First week in Hawaii

Merry Christmas Eve to everyone!!!

This week has been very different to say the least. I had no idea what to expect when coming here. I am glad that I didn't have expectations. The first few days all I could think was "what have we gotten ourselves into!" It rained constantly the first 2 days with flash flood warnings. We are staying on Ford Island which is WAY too close to Honolulu. Traffic in the Honolulu is INSANE!!!! For example, I went to the commissary (military grocery store) yesterday. It is 2.5 miles away. It took me 1 1/2 hrs just to drive back!!! You seriously can sit in one spot for 10 mins.

We have been house hunting all week. This too is frustrating to me. When I call someone...I expect a call back in a timely manner. It is just good business. Even the realtors won't call you back for several days. Some houses we thought were taken and that was why they didn't call back. But no, they just took their sweet ass time. I am NOT a patient person. I think this is extrememly rude. That is the reality I am going to have to get used to though. The people here are in no hurry for ANYTHING!!!

Upside...I think we have found a house. I absolutely LOVE it. It is 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath. But it has a large loft for a game room/guest area ;) We REALLY want visitors so the extra space was really important to me :) The kitchen and living area are open. I really like that. I will actually have a pantry!!! Yay! The boys' rooms are a little small but with the loft it won't really matter. I like their toys to be seperate from their beds anyway :) The house is in Ewa Beach. It is located on the opposite side of Pearl harbor than Honolulu. Big plus! The subdivision is Ewa by Gentry. Really nice neighborhood with lots of bike trails. It is about a mile from the beach. I'm thinking we will make several bike trips down there.

We went to Kailua beach the other day which in on the east side of the island. Beautiful!!! Here are a few pics of our trip.

Once we are settled and I am away from Honolulu...I think I will love it here. The mountains are amazing. It is definitely an adjustment though.

Day 2 and Parker's FIRST STEPS!!!

I can't believe it! Parker took his first steps tonight!!! I stood him in front of me and begged him to come to me. Everytime he tried squatting to crawl and just stood him back up. After just a few times he took a step. The next time he took 2 and then 3!!! He is amazing! He's NOT even 9 months yet! He will be 9 months Christmas day. He won't take more than 3. Something about that third step...makes him think he needs to dive for you! lol

I failed to mention where we were actually staying right now. Military housing has a waiting list about 6-9 months long. :/ So, we are staying in the Navy Lodge on Ford Island. It is so neat to be staying here. The bridge to the Island goes right by the USS Arizona Memorial. Everytime we drive across the bridge I try to imagine what the attack on Pearl Harbor was like. The lodge is actually pretty nice. It is a large room with a seperate bedroom. No fun sleeping in the same room with your kiddos tho! We have a small kitchen, so at least we are able to cook basic meals.

Took my first trip into downtown Honolulu today. Unfortunately it was during rush hour! OMG! I lost my patience very quickly. The Wal-mart and Sam's are in the same building. Wal-Mart is on the 1st floor and Sam's in on the 3rd. Very weird...and a cluster F*** of people. Sorry but there is no way to say it nicely! I have now vowed to avoid downtown Honolulu at all cost!

House hunting is about to begin. We have found several online and are going to call tomorrow to set up appointments. We would like to move into a house beginning-mid January. Housing is insane here. There is no such thing as a decent yard. The prices are crazy. Thank goodness the army gives us a housing allowance. We are hoping to find a house in the Mililani area. Location is great for Ben and getting to work. I really like the Ewa Beach area but it is a little further than Ben would like to drive.

Prices...not nearly as bad as I expected. We went grocery shopping yesterday and I was surprised. I have to admit...we did go to the commissary on post. But even today at Wal-Mart and Sam's I didn't think the prices were much different. Chicken and milk were the 2 things that were noticeably higher. Milk is $4.07 a gallon. Gas is $3.49. High...but not as high as I thought it would be. I guess I expected the worst!

It has rained pretty much non-stop since I got here. It should be overcast tomorrow but no rain. I am hoping I can FINALLY get some pictures to post. I think we are going to head to the beach :)

Home Sweet Home Hawaii!!!

We are here!!! FINALLY!!!

First off, I have to say that my boys are truly amazing! We had 2 1/2 hr flight to Minneapolis and then a 9 hr flight to Honolulu. They were great. Parker got a little restless once, but he didn't even cry. He just got a little fussy. Blake and Hunter were fabulous. They watched movies and played games the whole flight.

