Jet Setter

On Sunday we leave, can't believe it is almost here

My head is spinning, vacation planning overseas is so overwhelming 

So much to read and research

Tickets to museums and attractions still need to be bought

Post it notes full of stuff that still needs to be taken care of

Hubby still working like crazy back home and ended up on an emergency mission to Canada

Farm Fresh in Photos

Leavin' On a Jet Plane

Once again days seem to be flying by here. Our days are filled with house chores, outside time, errands, play dates, and trip planning. The boys and I were suppose to leave today for MN, but with not having myself packed, less then desirable sleep the past two nights, and a headache probably due to it we are pushing it back a day. Not only have we planning for our road trip to MN, but also J and my European trip. We have been planning a trip for a couple years, but finally have J's leave in and last weekend we purchased our tickets for the flights. We have some very nice and accommodating friends that will be allowing us to stay with them at the beginning (England) and at the end (Naples), but we still need to arrange places in between and also our train tickets from the various countries/cities we are hitting. 

So where all are we going? We are starting off in England, spending 3/4 days and then heading to Paris. We are in Paris and the local sights for again 3/4 days and then heading to Italy via a night train. We will be spending 1 night in both Florence and Rome before ending up in Naples with another wonderful family that we consider family. From Naples we will be jet setting it to Rome and then Amsterdam so that we can catch our connecting flight back to Minnesota. 

We are super excited to say the least...but I am also nervous...even though I'm married to a pilot, I'm not a huge fan of flying. This is also my first time traveling over seas. The only time I have been out of the country was the 3 times we crossed the boarder in to Mexico when J was at pilot training, before passports were required and when it was still allowed by the base. Talk about anxiety...at least once we get on the jet at MSP its a direct flight. New places, eventually different languages and money, time zones, and not to mention that we will be leaving the boys for almost two weeks. Not that I am afraid something will happen to them, but the boys are ALWAYS with me. I am sure there are going to be times where I scan frantically looking for them before realizing that they aren't with us, or thinking the boys would really like this.

I am very appreciative that we are able to take a trip like this and very exciting, but scary at the same time. Trying to pick out hotels online, spending $$$ on things that you are trusting to be telling the truth that they really do have air conditioning, non-smoking rooms, and an attached bathroom. Another battle I continue to have is determining which sites to see, since we have a very limited amount of time and some things just won't make the cut. We would love to believe that we will be able to return someday and see some of the cities and countries we couldn't fit in, but since my gazing ball isn't working we don't know it that will happen.

I'll just keep using this....

and this

and of course this

 as a motivation to get our things in order and get over all the little fears that creep into the process of getting there.

Greening Things Up

So I have gone missing for a long month due to the beautiful weather we have been having here. We have had a couple wild storms come through, but until this week the weather has been beautiful and not too hot and humid. I have been taking advantage of the weather by getting vegetables planted in the garden box and also cleaning out the the flower beds and making them a little less maintenance (hopefully) with putting paper and edging down. You will have to forgive the phone pics, it what was handy at the moment ;)

About one week after putting the bulk of seeds in.

A Green Thumb

For those of you that know me personally you already know how much I like to dig in the soil. Whether it is vegetables or some pretty flowers, I love to spend some of my extra time outside gardening. For several months I have been pinning gardening boxes to my pinterest account, and then hinting to the hubby that I would love to have something like this to garden in. A couple of weekends ago he asked me what was on my honey do list....specifically the yard list. I had been noticing that the flower beds were getting weedy from some invasive grass and would like to have some kind of trim put in to help keep it out. I also mentioned how I would really love to have someplace to plant veggies as well. I don't think it took very long for him to decided, making a vegetable bed meant he got to go to Lowes and buy some tools he has been eyeing for awhile. After loading up and picking up the the trailer we drove off to pick up supplies. I took the boys to pick out some plants/seeds, while J concentrated on the boards and tools he was going to need to do the project. We joined up outside to pick out the soil and rocks, after 30+ bags to fill the bed being loaded into the trailer we drove off with everything we needed.

