Life in England

MOVING!

2011-03-25T21:32:00.000Z

This blog has moved. You may now find me here: http://www.ourtravelinshoes.com/ I hope that you will stop by for a visit soon.

Sincerely,

Tonya

Behind...

2011-01-22T20:04:00.000Z

I've fallen behind and I could give you a million excuses, but the real reasons are:

Life got hectic - had some things to handle and pray about.
For some reason blogger wouldn't let me upload photos.
My internet went down.
I was tired.
...and I've been looking at new blog designs.

But never fear...I still have my daily photos (minus 2...but you've had extra pictures) and here they are:

{Day 9}

You know how some times you just want a piece of gum? Maybe, like me you were in a rush, forgot to brush your teeth and could really use that "minty goodness" to ward off the bad breath you may be packing around???

Well, that's what I wanted on this day...did I get it? NO! Know why? I can give you a guess; his name starts with a "B". I was driving down the road, pulled the packet of gum out my purse and attempted to pop a "ice cube" in my mouth...{insert frustration here}...the box was EMPTY!!! I love my son, don't get me wrong, but the gum in my purse is MINE...STAY OUT! ...or at least ASK!

{Day 10a}

{Day 10b}

Yes, you get 2 photos for Day 10...and this is another BRIER story! Two days in a row! He loves popcorn, did you know that? The kid could live on popcorn. He asks for it almost daily! He's gotten to where he is big enough to put it in the microwave and make it himself. However, if you look at exhibit "a" you will see that perhaps he is not big enough to salt it! Exhibit "b", Ashlynn shows me her handful of popcorn she stole and says, "There is enough salt in this stuff to give you a heart attack! What'd he do, dump the whole thing in there?!"

Tonight, 2 days later, he once again asks for popcorn. He makes it, he slightly burns it, and I inform him I will put the salt on it. We have that "butter seasoning salt" and I ask him where it is. He goes and gets it and returns and politely asks me, "Did you put the regular salt on it yet?" You see where this is going right??? Yep, he put both forms of salt on the previous popcorn that nearly gave his sister a heart attack!

Day 11 is missing...however, I've a short story in place of it - because this is something I could not take a photo of. My son came home from school very excited. The happiest I've seen him come home all year! Which really says something. He's been having some issues with kids picking on him or getting him into trouble...wrong crowd, wrong place.

Anyway, he tells me, "Today was the best day EVER!"

"Really Buddy, why's that?" I was really curious as to what made my son so happy.

"Because I evolved!"

I was thinking to myself it was the best day ever because of Pokemon? To be sure I ask, "You evolved?"

"Yes, I'm smarter! I moved from the Monkey table to the Snake table!"

In their school, the children are arranged by tables according to their levels or abilities and they can gradually move up as the excel. Brier was so excited that he had made so much progress...but under further investigation I learned that he is no longer sitting by several of the boys that were causing him problems in school and that makes me excited! I've always known that Brier is a bright little man...but like his mama he is easily distracted.

Now that the distractions have been minimized I pray that he will show us what he is made of and continue to excel and evolve as I know he can.

Brier gives me some pretty good stories - most the time - I think I probably should have been in his room recording his every word when he and David put his new bed together...it was apparently entertaining. I guess at one point he told David, "I'm just a kid, man!"

{Day 12}

Isn't it a pretty cake? Ashlynn made it today. David told her he needed to go on a diet and she was not helping! She attempted to decorate it with an icing set she bought a while back...she had some difficulties. Icing was coming not only out the little tip, but the top as well! It still taste pretty darn good tho, and David's already had 2 pieces. That girl is gonna have to go bake next door if he is serious about that diet :) She loves to bake and make a mess!

Blogger still wanted to give me issues with uploading pictures tonight. Not sure what that is all about. It wants me to sign into google and then upload and then it tells me that I can't do that right now and to try again later. So if there is no photo tomorrow...bare with - I'm trying!

Until then may you have memories to photograph and stories to tell!

Tonya

P.S. If you know of any get sites to help me figure out how to design my own blog - shoot me the link! Thanks!

Day 7 - Brier's New Bed

2011-01-17T23:22:00.000Z

{New Bed}

He worked really hard today helping his Dad put it together. Tomorrow, they work on the other pieces that came with it. A little shelf and something - not sure what all. They had a good time working together this evening.

Tonya

Day 6 - Happy Birthday David!

2011-01-16T23:13:00.000Z

First, I'd like to say, "Happy 38th Birthday, honey! I love you so very much. God sure knew what he was doing when he created you to be my husband, I'm not sure who else could put up with me. There could not be a more perfect fit. You work so hard, and yet you work just as hard at home; helping with the house, the kids, the dogs...sometimes I think you do more than I. A lot of times that's even true, I apologize that the Lord blessed you with a lazy bum for a wife :) I am most appreciative for all the hard work you do. We would not be who we are or where we are if it were not for you. Thank you for being so great. I love you!"

Second, I'd like to add a bit to my daily pictorial journal. Sunday's are meant for the Lord. That's the way I was taught and the way I believe. So to remember this as the Lord's day, throughout this pictorial adventure on Sunday's I am also going to let you know what am thankful for each week. Those moments that stand out, those that make me feel blessed beyond measure.

Today's picture is obviously my desk!

{My Desk}

{Matching Cabinet}

Both which give me a few things to be thankful for:

A husband who spoils me and is willing to put furniture together for me...even on his birthday!
A nice place to write, scrapbook, and it even includes storage.
That the money for both arrived just in time, as they were on sale until today!

I must admit, I feel rather important sitting here at a real desk instead of a 5ft table! I really like this. I've wanted a desk for a long while now. I've wanted what I've been calling my Dream Desk from The Original Scrapbox:

No, I did not get it...but I got one that I am happy with and that is what matters right? Now, I think I'll save my change for the workbox - which could take a long time! However, when we finally leave England...it might be time for it. Who knows? Dreams are meant to be dreamt right?

I believe my new furniture will suit me well, and I believe it will give me future things to be thankful for as well.

There are a few other things that occurred this week that I am thankful for:

Ashlynn and her kind spirit. Thursday afternoon when I picked her up from school, she did yet another thing to melt my heart, bring a silent tear to my eye, and fill me with joy. There is a student named Mark, 3 years (classes) below her. He is a special needs child. For some reason on Thursday Mark did not want to go home. He was voicing this to his parents loudly as we walked behind them. They were parked ahead of us and so as we went past Ashlynn stopped. She didn't tell me she was going to, she just stopped...so of course I did to. Then she said very enthusiastically, "Hi Mark! I'll play with you tomorrow okay?" Mark dried his eyes, smiled so big I swear you could have seen sunshine and said, "Okay!" Then he got in his car without another word. Then we walked on to our car. I was speechless. Not many kids would have stopped, let alone even speak. The fact that Ashlynn took that small moment out of her day, her time...to bless another...well my cup runneth over. She is simply amazing.
Internet - so I can share these things with you...even if I have to reset the router a 100 times...without it I could not connect with so many.
My camera - which has been getting a great workout this week!
Puppy kisses :)
Brier and his persistence. Had he not been so persistent I'm pretty sure his friend Josh would not have come round on Saturday. They had a great time together playing football, the wii, and all sorts. Sometimes Brier's persistence drives me insane and I want to shout, "would you just hang on a sec"...but I am thankful he has this trait. It may be one of his greatest strengths and it may do him well in his future. At least I know he'll never give up! :)
Good friends who enjoy celebrating birthdays, playing games, and just hanging out.
Rug Dr...even if I didn't push the silly red button!
Laughter - because it feels so good! I've had plenty to laugh at this week.
And most of all, I'm thankful for the birthday boy himself, whom without I would be utterly lost.

For those of you that have taken the time to read this blog today, I thank you. I pray that you have had many great things to be thankful for this week and that God may bless you in the coming week.

Tonya

Day 5 - Roxie the builder

2011-01-15T22:57:00.000Z

David drove to IKEA today to get me a desk. I'd seen it just before Christmas and nearly bought it then...but decided to check a few other options first. Finally, decided "Yes, I want the one from IKEA". So David drove down and got it today - as it is only on sale until tomorrow.

After he returned he fixed my 'mishap' with the Rug Dr. - I'm sure he'll gladly tell you all about it if you ask him. Then I helped him carry the boxes in and he began to build my desk. He had his normal helper...Ashlynn. I think Brier even pitched in here and there...but he also had a new helper. One who tried with all her might to open the boxes for him. All she managed was a small hole.

However, she did not give up! She decided she could do more with tools:

She was very good at stealing his screwdriver and running off with it! What a big helper! :)

I had to get the camera when David said, "There's your picture". I am really enjoying doing this. Trying to get a photo for each day and put up here. Say little something. It's fun and making me feel as if I've accomplished something! Lord, knows not to trust me with a Rug Dr.

Tonya

P.S. David turns 38 tomorrow - tell him Happy Birthday! :)

Day 4 - Ashlynn and her books

2011-01-14T21:45:00.000Z

I almost didn't have a photo for today...but then right across the hall from me - in the kitchen I saw this:

This is our daughter Ashlynn. I believe she is reading book #5 since Christmas. She received 15...only 10 more to go...someone send this girl some books! She's breaking me here!

I found this to be a priceless and comical photo all at the same time, with her bookmark on her head while waiting for her shells and cheese to get done. Ashlynn is ALWAYS reading. I don't mind, I love the fact that she loves reading and enjoys it so much. It kinda runs in this family. All 4 of us read, but Ashlynn can always be found with a book in her hand or within reach.

She has her own bookshelf and it is full size and pretty much full. We made some space and donated some to the base library so that she would have room for her Christmas gifts...but that is quickly filling up. She has a shelf by her bed, that is covered in books, some on her desk, and spread about her room. The girl is simply "Bookish" and I love it!

Tonya

Day 3, Mini Birthday Celebration & Game Night

2011-01-14T21:23:00.000Z

So I didn't get to post this yesterday...we had a busy evening and I remembered it this morning and thought, "Oh, no I failed." However, I've not given up - I'm here still trying and here is the picture for day 3.

"Laundry, where ~~Mom~~ Dad hangs out"

Yes, I will admit it. David does the laundry in our house. I will also admit that he is much better at it than I. He can wash it, dry it, fold it, and have it ready for us to put away all in one day! Genius. He's just awesome like that. He can even get stains out and does not dye things, pink, yellow, or black. Yes, I've dyed many items. He deploys sometimes and well I get stuck with laundry duty...it's generally not pretty! The kids call me the laundry monster. I should probably be ashamed at my lack of skills in the laundry department, but I am not. The good Lord knew all about me and therefore provided me with a husband that is the perfect fit.

What makes me smile is my children's sense of humor. You see for Christmas Brier got David a laundry basket. When I asked the kids what we should get him, they rattled off things I already had, and got quiet. I informed them they were not helping much. Then Brier came up with a brilliant plan. "A Laundry Basket". Why? "Because Dad is always doing the laundry, so he must like it!" and the second part of the plan, "we can put all his presents inside it and then wrap it up." It was great!

During Christmas break the kids and I were on base shopping. As were were leaving, we walked by a shop and hanging on a hook outside the door was this sign, "Laundry, where Mom hangs out". Ashlynn immediately says, "We should get Dad that for his birthday! It could go with his laundry basket! We can take a marker, cross out Mom, and write in Dad." Needless to say, that is just what we did! I had to buy a whole package of sharpies just to get a brown one! It was worth it!

David will celebrate his 38th birthday this Sunday. The kids gave him his gifts early, as we had friends over and they wanted them to see what they got him. We all had a good laugh. David also got a new tool box that has made him squeal with delight.

Happy Birthday, Honey! We love you! and we love that you take such great care of our laundry - heaven forbid the monster be in charge!

Tonya

Day 2 of 354

2011-01-12T23:18:00.000Z

I left my office this afternoon at 3 p.m. to fetch Brier from school. When I walked out into the hall, I thought, "Oh, what a picture". Stepped back in my office, grabbed my camera and captured it. My tired girls...I should have laid there with them. All this running up and down the garden is wearing me out!

I was only going to post the one photo...but then... Ashlynn was sitting in the hall working on completing the story she wrote for Nanowrimo and keeping an eye on Roxie. She's quick to potty when nobody is looking and seems to do it more when everyone is home! Through out today she only had one accident...then everyone came home and she forgot what to do, I think. Anyway, Roxie has REALLY bad gas...

"Oh! ROXIE!!!"

That's exactly what Ashlynn said. She is trying to protect her yogurt from the stinch as well as her nose. :)

...and that's what happened in the VanWinkle household today!

Tonya

354 Day Pictorial Journal Project

2011-01-11T22:08:00.000Z

     Okay, so I was catching up on some blog reading earlier today and stumbled upon Jen's blog and saw her 365 day project. I became inspired. I am a regular slacker when it comes to blogging and so after reading a few of her posts, I decided I would try it too. Yes, I'm late! But I didn't know about it till today...so mine is actually 354 days.

     Hopefully, it will serve as a reminder to me, because I as I looked back over 2010 to write my annual Christmas letter...I found I had no photos for February! Meaning I had no idea what we did in February! Kinda hard to write about it, if you can't remember it, dream it up, or make it up.

     I've not really made an goals for 2011 yet, but I would really like to be more current with my blog...so wish me luck in this adventure and if you are playing along too - let me know! Maybe we can remind one another!

Today's picture is:

This is my neck - thanks to sweet little Roxie. The neighbors, meaning the Pub, were complaining because they hadn't seen me. So I picked up Roxie and we went for a visit. In England, your not supposed to put dogs on the ground until they've had all their shots. She gets her's on the 19th.

Well, Roxie is to the point where she really does not like to be carried, 8 weeks, and does not want you to carry her. We made it in the door, Margaret took her, then Charlie took her, and then she was squirmy so I took her back and she decided to climb up me. Her back claws resulted in my very swore, stinging neck.

This is the sweet girl who injured me:

     Looks too precious to do such damage uh? WRONG!!!

     She is the one who keeps me busy. She thinks, "Chase the puppy" is a great game or "Take the stick away" or "Don't let me eat the poop". She eats, she pottys, she plays, she pottys, she sleeps, she pottys...and then we do it ALL over again. It's exhausting! It's like having a new baby!

     However, I really do like her - even if everyone stops and stares at me tomorrow when I am out and about. Course, that's just like a kid...do something that makes others stop and stare!

     Well, that's the photo of the day. Let's see what happens tomorrow and remember if you're playing along let me know, I'll hop over for a visit.

     Tonya

P.S. 2 posts in one day - don't you feel special?! :)

Recap of Christmas Morning 2010

2011-01-11T22:01:00.000Z

     Christmas was morning was something different in our house this year as our children are NEVER awake before 9 a.m. Generally, we are up waiting on them to wake up - it's been that way for 11 years. There have been times when David has said, "Can I wake them up now?" Being a mom, I'm like "NO! You do not wake sleeping kids, are you crazy?" I have our children trained...they know how to sleep in! However, by 9 a.m. if I haven't let the poor man wake his children...he is driving me crazy.

     This year started at 5:30 a.m. as David had to wake early and go pick up a most special Christmas present for Brier, that had been hiding at the Carley's home, good friends of ours. Ashley even went with me on a couple road trips that were required for this gift. She's cool like that, and oh now that she has finally let the cat out the bag, I can tell you. She's expecting! Congratulations Jeff & Ashley!!!

     While we were searching for just the right one we resulted to calling it a "couch" - Brier had no clue what we were talking about! He thought we were going to get a new couch. Later, I decided we should just call it "Christmas" until further notice. Talk about confusing someone!

     So Christmas morning David went to pick up "Christmas". I couldn't get back to sleep. The excitement was eating me alive. So I got up. When he came in with "Christmas" we did our best to keep "Christmas" quiet as a mouse...but at 7:15 "Christmas" squealed rather loudly and Ashlynn bounded down the stairs as I grabbed "Christmas" and hid behind the couch - not wanting it to be Brier and ruin our plan.

     Ashlynn barged through the door, ignoring the mount of gifts under the tree and in the loudest whisper ever said, "Where is she?!"

     I came out of my hiding place with "Christmas" and Ashlynn wanted to know immediatley

     "Can we wake up Brier now?"

     Ashlynn is always the first awake and it has become her tradition to wake Brier up on Christmas morning. She does not always do it so nicely. One year she ripped the blankets off and another she jumped in the middle of his bed! Since she was extra nice this year in her "waking up Brier" tradition, next year she plans to shoot him with a dart gun! Somebody help me!!! That boy is gonna have to learn to beat that girl outta bed.

     Poor David...he shook his head and said, "We might as well, let me get the camera." like he wasn't excited! I know he was...I also think lack of sleep was making him wish he could take a nap firts. And so with camera's in hand, video and regular, the 3 of us, plus "Christmas" made our way ever so quietly up the stairs to Brier's room.

     Ashlynn was carrying "Christmas" and sat her right next to Brier's face...

     When my husband posted the video on Facebook this is what he said, "There's only one thing better than watching a little boy open his eyes on Christmas morning to the sight of a brand new puppy......the love and happiness in his eyes when he realizes the puppy is his. Priceless!" I cannot agree more.

     Several times through out the day Brier asked, "Do I get to keep her, forever?" The reality that she is all his was slow to sink in. Even now, he will say something like, "I get to keep her until she dies of old age". So I'm not sure he's fully grasped it all, but he's getting there.

     As you know from reading above we were calling her "Christmas" the reason for that was not only to confuse Brier, but because we wanted to allow Brier to name her whatever he wanted. He had full rein of picking out her name...which I will admit really scared me! Some suggestions from friends that new about the surprise were, "Tramp" and "Gaga" - because we already have a "Lady". I vetoed both those suggestions and did not mention them to Brier!

     What did he name her? ROXIE and not off the British show East Enders - we've never even watched that. The reason for the name is because it is a cool name and because she ROCKS! Brier is all about rockin' out. You should be here when he has his radio on....Lord have mercy! You could probably hear it for a city block.

     ...and now I'd like you to meet Roxie...

     As you can see she has made a wonderful addition to our home and even though we are not enjoying the potty training, the chewing of our hands and feet, or the puppy farts...we love her. She has a sweet nature as well as a playful one. She likes to snuggle as much as she likes to chew...and no matter how many chew toys she has...human hands and feet seem to be better. Brier dislikes this feature and his sensitive little heart takes it personal when she gets a little too rough. He loves it when she wants to snuggle though...of course all of us do, she is wearing us out!

     It is my prayer that she and Brier will become the best of friends. He's been needing a friend. He's had a rather rough year and there seems to be something special between a boy and his dog. So I am praying for the special connection with Brier & Roxie to form into something wonderful. Brier has already decided that when he grows up, he is going to work for the FBI and that Roxie will be his partner.

     So look out world Brier and Roxie will be on the case! Solving mysteries and crimes, finding drugs, and stopping the bad guys. That's his plan anyway...poor Roxie will be rather old by then...so if he sticks with that idea - Roxie may need a lot of prayers. :)

     We hope and pray all of you had a special Christmas this past year and that 2011 will be a wonderful and blessed year for you. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to read our blog. I hope it made you smile, laugh, or even tear up (as some tend to do). Stop in again sometime, I love to read your comments.

     God Bless!

     Tonya VanWinkle

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T10:41:00.000Z

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

Merry Christmas! Here we are celebrating our third Christmas in England and what a year it has been. At times I’ve found myself wondering if I’ve seen myself coming and going and yet as I sit here to write our yearly letter I find myself thinking, “were we really that busy?” Probably not, but to find out here is a recap of the important and memorable moments. I hope you enjoy this year’s letter!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and may God Bless all of you in the New Year.

JANUARY

We rang in the New Year at the George and Dragon Pub. We visited the London Aquarium. Visited St. James Park and fed the squirrels again. David turned 37 and we celebrated at the Hard Rock Café in London. The waitress was wonderful and made David stand in the chair while everyone sang Happy Birthday. Neal McCoy came to Mildenhall on a USO tour and we got to meet him!

FEBRUARY

I have no photos! I honestly have NO idea what we did.

MARCH

I made my first Apple pies! Everyone loved them! We went to Canada! Not really. We were there the end of the month for a layover on our way home for our first visit since moving to England. Finally got to meet my new niece Hannah! She is precious.

APRIL

We celebrated Easter with our families, had a huge dinner, and surprise birthday parties! Becky and I both were ganged up on by the family! David dressed up like the Easter Bunny for all the kids. It was very memorable! Did you know the Easter Bunny rides a 4-wheeler?! We also celebrated the 4th of July on Easter and lit off a ton of fireworks. Thank goodness my mother-in-law lives in the country, outside the city limits. England of course does not celebrate the 4th and our kids were missing it, so we made up for it. Ashlynn and I also flew to Ohio to visit our friends and had a great time - neither of us can wait to go back! I even got to attend a Mom’s Night Out while there and the Mom’s informed the waiter it was my birthday! Then the day finally came for us to return to England and guess what? We were stuck stateside! A volcano erupted in Iceland, causing havoc and preventing us from flying back for a whole week! The kids LOVED it and to tell the truth, we did too. It was nice just to sit and enjoy the rest of the week after visiting all over. David and kids even went fishing. We finally were able to return to England, on my actual birthday! We were sitting in the plane, mid-flight and David says, “Happy Birthday”. Kinda crazy, uh? I finally turned 30! Yes, I am excited about that. It makes me feel all grown up. My sneaky husband, with the help of our neighbors, planned a surprise party and thankfully I did not sleep through it! That jet lag is really something. Needless to say, my 30th was greatly celebrated. It was a most special birthday.

MAY

Ashlynn and I took a girls ONLY trip to Wales and went horse back riding. It was great! Wales has a ton of sheep and a whole lot of slate. We also learned rather quickly that we do not care for the English saddles; boy were we sore! We also had something called Sticky Toffee Pudding - it is amazing! You’ve got to try it! We dog sat Sadie, and she and our dog , Lady, got into a good bit of mischief. They destroyed and ate a bottle of Tylenol and had to have their tummies pumped. Bad girls! They had matching pink bands, though, from where their IV had been. I’m still at a loss as to where on earth they got the Tylenol from! I keep in the kitchen cabinet. Brier turned 8 and we celebrated by renting a bouncy castle and getting rained out! So, we had to switch plans and quickly think up some indoor games to play. We also went to the Science Museum in London - that place is huge!

JUNE

In June, we decided to recover! We went to Framlingham Castle and called it good for the month. It’s a good thing we saved our energy, just read what we did in July!

JULY

We went to Legoland and decided our kids have outgrown it, oops! Ashlynn went to her first school dance, she was so pretty. I had a surgery, very simple, and recovered quickly enough to experience my first “Hen Night” aka “Bachelorette Party”. We went to a much anticipated wedding here in the village. One in which I handmade all the stationary for; my biggest order ever! We loved the wedding and reception. It was like something straight out of a movie...and pretty cool to see the guys in Kilts and hear the Bride led in by bag pipes. Marilyn, David’s mom, came out to visit us! We had a great time showing her the sights. We also took her to France with us on our family vacation to Paris and Disneyland. We had a wonderful time and look forward to visiting Paris again. Oh, and we rode a ferry for the first time. Kids loved that too! July is always the busy month!

AUGUST

I cycled 32 miles with a friend to raise money for a local charity. I’d begun cycling in June; it is a rather popular thing to do in England. David and the kids were great supporters! David also cycled 35 miles with friends for a charity. David & I celebrated our 11th anniversary and enjoyed a weekend alone in Scotland. Very nice! We plan to take the kids to Scotland at some point.

SEPTEMBER
The kids returned to school. Ashlynn is in year 6 and will be completing Primary school in July. Brier is in year 4. Those are equivalent to grades 5 and 3. Brier began playing football; more commonly known to us Americans as soccer. Brier also found a hedgehog out in the garden and fed it chocolate! I have pictures to prove it! David & I attended the Air Force Ball and now I can say I have been. No need to try that again. It was fun getting all dressed up, though.

OCTOBER
We went to the Royal Fruit Farm in Sandringham and picked apples. It was a nice outing. We also went to a nearby Pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins, go through the corn maze, and have hot chocolate! Ashlynn celebrated her 11th birthday quietly, with a few friends and a trip to the movies. She received many new books, a cell phone and has recently gotten into lip gloss! She is also quite a little baker and made cheesecake truffles as her treat to take in to school. I was hired to make 150 birthday invitations for a combined birthday celebration. That was a nice project and pay check.

NOVEMBER

Ashlynn & I both participated in www.nanowrimo.org National Novel Writing Month. Ashlynn won with 30,007 words and I with 50,052. We both printed off our certificates and ordered our winner’s shirts! Pictures will be taken soon! So if you heard that I’ve been writing a book - it is true. But, Ashlynn did too! We celebrated Thanksgiving with friends, received wonderful news from them too (but I can’t tell) and we all went to see the first part of the 7th Harry Potter movie! David and Brier did not enjoy it much, but Ashlynn and I did. Of course, we’d both read all the books and knew what to expect.

DECEMBER

Both kids are in the choir this year and we went to the Christmas Bizarre at their school to hear them sing. We also watched their Christmas plays; we love seeing those. Ashlynn had her first solo; she received a lot of well deserved compliments, and even brought a tear to her Daddy’s eye. Brier has been having a rough year and so we, Ashlynn included, have been scheming and planning the greatest Christmas gift for Brier...but I’m not telling you what it is! I do not want the information being leaked. So if you want to know, look for the video on our blog, Facebook, or send us an email. Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait till next year to find out!

Much love, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!!!

David, Tonya, Ashlynn, Brier, and Lady VanWinkle

UPDATES:

In September we found out that our extension to stay in England has been approved. We will be here until further notice!
For those of you that haven’t heard there is going to be a Royal Wedding in April! :)
David will celebrate 20 years of service Nov. 2011!!!

WE’RE ON THE WEB:

You may find David & I both on Facebook.
You may read about our adventures on our blog at http://www.lifeinengland08.blogspot.com/ Warning: I am slacker at that blog sometimes, but I do try. If you would like to receive the posts, rather than looking every so often to see if I’ve written, then please subscribe and it will come directly to your email.
You may also email us.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T10:43:00.000Z

Take a moment and watch this: Sue Thomas, Pray for me.

I’ve been having a bit of a Sue Thomas FB Eye marathon. I have been so busy writing this month for NaNoWriMo that I’ve put my T.V. watching on the back burner. Thank God for dvr, right?

I love that show. It’s uplifting and hilarious. Sadly, I believe it lasted only 3 seasons and today I watched the finale. The song they sang at the end of it was Michael W. Smith’s “Pray for me”, sung by; Emily Dragoman.

Once upon a time it would have bothered me a great deal to admit - it made me cry. I used to view crying as a weakness. I also viewed it as something that could get you into trouble. When I was little and Dad would give one of us a spanking, of course we were going to cry right? Well, Dad didn’t want us crying and would threaten another spanking if we didn’t hush up. In his own way I believe he was saying, “Toughen up”.

Toughen up I did, so much so that I would refuse to cry in front of anyone, except Mom. Mom rented a movie once called, Sommersby – with Richard Gear. Oh, how I hated that movie. It did not end right at all and it made me cry. The first and one movie to make me cry, and Mom well she loved to take the mickey out of me for it, still does. In her way I think she was telling me, “It’s okay, lighten up.”

Even still for years I kept my tears to myself. I’d toughen up the way Dad wanted and later when I was alone and no one was watching. I’d lighten up the way Mom said was ok. Sadly, I’d pick on people for crying…which meant I’d better never let them see me do it or I’d never live it down. I pray they’ve forgiven me for appearing heartless.

A few years ago I served in a ministry – you’ve heard me talk of it before Mom 2 Mom. Mom 2 Mom taught me a lot about crying – crazy as that sounds. Yes, we need to be tough so that we can handle some of the things life throws at us; my Dad taught me a good lesson. We also need to lighten up too.

Mom 2 Mom taught me that it is okay to show your heart. I once read that “a broken heart is an open heart”. I know that to be true. I also know about the walls we tend to build around our heart once it’s been broken, afraid to let anyone in for fear of being hurt again. What we are unaware of is the blessings that accompany an open heart.

It is still a battle for me today, for some reason I’m not a hundred percent comfortable with openly crying. Sometimes it catches me off guard, my heart falls open, and I let go. Yesterday was one of those days. Had anyone been home with me, I couldn’t have hid the fact that the ending of Sue Thomas made me cry.