We arrived a little after 5pm Saturday. Day light was very short. We went to eat dinner with friends of Ben. Very sweet family...I think we will be getting along very well :)

Unfortunately today it rained ALL day!!! Flash flood warnings even!!! We still managed to get out and drive around some neighborhood though. We were able to cross out and circle a few. :) I was really hoping to get into military housing. We even (thought we) put our name on the list back in August. BUT...it didn't do CRAP! So the waiting list is 6-12 months!!! Not sure we can manage a 1 bedroom hotel room for that long. It is really nice but only has a mini fridge and a 2 burner stove top. Did I mention that I LOVE to cook?!?!? I can't even make Parker's baby food :( So I think we are going to find a temporary home.

Our biggest concern is Blake. He has had to move schools too much in such a short time already. We really don't want to make him change more than he has to. I am really considering home schooling him until fall. It would keep him from having to change 2 more times! I would LOVE some input on this!!!

I HAVE to find a Christmas tree and figure out how to make a Christmas dinner without an oven!!! I'll let you know how all of that goes.

As far as Hawaii goes...it really is beautiful! Some parts are better than others. I will post pictures as soon as the rain stops and I can take some!!

My time in Arkansas has come to an end...

Bittersweet...that is the only word that can really sum up how I am feeling about this. I am so excited to be in Hawaii! Ben keeps sending pictures and telling me how beautiful it is. I want to be there with him so badly. So ready to start my life again. I feel like it has just been placed on hold for 4 months. But...I am so sad to leave my friends and family.

Today is my day to finish up errands. Mom and Jonathan are coming to spend the day with us. We are going to take the van to get a tune-up. While it is getting serviced we are going to hit Wal-mart, Ulta, and get some lunch. Tonight is my last night with Nikki :( I hate good byes and I really don't want to say goodbye to her and Kendyl.

Tomorrow I will be packing everything into the van. It will be Blake's last day of school and I promised him that I would come eat with him. After school we are going to see Santa!!! Then having dinner with Chelsea and going to see the lights in downtown Fayetteville. We will stay the night at Ken and Cathy's house.

Friday morning we will load up the van and had to Dallas. Linda and Ken are going to follow us down to help with all the luggage and the boys. I have to drop the van off to be shipped to Hawaii. We will find something fun to do in Dallas for the night. I am so thankful to Linda and Ken both for making the trip with me.

Saturday morning at 8am we board a plane for Hawaii!!! It will be a very long day. For Christmas the boys got tons of stuff for the plane. Maw and Papaw gave them DVD players so we should be set! Thanks!

In Hawaii...Ben is getting us into temporary housing. He found out yesterday that we could be on the waiting list for a house for 6 months! Give or take! He already bought a vehicle over there. He found a nice trailblazer and seems to really like it. My first order of business will be to find a Christmas tree for the boys. If we are having Christmas in a hotel, we at least need a tree!!!

I will try to update as much as possible. I linked my phone to my blog. As long as it works I should be able to update regularly. I will post pics soon too! Love you all!

Finally getting EXCITED!!!

All this time I haven't been able to get excited about Hawaii. It always seemed so far away with a thousand things to do in between. The time has raced by though! Ben leaves tomorrow!!! I take him to the airport in the morning. He will have a very long day of flying. We decided for him to go ahead of us so he can get us into temporary housing and buy a vehicle. The boys and I only have 8 days left!!!

What am I excited for? My own house, my own space, a baby free bedroom :) I am so appreciative to my mother-in-law for letting us stay with her. It really helped in so many ways with this move. But I am a control freak (yes I said it) and I need my space to control! I like things to have their place :) Of course I am really excited to see Hawaii and all of its amazing beauty. It will be so fun to learn more about photography in a place like that. I can't wait to see what kind of pictures I get. Ben and I want to learn how to scuba dive and take the boys to surf lessons. We will be able to learn a whole other culture and way of life. This will be an experience of a life time. We feel so lucky to be able to go on this adventure.

With all this excitement there is some sadness. It is SO far away! Anyone who knows me knows how much I cherish my friends. They have been there through so much. It has been so nice to see many of my old friends again. Feels like old times, just all grown up. And then there are friends who step in your life and within moments they have changed it forever. I have been so blessed with the most amazing friends. I will miss them terribly!!! My family too!

Please come see us in Hawaii!

