Thursday, February 26, 2015

Deployment number… I forgot how many!

Is it sad that I don't even know how many deployments Jack and I have been through?  I think it's 5, but do you count the half of one he did that was 3 months or so?  Air force counts a deployment as 3 months, but Jack doesn't count that one, so I don't know.

Anyway, Jack has volunteered for a deployment to Germany that starts in May… well, the training starts in May.  He leaves for Germany later June.  He volunteered because there was an IA hanging over the squadrons head and the skipper was going to make his selection on who was gonna go until it actually arrived and then if he was chosen, he'd have no choice in the matter.  It would most likely be on the ground in a war zone.  We decided to take control over our fate and volunteer for something much less dangerous and maybe even quite enjoyable.  The kids and I plan to go visit for the summer for a few weeks or a month or whatever we decide.  It will be a great experience for them.

I, obviously, have some anxiety about 9 months of doing it all on my own over here, but thankfully we didn't decide to move and I have my family here to help, so it could be worse!

Sunday, February 1, 2015

We made our first trip to the ER

Well, after nearly 9 years of having children, we finally had to make our first trip to the ER.  UGH!  It was not fun.

I have a cold and Becca managed to get into my mucinex.  When I found her she had an empty bottle of mucinex all over her and the counter and I'm not sure how much she ingested.  It was a full bottle.  I called poison control and since I couldn't say how much she had, they had me go to the ER.  Of course,  Jack was not home.  I frantically got the boys out of the tub and we rushed to the hospital.  No blankets, no diapers, no phone charger for my dead phone.  Totally unprepared.

Thankfully, we didn't have to wait at all and they pulled us right back.  Unfortunately, Becca had to have a whole cup of liquid charcoal and 4 hours of observation after that before we could leave.  She spit out the charcoal immediately and I thought, "oh man!  This is gonna be hard!"  They took the drink back and loaded it with TONS of chocolate syrup.  That did the trick but after a bit of the drink she realized the trick and just wouldn't drink anymore.  I gave up.  They never said anything so thank goodness I didn't have to force that drink down her throat.  She's pretty set in her ways, so I have a feeling that wouldn't have gone well at all.

We got home at 12:30am and I didn't sleep until all the cleaning supplies and meds were far, far, far out of her reach.  I'm very much looking forward to her being a bit more mature to understand the dangers of some things in this house!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Tre gets his brown belt

Tre joined karate when he turned 4 and worked all the way through the "little gator" belts (white, yellow, orange, green, purple, brown and camouflage). Then he was old enough for "official" belts and worked his way through white, yellow, orange, green, and purple. On Saturday he tested for brown. It's his last test before his black belt test. He was super nervous about this test because it required him to spar for 4 minutes straight with a new black belt each minute. I know that doesn't sound long, but it was and he was exhausted. Sensai warned me that moms normally have a hard time watching and usually leave in tears. He wasn't wrong. I cried when I saw my baby sparring and crying his way through it. It exhausted him. When the minutes were over, he thought he was done but then Sensai wanted him to kick the black belt in the head (there were pads). At that point he was too tired to get his foot that high so it took him about 45 more seconds to do it. By the time it was done he was emotional and his face was flushed with exhaustion. I have never been more proud of him. It was a challenging test and our boy stayed on his feet and he never quit. I love this kid. He has a lot to be proud of.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy 2015

Well, we had a very Merry Christmas and a great New year too!  2014 was very good to us, with the biggest accomplishment being that Jack finally got his dream job (second only to his Navy dream job) and works for the airlines. Unfortunately, he's low man on the totem pole, so he missed Christmas and New Years, so that was a bummer, but I must admit, that i am so proud of our children and how well they adjust to him being gone so much, and especially on important days.  We parents worry about them so much, and then it seems like they never give it a second thought.  Thankfully, I think daddy's work schedule is just a way of life for them and something to be proud of and not something to be sad about. The kids got more than they needed for Christmas and we got to spend the day with my parents, sisters, nieces and nephews so that is aways fun.

Tre got a kindle and a xbox game he really wanted.  He loves to read and informed me the other day that after he's a Navy Pilot and retires from the airlines, he wants to be a librarian and own lots of different libraries.  He is his father's son.