Why?

That is a question I always ask. Why are you crying? Why am I crying? Is this a happy cry, sad cry, hurt cry, angry cry…you get my point?

The answer to yesterday’s emotional release was an overwhelming feeling of thanksgiving. Imagine that?

I have been blessed to meet and know people all over the world, privilege of being a military wife. I have family and friends in several states and now England too.

This month I’ve asked my kids to tell me something each day they are thankful for. I must say I’ve have been given a few unique answers, example: volume buttons.

So what is it I am thankful for most of all these season? The answer is memories. Some of them make me laugh and some make me cry. Some make me miss home and some make me glad I’m not there. However, it’s the memories we’ve created with people along this journey that keep us going. Allow us to look back with thanksgiving in our hearts.

I am not ashamed to say that the ending of Sue Thomas brought about a flood of memories that had tears streaming from my face. My hugging quilt of love, signed by members of Mom 2 Mom, held me close and wiped my tears away as I traveled back in time to memories most precious. What I found is that even though time is the enemy and the road is constantly dividing – I am at peace. I know someday love will bring us back around whether that be on earth or in heaven, someday the circle will be complete.

Until then, I am thankful for the ties the bind and the prayers that you pray for me and my family. England does not celebrate Thanksgiving, so tomorrow when you are joined at the table with your families and friends making memories a new… over here in England, around our table, we are praying for you with thanksgiving in our hearts for we have been blessed with memories of you.

Happy Thanksgiving America, Family, and Friends! We love you, we miss you, and we pray for you.

Pray for us,

The VanWinkle’s

What a slacker, I am.

2010-11-21T16:53:00.000Z

Okay, so my blogging abilities have been challenging as of late. I am not stay on top of it as much as I used to and I apologize. With that said, I will say this, "There really has not been to much going on to update you about".

Ashlynn turned 11 in October. We had a small party of 4, went to the movies, bowling, and 2 girls slept over. All in all I think she had a great time. She received a cell phone, several new books, some cash, some clothes, and sprite flavored lip gloss. Her favorite lip gloss!

We went to parent teacher conferences and both kids are doing wonderful! We love hearing that. Their teachers give us wonderful comments on them. Ashlynn teacher is always trying to stump her. Brier's teacher finds him to be such a 'serious' little man - that's nothing new. Everyone is always saying how 'serious' he is.

Now, we are in the process of planning for Christmas. Our children are very hard to shop for! They both want books this year and we've finally come up with just a couple other ideas for them, so we may share the book list with the grandparents. We're rather short on ideas and they are not giving us much to go on either. Wii games, books, lip gloss, ds, ds games ... ya see?

We however are resourceful. David brought home the BX adds for Thanksgiving weekend and we found a few items and have begun creating a plan!

Ashlynn & I both have been very busy this month of November as we are both participating in NaNoWriMo. Writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days - yes it's insanity! If you'd like to read about how we are doing so far, find me on facebook or hop over here and check it out. Be sure to cheer us on!

I am not going to promise to update this again soon, but I will try to. I hope everyone is doing well. Have a Blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Much love,

The VanWinkle's

The News!

2010-09-27T09:21:00.000+01:00

Late last week I posted something on facebook about "Good News" and then I tormented and teased everyone all day about what the news could possibly be. It amazed me at how many people thought I was pregnant - even after I posted saying "the baby making factory has been closed for a long time".

So for all of you that may have guessed "PREGNANT" the answer is "WRONG". I just wanted to make that clear before anyone gets too excited! :)

It amazes me though, because anyone who had spoken to me would have known the correct answer had they thought about anything I'd been saying recently...like "I'm waiting to hear" or "We're still waiting to find out if its been approved" and on and on I said things like this. Some people actually DID hear me, because I did have a few correct guesses - which I removed from my comments to keep the guessing going - yeah I'm mean haha.

So what was I talking about? We were due to head back state-side Sept 2011. We've been in England for 2 years. So we decided to put in for the extention and stay in England (hopefully) a bit longer. There is so much we haven't done yet, would like to see, and we actually make money living here...besides giving the kids the chance to stay in one location for more than 3 years - that's priceless.

Last Thursday David called me and said, "we need to fill out that paper work for Ashlynn's school, because she'll be going there next year, and the next, and the next". I said, "So we got the extention uh?" he said, "yep".

So the EXCITING NEWS is that we get to stay in England til 2014!!!

We are thrilled and when I say being able to stay in the same location for more than 3 years is priceless to the kids - I'm serious. I had a jumping up and down screaming daughter who immediately required a celebration sleep-over! Brier although not as animated was just as excited. Both kids will get to complete Primary school here and a few years of Secondary. They're friends are just as excited.

I know our family and friends are a bit disappointed that we are not coming back next year, but well it is much cheaper to check things out while living than trying to come back and tour around and you only get one chance to live right? So we took it. We will be returning state-side to visit and some of our family does have plans to also visit us and we all look forward to that as well.

So just to clarify, the news was not any of the below:

pregnancy
published writings (although I'm still dreaming)
not buying a house or castle
David is being promoted (yet) or knighted (although he is my knight)
we are not dying our hair or anything else funky colors....yet Halloween is around the corner.
did not win the lottery
are not returning state-side early
not adopting
not taking a cruise (yet)

If you guessed staying in England - you were right! That is the correct news. :) I'll try not to be so mean next time I have "NEWS" good or bad, but I'm sorry it was just so entertaining!

Love you all!

~T~

Moment of Prayer & Silence:

2010-08-12T16:05:00.001+01:00

The women of the M2M ministry are getting together today at 10 am (Ohio time) to pray for the sudden lost of Rene's husband John, for Lindsey and the loss of her baby boy, and more. If you could just say a pray or have moment of silence for them at this time as we surround these ladies in love and support, it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Hello!

2010-08-06T09:40:00.000+01:00

Well, well...I remember I have a blog haha. Life gets so crazy busy sometimes you just completely forget about all your ONLINE duties. So last time I wrote you all knew that I started cycling. I have an update for you on that, but before we get to that point let me tell you where I have been...PARIS!!!

My mother in law came out to visit and we took her to London, the beach, a castle, and a few other places. Then we took a family vacation to Paris, France and she went too! It was great that she was able to go with us and she was excited to get stamps in her passport.

We spent the first day in Paris, sight seeing by way of an open tour bus - which we sat on the top and took as many pictures as possible. There is so much to see! I don't know what half the pictures are of...but it was pretty stuff! We saw Notre Dame and the Eifel Tower - big highlights.

I want to go back and do a bit more getting on and off the bus, maybe spend 2 full days in Paris. My mom says I can't go for 2 years though, because she wants to come and go with me! :) Maybe we could sneek off on a "girls only" weekend. That would be great fun.

The second day we did Paris Disneyland and I am not going to lie to you - I was disappointed with it. However, had I never been to Disneyland in California then I would not have had something to compare it to. So if you have NEVER been, you might love it, but where I had - I expected certain things and they just weren't that way.

Ashlynn did ride her first real big roller coaster - Space Mountain, twice! She loved it. She kept saying "That was so awesome!" We spent 1/2 the day walking around, riding, checking things out and then went back to the Davy Crocket Resort where we were staying for a bit of swimming.

After we ate we returned to Disneyland for the Electrical Parade...it was rather short. Not only that they had almost ALL villians in the parade! Where were the good guys, where were the pretty princesses???

They also had a fireworks show after the parade. Tinkerbell, however does not fly over their castle. The fireworks were rather pretty though.

On our last day we did a few more things in Disneyland, like Thunder Mountain, which Brier screamed the whole time and totally loved it! That boy has got some lung power! He wanted to do it again and again. We got Minnie Mouse's autograph and stood in line forever for Mickey's.

Then we went to Disney Studio's, but we really didn't do much. Rode a tram to see behind the scenes stuff, ate ice cream, and got Stitch's autograph.

Finally, vacation had come to an end and it was time to head back home. We had a 3 hour drive to the ferry and then a 2 hour drive on home after that. We arrived home at like 1 am and exhausted. The following day we were completely lazy - other than putting photos up on Facebook.

Sadly, the next day it was time for Marilyn to also return home. It seemed like she wasn't here that long at all, but we hope she enjoyed it and I know we sent her home with tons of pictures and plenty of new experiences.

For the rest of the school break we have umm...the cycle rides and a weekend trip to scotland (kid free). Things are starting to slow down again I think...and I am looking forward to it. Who knew I would become so busy this year!

I'll get a slideshow of photos up for you soon, but if you're friends with me on Facebook they are there so have a look.

Talk to you soon!

Tonya

And now for the cycle for health update:

August 5th, 2010

Obviously it has been awhile since I last updated this and it is now less than 2 weeks before our 28 mile ride! Are we ready? I’ve no idea! I’m looking forward to it, excited to do it, but our training sessions have been rather limited since the 13th of July.

I had surgery and was unable to ride for a few days and then school was let out for the summer, so our morning rides after school drop off have been not working. My mother in law also came to visit us here in England and went on family vacation with us to France. So in the midst of training there has been a surgery, company, and a vacation! Needless to say I’ve got work to do!

Lesley and I have decided to try a few evening rides to continue our training before the big day, now that things have calmed down around here and we can actually ride again. It will be nice to get back out there.

Today, I added up just how much we’ve been sponsored for this ride and I am shocked to say we are only £21 away from reaching £500!!! Our goal was only £250 and I’ve not changed that goal. I enjoy seeing how much over it goes because I thought that £250 might have been too much to ask to begin with. It’s only a 28 mile ride, but the support we’ve received has been AWESOME! To those of you who have sponsored us, you ROCK! And we THANK YOU so much!
If you received the Newmarket Journal this morning then you probably noticed us on the front page! Joined by Lesley’s Dad who has decided to become a bit competitive…

If you did not receive the newspaper let me fill you in on the details. Lesley and I began this adventure just to lose some weight and then it was suggested to us to do it for a charity as well, so we thought why not and got it going.

Lesley’s parents Les and Eileen are the Landlords of the George and Dragon Pub and as customers would come in, they would ask, “So do you think Lesley will make it?” I am pretty sure he was telling them, “No!” It’s a wonderful support system that girl has got let me tell you.

So there it started and it continued to spiral with Les giving Lesley a hard time, father/daughter love you know. Actually, they remind me of a set of siblings bickering all the time and you just want to put them in time out or worse. However, I believe Lesley said to her Dad, “Let’s see you do it then!”

Apparently Les was up for the challenge. As he decided he would and that he would do 32 miles and raise £1000 for the Air Ambulance!!! Not only that, he has convinced my husband David to take the day off and ride with him…talk about some competition! Wife against Husband and Daughter against Dad…heck of a thing we’ve got going here.

I believe the customer’s of the Pub are enjoying this just a little bit, because they’ve joined in on taking the mickey out of Les and have decided that Les will not make it and that the Air Ambulance will have to come rescue him! You really got to love the support around here! It’s great fun.

So now that you know the details here are the current stats:

Who/When Riding Mileage Target Raised

Tonya & Lesley
August 14th The Jockey’s Trail 28 miles + £250 £479

Les & David
August 26th
Making up his own route 32 miles £1000 £209.50

Now then Lesley & I have been training for this ride if you want to call it that. We’ve been riding to get fit and it turned into training for this ride. Les plans to do his ride with no training and I am assuming my husband David will have no training either.

There is not a set time limit on these rides. Personally, I would like it not to take all day! I have ridden 20 miles and it took me 2 hours. So I would like to do it in at least 4 hours anything less would be just amazing. My concern would be getting lost as we’ve not yet ridden the Jockey’s trail. We do plan to a better feel for it before the actual ride.

So if you would like to get in on the competition and sponsor one of us, preferably us ladies, we would greatly appreciate it! Sponsor here. You’ve already done more than we expected and we thank you so very, very much.

Tonya & Lesley

Cycle 4 Health

2010-07-05T21:54:00.000+01:00

Been awhile again I know - I've been trying to cycle my way to a healthier version of me! So have a read and if you feel like sponsoring us - please do, thank you!

July 3rd, 2010:

It started in early June when I began cycling to add a fitness routine into my life. My main goal was simply to lose some weight. The first time and first week, I only made it 5 miles. It was pretty windy and raining, but I thought this is England better get used to it now and carried on. I was really disappointed in myself. I had an 8 mile loop mapped out and I was hoping to complete the whole thing. I am a bit ambitious.

The second time and second week (weather warmed up), I made the full 8 mile loop! I felt empowered! I was so excited that I had made it. By the end of that week I had 24 miles under my betl, for a total of 29. I was cycling every other day and feeling good about it.

Then Lesley mentioned she'd like to cycle with me because she would also like to lose some weight. On week 3 Lesley began cycling with me. She made the whole 8 mile loop the first time. I was impressed and slightly jealous. I am also rather competitive. Lesley was even ready to up the mileage, so for our next ride we went 11 miles. At the end of the week we'd done 27 miles.

That Saturday the ambitious part of me took hold and I mapped out a crazy 20 mile loop and was determined to make it. I did. My legs felt like jelly and I didn't know if I would ever have feeling in my bum again. I was sooooooooooo sore! It wasn't easy and I was exhausted the whole day, but empowered by the fact that I made it and didn't have to call my husband to come get me!

Week 4 has been a bit stressful as neither of us have been aviable to cycle. We managed two rides together this week and it shows! Not only in mileage but in the way we felt. We rode 7 miles on Wednesday and 8 miles today. It was slow going, both our legs were sore.

I did manage to get in an extra 10 miles by cycling with my children to school on Thursday for their sports day challenge. It is much easier to cycle with an adult than two children, but we made it and they completed their challenge. 2.5 miles is a lot for a 10 and an 8 year old I do believe and they had to ride it back as well. So even my children cycled this week 5 miles.

During this week in our spare moments Lesley and I have been researching cycle routes. I've looke online and Lesley has asked cyclists that come into the George & Dragon Pub, where she helps her parents out at, about their routes. We've picked up some maps, made some plans, and are ready to go again.

Not only that someone mentioned that we should ride for donations to charities. So we looked up a site called Just Giving and set up a page as well as a Facebook group page. We also got in touch with St. Nicholas Hospice Care to see how to go about collection donations for them, and they put the information in the mail to us straight away.

We have now planned a 28 mile ride called The Jockey's Trail for the 14th of August and the donations will go to St. Nicholas Hospice Care. Training begins Monday! We are going to aim to ride each day instead of every other and extend our mileage each time. Hopefully we can not only extend our distance, but our personal endurance and speed.

I know we are not the fastest cyclist out there and we don't aim to be, but we do have time limits to reach. We simply desire to get fit and if we can donate to the health and well being of others at the same time - even better!

So to date: Lesley and I have cycled together for 42 miles. I have cycled a total of: 101, boy that makes me look good! haha I did have a head 29 mile head start and I threw in that 20 mile ride, plus the 10 with the kids - it does add up.

Umm...I wonder how competitive Lesley is? :-)

July 4th, 2010

Hello

We are taking part in the The Jockey's Trail on 14/08/2010 to raise money for St Nicholas Hospice and we'd really appreciate your support.

It's easy to donate online with a credit or debit card - just go to my JustGiving page:

http://www.justgiving.com/Cycling4Health

JustGiving sends your donation straight to St Nicholas Hospice and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you're a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more. We hope you'll join us in supporting St Nicholas Hospice.

Thank you.

Tonya & Lesley

July 5th, 2010

Did our 8 mile ride this morning. We were doing really good, keeping it above 10 mph until Lesley's gears got all messed up. We finally got that sorted and now I think we will be ready to go again Wed. morning. We've been sponsored 85 pounds so far, 34%of the way there. Lesley says if someone sponsors 100 pounds before 12 a.m. she will double the mileage...guess that means I'd have to do it too! Cheeky girl! Oh, well...is for a good cause right? I'd like to see a 100 pounds donated though - I promise you Lesley only said that cause she doesn't believe that it could happen. Right you cheeky girl? :)

You can also keep up with us on facebook: Cycle 4 Health

It could get commical!

Prayer Request for Jen

2010-02-12T17:06:00.000Z

A mom to mom member from the mom to mom ministry I was involved with in Ohio is having brain surgery today to remove a tumor. I've never met her, as she joined after I moved. I do however keep up with everyone, including the new girls and Jen is amazing addition to the M2M ministry. She has an amazing attitude about this all. Please take a moment to visit her blog and uplift her in prayer today. Her husband will be keeping everyone updated through her blog.

Thank you.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-13T11:44:00.000Z

Well - how is every one's New Year going?

I believe ours seems to be going rather well so far. David's birthday is on Saturday and I think we might go to London for the day, not real sure yet.

We have also decided that it is time to go home. It will be our first visit since moving here and we booked our tickets last night. So we will be state-bound in the spring.

I cannot believe it has been over a year since I've seen my family. I got to see my Mother in July but that was almost a year of not seeing her. We arrived in England in September of 2008. Mom came to see me July 2009 - a couple more months and I would have gone a WHOLE year with out seeing my mother - that just seems so weird!

I think I've been handling it all okay though. I am enjoying England a lot and I've not complained or whined to go home since arriving here. There were a few times when certain things would be going on that made me really wish I were home or at least near enough to get home, but I suppose God has me right here for a purpose.

I think the hardest time was when my niece Hannah (just about 2 months old now) had to go in for a liver biopsy. I really, really wanted to be home and with my sister Holly that day. I cannot wait to meet Hannah and hold her, but that day I just really felt like I was needed at home. It was a very hard day being here; 6 hours ahead in time and waiting and waiting and waiting.

Those are the times when it is hard, when something like that is going on. I'd have given anything to be with my sister when Hannah was born, but according to her the Dr's only allowed 2 people in the room - which were Nick (her husband) and my Mom. Even though I would have loved to have been in there - I would not have taken any one's spot. Mom has seen 3 of her grandchildren born and I know that is very special to her, something she will treasure all her life.

So anyway - we are in the process of planning our trip home. The hardest part is trying to figure out where we are going to be and when and how to best divide our limited time up amongst our large family. That's the most stressful part - but we always get through it and I am sure we will manage again this time.

As for Lady - she's doing great - just as spoiled as ever! Rotten dog :-) She has an abundance of babysitters, so I know she will be in wonderful hands while we visit the states. Everyone spoils her. I think she thinks she's human. She would actually hold a conversation with you if she could - instead she just barks at you when she wants to go for a walk, go outside, get fed, get attention, and anything else! And she is worse than a kid - she don't give up! :-) We are so blessed by her - we couldn't have gotten a better dog.

The kids are doing good as well, both continue to enjoy school and several after school activities; Chess club, choir, and football. They keep us busy and then when we try to keep them busy they get upset haha. Funny how that works. Both are looking forward to visiting the states. I wonder if anyone stateside will notice their "slight" accent. It's not always noticeable...but once in awhile we catch it with something they say.

David is busy - he says he doesn't stop working from the time he gets there til the time he leaves. Then he stays busy here too and seems to never have the time to just sit down - I don't know what I am going to do with that man. He wants to just relax and here he is wanting to go somewhere for his birthday - I hope going somewhere is relaxing to him. I think he needs it, sometimes I think he is too stressed...but that might just be me.

He also started another class on Monday - he is not liking it at all. He says it is the driest stuff he has ever read. He doesn't have many more classes to go but I know he is not enjoying these last few, so I pray they go quickly. Then he can say those treasured words he longs to say, "I'm DONE!!!" :-)

I have also started taking some classes. Mine begin on the 25th. I'm looking forward to it. The first one is online - David is not sure I will like online classes - but I think I will love them! The second one is like just 3 Saturdays - not real sure what it will accomplish but at least its quick, right? :-)

I also now have a group of ladies coming over once a month to scrapbook with me. I am really enjoying being able to host that. It's so much easier to have them come here, than to try to haul my stuff somewhere! There's just too much.

Anyway, I hope the New Year is finding you all well and I will talk to you again soon.

Merry Christmas 2009!

2009-12-25T08:01:00.000Z

It’s that time of year again...

The tree is up, the lights are hung, & the cards are...well I’m behind again. I must admit it doesn’t feel like December here. I can’t believe Christmas is only two weeks away! Yesterday the weather was so nice, I was out in jeans & a T-shirt. Today is cooler, but there is no snow. I’m not sure we will get any. Our experience with England snow last February was something else. It was like the whole country shut down over 2 or 3 inches of snow. All the stores, businesses, & schools we closed. We thought it must have really come down. Sadly, when we stepped out side, the snow barely cover the rim of our shoes & we wondered; “What is this! This isn’t snow!!!” Definitely not enough for all those cancelations. It did cover the ground though & was very pretty for a short little while. It seems rather odd to miss snow, doesn’t it? But what is Christmas without snow?

Christmas is my favorite Holiday, even with it’s wintery chill. It is also the time of year I battle the “blues” the most. I find it more difficult here. The snow is missing & so are the holiday lights, but the biggest thing missing is our families. I am not complaining. I love our home & the opportunities we are given by this way of life. Yet, it does have one BIG downfall. The fact that we are not as able to be home for the Holidays with our families is sometimes saddening.

The last Christmas we were able to spend at home with family was amazingly & wonderful. I treasure it dearly & reflect on it often. It helps me beat the blues this time of year & warms my heart inside out no matter the weather. So here’s to warm hearts & a Merry Christmas!

Love, Tonya

A British New Year Celebration

Last year, we celebrated the New Year at the Pub next door with our new British friends and had a wonderful time. I admit it was rather different though. In the States we watch the ball drop from Time Square on the T.V. Here they watch the count down by way of Big Ben. Then they shoot fireworks off of the London Eye! It was awesome!

It looked majorly crowded in London though, just like it does in New York. It would probably be a really cool experience, but I don’t know if I could handle that massive crowd. When the clock struck 12 we all popped these silly little party poppers - it was fun. After that everyone (British thing - I assume - cause I'd never experienced it) went to each person and wished them a Happy New Year by placing a Kiss on their cheek.

***WARNING*** If you are not careful or not paying attention they will kiss your lips! No it did not happen to me - Luckily, I was warned. Lastly, you all get in a line and hold hands; chris-cross like. Then you sing this song, no I don't know what it is...nor do I know the words, but it was fun and it felt like one big happy family. It was really great and we loved it. We are looking forward to it again this year.

A Year in Review

January we celebrated David’s 36th birthday & a few days later drove 3 hours South to pick up the newest member of our family; Lady. She is a 3-year-old Golden Retriever. She has made herself a part of the family in every way & everyone in the Village knows who she is. We really got lucky with her. While we were down there we also took in the sight of Stonehenge. What the locals say about it is true. “It is a neatly shaped pile of rocks that all the tourist flock to see”.

February, Ashlynn received her first Valentine gift, it was really sweet. She also entered a contest to have her drawing as the cover of a book. She did very well, but sadly did not win. And we got extremely soaked in some England rains! Sometimes an umbrella is just useless.

March, we went to a travel fair on base & got loads of information on things to do & see. We will never accomplish it all, but we will have fun trying. We took the kids to Woburn Safari Park - a drive through zoo. They really enjoyed it, but were disappointed that the monkeys did not climb on our car. We also experienced Red Nose Day. It’s a fundraising event using comedy & the money goes to the fight against poverty. I believe we American’s need to improve on our “dressing up” skills, because let me tell you what - the British know how to get it done!

April, oh boy - I don’t have enough room to tell you all about it! We went to Italy!!! I could spend forever in Venice. It was so heavenly. We stayed on Lido Island, which was very quiet. We walked around Murano Island (known for glass blowing). Then we traveled to Rome, Florence, & Pisa. Rome was worth it, but not one I’d choose to do again. Now, Venice - that’s another story! We’d all love to go back there. We did however see many wonderful & historical things in Rome. Mainly the colosseum. We didn’t do much in Florence & of course we did go see the leaning tower of Pisa! Italy was so wonderful. I never dreamed I’d go there - let alone live in England. Oh & I turned 29...30 here I come, ready or not.

May, David deployed. We were really sad that he had to deploy so soon after our move. The kids & I, with some friends, went to the Medieval Festival here in the Village. The kids really enjoyed shooting the bow & arrows. They also had something here in the Village called, “Start the ball rolling”. What they do is stand at the top of the hill & roll their ball down the hill. Whomever’s ball goes the furthest wins. This is another fundraiser. Ashlynn was also in a tag rugby tournament - which was a lot of fun. This is similar to flag football. I bought the kids new bikes. Then we celebrated Brier’s 7th birthday. He had his first real party. He wasn’t sick & it wasn’t a Holiday here! He was very upset that Daddy missed his birthday & we didn’t get to go camping, but the bouncy castle eased some of the pain.

June, Brier & I went to Orford Castle with some friends of ours while Ashlynn was at a birthday party. The pub had a coach trip planned to Great Yarmouth & since I wouldn’t have to drive, I signed me & the kids up to go. There were rides for the kids, good food, & the seaside all in one spot. We had a really nice time with everyone. The Morris Men dancers also came to the pub & performed their dance. Ashlynn even danced with them. It was VERY interesting.

July, we said goodbye to our first friends here as they moved back state-side. We saw Alice in Wonderland at Oxbourgh Castle. Then my Mom came out to visit & we had a blast! We did so much stuff while she was here that the kids & I hibernated for 3 weeks after she left! We spent 3 nights in London & saw as many sights as we could squeeze in. We took 2 coach tours: One to the City of Bath & the other to Stratford upon Avon & Warwick Castle. We went to Sandringham, the Queen’s summer retreat, & Mom & I had a girls night & went to see Dirty Dancing LIVE in London. It rocked! I’d go again & again. Sadly, we said goodbye to a wonderful man this year; Jim, David’s step-dad. He was one of a kind, you couldn’t help but love him.

August, we took a little road trip to Sutton Hoo for another Festival. It was a nice outing & the kids enjoyed getting their faces painted. David & I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary...in two different countries, but he did send me some lovely flowers!

September, the kids are back in school and David has returned home safe & sound!

October, David & I had a date night & went to see Grease LIVE in London...it wasn’t as good as Dirty Dancing, but that’s okay. We had a nice time. Ashlynn turned 10!!! She had a bowling party for her birthday & the girls slept over. David took the kids to a Haunted House on base, Brier got to see a real live Husky, & Ashlynn went Ice Skating for the first time.

November, we went to Bonfire night at the pub. It is their only Holiday in November. Ashlynn played the drums for the first time in a kids orchestra. We had a Thanksgiving meal, with too much food & not enough guests. I had some friends over scrapbooking!!! A duck mysteriously found it’s way into our house! And we put up our Christmas tree.

December, we’ve been decorating the house for Christmas & have hung some lights outside. It’s starting to look more festive. We went to David flight Christmas party & actually had a good time. Ashlynn sang in the school choir the same day for their Christmas Fayre, a shopping fundraiser. Now, we’re preparing brown paper packages, looking forward to celebrating Christmas & ringing in the New Year. God Bless everyone!

David, Tonya, Ashlynn, Brier, & Lady.

Let it be Christmas

2009-12-19T15:17:00.000Z

Let it be Christmas everywhere
In the hearts of all people both near and afar
Christmas everywhere
Feel the love of the season wherever you are
On the small country roads lined with green mistletoe
Big city streets where a thousand lights glow

Let it be Christmas everywhere
Let heavenly music fill the air
Let every heart sing let every bell ring
The story of hope and joy and peace
And let it be Christmas everywhere
Let heavenly music fill the air
Let anger and fear and hate disappear
Let there be love that lasts through the year
And let it be Christmas
Christmas everywhere

Let it be Christmas everywhere
With the gold and the silver, the green and the red
Christmas everywhere
In the smiles of all children asleep in their beds
In the eyes of young babies their first fallen snow
Elderlys' memories that never grow old

Let it be Christmas everywhere
Let heavenly music fill the air
Let every heart sing let every bell ring
The story of hope and joy and peace
And let it be Christmas everywhere
Let heavenly music fill the air
Let anger and fear and hate disappear
Let there be love that lasts through the year
And let it be Christmas
Christmas everywhere

Let it be Christmas everywhere
In the songs that we sing and the gifts that we bring
Christmas everywhere
In what this day means and what we believe
From the sandy white beaches where blue water rolls
Snow covered mountains and valleys below

Let it be Christmas everywhere
Let heavenly music fill the air
Let every heart sing let every bell ring
The story of hope and joy and peace
And let it be Christmas everywhere
Let heavenly music fill the air
Let anger and fear and hate disappear
Let there be love that lasts through the year
And let it be Christmas
Christmas everywhere
Christmas everywhere
Christmas everywhere

The lyrics to the song really seem to speak to me this season. This year has been a one full of trials for alot of my extended family and even us sometimes. David was deployed, we lost Jim, and we had a few scares with both my nieces.