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband :)

In a world where love is rare, where marriages fail more often than suceed, where there is so much pain...I am lucky to have my amazing husband. I am married to a man who amazes me, inspires me, takes my breath away, makes me feel all ends of my emotions' spectrum, and still after 11 years gives me butterflies.

Happy 29th Birthday my love. On this day I want to say exactly what I am thankful for...you. I fell in love with this crazy, funny, full of life guy. I lived life being scared. Scared to be risky, to let loose, to have fun...to get in trouble. You taught me how to let go, how to live, how to embrace life and the fun in it. You taught me a love that I had never felt before. No matter where we are or what we are going through, our love is still there...even if we lost sight of it at times.

You are a man that a wife can be proud of. You are your own person and don't let others change who you. Your heart is so big. Your family, friends and patients are taken care of with kindness and compassion. You serve your country bravely...and look damn good in that uniform ;) And our boys are incredibly lucky to have a dad who is so involved and loving.

Thank you for loving me. Thank you for the life we share. And thank you for being able to fall in love over and over again with such an amazing man.

Life just races by...

It has been a couple weeks since I posted last. It as been a crazy time. We are FINALLY a family again. We had an amazing week in Texas. Ben and I even had a couple nights alone!!! We made so many wonderful memories over the last couple weeks with family and friends. Too many to go into detail! I hate being so behind!!! Instead I want to take a moment write down some of my thoughts.

I am constantly looking at myself and trying to learn more about what makes me tick and why. I feel like through reflection you are able to become a better person. I also think while looking in, you should also look out. I have had a lot of driving time which equals thinking/reflecting time. I have come up with some new goals.

#1: To be more cheerful. Life is so much more fun when you walk through it with a smile.

#2: To let go. Grudges only hurt yourself. Rather than hanging on to anger...be productive and find a way to fix what is making you mad.

#3: (most important) Love who I am. No one is perfect. Of course I have my flaws, but for the most part, I think I am a pretty amazing person ;)

I tend to take everything to heart. I over think things. Sometimes things are the way they are just because they are. Life happens, things change, people make mistakes but how you choose to handle it is up to you. Be someone who you are proud to be. Make choices that you can live happily with. Then at the end of the day...if someone doesn't like who you are, let them go. You shouldn't have to change for anyone.

A happier, less angry person is who I want to be. I am so lucky in life. I have the most amazing friends and family. I have happy, healthy children. A husband who I can laugh with, learn from, and continue to grow while hand in hand. Nothing else really matters.

I could go on for forever...

Crazy, wonderful week! :)

The last week was absolutely wonderful! :) I was able to spend each evening with a different one of my amazing friends.

Monday night the boys and I met Charita and her family for dinner at the local Mexican place. We don't get together nearly enough, but when we do it is so much fun. Full of laughs! We each have 3 boys who all get along so well.

Tuesday we went over to Chelsea's mom, Vanessa's house. The boys were able to ride a horse :) Chelsea's sister and neice were also there. River is only a couple weeks older than Parker. It was sooo cute to see them interact! It was very nice to see Chelsea and her family, and even better to see her happy again! Chels will always be like my little sister. No matter how old we get I continue to have that protective urge inside me. I love her to peices.

Wednesday we went over to Jeremy and Meredith's house. They are proof that friendship has nothing to do with the length of time you have known someone. Sometimes people just click. We just started hanging out and I feel like I have known them my entire life. I love so many of my friends here like they are my family but I am already used to being away from them. (Very sad but that's the life of military) I NEVER expected to move back to Arkansas for a few months and start a new friendship that is going to make it feel impossible to leave.

Thursday was my weekly night at Nikki's. My favorite thing about spending time with Nikki is that she has seen me at my best, worst and everywhere in between. We have had so much history together, even rfriendship has had it's ups and downs. But she is the one that through everything has always been there, or at least just a phone call away. I feel comfortable to just be myself with no worries of not being good enough. It has been so wonderful to finally spend time with her amazing little girl too!

Finally...Friday we drove to Texas to be with Ben!!!! We met at my Dad's house in Conroe. I always love seeing my Dad and other mother but it was just amazing to finally wrap my arms around my hubs! It was a LONG drive though. Surprisingly it went very well. I had the 3 boys and our 90 lb dog! If you can believe it...I only stopped 2 times on a 10 hr drive!!!