William got a bike and another xbox game that he really wanted.  He was slightly jealous of the kindle, but got over it quickly with all his goodies.

Becca got a kitchen and she is in LOVE with playing with it.  I love to watch her mimic my role as a mom!

New years was spent at my house and my brother-in-law cooked chili.  Then we walked down to my sisters and did fireworks.  Becca loved them, which was a surprise because she hated them last year.  After she hit a wall, not literally, we came home, put her to bed and hung out with our across the street neighbors.  I got in bed at 11:45. Jack was in El Paso, so my motivation to stay out in the cold to see midnight was small.  We usually sit in the hot tub to bring in the new year and talk about how the year went and how we think the next year will go.  Usually we say, maybe this year you'll get hired by the airlines.  It's exciting to think that now we don't have to worry about that and can just look forward to the pay increases every year!  HAH!

Nothing new is going on here, though.  The main focus right now is potty training Becca and working on William's behavior.  We tried to train becca a few months ago and she did a great job, but she never ever asked to go.  It was constant reminding so mommy got tired and decided to try again when she turned 2.  The Christmas break was the perfect time to start anew.  It's been a week and a half and she is doing fabulous and actually asks to go.  Unfortunately, we are struggling a bit with the poop, but hopefully we will get there soon.  I am anxious to see how she does when she goes back to MDO.

About William, all the kids seem to go through their "season" and william is going through his right now.   We are working on 4 things:  not whining and complaining, not talking back, eating what is made for dinner, and cleaning up after himself.

Until next time...

Monday, December 22, 2014

So bad at this!

Wow!  Has it been over a year since I wrote on this thing!?  Believe it or not, I actually check my blog page daily.  It's not because I check MY actual blog, but because I check the blogs I actually follow.  The ones I love the most are from friends that write about every day life… nothing special, but totally relatable, you know.  Sometimes, I feel with Facebook, that it's a waste of my time to update my blog, but then I LOVE going back and reading older posts.  I might make it a new years resolution to keep posting on this.  Maybe not daily, or even weekly, but maybe once or twice a month!?!  We shall see!

Lots has happened since I posted last.

Tre:  Tre is in 3rd grade and an AVID reader.  He is completely OBSESSED with harry potter and is on the 6th book.  His original goal when entering 3rd grade was to finish the first two books!  He sure did blow that out of the water.  We are now in search of a new series that he might be excited about.  I want this reading thing to continue.  I never learned to love to read and it sure did show on my ACT scores.  HAHA!

Tre is also in karate and is a purple belt. He should be testing for his brown belt soon, but apparently this test is very challenging with a 6 minute non-stop sparring round with 6 different black belts.  He has a lot of anxiety about it, but he will do just fine.  He's grown so much in karate since he first started.  He also loves baseball and the other day his cousin told him that he's a good receiver so now he wants to start flag football.

William:  William is in first grade and doesn't really like school too much but he's very smart.  He is already reading on a 3rd grade level and flies through his math work.  The only problem is getting him to sit down and do it!  He's my "slow" child and is in no hurry to get anything done.

He's also in karate and just recently got his yellow belt.  He enjoys it and is looking forward to advancing even more because he loves the idea of contact sparring, unlike his brother.  He also plays baseball and seems to like it, although, he's moved on from t-ball and is somewhat overwhelmed by the thought of the pitching machine.  We signed him up for fall ball as an introduction and he actually got some hits.  I think he will do well.

Becca:  Becca is a sweetie pie and a total stinker, depending on the day.  She is into ALL things girl and I have learned that is totally innate.  We have started to potty train her and Jack got her batman panties and she is not a fan.  I went back and got her princesses and she's much more excited about those. We tried  to potty train a while back and that was fairly successful, but she never got in the habit of asking to go and after going to the beach for a week, mommy fell out of the habit to remind her, so now we are starting over again.  Since we have two weeks off for Christmas, now is as good of a time as any.  Today she had two accidents, but I'll call that a success.

She is in mother's day out at St. Mary's and she loves it.  So do I.  I use that time to play, tennis, run, grocery shop, clean, or go to lunch with Jack if he is in town.