Just the other day when I went to get my hair cut & colored I witnessed an awful sight. As I pulled into the car park (parking lot) I saw a very nicely dressed man & woman standing face to face nearly nose to nose arguing. I just feared the moment I parked my car & got out that I'd be able to hear them from where they were standing. And hear them I could, but not only that they were walking the same direction as I and arguing the whole way. I hear the woman say, "I've stood by you, respected you, been loyal" the man laughs and she says "don't laugh" and on and on it went.

I assume it was the end of a marriage or a break up, yet the still walked together to where-ever they were headed. I for one wouldn't have been in the mood to be anywhere with him or if I were him to be anywhere with her after arguing in such a way, but carry on they did. Very odd.

I've also been hearing a lot of gossip lately which just really stinks. People need to grow up. Who cares what so and so said. Why tell the whole world what they said, forgot, or did. Does it really matter? Is it that important? And did it really involve said person gossiping about it? Probably not and it just makes my stomach rot. People should be more careful and learn to hold their tongues at times. Know what I mean?

Then you've my youngest sister who seems to be constantly causing trouble - I really worry about her, we all do...but none of us know what to do.

I admit I fight the blues at Christmas time and I thought this year was a bit more difficult because I wanted snow and to be near family and to I don't know just be more joyful...it started snowing here and my spirit lifted so much. The kids & I played in the snow nearly all day, we were froze to the bone, and slept soundly. It was a wonderful day and it was what I needed to remind me to let it be Christmas...in my heart.

So no matter what's going on in your life, where you've been, what's happened this year, how many fights you've been in, or who didn't send you a Christmas card - remember to let the ice around your harden-heart melt and allow it to be Christmas in your heart this holiday season. Hug the ones you love, remember those you've lost, and treasure each and every moment you have right here, right now.

Let anger and fear and hate disappear. Let there be LOVE that last through the year. For the first Christmas gift was a child, a child that brought us a love like no other ever known. Happy Birthday Jesus, and Merry Christmas everyone.

Post 173: Can you believe it's November?!

2009-11-02T09:39:00.000Z

Well, we survived our second Halloween in England. Halloween seems so much more laid back here, but then it could just be the village we live in :-) Not a lot happens around here, no real trick or treating - which is fine by me and the kids don't seem too upset about it...so even better.

David did take the kids to the Haunted Hollow or Forrest that they had on base. They went to the kid friendly version and Ashlynn decided that was not scary enough. So later while Brier and I were up at the Village Halloween party...David and Ashlynn snuck off to hit the scarier (adult) version of the Haunted Hollow. According to Ashlynn..."It was AWESOME!!!" Apparently, she is a thrill seeker - I'm not sure, but she loved it and David seemed very proud of her.

As for Brier & I we had a great time eating, dancing, and chatting with friends up the road. You were supposed to dress up...but well we kinda failed to do that. However - there were several dressed up and some very interesting costumes. It was a great time though, everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and that's what counts right?

Yesterday - we recovered haha. Laid around the house...actually I cleaned our bedroom and cleaned out my closet and yet somehow I still need more hangers! I don't understand. How can you get rid of clothes and still need hangers! It makes no sense.

David did the laundry...Chiefs did not play yesterday - so he read a lot. He also died my sheets blue - I enjoy telling you that! I am the one that ALWAYS dyes something...so the fact that he did it...oh that's just wonderful! :-)

Today - I'm making more wedding sample invitations and decorating some styrofoam Christmas trees with the kids. I'll be posting pictures on my craft blog later. If you'd like to see the coffin treat boxes I made hop on over and have a look! They turned out real cute I think.

Anyway, I hope you all had an enjoyable and safe Halloween...now can you believe it is November already?!!! It's just crazy! Time for baking and thanksgiving....:-) Right?

Post 172: The Bookworm

2009-10-29T10:17:00.000Z

It's official, we've a 3rd bookworm in this house! I believe I've mentioned it a time or two - how much my daughter loves to read. It is highly unusual to see her without a book in hand. I love taking pictures of her reading - I've no idea why, but I do. It gives me great joy to see her on another book adventure.On Tuesday we went wondering around New market. We stopped in Tyndall's, WH Smith, Moons, and had lunch at Pizza Express. We found nothing in Tyndall's that she wanted to spend her money on - they've a wonderful art section! WH Smith did not have the book she wanted. Moons had some fun stuff that she decided to purchase
...and Pizza Express was as tasty as usual! If you ever get the chance to eat at a Pizza Express make sure you ask for "dough balls" they are the best!

Then we went to Capture the Magic (scrapbook store) to see what shades of cream card stock they might have for some wedding invitations that I am working on. We found some Christmas Tree things that we are going to decorate together - I'll post finished photos soon.

After that we went home - nice day out.

Yesterday, we decided to go to Ely to see if the WH Smith there might have the book Ashlynn so desired...sadly they did not. Yet, she still had this 10 pound gift card to spend...so she browsed the books to find 1 other book that she'd been on pins and needles waiting for it to come out! So she purchased book #2 of the Seekers series by Erin Hunter, along with a book called Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo. However, WH Smith had a deal going if you bought a book by Michael Morpurgo you could get a 2nd 1/2 off, so instead of wasting that I let her grab one more; The Butterfly Lion. She still really wanted The Secret Garden though and I knew of a little bookshop in Ely that might have it. It was the same little bookshop David & I stumbled on before her birthday and purchased her 4 books there! 3 Horrible Histories and Victorian Ghost Stories.

You should have seen her face light up when we walked in - books everywhere - you'd have thought she was in heaven. I'm positive that we could have spent hours browsing the books. I remember when we were in Ohio and we'd go down to the Library...we'd spend 1/2 the morning there. We loved the Tipp City Library. Anyway, we asked right away if they had The Secret Garden. The lady went right to it, pulled it off the shelf, and handed it to her. And so she spent her last 5 pounds.Now, she has 8 brand-new books...plus all the ones that are already on her bookshelf. The entire Nancy Drew Series, Little House on the Prairie series, her Animorphs books, her joke books, and several others!

I went into her room to take these few pictures...the girl has books everywhere! This is the pile of books on the shelf next to her bed...

I still say someday - when David retires and we settle into a home for good that we will have our own personal library within our home - in which our children, grand-children, and of course us may turn to time and time again for our favorite books.

I can see the whole room in my head, lined with shelves and bay windows, a cozy fire place, comfy chairs/couches, and a really cool rug. It will be a wonderful, well used room, and it will smell of nothing more than books! Maybe we will even have our own counter with coffee and drinks...our own little Barnes & Noble! Yes, we are a family of bookworms...and I'm very proud of that!

So to all the amazing authors out there - thank you for providing my family hours of endless entertainment and helping us to stretch our imaginations...and according to my daughter "fly in our dreams". Thank you.

Have a wonderful day.

Post 171: 1 Decade Old!

2009-10-26T10:19:00.000Z

Well, some how we survived it! I think Ashlynn had a pretty good birthday. She got several new books, a scarf & hat, and a Nintendo ds! They highlight gift was of course the ds, of course Daddy had to take her right away to pick out a game for her ds.

From her friends she received a total of 32 pounds to spend - nobody knew what to buy her! Even her friends find her difficult to shop for. She got 2 pretty bracelets and some earrings. One of her friends had even come up to me and asked me, "Do you know what Ashlynn might like for her birthday? She seems a bit confused about what she wants." I thought that was great!

Money, even though not fun or easy to ask for is usually a GREAT gift! It's one of my favorite gifts to receive. Why? Well, because unless you know exactly what I want or what my tastes are - it's just easier and I don't end up with some nick-nac that I'll never find a use for. :) Know what I mean?

I love gift cards - if you know where I like to shop...but gift cards prove difficult for me here in England - there is no Michael's, Joann's, Hobby Lobby, Barns and Noble, or New York & Company. Money is just the one gift that can never go wrong.

Anyway - looks like I will be taking this girl shopping sometime this week - I am sure! :)

I must say having her birthday party somewhere was rather nice. I didn't have to prepare anything, clean anything, buy party favor bags, buy food/drink, or figure out how to entertain them! It made it really nice - to be able and just sit back and enjoy it.

After her party the girls that were invited came over for a sleep-over. 4, 10-year-olds under one roof = LOUD! They do not sleep! And they wake up at 7 a.m.!!! Needless to say we were ALL very tired yesterday.

I think the 1st Decade Birthday was a hit though - and I'm glad. Enjoy the photos and thanks for all the Birthday wishes!

Post 170: Reflecting Part 2

2009-10-23T13:39:00.001+01:00

So my daughter says to me, "Guess what?!!! I am a WHOLE decade old!" Yes, that's true - my baby girl is 10-years-old today. I should really be used to her not saying things that I expect most 10-year-olds say. Her vocabulary has been extraordinary from the beginning...so even though I thought she'd say, "I'm 10! I'm 10! I'm 10!!!", deep down I knew better.

I mean she wasn't even 3 when she asked my Mom, "Are you nocturnal Nana?" Talk about a shock, but my Mom was trying to figure out how Ashlynn knew that word and what it meant! I had to explain the Dora the Explorer fascination at that time - to Mom. Teach her to work nights!

Ashlynn has always been a sponge when it comes to learning and remembering. The child does not forget not one thing! No matter how much you wish she might, you can forget it happening.

I am constantly amazed at this little human we brought into the world a decade ago. She always passes my expectations in every way and in every thing. As parents we never had the ability to spell things out so she wouldn't know if we were saying, "Do you want to take her to the P.A.R.K.?" kinda thing - she knew how to spell, very early. Even now as parents she out does us sometimes. Which sometimes makes it difficult to remember she is only 10.

I remember her and David once arguing over the difference between a cyclone and a hurricane. Now, I don't have a clue what the difference is - nor do I really care. However, Ashlynn did - this was back when we were still living in Ohio. They argued over this topic all through dinner and I kept telling David he should just agree with her...oh no, he was right. So after dinner - off to GOOGLE they went and guess who was no so right after all? Yep, Daddy.

Google is one of their very best friends. I want to find her a shirt that says, "I(heart)Google" and has a picture of heart rather than the word spelled out. I think it would be a PERFECT gift! haha. I've not found one yet tho.

Apparently, Ashlynn had recently read a book on tropical storms. Why? Who knows! I do not understand half the stuff this child reads or why! Most of it is non-fiction...and to me well that is just not much fun. She loves it though and takes it all in. She's been reading these Horrible Histories books since April and oh the things that she has learned from them. She reads very quickly too, even though sometimes she tries not to.

She can read 2 Horrible Histories books in a week...if she wants to. Her teacher says she reads at an age 16 level. No Kidding?! This child has been reading since she was 3 and always above her level...so why should it surprise me? I've no idea...but it does! I'm blown away every time, with every report.

Sometimes she makes me feel very ill equipped, because she knows so much and a lot of it I do not know. Yet, she still has so very much to learn. I often wonder if she's going to have room for it all in her brain. She is truly amazing.

She has been a blessing in my life in a million ways. She makes me strive to do things better and sometimes makes me think I should go back to school - sadly I doubt I'd ever know as much as her. Our tastes in things are so very different, yet there are those areas where we are very alike.

It's funny how much of your family members you can see in your children when you look. I see more of others in her than I do myself, but that's probably normal. I think she is just like her Daddy - don't look as much like him as Brier - thank heavens - but educationally she is nearly identical to the man. Always striving for perfection and the top of the class or higher.

I see a lot of my Grandpa in her. Grandpa always, all my life has been able to "pull the wool over my eyes" so to speak. He will hear or come up with the simplest little joke and I will fall for it EVERY single time! Ashlynn inherited that trait from him and I tell her often - "You are just like your Great Grandpa Edmondson!" and she just giggles. I want to ring her neck for it most times - but what can I do?

Yesterday, she was telling me about King Edward the 1st, and someone the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on and so on and then Mary the something. I really had no interest in it at the time...no desire to go learn about all these historical people all at once...and then she says, "Do you know who came after Mary?" and I'm like "NO! Of course I don't" and so she says, "the little lamb". Urgh! That girl!!! I love her to pieces, but boy is she a trickster...just like her Great Grandpa.

I see the attitude and moodiness of a few of her Aunts in her sometimes. She has her Aunt Holly's nose and thick hair. And there are times when she's a certain look that she looks just like her Aunt Becky. She has her Nana Munger's fingernails - long and pretty - only cut because of piano. She also has her Nana's love for flowerbeds and wants to plant flowers every year. She's got a pretty good green thumb too. Sometimes I think she has my Mom's sense of humor...which could be dangerous haha - she definitely has my Mom's sense of adventure.

She's gotten into this Geo caching thing with her Daddy - that started with her Papa Wilbur. I'm telling you if the girl learns to beat me at mini golf...I am in BIG trouble! I just know her Papa Wilbur & her would gang up on me. I'd teach Brier and get him to help me...but that boy is a bit dangerous sometimes.

The thing I see in her that reminds me of myself is her crafty side. She likes to draw, create or make things, and sometimes she gets a little too high tech. I may not be as good at drawing as her, but crafts - yep that's me.

David & I both read like crazy - so that one is a tie. The thing is even though I see all these bits and pieces of different traits and characteristics from other family members in her...I see her too. She's is becoming her own person, as been for a while...but now at "a whole decade old" it's not as easy to pretend not to see. Don't get me wrong, I want her to grow up, strong, beautiful, and smart...I just don't want her to do it too fast. I do believe however, that I embrace it a little bit better than her Daddy does. He thought we should cancel this birthday - it just don't seem right.

I know what he means, but we can't tie her down or stop her from growing, aging, or becoming who God designed her to be. We have to let her grow and someday we will have to watch her fly on her own. But for now she's my 1 Decade Old Baby Girl and I choose to celebrate that with JOY & AMAZEMENT, rather than the fear of the unknown, the upcoming teenage years, or the fear of letting go.

So here's to our 1 Decade old Baby Girl!!! We love you, Ashlynn, more than we could ever say and someday you'll understand that. You'll also understand why Mom's & Dad's get a little sentimental over birthdays...but until then you'll just have to umm DEAL with it. :)

I love you, honey! Happy Birthday!

Post 169: Reflecting Part 1

2009-10-21T17:02:00.000+01:00

Reflecting: to think, ponder, or meditate.

Three of us out of the four in my household are not feeling well. We've sorta been under the weather since Sunday. It started with my son, Brier having a headache...then a fever. We fought the fevers for about two days. Yesterday morning he threw up and by the afternoon he seemed to be feeling much better. He hasn't had much if any fever since, yet it has really taken it out of him. He is currently laying on the couch beside me, asleep. He still has a nasty cough and a runny nose - so I don't know if he will be able or up to returning to school tomorrow or not.

By Monday evening my throat wasn't feeling that great. It has since gotten worse. I've had a few slight headaches with it as well. I don't know if I myself have had any fevers or not. I just know I've not felt up to par and that's not good when your children are sick. Thankfully, David is not appearing to have caught any bugs yet.

However, this morning Ashlynn woke up with a headache and fever. She is currently asleep on the other couch across from me. I pray she gets better quickly. I fear we may have to reschedule her birthday party and I know that would just really bum her out. Her birthday is Friday and she is supposed to have a bowling party on Saturday. So please pray for her.

Before this sick little bug decided to come and knock the wind out of us, I had been cleaning up my scrapbook room. It is so close to being finished that it frustrates me to no end, having gotten sick, and yet again not getting it finished. Oh well - I'll get there sooner or later, right?

My cleaning of my scrapbook room and some memories is what has caused me to write this post.

Saturday, October 17th - was Jim Munger's birthday. Jim was married to David's Mom, Marilyn. If you've followed my blog for any amount of time you also know that we lost Jim this past summer. David was in Iraq and the Red Cross message was sent out and they sent him home to be with his family. If you'd like to read more about that click here.

Anyway - you know when birthdays come around how easy it is to forget that birthday? Unless of course it is your spouse or child, but the rest of your family, your extended family...how many times do they get those birthday cards on time? How many times do you forget and put it in the mail 2 weeks or a month late? Or maybe even not at all?

I am one of those people. I remember the birthdays. I think about the person that day. Sometimes I even get the card in the mail or email them a little message, but more than that I generally think about it and it doesn't seem to go any further. I'm not sure why that is.

However, as October 17th came round last weekend, I didn't forget whose birthday it was. I really couldn't send a card this time. So I simply reminded my husband to call his Mother that day - what more could I do?

As I sorted things in my room and flipped through a few scrapbook albums, just some small ones and I was amazed at how much of Jim was in each of them. He was a big part of our lives. We all have our way of remembering and reflecting. I guess my way involves looking back at the memories that I've documented for our family.

Jim used to drive me absolutely crazy! There were times I just wanted to ring his neck and other times all I could do was laugh. I remember when David & I went on our first date. After going to dinner and a movie, we went back to PC's Bar & Grill for karaoke and dancing. Jim & Marilyn were there and boy did Jim do everything he could think of to embarrass me! He was good at that - with anybody.

Not long after that David was graduating from Airmen Leadership School and I was riding up to the base with his Mom & Jim. They picked me up at my house and I wore a blue/cream dress that looked very business like and hit just above my knees. As I stepped into the car Jim informed me, "Girl, you've got some ugly knees!". I don't know why that stuck with me but it did and back then it probably irritated me, but today it just makes me laugh. That's how he was.

When David & I welcomed our first baby into our lives Jim was there, along with Marilyn - who was great that day. She didn't have to be up there helping me, but she was and it meant a lot to me. Jim was the first one to hold Ashlynn. I didn't know that at the time - I had a c-section and they knocked me completely out.

He was one proud "Papa".... but even then he irritated me. He was in there holding her and poking her on the nose trying to get her to open her eyes and look at him. I wanted to poke him in the nose - don't know if that's normal for a new mom's thoughts, but that's what I'd thought. I couldn't wait til he got out of that room. He was again driving me crazy.

Looking back, that's just the way he was...the way God made him. He could get under your skin so bad and then he'd do something that just made it "ok". Jim had a lot of health issues and he had a lot of surgeries, even before the last time they'd admitted him. He was always trying to stay healthy. He'd damaged his body a good bit with the hard life he'd lived, but he was trying to right it all.

He became a man of God. Went to Church every Sunday and reached out to the teenagers in the community. Allowed them to have cookouts and things at his home. Many times there was an extra kid at their dinner table...and they were all like family. Jim saw his calling and I believe it was to reach out to those kids and show them love. Many of them even called him Grandpa. He helped them rebuild things, buy cars, and so much more. And they helped him with his farm.

They were respectful kids and funny too. I think Jim taught them that...taught them that odd trait of being a good person yet also being able to drive someone crazy! :) It's a part of him that I think will live on for a long, long time. Even in my children.

Every summer since approximately Brier's 2nd birthday, my kids would spend a month or so on the farm with their "Papa & Nana". It was their thing, what they waited all year long for, and they loved every minute of it. They went to Church with them and more. Marilyn & Jim made sure the kids took swim lessons and a handful of those teenagers that Jim was always reaching out to worked at the swimming pool. They were my kids instructors and they treated my kids with great care. Both of my children learned to swim during their summers at the farm.

We knew when we moved to England that, that was probably the last summer they'd spend on the farm with "Nana & Papa". We couldn't afford to send them home for it from here and there was no way I'd fly my children anywhere without me or David with them. That's just something I can not do.

What we didn't know was that, that day would also be the last day they saw their Papa here on earth. So as I've sorted through the things in my room and I've flipped through my children's scrapbook albums...it gives me great pleasure to see bits and pieces of their Papa all through it. From stealing his recliner (like I used to do to my grandpa), to stealing bites out of his apples, making pancakes, tractor rides, horseback rides, planting the garden, riding the 4-wheeler, fishing, and more...it's all there...and for that I'm very thankful.

Jim was there for many big occasions, but he was also there for a million of the little ones. So here's to you Jim. We hope you had an amazing birthday up there in Heaven and thank you for all you did for us and many others down here on earth. We love you, Happy Birthday.

Other Posts on Jim:
Prayer Request.
He was called home.
In Memory of.

Post 168: 1st Commenter Award

2009-10-20T07:30:00.000+01:00

This morning when I got up and checked my email and then my blogs to see if I had any new comments I was pleasantly surprised with a neat idea. The comment was left by Zen Mamma and this is what she said: "I invite you to hop on over to my blog and join the blog hop hosted by Mc Klinky featuring the first person who commented on your blog with an award."

I thought this a pretty cool idea, as I had no clue who the 1st person to ever comment on either of my blogs was. Now I do. So here we go.

Instructions: Pay it forward and pay a tribute to the first person that commented on your blog/s by posting a short story remembering who they are, where they are now, and that first comment made you feel. My Tribute goes out to:

Michelle.

It was my 11th post on my England blog before I received a comment. The comment was left on my 28th birthday by my friend Michelle.

Michelle and I met when both our husband's were stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Layton Utah. Our husband's worked together and we had a group of people over one afternoon for a bbq and that is when I remember first meeting Michelle - if it was before that I apologize! She showed up with this teenie tiny baby girl, Bailey. Bailey had been born early and she was so small.

Bailey became a big part of my life not long after that. Mark & Michelle were in need a babysitter and since I was home anyway, I offered to do the job. I can't recall the age difference between Bailey and my son Brier, but I don't think it's much. Anyway, Bailey was 4 months old when I began watching her. She was the sweetest thing - probably still is.

I babysat Bailey for approximately 2 years. During that time Michelle & I became friends and we did a few things together. We took our kids trick or treating or trunk & treat I think it was called. Where people park their cars in the Church parking lot and open their trunks and the kids come by for treats. It's a safe way to do Halloween. Michelle also came over once to scrapbook with me while our hubby's went of to some car show, both were nice times spent together - and I know there was more, but my memory isn't the best.

The last time I remember seeing Michelle was at a going away/promotion party we held at our house. We had orders to Ohio and her husband Mark had just gotten promoted, if I am remembering this correctly. She made this awesome spinach and strawberry type salad - it was so good.

The last day I babysat Bailey I took her and my kids to the zoo. It was a great time and I've a lot of pictures from that day. Bailey had become like one of my own. I included her in everything we did...and then the day came - we got orders. Funny thing was so did Michelle & Mark. They're to New Mexico and ours to Ohio. So either way, my days with Bailey had come to an end.

I will admitt that was the hardest part about leaving Utah. And I've not babysat anyone like that since. I got so attached to her. I didn't want to go through that again. So anyone I babysat after that, was not a permenate job. I refused to get that attached to another kid that was one going to leave me or two I was going to leave them.

I will never forget my days with my son Brier and Michelle's daughter Bailey - those two were quite the pair, I never knew what they were going to do, and it was always entertaining.

Michelle & her family are still in New Mexico. They bought a house and they seem to really love it there. They have 3 children, Allie, Bailey, and now Payton. They are all beautiful. I was blessed to have known them, to know them, and I am thankful.

So here's to you Michelle! Thank you for letting me be a part of your life. May God bless you always.

Post 167: You guessed it...he is HOME!

2009-10-13T07:49:00.000+01:00

Which is exactly why you've not heard much from me in a while. David returned home on September 25th. It was a wonderful day. We made it home from the airport in time to pick up the kids from school. They had no idea that Daddy was coming home. I'd told them that morning that I was going to look at a house with my friend Amanda - and they believed me!

They questioned why I was wearing jeans and why I was cooking a roast, but when I gave them my lie of an answer - they fully accepted it!! Thank heavens! I am so not very good at lieing - no matter how little a lie...but this lie, this secret was definitely worth it!!!

We arrived at the school at little early. I had the video camera (maybe I'll post the video) and Ashlynn came out of the school first. She kept looking at me real funny like, trying to figure out why I had the video camera. She was about half way to me when she spotted him and you could just tell the moment she saw him - it was written all over her face and the joy spread all the way up to her big brown eyes. Of course 2 seconds later she was in a flat run and you heard her scream, "DADDY!" and the next thing you know she was in his arms hugging him and saying, "Daddy, daddy". I believe her reaction caught her off guard, because the whole school pretty much witnessed it and she was crying, joyfully - but I think that part embarrassed her.

Brier comes out next and goes the wrong way first then, turns around and is coming towards me trying to hide his face from the video camera and telling me to stop it. He was standing right in front of me and I had to point to the side of me and David says, "Hey" and then Brier screamed, just like Ashlynn "DADDY!" and in his arms he went.

The three were inseparable from then on the entire weekend...but it was great and a lie well worth being told. :-)

On Monday the kids went back to school and David had to do in-processing for the next 3 days. After that I went to pick up a friend from the airport who stayed with us until Sunday when her husband flew home. We went to see "Cloudy with a chance of meatballs" on Saturday - it was pretty cute. The next Monday I woke up with a migraine the size of Texas and was in bed for basically 2 1/2 days. I took it slow after that, just to make sure my head could handle it. Riding in the car was not pleasant.

Thankfully, I was all better by Saturday and David & I went and spent the day together in London. We had a really nice time just walking around. We toured the home of the Duke of Wellington. We walked along St. James Park and witnessed a guy proposing to his girl - it was very sweet. We ate dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (the original), and then we went to see Grease - LIVE. It was good - not as good as Dirty Dancing I don't think, because it didn't follow the movie as closely - but that's just my personal opinion. It was however very entertaining. There were some parts that just really had you laughing.

Sunday, Ashlynn went Ice Skating for the first time - a friend from school had an Ice Skating birthday party. Brier had a friend over and David did laundry and watched football (and cried...Chiefs lost). I just kinda fiddled around :-)

Yesterday, David & I went and just walked around Cambridge for a while. It was nice and enjoyable and we're thinking of doing it again...this time with my camera - yes I forgot it. I was so mad! He did some Geo caching while we were there. We saw 2 swans get married...that was kinda funny. This guy was feeding them and when he stood up to leave he looked at us and said, "I just married them...watch how he kisses her". I never saw either swan kiss - but it was interesting all the same.

We saw a guy meditating - he was stone still for like 2o minutes...it was crazy. He was still sitting there in the same position when we left, so I don't know how long he was meditating. I had some coffee from Nero's - LOVE, LOVE their coffee. Then we came home and was ready for a nap, but was too late cause it was time for the kids to come home.

After that I worked on a "mock" version of a wedding invitation for a friend, David took Ashlynn to piano lessons, Jessica came over to discuss invitations and the blog I set up for her sister's wedding information...and then I finally cooked dinner - we ate pretty late last night - and then we all went straight to bed. So tired.

Today, David is getting new tires put on my car ... so I'm all on my own and thought I'd take a moment to update you on the happenings in the VanWinkle household, now that he is back home.

He is really enjoying being home. I think he missed us all...including Lady! He is also enjoying some home cooked meals, being able to get up and go to the bathroom without getting fully dressed, and just simply sitting on the couch. We have watched the whole season 5 of House...now the dvd set for season 6 needs to hurry up and come out!

And we are very, very thankful to simply have him home.

Thank you to all of you who kept him in your prayers while he was deployed.

Post 166: He is coming home!

2009-09-24T07:27:00.000+01:00

Deployment is NEARLY over! My husband will be home soon. I am soooooooooo thankful. I am soooooooooooo ready to have him back home. We've missed him so much and there are so many places we need to show him - that we went to and just need to be able to spend time with him. I am very thankful that he will be home soon.

We can sit on the couch and watch House together...my bed won't be so cold...he'll remember to take out the trash...oh and he will do the laundry...and apparently he thinks we need to workout together - the kids & I can't wait to get him on the wii fit...he'll get to be home for 2 weeks...I'll have to get back to normal cooking again...the kids will be so surprised - they have no idea just how soon he will be home - and I'm not telling them...I'm looking forward to video taping their surprised faces!

He was supposed to be home a week ago today - but that didn't happen. His replacement came in late and then he had to wait for the next flight out that had an empty seat on it, so he is not home yet and sadly still has a little bit of the journey to go, but he will be home before the weekend is up! It's crazy how long it takes to travel home...one stop after another until you finally reach your destination.

Anyway - he's homeward bound! Isn't that wonderful?!

Is this really English?

