Pensacola Paradise

Well...the next 4 years should be interesting. I am trying to be openminded - mainly for my own sanity. We'll have to wait and see...
On to happier news - I need some!
Last month during the kids fall break we headed down to Pensacola,Florida for a little R&R. I am not sure how much we, but it was a fun trip. Next time I start talking about a fun camping trip will someone please remind me how much work camping can be. At least the ocean could been seen from the camp site and plenty of Diet Coke was purchased to keep me going. All survived. Here are a few of the pictures I took, I didn't take very many of the beach - I was terrified of getting even one piece of sand in my 40D, the results I was imagining would have been deadly. And yes, I am very protective of my camera! :) After the trip was over I did wish I had brought the old canon to get those beach shots that I always love so much. Here is what I did get!




There was this great tree in our campsite that the kids had a blast climbing!
Jackson was SO excited when he finally made it into the tree!
The kids with some friends from Holland we met at a neighboring campsite. Military campsites are always so much fun! At least I got this shot....

Political Ramblings

I have always had a love of politics. For as long as I can remember, it had intrigued and fascinated me. Yet, no where on my blog do I ever dare do discuss it. I have been contemplating why all week.

You see, I voted for McCain. I consider myself a conservative, but it wasn't always this way. I was born into a wonderful family full of wonderful hardworking, honest, have their heart in the right place, Democrats. And yes, for many years, I too, was a Democrat. I remember being proud of being one of two Democrats in my high school government class. Even prouder that I was a Democrat that WAS aware of the issues and could debate with the best of them. Becoming conservative was a journey for me, one that I don't often talk about. This is what has perplexed me. I used to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE talking about politics with anyone who would listen. The more they disagreed, the more I loved it. But now, when my parents, or people I care about, question why I don't support Obama, I have a hard time responding. Yesterday I spent the whole day analyzing this, analyzing myself. I have never believed in the "undecided voter." I thought it was just people not willing to admit who they were voting for. People afraid of the conflict or judgement that would follow an answer. Yesterday, I came the closest to being an "undecided voter" I have ever been.

I stopped and asked myself, "why WAS I a democrat, why AM I a conservative?" There are so many democratic ideals that I agree with. I want to help the less fortunate, I do believe those who have prospered by living in this great country have a civic duty to GIVE to others. Obama is very clever in how he words things, he can make it sound like it will all be ok, but something never sits right with me. Why? I didn't want to just spout all the conservative, talk radio, talking points in my answer. (We all know I could, is talk radio ever NOT on in my house!) I wanted the answer to be my own, to be more than something I heard that sounded good. Lets be honest, both sides can sound good and both sides can royally mess things up! Here were my answers, take them for what they are worth to you.

Question #1

Why do I no longer discuss politics?

I am 30 years old and it is still hard for me to disappoint my parents. I want to be everything they ever wanted in a daughter and I know this includes a "democrat" daughter. So, I shy away from the heavy stuff. I remember how I used to feel towards republicans and it kills me to think that this must be how they see me now. Maybe this is why I feel the need to write all this... maybe not.

Question #2

Why did I become conservative, when I felt so strongly the other way?

I believe all Americans should give, should help feed and clothe the hungry, should help educate those around us, should leave our communities better than we found them. However, I don't feel that we should be forced to do this. I don't believe anyone should take away our agency. I always thought republicans were rich and greedy, that they didn't want to pay taxes because they wanted to keep all their money and everyone else could simply fend for themselves. I now feel very, very differently. My husband and I give 10 percent of our income to our church. A church that is well known for helping people in need all over this world. In the past 10 years, Joe Biden, a man who will very likely be our next Vice President, in the last 10 years has given a yearly average of $369 to charity. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-12-biden-financial_N.htm He makes way more than my family and this is all he could give to all the people he is claiming to be able to help? Why would I put my faith in and give my money to the federal government, if I want it to do the most good? What does the federal government NOT mess up? Obama doesn't believe in Americans, doesn't believe that Americans would give, that Americans would help. Americans are the MOST giving nation there is. But Obama wants to force us to give. He wants to take more taxes from the rich (and his definition of rich keeps changing - I wonder what it will be by next year) forcing them to help the less fortunate. How much of that money will those people actually see after it makes its way through Washington? I guess what I am trying to say is that I believe conservatives are some of the MOST giving people. They care about helping people, not helping the government.

This may seems simplistic to some. I am sure there are many who would argue with me. There are many other reasons for me to be conservative, but this is the core. This is what makes me proud to be who I am, proud to have voted, and hopeful for the future of this country.

On a side note....OK, maybe I would have more money in my pocket if Obama is elected, and yes, 10% of more is more. BUT, Obama has also stated that he wants to reduce missile defense spending by 25%. That our bread and butter. I am not willing to risk it for what, $500 extra a year?!?

That all I have, I'll be up late tonight watching the returns and all I can say is that I am cautiously optimistic!

Tyler Turns Three!!