Speaking of:

Jack:  Since I wrote last, Jack was hired by Southwest Airlines and is a first officer based out of houston.  So now he drills with the Navy a minimum of 10 days a month in New Orleans, or wherever they send him, and spends the rest of the time flying all over the country with Southwest.  We waited a long time to be hired by a major airline and are thrilled we finally don't have to say "maybe this year" when we spend our new years eve in the hot tub talking about how the year went and how the next year will go!  Now we can just say "I can't wait for second year pay!"  HAHA!  The pay in the first year is really bad.  Thankfully, it's a steep increase every year for the first few years, so we don't have to wait too long!  We talk often about moving closer to his base or to Dallas (he'd change his base) but I think we are waiting for his retirement in the Navy first since he'll still be gone a lot while he serves and I have family support here and I wouldn't in Texas.  Still, it's in the back of our minds all of the time.

Sarah: Well, I still stay at home, but consider myself a "married, single mom" on most days.  Jack is only in town a few days a month, leading me to do all things karate, boy scouts, homework, potty work, etc.  Some days I am completely and totally exhausted and other days I feel like it's a piece of cake.  I am thankful that I have family as a back up.  My mom helps a ton with the kids, my dad helps around the house (i.e. a mouse in the house last week), my sister and I are neighbors and car pool lots, etc.  This year Jack won't be home for christmas so allison, my other sister, is sleeping over and helping me with that.  

I guess that's all for now!  Hopefully next time I write, I can say that becca is totally potty trained but I'm not convinced!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

It's a new school year!

Well, we met Tre's second grade teacher today.  She is young and nice and organized.  I told Jack on the way home that her classroom reminds me of the way I'd set up my own classroom, so that's always a good sign.  I think Tre will like her.

Tomorrow is the first day for him.  I decided to have him ride the bus home this year so that I don't have to wake Becca up from her nap.  I have a LOT of anxiety about it, but am comforted to know that I can change my mind anytime I want.  Plus, his cousins (Carter, Reese, and Grant) live in our neighborhood and will be on the same bus.  I think that helps Tre feel a little better about it too.  William?  William can't wait, regardless of who is on that bus! I admit that I will feel WAY better when I see him get off of it for the first time tomorrow.  The website says he will get home at 3:31.  I'll be waiting at 3:20 just to be sure I don't miss him! HA!

Tomorrow is also kindergarten testing for William.  He meets his teacher on Friday and his first day is next Tuesday.  I will miss my love boy so much!  I haven't been use to him going to all day school yet!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Job change!

Change always scares me!  The funny thing is that in the military you are always moving and changing.  To me, though, that's comfortable change.  You know you're going to like your job.  You know you're going to make enough money to live a good life.  It's predictable change.

When Jack got deployed last, I moved home with the kids and when he got back, we got out of active duty and he got hired by a Naval Academy grad, turned good friend (set him up and he eventually married my best childhood friend), to be a project manager for a marine construction company called Truston Technologies.  That change was scary too.  Although, I was getting to stay in my home town, I cried like a big baby about getting out of the military because I thought that was scary!  I worried Jack wouldn't like his job and I worried that the pay cut would hurt!  Then he got accepted in the the military reserves so he got the best of both worlds.  He got to see what the civilian world was like and put his master's degree to use in project management and he also got to keep flying.  It all worked out.  Doesn't it always?

After two years, Jack's been thinking of changing his career path, and over the last few months things started to fall into place.  Today, he let his boss/friend know that we are gonna go out on our own.  Jack  recently got two "part time" jobs consulting and he is hoping to do some part time work for Truston.  He is also in the reserves and will continue to do that.  Tomorrow he is meeting with a guy who owns a business that got his resume from a friend and we will see where that goes.  It seems like the phone has been ringing a lot for Jack and that is exciting... but scary!  I know that Jack is so so smart and such an asset to any company.  I know it will all work out.  It's still scary.

I think Jack's ultimate goal is to do the Navy Reserves until he retires in about 6 more years.  He would also like to be hired by a major airline and then when he is home from those trips to do part time consulting.  Even though it seems like a lot, it actually might mean more time at home.  At least, that's the hope!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Life

I really wish I could write more regularly, but I think my life is so boring, so I think about it and then don't.