2009-09-21T09:00:00.000+01:00

Recently, well for a while now I've been going through papers and and just tons of things and trying to decide whether or not to: Keep, Donate, or Throw out. The other day as I was clearing out some notebooks and journals I stumbled apon this paper with a list of British and American words - and I thought I'd share them with you incase I've missed telling you about a few we've learned.

British American
Articulated lorry Semi-trailer truck
Bangers and mash Sausages and mashed potatoes
Bank Holiday Legal holiday
Barrister Lawyer who appears in court
Biro Ball-point pen
Biscuit Cookie or cracker
Bits Pieces
Bobby Police officer
Bonnet (of car) Hood
Boot (of car) Trunk
Braces Suspenders (I just had a lesson with this one haha)
Brolly Umbrella
Bungalow Single-story house
Call box Telephone booth
Calor gas Bottled gas
Caravan Camper vehicle
Chemist Drug store
Chips French-fried potatoes
Cinema Movie house/theater
Coach Bus
Cooker Stove
Cot Baby's crib
Crisps Potato Chips
Curriculumvitae Resume
Day-return Round-trip
Dual carriageway Divided Highway
Dustbin Garbage can
Dustman Garbage collector
Engaged Busy
En Suite Toliet/Shower within the master bedroom
Estate agent Real estate agent
Fag (slang) Cigarette
First floor Second floor
Fizzy drink Pop or soda
Flannel Face cloth
Flat Apartment
Flex Electrical cord
Flyover Overpass on highway
Fortnight Two weeks
Fringe (hair) Bangs
Gateau Layer cake
Greengrocer Fruit/vegetable store
Ground floor First floor
Hire Rent
Hire purchase Installment plan
Hob Stove top
Holiday Vacation
Hood Convertible top
Hoover Vacumm
Interval (theater) Intermission
Immersion tank Hot water heater
Jelly Fruit gelatin (jello)
Joint (of meat) Roast
Jumper Sweater
Knickers Panties
Knock up Awaken someone by knocking
Lay-in Sleep in
Left luggage Baggage checking
Lift Elevator
Lodger Roomer
Loo (slang) Toilet
Mains Electric circuit box
Motorway Freeway
Nets Sheer curtains
Newsagents Shop selling newspapers
Number plate License plate
Pants Underwear
Paraffin Kerosene
Pavement Sidewalk
Petrol Gasoline
Pillar box Mail box
Plaster Bandaid
Pub Tavern
Push chair Childs stroller
Ring Road Circular route around a town
Queue Stand in line
Quid (slang) One pound (money)
Rates Property taxes
Ring up Telephone
Rubber Eraser (this one still bothers me haha)
Rubbish Garbage
Saloon (car) Sedan
Scone Biscuit
Serviette Napkin
Sliproad Ramp on to highway
Squash Fruit drink
Stone 14 pounds
Subway Pedestrian underpass
Sweets Candy
Takeaway Carryout
Tights Pantyhose
To Let For rent
Trainers Snaekers
Trousers Pants
Tube Subway
Verge (of road) Shoulder
W.C. (water closet) Toilet
Zebra crossing Pedestrian crossing

Some of the words are unusual - but many are just spelled slightly different.
Example:
Theater = Theatre
Center = Centre
Color = Colour
Defense = Defence
Organize = organise

Now then - we've all had an education this week and I will continue to try and let you know of new words as we learn them - I'm sure there are some that I've missed. You have to admit - some of these are rather interesting. :-)

Hope you have enjoyed it!

Post 164: Barn Dance

2009-09-20T09:28:00.000+01:00

Last night there was a Barn Dance held in our little Village and so the kids and I decided to go. We had no idea what to expect or if we would even enjoy it, but we thought we should at least give it a go. At first it seemed kinda not so great, because people we're running this way and that way trying to get food all prepared.

There was a little bit of music being played and a little bit of mingling going on...but a bit after that several more people started showing up and the music started playing and people started dancing. It wasn't the "normal" dancing that I would have expected to see. It was more like in the British movies where women line up on side and men the other kinda thing.

I must admit we have some pretty good dancers in this Village. It really looked like they were having a great time. No - I did not dance - Yes - I could have, but I was happy just visiting with people. However, my daughter was not. She wanted to dance and so she ended up out there with a friend of ours, Lydia, and they all looked like they were just having a blast!

I had taken my camera up there, but later decided I wouldn't use it and Ashlynn had taken it back home along with her coat, because it was too hot believe it or not. I knew better than to send that camera home! Especially, when for the next dance she took her little brother out there with her! It was so stinkin' cute!

Lydia took a few pictures though and so I will ask her if she will email them to me. I don't know if she got any of the kids dancing together or not but I think she did at least get a few shots of people dancing and the kids doing things.

They also had food up there. I'm never going to get used to Hamburgers and Sausages! Brier wanted a HOT DOG - well that here is a "sausage" and Brier does not like that. So he had empty hot dog buns for dinner and plenty of watermelon. That boy loves his watermelon.

All the kids were playing "tag" or "it" and having such a great time running around - and boy were they ever sweaty! Brier's hair was just soaked! And Ashlynn was really wishing she had hers up - she was so hot. And of course Christien came home to spend the night with Brier - it never fails. Those two get together and you can't get them apart.

It turned out to be a pretty okay night - I hope they have one again sometime, preferably while my Husband is home. He would have been dancing - which means he'd have had me out there - but I would have enjoyed that. I miss him so much. He should be traveling home soon now - it takes a few days to get here with all the pit stops along the way - but he should be on his way soon, so please keep him in your prayers.

Anyway - if ever in England and you hear about a "Barn Dance" you should definitely check it out and don't forget your camera or leave it in the car. I love how these little Villages just through these gatherings - it's like one big family, sorta. You get to know everybody and it, it is just nice.

These are the kind of things most tourist do not experience - which is a privilege of living here. You get to see and do things that you most likely would not if you just came to "visit", because where would you go? London?

The one thing I've learned about being a military wife - is that tourist miss out on so much because they just simply go to the "hot spot" and call it great...when really they've missed out on some amazing things.

Never be afraid to get "lost"...for you never know what you might find.

Post 163: England Year One

2009-09-13T15:18:00.000+01:00

Well yesterday was the one year anniversary of our arrival in England. Ashlynn says that only the three of us have been in England for year, because Daddy has been gone for 4 months. She does have a point. I can’t believe it has already been a year!

A year ago we were saying goodbye to family and trying to prepare ourselves for everything we could think of. I remember waking up to a 7 a.m. phone call on 9-11-08 from my sister, Holly. She called to say she was thinking of us, praying for us, and that she loved us. I sure miss her. I can’t believe I’ve not seen any of my family for a year…except my Mom.

I remember trying to write everything down every chance I got so that I would not forget any step of the journey – so that I could blog it and share it with everyone. I remember emotional goodbyes, prayers, excitement, fear, and oh the nerves! My nerves were going wild. I was the first awake and I was trying to mentally prepare myself for what was about to happen.

I was excited and sad all at the same time. Mom2Mom was beginning their fall session the same day and I wasn’t there – and I so missed them – I still do. I sat writing about the night before and watching my family sleep. I prayed and I thanked God for allowing the night before to end with smiles and laughter after all the goodbye tears.

We arrived in England on 9-12-08 at like 7:30 a.m. completely exhausted. I don’t think any of us had ever been so tired. I’m still not sure I ever want to be on a plane for that long again – but my family might get a little upset with me if I don’t at some point. I remember being mad that our sponsor was not there to pick us up – that still gets under my skin to tell you the truth.

I remember my first reaction to British roads and driving – SCARY! So I had a blast when my Mom came to visit – her reaction to the British driving was pretty much the same and fun to watch.

I have however – figured out the time change and how to use my oven – no math class needed after all…just a little practice. I think we’ve gotten used to a lot of the road signs, words, and things. I don’t have to question things as much as I used to.

However, the other day my landlord, James, had on what we American’s call “suspenders” – you know the things old men use to hold their pants (trousers) up? Well, apparently that’s not what they are called here. Apparently suspenders are used to hold your stockings up – and for the life of me I can’t remember what Janet called the “suspenders”. I’ll have to ask her again. Then they asked me, “Don’t you wear stockings” or something like that – and I was like “Are you nuts!” If you know me – pantyhose/stockings, whatever you want to call them – are the worst thing ever to have to wear – and I avoid it at all cost.

My sleep schedule is still whacked, but I don’t think that has anything to do with the time change now. It’s more to deal with the fact that my husband is not home and I simply sleep better when he is here.

I am handling the driving a lot better than I ever thought I would. I prefer to drive a UK spec car over here than our US spec because I find it easier to remember what side the road to be one and so forth. I haven’t had any major curb checks since we first got here – so my husband is probably very thankful for that. I’ve also learned my way around pretty well – I rarely use the GPS, unless I’m going somewhere I’ve not been. I’ve also gone to London a few more times! Aren’t you proud of me? I’ve even drove to the airport by myself.

I’ve figured out how to get the most food that I can in the house and stored in the freezer and what not without having to go to the store every week. This is very nice. I hate grocery shopping. Going out to dinner has not been too horrible – I’ve had some rather unique experiences that I never dreamed of having, but you know what? I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.

I can not believe everything we have done and seen in this last year – it’s just amazing. I still say England is a very beautiful country, very open, and the air is so fresh…the Kansas plains don’t hold a candle to it

Let's recap the last year:

9-12-08 Arrived in England - completely and utterly exhausted.
Day 2 - whacked sleep schedules, funky cars, crazy road signs, British driving, BX's, different words and food packaging, and cooking/heating in Celsius.
Day 3 - rough night, bumpy roads, and Ely Cathedral.
Day 4 & 5 - Met Lydia and looked at some homes.
Day 6 - slept through the night and looked at more homes.
Day 7 - we passed our driving test!
Possible home - Yeah we got it!
Laid back in England - Cars, paperwork, plans with Lydia, and talked with family.
Back to Business - more paperwork, cars, and growing impatient.
School day, school day, golden rule day - Car, Military Spouse, Bank, lunch, schools, and movie.
A trying comical day in England - errands, shopping, McDonald's, car troubles, mailing us things, money, and cell phones for soldiers.
A walk through the forest - Church ruins & Brandon Country Park.
1st Day of school - kids survived school and met Amanda.
Landlord & Keys - Met James - got the keys to the house.
First delivery & driving alone - getting moved in and taking to the roads.
Forgotten Keys & Chinese Cheese Tag - joys of moving in and the things kids say.
Welcome to the sea of cardboard - moving in - in full swing & missing the M2M road trip.
He learned it all at the Pub - unpacking and making friends.
Cardboard Hell -unpacking, cooking, jacuzzi tub, and asthma.
He's a strange one, yeah? - David is the village entertainment.
Down to minimal cardboard - house nearly put together, cooking issues, first British birthday party, and a horse in our garden.
Yes Mama you were right - David went shopping -he spoils me!
1st night at the Pub - a message from David.
Awful Beautiful Life - touring a stud - horse ranch.
Box-o-goodies - Good friends send great goodies!
Happy Halloween - organizing, dark, and British Halloween.
1st trip to London - not pleasant, huge crowds, and underground issues.
What does this look like to you - England weather.
Sometimes they amaze me - kids settling in.
Thanksgiving in England - British style.
It's been awhile - British Christmas Dinner. Highly humorous.
Kid's Christmas Plays - amazing!
What a weekend - no power, not feeling well, and Church.
Merry Christmas - Letter to all.
Happy New Year - British style.
Little Sniffles - sad and difficult time.
Welcome Lady - we got a dog and saw Stonehenge.
Lady - she settling in.
Life with Lady - more about Lady.
Kids & Lady - Lady's trip to the vet - kids parent/teacher conferences.
Grumpy, sick, and Gross - More English weather.
Ashlynn's masterpiece - for school contest, sadly she did not win.
Shrove Tuesday - British lesson 1.
Travel Fair 101 - for way too much travel information.
Post 118 - Banner club, Dog training, Parking problems, Church, and Tea room.
Post 119 - Red Nose Day
Post 128 - Woburn Safari Park
Post 130 - Angry little boy.
Little bit of everything - Hailie, Office People/Lunch, and Ashlynn.
Joy of watching her read - Ashlynn.
Italy - Venice Day 1 - I think I forgot to blog the rest of our trip!
Putting on our Brave Faces - deployment.
The Laundry Monster - Mommy!
Partylite & Rude neighbors - what an experience.
Morris Men & Great Yarmouth - more British experiences.
1st Coach Trip - with Pub.
He was called home - Family loss.
Mom visits - day 1 - still need to finish blogging this too!
Favors - how nice is too nice?
Celebrating 10 years - I miss you honey!
Reflecting - thank you family & friends.
Nearly There - English summer, school, and a soon home coming.
School Routines - back at it.

Some of the things we've seen are not blogged yet - because apparently I forgot to blog. We traveled to Italy - seeing Venice, Roman, Florence, and Pisa - I loved it! I'd go back to Venice any day! When my Mom was here we went to London, City of Bath, Stratford apon Avon, Warwick Castle, Hunstanton, and a few other castles.

We have seen a good bit in our first year here in England, and I've loved every moment of it. I look forward to the things we will see this coming year. We've made some good friends and had some really good times. I still miss my Ohio friends greatly and my family too - but having Mom visit this summer really helped with that.

We have truly been blessed with an amazing opportunity and we are enjoying it to the fullest!

Post 162: Mr. & Mrs. Jim Lind

2009-09-11T12:36:00.000+01:00

HAPPY 10th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!!

I hope you guys have a wonderful 10th wedding anniversary! I remember this song from your wedding reception - the one you 2 danced to. I'd never heard it before, but it has stuck with me every since.

Celebrate today to its fullest - because reaching 10 years is a HUGE success! You should be very proud.

I put pictures of you guys at our wedding, our double date to see the K.C. lights, and a few others, plus your own wedding pictures in the slide. We had some good times. Sure miss you guys...maybe one day we will have another double date and can be lazy and take a horse drawn carriage ride! Whatcha think?

Well - anyway - Here's to you, both!

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Post 161: Potty Mouths

2009-09-09T19:42:00.000+01:00

***Also posted on Tuesday's at Tonya's***

This evening I logged on to FB to check my farm and see what was up with some my friends & family. I enjoy staying in touch with people and sometimes their "status" is absolutely hilarious. Other times it's just normal "a day in the life of" kinda stuff...and then sometimes it's FILTHY!

One of my pet peeves is the "F" word - I can't stand it. Don't enjoy hearing it. Don't like reading it. I am around many different types of people, after all my husband is in the Air Force - men do not watch their language very well sometimes, and I do live next door to a pub...so I do hear it.

However, when I log on to FB, read someones blog, or even check out a book - I do not enjoy reading that! That's not what I go there for - it's my "me-time" and when someone throws that kinda language out there - it really just feels like my "me-time" has been vomited on. Yet, I can't go around telling grown people to please watch their language on their FB page or their blog...let alone telling an author that!

Honestly, I'm not sure how many people actually enjoy reading or hearing that word. I understand if the atmosphere is appropriate for it, but I don't see "day to day life" needing that type of language - and yet there are some women out there who can put the men to shame with the way they talk!

Seriously, why do women feel the need to talk that way? Why does anybody? But girls? I mean come on - do they think it's sexy? Do they think it makes them cool? Do they think it makes us equal? I understand a bad habit - I used to let several words slip, but I've learned to control it. I hardly ever use foul language these days. It is not attractive, it is not sexy, it is not cool, and if I have to talk that way to be any body's equal - I'd rather not. I'm better than that and so are a lot of people out there.

Truthfully though, it's like when your are out in a public place don't you generally try to watch your language, unless you are at a bar or something? Don't you take into account the atmosphere of where you are? I think people should, if they don't...and I think people should take that into account on FB - unless everybody they know talks that way. People should be more considerate, especially if they are your friend.

Thankfully - my friend Amber - showed me a trick this evening after I read a horrible status that just had the "F" word all through it. You can HIDE that person's status from your news feeds. Isn't that wonderful?

So I'm going to do a 3 strikes your out kinda thing. After 3rd time I read that word on someones status - I'm going to hide it, so my "me-time" won't be vomited on!

What do you think? Am I the only person that has a problem with language these days?

Post 160: School Routines 2009

2009-09-08T16:22:00.000+01:00

The kids have been back in school for 4 days now - they went back on Thursday, had the weekend off and are back at it again this week. Yesterday, they both had Chess Club - Ashlynn for the 2nd year and Brier just beginning. Monday's are our busy days - they have Chess Club so I don't even go pick them up until 430 - then we have to take Ashlynn to Piano Lessons at 6...finding time for dinner on Monday's is the trick.

We ate in the car on the way to lessons last night. Crazy I know, but I was working on a project with a deadline for my landlord - apparently it helped him out alot, so that's great. I should have worked on it sooner - as usual - but I was in such a LAZY mood, and the kids and I had been running around on Saturday...so Sunday we were just chillin and Monday - hahaha - I was still chillin'. Took me forever to get my butt in gear that day.

Today's not been much better. I took the kids to school, went and mailed some items as well as checked the mail, and then decided to once again be lazy. So far I've enjoyed it...but I do need to get off my butt and get some things done around here haha. It's just so nice to have the t.v. without interruptions and so forth for a little while. I'm not much a t.v. watcher - but sometimes it's just nice.

The deployment is still not over - even though my countdown says that he is home - he is not yet home. That was just an estimated time - however, it should be over real soon. AMEN!

My sleeping habits are still whacked. My kids are sleeping fine - going to bed at 9, up at 730. I am going to bed by 10 and am awake at 6 a.m.!!! I just don't understand! This morning I actually made it to 7 - I shouldn't complain, I'm getting 8 hours of sleep...which is more than alot of people...but I still feel so tired! Like right now, it's 5 p.m. - I'm ready for nap...I really gotta get myself moving and get out of this strange funk. I've the desire to read a book - so that's not going to help much! :)

I've enjoyed my alone time - as we all knew I would. It's given me time to think, watch t.v., write, clean, read, shop, and whatever else...it's been nice and so far I'm not bored yet. :) Of course I am out of Sex in the City episodes, Charmed episodes, Medium episodes, and Ghost Whisperer episodes to watch...so now I guess I'll either have to give in and read that book or get my act together and stop being lazy.

Recently purchased Ashlynn a piano - we still have to get it tuned, but it seems as though it's going to work out nicely. Thankfully, I've good friends and neighbors that helped me get it home. Oh and a few guys from David's squadron came and helped load it. So Ashlynn is very happy to have it home. She really does a wonderful job playing and her teacher always compliments her on the fact that she practiced.

Now, there are many different characteristics that make up this little human being I call my daughter. You may think that she is a "girlie" kinda a girl, because I told you she plays the piano...but that is rather far fetched. She hates the color pink and tells you over and over she's just not that type of "girlie-girl". Let me give you some examples of her:

She likes to sing.
She likes to play the piano.
She likes to look at the stars, planets, and anything that involves space.
She loves animals, has told me since she was 3 that she is going to be a vet.
She loves school.
She likes the color blue.
She likes to draw.
She likes to cook.
She enjoys Chess.
She likes computers and video games ... including Star Wars!
She likes science, bugs, insects, leaves...anything she can look at under a microscope.
She'll catch frogs with the best of you and not scream.
She wears rubber boots with her pj's.
She dislikes pink.
She dislikes drama and all that "girlie" gossip.
She dislikes High School Musical and Hannah Montana.
She dislikes several foods.
She dislikes being told "you can't" do something - she's always looking for a way you "can".
She dislikes chocolate and cake icing.
She dislikes brushing her hair or having it fixed.

You see what I mean?

Last year she played Tag Rugby twice with the school. This year there is a club and guess who just asked if she could sign up?!

Yes, that's right! My piano playing daughter also loves to play Tag Rugby!!! What am I going to do with this child? At least Brier is all Boy and all Energy....Ashlynn is all EVERYTHING!

Thank God their Daddy will be home soon - he can help and if I catch the 2 of them dissecting worms in her room I'm going to kick his butt! Just warning all of you...it has been mentioned and even though he said, "we'll do it outside"...I'm not sure I believe that due to the dead lady bugs I found in Ashlynn's room!

Anyway - School is back in full swing - already needing money for this or that. Funny isn't it? You can't wait for school to start back up - to give your kids something to do and you some peace & quiet and within the first week the school is asking for money for something! It never fails.

Well, have a blessed week - hope everyone is settling back into their school routines easily.

Post 159: Nearly There

2009-08-30T20:45:00.000+01:00

Well, in a few days the kids will go back to school, seems crazy almost. As if I blinked and summer was over. The only thing not over yet is the deployment, but that too is soon to end.

We had some wonderful weather here in England this summer - I'm not sure what summer's are normally like since this was my first English summer, but I loved it. We had days that we're hot enough for shorts. We had days you needed to pack shorts or pants in case the weather changed. The rumor is - "If you don't like the weather, you should move to England, because it changes every 5 minutes". I believe this to be true! Of course we still had plenty of rain, so you no matter what you think the weather is going to be for the day, in England, you go no-where without an umbrella! I hope next summer is as wonderful, so that David may experience it as well.

The kids & I have to make sure we've got everything ready for them to return to school on Thursday, so I've a feeling Tuesday or Wednesday might involve a bit of running around. I've got to get Brier some new shirts - as his are awful stained from last year. That boy can not stay clean for one minute! I've already gotten him some new gym shorts and Ashlynn some new trainers (shoes). She will need new shoes to go with her uniform, but she can get by with what she has for a bit longer, besides she don't like shoe shopping with Mom! Imagine that!

I don't know if they are looking forward to returning to school or not. One day it seems they are and the next, not so much. I do not think they are looking forward to going to bed at a decent hour or getting up early either. They've been staying up late all summer and sleeping in just as late! I am looking forward to getting our sleeping back on track though!

Hopefully, I can accomplish getting MY sleep back on schedule. It's so hard when David is gone. I believe sleeping and eating correctly are the 2 most difficult things to do when he is gone. He is not here to cook for, so the kids and I just have whatever - no real cooking involved. When we get tired of eating something we will fix us a good meal, but most the times it's a sandwich, or mac-n-cheese, or something quick and easy. We should all lose weight when he is gone and usually I do, but it hasn't dropped off as much as I wish it would have this time.

Then he is not here to go to bed with so I find things to do, I play on the computer, I scrapbook, I clean something, I watch T.V. or read a book and then I drag myself to bed when I can no longer keep my eyes open. Which is usually around oh 1 a.m. and then for some unknown reason to me I am up by 8 a.m.!!! It's absolute madness!

I don't know about you, but I find it so much more comforting to go to bed with my husband than alone. The bed is cold, the sheets are cold. There is no-one to snuggle with or keep you warm. No-one to kiss you goodnight or lay there and talk with. No-one to wake up to all sleepy eyed or hear say "Good morning, Sunshine." No matter how much you don't care for being called "sunshine". There is no loud snoring that wakes you up and makes you want to punch your husband. No ice cold feet that make you want to kick him. Nothing...just cold silence and in that cold silence, sleep is ever so slow to overtake you. You miss it, you miss it all.

However, today - I've not felt very well. I got up this morning at 8 a.m. I read a book til just before 1 - actually I finished the book - nothing new, right? Then I tried to get motivated to do something and was not getting very far when David logged on and we tried chatting for a bit.

Brier made that difficult. He loves making faces on the web cam to his Daddy. He was even giving him web cam hugs - it was priceless. I hope David is ready to be attacked when he returns, because I'm not sure he is going to get very far out of their sight for a while. I think I will go with him to pick up the kids at school and try to video tape it - it's such an amazing moment to witness...it might be nice to have it caught on film.

After, we were done attempting to talk, I went and took a nap - a much needed nap. I slept for like 2 hours and I awoke with a major headache. One of those kind that the lights hurt, moving around is not favored, and all you want to do is go back to bed. Know what I mean? Well, that's another downfall of a deployment - there is no one here to make sure the kids are doing okay or have eaten, other than you.

So as much as I didn't want to, I got up. I took some Tylenol and made my way down the stairs. Thankfully, the kids were behaving and both knew instantly that I didn't feel well. They've kept it quiet and I am thankful that they know when not to push me.

Ashlynn, is my little nurse. I don't know what this child will be when she is grown...but I'm sure it will be nothing short of amazing. She immediately came in and asked me if I wanted some soup. Precious. She made me some ramon noodles - she really enjoys cooking - no matter what it is, and I am glad of that. She was also aware enough of my condition to realize the lights would hurt and did not bother turning them on when she brought me the food. The plus side of a deployment - having children that are as sensitive to your needs are you are theirs, but that comes with age and if you've still got toddlers at home - then you've got a ways to go.

The truth be told - no matter how irritated I get at them; I actually have some pretty amazing kids. I love that I can take them with me to get my hair cut and know that they will sit still and behave themselves until I'm finished. Very few Mom's can take their children with them and actually be able to sit down and enjoy their haircut...without fear of what their kid is doing! I love that when we leave the salon, who ever was sitting in the waiting area as well - tells me "They were very well behaved". It makes me feel good and it makes me very proud of them.

I also enjoy that I can take them on coach trips for the day and not have to deal with them whining or complaining about the trip. They are very good little travelers! A thing the "military" life teaches you to be good at.

The only thing they would really rather NOT do - is go shopping, but since Daddy's been gone we've made that into a sport. We make our list and we time ourselves - we see how quickly we can get in and get out of the commissary. Some how we've managed to do it under 30 minutes and one time in 15 minutes! This makes us all happy, because they are not stuck in there bored stiff, wanting this and that, and there is not enough time in our race for me to get annoyed with them for it. Treating it like a sport has made it bearable for all 3 of us.

So even though this week maybe a bit on the hectic side, I know we will manage it together and get back into the school time routine before David even returns home. I look forward to having my "alone" time back, but even more than that I look forward to being able to keep up with my house a little better. It just doesn't stay near as clean during the summer - there is too much other stuff to do, than stay home and clean. Not only that, during a deployment - sitting around the house is not really favored - you have to get out, you have to do things...otherwise you'll sit here and drive yourself insane.

What I do not look forward to is the boredom. Yes, I'll be able to email David during the day as normal, but he won't be at work and just calling to call - even though he always manages to call right as I've sat down on the toilet! It's like he has this radar or something that goes off the moment I decide to go to the bathroom...all I have to do is sit down and that phone will ring! It's so irritating, but it definitely is NOT boring.

And he won't be walking through the door at 5:30, or showing up early just because he can...so what am I going to do to finish off the end of this deployment with the kids in school and David not home yet???

I will simply get the house back in order, have a wonderful dinner planned for him...and look forward to his 2-weeks of leave time upon return. Always having something to look forward to is the key to surviving a deployment. What I have to look forward to now - is his homecoming and that is the best part of all.

Post 158: Pie in the Face

2009-08-28T15:44:00.000+01:00

Last Sunday, I sat patiently thinking my husband would log on and talk to me. It was the first Sunday I'd been home for in a few weeks and I just kinda assumed he'd get online. Well, unknown to me that was the day of the Squadron Booster Club Fundraiser.

As it turns out my husband and the First Sergeant were campaigning back and forth trying to get some interest and participation. My husband was in 1st place for a little bit and then dropped down to 5th ... where he felt safe. However, the day before the voting ended, he went from having 150 votes to 800 votes!!! No longer safe. He came in 2nd place overall and still has no idea who dropped all that money on him haha.

My husband said this when he described this to me: "I sat down in the little chair and put on my trash bag apron. The bidding started. The First Sergeant picked some airman that I don’t know and was feeding him dollars. The bidding topped around $30, and the First Sergeant’s pawn won the battle. So, he picked his choice of weapons. A pie made of pineapple yogurt covered with Cool Whip. Oh, that wasn’t good enough, though. The First Sgt. realized they had more Cool Whip, so he topped the pie with another bowl of whipped cream. It was pretty thick. After the mandatory suspense, the kid splashed the “pie” right in the middle of my face and ran it up to the top of my head (of course, filling up both nostrils with whipped cream). Then someone mentions that he missed a spot and smeared the pan over the left side of my face. I tried to flip some whipped crème onto him, but I’m pretty sure I missed. Unfortunately, he cut the inside of my ear with the pie pan and it started bleeding pretty good." He said his hair was really sticky and he smelled like pineapples and REALLY needed a shower, but that he was a good sport! So being the good sport that he is - he told me all about it so I could post this blog, he sent me photos, and even a video! So this is the first time I've tried to upload a video...but here we go!

Too funny, right?

