring at my stomach and started seeing him kick! So fun!
Beth tagged me in a fun little game.
Here are the rules:
1. Choose ONE singer/band.
2. Answer all the questions below using song titles by that artist.
Reba!!!
She has been my number 1 fave since forever!
1. Are you male or female? "I'm A Woman"
2. Describe yourself: "Strange"
3. How do you feel about yourself? "What Am I Gonna Do About You"
4. Describe where you currently live: "Five Hundred Miles From Home"
5. If you could go anywhere, where would you go? "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia"
6. Your best friend is: "Forever Love"
7. Your favorite color is: "How Blue"
8. You know that: "The Heart Won't Lie"
9. What's the weather like? "I'd Rather Ride Around With You"
10. If your life was a TV show, what would it be called? "I'm A Survivor"
11. What is life to you? "New Fool At An Old Game"
12. What is the best advice you have to give? "Walk On"
13. If you could change your name what would it be? "Fancy"
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Bunnies and Santa, Oh my!
You are probably wondering why we would say that. Well here is why...
This was Easter 2009. Such a beautiful day. Thompson was all dressed up in his khakis and polo looking very spiffy! I could not wait to get his picture made with... the Easter bunny. Here is Thompson and I pointing out the Easter bunny.
Looking a little bit with dad...
Friday, August 14, 2009
Heavy Heart
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I don't...
Special Edition Version: I don't believe...
I don't believe that the Marine Corps actually gives a crap about their families.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Wall Canvases
22 Weeks
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.
He is getting pretty big, huh? I was in the grocery store the other day and saw a spaghetti squash and was like "Whoa!"
Robert has left, yet again, for the field today. There are always the pros and cons of him leaving. I LOVE having the tv all to myself!! And of course I get the whole bed to sprawl out in! But, I do hate being by myself and not having him here to talk to and pester! :) He should be back Thursday or so!
Oh, I almost forgot... we won a FREE trip to...
DISNEYLAND!!!
Last week, I received an email about an opportunity that the Operation Homefront was offering to the families of the 29 Palms base. So, I entered us in and they called yesterday with the awesome news!!!
The Riedel Family-- here is what you have won!!!
2 Nights stay in one the Disneyland park hotels, 2 rooms included
2 Free park tickets
2 Free Twilight park tickets that may be used after 4pm
$100 in free food
$50 in gift cards
Whoo Hoo!!! I...I mean Thompson, is going to have so much fun!!! We get to go next weekend, and since I am school-free til then, I am going to research the park and what we are going to do while there. My sister, Brittany, has included an awesome post about the park with some unusual facts that you probably did not know. Hmmm...
So be on the lookout for my Disney-tribute posts to come!
Lenora Riedel-- you just won the superbowl! Where are you going next???
I AM GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday Post
Saturday was awesome!! Robert got home and we went over to Christina's house to watch the UFC fight. I actually enjoy watching the UFC, so it doesn't bother me. BUT...the better part of the night was definitely the food! Christina is an awesome cook. She made some delicious chicken enchiladas. I brought some homemade salsa, guacamole, and cheese dip with hamburger meat. YUM!!! Then Christina made the yummiest dessert. We don't know exactly what it is called, but it was GOOD! It had crushed pineapple, walnuts, Eagle Brand milk, and cool whip! There were a ton of people over and all of the food disappeared. It was definitley a good night.
Yesterday was another lazy day. But, hey?! Isn't that what the weekends are for? :) We took Robert and Thompson and got their hair cut. Remember the last time we went? The super nice haircutting lady gave Thompson a big ol' tootsie pop sucker to occupy him. Well as soon as we got there, the lady brings over another sucker!!! AGH!!!! Does she not know how much it took to scrub the sticky goo off of him last time?!? Well, of course he wanted it. What kid doesn't want a humong-o sucker? So we gave it to him and the drool fest began. By the time she was done he had drool covering his shirt, pants, hands, and any other visable place. What made it worse is that there was hair encrusting the stickiness! GROSS!!! So, needless to say Robert gave him that bath. Ha! And Thompson also left daddy a surprise in the tub. HAHAHA!!! I will let you think on that one... Let me just say that Robert was not too happy to hear Thompson say "Daddy! Oh no!" :)
Last night we cooked burgers and had Christina and Heath over. It. was. an. adventure. I never cook big burgers. I only make the burger sliders because they are so easy. Well, I attempted to make burgers and they turned out okay. I love my burgers big, but thin. I hate huge, thick burgers. Well that is exactly what I made. Oh well. And as for my macaroni and cheese, Robert said I need to call my cousin to get the recipe because well "that is definitely not Jackie's". Well hmph!!! And for dessert, I decided to make a frozen lemonade pie. Well the frozen part hadn't happened by the time I was ready. But did it stop me?? I don't think so! :) Robert made the comment "What's wrong with it?" Well, little did he know that today it is frozen and absolutely delicious!! Jokes on him. Ha!
Oh, and Thompson has lost my camera card. Have you ever tried to find a little, itty bitty camera card that was once in the hands of an almost 2 year old? Well, so far for me it has been impossible. It will probably turn up just like my camera did.... behind our tv cabinet!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Saturday= Lazy Day...Probably not!
So, needless to say I am still wore out. But, the wonderful hubby is getting home this afternoon and we are going over to Christina and Heath's house to watch the UFC fight. We are having Mexican night. She is making yummy chicken enchiladas and I am bringing the fixings-- salsa, guacamole, and rotel dip. I can't wait!
Thompson is laying down right now, so I am going to do a few loads of laundry, the dishes, pick up the house, and make the salsa. Just wondering...when is my nap time?!? Ha!
Forgot to mention....you are looking at a straight-A student from this summer! Whoo Hoo! Now, I just need to make all A's this next semester! That is my goal and well to graduate!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Rockie, Rockie, Rockie, Rock
He did make up for it by coming up to me tonight, with his blanket he went and got from his room and his sippy cup of milk, wanting to sit on my lap. So I plopped him up there and he kept telling me something over and over. Finally... I realized that he was saying "Rockie, Rockie", which is a song that my mom sang to me and my sisters and a song that I now sing to him. I think she may have sang it to us because my mom isn't the most creative in singing nursery rhymes :) Just playing. Well, the words are:
Rockie, rockie, rockie, rock
Rockie, rockie, rockie
Rockie, rockie, rockie rock
Rockie, rockie, rockie
You get the point? Well we all love that song and it is just so natural to sing it to him everytime he is in my lap (which actually hardly ever happens for Mr. Independent). So when he started singing the song it just made me so happy. So we called Nana and let her sing it to him a few times while rocked in the chair.
I am still finishing some last minute homework. I am a procrastinator. I have always been. But I prefer to say that I just work really well under pressure. Ha! Anyways, school will be over on Friday for about 2 weeks. Then the start of my (hopeful) final semester of school! Can't wait!
Anyways, that is about it for today. Hope everyone has a great Thursday!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
I might lose my head...
But, today is a great day-- I am 21 weeks! Which means...
How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot.
You may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as his initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know him better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.
It is a great week for Mr. Brycen! I just love to hear how he is developing more and more each week.
Another thing I must mention-- my new found love! :)
Saturday, August 1, 2009
New look!
Robert is coming home tonight so I am making the house *sparkle* for him! I bet he will wonder what I bought or what I have done!!! Ha!!!