I am not sure exactly when it happened but somewhere just before his third birthday, Diego was pretty much thrown out the window and Thomas the Train became Tyler's latest obsession. Luckily, Jackson was seriously into Thomas at that age so I was able to open up the old toys and it was as if Tyler had gone to Thomas heaven! We kept his birthday pretty simple - mainly due to the fact that we haven't lived here long enough, and don't really know enough people yet to throw him a party. I mean, we know people....but not to the point where I am going to say, "Hey..come on over, eat Thomas cake and bring my child one more toy that he really doesn't need!" Anyway...It was just the family and a few presents, but that is the beauty of a 3 year old- to him it was perfect.

I can't believe my youngest is three. I try to cherish every cuddly moment I can with him but he likes to tell me often that he "is NOT a baby". It's true, I keep waiting for the day he will surpass Jackson in height and weight. He's huge, and he's tough. I mean, not just 3 year old tough but you will get hurt kind of tough. When Sean wrestles with all the boys....Tyler is the one that always causes the most damage! It is crazy to me that my baby, the one who weighed only 6 and a half pounds at birth and was in and out of the hospital the first year of his life is now this tough, robust little kid. I am grateful, but it amazes me none the less.

So what does he like now that he is three?- Thomas the Train (I probably didn't need to mention that one!)
- Playing with Friends
- Swinging
- Watching out the window for his brothers to get off the bus
- Bella, our dog (these two are the best of buddies)
- Reading books with mom
- Eating - I swear all I hear during the day is "Mom - I hun-gy"

Things he hates?
- Anything with Tomato sauce on it
- Getting out of the bath or shower (I swear the kid could stay in all day)
- Not getting what he wants....

We feel so blessed to have Tyler in our family. He is sweet, he is loveable and he is hilarious! I don't know what we would do with out him!

Happy Birthday!!

oh...can I also mention that it is crazy yet wonderful that I don't have any children in diapers? I mean, I have spent the last 8 and a half years changing diapers and now....nothing. I LOVE IT!! ;)

Never Again!!

Have you ever had one of those moments that is so embarrassing it reduces you to tears and hysterics? Me neither. At least...I hadn't...until last week. And I think it has taken me a full week for the hysterics to become hysterical instead of hysteria. Let me explain...

The beginning of last week was busy as usual. I was trying to find a time when I could make it to the commissary. (military word for a grocery store on base) Normally, I try to go in the morning when I only have Tyler to deal with and it isn't very crowded. I couldn't fit it in. I realized that the only time I could go was after the kids got out of school and although I hate shopping with 3 kids in tow, I figured I would just endure through it. Right before going we took Sean back to work and the last words out of my mouth were to remind him to make sure he remembered to transfer money into my account. I think I had something like
$12 in my account. Obviously not enough. Anyways, on to the commissary we proceeded. It was a mad house, and that is a gross understatement. They are closed on Mondays, so Tuesday afternoon is not the best time to go. To give you a visual of what it is like taking 3 boys shopping, I think Sean's friend Dan say it best, you feel like you are trying to heard cats! So, an hour and a half later, I am close to my breaking point but I can see the finish line ahead, we have made it to the long line where you wait for them to call out the next available register. While waiting in line, I am surrounded by 15 other calm and relaxed patrons. They are commenting to me on not only how well behaved my boys are but how brave I am to come shopping with them. You're right I think to myself, I AM a good mom. I don't need Sean here to help me! Why, I could even add another kid to the mix and be just fine! Who ever thought young boys were a handful obviously just wasn't using my expert parenting techniques!
Suddenly, I am at the front of the line and am being told to head down to register four. This is it, the finish line is within my grasp. We get to the register and the person currently there is just leaving which means the conveyor belt is entirely empty. Of course the two oldest boys start throwing all the food on the belt in a completely chaotic manner. I start imagining broken eggs and smashed hot dog buns so I frantically start trying to help them be helpful all while working as efficiently as possible. (Commissaries seem to operate in a slightly militaristic manner and you are expected to be as efficient as possible during peak hours!) Being the awesome mother that I am, my 3 year old son...well, he wasn't even a blip on my maternal radar. That's right, I hadn't given him one thought since I had my premonition of smashed eggs and hot dog buns. Then it happened. And oh, how it happened.....here is how it went....

BOOM (Like a gun shot)

AHHHHHH! (Screams - from multiple people - filling the air)

HISSSSSSSS! (A loud and strange hissing sound)

Then the smoke and white dust started to fill the air.

How strange, I thought, what is going on? It was at that moment that I looked to my right and that 3 year old I spoke of earlier, well let's just say he came screaming back into the center of my maternal radar. There he was, standing next to the fire extinguisher (Did you get that?!?!?) being surrounded by smoke and looking around with a completely terrified look in his eyes. I think it was at that moment that the horror sunk in for both of us. I was struck with the thought of "no, this can't be happening" and he was struck with the thought, "run, just get away and hide!" So he did, he ran to get away from the strange dust and to get away from all the people pointing and staring at him. I, on the other hand, was forced to chase him, pushing my way through a sea of staring pointing and whispering strangers. It was right then that I realized I had suddenly become "that mother." You know, the mother you always shake your head at and think, "I would do it SO much better" (and I am not the only one who has thought this!) I was the one with too many kids, the one who couldn't control them, the one who wasn't paying any attention to her youngest! I could go on and on.