Things here are going well.  Becca continues to love all food I give her and it gets me more hopeful that she might actually not give me a fit every time it's meal time when she is older.  She gained 4 pounds in 2 months, which is great because she was entirely too skinny.  She is really the most happy baby and just a joy.  Both boys are completely in love and give her such loving attention.  I love to watch that.

William is so anxious for kindergarten.  We went uniform shopping this weekend and he looked so grown up. I almost cried.  He's my side kick!  When Tre went to kindergarten, I cried and came home and threw away my birth control pills!  HA!  That's when Becca came into the picture.  I promised Jack I wouldn't do that again, so I am thankful I still have one baby at home with me!  William also shaved his head last week. He wanted to look like daddy.  It nearly gave me a heart attack, but I have to admit that I think he looks cute and he hasn't woken up once with his hair all over the place, which is nice.  William is the sweetest thing and sure loves his mommy!  Every night before he goes to bed he tells me his favorite part was hugging and kissing me.  He is constantly telling me and Becca how beautiful we are.  His wife sure will be lucky to have him!

Tre has become obsessed with baseball.  He improved drastically last season and it got him really into the sport.  When he was born, Jack was so thrilled he was a boy and went out and bought a glove and ball and couldn't wait to play catch with his son!  The time has finally arrived where Tre can actually catch the ball and throw it back.  It's fun to watch!  He's still quietly reserved in public, but pretty stubborn at home!  HA!  He's always struggled with sharing or if anything doesn't go his way, but we try to be stern and consistent and hope he eventually gets better with handling his temper :)  I love that kids though, and even though he doesn't love kisses, he shows it with his smile and his hugs.

I am playing tennis still and am not very good!  HA!  I enjoy it though.  I started calorie counting last week and am doing a 30 day workout with marcy.  I hope it helps shed the last 5 pounds I have to lose and helps to tone those flabby abs!  I am a foodie though and feel like I'm starving so I hope that feeling passes quickly.

We might have some good updates with Jack soon, but for now I can't talk about it too much!  He did finally get promoted in the Navy, which was a 10 year process that we thought might never happen.  It's been a huge weight lifted from our shoulders though and now he can retire in 6 years.  We are so happy he gets to continue doing what he loves.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day

Becca had green beans for the first time today and she actually liked them!  I had to give her seconds for dinner.  Maybe after 2 very picky eaters, God decided to bless me with one that will eat!?  Yeah... probably not, but I'll keep holding out hope.

I had the best mothers day.  I slept in, the kids and daddy got me breakfast, I mowed (I actually like to do that), washed my car, and laid by the pool and watched the kids swim all day...literally.  Last year, we got in the pool in March, and this year the temperatures have been unusually cool and today was the first time they got in. It got me so anxious for summer!  We only have 13 days left of school and I am not sure who's more excited, me or the kids!

Friday, May 10, 2013

update

I've said this before and I'm sure I'll say it again, I'm really going to try to be better about posting!

Tre:  Tre is so funny!  He has such a sweet personality and I always say he's gonna be my kid I have to worry about the least. (I know just because I say that, he'll give me the most heartburn).  For now, though, he's such a rule follower.  He's gotten an A+ in conduct every day this year except about 3 times and even then it was an A- or just plain A.

Anyway, he's playing baseball right now and seems to be really enjoying it, except he doesn't want to practice at home.  He's the youngest on the team and it shows.  However, the other day he hit a home run (not out of the park, but lots of errors from the other team gave him time to get all the way around), and he was so thrilled... as he should be.  This was one of the first times he even made it to a base.  He's fun to watch because he doesn't give up.  He goes up to bat, strikes out and shakes it off.  He doesn't care.  He just can't wait to try again!  I wish I had trait!  I'm so proud that he has that "can do it" attitude even if he struggles.  Every time he comes off the plate with a strike out I worry that he's gonna be upset, but then he isn't.  I need to get used to that.  It's foreign to me!  I am so hard on myself! He's funny though!  I'll say, "lets practice.  You'll get better!"  His response?  "Mom, I made a home run once and I never practiced.  I don't need practice!"  HAHAHAHA!  Well, okay!