My husband also received another medal for his time during this deployment. He is a hard worker and very focused on his mission. I am very proud of him. He is such a good man!

See why I love him...even if he is covered in nasty sticky pineapple pie!!!

Post 157: Reflecting

2009-08-26T22:20:00.000+01:00

A few days ago, David & I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary! It’s truly amazing that we’ve made it to this huge milestone. I feel truly blessed to say “we’ve been married for 10 years!” It also makes me feel rather old, but we all know I’m not.

If you read my previous post, you know that I wrote something special for my husband as I try to do every year. I don’t believe it as good as the vows I wrote last year – but I am my own worst critic, as most of us are.

I hated not being able to share our 10th anniversary together in person - it's such a huge accomplishment and for those of you that know our personal story - you probably understand why it means so much to me. 5 years ago, I would have never thought we'd be here. Of course I never planned to spend a 10th wedding anniversary alone either.

But, I have to stop and think of those military wives who had to get married in a hurry or whose husband was deployed during the birth of their child - and then I realize I am truly blessed. I've had my husband home for many wonderful occasions. The conclusion I have come to though - is that I'd rather he miss my birthday than our anniversary - is that weird?

However, as the day went on and I thought about our lives, the ups, the downs, the things we’ve been through, places we’ve seen, places we’ve lived, and so much more, I really got to thinking about family. Family and friends, because without them in our lives there is a very real chance we’d have never made it to that 10 year milestone. Without their support, their love, and their prayers I know getting to this point would have been much more difficult.

So as I’ve reflected these past few days – there is something else I want to say to you our Family & our Friends. THANK YOU. As our family & friends you mean a great deal to us, you have each touched and blessed our lives in one way or another and for that we are truly thankful.

We also have news – David is coming home soon! The exact date is a secret for safety reasons and of course it is always subject to change, but he will be home again soon and I can not wait to have him back home.

School will have started back up before he returns. However, we do believe he will be home in plenty of time on the day of his arrival to pick the kids up and surprise them. He loves doing that and their faces light up brighter than ever. It is a beautiful thing to witness.

I also look very forward to having my husband home again. It has been a long 4 months. I’ve truly missed him and he missed a beautiful English summer. I normally handle this pretty well and I think I did okay this time, but it has definitely been long and exhausting. I did not even blog as much as I intended to about what it’s like with him deployed. When you’re the only parent for a while – things get busy fast.

I think one of the things that made this deployment particularly difficult was not the fact that I am in England, rather than the states, but that our “communications” were not as often as in previous deployments. I’m used to talking to him every day in some form, email, chat, or phone…but this time it’s pretty much been all email. There are times I think if he called I would not recognize his voice and then the phone connection is so horrible you can barely hear him. He is constantly repeating himself, which makes it hard to have a decent conversation. The internet connection for chat/webcam has not been any better.

So other than email, I feel I really haven’t gotten to talk to my husband very much. I don’t know what I’d talk about of course, but I feel like he needs to come home so we can just talk and talk and talk. He’ll laugh when he reads this – because I don’t talk haha. Well, not to a major extent anyway. I have really missed him this time around and I am impatiently awaiting his return.

I would appreciate it very much if you would continue to pray for him & his unit as they finish their mission and return home.

Also, Thank you for keeping them all in your prayers over the summer.

Tonya

Post 156: Celebrating 10 years

2009-08-21T19:01:00.001+01:00

Today, you & I celebrate the marriage of a decade.
At times, I wondered if we’d see daylight of another year.
What I’ve realized, as I look back, is we’ve a love that doesn’t fade.
And somehow here we are a whole decade later!

Sadly, we celebrate today with you in Iraq & I in England.
Hearts-apart; that’s what the Military calls it
If I had rank, today my husband I’d demand
In my arms, safe at home you’d be

Looking back together at 10 years of our past
Cuddled up on a blanket, with memory books in hand
Amazed at the things our love has outlast
Hearts-apart, hardly true with ones so intertwined.

Our hearts do not stop beating or feeling, they simply do not part.
We still feel…our connection stronger than any phone or internet signal
A love deeper and more meaningful than what just physical beauty could impart
10 years, say a lot about the strength of our hearts…our connection

You are an amazing husband, time & time again you’ve been my knight in shinning armor
My prince, my hero – the one who always saves the day, fixes the problem & holds me close
My friend, my lover – the one who with me shares life and its odd humor
The one who always no matter what the day has held kisses me goodnight

Today, even though apart – I am still amazed to be standing at the beginning with you
A journey we began 10 years ago, never dreaming all we’d go through
Now here we stand at the start of another year, with a love tried and true
Unafraid of the future and together still dreaming of days & things to come

Last year we renewed our wedding vows and celebrated our anniversary with cold pizza
The words, the vows that I wrote and spoke then are just as true today
We may not be dancing the day away in one of Italy’s finest Piazza’s
…but today my heart is soaring with yours in a place only 10 years together could find

I love you honey, Happy 10th Anniversary.

Post 155: Favors

2009-08-06T14:51:00.000+01:00

The story of my Mom's first England visit will continue - but today I am in the need to just simply be me and write what is on my mind. What is clogging up my head and invading my thoughts.

Perhaps the need to simply write is also from watch too much Sex in the City. I never really watched that show before. I mean yes, I watched a few episodes here and there...but that was it.

Then before I left Ohio, I went out with the "girls". There was 10 of us or so and we all went to the Theater to watch the Sex in the City movie. Since then I've just kinda gotten into it, I want to know the "story". It allows me to remember the times I had with my friends, whom I dearly miss.

Now, I admit I could do without some of the language and explicit scenes, but that's what makes the show "real". If you can not be real in your relationships, what's the point in having them? What makes a good tv show or movie? The realness of it. Fake, just doesn't work for me.

I believe what I relate to most though is Carrie and her writing. She doesn't sit and write all the time or every day. She writes when it it strikes her, when the mood is there.

A lot of times I ignore that mood when it strikes. Then I forget what it is I wanted to write, what it was I was thinking, questioning, wondering, and so today...thanks to Carrie, I'm not ignoring that call.

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about cultures and there differences. That of course probably has a lot to do with the fact that I am an American living in England. We may speak the same language, but there are some words that are different, some phrases that I don't quite get, and a few other little quirks. I'm sure the British would say the same thing about me. People that talk to me no matter what country they are from, probably wonder "what is she talking about!" I'm pretty sure my family wonders that on a regular basis.

I live next to a Pub, and one thing I've strongly noticed is that most times when I go next door, I am immediately asked by someone "Would you like a drink?" and then which ever person offers that day, also pays for it. Now, my dear American readers - if you walk into bar in the states does anyone other that the waitress ask you that?!

Now, granite this is a small village and a small pub, so I don't know if you would get the same offer in London or a larger pub. Plus, most of the people you see next door also live in the village and so they do know me. It just seems odd to me that I never have to buy myself a drink!

Am I complaining? No. I love the fact that the people here are so friendly, but yet I really feel like I should repay the favor sometimes and I am never given that opportunity. So what do I do? Just enjoy the favors and tell my husband to buy the whole pub a few rounds when he returns or what?

If I get in there before anyone sees or catches me, I can get away with buying my own drink - but that is a rare occasion. I really am not complaining, I love the niceness, but it is hard to get used to. Maybe it's my "American-ness" but I feel as though I should repair the favor, and try as I might, it never works out.

That is not the only type "favors" I've received. When I've needed help, let me give you some examples:

We had the Bouncy Castle for Brier's birthday party - I needed help setting it up and taking it down.
The bicycles needed air in the tires and drink holders attached.
I couldn't get the helium tank to work.
Lady ran off.
I needed help with the kids for an hour or so.
I needed a ride to the airport to get my Mom.
I needed the grass under the swing set cut - so the kids could play on it.

I had help for all those things, whether it be from my Landlord or friends from the Pub. I've tried buying drinks as a way to say "Thank you", but that never works out. I've said thank you, personally. I've baked brownies, or banana bread, or gotten little gifts as thank yous...but yet I still feel I need a better way to say "Thank you" and I've just not found it. Am I being too sensitive about it? Seems an odd word for me, but I'm having a difficult time adjusting to all the niceness of my British friends. Weird uh?

I just do not want anyone to think me, ungrateful. I'm very grateful. I appreciate all they do and have done. I just wish they'd let me repay the kindness sometimes. Relationships; no matter the type, are about give and take. I don't feel as if I'm giving as much as I'm receiving. Once upon a time that wouldn't have bothered me in the least little bit, but I'm not as cruel as I once was either.

However, I am not blind to the fact that sometimes favors can have a hidden agenda. It is true people really do things out of the kindness of their hearts, but sometimes that kindness could lead to trouble, if you don't stop and ask yourself this one question.

"When is a favor simply too nice to be just a favor?"

Post 154: Day 1 of Mom's Visit

2009-08-03T21:14:00.000+01:00

The day leading up to my Mom’s arrival was filled with both nervousness and excitement. I was nervous that she would forget something important, fall asleep in Canada during her layover and miss her flight. I was also nervous about getting to London to pick her up. Hannah was going to take me, but ended up having to work. So it was either I go it alone or find someone else to drive me up there.

Thankfully, my landlord; James, being the sweetheart that he, is immediately offered when he learned that Hannah was unable to take me up there. I was very thankful for that as I have not driven to London on my own yet. I paid very close attention and I think I will be able to handle it when she goes back home.

We really could not have been blessed with a better landlord. James is pretty great. He made sure I was there on time and even bought me a cappuccino while we waited. Then when he thought it was time to go watch for the arrivals we went and stood along the railing to watch for her…and somehow we missed her!

She must have come out earlier than we expected because I was just standing there watching for black bags with pink polka dots and I saw plenty of polka dotted luggage, but no Mom! I started thinking “Well where is she? Did she get held up in customs?” And then there she was behind me, fussing at me for not answering my phone. I didn’t even get to take her picture when she walked out because she came up behind me!

The truth is I worried about whether or not I would hear my phone. You see in the states everyone called me on my cell phone and when it would ring it would sing, “Hello Darlin’”. I never went anywhere without it! Here, in England, I forget I have a cell phone. I RARELY hear it ring and it hardly ever rings. I only have like 5 numbers in my phone! I’m just not as popular here – I guess.

Anyway, Mom had called me twice to see where I was and guess what? I missed the calls! Did not hear the phone! So what good did it do me to send her David’s phone?

So we got Mom! She got to meet James first. No more being nervous about meeting him! We made really good time on the way to London and really good time on the way back, which makes me even more thankful that James drove – least he knows his way! Ya know?

And because we made such good time, we even made it back in time to go pick up the kids from school. This absolutely made their day. That morning when I dropped them off Brier had told me, “This is going to be a REALLY LONG day.” They couldn’t wait to see Nana! They were so excited, I barely got them to bed that night! They were up til 10:30 coloring a banner for Nana that said, “Welcome to England!” They colored it all the colors of the rainbow and we hung it up in the hall before going off to school.

It was so funny because they fully expected Janet to pick them up and there we were! Ashlynn was the first to come out and when she saw Nana she just a grinned real big and then ran off! She came running back with Brier in hand both just a grinning for all they were worth! It made their whole day that we were there waiting on them.

After we got home with the kids, Mom got to enjoy our Jacuzzi bath tub! Said she needed a shower or bath so that she could feel human again. While she did that I checked email and stuff.

Then we got ready and went next door to the Pub for Thai Night, and Mom got to meet Stuart, Chaz, Brian, Suzanne, Charlie, and a few others. The food was really good and we ate way too much! We really enjoyed it. The prawn cakes (shrimp) were amazing. The chicken curry was okay, but the chicken they had on the skewers was the best! It was so tender – it was just mouth watering.

Next the kids introduced Mom to the WII. Mario Cart was first and boy was that hilarious. I even videoed it! Thank Heavens she doesn’t drive that way in real life! While they were trying to teach her how to play, John (one of them – lots of men in this country named John) came by to meet her because he had not been in the Pub earlier and over course he invited us over for a drink – which was nice.

So we finished the WII game and in order to keep Mom awake took her next door for that drink. It worked! I was able to successfully keep her awake until 10 p.m. but had I left alone she’d have been out like a light around 830 p.m. Which might have been alright but I thought I’d better play it safe and make sure. She had a little trouble sleeping, so I let her sleep till 10:30 a.m. the next morning, we ate breakfast, and then we were off and running into day 2!!!

Post 153: Recovering from Mom Lag

2009-08-03T12:41:00.000+01:00

What is "Mom Lag" you say? Well, we all know what Jet Lag is right? My Mom was recently visiting - she was here for 17 days and she does NOT sleep! She went back home yesterday and the kids & I are currently recovering from "Mom/Nana Lag" - we were all three in bed by 11 last night. No 2 a.m. nights for us. I was up at 9:30 and the kids dragged themselves out of bed slowly after about 10:30 a.m. - we are in recovery!

However, we had a BLAST while she was here. We did so much stuff and saw so much stuff and I've like 1,393 photos! Mom's fault - she was on camera duty. So as you can guess, "YES there is another scrapbook being thought about and that will be eventually made."

I thought I'd just take a moment real quick and let you all know I'm still alive - was just on a vacation sorta. :) I'll add pictures soon and you can see all the fun we had.

Well, I have to go to the base and get back and get the house put back together, but I will try to blog again later and start showing you pictures of my Mom's trip here. It was a lot of fun. Even though she throughly tired me out, I loved seeing her and spending time with her. Didn't realize how much I'd missed her, till yesterday when she left. I hope she'll get to come back again before we get orders somewhere else. She really liked England.

Talk to you soon!

Post 152: In Memory of...

2009-07-09T20:47:00.001+01:00

...of JIM MUNGER, a wonderful husband, father, friend, brother, and papa.

Neal Mccoy's; Last of a dying breed.

He's a cold beer drinker, a buck deer hunter:
The best friend a dog ever had.
A post-hole-digger, a mint Skoal dipper,
John Deere cap-sportin' man.
With a house on a hill and a pond in the field,
Surrounded by a mess of corn rows.
Makes a livin' from his labour, a credit to the Maker,
He's somebody everybody knows.

Last of a dying breed who tend the fields and mend the fences.
Heaven knows, I'd hate to think that generation might be ending,
But if he goes, he will go down in history:
As the last, the last of the:

Overall wearers, farmer tan terrors,
Down at the VFW hall. (y'all.)
Cake pan lickers, ripe tomato pickers,
Hay balers loadin' trailers in the Fall.
Fruit stand sellers, town square dwellers,
Who gather at The Dairy Queen at dawn.
Everybody knows him an' everybody loves him:
God, I'm gonna miss him if they're gone.

Last of a dying breed who tend the fields and mend the fences.
Heaven knows, I'd hate to think that generation might be ending,
But if he goes, he will go down in history:
As the last, the last of a dying breed.

(Last of a dying breed.)
He's a hard-working family man.
(Last of a dying breed.)

Last of a dying breed who tend the fields and mend the fences.
Heaven knows, I'd hate to think that generation might be ending,
But if he goes, he will go down in history:
As the last, the last of a dying breed.
Of a dying breed.
Of a dying breed.

Post 151: He was called home.

2009-07-09T08:21:00.000+01:00

Jim fought the good fight, but it was lost, yesterday evening shortly after 5 (central time). He is no longer hurting and Heaven should have some really beautiful flower gardens and tomato plants with him up there now. May he rest in peace.

May God give me the words, and strength to tell my children. I'm praying they don't ask, that I can get them to school. Then maybe by this evening I'll be able to deliever the worst news I've ever had to give them. Until then it's my "mommy face" and my "supercape". Please God just show me, tell me how to do this.

As hard as it is I pray we can celebrate him home, our hearts are saddened because of what he meant to us and because we will miss him greatly, but we can rejoice in knowing that he went home, home to heaven, where one day we will see him again.

Please pray for All our family. David has had to make some really tough decisions lately and he really needs your prayers - we all do. We lost a big part of our family, but at least we know Heaven gained him.

Thank you.

Post 150: Updates & Writing

2009-07-03T08:23:00.000+01:00

First off let me update you on Jim. He is off the ventilator and has been moved out of ICU - that does not mean that he is doing better, they are simply trying to give him the freedom of having a few more visitors and not at such restricted times. They are keeping him comfortable and trying to keep his pain managed.

David, sat with him most of yesterday and from what he has said, Jim just looks horrible. Jim is really swollen and his skin is so paper thin, that they have to be very careful with him or it rips and then he bleeds all over the place. Sometimes it's really difficult to sit in there and David has to just step out for a few minutes.

I think Jim is really glad to have David there - even though he may not be able to say. I guess talking is not really easy for him because he is so weak, but he does say a few things here and there and apparently the other day he told the nurse (pardon the language) that "he is tired of this shit". I honestly can't blame him. I would be very tried of it too. He has been in there since April and I know he is tired. 5 surgeries in 3 months and fighting the good fight the whole time - I don't know that I could do it. Jim is definitely a tough old bird :)

So if you could continue to pray for him, we would all really appreciate it.

Now, on to my next topic - WRITING.

I write all the time, whether I'm blogging, emailing, or simply writing a story or a poem - I'm always writing. I've been that way since I was about 8, as far as I can remember anyway. I have a friend out here, you've heard me mention her a time or two now named Amanda. She writes a weekly column for a newspaper on Robins Air Force Base. This weeks column "Clip coupons to support troops"

I read her column this morning and well it is no different than what I do when I blog really. If I had; had the same experience as she at the commissary with her British friend what would I have done? I'd have blogged about it, like I do everything we experience here in England and I don't get paid for it.

Now, I do not have the journalism degree that Amanda does, but I do know that newspapers hire freelance writers all the time. Wouldn't it be great if someone wanted to publish something I wrote or if I were offered some time of column to write? I think it would - thing is I've no clue how to go about it. Yes, I can ask Amanda and I'm sure she'd be a great help.

It just amazes me though that she is simply writing about her everyday life and getting paid for it. I do that all the time and do not get paid for it. No, I don't wish to be a reporter, but I wouldn't mind having a column of some sort. I think that would be rather nice.

I may have to learn not to write as much - if you read Amanda's column you can see that it's not as wordy like I tend to get, but to each writer her own, right? I think I'm going to have to pursue this avenue and see where it leads.

So if you've any advice or ideas - give me a shout, okay? And yes, I'll be asking Amanda. We are going to see Alice & Wonderland tonight with the kids - it's some sort of live performance I guess. I'll blog about it when I know more, you know me :)

Alright, well other than that the only thing going on here in England is housework with a sprained ankle! How I sprained it, still don't know - just know it is highly frustrating to me. I've too much stuff to do to deal with a sprained ankle and it's really throwing off my daily routine.

Oh well, better behave I guess so that it will be better by the time my Mom gets here! In just 13 more days!!! I can't believe! I'm so excited, I can't wait to see her. We are going to have a blast and I'm going to have so very much to blog about. I've booked us 2 coach tours and Dirty Dancing tickets. Plus we have castles and cathedrals to see! I can't wait to show her a little bit of England, I know she is just going to love it.

OH and I almost forgot - it's been a HEAT WAVE in England, crazy uh? 80 degrees is a heat wave, but I do have to tell you it has been HOT! 70-80 in the states is nothing, but here it's really something and it is really hot. I don't know if I'll ever get used to places having different types of heat haha. You don't believe all that talk about different types of heat until you experience it and believe me I have.

"UK to 'freshen up' as heat wave ends" Just take a read. :)

I thought one of my British friends was silly when she told me it was going to be a "heat wave" and she told me all the shops would be sold out of fans! She was 100% correct. I bought 1 fan and I went back yesterday to buy 2 small fans for the kids rooms - the store was completely sold out! I can now honestly say I have experienced my first every heat wave!

Hope some of you are enjoying some sunshine - it does look to be cooling off here, and for as much as I like the sun; I could use a few days break from it. The evenings have been so nice. It cools off around 7 and you just want to sit outside and chat or read or something to enjoy it. Today it is 72 degrees and breezy - it feels wonderful!

Tonya

Post 149: 1st Coach Trip & Good Friends!

2009-06-29T13:48:00.000+01:00

Well, if you've visited my blog recently then you've seen the pictures from our trip. I didn't blog about it when I posted the pictures because - well I was simply being utterly lazy yesterday! I edited and uploaded the photos and watched tv, such a taxing day haha.

Anyway - we had a great time on the trip. It seemed rather slow getting there, but I'd never been there before and so I don't know. On the way there we stopped at some little market area and I'm not entirely sure for what reason. So the kids & I found a toilet and a little bit of lunch and then it was time to go again.

When we reached Great Yarmouth - Chaz, kept an eye out for us and made sure we were well taken care of. Apparently, some people did not eat at the 1st stop and so we went to eat again - I did not eat - as I'd already eaten and wasn't hungry. The kids however, did eat a little bit.

Then we all walked down the road (reminded me of the Branson Missouri Strip) and a few people in the group paid for the kids to do this and that. They spoiled the kids, made sure they got to ride rides, get ice cream, and have a good time. I took plenty of money - but I didn't spend it all - everyone was so nice and always asking the kids "Do you wanna have a go?" or "try this?"

It was really great to enjoy the time with good friends and it was exactly what I needed after my "Rude Neighbors" experience. Wow! Okay - moving on.

I was very thankful that to Chaz, John, Kim, Hannah, John, Tom, Margaret, and 3 others for their kindness. They made sure we did not get lost, that we had something to eat, drink, and did not run out of money, and most importantly that we had a good time. I think I'm going to make them all thank you cards. You don't find people who are not only friendly but giving as well very often. I really appreciated them showing us around. I think they enjoyed watching the kids have a good time.

On the way home we stopped off at a Pub - that has the same name as the one next door and it's street name is also the same! It was a very nice Pub and quiet a bit bigger than the one next door, but I don't know that it would have the same "homey" atmosphere. Some places have this and some places have that, some places might look a little better or do things a little better...but not every place feels the same.

You know the sitcom "CHEERS"? Where everybody knows your name? That's the kinda place the Pub next door is. If they don't know you're name when you walk in, they'll know it before you leave. I really enjoy visiting with my Pub friends and I enjoy the atmosphere there. You wouldn't get that type of atmosphere just anywhere. Know what I mean?

After we left there and continued our journey home the driver turned on some music - most of it I didn't know, but some of them I did. The great thing about it though was the fact that probably 3/4's the people on the Coach were singing. It was just good - if you know what I mean. Made you smile, made you laugh...it was great.

Brier fell asleep on me before we made it back so I had to carry him off the coach, into the house, and up to bed...and that kid has gotten rather HEAVY! I didn't realize how heavy he had gotten. He slept til like 10 the next day - he was thoroughly worn out. Thank heavens! :)

Ashlynn was pretty worn out too. She was awake when we returned as her and Laura (another girl about her age that was on the trip) were chatting and having themselves a good time. They decided to have a bit of Karaoke next door after the trip and so Laura came over here and visited with Ashlynn a bit longer.

I went next door but only for a moment - I wanted to get home and call David for an update. However, he happened to be in the ICU room at that time and was unable to have his phone on, so I talked to him yesterday. Jim is still on the ventilator and not doing well. So please keep him and our family in your prayers.

Anyway - I our first coach trip was great - so I hope any others we go on will be good also. My Mom will be here in about oh 17 days I think! I've got lost of fun stuff planned for us to do, I can't wait to see her. I'm so excited and the kids are seriously ready for some company.

I could tell Saturday that Brier was missing his Daddy pretty good. He hung on John and Chaz almost the whole time. Thankfully, Chaz & John knew why and didn't have a problem hugging him, letting him ride on their shoulders, or picking on him. It was wonderful. I really owe them some brownies or something :)

Well - that's it for now, time to get off my butt and get something done around here. Talk to you again soon.

Tonya

Post 148: Morris Men & Great Yarmouth

2009-06-28T19:47:00.000+01:00

Post 147: Partylite & Rude Neighbors

2009-06-26T14:29:00.000+01:00

Well, I suppose we could say yesterday evening was possibly the 2nd bad experience I've had in England. Crazy uh? Been here nearly a year and I've had 2 not so pleasant experiences.

A few weeks ago - maybe even a month ago I went to a party lite party that a friend was having. My children went with me and Ashlynn loved it so much that she thought we needed to have one of our own. So we booked a party.

That party was scheduled for last night. I had 14 guest say they were coming - only 8 arrived. The ones that said they were coming did not call and say they couldn't make it - they were simply a "no show" and the others invited did not even call and say they could not come. Do you know what R.S.V.P. stands for?

However, with our 8 guests we tried to have a good time. I cooked way too much food, bought way too much wine, and now have a major mess in the kitchen to clean up. I'm just not up for it yet today. I'm so tired - I'll explain that in a minute.

This is the first party of any sort I've attempted to host since moving to England. I thought it might be a good way to get to know some of the mom's from the kids school, a few others, and have a good time.

As we all know my husband is deployed right now, well home in the states at the minute - due to the fact that Jim is not doing well at all. They had to put Jim on a ventilator 2 nights ago. David says he looks so old and so weak. Thankfully, David made it there safely, finally got his luggage, has been able to see Jim, and is now there for his Mom. I know she needed him. I'm very thankful that they were able to get him home, and very thankful that he finally has his darn underwear! :) haha Please continue to pray for Jim.

So anyway - with that said it goes to say that I did not have him here to watch kids outside, or take Brier and Lady for a hike or anything. What to do, what to do? I figured the children could play outside and I figured if they were out there that Lady would not be barking her bloody head off. WRONG.

Before our guest arrived I had Brier take Lady out and chain her up outside. I did not want her in here jumping on people, knocking candles over, starting a fire, stealing food, or causing chaos! BUT she caused chaos anyway apparently.

Yes, she did bark - was it constant? No. It would stop here and there and then she'd bark again. If any adult went out to see her - that just made her start in again - so that wasn't good. She wasn't barking so much that it would drive you insane - least not me anyway. I was trying to be a good hostess and keep things going, everyone happy, and participate in my own little party. Yes, I was bothered by her barking - but none of my guests complained, so I figured it was just me. You know you're the owner or the Mom - so what bothers you might not be that big a deal to others. I can not count how many times my guests said, "Oh she's fine".

Sadly, I don't feel like I was at the party. I was too busy answering the door!!! First came a "nasty" little note through the mail slot. The sender did not even have the decency to knock and say, "Tonya, the dog is being really loud - could you do something?" Shoot, I don't think the sender even knows my name since the note said "Neighbors" on it.

Thankfully, I heard it come through the mail slot and grabbed it...otherwise my 9-year-old would have picked it up and read it and then I would have had a very upset little girl to deal with. Does this person not realize I already have enough on my plate?? And I was just trying to be social and get to know people? Apparently not, since the said person doesn't know my name.

Yeah - I'm a little ticked off by it - and I'm venting.

Before I had time to finish reading my little "nasty gram" someone knocked on my door - someone I do not even know and apparently lives a few houses down. My friend Amanda answered the door and the woman nearly ripped her head off! She very rudely says to her, "Do YOU live here?" and Amanda was very polite and said "No, Tonya does, but can I help you?"

About that time I came up to see who it was, a little flustered by my "nasty gram" that I'd only had enough time to briefly scan. When I get to the door the woman is every bit as rude to me as she was my guest, wanting me to shut my dog and kids up. Guess what Lady? My garden, My dog, My kids - deal with it. I didn't tell her that - but that is what I felt and still feel. I simply said, "I know I'm sorry." What more could I say? I hadn't even had time to finish reading my "nasty gram" - let alone to go get Lady and figure out what to do with her!

So, I get the door shut, and go walking out to get Lady. I get her and I put her in my scrapbook room and shut the door and pray that she doesn't tear up the door jumping on it - thankfully she only jumped once and she did not bark.

I barely made it back to my guest when yet another neighbor was standing in my back garden by the patio - coming to tell me that he's had several calls with complaints about the noise - especially my dog. I said I know I just put her in. I wanted to scream "give me a break!" I was very short with him and for that maybe I'm a tiny bit sorry - because he was by far the most pleasant complaint. The other too were simply flat out rude! Do you go to other people's home and yell at their guests? I mean come on!

So did I get to mingle with my guests? NO. Did I get to know anyone any better? NO. Did they have a good time? I have NO idea! Did they think I was rude? Probably - I wouldn't blame them! Did they stick around to chat? NO - except for Janet, Jeanie, and friend - course they all love my Lady. Thankfully. Do I want to have another party of any kind? ARE YOU CRAZY!