Busy As Usual

You may have noticed that there was a long break again from posting, not that it isn't uncommon for me to just not "feeling" like blogging, but this time we have just been crazy busy. A dear friend that we have been stationed with at the last 3 bases just purchased a short sale. Needless to say it wasn't in the best condition after sitting empty for almost 2 years. Her husband is currently deployed and this is their first home purchase, they can see the light at the end of the tunnel with retirement and thought it was time to let the kids have some consistency and finish off school here. 

Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

So the Friday before Mother's Day is once again here. To most people it is just another normal Friday, but to those of us who are married to military members it is a day to celebrate our faithfulness, perseverance, and the trials and tribulations that comes with being labeled a "dependent". I have had the privilege of meeting some incredible spouses (male and female) along the way that support and love not only their spouse but other military families, including mine. Most military families end up hundreds, if not thousands of miles from their traditional families. Luckily over the years we have been blessed with a network of friends that fill some of the void of not having family nearby. They become our family. Watching children when needed, picking up that forgotten item from the grocery store, providing meals when needed, sharing a drink or two when life gets rough, and being there for both the good and bad times. 

I would like to say thank you to all of those that have been there for our family over the years. I hope to repay your kindness by doing my best at providing others with the same friendship and guidance you have shown us. No amount of thank you's seem to be enough, so I will try to pay it forward. Trying to encourage the new generation of military spouses to continue to form relationships with other military spouses, to lend a hand when it would be easier to walk the other direction, to have ears that are receptive to listening, and to know what just to say when advice is needed.

I know I am not the only one that appreciates all that you do, but wanted to let you know how grateful I am for your friendship over the years. A huge THANK YOU to all of the military spouses out there!

Double Digits, Birthday Highlights

So our oldest has hit double digits, making him a tween or pre-teen. Hard to believe 10 years has past since bringing him home from the hospital.

Spring Flowers

Sending all those that are still getting snow back home, yes it is April 23rd, some signs of spring that we are having. Instead of snow we got rain, and lots of it too! My tulips and daffodils are loving it, and I am loving them!

Great Shoes and Creating a Creative Space

As the title states I found some great shoes I just had to show you...made by Roxy and were a steal at the BX on clearance for under $20. Super comfy and have become my go to shoes to slide into when heading out the door (usually in a hurry). J calls them my slippers...they are that comfy ;) but have real soles...so they are shoes for reals!

Hockey Shots

Growing up in a small town in MN I remember playing floor hockey in middle school and broom ball in high school. It made sense that growing up in MN that many of us skated or had access to one of the many frozen ponds that would be cleared for pick up games. I also remember when MN was home of the North Stars, before being moved to Dallas--which seemed awfully silly at the time since we all know that Texas would know the first thing about snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Looking back I  never got to watch the North Stars play, I think the games were shown on one the "snowy" channels.

Google Reader Axed

So Google has decided to ax google reader...those cute little pictures of my friends and followers who choose to openly show they like my blog will be no more. So in anticipation I have chosen a new way to keep tabs of the blogs I like to read and follow, Bloglovin'. Its new and fresh and even has an app for all of us that use iPads or even our iPhones when we are killing time waiting around for appointments, kids to be done with activities, or having some insomnia problems. I am new to Bloglovin', so I don't know all the ins and outs yet, but I am hoping to explore it and the features more this week. Come join me over at BlogLovin' and don't miss out on updates of your favorite blogs!

Fur Baby Photo Shoot

 So Bella is getting so big already. She has a huge personality, laid back and cuddly and yet full of spunk and playfulness. N has really taken a liking to her and insists on petting and hugging her as much as possible. No bed time or departure is complete unless her gets to hug her and pet his cuddle bug.

6 Months at "Home"

So we have hit that 6 month mark, that point in a military families life that you really start feeling "at home"...which if you are doing a special assignment like a school you are usually only there for a year...sad to think you could spend half your time being stationed somewhere just being busy settling into a routine. Some might think that 6 months seems too long, but after talking to other spouses and having personally moved 8 times I think it checks out. Figuring it takes at least a month to unpack and organize all the rooms, getting the kids into their routine of school and activities, figuring out how to get from point A to point B in the local area, easing into making new friends, trying to find time for working out, etc. At the six month point I think I have it all balanced, well maybe.

Snow Day

Forgot to hit publish yesterday...