William:  William is finishing up PreK and he can hardly wait till kindergarten.  He is convinced he is going to have Tre's same teacher and I can't guarantee that.  I hope he is still just as excited if he gets someone else!  It's going to be so weird not to have my side kick!

We separated the boys rooms a few weeks ago because Tre was getting too frustrated with William.  It seems to be working well.  William is actually keeping his room fairly clean (Tre used to clean for him), and listening A LITTLE better.  He's harder to discipline than Tre because he doesn't care that much.  Take away my ipod?  He says, "okay."  Tv?  "okay."  If I don't eat dinner, I have to go to bed?  "okay!"  URG!

Becca:  My skinny minny is gaining some weight.  The oatmeal seems to be helping and I get to start a 4 hour nursing schedule!  I'm so happy with that!  I will start feeding her green beans on Sunday.  I hope that goes well.  She continues to be angel baby and sleeps so well.  I don't even have to go in to give her the pacifier anymore.  Poor girl lives in her car seat as I tote the boys to baseball and karate and she doesn't care a bit.  She loves attention though and smiles when someone talks to her.  She's the sweetest baby and makes having 3 children painless!  If I'd have known our 3rd would be this good, I would have had her a long time ago... than again it wouldn't be her so I wouldn't change anything!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Just an update to remind myself for our baby book!  Becca is such an angel! I keep waiting for the ball to drop, but she is so laid back and wonderful!  She will already be 4 weeks on Wednesday!  She slept through the night for the first time at 3 weeks!  It's hard to believe!  She went from 9:30 -6!

The boys had the best time on their trip to Washington.  I don't think they missed home until their cousins went back to school.  Then they were ready to see momma and sister!  They must have had an eventful trip because they have slept till 10 two days in a row.  That's miraculous in this house.  Unfortunately, school starts again tomorrow and I hope they can get up!!!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

William's Christmas play

Sorry for the lady's head in front of me, but this is the best I could do!  William was so proud of his play and he did such a great job!  He's growing too fast!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Riding bikes

William can totally ride his bike without training wheels!  He just needs to get the confidence.  I tried to teach him when I was pregnant, but sprinting up and down the street nearly killed me, so I decided to wait until I wasn't pregnant anymore.  The other day, he asked to try again and since I was still recovering from giving birth, Jack went out to help!  I think he did an awesome job for only his second time trying!  I think with only a little more practice, he will get it!
Our beautiful baby girl is one week old today!  I can't believe it's already been a week! She is such a precious angel and we love her to bits!  So far her personality is so easy going and relaxed! I hope it stays that way because we are enjoying everything about her instead of stressing over "what could be wrong!"  She is breastfeeding like a champ and I have to wake her up to feed at night.  SHe goes right back down!  She very rarely cries!  She puts up with her brother poking and prodding like she doesn't care and just sits there!  We are so so so so blessed.  I had to convince Jack to have a third child and now he says, "what was I thinking!  She is AWESOME!"... and she totally is.

Her doc appointment went well yesterday.  She isn't back to her birth weight yet (she was 7.2 and now she's 6.12) so we go for another weight check next week.  She was 19.75, so it seems she got shorter, but the doctor said it was just a different method of measurement.  Otherwise, her coloring is perfect and everything looked great.

Momma is feeling good.  I'm tired, but really can't complain since she only feeds twice in the night and it is fairly quick.  I've been trying to sneak in some cat naps during the day, but with two other sweet boys to take care of, there is no rest for the weary!  I'm very happy not to be pregnant anymore and to fit into my normal clothes.  I still have a few pounds to lose, but not anything that is too overwhelming, so that is good!

Life is good!  I'm just praying colic or reflux doesn't hit us!  They say that can start around 3 weeks!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Becca Jean is here!


Well, Rebecca Jean Stewart arrived today at exactly 2 AM on 12/12/12.  We came in for an induction and started cervadil, which was just supposed to prepare my cervix for labor.  Instead, it started labor and it really progressed fast!  I was 10 cm before I knew it and didn't have time to get my epidural or even for my doctor to get to the hospital in time.  The nurses delivered!  It was quite chaotic and painful!  