What I would love though - is to host one of the Squadron BBQ's in my back garden - you think my kids are loud - try grown men! 4, 7-year-old little boys got nothing on them!

I try to be nice, I try to plan something fun, I try to be social, I put myself out there and look where it landed me? Do you know how hard it is to just shake that off and pretend everything is great and that you are having a great time? NOT EASY!

The funniest part is - All 3 complainers came from houses down the road! My neighbors on either side of me - said not one word. Odd uh?

Now, here is one more thing. I have children, children are LOUD - it's a simple fact. I have a dog - dogs were made to bark - and mine does, and not often mind you! I refuse to tell my children to shut up, or stop playing so loudly - just because it's interrupting someones afternoon or evening.

I'm sorry if they never had children - that's their problem; not mine. I'm sorry if they want to have quiet relaxing evenings sipping wine - they should move to a secluded area without neighbors - like far away - otherwise they might as well get used to the fact that NOISE HAPPENS!

I think I'm a pretty nice person, I'm not generally a very loud person, I'm pretty laid back and easy going - and it takes quite a bit to get under my skin and ruffle my feathers...but yelling at my guests, sending me rude little notes that my child can read, and telling me to shut my kids up - YEAH, that gets me pretty darn fired up!

Tomorrow the kids & I are planning to go on a trip with most everyone in the village, 2 of which I hope are NOT on that coach! Poor Lady will be stuck in the house all day long, Heaven knows I don't want to put her outside and have her barking - Heaven forbid a dog should bark.

So I'm praying we have a pleasant day out - I was looking so forward to it and now I'm just not so sure. I want us to have a good time, but I'm sure everyone was talking about us last night...not a doubt in my mind about it. So here's praying and hoping it goes well tomorrow.

So that's how my partylite party went...

We did step out and watch the MORRIS MEN - some type of dancers last night after wards - which I'd planned for us to do all along. That was quite interesting. I will post pictures later.

But back to why I am so tired...

Someone left the gate to my kitchen open after we stepped out and Lady got in there and ate and entire loaf of banana bread! She woke me up with barking at 1:30 - first time she has EVER woke me up and she didn't just wake me once...poor thing was miserable, but I figure serves her right, she should know better. So I was not very pleased with her last night or this morning.

And you know while I'm thinking of it - Lady has NEVER caused any problems in the Village or complaints before. I've only chained her up twice - once for 10 minutes just to see how she would do so the kids could ride their new bikes and again last night for about 2 hours.

Anyway - here's hoping and praying that you don't have rude neighbors and can actually enjoy having a gathering at your home!

Tonya

Post 146: Prayer Request

2009-06-22T19:20:00.000+01:00

Dear readers,

This is a difficult time for our family and I am asking that you keep us all in your prayers. As some of you may know, not sure how much I've blogged on this topic, but David's Mom's husband, Jim has been in the hospital since I think April or maybe March. He has had 4 surgeries and is not doing well. One day his condition seems to improve and the next it declines. He is extremely weak and they had to put him back on oxygen last night.

My mother-in-law called last night to tell me that the Dr. said if there was any way she could get her son home, she might want to send that message. So the red cross message was sent last night. If you are a new reader to my blog - my husband is deployed right now. I called the Key Spouse and let her know of the situation on this end. Then I called the emergency contact number I had for my husband (thankfully I had one) and informed him of the situation and that his Mom was going to send out the red cross message.

They worked very quickly and the message was received at my husband's duty station this morning (remember there are a lot of time changes so it was his morning - my early morning, or something like that). Anyway, the message was there went he reported to duty this morning. They worked diligently and had him on a flight out of there bound for the states TODAY! We are truly amazed and shocked out how quickly they worked, and very thankful as well.

Now, there is no telling how long it will take him to get there. He will probably go from one military plane to another until he reaches the East coast and then hopefully will be able to get on a commercial flight straight home. I am hoping to hear word along the way - if he has a lay over or if he is stuck somewhere waiting on a plane and can get an internet signal - if not - he'll let me know when he has made it there. I just pray he makes it safely and has a chance to see Jim.

We decided that it would probably be best if the kids & I stay here. He is only allowed state side for a certain amount of days and then they will send him right back to his duty station. We felt that he needed to be there for his Mom and that he needs to give her his full attention and that the kids may not understand why Daddy is not giving them as much attention. Not only that if Jim passes away - I think it would be very hard on the children to lose their Papa and then have to send their Daddy back to his duty station.

I have talked with the children about the situation - they are fully aware of everything and know that the outcome does not look good, but we are ALL praying and we know that God is in control, and we have to rest knowing that if Jim doesn't make it that it was his will. At the same time - we hate to lose him. He means so very much to all of us and the kids are very close to their Papa.

Which is why they don't want to see him in a hospital all hooked up to things, they don't want to remember him that way. They want to remember their summers with him, planting the garden or flowers, riding the horse, swimming lessons, walks down to the pond, fishing, picking fresh produce, watching cartoons, cooking pancakes, Sunday school, Church camp, and taking naps together. That's what they want to hang on to - they're treasured summer's, and I can't blame them. That's what I'd want them ALL to hang on to.

If David were home (with us) rather than deployed we'd all go home together - but that's just not the way it is. So please pray for my husband to have safe travels to the states. And pray for him, Jim, Marilyn, and the rest of our family during this difficult time.

Jim has been a very special part of all our lives and has touched our hearts and many others. He is Papa to many children. Children from church and all around the neighborhood have adopted him as their Papa. He has taken many "youngster's" under his wing and loved them as though they were also his grand-children.

We know that ultimately God is in control and that is where we are resting and finding comfort. So please keep us all in your prayers. I will keep you updated as I know more. We serve a God of miracles and only he knows the plan for Jim.

Thank you very much for your prayers.

Tonya

Post 145: We're still here!

2009-06-20T21:45:00.000+01:00

WOW! It's been awhile since I posted uh? Well, you know I kinda got stuck under this mountain of laundry - man I never thought I'd get out!!! I'm still not 100% caught up on all that, but I have a solution! Oh boy, what is it? I know!!! hahaha.

Well, you see I am having a Partylite Candle Party this Thursday! Nothing like having a party to make sure your house is in tip top condition!! David says I agree to these things simply for that reason. I don't really know that I work better under pressure - but I sure do get it done! So here's to hoping it will be spic-n-span!

The kids & I do plan to clean tomorrow - we spent yesterday & today playing. Brier & I went to a BBQ last night that turned into a dance party - that was very entertaining! We had a great time - it was so much fun!

And I realized I have some babysitters. No, not the kind that come watch my kids - but the kind that watch me!!! Brier and I came walking home from the BBQ/Dance party shortly after 11 and Les (Pub owner) was outside having a smoke and looked and me and said, "Your out late, aren't ya?" I was like, "uh umm no not really" - thinking in my head "I'm out this late every Wednesday night usually" or "am I in trouble and when did you become Dad"?

So anyway we talk for a bit and step into the Pub to say hello to those in there and when Colin sees me he says, "What time is this!" I said "It's just now dark". :) hahaha - what was I supposed to say?!

Today, I'm telling John & Mary about it and John says, "Well, we're just watching out for you darlin'". So it is official I have babysitters - which in a way is sweet -but maybe I should fire them, oh wait I don't think they are being paid...dang it! Guess I'll just have to assume they are being "sweet".

So I tell this story to David - know what he tells me? "Well, dear, I did ask them to watch over you. Just didn’t mean by getting you drunk all the time. And you’ve got to remember, most of them are old enough to be your grandfather." He does have a point there - but they don't get me drunk all the time, shoot they've never gotten me drunk.

The problem is this. I go next door to visit and have some adult conversation, with no intentions of buying a drink unless it's Wednesday...but if certain people are over there they seem to think I can't visit or sit there and chat without a drink in my hand! Darn shame those people know what I drink! I can be sitting there talking with Hannah and before I know it someone is handing me something. I never have more than one - and since I'm doing Weight Watchers - I guess I'm going to have to get my adult conversations there - because the calories in some of that stuff is killing my point system!

Anyway - moving on, moving on...

Ashlynn went to a sleepover last night and I had to pick her up at 2 p.m. today - so Brier & I went to see Orford Castle with my friend Amanda and her two boys. It was a nice trip, and good time out - with other adult conversation -that did not include a drink :)

After we got back we went and got Ashlynn & then Brier's friend Christien came over to play for awhile. He is leaving for the states tomorrow and is going to be gone for 6 weeks - I know Brier will miss him. Shoot! I will miss him - he keeps Brier occupied and they play together so well, that when he is over I can get so much done! I just love it.

What am I going to do with Brier for 6 weeks! HELP!!!!

Thank God, my Mom is coming soon and will be here for 2 and 1/2 of those 6 weeks! I can't wait till she gets here! We've so many fun things planned. I just know we are going to have a great time! It will be so great to see her. And thankfully, my friend Hannah has offered to drive me up to the airport to get her so that I won't get lost! Wasn't that nice of her?

So many people are going to the states for like the WHOLE summer and if they are not then they are moving back! It's kinda sad really. Here I am in England wanting to experience this life and the people I know are going home to visit or moving back state side. Thank God for Amanda! Least I have her! :)

So what else have we been up to? Oh, just killing time! The kids have started swimming at school and really love that! We've had some of their friends over off and on and boy does that keep you busy!

I joined Weight Watchers and go to that every Monday - plus I do the Jillian Michael's 30-Day-Shred workout DVD - boy that kicks my butt! I'm hoping to lose a good bit of weight by the time David returns. That's my goal anyway. The WW leader is really nice. I'm hoping to make some friends there, which is another reason I joined - accountability man! I need it!

I've refused to buy any clothes until I reach my goal weight or have nothing that fits! Then I'm going to have to find someone with some fashion sense to go shopping with me. That could prove to be a real challenge. :)

I've not done too much crafting lately. I feel like I've been running everywhere. The kids have had birthday party after birthday party to go to and on and on. I am hoping to do some maybe tomorrow afternoon or this week - depending on how spic-n-span my house is :)

I gave Lady a bath tonight - poor dog - smelled awful! I don't know what it was either, because I JUST had her to the groomers not even 2 weeks ago! She is loving that I can just let her out to run around the back garden now (yard) - we close the gate and David blocked off the fence so she couldn't get through it before she left - so I just open the door and let her go! She comes in and out and goes in the office to see Janet, James, and Jeanie at will. She really likes that.

We still go for walks and she still wants to see everyone in the villiage and barks like crazy at Barnabee (some cat). She still thinks she is a lap dog - one of these days she might realize she is too big for that but so far - it hasn't happened.

However, she is a little upset with me as I have now forbid her to be on any furniture! She just sheds WAY TOO MUCH!!! There is HAIR EVERYWHERE!!! I vacuum at least twice a day, we brush her, we make sure she is clean - I think she's not going to have any dang hair left! I have DARK red carpets all through out the house - that mixed with her light colored fur makes my carpets look WHITE!

So she is now not allowed on the beds or couches and she really does not like that rule - but I can't handle sleeping in hair, Brier can't either, it's not pleasant, and it really isn't any fun to sit on the couch and get up with a white hairy butt! I hope this shedding is over SOON! Or I might just go mad!

Well - that's that. We're still kicking butt and taking names - no really we are doing good. Looking forward to our Partylite party on Thursday (if you want to order anything let me know) and there is going to be some sort of dancers in the street that night (that should be interesting). Hopefully, I'll have batteries for my camera by then!

We also have the Pub trip coming up and of course my Mom is coming and all the sight seeing we're going to do then! After she leaves we will only have about oh 4 more weeks til David's return. So as long as we've something to look forward to and we keep ourselves busy we do right fine I do believe.

Anyway - I hope ya'll are having a great weekend & God Bless!

Tonya

PRAYER LIST

Jim Munger - still in hospital.
Marilyn Munger - exhaustion & stress.
David VanWinkle - Deployed.
Christy's sister - pre-term labor.
Safe travels for Christien and his mom & aunt.

Post 144: The Laundry Monster

2009-06-03T10:31:00.000+01:00

Okay, just a short little note here - more to come later.

Those of you who know me and know me best - also know that Laundry is not my strong suit! As a matter of fact I HATE laundry. I don't like washing it, drying it, folding it, or putting it away...just ask my husband!

David is in charge of the laundry and he pretty much as been since the beginning of our marriage when he realized that his laundry skills were MUCH better than mine! I've dyed things yellow, pink, and even black! I forget about the clothes being there and then have to re-wash them!

So anyway - David is deployed and I am on that YUCKY Laundry duty! Oh how I do not like laundry.

Ashlynn, Brier, and I were sitting in the living room watching something on T.V. last week I think; when Brier informs me that there is a monster stealing his clothes and he is going to go all through the house until he finds his clothes or the monster. I asked him if the Dryer was stealing his socks. He said, no - it takes ALL my clothes! Ashlynn then begins to agree with him and stupid me falls right into their little trap and asks;

"So when did this Monster start stealing your clothes?"

Ashlynn: "As soon as Daddy left!!!"

You get the point? I got it! Loud and clear - I'm the laundry monster! So to get them off my back I begin the massive laundry process - it's forever on going! I've no idea how David does it ALL in one day - blows my mind!

The laundry is nearly completely washed, dried, folded, and put away - however now there are more freakin' dirty clothes! Did I mention I DO NOT like laundry? If Eve would have never eaten from that stupid Apple we wouldn't even have to do laundry! Urgh!

So today I'm washing some jeans - everything seems to be going fine - I've not dyed any clothes recently. I opened the new bottle of laundry soap - filled the cap to the one load mark and pushed start. Piece of cake right? I thought so and walked off.

I recently went back to the laundry room to get something - we all know I wasn't checking on the wash! And this is what I found:

I'm not sure what happened!!! I didn't put too much soap in at least I don't think so - I am using a British washing machine and they are much smaller - so I guess it's possible. I'm not sure, but in all my BAD laundry experiences THIS has never happened!!! You know that saying "never say never" - it totally applies to ME!

So now that is cleaned up and the jeans are washing again and again - I'm going to have some REALLY clean jeans!!! hahaha

Hey - Mom, do you want laundry duty while you're here? hehehe

I can not wait for David to return! He does laundry 10 times better than me! Yes, go ahead and laugh! He takes such good care of me, does the laundry and even folds it! See why I love that man!

Okay - now that you've all had a good laugh - I'm off to scrapbook and try to remember the jeans!

BYE!

Post 143: Week 3, down.

2009-05-24T10:39:00.000+01:00

Well, Hello again - thought I'd blog a moment and let everyone know how we are doing. We've not been near as busy this week as we were the first two weeks, thankfully. However, we are now currently on 1/2 term - kids are home for a whole week - so I'm sure we will be busy doing all sorts of things.

So what exactly did we do this week? Let me work backwards, because that's "fresher" in my memory. :)

Today is Sunday - and we are planning to go bike riding and enjoy this warm sunny England weather we are experiencing. It's just pure heaven! And that bratty dog woke me up this morning - by climbing up in my bed and curling up as close to me as she could get! Thank God, I gave her a bath yesterday! Brier took a picture for me.Saturday - We did a lot of massive cleaning. It was so nice out and we all wanted to be out there - but the house really needed some attention. So we scrubbed the downstairs and made it shine. It is now pleasant and not embarrassing. It is supposed to rain on Monday - so we will do the upstairs then.

After we finished cleaning, we went up to the base where I bought the kids new bikes. They'd outgrown theirs before we left the states. So instead of bringing them with us and then trying to get rid of them, we left them at Nana's. Now, all the younger grand-children can enjoy them, and we decided to buy new ones for Ashlynn & Brier in England.

We ate dinner in the food court of the BX. Ashlynn is really enjoying ordering her own food. Something I've been making her do when we eat at the food court. She wanted Burger King and Brier and I wanted pizza - so I gave her some money and said "go get it" and Brier and I went and got our pizza. The cashier at Burger King seemed to really enjoy taking her order. It's cute to watch, but it also shows just how grown up my baby is becoming. The first time she didn't want to do it, wanted to play the shy card, but now she's all for it.

Then we went to pick out bikes. Luckily, I'd already browsed the bikes and kinda had an idea of which ones we'd be getting - we got the very ones I'd picked. Of course there wasn't much choice for Ashlynn and Brier well he loves "red" so you can't really go wrong with that.We were able to get Brier a helmet - but they didn't have one that would fit Ash. So we are going to have to look at Outdoor rec - later. We got some things to put on all our bikes that will hold our water bottles. The problem is either you drill a hole in the bike to screw it to the frame or you put a zip tie (I think that's what they are called) on it. I took them next door for Les to look at and he put the zip ties on them - I think they'd stay in place better if we drilled the holes, but I figure I better ask David what he thinks about that before I go drilling holes into a brand new bike.

I also go them this stupid bells to put on their bikes. I'm sure they will annoy me with them - but for as many people as there are here that ride bikes I thought it might be safe to have. This way they can ring the bell to warn someone to get out of their way or that they are behind them. When other kids ride their bikes to school - they ring their little bells for us to move over. So that is the reason I agreed to that insane noise.

I think, I will also take the car to Alfreds (I think that's the name of the store) to be fitted for a bike rack. At least John told me they would do that there for me. This way the kids and I can haul our bikes to some bike trails and enjoy riding them this summer. There is one trail close to the house here that we are going to try out, but later during the summer break we might want to travel to some new locations. I'll probably wait just a bit to get the bike rack - but I think it would be a good investment. You should have seen me trying to put both those bikes in the boot (trunk) of my little British car!

After we got all settled, we were fixing to take Lady and go check out the bike path...well Lady decided she didn't want to go, because she once again went out and rolled in her own poop!!! Between her and those stupid geese - I don't know whose is whose! All I know is she stinks to high heaven! So I thought you know that new stake I bought - here ya go Lady - enjoy this - the kids and I are going for a bike ride.

So I tied her up and took the kids up the street a bit. I sat on the bench by the church and watched them ride their new bikes for about 10-15 minutes. We could hear Lady barking all the way over there the whole time! We came back home, so that I could once again spray her down with the water hose and get her cleaned up. I do not know what has gotten into her lately, she runs off, she rolls in poop, and she drives me crazy!!!

Sherry came over just as I was hooking up the hose to see if everything was okay, because Lady was being so loud. I told her yeah it's fine, she's just mad at me cause I got her chained up out there. I had to do something so the kids could at least enjoy a few moments on their new bikes. She was like oh okay - just wanted to make sure everything was okay. I'm not sure what I make of this woman. She is nice enough, but she's always checking on things. Course she is the community watch person - I've never known one of those before. In the states there are "nosey neighbors" but I don't know about community watch ones.

I knew Lady was being loud, but for 10 minutes I didn't care! She could bark her bloody head off for all I cared!! I was furious with her and the kids were so excited to try out their new bikes that I couldn't say "No" because Lady had to go make a mess of herself.

After I got her showered off and cleaned up, I sat outside with her while I talked to my Grandma on the phone, so that Lady could dry. Grandma calls at the oddest times. Once off the phone the kids wanted to know if we could ride the bikes one more time before it got too dark. So I put Lady on the lead and we went to the same spot. The street the Church is on is fairly quiet and a good close location for the kids to ride their bikes with no major worries. Thankfully, there is a bench where Lady and I can sit and read a book while they ride. Too bad I finished my book last night! Guess I'll have to start a new one :)

They had a really good time for riding their bikes. Ashlynn said, "It feels so good to ride a bike again!" They were so excited to finally have a bike again - they even told me "Thank you"! I usually have to remind them to tell David that when ever he gets them something special, so I was kind of surprised they remembered to say thanks on their own. Makes me proud.

Friday - I went shopping. Brier has decided he wants a birthday party - he gave me a 10 day notice! So I went to the base in search of party favors for the treat bags, to rent a bouncy castle, get a few groceries, and pick up some prescriptions and the mail. I finally made it back home around 1. Shortly after that James came by to show me is make-shit gate to keep Lady from running off when she is out in the back garden (yard).

He says it's temporary, but it should work. There's a gate that used to be on the front part of the walk-way, but it broke off before we moved in and has yet to be repaired. It seems the hinges are missing - so I don't know his plans for it, but this should keep her from running off.The only thing I need to see now is if she can or will crawl under the large gate. If she does - I'm going to have to do something about that...she's becoming a headache lately.

I did buy a stake and a 20 ft cable at the BX today - just to hook her to it when she is out in the back garden with the kids - so that she can be out there, enjoy some space, and the kids don't have to fear her running off. I didn't know James was coming by to try to fix up something to keep her from running off - but the stake can still come in handy. We already tied her to it a few times. She don't care much for it - but keeps her in the garden.

Just as James was getting ready to leave, Andrew the plumber showed up to fix the leak we had. I guess it was coming from the upstairs toilet - who knew! Chaz had told me that I had a leak, cause you could see it outside the house coming off this pipe. So I mentioned it to Janet and she mentioned it to James and now it's fixed. These people are great! They take such good care of us. I feel like I've gotten my self an adopted British family. I'm just not sure what to call them! The Office People & the Pub? haha

Thursday - I didn't really do much at all. I cleaned up the kitchen, talked with Janet - took some pictures of the beautiful roses I'm seeing all over the back garden, so I could show David. I'm in pure heaven - there is this one BIG yellow rose bush! Yellow Roses are my most favorite! I can't wait to see what this place looks like completely in bloom. I wish I knew what was a plant and what wasn't - I'd clean it up some. Pull some weeds and things. I'd have to get some good gloves though - those stingy neddles are horrid!

That afternoon I found my way to a Tag Ruby tournament. Does anyone know what Tag Rugby is? David says that it is similar to Flag football, just less physical contact - I think. Anyway - let me see if I can describe it. You were this Velcro belt and you have 2 tags that you attach to each side of you. Then both teams line up across the field facing each other - like in football - just not as close to each other. Then one person from the team with the ball is in front of their team, when the whistle blows they have to pass the ball backwards - you have to hold the ball with both hands at all times - who ever catches it has to run with it and try to make a goal, but if someone from the other team pulls the their tag off, they immediately have to pass the ball to one of their team-mates behind them. If their team-mate missed and the other team grabs it, then they have to try to get it back - obviously. You have to set the ball down in the goal zone with both hands, no sliding or nothing. It was very interesting and it actually looks like a lot of fun.

Ashlynn seems to really enjoy it - which is odd, since she's more of a softball chick! She did really good though. She is so tiny, next to other kids that she fears getting ran over, but it doesn't stop her from getting in there and stealing tags off people! She was really good at that. She had the ball once and was dodging people and hopping over them and nearly made it to the goal, but someone grabbed her tag. Her teacher called her "tinkle toes!" It was a fun thing to watch. David would have really enjoyed it. I'm glad I went though - maybe will figure out a way to play in it our back garden - Lord knows we've enough room for it!

That evening we played the WII FIT and I talked a bit with my little sister - please continue to keep her and my Mom in your prayers. They are doing better, but they've a long way to go yet, I know. Cayenne has started reading the Bible and asking questions - so I'm just praying that she finds a relationship with our Savior and begins to see his hand in her life.

Wednesday - my memory is now fading, haha. I've no clue what we did on Wednesday!!! I do know that evening after the kids were in bed I went next door to the Pub to visit for a bit and enjoy listening to a little Karaoke. I really like that - the Pub is just next door. I can come back and forth checking on the kids and still feel like I'm getting out or having a break for the evening. It's just nice. Plus - everybody in there gets worried if they don't see me for at least 5 minutes!

Wait!!! Wait!!! Wait!!! Ashlynn just reminded me what we did on Wednesday - see I keep her around for good reasons! We went to that crazy Hearts Apart dinner! It was Asian themed, interesting - to say the least. Amanda had wanted to go and check it out - so we agreed to go with her. I've been a military wife for nearly 10 years and that's the first one of those things I've ever been to! Anyway - I knew my kids wouldn't really eat anything and I was a little worried about what I would even eat.

I did try one noodle type dish that had chicken in it - was pretty good - but I couldn't tell you what it was called. The kids had rice and chips and the rice was something not to be desired. It was very dry and very stuck together! I got this beef stuff that looked good - but tasted horrible. Amanda seemed to really like it though, she even knew the name of it! I can't tell you the name of it, cause I thought she said, "Blue Doggy" and I'm still not sure what she did exactly say.

They also had some Asian entertainment, some of it was pretty neat - some of it you needed ear plugs for. They had a couple really cute, neat dances, but they also had this one lady dressed up in all this Asian stuff, doing these slow boring dances to the sound of these massively high pitched wind chimes. I'm not sure if they were wind chimes - but that is what the music reminded you of. I had my fingers in my ears praying for it to end! Apparently, that was dance to welcome royalty. Thank God, I am not Asian royalty or any other kind of royalty. Now, I remember why I stayed at the Pub longer than usually - I was trying to block out those wind chimes!

Ashlynn would like to go again if they are going to have "Mexican" food. So we will see - I pray it's on a Wednesday night, so I can go recoup at the Pub afterwards!

Oh yeah - for those of you who do not know what "Hearts Apart" is - let me tell you - it's this program they have for the spouses who's spouse is deployed. Every person at the dinner, has a spouse deployed. I thought it might be a good way to make friends - but nobody other than Amanda and the kids spoke to me - so oh well. It was loud with that wind chime music anyway. If I find a definition for "Hearts Apart" better than what I've just given - I'll let you know.

And we went to the base to order Brier's, Ben 10 Birthday cake before going to the dinner.

Tuesday - Neither of us can remember - guess I may have to blog mid-week and end of week! Oh well. It must not have been nothing exciting.

Monday - I joined Weight Watchers! I'm so proud of myself - I went up there all by myself and I didn't get discouraged and give up after I missed the turn for it twice! So now, I've just got to figure out all this WW stuff and see if I can't reach my goal by the time David returns home. Between the WII FIT, the WII ACTIVE, the BIKE riding, walking Lady, and WW - I should see some changes, correct? I hope so!!!

Alright, well there you have it - yet another week under our belts. Please continue to Pray for David, he's doing better, but I don't think he is enjoying it too much over there - course who would?

Anyway - nearly a month down...only 3 more to go. And my Mom will be here in 8 weeks!!! I'm so excited that she is coming! It's going to be so great to show her around England. She's never even been out of the country...so this is going to be completely new for her. I really can't wait to see here, it's been nearly a year since I last saw her! The kids and I've so many plans of things to go and do while she is here. Her visit is really going to help out with the Summer break and keeping the kids busy. We can't wait for her to get here! It's wonderful to have things to look forward too! And after she leaves it will only be like a month til David comes home!!!

Well - the kids want to go ride those bikes - so guess better stop talking and get to moving! Will write again soon...maybe one Wednesday! :)

Tonya

Post 142: Week Two - Complete.

2009-05-11T16:03:00.000+01:00

Well, we've made it through the first two weeks of deployment with all our finger and toes still attached and so far I've not dyed any clothing pink. We all know how well I do laundry! I believe we stayed fairly busy, so that helped...but I'm ready to slow down and simply get on with life. I needed so much sleep today last Sunday, it was crazy. So going to have to back it up a gear.

So what all did we do?

Monday - saw David off. Slept til noon. Lay around the house, ate junk food, played the wii fit, heard from David, and Lady drove us nuts. It was a Holiday here, so the kids were home, being lazy bones with me.

Tuesday - took Lady to the vet - because she's a goofball and tried to de-fur herself. Thankfully she is healing and behaving now. Kids asked if they could talk to Daddy yet. Played the Wii fit some more.

Wednesday - the kids shockingly cleaned their rooms! Cleaned up the house, took trash out, walked Lady, and stopped next door for a drink and a chat.

Thursday - drove all over England looking for a display board. Ended up on base at the craft store. They have to cut it for you - ASK the price first! I made the mistake and did not. For 2 boards it was $40.50 - that's insane! Kids were mad that we went to the base after school...oh well.

Friday - I ditched a lunch date with the office people to devote some much needed time to card making - so that I would have cards for the Craft fair. I should have gone to lunch...but then I wouldn't have been here to receive my beautiful Lily's. David sent me Lily's for Mother's Day and they arrived today - they were not open yet, so I was very interested in seeing their color and how big they might be.

Saturday - Craft Fair - bad idea! Some how we made it up there - to read more about that experience click here.

Sunday - Completely and utterly lazy!