Saturday Maw and I decided that we needed to get matching tattoos. She has another one that matches her 3 girls so I was totally feeling left out ;) We went down to the tat parlor and got some cute tats on our feet :) There is a large star in the center in my Dad's favorite color, purple. Then there are 5 small stars. Each star represent the birthstone of our immediate family members. I have to say that Blake's green is beautiful. I want to extend the one on my side at some point and may just have to add some green to it!  Ben also got a tattoo. It is HUGE on his left shoulder/arm.

Yesterday, my wonderful other mother, Kim (aka Maw) was wonderful enough to keep my boys while Ben and I spent a couple days alone in San Antonio! We drove to San Antonio yesterday afternoon to help a friend of his move into his apartment. After we finished uploading his u-haul we went to eat at Papasito's. OMG Yum!!! The best fajitas I have ever had!!! Then we can back to ben's home for the last 3 months. (a hotel off the riverwalk) Let me tell you, he has not been roughing it at all! It was so nice to have a quiet evening with no worries of children!

And today...I have a day all to myself :) I have to go to Babie-R-Us though because I forgot my breast pump. Just great! I was already worried about being away from Parker for 2 days and having to pump. I had the pump already loaded in the van and decided to pump one more time before leaving the house and then left it :( Even with that little bump it feels so great to be in a kid free zone for a day!

Whew...that was a lot of catching up!

Our weekend away :)

There is nothing better than seeing the look on your children's faces when they see something new and amazing. From the time I was itty bity I have found the Gateway Arch in St. Louis to be absolutely incredible. As time in the continental US is ending, I decided that I needed to go see my Grandma in Illinois. I haven't seen her in 4 years. That is so hard to believe because her and my grandpa were such a huge part of my childhood. So I decided to take the boys up to see her. Since we had to drive right by the Arch anyway, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to show the boys a historical structure that meant so much to me :)

The boys LOVED! To see how huge it is, how small it looks up top but then to be able to go up there, all of it was so cool to them. Blake was a little unsure about the small, shaky elevator up but they did great!

Then we got to eat at my all time favorite restaurant...The Old Spaghetti Factory! Yummy!!! My Grandpa liked it too so it has great memories. The atmosphere is awesome!

My mom came with us too! She loved getting to spend the time with the boys. 

Then we headed up to my grandma's in Wood River, IL. It amazes me how much can change in just a few years. Everywhere I look in her house I see my Grandpa. I loved and admired him so much. A remarkable man! The whole time I was there all I could think was what a shame it was that he didn't get to see my boys. They would have adored him. But Blake got to read to Grandma. He is getting REALLY good!

 

Blake and Hunter got to play on the organ that I loved as a child. I spent more hours than I can count on this organ :)

We had a great time! We stayed in a hotel Saturday night, woke up and went swimming. Then we headed back home. The boys were really excited because we picked up Tugger from my mom's house. He will spend the week with us and then goes to Maw and PaPaw's house this weekend.

4 MORE DAYS AND WE ARE WITH BEN!!! WAHOO!!!

Veteran's Day

First off, Happy Veterans Day! Our Soldiers, past and present, sacrifice so much for us. Thank you!Today makes me miss my Grandpa. He was a WW2 Marine veteran. Grandpa was my big teddy bear growing up. Wish you were here to chase the boys around ;) Love you!

To my amazing husband...I am so proud of you! Thank you for what you do for our country, but especially for being the devoted father and husband you are. I love you more than words could ever express.

I really need to get some updated pictures of my man in uniform. I haven't seen him in uniform since his promotion to Cpt :(

Whew...what a day! The military decided to throw us a little curve ball today. We thought Ben was going to have to fly back to NC just to have a piece of paper signed. Luckily after all day on the phone, his commander was able to get it straightened out. Thank goodness!!! Some days should just never start though. I was an emotional mess today. I am beyond ready to have Ben back home with us!

Chelsea came to visit yesterday. Always great to see her and catch up. Busy lives keep us from getting together more. Tonight we went over to Nikki's and she cooked us a yummy mexican casserole. I FINALLY got my rings back today! I had to have them sized down and they messed them up. They were sent back in and they even fixed the prongs so it was more secure all at no charge! Yay! They are so pretty :)

Tomorrow we leave for St. Louis. I am really excited to take the boys to the arch. I haven't been in over 10 years! We will also visit my grandma, who I haven't seen in 4 years. Hunter was only a month or so old when I went last. It will be a fast trip but I really need to go see her. I am excited for her to see the boys. I will update when we get back. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Mommy gets mean

The last several weeks I have felt like I am a parenting failure. Blake and Hunter's behavior was getting worse and worse. Hunter has been wild, defiant and pushing every boundary possible. Blake has been getting wild at times but also disrespectful and unappreciative. Most who have been around me know that Ben and I have a little different form of punishing our boys. We are a military house, so we have military type discipline ;) Front leaning rest, invisible chair, jumping jacks, etc. In the past this has worked very well. Lately, not so much!!! I have also tried spanking, time outs and early bedtime. Sunday I finally decided I had dealt with more than enough! Here is why...