I wouldn't choose a drug free birth any day, but on the bright side, I got to shower right away and recovery seems to be better.  She is absolutely precious and the boys are just totally in love!!!!!!!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

IA NEWS!

The title of this post was the title of Jack's email this morning.  For all non-military folks, IA is the LAST thing you want to hear!  An IA is an Individual Augment that deploys one person out of the squadron to go do an Army job on the ground in the war zone.  If no one volunteers for an assignment, you get chosen.

Jack got selected and went on an IA 2 years ago.  It's crappy!  When he got back, we got out of active duty and joined the reserves.  Fortunately, in the reserves, you are ineligible for an IA.  Unfortunately, now that has changed and reservists are the ones that are chosen!  BOO!  His squadron has to submit 2 names this month.  Thankfully, if you've been on an IA in the last 5 years, you are ineligible!  I never thought I'd be so thankful Jack went on an IA before!  HAHAHA!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

William's thoughts on marriage...

William is the funniest thing. Lately, he's been asking me and Jack why we married each other.  Today, after I told him why I married his daddy, this is how the conversation went:

Me:  When you get married, do you know what you should look for in a girl!?

William:  No.

Me.  You should marry someone that you think is pretty because you have to look at them everyday.  But more importantly, you should marry someone that is nice to you!

William: Carmen (the girl he talks about at school all the time) is very nice to me!

Me:  And she should be smart.

William: Carmen is smart.

Jack: And she should love God.

William thought for a second.

Then Jack whispered: And have a smoking bod!

William: Carmen doesn't have a smoking bod, but she is nice!

HAHAHAHAHAH!  I thought that was the funniest thing!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Church funny

We've been trying to be better about going to church and have been going for a few weeks in a row now.  Last week, Tre did something funny and I wanted to document it, but forgot.  Better late than never I guess.  Anyway, at Sunday school they gave each of the kids small notebooks.  When they came back into church, Tre wrote in his to entertain himself during communion.  This is what he wrote:

Jesus is in my heart. (It was very sweet, but I do have to say that was on the cover of the notebook.)
I love God.  (That part he wrote on his own.)

Then he asked Jack what else he should write.  Jack said to write how he felt.  His last sentence said.

I need to pepe!

We laughed and laughed.  It was such a sweet note and his ending just took the cake.  I need to take a picture of it and post it, but I can't find the notebook.  I'm sure it will turn up!


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

bedtime funny...

We were tucking the boys in bed when Jack whispered in William's ear, "When you grow up, you are going to be an amazing man!"  William whispered right back in Jack's ear, "When you grow up, you are going to be a good daddy!"

Then Jack whispered the same thing in Tre's ear, "When you grow up, you are going to be an amazing man."  Tre whispered back, "When I get Batman 2 (a video game), I'm gonna buy Shazam first!"  HAHAHAHAHAHHA!

That story perfectly describes both kids personalities!  I wouldn't change a thing about either of them!  Love them so much!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

It's a girl!

I'm still getting over the shock!  We had the US tech do a scan and then the doctor came to scan (we went to a specialist because my nephew has a rare syndrome) and I made both of them double check!  It's definitely a girl and I just can't believe it!

The boys both wanted a sister so bad.  They both said that they already had a brother and now wanted a sister.  We had a gender reveal party with close friends and family and we had everyone where pink or blue for what they thought the baby was.  The boys HATE wearing their pink polos, but on this day, they couldn't wait to put them on!  I was shocked with how they embraced all the pink goodies that fell from the pinata too!

The next morning, I went into the boys room and the first thing Tre said was, "MOM!  I didn't sleep at all last night because I couldn't stop thinking about having a sister!  I just can't wait for her to get here!" I mean, seriously!  Is that not the sweetest thing ever!  Tre gets a bad rap for not being a kisser and hugger, but that kid sure does LOVE HARD and I LOVE HIM HARD right back!

We have been so truly blessed!  I tell Jack every day that I am living my perfect life and I thank him for it!  I truly have the best husband and kids a woman could ever want... and I'm not just saying that.  I truly mean it!