Monday - Took the kids to school and then I came home and got around and went up to the base to check the mail and get some cash - so that I could pay for piano lessons. Brier went home with Josh for the evening and returned after Ash & I got back from piano lessons. Her teacher is very impressed and says that she is ready to take the 1st exam! We are excited, don't know the date for it yet - but we look forward to it.

Tuesday - Started reading The Baxter Family Drama, Redemption Series - that Mom sent me. I've read the 2nd (Firstborn series) and 3rd (Sunset Series) parts of the series, but missed the first part. They are all about the Baxter Family. They are by Karen Kingsbury - and they are really good books!

Wednesday - Spent the day sucked in a book. Lady ran off this evening, took us 1/2 hour to find her crazy butt. Thankfully, Chaz helped us find her. He thought it was really funny and I didn't think it was not one bit! I didn't go over for Karaoke tonight - too busy reading :) I've decided I want to see just how many books I can read in one year...could be interesting!

Thursday - Took Lady out before taking the kids to school, and she ran off - so I had an early morning jog! Oh she is making me so mad!! I don't know what has gotten into her.

Friday - Cleaned up a bit and read some more about the Baxter's. Ashlynn's friend Amy came over after school and the girls had a good time playing together. Lady barely made it in the house alive...because I was ready to kill her - she went outside and rolled around in her own poop! It was disgusting!!! And Lord, did she smell! I thought now come on! You're not a freakin' stinky pig! What in the world. So I hooked up the hose and sprayed her down and washed her - outside - with the COLD water. I bet she appreciates the tub now :) Thankfully, she smells better...but I was ready to scream!!! She's gone banana's lately. We ordered dinner from the Pub - was delicious!

Saturday - Got up, got out of here, dragged the kids to the base with me yet again! Mailed some packages, got birthday gift for Avery, gas, groceries, and a coffee pot! I bought the one off the shelf. Then we raced back home to unload the car, let Lady out, and then rushed off to Avery's birthday party. We had a good time and Amanda was so over the top with it - she's all about parties that's for sure! She's talented in that area - me not so much, no way do I want 20 kids in my yard to deal with...way too loud for me. The kids know me...Mama likes it quiet. :) I limit myself to over loud experiences - hehehe. After the party we rushed back home, to be here by 6 - so that Amy could come back over and stay the night with Ashlynn. They had a good time playing and watching movies. Brier had a good time driving them crazy.

Sunday - Today, Ashlynn made pancakes - seems to be her weekend thing! She made a ton of quarter size ones for some weird reason, apparently Amy's stuffed rabbit needed some. I cleaned up my craft room again - was a disaster after the card making factory I had going on in here. Then we got around and went up to the top of the hill, in the rain, to participate in "Start the ball rollin'". It was very interesting. The best way to describe it is to say it's possibly the British version of bowling, with out the alley and the pins. :) We all lined up at the top of the hill and when Maureen said, "Ready, Steady, Go" they all rolled their balls down the hill. Whoever's ball went the furthest won. The kids had a blast with it. They had the road closed off for 2 hours for this event. Thankfully, it stopped raining about 1/2 way through it. However, the fun did not go with out incident. A guy came flying up the hill in his car - how he got past everyone I don't know, but everyone was in line at the top of the hill and he wasn't stopping. He nearly ran over Chaz and then Maureen was fit to be tied and through her soccer (football) at his car and some one was taking his umbrella and hitting his car with it. The man was going to run over Maureen and the umbrella man! It was crazy! I hope they got his license plate and turned him, however they probably shouldn't have reacted the way they did, but then there were kids involved up there and that did kinda tick me off a bit that some one would act that way and drive their car up there and then drive it right through the green to get around us all! It was nuts. Brier and Amy won gift cards to a store and the rest the kids won candy. After that we hung around the house doing this and that, then Amy left and David called to go over spelling words with Ashlynn and Brier went to play at Christien's for awhile. Then it was baths, and bed time, and now I'm blogging. :)

And that's been our 2 weeks! We've also spent alot of time playing the WII FIT - thing talks about you if you don't play it. Ashlynn got on it one evening and it asked her if she'd seen me and if I looked slimmer, healthier, fatter, or the same! Can you imagine...crazy game. It is alot of fun though. We really enjoy it.

Ashlynn and I learned this evening that we didn't watch all of our HOUSE video's that we have...apparently there's a side 2!!! David will be so mad to learn this. Now we gotta start over - well at least watch all the episodes on the side B of season 1-4...we don't have season 5 yet. Is it out on disc yet - anyone know?

Alright - well I'm headed to bed - keep David in your prayers - he's feeling isolated. He'll be home soon, 2 weeks down...it will go by fast...up until that last month. :)

Night all!

Post 141: Day 3

2009-05-06T10:22:00.000+01:00

Well, we are surviving here. I heard from David, Monday night - he was still traveling. I don't know when I'll hear from him again, but it was nice to have that. I didn't let the kids know I was IMing him because I knew he was tired and didn't have the web cam stuff up - since he is still traveling. I did tell them that I'd heard from him though and that seemed to make them feel good.

The kids went back to school yesterday and even though I believe that them being in school for most of this deployment will help - they still come home and ask things. I got one question from each of them last night - nothing major. Brier wanted to know if he could play the computer and I said he could. A little while later he said, "Can I talk to Daddy now?" to which I replied, "Well, no Buddy you can't cause we don't know where Daddy is right now and as soon as he contacts us I'll make sure you get to talk to him." Several hours later, probably about 8:30 or so Ashlynn asked, "Can I get online and see if Daddy is on?" to which I replied, "You can see Babe, but I doubt he is on yet."

Other than that, they didn't really ask anything other than, "Are we having dinner tonight?" :-) I don't cook as much when David is gone. We do alot of frozen dinners, mac-n-cheese, Ramon noodles, hot dogs, pizza, tacos, and once in a while we'll cook spaghetti, chicken alfredo, or hamburger helper. We just kinda fend for ourselves. I ask them what kind of stuff they'd like to eat and that's what I get. I don't see the reason in cooking a meal if only 2 of us eat it. Know what I mean?

We spent some more time on the WII FIT yesterday - that thing is alot of fun. We can't wait til David gets back and tries it out. I think we may video that! My WII FIT age went down to 42 yesterday - so that's good I guess....I might get to my actually age by the time David returns haha. Ashlynn gets on it and beats the goal I set - so then I have to get on it and beat her...talk about a work out! My feet are so sore today from standing on the balls of my feet trying to beat her at this bubble balance game. I did it though! She's got work to do :-)

We are also pretty lazy when David is gone, but thankfully we've not trashed the house yet. I make them pick up there stuff out of the living room each night before we go to bed and yesterday I asked them to clean their rooms and they did it! SHOCK! Ashlynn even through stuff away! I thought I was going to have a heart attack, she never throws things away! It's a whole new break through! So now that I can see their floors I need to vacuum them.

The kitchen is not 100% - but when is it? :-) I have to clean it up tonight, because I'll have to set the trash out - I should probably set a reminder on my yahoo about that - I'll forget at least once or twice while David is gone. I'm sure of it! I will also have to take the recycling to the recycling center - I do not look forward to that. I don't know why - I just don't.

The kids will have a break near what we Americans call Memorial Day Weekend. So we are going to work together and give the house a good deep clean, bathrooms, baseboards, dusting, and all that nonsense that takes forever. Then we are going to plan a couple of day trips I think - I think I might take them to the beach if we have a warm day. Brier will also turn '7' over the break, so we'll have to have cake and probably ice cream. I don't keep ice cream in the house - British freezer is WAY too small.

I think in July before my Mom comes I may hire someone to come clean the carpets. Maybe Lady will be done with this massive shedding by then. And since we're talking about Lady - let me tell you what she did! We recently had her spayed - one heat season was enough for me! Anyway, she had to wear this horrid cone on her head for 10 days, to keep her from messing with her stitches.

Well, during that 10 days, things seemed to get matted up at the base of the cone. So when we took it off and gave her back her freedom she went mad scratching at her neck! It was looking so gross and so painful - see: So I called the Vet yesterday morning because Lady just kept scratching it and had also made the spot on her leg where they'd put the IV just as raw. So they asked me to bring her in and I did. They shaved some of the hair off around the wound she created on her neck and gave her a steroid shot to stop the itching. They said if she continues to scratch it to take some old socks and put them on her back feet! Thankfully, I've not had to do that yet. They also gave her antibiotic to keep her from getting an infection. So been feeding her hot dogs loaded with pills lately. I just hope she gets better and leaves it alone - it's look better now see:So hopefully she'll have fur in these locations again soon. I did bandage her leg -because she just kept at it. I just can't believe that she did this to herself. I hope she never does it again and I will be very glad when it is all healed and I can take her to the groomer! She stinks and she sleeps with me! She hogs the bed too, rotten girl. At least she keeps me feet warm.

Speaking of feet - that's the number one thing I miss. When David and I go to bed at night, our feet are always touching. So last night when I went to bed, on those freezing sheets, after I finally warmed up and stretched my leg out - there was no warm foot to touch - but a dogs head instead! It's just not the same.

I sighed and rolled over on to his pillow to the one thing that makes me feel like he is here - his scent. This may sound gross, but I won't change his pillow case until the scent is gone or until right before he returns. For some it might would make them cry, but for me it keeps me grounded. It's like I've rolled over and laid my head on his chest - instead of a pillow - and then I can sleep.

I didn't stay up as late last night - thankfully - tonight I've got to go to bed when the kids do - catch up on my sleep. The weekend is going to be busy. Brier is going to a sleep over, Ashlynn & I are doing the craft fair, and who knows what else we will do. There's a festival also going on and I'm sure we will spend a few hours at it as well. So I'd better go to bed on time tonight.

Well, I just thought I'd let you all know we're managing. I need to get back to making things for the craft fair, but I'll write again soon. Please continue to pray for David.

Post 140: Stop Asking

2009-05-05T16:46:00.000+01:00

Recently when reading on http://www.milspouse.com/ I came across a topic called, “Questions I’m tired of hearing during a deployment” and many commented saying it would make a great forward. I have to agree – because truthfully, I’ve heard most of these questions myself.

So I thought I’d share with you the questions/comments…and add a bit of my own too it. I also thought this would be good for others who really “do not” know what we military spouses go through and let you know which questions bother us. I’m sure there are questions that people ask you non-military spouses that really get under your skin – we are no different.

If you are a “new” military spouse stopping by my blog today – beware, believe it or not you will hear these questions in your future…and probably more.

STOP ASKING ME:

"Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?"

This one ranks in at number one on my "duh" list. Of course we're afraid, you dimwit. We're terrified. The thought constantly lingers at the back of our minds - but thank you so much for reminding me yet again. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they're scared of dying.

My Thoughts: The fear never goes away – and that silly question only causes us to lose a night or 2’s sleep praying, worrying, and driving our self insane until we hear from him. Then we scold ourselves for being so silly and flipping out. Then we get mad at the idiot that asked the question that deprived us already sleep deprived spouses even further. Dumb question – I recommend not asking it.

It kinda reminds me of when my daughter was a baby. She had hair, out of this world. It was long and curly…very curly. I was amazed at how many people would ask me, “Did you perm it?” Now, what kind of stupid question is that! Who in the world perms a baby’s hair! Come on!!

"I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."

Though this is really annoying, I feel bad about mentioning it because I know that it is intended to be a compliment. Still, it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious, light-sleepers who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we got asked to take on a challenging life and we rose to the challenge.

My Thoughts: AMEN!!! And sadly everybody asks that one! I think most the time this is said because they simply do not know what else to say. I also know it is meant as a compliment – but how do they expect us to respond to that? Should we say, “Oh yeah, we’re just so much better and tougher than you…its ok”. No! We are not better, not tougher, and we are NOT super woman – although that might help – we are spouses, we are human, and I really don’t know a better way to say it other than as said about, “we got asked to take on a challenging life and we rose to the challenge.”

This particular comment actually does upset a lot of spouses. I take it in stride, but other’s well are more sensitive than I am and when they are finally alone I’ll bet you money their behind a closed door some where, crying. Many people do not know and never will know how to deal with separation and fear – most of us military spouses don’t have it figured out. We all trip and stumble, we don’t have this life perfected to a “T” – if we did it’d be a walk in the park and these questions wouldn’t be the ones we say STOP ASKING.

Comment 1: I also hate the "How do you do it?" questions. I mean, what other choice do we have? We still have to eat, do laundry, go to work/school, pay bills, get the kids to school in the morning. Life doesn't stop when he gets deployed. We handle it not because we're super women but because there's no other choice.

"He's in Iraq? I'm sorry."

This comment, while meant to be helpful, is annoying! My husband is doing exactly what he wants to do. He is making a positive difference in the world, training the Iraqi military, and helping children who dream of growing up in a world free from strife. This is his job, this is our life, and this is how we choose to live it. We choose to live this life because our ideology.

My Thoughts: All of us no matter if we are a military spouse or not are probably proud of our spouse and whatever their career is. As a military spouse we are VERY proud of our spouses and even though this life is hard, we know that our spouse is doing exactly what he/she wants. This is the career they chose! Just like some people chose to be doctors, and lawyers…no different! Would you say to a Doctor’s wife, “Your husband is a breast surgeon? I’m sorry”? Come on! Don’t apologize for the simple fact that our spouses are doing what they chose to do, what they love to do, and most of all what we are proud of them for doing! It takes guts.

"Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?"

Don't you watch the news? No. They don't get to come home for any of these things. No, they often don't get to teleconference as much as people assume we get to for special events. Please don't ask again.

My Thoughts: This is a REALLY dumb one! When our spouse is deployed – he/she is GONE! Nine times out of ten we do not even know their return date and probably won’t know it until it’s time to go get them. With everything that has happened in the past few years you would think this question would not even get asked anymore. I wonder if they’ve heard the military version of Lonestar’s, "I'm already there".
I'm not sure if that video will show up or not - sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. If not click this here - listen to the spouses in the background. You hear that one telling her man he's a father? No! They don't get to come home, until their deployment is over.

"What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?"

For one, try to keep my sanity. Maybe there is a military wife out there who gets bored when her marine leaves, but I have yet to meet her. For the rest of us, we find ourselves having to fill the shoes of two people--husband and wife. On top of that we have to keep strong in public and ourselves in private. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored.

My Thoughts: I totally agree! Our goal is to keep sane, while manning the home front, playing both husband, wife, and mother and father. Bored? Not likely! If we were to get bored - then that equals too much time to think and too much time to think equals one insane spouse.

"How much longer does he have until he can get out?"

This one is annoying to many of us whether our guys are deployed or not. Most of our men aren't counting down the days until they "can" get out. The military isn't a slave program they are sold into, it's a choice. Sorry to break it to you but many of them keep signing back up again and again because (gasp!) they love what they do.

My Thoughts: So true! They do not get out until they've reached the goal they wanted. That could be a 6-year-stint, a 20-year-stint, or a 30. This is their career, their choice. He/She will get out when they are ready.

"This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it."

I'm sorry, just how do you get used to watching your man go off to war? It's not a little business trip. There are bombs, bullets, and some very bad people who are bent on killing. My man and his guys are the barrier that keeps them from coming here and trying to kill us. Sure, we figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets easy and the bullets and bombs don't swerve around our guys just because they've been there before. The worry never goes away. It's not exactly conducive to easy sleeping. We learn coping skills. We never get used to it.

An add on: "He's on his fifth deployment to Iraq?" Well, this should be "old hat" for you now -- you probably enjoy the peace and quiet at home while he's gone, don't you?

My Thoughts: Not on your life! You never get used to it, no matter how many times a spouse is deployed and it doesn't get easier. Sure you learn the ropes, what to do while their gone, and all that - but that's just business. When you are talking matters of the heart, the emotions, the feelings...NO - it does not get easier.

"Well, this is what you signed up for when you married him."

This is probably one of the most unthoughtful and brazen things you can say to a military wife. Not only that but it is the most common "insult" military wives come across. Firstly, thank you for showing a lack of common sense and compassion. By no means does a military wife faithfully commit to the lifestyle not expecting her husband to go to war and for his life to be put in extreme jeopardy however, how does that make us more or less prepared to receive his deployment orders? To tell him goodbye for 6, 13, or 15 months, or maybe forever? How does that prepare us for the random and unexpected battle we will face alone while they are away? We as military wives do not ask much from anyone, let alone civilians who have no idea what the life is like, but you can show a little compassion and support for us. We are the ones left behind as our husbands go to war. We are often more alone than you could ever know--show a little compassion and respect when you talk to us.

My Thoughts: What I find odd about this one, "You knew when you married him that it was going to be hard", is that before we married him, unless we come from a military family - is that we were probably as clueless as everybody that says these things to us, that irritate us. However, we did not marry him because he is a Soldier, we married him, because we fell in love with him - the same reason everybody else gets married. I was pretty much clueless as to what life would be like married to a Soldier. I knew there'd be deployments and things that I had no control over, and that's basically it. I loved him and I love him more now - his choice of career had no affect on my choice to marry him - and no I didn't know how hard it would be or exactly what I'd signed up for. In the past 10 years - I've learned alot and I'm not that clueless 19-year-old bride anymore...but I wouldn't have made any other choice had I known.

This is the worst one! As a matter of fact let me share a few of the comments about that one with you.

Comment 1: The funny thing is, I NEVER complain about anything my husband does, or I do consequently. My husband loves his job, and I am extremely proud of him for what he has chosen. He's an admirable soldier. So, stop making it seem like I've signed my own death sentence!

Comment 2: My dad is one who quotes, "Well you knew he was a soldier when you married him. You signed up for this as well." REALLY? Did you REALLY just say that. I guess we were just supposed to tell our hearts not to fall in love with them if they are a soldier. Yeah right....that is one of the reasons I fell in love with him.

Comment 3: I get this all the time. I just want to slap them in the face. This might as be a verbal assault. I want to say no I didn't sign up for this. I married the man for Love and despite him leaving I didn't give up on him.I support him in anything he does.I want to say "well I'd rather send insensitive people like your self but, the government won't allow me."

My Thoughts: See? Bad one! Don't, do NOT ask it. It hurts.

"My boyfriend had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."

This one is similar to the one above. Do not equate your boyfriend's three week with a 7-10 month deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious trip length difference, nobody shot at your boyfriend or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your boyfriend could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for comparing a combat deployment to a business trip.

My Thoughts: Yeah, you must be blond to say that one - sorry to my blond friends - you know I mean no harm :) It's just I mean come on - there is a huge difference between "Deployment" and "Business" trips.

"Don't you miss him?"

No, not really... What do you think?! Of course we miss our men. If we didn't, we wouldn't be together!!!

My Thoughts: That's just plain stupid...of course we miss him! It may take a few days or weeks for it all to sink in, but at night after the kids are in bed and there's no one to talk to, no one to watch a movie or tv show with, and no one to go to bed with - yeah he's missed, more than words can ever say or others will ever know.

"How is he/she doing or what's he/she doing?"

Don't bother to see how I'm doing. He's not even allowed to tell me what he's doing or anything and it's quite fatiguing to answer that question 20 times a day. Not everybody he knows needs a daily update. I don't even get a daily update sometimes! Don't get me wrong, I love that people miss him and all but he's not the only one dealing with things. His parents, the kids, not to mention the wife, are dealing with a serious life upheaval as well.

My Thoughts: No we don't get daily updates and no we can't tell you what he is doing...mainly because we don't really know. Secondly why? We want our spouses safe - some information just can not be shared.

"When is he coming back?"

Honestly, I don't know. I have a general idea of when it is, but with the military, who knows. Ask me about a month before his deployment is supposed to be over, and I might have a better idea. But don't start planning any parties yet, since I'm sure it'll change again. And no he won't be home permanently and not have to ever go back. I won't know until I get the call to go pick him up. Then I know when he will be home. Most of us are not about to tell a living soul.... I want him to make it home safely. I just wish people used the brains they were born with more often... if its classified, STOP ASKING THE WIFE.

My Thoughts: I know that's a very popular question, I know people are curious...but guess what so are we! We have a general idea and we will probably tell you that general idea...but that's it, so drop it.

The one I hate most is, "6 months? That's not bad!" Not bad? Maybe not in comparison, but what the Hell would I be comparing for? Any amount of time my husband spends in the desert away from me and his family is bad. Duh. Then there's the people who try to cheer you up by showing you "the sunny side" of the deployment."Well, he's going to a safe zone." Look, it's been declared a safe zone but that doesn't mean it never gets attacked and he's still a thousand times safer here, with me, in my arms than he is over there! "It's better than him being gone for 13 months!" While that may be true, that doesn't make me feel like it sucks any less that my husband is leaving me for 6 months. It's a personal thing. And then my husband's "cheer wifey up" line, "Well think about all the money we'll be making!" Ok, money is nice and all, but how many times do I have to tell you that I'd rather be broke with you than rich without you? What good is money if we can't use it to buy a nice romantic dinner for the two of us?

My Thoughts: I've heard the money one. David would have left before May 1st - if he could, for one more month of tax free income. Who cares! You're getting at least 4 already. It doesn't cheer us up.

And believe it or not this even becomes irritating:

"Are you okay? "

No, I am not ok! My husband is gone, my kids cry for him, and I never get a break. I know they mean well but duh.

My Thoughts: I know it's a meant well question - but after a while it does get old. I think I'll start replying with "yeah I'm great - had 3 pints and life is good". This house is not a home when my husband is not in it - what part of that makes anything okay, especially me? I simply put on my brave and survive until his arms are back around me and I feel home again.

Many non-military people or "civilian" do not understand that these types of comments are hurtful, even if unintentional. Please don't look at us like the saddest lost puppy you've ever seen! We are PROUD of our spouses and what they do.

Now then, I did not chose to post this to hurt anyones feelings. I chose to post it to let those unknowing people know about the types of statements that hurt. I really don't know that there is a comment that helps. It's kinda of like a pregnant woman - all hormonal and just anything can tick you off, make you cry, or even make you scream. It's really hard not to rock the boat and we know you're just trying to make us feel better and that you don't intentionally mean to upset us.

Most of us will not tell you that the comment you made or question you asked hurt - unless we've really had it. Most of us take it in stride, cry behind closed doors, and put our brave face back on for round 92. Perhaps though, if some of us enlighten you by forwarding the "Questions I get tired of hearing during deployment" around to friends/family/and anyone else - more people will be come aware of the main DO NOT ASK questions. Who knows!

And to the "new" military spouses - you will hear at least one of these at one time or another and there is really no way to prepare you for that moment, but I will be praying for you.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I know it was a long post. The truth is we love our spouses, they love what they do, and we vowed to support them no matter their choices.

It's never easy loving a soldier, but if it were it wouldn't be worth it.

Tonya

Post 139: Putting On Our Brave Faces

2009-05-04T23:33:00.000+01:00

This was written over the course of 2 days.

Deployment – it’s less than 12 hours away now. He’s done the laundry, tended to the yard, enjoyed a pint at the pub, soaked in a tub, and tucked the kids in bed. His deployment bags are packed and sitting in front of the fire place. He’s created an M&M jar for the kids, 2 M&M’s per night that he is gone. Soon the M&M’s will start to go down and the closer to the bottom they get – the closer it is to when Daddy comes home. It was his idea, I didn’t even know about it – but I think it’s great.

I’m worried about Ashlynn; we have to drive him to the base in the morning – at some horrid hour. There he will leave with the others that were also tasked for deployment. We will say our goodbyes then. I’m praying Ashlynn handles it better than the last time. She takes it so hard. I thought the older they got the easier it would be, but I was wrong. I read something on www.milspouse.com that confirmed it. It went something like this:

“I can honestly say that no matter how old your kids are, it is never easy for them to have a parent in a war zone. In fact as they get older they actually come to realize even deeper what the dangers are. It doesn’t matter if they are 12 months, 12 years, or 21 – it’s their father they adore who is in danger and missing them grow up. They do not get used to it either…and the feelings and emotions do not subside in them just because they are older.”

Ashlynn is nearly 10 and it’s hard for her each time. It was actually simpler when she was a baby! I just pray she doesn’t go ballistic, crying and clinging to him. I’ve tried off and on today to give her pep talks about tomorrow. Telling her if she needs to cry just a “little” bit then okay – but to save the giant tears for when Daddy’s out of sight. Maybe that’s wrong of me, but it is just as hard on him and even worse when she throws a fit. So I hope and pray that she understands.

Brier is very excited about the M&M’s – he was ready to start now. Guess we know he likes chocolate. He also has asked things like “will you get on a plane?” He is more curious and I think he will handle it okay. He usually does. It will shock me if he flips out.

Anyway – I better go see if David has everything he needs or needs help with anything. Please keep him in your prayers for the next few months.

About 2 minutes after I wrote this last night, I heard the sniffles. I fully expected to climb the stairs and go to Ashlynn, but as I stood in the hall trying to figure out which one it was – I was shocked to find it was Brier. He was having a really hard time and asking lots of questions.

I kept telling him he needed to put his brave face on and be strong for Daddy because he's the man of the house while Daddy's gone and being strong means you have to try really hard not to throw a fit. It’s ok to cry a little bit, but not loads of crying. He kept taking big giant deep breaths to keep himself from crying and finally he says to me "I know, but it's hard on my heart.” All I could say was, “Buddy, I know.”

Then he wanted to see Daddy so I told him if he promised to not cry loads I’d get Daddy. We pinky promised and I stepped out to get David. I found him in the hall, leaned up against the wall, struggling right along with Brier. He took a deep breath and went in to speak with his son.

After that we tried to work our way to bed, but Brier still needed time. So he came in the room and he was talking to David. I stood out in the hall and listened. He is really upset that Daddy is going to miss his Birthday and they were talking about Nana coming to visit and a few other things, when Brier said, “You’re going to miss all the fun stuff.” Poor guy.

Then I heard him say that he bets after we get back home, from dropping David off, that he will just run up to his bed and cry. He is sensitive like his Daddy, but man it’s not easy when he voices those sensitive feelings that strike you right in the heart.

I found myself wondering as I stood there in the hall, "How many more times will I have to do this? Put on this brave face, switch gears, cry alone, sleep alone, handle the kids alone and try to convince them to be brave...how many more?"

I do not want him to retire until he reaches the top of the ladder – that’s just 2 more stripes. He told me before we married that he would not climb this ladder and not reach the top. The top is Chief and I don't plan on letting him bail out before that. I will not be the reason he didn’t make it. I vowed to support him all the way to the top and that’s what I'll do. I know it won’t be easy, but my brave won’t crack.

Guess God knew what he was doing when he made me because there is no other way to explain how I cope. I’m not super woman, but I do believe I was made to be David’s wife, and that includes being a military wife.

I feel like we only got about 3 hours of sleep before taking David to the base. We were both so tired this morning. I hope David slept sometime today, somewhere.

I was very proud of my children this morning for being able to put on such brave faces. I know how hard it is and how much it hurts their hearts when he is gone. It makes me both Mother and Father for a few months, but it amazes me at how strong our children are becoming.

It's sad when their heart is breaking, it's hilarious when my daughter wants to give her brother sedatives to shut him up, it's maddening when they don't help me, and its joyful when he returns, but most of all this is my career. Though it can be draining when I have to play both parts, it is still by far the most rewarding career I'll ever have. I feel very blessed to be able to simply be... MOM.

After we returned home, Brier lay on the couch and watched Avatar and fell asleep. Ashlynn and I snuggled in bed together with our heavy hearts and slept. When we all 3 awoke, we were the laziest 3 you’d ever meet! We ate junk food, laid around, and did a lot of nothing.

After a while we decided to try out the WII FIT – thank you, honey, for getting us that. We had a lot of fun with it and probably killed a couple hours taking turns on it and seeing who could beat who at the ski jump or who was the worst balanced. Our WII FIT ages were also interesting. I am 59, Ashlynn 12, and Brier 19!!! I guess that means we have a lot of work to do, because apparently we are unbalanced and not healthy enough…course today’s junk food could have played into that.

I talked with Mom on the phone several times today – trying to guide her through downloading photos – not an easy job. She needs a new computer! I’ve been downloading Day 2, Rome photos today – I need to continue blogging about our trip. I’ll get back to that soon – I promise.

I was surprised to get an IM from David – he’s just sitting some where at the moment, well actually I guess he is sleeping – but he is okay, waiting for the next step of his journey. It was nice to get a moment to chat with him…I don’t know when we will have that again, course you never really know. I hate the end of the conversations, but at the same time I know my man needs his sleep and that he’s had a long day, plus after our exhausting night – I can only imagine how tired he is. He didn’t get to sleep ½ the day away or lay around being lazy like the 3 of us.