So the boys are experiencing their first real snow day today. I don't remember there being one while we were in NJ, maybe there was, but all three got to experience being at home a whole day while it snowed and sleeted. It is projected to get so bad that they practically shut down the base. Non-essential personal were sent home at 11am, J showed up at home around 12:30 trying to finish off some paperwork, and the services shut down at 12:00. It is kind of nice to get a day with J, he is leaving again for over a week this time next week, he's able to interact with the boys some while he works from home and studies some of his ACSC coursework. We've been busy playing some WiiU, watching movies and peaking out at the blustery weather from our windows. I love having them home, although I know I will be paying for it...they eat a lot and make lots of messes while home!

My Sweet Valentines

I meant to post these on Valentine's Day, but with the hustle and bustle of activities that the boys are in and also enjoying a quick visit with my parents, it got put on the back burner. So the boys and I had fun picking out some Valentine's Day supplies and coming up with some creative cards, N's used this picture and a glow stick for the light saber.

My "Heart breakers" Valentine's Day morning.

Pet Peeves While Traveling

I was going through my blog posts and noticed that this one never got published from last summer....what a gem! Now that I have cooled off from all the traveling it seems like this might be perfect time to post it for all those friends of mine that will be PCSing (permanent change of station for all those civilians out there) to let them know that everyone has "those" days when one the road for long periods of time.

Written August of 2012
This seems to be our summer for many adventures with lots of time driving on various roads across the US. I started this list at the beginning of our trip as a way to vent, hope you don't mind a little negative Nelly coming out in me.

Silence

So posts have been more then a little lacking as of late...just been really busy, which is a normal thing with three boys...but just being busy trying to be more in the moment with the boys as well. M and J have started two new clubs at the Youth Center, becoming official 4-H members ;) Those that have known J and M know how important 4-H was to both of us. Even though it's not the traditional 4-H club, I love that they are becoming involved in something that uses the curriculum and program put out by the Extension Service. They are participating in SOAR (an aviation club) and Lego Robotics. So Thursday and Friday for an hour after school they can't complain that they are bored...M is also doing Judo on Thursday's. Both of the older boys will be starting floor hockey soon, hopefully they note the conflicts I listed on the registration sheet so the boys can participate in all they are signed up for. If you are military and haven't checked out your Youth Center you really should, it's just not for daycare!

Cleaning House and Scoring Deals

So since we have moved here I have been trying to keep the "extra stuff" from taking over the house. Whether it's the clothing and toys the boys have grown out of, decor that just isn't quite fitting in anymore, or just stuff that doesn't have a home and is rarely touched. Back at Travis I used Bookoo.com to unload a lot of the clutter that we didn't want to move, but found out once here that not that many people use bookoo, but instead use a specific yard sale site on FaceBook. It is a closed group and part of the "rules" is that you have to have base access...which is kind of nice, I got burned more then once in CA when people couldn't pick up at my house. Meeting off base also ate up a lot of time when we were trying to pack, load and get signed out of the house. It was a great resource, but it really wasn't  always a pleasant experience. I ended up waiting more then once for 20 minutes at the visitor center with a $5 item only to finally getting a text that they can't meet or they changed their mind.

Welcome to Our Newest Member

For Christmas J and I decided to go low key for each other due to plans of traveling next summer. A big grown up trip is in the works, no details to share yet. I opened an envelop thinking it was just a letter from my sweetie about the plans for said trip, but instead was starring at pictures of kitties. I grew up loving cats, we always had a bunch of farm cats running around. But also occasionally had a few that wiggled their way into the house. When we were first married we also adopted a cat from my brother, but with moving and being pregnant Simba ended up out at the farm with my parents. Recently I got to cat sit for a friend and loved getting to spend some time playing with them, I guess all that talk about them got J thinking.

Meet Bella, a Russian Siberian Forest Cat. She is about 18 weeks old, and really loving her new home. Diesel and her are starting to bond...as long as she doesn't run like a squirrel.

She is full of energy during her play times and is very athletic. She will be a large cat, Siberians are thought to be the second largest domesticated cat. The breed is also considered hypoallergenic...ya she is a giant fur ball and won't cause you to sneeze. I hope to post some better pictures soon, and maybe even figure out to post a video of her play sessions.