As we are driving to the zoo I had to pull over to nurse Parker. I sat in the middle row seat to feed him. I looked back to talk to Blake and saw that he had colored all over the arm rest and side of the van next to his seat! I was mad. All I could think was that I was taking them to the zoo and that's the kind of thanks I get for it. I considered turning around and going home but at this point Hunter was being really good for once so I didn't want to punish him too. I told Blake that I would be thinking about him punishment throughout the day. They were pretty good at the zoo. We had a great time and the weather couldn't have been better. On the way home the boys were laughing and carring on. It was dark so I couldn't see what they were actually doing. Then I felt water on the back of my arm! They were having a water fight in the back of my van! I hit my limit and the punishment...

We got home. I told the boys to go get ready for a bath and I would come in the give them a spanking and start their baths. I had them bend there naked bums over my knee and gave them an old fashion spanking. While they were in the bath tub I packed up every toy in their room. They went straight to bed. They are grounded from toys, TV, movies (in van or anywhere), and any kind of treats for at least a week. Blake also had to write "I will not write in the van." 50 times. After a week we are going to reevaluate their behavior and see if they can have any of their priviledges back. Results so far...

I was amazed at their behavior yesterday. The were both WONDERFUL!!! They played well together, spent a lot of time playing with Parker, built tents in their room quietly, and were really sweet. Maybe they finally realize that mommy means business. I just threatened Hunter with a bare bottom spanking today and he straightened right up :) I'll let you know how the rest of the week goes.

On another subject...I get to take pictures again this afternoon :) Meredith is wanting some pictures of Brock and Ashton. We are going to play around on their family farm. I have some great ideas and can't wait to see if we get some good shots. Should be a great evening. I always enjoy spending time with them.

Few more days and we are off to St. Louis :)

Driving is what I do best!

I feel like all I have done since my last entry is drive. Went to town yesterday to pick up my up wedding rings from being sized down, only to get there and they were messed up :( I'll be ringless for another week. I feel so naked without them! Upside to yesterday is getting to hangout at the Millers last night. :) They are so awesome to let us come over all the time!

The driving continued today. This morning we drove to Bergman for Blake's last soccer game. He scored 2 goals :) So proud of him! I am glad the season has come to an end though. It as been exhausting! Hunter finished up last weekend. After the game we drove to Rogers. 2 of our cousins, Connor and Quinn, competed in the State Cross Country compitition. It was the first time I have been able to see them run and I was SO proud. The boys team finished 3rd! Quinn made all-state! Great job to both of them :) Afterwards, Linda and I took the boys to the park and then to eat at Carino's. Yum!

Very excited about tomorrow. We are going to the Tulsa Zoo!!! :) It should be a beautiful day. I may have to figue out how to post pics on here tomorrow :)

Some great news.......Our things arrived in HAWAII!!! One step closer :) 13 more days and we will be reunited with Ben :)

Here goes nothing!

This is my first blog so please hang in there with me as I try to figure everything out. I thought I would start now before everything gets crazy with the move.

We have 2 weeks left before our family is back together again! It has been a long 3 months without Ben. Then it is only 6 weeks until we move to Hawaii! We are so excited. Very ready to finally be together in a place of our own. Our new temporary home. Ben is going out a week early to get a car and start the housing process. Keep your fingers crossed for us that we will get a nice house, in a great community. It will be our first time in military housing.

There are a few exciting things coming up before being reunited with Ben. We have a trip to the Tulsa zoo planned for this weekend! I always love going to the zoo with the boys. Nothing better than to see a huge smile across your children's faces. Next weekend we will be going to St. Louis! My mom and I will be taking the boys to see my grandma in Wood River, IL, which is not far from St. Louis. The boys have never been to the arch. We HAVE to go up in it.

Parker is up so I will close for now. I will do my best to keep this current. Also, I will update later about the boys and how they are doing :)