I didn’t have long to dwell on, “oh conversations over” because Lady decided to drive me MAD! I believe this is the first time I’ve been 100% pissed at her. I love her to death, but she can be so STUBBORN – runs in this family, I know. I’d let her out to go pee and she would not come back in! So I went out to drag her butt back in here, had to walk all the way to the end of the yard nearly, and she knew she was in trouble, because she took off flying past me – for the house.

However, Ashlynn had come out to help me and I didn’t know it, till I turned around to witness a 70 pound dog, running 90 mile an hour run straight into her! Ashlynn went flying up in the air and landed flat on her back. Lady kept running. I got Ashlynn, carried her to the house, sat her down, and then had to go back out and track that darn dog down!

Needless to say, I was pissed. I put her in the kennel and made her stay there for 20 minutes…she’s steered clear of me since. I think she knows I’m not happy with her. I’ll have to put her on a led to take her out at bedtime, since she can’t listen and behave herself. Ashlynn has a nice bump on the head but other than that she’s okay. Thankfully.

I’ve got them all in bed now, and it’s time to get me to bed too. I’m thinking I should put my flannel sheets back on – with David gone, that bed won’t be very warm. Guess Lady will warm it up – but man she stinks! I need to take her to the groomer again. She’s worse than David when he forgets to take a shower!

Anyway – say a pray for David. I’ll write again soon – I read some interesting things on www.milspouse.com today that I want to share with you tomorrow. “Questions I get tired of hearing during Deployment.” I want to enlighten a few and make a few laugh, so beware of the questions you may ask.

Tonya

Post 138: Come Home Soon.

2009-05-04T14:47:00.001+01:00

Post 137: Venice, Day 1.

2009-04-23T16:41:00.000+01:00

I’ve sat here wondering how to go about telling you all about our trip to Italy and I know I’m going to have to do it, day by day, or the blog will be extremely too long…unless you love to read. So to be nice we will start with day 1.

Before we left I made travel journals for all of us, to help us remember things and to help my children with their writing over the break. So to tell you about our trip…I’m going to use the journals. I hope you enjoy reading about our trip from all 4 of our perspectives.

Venice: Day 1. By: Brier

First we woke up early in the morning and got in our care and drove to the airport. We got out, walked in the freezing cold and went to zone J. Put our suitcases through the escalator. We went through a little fat line and put our suitcases on the thing that puts your suitcases on the airplane. Then we got in the line and go on the airplane, it took awhile but we got there. Then we got on the airplane. It took about an hour in the airplane. I played my game boy then I opened my window there was mountains with snowy tops. Then we stopped and got our suitcase and walked out the door and go on a bus and went to the back and it had five seats. Got on a water bus, it took three hours. Then we walked and it took 4 hour, then we got to the hotel took. Then it was night time. I got to sleep good.

Venice: Day 1. By: Ashlynn

Talk about motion sickness! Never, ever, go from car, to plane, to bus, to boat. I slept for 4 hours and 25 minutes. I think the best part was when we got some awesome pizza! It was hilarious when Brie’s cheese from a different slice than the one he was eating, wouldn’t come off! The bad thing is our hotel room is small! But we are in Italy! I’m just glad we made it her safely.

Venice: Day 1. By: David

We traveled to Venice, Italy, leaving the house at 4 a.m. The plan departing at 6:30 a.m. and landed an hour later. We got on a bus from the airport to the city center, then got on a water bus to Lido Island. We ended up getting on the slow boat that went all the way through the Grand Canal. We finally arrived in our room in time for a “siesta”. We looked around Lido Island a little before turning in for the night.
Best Moment: Riding the water bus through the Gran Canal in Venice.
Worst Moment: Walking 1 ½ miles to our hotel, carrying our luggage, just to find that we could have ridden the bus right to the door. Sleeping with Brier in between me and Tonya.
Funniest Moment: trying to squeeze into the narrow bathtub because the shower was to short.
Thankful For: a safe, stress free trip to Venice, Italy.

Venice: Day 1. By: Tonya

We left our England home some where around 4 a.m. to get to the airport. Our flight left at 6:30 a.m. Flying Ryan Air was a unique experience. Instead of walking out the gate onto the plane, we walked out the gate onto the Flight Line right up to our plane! We climbed the stairs to board the plane. David and Brier sat in front of me and Ashlynn. They slept and Ash & I read books. I was feeling nauseous & had a headache so I couldn’t sleep. I assumed it was from not eating anything yet and I’d taken a couple Tylenol before we left. We flew over what we believed to be the Swiss Alps? They are majestic. Brier wanted to go to the mountains the moment he saw them. I wonder if he will always like the mountains. He was born in Utah, but he was 3 when we moved, so I don’t know if he remembers the mountains or if some where in the back of his mind he will just always have a fondness of them, like Ashlynn does with Missouri, where she was born. When we landed in Italy we went through customs – we now have stamps on our passports! Then we went & got tickets for the bus to take us into Venice. Before we got on the bus we ate some PB&J sandwiches that we’d packed and here I had a Pepsi. So I didn’t quiet make it through the lent season without Pepsi – but I would have if there had been Sprite or something that I was familiar with. Anyway, we got on the bus & rode to a location in Venice when we got onto a “waterbus”. What is a water bus? It is a boat with seats in it, just like a bus would have. The kids enjoyed it and I don’t think that Ashlynn can officially say that she doesn’t like boats anymore! We rode the waterbus to Lido Island – where we were staying in Venice. We got this hotel recommendation from Lydia. I really liked the hotel; however we should have reserved a room for 4 instead of 3. I thought from what Lydia had said that 3 were okay and there would probably be a cot, a small bed, and a bigger bed. Well there was no cot! There was 1 small bed and 1 large bed. The small is what we would call a twin – the large, 2 twins put together. Anyway – it was very cozy and Lydia was right – it was quiet! After we’d walked the mile or so up to the hotel (should have taken the bus), we were all tired. So the kids & I laid down & David went to get bus/train info. He had no luck because it was “siesta” time. The place closes from like 1-4 to nap apparently. So he came back and took a nap too. By the time we were all up – we ventured out for some travel info & food. We got train tickets for Rome & Florence & our waterbus tickets also worked on the regular buses as well. We found a pizzeria – that was really good. The kids really enjoyed it. After that we pretty much called it a day. We stopped at the Tabacci Shop for some drinks and returned to our room. It was peaceful. We slept with the windows open and awoke to the birds singing and music coming from some where. Funny thing is the song being played in the distance was Boyz 2 Men and it was in ENGLISH!!!

Day 2 coming soon...please read my book review of the Twlight Series here and the recap of being 28 here.

Have wonderful day!

Tonya

PRAYERS:

Please keep David's Uncle Eugene in your prayers. He had a heartattack and they have put a stint in. I'll update when I know more.

Please keep David's Step-Dad Jim in your prayers as well. He is having his colon removed tomorrow. They are on their way to the hospital now. Please pray for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery.

Thank you!

Post 136: We're Back!

2009-04-19T17:43:00.000+01:00

We had a lovely time in Italy. We are safely back home now. I've spent the last few days uploading, editing photos, and reading the Twlight series. I will be blogging all about our trip real soon, with photos. I've got to get through all the photos first and put some things away from our trip. I just wanted to let everyone know that we've returned and we had a wonderful time!

Also, the Twlight books - are seriously addictive! I was up til like 4 am I think! I read the first one in Venice, the 2nd one the day before yesterday, and the 3rd one yesterday. I'm on the last one...it's the longest, it may take me longer than 12 hours to read! So, I'm trying to behave and return to reality for a while before I get sucked back into the amazing world of fiction!

Which is why I thought I'd let all of you know we had a great time, saw some amazing things, and we are home safely. I will be telling you all about it soon...sometime between 800 pages of fiction and massive photo editing :-)

...Soon...

Post 135: Italy Bound

2009-04-06T23:46:00.000+01:00

Family and I are off to Italy for "Holiday", please keep us in your prayers as we travel.

We will return in about 10 days!

Beware of the LOADS of photos I will return with!

Tonya (and family)

Post 134: Joy of watching her read

2009-04-04T12:23:00.000+01:00

Today, I'm cleaning up the house, trying to prepare for being gone to Italy. I don't want to come home to a dirty house! However, I had to stop and take a moment and share with you something I truly enjoy seeing, sometimes it's frustrating, but most of all it fills me with Joy.

My daughter Ashlynn, has been reading since she was 3-years-old. Now at that time she memorized a lot of it, but she was reading. To this day she is still reading, 9 times out of 10 she can be found with a book in her hand, 5 or 6 of them in her bag, and 3 or 4 on her shelf by her bed. Yes, she does play the wii, the computer, and watch TV...but the truth is she reads just as much.

I suppose when both your parents are avid readers and can usually be found reading something, whether it be a book, something online, a magazine, or a paper, it's only natural that she would read the way she does. She reads everything. You never know what you will find her reading - which is sometimes scary!

Brier enjoys books and likes stories, but he's not to the point where he can be found with a book in his possession at all times. He'd rather run, jump, kick, flip, and drive me crazy with his energy! However, I think someday - he'll be just like the rest of us...always having a book within reach. I long for the day when all 4 of us will be sprawled out in the living room reading - it will be like our own "family library day". Weird I know. So why am I sitting here typing this blog about her reading to you, when I'm trying to clean up the house? Because as I was vacuuming and putting things away and what not, I turned to find my daughter sitting on the stairs; reading. It just makes me smile. I had to stop what I was doing and find the camera, by the time I got it she had sprawled out on to the floor, but I still took the photo. I don't enjoy cleaning, matter of fact I hate it. Thing is I do like having a clean home. So for her to just happen to be right in my way, with her book...allowed me to have a moment of joy while doing an un-joyful task. Thankfully, she did take after her Dad though and can put her book down, walk away, do something else, and come right back to it. Unlike her mother, who once she sits down with a book, probably won't move until she's reached the last page! Nothing gets done when my nose is stuck in a book. People wonder where I've been, why I haven't blogged, why I missed an appointment, or why the dishes didn't get done...it's because I get so sucked into the story - that I disappear from reality for about 24 hours.

Yeah, I read a book in a day usually. Sometimes, I get stuck staying up later than planned just to finish it. And I do have to get up, take Lady out, eat, get something to drink, go to the bathroom, and usually fix dinner...but even still my mind is transported to another time, another place, and I rush right back to my book. David laughs at me!

Thank God he knows me the way he does and Ashlynn has his ability to put her book down, but boy does it bring me joy to see her found sitting, laying, or sprawled out where ever with a book in her hand...even when I'm trying to vacuum around her.

We are going to need 2 hammock swings...

Post 133: Bad Contest News

2009-04-03T23:27:00.001+01:00

I regret to inform everyone that Ashlynn did not win the book cover contest. She came home very broken hearted today, so we took her shopping! She usually hates that, but she got some new "comfy" pants (she takes after me!), which I'm positive she will wear to Italy and she got a watch. She's in better spirits now, but if you don't mind saying a little prayer for her I'm sure it wouldn't hurt. She is still a winner in my eyes. I believe she did an amazing job and I'm very proud of her. She is an amazing little girl.

Anyway - that's the news, better luck next time uh?

Post 132: Little bit of Everything

2009-04-02T07:40:00.001+01:00

First off, this was the message from my sister Holly yesterday.

"I just got the call from the doctor. She said Hailie’s liver enzymes are back to normal and all test show no signs of cancer. So we can all breathe and relax now. I am just so relieved. Thank God for taking care of my baby and thank all of you for your Prayers. They have really meant a lot to me and my family. God works in mysterious ways and not only did he bless us with Hailie being Cancer Free but He also blessed us with another baby. Yes that is right. In the mix of all the worry and stress, I recently found out that I am expecting. I am just so happy to get Hailie’s test results back, and feel like I am on cloud nine. HAILIE IS CANCER FREE!!!! Again Thank ALL for your prayers. Thanks"

PRAISE GOD! And thank you ALL for your prayers!

Secondly, I mentioned that I had lunch with the Office People last post, that was nearly a week ago now - but had kind of a busy weekend and then have been dealing with a headache off and on. Anyhow - it was much better this time around! Although, I'm still trying to figure things out. I got the silverware thing figured out, start at the outside and work your way in. What I haven't figured out is what they call things. Like they serve bread and butter first, okay the only time I've gone somewhere that served that first was Olive Garden in the states and it was bread sticks and salad. One time they served some sort of rye bread with our steaks at Lonestar, and at Red Lobster they serve rolls with your meal, but never just really bread and butter first.

So I'm wondering what they call that part of their meal? Cause they have something called "Starters" I think is what they said, and it's kinda like an appetizer or a mini meal, before the big meal. I don't know what it was I ate as my starter, but it was good. It was like I don't know a buschetta with cheese, peppers, and tomato.

For the main meal we got to do like a buffet type thing, pick what we wanted - but it still looked like "fancy food". They work really hard on the appearance of their food here. As a matter of fact I've heard people here refer to food as "gorgeous", "beautiful", and things like that. I've noticed that British people are very animated as well. I've heard more people in this country go, "umm" or "ahh", or "ohh" over their food than anywhere I've ever been. To me food is either good or bad. I've never referred to it as "gorgeous" or "beautiful" - that's not a way I would describe a "taste". It either tastes good or it taste bad or maybe it tastes "heavenly" or "rich" or "horrible" or "disgusting"....but "beautiful" and "gorgeous" that's new to me. :-) The British really like their food, they like it to not only look GORGEOUS but taste GORGEOUS as well! :)

As for the main part of the meal, I had parsnips, broccoli (which was the best broccoli I've ever tasted without cheese on it), a potato, something called "curry" - it was like a spicy sorta sauce with shrimp (prawns) in it (it was REALLY good), and then I had this chicken with some sort of spinach inside it. It wasn't bad, but I didn't think it was GORGEOUS. It tasted really good dipped in the curry sauce! I enjoyed the food so much more this time!

Then we had dessert - British people also eat a FULL meal, so much for my little hot pocket or smart ones lunch....this was a full course meal! I don't know what my dessert was called but it had some sort of chocolate with orange in it and some sort of white creamy stuff on top that was very thick and the whole thing was very RICH!

Thankfully, there were no chopped off finger looking things wrapped in bacon! You'd have to read my previous experience to understand. This time the experience was very enjoyable! Course I think anything with the Office People would be enjoyable! They keep me laughing and I always learn something new, as to whether or not that something "new" is true or not, is left to be answered. :-)

Thirdly, Ashlynn went to a sleepover and fell and hurt her head...thankfully it's healed nicely. She was giving her friends little brother a piggy back ride and he was heavier than she thought. She fell forward and took a face dive into the gravel. Said the last thing she saw was a big rock! Here are pictures:

Fourthly, Brier did not handle the time change very well! This was Monday morning. He was sitting in my scrapbook room waiting on me and Ashlynn. I had to get her hair out of her cut - reason for the ponytail on her head. When we came back into the room this is how we found him:

Fifthly, Lady is doing well and looking forward to spending the week with James. I think he may just spoil her rotten! She's finished up her first set of training classes and we might enroll her in more later. However, we are off to Italy in just a few days! Which is why she is going to spend the week with James. Thank God we got such a cool Landlord! Loves our dog and wants to spend time with her! :)
Until next time! Thanks for stopping by! Be ready for loads of Italy pictures in a few weeks!

Post 131: I'm going to be an Aunt again!!!

2009-03-29T16:23:00.000+01:00

Family - it's a wonderful thing isn't it? Course that depends on the day and who you are asking I suppose, but I love babies! I love being an Aunt - don't really know why, I just do.

For a few weeks now you all have read about my sister Holly and her family and prayed for Hailie. Hailie is still fever free. I believe she has a doctor's appointment tomorrow and they are going to red0 the blood work. Prayerfully, things will be fine. This has caused us all a lot of worry and stress, especially Nick & Holly. However, in light of what they've been going through, they've recently learned that they are expecting!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I got the email this morning letting me know! I'm so thrilled. Ashlynn and I've been talking about it this morning, wondering how far along Holly is and if the baby will be born in Oct or November, cause Ashlynn's birthday is in October. This family has a thing for October birthdays! Half the family has birthday's in October, the rest seem to fall in April. We were also speculating names and whether it's a boy or girl and what little Hailie will think. I think she'll be so proud! I can't wait to hear what all Hailie says!!

And as Ashlynn and I were talking we decided we'd better pray for Nick & Hailie, and anyone who comes near Holly! I love my sister dearly, don't get me wrong, but when she was pregnant with Hailie - oh the stories my Mom and Nick could tell! Holly was not a pleasant pregnant woman. She hated being pregnant, swore up and down that she would NOT do this again. :-)

I remember she was so hot all the time that she kept her home nearly as cold as a freezer! Poor Nick, would get towels out of the dryer and wrap up in them, she was freezing him! She was grouchy as all get out too. I did feel bad for her though, because she was in labor for 24 hours! The poor girl. She really had a rough pregnancy and those who experienced it with her, didn't enjoy it much.

So after thinking that we should pray for Nick, Hailie, and everyone...we decided we best just pray that Holly has a wonderful pregnancy experience this time. That she and everyone near her enjoy it. That it's a smooth pregnancy and that the labor experience will be much quicker.

So if you don't mind keeping them on your prayer list - I'd appreciate it. Let's pray for a enjoyable experience and a health bundle of joy!

***Holly*** - I love you sis! I can't wait to hear more about your pregnancy, when your due, and what names your considering and all that. I pray you enjoy it this time and that you don't freeze Nick & Hailie out the house this summer! Love ya, girl!

As for us, and what we've been up to - I'll either blog that later or tomorrow...beware I went to lunch with the Office people again! :-)

Post 130: Angry Little Boy

2009-03-26T13:23:00.000Z

On Monday, I went to pick Brier up from School as normal. Ashlynn had chess club, so it was just the two of us. I stood waiting for him and as he come up to me, his head was down, his face was completely ascrew, and his little fist were clenched just as tight as they could be. Finally, he gets to me, throws his fist down, stomps his foot, and says "I'm about ready to kick my teacher's butt!" And he did not say it quietly! Do you know how hard it was not to laugh! He was so angry! Clearly, very upset and that one comment had me choking on my laughter!

So I say to him, "well, umm, {clear the throat} how come?" So he tells me the story. Apparently, a girl in his class knocked the container of pens/crayons over and he got blamed for it and had to clean it up. Then he left his P.E. kit in the floor board of the car and so he didn't get to go to P.E. (which he really enjoys). So basically he just had a very bad day and apparently his teacher did not make it better, apparently she made him cry.

We get home and he goes to play the wii. He pulls all the curtains in the living room closed and closes the living room door. After a bit, I go to check on him and I ask, "why you got all the curtains and the door closed?" He said to me, "I just need to be in my darkness". So I walked away, and laughed!

Later, when we went to get Ashlynn she asked him something about school, he informed her that he didn't even want to talk about it.

Finally, when David got home I told him what had happened. He decided it best not to ask Brier how school was today, but ended up asking anyway. Brier said he'd tell him later and never did!

I've never seen him that angry! I've seen him mad but not "ready to kick butt mad"! It was definitely one to add to the list of "Brier stories".

Post 129: Thank You

2009-03-25T21:36:00.000Z

Dear Family, Friends (online and off), and Bloggers,

I've been chatting with my sister Holly this evening. My beautiful sister, who for the past few weeks has been heavy on my mind and heart with all she is dealing with. I can't imagine being put through this kind of torture, the waiting game of finding out if your child has a sickness or not, and the Dr.'s with their many different opinions. It's just a mess.

Hailie goes to the Dr. again on the 30th. They are then going to do more blood work, or in Hailie's terms, she's gonna get a poke. Hailie has been fever free for several days now, Praise God! I'm not sure when we will have the news of the blood tests.

My sister is believing that Hailie is cancer free and leaning on God. I am so proud of her! She has grown so much, not just in her faith, but as an adult, a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. She is a good girl and turning out A-OK. I have missed her so much during this time. She and I have talked online and emailed constantly. I've wanted to be there with her and help her through this and thankfully with today's technology I've been able to somewhat be there.

In an email I received from her recently she said to me, "Even from another country you are such a big help with everything". You don't know what that meant to me, because I have felt so helpless. I'm so far away. I can't be there to watch Hailie, hold Holly's hand, pray with her, or even cry with her. But I can be there in other ways and to know that she feels that makes me feel so much better about not being able to be there in person.

Tonight as Holly & I have chatted, she has told me, "I have been hearing all the prayers for Hailie and it just amazes me how many people out there are praying for my little girl and how much power is in those prayers. I check my email everyday and see the prayers for Hailie. I am amazed at the out pour of love and prayer. How good it is and how good it makes us feel as a family as we go through this nightmare. I received one the yesterday that made me cry."

Holly sent me that prayer that made her cry, that touched her so much, and I don't know who the person is! But her first name is Jennifer. Jennifer, THANK YOU! Your email was very touching and moving and it brightened Holly's day. Thank you for sending her those special words.

My sister and I have had our moments, don't get me wrong...all siblings do. Like the time she slept with gum in her hair and we woke up with our heads stuck together or the time she threw up in my bed and then went and crawled in her own and didn't tell anyone! But we've had our amazing moments too and I want to tell you about one of those, so that you can get a glimpse of the type of person Holly is.

In 2003, I'd gone to the doctor - my prolactin was up. If you don't know what that is, it's a stupid hormone and mine has a mind of it's own. My husband was deployed. We were living in Utah. I had no family near me. I had a 3 year old and a 9 month old. The Dr. informed me that I probably had a pituitary tumor, a brain tumor. We were going to have to do an MRI and several other things. Needless to say this was not any kind of news I wanted to hear, especially out there all by myself with 2 little kids.

I called my husband, my mom, and my grandparents. I was a wreck. Not long after I called Mom - I got another phone call. It was Holly. She said, I booked a flight, I'm on my way. Told me when she would land and where. She dropped her life, everything she had going, and ran to me. She fly for the first time all by herself on an airplane from Missouri to Utah, to be with me, to watch my kids while I had tests done, and to help me with anything else I needed. She spent nearly a month with me, before we drove home to Missouri together. My MRI showed no tumor. I still battle with high prolactin to this day - but I will never forget the day the Dr. delivered that news to me or the selfless act of my sister. She went above and beyond, and she touched my heart and soul.

So you see how special she is to me? She loves her family, she would do anything for them, and she has a heart of gold. Your emails, your prayers have meant the world to her and to me, because in a way you have helped me be there for her. So from the very depths of my heart, I thank you. If you still feel called to email Holly - feel free to, continue to amaze her, continue to show her just how much God loves her. Thank you ALL so very, very much.

Holly - I love you - and I pray that you know how special you are to me. Continue to lean on God, he won't let you fall.

Post 128: Woburn Safari Park and Mothering Sunday

2009-03-23T11:40:00.000Z

What a weekend! We decided that we needed to get out and go do something this weekend if the weather was nice, which thankfully it was. Today however, very windy! Anyway, we went to Woburn Safari Park. It was like a drive through zoo. The kids loved it and we had a GREAT time! We got really close to a lot of the animals this way, the guy behind us - the Rhino got a little too close to his car...he has a nice scratch on his paint job. Rhino was trying to scratch his nose on their car!

Sometimes we had to keep the windows up, like when we drove through the Monkey's - they'll climb in! They climbed all over cars and it was so funny. The kids kept hoping they would jump on ours but they didn't, maybe next time! We got some really great pictures. We rode the paddle boats and went down the super slide. We took a picnic and got some ice cream. It was really great. We spent most the whole day there!

The kids have already decided that we need to take Nana in July when she comes. The keep adding things to the list of places Nana wants to see and the places in which we want to take her. I got a feeling I won't sleep for 2 and 1/2 weeks and I'm going to get one heck of a work out!!! I hope Nana is ready for all that!

Anyway - here are some pictures from our day out. Enjoy!

Sunday - was Mothering Sunday. Here is what I've learned about it:

Mothering Sunday From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Not to be confused with Mother's Day.
Mothering Sunday is a Christian festival celebrated throughout Europe. Secularly it is used as a celebration of motherhood, and is synonymous with Mother's Day as celebrated in other countries; the latter name is also increasingly used.
A religious festival celebrating motherhood has been existent in Europe since approximately 250 BC when the Romans honoured the mother goddess Cybele during mid-March. As the Roman Empire and Europe converted to Christianity, Mothering Sunday celebrations became part of the liturgical calendar as Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent to honour the Virgin Mary and the "mother church"[1].
During the sixteenth century, people returned to their mother church for a service to be held on Laetare Sunday. This was either a large local church, or more often the nearest Cathedral. Anyone who did this was commonly said to have gone "a-mothering", although whether this preceded the term Mothering Sunday is unclear. It was often the only time that whole families could gather together, if prevented by conflicting working hours.
The Epistle for the fourth Sunday in Lent as set out in the Book of Common Prayer gives a special place to the theme of maternal love: Galatians 4:26 states that "Jerusalem which is above is free; which is Mother of us all."
The other names attributed to this festival include Simnel Sunday, Refreshment Sunday and Rose Sunday. Simnel Sunday is named after the practice of baking Simnel cakes to celebrate the reuniting of families during the austerity of Lent. Because there is traditionally a lightening of Lenten vows on this particular Sunday in celebration of the fellowship of family and church, the lesser-used label of Refreshment Sunday is also used, although rarely today.
Rose Sunday is sometimes used as an alternative title for Mothering Sunday as well, as is witnessed by the purple robes of Lent being replaced in some churches by rose-coloured ones. This title refers to the tradition of posies of flowers being collected and distributed at the service originally to all the mothers, but latterly to all women in the congregation.[citation needed] The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia, however, asserts that "the Golden Rose, sent by the Popes to Catholic sovereigns, used to be blessed at this time, and for this reason the day was sometimes called 'Dominica de Rosa'."[2][3]
This Sunday was also once known as "the Sunday of the Five Loaves", from the traditional Gospel reading for the day. Prior to the adoption of the modern "common" lectionaries, the Gospel reading for this Sunday in the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Western-Rite Orthodox, and Old Catholic churches was the story of the feeding of the five thousand (for instance, the Anglican Book of Common Prayer stipulates St John's Gospel 6:5-14).
Another tradition associated with Mothering Sunday is the practice of "clipping the church", whereby the congregation form a ring around their church building and, holding hands, embrace it.
For some Church of England churches, it is the only day in Lent when marriages can be celebrated.
In later times, Mothering Sunday became a day when domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mothers and other family members.
Mothering Sunday remains in the calendar of some Canadian Anglican churches, particularly those with strong English connections.

Interesting uh?

Well, we went to Church and I got a card and a bookmark. Then Ashlynn made me a card and bookmark at school as well. It was really sweet. After Church we went out to eat at Pizza Express - I was shocked that both my kids cleared their plates! WOW!!! I was afraid they would say "eww I don't like that pizza". Thank heavens they didn't. That right there made my whole day! It was the best gift I could have gotten. I so hate dealing with "I don't like that" or "I don't like this" or "Eww that sauce taste funny"...you name it there is usually a complaint to go along with it. I love my kids dearly, but cooking for people who do nothing but complain about what you cook - makes me wonder more and more why I even bother. So the simple fact that I did not hear one complaint about the food (even though I didn't cook it) and on top of that, that they ate it all...made my entire day!

After we ate, we browsed a couple little shops and then came on home. Shortly there after Ashlynn and I went to Homebase to purchase some flowers! We spent the rest of the day outside planting flowers in hanging baskets and pots! I even got my face a little sun burnt! Now, it's really starting to feel like spring here. It was so nice to be able to plant some flowers - somewhere! I don't promise that I'm very good at it, but after not being able to plant anything for 3 years - it's nice to be able to once again. Ashlynn has the green thumb in this family...so hopefully - everything will bloom and look lovely. I'll take pictures soon, right now it's windy!

When we finally came in we were tired and so we sat on the couch and watched 2 episodes of House. It's about time to buy Season 2. We are so way behind! :-)

And that was our weekend! I hope you had a wonderful weekend too and were able to enjoy some warmer weather. It seems like this has been the longest winter ever, for everybody.

Well - I'm off, talk to you again soon!

P.S. Hailie's temps are still down! I will let you know when we have more updates! Thank you some much for your continue prayers over her. We are still awaiting test results...but we are thankful that the temps are down and for your prayers!