Finally, I got to Tyler, (thanks to a blockade of people who, I think, just wanted to see what the commotion was all about) gave him a big hug, told him no one was mad and made sure he was OK. We then made our way back to the register just in time to see them jamming open the doors and taping off the entire area with black and yellow crime scene tape, as if the moment wasn't bad enough already! I put Tyler in the cart and continued on. Jason and Jackson are now badgering me with a thousand questions over what happened and I turn to them and plead if we could please just pretend it didn't happen for a few more minutes because mommy is pretty mortified at the moment and really doesn't want to discuss it. My cashier then turns to me to let me know that although he knows I am not finding it amusing, he finds the situation hilarious and proceeds to tell me that he had been having a "crappy day" but my 3 year old just "made his day". I smiled and told him to give me an hour or so and I might agree but....not quite yet. Then he presented me with my total and I quickly swiped my debit card, wanting nothing more than to get away from the staring, the sympathetic looks and yes, the glares from the people fanning themselves and talking about how bad the dust smelled. But no, why would the torment end there? What did happen next? My card was DECLINED!! "This machine has been having problems all day" says the nice cashier. I smile, swipe my card again and tell him that while that may be true, I knew in my gut that my wonderful, hardworking, yet sometimes forgetful husband had forgotten to transfer money and that my $12.00 probably wasn't going to cover it. I was right, declined again, ran it as a credit....yep, declined. Luckily, the commissary accepts visa. The only problem I had to face now is that commissary baggers work for tips only. I pay with debit at the commissary for that very reason - I can always pull out some cash to pay them for loading my car with groceries, a service I really am more than happy to pay for! We begin the walk to the car and I think this is where Heavenly Father took pity on my situation. I knew there was NO cash in my wallet, (is there ever? If I have cash, I spend it...just ask my husband) So as we walked I frantically started searching every nook and crannie of my purse. Miraculously, I come up with $1.50. A pathetic tip, but a tip none the less. If only my bagger hadn't been one of the glaring people, previously before mentioned, she might have been more understanding. She took my money, listened to my feeble apology, and walked away. It was then that I lost it. I sat in my car, called Sean and the hysterics began. At first, he just kept saying, "I am so sorry, I am so sorry!" Of course, he was thinking that it was simply a matter of not having money in my account. I proceed to tell him everything and he seems to understand most of it through the sobbing. He tells me to come get him so he can help make my night as stress free as possible. By the time I pick him up, all he could talk about was how smart Tyler was to figure out how to remove the pin and shoot the extinguisher! When I asked Tyler, he said "mama, I just want to shoot the squirt gun!" We have spent the week talking about what types of squirt guns we never shoot and tomorrow I am going to brave it all again. Yep, you heard me. I am going to show my face once more and face my fears. I am returning to the scene of the crime (we do have to eat after all) although this time I am going in the morning with only Tyler. Never, never, never again will I shop with the three of them during the busiest time of the day!!

So, there it all is, my most embarrassing moment to date....but with three boys, who knows what's coming next!

Oh...and don't worry, I CAN laugh about it all now!

Cow's say what?!?

Last night we went on a family walk on a trail only a mile or so from our house. The trail takes you past pastures of horses and cows. The kids were having a great time running through the woods and seeing the animals. Sean and I saw this as a great opportunity to see how smart our now 3 year old son is.(birthday pictures will follow soon)

We turned to him and asked, "Ty, what sound does a cow make?"

He quickly and happily responded in a singing voice... "moo moo here, moo moo there!"

It was pretty cute.

So, maybe we need to work on what sounds animals actually do make instead of leaving it up to Old McDonald! But then again...Old McDonald had a farm, and on his farm he had a cow...so maybe he knows best!

Green Bean Dilema

So last night we are sitting at the dinner table and, as usual, the boys are lamenting over eating even the smallest amount of vegetables. The following conversation is what followed...

Jason says to Jackson in a VERY dramatic manor - "What if we had no money and all their was to eat was green beans. What would you do? Eat the green beans.... or DIE?"

Jackson took a beat and with perfect comedic timing turned to his brother and said simply, "I'd go live with Grandma."

As his mom all I can say is I think his survival instincts are right on target!

Halloween Decorations

I was thinking about getting out my Fall/Halloween Decorations soon, but I don't think there is much need. I woke up the other morning, walked on to the front porch and realized that Decorations had already been put up. Here is what I found!

He was about 4 - 5 inches long and I say "was" because thanks to my favorite shoes and a brave husband, this little guy is no longer with us. I guess this means that I still need to get out the decorations! Happy Fall!